Yankees 'n More: New York Yankees Blog

Yankees Hold On This Time, Beat Jays 6-2

2011-04-21T12:38:00.000-04:00

Yankees 6 at Blue Jays 2

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
It didn't come without some nail-biting moments, but the New York Yankees rode a fantastic performance from Bartolo Colon to a 6-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays Wednesday night, giving them a split in the two-game series.

Count Alex Rodriguez, who returned for the Yankee lineup Wednesday, among those duely impressed with, but not surprised by, what he saw from Colon.

“I don’t think it’s amazing at all,” Rodriguez said. “I think he’s just a very, very good pitcher. You saw what he did in ’05 when he won the Cy Young. Bartolo’s just a natural pitcher.”

The nervous moments came thanks to a curious move (I'm being kind, since the Yankees won) by Joe Girardi, who decided a 4-run lead in the ninth inning was a good time to bring in the last man on the pitching staff—just-off-the-bus bush leaguer Lance Pendleton—to work to the Jays' potent lineup in their hitter-friendly ballpark.

A walk and a ringing off-the-wall double later and Girardi finally decided to bring in the big guns. With Mariano Rivera unavailable after throwing 25 pitches the night before, Girardi turned to Rafael Soriano, who pitched around a walk (that brought the tying run to the plate, by the way) to earn his first save as a Yankee.

On offense, New York was bolstered by Curtis Granderson, who hit his first triple and sixth home run of the season, scored twice and drove in two. Robinson Cano also droving in a pair of runs with a ground out and a sacrifice fly, and Mark Teixeira had a good night as the dish, going 3-for-5 with three doubles and a run scored.

Colon Continues To Impress, Overpowers Jays

2011-04-20T21:29:00.000-04:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
Bartolo Colon has done nothing but impress since showing up for spring training. Tonight, in his first major league start since 2009, was no exception.

After pitching out of trouble in a first inning where his pitches were up a little more than he'd have liked, Colon found overdrive, pitching 6.2 innings in what can only be considered an extremely impressive performance.

Colon leaned heavily on a pair of fastball that played beautifully off each other. The first is a true 4-seamer that got up to 94 mph while the second is a 2-seamer in the low-90's with wicked screwball movement. That combo, along with an occasional slurve, kept Toronto hitters off balance most of the night.

The 260-lb. right-hander allowed only two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out seven Blue Jays hitters. He threw 89 total pitches, 56 of which were strikes. The second of the runs charged to Colon came without him on the mound. David Robertson relieved the big righty with runners on the corners and two outs in the seventh, and allowed an RBI single before ending the Jays' threat.

No doubt, Colon will get another start off of this performance, which is one of the strongest by any Yankees' starting pitcher this season.

Swisher on Record Homer-less Streak

2011-04-20T19:40:00.000-04:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
New York Yankees right fielder Nick Swisher popped out in his first at-bat Wednesday evening, making it 53 consecutive AB's without a home run to start the 2011 season.

That extended what was already the longest dry spell to begin a season in Nick Swisher's career.

Jeter's Contract Is FAR Worse Than Soriano's

2011-04-19T14:40:00.004-04:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More

Caught this New York Post story Tuesday morning about New York Yankees setup man Rafael Soriano and his aversion to cold weather, which makes him just like every other baseball player in the history of the sport.

What caught my eye in this story was this line from Brian Costello: "The Yankees cannot afford for this partnership to fail. Soriano is armed with a three-year deal. He can opt out after each of the first two seasons..."

REALLY??? THIS is the deal the Yankees cannot afford to have go bad???

Ridiculous!

New York has already received more in return for the $36 million they, potentially, have invested in Soriano than they EVER got for the $39 million they wasted on Carl Pavano. By the way, in case you don't pay attention to the news, the dollar bills the Yankees pay Soriano aren't worth NEARLY as much as those they handed over several years ago to Pavano.

Moreover, if this Soriano deal has the potential to be a back-breaker for the Yankees, imagine the damage that will be done by the Derek Jeter contract. New York owes Jeter AT LEAST $15 million MORE than they owe Soriano, and over the same time frame.

The Yankees only WISH Jeter had opt-out clauses in his deal. Preferably one that kicks in the day after he finally limps past the 3,000-hit mark. At least Soriano is still a quality baseball player, one who is more than capable of performing at an All-Star level. Jeter could not be more done. He can't hit mediocre fastballs and his range is nonexistent.

The reality, of course, is that NEITHER deal will significantly harm the Yankees baseball operation, at least not from a financial aspect. If Jeter and Soriano never play another inning, the Yankees can write those checks and never miss the money.

The only real issue is having to cater to Jeter's ego and managing team morale and the temperature of the clubhouse. Only because Jeter is Jeter, the Yankees have to continue to start him at shortstop every day and bat him at the top of the order, neither of which is merited by his current level of play.

If Soriano completely flames out, at least the Yankees can, without the slightest hesitation, do what's best for the team and toss him out with the next load of trash. No such luck with Jeter.

Jeter Needs To Follow Gardner To The Bottom

2011-04-18T03:24:00.001-04:00

It's past time for Jeter to be moved to the bottom
of the Yankees batting order

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
There is a story in the New York Post about Brett Gardner's slump sending him to the very bottom of the New York Yankees' lineup.

So we have to wonder, how in the hell has Derek Jeter avoided the same fate? After all, while Jeter was struggling MIGHTILY through the worst offensive season of his life last season, Gardner led the Yankees regulars in on-base percentage and stole nearly 50 bases.

So when does Jeter finally get moved to the bottom of the order? You want to talk "slumps?" Jeter is not only hitting .241 this season, but most of his hits are little bleeders, many of which never make it out of the infield.

Seriously, the Captain of the Yankees has degenerated to the point that he hits the ball hard about once every leap year, and yet he gets to hit first or second every night.

Ridiculous. Not as ridiculous as the $56 million contract the Yankees just gave him, but ridiculous nonetheless.

Bombers Take Game, Series From Rangers

2011-04-18T03:05:00.005-04:00

Yankees 6 vs. Rangers 5

CHAVEZ 8th-INNING RBI THE WINNER
By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More

On Sunday night, in the series finale' against the Texas Rangers, New York Yankees ace CC Sabathia made his fourth start of the 2011 season. For the fourth time, he failed to get a win.

The big difference between this game and the left-hander's previous three, however, is that he didn't deserve a win tonight. In fact, Sabathia is pretty damned lucky he didn't end up with his second loss of the year after allowing four runs on eight hits and two walks in 6.1 innings.

Fortunately for Sabathia and the Yankees, New York's offensive power refused to allow sub-par pitching to lose this game as the Bombers beat the Rangers, 6-5, taking the series in the process.

Robinson Cano hit a solo home run in the second, Russell Martin added a two-run bomb in the fourth, and Curtis Granderson launched his own two-run blast in the sixth. All three Yankee dingers came against Rangers starter Alexi Ogando, who had allowed only two previous home runs in his major league career.

The eventual game-winning hit, however, was not a home run. It came off the bat of Eric Chavez who, while playing third base in place of a dinged Alex Rodriguez, lined an eighth-inning, 2-out RBI single up the middle to give New York their final advantage of the night.

Mark Teixeira scored from second on the Chavez safety, then Mariano Rivera pitched a perfect ninth to preserve the 6-5 victory and record his seventh save already this season. Rafael Soriano, who worked a scoreless eighth inning, earned the win for New York.

ARod's MRI Comes Back "Clean"

2011-04-18T02:40:00.000-04:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
A day after it was reported there were "no tests scheduled" for New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez and his stiff oblique/lower back, we find out ARod had an MRI.

Following the Yankees' 6-5 victory over the Texas Rangers, Joe Girardi said the MRI came back "clean" and that Rodriguez would be reevaluated on Tuesday in Toronto.

By the time the first game of the series with the Blue Jays begins, Rodriguez will have had more than three full days off, so you have to hope he'll be OK.

Toronto, however, is one of the few MLB teams left that plays on turf, and it's an especially hard turf at that. If ARod plays in both games, it would not surprise to see him get at least one game at designated hitter, for precaution if nothing else.

Yankees vs. Rangers—April 17, 2011

2011-04-17T19:31:00.000-04:00

Derek Jeter SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher RF
Eric Chavez 3B
Jorge Posada DH
Russell Martin C
Brett Gardner LF
CC Sabathia P

ARod Out Of Yanks' Sunday Lineup

2011-04-17T18:00:00.003-04:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
Third baseman Alex Rodriguez is out of the lineup for the New York Yankees Sunday night, one day after being removed from a game due to tightness in his oblique and lower back.

The issue was not thought to be serious, and this could well be just a precautionary move on the part of the Joe Girardi and the Yankees. After all, with an off day on Monday, sitting Rodriguez tonight offers New York a great opportunity for extra rest/recovery.

The Yankees played a day game on Saturday and will, after tonight, next play Tuesday evening in Toronto. That means ARod, assuming he sits the entirety of tonight's series finale' with the Rangers, will have more than three full days off between games. So sitting him makes all the sense in the world.

Moreover, the Yankees face a filthy right-hander tonight in the Rangers' Alexi Ogando. Not that you'd prefer anybody over a healthy Alex Rodriguez right now, but the hot-hitting lefty Eric Chavez isn't a bad consolation prize, under the circumstances.
***UPDATE: Our man Chavez comes through with a 2-out, game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the eighth. Arm now broken from patting self on back.***

Millwood Tosses 1-Hitter In Trenton Debut

2011-04-17T16:54:00.003-04:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
Kevin Millwood made his 2011 Double-A debut today for the Trenton Thunder and could not have been more impressive.

In the first half of a double header, Millwood pitched a seven-inning, complete-game 1-hitter against Harrisburg. The veteran right-hander threw 88 or 89 pitches, depending on which report you believe, 53 or 54 of them for strikes.

Following the game, Millwood said he was happy with almost everything except four walks and his curveball, which he said is always the last pitch to come around. He said he was unaware of where he would go from here.

***You can check out the video of Millwood's post-game presser immediately below.***

Kevin Millwood's Post-Game Presser

2011-04-17T16:07:00.000-04:00

Kevin Millwood comments after pitching a complete-game (7 innings) 1-hitter in his first appearance for Double-A Trenton.

Tex And Cano Power Yankees Past Rangers

2011-04-16T18:46:00.004-04:00

Yankees 5 vs. Rangers 2

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
For the second time in as many days, a left-handed starting pitcher for the Texas Rangers had his way for most of the game against the Bronx Bombers.

However, a pair of two-run home runs—by Mark Teixeira in the first inning and Robinson Cano in the eighth—were enough to power the New York Yankees to a 5-2 victory over Derek Holland and the Texas Rangers, on a cold and damp Saturday afternoon in the Bronx.

The homer was the fifth of the season for Tex, who didn't hit his fifth in 2010 until May 8. While the Yankees first baseman is only hitting .234 early this year, his on-base percentage is .351 and his slugging percentage is .574. Tex also added a third RBI on the day with a sacrifice fly in the third inning.

Cano's homer in the bottom of the eighth might have been the biggest hit of the day as it yanked away the only momentum the Rangers had built all day. After Texas scored two in the top of the eighth, closing to within a run, Cano's off-the-foul-pole bomb took the two runs right back for New York.

The homer also offered Mariano Rivera some breathing room in the ninth. Insurance isn't always needed for Mo, but Texas is a team that got to the future Hall of Famer twice during the 2010 season, so the extra runs certainly were welcomed today.

"Little Knot" Sidelines ARod

2011-04-16T18:04:00.000-04:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez was pulled from Saturday's 5-2 victory over the Texas Rangers with stiffness in his lower back and oblique.

Whether or not ARod plays Sunday in the rubber match of this three-game series remains to be seen, but the slugger said he felt "OK" after the game Saturday.

"I feel OK. I'm a little sore," ARod said. "I had a little knot right in my oblique and just couldn't get it warm in this weather. Hopefully tomorrow we'll get a little better weather."

As of now, no tests are planned.

Garcia Provides Relief For Bullpen

2011-04-16T17:14:00.002-04:00

Yankees 5 vs. Rangers 2

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
After consecutive games of the starting pitcher lasting only 4.1 innings, the New York Yankees, as much as anything, needed length from their starting pitcher Saturday.

And they got it. From Freddy Garcia pitching against the Texas Rangers, believe it or not.

Facing one of the toughest lineups in the league (with or without Josh Hamilton), Garcia worked six shutout innings in his first start of the season.

The veteran soft-tosser allowed only two singles and one walk to the Rangers, and he needed only 84 pitches (55 strikes) to finish six nearly-unthreatened innings.

Garcia almost certainly could have pitched at least one more inning, but with a 3-0 lead, Joe Girardi opted to turn the game over to his Jo-So-Mo combo—Joba Chamberlain, Rafael Soriano and Mariano Rivera. Chamberlain and Rivera were very good, each pitching around a base hit in the seventh and ninth innings respectively. Soriano, however, was extremely shaky.

Pitching with an at-the-time 3-0 game, Soriano allowed two runs on three hits and a walk. He was only a few feet from giving up the game, but a would-be go-ahead homer for Adrian Beltre faded just foul. Beltre eventually hit into a double play to end the Rangers' threat and preserve the Yankees' lead.

Mo took over in the ninth with a 5-2 lead (thanks to a Cano 2-run homer) and retired three of the four batters he faced to end the game and record his sixth save of the season.

But beyond any shadow of a doubt, Freddy Garcia was hero #1 for the New York Yankees today.

Sloppy Yankees Drop Opener To Rangers

2011-04-16T11:48:00.000-04:00

Yankees 3 vs. Rangers 5

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
Texas Rangers pitcher Matt Harrison deserves the lion's share of the credit for handing the New York Yankees a 5-3 loss in the opener of weekend series that's a rematch of the 2010 ALCS.

Harrison says he rededicated himself this past winter, and his results validate the claim. The left-hander held the Yankees to only one run over eight innings while improving to 3-0 on the season and lowering his already minuscule ERA to 1.23.

Nevertheless, the Yankees did their part in dropping this game.

It's not as if Harrison completely knocked the bats from Yankee hands. New York put 10 baserunners on against him, via seven hits and three walks, in eight innings. But a new team-record SIX double plays erased most of them. Obviously, Harrison, who has a very hard sinker, deserves some of the credit there, as well.

Additionally, starter Ivan Nova was bad, lasting only 4.1 innings while allowing five runs, all earned, on four hits and five walks.

David Robertson relieved the Cliff Lee-deal-breaker and wasn't much better as a walk and two wild pitches allowed Texas to score the difference-makers in the contest.

"Dead Arm" Lands Phil Hughes On DL

2011-04-15T16:30:00.000-04:00

COLON TAKES ROTATION SPOT

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
Phil Hughes is headed to the disabled list with what New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi called a "dead arm."

Bartolo Colon will be taking Hughes' spot in the Yankees' rotation and right-handed reliever Lance Pendleton is being called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to take his spot on the major league roster.

Hughes has been nothing short of pathetic this season and the Yankees have, obviously, seen enough. After initial reports that Hughes was headed down to Triple-A Scranton, reports now are that he will remain with New York while working to build arm strength. No doubt, some "rehab starts" will be coming at some point.

Colon has pitched very well while serving as the unofficial caddy for Hughes, who hit the showers early in each of his three starts this season.

"Bartolo has thrown as well as anyone," Girardi said. "He has a chance to step up for us."

Maybe "B" Stands For Blister

2011-04-15T11:44:00.000-04:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
Two of the most promising prospects in the New York Yankees' farm system, right-handed pitcher Dellin Betances and left-hander Manny Banuelos have been placed on the disabled list because each has developed a blister.

Banuelos' issue is on his left thumb while Betances' is on the right index finger. Neither is expected to miss significant time. Betances could be starting for Trenton as soon as Monday and Banuelos is expected to begin throwing again today (Friday).

Meanwhile, Kevin Millwood, who was signed to a minor-league contract at the end of spring training, will take Banuelos' turn in the Trenton rotation this Sunday.

Despite the blister, Banuelos pitched four scoreless innings in his first start for Trenton this season, though he admitted the blister made it tough to pitch, especially when throwing his fastball.

Bombers, Bullpen Save the Day!

2011-04-14T23:37:00.001-04:00

Yankees 6 vs. Orioles 5

POSADA'S 9th-INNING HR TIES IT

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
For the second consecutive start, Phil Hughes got much better than he deserved. A no-decision. At least this time the New York Yankees got a win out of it.

Hughes lasted only 4.1 innings and allowed five runs. When he left the game, the Yankees trailed the Baltimore Orioles 5-0. But the bullpen would not allow another run and Bronx Bombers began to chip away at the lead.

Bartolo Colon did the heaviest lifting for the New York bullpen, pitching three shutout innings, allowing three hits and a walk while striking out three. Joba Chamberlain took over with one out in the eighth and runners on the corners, and was a huge part of the play of the night.

After bouncing a slider past Russell Martin, Joba charged and, perhaps accidentally, blocked the plate, taking the throw from Martin, who fielded a hard bounce off the backstop, and tagging pinch-runner Felix Pie for the second out of the inning. Chamberlain struck out Mark Reynolds to end the Baltimore threat, and then pitched a perfect ninth.

While Colon and Chamberlain held the Orioles at bay, the Bombers clawed their way back into the game.

Alex Rodriguez broke up a mild Jake Arrieta no-hit bid with a double leading off the fifth inning, then Robinson Cano followed with a double of his own to break up the shutout. But Cano was stranded at second.

The Yankees were back at it in the sixth, scoring a pair of runs on a Mark Teixeira bloop double and an Alex Rodriguez sacrifice fly. New York closed to within one in the seventh when Nick Swisher scored on a Russell Martin ground out.

The comeback was completed in the ninth when Jorge Posada led off the frame with his sixth hit and fifth home run of the young season to knot the game at five. Curtis Granderson followed with a double, but was stranded there.

Mariano Rivera got a double play to erase a leadoff single as part of a shutout 10th inning, making it 5.2 scoreless innings for the New York bullpen, and setting up a Yankees' walk-off win in the home half of the tenth.

Teixeira led off the 10th with a walk, then was chased to third base with nobody out when ARod laced his second double of the night down the left-field line. With the infield in, Cano lined out to shortstop for the first out of the inning, and it looked as if the O's might be able to escape with the struggling Nick Swisher coming to the dish.

Swish would have none of it. After failing to advance Cano from second with no outs in the fifth inning, Swisher got enough of a Mike Gonzalez offering to hit a sacrifice fly to right field, chasing home Teixeira with the winning run and earning himself the first pie in the face of the season.

Phuck-Up Phil Bombed Again

2011-04-14T21:59:00.000-04:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
Phil Hughes started for the New York Yankees for the third time this year, on Thursday night. Additionally, Phil Hughes sucked for the third time this year, Phil Hughes displayed a rag arm for the third time this year, and Phil Hughes took an early shower for the third time this year.

Hughes lasted only 4.1 innings Thursday night, allowing five runs. Sadly, his 2011 ERA actually DROPPED with that performance.

It should be mentioned that Hughes was fortunate he only allowed five runs. Two of the 13 outs he recorded came when Curtis Granderson, and then Nick Swisher, made leaping catches against the outfield wall.

Also occurring for the third time in as many Hughes starts this season, Bartolo Colon relieved him, showed significantly better stuff than him, and got significantly better results than him, as well.

The time has come for Colon to relieve Hughes much earlier than he has been when Phuck-Up Phil's next turn comes around. How about bringing in Colon with no outs in the first?

Feliciano Has Significant Shoulder Injury

2011-04-14T02:10:00.002-04:00

Pedro Feliciano is NOT the problem

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
Chalk up another one for Brian Cashman, the New York Yankees GM who makes a habit of spending money in all the wrong places.

An MRI on Pedro Feliciano's shoulder revealed an "issue," according to Yankees manager Joe Girardi, who was extremely tight lipped on what the issue was, other than to say, "the MRI did not come back good."

As a result, the left-hander is out indefinitely. No telling if or when he might ever pitch for the Yankees. Feliciano has had shoulder issues in the past, and most baseball insiders recognized Feliciano was a ticking time bomb after being so heavily used by the New York Mets the past few years.

Unfortunately, for the Yankees, Cashman ignored all that, "crossed his fingers," and gave Feliciano a two-year guarantee for $8 million. Cashman sited a lack of options as a primary reason he signed Feliciano.

This guy is!

Of course, this ignores the fact that Scott Downs, a better pitcher in every sense of the word, including lefty specialist, than Feliciano, and one with AL East experience to boot, was available and all but ignored by Cashman.

Look at the bright side. At least this was only two years and only eight million bucks Cashman flushed down the toilet. Beats the four years and 40 mil he wasted on Kei Igawa, the four years and 39 mil he wasted on Carl Pavano, the three years and 17 mil he wasted on Kyle Farnsworth, and the at least three years and at least $56 million he wasted on Derek Jeter.

See? Cashman is improving. And don't we all feel better about that?

Yanks Turn To Ro-So-Mo To Close Out A.J.'s Win

2011-04-13T22:39:00.001-04:00

Yankees 7 vs. Orioles 4

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
Alex Rodriguez made history, Jorge Posada ended a hitless streak in style, and A.J. Burnett was much better than the box score shows as the New York Yankees beat the Baltimore Orioles, 7-4, on a cold and foggy night at Yankee Stadium.

ARod's latest make in the MLB record book came in the bottom of the first when he launched a wicked, opposite-field liner into the third row in right, given the Bombers a quick 3-0 lead. The three RBI's gave Alex 1,839 for his career, tying for 11th place all time with Al Simmons and Ted Williams.

The Yankees were right back to work in the home half of the second frame, pushing across three more, with the big blow coming courtesy of a 2-out, 2-run double off the bat of Robinson Cano.

Burnett, meanwhile, held the O's off the scoreboard for the first six innings of this game, and was positively dominating in innings three through six. Though the right-hander eventually allowed four runs in the seventh, the strength of his performance was not lost on ARod.

"A.J. threw the ball extremely well," Rodriguez said, making sure to accent the word 'extremely.' "With the exception of maybe two pitches, the night was almost flawless. I love the way he threw the ball."

Alex went on to mention the emergence of Burnett's circle changeup as a legit third weapon, and how important that has been to A.J.'s success so far this season.

"That third pitch makes him extremely tough, because it acts like a changeup/split," ARod said.

For his efforts, Burnett moved to 3-0 after three starts for the first time in his career. David Robertson took over for Burnett with one out in the seventh and retired the only two batters he faced. With a 3-run lead heading to the bottom of the eighth, Joe Girardi turned to Rafael Soriano, who worked around a one-out single to register a hold.

Then Mariano Rivera came on to working a perfect ninth, striking out Brian Roberts to end the game and collect his fifth save of the season, and the 563rd of his career.

Another Good Outing, Overall, For A.J.

2011-04-13T22:05:00.000-04:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
The final line score (4 runs allowed in 6.1 innings) won't blow your socks off, but there is a very strong argument to be made that A.J. Burnett had his strongest start in quite some time, on Wednesday night. This was a tale of three games for Burnett—a shaky first two innings, a dominating next four, and then a poor final frame, in which he allowed four runs while recording only one out.

While A.J. held the Baltimore Orioles scoreless through the first two frames, his command was not good and a high pitch count was the result. In fact, Burnett appeared to be headed for a very short outing after requiring 53 pitches to record the first six outs.

Then Burnett settled in beautifully, needing only 43 pitches to hold Baltimore scoreless through innings 3, 4, 5 and 6. And this wasn't your older brother's O's lineup that A.J. was dispatching with such ease. This is a dangerous group that A.J. shut down thanks to much better command, a very good fastball, his always-strong curve, and a more-than-effective changeup.

No doubt, it didn't hurt that the Bronx Bombers gave A.J. three runs in each of the first two innings. Still, Burnett was extremely impressive. In fact, he made Brian Roberts look positively foolish while striking him out, and that's NOT an easy thing to do.

With his pitch count sitting at 96, A.J. was sent back out for the seventh. He continued to pound the strikezone, for the most part, but two of those strikes turned into a pair of two-run home runs for Baltimore.

Perhaps Burnett just ran out of gas. Regardless, this was, overall, another very good outing for Burnett, who begins the season 3-0 after the New York Yankees beat the Orioles, 7-4, on a foggy night at Yankee Stadium.

Posada Halts 0-for-19 Slide In Style!

2011-04-13T21:38:00.000-04:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
Jorge Posada ended a hitless-for-19 streak with a long home run that slammed into the facing over the second deck down the left-field line, in the bottom of the fifth inning Wednesday night.

The blast extended the New York Yankees' advantage to 7-0 over the Baltimore Orioles.

While Posada hasn't hit much this year, he has made his few hits count. He has four home runs out of five total hits this season.

ARod Ties Williams, Simmons on RBI List

2011-04-13T21:13:00.000-04:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
Alex Rodriguez hit a 3-run home run in the top of the first inning tonight, giving him 617 homers for his career, and giving the New York Yankees a quick 3-0 lead over the Baltimore Orioles.

Of more interest to baseball historians, however, is the three RBI's, which gave Rodriguez a total of 1,839 for his career, tying him for 11th place on the all-time list with Ted Williams and Al Simmons.

Ayala to DL, Feliciano Suffers Setback

2011-04-13T01:30:00.000-04:00

More problems for Feliciano

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
The New York Yankees got some more bad news about their bullpen on Tuesday.

Luis Ayala, who suffered a lat injury on Saturday, is headed to the 15-day disabled list. No word on just how long the last man in the bullpen is expected to be out, if at all, beyond that 15 days (dating back to his last appearance).

Of more significance, Pedro Feliciano is headed for another MRI after playing catch prior to Tuesday's rainout. While the Yankees refused to use the term "setback," this is anything but good news.

"It's a concern," manager Joe Girardi said. "We were hoping after these two weeks, we'd be able to take the next step and then the next step, and we're just not there yet."

Feliciano has had medical issues almost since Yankees GM Brian Cashman signed him. Given the regularity with which the left-hander was used the past few years with the Mets, this physical problems are of no surprise to most in the game.

Unfortunately, for the Yankees, Cashman opted to ignore what he now refers to as the "abuse" of Feliciano, and signed the disabled pitcher to a two-year guarantee.

YANKEES TUESDAY GAME RAINED OUT

2011-04-12T19:05:00.000-04:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
The Tuesday-night opener of the series between the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees has been rained out. No make-up date has been announced. This is the second game lost to rain so far this season.

Russell Muscles Bombers Past BoSox

2011-04-09T18:52:00.003-04:00

Yankees 9 at Red Sox 4

CANO & GRANDERSON ALSO HOMER

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More

Russell Martin hit his second and third home runs of the season, putting an early stamp on the greatest rivalry in sports and leading the New York Yankees (5-3) over the Boston Red Sox (1-7), 9-4.

Martin's first blast—a 3-run shot off Boston starter Clay Buchholz in the 4th inning—was probably the biggest hit on the day for the Yankees.

Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson also homered for New York, and Eric Chavez looked good in his first start at DH. In five at-bats, Chavez collected three hits, including a pair of wall-ball doubles, a run and an RBI.

Ivan Nova made his second start of the season for New York and deserved better than he got, thanks to some questionable defense behind him. The most significant came in the fourth inning when, with runners on the corners and one out, Nova induced a pitcher's dream. A PERFECT double-play grounder to Derek Jeter.

Not only was the ball hit hard and withing Jeter's limited range, but it actually took him directly toward the second-base bag. Unfortunately, rather than continue another three steps to the bag for an easy 6-3 DP, Jeter opted to flip the ball to Cano, who could not gather in time for a relay to first.

The Yankees and Nova only got one out on the play as a result while Boston pushed across a second run. The failure to make the play became a greater issue when Dustin Pedroia followed with a 2-run double that drew Boston to within 5-4.

That would be the end of the scoring on the day for the Red Sox, however. The Yankees, meanwhile, homered in each of the next three innings to put the game out of reach.

Nova would only last 4.1 innings, but David Robertson, Joba Chamberlain and Luis Ayala would pitch a combined 4.2 shutout innings to finish the game and put New York back in the win column.

Pathetic Phil Phucks Yankees Again

2011-04-08T19:14:00.000-04:00

Yankees 6 at Red Sox 9

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
Phil Hughes was born on June 24, 1986 in Mission Viejo, California. A little less than 25 years later, the sorry sack of dogsh*t went to Boston and gift wrapped the first win of the season for the hated Red Sox.

Everything had been ailing Boston early on this season. They couldn't pitch. They couldn't hit. They couldn't win a single game out of three against the Texas Rangers, and then they couldn't even manage one against the awful Cleveland Indians.

The INDIANS! That's how bad things were for Boston. But no matter how poorly things are going for you, there is nothing that cures all of baseball's potential ails like Pathetic Phil Hughes showing up to pitch (for lack of a better term) against your nine.

The Yankees actually gave Pathetic Phil a quick lead, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning on a Robinson Cano double. Red Sox Nation was more than on edge. All of Fenway Park was ready to pounce on their not-as-good-as-advertised team. But there was no need to fear. That's Pathetic Phil going to the mound for New York.

Hughes allowed a Dustin Pedroia homer in the bottom of the first, drawing the Sox to within a run. But then the Yankees stormed back, grabbing that run right back in the top of the second. Pathetic Phil would have none of that, though. He allowed five runs in the bottom of the second inning and was not allowed to answer the bell for the bottom of the third.

After two starts, Pathetic Phil's ERA stands at 16.50 and his WHIP at 2.67. The most amazing thing about his year is that he's only 0-1. Think baseball is fair? Think again. Check this out.

Pathetic Phil started for the Yankees on Friday afternoon. He lasted only TWO innings while allowing SIX earned runs on SEVEN hits and a pair of walks. He struck out nobody. And for his (complete lack of) effort, Pathetic Phil got a no-decision.

Bartolo Colon followed Pathetic Phil to the mound. He pitched 4.1 innings, allowed only ONE earned run on only TWO hits and one walk while striking out five. It should also be mentioned here that Colon single-handedly saved the Yankees' bullpen and gave the team a chance to get back in the game. For his effort, Colon gets the loss.

Ridiculous.

Only time will tell if Pathetic Phil is allowed to @$$-rape the Yankees any more this season. But we are quickly getting to the point where Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi get the blame if he does. Of course, the Yankees don't really have any great options.

$200 million doesn't buy what it used to. Especially when Cashman is the one doing the shopping. But that's another issue for another day.

Burnett Pitches Well Again, Wins Again

2011-04-07T18:06:00.002-04:00

Yankees 4 vs. Twins 3

SORIANO BOUNCES BACK

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
A.J. Burnett (2-0) took another positive step away from an awful 2010 Thursday, helping the New York Yankees beat the Minnesota Twins, 4-3. The win gave the Bombers their second consecutive 2-1 series win to start the season.

Burnett found trouble in the fourth inning when the Twins took a 2-1 lead on the strength of three doubles, all of them rockets. However, as he did in his first start of the season, A.J. was able to minimize the damage. Something he found nearly impossible to do last year.

When it was all said and done, Burnett pitched six innings, allowing two runs on five hits and a pair of walks while striking out five. Following the game, A.J. credited throwing with confidence and Russell Martin's insistence that he use the changeup for his success.

New York turned the game in their favor for good in the bottom of the fourth inning when an Andruw Jones double plated Alex Rodriguez, Martin chased home Robinson Cano with a ground out, then Jones crossed the plate on a bloop single off the bat of Brett Gardner.

Gardner scored the Yankees' first run of the day, jogging home from third base on a Nick Swisher sacrifice fly that likely would have been a two-run homer on a warmer day.

Joba Chamberlain took over for Burnett to begin the seventh and allowed an unearned run thanks to a fluky hit batter and a throwing error on Russell Martin. That was as close as the Twins would get.

An inspired Rafael Soriano (he was regularly hitting 94 on the gun) pitched around a leadoff single to record a scoreless eighth inning. Mariano Rivera, with a little help from a great pick by Mark Teixeira of a Derek Jeter throw in the dirt, followed with a perfect ninth inning to record his fourth save in as many Yankees' victories this season.

YANKEES/TWINS GAME 3 POSTPONED

2011-04-06T19:48:00.001-04:00

The Wednesday night game between the New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins has been postponed. Telling that it was postponed so quickly, given that this is the Twins only visit to The Bronx this season. No makeup date has been announced, but a day/night double header on Thursday would not surprise.

Girardi's Idiocy Costs Yankees At Least One Game

2011-04-06T12:52:00.006-04:00

Yankees 4 vs. Twins 5

WEDNESDAY GAME IMPACTED, AS WELL

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
It was all but in the books. Another win for the New York Yankees, who led the Minnesota Twins 4-0 heading into the top of the eighth inning.

Then Joe Girardi had to make a decision and everything quickly fell apart, leading to a gut-wrenching, 5-4 loss.

The Yankees manager opted to use the known-to-be-temperamental Rafael Soriano in a non-save, non-hold situation a day after the closer-turned-setup-man threw 19 pitches to protect a 1-run lead.

The questionable (to be kind) move could not have backfired any worse than it did. Soriano was not sharp, walking three batters for the first time in his career as a reliever—including Joe Mauer with the bases loaded—and was finally removed from the game after throwing more than 30 pitches.

Then Girardi made another more-than-odd decision. With the bases still loaded and the game on the line, the Yankee manager handed the ball to David Robertson, who has been little more than a mop-up man at the beginning of the season.

Think about the situation for a moment. Girardi found himself needing two things to escape with a win in a game the Yankees appeared to have locked up just moments before.
1) He needed somebody to escape the bases-loaded, two-out jam with the then 4-1 lead intact.
2) He needs somebody to pitch to the bottom of the Twins' order in the ninth and nobody on base.

Rather than use the greatest closer of all time to accomplish the first and far more difficult task, Girardi chose Robertson. The job, of course, did not get done, and the Yankees eventually lost 5-4 in 10 innings, thanks first and foremost to the compounding layers of idiocy from one Joe Girardi.

And the good news doesn't stop there. Not only does New York suffer the heartbreak of blowing a game they had in the bag, but they also give the Twins a big mental boost, and they will now almost certainly be without BOTH Soriano and Mariano Rivera (who pitched a scoreless ninth to briefly maintain a tie) for Wednesday's game.

Think of it as a gift that just keeps on giving... From Joe Girardi, with love, to the Minnesota Twins.

Is it possible there is some baseball law that none of us knows about, REQUIRING to the Yankees to have a manager named Joe who has no earthly idea how to handle a bullpen?

Jo-So-Mo Slam Door As Yanks Win Nail-Biter

2011-04-04T23:22:00.001-04:00

AROD & POSADA HOMER

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
Ivan Nova was better than the box score shows while collecting his first win of the 2011 season. But it was the bullpen of the New York Yankees that recorded the biggest outs of the night while clinching a 4-3 win over the visiting Minnesota Twins.

After Nova gave the team six very good innings, Joe Girardi turned to Joba Chamberlain for the seventh, Rafael Soriano for the eighth, and Mariano Rivera for the ninth. For the second time this year, the Jo-So-Mo combo worked brilliantly, protecting that one-run lead.

Joba worked a perfect and quick seventh inning. Soriano and Rivera each allowed a single, but both had great command, consistently painting the corners and offering very little hope to a Minnesota Twins teams that has gotten used to losing to these Yankees.

The game was tight because the New York offense had their quietest night of the young season, failing to score any runs after putting up a deuce in each of the first two innings.

With two outs in the home half of the first inning and Mark Teixeira on first, thanks to a hit-by-pitch after falling behind Scott Baker 0-2, Alex Rodriguez launched his second home run of the season, a wicked line drive into the left-field stands.

The only other runs for New York came in second inning when Jorge Posada followed a Nick Swisher walk with his third home run in the last two games and days.

From there, the Twins made it tight, but Nova made enough pitches in tough spots to hold the lead before Jo-So-Mo slammed the door.

Nova Super Enough to Get Yankees a Win!

2011-04-04T22:51:00.001-04:00

Yankees 4 vs. Twins 3

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
The box score says starter Ivan Nova was solid—allowing 3 runs in six innings. The box score lies. Nova was significantly better than solid while collecting his first win of the year while helping the New York Yankees beat the Minnesota Twins, 4-3, in the opener of a 4-game series.

Nova did plenty to impress on Monday night, including showing off a 93-mph fastball with tremendous sinking action, reminding this Yankees fan of an in-his-prime Chien Ming-Wang. At times, Nova also showed a very good curve, slider and circle changeup.

The most impressive part of Nova's night, however, had very little to do with raw stuff. It had to do with growth/development shown by a young pitcher.

Specifically, Nova showed an ability to minimize trouble in a couple of innings that could have gotten away from him while also getting over the hump of not being able to pitch well beyond the fifth inning. Those were two issues that plagued Nova last season.

It's also worth noting that two of the three runs scored against Nova came when he made a sensational full-count pitch that future Hall of Famer Jim Thome was able to hit for a 2-run double with two outs in the fourth inning. The pitch was a near-perfect changeup, dropping down and a bit away from Thome. But Thome got it. Hall of Famer's do that sometimes.

Still, Nova was able to strand runners in scoring position in both the fourth and fifth innings before facing the minimum in the sixth (thanks to a double play), ending his night on the mound.

Scout Sees Hypocrisy in Cashman's Feliciano Comments

2011-04-04T11:59:00.002-04:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
As you no doubt know by now, New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman made some rather odd comments regarding his disabled lefty reliever, Pedro Feliciano, and the way he was "abused" the previous three seasons while playing across town for the Mets.

No surprise, but we're not the only ones who found Cashman's comments to not only be dripping with irony, but hypocrisy, as well.

"Does Cash remember the use by Torre of Paul Quantrill, Scott Proctor and many others with NO concern about their usage?" a scout asked FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal, via email. "Where was Cash then?"

And according to Rosenthal, this particular scout is actually an admirer of Cashman's! But the comment is not only fair, it's obvious. Cashman might not have hired Torre, but he was the GM who vigorously defended one of the greatest butchers the game has ever seen, prolonging his stay in New York by years.

Meanwhile, Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen had the obvious reaction when informed of Cashman's comments.

"They didn’t know that when they signed him?" Warthen asked.

Good questions from both Rosenthal's scout and Warthen. The same questions we've asked here and that have no doubt been swimming through the heads of God only knows how many people in and around the game.

Feliciano's workload was called to attention and made an issue of LONG before Brian Cashman decided to sign him. So what's Cashman's response?

“It’s a thin market when you are out there looking for lefties and he one of the better ones out there,” Cashman said. “You don’t typically run to sign up guys that have been used like that.”

Two things come to mind when I heard those latest comments from Cashman:

1) Does he no remember a guy named Scott Downs sitting on the market last winter?
2) Just because it's a limited market doesn't mean you have to sign just ANYBODY.

Feliciano is only Brian Cashman's latest mistake.

The starting pitcher's market was even more limited than the lefty reliever's market last winter, but I don't recall Cashman rushing out to give a 2-year guarantee and a spot on the 25-man roster to just ANYBODY after he struck out (again) on Cliff Lee.

Cashman made a mistake. Period. To sit here after the fact and whine and attempt blame others for issues that were common knowledge to all only serves to make him look weak and whiny. Stop your crying, Brian. Feliciano is your mistake. Period. The latest in a long line. But it's not like he's anywhere close to being one of your biggest.

Anybody remember $40 million for Carl Pavano? How about failing to learn your lesson the first time around on Javier Vazquez? And what about that $17 million for Kyle Farnsworth? How about another $40 million for Kei Igawa?

Igawa, by the way, is expected to be demoted from Triple-A Scranton to Double-A Trenton this season. Brilliant! I could go on and on and on, but there's really no point. Cashman's record is clear, and Feliciano is, sadly, just a tiny, tiny part of it. But Cashman's contract expires at the end of this season.

Hopefully his time with the New York Yankees does, as well.

Bombers' Best Not Enough In First Loss

2011-04-03T18:02:00.003-04:00

Yankees 7 vs. Tigers 10

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
The New York Yankees continued their hot-hitting ways on Sunday, but the bats couldn't keep up with the horrific pitching of Phil Hughes and Bartolo Colon as the Detroit Tigers handed the Bombers their first loss of the season, 10-7.

Jorge Posada was the offensive start for New York on Sunday, hitting his first two home runs on the season and driving home four runs.

Nick Swisher also homered and reached base in each of his five plate appearances, totaling three hits and two walks. Swisher scored twice and drove home a run.

Mark Teixeira continued his hot start, going 2-for-5 at the plate with a run scored and his third home run in as many games. Tex also had great swings on all his at-bats, and just missed a second homer on the day. Teixeira didn't hit his third homer last year until May 8.

Also homering for the Yankees on Sunday was Robinson Cano, who hit a solo shot in the third.

Russell Martin was among those making noise with the bat today, as well. The Yankees' new catcher was 3-for-4 at the plate and scored a run.

Unfortunately, Hughes allowed five earned runs in only four innings of work and Colon allowed four runs over the next four frames. Joba Chamberlain pitched the top of the ninth inning, allowing the Tigers' final run of the day.

New Year, Same Old Phil Hughes

2011-04-03T15:41:00.003-04:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
Phil Hughes made his first start of the new season and, unfortunately, it was just like most of his starts in 2010.

That is to say Hughes had big-time trouble putting hitters away, even when way ahead in the count, and, as a result, his pitch count went quickly soaring into the stratosphere. That's also where couple of his offerings ended up.

When it was all said and done, it was one 20-pitch inning after another for Hughes and another quick exit, as the right-hander lasted on four innings. During his brief time on the mound, Hughes allowed five runs on five hits (two of them LONG home runs) and two walks while striking out only one.

With the game in the seventh, the New York Yankees trail the Detroit Tigers 9-7 and Hughes, of course, is on the hook for the first loss of the season.

Hughes did win 18 games last season, but that was thanks in large part to his getting the best run support in all of baseball. After performing exceptionally well in his first six starts of 2010, Hughes pitched to a near-5 ERA the rest of the way.

That's not good. Today was even worse.

Bronx Bombers Blast Tigers, 10-6

2011-04-02T21:01:00.001-04:00

TEX, AROD & MARTIN HOMER IN WIN

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
A.J. Burnett was solid and got the win, but it was the offense for the New York Yankees that starred as Pinstripers moved to 2-0 with a 10-4 win over the Detroit Tigers on Saturday.

New York's first three runs came in the first inning and were the only of the 10 to come without the benefit of a home run. In the frame, Alex Rodriguez had an RBI double, Robinson Cano followed with an RBI single, and Nick Swisher added a sac fly.

Beginning in the home half of the second, the Bronx Bombers showed up in force when, with Brett Gardner on third and Derek Jeter on first, Mark Teixeira hit his second 3-run home run in as many games. That's two homers and six RBI's in the first two games for the notoriously slow-starting Teixeira.

Russell Martin added the biggest hit of the game for the Yankees in the fifth inning. After Detroit had closed to within 6-3 with a pair of runs in the top half of the frame, Martin launched a no-doubt-about-it, two-out, 3-run home run to extend New York's lead to a comfortable 9-3.

Alex Rodriguez got into the mix in the sixth inning, closing out the Yankees' scoring for the day with a moonshot to center field. It was the first dinger of the season for ARod, who just missed on Opening Day when he hit a double off the top of the wall in right-center field.

The bottom of the Yankees' bullpen took over for Burnett in the sixth and was OK though, with help from an Eduardo Nunez error, Mariano Rivera was eventually needed to close to door, recording his second save of the young season.

Burnett Solid, Gets Win In First Start of 2011

2011-04-02T20:07:00.000-04:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
A.J. Burnett started off brilliantly in his first start of the season, and ended up settling for a solid outing and a win as the New York Yankees (2-0) beat the Detroit Tigers (0-2), 10-6, on Saturday.

While he Burnett probably hoped for better, Saturday's start qualifies as a step in the right direction for a guy who is one of the keys to the New York Yankees' 2011 season.

Yankees 10 vs. Tigers 6

Burnett rolled through four innings, allowing only a single run on a solo homer to former Yankees' prospect Austin Jackson. Detroit started knocking Burnett around a bit in the fifth inning, but even in that frame there was plenty of good to be found in A.J.'s efforts.

True he gave up a pair of runs in the fifth, but Burnett did some things he rarely did last season—he continued to attack the strikezone (he walks only one hitter all day) and he minimized the damage, stranding runners at second and third.

Burnett allowed five hits while striking out six in his five innings of work.

Granderson Leads Yankees Over Old 'Mates

2011-03-31T18:03:00.003-04:00

TEX HOMERS, SO-to-MO CLOSES DOOR

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
Not bad for a guy who 24 hours before first pitch wasn't even a sure thing to play. Curtis Granderson's efforts helped his new team, the New York Yankees, beat his old team, the Detroit Tigers, 6-3, on Opening Day at Yankee Stadium.

YANKEES 6 v. TIGERS 3

Granderson began Opening Day with a diving catch in the first inning, then added an absolute bomb of a go-ahead home run in the bottom of the seventh inning—a blast that proved to be the game-winner for New York. Still, the Grandy Man wasn't done.

In the ninth inning he finished of his great performance with another sensational defensive play, running down a very deep liner that was sailing directly over his head, snagging the ball for the next-to-last out of the game. Granderson, of course, was not the only hero on the day for the Yankees.

Mark Teixeira, who completely revamped his offseason program in the hopes of avoiding another slow start to the season, launched a 3-run homer in the bottom of the third inning. The blast briefly gave New York a 3-1 lead.

CC Sabathia got the call on Opening Day for the third consecutive season, taking a no-decision while pitching only OK. The left-hander pitched six innings, allowing six hits and three runs, only two of which were earned. Sabathia struck out seven and walked two.

With Sabathia over 100 pitches after the sixth, Joe Girardi turned to what the Yankees hope will be a strength of this team. The bullpen. What he got in return was three perfect innings.

Joba Chamberlain pitched the seventh inning, getting credit for the win; new addition Rafael Soriano worked the eighth, recording his first hold of the year; then Mariano Rivera dispatched the Tigers in the ninth to tally his first save of the 2011 season.

Just the way everybody except Brian Cashman drew it up.

Happy Opening Day!

2011-03-31T10:38:00.000-04:00

The New York Yankees 2011 Opening Day Lineup

Montero's Failure Creates Troubling Domino Effect

2011-03-30T12:01:00.002-04:00

Austin Romine

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
Jesus Montero losing of the major league back-up catcher's job—a job the New York Yankees desperately wanted him to win—has had an impact above and beyond sending GM Brian Cashman on a mad search for a reliable back-up catcher.

In fact, Montero's being dispatched to the minor leagues has created an unfortunate domino effect, the results of which can be felt throughout the organization. To understand the issues, you have to know what the Yankees' plan was heading into the spring.

New York intended for Jesus Montero to be the backup catcher in the major leagues, serving as a sort of apprentice to Russell Martin. That formula, by the way, is one Joe Girardi is quite familiar with after having served as mentor to Jorge Posada in 1997.

The idea was for Montero to be in the majors, play a couple of times a week and, more importantly, take part in all the scouting and pitchers meetings, all while learning on the job.

But the plan didn't stop with Montero, who is just one of many prized Yankees' prospects at the position. The plan also called for Austin Romine to step up to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to continue his development.

Additionally, the Yankees' plan called for the catching spot at Double-A Trenton to be available, at some point this season, for Gary Sanchez, who might be the best of the organization's catching prospects.

Unfortunately, when Montero failed to hold the job in the majors, he was sent down to catch everyday at Scranton, which prevents Romine from advancing, forcing him back to Trenton, which has the potential to lock Sanchez.

To be fair, all of these issues could resolve themselves if Montero, or perhaps even Romine, takes off in the minors and quickly makes their way to New York.

As of now, however, Montero losing the job the Yankees had set aside for him is having a much greater impact than the Yankees organization would have you believe.

Brett Gardner Knocks Captain From Top Spot

2011-03-29T20:25:00.001-04:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
According to a report from the YES Network, which is owned and operated by the New York Yankees, outfielder Brett Gardner will hit in the leadoff spot on Opening Day against the Detroit Tigers.

Derek Jeter, who hit leadoff most of the last two seasons, will bat second, which is where the Yankees' captain has spent the majority of his Hall of Fame career.

This is a clear indication of what the Yankees' decision makers have in mind. For at least the first part of the season, expect to see Gardner batting leadoff against right-handed starting pitchers. Jeter, meanwhile, is expected to hit leadoff against lefties.

This should come as no surprise. While Jeter is coming off arguably the worst season of his career, Gardner led all Yankee regulars with a .383 on-base percentage in 2010 and stole 47 bases in 56 attempts.

How long these roles last likely depends on performance. After all, Gardner reached base last season almost as often against lefty pitchers as he did against righties—.373 vs. .387 OBP, respectively—so if Jeter falters again, you'd have to think Gardner will eventually be given a shot as the fulltime leadoff man.

Montero Sent Packing After Failing In Spring Training

2011-03-28T22:04:00.004-04:00

Jesus Montero stunk up the Grapefruit League...

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More

I’m getting dizzy from all the spinning the New York Yankees are doing on catching prospects Jesus Montero and, to a lesser extent, Austin Romine. In case you missed it, both were dismissed to the minor leagues after each failed miserably during spring training.

Last winter, Montero was the odds-on favorite to be the Yankees' starting catcher this season. Even after Brian Cashman signed the just-released Russell Martin (no great shakes himself, this spring), Montero had the backup job in the majors waiting for him on a silver platter.

But Montero was nothing short of pathetic this spring despite being given chance after chance after chance. Romine was no better. So, the decision everybody who paid even casual attention knew was coming was finally announced on Monday.

Jesus Montero and Austin Romine have each been reassigned to the minor leagues.

But now the Yankees want to pretend it's because they want those guys "playing every day."

"We thought it was more beneficial for them to play every day instead of maybe just getting a couple starts in the month of April," said manager Joe Girardi. "When you look at those two young guys, we consider them front-line catchers in the big leagues some day."

BULL, and my I add, SHIT!

Nobody in the Yankees organization gave a DAMN about Montero and, to a lesser extent, Romine "playing every day" when they were convinced one, if not both, would make the team out of spring training. It only became a very convenient excuse, uh hem, I mean ISSUE, after they each sucked so bad during February and March.

And as if all of that is not bad enough, Girardi actually had the nerve to say Montero has “showed a lot of improvement since last year.”

...and Austin Romine was no better

WTF?! Did Girardi actually WATCH this dude play??? Montero was AWFUL! HORRIFIC! PATHETIC! And not just defensively, he sucked with a bat in his hands, too! Yet Girardi actually has the NERVE to say Montero IMPROVED?

That's an absolute slap in the face and insult to the intelligence of every single person who watched Montero play this spring.

By the way, for those who have lost count, that’s also about the 273rd time the Yankees have claimed Montero has "shown a lot of improvement."

The guy would be the best catcher in MLB history by now if he had improved even HALF as often as the Yankees claim he has.

About the only truth to come out of the Yankees regarding this situation is that Montero and Romine have each been reassigned to the minor leagues. Everything else is P.R. bullshit spin because Cashman and Girardi don't want to admit the truth.

Both guys positively SUCKED all spring long.

Disabled Feliciano Just the Latest Cashman Failure

2011-03-28T08:50:00.001-04:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
The guys who was supposed to be the #1 lefty in the bullpen for the New York Yankees will not be available when the regular season begins on Thursday.

Pedro Feliciano has not pitched since March 9 with "upper arm soreness" and manager Joe Girardi characterized the chances of the lefty making the Opening Day roster as "not real favorable."

That Feliciano hasn't been able to pitch and will be landing on the disabled list won't surprise many. The veteran left-hander's workload has been extreme for years now, and many observers expected problems were coming.

Well, the problems are here and the Yankees are stuck with one more Brian Cashman-signed player who can't contribute. Feliciano qualified as the second-most coveted signing by the Yankees during an awful offseason. The most-coveted Yankees' signing, of course, was Tampa closer Rafael Soriano—a guy Cashman didn't even want.

Nova and Garcia Win Rotation Spots, Colon to Pen

2011-03-26T12:19:00.000-04:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
Saturday morning New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi finally announced the decision for which we've all be longing.

Ivan Nova has won the job as the Yankees' #4 starter, Freddy Garcia has won the job as the team's #5 starter and Bartolo Colon will be headed to the bullpen to be New York's long man.

There was no surprise in Nova's winning the job as the #4 starter, but we were taken aback a bit by Garcia beating out Colon. There are no shortage of people who will tell you Garcia pitched better than his spring numbers showed, but good luck finding ANYBODY this side of Ray Charles (both blind and dead) who believes he pitched as well this spring as Colon did.

Spring results aren't everything, of course, but Colon—featuring a mid-90's fastball along with a wicked 2-seamer—clearly had more on the ball this spring than Garcia.

The Yankees seem to question how long Colon, who remains clearly overweight, can maintain his stuff as a starter. Word is the team also believe Colon's already good stuff will get an extra boost pitching out of the bullpen. Additionally, the team thinks Colon will have an easier time transitioning to the bullpen than would Garcia.

For better or worse, and with the start of the season less than a week away, this is what the Yankees are going with. However, with Kevin Millwood waiting in the wings (at Triple-A Scranton) and GM Brian Cashman still looking for other options, it's a safe bet the Yankees' rotation will see a few changes throughout the course of the 2011 season.

Yankees Trade Mitre To Milwaukee Brewers

2011-03-25T13:04:00.000-04:00

DEAL CLEARS WAY FOR NOVA, GARCIA & COLON

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
The New York Yankees traded pitcher Sergio Mitre to the Milwaukee Brewers for outfielder Chris Dickerson on Friday. The move clears the way for Ivan Nova, Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia to all make New York's Opening-Day roster.

Heading into spring training, Mitre, Garcia, Colon and Nova had been battling for what figured to be three spots on the major league roster—the last two spots in the rotation and long man in the bullpen. Based on Grapefruit League performances, Mitre finished a clear fourth in the competition.

By dealing Mitre now, the Yankees will be able to keep the three best performers in the majors without risking losing anybody to a waiver claim.

Best guess from here is that Nova will be the Yankees' #4 starter, Colon the #5, and Garcia will head to the bullpen as the long man/rotation insurance. It's worth noting that the Mitre trade came just hours after a report in which Garcia said he was willing to pitch out of the bullpen for the Yankees this season.

Dickerson figures to be headed to Triple-A, unless the Yankees find themselves in need of immediate outfield depth due to Curtis Granderson's oblique strain.

Dickerson (28) is a lefty-hitting outfielder who has spent parts of three seasons in the major leagues with the Cincinnati Reds and the Brewers, compiling a .267/.356/.409 line along the way. That stat line, by the way, is nearly identical to stats compiled during eight seasons in the minor leagues.

Yankees Sign Millwood To Minor League Deal

2011-03-25T11:14:00.001-04:00

Kevin Millwood signs with Yankees

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
After months of flirtations, the New York Yankees and free agent pitcher Kevin Millwood have come to terms on a minor league contract.

Millwood, who was holding out in hopes of finding a major league deal, will not be ready for the start of the season next week. That means Bartolo Colon or Freddy Garcia will be New York's #5 starter to begin the season.

Millwood will likely remain in extended spring training until he's ready to join Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre as a regular member of their rotation. From there, Millwood will be a candidate to take over a spot in New York's rotation should Ivan Nova, Colon and/or Garcia falter.

Millwood will be looking to rebound from an horrific season in 2010 when he led the American League in losses, going 4-16 with a 5.10 ERA in 31 starts for the Baltimore Orioles.

Colon Likely Locks Up Spot in Yanks' Rotation

2011-03-22T01:52:00.004-04:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
The battle for the bottom two spots in the New York Yankees' rotation is coming to a head, and Bartolo Colon might have just clinched a spot for himself with a very strong outing against the Tampa Bay Rays.

While the Yankees eventually lost, 3-1, to Tampa, Colon did everything he could have possibly done to win a job as a starter in the Bronx. Featuring pitches with plenty of "life" on them, the veteran righty pitched six nasty innings, allowing only one run on two hits and no walks while striking out five.

Spring results are rarely important, and this game was no exception. It's not the results, it's how Colon got them—specifically how he threw the ball—that matters most.

According to one scout, Colon reached 93 with his fastball. But there was more than velocity on the four-seam fastball to get excited about. He also had wicked movement and location on his two-seam fastball, giving both righties and lefties fits with the offering.

There were also multiple broken bats and some sort of filthy splitter/slurvish offering that positively fell straight down off the proverbial table to rack up another strikeout. Overpowering would not be too strong a term for what Colon did to the Tampa Bay lineup on Monday evening.

The Yanks might not be ready to announce any final decisions just yet. But with only a week and a half until opening day, and with Colon pitching this well (his spring ERA dropped to 2.40), and with rag-armed Freddy Gacia having imploded in his most recent start, it's difficult to imagine Colon NOT having locked up a spot in New York's starting rotation.

CC and ARod Help Yankees Stomp Phillies

2011-03-20T17:22:00.007-04:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
There was good news all over the place Sunday afternoon as the New York Yankees hammered the Philadelphia Phillies, 8-1, in Grapefruit League action.

Start with the starter, Yankees ace CC Sabathia, who looked in mid-season form. During his time on the bump, Sabathia allowed only one run (on a solo homer to Jimmy Rollins) on six hits and one walk while striking out five.

That proved plenty good enough for the Bombers' offense, which scored early and often in route to a 8-1 drubbing of the team many consider the heavy favorites to win the World Series this season.

Speaking of offense, what more can be said about the spring Alex Rodriguez is having. The third baseman homered for the fourth consecutive game today, going 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI and two runs scored. ARod has hit safely in every game in which he's played this spring.

More important than the raw numbers is the WAY Rodriguez is finding his success, with Sunday's home run a perfect example. ARod's bomb came on an inside fastball—a pitch that has consistently beaten Rodriguez for at least the last two years. One of the clearest signs you'll find with Rodriguez is whether or not he can consistently get around on the inside fastball. When ARod is physically able to turn on that pitch and drive it with authority, he's on his way to a big year.

Several months ago, Rodriguez was finally given the green light to, for the first time since hip surgery two years ago, go full out with his offseason exercise program. As a result, he dropped weight and body fat this winter, and he's not getting consistently beaten by the inside fastball anymore.

Also of note for the Yankees' Sunday was Mark Teixeira, who homered just in front of ARod's blast, and Eric Chavez, who pounded an RBI double off the wall in right-center field. Chavez is raking the ball this spring (.371). If he stays healthy (always a question with him), the Yankees have found struck gold.

The good news for the Yankees doesn't stop there. Boone Logan, pitching in a game for the first time since being shut down with "back spasms," pitched a perfect inning today, striking out the side in the ninth. Setup man Rafael Soriano kept his perfect spring ERA intact, as well, working a perfect eighth inning.

Plenty of Good to be Found in A.J.'s Rough Outing

2011-03-18T19:55:00.001-04:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
If you were getting moment-by-moment Twitter updates on A.J. Burnett's latest spring outing for the New York Yankees Friday, you probably found yourself thinking, 'here we go again.'

After all, there were plenty of things that have proven troublesome for Burnett in the past. Things like runs, wild pitches, passed balls, stolen bases. But it wasn't all bad for A.J., who only lasted four innings against the Toronto Blue Jays.

In fact, there was one beautiful number showing on Burnett's pitching line. ZERO WALKS!

While A.J.'s outing won't, under any circumstances, qualify as stellar, it also wasn't cause to think any previous progress is lost. Actually, Burnett likely would have enjoyed much kinder results Friday had it not been for a disastrous game from batterymate Russell Martin, who was at the very least an accomplice to the crime.

For the day, Burnett allowed five hits and four runs, only two of which were earned. But in his four innings, A.J. struck out five to go along with no walks. In 13 innings this spring, Burnett has yet to allow a walk, and he's given up only nine hits while striking out 11.

Nolan Ryan Gives Loud-Mouth Greenberg The Boot!

2011-03-11T13:59:00.003-05:00

Nolan Ryan and the Rangers have had enough of Chuck Greenberg

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More

You remember Chuck Greenberg... The Texas Rangers CEO who couldn't keep his foot out of his over-sized mouth? Remember?

You won't be hearing from Mr. Greenberg anymore, at least not on matters pertaining to Major League Baseball and the Texas Rangers. It took the Rangers all of seven months to grow tired enough of Greenberg's ways to boot his ass out the door.

Nolan Ryan, himself a minority owner in the Rangers, was reportedly among many in the organization who'd grown sick of Greenberg's nonsense. Ryan takes over for Greenberg, adding CEO to his growing list of titles.

Greenberg the same goof who started talking trash about New York Yankees fans five seconds after his group finally gained control, via bankruptcy auction, of the Texas Rangers from failed bit Tom Hicks.

Of course, moments after Greenberg made his ridiculous statement, he was on his knees begging forgiveness after bringing the wrath of both Yankees general partner Hal Steinbrenner and Major League Baseball down upon both himself and the Rangers organization.

Failing to learn his lesson, Greenberg was back in action months later, patting himself on the back for reporters, saying that it was his trips to Arkansas that stalled the Cliff Lee negotiations, opening the door for Lee's eventual signing in Philadelphia. Greenberg wanted credit, you see, for preventing Lee from signing with the Yankees.

Now reports reveal the true story was something entirely different. According to Jon Heyman of SI.com, Greenberg's trips to Arkansas actually ANNOYED the Lee camp, which was also not thrilled with Greenberg's late-in-the-game "low-ball offers."

Bottom line: It took Chuck Greenberg about seven minutes to completely wear out his welcome with the majority of Major League Baseball, and about seven months to do the same with his own team. And not a moment too soon.

Hey, Chucky, don't let the door hit ya where The Good Lord split ya!

RIVERA: 'Banuelos Best Pitching Prospect I've Seen'

2011-03-10T18:53:00.004-05:00

Mariano Rivera calls Manny Banuelos
the best pitching prospect he's ever seen.

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
Top pitching prospect Manny Banuelos pitched another pair of scoreless innings Wednesday evening, and looked as dominating as ever while doing it. But that only ranked second for the day on the ManBan newswire.

The top story involving the soon-to-be-20-year-old phenom came courtesy of New York Yankees legend Mariano Rivera, who referred to Banuelos as the best pitching prospect he has ever seen. And the praise from Mo didn't stop there.

"I like everything about him," Rivera said of Banuelos. "The makeup and how he keeps his composure. I notice situations and how you react in situations. Where you make your pitches in tough situations, where you spot your pitches, he has the ability to do that."

That validates what we've been saying around here about Banuelos, and it's the reason we don't think he should be wasting any more bullets in the minor leagues.

Were Banuelos simply overpowering people with raw stuff, that would be one thing. That's not what this kid is doing. He's pitching at a level that belies his age. In fact, he's pitching at a level that belies Dellin Betances' age (soon-to-be 23).

Banuelos has good command of three plus pitches—a mid-90's fastball, a sharp curve and a changeup that reminds of an in-his-prime Johan Santana—and he has no issues consistently throwing his secondary pitches for strikes when behind in the count. Again, he's PITCHING, not throwing.

If you didn't know his age or his story (limited experience) and just watched him pitch, you wouldn't think, "there's a guy who needs more seasoning."

If you are one of those who continues to insist that Banuelos "needs more minor league innings," that's your opinion, and that's fine. But it sure sounds like Mariano Rivera disagrees with you.

You'll forgive us for choosing to side with Mo on any issue that involves pitching in the major leagues.

DEREK JETER: From the Pages of The New York Times

2011-03-09T13:08:00.003-05:00

—BOOK REVIEW—

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
If you're a fan of Derek Jeter, the New York Yankees and/or baseball history, a new book from Abrams Publishing, Derek Jeter: From the Pages of The New York Times, featuring an introduction from Times beat writer Tyler Kepner, is certain to become an instant favorite.

Derek Jeter is the unquestioned current face of the Yankees franchise—the modern day Joe DiMaggio. This book follows his Yankees career, from his early years as a skinny kid right on through his emergence as a World Series hero, Captain of the Yankees, and continuing on to the present day.

Of course, most Yankees fans are already familiar with the Derek Jeter story. After all, we've lived it. But it's the WAY the story is told that makes this book special.

As the title suggests, this book is filled with the actual New York Times stories about Derek Jeter, some dating back to as early as 1992. If you're anything like me, this is what makes this book a must-have.

I can't begin to tell you how many hours I've spent in libraries over the years, searching back through endless miles of microfiche and microfilm, all for the payoff of reading the accounts of historic events from when they happened.

Whether it's the on-field heroics of Babe Ruth, the crimes of Jack the Ripper, or anything in between, what was being written, said and thought at the time is what interests me the most.

That's the beauty of Derek Jeter: From the Pages of The New York Times. All those great stories are compiled in one easy-to-read and, more importantly, easy-to-find book.

And I haven't even mentioned the pictures, which all by themselves are worth the $29.95 purchase price. What else can I say? If you're a fan of Derek Jeter, the Yankees, and/or baseball history, BUY THIS BOOK!

CASHMAN: Yankees Never Made Offer To Chapman

2011-03-09T11:59:00.000-05:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
Contrary to a Tuesday night Tweet, the New York Yankees never made an offer to Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman. So says New York general manager Brian Cashman.

According to this tweet from SI.com's Melissa Segura, the State of Florida v. Hendricks/Fernandez (Hendricks brothers sports agency) lawsuit contains information that the Yankees offered Chapman a contract worth $54 million.

That would be big news given that Chapman eventually signed a six-year deal worth around $30 million with the Cincinnati Reds.

"We never made an offer," Cashman told ESPN's Buster Olney. "Never."

Adam Warren Is As Common As They Come

2011-03-07T21:32:00.003-05:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
There has been a lot of excitement over the farm system of New York Yankees the last year or two, and much of it justified. But you can forget about Adam Warren being any sort of prospect worthy of such commotion.

Oh, if you look no further than the box score, you're bound to think the Yankees have something in Warren. After all, he just completed two scoreless innings against the Baltimore Orioles, lowering his spring ERA to 1.93.

Save yourself the disappointment. To watch this dude throw the ball is to know he is nothing more than the next Darrell Rasner or Dan Giese.

Warren features... well... he features nothing. He throws a mediocre fastball at 89 with next-to-no movement, he throws a breaking ball that has about as much movement as your average straight changeup, and he throws what looked to be some sort of so/so split finger pitch.

When you listen to those who followed Warren in the minors, there's always a lot of adjectives like "gutty" and "guile" and "heady." In the end, all it means is we're talking about a guy who doesn't have the stuff to miss any bats. I'm sure Warren is a nice guy who tries real hard, but none of that is going to get Kevin Youkilis out with two gone and the go-ahead run on second base.

That junk Warren was offering worked well tonight against the admittedly free-swinging Orioles. But any major league hitter who makes this dude throw the ball over the plate will tear him apart!

It's possible Warren, like many common-as-they-come right-handers before him, will junk his way to success his first time around the majors. But like all those other nothings, the A.L East will catch on quickly, chew him up and throw him out.

Save your excitement for somebody worthy.

Hey, Yankees... Banuelos Is Ready NOW!

2011-03-05T18:18:00.002-05:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
Earlier this spring, New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman insisted Manny Banuelos, who won't turn 20 years old for another few days, had "no chance" to make the major league team out of spring training. The young left-hander, says Cashman, will begin the 2011 season at Double-A Trenton.

This would make sense is Banuelos were your normal soon-to-be 20-year-old pitcher, which is to say, somebody in desperate need of more seasoning before being ready to even dream of pitching in the major leagues.

But to watch Banuelos pitch, even in spring training, is to know the minor leagues have nothing to offer him but innings. We see no rational reason to waste those innings in the minor leagues, especially when the major league team is in such desperate need for quality innings from the rotation.

While Banuelos possesses overpowering stuff—he has great command of three plus pitches—he is not simply overpowering batters. Even at the tender ago of 19, the lefty is anything but the proverbial "thrower." Banuelos is a pitcher, and an advanced one at that.

"(He's a) special kid," a former MLB scout told Yankees 'n More. "This is the product you get when a guy learns to pitch first with pretty good stuff, and then picks up a couple ticks."

And what about keeping Banuelos on the majors from the start this season?

"It's incredibly tempting," said the former scout. "Most young talents, you can see where they need seasoning. He (Banuelos) already has the moxie of a major league pitcher."

For proof of that "moxie," look no further than Manny's performance Friday evening against the Boston Red Sox. Banuelos pitched two scoreless innings, but it's not simply the results that impressed. It's the way he achieved those results.

Banuelos twice spotted a nasty changeup for a strike when behind the count 1-0. He also dropped in a nasty curve for a strike when he found down in the count 2-0 to a third batter.

And what did young Manny show when he found himself in a bit of trouble with two men on in his second inning of work? This kid, who had been sitting at 93 with his fastball most of the evening, reached back for 96, blowing away the batter to end the inning while registering his third strikeout of the night.

So what's the problem with allowing Banuelos the opportunity to pitch his way into the major leagues? Would this be any sort of issue if he were pitching as he is at the age of 22 or 23? Can Brian Cashman really be so blind as to not recognize a special set of circumstances when he see them?

Seattle's "King" Felix Hernandez pitched nearly
300 innings in the majors before his 21st birthday

Seattle's Felix Hernandez was pitching in the major leagues at a younger age than Banuelos is now. In fact, "King" Felix pitched 84 innings in the major leagues the year he turned 19. He pitched 191 more the year he turned 20. If memory serves, that worked out OK.

That worked out OK because Hernandez was a special case. And when you watch him pitch, you know Banuelos is, as well. To just blindly apply a strict set of rules to every 20-year-old for no other reason than because they are 20 is, at best, silly.

No don't misunderstand. The Yankees should be very protective of this young arm. But you do that with pitch and innings limits. Where those pitches and innings are thrown should be determined only by Banuelos' performances. Period.

There is one other thing that must be considered with Banuelos, or any other pitcher for that matter. Injuries. Tomorrow is not promised to any of us, especially pitchers. God forbid Banuelos is one of those unfortunates who only has a very limited number of bullets in the chamber—think Mark Prior, Kerry Wood, etc.

But whether young Banuelos proves to be the next Mark Prior or the next Nolan Ryan when it comes to health, the question still has to be asked: Just how many of Manny's bullets do we wish to waste on the minor leagues?

Brian Cashman might not be ready to see Manny pitch in the major leagues, but the kid is sure enough ready to pitch at that level. To send him anyplace else would be a waste.

Francisco Cervelli Out With Broken Foot

2011-03-04T16:19:00.001-05:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
The path to the major leagues for Jesus Montero, not to mention Austin Romine, just got a lot easier.

New York Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli is out indefinitely with a broken foot, thanks to a foul ball off his left dog on Wednesday.

The Yankees still expect Russell Martin, who was signed last winter after being released by the Los Angeles Dodgers, to be the starter. Martin has yet to catch a spring training game, but that's expected to change as soon as Friday night.

If Martin holds on to the starting gig, as expected, it was reasonable to expect the Yankees would prefer to have top prospects Montero and Romine playing every day in triple-A and double-A, respectively, while Cervelli served another year as the back-up catcher.

If that plan was ever under serious consideration by the Yankees, it's up in smoke now. Cervelli will be in a walking boot for at least four weeks. Of course, the timetable for when he might actually be able to catch again flies well beyond a month.

Unless something else changes, most likely via injury or trade, expect Montero to make the team as the back-up catcher and Romine to begin the season as the regular backstop at triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Mark Teixeira/Scott Boras Split Should Not Surprise

2011-03-02T11:39:00.002-05:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
Mark Teixeira has split with Scott Boras and is looking for a new agent, becoming the second New York Yankees star to so in the last year. Third baseman Alex Rodriguez was the first to do so.

Those moves actually make a great deal of sense for all parties involved, including Boras.

Consider that Rodriguez and Teixeira, while under Boras, have each signed what will almost certainly be the final huge contract of their respective careers. The work has been done, and all the money—including commissions—has been earned, if not yet paid.

Simply put, Boras doesn't stand to make a great deal more money from ARod or Teixeira, who don't need a Boras-type agent to negotiate any more massive contracts on his behalf. Teixeira agrees.

“Sometimes business relationships just run their course,” said Teixeira. "...the next six years of my career aren’t going to be about a contract. Now that the contract is over with, I don’t want to be a Scott Boras client."

Meanwhile, an emerging Yankees star, second baseman Robinson Cano, recently switched to Boras. Again, this makes all the sense in the world. It's all about different points in a career path. While ARod and Tex are done with negotiating huge contracts, Cano is looking forward to negotiating one, and nobody does that better than Boras.

Hughes Not Into Change The Coaches Want

2011-03-01T17:41:00.001-05:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
If actions and words are any indicator, there appears to be a difference of opinion regarding the importance of New York Yankees starter Phil Hughes developing his changeup.'

Coaches keep mentioning Hughes' further development and use of the pitch as the primary goal for him this spring. But following his initial Grapefruit League start, Hughes all but laughed off that notion.

Hughes told beat writer Peter Botte that he threw a grand total of three changeups in his two scoreless innings of work. That's not exactly 'working on the pitch.' Hughes also said he believes he's "set a world record" on changeup questions.

"Hopefully it'll be decent pitch by time I'm 40," Hughes continued. "Not looking for it to be anything outstanding, just usable."

Yankees coaches keep saying they want Hughes to develop that pitch. Hughes, meanwhile, hardly ever throws it, even in meaningless spring training games, then makes jokes about the very thought of a changeup ever being a significant pitch in his arsenal.

To refer to this as any sort of "split" between Hughes and the coaching staff would be overstating the issue. Nevertheless, it's disappointing that Hughes apparently fails to recognize the value of a good changeup, especially for a guy with as good a fastball as he has.

Nova, Betances Impress As Yanks Roll Phils

2011-02-27T16:05:00.001-05:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees ‘n More
Strong pitching and a 2-run homer from Curtis Granderson helped push the New York Yankees past the Philadelphia Phillies, 7-3, in their second Grapefruit League contest of the spring.

The pitching was led by Ivan Nova, who started the game and worked two scoreless innings in his initial bid to win a spot at the back of the New York rotation. Manager Joe Girardi seemed impressed.

“He looked good,” Girardi said of Nova. “His ball was moving, he had a good curve. You could tell by the groundballs he got that he was keeping the ball down in the zone.”

The highlight of the day, perhaps, was the appearance of the highly regarded Dellin Betances, who struck out the side—around a two-out walk—in the bottom of the fifth inning. Betances was explosive—reaching 97mph with his fastball. If there was a knock on the 22-year-old’s performance, it’s that he had trouble locating his secondary pitches, often leaving them well up in the zone.

The Yankees blew the game open with a four-run bottom of the sixth as Nick Swisher and Jorge Posada each had RBI hits. Jesus Montero also added an RBI on a broken-bat single to left field.

Jorge Vazquez closed the scoring for the Yankees with his second home run in as many games this spring, in the top of the ninth, and this one off a name brand—Phillies closer Brad Lidge.

Yankees Drop Grapefruit League Opener, 5-4

2011-02-26T16:49:00.002-05:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
The New York Yankees lost their first spring training game to the Philadelphia Phillies, 5-4, after a late rally opportunity was wasted.

Trailing by what would prove to be the final score, New York had the tying run on third and the winning run on first with only one out in the bottom of the ninth inning. However, Brandon Laird struck out, and then Kevin Russo grounded to shortstop to end the threat and the game.

Bartolo Colon started for the Yankees, allowing 2 runs on two hits and a walk in two innings of work. Joba Chamberlain and David Robertson followed with scoreless innings before prospect David Phelps was knocked around in his inning of work, allowing a pair of runs on three hits.

Another of the Yankees pitching prospects, Hector Noesi, allowed two hits in two shutout innings before Eric Wordekemper allowed a pair runs and the loss for New York.

The Yankees offense came primarily from the bats of Jorge Vazquez, who hit the Yankees' only home run, a two-run shot that gave New York the lead in the seventh inning, and Mark Teixeira and Francisco Cervelli, who each had RBI doubles.

PLAY BALL! Yankees Open Grapefruit League Season

2011-02-26T15:01:00.000-05:00

Chandler Changes Nothing For Same Ol' Mavericks

2011-02-25T19:34:00.008-05:00

Tyson Chandler is just the latest in a long line
of centers Dallas fans thought were the answer

By Larry Barnes | Yankees ‘n More

It has been said the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. If that’s the case, the Dallas Mavericks and many of their fans should be sporting straightjackets while sitting in padded rooms.

Why are so many, including many in and around the Mavericks organization, expecting this year to be any different than any of the past 10? It’s as if the Mavs have become the NBA’s answer to the movie Groundhog Day. Or perhaps the traffic circle scene from National Lampoon’s European Vacation would be more accurate.

Surely it can’t be all the regular-season wins. Have we still not learned our lessons about the regular season and playoffs being two completely different animals? Look no further than a league-best 67 wins a few years back. We were all convinced Dallas’ B-ball franchise was heading places then. How’d that work out?

The only thing that could possibly be considered significantly different between this season and all the previous ones the last decade is Tyson Chandler. But there is a very strong case to be made that Chandler is just more of the same for the never-good-enough Dallas Mavericks.

Start with the reality that you do not find true top-quality centers in the NBA’s consolation pile, which is exactly where the Mavericks found Chandler. Remember, it was only after at least offseason plans A, B and C failed that Dallas settled (again) for what was left last offseason. What was left was a guy basically nobody else wanted. The suddenly great difference maker, Tyson Chandler.

So why shouldn’t we buy into Chandler’s attention-grabbing regular season for Dallas? For the same reason regular-season win totals mean so little. The playoffs is and always will be a COMPLETELY different animal.

During the postseason, the Mavericks, if they make it past the first round, will be facing the same top quality team in each game they play over a span of a week and a half to two weeks. Because of that, the opposition will be afforded the opportunity to game plan in a much more detailed way than they ever could during the regular season. From October through mid-April, teams are playing team A one night, somebody else the next, and then hopping on a plane to face a third different team two days later.

Things change dramatically when the real season begins, which is why you can expect Chandler to turn into the latest Mavs’ disappointment sometime before May. And again, this is nothing new. Just more Mavs’ madness from an organization, media and fans that refuses to learn a lesson they’ve sat through numerous times.

After all, there is nothing that has been seen from or said about Chandler this season that wasn’t seen and/or said about Brendon Heywood after Dallas acquired him. And before Heywood? Remember how convinced we all were that the long search for a center was over after we discovered DeSagana Diop?

And who can forget about the big difference maker that preceded Diop? Ah yes, the great Erick Dampier. I can still remember how we were all wetting ourselves over the way Damp was going to change things for the Dallas Mavericks.

Nowitzki remains the Mavs lone star

Like it or not, at the end of the day, absolutely nothing has changed for the Mavericks. They are still a one-star (or LONE-star, if you prefer) team with Dirk Nowitzki, and their latest lightening-in-a-bottle big man will be exposed as soon as the real season begins, just as Heywood, Diop and Dampier were before him.

Ten years now we’ve been waiting for the Mavericks front office to add another true star to play alongside Dirk, and we still don’t have one.

Every bit as troubling, consider where the Mavs will turn for offense the moment a tough postseason series turns into one half-court fourth quarter after another. Just as was the case in the past, their first two options—Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry—will be shooting 18-foot fade-aways and 23-foot jumpers, respectively.

So what happens once the Mavs get bounced again early in the NBA playoffs? Anybody who has been paying even casual attention to this franchise for the last decade should be able to tell you that. That’s when we as Mavs fans shift into excuse mode. Can’t blame Dirk. After all, he’s “never had the talent around him that other stars have.”

But what about all that crowing over Tyson Chandler??? Ah, never mind. There’s some big man nobody else wants that we might be able to land for our mid-level exception! WOO HOO! 2012 IS OUR YEAR!

Look, kids… Big Ben… Parliament… Can’t get left!

Monmouth QB Alex Tanney -- AMAZING Trick Shots!

2011-02-24T19:02:00.000-05:00

If you haven't seen this guy yet, do yourself the favor of watching this video! INCREDIBLE!

BASEBALL AMERICA: Yankees Sign Cuban Shortstop

2011-02-23T21:06:00.001-05:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
According to Baseball America, the New York Yankees have signed Cuban shortstop Yadil Mujica, who is reported to be 26 years old. Obviously, Cuban ages can be a bit shaky. You Tube has this extensive video of Mujica.

Here's what Baseball America says about Mujica:
"Scouting info on Cuban defectors can be scarce, but Yadil Mujica appeared on the nation’s preliminary roster for the ’09 World Baseball Classic and batted .358/.432/.440 that season before defecting."

Baseball-Reference.com has a more extensive bio:
"Yadil Mujica was emerging as one of the top young infielders in Cuba before defecting.

Mujica debuted as a teenager with Matanzas in 2003-2004, hitting .217/.299/.237 while playing almost every game. In part-time action in 2004-2005, he batted .306/.363/.333. He hit .302/.362/.392 in 2005-2006. In 2006-2007, his batting line read .300/.344/.350.

Mujica made major strides in 2007-2008; after 4 home runs in his first four seasons, he went deep 9 times. He hit .358/.418/.514 with 60 runs in 83 games. He did not finish among the league's top 10 in any category but was close in a few. He made the league All-Star team at shortstop ahead of national team mainstay Eduardo Paret.

Mujica was on Cuba's preliminary roster for the 2009 World Baseball Classic but did not make the final cut. In 2008-2009, he batted .358/.432/.440 and tied for 4th in the league with 22 errors. He defected following that season."

No word on where Mujica is expected to start the 2011 season, though it's expected to be with a full-season team.

Do-Nothing Dallas Mavericks Shut Out Again

2011-02-23T12:03:00.002-05:00

Deron Williams is just the latest star to move
while the Mavericks sit on their hands

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
Over the past several years, the Dallas Mavericks have devolved from an ultra-aggressive, in-the-middle-of-everything franchise into a team that is rarely recognized as a serious threat when the top names in the game are on the move.

When Mark Cuban purchased the dead franchise, he quickly and aggressively moved on seemingly every front and, in the process, turned the Mavericks into nearly instant contenders. Those days are long gone.

Consider the last nine months or so. LeBron James, Amare Stoudemire and Dallas native Chris Bosh all moved in the offseason, yet Dallas was never recognized as any sort of threat for any of them. Carmelo Anthony (not to mention Chauncey Billups) was traded to the New York Knicks on Tuesday after being on a very public trading block for months, yet the Mavericks were never more than on the most extreme periphery of any rumors.

Then today comes word that the New Jersey Nets and Utah Jazz have pulled off a blockbuster of a deal involving two of the top young point guards in the game—Deron Williams and Devin Harris. One more time, the Mavericks prove to be nothing more than a faint misty rumor in the night on Harris and are never mentioned in connection with Williams.

Even Harris, who might not be considered on a par with Williams or Chris Paul, would have been a welcome addition and a potential difference-makers for Dallas. After all, when Harris isn't being micro managed by Avery Johnson, he gives every appearance of being one of the most explosive young players in the game. But alas, nothing. Just another in an exceedingly long line of Mavericks rumors that never comes to pass.

Another year of Dirk Nowitzki wasted. Unless, of course, you're one of those people who places more value on regular-season wins than playoff victories and championships. If you're in that group, the Dallas Mavericks are for you!

Alex Rodriguez, You Look Mahvelous!

2011-02-21T11:11:00.006-05:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
CC Sabathia isn't the only New York Yankees star to show up to camp having lost weight. Turns out Alex Rodriguez has dropped 10 pounds himself, falling from the 233 lbs he played at last season to 223 lbs. Perhaps more importantly, Rodriguez's body fat has also dropped, from 12 percent to 9 percent.

Not surprisingly given his improved physical condition, ARod is also showing off improved flexibility early in camp, according to reports, and hitting coach Kevin Long said Rodriguez's swing is "as good as I've seen it since 2007."

Per Joel Sherman, the primary reason ARod was able/allowed to "streamline his body this offseason" was good news that came from an offseason followup with Dr. Marc Philippon, who performed Rodriguez's hip surgery on March 9, 2009.

SHERMAN: "Philippon was so pleased with the state of A-Rod’s hip that he told the slugger he could do maintenance on that area and indulge in workouts as intense as those he did prior to the surgery."

If you're looking for an early key for ARod, see how he does on the inside fastball. When dealing with his physical issues in the past, especially the hip, pitchers were able to beat him inside with hard stuff. When he's right, Rodriguez consistently turns on the inside heater, driving it to left field, often out of the park.

Teixeira Buries Any Thoughts of Pujols Swap

2011-02-19T11:36:00.002-05:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
New York first baseman Mark Teixeira killed any thought the Yankees (or more likely, some Yankees fans) might have had about including him in a trade that would land Albert Pujols in pinstripes.

"I'm not going anywhere," Teixeira said when asked about the possibility of his being included in a trade. "I got that no-trade for a reason. I'm going to be buried in these pinstripes."

Good for Teixeira, who has been a guy who has embraced everything about being a Yankee from the moment he showed up in New York, and perhaps even longer than that.

More importantly, good for the Yankees. Is Albert Pujols a better player than Mark Teixeira right now? Yes he is. Is there enough of a gap between the two to justify the massive difference between Tex's current deal (six years & about $140 million remaining) and what will likely be required to sign Pujols (9-10 years for at least $250- 275 million)? ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Just think of what the Yankees could do with that extra $110-135 million, all while continuing to enjoy the benefits provided by the best all-around first baseman in the American League.

Mariano Rivera: Better Than Ever at 40?

2011-02-18T12:50:00.003-05:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
For years now we have been writing, at one point or another during that given baseball season, that Mariano Rivera seems to be getting better with age. In an excellent post to his 3UP blog at the New York Post, Joel Sherman has the numbers to back up our contention.

FROM SHERMAN'S POST:
"But here is yet another remarkable fact about Rivera: He is arguably as good as ever and showing few signs of losing effectiveness (so maybe he really can pitch until he is 50). Over the past three years, Rivera has a 1.64 ERA. It is not only the best in the majors for that period (minimum 150 appearances), but it is the best three-year run at any time in Rivera’s Hall of Fame career. Think about that, his age 38-40 seasons have been better – at least ERA wise – than any other three-year run in his career.

"The second-best was a 1.66 he put up from 2003-05 (his age 33-35 seasons). He put up a 1.71 from 2004-06 (34-36) and a 1.87 from 1997-99 (27-29). The only other time he was under 2.00 for a three-year period was his first three seasons as a full-time closer, 1996-98, when Rivera posted a 1.98 ERA."

One of these years, of course, Rivera will be done, either by choice or age (finally) catching up to him. Some day, and sooner rather than later, the Yankees are going to be forced to find a way to win without one of the greatest advantages the game has ever seen. Just one more reason the very thought of declaring an Ivan Nova or Eduardo Nunez the deal-breaker for Cliff Lee last season was utter nonsense. When you have a chance to basically lock down another World Series title before Mo drifts off into retirement, you don't let guys like Nova or Nunez stand in the way!

Brackman, Warren Among Prospects Who'll Be Given A Chance

2011-02-17T13:01:00.002-05:00

Andrew Brackman

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
Dellin Betances and Manny Banuelos will not be making the major league team out of spring training, but most of New York's other highly-regarded pitching prospects will be given every chance to do so. So says GM Brian Cashman.

Yesterday Cashman made it clear to the New York Daily-News that top prospects Betances and Banuelos will not be considerations for the major league rotation out of spring training. However, the GM made it equally clear that guys like Andrew Brackman, Adam Warren, David Phelps and Hector Noesi, along with Ivan Nova, will be given every opportunity to win a spot with the big club.

"The other guys are all competing for anything," Cashman told the Daily-News. "They’re more advanced, they have more experience (than Banuelos and Betances) and they’re in a better position.

While counting so heavily on young guys, most of whom have no major league experience, is not the best option, we prefer it to the others Cashman has provided to this point. Seriously, how good do any of these kids have to be to be better than the likes of Bartolo Colon, Freddy Garcia or Sergio Mitre?

Banuelos & Betances Have "No Chance" To Make Team

2011-02-17T12:13:00.001-05:00

Manny Banuelos (above) and Dellin Betances will
begin the 2011 season with double-A Trenton

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
If you have been one of those holding out hope that Manny Banuelos (22) and/or Dellin Betances (19) would set the world on fire in spring training and earn a spot in the shockingly thin New York Yankees rotation, you can lay those dreams to rest.

"Betances and Banuelos aren't earning spots in the rotation out of spring training," Yankees GM Brian Cashman told the New York Daily-News Wednesday. "They’re going to get their first taste of big-league camp, then they’re going to get slotted into Trenton. They have no chance to make this team."

Mark this down as one of the very few smart things Cashman has done in the last two years. By saying this now, before competition really begins, the Yanks GM takes all the significant fuel away from what could have been a hot fire during spring training. The comments also deflect a good deal of pressure and the potential for future disappointment away from two of the Bombers' brightest prospects.

KLAPISCH: Yankees Giving Up On Joba Chamberlain

2011-02-16T18:34:00.001-05:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
Earlier Wednesday afternoon, New York Yankees beat writer Bob Klapisch had a series of revealing responses on Twitter to fans asking questions about the Joba Chamberlain situation.

In case you missed, Joba the Hut showed up to spring training in Joba Chamberlain's place this year. Chamberlain has always been big, but he was noticeably fatter than ever when he showed up to Tampa, FL. Joba said the extra weight was muscle added from working out in his new gym. Pictures make him out to be a liar, and the Yankees, according to Klapisch, aren't buy it either.

When asked about the chances of "the Yankees giving up on Joba," Klapisch replied that it's "already happening."

When asked if he thought the team would regret giving up on Chamberlain, Klapisch said he's "doubting it more and more." Then he added that "showing up in camp overweight says alot."

Finally, Klapisch responded with a direct and simple "Yes" when asked if word of Joba having added muscle to his chest and shoulders and word that the ball was coming out of his hand great was "bunk."

VALENTINE: 'PED's Will Be Legal In Five Years'

2011-02-16T18:09:00.000-05:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
Former and future major league manager Bobby Valentine had some interesting things to say about performance-enhancing drugs on Baseball Tonight Tuesday. Surprisingly, his comments seemed to go unnoticed by virtually everybody but us.

While he made the case for why the St. Louis Cardinals should do basically whatever it takes to sign super star Albert Pujols, Valentine said St. Louis shouldn't be concerned about a 10-year contract because PED's will be legal in five years.

"Five years from now, they'll be legal," Valentine declared about performance-enhancing drugs. "They'll be alright. They're not going to kill you."

Valentine went on to say that players, five years from today, will be "taking vitamins or whatever" that allow them to feel and perform better.

While we're not sure PED's will be "legal" to use in baseball, we have long believed what Valentine said is accurate. Steroids and PED's are not the devil. Quite the opposite, they are miracles. As is the case with any other serious prescription drug, they have to be used properly and under a doctor's supervision.

But I digress. Point is, those were some strong statements from Valentine, and they seemed to go almost completely unnoticed.

Does That Look Like "Muscle" To You?

2011-02-16T12:15:00.000-05:00

Joba showed up in Tampa fatter than ever

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
Upon his arrival at Tampa, Florida for spring training, most all who saw Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain immediately noticed that he had gained weight.

Chamberlain said the extra bulk was "muscle," the results of his "adding a gym to his house," which he declared was "the best thing he ever did."

We called bullsh*t immediately. While true that the same mass of muscle weighs more than that amount of fat, adding significant muscle (as Chamberlain claims he did) burns fat like crazy. And it's not as if Chamberlain didn't already have plenty of fat to burn. Now he has more.

The former top prospect of the Yankees has fallen off a cliff. In less than one season, Joba lost a battle for a spot in the Yankees' rotation to Phil Hughes, then lost his job as Mariano Rivera's primary setup man to Kerry Wood, and then he lost his seventh-inning gig to David Robertson. By the end of last season, Chamberlain was exclusively a mop-up man for New York.

And how does Chamberlain respond? He shows up to spring training fatter than ever.

Dan Patrick A Better GM Than Brian Cashman???

2011-02-16T11:58:00.000-05:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
As has become my ritual, I was watching the Dan Patrick show on DirecTV 101 as I woke up this morning. The always sharp Patrick made another great point today while talking about the possibility of Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks.

Paraphrasing Patrick: 'The Knicks just need to get it done. Five years down the road, do they really want (Danilo) Gallinari or Wilson Chandler to be the reason they didn't get Carmelo Anthony?"

Patrick's point is clear. While you want to make the best deal you can, you don't let nice players stand in the way when you have a chance to add a true super star.

Flash back to last summer when New York GM Brian Cashman made both Ivan Nova and Eduardo Nunez deal-breakers when he had the chance to add Cliff Lee to the top end of the Yankees' rotation. That decision probably cost the Yankees another pennant, and quite possibly another championship and the future services of Lee.

And don't go bringing up Jesus Montero. Cashman was willing to trade Montero for Lee, so he's irrelevant. the deal died when the Seattle Mariners asked for one of Nova or Nunez in the place of injured second baseman David Adams.

Does ANYBODY, honestly, look at either Nova or Nunez as future super stars? If they fulfill all their potential, they have a chance to be nice players at the major league level, nothing more. Perhaps Cashman should add the Dan Patrick show to his morning routine, as well. He might learn somethin'.

Cashman's Incompetence Leaves Yankees Over A Barrel

2011-02-15T17:39:00.001-05:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees ‘n More

As you likely know by now, thanks to reports in Tuesday morning’s New York Daily-News and New York Post, CC Sabathia currently holds a GIGANTIC hammer—by way of his end-of-season opt-out clause—over the heads of the entire New York Yankees organization.

What’s most interesting about this… Oops… I’m sorry. Did I say interesting? I meant what’s most damning about this whole thing is that general manager Brian Cashman is not only the one who basically forced Sabathia to hold the hammer, but also the one responsible for making it so ginormous.

When asked about Sabathia’s opt-out clause on Monday, Cashman again admitted that the whole thing was his idea. He just "threw in" the opt-out clause, he says, as a way of making sure Sabathia was "comfortable" with New York.

And remember, after Sabathia signed his deal, he said was "100% committed to New York" and that he neither asked for or even needed an opt-out clause. It was all Cashman’s brilliant idea.

Now sources from those previously mentioned reports say Sabathia will indeed use that opt-out clause, but not because he doesn’t like New York. He will use it because, quite frankly, he’d have to be a moron NOT to use it.

At the end of this season, Sabathia will be 31 years old and have four years worth a total of $94 million remaining on his current deal. Consider that Cliff Lee, who is 32, just signed a five-year, $120 million contract with the Phillies, and many believe he left at least some money on the table.

So what does Sabathia get, assuming reasonable health, when he opts out of his current deal? A conservative guess would be at least six years and $140 million. That’s a minimum of two extra years (at ages 36 and 37) and another $56 million worth of risk the Yankees will be forced assume thanks to Cashman’s opt-out idea.

And here’s the real kicker. Thanks to Cashman’s inability to provide the Yankees with any real options over the last two plus years since Sabathia signed his deal, New York’s ace has the team completely over a barrel.

In this story from Tuesday’s Journal News, the Yankees’ current rotation was referred to as “remarkably thin.” So short of something really dramatic, the Bombers are going to be forced to give Sabathia basically whatever he wants or go ace-less.

So what we are really dealing with here is multiple levels of incompetence on the part of Cashman compounding themselves into a real problem for the Yankees. First Cashman gave Sabathia the hammer by volunteering the opt-out clause, then he turned it into a sledge hammer by failing to provide any other options for the franchise that provides Cashman with never-before-seen resources with which to do his job.

There is a sliver of good news for the Yankees in all of this. At almost exactly the same time Sabathia figures to be wielding his GM-provided and enhanced weapon, Cashman’s current contract will expire.

Here’s hoping Hal Steinbrenner has been paying attention to just how much Cashman’s incompetence has cost and damaged his late father’s most-prized possession. After all, not only is Cashman the one who gave Sabathia his giant hammer, he’s also the one who turned the Yankees into a $200 million underdog.

Yankees Pitchers And Catchers Report... One Day Later!

2011-02-14T09:21:00.004-05:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
After a one-day delay to accommodate Michael Kay's wedding (Seriously! That's not a joke! But it is enough to make you wonder who in the hell is running this organization.), the New York Yankees pitchers and catchers have reported to spring training.

Manager Joe Girardi is scheduled to speak to the media today while players, many of whom have been working in Tampa for weeks now, will take their physicals.

Given the extreme number of players Brian Cashman salvaged from the trash heap this offseason, the latter figures to be anything but a formality. Already this winter, the Yankees have been forced to void the contract of one of Cashman's brilliant ideas—reliever Luis Vizcaino.

PS. We are not attempting in any way to suggest that pushing the reporting date for pitchers and catchers back one day is some sort of potentially season-altering issue. What we are saying is that the wedding of your TV play-by-play man is no reason to do so.

Swisher Switches Agents... But Not To Boras

2011-02-12T00:11:00.005-05:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
Multiple media outlets reported earlier today that New York Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher was replacing his agent. Those reports were accurate.

What proved inaccurate was the word that Swisher was taking his talents to Scott Boras' agency. Rather, Swisher has opted to go with Dan Lozano. While he might not be the household name that Scott Boras is, Lozano has plenty of swag of his own, counting Albert Pujols, Jimmy Rollins and Michael Young among his clients.

QUICK HITTERS: Andy Pettitte, Eric Chavez & Luis Vizcaino

2011-02-11T13:09:00.003-05:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
One of the topics in Joel Sherman's latest 3UP blog entry in Friday's New York Post was the "feel" at Andy Pettitte's retirement press conference.

Sherman questions why the Yankees even bothered with a presser for Pettitte, saying "it felt" (to Sherman) that Pettitte might well have changed his mind about pitching as soon as a few hours after the press conference. Sherman went on to say he "wouldn't be surprised" if Pettitte announces a return at some point this season.

Boy! I gotta tell ya, I came away from that press conference with a COMPLETELY different "feeling" than Sherman did. Specifically, I came away feeling Andy Pettitte is absolutely, positively D-O-N-E, done!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

While working out in Tampa Friday morning, recent addition (via minor league contract) Eric Chavez told reporters, "I've got a new heartbeat over here."

That sounds great, but a new neck and back would probably help him more.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The New York Yankees have voided the contract of Luis Vizcaino after the 37-year-old right-hander suffered an Achilles injury while pitching in winter ball. The injury is expected to sideline Vizcaino for the entire season. The Yankees had signed him to a minor-league deal in mid-December.

Why Was There No Sign-And-Trade For Rafael Soriano?

2011-02-11T12:06:00.006-05:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
Something struck me while reading Joel Sherman's latest 3UP blog entry in Friday's New York Post.

Sherman mentioned that the New York Yankees were interested in Grant Balfour earlier this offseason. In fact, there was so much interest that New York, according to Sherman, had the Arizona Diamondbacks (and their new GM/longtime Cashman friend and recent Yankees employee Kevin Towers) "lined up as a sign-and-trade partner" for the free agent reliever.

The reason for the sign-and-trade was to prevent the Yankees from having to give up their first-round pick to acquire Balfour—a type-A free agent. Unlike the Yankees' pick, Arizona's is in the top half of the first round, meaning it's protected.

So while the Yankees, had they signed Balfour, would have been forced to give up their first-round pick, Arizona would only have to give up their second-round selection. So Arizona agreed to sign Balfour for the Yankees, then trade him to New York for some system pieces Towers both knew and liked.

BANG! Yankees get the player they wanted AND keep their first-round pick.

Additionally, Sherman has previously reported that Towers and the DBacks were all set to play the same role for the Yankees had they been able to come to terms with another type A free agent—starter Carl Pavano.

So here's my question. IF this is true and Arizona was ready to do those sign-and-trades with New York, why on earth was a similar deal not done when the Yankees signed type A free agent Rafael Soriano? The player and the contract are immaterial as both are ending up property of the Yankees in each of these scenarios.

So why would Arizona and the Yankees be willing to essentially trade DBacks' pick A for Yankees' prospect B when Pavano and Balfour are the free agents in question, but NOT be willing to do it when Soriano is the guy ending up in New York?

This makes NO SENSE!

One of three things happened here: 1) Sherman is wrong. 2) Cashman so washed his hands of the Soriano deal, he either refused or wasn't afforded the opportunity to engage the would-be Arizona sign-and-trade option that would have saved the Yankees their first pick. 3) Towers and/or Cashman changed his mind.

I have a hard time believing option 3 is true.

Yankees Come To Terms With Reliver Luis Ayala

2011-02-09T12:12:00.000-05:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
What is there to know about veteran relief pitcher Luis Ayala? Well, he's 33 years old, he didn't pitch AT ALL in the major leagues in 2010, and the last time he did pitch in the majors (for Minn and Fla in 2009), he absolutely sucked—we're talking 1-5 with a 5.63 ERA and a 1.6 WHIP kinda sucked while averaging less than an inning per appearance.

With all of that in mind, it should come as no surprise when you find out Brian Cashman has decided to sign this washed up has-been. After all, Ayala fits right in with the rest of Cashman's hideous offseason. Mark Prior, Ronnie Belliard, Eric Chavez, Russell Martin, Andruw Jones, Freddy Garcia, Bartolo Colon...

If Cashman can now just figure out how to build a Flux Capacitor that allows him and the Yankees to travel back in time to 2005 or so, we're golden!

News of this "agreement in principle" was first announced by Jon Morosi of FoxSports.com.

Yanks Sign Chavez & 'Minny Manny' To Minor League Deals

2011-02-04T19:54:00.001-05:00

Chavez

Belliard with his 'Mini Manny' look

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More

The New York Yankees has signed veteran infielders Eric Chavez and Ronnie Belliard, who for much of his career sported the physical appearance of a tiny Manny Ramirez, to minor league contracts. Both players received invites to spring training.

According to Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes, Belliard will play for a base salary of $825,000 if he makes the major league roster.

The Belliard signing is at least mildly interesting from the standpoint that most expected the highly-regarded prospect Eduardo Nunez to serve as the Yankees utility infielder in 2011. Could the Yankees be working on a deal for rotation help? A deal that includes Nunez?

That's one possibility. Of course, the Belliard signing could mean the Yankees prefer to have Nunez play every day in triple-A Scranton rather than sit the bench in New York. If that is indeed the case, Belliard would represent an upgrade offensively, if nothing else, over Ramiro Pena, who was the team's primary utility man in 2010.

Chavez, were he to make the major league team, would likely do so as a backup corner infielder and designated hitter.

Robbie Cano Hires New Agent... Scott Boras

2011-02-04T19:16:00.000-05:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
New York Yankees All Star second baseman Robinson Cano has hired a new agent. Perhaps you've hear of him... Scott Boras.

The good news is Cano already has a contract for next year at a team-friendly $10 million. Additionally, the Yankees hold team options on Cano for both 2012 and 2013 for a total of $27 million. Those option years also qualify as team bargains for a player who is establishing himself as the best second baseman in the game.

But know this: Scott Boras does not get paid in this deal until he negotiates a new contract for Cano. Our guess would be that Boras is not planning on waiting until 2014 for that pay day.

RELEASE: Andy Pettitte To Announce Retirement On Friday

2011-02-03T15:09:00.000-05:00

What follows is the first part of the press release from the New York Yankees, announcing Andy Pettitte's retirement.

The New York Yankees today announced that LHP Andy Pettitte will hold a press conference on Friday at 10:30 a.m. to announce his retirement.

Pettitte, 38, finishes his career with a 240-138 (.635) record and 3.88 ERA (3,055.1 IP, 1,317 ER) in 479 starts over 16 Major League seasons with the Yankees (1995-2003 and ‘07-10) and Houston Astros (2004-06). He is one of just 26 pitchers all-time to complete his career 100-or-more games over .500. Of the 19 Hall of Fame-eligible pitchers who have reached that plateau, only “Parisian” Bob Caruthers, who went 218-99 from 1884-92, is not enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Read the Entire Release At LoHud.com

Andy Pettitte Decides To Retire

2011-02-03T13:02:00.002-05:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
New York Yankees great Andy Pettitte has decided to retire. Brian Cashman's horrific offseason is now complete.

First, Cashman placed all of the Yankees' eggs in the Cliff Lee basket. That failed after Cashman refused to be as aggressive as was required. Cashman then shifed all the Yankees' eggs into the Andy Pettitte basket. Again, Cashman failed. Pettitte will soon be announcing his retirement at a Yankee Stadium press conference.

Ironically, losing out on Lee likely played a significant role in Pettitte's decision. Cashman will, of course, do his best to cover his ass here, but it was widely reported in December that signing Lee would enhance the chances of Pettitte's pitching again in 2011.

Jon Heyman, senior baseball writer for SI.com, confirms this information. Per Heyman: "Pettitte told people early this winter hed pitch if yanks got lee but wouldn't if lee went else(where)."

Without Lee, the chances of the Yankees being a serious contender in 2011 took a MAJOR hit. Those chances now take another major hit with the reports of Pettitte's decision. Cashman's pathetic offseason has put the Yankees behind the eight ball, and it appears one of their greatest pitchers had no interest in standing there to take the beating.

Yankees Acquire OF Justin Maxwell From Nat's

2011-02-02T15:16:00.004-05:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
The New York Yankees have completed a trade with the Washington Nationals for outfielder Justin Maxwell (27), according to the player's agents. In return, the Bombers send pitcher right-handed pitcher Adam Olbrychowski (24) to Washington.

Maxwell has 260 plate appearances in the major leagues, spread out over parts of three seasons between 2007 and 2010. In that time, he has hit .201 with a .698 OPS. It's nearly impossible to imagine this dude figures significantly into the Yankees' major league plans. To make room for Maxwell on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated minor league outfielder Jordan Parraz for assignment.

Yankees, Freddy Garcia Agree To Minor League Deal

2011-02-01T01:31:00.000-05:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
Twice in the last week or so, free-agent pitcher Freddy Garcia told a Venezuelan newspaper that he wanted to pitch for the New York Yankees in 2011. Monday evening, Garcia got his wish.

The Yankees and the 35-year-old Garcia have agreed to terms on a one-year, minor league deal. New York will not officially announce the deal until Garcia passes a physical.

As things currently stand, Garcia will go to spring training and compete with Ivan Nova, Bartolo Colon and Sergio Mitre for the bottom two spots in the Yankees' rotation. That four-for-two-spots competition could be reduced to four-for-one if Andy Pettitte chooses to come back for one more year.

If he makes the major league roster, Garcia, who was 12-6 with a 4.64 ERA in 28 starts with the Chicago White Sox last season, is guaranteed $1.5 million. Additionally, there is another $3.6 million possible through incentives based on starts made.

The Yankees are only looking at Garcia as a potential major league starter. If he does not make the major league roster as a starter, New York will either release or trade the veteran right-hander.

Baseball America Names Montero Yankees' Top Prospect

2011-01-31T18:45:00.004-05:00

By John Manuel | Baseball America

With many franchises, the success of the Yankees farm system in 2010 would have been the story of the organization's year.

New York had breakthrough after breakthrough in the minors, with power-armed righthanders Dellin Betances and Andrew Brackman having their best seasons and second-tier prospects such as third baseman Brandon Laird, righty Ivan Nova and infielder Eduardo Nunez turning in strong performances at upper levels. The top three affiliates reached the playoffs, with high Class A Tampa winning the Florida State League title.

But that's not what grabs headlines in New York.

Read the rest at BaseballAmerica.com

Freddy Garcia: 'New York Yankees Would Be Ideal'

2011-01-28T11:32:00.001-05:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
According to a Thursday report from the Venezuelan newspaper Meridiano, pitcher Freddy Garcia is in a New York state of mind, and referred to pitching for the Yankees this season as "ideal." Garcia said he believes a deal can be worked out soon, whether it be with the Yankees or some other team. But he left no doubt where he wants to play.

"My preference is to be with the New York Yankees, and it's not unreasonable to have that in mind, because I've demonstrated that I can be useful," Garcia said. "A team like New York would be ideal for my age, [as would ] playing in a successful, media-heavy, demanding division. Without doubt it would be an inspiration."

General manager Brian Cashman has been looking for rotation help since losing out on Cliff Lee for the second time in five months. And while nobody is going to confuse Garcia, at this stage of his career, with Cliff Lee, it's more than reasonable to believe he could be a more productive option for the bottom of the rotation than Sergio Mitre.

Last season, in 28 starts with the Chicago White Sox, Garcia was 12-6 with a 4.64 ERA. The veteran right-hander allowed 171 hits in 157 innings pitched.

REPORT: Optimism Rising Over Possible Pettitte Return

2011-01-27T16:40:00.002-05:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
According to this Joel Sherman column in Thursday's New York Post, there is optimism over Andy Pettitte pitching again in 2011, within the New York Yankees organization.

SAYS SHERMAN: "...optimism has risen within the Yankee family that Pettitte will indeed pitch in 2011. Two people briefed on the most recent conversations between the Yankees and Pettitte say the team is upbeat because Pettitte is working out regularly, has not firmly committed to retirement and because it is hard to dismiss the $12 million to $13 million Pettitte knows the Yankees would pay for his services."

We have previously mentioned that Pettitte was not only working out, but that he also has the go-ahead from his family to pitch again for the Yankees in 2011. Without family approval, there was basically no chance the veteran lefty would return.

Sherman notes that after being injured and pitching in pain last season, one of the remaining hurdles Pettitte must clear is to pitch without pain. So far, so good on that front, says Sherman.

So will Pettitte pitch for the Yankees in 2011? And if so, when can an announcement be expected? According to another national baseball writer, Jon Heyman of SI.com, the Yankees are still waiting.

With all due apologies to Rafael Soriano, the return of Pettitte might qualify as the best news so far in an all-but-lost winter for the Yankees. More importantly, New York would head into spring training, which is less than a month away, feeling much better about a rotation that currently consists of CC Sabathia and varying degrees of question marks.

Greenberg Using Yankees To Make Name For His Rangers

2011-01-27T12:20:00.014-05:00

Greenberg has used the Yankees
to get his new team noticed before.

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More

Texas Rangers' CEO Chuck Greenberg is trying his best to create some sort of rivalry with the New York Yankees, no doubt hoping to coattail his Rangers away from their insignificant perch upon the MLB landscape.

Greenberg's latest attempt at needling the Yankees and, perhaps more importantly, their fans, came with comments he made about what he says was his and the Rangers' role in keeping Cliff Lee out of New York.

"Even though Philadelphia was probably not in (on Cliff Lee), they were always in the back of our mind," Greenberg said. "I think if we wouldn't have gone to Arkansas that last time, I think he was going to sign with the Yankees. We pried the door open a little bit to give ourselves another opportunity. And ultimately the Phillies were able to take advantage of that opportunity that we created."

Seems like a lot of revisionist's history on the part of Greenberg, but who can blame him. He is trying like hell to create interest in what, at least until last season, has been one of the most meaningless franchises in professional sports history.

In fact, until a few months ago, the Texas Rangers were the only franchise, out of 30 in major league baseball, never to have won a post-season series. Now, with spring training less than a month away, Greenberg is doing his best to keep Texas at the forefront of the minds of the baseball world.

And who can blame him? He's doing what any smart businessman should do in this situation, even if his motives are transparent to anyone who takes the time to ask themselves a few obvious questions.

In reality, the Phillies probably took Lee away from the Rangers, not the Yankees. During the weeks leading to his signing, Lee was texting numerous Texas teammates, telling them that, between the Yankees and Rangers, his preference was to return to the Rangers, as long as the deal was right.

And when the dust settled from Lee signing with Philly, the reality that emerged was that the Rangers' offer to Lee was at least as strong as the Yankees' offer, and perhaps even stronger when tax rates were taken into account. Not that the truth of the situation has anything to do with Greenberg's attempt to use the Yankees to make a name for himself and his Rangers.

Don't forget, this is not the first time Greenberg has attempted to generate interest off the backs of the Yankees and their fans. Consider what the new Rangers owner/executive had to say about the New York fans during the World Series.

“They were either violent or apathetic, neither of which is good," Greenberg stated during a radio interview. "So I thought Yankee fans were by far the worst of any I've seen in the postseason. I thought they were an embarrassment."

When called out on those comments, Greenberg was forced to tuck his tail between his legs and apologize. Nevertheless, he likely got what he wanted from the whole thing—more national attention for himself and his franchise, even if it was only fleeting.

Perhaps one day Greenberg will get what he truly wants. Perhaps one day the Texas Rangers will be a franchise that has lasting importance in the sports world. But that's never going to come with his loose lips and obvious attempts to create a rivalry out of nothing. It will only come with a lot more winning and October games from the Rangers.

Yankees Sign Bartolo Colon To Minor League Contract

2011-01-26T12:07:00.001-05:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
The New York Yankees have signed Bartolo Colon to a minor league contract, according to Jon Morosi of FoxSports.com. Colon will make $900,000 plus incentives, if he makes the major league roster.

The right-hander last pitched in the major leagues in 2009, going 3-6 with a 4.19 ERA in 12 starts for the Chicago White Sox. He did, however, pitch for Yankees bench coach Tony Pena's team in winter ball this year.

Interesting that since dropping the ball for a second time on Cliff Lee, GM Brian Cashman has been telling all who will listen about how much he likes Ivan Nova and how good and close to ready the starting pitching options in the minors are. If that's true, why would Cashman bother with a guy like Colon?

To Cashman's credit, he's only one Flux Capacitor away from this being a brilliant offseason.

Quoting Cashman: A Revealing Look At His Future As GM

2011-01-25T20:22:00.005-05:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
Let's play a little game.

I'm going to give you a quote from Brian Cashman. It has been transcribed, as best as humanly possibly, word for word and stammer for stammer. The quote comes from a Tuesday afternoon Cashman interview on the Michael Kay show on ESPN radio in New York. Read the quote, then see if you can guess the question that was asked, which will be revealed at the end.

CASHMAN'S QUOTE:
“Listen, you know, as long as I can handle the, the media (Cashman laughs and Kay interjects: “you do that just fine.”) Alri... ya know… uh… di… but… after… you know… listen… I think that… I like what I do. I think I’ve gotten, maybe, better, over time, I understand the job better, I understand the people and the processes better. I think we’ve gotta a good structure and philosophy that we’ve put in place. And think we’ve, you know, my job is to hire good people to help me make, you know, better decisions, and I think we’ve got a good system, so let’s put it this way: Uh, ya, I like what I do as long as… it’s not easy… as long as I can take it, you know, both mentally and physically, and that we’re, if we’re successful with the decisions that I, I make, uh… but, at the same time if at any point I become a problem, where, for instance, the job’s not getting done to the best of its abilities, I think, the thing I’m proud about is I think we’ve got a system now in place that you know, hey, uh… we can promote people on various levels. Uh… If we lose our amateur scouting director to a GM job, I think, you know, we have people, you know, that, that can step up and step in ‘cause we’ve trained ‘em well. Just like if I lost out and they wanted to take me out, and something happened at that level, I think we have people here in place that can step up and replace me and I think that, you know, we have a great farm system, we have great players, that’s what it’s all about, on the field, we have a tremendous manager now and coaching staff (illegible) awesome ownership… So I think that, there’s a hell of a system here in place that uh, whether I’m here, or somebody else, it’ll thrive, and uh, and I’m proud to be a part of it., and uh, and, but, at the same time, I’ll be proud to watch from a distance if somebody decided it’s time for me not to be here. But uh, that’s not stuff we’re dealing with, and, and, thankfully, and, and uh, I’m happy, and look forward to being here for, uh, as long as it works, and uh, but I’m also not afraid if it doesn’t work, you know, I’m a big boy, too, I understand all that, that comes with it. It’s not an easy job, and, you know, some years I’ve done better than others, but I’m (big breath) one thing is, I’m always trying, and will keep, that’s the Yankee way, and that’s the way George wanted it. You gotta keep fightin’, and you’re not going to be successful all the time, but you better be in it, you know, just like I’m talking about Andy (Pettitte) earlier, you gotta be all-in, and, and ya, we’re, at this stage, I’m all-in, no doubt about it.”

Did you make it through? Are you still awake? Did you set yourself on fire, like the guy who couldn't stand to listen to any more of one passenger's long, boring story in the Airplane! movie?

Assuming you made it this far, can you guess the question asked that prompted such a long journey of an answer from Cashman.

Believe it or not, that was Cashman's answer when Michael Kay, speaking to Brian's being the GM of the Yankees, asked him, and I quote: "Do you wanna be here long term?"

That was it! That's the ENTIRE question. All seven words of it! Have you ever seen ANYBODY go so far out of the way to answer such a direct and simple question?

The answer, if Cashman truly wants to be the Yankees GM, is a very simple one to answer. Do you wanna be here long term? ANSWER: Yes! Or, perhaps, ABSOLUTELY! You only take the scenic route Cashman took if you don't have an answer or don't want to answer the question.

It's not as if Kay asked Cashman if he THINKS he'll be the Yankees GM long term. He only asked if he WANTED to be the Yankees GM long term.

Break it down into parts and think about how often Cashman's filibuster of an answer proved somewhere between far off-topic and absurd.

Hey, Brian, do you wanna be here long term? "We have a good manager and coaching staff."

Hey, Brian, do you wanna be here long term? "We have a good farm system."

Hey, Brian, do you wanna be here long term? "I like what I do and I think I've gotten better."

Hey, Brian, do you wanna be here long term? "I think we can replace our amateur scouting director if he gets a GM job."

And while we're at it, and in the interest of saving SOME time and space, riddle me this, Brian. What exactly does "the way George wanted it," and "hiring good people," and the Yankees "having a good structure and philosophy in place," and having "great players on the field" have to do with "do you wanna be here long term?"

Perhaps the closest Cashman came to actually answering the very direct question came in the final words of his filibuster.

KAY: "Do you wanna be here long term." CASHMAN: "... AT THIS STAGE, I'm all-in."

Whether he meant to or not, all of Cashman's long-winded dancing around such a direct question proved as revealing as any direct answer the Yankees GM could have possibly offered.

Yankees Agree To Terms With Andruw Jones On 1-Year Deal

2011-01-20T16:55:00.000-05:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
The New York Yankees have their fourth outfielder. According to a major league source, the Bombers have agreed to terms with Andruw Jones on a one-year deal worth $2 million in guaranteed money with another $1.2 million possible through incentives.

The Yankees have been flirting with Jones for what seems like most of the offseason and finally landed their man one day after introducing reliever Rafael Soriano at a Yankee Stadium press conference.

The timing is not insignificant. Both Soriano and Jones are represented by Scott Boras, who was in New York for the Wednesday presser. It was widely reported that Boras and Cashman would be taking the opportunity to visit about Jones at some point Wednesday evening. The deal was finally reached on Thursday..

Jones will serve in the role held by Marcus Thames last season. Jones kills left-handed pitching and adds balance to a Yankees lineup heavy on lefties. Jones also represents a significant upgrade over Thames defensively, which was an important factor in his being brought on board for 2011.

Quoting Cashman from the Soriano Presser

2011-01-19T12:06:00.004-05:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
On Wednesday morning, the New York Yankees formerly announced the signing of relief ace Rafael Soriano to a three-year deal. Among those in attendance was general manager Brian Cashman, who commented on some of the hot topics of the moment.

CASHMAN ON THE RAFAEL SORIANO SIGNING:
"Its not my team. I don't own it. They do...In any job you better be prepared for every decision to not go your way."

"I think 29 other GMs would love to have their owner shove Rafael Soriano down their throat."

Two quick takes from us on Cashman's Soriano comments. Find it very interesting that Cashman, who knows as well as any how to choose his words with the media, would choose the phrase "shoved down their throats" when describing what happened with Soriano.

Additionally, note that Cashman says "29 other GM's would love..." Obviously, Cashman is counting himself as GM #30, the one who is NOT "loving" the idea of ownership signing Soriano.

CASHMAN ON JOBA CHAMBERLAIN'S ROLE:
"Joba is a bullpen guy, for the 200th time."

CASHMAN ON CARL PAVANO:
Brian Cashman also admitted that he "considered" Carl Pavano and even had "several discussions" with Pavano's agent.

WOW! And we thought bringing back Javier Crapzquez was a huge mistake. Can you imagine a return of Carl Pavano? There are several in that Yankees clubhouse that might have killed the right-hander before he ever set foot on the mound.

Pettitte "Has Go-Ahead" From Family To Pitch Again

2011-01-18T20:32:00.004-05:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
According to SI.com's Jon Heyman, Yankees great Andy Pettitte "has the go-ahead from his family" to pitch another season in New York, if he so chooses.

Of course, this doesn't mean Pettitte won't ultimately decide to retire. It does mean, however, that the chances of his pitching in 2011 are better than they would have otherwise been. In fact, had the Yankee great's family been against his pitching in 2011, it's nearly impossibly to imagine the family-focused Pettitte even considering a return.

While talking about Pettitte on the MLB Network, Heyman went on to say that Andy "has the Hall of Fame on his mind." If that's true, there's another factor working in the Yankees' favor. Heyman has previously stated that Pettitte is working out, which is one more good sign for those of us hoping to see the lefty in pinstripes again this season.

The Yankees, meanwhile, maintain their holding pattern, waiting to hear an official decision from Pettitte.
While the team wisely refuses to force the issue with Pettitte, they would like an answer before too much longer.

Speaking at a breakfast event in Middlesex, Connecticut, on Tuesday morning, general manager Brian Cashman said he told Pettitte, "don't 'Brett Favre' us."

"I need him," Cashman continued. "But I don't want him to play if his heart's not in it."

Yankees Should Be All Over DFA'd Galarraga

2011-01-18T18:46:00.004-05:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
You remember Armando Galarraga, right? Would it help if I stood up umpire Jim Joyce next to him?

Just months after a bad call at first base cost Galarraga a perfect game, Detroit has designated the right-hander for assignment, meaning his time with the Tigers is coming to an end quickly.

Detroit is confident they will be able to trade Galarrage within the allotted 10 days. In fact, the designating of the just-turned 29-year-old comes only hours after the Tigers avoided arbitration with the right-hander by agreeing to a one-year, $2.3 million deal.

We're not sure which teams are involved in the discussions for Galarraga, but if the New York Yankees are not one them, Brian Cashman should be fired for about the fifth time this offseason.

Galarraga had a so-so season last year, finishing 4-9 with a 4.49 ERA. That's not earth-shattering, of course, but Galarraga saw a bit of a bounce-back season after a horrible 2009. He allowed 143 hits in 144 innings, and his WHIP dropped from 1.566 in 2009 to 1.344 in 2010.

Simply put, Galarraga is in the middle of what should be his prime, he is cheap in terms of both dollars and the likely cost of a trade, and he's better than anything New York currently has lined up for the bottom two spots in their rotation. In a pitching market currently highlighted by the likes of Freddy Garcia and Jeremy Bonderman—both of whom have been tied to the Yankees this offseason—there is simply no logical reason for the Yankees not to be in on Armando Galarraga.

Yankees Announce Rafael Soriano Signing

2011-01-18T17:59:00.000-05:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
Brian Cashman's last chance to keep American League saves leader Rafael Soriano off the New York Yankees' roster came and went Tuesday afternoon when the 31-year-old right-hander passed his physical and signed his new three-year contract with the Bronx Bombers.

Here's the official release from the Yankees:
The New York Yankees today announced they have signed 2010 All-Star right-handed pitcher Rafael Soriano to a three-year contract.

Soriano, 31, led the American League with a career-high 45 saves in 2010, going 3-2 with a 1.73 ERA (62.1IP, 12ER), 57 strikeouts and a .163 opponents batting average for the Tampa Bay Rays. He became only the fourth pitcher in Major League history to reach those totals for saves, ERA and opponents average in a single season, joining Oakland’s Dennis Eckersley in 1990, Los Angeles-NL’s Eric Gagne in 2003 and Florida’s Armando Benitez in 2004.

You can read the entirety of the release here.

Yankees Avoid Arbitration With Joba And Logan

2011-01-18T13:45:00.003-05:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
Moments after doing the same with Phil Hughes, the New York Yankees have reached one-year deals with both Joba Chamberlain and Boone Logan.

According to SI.com's Jon Heyman, Chamberlain's deal will pay him $1.4 million while Logan will sign for $1.2 million. Word of these two agreements broke just moments after reports that New York had avoided arbitration with Hughes, who agreed to a one-year $2.7 million.

Hughes, Yankees Agree For $2.7 Million, Avoid Arbitration

2011-01-18T13:36:00.000-05:00

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More
The New York Yankees and pitcher Phil Hughes avoided arbitration, agreeing to a one-year deal for $2.7 million.

This was Hughes' first year of arbitration eligibility.

Last year Hughes was a bargain, making $447,000 while finishing his finest season to date with a record of 18-8 and a 4.19 ERA. The 24-year-old right-hander allowed 162 hits in 176 innings pitched and walked 58 while striking out 146.

New York is also expected to avoid arbitration with Boone Logan. Joba Chamberlain, who is also arbitration eligible, figures to be a trickier proposition.