Posted by: Patrick
From the AP:
Morgan Ensberg agreed Thursday to a minor league contract with the New York Yankees, giving the team another contender to play first base.
Ensberg would get a $1.75 million, one-year contract if added to the 40-man roster and would have a chance to earn $2.25 million more in performance bonuses. He would get the full amount if he has 525 plate appearances.
Ensberg would get a $1.75 million, one-year contract if added to the 40-man roster and would have a chance to earn $2.25 million more in performance bonuses. He would get the full amount if he has 525 plate appearances.
Posted by: James
ESPN, in free Insider preview mode right now, has put up Keith Law's (Scouts Inc.) Top 100 Prospects in baseball. There are 5 Yankees on the list:
#3 Joba Chamberlain
#21 Jose Tabata
#24 Austin Jackson
#45 Ian Kennedy (I included his write-up below, hit up the link for the rest)
#100 Andrew Brackman
Three guys in the top 25, huh? Not too shabby.
Hat tip to Mike A. for the link.
#3 Joba Chamberlain
#21 Jose Tabata
#24 Austin Jackson
#45 Ian Kennedy (I included his write-up below, hit up the link for the rest)
#100 Andrew Brackman
Kennedy's stuff alone would put him in the lower reaches of this list. He is here because he has superb command of average or fringe-average stuff, so superb that he is going to succeed in the majors where many guys with superior stuff will fail. He works with a fringe-average fastball that touches 90 mph on occasion but mostly falls in the 87-88 mph range, and he commands it to all four edges of the zone. His best secondary pitch is his changeup, slightly above average with some tailing action, but it works extremely well because he keeps his arm speed consistent. His curve is solidly average as well. Kennedy repeats his delivery as well as any prospect on this list, commands all of his pitches and has a great feel for pitching. With plus stuff, he would be in the top 10 overall, but with his stuff, he will have to settle for an upside as a borderline No. 3 starter or a great No. 4 starter.
Three guys in the top 25, huh? Not too shabby.
Hat tip to Mike A. for the link.
From Peter Abraham:
1. Joba Chamberlain, RHP
2. Austin Jackson, OF
3. Jose Tabata, OF
4. Ian Kennedy, RHP
5. Alan Horne, RHP
6. Jesus Montero, C
7. Jeff Marquez, RHP
8. Brett Gardner, OF
9. Ross Ohlendorf, RHP
10. Andrew Brackman, RHP
11. Mark Melancon, RHP
12. Humberto Sanchez, RHP
13. Dellin Betances, RHP
14. Dan McCutchen, RHP
15. Kevin Whelan, RHP
16. Carmen Angelini, SS
17. George Kontos, RHP
18. Ivan Nova, RHP
19. Collin Curtis, OF
20. Jairo Heredia, RHP
21. Juan Miranda, 1B
22. Austin Romine, C
23. Francisco Cervelli, C
24. Dave Robertson, RHP
25. Mike Dunn, LHP
26. J.B. Cox, RHP
27. Mitch Hilligoss, INF
28. Scott Patterson, RHP
29. Edwar Ramirez, RHP
30. Zach McAllister, RHP
2. Austin Jackson, OF
3. Jose Tabata, OF
4. Ian Kennedy, RHP
5. Alan Horne, RHP
6. Jesus Montero, C
7. Jeff Marquez, RHP
8. Brett Gardner, OF
9. Ross Ohlendorf, RHP
10. Andrew Brackman, RHP
11. Mark Melancon, RHP
12. Humberto Sanchez, RHP
13. Dellin Betances, RHP
14. Dan McCutchen, RHP
15. Kevin Whelan, RHP
16. Carmen Angelini, SS
17. George Kontos, RHP
18. Ivan Nova, RHP
19. Collin Curtis, OF
20. Jairo Heredia, RHP
21. Juan Miranda, 1B
22. Austin Romine, C
23. Francisco Cervelli, C
24. Dave Robertson, RHP
25. Mike Dunn, LHP
26. J.B. Cox, RHP
27. Mitch Hilligoss, INF
28. Scott Patterson, RHP
29. Edwar Ramirez, RHP
30. Zach McAllister, RHP
The Daily News reports:
Via Tony Gicas.
According to sources familiar with the entire negotiations, after the Red Sox removed Lester, the Twins called the Yankees back and proposed a scenario in which Hughes would not have to be part of the deal. Instead, they asked for Chien-Ming Wang and Ian Kennedy. The Yankees flatly rejected that, leaving the Mets as the Twins' only alternative.
Via Tony Gicas.
Posted by: Patrick
Brian McNamee's lawyers are acting like they are pretty confident that Andy Pettitte will corroborate the claims that have been made against Roger Clemens. One of his lawyers, Earl Ward, said:
Meanwhile, Pettitte's lawyer, Jay Reisinger, had this to say:
We'll know on Monday.
"Based on what we know, there was a situation where Andy was speaking to Roger in Brian's presence, then Andy came over to Brian and essentially said, 'Why didn't you tell me about this stuff?' He referred to HGH. Brian discouraged him and then several months later, when he (Pettitte) got injured, he came back and asked Brian about it, and that's when Brian injected him. We believe that based on the fact that Andy came to Brian and asked him about HGH, it was Roger who told Andy about HGH and that's why he asked Brian about it."
Meanwhile, Pettitte's lawyer, Jay Reisinger, had this to say:
"He hasn't testified yet, and I'm not going to comment on what he's going to testify about.
We'll know on Monday.
Posted by: Patrick
From the official site:
The deposition for Yankees left-hander Andy Pettitte has been postponed from this Wednesday to next Monday, the two Congressional leaders of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee said in a joint statement released on Tuesday.
Posted by: Patrick
Our next interview is with John Amato of Pinstripe Alley.
When you aren't doing something related to or depending on the Yankees, what are you up to?
I run a political blog that is my full time job, so to speak, so when I'm not writing about the Yanks, I'm buried in the world of politics.
How long have you been blogging about the Yankees?
This will be the third full season.
What's the best and worst part of blogging?
The best: Interacting with the readership and the other writers on Pinstripe Alley. Providing in depth coverage about the team that I'm so passionate about. Conducting interviews with players and sports writers.
The worst: The daily grind of producing content day in and day out. Also, when you cover your favorite team, even if they win one hundred games, you still have to watch, comment and analyze sixty two losses. That's a lot of defeats and it gives me a different perspective on winning and losing. lol.
When you aren't doing something related to or depending on the Yankees, what are you up to?
I run a political blog that is my full time job, so to speak, so when I'm not writing about the Yanks, I'm buried in the world of politics.
How long have you been blogging about the Yankees?
This will be the third full season.
What's the best and worst part of blogging?
The best: Interacting with the readership and the other writers on Pinstripe Alley. Providing in depth coverage about the team that I'm so passionate about. Conducting interviews with players and sports writers.
The worst: The daily grind of producing content day in and day out. Also, when you cover your favorite team, even if they win one hundred games, you still have to watch, comment and analyze sixty two losses. That's a lot of defeats and it gives me a different perspective on winning and losing. lol.
01/29: Santana to New York...Mets
Posted by: Seamus
Well, hopefully now we can stop seing this guy's name everywhere related to the Yankees, as it looks like the former Cy Young Award winner is headed to the Mets.
Posted by: Patrick
The Hendricks Sports Management, which represents Roger Clemens, has released the Clemens Report. Catchy title! The reports attempts to illustrate that Clemens numbers are plausible without the use of performance enhancing drugs.
Via Steve.
Via Steve.
01/29: Cano Contract Details
Posted by: Patrick
Peter Abraham has the details on Cano's new contract.
He'll earn $3 million in 2008, $6 million in 2009, $9 million in 2010, $10 million in 2011, $14 million in 2012 and $15 million in 2013. Either of those last two years can be bought out for $2 million. So, the deal can be as short as $30 million for four years ($7.5 per) or $57 million for six years ($9.5 per). Works for me.
He'll earn $3 million in 2008, $6 million in 2009, $9 million in 2010, $10 million in 2011, $14 million in 2012 and $15 million in 2013. Either of those last two years can be bought out for $2 million. So, the deal can be as short as $30 million for four years ($7.5 per) or $57 million for six years ($9.5 per). Works for me.
Posted by: Patrick
From MLB.com:
The subpoena against him was withdraw due to the fact that he is now testifying "voluntarily".
Chuck Knoblauch has agreed to give testimony to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee both privately and later at a public hearing on Feb. 13, the two Congressional leaders of that committee said in a joint statement released on Monday.
Knoblauch, whose deposition or taped interview had been scheduled for Tuesday, has had it postponed for the second time and is now rescheduled for Saturday.
Knoblauch, whose deposition or taped interview had been scheduled for Tuesday, has had it postponed for the second time and is now rescheduled for Saturday.
The subpoena against him was withdraw due to the fact that he is now testifying "voluntarily".
Posted by: Patrick
From the New York Post:
David Cone has made peace with the Yankees and will return this year to broadcast about 50 games on YES, The Post has learned.
Posted by: Patrick
Anthony DiComo, Peter Abraham and Tyler Kepner report from the event.
"The reason I'm here tonight is because of all your love for me," Murcer told a crowd of writers, players, Hall of Famers and fans at the 85th annual New York BBWAA dinner. "That's what's sustained me and that's what's given me the strength to be here tonight and to fight this deadly disease."
While Murcer was just one winner among many on Sunday, his award meant something more. And the crowd certainly punctuated that, honoring him with a rousing standing ovation after new Yankees manager Joe Girardi presented the award.
"Bobby, you've inspired us with all the hits and the great catches," Girardi said, "but you've never inspired us more than with the way you live your life."
While Murcer was just one winner among many on Sunday, his award meant something more. And the crowd certainly punctuated that, honoring him with a rousing standing ovation after new Yankees manager Joe Girardi presented the award.
"Bobby, you've inspired us with all the hits and the great catches," Girardi said, "but you've never inspired us more than with the way you live your life."
Johnny Damon, honored for his community service, needed awhile to compose himself after a veteran who lost his left arm in Iraq introduced him. Damon is active with the Wounded Warrior Project, and he seemed genuinely humbled and moved. ...
A-Rod also recalled a funny story about new Hall of Famer Goose Gossage, his teammate on the 1994 Seattle Mariners. A-Rod was 18 then, and he remembers calling his mom to tell her that the great Goose Gossage wouldn’t let him use the players’ bathroom on the team plane. Gossage, who was 43, would send A-Rod to the front of the plane, so he’d have to shuffle past the fiery manager, Lou Piniella.
A-Rod also recalled a funny story about new Hall of Famer Goose Gossage, his teammate on the 1994 Seattle Mariners. A-Rod was 18 then, and he remembers calling his mom to tell her that the great Goose Gossage wouldn’t let him use the players’ bathroom on the team plane. Gossage, who was 43, would send A-Rod to the front of the plane, so he’d have to shuffle past the fiery manager, Lou Piniella.
Posted by: Patrick
Well, no, there's no report saying that. However, Charley Walters reports that a trade of Santana is "... expected to occur within 10 days, though." The article mentions that the Twins don't consider the Yankees out of the race.
Via Ken Davidoff.
Via Ken Davidoff.
First, Kyle Perkins, now Nathan Aron.
Via Peter Abraham.
The 16-year-old infielder/outfielder and his parents met with a Yankees' scout following the tournament in Perth last week and, after listening to the club's offer which included a signing bonus, put his name on a contract.
``We are all still blown away, it is very exciting,'' mum Heather Aron said.
``We are all still blown away, it is very exciting,'' mum Heather Aron said.
Via Peter Abraham.
01/26: Met Johnny Damon
I briefly met Johnny Damon at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Florida last week. He made a scheduled appearance at the Puma booth. He was about 45 minutes late, if I recall, but my brother, Sean, and I were like the 6th and 7th people in line (after a couple of people felt they needed to cut, of course).
The Puma people didn't really think the whole thing through because they had a closed booth. Most of the booths at the PGA Show you can simply walk into easily. But, this one was closed at all sides with a relatively small entrance at the front. You can just walk right in, if you want, but it's not as inviting as most other booths. They do this to limit casual browsers, I'm sure and try to make it so that the people who go in are people who really want to buy Puma products for their golf club/organization.
We got there about 45 minutes early (scheduled for 4:00 PM) and got in line once someone else started one. And the line got longer... and longer... and longer. It was quite long when Johnny arrived. I don't think the Puma people expected this. I think they wanted it to be a sort of VIP event for people who were going to most likely buy Puma products - not the average Joe. They had some sort of deal with Nintendo where they had a Wii set up inside and, hours before it had set up, one of the Puma representatives had said that it would be an informal meet and greet with Johnny playing the Wii, etc.
But, if a VIP only event is what they wanted to do, they didn't do it as they should have because they listed him in the official expo publications (magazines, websites, etc.) as a celebrity appearance. If you do that, it's open to everyone, really. If you want it to be VIP only, you tell your VIPs directly and hand out invite passes during the day to come back later and meet Johnny. You don't advertise it. While they were generally nice and accommodating, I got the feeling that it didn't go exactly as they had dreamed. Still, it went well and it was cool to meet him.
Since it was a closed space, they only let a certain number of people in at a time. Maybe 20 or so. My brother and I went in with the first group. We spotted Johnny talking to some reporter or something and then spotted someone who was in line ahead of us talking to him, giving me an idea of where we needed to go to meet him. So, we waited a second and then walked right up to him. There were a lot of people waiting, so it was a quick thing, maybe a minute tops. We just shook his hand, introduced ourselves and said that we were big Yankees fans and got his autograph (plus one for my little brother who went home early). He was glad to sign the extra one, thanked us for coming out and seemed like a really nice guy. His attention was then called to by someone else. We were going to try to get a picture, but I didn't want to take up any more of his time with a line like that. Though I didn't study him by any means, he did appear to be in good shape which can only mean good things for us this season.
(While walking the floor, I also spotted Scottie Pippen and we met John Barmon, the actor that played Spaulding Smails in the classic movie, Caddyshack. Very nice man, as well).
The Puma people didn't really think the whole thing through because they had a closed booth. Most of the booths at the PGA Show you can simply walk into easily. But, this one was closed at all sides with a relatively small entrance at the front. You can just walk right in, if you want, but it's not as inviting as most other booths. They do this to limit casual browsers, I'm sure and try to make it so that the people who go in are people who really want to buy Puma products for their golf club/organization.
We got there about 45 minutes early (scheduled for 4:00 PM) and got in line once someone else started one. And the line got longer... and longer... and longer. It was quite long when Johnny arrived. I don't think the Puma people expected this. I think they wanted it to be a sort of VIP event for people who were going to most likely buy Puma products - not the average Joe. They had some sort of deal with Nintendo where they had a Wii set up inside and, hours before it had set up, one of the Puma representatives had said that it would be an informal meet and greet with Johnny playing the Wii, etc.
But, if a VIP only event is what they wanted to do, they didn't do it as they should have because they listed him in the official expo publications (magazines, websites, etc.) as a celebrity appearance. If you do that, it's open to everyone, really. If you want it to be VIP only, you tell your VIPs directly and hand out invite passes during the day to come back later and meet Johnny. You don't advertise it. While they were generally nice and accommodating, I got the feeling that it didn't go exactly as they had dreamed. Still, it went well and it was cool to meet him.
Since it was a closed space, they only let a certain number of people in at a time. Maybe 20 or so. My brother and I went in with the first group. We spotted Johnny talking to some reporter or something and then spotted someone who was in line ahead of us talking to him, giving me an idea of where we needed to go to meet him. So, we waited a second and then walked right up to him. There were a lot of people waiting, so it was a quick thing, maybe a minute tops. We just shook his hand, introduced ourselves and said that we were big Yankees fans and got his autograph (plus one for my little brother who went home early). He was glad to sign the extra one, thanked us for coming out and seemed like a really nice guy. His attention was then called to by someone else. We were going to try to get a picture, but I didn't want to take up any more of his time with a line like that. Though I didn't study him by any means, he did appear to be in good shape which can only mean good things for us this season.
(While walking the floor, I also spotted Scottie Pippen and we met John Barmon, the actor that played Spaulding Smails in the classic movie, Caddyshack. Very nice man, as well).
Posted by: Patrick
From The Canberry Times:
The report notes that Perkins will join the organization in 2010 as a catcher, after finishing up school.
Via Steve via Repoz.
The latest Canberra teenager bound for the big US baseball leagues is expected to sign a seven-year deal with the New York Yankees today.
Kyle Perkins, 16, joins the world's most renowned baseball club after being spotted by a Yankees scout during last year's under-18 national championship in Western Australia.
Kyle Perkins, 16, joins the world's most renowned baseball club after being spotted by a Yankees scout during last year's under-18 national championship in Western Australia.
The report notes that Perkins will join the organization in 2010 as a catcher, after finishing up school.
Via Steve via Repoz.
Posted by: Patrick
The AP has a long, but interesting interview with Hank Steinbrenner, covering many topics, from his dad and the Yankees teams of the mid to late 90s to his favorite clutch hitter and more.
Via Steve.
"I will be patient with the young pitchers and players. There's no question about that because I know how these players develop,'' he said. "But as far as missing the playoffs - if we miss the playoffs by the end of this year, I don't know how patient I'll be. But it won't be against the players. It won't be a matter of that. It will be a matter of maybe certain people in the organization could have done something else.'' ...
"Don't make any mistake about it: Our team in the late 90s beat everybody, and we beat everybody because we were that much better than everybody,'' he said. "And they had just as many players doing stuff - all the teams. I guarantee you go through every team in baseball, and they all have the same basic percentage of players doing stuff. They just weren't as good as us. You think the Red Sox didn't have players doing stuff back then? Give me a ... break. They just weren't as good as us, and neither was anybody else.'''
"Don't make any mistake about it: Our team in the late 90s beat everybody, and we beat everybody because we were that much better than everybody,'' he said. "And they had just as many players doing stuff - all the teams. I guarantee you go through every team in baseball, and they all have the same basic percentage of players doing stuff. They just weren't as good as us. You think the Red Sox didn't have players doing stuff back then? Give me a ... break. They just weren't as good as us, and neither was anybody else.'''
Via Steve.
01/25: Post Source: Cano Deal Done
Posted by: Patrick
A source told the Post that the Yankees have signed Robbie Cano to a 4 year, $30 million dollar contract with two option years, making it a 6 year deal, potentially.
Via SG.
Via SG.
Posted by: Patrick
From the official site:
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has rearranged its schedule of depositions or taped interviews in its review of Major League Baseball's performance-enhancing drug issue, moving Roger Clemens back from this coming Saturday until Feb. 5.
Brian McNamee, his former personal trainer, has been moved from next Thursday to Feb. 7.
Brian McNamee, his former personal trainer, has been moved from next Thursday to Feb. 7.
Posted by: Patrick
Ken Rosenthal reports that, according to sources, the Yankees are close to a four year, $30 million dollar deal with Robinson Cano. He mentions that the deal is expected to include club options that would allow the Yankees to pick up 1-2 years of free agency. Sounds good to me. Let's lock up Robbie and Wang.
Via Tony Gicas.
Via Tony Gicas.
Posted by: Patrick
From the Times:
Via Tony Gicas via Rotoworld.com.
José Canseco, the former major league slugger and admitted steroid user who exposed other players in his 2005 best-selling book “Juiced,” offered to keep a Detroit Tigers outfielder “clear” in his next book if the player invested money in a film project Canseco was promoting, according to a person in baseball with knowledge of the situation. ...
Four people in baseball confirmed that referrals were made from Major League Baseball to the F.B.I. regarding Canseco’s actions relating to the six-time All-Star outfielder Magglio Ordóñez, who was not mentioned in Canseco’s earlier book or in any other report on performance-enhancing drugs in baseball. All four insisted on anonymity because they said they didn’t have authority to speak about the events.
Four people in baseball confirmed that referrals were made from Major League Baseball to the F.B.I. regarding Canseco’s actions relating to the six-time All-Star outfielder Magglio Ordóñez, who was not mentioned in Canseco’s earlier book or in any other report on performance-enhancing drugs in baseball. All four insisted on anonymity because they said they didn’t have authority to speak about the events.
Via Tony Gicas via Rotoworld.com.
Posted by: Patrick
On his blog, Phil Hughes talks about the loss of velocity that he experienced last year.
After coming back from my injury last season my mechanics were a little out of whack. This led to a little loss of velocity and command. When Dave arrived in September we were able to work out some things and I think that had a lot to do with the success I had at the end of the season. It was nice to finish off the year on a good note so I have something to work toward to get back to my normal self in 2008.
Posted by: Patrick
Trentonian.com has an interview with Yankees prospect Alan Horne.
Via Ben.
after the Tommy John surgery?
A: I think everybody goes through that who has that surgery even as high a success rate as it is. There’s plenty of people who just do not come back to play the sport. It’s something that’s going to be in the back of your mind, but it’s not going to be something you really think about. You’ve just got to continue to put in the work every day and it’s a very strenuous physical and mental program and it’s definitely something that I went through. I don’t think there’s a single guy that’s had the surgery that can tell you it didn’t cross their mind at some point in time.
Q: On the other side of the coin, some people have said some pitchers come back even stronger after Tommy John. Did you notice any of that?
A: No, not particularly with me that I can tell any stronger or anything like that.
I do feel like my endurance is really a lot better as far as my arm goes. It really doesn’t get sore or really that tired any more. I didn’t have a big spike in velocity or anything that. I’ve come back pretty much as I was before. So I didn’t have anything there, but I feel good over a longer period of time now.
A: I think everybody goes through that who has that surgery even as high a success rate as it is. There’s plenty of people who just do not come back to play the sport. It’s something that’s going to be in the back of your mind, but it’s not going to be something you really think about. You’ve just got to continue to put in the work every day and it’s a very strenuous physical and mental program and it’s definitely something that I went through. I don’t think there’s a single guy that’s had the surgery that can tell you it didn’t cross their mind at some point in time.
Q: On the other side of the coin, some people have said some pitchers come back even stronger after Tommy John. Did you notice any of that?
A: No, not particularly with me that I can tell any stronger or anything like that.
I do feel like my endurance is really a lot better as far as my arm goes. It really doesn’t get sore or really that tired any more. I didn’t have a big spike in velocity or anything that. I’ve come back pretty much as I was before. So I didn’t have anything there, but I feel good over a longer period of time now.
Via Ben.
01/24: Knoblauch Missing
Posted by: Patrick