12/14: Rumor Roundup
Posted by: Patrick
Joe pitches to Damon:
Klap: Nomar at first base?:
The Yankees are talking with free-agent relievers Julian Tavarez, Octavio Dotel and Rudy Seanez, who is also talking with Boston.
... Asked whether the A's acquisition of Milton Bradley yesterday means that centerfielder Mark Kotsay is available, Oakland general manager Billy Beane replied, "Absolutely not."
... Asked whether the A's acquisition of Milton Bradley yesterday means that centerfielder Mark Kotsay is available, Oakland general manager Billy Beane replied, "Absolutely not."
Klap: Nomar at first base?:
If Boras' own negotiating history is any barometer, Damon could remain on the market well beyond New Year's. Either way, that won't impact the Yankees' pursuit of Garciaparra. If he signs elsewhere, Miguel Cairo remains an alternative, as does Pokey Reese, whose agents were contacted by Cashman last week.
12/13: The Big 3 On 1
Posted by: Patrick
Nomar has had a bit rockier path than Jeter and A-Rod. He's a question mark. So, he's looking for a one year deal to get himself back on track. And it looks like, it could be with the Yankees:
Three years ago the odds of Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Nomar Garciaparra together in the Yankees' infield were as long as a Beatles reunion.
Today, it's moving toward even money. That's because the Yankees are considering signing the 32-year-old Garciaparra to play first base.
While GM Brian Cashman and agent Arn Tellem refused to confirm or deny an offer has been made by the Yankees to Garciaparra, several industry sources indicated an offer has been made.
Today, it's moving toward even money. That's because the Yankees are considering signing the 32-year-old Garciaparra to play first base.
While GM Brian Cashman and agent Arn Tellem refused to confirm or deny an offer has been made by the Yankees to Garciaparra, several industry sources indicated an offer has been made.
I'd like to see it happen. I think he'd be a useful backup 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, OF, DH, etc. The utility guy (see picture) in other words. Use him to give people days off and to fill in here and there.
Via noMaas.org (with permission) and Brian MacMillan.
12/13: Yanks Say No to Jeremy Reed?
Posted by: James
A couple of days, the Seattle Post mentioned that the Mariner’s talks with the Yankees regarding Carl Pavano had moved away from including Jeremy Reed. Apparently, the Yankees didn’t view him as an upgrade over Bubba Crosby. Honestly, I (and apparently Steve Lombardi as well) was so surprised that I almost spit up my coffee.
Let’s talk a little about Reed, shall we? Jeremy Reed is:
-a kid (24 years old),
-who plays an good-to-very good CF (depending on who you ask),
-is cheap (he’ll be under the Yankees control for at least the next 3 years),
-has a decent eye at the plate (OBP was almost 70 points higher than his AVG),
-and is pretty speedy on the basepaths (though he certainly needs work on when to go).
He was also considered the #2 prospect in the Seattle Mariners organization, coming in right after King Felix Hernandez. His main problem was an inability to hit lefties, putting up a line of just .200/.276/.267 while hitting .269/.335/.376 against righties. He also showed a little more power on the road, which is to be expected since he played his home games at the pitching paradise that is SafeCo.
Let’s talk a little about Reed, shall we? Jeremy Reed is:
-a kid (24 years old),
-who plays an good-to-very good CF (depending on who you ask),
-is cheap (he’ll be under the Yankees control for at least the next 3 years),
-has a decent eye at the plate (OBP was almost 70 points higher than his AVG),
-and is pretty speedy on the basepaths (though he certainly needs work on when to go).
He was also considered the #2 prospect in the Seattle Mariners organization, coming in right after King Felix Hernandez. His main problem was an inability to hit lefties, putting up a line of just .200/.276/.267 while hitting .269/.335/.376 against righties. He also showed a little more power on the road, which is to be expected since he played his home games at the pitching paradise that is SafeCo.
12/12: Thoughts on Bernie
Posted by: James
It seems that a lot of people have been weighing in on Bernie William's status with the Yankees for next year. Patrick would like to see him back and has his reasons why. I personally am a huge fan of Bernie (I have a little statue of Bernie going back on a fly ball at my desk) but I have witnessed his slippage as a player and I can see the reasons why his roster spot might be better used. Larry Mahnken over at RLYW has an article up expressing his feelings on the matter and I have to admit, I find myself agreeing with most of his points. Bernabe, I love you, my man. However, watching you trying to catch up to fastballs that you used to pummel has been a very sad experience for me...the end of an era, really.
If the Yankees do resign Bernie, he would take Ruben Sierra's place as a DH/pinch-hitter/reserve outfielder so you're probably looking at 300-350 at bats. In comparison, Bernie had 485 ABs last year.
If the Yankees do resign Bernie, he would take Ruben Sierra's place as a DH/pinch-hitter/reserve outfielder so you're probably looking at 300-350 at bats. In comparison, Bernie had 485 ABs last year.
12/12: Rumor Roundup
Posted by: Patrick
Yanks contact Clemens' camp:
There is a little more fueling such talk now. The Yankees have had talks with Clemens' agents about a possible return to pinstripes, according to one of his reps. And the Red Sox also have made contact, according to a report in yesterday's Boston Globe.
"We have talked about things in general with the Yankees," one of Clemens' agents, Randy Hendricks, wrote in an E-mail to the Daily News yesterday. "We have told the teams that have called to talk to us in January because there is no rush, due to Roger's timetable."
"We have talked about things in general with the Yankees," one of Clemens' agents, Randy Hendricks, wrote in an E-mail to the Daily News yesterday. "We have told the teams that have called to talk to us in January because there is no rush, due to Roger's timetable."
Posted by: Patrick
Recently, we sat down with Matthew McGough, who wrote Bat Boy: My Real Life Adventures Coming of Age with the New York Yankees (review). We asked him about the book, his time with the Yankees, the current Yankees and more.
Have you had any reactions from those that were mentioned in the book? Your parents, people in the front office, the players, coaches, clubhouse staff, etc.? Were there any negative reactions? Was this the first time that your parents had heard of most of your adventures?
As you hint in your question, there were a few adventures in Bat Boy that I'm pretty sure neither my parents nor the Yankees brass knew about at the time I was still working for the team, but thankfully the response has been very positive to date. I suppose I'm lucky to be too old now to be grounded by my folks for old offenses! As for the guys in the clubhouse, one of the most exciting things to have come out of writing the book is that it's brought me back in touch with a few of the ballplayers - Don Mattingly and Jim Abbott, in particular - who I hadn't seen or spoken with in more than a decade, since I was seventeen years old and about to leave for college. Both told me they enjoyed the book, and it's a thrill to be able to get together with those guys and talk with them man-to-man, now that I'm a little older (and hopefully a little wiser).
Have you had any reactions from those that were mentioned in the book? Your parents, people in the front office, the players, coaches, clubhouse staff, etc.? Were there any negative reactions? Was this the first time that your parents had heard of most of your adventures?
As you hint in your question, there were a few adventures in Bat Boy that I'm pretty sure neither my parents nor the Yankees brass knew about at the time I was still working for the team, but thankfully the response has been very positive to date. I suppose I'm lucky to be too old now to be grounded by my folks for old offenses! As for the guys in the clubhouse, one of the most exciting things to have come out of writing the book is that it's brought me back in touch with a few of the ballplayers - Don Mattingly and Jim Abbott, in particular - who I hadn't seen or spoken with in more than a decade, since I was seventeen years old and about to leave for college. Both told me they enjoyed the book, and it's a thrill to be able to get together with those guys and talk with them man-to-man, now that I'm a little older (and hopefully a little wiser).
12/10: Rumor Roundup
Posted by: Patrick
CAIRO MAY BE BACK IN BRONX:
Former Met Hernandez picks Pirates over Yanks:
The Yankees are believed to be interested in free agent Eduardo Perez, who hit .255 with 11 homers and a .368 OBP in just 161 at-bats with Tampa Bay this past year. The 36-year-old Perez, a right-handed hitter who played mostly first base in 2005, hit 10 of those homers in 137 at-bats against lefties. He also clobbered the Yankees this past year, going deep four times in 17 at-bats.
Former Met Hernandez picks Pirates over Yanks:
The Yankees are still exploring center field options, but the Texas Rangers, despite a surplus of outfielders, did not like what the Yankees offered for Laynce Nix or Gary Matthews Jr.
12/10: Comings and Goings
Posted by: James
It looks like Roberto Hernandez will not be pitching for the Yanks but will be toeing the rubber for the Pirates next year. He signed a one year, 3 million dollar deal. The Yanks are reportedly still pursuing Julian Tavarez and Octavio Dotel, both of which seem like good options for the bullpen. Apparently, there is also some interest in Rick White, who I'm not exactly enamored with. I just don't think that he is a good enough pitcher in his role to be a central part of the bullpen nor should he command a 2 year deal.
Also, there are some rumblings that Miguel Cairo might be headed back to the Bronx. I'm not sure what to make of this potential signing. Cairo clearly played over his head when he was with the Yanks but as a utility guy, he does have a lot of use. The Mets certainly made use of him as he played every position but catcher, short and centerfield. He's an average defender at each position he plays and when he does play, he plays hard - both of which are good characteristics to have in your bench players.
Also, there are some rumblings that Miguel Cairo might be headed back to the Bronx. I'm not sure what to make of this potential signing. Cairo clearly played over his head when he was with the Yanks but as a utility guy, he does have a lot of use. The Mets certainly made use of him as he played every position but catcher, short and centerfield. He's an average defender at each position he plays and when he does play, he plays hard - both of which are good characteristics to have in your bench players.
Posted by: James
I would have completely missed this story if Brian MacMillan over at Off The Facade hadn't picked up on it. It turns out that the Twins picked up Erold Andrus from the Yankees farm system on Thursday. Now, I'm not completely aware of the rules regarding players chosen in the "minor league portion of the draft" and if those rules are any different from the major portion of the Rule 5 draft, but Andrus isn't a huge loss. At the beginning of the year, John Sickels over at Minor League Ball rated Erold as the 15th best prospect in the Yankees system and gave him a C+. At this point, after the latest draft and Erold's performance this past year (.241/.311/.334 in his age 21 season at A ball), I personally wouldn't even put Andrus in the top 25.
Just as a comparison...and to see who the Red Sox picked up for their castoff Renteria...here's Andy Marte's line from last year, also his age 21 year but at the AAA level: .275/.372/.506. Yeah, I know. Wow - and all they had to do was give up Renteria, who didn't exactly set the AL on fire last year. In addition, all they really need is a stop gap at short to keep the spot warm for Dustin Pedroia, who will be starting next year at AAA. Honestly, I've always thought that Hanley Ramirez was overrated and that Pedroia was going to be the better player. Now, it looks like he'll have the opportunity to show what he's got and to prove me right. I gotta give the Sox credit for this deal as it looks great on paper right now. Time will tell, of course.
Just as a comparison...and to see who the Red Sox picked up for their castoff Renteria...here's Andy Marte's line from last year, also his age 21 year but at the AAA level: .275/.372/.506. Yeah, I know. Wow - and all they had to do was give up Renteria, who didn't exactly set the AL on fire last year. In addition, all they really need is a stop gap at short to keep the spot warm for Dustin Pedroia, who will be starting next year at AAA. Honestly, I've always thought that Hanley Ramirez was overrated and that Pedroia was going to be the better player. Now, it looks like he'll have the opportunity to show what he's got and to prove me right. I gotta give the Sox credit for this deal as it looks great on paper right now. Time will tell, of course.
12/09: Rumor Roundup
Posted by: Patrick
Williams accepts part-time role:
Phillies pick up some pitching:
Also Wednesday, the Yankees spoke with agent Arn Tellem about Nomar Garciaparra, whom the club envisions playing multiple positions.
The Yankees will have interest in speaking with Roger Clemens now that the Astros have declined him arbitration. ...
However, Cashman and Boras were also engaged in discussion about Damon - talks that Boras indicated went well.
The Yankees will have interest in speaking with Roger Clemens now that the Astros have declined him arbitration. ...
However, Cashman and Boras were also engaged in discussion about Damon - talks that Boras indicated went well.
Phillies pick up some pitching:
For the moment, Looper is the only free-agent reliever the Phillies are after, but Gillick said they are in talks with a team about a possible trade for more pitching help.
That team could be the New York Yankees. The Yankees remain interested in outfielder Jason Michaels, and after the Chicago Cubs acquired centerfielder Juan Pierre from the Florida Marlins, that interest might pick up again. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman likes Michaels but wasn't willing to give up righthander Chien-Ming Wang to get him. But the Yankees might be willing to give up lefthanded pitching prospect Sean Henn.
That team could be the New York Yankees. The Yankees remain interested in outfielder Jason Michaels, and after the Chicago Cubs acquired centerfielder Juan Pierre from the Florida Marlins, that interest might pick up again. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman likes Michaels but wasn't willing to give up righthander Chien-Ming Wang to get him. But the Yankees might be willing to give up lefthanded pitching prospect Sean Henn.
