Posted by: Patrick
Yesterday, the Yankees and Cisco Systems held a press conference to talk about some of the new technology that will go into the new Yankee Stadium. But, afterwards, Hal Steinbrenner discussed the free agent market. Nothing ground breaking, but here's what he said:
"We're going to do what we do every year, and that's try to field a championship team," co-chairman Hal Steinbrenner said on Tuesday. "That's not going to change. We know that we've got some weaknesses, and we're going to fix the problems as best we can. If that means spending money, obviously that means spending money. The philosophy has not changed."
"Everyone has a price, we do and free agents do. ... We're going to pursue the market aggressively as we do every year. Our philosophy on that has not changed."
"Decisions haven't completely been made yet," Steinbrenner said. "We're going to figure out everything by Friday. By Friday we're going to know the direction we're going. (In Thursday's meeting) we're going to decide who we're putting offers on first."
Posted by: Patrick
In a move that quite possibly means nothing, Andy Pettitte has filed for free agency. The Yankees have exclusive rights to him through Thursday.
The Yankees have through Thursday to exclusively negotiate with Pettitte, before the league's free agency filing period ends and all other clubs can discuss financial details with him. With that deadline now merely days away, the Yankees might soon risk alienating a pitcher who has already declared his intentions.
"I think my family has fallen back in love with New York again, being back up here," Pettitte said at season's end. "We bought a house, and I think my wife and kids are extremely comfortable up there. Things are different than I thought."
"I think my family has fallen back in love with New York again, being back up here," Pettitte said at season's end. "We bought a house, and I think my wife and kids are extremely comfortable up there. Things are different than I thought."
Posted by: Patrick
Steve Lombardi reports on Baseball America's brand new top 10 prospects list for the Yankees organization.
1. Austin Jackson OF
2. Jesus Montero, C
3. Andrew Brackman, RHP
4. Austin Romine, C
5. Dellin Betances, RHP
6. Zach McAllister, RHP
7. Alfredo Aceves, RHP
8. Phil Coke, LHP
9. Mark Melancon, RHP
10. Bradley Suttle, 3B
2. Jesus Montero, C
3. Andrew Brackman, RHP
4. Austin Romine, C
5. Dellin Betances, RHP
6. Zach McAllister, RHP
7. Alfredo Aceves, RHP
8. Phil Coke, LHP
9. Mark Melancon, RHP
10. Bradley Suttle, 3B
Posted by: Patrick
Here are the Yankees Minor League free agents, care of BaseballAmerica.com:
Via Peter Abraham.
New York Yankees (18)
RHP: Oneli Perez (AAA), Scott Strickland (AAA), Jose Valdez (AA), Victor Zambrano (AAA)
LHP: Eric Milton (AAA), Edgar Soto (Hi A)
C: Ben Blumenthal (Lo A), Jason Brown (AAA), Chris Stewart (AAA)
1B: Ben Broussard (AAA), Josh Kreuzer (Hi A)
2B: Bernie Castro (AAA), Nick Green (AAA)
3B: Carlos Mendoza (AA)
SS: Chris Basak (AAA)
OF: Matt Carson (AAA), Edwar Gonzalez (AA), , C.J. Henry (Hi A)
RHP: Oneli Perez (AAA), Scott Strickland (AAA), Jose Valdez (AA), Victor Zambrano (AAA)
LHP: Eric Milton (AAA), Edgar Soto (Hi A)
C: Ben Blumenthal (Lo A), Jason Brown (AAA), Chris Stewart (AAA)
1B: Ben Broussard (AAA), Josh Kreuzer (Hi A)
2B: Bernie Castro (AAA), Nick Green (AAA)
3B: Carlos Mendoza (AA)
SS: Chris Basak (AAA)
OF: Matt Carson (AAA), Edwar Gonzalez (AA), , C.J. Henry (Hi A)
Via Peter Abraham.
Posted by: Patrick
Scott Brosius, Paul O'Neill, David Cone and Jeff Nelson joined with Bronx students yesterday for the ceremonial moving of home plate, the pitching rubber and some dirt, from the old stadium to the new one. Anthony DiComo of MLB.com and Verena Dobnik of the AP have the story, while Peter Abraham has the press release.
In a dual-Stadium ceremony today, local Bronx high school youth groups were joined by Scott Brosius, David Cone, Jeff Nelson and Paul O’Neill of the Yankees’ 1998 World Championship team and Yankees Vice Chairperson Jennifer Steinbrenner Swindal in removing home plate, the pitcher’s rubber and pails of dirt from the original Yankee Stadium, then installing them in the new Yankee Stadium across the street.
The participating Bronx youth groups—Youth Force 2020, led by Turner Construction Company, and the ACE Mentor Program at Yankee Stadium, guided by Tishman Speyer—have been taking part in Yankees-sponsored after-school programs relating to the construction and engineering of the new Yankee Stadium.
The participating Bronx youth groups—Youth Force 2020, led by Turner Construction Company, and the ACE Mentor Program at Yankee Stadium, guided by Tishman Speyer—have been taking part in Yankees-sponsored after-school programs relating to the construction and engineering of the new Yankee Stadium.
"This new Yankee Stadium has got a lot to live up to," Cone said, lounging in a concrete lean-to that will soon become the home dugout. "There are so many great memories, so many championships across the street, that anything you can bring over here -- any sort of memories you can bring with you -- it's a good thing to do to get this place off to the right start."
Posted by: Seamus
ESPN has the story:
Good for Willie. Here's to hoping this leads to another managing job somewhere, eventually.
"We are very pleased to add Willie to the organization as he brings recent National League expertise and success to our coaching staff," general manager Doug Melvin said. "His reputation as a player is a quality that will be valuable in his teaching and coaching of our talented young team. Willie is a professional both on and off the field."
Good for Willie. Here's to hoping this leads to another managing job somewhere, eventually.
11/08: Pitcher News: Pettitte Wants One Year, Moose Told Girardi of Retirement Plans, Jeter Talking With CC
Posted by: Patrick
A number of interesting tidbits came out of last night's gala for the Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation, as covered by Kat O'Brien, the AP and Ed Price. But, some of the most meaningful was released to three pitchers we're tracking: Andy Pettitte, Mike Mussina and CC Sabathia.
Despite some "rumblings" to the contrary, Pettitte says he is only after a one year deal. But, he has not heard anything from the club.
"I let them know a few weeks ago I’d like to come back and play," Pettitte told the AP. "My agent said he would call me if he had heard anything and he hasn’t heard anything."
Joe Girardi revealed that, after the season, Mike Mussina told him that he planned to retire. He hasn't spoken with Moose since and the Yankees are still waiting to hear his final word.
Finally, Derek Jeter has spoken to CC Sabathia a few times. He says that he's been answering questions, but that he doesn't feel the need to pitch New York to anyone.
Despite some "rumblings" to the contrary, Pettitte says he is only after a one year deal. But, he has not heard anything from the club.
"I let them know a few weeks ago I’d like to come back and play," Pettitte told the AP. "My agent said he would call me if he had heard anything and he hasn’t heard anything."
Joe Girardi revealed that, after the season, Mike Mussina told him that he planned to retire. He hasn't spoken with Moose since and the Yankees are still waiting to hear his final word.
Finally, Derek Jeter has spoken to CC Sabathia a few times. He says that he's been answering questions, but that he doesn't feel the need to pitch New York to anyone.
Posted by: Patrick
Ken Davidoff and Kat O'Brien report:
The Yankees have interest in upgrading in centerfield, though a source called getting Cameron "unlikely." Improving in centerfield ranks far below starting pitching on their priority list, and also below acquiring one more big bat. ...
Talks with the Brewers about Cameron began before this week's meetings, although word leaked out only the past couple of days. Yankees centerfielder Melky Cabrera and righthanded pitcher Ian Kennedy have been discussed, although a source said the Yankees are not inclined to include Kennedy in such a trade.
Talks with the Brewers about Cameron began before this week's meetings, although word leaked out only the past couple of days. Yankees centerfielder Melky Cabrera and righthanded pitcher Ian Kennedy have been discussed, although a source said the Yankees are not inclined to include Kennedy in such a trade.
11/08: Posada: Recovery Going Well
Posted by: Patrick
Kat O'Brien reports:
Jorge Posada said his recovery from more intense shoulder surgery is going well. He expects to begin throwing in early-to-mid-December, and his confidence level in being ready to catch before Opening Day is "100 percent." He once again shot down the idea of moving to first base, saying he will be ready to catch.
Posted by: Patrick
The Yankees have decided to decline Damaso Marte's $6 million dollar option for 2009, electing to pay him $250,000, instead, to buy him out. The Yankees will likely offer him arbitration, which would lead to them receiving two compensatory draft picks when he signs with another team.
