Posted by: Patrick
The up and down roller coaster known as the Mike Cameron trade negotiations have taken another turn, as talks have been revived between the two clubs, reports Bryan Hoch and Peter Abraham.
The clubs had reportedly been close to a deal on Wednesday/Thursday, but later in the day, the teams hit a roadblock. This came in the form of a request from the Yankees that the Brewers pay some of the $10 million dollars that Cameron is owed this season. If the reports are accurate, the Brewers were a little miffed, having just seen the Yankees dish out $161 million to acquire their former ace, CC Sabathia.
But, even later in the day, Joel Sherman of the Post says that the financial issues were cleared during a telephone conversation between Brian Cashman and Brewers GM Doug Melvin. So, the talks are back on again.
The clubs had reportedly been close to a deal on Wednesday/Thursday, but later in the day, the teams hit a roadblock. This came in the form of a request from the Yankees that the Brewers pay some of the $10 million dollars that Cameron is owed this season. If the reports are accurate, the Brewers were a little miffed, having just seen the Yankees dish out $161 million to acquire their former ace, CC Sabathia.
But, even later in the day, Joel Sherman of the Post says that the financial issues were cleared during a telephone conversation between Brian Cashman and Brewers GM Doug Melvin. So, the talks are back on again.
Posted by: Patrick
I was just watching ESPN and they were talking about how Bernie Williams is flying to Puerto Rico to play in winter ball with the hope of joining the Puerto Rican team in the World Baseball Classic. John Schlegel of MLB.com has the story in text version.
12/12: Twins Sign Punto
Posted by: Patrick
The Yankees were interested, but in the end, Nick Punto decided to go back to the Twins. He signed a new two year, $8.5 million dollar deal with an option for 2011.
Via Tim Dierkes.
Via Tim Dierkes.
12/12: Thank You, James
Posted by: Patrick
Unfortunately, I have some bad (in one way, anyway) news to share. Long time YanksBlog.com Blogger James Varghese has left our team. I am sad to see him go and I've appreciated his contributions, writing, humor and his general good nature. He's a great guy and we'll miss him.
In a way, it's a good thing, though, because his leaving is the result of professional success, increased responsibility and, as such, a busier schedule. So, we're happy for him in that regard. But, that doesn't mean we won't miss him around here.
If his schedule clears up (one day!), the door will always be open for his return.
Thank you, James, for all of your work and contributions here at YanksBlog.com.
In a way, it's a good thing, though, because his leaving is the result of professional success, increased responsibility and, as such, a busier schedule. So, we're happy for him in that regard. But, that doesn't mean we won't miss him around here.
If his schedule clears up (one day!), the door will always be open for his return.
Thank you, James, for all of your work and contributions here at YanksBlog.com.
Posted by: Seamus
To update a previous story, it seems as if the rumored Mike Cameron for Melky Cabrera deal has hit a bit of a snag. According to FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal, the Brewers seem unwilling to pay any portion of the $10 million Cameron is owed next season. Apparently, the Brewers don't feel willing to cooperate because of the money the Yankees are able to spend on free agent pitching.
This is all on Milwaukee if this deal doesn't get done. The Brewers have the wrong idea here. The Yankees aren't claiming they can't afford Cameron's $10 million. He's just simply not worth that much. Why would the Yankees give away Melky just to pay $10 million for nothing more than a slight upgrade? If you had the choice of paying a million or less for .249/.301/.341 or $10 million for .243/.331/.477, what would you do? Yeah, thought so. I've said on here before that the Brewers were making a mistake when they picked up Cameron's option in the first place.
I understand Milwaukee's thinking here. They felt it was best to pick up the option and try to get something in return for him via trade, rather than just letting him go via free agency. Well, that's going to backfire, because Mike Cameron is not a $10M/year player. And now that the Yankees are on the verge of shelling out $200M+ for CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, the Brewers feel as if the Yankees should be obligated to overpay for their mistakes, as well.
The ironic thing is, this deal could go through and then the Brewers and/or some of their fans may complain before the end of 2009 about how the Yankees outspend everybody and we need a salary cap.
This is all on Milwaukee if this deal doesn't get done. The Brewers have the wrong idea here. The Yankees aren't claiming they can't afford Cameron's $10 million. He's just simply not worth that much. Why would the Yankees give away Melky just to pay $10 million for nothing more than a slight upgrade? If you had the choice of paying a million or less for .249/.301/.341 or $10 million for .243/.331/.477, what would you do? Yeah, thought so. I've said on here before that the Brewers were making a mistake when they picked up Cameron's option in the first place.
I understand Milwaukee's thinking here. They felt it was best to pick up the option and try to get something in return for him via trade, rather than just letting him go via free agency. Well, that's going to backfire, because Mike Cameron is not a $10M/year player. And now that the Yankees are on the verge of shelling out $200M+ for CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, the Brewers feel as if the Yankees should be obligated to overpay for their mistakes, as well.
The ironic thing is, this deal could go through and then the Brewers and/or some of their fans may complain before the end of 2009 about how the Yankees outspend everybody and we need a salary cap.
Posted by: Seamus
From Ken Davidoff:
I'm surprised that Pettitte has been so stingy about retaining the $16M salary he received last season. Hopefully the two parties get this worked out.
LAS VEGAS - Brian Cashman left the winter meetings early Thursday morning to meet with Andy Pettitte in the lefthander's Houston home, Newsday has confirmed.
The Yankees' general manager wants to give Pettitte one last chance to accept the team's $10 million offer to pitch for the Yankees in 2009. If Pettitte declines -- he has insisted that he wants the same $16 million salary he received each of the past two seasons -- then the Yankees will probably move aggressively to sign free agent Ben Sheets to a two-year deal.
The Yankees' general manager wants to give Pettitte one last chance to accept the team's $10 million offer to pitch for the Yankees in 2009. If Pettitte declines -- he has insisted that he wants the same $16 million salary he received each of the past two seasons -- then the Yankees will probably move aggressively to sign free agent Ben Sheets to a two-year deal.
I'm surprised that Pettitte has been so stingy about retaining the $16M salary he received last season. Hopefully the two parties get this worked out.
Posted by: Patrick
SI.com's Jon Heyman is reporting, according to sources, that the Yankees are interested in free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira, even with the signing of CC Sabathia.
Posted by: Patrick
Update: Mark Feinsand of the Daily News, says that, according to two Major League, the Yankees are "set" to make the deal. There is no mention of a pitching prospect, just Melky.
Dan Graziano of The Star-Ledger quotes an official with the Yankees or the Brewers (one of them) in saying that the teams have made "good progress" on a swap that would send center fielder Mike Cameron to the Yankees in exchange for Melky Cabrera and a pitching prospect. A deal could be completed in the next day or so.
Dan Graziano of The Star-Ledger quotes an official with the Yankees or the Brewers (one of them) in saying that the teams have made "good progress" on a swap that would send center fielder Mike Cameron to the Yankees in exchange for Melky Cabrera and a pitching prospect. A deal could be completed in the next day or so.
Posted by: Patrick
ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick has a "baseball source" telling him that the Yankees have offered free agent starter A.J. Burnett a guaranteed fifth year. The deal is said to be worth around $85 million, or $17 million a year.
Via Dave and Aziz.
Via Dave and Aziz.
Posted by: Patrick
SI.com's Jon Heyman says that "people close" to Hank Steinbrenner say that he wants Manny Ramirez. I want the Yankees to pass on Manny, honestly, even if his price drops. I respect him as a hitter, I just don't want him on the team I root for.
Via Yahoo!
Via Yahoo!
