11/10: First to Bolt: Bubba
Posted by: Patrick
Bubba Crosby became the first Yankees free agent to bolt as he is headed to the Reds at a rate of $400,000 for 1 year.
Always seemed like a nice guy. Good luck, Bubba.
By signing him to a Major League deal, Cincinnati protected Crosby on its 40-man roster. But he's not assured a 25-man roster spot for Opening Day 2007. The 30-year-old will go to Spring Training and compete for a job as a reserve outfielder.
Always seemed like a nice guy. Good luck, Bubba.
Posted by: Patrick
From the official site:
Congrats.
Derek Jeter's romp through postseason awards continued on Friday, as the Yankees' shortstop earned the first Silver Slugger Award of his career.
Jeter had some company on this one, though, as Robinson Cano picked up a Silver Slugger of his own as the American League's top hitting second baseman.
Jeter had some company on this one, though, as Robinson Cano picked up a Silver Slugger of his own as the American League's top hitting second baseman.
Congrats.
Posted by: Patrick
Commenter Chris just pointed to an SI.com article that is saying that the Yankees and Tigers have agreed to a deal. The details:
Humberto Sanchez is 23 and Kevin Whelan and Anthony Claggett are both 22. None of them have any major league experience.
Sanchez was 10-5 with a 2.63 ERA between AAA and AA last year. Whelan was 4-1 with a 2.67 ERA in 51 games at A+. Claggett also pitched 51 games at A with a 7-2 record and a 0.91 ERA. He pitched 1 inning scoreless in AAA, as well.
Last year, Baseball America placed Sanchez as the 5th best prospect in the Tigers system and Whelan as the 10th. I am the last guy in the world to be considered a prospect expect, but given their performances and the promotions of Verlander and Zumaya, I doubt they would have fallen from those spots, at the very least.
Now, again, from that non prospect expert stance, this seems like a really sweet deal on Cashman's part. Consider that Sheffield turns 38 in a week, was injured most of last year, really had little place to play (either him or Abreu or Matsui or Melky...), was talking up a storm with discontent since the trade news came out... considering all that, it really seems like Cashman did really well to get such a package, if the deal goes through. It's pending a Sheffield physical. Thoughts?
The Yankees and Tigers have agreed on a Gary Sheffield trade, SI.com has learned.
In return, the Yankees will acquire highly touted right-hander Humberto Sanchez and Class A pitchers Kevin Whelan and Anthony Claggett, according to a Tigers source.
In return, the Yankees will acquire highly touted right-hander Humberto Sanchez and Class A pitchers Kevin Whelan and Anthony Claggett, according to a Tigers source.
Humberto Sanchez is 23 and Kevin Whelan and Anthony Claggett are both 22. None of them have any major league experience.
Sanchez was 10-5 with a 2.63 ERA between AAA and AA last year. Whelan was 4-1 with a 2.67 ERA in 51 games at A+. Claggett also pitched 51 games at A with a 7-2 record and a 0.91 ERA. He pitched 1 inning scoreless in AAA, as well.
Last year, Baseball America placed Sanchez as the 5th best prospect in the Tigers system and Whelan as the 10th. I am the last guy in the world to be considered a prospect expect, but given their performances and the promotions of Verlander and Zumaya, I doubt they would have fallen from those spots, at the very least.
Now, again, from that non prospect expert stance, this seems like a really sweet deal on Cashman's part. Consider that Sheffield turns 38 in a week, was injured most of last year, really had little place to play (either him or Abreu or Matsui or Melky...), was talking up a storm with discontent since the trade news came out... considering all that, it really seems like Cashman did really well to get such a package, if the deal goes through. It's pending a Sheffield physical. Thoughts?
11/10: Ohayo Gozaimasu, Boston?
Posted by: Jason
According to ESPN's Buster Olney, MLB sources monitoring the bidding process report that the Red Sox "may have placed the highest bid" for Matsuzaka.
According to these unnamed "sources," the Red Sox bid is between $38 and $45 million.
This is exhibit "A" as to why the mainstream media is a constant source of amusement: MLB sources monitoring the bidding process?? That includes the entire league office and the front offices of at least 6 teams!! No potential for disinformation at all...
According to these unnamed "sources," the Red Sox bid is between $38 and $45 million.
This is exhibit "A" as to why the mainstream media is a constant source of amusement: MLB sources monitoring the bidding process?? That includes the entire league office and the front offices of at least 6 teams!! No potential for disinformation at all...
Posted by: Patrick
According to mlive.com:
Via Pro Sports Daily.
Outfielder Gary Sheffield, a nine-time All-Star who won a world championship with Tigers manager Jim Leyland in Florida, has been the subject of serious trade talks this week between the Tigers and the New York Yankees. One baseball official suggested Thursday that a deal could happen soon, but other officials said the Yankees were talking to several teams and would prefer to send Sheffield to the National League.
It's not clear what the Tigers would need to give up to acquire Sheffield, but the Yankees' needs include a utility infielder (the Tigers could offer Omar Infante or Ramon Santiago) and starting pitching (the Tigers could offer Humberto Sanchez or Jordan Tata).
It's not clear what the Tigers would need to give up to acquire Sheffield, but the Yankees' needs include a utility infielder (the Tigers could offer Omar Infante or Ramon Santiago) and starting pitching (the Tigers could offer Humberto Sanchez or Jordan Tata).
Via Pro Sports Daily.
Posted by: Patrick
From MLB.com:
"It's a lot of noise; that's the bottom line," Levine said. "Gary Sheffield signed the contract, he negotiated it himself -- and took great pride negotiating it himself -- and the contract is what it is. It's noise. I really don't pay much attention to it." ...
"We picked up his option, so he's our player," Levine said. "If we choose to have him play with us, he'll play with us. If we decide to trade him, in the best interest of the Yankees, he'll be traded. Or he won't be playing baseball. It's very obvious to everybody that he doesn't have a no-trade clause, but he's trying to pretend that he does. I don't blame him for attempting to get leverage, but the truth is, he has none."
"We picked up his option, so he's our player," Levine said. "If we choose to have him play with us, he'll play with us. If we decide to trade him, in the best interest of the Yankees, he'll be traded. Or he won't be playing baseball. It's very obvious to everybody that he doesn't have a no-trade clause, but he's trying to pretend that he does. I don't blame him for attempting to get leverage, but the truth is, he has none."
Posted by: Patrick
According to Peter Abraham:
Via Fabian
... the Yankees have purchased the Staten Island Yankees and will have Mandalay Sports run the team. ... [Steve] Swindal spoke to us later and mentioned that the team also had an option to purchase Class AAA Scranton.
Via Fabian
Posted by: James
This report from ESPN notes that apparently, Gary Sheffield wants to talk to the Boss but Yankee "middle-men" won't allow it. Well, think about it Gary - if the newspaper reports are to be believed, Cashman never wanted you here; he wanted Vlad. The only reason you got picked up was due to Steinbrenner making the call. Cashman would be a fool to let that happen again so sorry, Gary, that well is dry.
Still, the most interesting (and annoying part of the article) is the following quote from Sheff:
Listen, I was for the guy when he was carrying the Yanks to the postseason with a bum right arm and striking fear into the hearts of opposing pitchers. However, I have always liked Vlad more and this just keeps piling on to that. Gary is complaining about the fact that the Yankees will be forcing him to honor his $13 million contract (which he negotiated and signed) and now he has the gall to come out and say that he's being a man about this? Give me a break! His actions are the same ones you see spoiled children do at recess. For a while, he played nicely with others but once something changes and he's not getting his way, he wants to take his ball and go home (be declared a free agent) or run crying to a grown up (complain to George).
Still, if nothing else comes of this, it's really been very impressive how quickly Sheff turned the good will towards him into bitterness - he could run a how to clinic on the process.
Still, the most interesting (and annoying part of the article) is the following quote from Sheff:
"My situation, honestly, the truth about it, I never was comfortable," Sheffield said Wednesday night at the opening of the Brooklyn Diner's Times Square location. "I was always feeling a little insecure about where I fit here and where I belonged, or do they want me here? And I had to play on those terms, and I was being a man about it and going out and trying to do my job under the conditions."
Listen, I was for the guy when he was carrying the Yanks to the postseason with a bum right arm and striking fear into the hearts of opposing pitchers. However, I have always liked Vlad more and this just keeps piling on to that. Gary is complaining about the fact that the Yankees will be forcing him to honor his $13 million contract (which he negotiated and signed) and now he has the gall to come out and say that he's being a man about this? Give me a break! His actions are the same ones you see spoiled children do at recess. For a while, he played nicely with others but once something changes and he's not getting his way, he wants to take his ball and go home (be declared a free agent) or run crying to a grown up (complain to George).
Still, if nothing else comes of this, it's really been very impressive how quickly Sheff turned the good will towards him into bitterness - he could run a how to clinic on the process.
11/08: Top 10 Prospects
Posted by: Patrick
Baseball America has posted their Top 10 prospects:
Mike Axisa posted his as well:
Full write-ups and details available at either site.
Via Steve.
1. Philip Hughes, rhp
2. Jose Tabata, of
3. Dellin Betances, rhp
4. Joba Chamberlain, rhp
5. Ian Kennedy, rhp
6. Chris Garcia, rhp
7. Tyler Clippard, rhp
8. J. Brent Cox, rhp
9. Mark Melancon, rhp
10. Brett Gardner, of
2. Jose Tabata, of
3. Dellin Betances, rhp
4. Joba Chamberlain, rhp
5. Ian Kennedy, rhp
6. Chris Garcia, rhp
7. Tyler Clippard, rhp
8. J. Brent Cox, rhp
9. Mark Melancon, rhp
10. Brett Gardner, of
Mike Axisa posted his as well:
1. Phil Hughes, RHP
2. Jose Tabata, RF
3. Eric Duncan, 3B/1B
4. Joba Chamberlain, RHP
5. Austin Jackson, CF
6. Dellin Betances, RHP
7. Jesus Montero, C
8. Ian Kennedy, RHP
9. Tyler Clippard, RHP
10. Christian Garcia, RHP
2. Jose Tabata, RF
3. Eric Duncan, 3B/1B
4. Joba Chamberlain, RHP
5. Austin Jackson, CF
6. Dellin Betances, RHP
7. Jesus Montero, C
8. Ian Kennedy, RHP
9. Tyler Clippard, RHP
10. Christian Garcia, RHP
Full write-ups and details available at either site.
Via Steve.
11/08: Say What?
Posted by: James
I fail to see how no one bid on the following item. It boggles the mind.
I would love to know how any self-respecting Yankees fan could pass up this this game-used Yankees cap...especially from such a legendary player who represents such a storied part of Yankee history.
Hat tip to High & Tight.
I would love to know how any self-respecting Yankees fan could pass up this this game-used Yankees cap...especially from such a legendary player who represents such a storied part of Yankee history.
Hat tip to High & Tight.
