Posted by: Patrick
MLB.com's Bryan Hoch reports on Chien-Ming Wang's road back to the rotation. It's understandable that with the additions of CC and A.J., that they are getting a lot of attention right now, but Wang is a top shelf guy and part of what makes this rotation so strong - the depth.
A rotation of Sabathia, Burnett, Pettitte, Someone and Joba is a very good rotation, but is not the top of the league rotation that a Sabathia, Burnett, Wang, Pettitte and Joba lineup would be considered. It's exciting.
A rotation of Sabathia, Burnett, Pettitte, Someone and Joba is a very good rotation, but is not the top of the league rotation that a Sabathia, Burnett, Wang, Pettitte and Joba lineup would be considered. It's exciting.
Posted by: Patrick
Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports that Alex Rodriguez is planning to hold his press conference on Tuesday, to further address his admission of steroid use, possibly in a similar manner to Andy Pettitte last year.
Posted by: Patrick
Brian Cashman told Peter Abraham that, during spring training in 1996, George Steinbrenner was interested in acquiring a shortstop. The team was unsure that Derek Jeter would be ready to start.
Felix Fermin of the Mariners was discussed, and Seattle wanted either Mariano Rivera or Bob Wickman in return. "It was a big fight and we were very close to doing it," Cashman told Abraham. "Thank God we didn't."
Fermin ended up being released on April 13 and signed with the Yankees on May 8. But, they released him, too, on May 22. He caught on with the Cubs on May 29, hit .125 in 16 at bats, and was released on August 9. He did not see Major League action again.
Felix Fermin of the Mariners was discussed, and Seattle wanted either Mariano Rivera or Bob Wickman in return. "It was a big fight and we were very close to doing it," Cashman told Abraham. "Thank God we didn't."
Fermin ended up being released on April 13 and signed with the Yankees on May 8. But, they released him, too, on May 22. He caught on with the Cubs on May 29, hit .125 in 16 at bats, and was released on August 9. He did not see Major League action again.
Posted by: Patrick
Ken Davidoff shares some George Steinbrenner stories, as told by Jorge Posada, Yankees adviser Ray Negron and Goose Gossage.
"I miss Steinbrenner. I miss him walking around," Posada said. "I miss being able to talk to him about baseball, football. Anything.
"It was tough love. You knew that coming in. But you know what? He cared about everybody in here ... You heard little stories about how he'd have them remove the whole carpet [in the clubhouse] because there was a little stain in the middle. Little things like that. He did anything to make us comfortable. He was good at it."
Added Posada, whose son Jorge has overcome craniosynostosis: "He was always the first one to ask me every day, how's my son doing?"
"It was tough love. You knew that coming in. But you know what? He cared about everybody in here ... You heard little stories about how he'd have them remove the whole carpet [in the clubhouse] because there was a little stain in the middle. Little things like that. He did anything to make us comfortable. He was good at it."
Added Posada, whose son Jorge has overcome craniosynostosis: "He was always the first one to ask me every day, how's my son doing?"
Posted by: Patrick
Newsday's Kat O'Brien spoke with Mo and he says that he'll be ready for spring training action. He also talked about his outlook for the future and his optimism for this years squad.
Posted by: Patrick
Kat O'Brien and Peter Abraham have quotes from different players down in Tampa. Here are my favorites:
Andy Pettitte, on contract negotiations with the Yankees: "The running joke with some of my friends was that I was going to pay the Yankees to come back."
David Robertson, on the possibility of him and his brother, Mets pitcher Connor, sharing an apartment in New York if they both make their respective teams: "Two hillbillies in Manhattan."
CC Sabathia, on his agent's reaction to the pitcher going short rest for the Brewers last season: "I had to shut my phone off and block his calls. He was pretty upset about it. He was freaking out."
A.J. Burnett, on Andy Pettitte and Joba Chamberlain forming the "backend" of the rotation: "I'm not sure there is a back end."
Andy Pettitte, on contract negotiations with the Yankees: "The running joke with some of my friends was that I was going to pay the Yankees to come back."
David Robertson, on the possibility of him and his brother, Mets pitcher Connor, sharing an apartment in New York if they both make their respective teams: "Two hillbillies in Manhattan."
CC Sabathia, on his agent's reaction to the pitcher going short rest for the Brewers last season: "I had to shut my phone off and block his calls. He was pretty upset about it. He was freaking out."
A.J. Burnett, on Andy Pettitte and Joba Chamberlain forming the "backend" of the rotation: "I'm not sure there is a back end."
Posted by: Patrick
Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter are planning to attend A-Rod's upcoming press conference, according to MLB.com's John Schlegel.
"We'll be there," Posada told the Post. "Obviously, we have to ask Alex if it is OK, but if he says yes, we will go with him. I think it will be the guys who have been here the longest and anyone else that Alex might want."
02/14: Yankees Sign Brett Tomko
Posted by: Seamus
Peter Abraham reports that the Yankees have signed pitcher Brett Tomko to a minor league deal. Tomko, who will be 36 this season, went 2-7 with an E.R.A. of 6.30 in 22 games with the Royals and Padres last year.
02/13: Jim Leyritz Jailed
Posted by: Seamus
From The Daily News:
Leyritz claims he felt he was no longer subject to the conditions of the bail and was therefore free to drink.
This guy needs to get some help before it is too late, if it's not already.
The troubled ex-Yankee - accused of killing a Florida mom in a drunken 2007 car crash - was jailed Friday after prosecutors said he repeatedly got behind the wheel after drinking.
Leyritz, 45, had been allowed to remain free as long as he didn't drink alcohol...
Leyritz was charged with manslaughter in a Dec. 28, 2007, crash that killed Fredia Ann Veitch. She also was drunk when her car collided with his SUV.
Leyritz, 45, had been allowed to remain free as long as he didn't drink alcohol...
Leyritz was charged with manslaughter in a Dec. 28, 2007, crash that killed Fredia Ann Veitch. She also was drunk when her car collided with his SUV.
Leyritz claims he felt he was no longer subject to the conditions of the bail and was therefore free to drink.
This guy needs to get some help before it is too late, if it's not already.
Posted by: Seamus
From the AP via Sports Illustrated:
This whole A-Rod scandal probably would have made this a good time for Roger to fly under the radar and just drop this silly lawsuit altogether.
HOUSTON (AP) -- A federal judge dismissed most of Roger Clemens' defamation lawsuit against his former personal trainer on Thursday, saying statements made in the Mitchell Report on doping in baseball are protected...
McNamee's attorneys said Clemens' lawsuit should be thrown out because McNamee was compelled to cooperate by federal investigators.
U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison agreed, but he left in McNamee's statements to Andy Pettitte, Clemens' former New York Yankees teammate. McNamee told Pettitte that Clemens had used HGH and steroids.
McNamee's attorneys said Clemens' lawsuit should be thrown out because McNamee was compelled to cooperate by federal investigators.
U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison agreed, but he left in McNamee's statements to Andy Pettitte, Clemens' former New York Yankees teammate. McNamee told Pettitte that Clemens had used HGH and steroids.
This whole A-Rod scandal probably would have made this a good time for Roger to fly under the radar and just drop this silly lawsuit altogether.
