01/05: Damons Welcome Baby Girl
Posted by: Patrick
From the New York Daily News:
Congratulations to them.
The wife of Yankee center fielder Johnny Damon gave birth to the couple's first child yesterday, a seven-pound, eight-ounce daughter named Devon Rose Damon.
Michelle Damon and her daughter were doing fine in Orlando, Damon's hometown and where the couple makes its winter home. ...
Michelle Damon and her daughter were doing fine in Orlando, Damon's hometown and where the couple makes its winter home. ...
Congratulations to them.
Posted by: James
From Pete A.'s LoHud Yankees Blog, it looks like the Johnson deal is (finally) done. If these really are the players involved, this deal worked out completely differently than most of the Yankee fandom expected.
Ohlendorf is a (very smart - 1580 SAT if I remember correctly) 24 year old pitching prospect who gives up hits but seems to have good control. I don't know much about Jackson but looking at his pitching line so far, it looks like he figured something out last year. Hopefully, he can maintain whatever it is that he learned last year. Gonzalez seems like a no-hit shortstop, though he did put up a .750 OPS line at AA last year. Hopefully, he's a good defender. Vizcaino is a soon to be 33-year old right handed reliever. It's not the Micah Owings/Dustin Nippert/Chris Carter combo that had been bandied about often over the last week but it is something. I'll post something a little later on why I think the loss of Johnson won't be as big as some people seem to think it will be. Still, until then - any thoughts on this value received here?
Update: It looks like the Yanks will be putting up $2MM of the 2007 salary and that Arizona has until 4 p.m. Sunday to sign Johnson to an extension.
Update: Scout.com's profile has the following to say about each of the prospects mentioned. Jackson and Gonzalez were probably the least mentioned over the last couple of weeks so here's a brief cut. "Another college pitcher who jumps straight to Double-A after spending last year in Lo-A South Bend, Jackson is a pure power pitcher who has a devastating slider" and "Gonzalez, and his incredible defense...started hitting last season, and his continued development will be something to watch". I would also recommend this article from Scout.com that mentions Ohlendorf and the work he's put in on his curveball.
The Yankees would get:
* RHP Luis Vizcaino (reliable reliever for the Diamondbacks last season)
* RHP Ross Ohlendorf (Princeton product and high-ceiling prospect)
* RHP Stephen Jackson (8-11, 2.65 in Class AA, rocked a bit in the Arizona Fall League)
* SS Alberto Gonzalez (40-man roster player, good glove)
* RHP Luis Vizcaino (reliable reliever for the Diamondbacks last season)
* RHP Ross Ohlendorf (Princeton product and high-ceiling prospect)
* RHP Stephen Jackson (8-11, 2.65 in Class AA, rocked a bit in the Arizona Fall League)
* SS Alberto Gonzalez (40-man roster player, good glove)
Ohlendorf is a (very smart - 1580 SAT if I remember correctly) 24 year old pitching prospect who gives up hits but seems to have good control. I don't know much about Jackson but looking at his pitching line so far, it looks like he figured something out last year. Hopefully, he can maintain whatever it is that he learned last year. Gonzalez seems like a no-hit shortstop, though he did put up a .750 OPS line at AA last year. Hopefully, he's a good defender. Vizcaino is a soon to be 33-year old right handed reliever. It's not the Micah Owings/Dustin Nippert/Chris Carter combo that had been bandied about often over the last week but it is something. I'll post something a little later on why I think the loss of Johnson won't be as big as some people seem to think it will be. Still, until then - any thoughts on this value received here?
Update: It looks like the Yanks will be putting up $2MM of the 2007 salary and that Arizona has until 4 p.m. Sunday to sign Johnson to an extension.
Update: Scout.com's profile has the following to say about each of the prospects mentioned. Jackson and Gonzalez were probably the least mentioned over the last couple of weeks so here's a brief cut. "Another college pitcher who jumps straight to Double-A after spending last year in Lo-A South Bend, Jackson is a pure power pitcher who has a devastating slider" and "Gonzalez, and his incredible defense...started hitting last season, and his continued development will be something to watch". I would also recommend this article from Scout.com that mentions Ohlendorf and the work he's put in on his curveball.
Posted by: Patrick
From MLB.com:
The Yankees have reached terms on a tentative deal with first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz, the New York Daily News and New York Post reported Thursday.
Mientkiewicz, 32, was reportedly on his way to New York for a physical examination as a precursor to finalizing a one-year contract with the Yankees.
Mientkiewicz, 32, was reportedly on his way to New York for a physical examination as a precursor to finalizing a one-year contract with the Yankees.
Posted by: Seamus
Newsday is on top of this Randy Johnson situation. Today they report that the Unit has agreed to a contract extenstion through 2008, which has been looked upon as the main stumbling block between the Yanks and Diamondbacks in the trade talks concerning Johnson.
Good thing I didn't order a #41 jersey last week when I was on the Yankees' online shop.
The Yankees and Arizona have advanced far enough in their discussions that Johnson has already agreed, in principle, to a contract extension for 2008 with the Diamondbacks, two people familiar with the situation told Newsday. The trade could take another two or three days to finish, given its complexities.
No trade is done until it's done, of course, but something would have to go wildly off course for this deal to get blown up.
No trade is done until it's done, of course, but something would have to go wildly off course for this deal to get blown up.
Good thing I didn't order a #41 jersey last week when I was on the Yankees' online shop.
Posted by: Patrick
From Newsday.com:
Via Pro Sports Daily.
Momentum continues to build toward Randy Johnson's return to Arizona, as one official involved in the discussions described the odds of such a deal as "good." It appears just a matter of time now before the Yankees ship the Big Unit back to the team from which they acquired him two years ago.
The remaining issues to be resolved largely concern money, the official said. The talks have advanced far enough that Johnson and his agents, Barry Meister and Alan Nero, are in the loop. Johnson and his family have returned to their Arizona home after a vacation in Hawaii.
The remaining issues to be resolved largely concern money, the official said. The talks have advanced far enough that Johnson and his agents, Barry Meister and Alan Nero, are in the loop. Johnson and his family have returned to their Arizona home after a vacation in Hawaii.
Via Pro Sports Daily.
Posted by: Patrick
Next up in our interview series is our very own Jason O'Connell.
When you aren't doing something related to or depending on the Yankees, what are you up to?
I work for an engineering consulting firm in the Boston suburbs. It's a great company and I enjoy it a lot. I like music, history, working out to release stress and I have resolved in 2007 to become a better chess player. My guiltiest pleasures are cigars (about 5 per week) and South Park - I never miss an episode.
When you aren't doing something related to or depending on the Yankees, what are you up to?
I work for an engineering consulting firm in the Boston suburbs. It's a great company and I enjoy it a lot. I like music, history, working out to release stress and I have resolved in 2007 to become a better chess player. My guiltiest pleasures are cigars (about 5 per week) and South Park - I never miss an episode.
12/30: Johnson Rumored to Be Done
Posted by: James
Dan Benton over at Off The Facade is reporting that the oft-rumored Randy Johnson trade is done.
He's thrown in some updates (specifically a Connor Jackson update...which made my heart skip a beat) since then so I would recommend heading over and checking it out. While I liked Nippert the least of the three prospects mentioned earlier, I will be eagerly waiting to see what the official word is. Of course, the commissioner's office is closed until Tuesday so this might be a little bit of a wait. Commence waiting...now.
Apparently the agreement was for two prospects (Nippert & Owings) but there were no further details on the money situation. The two teams have agreed but it is pending a contract extension. The D-Backs will have a 72 hour window to negotiate with Johnson. If that falls through [and I hope it doesn’t] the entire trade will fall through.
He's thrown in some updates (specifically a Connor Jackson update...which made my heart skip a beat) since then so I would recommend heading over and checking it out. While I liked Nippert the least of the three prospects mentioned earlier, I will be eagerly waiting to see what the official word is. Of course, the commissioner's office is closed until Tuesday so this might be a little bit of a wait. Commence waiting...now.
12/29: Murcer Surgery Goes Well
Posted by: Patrick
From the New York Daily News:
Great to hear.
Bobby Murcer emerged in good spirits yesterday from six hours of surgery to remove a brain tumor and, according to close family sources, the Yankee legend's doctor was "completely happy" with how the operation went. ...
It will take a few days before doctors can fully analyze the pathology reports on the tumor, but initial signs all appear to be positive. Kay Murcer said, "Bobby fully expects to be in spring training in March."
It will take a few days before doctors can fully analyze the pathology reports on the tumor, but initial signs all appear to be positive. Kay Murcer said, "Bobby fully expects to be in spring training in March."
Great to hear.
Posted by: James
From Bill McFadden and Anthony McCarron over at the Daily News, there are now reports that the Yankees and Arizona could complete a trade to send Johnson back to the desert before next week.
Update: From D.A. Humber's baseball Central, Nippert was on the Top 10 Over-Rated Prospects List, coming in at #8. Worth the read.
I'll believe it when I see it but with Zito signed and off the market, doesn't the landscape of available pitchers become even smaller? I mean, think about all the teams out there that could use a starter who would give you 200 pretty good innings. If you were to account for a positive impact for a power pitcher going back to the weaker NL...Randy does look tempting, especially for the D-Backs who would love to have the publicity of his 300th win to help bolster sales (though how much it would is debateable).
Also in the article are the following notes about the 1B situation.
To which I can only reply BOOOOOOOO! Give me Andy Phillips over these guys any day. A mediocre hitter whose rep with the glove exceeds his recent production and an aging and quickly turning mediocre hitter who hasn't played first in years (you can find a good discussion on Loretta at WasWatching). What a choice to make. If you're gonna spend a couple of million, take another shot with Craig Wilson - at least he's younger and has a history of hitting.
The Yankees, meanwhile, have their eyes on a package of Arizona pitching prospects. The Diamondbacks are loaded with young talent and if the Yankees send Johnson home to Arizona - Johnson's home is in the Phoenix suburb of Paradise Valley - they'd like to get at least two of the following three pitchers: Dustin Nippert, Micah Owings and Ross Ohlendorf.
Update: From D.A. Humber's baseball Central, Nippert was on the Top 10 Over-Rated Prospects List, coming in at #8. Worth the read.
I'll believe it when I see it but with Zito signed and off the market, doesn't the landscape of available pitchers become even smaller? I mean, think about all the teams out there that could use a starter who would give you 200 pretty good innings. If you were to account for a positive impact for a power pitcher going back to the weaker NL...Randy does look tempting, especially for the D-Backs who would love to have the publicity of his 300th win to help bolster sales (though how much it would is debateable).
Also in the article are the following notes about the 1B situation.
A source said the Yankees are zeroing in on Doug Mientkiewicz to play first...
Also, the source said, Mark Loretta may be the Yankees' first choice to be a utility infielder.
Also, the source said, Mark Loretta may be the Yankees' first choice to be a utility infielder.
To which I can only reply BOOOOOOOO! Give me Andy Phillips over these guys any day. A mediocre hitter whose rep with the glove exceeds his recent production and an aging and quickly turning mediocre hitter who hasn't played first in years (you can find a good discussion on Loretta at WasWatching). What a choice to make. If you're gonna spend a couple of million, take another shot with Craig Wilson - at least he's younger and has a history of hitting.
12/28: Zito Signs With Giants
Posted by: James
It looks like Barry Zito is off the table as ESPN's Peter Gammons is reporting that Zito has agreed to a seven-year contract from the Giants.
Wow. I was surprised by the money being thrown around and now, I've gotten to the point where I'm just dumbfounded. That's a lot of money for Zito and not only that, it's a ton of years. Heck of a risk the Giants are taking, don't you think?
The $126 million deal averages approximately $18 million per season.
...
The deal, agreed to late Wednesday night, includes an $18 million option for 2014 that could increase the value to $144 million, an unidentified source told The Associated Press.
...
In addition, sources told Gammons that the Yankees never made a formal offer.
...
The deal, agreed to late Wednesday night, includes an $18 million option for 2014 that could increase the value to $144 million, an unidentified source told The Associated Press.
...
In addition, sources told Gammons that the Yankees never made a formal offer.
Wow. I was surprised by the money being thrown around and now, I've gotten to the point where I'm just dumbfounded. That's a lot of money for Zito and not only that, it's a ton of years. Heck of a risk the Giants are taking, don't you think?
