Posted by: Patrick
From Bill Madden:
Out thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. Get well.
Murcer, 60, a Yankee institution as a player and broadcaster for 40 years, had been experiencing headaches and a loss of energy in recent days and, after an MRI on Christmas Eve, the tumor was discovered. It was then decided that he would seek treatment at the MD Anderson Hospital in Houston, one of the foremost cancer facilities in the country.
"I'm feeling OK and we're just going to have to see what this surgery will bring," Murcer said by phone last night. "I'm hopeful that everything will turn out OK and I'm thankful to have so many friends who are rooting for me."
"I'm feeling OK and we're just going to have to see what this surgery will bring," Murcer said by phone last night. "I'm hopeful that everything will turn out OK and I'm thankful to have so many friends who are rooting for me."
Out thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. Get well.
12/28: Igawa Deal Finished
Posted by: Patrick
From ESPN.com:
As the Yankees kept talking about trading Randy Johnson, they finalized their $20 million, five-year contract with Japanese pitcher Kei Igawa on Wednesday.
The Yankees had until Thursday to complete an agreement with Igawa after bidding $26,000,194 last month for the right to negotiate with him. The left-hander went 14-9 with a 2.97 ERA and 194 strikeouts for the Hanshin Tigers last season.
The Yankees had until Thursday to complete an agreement with Igawa after bidding $26,000,194 last month for the right to negotiate with him. The left-hander went 14-9 with a 2.97 ERA and 194 strikeouts for the Hanshin Tigers last season.
Posted by: Patrick
From the New York Daily News:
One of the Yankees' potential options at first base came off the market yesterday when Shea Hillenbrand agreed to a one-year, $6.5 million contract with the Angels with an option for a second year.
Posted by: James
The Daily News is reporting that it's not just the Diamondbacks who are taking a long, hard look at Randy Johnson.
That's A-OK with me - the more teams get into this little fracas, the more options Cashman has to chose from.
The Yankees are talking to several clubs about possibly trading Johnson and are inclined to make a deal, according to baseball officials.
...
San Diego right now appears to be the most likely destination for the five-time Cy Young Award winner, but the Dodgers, Angels and Diamondbacks are all said to be in the mix. One of the officials, familiar with the ongoing discussions, used the phrase "several bona fide offers" to describe what the Yankees are mulling and said the Yankees probably would not have to include any money. (I'd throw in some money in order to get some better players back.)
...
San Diego right now appears to be the most likely destination for the five-time Cy Young Award winner, but the Dodgers, Angels and Diamondbacks are all said to be in the mix. One of the officials, familiar with the ongoing discussions, used the phrase "several bona fide offers" to describe what the Yankees are mulling and said the Yankees probably would not have to include any money. (I'd throw in some money in order to get some better players back.)
That's A-OK with me - the more teams get into this little fracas, the more options Cashman has to chose from.
12/25: Yankees' Christmas Hot Stove
Posted by: James
We started off the day with more credible sources adding to the rumors of Randy Johnson being traded back to the Diamondbacks. As the day has gone on, we have the following from an ESPN report:
MMmmnn - that's good hot stove. More on this as it develops but my initial thoughts are that if they really plan on trading Johnson, they'd better have something else cooking on the pitching front. I know that the guy put up a 5.00 ERA last year but he also tied for the team lead in starts and Ks and was close to first in innings pitched and limited opponents to a .251 AVG and a FIP of 4.32. I wonder what would happen if you take that away from the team and just move everyone else in the rotation up a slot (though to be fair, RJ is the #4 guy so not that many guys move up). It'll be interesting to see what various scenarios are thrown out there as this trade develops.
In need of starting pitching -- and a marquee name that will draw more fans -- the Diamondbacks have offered a package of at least three players, including a major-leaguer. They would also want a 72-hour window to negotiate an extension with Johnson, who is owed $16 million in the final year of his contract. The Yankees, according to the official, don't want to pick up any of Johnson's salary.
...
The official said the San Diego Padres are also involved in trade discussions. It's believed that right-handed reliever Scott Linebrink could be the centerpiece of a deal.
...
The official said the San Diego Padres are also involved in trade discussions. It's believed that right-handed reliever Scott Linebrink could be the centerpiece of a deal.
MMmmnn - that's good hot stove. More on this as it develops but my initial thoughts are that if they really plan on trading Johnson, they'd better have something else cooking on the pitching front. I know that the guy put up a 5.00 ERA last year but he also tied for the team lead in starts and Ks and was close to first in innings pitched and limited opponents to a .251 AVG and a FIP of 4.32. I wonder what would happen if you take that away from the team and just move everyone else in the rotation up a slot (though to be fair, RJ is the #4 guy so not that many guys move up). It'll be interesting to see what various scenarios are thrown out there as this trade develops.
12/22: Miranda Officially Signed
Posted by: Patrick
After some conflicting reports a couple weeks ago, Juan Miranda is officially signed:
The deal is for 4 years at a little more than $2 million dollars.
General manager Brian Cashman does not consider Miranda as part of the first-base competition this spring, although he doesn't think Miranda is "very far from the big leagues." The 23-year-old left-handed hitter will begin the 2007 season with Class A Tampa in the Florida State League.
The deal is for 4 years at a little more than $2 million dollars.
Posted by: Patrick
MLB.com notes that Pettitte passed his physical, making him officially a Yankee once again.
Pettitte was re-introduced by the Yankees on Thursday afternoon in a conference call, kicking off his second tour of duty with the Bronx Bombers.
The team announced Pettitte's return via a conference call rather than with a Yankee Stadium press conference, as the left-hander had to fly back to Houston on Wednesday for a family holiday commitment.
The team announced Pettitte's return via a conference call rather than with a Yankee Stadium press conference, as the left-hander had to fly back to Houston on Wednesday for a family holiday commitment.
12/21: "Stump" Merrill Retiring
Posted by: Patrick
From the Bangor Daily News:
Via Steve.
The Husson College baseball team will hold its annual Hot Stove Banquet and Sports Memorabilia Auction on Jan. 14 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Dickerman Dining Commons on the Husson campus. ...
Along with Husson head coach Dr. John Winkin, headlining the event will be Carl "Stump" Merrill, who is retiring after a 30-year career with the New York Yankees.
Along with Husson head coach Dr. John Winkin, headlining the event will be Carl "Stump" Merrill, who is retiring after a 30-year career with the New York Yankees.
Via Steve.
12/20: Mark Loretta
Posted by: Patrick
The New York Daily News reports that we're considering Mark Loretta as a first baseman.
Loretta was an all star last year? I kinda remember that...
He played for Boston last year, hitting .285 with a .345 OBA. For his career, he is a .299 hitter with a .363 OBA. He's a 2 time all star, finished 9th in MVP voting in 2004, the year he was given a Silver Slugger. He's played 731 games at second, 328 games at short, 171 games at first, 171 games at 3rd, 13 games at DH, 1 game in left and 1 game at... pitcher. As a pitcher, he finished a game for the Brewers in 2001, pitching 1 inning of scoreless ball.
One baseball official with knowledge of the situation acknowledged the Yanks also have discussed "in passing" the possibility of pursuing former Red Sox second baseman Mark Loretta to fill their void at first base. Holdover Andy Phillips and Rule V pickup Josh Phelps are the only names listed on the depth chart at that position, with Jason Giambi slated to assume full-time DH duties next season.
Loretta was an all star last year? I kinda remember that...
He played for Boston last year, hitting .285 with a .345 OBA. For his career, he is a .299 hitter with a .363 OBA. He's a 2 time all star, finished 9th in MVP voting in 2004, the year he was given a Silver Slugger. He's played 731 games at second, 328 games at short, 171 games at first, 171 games at 3rd, 13 games at DH, 1 game in left and 1 game at... pitcher. As a pitcher, he finished a game for the Brewers in 2001, pitching 1 inning of scoreless ball.
12/19: Simmons
Posted by: James
More often than not, if I'm quoting a Bill Simmons article, it's because he bad-mouthed the Yankees or A-Rod and I wanted to set the record straight. Today is an exception. I thought the following note to his mailbag column was hilarious and bore repeating:
Hats off to Michael Rupp for bridging two of my favorite topics: U2 and the baseball offseason. I just found it amusing that after several years of the Yankees being the prime example of overspending (to be fair, they've spent their share of dollars this offseason), they've easily been outpaced by several teams. And yet, they're looking all the better for their (relative) financial restraint. As a Yankee fan, that's an interesting, and relatively new, feeling to have.
Q: What did Bono say to the Yankees fan after hearing about the J.D. Drew and Julio Lugo signings?
"Well, tonight thank God it's them instead of you!!!!!"
--Michael Rupp, Fairfield, Conn.
SG: Now that's comedy. Well done. It's just a shame that Michael Rupp was overshadowed by Sly Cooley this week.
"Well, tonight thank God it's them instead of you!!!!!"
--Michael Rupp, Fairfield, Conn.
SG: Now that's comedy. Well done. It's just a shame that Michael Rupp was overshadowed by Sly Cooley this week.
Hats off to Michael Rupp for bridging two of my favorite topics: U2 and the baseball offseason. I just found it amusing that after several years of the Yankees being the prime example of overspending (to be fair, they've spent their share of dollars this offseason), they've easily been outpaced by several teams. And yet, they're looking all the better for their (relative) financial restraint. As a Yankee fan, that's an interesting, and relatively new, feeling to have.
