Posted by: Patrick
Williams accepts part-time role:
Hopefully that is the case although it is not being widely reported. I'd like to get Bernie signed, so that the issue of a Yankee Legend's availability doesn't loom on. It started in New York and it should end in New York.
Via Pro Sports Daily.
Bernie Williams is willing to take a part-time role to remain in pinstripes, and the Yankees are willing to take him back.
According to a source with knowledge of the negotiations, Williams and the Yankees agreed in principle to a one-year, $2 million contract.
According to a source with knowledge of the negotiations, Williams and the Yankees agreed in principle to a one-year, $2 million contract.
Hopefully that is the case although it is not being widely reported. I'd like to get Bernie signed, so that the issue of a Yankee Legend's availability doesn't loom on. It started in New York and it should end in New York.
Via Pro Sports Daily.
12/08: Myers Added To Yanks Bullpen
Posted by: James
Update: The contract looks like it will be for 2 years for a total of $2.4 million. (At those dollars and without giving up any draft picks, this is a very efficent deal for a good situational lefty.)
It looks like Mike Myers is the most recent addition to the bullpen, joining Kyle Farnsworth as part of the bridge to Mariano. Myers, a 36-year-old lefty submariner, agreed to terms on a two-year contract with New York and the deal is contingent upon Myers passing a physical.
The Red Sox declined to offer him arbitration so the Yanks actually don't have to give up any draft picks for the privilege of signing him. I would have preferred a couple of other lefties but if the deal isn't too outrageous, this might work out okay for the Yankees. However, this is only if, and only if, Joe Torre makes sure to only use Myers against lefties. Mike has been great against lefties...but righties have battered him over the course of his career (.312 AVG against). If he is used properly, it should be fine. There were a couple of other lefties that I would have preferred to Myers (Rincon, Eischen) but still, it looks like a decent deal (pending the financials) and Patrick will be happy!
It looks like Mike Myers is the most recent addition to the bullpen, joining Kyle Farnsworth as part of the bridge to Mariano. Myers, a 36-year-old lefty submariner, agreed to terms on a two-year contract with New York and the deal is contingent upon Myers passing a physical.
The Red Sox declined to offer him arbitration so the Yanks actually don't have to give up any draft picks for the privilege of signing him. I would have preferred a couple of other lefties but if the deal isn't too outrageous, this might work out okay for the Yankees. However, this is only if, and only if, Joe Torre makes sure to only use Myers against lefties. Mike has been great against lefties...but righties have battered him over the course of his career (.312 AVG against). If he is used properly, it should be fine. There were a couple of other lefties that I would have preferred to Myers (Rincon, Eischen) but still, it looks like a decent deal (pending the financials) and Patrick will be happy!
12/08: Tony Womack Has Been Traded
Posted by: James
Update: The AP has picked up the story so we do have confirmation on the trade. CBS Sportsline's Scott Miller reports the Yankees will get Kevin Howard, a Double-A second baseman who played in Chattanooga last season. This is what Baseball America had to say about Howard.
It looks like the Yanks will be also be recieving Ben Himes and sending $900k to the Reds.
Howard has the biggest buzz coming into this year's draft after having a brilliant season in the Arizona Fall League. A fifth-round pick in 2002 out of Miami, Howard won the AFL batting title, hitting .409-3-16 in 88 at-bats. But perhaps his strongest asset was proving himself to be an adequate defender at third base. Howard played third in college, but played primarily second base since turning pro. He's a patient lefthanded hitter with a line-drive stroke, and has shown improved power. Some scouts in the AFL liked him better at third, and Howard could be solid at either spot making him the best overall position player available in the draft. Dan Uggla (Diamondbacks) is another utility player who dramatically upped his stock in the AFL, but Howard's lefthanded bat, which could be valuable off a big league bench, gives him the edge.
It looks like the Yanks will be also be recieving Ben Himes and sending $900k to the Reds.
12/08: Arbitration Deadline Passes
Posted by: Patrick
In addition to Bernie, the Yankees also offered arbitration to Al Leiter and (interestingly - to me, anyway) Ramiro Mendoza. All 3 declined the offer and will continue to negotiate.
No arbitration offers were made to Kevin Brown, Alan Embree, Matt Lawton, John Flaherty, Tino Martinez, Rey Sanchez, Felix Rodriguez or Ruben Sierra, which pretty much means that none of them will be back.
In addition to Tino, I'll miss Ruben. Over the last few years, I've developed a bit of an affection for him. Nonetheless, if it's him or Bernie, I'll take Bernie.
No arbitration offers were made to Kevin Brown, Alan Embree, Matt Lawton, John Flaherty, Tino Martinez, Rey Sanchez, Felix Rodriguez or Ruben Sierra, which pretty much means that none of them will be back.
In addition to Tino, I'll miss Ruben. Over the last few years, I've developed a bit of an affection for him. Nonetheless, if it's him or Bernie, I'll take Bernie.
12/08: Godzilla's Museum Opens
Posted by: Patrick
Museum dedicated to slugger Matsui opens doors to public:
As the article notes, this is the second museum dedicated to Hideki. His parents opened one 11 years ago, but it is now too small.
Via Brian.
A museum exhibiting some 1,000 items related to New York Yankees slugger Hideki Matsui opened here on Thursday.
About 500 fans had lined up at the Hideki Matsui Baseball Museum in Nomi before it opened to the public at 9:30 a.m.
About 500 fans had lined up at the Hideki Matsui Baseball Museum in Nomi before it opened to the public at 9:30 a.m.
As the article notes, this is the second museum dedicated to Hideki. His parents opened one 11 years ago, but it is now too small.
Via Brian.
12/08: Bernie Offered Arbitration
Posted by: Seamus
The Yankees have offered Bernie Williams salary arbitration before the midnight Thursday deadline, according to the official Yankees' website. Williams and his agent, Scott Boras have agreed to decline the arbitration offer, allowing for more time for negotiation. The Yankees now have until January 8 to make a decision on Bernie.
Well this decision seems like a no-brainer. It's not like we have to sign him, so obviously I don't see how it could hurt just to prolong the negotiation period. Boras says that if Bernie remains a Yankee for next season, he will be competing for the starting CF job. I don't know about that, but a guy like Bernie can play a key role as a 4th OF off the bench. Bernie can still hit in the .250-.260 range and still hits good with guys on base as Patrick previously mentioned. I'm a little more optimistic about seeing him back next season than I was a couple months ago.
Well this decision seems like a no-brainer. It's not like we have to sign him, so obviously I don't see how it could hurt just to prolong the negotiation period. Boras says that if Bernie remains a Yankee for next season, he will be competing for the starting CF job. I don't know about that, but a guy like Bernie can play a key role as a 4th OF off the bench. Bernie can still hit in the .250-.260 range and still hits good with guys on base as Patrick previously mentioned. I'm a little more optimistic about seeing him back next season than I was a couple months ago.
12/07: We'll Know Soon on Bernie
Posted by: Patrick
The Yankees have until today to offer Bernie arbitration. If they don't, he most likely will be going elsewhere. Because of the fact that the least someone can have taken off their deal through arbitration is 20% (taking him down to $9.6 million), it would be offered only if he would agree to decline it. This would allow the Yankees and Bernie to keep talking. If that doesn't happen, they can't sign him until May 1, which again... means he's likely gone.
Is it the end? I don't know. For everything that is negative, etc. about him, if he wants to play, I'd like him back. I'd be alright with a 1 year/$3-4 million dollar deal. He's not completely without value. He's a good guy to have around and even last year, he hit well with runners on. Our 3 OFs to start the season can't include him, but I'd like to see him as a backup. It'd burn to see him wearing another uniform, it really would.
Is it the end? I don't know. For everything that is negative, etc. about him, if he wants to play, I'd like him back. I'd be alright with a 1 year/$3-4 million dollar deal. He's not completely without value. He's a good guy to have around and even last year, he hit well with runners on. Our 3 OFs to start the season can't include him, but I'd like to see him as a backup. It'd burn to see him wearing another uniform, it really would.
Posted by: James
I'm not sure if anyone who regularly reads this website has ever checked out the site MetsBlog.com but I would suggest that you do. While the site covers mostly things from the Mets universe, they are also doing a great job with the winter meetings going on right now in Dallas. They have a man down there who is posting rumors, other buzzings, and his thoughts on such on a regular basis. If you like rumors or would just like to be a little bit ahead of ESPN (and a day ahead of the printed papers), I'd give the site a once-over.
Via Alex.
Via Alex.
12/06: Eric Duncan Being Pushed
Posted by: James
Update: Wednesday, the 8th, is Eric's 21st birthday. Happy Birthday Eric! Also, this article mentioned something that I hadn't realized as Eric was named MVP of the Arizona Fall League today (in light of his performance, I'm not surprised). The article goes on and is a pretty concise interview and Eric comes across as a real good kid.
This article in the Post struck me as a little odd. I have no problems with Eric Duncan being moved to first. I was advocating that move long before it happened. What surprised, and annoyed, me was that the Yankee brass were pushing Duncan all the way up to AAA this quickly, especially after a so-so performance in AA.
Anyone who's read my posts for a little while should know that I have a soft spot for the Yankees' farm system. I believe that there's a decent amount of talent there (far more than what Baseball America/ESPN might lead you to believe) especially at the lower levels. I especially like Duncan and think that he's a good kid who could, if given the opportunity, put up some really good numbers at 1B. However, there are flaws in his game right now and a .235/.326/.408 line at AA does not show that he has worked them out. Sure, he banged around AFL pitchers (.362/.423/.764) over the course of 94 ABs, but that's only a start. Now that he has his confidence back, start him at AA and when he shows that he can hit AA solidly, THEN move him up to AAA. I'm biased here but my way certainly seems more reasonable! Honestly, I would be ecstatic if this move worked out for the Yanks...I just have a bad feeling that it will hurt more than it will help.
This article in the Post struck me as a little odd. I have no problems with Eric Duncan being moved to first. I was advocating that move long before it happened. What surprised, and annoyed, me was that the Yankee brass were pushing Duncan all the way up to AAA this quickly, especially after a so-so performance in AA.
Anyone who's read my posts for a little while should know that I have a soft spot for the Yankees' farm system. I believe that there's a decent amount of talent there (far more than what Baseball America/ESPN might lead you to believe) especially at the lower levels. I especially like Duncan and think that he's a good kid who could, if given the opportunity, put up some really good numbers at 1B. However, there are flaws in his game right now and a .235/.326/.408 line at AA does not show that he has worked them out. Sure, he banged around AFL pitchers (.362/.423/.764) over the course of 94 ABs, but that's only a start. Now that he has his confidence back, start him at AA and when he shows that he can hit AA solidly, THEN move him up to AAA. I'm biased here but my way certainly seems more reasonable! Honestly, I would be ecstatic if this move worked out for the Yanks...I just have a bad feeling that it will hurt more than it will help.
Posted by: Patrick
Jay-Z, hip hop icon and President of Def Jam, has coined a new catch phrase.
From The Rolling Stone:
Edit: Forgot to mention that he goes on to mention Mariano in the article (print version):
From The Rolling Stone:
"Manage your heat," he tells Jeezy's A&R man. "Get your Joe Torre on..." which means, become a brilliant manager and navigate the situation...
Edit: Forgot to mention that he goes on to mention Mariano in the article (print version):
Jay's success at getting deals done has earned him a new nickname: the Closer. "If I really want you, I'll close it like Mariano."
