02/17: Yankees Sign Scott Erickson
Posted by: Patrick
We have signed Scott Erickson.
One of those "eh, whatever, can't hurt" sort of moves.
The 38-year-old right-hander threw for 10 minutes off a mound Thursday at the minor league complex while manager Joe Torre watched along with coaches Ron Guidry and Joe Kerrigan and vice president Billy Connors. The Yankees gave Erickson the tryout at the suggestion of Jason Giambi.
“He threw the ball pretty well,” Guidry said. “He said he’s been throwing since Thanksgiving.”
“He threw the ball pretty well,” Guidry said. “He said he’s been throwing since Thanksgiving.”
One of those "eh, whatever, can't hurt" sort of moves.
Posted by: Patrick
02/16: ESPN Poll
Posted by: James
Nothing too spectacular but ESPN has a poll up where you can rank each team on how good they are heading into spring training.
I like these ESPN polls because you have such high participation that you can usually smooth out the die-hards who keep believing that this is the Year of the Devil Ray and get a clearer view of what the average baseball fan across the country thinks. This is not to say that the average fan is always right. As it stands, the Yanks are the second-best team in baseball, right behind the White Sox. Interesting, I guess I'm of the minority that doesn't think that the White Sox will even win their own division. In any case, head on over and place your vote.
I like these ESPN polls because you have such high participation that you can usually smooth out the die-hards who keep believing that this is the Year of the Devil Ray and get a clearer view of what the average baseball fan across the country thinks. This is not to say that the average fan is always right. As it stands, the Yanks are the second-best team in baseball, right behind the White Sox. Interesting, I guess I'm of the minority that doesn't think that the White Sox will even win their own division. In any case, head on over and place your vote.
02/16: Warming Up
Posted by: James
Pitchers and catchers couldn't officially report with Cliff Corcoran checking in without his annual look at the Yankees' 25 man roster. He does his usual great analysis and provides a look at the various options lurking on the 40-man and down in the minors if someone were to get hurt. It's a great read and a must for any Yankee fan - go check it out.
Also, Joseph P. over at The Sporting Brews, is finishing up his "12 Questions" piece about the current state of the Yanks. Another good read (with some Knicks talk thrown in for anyone who's interested) and defintely worth your time
Did I say if someone gets hurt? I meant when. Does it really surprise anyone that Carl Pavano is hurt again? This time, it's his back and it should put him behind schedule:
On the bright side, at least it's not his arm this time (I'm trying very hard to be positive). In other news, Tanyon Sturtze is a little banged-up as well which brings to mind the question of why his option was picked up. $1.5 million is not a lot of money for the Yankees but still, management knew about his shoulder problems and yet felt compelled to sign him anyway, even though the bullpen is crowded and there are serviceable replacements freely available.
Also, Joseph P. over at The Sporting Brews, is finishing up his "12 Questions" piece about the current state of the Yanks. Another good read (with some Knicks talk thrown in for anyone who's interested) and defintely worth your time
Did I say if someone gets hurt? I meant when. Does it really surprise anyone that Carl Pavano is hurt again? This time, it's his back and it should put him behind schedule:
The right-hander will not throw off a mound until he completes a rehabilitation program designed to strengthen his sore lower back. That process is expected to take two weeks. By then, Pavano will be well behind his teammates with the exhibition season about to start.
On the bright side, at least it's not his arm this time (I'm trying very hard to be positive). In other news, Tanyon Sturtze is a little banged-up as well which brings to mind the question of why his option was picked up. $1.5 million is not a lot of money for the Yankees but still, management knew about his shoulder problems and yet felt compelled to sign him anyway, even though the bullpen is crowded and there are serviceable replacements freely available.
"They are going slow with me," said Sturtze, who was bothered by a cranky shoulder last year but had a $1.5 million option picked up by the club during the winter. "It will probably be another week [before he will throw off a mound]. I hadn't thrown a lot before getting here, but I feel good."
Posted by: James
Who's next? Jeter and Tejeda? In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Guillen felt the need to comment on A-Rod decision on whether to play in the World Baseball Classic for the Dominican Republic or United States.
Jeez Ozzie, tell us how you really feel. Or better yet, keep your mouth shut. It seems a little disingenuous to me that a manager would be calling out a player (in a national magazine!) for making a personal decision, especially using such language. I'd say more but this is a family friendly website and I'm sure that in a week or two, we'll hear that Ozzie was misquoted or that the quote was taken out of context.
"Alex was kissing Latino people's a****," Guillen, who's from Venezuela, said in the most recent issue of Sports Illustrated. "He knew he wasn't going to play for the Dominicans; he's not a Dominican!"
Rodriguez, who has dual citizenship in the Dominican Republic and United States, decided to play for the American squad after once saying he wasn't going to play in the WBC because choosing a team was too difficult. Guillen apparently found his wishy-washy attitude to be disingenuous.
"I hate hypocrites: He's full of [expletive]," Guillen told Sports Illustrated. "The Dominican team doesn't need his a**. It's the same with [Nomar] Garciaparra playing for Mexico. Garciaparra only knows Cancun because he went to visit."
Rodriguez, who has dual citizenship in the Dominican Republic and United States, decided to play for the American squad after once saying he wasn't going to play in the WBC because choosing a team was too difficult. Guillen apparently found his wishy-washy attitude to be disingenuous.
"I hate hypocrites: He's full of [expletive]," Guillen told Sports Illustrated. "The Dominican team doesn't need his a**. It's the same with [Nomar] Garciaparra playing for Mexico. Garciaparra only knows Cancun because he went to visit."
Jeez Ozzie, tell us how you really feel. Or better yet, keep your mouth shut. It seems a little disingenuous to me that a manager would be calling out a player (in a national magazine!) for making a personal decision, especially using such language. I'd say more but this is a family friendly website and I'm sure that in a week or two, we'll hear that Ozzie was misquoted or that the quote was taken out of context.
02/14: Happy Valentine's Day
Posted by: James
Here's your gift:
New York Yankees Reporting Dates:
Pitchers & Catchers: Feb. 16
First Workout: Feb. 17
Position Players: Feb. 21 One Week Away!
First full workout: Feb. 22
New York Yankees Reporting Dates:
Pitchers & Catchers: Feb. 16
First Workout: Feb. 17
Position Players: Feb. 21 One Week Away!
First full workout: Feb. 22
02/14: Tino In The Booth
Posted by: James
There are a couple reports floating around that Tino is in talks with ESPN to work as an on-air analyst. He has also talked with the Yankees about possibly serving as a spring-training instructor.
Whatever he decides to do, I wish him well. If I recall correctly, he was pretty popular with the ladies when he was with the team so who knows, maybe he could raise Baseball Tonight's ratings. My hope is that he (along with new ESPN hire Orel Hershiser) could provide give some ballast to a few of Peter Gammons' "I Heart Boston" spiels and provide some good insight during the season.
Yet according to one friend who spoke on the condition of anonymity, despite being unemployed with spring training ready to begin this week, Martinez hasn't completely decided to retire.
Whatever he decides to do, I wish him well. If I recall correctly, he was pretty popular with the ladies when he was with the team so who knows, maybe he could raise Baseball Tonight's ratings. My hope is that he (along with new ESPN hire Orel Hershiser) could provide give some ballast to a few of Peter Gammons' "I Heart Boston" spiels and provide some good insight during the season.
02/13: Big Stein Comes Through
Posted by: James
What can I say? I heart George and George hearts kids who do good things. Here's the gist: A 12-year-old New York Yankees fan saved $1,000 (Holy cow! I couldn't do that when I was twelve!) so he could go to a game in the Bronx gave up the money to help keep his school open (he gave up his money to go to school!? That's a humanitarian!). Big Stein found out and not only replaced the kid's thousand dollars but invited him to New York for a personal tour and to check out batting practice. Here's an excerpt of the letter"
I love that he rewarded this kid for doing a very honorable thing and I love that sense of humor at the end. He reminds me of the typical ornery grandpa in sitcoms that has that twinkle in his eye and a heart of gold once you get down to it. Oh, and as an aside, he also paid for Tim Battle's (a Yankee prospect) chemotherapy treatments a couple years ago as well.
"Jonathan, I couldn't be more proud of you," Steinbrenner wrote to Jonathan Farrar, a student in the Midland School District of Pleasant Plains. "I agree with you when you said, `The New York Yankees are important to me, but my school is more important.' You're absolutely right and it takes quite a man to give up his personal dream for a higher purpose."
"Undoubtedly, you will be very successful regardless of the career path you choose," Steinbrenner wrote. "But just in case you choose major league baseball, I'll be keeping the first base position open for you."
"Undoubtedly, you will be very successful regardless of the career path you choose," Steinbrenner wrote. "But just in case you choose major league baseball, I'll be keeping the first base position open for you."
I love that he rewarded this kid for doing a very honorable thing and I love that sense of humor at the end. He reminds me of the typical ornery grandpa in sitcoms that has that twinkle in his eye and a heart of gold once you get down to it. Oh, and as an aside, he also paid for Tim Battle's (a Yankee prospect) chemotherapy treatments a couple years ago as well.
02/13: Yanks Pick Up Darrell Rasner
Posted by: James
The Yankees added to continuing their theme of adding young(er) guys to their player pool by plucking Darrell Rasner off waivers. Over the last couple of months, the Yanks have picked up some guys from the Independent leagues, signed Jose Veras from the Domincan League and have now added Rasner. I like the move - it didn't cost the Yankees anything to pick up a young pitcher who has performed well in all the levels he's been put at. I've actually seen him when he pitched with the Senators (I used to live in Harrisburg) and I thought he had good stuff then. If he continues to perform, he could be of use to the major league club and if not, could certainly be used as a trade chip in the future.In order to pick up Rasner, they had to designate right-handed pitcher Jason Anderson for assignment. Scout.com checks in with their thoughts on the move:
Also, in an quick turnaround, Travis Nelson over at Pending Pinstripes has done a prospect analysis on Darrell. Head on over and check it out.
Considering their glut of older fringe, big league players on their 40-man roster, it is difficult to understand why the Nationals would let go a legitimate young pitching prospect like Rasner. Granted, this former 2nd round pick doesn't profile as a front of the rotation starter in the big leagues, but he does offer the potential to be a back end starter that can eat innings, throw strikes, and give consistent outings with each of his appearances.
Also, in an quick turnaround, Travis Nelson over at Pending Pinstripes has done a prospect analysis on Darrell. Head on over and check it out.
02/13: The Family Man
Posted by: James
The Daily News had a piece up yesterday about Johnny Damon (yes, another one) and I have to admit that at the end, I found myself more a fan of Damon than when I began. It's not because I think he's a better man for hanging out with his folks, but when you surround yourself with good, humble, people (as his brother and parents seem to be), you can't help but pick up some of their good habits. Besides, the article's got a great lead:
James Damon was always the responsible one. He doesn't remember the exact date, but it was an autumn afternoon when he came home to find his eighth-grade brother, Johnny - already a baseball prodigy and fully aware of it - stoned out of his mind. Again.
