Posted by: Patrick
From Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Via Steve.
The Yankees still have interest in acquiring Brewers centerfielder Mike Cameron after talks broke off in late December. They recently floated the idea of swapping first baseman/outfielder Nick Swisher for Cameron.
Acquired earlier in the winter from the Chicago White Sox, Swisher was targeted to play first base for the Yankees before they signed Teixeira. He has approximately $21 million left on his contract over the next three seasons and is not considered a top-notch centerfielder despite seeing considerable action there last year in Chicago.
Acquired earlier in the winter from the Chicago White Sox, Swisher was targeted to play first base for the Yankees before they signed Teixeira. He has approximately $21 million left on his contract over the next three seasons and is not considered a top-notch centerfielder despite seeing considerable action there last year in Chicago.
Via Steve.
01/11: Donnie Digs Tex
Posted by: Patrick
Kevin Kernan at the New York Post spoke with Don Mattingly about Mark Teixeira and the former Yankees captain had nothing but great things to say about the new Yankee.
"Teixeira's a great player, there's no question about that and I appreciate the way he plays and I think the Yankee fans are going to enjoy him," Donnie Baseball said. "I had lunch with him a few years back, so I knew he was a fan. He seemed like a really good kid." ...
As for the fact that the young Teixeira would wear a Yankee cap when he would come to watch Mattingly play at Camden Yards, Mattingly laughed and said, "That shows he's a little crazy too, that's always good for New York."
As for the fact that the young Teixeira would wear a Yankee cap when he would come to watch Mattingly play at Camden Yards, Mattingly laughed and said, "That shows he's a little crazy too, that's always good for New York."
Posted by: Patrick
MLB.com's Bill Ladson reports that, according to a baseball source, the Yankees and Nationals are talking trade right now, in relation to Xavier Nady and Nick Swisher. It is unclear what the Nationals would be prepared to send back in return.
Via Alex Walsh.
Via Alex Walsh.
Posted by: Patrick
From an article in the Times on September 10:
I mean, he could have said this with the mind set that he would make the same amount of money again, so he wouldn't hold out for more, but still...
Via noMaas.org.
Andy Pettitte, who starts on Wednesday, said he does not know if he will pitch next season but has no interest in playing for any team but the Yankees. "Obviously anyone else would say, 'I'll go wherever I want to,' because people want to try to get the most money," Pettitte said. "But, I mean, I'm not going anywhere, you know what I'm saying? The Yankees know me enough, it's not like I'm going to hold out. I guess if I had spent all my money or whatever, it might be different. But it's not about that, really, anymore." Pettitte said he would talk with his wife and oldest son in hopes of making a decision sooner than he did last winter, when he waited until December to tell the Yankees he would return.
I mean, he could have said this with the mind set that he would make the same amount of money again, so he wouldn't hold out for more, but still...
Via noMaas.org.
Posted by: Seamus
That was a rough estimate, but I just came home to find this quote given by Carl Pavano to MLB.com:
Just in case anybody was unfamiliar with the whole Carl Pavano fiasco, the article followed that quote up by referencing to the fact that he made almost $40 million to pitch in 26 games over four seasons.
It seems what Pavano really wanted in his contract with the Yanks was $40 million in tissues. Gee Carl, all you had to do was ask!
Via noMaas.
"When you're down, you expect your organization to pick you up, not kick you when you're down," Pavano said. "I've had to pick myself up quite a few times the last four years."
Just in case anybody was unfamiliar with the whole Carl Pavano fiasco, the article followed that quote up by referencing to the fact that he made almost $40 million to pitch in 26 games over four seasons.
It seems what Pavano really wanted in his contract with the Yanks was $40 million in tissues. Gee Carl, all you had to do was ask!
Via noMaas.
Posted by: Patrick
From Ken Davidoff:
Via Andrew.
Andy Pettitte is extremely unhappy with how his negotiations have gone with the Yankees, and the lefthander might be softening on his opposition to rejoining the Astros.
What once seemed a fait accompli - Pettitte returning to the Yankees for a 12th season in pinstripes - now appears increasingly in jeopardy, although the two sides continue to communicate and they ultimately rank as each other's first choice.
What once seemed a fait accompli - Pettitte returning to the Yankees for a 12th season in pinstripes - now appears increasingly in jeopardy, although the two sides continue to communicate and they ultimately rank as each other's first choice.
Via Andrew.
01/10: More on Nady and Swisher
Posted by: Patrick
Ken Davidoff reports that the Yankees have received more interest in Nick Swisher, than Xavier Nady, but he is the player that they prefer to keep, according to "a person familiar with the club's thinking." Even so, Jon Heyman feels that Nady is the easier one to deal, due to Swisher's contract, which lasts until 2011. He's owed $20 million dollars.
Via Andrew and Tim Dierkes.
Via Andrew and Tim Dierkes.
Posted by: Patrick
Reports from Sam Borden, Joel Sherman and Ken Rosenthal indicate that the Yankees have inked a trio of veterans to Minor League contracts.
Pitcher Jason Johnson was a Dodger last year, going 1-2 with a 5.22 ERA in 16 games, including 2 starts. Outfielder John Rodriguez signed with the Yankees as an amateur free agent in 1996 and remained with the club until 2004. He last played in the majors in 2006 for the Saint Louis Cardinals. He hit .301 with a .374 OBA and .432 SLG in 102 games that season.
You may remember shortstop Angel Berroa from the American League Rookie of the Year controversy of 2003, where some writers decided that Hideki Matsui wasn't worthy of consideration, due to his playing time in Japan. Berroa took home the honor, but has taken a sharp turn down from there. He played with the Dodgers last year, seeing action in 84 games and hitting .230. Interesting, Baseball Reference says that the most similar batter to Berroa through age 30 is one Billy Martin.
Via Chad Jennings.
Pitcher Jason Johnson was a Dodger last year, going 1-2 with a 5.22 ERA in 16 games, including 2 starts. Outfielder John Rodriguez signed with the Yankees as an amateur free agent in 1996 and remained with the club until 2004. He last played in the majors in 2006 for the Saint Louis Cardinals. He hit .301 with a .374 OBA and .432 SLG in 102 games that season.
You may remember shortstop Angel Berroa from the American League Rookie of the Year controversy of 2003, where some writers decided that Hideki Matsui wasn't worthy of consideration, due to his playing time in Japan. Berroa took home the honor, but has taken a sharp turn down from there. He played with the Dodgers last year, seeing action in 84 games and hitting .230. Interesting, Baseball Reference says that the most similar batter to Berroa through age 30 is one Billy Martin.
Via Chad Jennings.
Posted by: Patrick
From Jack Curry of the Times:
Via Jonathan.
Thirteen days before Christmas, Mark Teixeira, the Yankees’ $180 million man, was having dinner with his wife, Leigh, when he pleaded with her for insight about the future. If everything was equal among Teixeira’s suitors, he said, where would she rather see him play? Leigh admitted to preferring the Yankees.
Once Leigh chose the Yankees, Teixeira instructed Scott Boras, his agent, to try to make the deal happen. Eleven days later, after a strained meeting, in which the Boston Red Sox walked out on Teixeira, he agreed to an eight-year contract with the Yankees.
Once Leigh chose the Yankees, Teixeira instructed Scott Boras, his agent, to try to make the deal happen. Eleven days later, after a strained meeting, in which the Boston Red Sox walked out on Teixeira, he agreed to an eight-year contract with the Yankees.
Via Jonathan.
Posted by: Patrick
Peter Abraham reports that pitcher Phil Coke, who threw out of the bullpen for the team last season, has been told to prepare to come into spring training as a starter. It's possible that he may compete for the final spot in the rotation.
