On his Twitter, ESPN.com's Jorge Arangure reports that Major League Baseball has declared heralded 21 year old Cuban pitching prospect Aroldis Chapman a free agent. It's assumed that the Yankees will make a play for the lefty, whose fast ball reportedly tops out in the triple digits.

Via Mike Axisa.

The Yankees offense got off to a good start against Red Sox starter Jon Lester on Friday night, thanks to an A-Rod RBI single in the first that scored Jeter. In the third, Mark Teixeira singled to lead off the inning and A-Rod brought him right back home with a two run shot to make it 3-0.

Hideki Matsui then singled and, after Jorge Posada made the first out, Robinson Cano doubled placing Matsui at third and Nick Swisher walked to load the bases. Melky Cabrera hit a line drive back to the pitcher which unfortunately hit Lester in the quad and knocked him out of the game with a run scoring on the play. Lester is day to day. Derek Jeter grounded into a fielder's choice against the man who replaced him, Hunter Jones, which brought Cano home and that would be the fourth and final run of the inning. Yankees up 5-0 after 3.

Joba Chamberlain pitched well. The Red Sox didn't get their first hit or run until the 4th inning with 2 outs, when Victor Martinez hit a solo home run. The Yankees came right back in the bottom half of the frame with a Jorge Posada RBI singled that scored A-Rod.

The Red Sox tacked two more on when David Ortiz hit his 27th home run of the season in the 6th. But, like clockwork, the Yankees came right back with another two runs in the bottom of the 6th. They came on an A-Rod double (scoring Johnny Damon) and a Posada single (which brought A-Rod home). Mark Teixeira scored Jeter on an RBI single in the seventh to make it 9-3, Yankees.

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Following the cap he did last year for New Era, the hat company has once again partnered with the director to create "Spike Lee Joint 2.0," a new Yankees cap aimed at celebrating the team's World Series victories. It's $59.99 direct and has the Yankees world title years displayed all over the top and back of the cap.

Personally, I think it's cool. At the end of the day, it's just a hat. I think it's taken a little too seriously by some. If people want to rock a green Yankees hat or some artistically driven one, more power to them. Wear what you like.

Via Ben Kabak.

The Chicago Sun-Times says that reliever Octavio Dotel would like to return to New York. His first choice is the Mets and his second is... well, that other team. After getting healthy in New York, Dotel has put together two good seasons for the White Sox.

Via Ben Nicholson-Smith.

Mike Puma of the Post talked with Brian Cashman who said that David Robertson may be ready to return next week against the Rays or Royals. Robertson had a successful 30 pitch bullpen session yesterday and will have another session today.

Baseball America has tallied up the win/loss records for the Minor League teams of all Major League organizations and the Yankees teams had a combined winning percentage of .552 (381-309), good enough for second place behind the Giants and their .590 (411-286).

Via Mike Axisa.

Peter Abraham reports that Jerry Hairston Jr. has tendinitis in his left wrist, according to the results of the MRI he had today. He was given a cortisone shot and is day-to-day.

According to a press release, Anthony Claggett has been claimed by the Pirates. He had been DFAed about 10 days ago.

Via RiverAveBlues.

On Wednesday the Yankees did something they hadn't done in five years, which is win win a series in Angel Stadium as A.J. Burnett and company were able to hold on for a 3–2 victory. The win gives the Yankees a 6.5 game edge over the Angels for home field advantage throughout the playoffs and cuts the Yankees' magic number to clinch the A.L. East to 5 games (Boston won in Kansas City).

All 3 Yankee runs came in the 4th inning, as back-to-back RBI knocks from Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera helped the Yankees jump out to a 3–0 lead. That was all the offense the Yankees would get, but it was all they would need as the Angels were only able to pick up lone runs in both the 5th and 6th innings.

A.J. Burnett put 10 Angel runners on base in his 5 and 2/3 innings of work, but only two were able to come around to score, mostly thanks to the fact that he struck out 11 batters. The bullpen was solid, throwing 4 and 1/3 scoreless innings higlighted by the return of Ian Kennedy. Kennedy, who missed most of the season due to an aneurysm in his arm, worked himself into a bases loaded jam but escaped after getting Erick Aybar to fly out to left.

Mariano Rivera pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up his 42nd save of the season.

The Yankees will have the day off today and will begin a weekend series Friday against the Red Sox. The Yankees can clinch the A.L. East with a series sweep. CC Sabathia will go up against Jon Lester in the series' marquee pitching matchup on Friday night beginning at 7:05 ET.

Recap records: Seamus: 46–25, Patrick: 40–20, Andrew: 11–11

Peter Abraham reports that Jerry Hairston Jr. was taken out of today's win after feeling pain in his left wrist. Apparently, this wrist has been causing him trouble on and off this season, since a dive he made when he was playing for Cincinnati this season. Hairston underwent an MRI around 10 days ago and then he was given a cortisone shot to help with the inflammatory. He'll have a second MRI tomorrow.