Yankees News

Yanks: Swisher staying put
Comment
November 20
New York Post
 
"The Yankees denied a published report they have let teams know right fielder Nick Swisher is available. According to a club official, the switch-hitting Swisher, who played a big part in the Yankees winning the AL East and struggled in the postseason, isn't being shopped. With Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui, who combined for 52 homers this past season, free agents and their Yankee futures uncertain, it would seem unlikely the Yankees would entertain offers for Swisher before the team works through the free-agent process. If Damon doesn't return, the Yankees will need a left-fielder. If Matsui comes back, he won't be considered an outfielder. And Swisher's money isn't offensive. Twenty-nine ..."
Pettitte hits free-agent market
Comment
November 20
New York Post
 
"Andy Pettitte was among the last two of the 171 eligible players to declare for free agency yesterday. It was a foregone conclusion the veteran lefty would file and a strong indication the 37-year-old hurler isn't ready to retire. The belief in the Yankees organization is that Pettitte wants to continue pitching for the world champions, and the club would like him back. Now, the almighty question: For how much? Last winter, it took Mariano Rivera knocking on Hal Steinbrenner's door to get Steinbrenner to give GM Brian Cashman the $5.5 million for Pettitte. That was after Pettitte ended the 2008 season with a barking left shoulder, a 14-14 ledger and a 4.54 ERA. It was a career-high in ..."
Yankees won't be as aggressive in free agency as last season
Comment
November 20
New York Daily News
 
"Let the bidding begin. A year ago, Brian Cashman stormed out of the gate with a $140 million offer to CC Sabathia on the first day that teams were allowed to talk dollars with free agents from other teams. As of 12:01 this morning, teams are allowed to start making offers to all free agents, but the Yankees plan to let the market develop before showering players with lavish offers. That's especially true since Cashman has yet to speak with ownership to determine what the payroll will be next season. "I'm not in a position to move on anything just yet; this is a long process," Cashman said. "It took a while for us to get our guys done last year, but between now and spring training, we'll ..."
Yankees haven't ruled out bringing back both Damon and Matsui
Comment
November 19
ESPN.com
 columnist Jayson Stark
"Sounds as if the Yankees haven't ruled out bringing back both Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui. But indications are that they're also going to take a hard line on both -- a one-year deal for Matsui, period, and no more than a two-year deal for Damon, with a preference for something shorter. At the moment, there are no signs the Yankees are in on either Matt Holliday or Jason Bay."
Yankees pitching plan is unclear
Comment
November 19
Foxsports.com
 
"There are a number of ways for the World Series champion Yankees to address their starting pitching. One would be to sign a free agent such as right-hander John Lackey or trade for an ace such as Blue Jays righty Roy Halladay. Another would be to strengthen the bullpen, allowing right-handers Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain to return to the rotation. The Yankees' direction, at this early stage of the offseason, is not clear. The team, according to one rival executive, plans to pursue free-agent relievers Rafael Soriano, a right-hander, and Mike Gonzalez, a lefty. The Yankees have liked both pitchers in the past. However, another source with knowledge of the Yankees' thinking says the team ..."
Matsui, Damon, Pettitte set to hit open market
Comment
November 19
New York Post
 
"The valued opinions have been voiced from the scouting arm of the world champion Yankees universe. Nevertheless, that doesn't mean at 12:01 tomorrow morning general manager Brian Cashman will be dialing free agents with a fistful of the Steinbrenner family's dollars. "No, I haven't ever done that," said Cashman, who explained he wasn't about to start phoning agents. Two days of meetings with his scouts provided Cashman with an evaluation of every player the Yankees may have an interest in. Considering the Yankees engage a lot more players than they land, the list is long. "We have evaluated, now we will organize," Cashman said. "Then we will meet with ownership." One stroke past midnight ..."
Infielder Mark DeRosa's glove could be good fit for New York Yankees
Comment
November 19
New York Daily News
 columnist Mark Feinsand
"Is Mark DeRosa headed for a happy homecoming? DeRosa, 34, hails from Passaic, N.J., and was a standout at Bergen Catholic, but his career has never taken him back home, as he has played for the Braves, Rangers, Cubs, Indians and Cardinals over his 12-year career. Yankees brass met in the Bronx yesterday for their organizational meetings, which are scheduled to continue today as the team considers its 2010 roster. If the Yankees bring back Johnny Damon, DeRosa would be a good fit because he could play left field on days when Damon serves as the designated hitter. DeRosa, who has started 212 games in the outfield, 311 at third base, 304 at second base, 139 at shortstop and 23 at first ..."
At This Market, Yankees Feeling No Rush to Buy
Comment
November 19
New York Times
 
"The baseball free-agent market opens Thursday night at midnight, but players will not have real estate agents on call for Friday morning. The market is expected to move slowly, and one reason is a lack of aggressiveness from the Yankees. "Last year, we had close to $100 million coming off the payroll," General Manager Brian Cashman said Wednesday. "This year, that's not the case. Last year, we had more to spend. Every year is different. The talent pool available this year is different.""
Roy Halladay sweepstakes could be just another Yankees-Red Sox bout
Comment
November 18
SI.com
 
"The Yankees recently called the Blue Jays to express interest in superstar pitcher Roy Halladay. And while the Yankees made the very same call last summer with no hope of acquiring Halladay, this time they have a real reason to believe they may actually have a legitimate chance to make a blockbuster trade. If that's a positive development for the World Series champs, the twist is that they might be battling the rival Red Sox for the star pitcher who's well-known as a Yankee killer, as his 18-6 record against the Bronx Bombers attests. Here is the most obvious reason the Yankees (or Red Sox) may now finally have a legit shot to trade for arguably baseball's best pitcher: New Toronto GM Alex ..."
Red Sox interested in Gonzalez and Soriano
Comment
November 18
New York Post
 
"If the Yankees return Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes to the rotation, they are going to need bullpen help. Should they be interested in free agent relievers Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano, late of the Braves, the Yankees are going to find their blood rivals in the race. According to sources, the Red Sox asked the Braves for the medical reports on Gonzalez and Soriano, neither of whom fits into the Braves' plans because they are too expensive. Gonzalez made $3.45 million this past season, Soriano $6.35 million. The left-handed Gonzalez, whom the Yankees attempted to acquire from the Pirates following the 2006 season, appeared in 80 games, going 5-4 with a 2.42 ERA, and converted 10 of ..."
Hollywood nights not in cards for Holliday
Comment
November 18
MLB.com
 
"Here's a rundown of Tuesday's biggest Hot Stove news, rumors and rumblings. Holliday out in Anaheim? The big-ticket item of the day came from Angels general manager Tony Reagins, who told the Los Angeles Times that Monday's FOXSports.com report listing the only plausible suitors for free-agent slugger Matt Hollday as the Angels, Yankees and Red Sox was, well, probably slightly inaccurate -- at least the "Angels" part. Reagins told the paper that his "focus is not on" Holliday but rather on retaining his slew of free agents: starter John Lackey, third baseman Chone Figgins and, possibly, Vladimir Guerrero and Darren Oliver. Meanwhile, St. Louis chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. told ESPN radio that ..."
After top few free agents, expect bargains
Comment
November 18
Bergen Record
 
"What would happen if there were teams all set to spend to secure talent and there was little talent there to bid on? We will find out beginning Friday, when free agency begins, and the answer is most likely that a handful of players are going to find themselves the object of an intense bidding war with their price escalating. The flip side is that some baseball executives believe that the rest of the free agent crop will fall through the cracks, sitting and waiting unless they are willing to take a bargain deal. That means that Matt Holliday and Jason Bay will be the target of every team with an outfield or big bat vacancy. Chone Figgins will be pursued by teams with needs at third base ..."
Joba wants to start in 2010
Comment
November 18
Bergen Record
 
"Unless he's told otherwise, Joba Chamberlain anticipates being in the Yankees' starting rotation in 2010. Sure, he knows there's never any guarantees. At least as a member of the World Series champions, Chamberlain has a shorter off-season – meaning less time to consider the winter what-ifs. He's already been receiving text messages and calls about the Hot Stove League. "[It's] not so much the rumors part of things [I pay attention to], just kind of the way things are going to shape up, what's going to happen and just the overall feel of [it]," Chamberlain said Tuesday afternoon. "It's just going to be one of those things where you pay attention and go about your business and get prepared ..."
Cy of relief: CC happier with ring
Comment
November 18
New York Post
 
"CC Sabathia required two words to describe being a World Series winner rather than copping a second Cy Young award. "Much happier," the Yankees' ace lefty wrote in a text message yesterday after Kansas City's Zach Greinke was named this year's AL Cy Young winner. CC Sabathia required two words to describe being a World Series winner rather than copping a second Cy Young award. "Much happier," the Yankees' ace lefty wrote in a text message yesterday after Kansas City's Zach Greinke was named this year's AL Cy Young winner. Greinke went 16-8 and led the majors in ERA for the woeful Royals and gathered 25 first-place votes among the 28 ballots. Seattle's Felix Hernandez (19-5; 2.49 ERA) was ..."
Damon says free agency 'gets tougher'
Comment
November 18
New York Post
 
"The first time, Johnny Damon understood he wasn't going back to Oakland. The second stab at free agency resulted in Damon being shocked the Red Sox didn't match the Yankees' dollars. Now, a free agent for the third time, the veteran outfielder says the uncertainty doesn't get easier to deal with. "I think it gets tougher," Damon said from Orlando yesterday, where he is waiting to hear from GM Brian Cashman following the Yankees' scouting meetings being held this week. "We have four kids and we would like to know where we will be and for how long. It's tougher, but I understand the process." Damon didn't set down a specific number of years he is looking for, but he is thinking about 3,000 ..."
Joba fine with starting or relieving
Comment
November 18
New York Post
 
"While the Yankees have hinted that Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes will be back in the starting rotation next year, nothing is certain. And Chamberlain remains fine with that. "It's a great problem to have for Phil and myself," Chamberlain said yesterday. "We've been in situations and there's a lot of things we can be. I think it's an advantage for our team that there are so many different options to make us better for 2010." The question, however, is whether the past year made Chamberlain better, since it seems the Yankees did their best to confuse the right-hander -- from making him a starter to instituting minuscule pitch counts to finally having him come out of the bullpen again in ..."
Yankees decline option on Mitre
Comment
November 17
MLB.com
 
"The Yankees declined their $1.25 million option for right-hander Sergio Mitre on Tuesday. Mitre, who didn't make New York's postseason roster, is still under club control with less than five years of Major League service time. He is eligible for arbitration. Mitre underwent Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery in July 2008 and agreed to a Minor League contract with New York that November. He then sat out the first 50 games while serving a suspension for testing positive for a banned substance under Major League Baseball's Drug Policy."
Bombers 'nowhere' on coaches
Comment
November 17
New York Post
 
"No Yankees coach except hitting instructor Kevin Long is signed for next year. And while the general feeling is that the rest of Joe Girardi's staff is wanted back, none has been offered a contract for 2010. "We are nowhere," GM Brian Cashman said when asked where he was at concerning the 2010 staff. "We would love to have all of them back under the proper circumstances." Long signed a three-year deal for about $1.125 million before the 2008 season that expires after next year. The contracts of pitching coach Dave Eiland, third base coach Rob Thomson, bench coach Tony Pena, first base coach Mick Kelleher and bullpen coach Mike Harkey have expired. As for Girardi, Cashman said there have ..."
Yankees in no rush to make free-agent moves
Comment
November 17
New York Post
 
"Brian Cashman is letting the free agent river run down River Ave. to his Yankee Stadium door. According to the World Champion Yankees' GM, he doesn't have concrete ideas about retaining his free agents or signing free agents from other teams. "Agents are calling me but I haven't returned their calls," Cashman said yesterday. "I haven't talked to agents about players. I saw Arn Tellem in Chicago (at the GM meetings) but I told him we had to wait to see about payroll." Tellem represents World Series MVP Hideki Matsui who, with Johnny Damon and Andy Pettitte, is a free agent. The Yankees have exclusive negotiating rights to the trio until midnight Thursday. After that, any team can talk ..."
Yanks savor $uite victory over Mets
Comment
November 16
New York Post
 
"The Yankees can now legitimately claim to be twice as good as the Mets -- at generating cash for the city. The World Series champs produced "at least $200,000" by selling seats in the luxury suite turned over to the city in the new Yankee Stadium, according to a team official. The city's suite at the Mets' new Citi Field is expected to bring in about half of that. Since the teams don't have to provide official accountings until 120 days after the baseball season ends, both figures are estimates."
Don Mattingly interested in managing L.A. Dodgers when Joe Torre leaves
Comment
November 15
New York Daily News
 
"And Don Mattingly might end up replacing Torre after all when Torre is done managing in sunny Los Angeles. The Yankee icon, who is the hitting coach for Torre's Dodgers, says he has been "having discussions with the Dodgers and I really like where that's going. I really think it's the place for me. I really like where that organization's going and their thoughts on the future. I want to end up there, to be honest with you." While Mattingly was cryptic when asked if he was, essentially, the "manager in waiting" in L.A., his talks with team brass were enticing enough to get him to back out of consideration for the Nationals job earlier this autumn. "It was discussions about the future of the ..."
The World Series is over, but baseball buzz is still prevalent as ever in New York
Comment
November 15
New York Daily News
 columnist Bill Gallo
"First, folks, about last Wednesday's cartoon saluting all Americans who wore a uniform in defense of our country in all the wars, including the current one. Some of you were offended because I did not list all the sports names who served. It was impossible to list them all - I would have to use three pages to include everyone. "Where was Hank Greenberg's name?" phoned an angry man. All day long, I'd get, "Where was this guy and where was that guy?" I'm sorry to those who have been offended, but you must know that there's a list of more than 500 professional athletes who took time out from baseball fields, football fields, ice rinks, basketball courts and boxing arenas to don uniforms in ..."
Twenty-five years after his phenomenal rookie season, Dwight Gooden takes aim at his demons
Comment
November 15
New York Daily News
 
"Nobody hangs up Ks for Dwight Gooden anymore. A mural of him - in mid-windup - no longer occupies the whole side of a building in Times Square. More than half his life has passed since the spectacle of Gooden in his No. 16 Mets uniform, so young and strong and utterly gifted, fueled a frenzy the likes of which this town may never see again - a frenzy that reached everywhere, even to Mickey Mantle, underaged icon of another generation, and another borough. "If I could pick somebody to be, that's who I'd be - Dwight Gooden," Mantle said. Of course Dwight Gooden thinks about those days sometimes, but he's in no rush to go back there, even if he could, nor to revisit a fall that was almost as ..."
Delicate Knee Surgery Saved Matsui's Season
Comment
November 15
New York Times
 
"When the Yankees fashion their diamond-crusted rings to commemorate their 2009 championship, they might consider making one for Dr. Scott Rodeo. Without his delicate surgical work, Hideki Matsui might not have been able to earn the World Series Most Valuable Player award. Rodeo operated on Matsui's arthritic knees a year ago. With careful supervision by the trainer Gene Monahan, he monitored Matsui's progress throughout the season, helping him to be at optimal health for the postseason. Now a free agent, Matsui is scheduled to see Rodeo again soon. A magnetic resonance imaging test will probably determine whether Matsui needs to have the procedure repeated. Either way, Rodeo said, Matsui ..."
Wetteland news stuns former Bomber mates
Comment
November 14
New York Daily News
 
"John Wetteland 's old friends with the Yankees still were trying to piece together Friday what happened Thursday that drove the 1996 World Series MVP to a Texas hospital. "John was at this dinner just a couple of years ago," Joe Torre said before playing host to his annual dinner to benefit his Safe at Home Foundation. "I certainly need to reach out and find out a little more about what has transpired." "I'm still confused about what actually happened, to tell you the truth," added ex-teammate David Cone , a guest at Torre's dinner. "I'm glad to see he's out of the hospital and doing better. I certainly care about him a lot. He's a great guy and he's certainly been through a lot ..."
Matsui would like to stay a Yankee
Comment
November 14
New York Daily News
 
"Hideki Matsui  says his "feelings are still with the Yankees " but he doesn't know whether the Bombers will re-sign him. And, Matsui acknowledged, it would be disappointing if he did not play an eighth season in pinstripes. "If that happens, yeah, I think it would be," Matsui said Friday night through his interpreter before attending the dinner that benefits Joe Torre 's Safe at Home Foundation. "But on the other hand, it's something to look forward to, a new change, a new challenge for me. So in that sense, I'll definitely take it in a positive way. The Yankees have their own plans, too, and you have to respect that." As far as potential contract talks with the Yankees, Matsui said, ..."
Torre praises Girardi, Yanks for title run
Comment
November 14
New York Daily News
 
"Joe Torre  could almost hear the banter in the dugout. Watching on television as the Yankees played in their first World Series since he left, the four-time champion Yankees manager knew exactly what Derek Jeter was saying as the camera zoomed in on him after Hideki Matsui hit a home run in Game 6. "Every time they'd bring a lefthander in, Derek Jeter would say in the dugout, 'Don't bring a lefthander for Matsui, don't do that' and invariably Matsui would hit a double or a home run," Torre said. "When the camera went to Jeter in the dugout after Matsui hit a homer, it was like I could hear him saying 'I told ya so.'" After 12 years and four World Series titles with the Yankees, ..."
Yanks' Guzman opts for free agency
Comment
November 14
Bergen Record
 
"Yankees outfielder Freddy Guzman has elected free agency in lieu of accepting an outright, the team said Friday. Guzman hit .167 (1-for-6) in 10 regular-season games with the Yankees in 2009. He was on the active roster for the ALCS vs. the Angels, going 0-for-1 in two games played. Guzman was acquired from Baltimore on Aug. 31 in exchange for a player to be named or cash and assigned to Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Wells has surgery

Blue Jays center fielder Vernon Wells has had surgery on his left wrist and is expected to be ready for spring training. The team said Friday that doctors repaired cartilage in his wrist, which he broke diving to make a catch against the Indians in ..."

Wetteland on Yankees' minds
Comment
November 14
Bergen Record
 
"One by one, Yankees of past and present walked the red carpet into Joe Torre's Safe at Home Foundation Gala, a walk that John Wetteland had made a few years ago when he joined with members of Torre's first World Series champion team to be honored at Chelsea Piers. But Wetteland wasn't there with the rest of them this time, instead reportedly resting at home after being hospitalized Thursday night after police were called to his home in Texas with reports of a mental health issue and fears of a suicidal condition. So while the Yankees headed in to support their former manager and to honor Mariano Rivera, their thoughts were with their old teammate. "I'm very saddened by it and I don't know ..."
Cops summoned to rescue Yanks' 1996 Series hero
Comment
November 13
New York Post
 
"John Wetteland -- MVP of the 1996 World Series for the Yankees -- was rushed to a hospital yesterday after police responded to a woman's frantic call from his Texas home that he might have been suicidal. Cops rushed to the 43-year-old one-time closer's Bartonsville house around 12:30 p.m. When they arrived, Wetteland walked out with his hands up, saying he "needed help," authorities said. Wetteland, now the Mariners' bullpen coach, later issued a statement through the team saying the episode was triggered by "elevated blood pressure" and a high heart rate. Those issues have "been addressed," Wetteland said in the statement. The Denton County Sheriff's office said it was alerted to the ..."
John Wetteland's pals shocked by drama
Comment
November 13
New York Post
 
"With his faith in God and a loving wife, John Wetteland was the last person any of his former teammates ever would have imagined contemplating suicide -- though Wetteland last night called the incident a bout with elevated blood pressure. "It's a total shock to me to hear something like this," said Jim Leyritz, the 1996 Yankee World Series hero who has suffered through many demons of his own. "He is one guy where his faith in God was so strong." Leyritz, 45, who has served time in jail after a fatal drunk-driving accident in Florida in 2007 that killed a woman, and was hospitalized earlier this summer following an emotional breakdown, said Wetteland's faith had been an inspiration. "He ..."
One-time wild child became one tightly wound Bomber
Comment
November 13
New York Post
 columnist Joel Sherman
"CLOSERS as a genre tend to be flaky and wild. But even for the species, John Wetteland was different. He drank coffee obsessively, roller-bladed maniacally in the bowels of the old Yankee Stadium -- much to the chagrin of Joe Torre -- and at a time when computers were rare in the clubhouse, Wetteland often would flip open a laptop to read inspirational scripture. Wetteland admitted to drug use as part of a wild youth that included few rules set down by his musician father. But no Yankee of the mid-1990s wore his religion more openly than Wetteland. His Bible was always handy, and he would shoo away reporters (particularly female reporters) as he tried to dress, barking that his body was ..."
Cashman's plans focus on a World Series repeat in 2010
Comment
November 13
New York Daily News
 
"As Brian Cashman rode up the Canyon of Heroes last week, his mind already was on 2010. On the surrounding floats, Johnny Damon, Andy Pettitte and World Series MVP Hideki Matsui were being celebrated as New York's latest heroes, and while chants of "Bring back Matsui!" and "One more year" resonated down Broadway, the decision of whether to bring any or all of the free agents back now falls on the Yankees' general manager. Cashman has another week of exclusive negotiating rights with the trio, but with the Yankees' organizational meetings not set to begin until early next week, it's unlikely that any deals will get done before the players hit the market. Although the sentiment among most ..."
Police respond to suicide call at the home of former New York Yankees closer John Wetteland
Comment
November 13
New York Daily News
 
"John Wetteland, the Yankees' All-Star closer who was the MVP of the 1996 World Series, spent time in a Denton, Tex., hospital Thursday, but the circumstances of the visit were unclear. Police officers who were summoned to his home Thursday said they responded to a call about a man contemplating suicide. The Seattle Mariners, for whom Wetteland is bullpen coach, said late Thursday night he was suffering from an elevated heart rate. Wetteland, who was discharged from the hospital Thursday night, said in part of a team statement, "My wife and I are very appreciative of the over and above care of our local officers and paramedics." According to the Denton County Sheriff's office, a woman at ..."
Former Texas Rangers pitcher Wetteland taken to Denton hospital
Comment
November 13
Dallas Morning News
 
"Former Texas Rangers pitcher John Wetteland was taken to a Denton hospital Thursday afternoon after police were called to his home over concerns about his mental health, Denton County sheriff's Sgt. Roger Griggs said. But Wetteland, now a pitching coach for the Seattle Mariners, attributed the police call to his elevated blood pressure and heart rate. "My wife and I are very appreciative of the over-and-above care of our local officers and paramedics," he said. "I am currently resting safely at home." Wetteland was taken to Denton Regional Medical Center after meeting authorities outside his Bartonville home and saying he "needed help," Griggs said. He showed no signs of physical ..."
Yanks likely to target available Granderson
Comment
November 12
New York Post
 
"In a cost-cutting frame of mind, the Tigers have let teams know Curtis Granderson could be had for the right package, an NL executive told The Post. The Yankees will almost certainly push to the front of the line when it comes to Granderson. He obviously would be an upgrade on the Melky Cabrera/Brett Gardner duo. In addition, the Yankees could quickly face a need to restore lefty power if Johnny Damon and/or Hideki Matsui leave to free agency. Granderson hit a career-high 30 homers last season, the fourth most by an AL lefty. Brian Cashman met with Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski at the GM Meetings, which concluded yesterday, but it is not believed the two did any more than discuss needs and ..."
Japan isn't option for World Series MVP Hideki Matsui
Comment
November 12
New York Daily News
 
"Hideki Matsui may or may not return to the Yankees next season, but according to his agent, the World Series MVP won't be heading back to his native Japan to play in 2010. Arn Tellem said his client will be playing in the majors next season one way or another. "The goal right now is finding the best place for Hideki to continue his career," Tellem said. "When I first met him, he wanted to play 10 years in the major leagues - and I believe he will." A report out of Japan yesterday tabbed the Red Sox as potential suitors for Matsui, saying Boston was preparing a multi-year offer. A Boston source called the story "highly unlikely," noting that unless the Sox were able to unload David Ortiz ..."
Yankees, Red Sox both shopping for Roy Halladay
Comment
November 12
New York Daily News
 
"The Blue Jays haven't decided whether or not to trade Roy Halladay this winter, but if they choose to move the former Cy Young winner, a bidding war could break out between the Yankees and Red Sox. According to a source, Blue Jays president Paul Beeston has not resigned himself to the seemingly inevitable move to trade Halladay, believing his team can still compete for a playoff spot in 2010. The circus that surrounded the Halladay situation last summer was one of the primary factors in the firing of former general manager J.P. Ricciardi, who made it clear he did not want to deal the ace within the division. Alex Anthopoulos appears willing to move Halladay to an AL East team, but before ..."
Contract showdown looms for New York Yankees as Derek Jeter enters final year of deal
Comment
November 12
New York Daily News
 
"If Brian Cashman thinks he's got his hands full figuring out what to do with free-agent fan favorites Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and Andy Pettitte, imagine what he'll face next year when Derek Jeter's contract expires. The Yankees have had a long-standing practice of not negotiating extensions with players until their current deals expire, and after holding firm to that two years ago with Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada, it's hard to imagine that they would alter their approach with Jeter. "There's no reason to believe that would be different, but I haven't talked to ownership and no one has knocked on our door about it," Cashman said. "I expect that's the way we'll go unless somebody ..."
Unlike Minaya, Cashman Stands on Solid Ground
Comment
November 12
New York Times
 
"After two and a half days of meetings with colleagues and agents here, Omar Minaya and Brian Cashman were both headed back to New York on Wednesday, yet still somehow going in different directions. After five years in which Minaya's Mets seemed to travel in the same stratum as the Yankees, if not occasionally on a higher plane, the old order has been re-established. Once again, Cashman's Yankees are the dominant force in New York and in major league baseball, while the Mets have reverted to their traditional role as the weaker, younger sibling across town."
Braves fielding offers for starting pitching
Comment
November 11
SI.com
 
"Braves GM Frank Wren said they would look to field offers on a couple of their starting pitchers. That includes Derek Lowe, who could draw interest from the Yankees as an alternative to John Lackey. "We're in a position where people know we have an excess in starting pitching," Wren said. He said they could go use one of their starters in another role but that that's "unlikely." The Braves are looking for offense, and a corner outfielder with power would fit them."
Yankees could deal for Tigers' Granderson
Comment
November 11
New York Post
 
"In a cost-cutting frame of mind, the Tigers have let teams know that Curtis Granderson could be had for the right package, an NL executive told The Post. Granderson would be attractive to many teams, with the Yankees near the top of the list. They have long searched for a premium solution in center since Bernie Williams left his prime, but now they also face the loss of the lefty power of free agents Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui. Granderson hit a career-high 30 homers last year. Brian Cashman met with Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski at the now-concluded GM Meetings, but it is not believed the two did any more than discuss needs and available players. However, the two have a good relationship ..."
Guzman and Towers elect free agency
Comment
November 11
The Journal News
 
"The Yankees have made their first moves of the offseason, outrighting both Freddy Guzman and Josh Towers off of the 40-man roster. Brian Cashman said that both players have elected free agency. Guzman was perhaps the least likely player in the middle of the World Series celebration. Added to the Triple-A roster at the end of August, Guzman ultimately served as a pinch runner through part of the playoffs and had a spot in the victory parade, barely two months after he joined the organization."
Yanks' Hairston tops day's free-agent list
Comment
November 11
MLB.com
 
"Jerry Hairston Jr., the last remaining Yankees position player eligible for free agency, declared on Tuesday, one of three players to do so on a day the march of free agents slowed to a crawl. The only others to declare on Tuesday were right-hander Elmer Dessens of the Mets and veteran infielder Rich Aurilia of the Giants. The trio brought the number of players who have filed for free agency to 154 since the process began Thursday. The 22 remaining who are eligible but have yet to file have until Nov. 19 to do so. That group includes southpaw Andy Pettitte, the lone remaining member of the World Series champion Yankees qualified for free agency. The 2009 teams of at least two others who ..."
Yanks en-title-ed to take it slowly
Comment
November 11
New York Post
 columnist Joel Sherman
"It is not in the Yankees' payroll, history and, thus, organizational DNA to do anything but pursue a championship year after year. So they will assemble a team this offseason capable of revisiting the Canyon of Heroes in 2010. But what their parade last week provides the organization is some cover if they want to be a little more cautious about spending and/or adding/retaining older players at a time when strategically they are looking to get younger and more athletic. In many ways, this is a 180-degree turn from last offseason. The Yankees failed to make the playoffs in 2008 and were opening a new stadium with historically high ticket prices. They were incredibly motivated, therefore, to ..."
Jeter & Teixeira are solid 'Gold'
Comment
November 11
New York Post
 
"Defense wins championships -- even in baseball. Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira won't argue that point. Less than a week after helping the Yankees win the World Series, they were named yesterday as AL Gold Glove winners at shortstop and first base, respectively. "I've said it time and time again: Playing championship-caliber baseball starts with pitching and defense," said Jeter, who won his fourth Gold Glove. "Those two components were certainly the foundation of our success in 2009." Teixeira, who won his third Gold Glove, became the first Yankees first baseman to win the award since Don Mattingly took four straight from 1991-94. The Yankees gave Teixeira a $181 million contract last ..."
Damon pursuing Jeter-like payday
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November 11
New York Post
 
"We now return to the business portion of the program. The Yankees were hoping all the joy associated with being a champion Yankee would motivate Johnny Damon to accept a one- or, at the most, two-year deal to return. However, his representative, Scott Boras, flushed the notion of a hometown bargain. Instead, he compared his client to Derek Jeter and sounded as if he wants a three- or four-year deal for Damon. Damon has just concluded a four-year deal worth $13 million per year, and generally Boras does not want his clients to take pay cuts. If that is indeed the case, then the Yankees and Damon are heading for divorce. The Yankees are concerned about how Damon's desire and body will hold ..."
GMs think World Series MVP Hideki Matsui's days in outfield are done
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November 11
New York Daily News
 
"Hideki Matsui may believe that he can still play the outfield, but he seems to be the only one. More than a half-dozen general managers surveyed Tuesday unanimously agreed that Matsui's days as an outfielder were behind him, leaving a very limited market for his services. "I'd be surprised if any general manager in the National League was willing to roll the dice on Matsui," said one NL GM. "What happens if you sign him and his knees blow up? Then you're stuck with a guy that can't play the field and is basically an overpaid pinch-hitter. No one is going to take that gamble for the money he's going to want." If it's up to Matsui, it won't be an issue. Matsui has expressed his desire to ..."
Boras warns New York Yankees, suitors that age not a factor with Johnny Damon
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November 11
New York Daily News
 
"Johnny Damon wants to return to the Yankees, but it remains to be seen whether they want him back - and if they do, how many years they want to commit to the 36-year-old. Although Damon has told friends that he would take a shorter deal to remain in pinstripes, agent Scott Boras didn't sound intent on settling for a one- or two-year contract. "His durability is off the charts," Boras said, referring to Damon's streak of 14 straight seasons with 140-plus games played. "Chronological age does not have anything to do with a player of his genetics. Certainly you have to look at the Yankees' history and what they've paid players of his like age who maybe did not have his genetics." Boras is ..."