New York Yankees Update

PETTITTE RETURNS

2009-12-09T11:21:00.003-05:00

"The Score" in Toronto reports that Andy Pettitte has agreed to a 1 year contract worth $11.75 million, no incentives.

GAMMONS MOVES TO MLB NETWORK

2009-12-09T06:09:00.001-05:00

Peter Gammons' departure from ESPN was announced yesterday and MLB Network could announce his hiring as early as today, a baseball official said.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because MLB Network had not made the announcement.

Asked about his decision at the winter meetings, Gammons said he couldn't discuss it until today.

GAMMONS OUT AT ESPN

2009-12-08T15:26:00.002-05:00

Peter Gammons, who is rarely right on anything, is done at ESPN.

It is being reported that Gammons has left on his terms and was not fired.

GRANDERSON DEAL ALIVE

2009-12-08T13:58:00.002-05:00

WFAN and Jon Hayman are now reporting that the Curtis Granderson deal is done, pending medical records checks.

The deal is:

Ian Kennedy to Arizona, Phil Coke and Austin Jackson to Detroit.

What is the infatuation with a .246 avg and .329 obp hitter?

They can do that with the recently departed Shelley Duncan.

GRANDERSON DEAL DEAD

2009-12-08T10:32:00.003-05:00

WFAN says that the 3 way deal that would bring Curtis Granderson to New York is dead. Is that a good thing?

YES!

Here is the rumored deal:

The Yankees get Curtis Granderson from the Tigers and one or two prospects from the Diamondbacks.
The Diamondbacks receive Edwin Jackson from the Tigers and right-hander Ian Kennedy from the Yankees.
The Tigers would get right-hander Max Scherzer from the Diamondbacks, along with centerfielder Austin Jackson and lefty relievers Phil Coke and Michael Dunn from the Yankees.

The Tigers wanted Phil Hughes included in the deal, but the Yankees don't want to give him up.

So the Yankees would give up Hughes, Kennedy, Jackson, Dunn and Coke to get Granderson and a couple of suspects?

Excuse me Howie, but...NO DEAL!

Sure Granderson hit 30 HR's but he hit .249 with a .329 OBP. Anyone remember Dave Kingman?

Hughes and Kennedy could have brought the Yanks Johan Santana! Now all they are worth is a low average HR hitter?

This deal has to be a media creation. If I was the Yankee GM and I got a call with this deal, I'd probably forget to hang up the phone before I started laughing.

ANGELS INTERESTED IN HIDEKI

2009-12-07T19:24:00.001-05:00

Angels General Manager Tony Reagins tells the LA Times that Hideki Matsui is one of the options the team is looking at to bolster its offense.

NICK THE STICK RUMOR

2009-12-07T19:19:00.002-05:00

The winter meetings rumor mill says the Yankees are talking about Nick Johnson.

This would add fuel to the hot stove rumor that the Yankees are listening to offers for Nick Swisher.

BRUNEY TO THE NATS.

2009-12-07T13:17:00.004-05:00

Brian Bruney has been traded to the Nationals for a player to be named later.

There was an earlier report that Bruney was headed to the Braves.

GIRARDI SLIDES INTO THE NFL

2009-12-01T16:00:00.003-05:00

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP)—New York Jets coach Rex Ryan brought in Yankees manager Joe Girardi as a special guest instructor to teach rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez how to slide.

After watching Sanchez struggle with some of his slides while avoiding pressure in recent games, Ryan called Yankees team president Randy Levine on Tuesday. He asked if the World Series champions could send someone over to the Jets facility to help their franchise quarterback.

The Yankees ended up sending Girardi, who guided New York to its 27th World Series title last month against the Philadelphia Phillies. Sanchez, who has a sore left knee, worked on sliding on his right leg and went through 10-15 slides under Girardi’s supervision.

Ryan said he needed to “bring in a champ” to help Sanchez.

Thanks to the I-Man for the tip!

CARAY'D AWAY BY TBS

2009-12-01T06:07:00.002-05:00

After the terrible performance by TBS baseball announcer Chip Caray during the play-offs, the network has decided to terminate his contract.

Caray also worked Braves games during the regular season.

The remainder of his contract was "settled" for an undisclosed amount.

Caray is the son of the late Braves announcer Skip Caray and grandson of legendary baseball voice Harry Caray.

SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR

2009-11-30T10:00:00.001-05:00

FROM SI.COM

In what has already been a banner year for Derek Jeter, the New York Yankees shortstop can add another honor: Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year award.

Jeter was chosen as the magazine's 56th honoree (the Dec. 7 issue will hit newsstands on Wednesday) and becomes the first Yankee to be named SI's Sportsman.

THE VOICE RETIRES

2009-11-30T09:41:00.004-05:00

According to MLB.com:

"I have no plans of coming back," Bob Sheppard told the Web site in a telephone interview. "Time has passed me by, I think. I had a good run for it. I enjoyed doing what I did. I don't think, at my age, I'm going to suddenly regain the stamina that is really needed if you do the job and do it well."

When contacted by The Associated Press, Yankees spokesman Jason Zillo said the team had no announcement or comment at this time.

Famous for his distinct and resonant tones, Sheppard became the PA announcer at the old Yankee Stadium in 1951. Decades later, Reggie Jackson gave him the nickname "The Voice of God."

CHAMPIONS!

2009-11-05T09:33:00.002-05:00

'nuff said.

G-MAN SHOULD GAU WITH CHAD

2009-11-02T16:05:00.001-05:00

I disagree with AJ tonight on short rest.

I'd rather throw Gaudin and hope for the best then have a fully rested AJ in NY with a DH if needed in game 6.

With AJ going tonight, if the Yanks lose then you are throwing Andy on short rest.

Up 3-1, Girardi is taking a chance he doesn't need to take.

2009 WORLD SERIES: GAME 1 NOTES

2009-10-29T09:15:00.005-04:00

NOTE 1: "Good pitching beats good hitting." Cliff Lee drove that point home.

NOTE 2: Good work by the umpires getting together to make sure they got that obvious double play call correct.

NOTE 3: No more Phil Hughes please. What you are seeing is a classic post season choke.

NOTE 4: Sit Swisher.

NOTE 5: The only way Bruney should be allowed into Yankee Stadium is with a ticket. He stinks, always did stink. He had a hot streak early in the season then went back to stink. Give it up Joe, he STINKS!

NOTE 6: The WFAN-WIP simulcast is unlistenable. Too many people talking.

NOTE 7: Wondering what is more important to FOX; The game or their endless, shamless show promo's.

NOTE 8: There is nobody better that explaining the obvious than Tim McCarver.

NOTE 9: "Buck" rhymes with "Suck." I now understand why.

NOTE 10: Still no mention that Phils RF Jayson Werth is the step-son of ex-Yank Dennis Werth, but we have heard that he is the nephew of ex-MLBer Dick Schofield. Whats that about?

KNOCKIN' KNOBBY!

2009-09-29T15:06:00.002-04:00

HOUSTON (AP)—Former major leaguer Chuck Knoblauch has been charged with assaulting his common-law wife.

A judge set Knoblauch’s bond at $10,000 after he appeared in court Tuesday. According to a criminal complaint, Knoblauch’s wife told police he hit her in the face and then choked her at their Houston home on Friday.

Knoblauch’s attorney did not immediately return a telephone call Tuesday.

The 41-year-old former infielder is a Houston native and a four-time All-Star who played for the New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals from 1991-02.

Knoblauch was one of more than 80 players who were accused of using performance-enhancing drugs in the 2007 Mitchell Report on baseball’s steroids era. Knoblauch later acknowledged using performance enhancers.

Thanks to NYYU contributor "I-Man" for the heads up!

4 STARTERS THE YANKS SHOULD CONSIDER

2009-07-29T11:34:00.003-04:00

Now that C.M. Wang is done for the year and will miss at least half of 2010 the Yankees should not only be looking to fortify the 2009 rotation, but look for stability into 2010.

With the non-waiver trade deadline approaching (Friday, 4:00 pm EDT) here are my ideas for four starting pitchers the Yankees should be able to deal for if the clubs are looking to dump salary and the Yankees are willing to assume said salary.

JASON MARQUIS, Rockies: 12-7, 3.47. Due remainder of $9.87 mil for 2009, free agent for 2010.

AARON COOK, Rockies: 10-3, 3.87. Due remainder of $8.75 mil for 2009 then $21.25 through 2011 with a $11 mil option for 2012 or a half mil buy out.

BRONSON ARROYO, Reds: 10-10, 5.17. Due remainder of $9.5 mil for 2009 then $11 mil in 2010 followed by a club option at $11 mil or a $2 mil buy out for 2011.

PAUL MAHOLM, Pirates: 6-5, 4.70. Due remainder of $2 mil for 2009 then $10.25 mil through 2011 with a $9.75 club option or a 0.75 mil buy out for 2012.

LEYRITZ: STILL SLUGGING, GOES 2 for 2 WITH EX-WIFE

2009-07-02T13:40:00.004-04:00

Ex-Yank Jim Leyritz has been charged with slugging his ex-wife in his latest brush with the law.

Leyritz has been charged with domestic battery after receiving reports he had allegedly battered ex-wife Karrie, according to a police report from the Broward County Sheriff's Office.

According to the report, Leyritz attacked Karrie after the two had a dispute over money related to child support.

Karrie claims Leyritz hit her in the face twice, then pushed her to the ground. She said she fled the home after the attack and called police from a neighbor's house.

Leyritz denied hitting his ex-wife and police that she had likely hurt herself on purpose, and claimed she had hurt herself and blamed it on him once before.

Thanks to NYYU contributor "The I-Man" for the story tip via the scum of the earth network PMSNBC.

Retake Congress

2009-07-01T16:15:00.001-04:00

"Retake Congress"

Yankees get Eric Hinske from Pittsburgh

2009-06-30T12:01:00.001-04:00

The Yankees traded for ultilityman Eric Hinske in exchange for two minor leaguers.

The Pirates acquired catcher/outfielder Eric Fryer and right-hander Casey Erickson.

Fryer, 23, hit .250 with 11 doubles, two homers and 24 RBI in 59 games with Class A Tampa. He will be assigned to Class A Lynchburg.

Ericson, 23, went 3-3 with a 2.25 ERA in 21 games (three starts) for Class A Charleston. He will be assigned to Class A West Virginia.

Pirates get two Yankee minor leaguers for Eric Hinske - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

THE BOOB STRIKES AGAIN!

2009-06-04T12:13:00.006-04:00

Here is yet another assault by Boob Watson on the Yankees with unfair fines and suspensions.

Boob is still mad at the elder Steinbrenner for exposing his incompetence as a GM (read Joel Sherman's "Birth of a Dynasty").

A.J. Burnett has been suspended for 6 games and fined an undisclosed by the "vice president of on-field operations" for the wayward pitch to the Rangers' Nelson Cruz on Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, Vicente Padilla was only fined an undisclosed amount for actually HITTING Mark Teixeira, TWICE!

He also came "up and in" to Jeter and Cano!

Teixeira was hit below the right shoulder by Padilla in the second inning. Then he was hit on the butt-selig in the fourth!

Has the Boob noticed that this is the THIRD incident of this type regarding the Rangers this season?

Last week, ChiSox reliever Bobby Jenks was fined $750 for admitting to plucking Ian Kinsler intentionally after Rangers pitchers hit 6 ChiSox batters during the series.

Are you paying attention, Boob, you jerk?

No, he isn't. Stupid assed Boob Watson just saw another oportunity to stick it to the Yankees.

Burnett said he will appeal.

(UPDATE 4:01 PM: BURNETT HAS APPEALED THE SUSPENSION)

That's great, but a Yankee talking to Boob is just like talking to a bottle of ketchup. However, in this case, the ketchup is smarter than the Boob.

Maybe the top incompetent fool at MLB will step in.

Butt Selig knows more about baseball than Boob, but then again so does the ketchup.

YANKEE BAND BOX? EXPLAIN THIS....

2009-05-26T13:19:00.002-04:00

If the new Yankee Stadium is such a "Band Box" and "Launching Pad" keep this in mind:

One of the top home-run hitters in the National League, RYAN HOWARD, had more STOLEN BASES (1) in the 3 games at YS3 than HR's (0).

The stolen base was Howard's 4th of his CAREER.

BOBBY JENKS: YES I DID!

2009-05-11T08:37:00.003-04:00

Boob Watson will suspend this guy, but this is EXACTLY how you handle these situations AND the guy was man enough to stand up for himself and his teammates. Jenks can play for me any time.

(CHICAGO TRIBUNE, May 9, 2009) White Sox closer Bobby Jenks surprised even his manager with his admission that Saturday night's fastball behind the butt of Ian Kinsler was thrown there on purpose.

And while it didn't necessarily please Ozzie Guillen, Jenks' teammates had to appreciate his effort after six of them were hit by pitches in the last week by Rangers pitchers.

Asked if the two-out, ninth-inning pitch to Kinsler "got away from him," Jenks replied without hesitation:

"No, I meant to. To send a message. Basically I was saying, 'I'm sick of seeing our guys get hit and hurt and almost get taken out of the game.' I threw it with intention."

Jenks eventually retired Kinsler in a 3-2 Sox victory, but not before home plate umpire Lance Barksdale warned both benches against any more shenanigans. Earlier in the game, the Sox's Chris Getz and Carlos Quentin had been hit by Kevin Millwood.

Jenks said he had no intention of hitting Kinsler, especially in a one-run game.

"I'm not going to put a guy on in that situation," he said. "I was not going to hit him. I made my point with that pitch and it came across the way I wanted it to.

"I'm not going to go dirty. I was going to keep it low and behind him."

Guillen said he had nothing to do with Jenks' revenge pitch, claiming no Sox batter was hit intentionally.

"That's his problem. I know what I see and what I think," Guillen said. "I don't think it was the right moment to do it because we can get in trouble. But if he says he did it, I respect his word and I can't do anything about it right now."

But Guillen also said he likes pitchers to stand up for hitters.

"It's good, because we have to make sure the hitters know we're behind them," he said.

http://nyyu.blogspot.com

GIRARDI SET UP LOSS

2009-05-07T08:19:00.003-04:00

One of the many jobs a Major League manager has is to put his team in a position to win every day.

Last night, Joe Girardi did not do that.

In fact, he put his team in position to LOSE...and they did.

With the game tied in the 9th, Girardi summoned Mariano Rivera from the pen to hold the tie, and he did.

The Yankees put runners on base in the bottom of the 9th, but could not score...we go to the 10th.

Since Rivera only used 18 pitches to dispatch the Rays in the 9th, one would figure that the pitch count obsessed manager would use his only reliable reliever in the 10th and give the Yanks a chance to win in the bottom of the inning.

Nope. In comes unreliable Phil Coke and TWO pitches later its 4-3 Rays as Carlos Pena deposits a meatball into the mostly empty right field seats.

After the game when asked about using Rivera in the 10th, Girardi offered this:

"It was not a situation you ask Mo for three more outs."

Why not? He only threw 18 pitches! Girardi said it was too early in the season to ask Rivera for 2 innings.

If that is so, why did he bring in Rivera with 2 outs and a 2-0 count on a Boston batter in the 8th last week?

Also, lefties' average against Rivera is 173 points lower than righties'.

Pena is a leftie.

Girardi later added:

"Every day we do the best we can to prepare our club, and every move we make is to win the game, and that's what I focus on."

You didn't last night, Joe.

You set them up to fail and fail they did.

TAKE A WALK JOE

2009-05-06T09:26:00.006-04:00

Joe Girardi is very optimistic about Mark Teixeira's slump.

When your $180 million slugger is hitting below . 200 and struck out 23 times in 193 ABs with the Angels, but has struck out 17 times in 86 ABs with the Yankees, one might be concerned.

(Stat courtesy of "Baseball & The Boogie Down")

Not Joe. Joe says he's not concerned because...get this... "he's still getting his walks."

WALKS! Does he think that the fans listening to this garbage are stupid?

Note to Joe: The Brothers Stein did not give Teixeira $180 million for WALKS.

WALKS don't put "fannies in the seats" as the Elder Stein once said.

The 10 year-old boy at his first game with Dad, wearing his $100 jersey with #25 on the back is not saying "Gee Dad, I hope Mark gets a walk today!"

That same Dad, who is about to go spend $30 on a couple of dogs and 2 soda's, is not standing in line hoping he doesn't miss a Teixeira WALK!

This is typical Girardi psycho-babble and I'm sick of it.

If the guy is hurt, sit him and get him well. Don't keep making up these lame excuses for struggling players.

NOBODY BELIEVES YOU ANYMORE. YOUR CREDIBILITY IS DEAD.

The fans are sick and tired of players struggling for no apparent reason, then finding out there is an injury, then saying the player is "day-to-day", only to end up on the DL. Meanwhile these lame and phony optimistic excuses are thrown out to us and we are supposed to believe it.

I don't believe anything that comes from the managers office anymore.

It's time for Joe to go.