Sliding Into Home: A Yankees Blog

So Long Shelley

2009-11-20T23:10:00.003-05:00

Chad Jennings is reporting that Shelley Duncan has said that if he clears waivers he will not accept his assignment to triple-A Scranton.

“I’ll wait and see,” Duncan said. “I might clear on Monday or something, and if do, then I’ll become a free agent.”

Good luck Shelley.

Friday Night Open Thread: Awards For Girardi

2009-11-20T19:45:00.002-05:00

- Joe Girardi may not have won AL manager of the year but he was able to snag a couple other awards. Girardi was named the March of Dimes Sportsman of the Year and will be honored at the 26th annual March of Dimes luncheon on December 2nd. Venus Williams was named sportswoman of the year.

- The New York Knicks also named Girardi the winner of the Sweetwater Clifton “City Spirit” Award for November.

The award, named in honor of Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton, the first African-American to play for the Knicks, recognizes individuals who have made a significant difference in the lives of others. Each month, a winner is chosen by members of the Knicks front office staff and honored at center court during a Knicks game with a $2,000 donation in his or her name made out to a charity of their choice.

The award was given to Girardi for stopping to aid a woman who was in an accident on the Cross County Parkway in Westchester County the night the Yankees clinched the World Series. He will accept the award on Sunday during the Knicks-Celtics game at Madison Square Garden.

- The Hall of Fame will be receiving many items from the Yankees most recent championship run. For a full list of the items check out this article on MLB.com.

- Steve Lombardi takes a look at a recent Bill James article on Jorge Posada's chances at having as good a 2010 season as he did this year. The conclusion is that Posada is the least likely player in baseball to improve next year.

- The folks over at Baseball Intellect tells us everything we need to know about Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman. It's definitely worth the read.

40-Man Roster Updates

2009-11-20T18:07:00.003-05:00

With the Rule 5 draft coming up next month the Yanks made several adjustments to their 40-man roster today, here are those changes:

Pitchers Hecton Noesi Ivan Nova and Romulo Sanchez, infielders Reegie Corona, Eduardo Nunez and Kevin Russo, and outfielder Austin Jackson have been added to 40-man.

Shelley Duncan has be outrighted to triple-A.

The Yankees updated 40-man roster now has 39 spots filled, so expect some more changes to the roster later this offseason.

11/20 Demolition Update

2009-11-20T12:54:00.004-05:00

These pictures come from WCBS 880's Tom Kaminski. For the entire gallery click here.

Images used with permission from WCBS880.com.

(click to enlarge)

For the main demolition page click here.

Will Wang Reunite With Torre?

2009-11-20T11:00:00.001-05:00

From Diamond Notes (hat-tip to MLB Trade Rumors):

Yankees pitcher Chien-Ming Wang, a non-tender candidate, told Taiwanese reporters Thursday that his first choice was to remain with New York. But if the Yankees cut him loose, Wang said he would not be opposed to going to the Dodgers.

“Not bad,” Wang said of the scenario presented by reporters that would have him going to Los Angeles. The two-time 19-game winner indicated that he would feel comfortable playing for a manager in Joe Torre who knows him well. Wang also went to middle school with Dodgers reliever Hong-Chih Kuo, and the two remain friends.

If the Yankees don't decide to bring him back, this kind of move wouldn't surprise me at all. Either way, I still think the Yanks should give him a contract.

AOL Fanhouse's Top 50 Free Agents

2009-11-20T10:20:00.004-05:00

With the free agent market officially open AOL Fanhouse has listed their top 50 free agents. Toping the list is John Lackey.

You can find all the characteristics of an ace in Lackey. He has the big-game experience, has thrived in that environment, and the ability is obviously there. You can bet all the usual suspects will be in on the action for the 6-foot-6 right-hander. This isn't a guy you need to worry about falling flat after he signs either. Lackey is a pitcher who isn't afraid of adjustments. He knows how to change things on the fly and fight through his struggles.

Here's the rest of the top 10: 2. Matt Holliday, 3. Jason Bay, 4. Andy Pettitte, 5. Chone Figgins, 6. Rich Harden, 7. Randy Wolf, 8. Johnny Damon, 9. Jose Valverde, 10. Aroldis Chapman. The rest of the list can be viewed here.

UPDATE: YES has a list of their top 20 free agents. Holliday tops their list.

See The Premiere Of The 2009 World Series Video

2009-11-20T08:43:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I posted the trailer to the video, this morning here's some info on where you can see a special premiere screening of the film.

On Monday, November 23rd at 7:30 p.m. there will be several screenings throughout the area. If you're in Manhattan you can attend the event at the Ziegfeld Theatre located at 141 west 54th street. There will also be screenings in many other theaters in New York and New Jersey. Here's the full list. Tickets to the event are $30.

11/19 Winter Ball Report

2009-11-20T02:16:00.002-05:00

In the final game of their AFL season the Surprise Rafters defeated the Phoenix Desert Dogs 7-4. With the win the Rafters finish the AFL season with a 16-16 record. (Box Score-Recap)

Pitching:
Mike Dunn (W, 1-2): 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, pitches-strikes: 26-14, 4.35 ERA

(click on pitcher's name for PitchFX data)

Here's the final stats for all Yankees who played for the Rafters:

Colin Curtis: .397/.472/.731, 5 HR, 18 RBI, 7 doubles, 2 triples, 19 runs scored, 3 SB, 11 walks.

Brandon Laird: .333/.406/.633, 6 HR, 24 RBI, 9 doubles, 18 runs scored, 10 walks.

Austin Romine: .400/.438/.400 (6-for-15), 2 RBI, 2 runs scored, 1 walk.

Ian Kennedy: 7 games, 2-1, 4.25 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 29.2 IP, 30 hits, 14 ER, 5 BB, 28 K's.

Zack Kroenke: 11 games, 1-0, 2 saves, 5.28 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 15.1 IP, 15 hits, 9 ER, 4 BB, 14 K's.

Mike Dunn: 10 games, 1-2, 1 save, 4.35 ERA, 2.03 WHIP, 10.1 IP, 11 hits, 5 earned runs, 10 BB, 20 K's.

Grant Duff: 10 games, 0-0, 2 saves, 2.89 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 9.1 IP, 7 hits, 3 earned runs, 5 walked, 4 K's.

Thursday Night Open Thread: Bay Declines Boston's Offer

2009-11-19T19:42:00.001-05:00

- Jason Bay has declined Boston's first offer, a 4-year deal worth around $60 million. Here's more from Jon Heyman:

Boston's offer to Bay was believed to be for four years and "close to $60 million,'' according to sources. Bay thus will join star outfielder Matt Holliday and ace pitcher John Lackey as the biggest free agents on this year's market. The exclusive period for incumbent teams expires Friday at 12:01 a.m., when free agents can begin negotiating with other teams.

"Nothing will happen by day's end, but we'll keep talking," Bay's agent Joe Urbon said.

"It's not a surprise that a player that's gone this far wants to see what's out there,'' Red Sox GM Theo Epstein said by phone in Bay's regard, though Epstein declined comment on the team's talks with Bay.

- Derek Jeter is enjoying his time off. According to the NY Post, he's been spending some down time in a luxury beach house in St. Barts with girlfriend Minka Kelly. Things are good for the captain.... very good.

- Jayson Stark had this bit of info regarding the Yankees and their outfield plans: "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."

- Stark also wrote this article about the problems of revenue sharing.

- Andy Pettitte finally filed for free agency today. He was one of the last players to do so.

- Baseball America has the full list of Minor League free agents. The Yankees free agents are listed below:

New York Yankees (17)
RHP: Paul Bush (AA), Michael Gardner++ (AA), Justin Pope++ (AA), Humberto Sanchez (AAA), Jay Stephens (AA), Jose Valdez (AAA)
C: Brian Peterson (AAA), Chris Stewart (AAA)
3B: Eric Duncan (AAA), Carlos Mendoza+ (AA), Cody Ransom (AAA), Marcos Vechionacci (AA)
SS: Doug Bernier (AAA)
OF: Edwar Gonzalez (AA), Freddy Guzman (AAA), Richie Robnett (AA), John Rodriguez (AAA)

- Remember, teams can begin negotiating with free agents after tonight at midnight. So the real hot stove really begins tonight.

Yanks Interested In Soriano, Gonzalez?

2009-11-19T15:45:00.002-05:00

According to Ken Rosenthal via MLB Trade Rumors, he's been getting mixed signals from people around baseball.

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 prefers to address any bullpen holes from within, using the same strategy that they employed successfully last season.

In 77 games, Soriano, 29, went 1-6 with a 2.97 ERA and 1.057 WHIP. He also picked up 27 saves and in 75.2 innings allowed 25 earned runs on 53 hits, walked 27, and struck out 102.

Gonzalez, 31, went 5-4, with a 2.42 ERA, 1.197 WHIP, and 10 saves. In 74.1 innings he allowed 20 earned runs on 56 hits, walked 33, and struck out 90.

They're both solid relievers, though they're both coming from the NL and we know what can happen to NL pitchers in the AL. Still, I wouldn't mind the Yanks taking a shot with either if the contract is fair.

There were reports from earlier in the week that said the Red Sox were interested in both pitchers and have asked to see their medical records.

Should the Yanks make a run at one or even both Braves relievers?

Nightengale: Yanks Telling Teams Swisher is Available

2009-11-19T14:34:00.003-05:00

(UPDATE 4:02 p.m.) George A. King III is reporting that the Yankees are denying that Nick Swisher is on the market.

Bob Nightengale is reporting via Twitter, that "The Yankees, ever so quietly, are letting teams know that RF Nick Swisher is available."

This is a little strange, especially considering the question marks that surround the Yankees outfield for 2010. Maybe this means they will make a run at Matt Holliday.

Lincecum Wins Second Straight NL Cy Young

2009-11-19T14:18:00.002-05:00

In a very close contest, San Francisco's Tim Lincecum beat out St. Louis right-handers Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright to take home the 2009 NL Cy Young award. In 32 games for the Giants this season, Lincecum went 15-7, with a 2.48 ERA, a 1.05 WHIP, and in 225.1 innings pitched he allowed 62 earned runs on 168 hits, walked 68, and struck out an NL best 261.

Here's how the voting went down:

	1st	2nd	3rd	Points
Tim Lincecum	11	12	9	100
Chris Carpenter	9	14	7	94
Adam Wainwright	12	5	15	90
Javier Vazquez		1		3
Dan Haren			1	1

2009 World Series Film Trailer

2009-11-19T09:00:00.001-05:00

I didn't even know they made trailers for these things, but I guess they do now. Anyway, it looks pretty good. The DVD comes out on December 1st.

Selig Says He Will Condense Playoff Schedule

2009-11-19T01:29:00.001-05:00

Selig has responded to the comments made by Mike Scioscia earlier today and says he will work on condensing the postseason schedule. Here's more from Peter Abraham:

“We’re going to change it,” Selig told reporters in Chicago today. “I don’t disagree with Mike Scioscia. I think he was right, so we’re going to try and tighten that up. When you plan the playoff schedule, you don’t know how many games the first round would go. So it’s difficult. There were clubs that sat around. Some were necessary, but some were not.”

I think the best way to handle this is have the dates of the LCS and World Series be flexible. Either way, this is something that should be fixed, even though it did enable the Yankees to go with a three-man rotation, which is probably why they won.

11/18 Winter Ball Report

2009-11-18T23:43:00.002-05:00

Today in the AFL the Surprise Rafters defeated the Peoria Saguaros 11-9. The win improves the Rafters record to 15-16. (Box Score-Recap)

Offense:

Brandon Laird: 1-for-4, 2B, BB

Colin Curtis: 3-for-5, HR (5), 2 RBI, R

Now for an update from the Dominican, Mexican, Puerto Rican and Venezuelan Winter leagues.

Dominican League

Aguilas Cibaenas:
RHP Wilkins Arias: 13 games, 2-0, 5.40 ERA, 10.0 IP, 6 H, 6 ER, 4 BB, 8 K

Toros del Este:
RHP Humberto Sanchez: Has not played
SS Eduardo Nunez: 1-for-3, BB, R
RHP Josue Calzado: Has not played

Tigres del Licey:
1B Juan Miranda: .467/.560/.762, HR, 6 RBI, 3 2B, 2 BB, 5 R
RHP Jairo Heredia: Has not played.
RHP Hector Noesi: Has not played.
RHP Jonathan Ortiz: 6 games, 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 4 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K

Gigantes del Cibao:
RHP Gabriel Tatis: Has not played.

Estrellas de Oriente:
RHP Noel Castillo: Has not played.
INF Wady Rufino: Has not played.

Mexican League

Naranjeros de Hermosillo:
INF Walter Ibarra: .297/.333/.324 (11-for-37), 2B, 4 RBI, 7 R, 2 BB, SB
RHP Danny Gil: Has not played

Venezuelan League

Aguilas de Zulia:
RP Pat Venditte: 7 games, 1-0, 4.82 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 9.1 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 7 K
INF Luis Nunez: .250/.278/.289 (9-for-36), 2B, 3B, 6 RBI, 2 BB
RHP Josh Schmidt: 8 games, 1-3, 4.76 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 28.1 IP, 28 H, 20 R, 15 ER, 10 BB, 24 K

Cardenales de Lara:
INF Carlos Mendoza: 0-for-3
OF Edwar Gonzalez: .299/.373/.433 (20-for-67), 2 2B, 2 3B, HR, 11 RBI, 10 R, 5 BB, 3 SB

Caribes de Anzoategui:
C Jose Gil: Has not played.
INF Emerson Landoni: Has not played.
OF Eduardo Sosa: Has not played.
LHP Juan Marcano: Has not played.

Leones del Caracas:
RHP Romulo Sanchez: 11 games, 2-2, 3.77 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 14.1 IP, 10 H, 9 R, 6 ER, 6 BB, 20 K

Navegantes del Magallanes:
INF Marcos Vechionacci: .271/.340/.396 (13-for-48), 4 2B, 6 RBI, 4 BB
C Jesus Montero: .115/.207/.115 (3-for-26), 3 BB, 2 R
IF Reegie Corona: .340/.456/.468 (16-for-47), 6 2B, 6 RBI, 12 R, 10 BB, 2 SB

Puerto Rican League

Indios de Mayaguez:
RHP Amaury Sanit: 3 games, 1-0, 4.50 ERA, 2.00 WHIP, 2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

Wednesday Night Open Thread: Jeter To Host SNL

2009-11-18T19:13:00.005-05:00

(Jeter in a past appearance on SNL)

- According to this tweet from Entertainment2U, Derek Jeter will be hosting Saturday Nigth Live on December 12th. The musical guests will be Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, and Mr. Hudson. The show is terrible, but this might be reason enough to tune in. (hat-tip to Baseball Think Factory)

- Tyler Kepner takes an interesting look at the Manager of the Year results.

- Mike Scioscia used his day in the sun to complain about the postseason schedule again. He told AOL Fanhouse that he's "very hopeful and confident that they're going to tighten up that schedule a little bit. I think there's things that the commissioner is going to take to heart and look at."

He also said that he thinks "it goes against what the 162 games [of the regular season] stands for," Scioscia said.

Scioscia's biggest complaint was with the off days before the opening of the Division Series. Three of the four Division Series start on the Wednesday after the final Sunday of the regular season, with the fourth opening on Thursday.

That gives all teams a chance to set up their rotation, not just the ones that clinched early.

"I think that's absolutely the first step, yes," Scioscia said.

The postseason schedule was terrible, so I can't really blame Scioscia for this one.

- Boston let 26-year-old backup catcher George Kottaras go today, he was quickly picked up by the Milwaukee Brewers.

This photo above is just a random photo of Phil Rizzuto laughing at a fan who ran onto the field. It's completely irrelevant, but I thought it was a funny picture.

Olney: Yanks Have No Interest In Holliday

2009-11-18T16:18:00.001-05:00

This is a tweet from earlier today via Buster Olney (hat-tip to LenNY's Yankees):

NYY are not interested in signing Holliday. They'll talk to Boras to keep other bidders honest, but corner outfield not a priority for them.

I never was on the Holliday bandwagon so this doesn't bother me at all. With the kind of contract Holliday is surely looking for this is the smart move by the Yanks.

Some Halladay Rumblings

2009-11-18T14:30:00.001-05:00

From Jon Heyman:

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.

...

Back in July, Toronto was also asking for both Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes in a bigger package, and the Yankees never were going to do that. But with a year gone by now, the World Series winners might have a reasonable expectation that either Chamberlain or Hughes in a package might at least get the ball rolling. The Yankees also have several catching prospects to entice the Blue Jays, including Jesus Montero, who is still only 19 but is said by one scout to be "off the charts" as a hitting prospect and "better than he's given credit for as a catcher."

Heyman also says the Yanks are the favorite to land Halladay, with the Red Sox right there with them at the top.

Matthew Cerrone over at Mets Blog said that from what he's "gathered, the Yankees have told the Jays they will include Phil Hughes in a deal for halladay, as well as one of Austin Jackson or Jesus Montero."

I know the Yankees are going to have to give up something of value, so the kind of deal Cerrone mentions above wouldn't surprise me. I'm just not sure it's something the Yankees have to do. What about you, would you trade Hughes or Joba and Jackson or Montero for Halladay?

Tracy, Scioscia Named Managers of the Year

2009-11-18T14:05:00.003-05:00

Anaheim's Mike Scioscia and Colorado's Jim Tracy were named AL and NL Managers of the Year today.

Tracy probably deserved it more than Scioscia did, but they both did a great job this year. One dealt with death and injuries on a solid roster, the other turned a bad team into a good one over night. Yankees manager Joe Girardi finished third in the AL voting.

Here's how the voting went down:

AMERICAN LEAGUE VOTING:

	1st	2nd	3rd	Total
Mike Scioscia	15	10	1	106
Ron Gardenhire	6	12	6	72
Joe Girardi	4	3	5	34
Don Wakamatsu	2	2	3	19
Ron Washington	1	1	11	19
Jim Leyland			2	2

NATIONAL LEAGUE VOTING:

	1st	2nd	3rd	Total
Jim Tracy	29	2		151
Tony La Russa	2	13	6	55
Joe Torre	1	7	7	33
Bobby Cox		3	6	21
Bruce Bochy		5	3	18
Charlie Manuel		2	4	10
Fredi Gonzalez			4	4
Bud Black			2	2

Does Girardi have a shot at Manager of the Year?

2009-11-18T09:45:00.003-05:00

If you ask me I'd say no; the voters pay too much attention to payroll so I think that will hurt him tremendously. Anthony DiComo of Yankees.com took a look at his chances yesterday, here's some of what he had to say:

His job [with the Marlins], guiding a team of young players to a fourth-place finish, was quite different from his job this season, when he was charged with meshing three high-profile free agents into a clubhouse mixed with veterans and youngsters. When CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira and A.J. Burnett all began thriving during their first seasons in pinstripes, Girardi received a fair portion of the credit.

Girardi has also endured his share of criticism. His bold managerial moves in the postseason made waves, from his strict management of his bullpen to the most controversial topic of all, his use of a three-man rotation. That strategy, made possible by Sabathia's willingness to pitch twice on short rest, worked out. Other strategies did not.

Most often this season, Girardi was cautious. When Alex Rodriguez returned from hip surgery and began to struggle around midseason, Girardi gave the star slugger an entire weekend off and made sure to provide him with regular rest thereafter. When Hideki Matsui showed rust on his surgically repaired knees, Girardi forbade him from playing the outfield, resting him in nine consecutive Interleague games in June and confining him to a pinch-hitting role during the three World Series games at Citizens Bank Park.

Matsui returned from his Interleague benching on a tear, then was named the World Series MVP despite starting only three of the games.

DiComo also pointed out that while Girardi was great, he will lose votes because of the payroll and the quality roster he had to work with, but with the exception of a week here and there Joe Girardi did nearly everything right this year.

Regardless of whether he wins the award or not he deserves a ton of credit from us fans for what he did this season. There were times where I had my doubts, but he got them where they're supposed to be and you can't take that away from him.

Off the field he was just as good, handling the media flawlessly after a rocky first season, handling controversy and minimizing distractions, and even organizing that pool tournament at the beginning of Spring Training so that the team could bond. Many players pointed to that moment as the time this team came together.

Between the off the field stuff, keeping everyone rested and healthy, making bold moves (the three-man rotation throughout the playoffs) regardless of the second guessing it could create, and bringing a clubhouse together, he did as good a job as any manager out there.

CC Happy With His Ring

2009-11-18T04:55:00.002-05:00

From George A. King III:

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.

He also wasn't too surprised by the outcome of the voting:

"I wasn't surprised at all," Sabathia said of Greinke winning. "He definitely deserved it. He had a 2.16 ERA in the American League. I don't care how many wins you have, that's pretty good."

I wouldn't expect CC to say anything different. He's a Yankee now, he knows what's really important.

11/17 Winter Ball Report

2009-11-17T22:13:00.003-05:00

The Surprise Rafters defeated the Mesa Solar Sox 9-2 today to improve to 14-16. (Box Score-Recap)

Offense:
Colin Curtis: 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, BB, 2 R, SB (3)

Pitching:
Ian Kennedy (W, 2-1): 5 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, pitches-strikes: 66-50, 4.25 ERA

(click on pitcher's name for PitchFX data)

- Check out this article from MLB.com's Danny Wild about Ian Kennedy and his offseason in Arizona. Kennedy had this to say about today's performance:

"Today was probably the best I've thrown my two-seamer. I have lot more confidence with it," said Kennedy, who made one appearance with New York this season following surgery in May. "I've always said I needed to work on it before and now I've got a real solid chance to see the results. It's really hard during the season, you're trying to compete."

- Project Prospect came out with their list of the top 15 centerfield prospects, and recent Yankees draft pick Slade Heathcott was ranked 14th.

Tuesday Night Open Thread: Joba's Role Still Undefined

2009-11-17T19:24:00.005-05:00

Determining Joba Chamberlain's role for the 2010 season is one of the many things on the Yankees to-do list this offseason, but as of now that role is still undefined.

As for Chamberlain, the Yankees have not yet told him whether he should prepare as a starting pitcher or a reliever. With Spring Training still three months away, Chamberlain has not even begun working out again, much less throwing.

...

The only hints he has received have come from general manager Brian Cashman, who said last week that he envisioned both Chamberlain and Phil Hughes as starters -- but starters who are capable of relieving.

"So he didn't really answer the question," Chamberlain cracked.

No, he didn't. And he has no reason to until the Yankees have more clarity regarding the rest of their rotation.

I'm still unsure about what they should do. I just don't know what he going to give the Yanks as a starter. I know his innings limit is basically gone so that distraction won't be there next year, which could help. The Yankees are also in need of a starter or two, and if Joba could be solid in a starting role it would be a huge boost.

...

Also in the article from Bryan Hoch is this quote from Joba about Andy Pettitte:

"Andy [Pettitte] has been my greatest friend -- not only baseball-wise, but trying to grow up as a man and a human being," Chamberlain said on Tuesday .... "We'd obviously love to have him back, and that's a decision he's going to have to make with his family and himself and go from there."

They need Pettitte back, we all know this.

...

Here's some cool GigaPan photos from this year's World Series.

...

Got this link in my inbox this morning from Chris Jaffe, a writer from The Hardball Times. It's an excerpt from a book he wrote titled "Evaluating Baseball's Managers". The excerpt looks at former Yankees player and manager, Billy Martin. The book comes out next month.

...

According to Joel Sherman, Yomiuri Giants pitcher Hisanori Takahashi has become free agency, and is hoping to play in majors next year. In Japan this season the 34-year-old went 10-6, with a 2.94 ERA.

...

Jesse Spector points out 27 things about the Yankees 27 championships.

Some Rumors From George King

2009-11-17T16:12:00.003-05:00

George A. King III had a few interesting pieces of info in his article this morning, here's the rundown. King said that Cashman still doesn't have a concrete idea about the free agent market. The team has still not had their meetings but "will chair the pro scout meetings that start tomorrow, so the Yankees may know better what the markets -- trade and free agency -- look like."

He also said that John Lackey's reps contacted the Yankees, but that another agent speculated that Lackey could get a deal like the seven-year, $126 deal Barry Zito got in 2007. If that's the case there's no way the Yanks will do that.

He mentions Ben Sheets as a backup plan. Cashman told him "We will go through the scouting reports and see where the market is.

"After we decide what it is, that will determine if we have less or more (interest)."

According to Sheets' agent, Dr. James Andrews said that Sheets will be 100% by the beginning of spring training. If he is actually 100% healthy, signing him to an incentive-laden deal would probably be a smart move.

There was also this quote about Curtis Granderson: "Acquiring Tigers center fielder and left-handed hitter Curtis Granderson is an intriguing option, even if it means parting with Joba Chamberlain." I'm not sure I'm too content with the idea of giving up Joba for him. Do the Yankees really need Granderson that badly? I don't think so.

Yanks Decline Mitre's Option

2009-11-17T15:17:00.002-05:00

The NY Post is reporting that the Yankees have declined Sergio Mitre's $1.25 million option for the 2010 season. Mitre is arbitration eligible so he's still under Yankees control. There was talk earlier this offseason that the Yanks wanted to keep him around, so I expect them to come to some sort of deal.