Yankees DFA Chase Wright

In order to make room for Andy Pettitte on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated left-hander Chase Wright for assignment. Wright was infamous for surrendering four consecutive home runs to the Boston Red Sox back in 2007. The last pitcher to do that was Paul Foytack (who was born in Scranton) in 1963. Wright went 10-3 with a 2.72 ERA in combined 135 innings with Tampa, Trenton and Scranton.

The Yankees have 10 days to trade, outright or place Wright on waivers. I could see a team giving him a shot to compete for a bullpen role in spring training. With Phil Coke in the fold, the Yankees didn't really need Wright anyway.

I did get a chance to interview Wright two seasons ago, and he is a tremendously polite, soft-spoken guy. I hope he finds a big league gig this season.

Yankees sign Pettitte to $5.5 million deal

The Yankees put the finishing touches on their 2009 starting rotation today by signing left-handed pitcher Andy Pettitte to a one-year, incentive-laden contract with a base salary of $5.5 million. Depending on how well Pettitte pitches, he has the chance to make an additional $6.5 million. According to Peter Abraham, the incentives are based on total innings pitched and time spent on the roster, so if Pettitte is his usual durable, semi-effective self, he will likely make the full $12 million. I'm surprised that he was willing to take a the $5.5 million base salary, but it just shows how serious he was about wanting to return.

As of now, the rotation will consist of CC Sabathia, Chien-Ming Wang, A.J. Burnett, Andy Pettitte and Joba Chamberlain. On paper, this could be one of the better Yankee rotations in recent memory. If Sabathia and Wang can both stay healthy for an entire season, the Yankees have an extremely potent 1-2 punch. If Burnett exceeds expectations, it'll be like having three quality aces. Add Andy to the mix and you have another dependable starter to help limit Chamberlain's innings. Things don't usually work out as planned, but the Yankees have Alfredo Aceves, Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy waiting in the wings.

Yankees, Pettitte in "serious talks"

Good news, Yankee fans. It appears as though Andy Pettitte and the Yankee are making some serious headway in contract negotiations. Jon Heyman has the story:

Both sides are working hard to push through a one-year contract. Indications are that Pettitte will receive less guaranteed money than the $10 million the Yankees originally had on the table for two months before he turned it down. (source)

For less than the original $10 million? Wow. If this turns out to be true, I'll be impressed. Odds are he'll end up making more than $12 million with some incentives, but its still a pretty solid deal. Especially considering the fact that Phil Hughes won't be blocked. I'll update this as more news comes in, and eventually I'll blog about Joe Torre's book. I just didn't have it in me yesterday.

Heyman: Yankees interested in Pettitte, Sheets

via SI.com's Jon Heyman:

The Yankees are still talking to free agent pitchers Andy Pettitte and Ben Sheets as they seek to add yet another veteran pitcher to their vastly improved rotation. The Yankees are believed to be offering less guaranteed money than the $10 million that was on the table for months for Pettitte but still may prefer to bring him back.

Heyman notes that the Yankees are one of a few teams looking at the pitcher after his representatives sent a new medical report around the majors. He also noted that most teams are nervous about giving Sheets more than a one-year deal. If the Yankees can land Sheets for $10 million, it'd be great. Odds are he wants more, but as spring training draws near, he may have to settle for less. The same goes for Pettitte, who the Yankees probably prefer because of his AL experience and durability.

Adding to the Competition

The Yankees have two real options for center field: Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner. Both have their perks; Gardner boasts blazing speed, a great work ethic and a solid glove. Melky, on the other hand, could be a tweak of the swing away from a consistent .290 hitter with a strong arm. Both players have their question marks as well. Gardner struck out at a disgusting rate during his first big league stint, and Cabrera just had a terrible season overall.

Yeah, those are the guys competing for the starting center field job.

With only three weeks before pitchers and catchers report for spring training, the Yankees really should explore the possibility of adding a few more players into the mix. I mean, the goal is to field the best possible team.

So, here is what I propose: Sign Jim Edmonds.

Sign him to a minor league contract, full of incentives. The guy has always been a gamer and still has plenty of fight left in him. He's always been viewed as a good clubhouse guy, but more importantly and he could help the team.

He is in no way the defender he was five years ago, but after logging a 2.60 range factor (2.66 was average in 2008) and making 45 plays out of the zone in only 103 games - you can't really say he's a bad defensive outfielder - he's simply average. His experience at the position also gives him an edge. I did get a chance to see him play last year, and he still looks great in the field.

His .235/.343/.475 line looks a bit rough, but if you take away his awful April, he hit closer to .260. He managed to hit a combined .291 and 11 homers in June and July as well. While his bat has definitely slowed down, he can still hit for some power and not embarrass himself at the plate. Splitting time with Gardner or Cabrera would also help keep him fresh.

The key here is that it would be a "low risk" deal. If Edmonds shows that he can still play, the Yankees have a cheap center fielder. If not, they only need to cut him. While I am a fan of Brett Gardner, and I do think Melky can still be a very serviceable player, adding another player to the mix could help everyone push a bit harder.

Caldera: Yanks, Pettitte talking

According to Pete Caldera, the Yankees and Andy Pettitte continue to have contract negotiations, but the organization does not think the pitcher will sign for the previously offered $10.5 million. Despite this, the Yankees still prefer Pettitte over the other pitchers on the market. Caldera mentions that the team is comfortable with Phil Hughes as the fifth starter, but if Ben Sheets was willing to take a one-year deal, they'd definitely be interested.

I'm not sure why the two parties have yet to compromise yet. We all know that Pettitte is not worth $16 million next season, but it could be argued that he's worth more than the $10.5 million offered. Either the Yankees aren't budging, or Pettitte is refusing to take a pay cut - its hard to know. A $13 million contract would be more than fair for the lefty.

To put things in perspective, the average U.S. salary is about $50,000 per year. That means the average person would have to work the same job without a promotion for 210 years before making the nine-month salary that Pettitte rejected (not counting taxes). I'm not saying that Pettitte isn't a good pitcher, or that the Yankees should avoid signing him, but to think that he's worth $16 million next season is asinine. He'd be an asset to the team, but only if the price is right.

Meanwhile, the Astros are not planning on signing the left-hander. That leaves the Yankees as the only team vying for his services.

If I had to make a prediction, I think Pettitte will eventually sign a one-year deal with the Yankees, probably worth between $12 and $14 million.

Yankees set to build Vacation Stadium

I love The Onion. In honor of moving day, check out the Yankees plans for their new "Vacation Stadium" in the Hamptons.



Be sure to check out Peter Abraham's blog for pictures of the move. Let's hope the Assistant to the Traveling Secretary doesn't wear his Gore-Tex. We don't want anyone knocking over World Series Trophies.

Veteran Scout on Gardner and Cabrera

via Anthony McCarron of the New York Daily News:

"They’re both missing something that would make that position more secure," said a veteran major league scout, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "Right now, Brett Gardner has that outstanding speed but doesn’t hit enough. And Cabrera’s just OK as a hitter and fielder. This could be a gamble."

As of now, Gardner is the more solid option. His combination of speed and defense will both charge the bottom of the order and save runs in the outfield. The scout had more to say about the center fielder:

"If he hits the ball on the ground to the right of second base, they’ll have one hell of a time throwing him out," said the scout, who last season clocked Gardner to first in 3.5 seconds on a bunt. "I’d spend a lot of time with him on bunting, dragging it and pushing it. He could add another 15 hits a year. And even if he doesn’t get a hit, he can cause the infielders, especially the shortstop, to hurry their throws and they’ll screw it up sometimes."

"There were a lot of center fielders like him in the majors 20 years ago. There are not many of them now, but that doesn’t mean his skill set doesn’t translate. Mickey Rivers would be the last time we’ve had anybody like this, so it hasn’t been the typical model for the Yankees. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be."

Technically, the Yankees have four players to chose from when it comes to center field; Cabrera, Gardner, Nick Swisher and Austin Jackson. Jackson likely needs more time in the minors and Swisher is the weakest defender of the four, so he's better suited to a corner spot. Melky brings a strong arm and a .268 career batting average to the table. There is still a chance that he could develop into a solid center fielder, but as of now he's nothing more than an excellent backup outfielder.

Gardner, on the other hand is pretty much unproven. He's put up solid numbers in the minors, and his skill set could be valuable to the Yankees, who are pretty lacking in speed. He did not hit well during his first big league stint and struck out more than usual, but Gardner did manage to post a .283 batting average in the final month of the season. Generally, it takes him time to get adjusted to another level, so we could see a much more polished player come spring training - especially if he cuts down on the K's.

This should be a fun competition to watch in spring training. My money is on Gardner. I have a feeling Joe Girardi may be pretty high on the speedster. Even if Gardner doesn't pan out, the Yankees always have Melky. If Cabrera can't handle the job, Austin Jackson is waiting in the wings.

Be sure to check out Jane Heller's new book

Jane Heller, author of Confessions of a She-Fan, has a book coming out of the same title. Here is the video advertisement for it:


My copy is in the mail. Be sure to check it out. Sometimes its nice getting a less technical side of baseball, and Jane is a terrific writer.

Yankees News and Rumor Roundup: 1/22/2008

The Yankees and Mets are leading the Freddy Garcia sweepstakes. Both New York teams are in the lead to land the oft-injured pitcher. According to FoxSports, Garcia wants a major league contract. This would actually be a decent low risk signing for the Yanks. If he proves that his injury is behind him, Garcia could be one of the better back of the rotation starters in the league. I think he'll settle for a cheap deal as well.
Update: The Mets have supposedly signed Garcia to a minor league contract. If he makes the big league club, he could make almost $9 million.

Earlier this week, Ken Rosenthal suggested that the Yankees explore signing Ben Sheets and Juan Cruz in order to further strengthen the bullpen. He mentions that the extent of the Yankees' interest in the players is unknown, but both make sense for the club. If Sheets is willing to take a one-year deal, I'd be all for it. Cruz is a much more interesting option, however. The hard-throwing right-hander boasts a smooth, fluid delivery and has posted up some very impressive numbers in his eight year career. He wouldn't even cost the Yankees a draft pick. Thanks for helping us protect, Mr. Cole.

Baseball Intellect ranked the top 15 prospects in the organization, and Jesus Montero is listed as the best. Check out their detailed recaps on each of the players. Who are you excited about? I can't wait to see Mark Melancon pitch at the big league level.

Speaking of prospects, ESPN's Keith Law ranked the Yankees farm system as the 15th best in major league baseball. He also ranked the Top 100 prospects in the game, and outfielder Austin Jackson was the highest Yankee listed at no. 46. The only other Yankee prospects on the list were Jesus Montero (83) and Andrew Brackman (95). Dellin Betanches (ranked at no.2 by the aforementioned Baseball Intellect) just missed making the Top 100.

According to Jon Heyman, the Yankees are supposedly getting more interest in Nick Swisher than Xavier Nady. It still seems like the Yankees would prefer to move Nady, and I think a deal could happen within the next two weeks.

Melky Cabrera settled for $1.4 million with the Yankees. Ah well, he's great for a backup outfielder; a strong arm, some speed and power. Put this one in the almost "not worth the money" category.

Yanks avoid arbitration with Nady, Receive Melky and Bruney's demands

Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times (Thanks, RAB) is reporting that the Yankees and outfielder Xavier Nady have agreed to a $6.55 million contract for 2009, this avoiding arbitration. The team still has to deal with the cases for Melky Cabrera and Brian Bruney.

Now that they've officialized Nady's salary for 2009, the Yankees will likely move forward with their plan of trading the outfielder. The Nationals, Reds, Pirates and Braves have all been listed as possible suitors, but more teams may explore trading for him now that they know his salary.

Like I've said before, Nady or Swisher will bring back the most talent in a trade, and it makes more sense for the Yankees to trade Nady because of Swisher's affordability over the next few seasons.

Meanwhile, Brian Bruney asked for $1.55 million, and the Yankees offered him $1.1 million. A deal will likely get done quickly between the two. Cabrera asked for $1.7 million, while the Yankees offered him $1.2 mil. Bruney's asking price was much more reasonable than Cabrera's demands. $1.7 million is a bit pricey for an extra outfielder, don't you think? I'm sure Kevin Thompson would have done the job for less than half of that.

Does Lo Duca make sense for the Yankees?

Chris at iYankees and Ben at River Ave. Blues both noted Steve Goldman's blog post regarding the Yankees need for an additional catcher. I can admit that I'm a bit nervous about Posada's health and durability for next season. He's a very important cog in the offensive machine, plus he works well with the pitching staff. The Yankees may want to plan ahead here and sign another experienced catcher should Posada break down next year. I think Pudge and Varitek are pretty much out of the question, but Paul Lo Duca could make sense. The former Met had a rocky 2008, but he might be willing to take a minor league contract and could bring more offense to the table than Jose Molina. He'd also be a good bench guy to have around, and can play first base and a left field in a pinch.

Nine Yankees to play in WBC

So the rosters for the 2009 World Baseball Classic rosters have been released, and as of now, eight Yankees will participate in the tournament:

We already know that Derek Jeter will play for Team USA and Alex Rodriguez will man the hot corner for the Dominican Republic, but Arod will have some company in the infield thanks to Robinson Cano's decision to join the Dominican team. Jose Veras, Edwar Ramirez, Damaso Marte and Melky Cabrera will also play for Team DR. Alfredo Aceves will pitch for Mexico, and Francisco Cervelli will play for Italy.

Four minor league players will also participate; Kai Liu (China), Jahdiel Santamaria (Panama), Jorge Vazquez (Mexico) and Zhenwang Zhang (China). I figure they don't really count as actual Yankees because they have not played at the major league level yet.

Of those four, Vazquez is possibly the most advanced. The infielder posted a .330 AVG and a team-leading 18 home runs for the Quintana Roo Tigers in 2009. The Yankees signed him earlier this winter.

I'm a little nervous that 42% of the bullpen might pitch for the Dominican Republic, but I suppose they'll have plenty of pitchers. If anything, Marte will probably get the most work as a situational lefty.

Tony Pena's 2003 Manager of the Year trophy for sale

If you're willing to spend $450 on a trophy with someone else's name on it (or you are also coincidentally named Tony Pena) head over to eBay and take a gander at the current bench coach's 2003 MotY award. This is sort of like the time Manny Ramirez sold his grill on eBay, but in that case, the item up for auction was probably more useful.

Braves lose interest in the Nadster

via Ken Rosenthal:

Money is tighter following the team's combined $83 million commitment to pitchers Derek Lowe and Kenshin Kawakami, and the club is content to wait for potential bargains to develop on the free-agent market.

A trade remains a possibility, but the Braves are unwilling to meet the Yankees' price for outfielder Xavier Nady, knowing they might get better deals in July.

At first I thought this might actually be about the Yankees asking price, but it could very well be about the Braves payroll. After all, they did just sign Derek Lowe to a four-year $60 million deal and Kenshin Kawakami to a three-year, $23 million contract. You'd think that would give Atlanta enough pitching depth to deal one of their starters, but the Yankees could have wanted more. You never really know. Maybe Andruw Jones has already agreed to a very inexpensive deal with with the Braves. That would certainly diminish their need for an outfielder.

Either way, I'm still on the fence about keeping Nady. On one hand, the Yankees could use a deeper bench, and the offense would be extremely potent if they play Swisher in center and Nady in right. However, they do need another starter, and there are plenty of teams that would give up a pitcher and maybe a prospect in exchange for a bat of Nady's caliber. We'll just have to wait and see.

RIP Todd Drew, Yankee Blogger

By now, most have you have probably heard about the unfortunate and tragic loss of fellow blogger Todd Drew. Like many in the circle of Yankee bloggers, I hardly knew Todd, but a loss like this hurts both the fans and bloggers alike who enjoy reading his work.

Drew, who succumbed to cancer at the age of 41, created Yankees For Justice and was a regular contributor at The Bronx Banter. Alex Belth addresses the loss here, and you can read Todd's final post on his blog here.

Based on what I've read of his work, he had a pure love for baseball. For most fans, that purity can get sullied over the years due to waning interest, frustration with the team or a multitude of other reasons. However, Todd's pure love for the sport remained strong throughout his life and seeped into his writing.

The Yankees universe lost a wonderful fan and a terrific blogger. My condolences go out to the Drew family.

Enjoy the season Todd, you'll have the best seats in the house.

Projecting the S/WB Yankees

Now that the Yankees have released their list of spring training invites, we can get a pretty good idea of how the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees will look come opening day on April 9.

Catcher:
It seems The Yankees signed Triple-A veteran Kevin Cash to serve as the primary catcher for Scranton, so Cervelli and Pilittere will compete in spring training for the backup spot. The Yankees will probably want to avoid stunting Cervelli's development, so he will probably end up as the everyday Trenton catcher where he can maximize his playing time.
Prediction: Kevin Cash and P.J. Pilittere

Corner Infield:
Juan Miranda will likely reclaim his spot at first base, and Eric Duncan will probably start at third. Now that the Yankees have signed Teixeira, Miranda's hopes of getting regular playing time in New York are greatly diminished. If he has a big season with the bat, I could see the Yankees moving him. Maybe 2009 is finally Duncan's year? Let's hope so. I still think he can make it as a bench player in the future. I could see Justin Leone splitting time between first, third and the outfield. He hit lefties really well last year, so he'd be a great platoon partner for both Miranda and Duncan who seriously struggled against southpaws.
Prediction: Miranda at first base, Duncan at third.

Middle Infield:
There are so many players to choose from here. With a decent spring, Angel Berroa could make the Yankees, so I am going to predict that Doug Bernier will start at either shortstop or second base. Depending on where he starts, Kevin Russo or Ramiro Pena could get the nod at second base or short. This one is up to Dave Miley, but he has plenty of decent candidates to choose from.
Prediction: Bernier at shortstop, Russo at second base.

Outfield:
Again, the team has plenty of options here: Shelley Duncan, Todd Linden, Justin Leone, Tim Battle, John Rodriguez will compete for the corner jobs, while Austin Jackson will likely start in center field. I think Duncan will serve as a designated hitter for the most part, and John Rodrigez will likely play left field.
Prediction: Rodriguez is left, Jackson in center, Linden and Battle splitting time in right.

Starting Rotation:
Barring a trade, Ian Kennedy and Kei Igawa will form one of the most potent 1-2 punches in the International League. The rest of the rotation is up the air, and a lot will depend on who makes the big league club. Alfredo Aceves, Phil Coke, and Jason Johnson will all be in the mix, and if Alan Horne is healthy he will likely be the fifth starter.
Prediction: Kennedy, Igawa, Coke, Johnson, Horne

Bullpen:
Mos of the pen will be decided during spring training, but Mark Melancon will likely serve as the closer. After a rough off season, Jon Albaladejo will likely spend time in Triple-A next year, and J.B. Cox will need to prove that he's healthy before getting a shot at the majors. Aside from Melancon, Jackson is another sure thing thanks a very strong second half last year.
Prediction: Melancon, Jackson, Albaladejo, Sanchez, Cox, Wright, Clagget

2009 Projected Opening Day Roster:
C - Kevin Cash
1B - Jaun Miranda
2B - Kevin Ruso
SS - Doug Bernier
3B - Eric Duncan
LF - John Rodriguez
CF - Austin Jackson
RF - Todd Linden
DH - Shelley Duncan

C - P.J. Pilittere
INF - Ramiro Pena
INF/OF - Justin Leone
OF- Battle

SP - Ian Kennedy,Kei Igawa, Phil Coke, Jason Johnson, Alan Horne
RP - Mark Melancon, Steven Jackson, Jonathan Albaladejo, Humberto Sanchez, JB Cox, Chase Wright, Clagget

Yankees invite 20 to spring training

The Yankees announced that they will invite 20 players to spring training in a press statement released earlier today. Most of the names on the list come as no surprise - we've known about Sergio Mitre for months and Angel Berroa since last week. The only knew name on the list was outfielder Todd Linden, who spent last season with the Triple-A affiliates of the A's and Indians. Interestingly, Shelley Duncan was invited, which means that he cleared waivers and will likely spend 2009 with the S/WB Yankees. Anyway, here is the list, sorted by position (I bolded the players who have appeared in the majors):

C - Kyle Anson
C - Kevin Cash
C - PJ Pilittere
C - Jesus Montero
C - Austin Romine
SS - Doug Bernier
SS - Angel Berroa
SS - Eduardo Nunez
SS - Ramiro Pena
2B - Kevin Russo
3B - Justin Leone
RF - Shelly Duncan
OF - John Rodriguez
CF - Austin Jackson
LF - Todd Linden
OF - Colin Curtis
SP - Kei Igawa
SP - Jason Johnson
RP - Sergio Mitre
RP - Mark Melancon

So, those 20 players, as well as the 40-man roster will make up the spring training squad.No word yet on whether or not Billy Crystal will come out of retirement.

In terms of position battles, Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner will compete for the center field spot, but Austin Jackson could be the dark horse. Angel Berroa and Cody Ransom will fight for the utility infielder role. Phil Hughes, Alfredo Aceves, Ian Kennedy, Kei Igawa and Jason Johnson could compete for the final spot in the rotation, should the Yankees fail to sign a starter before February. Speaking of which, they are supposedly interested in Freddy Garcia, who could sign with a club soon.

Do the Yankees really need Pettitte?

Earlier this morning, Peter Abraham argued that the Yankees need more depth in the rotation, and signing Andy Pettitte would solve the problem. Derek Lowe's $16 million-per-year salary will only give leverage to Pettitte, who thinks he's worth more than $10 million next season.

I agree that the Yankees need another pitcher, but to limit themselves only to Pettitte, who is very unwilling to compromise, could be a bad idea. There are several starters on the free agent market that would likely take less money than Pettitte and a one-year deal. Randy Wolf, Odalis Perez, Livan Hernandez, Shawn Chacon and Jason Jennings come to mind. Wolf and Perez are probably the better options, while Hernandez, Chacon and Jenningns could be "bounce back" candidates and could take less money to sign.

Maybe dealing for a pitcher that is a free agent after 2009 would be a better plan. The Yankees have a surplus of pitching depth in the minors, and they may want to avoid blocking starters like Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy. The Yankees could try to land Kelvim Escobar, Jarrod Washburn, Brett Myers or Vincente Padilla for a package of Xavier Nady and two or three prospects.

On that same hand, Hughes could finally be ready for the big leagues. Alfredo Aceves could show the organization that 2008 was not a fluke. Maybe Kennedy turned a corner while pitching in the Winter League. Kei Igawa could even surprise the Yankees and come up big in Spring Training. But everyone I just listed is more of a gamble than the aforementioned Hernandez, Chacon and Jennings. The Yankees need more of a sure bet to round out the rotation.

One thing is for sure, the Yankees have more options than just Pettitte. He may be one of the more durable free agent pitchers, but the Yankees should not limit themselves to one choice. Especially if it means saving a bit of money and not giving in to a pitcher's unwarranted demands.

Braves like Nady/Swisher, Orioles Sign JC

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Braves are looking to improve their offense and have spoken with the Yankees about Xavier Nady and Nick Swisher. The Braves have one of the best farm systems in the game, and the Yankees could land a solid outfield prospect and releif arm if they deal Nady to Atlanta.

Meanwhile, Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun is reporting that the O's have signed speedy outfielder Justin Christian to a minor league contract. Christian was one of the most dynamic player on the S/WB Yankees last season and he could be worthy of a bench spot in the majors if he's allowed to play the infield, which is something the Yankees would not allow. Either way, Baltimore is an odd choice - the O's already have Ryan Freel on their bench, and he brings the same skill set to the table.

If you get a chance, check out J and J Sports Talk, which covers more than just the Yankees and Mets.

Rosenthal on Cameron, Nady

via FoxSports:

The Yankees would prefer to trade Xavier Nady rather than Nick Swisher for three reasons, according to a rival executive. Swisher is A) under control for four years and Nady only one, B) a switch-hitter while Nady is right-handed and C) a more versatile defender, playing all three outfield positions and first base. Nady does not play center.

Rosenthal also notes that the Yankees have lost interest in Mike Cameron, and would likely prefer to pay Cameron's $10 million to Andy Pettitte. He thinks the Yankees could use a combination of Brett Gardner, Johnny Damon and the recently injured Melky Cabrera (Thanks RAB) in center field.

If the Yankees are even remotely comfortable with Damon in center, why not just keep Nady and Swisher? I can understand the need for solid defense in the outfield, but Damon is a plus defender in left and Nady is a few ticks above average in right. If Swisher plays center, he'll be sandwiched by serviceable defenders and can rely on his strong arm to counteract he weaker range. For the sake of the offense alone, just keep everyone.

That may not be happening, as Ken Davidoff notes. Another source has confirmed that the Yankees would prefer to trade Nady, although they have gotten several offers for Swisher.

More importantly, I'm glad that the interest in Mike Cameron has died down.

Update: After studying the URZ numbers for Swisher, I've come to the conclusion that he's a pretty bad defensive center fielder. Perhaps the best option is to trade Nady, and use Swisher in right, Gardner in center and Damon in left.

More on Nady, Swisher

Yankeeland has been abuzz with trade rumors surrounding Xavier Nady and Nick Swisher since the acquisition of Mark Teixeira - but the buzzing grew to a crescendo today with several journalists sounding off on possible destinations for the outfielders.

First, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle heard from a reliable source that "Yankees GM Brian Cashman wants to keep Swisher to replace Bobby Abreu in right field and deal Nady, who becomes a free agent after the 2009 season."Keeping Swisher and trading makes the most sense for the Yankees for several reasons.

Schulman speculates that the Giants could be interested in Nady, who could be used in right field or even first base. The Giants have several players that the Yankees should like: Jonathan Sanchez, Randy Winn, Aaron Rowand and Noah Lowry. The Giants have a surplus of pitching and a need for a right-handed bat, so the Yankees could look to bolster their rotation and add a center fielder by packaging Nady with a few prospects and acquiring Winn and Sanchez.

Chris Haft of MLB.com notes that Swisher may be a better fit for the Giants, but mentions that the Yankees would supposedly prefer to trade Nady. The Giants really need another outfielder, and the Yankees have expressed interest in several of their players before, so it seems very likely that one of the Yankees extra outfielders could end up in the Bay Area.

Interestingly, Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is reporting that the Pirates and Yankees have discussed both Swisher and Nady. I would not expect a deal to get done between them, but I'm glad the Yankees are fielding offers on both players. It shows that they are committed to getting the best possible players in any deal.

Meanwhile, Rob Neyer thinks that the Yankees should hold onto Nady, and argues that he's a very serviceable outfielder. I'm incline to agree. Like I've said before, the Yankees should seriously consider keeping Swisher and playing him in center field.

However, if they are inclined to make a trade, they should package Nady with Ian Kennedy, Juan Miranda and another prospect in exchange for Jonathan Sanchez and Randy Winn.

Replacing Andy

I'm sure most you by now have read Ken Davidoff's article on Andy Pettitte's dismay over contract negotiations with the Yankees. To sum up the stances on both ends: Pettitte and his representatives believe that he's worth more than $10 million a year, and because of his history with the Yankees, the organization should be willing to pay more for the left-hander. The Yankees feel that he is worth $10 million at best, and could consider lowering their offer or even pulling it all together. It appears as though Pettitte is now open to rejoining the Astros - if they want him. Either way, it is becoming more obvious every day that the lefty will not return to New York in 2009. The Dodgers and Astros remain the most likely destinations for him.

Without a doubt, Pettitte is an attractive option for the organization. A proven pitcher in the AL that's willing to take a one-year deal is a rare commodity. Especially for the Yankees, who need to keep the last spot in the rotation warm for Phil Hughes by plugging in a pitcher for only one season. Basically, they need someone to eat innings and keep them in games. Let's take a look at some of their options:

Free Agents:
Paul Byrd, Jon Garland, Jason Jennings, Shawn Chacon, Bartolo Colon, Shawn Estes, Freddy Garcia, Livan Hernandez, Orlando Hernandez, Jon Lieber, Esteban Loaiza, Braden Looper, Derek Lowe, Pedro Martinez, Mark Mulder, Odalis Perez, Oliver Perez, Mark Prior, Tim Redding, Ben Sheets, Jeff Weaver, Randy Wolf, Derek Lowe.

Trade Targets:
Vincente Padilla, Jarrod Washburn, Erick Bedard, Brett Myers, Jonathan Sanchez.

Internal Options:
Phil Hughes, Alfredo Aceves, Phil Coke, Ian Kennedy, Kei Igawa, Jason Johnson.

The Best Bargains:
Braden Looper
Has Type-B status and experience pitching in New York. He probably wants a mult-year deal, but the Yankees could try to pay him a high salary in return for taking a one-year deal.

Randy Wolf
The left-hander could also be swayed by a high annual salary, but has a bad track record against AL teams. He posted a 2.64 ERA in 34 innings at home for the Astros last season.

Paul Byrd
Its rumored that he may consider retirement, but the veteran right-hander could be willing to pitch one final year in the new Yankee stadium. He might even take a one-year, $5 million contract.

Jarrod Washburn: Washburn is definitely not the pitcher he once was, but the left-hander has fared pretty well in the AL and is only owed $9.5 million in his walk year of 2009. He probably would not cost the Yankees much in the ways of prospects, and the Mariners need an outfielder.

Jonathan Sanchez: The Giants could show interest in Xaiver Nady, who would give them right-handed power in a corner outfield spot or first base. Perhaps the Yankees could package Ian Kennedy, Juan Miranda and Nady for Randy Winn and Sanchez? Winn is a terrific defender in the outfield and Sanchez could eat innings in the five spot in 2009, and maybe shift to the pen once Phil Hughes is ready.

There are plenty of other options available on the market, as well as on the farm. However, most of the in-house candidates are not in the condition to pitch a full season and can't be counted on to perform. The organization gambled on the success of Ian Kennedy and Phil Hughes at the start of last season and things didn't really pan out. The best bet for a strong season is to fill the rotation with dependable starters at the start.

So, who do you think should occupy the last available spot in the rotation?

Heyman on Outfield Logjam

Since the signing of Mark Teixeira, there have been a great deal of rumors about the Yankees trading one of their many outfielders. The two most likely candidates have always been Xavier Nady and the recently acquired Nick Swisher, and SI.com's Jon Heyman adds to those rumors, confirming that the Yankees are taking offers on both Swisher and Nady:

Swisher is a versatile player and can play some center field, as well. Some National League teams may be interested. However, Nady's trade value is higher after a better offensive season, so he may be just as likely to be dealt. Nady, acquired by the Yankees in a midseason trade with the Pirates, combined to hit .305 with 25 home runs and 97 RBIs for the year, while Swisher finished at .219 with 24 home runs and 69 RBIs for the White Sox before being dealt to the Yankees after the season.

Heyman notes that Hideki Matsui's no-trade clause and tender knees make him nearly impossible to move, and the Yankees will not trade Johnny Damon because they want him as the leadoff hitter.

The Reds and Braves are supposedly interested in Nady of Swisher, but the Mariners, Rangers, Mets, and Rockies all have a need for an outfielder. Perhaps the Yankees would explore trading for Jarrod Washburn, Vincente Padilla, Marlon Byrd or Huston Street.

I still think that the best choice would be to sacrifice the outfield defense by not trading anyone and playing either Damon or Swisher in center. It'd be worth it for the offense alone.

Yankees sign Angel Berroa

via Ken Rosenthal:

The Yankees have signed free-agent infielder Angel Berroa to a minor-league contract, according to major-league sources. Berroa, 30, is expected to compete with Cody Ransom for the utility infielder job. Berroa began last season with the Royals, but was traded to the Dodgers in June, where he filled in for the injured Rafael Furcal.

Big day for the Yankees, who have signed three free agents to minor league contracts in the past five hours. They need an additional backup infielder for the bench, and Cody Ransom is not the best shortstop, so I think both Berroa and Ransom could have a pretty good shot of making the team. Either way, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankee are going to have a very experienced squad next season with a rotation that could include Jason Johnson and Kei Igawa, plus a lineup that could feature Berroa, John Rodriguez and Justin Leone.

Yankee News and Rumors: 1/06/2009

The Yankees officially signed first baseman Mark Teixeira to an eight-year, $180 million contract and announced the signing this afternoon at what could be the final press conference at the old Yankee Stadium. Teixeira appeared to be very happy about becoming a member of the Yankees family. For my analysis of the Teixeira signing, go here.

In order to make room for Texieira, the Yankees designated Shelley Duncan for assignment. He has enough talent to get a job as a bench player in the big leagues, and I would not be surprised if the Cardinals, Braves or Pirates looked into signing the power-hitting first baseman.

Ken Rosenthal is reporting that outfielders Nick Swisher and Xavier Nady are drawing considerable interest. I'd be fine with Swisher in center field, and I highly doubt the Yankees will trade him without giving him a chance to play. As I've said before, Xavier Nady makes the most sense to trade. Thanks to his career year and cheap salary - teams may be very interested in him. John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer notes that the Red have "at least explored" trading for Xavier Nady. I think it would be a good idea to send the former Pirate to Seattle in exchange for Jarrod Washburn.

The Yankees will lower their $10 million offer to left-handed pitcher Andy Pettitte after he supposedly rejected the one-year contract. I can't believe Pettitte is refusing to take $10 million to play on a team as strong as the Yankees. I hate to say it, but it appears as though he is really showing his true colors.

Brian Cashman told Phil Coke to prepare to enter spring training as a starting pitcher. He'll compete with Phil Hughes, Alfredo Aceves, Ian Kennedy and the recently signed Jason Johnson to compete for the final spot in the rotation. Personally, I think Hughes and Aceves have the edge.

Major League Baseball suspended starting pitcher Sergio Mitre and reliever J.C. Romero of the Phillies for 50 games after tests showed that they violated the leagues performance enhancing drug policy. Interestingly, both pitchers released a statement that blamed a legally purchased product for failed test. Fortunately, Mitre will serve the suspension while rehabbing an injury.

According to the New York Post, the Yankees have signed outfielder John Rodriguez to a minor-league contract that will pay the 30 year-old $450,000plus (plus plate appearance-based incentives) if he makes the big league club. Rodriguez has had a very unlucky career, but he's definitely talented enough to make it as a backup outfielder at the major league level. I wonder if this deal could be a precursor to the Yanks moving Nady and Melky Cabrera?

The Oakland A's and Jason Giambi are close to a deal that will pay the slugger $4 million for 2009 and $6.5 million for 2010 if the A's pick up his option. Giambi will help bolster an Oakland offense that includes Matt Holliday, Eric Chavez and Jack Cust. Let's hope Giambi steers Holliday towards New York.

Former Yankee Carl Pavano signed a one-year deal with the Cleveland Indians. The oft-injured pitcher made only 26 starts in four seasons with the Yankees, and will make a base salary of $1.5 million. He could make an additional $5.3 million in incentives if he pitches well - but this makes me wonder why the Yankees didn't investigate resigning him. Yes, he burned the Yankees for four years, but one a one-year, incentive-laden deal, he might have actually been worth it.

Yankees sign Jason Johnson

According to the Journal News, the Yankees have signed right-handed pitcher Jason Johnson to a minor-league deal. Peter Abraham notes that Joe Girardi said Johnson would compete to be the fifth starter.

Johnson was actually a halfway decent pitcher a few years. He's always had an above-average sinking fastball that hits 93 MPH, a decent slider and good command. It does not appear as though his diabetes will be a problem anymore because he is allowed to wear an insulin pack. If he can get his game back on track and pitch a little better than he did with the Dodgers last season, he could really come in handy - in a Dan Giese sort of way. I highly doubt that the Yankees would be comfortable with Johnson as the fifth start all year, but Phil Hughes might show the organization that he's ready. I wonder if this is a message to Andy Pettitte, who supposedly rejected the Yankees offer again.

Plenty of Yankee-related news to blog about later, expect some new posts later on tonight.

Teixeira press conference is tomorrow

Mark Teixeira has passed his physical and the Yankees will hold a press conference to announce the signing of the switch-hitting first baseman. The conference will start at 1 p.m. and will be held at the old Yankee Stadium.

I haven't actually been excited about a press conference since the Yankees traded for Randy Johnson. It was during school, but we ended up having an early dismissal because of snow. I rushed home in time to watch him put on the enormous 41. For me, this is a different kind of excitement. Teixeira has been one of my favorite players for a while, so to see him slip into a Yankee jersey is going to be really special. I'm looking forward to the cliche answers, as well as the details of the contract.

Baseball America on Romine, Montero

via BA's Ben Badler:

Jesus Montero is the frequent target when it comes to talking about Yankees catching prospects that might have to change positions, but Romine has some work to do himself to become an adequate defender. While Romine has an excellent arm, he is not a good receiver—at least not yet. He’s athletic, but his footwork is a work in progress. Romine’s sample size of 450 innings as a 19-year-old is small because he split time behind the plate at low Class A Charleston with Montero. Ideally, Montero and Romine would be split up next year so each player could maximize his games behind the plate, but that scenario might not be possible.

As much as I'd like to see Montero make it behind the plate, his body is just not cut out for catching. At 19 years-old, he's 6-foot-4 and weighs 225 pounds. He's bigger than most of the current catchers in the MLB, and he's still got some growing to do. Montero seems to work well with pitchers and is in no way a terrible defender, but his build will likely be the reason for a positional move.

Romine, on the other hand, is smaller than Montero and has a better arm. He'll need to improve his receiving, game-calling and footwork in order to become a better catcher. He has plenty of potential in his bat, but let's hope he has the capacity to polish his defense. Keep an eye on both players this season. If Romine takes a big step forward defensively, Montero could be the one to change positions.

Teixeira could be introduced early next week

According to Bryan Hoch, the Yankees are planning on holding a press conference to announce the signing of first baseman Mark Texieira sometime next week. The switch-hitter agreed to terms with the Yankees on an eight-year, $180 million contract on December 23. He could take a physical as early as tomorrow. Barring the signing of either Andy Pettitte or Manny Ramirez, Teixeira's press conference will likely be the last in the Old Yankee Stadium. If that isn't incentive for Pettitte to take the $10 million offer, I don't know what is. At this point, the Yankees ought to just trade for someone else and let Andy go to back to Houston.

Kernan: Oliver Perez final piece for Yanks

via the New York Post:

The Yankees are waiting on Andy Pettitte, but there is another lefty available at basically Pettitte dollars and that's Oliver Perez. Signing Perez would cement the Yankees' rotation for years to come and would give them flexibility with Joba Chamberlain.

"Putting Perez on the Yankees would be a great move," says one top pitching evaluator. "That would be the perfect environment for him. He would be more focused there. He needs strong leadership around him, and pitching in front of a packed house, he would not be complacent."

I can't say this is a really good idea, and I'm glad it's only speculation. The mere fact that Pettitte is (supposedly) willing to take a one-year deal is a major perk for the Yankees, who should avoid blocking Phil Hughes. That being said, Perez should not be an option at all - even if Pettitte does not return. Perez has yet to post a 200 inning season, boasts a 4.76 BB/9 IP and has only pitched in the National League. The Yankees need a durable, dependable pitcher on an inexpensive one-year deal. The best option is either Pettitte, or trading for Jarrod Washburn - who is a free agent at the end of 2009 and only owed $10.35 million.

Olney: Giants could put Rowand/Winn on the block

Now that the Giants are supposedly in the market for Manny Ramirez, Buster Olney notes that they'll have to make room on the field and on the payroll for the slugger by trading either Aaron Rowand or Randy Winn. If the price is right, both players could make sense for the Yankees. As much as I like Aaron Rowand, Randy Winn would make more sense for the Yankees because he's a free agent after 2009 and only owed $8.25 million next season. He didn't play much center field last year, but he's often regarded as a solid defensive player with some power and above-average speed. If the Yankees were willing to take on his salary, he could probably be had for a couple of minor leaguers.

Klapisch on Girardi, Coke, DeJesus and Joba

Bob Klapisch made a few predictions for the 2009 season, several of which are Yankee-related. I'm glad he's high on Coke (hehe) but what really shocked me is that the Yanks supposedly inquired on David DeJesus.

Joe Girardi, Yankees: OK, we’ve beaten to death the suggestion that the Yankee manager needs to lighten up. Everyone knows it; even the front office has suggested to Girardi that he lower the RPMs. We’ll see if the skipper is free thinking enough to bat Teixeira behind Alex Rodriguez instead of the other way around. It might hurt A-Rod’s feelings, being removed from the vaunted cleanup spot, but the switch would greatly bolster the Yankees’ offense.

Phil Coke, Yankees: Just like the Mets’ Sean Green, Coke is one of those off-the-radar talents who is poised to take the American League by surprise. He already gave the Yankees a hint of his middle-inning efficiency, striking out more than a batter an inning while keeping opponents to a .160 average after a September call-up.

David DeJesus, Royals: He’d be the perfect solution for the Yankees in center field, given his age (29), his 73 RBI and his contract (owed $8.3 million through 2010). Considering the Royals have acquired Coco Crisp, could the Yankees possibly pry DeJesus away? They’ve inquired; so far, the answer is no.

Joba Chamberlain, Yankees: The DUI arrest in October was a crossroad moment for the Yankees’ future star. Chamberlain has apologized and says he’s learned a hard lesson. A budding career hangs in the balance.

Klapisch could not be more right about Joba. His DUI arrest sort of got swept under the carpet thanks to the big signings this off season. He'll have to show the Yankees that he can put his mistake behind him and rebound. As far as the Girardi prediction goes, I think we'll see a slightly different manager this year. His job isn't easy, and it takes getting used to. Phil Coke looked great during his big league stint last season and he has a great chance to make the team. I just hope he does better than Ross Ohlendorf. I also still think DeJesus would be a great fit for the Yankees, especially considering that led the AL in batting average with RISP last season.

Andruw Jones Available

Now that the Dodgers and Andruw Jones have reached an agreement on a reworked contract, the outfielder is likely on his way out of Los Angeles. The deal will help the Dodgers cut $12 million off their payroll thanks to Jones agreeing to defer a large portion of his salary. The Dodgers have agreed to "part ways" with Jones eventually.

Jones was dreadful last season, but if he's playing for a new contract he could put up some decent numbers in 2009. The Yankees are in need of a center fielder, and if Jones was willing to take a minor league contract similar to the one Morgan Ensberg had at the start of last season, it could work out nicely for the Yankees.

Klapisch: Teixiera could spell end for Jeter

By signing Mark Teixeira to an eight-year deal, the Yankees no longer have the luxury of shifting aging stars to first base. That means that Jorge Posada will be forced to catch or DH for the remainder of his Yankee career, and Derek Jeter can no longer move across the diamond once his paltry defense is noticeable by even the most casual fan.

Bob Klapisch notes that the addition of Teixeira could effectively force Jeter out of the Bronx once his contract is up after the 2010 season, and he makes a good point. I don't necessarily agree with him, but you don't need to be a sabermetrics master to realize Derek Jeter is declining - and fast. Take for example that 78% of his hits lasts season were singles. Don't forget that his .OBP and .SLG have been falling since 2005 and his defense is hardly award winning. The best bet for the Yankees is to let Derek Jeter finish his contract at shortstop, resign him to a fair deal and let him split time as the DH and shortstop. That way they can let one of Eduardo Nunez, Carmen Angelini or Addison Maruszak get used to filling Jeter's shoes.

WasWatching's Yankee Blog Survey

Be sure to check out Steve Lombardi's Yankee Blog survey at WasWatching. Steve does a wonderful job, and this could be a good chance to check out other blogs on his list. Here's a link to the survey. Be sure to tell your friends to get out and vote.