Bullpen, Check

Bryan Hoch notes that the Yankees, believe or not, have constructed a fairly formidable bullpen for 2009. It’s actually very strange, especially when you factor in the absolute confusion and utter disarray that has typified the Yankees’ bullpen over the past few years (outside of Mariano Rivera, of course, who turned 39 yesterday). Now, with Damaso Marte locked up, Joe Girardi has multiple options to go to when the situation calls for it. The setup guy role can be a mix-and-match job, at least at the beginning of the season. However, I predict that Marte will ultimately run away with the role.

Bruney and Veras  are certainly overpowering, but they can definitely lose it at times (control-wise). Meanwhile, although Edwar built on his forgettable 2007 campaign (a product of Joe Torre), he is still very prone to the long ball. Basically, Marte has the polished talent necessary for the job and substantial closing experience to boot. He’s also a veteran who knows what he’s doing out there.

Blog Bounce: Confessions of a She-Fan

Check out Jane’s take on the A-Rod and Madonna relationship. It’s funny and thoughtful.

Also, make sure to check in with Jane regularly. Her blog is great.

Arbitration Approaching

The Yankees need to figure out who they’re going to offer arbitration to by tomorrow night. Bobby Abreu will likely be offered arbitration and if he accepts (unlikely), the Yankees will live with that. Andy Pettitte can also be offered arbitration but I doubt that the Yankees want to pay him more than $16 million (if they wanted to they would have done it by now). It’ll be fun to see what occurs, as Abreu, Pettitte, I-Rod are interesting cases and could net the Yankees future draft picks (if they decline arbitration and sign with another team). The players will have a week to decide whether or not to accept their arbitration offers.

Be Upset

From the NY Times:

The Bloomberg administration was so intent on obtaining a free luxury suite for its own use at the new Yankee Stadium, newly released e-mail messages show, that the mayor’s aides pushed for a larger suite and free food, and eventually gave the Yankees 250 additional parking spaces in exchange.

The parking spaces were given to the team for the private use of Yankees officials, players and others; the spaces were originally planned for public parking. The city also turned over the rights to three new billboards along the Major Deegan Expressway, and whatever revenue they generate, as part of the deal.

So, the bargain in the end—the Yankees get private parking, the city gets luxury suites for their fat cat politicians (don’t get me started on Bloomberg) and you, the taxpayer, gets higher ticket prices and higher taxes, in general! You know, the next time you worry about the Yankees and their payroll, look back at this story and tell yourself the following: F**K THESE GUYS.

Does Ian Kennedy Suck?

A few folks over at the LoHud Blog (not Pete, but a substantial segment of his readers) seem to think so and I just can’t understand it. Pete was writing about Kennedy’s winter season in Puerto Rico, noting that it’s been a very solid one, and ended his post defending Kennedy’s lackluster 2008 campaign. Pete knows the deal with IPK. He’s a young guy with a great knack for pitching (his minor league numbers concur) and he’s talented (why do you think the Yankees drafted him?). Yeah, he got knocked around in his rookie year, but that’s happened to a lot of first year players and to say that he’s a lost cause is just ridiculous.

Some of the responses to Pete’s post of readers criticizing Kennedy are simply nonsensical, as well. For instance, look at this comment by “sd,” as it is definitive of the negative attitude people have towards IPK.

Pete,

His stuff sucks. That why people gave up on him. Mystery solved.

If you expected him to every be more than a 4th starter (and that is if everything in the world went his way) then you are the one who has some explaining to do… though I doubt you’ll do it.

The last time I checked, number 4 starters are VERY worthwhile, especially to the Yankees (who only have TWO starters penciled in for the 2009 season). Not everyone on your team is going to be Johan Santana or CC Sabathia. You need to fill in your rotation with capable pitchers. Look at Andy Sonnanstine of the TB Rays—if that guy can be a viable player, are you telling me IPK can’t be (those two guys are relatively similar and IPK has better stuff)? In fact, at one point this year, everyone was clamoring for Jarrod Washburn while Darrell Rasner and Sidney Ponson blew up on a weekly basis. I mean, seriously, what does that tell you? If IPK established himself as a back-end starter, I think we’d all be extremely happy with that.

Basically, people need to relax on the Kennedy-issue. The Yankees invested a lot of time and effort into bringing this guy along (and rightfully so) and they’re not going to give up on him (not yet), so why should we?

Slow Winter

Jon Heyman lists 3 primary reasons for the current borefest that is the MLB off-season. Basically, the economy is bad, everyone is waiting for CC and Teixeira to sign and Scott Boras likes to take his time in order to play the field as much as possible (to force teams into bidding wars). Also, let’s not forget that there is an abundance of high-priced closers available and those guys are going to take a while to sign, in general. I guess that’s connected to the economy issue, since nobody wants to drop millions upon millions on a reliever.

Weight Issue

From Rob Neyer (ESPN):

If I were considering signing Sabathia, there’s really just one thing I would worry about: He’s the most massive great pitcher we’ve ever seen. Sabathia’s listed weight is now 290 pounds. Maybe it’s because of rank political correctness, but Sabathia’s build seems to me like the elephant in the room that everyone’s ignoring.

There isn’t another pitcher like him, and never has been. What happens to 290-pound pitchers as they move into their late 20s and into their early 30s? If it were me trying to sign Sabathia, that’s the single unanswerable question I would ask the smartest people around me to answer.

CC’s weight is an issue, but it doesn’t seem to be scaring away the Yankees…

Unnecessary News

One of the newer “news” items to hit the blogosphere lately has been that the Yankees COULD increase their offer to CC Sabathia. Got that? The Yankees COULD increase their initial offer! Honestly, is that news to anyone? The $140 million was an opening bid and a starting point, not a finish-line. I know it’s been a relatively slow off-season, but come on. Now, if the Yankees explicitly state that they WILL raise the offer or that they’ll raise it beyond $150 million (with another year thrown in), then that’s legitimate news. Right now, I don’t think this really counts (seriously).

A-Celebrity

It’s damn near impossible to search for news about the Yankees today. Everywhere we go, every rock we turn over, all we’re hearing about is A-Rod and Madonna’s Thanksgiving. Is it just me or does A-Rod’s relationship with Madonna make him less likable? I mean, he wasn’t the most popular pinstriped guy anyway, but to know that he’s gallivanting around with Madonna is Tom Cruise-Katie Holmes type of crazy, isn’t it? A-Rod’s psyche was fragile enough before, when he was married to “regular” person—who knows what will happen with the material girl by his side?

Eiland Offering Pitching Lessons

From the Madison Eagle:

David Eiland, New York Yankees pitching coach and a former Major League pitcher, will give Major League Pitching Lessons to a limited number of boys 10 and older Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6 and 7, in the Simon Forum gymnasium on the campus of Drew University, 36 Madison Ave.

The pitching clinic will be offered in two sessions each day, from 9 to 11 a.m., and from noon to 2 p.m.

The cost is $200. The sign-in will take place 30 minutes before the session begins.

To register, make checks payable to DiMaggio Sports Training, P.O. Box 121, Madison, N.J. 07940.

For information, call (201) 213-8504 or visit www.dimaggiosportstraining.com.

Hey, if you’ve got a kid, $200 and live in the area, you might want to check it out.

UPDATE - The camp is now full and will no longer be accepting registrations (thanks to to DST for the info)

Dodgers Interested in Pettitte

The Dodgers do, in fact, have an interest in Andy Pettitte. At this point, resigning Andy seems like a must, as long as he accepts a pay cut though. Andy is supposedly seeking the full $16 million he earned last year, but his performance this season doesn’t seem to justify that amount. If the Yankees let him walk—something I can’t see them doing—then they could recoup with some solid draft picks. Then again, they really need him, right?

Happy Thanksgiving

And happy holidays, in general (for those who may not celebrate Turkey Day). I probably won’t be around much today, but I guarantee you, if there’s big news to report, I’ll be here. Also, I’d like to thank everyone of iYankees’ readers. All of you guys have been great (e.g. Ted, Jane, Aubrey, Jason, TJ, CP, Tripp, Tom, Jessica, Mike, etc.) and we’ve recently got a nice influx of new readers (e.g. Rob, Eric, etc.) interested in the Yankees’ winter plans.

Now, for a quick bit to start the day (I can’t leave you with no news, whatsoever), Joe Girardi spoke with the Daily News yesterday and addressed A-Rod’s off-season celebrity (I won’t even comment on the recent Madonna stuff) and CC Sabathia’s free agent status.

Teixeira Knee Problem?

I was just reading an article from Lyle Spencer (MLB.com) about the Angels and their desire to possibly bring CC Sabathia to their organization. In the article, Spencer states that according to a CBS report, the Angels have moved on from Mark Teixeira and are looking at CC as their main target. Apparently, the slow economy isn’t hindering the Angels or Arte Moreno. On top of that, there’s the possibility that a Peavy trade could still occur and Jered Weaver has been singled out by Spencer as the centerpiece for a Peavy deal (I believe all of this is speculative though).

Now, this is obviously significant and the Angels’ interest in CC could cause the current offer the Yanks have made to rise, considerably (by $10 million or more, even). But, what’s more interesting to me (at this point, we’ve heard the CC-Angels stuff, repeatedly, over the past few days) was the following nugget, tucked away in Spencer’s article, about why the Angels are no longer interested in Teixeira.

In Knobler’s report, an unidentified source claims the Angels are concerned enough about a knee issue with Teixeira to resist going beyond six years.

Well, if you’re Mark Teixeira and Scott Boras, this is not the news that you want coming out—not now. It could just be a bargaining method the Angels are using or a tool to scare off other Teixeira suitors, or maybe it’s a way to hamper expectations on behalf of LA fans (in case they don’t sign Tex), as I don’t recall any knee issues with Teixeira this season. However, this “knee issue” is definitely something to watch and it could grow into a bigger story over the next few days. In terms of CC, for now, let’s wait until after Thanksgiving to see what happens. Who knows, by Monday we could have an answer out of his camp (it’s doubtful but no impossible).

More Bits: Hughes, CC, Boras, Tazawa

A few quick items on the day:

1. Bryan Hoch talks about Phil Hughes’ Arizona season, noting that the pitcher, despite a few rocky moments, had a solid campaign. Hoch also runs through other Yankees’ respective winter/fall league performances, thus far, including Austin Jackson, Melky Cabrera and Robinson Cano.

2. The Milwaukee Brewers, the only team along with the Yankees that have offered CC Sabathia a contract, have yet to contact CC since their initial offer. CC is waiting for the week to end before making a decision.

3. Ken Rosenthal outlines best case scenarios this winter for Scott Boras. Basically, if the Red Sox land Tex, then Boras’ other free agents, whether it’s Manny or Lowe, will have more options and the Yankees will be in the fold for both of them. What’s funny about Boras is that he can plan all he wants, in the end, CC Sabathia controls the current market, not Boras. I bet he wishes CC was one of his, too.

4. Finally, Junichi Tazawa is set to announce that he’ll be with the Red Sox early next week. It’ll be interesting to see how this effects the Sox (and the Yankees), but also how this will effect the MLB and Japan.

Yanks Skeptical of Angels CC Interest

From Jon Heyman:

People inside the Yankees people are skeptical about whether the Angels are as serious as it seems about signing star free-agent pitcher CC Sabathia. Some Yankees officials seem to believe: 1) that the Angels leaked their alleged intention to make an offer to Sabathia approaching that of the Yankees’ $140-million, six-year offer to drive down the demands of first baseman and stated top target Mark Teixeira, or 2) that if the Angels do go for Sabathia, it will be with an offer in the range of $100 million-$120 million, not $140 million.

Heyman goes on to say that he actually believes the Angels are serious in their interest—I mean, he is CC Sabathia, after all. The Angels need a big bat more than they do pitching, however, so it would make sense to lock up Tex, especially when you consider that they gave up a cheap and talented first baseman in Casey Kotchman in order to acquire Teixeira.

Wednesday’s Bits: Cano, Schedule, Swisher

1. According to Kevin Long, Robinson Cano is working hard this winter, as he preps for the 2009 season. If Cano can be in peak physical shape for the beginning of the year, I think we can all expect good things. Honestly, judging from his poor first half trend, I’d say the workout regimen has been his primary problem (or, at least it’s been one of his main problem areas).

2. The Yankees have released their spring schedule (ticket prices are the same as they were a year ago).

3. And, finally, Ozzie Guillen seems pretty content with the Nick Swisher trade… I think Swisher’s personality will be welcomed in the Yankee clubhouse. Expect him to become a fan favorite within the first month or two.

Pettitte to Rejoin Torre?

From Ken Rosenthal (FOX Sports):

Pettitte, 36, has spoken more than once with his former manager, Joe Torre, about joining the Dodgers, according to major-league sources.

And, lest anyone forget, Pettitte has a history of changing teams as a free agent when he does not feel completely wanted.

Go back to 2003, when the Yankees dragged out their negotiations with Pettitte, only to lose him to the Astros despite making a significantly higher last-minute offer.

First, Ken Davidoff recently countered the notion that the Yankees had offered Pettitte a better deal in 2003. Check out that read as it’s a great analysis of “semantics” and the communicative process between journalists and baseball insiders.

Anyway, with Pettitte, I’ll say this—if he ends up joining the Dodgers then I think we, as Yankee fans, have to say thanks but don’t let the door hit you on the way out. Pettitte was lucky to field the support that he did from the baseball world after the HGH scandal and the only reason he got a pass was because of the way the Yankees and their fans accepted him, despite the scandal. Pettitte has said that he’ll only rejoin the Yankees, so he should stick to that word. Yeah, he’s not at the top of their list, priority wise, as they need to figure out the rest of their rotation first, but it’s going to happen. The Yankees need him and they’ll strike a deal, he just has to be patient and open to the idea of a pay-cut. Yes, a pay-cut, but when you look at the numbers, that’s all he REALLY deserves from the team (not $16 million).

Backup Plans

Ken Davidoff writes about the Yankees’ backup plans, in case they fail to make the necessary pitching upgrades. Also, speaking of backup plans, Bryan Hoch’s latest talks about Ben Sheets, who could be a great pickup for any team if he can stay healthy.

Argh, Angels

From the LA Times:

The Angels, unwilling to meet Mark Teixeira’s desire for a 10-year contract, are in discussions with CC Sabathia and could offer him a contract that approaches the $140-million bid extended to him by the New York Yankees.

The Angels appear reluctant to guarantee more than seven years in a contract for Teixeira, said a source familiar with the club’s thinking. They appear more likely at this time to pursue Sabathia, with an offer in the range of Johan Santana’s six-year, $137.5-million contract with the New York Mets.

The Angels need Teixeira more than they do Sabathia. Then again, it never hurts to have an abundance of great pitching. If the Angels do, in fact, offer CC a contract that extends beyond Santana’s, then, I would think that the Yankees are out of luck. They’ll up the contract by a few million or they’ll counter with another year ($160 million over 7 years), but if CC has his heart set on playing on the WC, we could see him accept the Angels’ deal. It’s an interesting situation because if the Angels don’t sign Tex, I’m assuming the Yankees will and if the Yankees don’t sign CC, I’m assuming the Angels will.

A Proud Man

Ha, this is kind of random but yesterday it was announced that the Pirates had signed the first Indian prospects, ever, in MLB history. I’m talking Indian, red dot, not feather (pitching prospects to boot). I can say that (even if you don’t get the Jay-Z reference) because I am actually of Indian descent. My parents were born and raised in Guyana (South America), but their ties to India still remain in a cultural and ethnic sense. In the past, I’ve always tried to see if the MLB had made any gains in India. I just figured it had to be a legitimate resource (because I saw nothing).

And, while the players that were signed instill some confidence, it seems more like a gateway signing than a real expectation signing (these guys can barely hit a plus reading on the gun, but they can open the door to deals and signings). In the future, I hope to see baseball players of all races, ethnicities, religions and creeds make it to the MLB. It was really cool to hear about an Indian duo making it and if they can, imagine the possibilities in other countries. I’d like to see an Indian dude throwing 96+, though. Maybe we can break a couple curry-related stereotypes with a solid fastball?