Yanks Complete Rotation by Signing Andy

The New York Yankees have agreed to a one year deal with free agent left-hander Andy Pettitte, reportedly worth $5.5 million.

Pettitte was painted as a selfish crybaby (by the press) because he refused to accept a pay cut from his previous season's salary ($16 million). Pettitte disagreed with that assessment, stating in an interview:

"Heck, the bottom line is I'm a man, and I guess it does take a shot at your pride a little bit," he said. "But when you put all that aside, I wanted to play for the New York Yankees and, you know, that was the bottom line. I wanted to be there. I wanted to play in that new stadium."

Pettitte will likely fill out the back end of the Yankee rotation, joining newly acquired arms CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett as the Yanks open up their new ballpark with a significantly upgraded roster compared to last season.

Pettite finished the 2008 season with a 14-14 record, posting a 4.54 era in 204 innings pitched. Pettite also posted great control numbers again, walking only 55 batters while striking out 158.

Yanks Land Another Big Fish

Gehrig. Mattingly. Tino. Giambino. Now Teixeira?

According to multiple news sources, the Yankees and Mark Teixeira have agreed, in principle, to an eight year deal worth $180 million.

So here's the Yankees current lineup, if opening day was tomorrow;

LF	Johnny Damon
SS	Derek Jeter
1B	Mark Teixeira
3B	Alex Rodriguez
DH	Hideki Matsui
RF	Xavier Nady
C	Jorge Posada
2B	Robinson Cano
CF	Melky Cabrera
Bench-- Nick Swisher

Teixeira's arrival in New York will add to the logjam that's currently developing in the outfield. Along with the newly acquired Nick Swisher, the Yanks have Matsui, Cabrera, Damon, Gardner, and Nady all vying for the three outfield spots.

Yanks Send Milk Man to Brew Crew

According to various news sources, the Bombers and the Brewers are ready to swap outfielders Melky Cabrera and Mike Cameron.

This move is the second in as many days for the Yankees, as they upgraded their rotation yesterday by signing CC Sabathia.

Acquiring Cameron, a player who has proved he can play in New York, the Yankees have bought themselves a little more time in the "Developing Austin Jackson Department".

Yanks Close to Signing CC

According to an ESPN.com News Services report, the Yankees have increased their offer to free agent lefty, CC Sabathia, and are close to acquiring his John Hancock:

Sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney the deal offered by the Yankees is now worth $160 million over seven years -- the most money ever paid a pitcher in major league history. The team had originally offered six years and $140 million.

While a deal is not yet done, a source told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark there are "zero major road blocks" that would prevent the Yankees from reaching agreement with Sabathia. Not all terms of the deal are agreed to yet, the source indicated. Sabathia also would need to take a physical.

The CC deal for the Bombers has been an "on again, off again saga for the Yanks" as their contract offer turned one month old yesterday. There had been reports that the Giants were set to sign the lefty and multiple reports that CC was going to be a Dodger.

If the signing actually takes place, the Yankees would have acquired their main offseason target and can now look to adding additional arms to solidify their shaky rotation.

Veteran's Committee Selects Gordon

According to the Associated Press and ESPN.com, former Yankee Joe Gordon was elected into the Hall of Fame by the Veteran's Committee:

Former second baseman Joe Gordon has been elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee.

The late Gordon was a nine-time All-Star with the New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians. He played on five World Series championship teams and retired in 1950.

Gordon was the only person elected Monday on a ballot of players who began their careers before 1943.

Here's Joe Gordon's lifetime stats, courtesy of Baseball-Almanac:

	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	GS	RBI	BB	IBB	SO	SH	SF	HBP	GIDP	AVG	OBP	SLG
	1,566	5,707	914	1,530	264	52	253	6	975	759	-	702	41	-	29	159	.268	.357	.466

Yanks, Dodgers Talking Trade

According to MSN's Ken Rosenthal, the Bombers are talking trade with the LA Dodgers, and Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera seem to be the topic of conversation:

As the Dodgers try to resolve their infield, they are again talking to the Yankees about a trade for second baseman Robinson Cano. The teams have resumed their discussions about Cano at the winter meetings, according to one source.

The Dodgers also are interested in Yankees center fielder Melky Cabrera, and the Yankees likely would want outfielder Matt Kemp and pitching in return.

The Dodgers' interest in Cabrera is a sign that they might not be confident of Andruw Jones making a strong return in 2009. The Dodgers also need to find a match for Juan Pierre, who has requested a trade.

Offseason Rumblings and Grumblings: Nov 14th

Today's the first day of the free agent frenzy that will become the 2009 Offseason, but teams around the league were already making big moves to acquire pieces to ensure a 2009 playoff run.

The Chicago Cubs picked up closer Kevin Gregg from the Marlins, all but ensuring that Kerry Wood will not return next season.

The Yankees traded away perennial swinger and misser Wilson Betemit to the White Sox in exchange for Nick Swisher. The deal is supposed to be a fall back plan in case the Yankees can't sign Teixeira, but it's already made one fan lose his mind (in a good way).

Randy Johnson and the Diamondbacks front office failed to come to terms on a new contract, forcing the Big Unit to file for free agency. Randy is just five wins shy of 300 for his career.

Yanks Let Fans Roam One Last Time

Story reported by the Associated Press:

Fans will be allowed to walk on Yankee Stadium's field for three hours before the ballpark's final game Sunday.

Gates will open at 1 p.m. -- about 7 hours, 15 minutes before New York plays the Baltimore Orioles in its final game at the 85-year-old stadium.

For the first three hours, fans can walk through Monument Park, behind the fence in left-center, and walk along the warning track in the outfield and to home plate. Field access will end at about 4 p.m., and Monument Park will close at about 6:45 p.m.

Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Goose Gossage, Ron Guidry, Graig Nettles and Bobby Richardson are to be part of the pregame ceremonies, which start at 7:05 p.m.

A closing ceremony for the stadium will be held after the season.

Bleacher Fans to Receive an Eyesore in New Stadium

by Chris Lima
River Avenue News

According to the New Yankee Stadium's seat selector, fans positioned out in the left field bleachers will be starting a food products if anyone hits a ball down the right field line.

The above image is a screen shot from yankees.com. The big ugly gray mass in center field is actually the restaurant, which also serves as the batters eye.

So when Yankee firstbaseman of the future Jason Giambi/Adam Dunn/Xavier Nady smashes a ball down the right field line for a game winning/come from behind/meaningless stat padding shot home run, the fans in left will have to rely on someone else to clue them in on the action.

Interestingly enough, as listed on the website, Yankee officials are saying that “From the Bleachers to Yankees Premium Offerings, every fan will have more comfortable seating that offers improved sight lines.”

Well, almost everyone.

Joba May Be Activated by Monday

August 31, 2008
by Chris Lima
River Avenue News

Good news for Yankees fans; Joba Chamberlain may be activated by the Bombers as early as tomorrow, according to reports from the Associated Press and mlb.com.

Joba threw a session (35 pitches), the first time he has faced live batters since suffering a right rotator cuff injury August 4th against the Texas Rangers. Cody Ransom and Brett Gardner were the lucky two that got "volunteered" to face Joba.

It is still unknown as to Joba's role with the team; either back in the rotation or anchoring the bullpen.

With a recent string of quality starts, Pavano's job seems safe for now. Sidney Ponson has struggled of late, so Chamberlain could bump him from the rotation. Rasner has pitched well, but has been the bearer of bad luck in recent weeks.

The Yanks look to take down Toronto in the last game of the series and travel to Detroit to face the hapless Tigers.

Fat Toad Arrested

According the numerous reports from the Associated Press and ESPN.com's News Wire Services, ex-Yankee hurler Hideki Irabu was arrested for assaulting a bartender after having "many beers".

According to the Associated Press:

Former New York Yankees pitcher Hideki Irabu was arrested Wednesday for allegedly assaulting a bartender after drinking 20 mugs of beer, a police official said.

Irabu, 39, became angered after his credit card was rejected. He then allegedly pushed the bartender against the wall, pulled his hair and smashed at least nine liquor bottles at a bar in Osaka, western Japan, a police official said on condition of anonymity, citing department policy.

The bartender sustained no injuries. Irabu paid the bill with another credit card.

The police official said Irabu admitted the assault.

Trade Deadline Produces Big Name

Atlanta, Georgia
By Chris Lima
River Avenue Staff Writer


The AL Central leading Chicago White Sox acquired Reds' outfielder Ken Griffey Jr., adding a bit of offense to their lineup. It's not currently known where or how Griffey will play in this lineup, but it was a huge addition to their lineup.

The Manny Ramirez saga is officially finally over in Boston, a last minute trade involving the Dodgers and the Pirates rid Beantown of their perpetual whiner.

The Dodgers received Manny from the BoSox and send third
outfielder Brendon Moss from the Red Sox, in exchange for left fielder Jason Bay.

The Bay trade is a bonus for the Red Sox; addition by prevention. The Tampa Bay Rays were holding talks with the Pirates, attempting to move Bay into Tropicana Field. The request from the Pirates was a bit high, and Tampa Bay quickly fell out of favor.

Ramirez is reunited with former BoSox teammate, Nomar Garciaparra, and joins former rival manager Joe Torre in what looks to be an extremely

The Yankees made a significant improvement to their lineup by adding Pudge Rodriguez and shipping Farnsworth over to Detroit. They also added former Bucs Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte to help solidify their outfield and rotation, respectively. baseman Andy LaRoche and pitcher Bryan Morris to the Pirates. The Pirates also received RHP Craig Hansen and crowded Dodger outfield (Matt Kemp, Juan Pierre, Andre Either, and Andruw Jones).

Posada Crosses Fingers, Hopes to Delay Surgery

According to an article posted on ESPN.com (from the AP), Yankee catcher Jorge Posada is hoping that he can postpone or delay surgery on his ailing shoulder:

NEW YORK -- New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada wants to put off surgery on his right shoulder even if it means sacrificing the start of next season. If he does play the rest of this year, it won't be behind the plate.

On the disabled list for the second time this season, Posada had his throwing shoulder examined by New York Mets medical director Dr. David Altchek on Tuesday, and surgery was again recommended. An MRI showed fraying in the tendons around the labrum, but not a rotator cuff tear, Posada said Wednesday before the Yankees played the Minnesota Twins.

He missed more than a month earlier this season with right rotator cuff tendinitis.

"I've got 15 days to make a decision," said Posada, who went on the DL Monday. "I'll rehab it and see how it feels and have a decision by then."

In his 14th season, Posada is extremely proud about being a full-time catcher his entire career. But he said that if he is to continue playing this season, catching is "out of the question" for the remainder of the year.

"It's not about me. It's about the team now, how can I help the team. That's why I'm going to go through the rehab," Posada said. "If I'm able to hit, I'm going to try to do that. If I'm not able to hit, I'm going to have surgery."

Posada said the Yankees agreed with his decision to keep playing even with the possibility of a six-month rehab looming after surgery.

Posada will continue his rehabilitation regime without throwing drills and will make a decision based on how the shoulder is responding.

"The doctor said if I'm not throwing, it won't ge weak because I'm not throwing," Posada said. "I can strengthen it and hit. Then it won't get weak. They put me on the DL to make a decision of what to do and strengthen and rehab it and go from there."

To continue reading this article, click here.

C-Rod Says Adios to A-Rod

Alex Rodriguez's wife, Cynthia, filed divorce papers today, according to the Associated Press:

MIAMI -- Alex Rodriguez's wife filed for divorce Monday, calling her husband an adulterer who "emotionally abandoned his wife and children."

"The marriage of the parties is irretrievably broken because of the husband's extramarital affairs and other marital misconduct," according to Cynthia Rodriguez's petition for dissolution of marriage, filed in the family division of Miami-Dade County Circuit Court.

"The petitioner has exhausted every effort to salvage the marriage of the parties," Cynthia Rodriguez said in the filing. "However, Alex has emotionally abandoned his wife and children and has left her with no choice but to divorce him."

Rodriguez's attorney in Miami, Ira M. Elegant, said he had not reviewed the divorce petition but added: "As you know, anyone can pay the filing fee and make allegations."

The couple, who married in November 2002, have a $12 million, six-bedroom house in the upscale Miami suburb of Coral Gables. A company run by a corporation controlled by Rodriguez bought an apartment at Trump Park Avenue in Manhattan for $7.4 million in July 2005.

Cynthia Rodriguez has asked for primary custody of their two children, as well as child support and alimony.

Their two daughters are Natasha Alexander, 3, and 2-month-old Ella Alexander.

The filing comes just days after the third baseman was linked to Madonna in various media outlets.

"I brought my kids to a Yankee game," Madonna said in the statement. "I am not romantically involved in any way with Alex Rodriguez. I have nothing to do with the state of his marriage or what spiritual path he may choose to study."

Cynthia Rodriguez's lawyer, Maurice Kutner, declined to elaborate on the filing, which does not mention Madonna or any other alleged paramours by name.

"Cynthia has made it very clear to me that she wants to take the high road and protect her children and herself. There's no vindictiveness here," Kutner said. "She wants to resolve the issues between Alex and herself in an amicable fashion."

The couple has had prenuptial agreement in place since Oct. 3, 2002, according to the divorce papers.

Damon Appears to be Heading to DL

According to an article posted by the Associated Press on ESPN.com, Yankee outfielder Johnny Damon appears to be headed to the disabled list:

NEW YORK -- Johnny Damon was very careful as he got dressed to leave the ballpark Saturday, wincing from the pain in his left shoulder as he pulled a shirt over his head.

One day after the New York Yankees outfielder crashed into the left-field wall on one strange triple, Damon was still holding out hope he won't have to go on the disabled list for the first time in his 14-season major league career.

"I think we'll know more tomorrow," he said after the Yankees' 2-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox. "If I wake up and I'm feeling the same then I think they're going to DL me. But if I'm improving, [they'll] try to keep getting me ready."

Damon got treatment and did some exercises Saturday but said it could be 10 days or more before he throws again.

"Certain movements I really can't do too well," he said.

He sprained and bruised his shoulder trying to track down Kevin Youkilis' line drive in the third inning of New York's 6-4 loss to Boston on Friday.

Damon raced back, jumped and gloved the ball but lost it when he crashed into the fence. It popped out of the webbing of his glove, bounced up off the top of the wall and came to rest briefly on the fence.

Bon Jovi Set to Play Free Concert During All-Star Game Weekend

Legendary rocker Bon Jovi and bandmates are slated to play a free concert during the All-Star Game Weekend this summer.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Major League Baseball, and the event's sponsor, Bank of America, held a press conference announcing the band will play to a crowd of no more than 60,000 people. Tickets are free to fans, and according to a news article on MLB.com, tickets can be obtained a handful of different ways;

Fans will be able to register for a chance to win free tickets through MLB.com. Check back soon for details.

Tickets can also be obtained on a first-come, first-served basis, two per fan, throughout all five New York City boroughs.

Distribution begins 9 a.m. ET on Wednesday, July 2 at the following locations:

• Bronx:
  Yankee Stadium
  E 161st St. & River Ave., Bronx, NY 10451
  
• Queens:
  Shea Stadium
  12301 Roosevelt Ave., Flushing, NY 11368
  
• Staten Island:
  Home of the Staten Island Yankees
  75 Richmond Ter., Staten Island, NY 10301
  
• Brooklyn:
  KeySpan Park
  1904 Surf Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11224

Only 7,500 tickets (with a limit of two per person) to the free Bon Jovi concert will be distributed at Yankee Stadium at the ticket windows outside Gate 4.

Tickets will also be distributed in Manhattan at various locations at dates and times to be announced.

Bobby Murcer Receiving Medical Care

From the Associated Press news article found on Espn.com:

NEW YORK -- Yankees broadcaster Bobby Murcer is receiving medical care in Oklahoma after treatment for cancer forced him to curtail his schedule this month.

The 62-year-old former star outfielder had surgery in December 2006, four days after being diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. He returned to the broadcast booth last season. His March biopsy showed no cancer, and Murcer broadcast his first game of the season May 2.

Murcer is also recovering from shingles. His family released a statement Monday through the team saying he is getting help in his hometown of Oklahoma City and has shown "some measured improvement in recent days."

"Bobby remains hopeful that he will be able to resume his broadcasting work down the road but for now is appreciative of the thoughts and prayers of his fans and wants them to know that he is aware that he is in their hearts, as they are in his," the family said.

Murcer played 17 seasons in the majors with the Yankees, San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs from 1965-83. He batted .277 with 252 home runs. He has been a Yankees broadcaster for 23 seasons.

108 Red Stitches, River Avenue News Announce Partnership

Authors of baseball Blogs 108 Red Stitches and River Avenue News have reached an article sharing agreement today, allowing for the two blogs to cross promote each site, and share viewership and readers between each site.

108 Red Stitches founder, Chris Lima, is excited about the prospect of merging both sites' information and dedication to the sport, "While we understand that River Avenue News is a relatively new site, we feel that their commitment to journalism and their unbiased approach to covering the Yankees, allows for us to share articles between sites. Their goals and ideas fall in a similar place with ours, so we welcome them aboard as we try to extend the 108 Red Stitches network and grow our family".

You can read the River Avenue News site here.

Farnsworth Injures Hand; Doesn't Expect To Miss Time

From MLB.com writer, Willie Bans:

The Yankees right-handed reliever entered the game in the eighth inning and got the first two Reds hitters out, then gave up a solo home run to Ken Griffey Jr.

The next batter, Brandon Phillips, hit a grounder toward the mound, and Farnsworth tried to snatch it with his right hand. The ball deflected off his hand, and Phillips reached first base on Alex Rodriguez's throwing error.

Farnsworth was taken out of the game, and later received three stitches in the webbing between his pinky and ring fingers. He doesn't anticipate going on the disabled list, as he suffered the same injury earlier in his career. At that time, Farnsworth received four stitches, taped the fingers together and didn't miss an outing.

How Not to Fix the Yankees

As is the norm on our little baseball site, our goal is to shift from the standard deviation of thinking. Every blogger, writer, announcer, fan, guru, and anchorman is voicing their opinion on how to fix the Yankees. Things that need to be changed, people that need to go into the rotation, people that need to be removed from the rotation, etc...

We're working on ways to "Not to Fix the Yankees". Here's what we'd do.

Sign Mike Mussina to a Multi-Year Deal. The Moose has been lights out this season, so it's safe to assume that he'll be dominant for another three to five years. We should ink him now, before there's a fierce bidding war in the offseason. I'd give him 4 years at $11 million per.

Move Giambi Up in the Order. There is no reason that a guy hitting .188 with seven home runs should be wasted in the four hole. Move Giambi into the three, no let him bat leadoff. His low stolen base total (1) is a great way to deceive teams into thinking Giambi isn't the next Rickey Henderson.

Move Joba into Center Field. Why waste all that built up energy for just an inning late in the ball game? You want to spark some life into the lineup? Put Joba in center. Melky could use a day off.

Trade Jeter. This team is going nowhere right now. Now's a good time to start selling the team off for parts. It worked for Billy Beane, right?

Acquire the Best Left Handed Pitcher on the Market. David Wells wants to pitch in pinstripes again? We say "We've got the contract, but we'll only sign you if you put on another 40 pounds". We can't have some skinny guy moping around the dugout.

Designate the Backup Catcher for Assignment. Who needs Moeller when you've got Joe Girardi on the bench? He's the manager, its not like he'd be doing anything different behind the plate!

That's phase one of our twelve part plan. I'll be sitting be the phone, waiting for Hank to call.