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The Yankees officially signed Cairo recently and DFA Matt DeSalvo.  I am hoping that no one picks up DeSalvo because even if he had a terrible year last year he still has decent stuff.  I wonder why Colter freakin Bean is still on the 40 man roster??!!??  I suppose the Yanks felt they have a younger better stock of starting pitching so DeSalvo at 26 was worth possibly losing.  With White, Sanchez, Jackson, Clippard, Hughes, Ohlendorf, and others it is going to be a tight AA and AAA rotation which is a nice thing to see.  No more AAAA guys filing up our staff’s in the minors. 

Word is Bernie may still want to play.  It would stink seeing him in another uniform and I hate it when I see guys hang on after they should retire but I think Bernie may have another year or 2 left in him.  His issue is he has never been a good pinch hitter so going to a NL team where he could get 300-400 at bats being a 4^th OF/pinch hitter is a long shot.  Most AL teams want decent production out of their DH spot.  What is hurting the Yanks is they have 3 first baseman taking up roster spots.  I was hoping they maybe kept Phillips as the utility guy and had Bernie be the 5^th OF.  I know Cairo is a veteran with good defense but I am not sure it was the best signing.  I rather have Bernie than Cairo at this point in their careers.

Less than 3 weeks until the catchers gloves start popping. 

Stevereno

I personally am excited about the new Yankee stadium.  If you have been to a new ballpark the last few years you will be excited about the new Yankee stadium.  Nothing lasts forever and the current Yankee stadium really isn’t the real Yankee stadium because of the renovations in 75-76 or so. 

Here is a link to some pics of new stadium constrcution:  http://www.webshots.com/search?query=Yankee+Stadium+construction

Is a woman allowed to have a haircut this bad???  http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/fortune/0701/gallery.future_now/4.html

Stevereno

It is still relatively quiet in Yankee land.  No big rumors, no big trades, no big signings.  I think the Clemens story line will be the biggest story the next 4 weeks.

I have read a lot that Bruney is going to fill one of the bullpen spots.  I am not too sure Bruney has the job.  He had 14 walks in 20 innings late last year.  He also had wildness issues with the D-backs.  He has a nasty heater but his control is still suspect.  I know Torre hates wild relievers and with guys like Beam, Britton and others vying for a roster spot I am not sure Bruney is a sealed deal.

I am still curious what will happen with Bernie.  I doubt he signs with another team so he most likely will retire.  Maybe he could be a non-roster invitee and if there is an injury in ST, he makes the team.  The guy has 4 rings and a very good career.  I think he needs to retire and make some good music.

Stevereno

Still not much going on in Yankee Universe.  The spring training invites were announced last week.  No big surprises.  I do wonder why JB Cox was not on the list.  Anyone have any thoughts.  He is due to start the year in AAA and looks like a good relief prospect.

The Todd Pratt signing was huge.  Hahahahaha

Good to see Nellie retire as a Yankee.  We need another Nellie for 2007.  Bruney?

Will A-rod opt out after this year seeing that his 25 mill a year salary may be matched?  Maybe he will be looking for a 4 year 200 million deal this offseason? 

One more month till pitchers and catchers.  Life is good.

Stevereno

Barring a big trade the Yankees are just about set going into spring training.  Another left handed reliever may still be in order although Vizciano or Henn can fill that role.  They may also still bring back Ron Villone.

The position spots are just about set which means Bernie is probably just about done as a Yankee.  He may retire or sign someplace else.  Menky and Phillips/Phelps will platoon at 1B with Giambi as the DH.  Cairo was just signed to be the utility IF.  This is all assuming the Yanks carry 12 pitchers.  If they carry 11, there may still be a spot open for Bernie.  Only having 4 OF’s on a roster would make me nervous. I rather see Bernie back as a DH/5th OF.

Hopefully the Unit trade goes through.  I know it opens a whole in the rotation but he is old and not a fit for NY.  We just need to hope Moose has one more good year in him, Wang has another good year, Igawa can impress is his MLB debut and Pettite pitches like he did last year.  Give some young arms a chance this year.

Stevereno

I know it is not official but the Big Unit looks to be heading back to the desert.

I have read a lot of debate among Yankee fans about this deal. 

Personally, I really like the deal.  I never liked Johnson.  I thought he was bad for the clubhouse and NYC (remember his first experience in NY was shoving a camera).  He is 43, coming off back surgery and was due 16 million.  The Yankees got 1 proven relief pitcher which will allow them to either move Proctor in a trade (maybe Gonzalez?) or move Proctor to a starting role.  They also got 2 pitching prospects that if anything are wanted by other teams.  They also got a middle infield prospect which they do not have much of at AAA or AA.  Plus they get to save 14 million. 

Cashman has been trying to redefine this team and get rid of the me personalities on the team (i.e. Sheffield and Johnson).  Cashman has restocked the farm system to be one of the best in baseball, saved a lot of money and got younger.  I think he has done a very good job this offseason.  Yeah, the rotation is a little more open and questionable now but after watching Randy the last 2 years I do not think he would have won more than 12-15 games this year in NY. 

The Yankees I think are just about done this offseason.  Deciding what to do with Bernie, a utility infielder and a backup catcher are still on the list.  The Yankees are in good shape, they do not have any gapping holes and have some flexibility.  No more Aaron Smalls or Kris Wilson’s when a guy gets hurt but good power arms that may develop into very good pitchers. 

I am very excited about next year and how the Yankees are not trying to put an all star in each position  and try to win world series based on paper stats.  They are BUILDING a team that wants to win, not just cash in a pay check.

Stevereno

The vacation was very nice and much needed.

I was out of the loop for the most part on Yankees news but I did catch that they signed Igawa to a 5 year deal and the Big Unit is just about ready to pack his bags.  In my previous post I said the Yanks could go after Clemens or Zito if the Unit or Pavano were traded.  Well, Zito signed a huge deal to pitch for the GI-ants and the Unit will be traded soon.  Does that mean Clemens will be back? 

I like the impending Unit trade.  He never liked NY, is not a good guy and does not fit on the team.  If the Yanks can get 2-3 prospects and save some money, I think it is a good deal.  They will need to replace his spot in the rotation with someone better than Jeff Karstens though.  Willis?  Clemens? Santana? 

I think the Cash-man is stock piling young arms to use as chips to pick up some nice talent.  Or they could actually be building some home grown youth to take over baseball in 2008 and beyond. 

I think Pavano may be a dark horse this year.  He is definitely rested and will need to prove his worth this year and next to get any type of contract after 2008.  I am rooting for the guy even though he is a panzy.  Maybe he can give us 12-15 wins in 2007.

Anyone think Bernie should retire?

Stevereno