SB Nation - Joba Chamberlain

Around the Yankee Galaxy: Joba, DeRosa and another pitcher?

Travis G — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 12:00:22 -0000

Joba Chamberlain celebrated an early Christmas in his hometown of Winnebago, Nebraska, where he spoke to children at his old grade school -

Each day I want to make someone smile... everyone sees nine innings of work on the mound, but not the work that goes into it... that's one of the reasons I'm here, to give something to the teachers of these children.

Enjoy a 3-D tour of the Polo Grounds, which has been non-existent since 1964.
Bill Madden says the Johnson signing ends any interest in utilityman Mark DeRosa. I don't necessarily buy that, but signing DeRosa would require trading one of the surplus outfielders.
Jorge Posada would like to see another starter added to the mix. That'll probably mean Ben Sheets, Justin Duchscherer or Erik Bedard.
A New Hampshire woman testified in court after being accused of killing a Red Sox fan (who taunted her for being a Yankee fan) with her car.

New York Yankees notes: About that budget ...

Ed Valentine — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 13:03:53 -0000

Oh, boy! Not 48 hours after we heard that our New York Yankees would have a budget of about $185 million for the 2010 season, word is already out that the number is "not a hard ceiling." Who did not expect that? We should know by now that there is never a hard ceiling on Steinbrenner money, and I know I'm OK with that.

We know that re-signing Andy Pettitte is General Manager Brian Cashman's first priority this off-season, as it should be. As a backup plan, it seems the Yankees are likely to check in with just about every available free-agent starting pitcher on the planet.

NY Baseball Digest thinks all of this speculation is bad news for fans of Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain in the rotation. To me, that's a classic over-reaction to a team simply pouring over its options during the middle of the off-season.

Robinson Cano, by the way, has an idea for the rotation. He would like to see Pedro Martinez in pinstripes.

"I say he's got some more in him. He'd be good (with the Yankees), especially with the kind of team we got," said Cano. "We score, most games, four or five runs. Guy like him, we only need him like five, six innings."

Thank God Cano is a second baseman and not a general manager. Pedro would be a desperation move, and the Yankees are not desperate.

By the way, the Winter Meetings start today. Jayson Stark of ESPN looks at what he sees as the top five plot lines for the meetings.

I'm not a John Sterling fan, but Zell's Pinstripe Blog points out a fun link to a clip of Sterling's most memorable calls of the 2009 post-season.

Finally, the New York Daily News tells us Alex Rodriguez is enjoying being a champion.

Around the Yankee Universe: Typical Jeter

Ed Valentine — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:30:48 -0000

More photos » by David Goldman - AP

New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter holds the 2009 Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year trophy after an award ceremony in New York on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009.

Browse more photos »

Derek Jeter's comments about winning the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year award were typical Jeter. Classy and humble. In other words, I am sure they will provide fodder for the legion of Jeter bashers to find something silly to say about the Yankee captain.

Here is some of what Jeter said.

"I thought the cover came out nice. The only thing that I thought was missing from that were my parents on both sides," Jeter said. "Even if you don't see them, just know that they're there beside me at all times."

Yep. Exactly the type of thing you would expect him to say.

Yes, even the Yankees have a budget

And over the next couple of days general manager Brian Cashman will find out what that is.

By the time general manager Brian Cashman drops his bags near the door of a hotel suite in Indianapolis next week, the Yankees will have a better idea of just how much they can spend plugging the holes of a World Series-winning roster.

"Once I get some firm numbers, I can go ahead and start putting together some ideas," Cashman said.

The Yankees were set to gather in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday and Friday of this week to discuss the parameters of their offseason budget, which will be sizable but not as extravagant as it was last winter, when New York shelled out a combined $423.5 million to land CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira.

Yankees scouring reliever market

The Yankees have expressed interest in free-agent reliever Brandon Lyon, according to major-league sources. The Yankees likely will express interest in all of the top available late-inning relievers — lefty Mike Gonzalez, righties Fernando Rodney, Rafael Soriano and Jose Valverde — if they haven't already.

My take: It doesn't take a genius to figure out the Yankees will at least kick the tires on the reliever market. With both Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain ticketed for the rotation, it's a no-brainer. Of course, it's also pretty easy to make the argument that the Yankees already have a ton of young, talented arms and don't need to bring in a veteran.

(Hat tip to MLB Trade Rumors)

Talking about Johnny Damon

The free-agent outfielder apparently thinks not being offered arbitration by the Yankees is a good thing.
River Avenue Blues says if Damon leaves, Mike Cameron would be the perfect short-term replacement. My take: We have heard Cameron's name connected to the Yankees for so long now I have to think that if Damon isn't re-signed this would be a strong possibility. And I guess I could live with it for a year.

A.J. Burnett makes pitch for Halladay

Here is Burnett talking about the Toronto ace.

"I think it's time for him to get a fresh start," Burnett said Monday. "He's paid his dues there, been the face of the organization, done everything they've asked him to do and more. At this point in his career, I think he just wants to win."

My take: I am on record as being in favor of bringing Halladay to the Bronx. In reality, though, I don't think there is much chance Burnett will get his wish.

Cashman lays out early plans for Hughes and Joba

Travis G — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:58:29 -0000

Reports Pete Gammons -

The Yankees are planning to go to spring training with Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain being programmed to start. "They can always go from starting to the bullpen, but it's tough going the other way," says Yankees general manager Brian Cashman.

Cashman feels David Robertson and Damaso Marte can pitch the seventh and eighth innings in front of Mariano Rivera, but a Yankees run at John Lackey, Ben Sheets or another starter hasn't been ruled out. The feeling inside the Yankees' offices is that there will be some payroll cutback, but how much is not known.

That's the way to go. Preparing to start prevents Hughes and Joba from neglecting their third and fourth pitches, which they wouldn't really need as relievers. It also allows them to not look desperate for starting pitching on the trade/FA market. And if they do end up acquiring a couple 'established' starters, it's far easier to to move one of Hughes/Joba to the pen where they can 'drop' a pitch rather than having to 're-learn' a pitch late in the off-season.

Elsewhere, the Yanks inked a 20-year-old Dominican IFA, Eladio Moronta.

MLB had suspended Moronta for one year earlier this year for misrepresenting his age, then lifted the suspension on September 28 after Moronta admitted he was 20 years old, not 17.

Moronta, who turns 21 on December 16, is a 6-foot-1, 183-pound righthanded hitter with plus-plus speed, a strong arm and projectable power.

He reportedly signed for $570,000. (h/t MLBTR)

Roy Halladay a Yankee? Make this happen, Brian

Ed Valentine — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:30:11 -0000

More photos » by Fred Thornhill - AP

Roy Halladay

Browse more photos »

Trade prospects, and maybe Joba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes to Toronto for Roy Halladay? Hang on to the youngsters, like Jesus Montero and Austin Jackson, and watch the Red Sox get the best pitcher available who is not already in a New York Yankee uniform?

That is the question confronting Yankee General Manager Brian Cashman this winter. Here is Jon Heyman of SI.com discussing the possibility.

Here is the most obvious reason the Yankees (or Red Sox) may now finally have a legit shot to trade for arguably baseball's best pitcher: New Toronto GM Alex Anthopoulos is making it clear he is genuinely willing to consider a deal with either the Yankees or Red Sox, a sharp contrast to Anthopoulos' predecessor, J.P. Ricciardi, who had GMs convinced he'd never make a Halladay trade with either the Yankees or Red Sox.

And here's yet another potential reason the Yankees (or Red Sox) might have an edge this time around: While Halladay's latest desires are not yet known (and agent Greg Landry did not return calls), with a year to go before free agency a player in Halladay's position can leverage his no-trade clause to engineer a trade to a team amenable to an extension. The Yankees have not heard that this will be the case. But if that happens here, the field could be limited to the teams who can pay a franchise pitcher. This is often the case when talking about big stars, and it was two years ago when Johan Santana was being shopped by the Twins -- the field was quickly winnowed to the two New York teams plus Boston, the three teams that could most easily work Santana into their budgets.

I have only one thing to say about this. MAKE THIS HAPPEN, CASH! If there is a realistic possibility you can put Halladay in pinstripes YOU HAVE TO DO THIS!!

If it costs you Montero, so be it. The Yankees are flush with catching prospects, and Montero might end up being just a DH, anyway.

If it costs you A-Jax, so be it. He might be a good big-league player some day. He might also be Ricky Ledee or Ruben Rivera. You don't pass on Roy Halladay to keep a guy who MIGHT become a good big-league outfielder.

If it costs you Joba Chamberlain, so be it. We still don't know what Joba is, but I think we know he is unlikely to become a Halladay-caliber starter. Besides, you would still have Phil Hughes, and I will bet you a buck (yeah, I'm a big gambler) that Hughes ends up having a better -- and longer -- career than Chamberlain.

If it costs you Hughes instead of Chamberlain, well, you still have Joba. And Ian Kennedy. And Dellin Betances. And you can always throw gazillions of dollars at Aroldis Chapman.

Want a list of reasons that are probably better, and most definitely funnier, than anything I can offer why the Yankees should do this? Diehard Yankee fan Jane Heller offers such a list over at Confessions of a She Fan. I'm not exactly jumping for joy like Jane at the thought of Halladay in pinstripes, but I do love the idea.

Around the Yankee Universe: It's always about the money

Ed Valentine — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:59:33 -0000

There is always news in Yankee land, so let's take a tour Around the Yankee Universe and see what stories are making the rounds today.

Moneyball: Dead, Alive, or on Life Support?

Gnashing of teeth around baseball about how much money the Yankees spend, and about how they can "buy" World Series titles, has been going on forever.

Well, a group of Harvard students did an exhaustive study of baseball's payrolls since 1990 to see just how much influence payroll has on winning in baseball.

Their conclusion? Money helps, but it's really how you spend and not how much you spend. I think I could have told you that without all the research. Anyway, here is part of the report.

Considering the past 8 seasons, this year was not particularly notable in terms of payroll predicting success. However, the big market clubs are spending smarter, particularly in the draft and on Latin American teenagers, which is not reflected in opening day payrolls. The margin for error for the little guys is razor thin and the window of opportunity can be very short (see: Indians’ downfall after 2007 and Rays’ slide after 2008). However, the data suggest that this year may not have called for the alarmist musings by some members of the media. Competitive balance is probably not what it should be, but this year was hardly different from most other recent seasons.

Credit for Pettitte

A pair of young Yankee pitchers are singing the praises of veteran left-hander Andy Petttitte. Joba Chamberlain is lobbying both the Yankees, and Pettitte, to keep Pettitte with the Yankees in 2010.

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

Ian Kennedy just finished the Arizona Fall League, pitching to a 2-1 record and a 4.25 ERA. Kennedy has refined a two-seam fastball, and gives some of the credit to Pettitte.

"If you watch some of the better guys, some of the best pitchers -- Andy Pettitte, Mike Mussina -- they all throw two-seamers," said Kennedy, who pitched alongside both starters in 2008. "You look at the positives and I've been watching those guys do it for a long time."

Free agent notes

Johnny Damon is a free agent for the third time, and says each time the uncertainty gets tougher. Hey, Johnny, at least you have a nice, fat bank account to fall back on. And you know you will be getting paid handsomely by someone. Try being one of the millions of Americans who don't have a job.
Sam Borden is not sure Matt Holliday would be a good fit for the Yankees.

10 Questions for Frankie Piliere

jscape2000 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:00:24 -0000

Frankie Piliere is a former MLB scout (Rangers), one time author of SaberScouting, and currently a writer for AOL Fanhouse.

He saw a lot of the Yankees' farm system over the last year while scouting for the Rangers, and he let me pepper him with questions.

Q: Yankee fans have heard so much about Austin Jackson, but we've been excited and disappointed by a long line of "the next great player" (Eric Duncan, Ruben Rivera, etc.). You wrote about Jackson's line drive ability, and we've heard about his plus tools since he was drafted.
What do you seen about AJax that you don't like?

The only thing about Jackson to have any concerns about, and this is true for most young players so it's difficult to call it a concern, is consistency. And, that's what Brian Cashman has to weight. Can he play his game consistently. I thought he was pretty consistent in 2009 in terms of making solid contact. I know people probably want to know about the power. The power is there if you see him in batting practice, and I think we'll see it in due time. Young players have to learn the difference between here's a pitch I can hit and here's a pitch I can drive. I really believe that will come through the natural maturation process with Jackson. There's a reason he's gone from a guy people called a raw athlete and had their doubts about coming out of the draft to a guy that has really developed pretty quickly. He makes adjustments very well.

Q: When you were at SaberScouting you did some interesting work regarding Pitches Toward Outs as a way to measure a pitcher's dominance of the opposition. Have you done (or plan to do) any more work in that vein?

Hey, someone remembers my little study I guess. I have toyed with it now and then but it got put on the back burner a little bit in the last year. I still think it's a pretty good overall measure of a pitcher's efficiency. It tells us things we couldn't tell without actually watching the pitcher on a day to day basis. If a guy is striking out hitters at a high rate and not using a lot of pitches that pretty much tells us all we could want to know about how dominant he's been. I'm hoping to maybe explore it further. I haven't had much demand for it but who knows I guess.

Q: What do you think of Pat Venditte?

A: If nothing else, it was a pretty cool experience getting to scout him. I mean, where else are you going to see something like that? But at the same time, he's difficult to scout because there's nothing to compare him against. So, I tried to evaluate him as two different pitchers basically. Right-handed he's 87-91, bumping 92 with a fringy breaking ball at 72-75. He's pretty straight forward from the right side. From the left he's more of a trick pitcher. 81-85 with the fastball with a big, sweeping breaking ball with some pretty good action. He's much more funky from the left and made some guys look pretty bad. He's got a real feel for pitching but still he's going to need to be pretty perfect from both sides to be a factor. I'm not sure his stuff translates. There's not really a standout pitch in there but he does command his pitches. I wouldn't look at him with much else besides curiousity, because if he was just a lefty or just a righty with that stuff you probably wouldn't know his name. But I must say he was better than I expected and he at least has a shot.

Q: Will we ever see Alan Horne in the show?

A: I hope so, he's an easy guy to root for. Of course this is kind of obvious but if he can ever stay healthy I still think so. I've always loved his stuff but it's just hard to bank on his health.

Q: Am I buying too much of the hype on Zach McAllister, or am I right to think that he can be a piece of the major league puzzle in 2010?

A: He has the sink and command to make a charge so I wouldn't rule it out. At the same time I don't think there will be a need to rush him. I guess you can never tell how things will shake out if he is dominating to start the year and even if the Yankees need some quick bullpen help. It would have to be intriguing to see how his already good stuff translated to short relief. I'm a big fan of breaking these guys in in the pen. I have no idea if it would even be discussed but I could see it if he is pitching great ball at AAA and they need another arm.

Q: The Yankees have a slew of prospects eligible for the Rule 5 draft. Who do you think the Yankees should protect?

A: Besides the no brainers like Jackson and probably Eduardo Nunez, Nova definitely needs to be added I think. Whelan has some big stuff too so I could easily see someone trying to snatch him. I can say this, I wouldn't want to be the one having to decide this because there's a lot of guys you could say may be picked up.

Q: Any guess on where Joba Chamberlain's missing velocity went?

A: I thought it was pretty clear this year with Joba. I just don't think his delivery was as explosive. It was getting back to that in the playoffs, which was promising. Whether he was just too reigned in as a starter or was too conscious of his mechanics I'm not sure. But even when he first returned to the pen the velocity wasn't the same. I think it comes down to aggression. When he's right Joba is exploding at the hitter.

Q: Compare/ contrast Mike Dunn and Wilkin de la Rosa. Is either guy someone to be excited for, and which would you rather have in your system?

A: That's a very good question. I have seen more of Dunn over the past couple of years but I think I'd take Dunn by a hair. That could change as I see what De La Rosa can do as he moves up but they are very similar in stuff. People should sleep on Dunn despite his less than dominant cup of coffee. I'll take Dunn by the slighest of margins. I think he has a tick more fastball and maybe a little better feel for pitching. But, I'll stress again it's very very close.

Q: You're Alex Anthopoulos, what pieces are you looking for out of the Yankees' system? Can you get a deal done without AJax and Montero? Where do you think the strongest final bid will be?

A: Honestly I don't think the deal is acceptable for the Jays unless Montero is in it. And it's also why I don't do it if I'm Cashman. It's a failure on the Jays part if they can't net the team they're trading with's top chip. Montero is the top chip the Yankees have. But, of course that's me. Maybe they will settle for a deal without him if they get desperate. A lot of deals with prospects hinge on the faith the team has in their scouts. The Twins trusted their scouts and went for some lower level talent in the Santana trade. Perhaps Toronto settles for the same thing. In which case, the Yankees have lots of other pieces to offer.

Q: You're Commissioner for the day. How would you revise the drafting/ international signing system?

A: I'd have to go for the international draft. And I think this has been discussed but for the draft order I think the playoff results should be considered. For the Yankees that would be moot this year since they had the best record and the World Series. But, how about other years where you had the team that won the World Series drafting before the Yankees. There's something wrong with that if you ask me. I'd probably want to change many things but those are two things that come to mind.

A huge thank you to Frankie for taking the time to talk baseball with us, and be sure to check out his columns.

Weekend Prowl: Hendry Wants Grandy, What Dombrowski Wants, Arizona Fall League, and the Tiger of the Year

Ian Casselberry — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:00:27 -0000

The Chicago Tribune's Phil Rogers heard from a source close to the Cubs that said general manager Jim Hendry is "absolutely" interested a package full of prospects to the Tigers for Curtis Granderson. (And really, if he wasn't, would Hendry be doing his job?)

The key word in Rogers' second paragraph, however, is "if." If Dave Dombrowski is willing to trade Granderson, Hendry wants a shot at him.

(via MLB Trade Rumors)

At The LoHud Yankees Blog, Sam Borden doesn't think Granderson is necessarily a fit for the World Series champs. And if the Tigers want Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain in a deal, he believes the Yanks should pass.

That kind of pitching might be exactly what Dombrowski is looking for, judging from what Brewers GM Doug Melvin told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel about conversations regarding Edwin Jackson.

As Jason Beck points out, that's more than just seeing what other teams have to offer. But it might also indicate that these trades aren't being considered simply to reduce payroll.

The Detroit Tigers Weblog posted some Arizona Fall League updates. Reliever Robbie Weinhardt and outfielder Casper Wells continue to be standouts. (Wells left Thursday's game after legging out an infield hit, but turned out to be fine.)

The Washington Nationals could have an opening at shortstop (they'd like to move Cristian Guzman over to second base), and one of the guys on their wish list to fill it is Adam Everett, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi. The note makes it sound, however, as if the Nats' first choice is Alex Gonzalez.

For all those Tigers fans who hope Placido Polanco doesn't end up with the Minnesota Twins next season, maybe you shouldn't read this post at Twins Target. Andrew Kneeland is another Twins blogger who thinks Polanco would be a great fit for them, giving them a #2 hitter they've rarely had.

Speaking of Everett, Jeff Zimmerman at Beyond the Box Score projects him to be the leader in UZR at shortstop for 2010.

(via @MackAveTigers on Twitter)

This is a few days old, but if the Tigers are truly interested in trading Jackson, Bucs Dugout wants the Pirates to get in on that action (and thinks closer Matt Capps, along with a couple of prospects, could do it).

At The Spot Starters, Blake VandeBunte has been ranking the Top 109 Seasons in Detroit Tigers history. Team 92 on his list is the 1999 Tigers. Reading through Blake's post, I recalled quite a bit of affection for that squad. Maybe because it was the last team to play in Tiger Stadium?

ESPN.com's Keith Law made his picks for five of the six postseason awards (Insider). (He passed on the NL Cy Young, because he actually cast a ballot in that vote.) Tigers fans will probably agree with his choice for AL Rookie of the Year.

Lost in all the trade rumor and speculation that unexpectedly exploded this week? Justin Verlander was unanimously voted Tiger of the Year by the Detroit chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America.

Jayson Stark wonders if Cliff Lee was the greatest trade deadline starting pitcher acquisition ever (Insider). If he was listing the worst, where might Jarrod Washburn rank?

Catching up on SBN awards

Ed Valentine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:00:43 -0000

It is awards time around Major League Baseball these days. Not to be outdone, the baseball bloggers here at SB Nation held their own awards voting.

I know they aren't official. But, kinda fun to see how our results compare with the official voting.

Here is how it broke down, according to our bloggers.

AL MVP -- Joe Mauer
NL MVP -- Albert Pujols
AL Rookie of the Year -- Elvis Andrus
NL Rookie of the Year -- Tommy Hanson
AL Cy Young -- Zack Grienke
NL Cy Young -- Tim Lincecum
AL Manager of the Year -- Mike Scioscia
NL Manager of the Year -- Jim Tracy

Keep reading for a few notes that actually involve our New York Yankees.

Curtis Granderson? Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News makes an outstanding argument for why the Yankees should forget about trading for the Detroit Tigers center fielder.

To me, this would be a mistake given what Detroit would likely be asking for. Granderson is a good player and an even better person, but as we saw this year, pitching is what wins championships.

Besides, go take a look at Granderson’s numbers the past three seasons - he was an absolute superstar in 2007, but he’s declined in each of the past two years. Not a good sign. He’s a strikeout machine (141 or more in three of the past four seasons) who can’t hit lefties (he hit .183 with two home runs and nine RBI in 180 at-bats last season), making him anything but a complete player.

If Brian Cashman decides to deal his top prospects - Austin Jackson and Jesus Montero, in particular - he better make sure it’s the right deal. Outfield isn’t really the Yankees’ need right now. They can easily sign back Johnny Damon and go to war with the same trio they had this year when they won the World Series.

If Cashman is going to trade Jackson and/or Montero, it’s got to be for Roy Halladay or another stud starting pitcher. The Yankees are intrigued by John Lackey, but not to the point where they want to give him $90 million. Adding Halladay to a rotation with CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett would put the Yankees in position to be the overwhelming favorite, and Halladay has already proven his ability to dominate in the AL East.

I missed this the other day, but when Brian Cashman was talking about the possible roles of Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain in 2010, he said neither pitcher will have an innings limit if they are starters. Hooray! No more training wheels.
Hideki Matsui may be a hero in Japan, but his agent says he won't be playing in his native country next season.
Former New York Yankee John Wetteland hospitalized after possible suicide attempt

Cashman clear on Joba, Phil

Ed Valentine — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:16:08 -0000

We have all winter to debate whether Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes should be in the starting rotation or the bullpen for the New York Yankees next season. But, let's come at the debate I am sure we will have for the next several months knowing exactly where General Manager Brian Cashman stands.

"I look at them as starters that can relieve," he said. "But I look at them as starters."

The Yankees will likely have lots of options for the back of the rotation, and no one knows for sure how it will play out. But, we know the organization seems steadfast in its belief that both guys are long-term rotation corner stones.

Let's look at some other stories making the rounds of the Inter-Google today that affect our World Champion Bronx Bombers.

More reasons to hate Scott Boras

Boras, we know, is the egotistical super-agent. Unfortunately for us, he represents Johnny Damon. Despite Damon' oft-stated desire to stay with the Yankees, Boras is not going to make that easy.

The Yankees were hoping all the joy associated with being a champion Yankee would motivate Johnny Damon to accept a one- or, at the most, two-year deal to return. However, his representative, Scott Boras, flushed the notion of a hometown bargain. Instead, he compared his client to Derek Jeter and sounded as if he wants a three- or four-year deal for Damon.

Oh, and if you want to replace Damon with free-agent Matt Holliday Boras represents him, too. And he wants Mark Teixeira money for Holliday.

WFAN's Sweeny Murti praises Brian Cashman

We have heard a lot of praise for Cashman recently, and will likely continue to hear it throughout the off-season. Here is WFAN's Sweeny Murti weighing in.

Did any of us really see this coming two years ago? Remember when Hank Steinbrenner was running amok, Joe Girardi was replacing Joe Torre, A-Rod was opting out and back in, and Johan Santana was on his way to Flushing instead of the Bronx?

Brian Cashman sat in front of the media last October and had what I called his "You can't handle the truth" moment, telling us all that he was going to re-write the story. None of us knew that he would be proven right only a year later.

Who's in Center Field? Gardbrera, and the Yanks are in good hands

The outstanding River Avenue Blues is looking at what went right for the Yankees in 2009. Here is their take on center field.

Across the board, the performance in centerfield improved in 2009. The Gardbrera duo (plus a two game cameo from Jerry Hairston Jr.) hit .273-.338-.400, as Melky once again carried most of the load. Not only was the offensive upgrade welcome, but the defense also improved immensely thanks to Gardner. The team’s UZR/150 in center jumped to +7.5, third best in the AL. The league average offense and well-above average defense gave the Yankees the most production out of the centerfield position since Bernie Williams was in his heyday.

Baseball GMs pass on expanding instant replay - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

Not a Yankee story, but I had to mention it.

Upon further review … baseball general managers like instant replay the way it is. GMs failed to take a vote Tuesday on expanding instant replay following a postseason filled with blown calls by umpires. "I know there are some who have talked off line about the expansion of instant replay," said Jimmie Lee Solomon, executive vice president of baseball operations in the commissioner’s office. "Right now, the commissioner doesn’t see any reason to consider it."

My take: i think it's stupid that baseball, with the technology already in place to improve the game, refuses to use it. Especially after the poor post-season umpiring we just witnessed.