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Yankees Hot Stove: Not doing their due diligence

Posted by on 18 January 2013, 3:44 pm

Let me get right to the point.

Mike Napoli

Mike Napoli (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Yesterday, ESPN reported that the Boston Red Sox had got catcher Mike Napoli to agree to a one-year deal worth $5 million bucks. Mind-you Napoli has suffered from a lingering hip injury, so I am sure his physical wasn’t stellar but regardless he brings a right-handed power bat that Boston needed.

The New York Yankees could have benefited from a right-handed power bat, as they are in desperate need of one, and if Napoli stays healthy he could very well get behind the dish too.

But the ex- Ranger is not the first but the second free agent catcher to ink a one-year deal, as his spot in Texas was filled by backstop AJ Pierzynski a few weeks back.

So my question is where the heck were the New York Yankees during these negotiations? 

Presumably, since Hal and company basically packed the team’s starting catcher Russell Martin bags for Pittsburgh that acquiring a catcher who can hit bombs would be a high priority.

Also the fact that both Pierzynski and Napoli accepted a one-year deal makes this even more puzzling.

So once again this off-season, I feel deceived by the Yankees because words are not matching actions and that is trouble.

I mean it was only a week ago that Hal Steinbrenner reiterated his father’s promises to the Wall Street Journal’s Brian Costa, “…the commitment to field a championship team is paramount, and that won’t change. Our fans expect that.”

Well, I guess a starting catcher but more importantly a righty power hitter is no longer a necessity in the Bronx. Continue reading ‘Yankees Hot Stove: Not doing their due diligence’ »

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New York Yankees: Adios Soriano

Posted by on 16 January 2013, 3:45 am

Ah… another day in Yankees Universe, as more disappointing news just keeps on coming.

Rafael Soriano

Rafael Soriano (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As the Washington Nationals just cemented themselves as the favorites to win the 2013 World Series, and the reason is the new addition of now ex-Yankees closer Rafael Soriano to their bullpen.

The Washington Post reports that Soriano will be pocketing $28 million over the next two-seasons with a vesting option for a third. And let me tell you Soriano will earn every penny, as the guy is that good and will be a difference maker down in DC.

Soriano will join current closer Drew Storen, and 2011 all-star reliever Tyler Clippard, who saved 32-games last year, in the Nationals bullpen.

The Nationals were clearly not happy with their quick departure from the 2012 NLDS, thanks to the bullpen having a meltdown. So by adding Soriano, the Nationals ownership is sending a clear-cut message that they want to win now. And trust me when I say having Soriano will pay in dividends, as he is a winner and could be the icing on cake to get the franchise its first World Series championship.

And I can safely speak for most Yankee fans when I say that without Soriano’s consistency, fearlessness and dominance in 2012, the Yankees would not have survived at all. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Adios Soriano’ »

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Yankees Hot Stove: Another Hal causality

Posted by on 14 January 2013, 7:38 am
English: Hal Steinbrenner

English: Hal Steinbrenner (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Just last week at the MLB owners’ meetings in Arizona inherited New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner gave fans hope when he told the Wall Street Journal

and New York Post, “Is our goal 189 next year? Yes, but only if I’m convinced that the team I see we put together is a championship-caliber team.”

Hal also said this about the upcoming 2013 season, “We’ve got some work to do still. We need another bat. We’re not done yet.”

Ok well at least Hal and I agree on one aspect of this off-season, except that I think an asterisk should follow his above statements because thus far I have yet to see the Yankees act like the Yankees.

See in order for Hal’s financial plan to work by 2014, the 2013 Yankees will have to suffer in order for this to work.

Hence, the reason, for GM Brian Cashman being basically limited to offering one-year deals this off-season.

Here is what the Yankees are on the books for in 2014, and remember this is sans Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson: (this summary is courtesy of the blog River Avenue Blues) Continue reading ‘Yankees Hot Stove: Another Hal causality’ »

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New York Yankees: Shallow Hal

Posted by on 13 January 2013, 1:06 am

Finally, Yankee Universe gets confirmation that team owner Hal Steinbrenner is alive.

Scenes from the Yankee Parade 2009

Scenes from the Yankee Parade 2009 (Photo credit: ChrisGampat)

Hal discussed the current state of the Yankees with New York Post’s Ken Davidoff down in Arizona at the annual MLB owners meetings last week.

Everyone under the sun knows that Hal is a “numbers” guy and has made it clear that he is implementing frugality when it comes to spending money on his father’s beloved Yankees.

Here is what Hal had to say:

“All I can continue to tell everyone is our commitment to the fans is never going to change. We will always field a championship-caliber team. Is our goal $189 million next year? Yes. But only if I’m convinced that the team I see we put together is a championship-caliber team.”

Hal does this make sense?

The current state of the Yankees does not have the foundation to rebuild until these big contracts expire but with other MLB owners spending away, big contracts are becoming almost unavoidable.

The Yankees present payroll obligations makes it impossible for the team to win without retooling that costs money.

The spending ways of the late great George Steinbrenner cannot just vanish and poof, and all of a sudden the Yankees are the new Rays.  And the fact that everything costs more in New York City has to factor in too.

What boggles my mind is how Hal can honestly think that the 2013 Yankees are championship-caliber team?

Did the team improve during the off-season?

No the Yankees intentionally became inferior, while other teams, like the Detroit Tigers improved. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Shallow Hal’ »

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Yankee fans: CC Sabathia needs your vote today

Posted by on 11 January 2013, 3:18 pm

Calling all New York Yankee fans….

Tweet or RT #MLB13CC to vote for CC!

Tweet or RT #MLB13CC to vote for CC!

Wouldn’t it be AWESOME to see CC Sabathia on the front cover for MLB 13 The Show, the soon-to-be released latest MLB video game (3/25/13)?

So help out the Yankees ace by clicking HERE to be redirected to the MLB.com’s main voting page, and follow instructions to vote via FB or twitter.

OR

Just write a tweet or retweet CC’s MLB13 Cover Showdown hashtag #MLB13CC.  This way you do not have to visit mlb.com/CoverVote just go straight to twitter. Continue reading ‘Yankee fans: CC Sabathia needs your vote today’ »

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2013 New York Yankees: 3 reasons to be very worried

Posted by on 9 January 2013, 2:45 am

Not so long ago, the MLB offseason was considered one of  the most exciting times for New York Yankee fans.

Francisco Cervelli

Francisco Cervelli (Photo credit: Keith Allison)

There was a time when hot stove headlines were greedily hogged by the Bronx Bombers with news of the team’s latest, big-name acquisition.

Well my friend, those days are long gone, as it is safe to say that I am not confident at all about this 2013 ballclub and anyone who disagrees with this should be considered delusional.

Now, where do I start?

The justification behind my uncertainties are countless, and this post could go on forever. So instead here are three of the most obvious and undeniable reasons all of Yankee Universe should start to lower their expectations pronto.

  1. Injury prone, veteran players tend to get injured as Father Time inevitably creeps up on all of us and baseball players are not immune to this. And the Yankees have a significant number of ‘passed-their-prime’ players who are coming of recent injuries, like Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte whose aliments all required surgery. Also, ace CC Sabathia needed surgery during the off-season to remove bone spurs for his throwing elbow. The everyday catching position battle involved prospect Austin Romine who missed most of 2012 Triple A season after he needing surgery on his lower back; and Francisco Cervelli who has been sidelined due to numerous concussions suffered behind the backstop.
  1. Still searching for a right-handed hitting outfielder/designated-hitter, as the current batting line-up is lefty dominate with the losses of switch-hitting Nick Swisher, Eric Chavez,  Raul Ibanez and with no exact timetable for Alex Rodriguez’s return. Sports Illustrated reported that A-rod is scheduled to have hip surgery on January 16th, and his surgeon said he could return right after the All-Star Break, so sometime in August. Now the Washington Nationals are listening to trade offers on Mike Morse, who posted a .291 batting average, with 18 home-runs and 62 RBIs in 406 at-bats last season. Continue reading ‘2013 New York Yankees: 3 reasons to be very worried’ »
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Yankee fans who missed Ray Lewis do the squirrel

Posted by on 8 January 2013, 4:33 am
English: Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis...

English: Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis at the 2008 regular season game against the Pittsburgh Steelers (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In case you did not watch the AFC Wild Card Game when the Baltimore Ravens hosted the Indianapolis Colts, you missed out and I am not talking about the game itself.

I am referring witnessing one of the most motivating displays of pure enthusiasm and passion by an athlete in all of sports for the very last time.

After 17-seasons with the Ravens, yesterday was the last time NFL fans will ever get to see linebacker Ray Lewis do his trademark “squirrel” dance, as the future Hall of Famer will be retiring after the 2013 NFL Playoffs.

Lewis enthused his Ravens to thump the Colts 29-4, and the next stop for Baltimore is Denver to face Peyton Manning and his Broncos in the Mile High City.

I hope the New York Yankees tuned in as I have a feeling the 2013 team could benefit from this following last year’s embarrassing postseason exit. Continue reading ‘Yankee fans who missed Ray Lewis do the squirrel’ »

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