On Saturday, the free-agency period began for Major League Baseball.Every winter, it seems like every big name somehow gets tied to the New York Yankees, whether it be a free agent or a top trade target.I don't know if it's because the Yankees have the largest payroll in the sport or that they're usually aggressive in the winter; either way, every major talent one way or another gets linked to the Bronx.For example, both Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder both came up in rumor discussions with the Yankees, but nothing ...
After a brilliant trade by Brian Cashman in December, 2008, the Yankees have enjoyed four seasons of steady production from right-fielder Nick Swisher.But that’s about to change.Swisher is a free agent and rumors have been rampant that he’s seeking “Jayson Werth money," or at least something in the ballpark of that massive seven-year, $126M contract given out by the Nationals two years ago. At the very least, Swisher has to be thinking about the six-year, $95.95M contract snagged by Andre Ethier last spring. Keeping Swisher, who has fallen out of ...
Hiroki Kuroda was arguably the most reliable starter for the New York Yankees last season, tossing 219.2 innings with a 3.32 ERA.The 37-year-old's one-year, $10 million contract proved to be a genius move by general manager Brian Cashman.Kuroda has already said that he is "content" to take another one-year deal next season, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe (h/t River Avenue Blues). The Yankees responded by making him the qualifying offer of $13.3 million.The Yankees aren't assured of having Kuroda back in 2013 just yet, though. David Lennon ...
The 2013 Yankees, no doubt, will be an old team. The infield, which has been the foundation around which the entire team has been built over the past seasons, averages over 34 years of age. It's two most celebrated members, Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, are 38 and 37, respectively. While age may be a state of mind for those of us in the real world, it is far more than that to an athlete. It is, in many cases, the primary barometer with which to gauge the very state ...
The struggles of the New York Yankees during the 2012 ALCS were in large part because of the their aging players. While the team must look to get younger, they should make bringing back 39-year-old outfielder Ichiro Suzuki a priority for 2013. Ichiro is no longer the same superstar who patrolled the Seattle Mariners outfield for more than a decade. While his production has declined over the last several seasons, he’s still a useful player who can positively impact the Yankees. The mid-season trade from Seattle to the Yankees this ...
New York Yankees fans can breathe a sigh of relief as Mariano Rivera has announced he will be back for the 2013 campaign. With that announcement, one cannot help but wonder who is going to be groomed to take over in the ninth inning once the shoo-in for Cooperstown finally hangs up his spikes.Following Rivera's traumatic season-ending injury in 2012, the Yankees were fortunate enough to have former Tampa Bay Ray Rafael Soriano in their arsenal, and the big right-hander stepped up his game to fill the void.In 69 appearances, ...
It is easy to forget that the New York Yankees won 95 games, had the second best run differential in the majors and the top-seed heading into the AL playoffs.That's because their season came to a crashing halt in the ALCS after the Detroit Tigers embarrassingly swept them out of the playoffs. The Yankees have not been swept out of a seven-game series since the 1976 World Series.The players on the field are rightfully getting the brunt of the verbal abuse in the media for their disappearing act. However, GM Brian Cashman ...
Russell Martin hit an atrocious .211 this season, but that shouldn't stop him from being one of the most coveted options at the catcher position this offseason, opines Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.Heyman reports that the New York Yankees have no intention of extending a qualifying offer of $13.3 million towards Martin, so it's a near guarantee that he'll be testing the free-agent market.With the options of Brian McCann and Carlos Ruiz being picked up by the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies, respectively, the catching class is exceptionally weak.Because of this, ...
Mariano Rivera is the best closer in the history of Major League Baseball. That's not an opinion, that's a bona fide fact, accepted and defended by anyone who can be considered a baseball fan. Mariano Rivera, however, is also a very old baseball player. Again, a simple fact. At age 42, it's just not possible for him to be the same pitcher he used to be. And with a recent ACL surgery on top of that, his chance of another dominant season is even more far-fetched.I would never question Mo's heart, ...
The Yankees have a busy offseason ahead of them, with three offensive regulars (Russell Martin, Nick Swisher and Ichiro Suzuki), two starting pitchers (Hiroki Kuroda and Andy Pettitte) and two important relievers (Mariano Rivera and Rafael Soriano) all free agents, in addition to other question marks on the roster. Some of these players will be back and others will not. Offensively, Swisher is likely on his way out and Suzuki may be as well. Martin is more of an unknown. One option to add to the lineup is Joe Mauer, ...