Now that we are only a month away from pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training, it seems appropriate to take a look at what housekeeping issues the New York Yankees still need to address.
In spite of an active last two months of 2013, GM Brian Cashman has some open items to take care of before the club can call itself ready for the 2014 campaign.
Starting Pitching
We sit exactly one month until Valentine's Day, when the Yankees' pitchers and catchers begin their activities at the team's Tampa facilities, yet ...
The New York Yankees will have a very different look to their offense this season.
With the key additions of Brian McCann, Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran in the offseason, this team has promise again.
Here is a look at the most crucial players for the Yankees going into the 2014 season.
All statistics courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.Begin Slideshow
Peter Gammons of GammonsDaily.com recently suggested that New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman wouldn't trade outfielder Brett Gardner "until and unless he has to for starting pitching."
This scenario, while not likely to be in play at this time with the Yankees pursuing Japanese star Masahiro Tanaka and several other frontline starting pitching options still available in free agency, could quickly become a reality.
If the team is not willing to go over the $189 million luxury tax threshold for 2014—as I wrote two days ago, they're close now even with ...
If Alex Rodriguez had come clean about performance-enhancing drug use last spring, he could be gearing up for spring training as the starting third baseman for the New York Yankees. Instead, his career, legacy and reputation have been reduced to rubble by his ego and addiction to the game.
According to Buster Olney of ESPN (subscription required), Rodriguez had a plea deal on the table from Major League Baseball last spring—with a suspension possibly as low as 50 games—but refused to go through with the agreement. As the Biogenesis scandal played out ...
New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez's 211-game suspension was reduced to 162 games Saturday, and he won't be eligible for the postseason.
While Rodriguez doesn't appear to be giving up just yet—his Facebook page says he will take his fight to federal court—the Yankees can be all but certain that their 2014 season will be "A-Rod free," and they can plan accordingly.
That plan could still go one of at least two ways. Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports the team will save $27.5 million on luxury tax payroll, although they ...
The New York Yankees officially reached an agreement with lefty reliever Matt Thornton Friday afternoon.
Jack Curry of the YES Network first reported the agreement, which is for two years and $7 million, on December 17.
The 37-year-old pitched to a combined 3.74 ERA with the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox in 2013. He has spent ten seasons in the major leagues, compiling a 32-42 record with a 3.53 ERA.
With the retirement of closer Mariano Rivera and the departure of both Joba Chamberlain and Boone Logan in free ...
After signing outfielders Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran this offseason, it was clear that the New York Yankees needed to make additional moves in order to make room. They did precisely that on Jan. 10 by designating veteran outfielder Vernon Wells for assignment, according to ESPN's Buster Olney.
The Yankees made things official later Friday afternoon:
#Yankees sign LHP Matt Thornton to a 2-year contract through 2015; designate OF Vernon Wells for assignment.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) January 10, 2014
It isn't a particularly shocking decision on New York's part due to the ...
The New York Yankees have had a busy offseason to date, but the effectiveness of their offseason exploits will ultimately be defined by the moves general manager Brian Cashman makes in the weeks leading up to spring training.
Brian McCann, Jacoby Ellsbury, Carlos Beltran and many others are now donning pinstripes for the first time in their respective careers. Cashman was quick in attacking the free-agent market to improve the team's lineup, though he failed to address his starting rotation.
Outside of re-signing Hiroki Kuroda, Cashman has been inactive in regards to ...
On the surface, the New York Yankees would seemingly benefit greatly from a suspension that would keep third baseman Alex Rodriguez out for the entire season and possibly beyond—he is currently appealing a 211-game ban and a decision from the arbitrator is expected any day now.
For one, they wouldn't have to pay him his $24 million salary for the upcoming season, which could have an effect on how their offseason concludes. With several holes to fill, including at least one in the rotation and two in the bullpen, having that ...
The New York Yankees have spent most of the offseason rebuilding an offensive lineup that failed the team miserably last season.
With a retooled offense and millions of dollars spent to prove it, it's time to focus the attention on a starting rotation that has many unknowns in it.
In 2013, the Yankees' pitching ranked in the middle of the pack overall and finished the season with a 3.94 ERA, which was eighth in the American League, per ESPN.
Gone are Phil Hughes and Andy Pettitte. The Yankees have three spots in the ...