February 22nd, 2012 at 10:14 PM
By Daniel SirianniThe New York Yankees have signed 23 year-old utility player Burt Reynolds to a minor league deal, tweets Kevin Goldstein.
New York Yankees Robinson Cano reacts hits a Grand Slam in the sixth inning against the Detroit Tigers in game 1 of the ALDS at Yankee Stadium in New York City on October 1, 2011. UPI/John Angelillo
Reynolds has no relation to the famous actor/comedian
Burt Reynolds, but he is the cousin of Yankees second baseman
Robinson Cano.
Drafted in the 30th round of the 2006 MLB Amateur Draft by the Washington Nationals, he has played third base, right field, left field, and first base throughout his minor league career. Last season in the Canadian-American Association league, he batted .232 with 13 home runs and 36 RBI in 71 games.
While he might draw some attention because he shares his name with a famous celebrity, he will just be minor league depth for the Yankees organization.
Also…
Read more... Join the Conversation... February 22nd, 2012 at 5:32 PM
By Daniel SirianniThe New York Yankees have signed 30 year-old reliever David Aardsma. The deal is will pay Aardsma $500k plus incentives this year, with a $500k option for next year, reports Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.
Seattle Mariners' closer
David Aardsma preserves a 2-1 win over the Texas Rangers at SAFECO Field in Seattle on September 19, 2010. The Mariners beat the Rangers 2-1. UPI Photo/Jim Bryant.
Aardsma missed the entire 2011 season and underwent Tommy John surgery last July.
In 2009, Aardsma had a career-high 38 saves with a career-best 2.52 ERA for the Seattle Mariners in his first season as a closer. He followed that season up with 31 saves and a 3.44 ERA in 2010 with Seattle.
To make room for the veteran right-hander on the Yankees 40-man roster, lefty reliever Pedro Feliciano has been placed on the 60-day DL. However, Aardsma is still recovering from his surgery, so he will be placed on the 60-day DL as well once the Yankees officially add Eric Chavez to the 40-man roster.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman thinks Aardsma can help the team this season, but is more excited about his impact next season when he is fully healthy again.
"The move could help us in 2012, but has a lot more eyes toward 2013," Cashman said. "Aardsma is another power arm choice for us at a cost-contained price."
With current Yankees closer Mariano Rivera possibly retiring after the season, Aardsma's experience saving games could make him a candidate for the closer role in 2013.
Read more... Join the Conversation... February 22nd, 2012 at 2:59 AM
By Karen VankatNew York Yankees manager
Joe Girardi talks to the media during a news conference at the team's spring training camp at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida, February 14, 2011. Pitchers and catchers will have their first workout on February 15. REUTERS/Steve Nesius (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT
BASEBALL HEADSHOT)
New York Yankee manager Joe Girardi had his first press conference of spring training covering numerous topics concerning his club.
Girardi talked about the disappointment of losing to the Detroit Tigers last year and believes there wasn't that much of a gap between the two teams. Not having the clutch hitting by the middle of the lineup was the biggest reason for the Yankees early demise in last year's playoff run.
A few weeks ago there were seven starters for five rotation spots, now there are six. With the trade of A.J. Burnett to the Pittsburgh Pirates this gives Girardi a little less stress in deciding his rotation for the upcoming season. During his press conference Girardi went out of his way not to make the final spot a competition between Phil Hughes and Freddy Garcia. CC Sabathia as his opening day starter is the only known quantity. The rotation, which was seen as a weakness, has been upgraded with the additions of Hiroki Kuroda and Michael Pineda. Ivan Nova another quality young arm proved last year what a good pitcher he is physically as well as mentally. Girardi told the media, "Sometimes a rotation has a way of ironing itself out like ours did last year."
Read more... Join the Conversation... February 21st, 2012 at 10:02 PM
By Daniel SirianniThe New York Yankees have signed third baseman Eric Chavez to a one-year deal, tweets Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.
New York Yankees first baseman
Eric Chavez flips the ball toward Ivan Nova covering first on a grounder hit by Philadelphia Phillies' Placido Polanco during the second inning of a
MLB spring training game at Bright House Field in Clearwater, Florida, February 27, 2011. REUTERS/Steve Nesius (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT
BASEBALL)
The deal, which is major league and guaranteed, will pay Chavez $900k plus incentives, reports Heyman.
Chavez, 34, was the Yankees back up third baseman last year, but missed a large part of the season because of a foot injury. In 58 games, he batted .263 with 26 RBI and two home runs.
Once the deal is official, the Yankees will have to make room for him on the 40-man roster. However, Joba Chamberlain or Pedro Feliciano, who are both expected to miss the start of the season with injuries, could be put on the 60-day DL instead of releasing a player.
Chavez will back up Alex Rodriguez at third base while also competing for some at-bats at DH and pinch hitting.
Read more... Join the Conversation... February 21st, 2012 at 12:14 AM
By Daniel SirianniThe New York Yankees are in talks with corner infielder Eric Chavez about returning for another season in pinstripes. No deal has been made yet, but the two sides are expected to come to an agreement, reports Andrew Marchand.
New York Yankees third baseman
Eric Chavez reaches in vain in to the stands for a foul ball hit by Baltimore Orioles' Mark Reynolds in the ninth inning of their
MLB American League
baseball game in Baltimore, Maryland August 29, 2011. REUTERS/Joe Giza (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT
BASEBALL)
After trading starter A.J. Burnett to the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Yankees had some extra cash to spend on bench depth. Their first priority was finding a left-handed DH, so they signed outfielder Raul Ibanez. They also wanted to bring Chavez back, but they weren't sure if they could afford it.
However, Ibanez signed for $1.1 million plus incentives, most likely leaving the Yankees with enough room to land Chavez as well.
Chavez, 34, batted .263 with 26 RBI last season for New York. He can be productive as Alex Rodriguez's back up at third base, but has a history of injuries and missed a large part of last season with a foot injury.
The Yankees have done a great job of adding veteran depth to the roster throughout the offseason. If they are going to use a DH platoon and want to keep aging stars like A-Rod and Derek Jeter rested and healthy, then having quality back ups will be vital to their success.
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