Yankees baseball blog

Thames signs with Yanks

The Yankees completed their outfield shopping Monday, bringing back one-time Bomber Marcus Thames on a minor-league contract and inviting him to spring training and finally making a formal announcement of their one-year deal with Randy Winn. Both could give Brett Gardner significant competition for at-bats in the Yanks' third outfield spot, with Curtis Granderson and Nick Swisher manning the other two. Continue

Hank is confident for 2010

Maybe it was just coincidence, but on the day after an NFL owner ridiculed the free-spending Yankees for even needing a GM, Hank Steinbrenner made some rare public comments in Tampa praising Brian Cashman for the moves he has made this off-season.

Steinbrenner, who was practically invisible last season while brother Hal stepped forward publicly as the new ownership face of the Yankees, spoke to an AP reporter at the team's minor-league complex. Continue

Joba is OK with pen if it leads to closer role

Joba the starter is open to becoming Joba the reliever, especially if the Yankees want to groom him as Mariano Rivera's heir apparent.

Speaking to reporters last night before the annual Thurman Munson awards dinner in Manhattan, Joba Chamberlain reiterated comments he made to The Post on Saturday, when he said he considers himself a starter -- but said he also realizes the Yankees have final say in the matter.

"Being down [in the bullpen] for two stints, you get to see how good [Rivera] is, and you know there is going to have to be somebody who comes behind him that replaces the legacy that is Mariano," Chamberlain said. "If that opportunity comes, great. If we sit down and they say that, then we'll get after it." Continue

Joba expects to start

Joba Chamberlain's eyes are set squarely on the fifth spot in the Yankees' rotation.

The right-handed pitcher told The Post last night that he will arrive in Tampa next week -- well before pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report for spring training -- with the idea he's a starting pitcher for 2010. Team brass has told him to have that mindset.

But Chamberlain also said he isn't taking anything for granted knowing that Phil Hughes and Alfredo Aceves, among others, are chasing the same carrot.

"I'm going to go in and understand a lot of guys are fighting for that spot," Chamberlain said after an autograph signing in New Rochelle in conjunction with Steiner Sports. "Nothing is guaranteed." Continue

Winn in, Damon out

The Yankees have known for more than a month — since they agreed to terms with Nick Johnson on Dec. 17 — that Johnny Damon was a long shot to return. Yesterday, with the commitment to Randy Winn, that long shot turned into a virtual no-shot.

Winn, 35, agreed to a one-year, $2-million contract with the Yankees, pending a physical examination. A switch hitter, he’ll serve primarily as the righthanded component of a platoon with Brett Gardner, either in leftfield or in centerfield (with Curtis Granderson shifting to left). Continue

Damon the $2 million dollar man?

Johnny can come marching home again, but only on the cheap.

The Yankees have spoken with Johnny Damon's agent, Scott Boras, in recent days about the possibility of a Bronx encore for the outfielder -- even though club officials aren't exactly holding their breath.

With only $2 million or so remaining in the Yankees' budget (perhaps a few extra dollars would be available in incentives), Damon is expected to say "No" one final time and hope for a better offer elsewhere.

An Internet report yesterday indicated Damon had been given the weekend to decide on returning. However, general manager Brian Cashman denied that was the case. Continue

Who has the best staff in AL East?

Baseball's two superpowers have been adding reinforcements all winter and they're probably not done yet, either. But when the Yankees acquired Javier Vazquez in a trade with Atlanta Tuesday, it probably was their last rotation move, giving us nearly two months before spring training begins to contemplate whether their starting five is as strong as that of the rival Red Sox.

Boston may have one more rotation transaction to go - could likely No. 5 starter Clay Buchholz be part of a package for a bat? - but these two teams should have quite an arms race come spring and summer. Continue

Yankes trade Melky for Vazquez

Javier Vazquez is coming back to the Bronx.

The Daily News has learned that the Yankees will acquire the righthanded pitcher from the Braves along with lefthanded reliever Boone Logan, sending Melky Cabrera, lefthander Mike Dunn and righthander Arodys Vizcaino to the Braves.

Vazquez pitched for the Yankees in 2004, going 14-10 with a 4.91 ERA before being traded to Arizona for Randy Johnson - in a deal Brian Cashman didn't want to make at the time. Now Cashman is reacquiring the 33-year-old, adding him to a rotation with CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Andy Pettitte and either Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain. Continue

Nick Johnson returns, Damon done

The Yankees Friday finalized a one-year, $5.5 million deal with first baseman-DH Nick Johnson, effectively ending Johnny Damon's run in pinstripes.

The deal will not be officially announced until sometime next week after Johnson completes a physical. According to baseball sources, Johnson, 31, had more lucrative offers from a couple of other teams but wanted to return to the Yankees, who drafted him in 1996 and with whom he began his career in 2001.

Johnson was one of many options GM Brian Cashman spelled out to the Yankee high command in organizational meetings two weeks ago in the event the Yankees couldn't agree with Damon. Continue

Gone-zilla

According to the source, the World Series MVP will receive about $6.5 million, replacing Vladimir Guerrero as the Angels' designated hitter.

Matsui had intended to wait for the Yankees' situation to be resolved before signing elsewhere, but with the Johnny Damon saga seemingly weeks away from a conclusion, Matsui decided to take the Angels' offer.

The Yankees hadn't planned to pursue Matsui unless Damon signed elsewhere, not wanting to lock up their DH spot with one player. Jorge Posada is expected to see at least 50 games as the DH, while A-Rod should get 15-20 games there, too. Continue