Yankees baseball blog

Cano can be even better

Batting titles. MVP awards. The Hall of Fame.

Hearing these words associated with a Yankees infielder isn't unusual given the accomplishments of A-Rod and Derek Jeter. Only these phrases aren't being thrown around about either of the superstars on the left side of the Bombers' infield, but rather the man playing second base across from them.

Robinson Cano's first five years in pinstripes have placed him in the conversation when it comes to the game's elite second basemen, but as good as Cano has been, he knows that there's still plenty of room for him to grow. Continue

A-Rod in minor car accident

Alex Rodriguez crashed his $400,000 Maybach as he arrived at the Yankee spring training camp in Tampa on Thursday morning. A-Rod was involved in what's described as a "minor fender bender" as he arrived at Tampa's Steinbrenner Field at about 6:15 a.m. to prepare to tell the media he's a "changed man" after a tumultuous 2009. A spokesman for the slugger strongly denied rumors he'd been texting at the time of the crash, adding, "There were no injuries and Alex is fine." (Page 6)

A-Rod looking for a repeat of 09

Alex Rodriguez wants us to believe he can blend into the fabric of the Yankees for a second straight season.

He can say all the right things, give credit to his teammates and gush about nothing but winning matters.

And yet everybody knows that Rodriguez can never truly blend into anything. His talent will eventually carry him to the title of “Best Player Ever,” the money he makes separates him from everybody else and he isn’t shy about being seen all over town, which makes him a Page Six favorite.

“It’s been difficult [to blend in], but in ‘09 it wasn’t,” Rodriguez said yesterday. “I hope to continue that.” Continue

Jeter won't leave Yanks

Mickey. Whitey. Joe D. Gehrig. Scooter. Donnie Baseball.

Some time in November, you can add Derek Jeter to the list of Forever Yankees. And make room for Mariano Rivera.

What, you don’t think the 27-time world champions and the captain will agree on a multi-year extension that will keep Jeter in pinstripes until the day he retires?

If you want to bet the other way, send your wager to the e-mail address at the end of this story.

“I’ve said from Day One, this is the only organization I’ve ever wanted to play for, and that’s still true today,” Jeter said yesterday before the team’s first full-squad workout at George M. Steinbrenner Field. “I was a Yankees fan growing up. This is where I want to be. I’ve never envisioned myself playing anywhere else, and hopefully I don’t have to.” Continue

Park signs with Yanks

The addition of Chan Ho Park to the Yankees’ bullpen doesn’t present an over-crowding problem for Brian Cashman or Joe Girardi.

Though Cashman refused to publicly admit the Yankees and the veteran right-hander have agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.2 million that will become official when the 36-year-old passes a physical, the GM said he believes there isn’t any such thing as too deep a 'pen.

“The more the merrier,’’ Cashman said. “You can never have enough.’’

Girardi echoed his boss.

“We will make sure we will take the best 12 guys,’’ Girardi said. “Having more quality arms than spots is a luxury.’’ Continue

Battle for 5th spot heats up

Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain added curveballs to their bullpen workouts yesterday at George M. Steinbrenner Field, where the leading candidates for the No. 5 starters' spot were watched closely by coaches, reporters and fans.

Because it was the duo's second bullpen session since camp opened, the fastball/change-up restriction was lifted.

"Usually, your first few (curveballs) you have trouble getting it to the plate," Hughes said. "Today there was some bite, the same as last year."

Hughes says the curveball is the last pitch to be sharpened. Chamberlain says it's his slider. Continue

Posada expecting to catch for A.J.

Four months after being benched for A.J. Burnett's four postseason starts, Jorge Posada says he never took it personally, even if he didn't like it. And now, he says, he can't wait to catch Burnett again.

"I get up when he pitches," Posada said Saturday, referring to his intensity level behind the plate. "My body raises up the way it raised when I caught Roger Clemens, when I caught guys like that. A.J. is that special.

"Last year I really got up when he pitched. You can't be passive back there. His stuff is so good, he's electrifying. It's a real challenge, but it's fun. It's unfortunate what happened last season, but I'm looking forward to catching him again. I really am." Continue

Joba will be in the pen

This is supposed to be the year we all finally find out what Joba Chamberlain can do as a starter without wearing that electric dog collar, otherwise known as the Yankees' innings-restriction plan. So why the competition with Phil Hughes and others for the fifth starter spot?

Pitching coach Dave Eiland's answer to that question Thursday made it clear that, as much as the Yankees talked up Chamberlain's potential as a starter the last couple of years, they are no longer convinced that's where his future lies. Continue

Pitchers and catchers report to camp

Today, it officially begins.

The quest for the Yankees' 28th World Series opens when pitchers and catchers are poked and probed as physicals will be given at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

It's the first step on the Yankees' road to repeating as World Champions. Joe Girardi, who will change his uniform number from 27 to 28 as a constant reminder to his team about its ultimate goal, will meet with the media and then the few questions the Yankees have this spring will start to be answered.

The next step will come tomorrow, when pitchers start throwing to catchers under palm trees and the romantic sound of ball popping mitt moves everybody one step closer to Opening Day and away from a frigid winter in the New York area. Continue

Monahan battling illness

You don't survive almost a half century in the Yankees' organization without being tough.

Now legendary trainer Gene Monahan is calling on that toughness in a very important way.

Monahan, a member of the organization for 47 years -- the last 38 as head athletic trainer -- is being treated in New York for what he and the club are calling a "significant illness" that will force him to miss all of spring training and possibly the beginning of the season.

"I miss not being around my professional family already, but I'm battling," Monahan said in a statement released by the team yesterday. Continue