Yankees..off Season Moves

[Riven37]

Yankees Win Rights to Japan's Igawa
Wednesday, November 29, 2006 1:00 AM EST
The Associated Press
By RONALD BLUM

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees got a chance to sign a Japanese pitcher on their second try this offseason, winning the rights Tuesday to Kei Igawa after losing out to the Boston Red Sox two weeks ago for Daisuke Matsuzaka.

New York's offer of $26,000,194 — the last three digits matching his strikeout total this year — was the highest bid among major league teams for Igawa, and it was accepted Tuesday by his Japanese team, the Hanshin Tigers.

"The Yankees are a team with a lot of tradition," Igawa said at a news conference in Osaka. "They get a lot of media attention, like the Tigers do. I was surprised to hear the team bid that much for me, and I feel like today I've taken another step toward realizing my dream."

Boston bid $51.1 million earlier this month to win the right to negotiate with the Seibu Lions' Matsuzaka, the MVP of the World Baseball Classic and a possible No. 1 starter.

A 27-year-old left-hander, Igawa could compete for a spot at the back of New York's rotation next season behind Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina and Randy Johnson. Carl Pavano, coming off 1 1/2 seasons of injuries, also would be in the rotation if healthy, and the Yankees have expressed possible interest in signing Ted Lilly or Gil Meche.

New York has until midnight at the end of Dec. 28 to work out a contract with Igawa's agent, Arn Tellem — who also represents Yankees left fielder Hideki Matsui.

"Throughout the years, I have enjoyed an excellent working relationship with the Yankees and look forward to completing successful negotiations on behalf of Igawa," Tellem said in a statement. "It will be an honor for me to help put him in pinstripes for the 2007 season."

Igawa allowed a home run to the New York Mets' David Wright this month during an exhibition game between Japanese and major league stars.

"We have been following Kei Igawa's very successful and accomplished career in Japan, and we are excited about the opportunity to begin the negotiating process with him," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said in a statement.

The Yankees pay Hanshin only if they reach an agreement with Igawa.

"I am very pleased to have the rights to sign him for the Yankees," owner George Steinbrenner said in a statement issued by spokesman Howard Rubenstein.

The Yankees bid between $32 million and $33 million for Matsuzaka. The Red Sox have until midnight at the end of Dec. 14 to agree to a deal with Matsuzaka and his agent, Scott Boras.

"I'm looking forward to having a pitching duel with Matsuzaka," Igawa said. "I know the fans there have very high expectations and I'll do my best to live up to them."

After the bidding on Igawa closed Monday, the Tigers were informed of the amount of the high bid, but not which team made it. The Mets bid between $15 million and $16 million for Igawa, a baseball official said on condition of anonymity because the amounts of losing bids are not disclosed.

Igawa went 14-9 last season with a 2.97 ERA. He tied for the Central League lead in strikeouts — he won strikeout titles in 2002 and 2004.

Igawa, the Central League's 2003 MVP, has an 86-60 record with a 3.15 ERA. He would have to play in Japan for three more seasons before he could become a free agent.

Also this month, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays won the rights to Japanese infielder Akinori Iwamura of the Yakult Swallows with a bid of about $4.5 million.

———

AP Sports Writer Jim Armstrong in Tokyo contributed to this report.

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[Riven37]

11/27/06 Signed RHP pitcher Mike Mussina to a two-year contract.

11/20/06 Purchased the contract of LHP Chase Wright from Single-A Tampa; Purchased the contract of RHP Jeff Kennard from Double-A Tranton; Purchased the contract of OF Bronson Sardinha from Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre.

11/12/06 Acquired RHP Chris Britton from Baltimore for RHP Jaret Wright and cash considerations.

11/10/06 Acquired RHPs Humberto Sanchez, Kevin Whelan and Anthony Claggett from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for OF Gary Sheffield.

[Stevenco]

Who cares about the Yankees?

Go Sox!!!

http://www.patwilliamsmotivate.com/img/Red%20Sox%20Logo.gif

[DansDarkSide]

That was a good move by the Yanks to get Kei Igawa. But it dosent matter they still suck.

[Ragin]

http://findthebesthere.com/ny_yankees_logo2022504.jpg

[therising]

dumb thread just dum dum dum
move on waiste of time hear

hee hee hee

another boaring thread

[Riven37]

It figures, Yankee hate, would come from Stevenco, and theriasing .......

[Stevenco]

http://www.hetemeel.com/haha/39997.Jesus+Christ+Hates+the%20God+Damn+Yankees!!. jpg

[TheRightView]

Hockey is where it is at.:) :D

[granpabob]

pittsburg and toronto are closer then the Yankees. cleveland is just down the lake and the bisons parent club why bother with pin stripes. its a day trip to the three closer teams. and all three are family friendly. So now your excited about who they have bought for this year. when a team buys new meat every year why even pay attention

[TheRightView]

pittsburg and toronto are closer then the Yankees. cleveland is just down the lake and the bisons parent club why bother with pin stripes. its a day trip to the three closer teams. and all three are family friendly. So now your excited about who they have bought for this year. when a team buys new meat every year why even pay attention
Might as watch the locals if you want to watch baseball.

[granpabob]

I do watch the locals. my grandson is in little league and I follow Orchard Parks high School baseball team

[TheRightView]

I do watch the locals. my grandson is in little league and I follow Orchard Parks high School baseball team
I'll bet it is far more entertaining too because it matters more to them then the pros.

[Riven37]

12/8/06 Signed LHP Andy Pettitte to a one-year contract with a one-year player option.

12/7/06 Selected INF Josh Phelps in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 Draft.

12/4/06 Signed C Raul Chavez to a Minor League contract and invited him to Spring Training.

[Stevenco]

Riven, here's the Yankee bikini you wanted in your size.
I'm sure it will look gr8 on you. You'll be a chick magnet.:)

http://image.bizrate.com/resize?sq=160&uid=446942107&mid=20716

[Crisco Kid]

I do watch the locals. my grandson is in little league and I follow Orchard Parks high School baseball team

:)
. . . Orchard Park, Class of '59

[granpabob]

wow you are old . class of 66 here

[DansDarkSide]

Wow you guys are old. Class of '07 here.

[granpabob]

how come you are still above ground if you graduated 99 years ago

[Riven37]

Pettitte and Yankees Finalize $16M Deal
Thursday, December 21, 2006 7:57 PM EST
The Associated Press
By RONALD BLUM

NEW YORK (AP) — Andy Pettitte returned to New York for a reunion and decided to stay. After three seasons with his hometown Houston Astros, he came up to the big city for a Nov. 10 gathering of the Yankees' 1996 World Series championship team, a benefit for manager Joe Torre's Safe at Home Foundation.

"Really at that time, there was no chance. In my mind it was Houston or nowhere — or retiring," Pettitte said. "It was out of my mind returning to New York."

By Dec. 8, Pettitte had changed his mind, turning down a $12 million offer to stay with the Astros to accept a $16 million, one-year contract with the Yankees, a deal that was finalized Thursday.

Pettitte said Torre and the Yankees put on a "absolutely the full-court press on me" to persuade him to rejoin Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and perhaps Bernie Williams.

"Obviously Joe is very special to me," Pettitte said during a telephone conference call. "Joe's been very instrumental, I think, in my success and my career, the faith that he showed in me when I felt like early in my career a lot of people were losing faith in me. He put his neck on the line for me several times."

The 34-year-old left-hander pitched for the Yankees from 1995-03 and went 13-8 for them in postseason play. He was 14-13 with a 4.20 ERA last season and joins a Yankees rotation that is projected to include Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina, Randy Johnson and Kei Igawa — or perhaps Carl Pavano is trying to come back from injuries that have sidelined him since mid-2005.

Roger Clemens, who like Pettitte left after the 2003 season to join the Astros, is another possibility.

"He's continued to come back and he's continued to be the best pitcher in the league. So you're like: Why wouldn't he play?" Pettitte said. "That's my take on it. So I'm sure he'll come back and play. Who with? I have no idea."

Pettitte didn't feel appreciated by the Yankees when he left, and general manager Brian Cashman said the team graded itself "poorly" for its effort three years ago. He thought returning for Torre's dinner "stirred emotions and feelings" in Pettitte. Torre and Jeter then followed up with phone calls.

"It definitely was an important aspect for him to feel wanted by us, and maybe that's, again, where we fell short before," Cashman said. "Sometimes it becomes too businesslike."

New York hasn't been to the World Series since Pettitte left, with starting pitching a chief culprit. Earlier this week, former Yankee Darryl Strawberry said he sensed bad clubhouse chemistry and said Jeter needs to embrace Alex Rodriguez.

Pettitte knows the Yankees want him to improve that chemistry.

"Sometimes it seems like when you get a whole great ballplayers together, they just don't automatically win. And whether it's the chemistry or whether it's other things, I have no idea why they haven't been able to be successful," Pettitte said. "You would think that all the talent they had put on that team, that they would have been extremely successful and extremely successful in the postseason."

New York's 1996 team won the first Series title for the Yankees since 1978, accomplishing the feat without any dominating seasons.

"It was just a special group of guys that we had, and we just felt like that no matter what happened, if somebody didn't get it done, the next guy was going to get it done," Pettitte said. "And we continued to battle. There (were) no guys hitting 50 or 60 home runs or anything like that. It was just a bunch of guys going out there and getting base hits and laying down a bunt when needed and getting a big hit when we needed it."

Pettitte wants to spend the rest of his career with the Yankees. His contract includes a $16 million player option for 2008.

He doesn't want to ever again be in the position of having to choose a team.

The two times I've been a free agent, it's been a nightmare for me," he said. "It absolutely drove me crazy."

[DR_GONZO]

Yankees starting pitching is old as dirt. They won't last all season. Randy, old. Mussina, old. Pettitte, old. Clemens? LMAO!!!!!!! They are no match for A.L. hitters. In the N.L., they might have decent numbers.

Why not bring back Guidry and Cone too?

[Riven37]

Yankees Hit With $26 Million Luxury Tax
Friday, December 22, 2006 6:59 PM EST
The Associated Press
By RONALD BLUM

NEW YORK (AP) — The Yankees got the bill Friday for their sorry season. The Yankees were slapped with a $26 million luxury tax by the commissioner's office, raising New York's total to $97.75 million over the last four years. Boston, which missed the playoffs, was the only other team over the tax threshold and will pay $497,549.

New York hasn't won the World Series since 2000, and was knocked out in the first round of the playoffs for the second straight year. The Yankees paid tax in all four seasons of the just-expired collective-bargaining agreement: $11.8 million in 2003, $26 million in 2004 and $34 million for last year.

While the Yankees' spending on players may have decreased because of the tax, the team says any dip was slight.

"I would say it has an effect," Yankees president Randy Levine said. "But at the end of the day, it's always been George Steinbrenner's philosophy to win. If a difference-maker is attainable, the Boss goes and gets him."

At the center of labor negotiations in 2002, the luxury tax was paid by only three teams over the four seasons, with the Red Sox owing $7.8 million and the Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels $927,057.

Payments are due at the commissioner's office by Jan. 31. Commissioner Bud Selig concluded the tax achieved the result management wanted.

"I think it did. I really think, frankly, everything that we did pretty well came out to its projection," he said.

New York's bill decreased this year because its payroll, as calculated for the tax, declined from $212.9 million to $201.5 million and the threshold for where the tax began increased from $128 million to $136.5 million. Under the new labor contract, the threshold for the tax rises to $148 million next year.

For luxury tax purposes, the average annual values of contracts are used and benefits are included.

"The luxury tax is not the something the players are in love with because its purpose is to cause people to have an extra cost when they sign a player," union head Donald Fehr said. "Obviously we were prepared to live with it during the term of the last agreement and we got what we expect will be appropriate modifications this time.

"We didn't really envision specific numbers. What we were hoping was that we would see a circumstance in which it did not have a meaningful adverse effect on the player market, and obviously you have to judge that year by year."

Using the regular method of accounting, the Yankees finished with a $207.5 million payroll for their 40-man roster, according to final figures released Friday by the commissioner's office, up from $206.6 million in 2005.

Boston was a distant second this year at $137.5 million, followed by the New York Mets ($116.6 million), Houston ($107.7 million), the Los Angeles Dodgers ($107.2 million) and the Los Angeles Angels ($104 million).

The World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals were 10th at $96.1 million, and the AL champion Detroit Tigers were 14th at $89.8 million.

Florida, last at $21.1 million, had less than half the payroll of Pittsburgh, 28th at $43.4 million. Tampa Bay was in between them at $36.4 million.

Management calculated the average salary at $2,642,915. The players' association, whose calculation method differs slightly, had the average at $2,699,292 in its annual report this week.

[Riven37]

Yankees Sign Cuban Infielder to $2M Deal
Friday, December 22, 2006 4:59 PM EST
The Associated Press
By RONALD BLUM

NEW YORK (AP) — Cuban infielder Juan Miranda and the New York Yankees agreed Friday to a $2.07 million, four-year contract.

He played with Pinar Del Rio in Cuba from 2002-04, and the Yankees said he hit .303 there with 27 homers, 73 walks and 87 strikeouts.

MLB Jerseys "He's got some juice in his bat from the left side. We like him a lot," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "He'll start in the Florida State League and we'll bring him along. We're going to respect the transition process."

Miranda, a 23-year-old former teammate of ex-Yankees pitcher Jose Contreras, grew up in Consolacion del Sur, Cuba, and lives in Santiago, Dominican Republic. He gets a $500,000 signing bonus and annual salaries of $380,000 next year, $390,000 in 2008 and $400,000 in each of the final two seasons — all the major league minimums. However, only $375,000 of each year's salary is guaranteed.

"Juan Miranda has impressed our scouts with his talent and his strength," Yankees Dominican Republic scouting supervisor Ramon Valdivia said. "He is capable of playing the outfield and first base, but his biggest asset is his bat. He has the ability to hit for power while showing excellent plate discipline."

Also, Japanese pitcher Kei Igawa took a physical Friday, part of the process of completing a $20 million, five-year contract. His agent, Arn Tellem, has been negotiating with the Yankees on performance bonuses that will be included in the deal.

Igawa's contract must be finished by Thursday. The Yankees bid $26,000,194 last month to gain his negotiating rights but pay the money to his Japanese team, the Central League's Hanshin Tigers, only if they reach an agreement by Dec. 28.

[Riven37]

Yankees Talking About Trading Johnson
Monday, December 25, 2006 4:23 PM EST
The Associated Press
By RONALD BLUM

NEW YORK (AP) — Randy Johnson could be leaving the New York Yankees after just two seasons. The Yankees have started trade talks with several teams, including the Arizona Diamondbacks, although it is too early to tell whether the discussions will lead to a deal.

Talks were confirmed Monday by a baseball official who had knowledge of them and spoke on condition of anonymity because they are in the preliminary stage. The Yankees' discussions with the Diamondbacks, Johnson's former club, were first reported by the New York Post and The Star-Ledger of New Jersey.

Baseball is for Kids! Alan Nero, one of Johnson's agents, said Monday he was informed of trade talks by Yankees general manager Brian Cashman.

"I just had one conversation with Brian, and that's it. As far we know, there's nothing going on significant enough for us to become a part of it," Nero said. "I think Brian is just doing his job."

Johnson has a no-trade clause, meaning the 10-time All-Star must approve any deal. Nero said it was too early to say whether Arizona would be the pitcher's first choice if the Yankees do decide to trade the 43-year-old left-hander.

"We haven't discussed it, to be honest," Nero said. "This idea that Randy doesn't want to come back, that's not exactly true. I'm not aware of anything coming from our side that would force this. Whatever comes down, comes down, but it's not because Randy has demanded it or because we're participating in the process."

Cashman and Diamondbacks general partner Jeff Moorad did not return telephone calls seeking comment.

A five-time Cy Young Award winner, Johnson has been a disappointment with the Yankees despite a 34-19 regular-season record. He has a 4.37 ERA with New York — including 5.00 last season — and he is 0-1 with a 6.92 ERA in three postseason appearances with the Yankees, struggling with his arm angle and a slider that often has lacked bite.

He appeared to be uncomfortable with New York even before he officially agreed to be dealt to the Yankees. He got into a confrontation on a Manhattan sidewalk with a television cameraman while walking to take his physical, then apologized.

While at times he has displayed a sense of humor, he has been grumpy for long stretches, especially when his back bothered him last season. He had surgery Oct. 26 to repair a herniated disc in his back — he had a similar operation in 1996 — and the Yankees said he might be behind other pitchers when spring training starts in mid-February.

New York's projected rotation also includes Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina, Andy Pettitte and Kei Igawa — who must complete his $20 million, five-year contract by Thursday. In addition, Carl Pavano hopes to return from injuries that have sidelined him for 1 1/2 seasons, and there are several young pitchers who could earn a starting spot, a group that includes Jeff Karstens, Humberto Sanchez and possibly top prospect Philip Hughes.

The Yankees also hope Roger Clemens will decide to follow Pettitte back to New York after three seasons with their hometown Houston Astros. Even if Clemens does decide to pitch, he might repeat his decision of last season to start his season in June.

Johnson is owed $16 million next year, the final season of his contract, with $1.5 million deferred without interest and payable through 2010.

He pitched for Arizona from 1999-04, winning the NL Cy Young Award in his first four seasons. He was co-MVP of the 2001 World Series, coming out of the bullpen to beat the Yankees in Game 7, and lives in the Phoenix area.

[Riven37]

NEW YORK (AP) — As the Yankees kept talking about trading Randy Johnson, they finalized their $20 million, five-year contract with Japanese pitcher Kei Igawa on Wednesday.

The Yankees had until Thursday to complete an agreement with Igawa after bidding $26,000,194 last month for the right to negotiate with him. The left-hander went 14-9 with a 2.97 ERA and 194 strikeouts for the Hanshin Tigers last season.

New York must pay the bid fee to the Tigers by Jan. 4.

The 27-year-old Igawa figures to fit at the back end of a rotation that includes Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina and Andy Pettitte. New York also has oft-injured right-hander Carl Pavano and a couple of touted pitching prospects in Philip Hughes and Humberto Sanchez.

The Yankees are discussing dealing Johnson, with the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres the chief contenders for the 43-year-old left-hander, a disappointment during his two seasons in New York.

Igawa visited New York last week, took a tour of Yankee Stadium and had his physical. He gives the Yankees two Japanese player, joining left fielder Hideki Matsui.

Igawa gets $4 million each year and can earn $500,000 annually in performance bonuses: $125,000 each for 180, 190, 200, 210 innings pitched. He would be eligible for arbitration after the 2011 season, and free agency after the 2012 season.

New York's biggest rival, the Boston Red Sox, bid $51.11 million for negotiating rights to Japanese ace Daisuke Matsuzaka this offseason and signed him to a $52 million, six-year contract.

Igawa, who tied for the Central League lead in strikeouts last season with 194 after winning strikeout titles in 2002 and 2004, has said he is already looking ahead to possible pitching duels with Matsuzaka, the MVP of the inaugural World Baseball Classic.

———

AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.

[Riven37]

Yankees Might Not Have Room for Williams
Friday, January 5, 2007 8:35 PM EST
The Associated Press
By RONALD BLUM

NEW YORK (AP) — It appears the New York Yankees might not have room for Bernie Williams anymore.

The Yankees finalized their $1.5 million, one-year contract with Doug Mientkiewicz on Friday, and general manager Brian Cashman said he will be part of a platoon at first base with Andy Phillips or Josh Phelps. With Jason Giambi shifting to designated hitter and the Yankees planning to keep 12 pitchers, that leaves them with no spots open for Williams — unless they trade Melky Cabrera.


MLB Shop "I've had conversations with Bernie directly as well as Scott Boras throughout the winter about what opportunity may or may not be here in '07," Cashman said, referring to Williams' agent. "We're still filling our club out and I'd rather not really say more than that, but we've had an open and honest dialogue with Bernie and Scott Boras throughout the process, and that will continue. I really can't say much more than that right now. But clearly the plan is to have a right-handed and left-handed bat at first base and Giambi at DH."

Williams signed with the Yankees in 1985 and joined the major league team six years later. He helped New York win six AL pennants and four World Series titles, becoming a five-time All-Star and the 1998 AL batting champion.

He lost his starting job in center field when the Yankees signed Johnny Damon before last season. Kept as a backup, Williams wound up getting 420 at-bats because Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui got hurt. Williams hit .281 with 12 homers and 61 RBIs.

"We're going to probably talk around the middle of the month, when they have more definition," Boras said.

Williams, who is 38, hasn't decided whether he would retire if the Yankees don't offer a contract.

"After the first of the year, I've had a couple of teams contact me about Bernie, and I've told them that I've got to talk with Bernie and I've also got to speak to Brian about what their deliberation is going to be on his future with the Yankees," Boras said. "He obviously will respond to what the Yankees' decision is, and we'll go from there."

Cashman, knowing that Williams is a fan favorite, chose his words carefully.

"Obviously, he's meant a lot to the franchise and been a big piece for quite some time. It's been a great marriage," Cashman said. "I'll have another conversation with Scott, and I'm sure I'll talk to Bernie, too."

Mientkiewicz is familiar with New York, having spent 2005 with the Mets. At Shea Stadium, he occasionally had a sign hanging in his locker.

"There will be no more `No loitering' sign. We'll put that to rest," Mientkiewicz said, knowing that the Yankees usually are covered by more media than any other major league team.

In 2004, Mientkiewicz helped Boston win its first World Series title since 1918, catching the throw for the final out and keeping the ball. That sparked a furor that didn't end until he donated the ball to the Hall of Fame.

He was dealt to the New York Mets after the 2004 season and hit just .240 with 11 homers and 29 RBIs.

"I think I'm much more prepared this time for the situation," Mientkiewicz said. "I had a lot of stuff going on in my life at the time when the Mets traded for me. My biggest regret you could say is the fact that I didn't show them the player I could be and I am."

Mientkiewicz said the distractions were "stuff going on with the family." He felt revived when he joined the Kansas City Royals last year, but he played hurt — an injury that lingered from the previous year — and had back surgery in August after hitting .283 with four homers and 43 RBIs.

A former Gold Glove first baseman, the Yankees were impressed by his defense.

"I can do the dirty work, the stuff that goes unnoticed, the moving the guys over, the bunting guys over, the knocking the ball down to keep a double play in order," Mientkiewicz said.

Mientkiewicz was a high school teammate of Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, who has struggled at times during three seasons in New York.

"You're talking about probably the guy that's going to go down as the best baseball player that ever played the game," Mientkiewicz said. "It's almost a detriment to himself that he works so hard and doesn't allow sometimes his ability to take over."

Notes: LHP Kei Igawa, who agreed last month to a $20 million, five-year contract, is to be introduced at a Yankee Stadium news conference Monday. ... Former Yankees star and current broadcaster Bobby Murcer returned home to Oklahoma this week after having brain surgery in Houston last week. The Yankees said he has had no setbacks since the surgery

[Riven37]

01/07/2007 5:45 PM ET
Johnson agrees to deal with D-backs
Big Unit's New York tenure over pending physical examination
By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com

Randy Johnson compiled a record of 34-19 with a 4.36 ERA in two years with the Yankees. (Ed Betz/AP)
Yankees Headlines

NEW YORK -- Randy Johnson's two-year stay with the New York Yankees appears to be complete.
Johnson agreed to a contract extension through 2008 with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday, moving a five-player trade between the two clubs closer to finalization. The deal is pending final reviews of medical records before it can be announced.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has said he will not comment on the transaction until it is official, but Diamondbacks general manager Josh Byrnes released a statement on Sunday.

"We have come to an agreement in principle with Randy Johnson pending both us and the Yankees reviewing additional medical information," Byrnes said. "We will respectfully decline any comment until all medical information has been reviewed."

In exchange for Johnson, who waived a no-trade clause in exchange for a contract extension through 2008, the Yankees are set to obtain reliever Luis Vizcaino, pitching prospects Ross Ohlendorf and Steven Jackson, plus Minor League shortstop Alberto Gonzalez.

The Yankees reportedly included $2 million in cash considerations to help the Diamondbacks offset the 43-year-old Johnson's $16 million salary for 2007.

The two clubs agreed to the structure of the trade on Thursday, with the Diamondbacks requesting a 72-hour window from the Commissioner's Office to hammer out an extension with Johnson's representatives, Barry Meister and Alan Nero. That window ran through 5 p.m. ET Sunday.

Johnson's stint in pinstripes spanned a total of 64 starts, with the Big Unit compiling a record of 34-19 with a 4.36 ERA over 430 2/3 regular-season innings.

But as a vaunted acquisition thought to be a big step toward securing the Yankees' 27th World Series championship, Johnson's New York tenure will ultimately be viewed through the prism of unfulfilled expectations.

With the Yankees stinging from their 2004 American League Championship Series loss to the Red Sox, Johnson was acquired from the D-backs on Jan. 11, 2005, for a three-player package including pitchers Javier Vazquez and Brad Halsey, catcher Dioner Navarro and cash considerations.

Always reputed as an intensely private and sometimes ornery personality, Johnson did little to sway preconceptions even before he officially became a Yankee.

Walking down a Manhattan street on the way to complete his physical examination, Johnson took offense to being followed by a television cameraman and a newspaper photographer, engaging in a brief incident in which he grabbed a camera lens.

Johnson later apologized for the altercation, but at a Yankee Stadium press conference the next afternoon, Johnson unknowingly summed up how his time in New York would eventually be reviewed.

"The bottom line is that I've been brought to the New York Yankees to help this team win a championship, and nothing less will be acceptable," Johnson said in January 2005.

Wearing uniform No. 41 instead of his customary No. 51, a gesture that allowed center fielder Bernie Williams to keep his digits, the five-time Cy Young Award winner got his Bronx tenure started on a strong note, limiting the Red Sox to one run on five hits on Opening Day in 2005.

But the sterling efforts expected of Johnson seemed to come less often than he or the Yankees had hoped. Johnson worked with catcher John Flaherty -- not starter Jorge Posada -- in a number of his 2005 starts, prompting whispers that Johnson and Posada were having difficulties working together.



Complete coverage >
Perhaps just as troubling, Johnson was quoted on a number of occasions that he was "happy just to keep his team in the game," an eyebrow-raising statement from a man who had arrived with ace expectations.

As it was later revealed, Johnson pitched much of 2005 and 2006 with back injuries, carrying unknown amounts of pain to the mound in both seasons before finally having surgery to repair a herniated disc after the '06 season.

Johnson's reliability was admirable, as he consistently took the ball start after start, a trait made even more noticeable as other members of the rotation fell by the wayside. But once the calendar turned to October, Johnson never was able to get past the hump of the Division Series.

Johnson recorded just nine outs in Game 3 of the 2005 ALDS against the Angels, allowing five runs and nine hits before leaving to a chorus of boos at Yankee Stadium. Johnson gave the Yankees 4 1/3 scoreless innings of relief in the Game 5 loss to the Angels two days later, perhaps earning some redemption, but that goodwill -- and any established during his second consecutive 17-win campaign -- seemed to go out the window one year later.

Assigned to pitch another Game 3 of the 2006 ALDS, this time against the Detroit Tigers, Johnson gave up eight hits and five runs in 5 2/3 innings, putting the Yankees one loss from their eventual elimination.

It would prove to be the last on-field act in pinstripes for Johnson, who entered the offseason with 280 career victories. In a telephone conversation with Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, Johnson expressed interest in pitching closer to his family's Paradise Valley, Ariz., home. Cashman had called the left-hander to express the organization's condolences over the passing of Johnson's brother.

Having already traded a veteran player -- Gary Sheffield, to Detroit -- this offseason, the Yankees saw Johnson's value and apparent willingness to return to the desert as one avenue by which to further strengthen their burgeoning farm system.

In the trade with Arizona, New York acquired a potential seventh-inning reliever in Vizcaino, who was a valuable presence in the D-backs' 2006 campaign, going 4-6 with a 3.58 ERA in 70 games. His presence may free manager Joe Torre to consider Scott Proctor as a potential fifth starter, providing a measure of competition for a group that includes Carl Pavano and top prospect Philip Hughes.

The Yankees also acquired a trio of players who saw time at Double-A Tennessee in the Southern League in 2006, including a vaunted prospect in Ohlendorf, a 24-year-old Princeton product who earned rave reviews for his sinker.

Ohlendorf had been considered a possiblity for Arizona's starting rotation in 2007 but is likely to begin the year in the Yankees' Minor League system. The right-hander made 27 starts at Tennessee last year, going 10-8 with a 3.29 ERA. In 177 2/3 innings, Ohlendorf struck out 125 and walked 29.

Jackson, one of Ohlendorf's Tennessee rotation mates, is a 24-year-old right-hander who went 8-11 with a 2.65 ERA in 24 starts, walking 45 and striking out 125. Jackson struggled while representing the D-backs in the Arizona Fall League, going 0-2 with a 7.11 ERA in six starts for the Scottsdale Scorpions.

Gonzalez, 23, was Tennessee's starting shortstop in 2006 and is considered to be a strong defensive player. He held his own against Southern League pitching, batting .290 with six home runs and 50 RBIs in 129 games.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

[DR_GONZO]

Why in the hell would Arizona want this bum back? Why would they give up three players to bring this bum back? MLB is truly messed up!

[TheRightView]

Why in the hell would Arizona want this bum back? Why would they give up three players to bring this bum back? MLB is truly messed up!
It's their pocketbook and their payroll. I wish I had that amount of money.

[Riven37]

Transactions
2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007
Jan

Date Transaction

1/12/07 Invited RHP Jeff Nelson, INF Andy Cannizaro, INF Angel Chavez, C Raul Chavez, RHP Tyler Clippard, C Ben Davis, INF Eric Duncan, OF Brett Gardner, RHP Phil Hughes, RHP Steven Jackson, LHP Ben Kozlowski, INF Ramiro Pena, RHP Ross Ohlendorf, C Peter Pilittere, C Todd Pratt, C Omir Santos, OF Jose Tabata, INF Marcos Vechionacci, RHP Kevin Whelan, and RHP Steven White to Spring Training.

1/9/07 Acquired RHP Luis Vizcaino, RHP Ross Ohlendorf, RHP Steven Jackson and SS Alberto Gonzalez for LHP Randy Johnson and cash considerations.

1/5/07 Signed 1B Doug Mientkiewicz to a one-year contract.

1/3/07 Signed LHP Ben Kozlowski to a Minor League contract and invited him to Spring Training.

[TheRightView]

NEXT up, watching paint dry and grass growing after that.

[Riven37]

01/30/2007 12:20 AM ET
New York Yankees and Chinese Baseball Association reach landmark agreement



Yankees Headlines

• Pavano looking forward to fresh start
• Dogg defeats Damon in PBGL match
• Yankees surpass 3M ticket mark
• Duncan heading right direction for Yankees
• Clemens continues to crave October run
• More Yankees Headlines

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The New York Yankees and the Chinese Baseball Association held a press conference today in Beijing, China, to announce a landmark Memorandum of Understanding that for the first time formalizes a strategic alliance between a Major League Baseball club and the Chinese Baseball Association.
The Agreement, subject to Major League Baseball's rules, regulations and agreements pertaining to The People's Republic of China, states that the Yankees will provide the CBA with guidance in training baseball players, which will include sending staff (coaches, player development, scouting and training personnel) to China to assist the CBA. The partnership will also allow the CBA to send staff to the Yankees' facilities in the United States in furtherance of those goals.

The Yankees were represented by Team President Randy Levine, Senior Vice President and General Manager Brian Cashman, Vice President and Assistant General Manager Jean Afterman and Michael Tusiani, Vice President of Corporate Sales and Sponsorship. Beijing Womei Advertising Company Limited and Sportscorp China, headed by President and Managing Director Marc Ganis and Managing Director Kenneth Huang, coordinated the meetings and has been instrumental with the Yankees' activities in China.

"The entire New York Yankees organization looks forward to a wonderful relationship with the Chinese Baseball Association," said New York Yankees Principal Owner George Steinbrenner. "I stand firmly behind this agreement, and we will lend our full support to this partnership to ensure a successful and fruitful future together."

"This agreement marks another milestone in baseball's international evolution," said Yankees President Randy Levine. "We are excited to begin work alongside our friends in the Chinese Baseball Association, and they will receive our full support throughout this exciting process. The Yankees brand is recognized around the world, and this unprecedented opportunity allows us to further integrate the Yankees' name and our proud history of success into baseball's global landscape."

"It is a great honor to be a part of this unique and exciting opportunity," said New York Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman. "Throughout China's history it's easy to see their passion for sports, and their determination to excel in all athletic fields. With that belief in excellence, we are proud to begin work with the Chinese Baseball Association, and we will provide all of our available tools and resources to help develop and cultivate their baseball program from the ground up."

The CBA was represented by Chairman Hu Jianguo, Secretary General Shen Wei and Deputy Secretary General Tian Yuan.

"This is an historic day for the Chinese Baseball Association and the sport of baseball in China," said CBA Chairman Hu Jianguo. "Baseball is a fast-growing sport in China and throughout Asia. By partnering with the New York Yankees, the most successful and recognizable baseball team in the world, the CBA looks forward to expanding the play of this wonderful game throughout China and developing many excellent players. We also look forward to developing world-class training and practice facilities where our Chinese players can be well prepared to compete against the best in the world."

Following the press conference, the Yankees contingent is scheduled to meet with Mr. Feng Jian Zhong, the Vice Minister State General Administration of Sports. Mr. Feng is also the Vice President of the China Olympic Committee.

[Riven37]

Report: Bernie considering spring invite
Veteran Williams hopes to play one more season in the Bronx
By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com

Bernie Williams excelled in a part-time role in 2006, hitting .281 with 12 homers. (Julie Jacobson/AP)
Yankees Headlines

• Pavano looking forward to fresh start
• Dogg defeats Damon in PBGL match
• Yankees surpass 3M ticket mark
• Duncan heading right direction for Yankees
• Clemens continues to crave October run
• More Yankees Headlines
MLB Headlines

• D.R. rolls over Mexico in Caribbean
• Juan Gonzalez eyes return to Majors
• Cora helps keep Puerto Rico unbeaten
• Pirates sign NL batting champ Sanchez, Kolb
• Boston's Hansen wins first PBGL title
• More MLB Headlines

NEW YORK -- The Yankees have offered outfielder Bernie Williams a non-guaranteed Minor League invitation to Spring Training, SI.com reported Wednesday.
A baseball official confirmed the report, on the condition of anonymity, to The Associated Press. The Yankees have not publicly disclosed the offer.

Williams' future with the organization has been in question for weeks. Currently a free agent, Williams has said that he hopes to play for the Yankees in 2007 and is waiting for the team to inform him of their plans.

Williams -- who has also considered retirement -- may not fit into the Yankees' current outfield configuration. With a platoon at first base and a 12-man pitching staff, the Yankees project to carry four outfielders this season, with Melky Cabrera backing up Hideki Matsui, Johnny Damon and Bobby Abreu.

The 38-year-old Williams has played all 16 of his Major League seasons in Yankees pinstripes. He accepted a smaller role with the club last season and wound up being a surprise contributor when both Matsui and Gary Sheffield went down to injury, batting .281 with 12 home runs and 61 RBIs.

Williams has made a pair of public appearances in recent weeks, performing at a jazz club and hosting a charity food drive in suburban Westchester County.

At the latter event, Williams told reporters, "It's been a great run. As a player, you always want more. You get the Peter Pan syndrome. You never want to grow up. But the other side of the coin is, you know it's got to end sometime."

While general manager Brian Cashman has handled the situation delicately, acknowledging Williams' importance to the organization, Williams' teammates have been publicly supportive of the five-time American League All-Star.

"It's a tough one," pitcher Mike Mussina said. "Most people thought Bernie wouldn't be back last year, and he had a good year. We had some big injuries and we really needed him, and he had a solid year for us. If he comes back, he'd be an asset to the team, but that's a decision for somebody else."

Recently, catcher Jorge Posada floated the idea that Williams could stay in shape and join the Yankees in midseason if needed.

Posada also said that Williams would not entertain playing for another club, though the catcher reported that Williams has received offers from teams.

"Obviously, he wants to come back, and he wants to come back for the right reasons," Posada said. "If he doesn't come back as a Yankee, it would be tough to see him in another uniform. I don't think he would even consider that."

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

[TheRightView]

Report: Bernie considering spring invite
Veteran Williams hopes to play one more season in the Bronx
By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com

Bernie Williams excelled in a part-time role in 2006, hitting .281 with 12 homers. (Julie Jacobson/AP)
Yankees Headlines

• Pavano looking forward to fresh start
• Dogg defeats Damon in PBGL match
• Yankees surpass 3M ticket mark
• Duncan heading right direction for Yankees
• Clemens continues to crave October run
• More Yankees Headlines
MLB Headlines

• D.R. rolls over Mexico in Caribbean
• Juan Gonzalez eyes return to Majors
• Cora helps keep Puerto Rico unbeaten
• Pirates sign NL batting champ Sanchez, Kolb
• Boston's Hansen wins first PBGL title
• More MLB Headlines

NEW YORK -- The Yankees have offered outfielder Bernie Williams a non-guaranteed Minor League invitation to Spring Training, SI.com reported Wednesday.
A baseball official confirmed the report, on the condition of anonymity, to The Associated Press. The Yankees have not publicly disclosed the offer.

Williams' future with the organization has been in question for weeks. Currently a free agent, Williams has said that he hopes to play for the Yankees in 2007 and is waiting for the team to inform him of their plans.

Williams -- who has also considered retirement -- may not fit into the Yankees' current outfield configuration. With a platoon at first base and a 12-man pitching staff, the Yankees project to carry four outfielders this season, with Melky Cabrera backing up Hideki Matsui, Johnny Damon and Bobby Abreu.

The 38-year-old Williams has played all 16 of his Major League seasons in Yankees pinstripes. He accepted a smaller role with the club last season and wound up being a surprise contributor when both Matsui and Gary Sheffield went down to injury, batting .281 with 12 home runs and 61 RBIs.

Williams has made a pair of public appearances in recent weeks, performing at a jazz club and hosting a charity food drive in suburban Westchester County.

At the latter event, Williams told reporters, "It's been a great run. As a player, you always want more. You get the Peter Pan syndrome. You never want to grow up. But the other side of the coin is, you know it's got to end sometime."

While general manager Brian Cashman has handled the situation delicately, acknowledging Williams' importance to the organization, Williams' teammates have been publicly supportive of the five-time American League All-Star.

"It's a tough one," pitcher Mike Mussina said. "Most people thought Bernie wouldn't be back last year, and he had a good year. We had some big injuries and we really needed him, and he had a solid year for us. If he comes back, he'd be an asset to the team, but that's a decision for somebody else."

Recently, catcher Jorge Posada floated the idea that Williams could stay in shape and join the Yankees in midseason if needed.

Posada also said that Williams would not entertain playing for another club, though the catcher reported that Williams has received offers from teams.

"Obviously, he wants to come back, and he wants to come back for the right reasons," Posada said. "If he doesn't come back as a Yankee, it would be tough to see him in another uniform. I don't think he would even consider that."

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Yankees will choke...you heard it here first.

[Riven37]

02/07/2007 5:28 PM ET
Notes: A-Rod vague on opt-out clause
Slugger could choose to become free agent after '07 season
By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com

Alex Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras, told The Associated Press that his client has not discussed triggering an opt-out clause. (Jeff Zelevansky/AP)
Yankees Headlines

NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez's book tour may have moved on to Florida, but his brief visit to the Big Apple left a trail of questions concerning his contract.
Rodriguez's landmark deal contains an opt-out clause that could make him a free agent after the 2007 season. In town to promote his children's book, "Out of the Ballpark," Rodriguez's responses concerning the clause were consistently vague.

Asked about his future in New York before meeting reporters at his book signing Tuesday, Rodriguez told MLB.com, "My thought process right now is winning a world championship. I'm really excited about that. I'm taking it one day at a time."

That statement echoed sentiments Rodriguez would relay minutes later to a group of reporters. The two-time American League MVP has three years and $72 million remaining on his contract after this season.

Earlier this offseason, outfielder J.D. Drew utilized an opt-out clause to leave his contract with the Dodgers, signing a $70 million, five-year deal with the Red Sox. Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez triggered an opt-out clause in November to score a raise, re-signing for a five-year, $75 million deal.

Drew and Rodriguez are represented by the same agent, Scott Boras.

Rodriguez -- who signed a 10-year, $252 million deal with the Rangers on Dec. 11, 2000 -- said that he had not followed the negotiations of Drew's situation.

Boras told The Associated Press that Rodriguez has reflected happiness in New York and has not discussed triggering an opt-out clause, "and probably will not until the season is completed."

Interestingly, Rodriguez expressed enthusiasm that Yankee Stadium had been awarded the 2008 All-Star Game. When the topic was broached by a reporter, Rodriguez spoke of the possibility of wearing pinstripes next to shortstop Derek Jeter.

"Hopefully, I can be right there in the middle playing third base, along with my buddy [Jeter] at short, and we can represent the Yankees," Rodriguez said. "That's pretty awesome. I've never started a season saying, 'I hope I play in the All-Star Game,' but I have to be honest -- playing in New York, being a historian, that's pretty damn cool."

Catch this: A total of 100 players have played for both the Yankees and the Mets, ranging alphabetically from Juan Acevedo to Todd Zeile.

That century mark figures to be shattered when Doug Mientkiewicz plays his first game in pinstripes, but non-roster invitee Todd Pratt plans on making it an even number.

Pratt, who turns 40 on Friday, is the most experienced of a group of candidates to serve as Jorge Posada's backup catcher in 2007. He was pursued briefly by general manager Brian Cashman last season before the Yankees settled on Kelly Stinnett.

After hitting .207 with four homers and 19 RBIs in 62 games for the Braves in 2006, Pratt signed a Minor League contract with the Yankees in January following a personal invite from Cashman.

"Cashman called me and asked me if I'd be interested in a chance at making the team," Pratt said in a recent telephone interview. "Anytime you get a chance to be a Yankee, you can't turn it down."

Pratt said he is confident he'll be able to win a job in Spring Training. Reputed as a clubhouse presence, Pratt is close with Yankees coach Larry Bowa from their days with the Phillies.

Remembered in Mets lore for his extra-inning home run off Matt Mantei that clinched the 1999 National League Division Series against the D-backs, Pratt said he is ready for a second turn on the city's big stage.

"I just love New York," Pratt said. "I'm happy for the opportunity, actually. I've been there and I know I can handle the pressure. I played in the [2000] World Series against the Yankees, and I think that's the type of player I am. I come up big when things need to happen."

Wil Nieves, hitless in 10 at-bats as a Yankee, is the only other catcher on the 40-man roster. Francisco Cervelli, Raul Chavez, Ben Davis, P.J. Pillittere and Omir Santos are the other catchers being extended spring invites.

Early action: The official report date for Yankees pitchers and catchers isn't until Tuesday, but already the Legends Field complex is bustling with activity. Jeter, Posada and Miguel Cairo are among the big-league mainstays already working out. The AP reported that Japanese left-hander Kei Igawa arrived at camp on Wednesday.

The veterans have been joined by an assemblage of early-reporting Minor Leaguers, including Tyler Clippard, Brett Gardner, Philip Hughes, Jeff Karstens and Humberto Sanchez.

Of course, one player not yet scheduled to be in attendance is Bernie Williams. The outfielder is still mulling the Yanks' offer of becoming a non-roster invitee; Boras told the New York Post that Williams has not made any final decisions and expects a decision at or near the start of Spring Training.

One 'Perfect' evening: Yogi Berra and Don Larsen will be the guests of honor at "The Perfect Game Revisited," to be held on Feb. 23 at the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center in Montclair, N.J.

The evening will feature a dinner and screening of Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series, to benefit the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center and the Don Larsen Foundation. For more information, click on www.yogiberramuseum.org.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

[Stevenco]

As I write this post, I am touching my boobs. Oh yeah!:)

[TheRightView]

Let's decide their win-loss record and predict it.