Yankees News and Notes: Sealing the Deal

by William Juliano on Jan 21, 2012 9:00 AM EST in New York Yankees News

Brett Gardner avoided arbitration and snagged a new $2.8 million deal.

Jesus Montero has resolved his visa issues and is finally on his way to Seattle, where he will take a physical to consummate the trade that sent him to the Mariners in exchange for Michael Pineda. According to Montero's agent, the former Yankee is happy about his new team and just wants to play baseball.

Will the Yankees end up regretting the Montero trade? That's been at the forefront of many Yankees' fans thoughts, but historically, the team has had a good track record when it comes to not trading future stars. For a list of the best homegrown hitters and pitchers traded away by the Yankees, click on each respective link.

The Yankees and Brett Gardner split the difference in their arbitration filings and settled on a one-year deal that will pay the speedy outfielder $2.8 million in 2012. Gardner's signing leaves Russell Martin and Boone Logan as the only two arbitration eligible Yankees who have not yet agreed on a contract.

Alex Rodriguez is progressing nicely in his pre-season workouts and is excited to play third base. However, the three-time MVP is also looking forward to an occasional start at DH as part of what he called "a revolving door" at the position. However, IIATMS doesn’t think that’s such a good idea.

The Yankees are believed to be one of many teams interested in Gerardo Concepcion, an 18-year old Cuban lefty who was recently declared a free agent. For more information on Concepcion, check out TYA’s profile of the left hander.

While attending a fundraiser for Derek Jeter’s Turn 2 Foundation, C.C. Sabathia discussed some weighty issues regarding his conditioning.

Jorge Posada is expected to finally make his retirement official during a press conference at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday.

Who is backing up Derek Jeter at short stop in the Yankees’ organization? LoHud takes a look at the team’s depth at the position by examining the projected starter at each level of the minors.

Bobby Valentine may not have been impressed by the Yankees’ recent acquisition, but the new Red Sox manager is drawing inspiration from the Bronx Bombers’ makeshift pitching staff in 2011.

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I’ll say no because there is still decent talent on the board for now with Vlad, Damon, & Matsui. They would come in and do a good job filling the order out, because soon, A-Rod and Jeter are going to be playing the DH position a lot. And we needed starting depth, and we got that with this 23 year old star.

by yankeesfan1325* on Jan 21, 2012 10:22 AM EST reply actions

Gardner at 2.8 million is a steal.

"Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about a bad break I got. Yet today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth."

"There is no room in baseball for discrimination. It is our national pastime and a game for all." - Henry Louis "Lou" Gehrig

by Xavier10 on Jan 21, 2012 10:56 AM EST reply actions

MLBTR projected $3.3M, but still, that’s about as much as a guy like Gardner can expect to make in his first year of arb.

Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.
Follow me on Twitter @frankiecamp48

by Frank Campagnola on Jan 21, 2012 11:20 AM EST up reply actions

What do you think He would get if He were a free-agent?

"Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about a bad break I got. Yet today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth."

"There is no room in baseball for discrimination. It is our national pastime and a game for all." - Henry Louis "Lou" Gehrig

by Xavier10 on Jan 21, 2012 11:29 AM EST up reply actions

?

the capital "H"’s…blasphemy.

Romine!

by david d on Jan 21, 2012 11:41 AM EST up reply actions

I’m not sure. Speed and defense doesn’t really have a set bar on the free agent market.

Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.
Follow me on Twitter @frankiecamp48

by Frank Campagnola on Jan 21, 2012 12:37 PM EST up reply actions

15 years 400 million

"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"

by I'mGivingYouARaise on Jan 21, 2012 12:38 PM EST up reply actions

7.50/hr

Romine!

by david d on Jan 21, 2012 1:46 PM EST up reply actions

Will the Yankees end up regretting the Montero trade?

Waaaaaay too early to tell. But I think Pineda is going to impress people for a long time. He’s 23 years old with absolutely electric stuff, and even better, he has pretty good control over it as well.

I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot.- Kobe Bryant

A.J. Burnett's only fan!

by nyyrocks29 on Jan 21, 2012 11:15 AM EST reply actions

Regretting the trade?

Ask me again in five years.

"Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about a bad break I got. Yet today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth."

"There is no room in baseball for discrimination. It is our national pastime and a game for all." - Henry Louis "Lou" Gehrig

by Xavier10 on Jan 21, 2012 11:30 AM EST up reply actions

I do already

Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows

by Rorschach44 on Jan 21, 2012 12:59 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Interesting that of the top 5 hitters the Yankees missed (by WAR) both Dixie Walker and Jackie Jensen had to move to hitter friendly parks (Fenway and Ebbets) to find success, and at least a part of why the Yankees traded Lowell (and then never attempted to bring him back as a free agent or when available in trade) was because he was a right handed pull hitter.

I know we like to think of Yankee Stadium as a bandbox, but for a righty it is not- and Old Yankee Stadium was significantly harder on righties.

"Love and fighting... Love and fighting, and a little wine. Then you are always young, always happy."
My Blog | Twitter

by jscape2000 on Jan 21, 2012 11:27 AM EST reply actions

“Yankees fans aren’t that smart. The easiest thing they understand is the clap.’’ -Bobby Valentine

Yeah…good one.

http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/bobby-v-inspired-by-yanks-rotation-1.3468370

by MichaelGGBGrabow on Jan 21, 2012 11:40 AM EST reply actions

I’m sure most of the Yankees players understand the clap too

Rec Generating Database

by Jedi Master A-Rod on Jan 21, 2012 11:53 AM EST up reply actions

Valentine is all talk

When the season starts, he’s going to want to take his words back.

by TootooReigns on Jan 21, 2012 11:47 AM EST reply actions

He won't regret his words

The only point of his talking is to get attention and to get the affection of Boston fans by taking cheap swipes at the Yankees. They’ll eat that shit up, and love him for it. Of course, if the team doesn’t win, none of his theatrics will matter, because they’ll eat him alive.

He’s in the perfect spot – the team we love to hate now has a manager we can also love to hate. I wish him all the success in the world at finishing in third place in the AL East every season.

by waw on Jan 21, 2012 12:44 PM EST up reply actions

Red Sox Nation is more about hating the Yankees than it is rooting for the Red Sox

its pathetic and really sad.

by jetanumba2 on Jan 21, 2012 1:12 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

Very true…

I had to stop arguing with drunks, Steeler fans, and all other fools.
It was making my brick wall jealous...

Dedicated to the "Pride of the Steelers"

by steeler-hater on Jan 21, 2012 1:17 PM EST up reply actions

Montero for Pineda trade!

When Pineda pitches 7 or 8 strong innings in the playoffs next year and we win a close hard fought series then the trade will be worth it! Also I will be ticked when Montero hits a homer in the bottom of the ninth against us as we lose a 4 to 3 game in Seattle! To build a championship team you have to take chances, but when they pay off it is wonderful! Good pitching wins championships! Lets go get number 28 Yanks!

by David1950 on Jan 21, 2012 11:47 AM EST reply actions

Is anyone else getting tired of the debate? It’s not that I don’t think Jesus Montero will be a fantastic hitter, I do. He’ll do well for the Mariners. Since he’ll do well, History will probably always look at this trade as favoring the Mariners. But there are so many other factors involved, and people forget that this was the best deal/scenario for the Yankees.

The obvious things: 1. Yankees needed a #2 with the potential to be a #1, 2. Michael Pineda is the best young pitcher available (better than Matt Garza, which would’ve cost more in money and prospects), 3. Montero really has no place on the Yankees’ roster and they had to sell high, 4. the Yankees have catching up the wazhoo, and if you’re going to trade one of them, you don’t do a random dump of Romine or Sanchez for a piece you don’t need.

This trade will work great for the Yankees, but History will always look back and focus on what they lost. Just like the article talking about Jackie Jensen… I think we can all agree that it was better the Yankees traded him, because then we had many legendary years of Mickey Mantle as a result.

by Cinemanrt on Jan 21, 2012 12:28 PM EST reply actions

At least we didn't trade him for Ken Phelps bat

"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"

by I'mGivingYouARaise on Jan 21, 2012 12:37 PM EST up reply actions

Ken Phelps trivia

I believe he’s the only player ever to break up a perfect game by hitting a home run with two outs in the ninth.

by long time listener on Jan 21, 2012 12:40 PM EST up reply actions

They kept saying

Ken Phelps Ken Phelps Ken Phelps

"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"

by I'mGivingYouARaise on Jan 21, 2012 12:46 PM EST up reply actions

Jerry, it’s Frank Costanza, Mr. Steinbrenner is here, George is dead, call me back

by MichaelGGBGrabow on Jan 21, 2012 1:31 PM EST up reply actions

Is anyone else getting tired of the debate?

No, what else are we going to do while we wait for Opening Day?

by waw on Jan 21, 2012 12:45 PM EST up reply actions

Regarding your Jensen comment...

The Yankees didn’t have years of Mantle as a result of the Jensen trade. He was already on the team, and had been since 1951. Ironically, Jensen was traded because Stengel wanted a CF who was a complete player. He just hadn’t yet realized he already had one in Mantle playing LF. Obviously, the 1950s Yankees didn’t suffer much because of the trade, but having Jensen along with Mantle would have made them even better. Of course, the main point is the Yankees haven’t really had to regret many trades involving homegrown players.

Follow me on Twitter @williamnyy23.

by William Juliano on Jan 21, 2012 12:49 PM EST up reply actions

Right right. I didn’t mean to imply that the Yankees got Mantle as a result of the trade. I should have made that clear. I figured I was writing too much as it was, so I tried to wrap it up quickly. What I meant was that perhaps without the loss of Jensen, Mantle wouldn’t have gotten the opportunity to take over center field and show what he was capable of. But you’re right, in theory, he would’ve proven himself regardless. Which I thought Mantle started as a right fielder. Maybe I’m remembering wrong.

by Cinemanrt on Jan 21, 2012 2:12 PM EST up reply actions