Yankees News and Notes: Filling Out the Roster

The Yankees' may have competition for the services of backup third baseman Eric Chavez, which could be a blessing in disguise considering how injury prone the infielder has been over the course of his career. Are there any better options remaining? Bronx Baseball Daily thinks Wilson Betemit would better fit the bill.

With all the focus on the starting rotation and bench, the issue of who will fill the backend of the Yankees' bullpen has been largely ignored. Fortunately, TYA provides a nice breakdown of the candidates.

On Monday, the results of the 2012 Hall of Fame vote will be announced live on the MLB Network. Two prominent Yankees, Don Mattingly and Bernie Williams, are on the ballot, but neither is expected to gain enshrinement.

Speaking of Don Mattingly, fans who grew up with the team in the 1980s should enjoy this stroll down memory lane, which features video from an original WPIX broadcast.

Who says you can’t go home again? Russell Martin and Derek Jeter each recently returned to their respective home towns to participate in community events. Jeter visited Kalamazoo to witness his former high school fielder being renamed in his honor, while Martin returned to Montreal to attend to his youth baseball camp (both links contain video).

Former Yankees’ scouting director Bill Livesey will be honored with a lifetime achievement award. Livesey, whose main tenure with the Yankees lasted from 1977 until 1995, played a key role in developing the home grown core of the team’s recent dynasty.

The Tampa Yankees announced their staff for next season. Included is former Yankees’ World Series hero Luis Sojo, who is returning for his sixth season as manager.

The Yankees extended congratulations to one of 22 new Cardinals.