MLB Hot Stove Report: On The Edge Of Our Seats

by I'mGivingYouARaise on Feb 13, 2012 5:46 PM EST in New York Yankees News

According to our "Hey, man!" Jon Heyman, the Yankees and Pirates are still talking about A.J., and not just in that "He's so dreamy!" kind of way cause tomorrow is Valentine's Day. No, apparently Buctown would wind up paying $13-$15 million of A.J.'s $33 million dollar contract, and give up two non-roster guys and maybe the rapper who sang Buctown II. If the Pirates are indeed willing to pay $15 million of A.J.'s contract, I'd pull the trigger on this faster than Han Solo did on Vader!

Captain Derek Jeter of the USS Clutchterprize recently stated how he feels the AL has gotten stronger this offseason. He also mentions how he thinks Bobby V will add some excitement to the Red Sox as their new manager. He's still excited to be playing the game, and as a fan of excitement, it's hard not to agree with him. Jeter hitting well this year will definitely excite me, and yes I do mean in "that" way! Make it so, Jeter.

Phil Hughes has also been apparently working hard this offseason. He knows that he has to "proves he deserves a spot" this Spring Training. I can't speak for anyone else (well I could but that would be rude) but I'm rooting hard for Hughes to get the 5th spot in the Yankees rotation. I really feel he still has a lot he can offer.

Vladimir Guerrero apparently wants to be the Yankees DH, as per Buster Olney. Hey, we all want things. I want a working model of the Epyon Gundam.

Non Yankees stuff after the jump...

The Athletics put some bacon on the hot stove today by signing Yoenis Cespedes to a 4-year $36 million dollar deal. I checked out the Athletics Nation reaction to this news and a lot of them seem pretty excited by it and honestly, during an offseason that has seemed somewhat bleak for them, if signing Yoenis gets the fans excited then I think that's awesome. Apparently Cespedes feels that the A's were a good fit for him. Personally, I think it's a perfect fit. I mean, Yoenis....A's.....anyone? Anyone? I'm here all week, folks!

Red Sox GM and Chemistry Professor Ben Cherington has apparently come out and said not to expect any major moves between now and Sunday. They are possibly still working on some stuff but Prof. Cheerington said "certainly the spring training roster is mostly what it's going to be." Um, okay. Again, the Scu Scu Scutaro trade still boggles the mind. I shouldn't speak for Red Sox fans, but I'm going to in this case because right now this man does not inspire confidence. We'll see what happens though.

Finally, the Orioles seem like they are also interested in prospect Jorge Soler, as well as five other Cuban prospects. The A's could still wind up with him though, due to their apparent love of punnable names. At least, that's why I think they're doing this.

All the writers are looking at the A.J. situation closely and we will update you as soon as possible. Well, all the writers except Duggan, that is. He's at a Sausage Conference!

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Comments

Am I the only one that feels like

the longer this AJ-Pirates thing drags on, the less likely it is to happen?

I know these things tend to take a while, and a lot goes on behind closed doors, but I can’t help feeling like the extended negotiation (especially with ST so close) will only give this a chance to fall apart.

Could just be me, of course….

by Dr. Copp on Feb 13, 2012 5:59 PM EST reply actions

I don’t really doubt it will happen, but I am very curious as to what., and who, is holding it up

Follow me on twitter @nyybrandonc

Co-Manager/Writer for Pinstripe Alley, Editor/Writer for Blueshirt Banter, Writer for On The Banks

by Brandon C. on Feb 13, 2012 6:05 PM EST up reply actions

Probably the Buctown II rapper

"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"
ImNotAHRHitter

by I'mGivingYouARaise on Feb 13, 2012 6:07 PM EST up reply actions

That’s my fear, but it seems like things are progressing more positively than negatively with the amount of money the Pirates are willing to pay going from $8 million last week to $13-15 million today.

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"Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains"

by WhatwouldJeterdo on Feb 13, 2012 6:12 PM EST up reply actions

At this point

It might just be a question of what players the Bucs are willing to give up.

"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"
ImNotAHRHitter

by I'mGivingYouARaise on Feb 13, 2012 6:15 PM EST up reply actions

I like to try to be optimistic

$8 million is a lot of money. Perhaps a more complex trade is being discussed behind closed doors. Most likely not but still..

by Now Batting on Feb 13, 2012 8:45 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I've been thinking the same thing.

I’m hoping it does go through for everyone involved. It’s much better that an NL team pick him up: I have no doubt he’d go back to pitching lights out against the Yankees. And he will improve the Pirates staff.

Usqueadbaugham! Anam muck an dhoul ! Did ye drink me doornail?

by Q-TDSK on Feb 13, 2012 9:01 PM EST up reply actions

Did the Yankees drug the Pirates GM to take this deal? And if they did, when will the drugs wear off? That’s why you’re afraid it’s taking too long.

by alouishes on Feb 13, 2012 10:08 PM EST up reply actions

I just really hope it's not Ibanez

Johnny Damon please! They can afford him easily soon as this AJ to the Pirates thing gets done with. In fact, they can probably afford him easily now.

"I could never wear another uniform. I will always be a Yankee"- Jorge Posada

Thanks for the memories Jorge

by nyyrocks29 on Feb 13, 2012 6:06 PM EST reply actions

Rooting for Damon as well...

Not necessarily because I think he will perform incredibly well, but because our offense will be good enough to have a below average DH and I think the chemistry he brings to the locker room is a definite asset.

by ECClarke on Feb 13, 2012 6:15 PM EST up reply actions

I just think he's better than the other options

The chemistry he brings is nice, but from a baseball point of view I’d rather have him than anyone else available. He had a better 2011 than Matsui and Ibanez and is better in the field than both, and still has decent speed for a 38 year old. And that swing of his is made for Yankee Stadium, so maybe he can regain a little bit of power.

"I could never wear another uniform. I will always be a Yankee"- Jorge Posada

Thanks for the memories Jorge

by nyyrocks29 on Feb 13, 2012 6:17 PM EST up reply actions

still pulling for godzilla

Hideki Matsui: "Kick ass. Pop champagne. And get some ho's."

by Meatface on Feb 13, 2012 7:18 PM EST up reply actions

Oh and I agree about Hughes

I’m rooting for him as well.

"I could never wear another uniform. I will always be a Yankee"- Jorge Posada

Thanks for the memories Jorge

by nyyrocks29 on Feb 13, 2012 6:08 PM EST reply actions

NEW YORK STATE OF MIND!!!

Giants just won the Super Bowl with a grand finish, the Rangers are playing the best they have in years, then the Knicks have Lin there way into contention, and last but the best is The Yankees and all there improvements will go far if not all the way! Oh by the way get rid of AJ at any price!

by David1950 on Feb 13, 2012 6:22 PM EST reply actions

I'll be honest

I hope 2012 is a New York Sports year!

"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"
ImNotAHRHitter

by I'mGivingYouARaise on Feb 13, 2012 6:37 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

i had o double check if you were making an actual gundam refrence

Hideki Matsui: "Kick ass. Pop champagne. And get some ho's."

by Meatface on Feb 13, 2012 7:17 PM EST reply actions

yes

and it was the most glorious reference I’ve ever read

"Practice does not make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect."

by FrankWhyte on Feb 13, 2012 10:47 PM EST up reply actions

Mike Axisa @mikeaxisa
Unconfirmed, but it looks like Pineda will wear #35, first to do so since Moose. Kuroda getting #18, Jones switching to #22.

Important questions answered!

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"Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains"

by WhatwouldJeterdo on Feb 13, 2012 7:24 PM EST reply actions

Jones switching to #22.

damn, so close.

by jetanumba2 on Feb 13, 2012 7:32 PM EST up reply actions

Good to hear they're not doing the O'Neill treatment to #35

I love Moose, but his number’s been out of circulation long enough.

"Don't you think it's strange that you'll make more money than President Hoover this year?"
"Why not? I had a better year than he did." - G.H. Ruth

by Andrew GM on Feb 13, 2012 7:33 PM EST up reply actions

so has O'Neill's

by jetanumba2 on Feb 13, 2012 7:38 PM EST up reply actions

I never understood this

Romine!

by david d on Feb 13, 2012 7:50 PM EST up reply actions

They are holding it for Romine

Should you choose to test my resolve in this matter, you will be facing a finality beyond your comprehension, and you will not be counting days, or months, or years, but milleniums in a place with no doors.

by YankeesJets on Feb 14, 2012 1:19 AM EST up reply actions

O’NEILL IS A SAINT AND YOU WILL TREAT HIM AS SUCH

by bango31 on Feb 14, 2012 12:27 AM EST up reply actions

I wholeheartedly agree.

"Don't you think it's strange that you'll make more money than President Hoover this year?"
"Why not? I had a better year than he did." - G.H. Ruth

by Andrew GM on Feb 14, 2012 1:28 AM EST up reply actions

Glad Moose’s # goes to a good player for the future

Follow me on twitter @nyybrandonc

Co-Manager/Writer for Pinstripe Alley, Editor/Writer for Blueshirt Banter, Writer for On The Banks

by Brandon C. on Feb 13, 2012 8:11 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

by MichaelGGBGrabow on Feb 13, 2012 9:23 PM EST up reply actions

Well they did good with that

Kept Moose’s number out of circulation for a few years, but good to know that it’s going to a young player who I hope will be on this team for a long time.

If they sign Johnny Damon I wonder if Kuroda will switch to something else.

"I could never wear another uniform. I will always be a Yankee"- Jorge Posada

Thanks for the memories Jorge

by nyyrocks29 on Feb 13, 2012 8:17 PM EST up reply actions

If they sign Johnny Damon I wonder if Kuroda will switch to something else.

I wouldn’t

Follow me on twitter @nyybrandonc

Co-Manager/Writer for Pinstripe Alley, Editor/Writer for Blueshirt Banter, Writer for On The Banks

by Brandon C. on Feb 13, 2012 8:18 PM EST up reply actions

You wouldn't switch?

Why not? It’s just a number. Though I suppose that argument goes both ways.

"I could never wear another uniform. I will always be a Yankee"- Jorge Posada

Thanks for the memories Jorge

by nyyrocks29 on Feb 13, 2012 8:20 PM EST up reply actions

I wouldn’t want him to switch. Kuroda’s much more important to the team

Follow me on twitter @nyybrandonc

Co-Manager/Writer for Pinstripe Alley, Editor/Writer for Blueshirt Banter, Writer for On The Banks

by Brandon C. on Feb 13, 2012 8:21 PM EST up reply actions

Thats true

But looking it Damon in a Yankee uniform with something not 18 would look weird to me.

"I could never wear another uniform. I will always be a Yankee"- Jorge Posada

Thanks for the memories Jorge

by nyyrocks29 on Feb 13, 2012 8:23 PM EST up reply actions

background info

the number 18 is associated with a team’s ace pitcher in japan. notice that the mariners have given their new guy, iwakuma, the coveted (by japanese pitchers) #, as well…

by sing_or_die_1818 on Feb 13, 2012 9:50 PM EST up reply actions

Is it really?

Never realized that. Though Darvish wasn’t #18 and he’s the best pitcher Japan ever had.

"I could never wear another uniform. I will always be a Yankee"- Jorge Posada

Thanks for the memories Jorge

by nyyrocks29 on Feb 13, 2012 9:57 PM EST up reply actions

Matsuzaka did

Apparently Dice-K wore #18 with the Seibu Lions, Japanese WBC team, and the Red Sox, so that would make jive with the “ace pitchers wearing 18” thing. Not all have, but it seems to be common.

"Don't you think it's strange that you'll make more money than President Hoover this year?"
"Why not? I had a better year than he did." - G.H. Ruth

by Andrew GM on Feb 13, 2012 11:59 PM EST up reply actions

What number did Kei Igawa wear over there?

Im guess number 2, it would fit with what he was on the mound.

by YankeesJets on Feb 14, 2012 1:21 AM EST up reply actions

Same number he wore on the Yanks- #29

I guess he was never to be confused with any ace haha.

"Don't you think it's strange that you'll make more money than President Hoover this year?"
"Why not? I had a better year than he did." - G.H. Ruth

by Andrew GM on Feb 14, 2012 1:29 AM EST up reply actions

That’s the only number Kuroda has ever been, so I’m not sure he would want to do that.

Tweets
"Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains"

by WhatwouldJeterdo on Feb 13, 2012 8:25 PM EST up reply actions

This whole debate

about whether or not a guy would wear this or wear that is ridiculous to me. Just get a jersey and play. Why they would care what number is on the back is beyond me.

Romine!

by david d on Feb 13, 2012 8:32 PM EST up reply actions

I agree, I’m just saying if he cared enough to get it from Jones he probably wouldn’t want to give it up for Damon if we signed him.

Tweets
"Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains"

by WhatwouldJeterdo on Feb 13, 2012 8:40 PM EST up reply actions

who cares about the #‘s. as long as they are getting rings at the end of the season, i’m fine with any #

by yankeesfan1325* on Feb 13, 2012 9:54 PM EST up reply actions

the only number i care about

is 28!

by sing_or_die_1818 on Feb 14, 2012 9:30 PM EST up reply actions

I agree

But there are a lot of players that actually care, and as a fan a players number kind of represents that player to me, if that makes any sense at all.

"I could never wear another uniform. I will always be a Yankee"- Jorge Posada

Thanks for the memories Jorge

by nyyrocks29 on Feb 13, 2012 9:56 PM EST up reply actions

i get u, but if the # is taken, and you can't convince the player to change for you, there is no point for making a scene. i don't think that will happen, but there are a lot of players that have changed, and done well. still the same person.

(A-Rod, A. Soriano, etc.)

by yankeesfan1325* on Feb 13, 2012 10:03 PM EST up reply actions

Baseball players are notoriously superstitious. Some guys pay other players big money just to get their old numbers back.

by Scooby Snacks on Feb 13, 2012 10:43 PM EST up reply actions

Per Joel Sherman:

Heard #Yankees would do AJ deal if #Pirates took on north of $13M of $33M owed. But so far, Pit offered to eat $10M give up 2 blah prospects

That’s a little different than what Heyman was saying. Sigh.

Tweets
"Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains"

by WhatwouldJeterdo on Feb 13, 2012 8:02 PM EST reply actions

Heyman...

"I could never wear another uniform. I will always be a Yankee"- Jorge Posada

Thanks for the memories Jorge

by nyyrocks29 on Feb 13, 2012 8:15 PM EST up reply actions

I’m calling it now. It’s going to be a three-team trade.

by Scooby Snacks on Feb 13, 2012 8:50 PM EST up reply actions

Always love a threesome!

Romine!

by david d on Feb 13, 2012 8:51 PM EST up reply actions

x

"Don't you think it's strange that you'll make more money than President Hoover this year?"
"Why not? I had a better year than he did." - G.H. Ruth

by Andrew GM on Feb 13, 2012 8:57 PM EST up reply actions

YES

Follow me on twitter @nyybrandonc

Co-Manager/Writer for Pinstripe Alley, Editor/Writer for Blueshirt Banter, Writer for On The Banks

by Brandon C. on Feb 13, 2012 9:01 PM EST up reply actions

That would certainly be interesting.

Tweets
"Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains"

by WhatwouldJeterdo on Feb 13, 2012 9:44 PM EST up reply actions

Vlad for DH

I’ve always thought that Vlad should be the DH, because his #‘s just jump out at you. He’s only hit UNDER (.300) 3-16 seasons. One of those 3 years was when he was just called up, and played 9 games. My candidate for DH in order is 1)Vlad 2)Damon 3)Ibanez & 4)Matsui. All Vlad does is rake, so why not for the Yankees. He can get the best ring that he will ever see in his life at the end of the season!

by yankeesfan1325* on Feb 13, 2012 9:51 PM EST reply actions

But you have to realize that Vlad is no longer the player that he once was. He was one of my fav guys to watch and root for. His power, walk, and flyball numbers have all been trending downwards. A good batting average isn’t all that great if you also create a ton of outs (.317 OBP).

by Scooby Snacks on Feb 13, 2012 10:42 PM EST up reply actions

ILoveTheWayYouWrite

I’ve been working in India for the past 6 months and reading sports blogs is about the only thing that has kept me sane here, needless to say I’m a big fan of your writing. Great addition to PSA, keep up the good work.

by Number28 on Feb 13, 2012 10:52 PM EST reply actions