New York Yankees News and Notes

by Frank Campagnola on Feb 16, 2012 11:28 AM EST in New York Yankees News

The situation surrounding A.J. Burnett is about to get a bit awkward. If the right hander isn't traded before Sunday, Burnett will be greeted at George M. Steinbrenner Field as he reports for Spring Training. Additionally, things are getting a bit difficult. Talks have cooled with the Indians and Burnett has already vetoed a trade to the Angels, leaving the Pirates as the lone Burnett suitor. A source familiar with the talks stated that the deal is likely to get done.

Joba Chamberlain says he understands the "Linsanity." But he really doesn't. Joba was a top five prospect in all of baseball and Jeremy Lin had been waived by multiple teams before landing with the Knicks, who also considered waiving him.
The Phillies and Yankees want Jorge Soler. I've detailed this before, but this is a risk the Yankees must absolutely take, especially given that this may be their last chance to sign a player in the international market without being capped. Additionally, Soler instantly adds high-upside outfield talent to a system that lacks power potential.
Robinson Cano is helping Michael Pineda fit into his new pinstripes. Cano to the young right-hander: "Don't worry man, I'll take care of you." Have to appreciate Cano taking on some leadership responsibilities.
After traveling the world, Curtis Granderson wants a ring. He hasn't been to the Fall Classic since 2006, his first full season.

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Ex-Yankee Red Sox Bullpen!

Scott Bradley reports Ross Ohlendorf signed with Red Sox. With Miller, Bard highest Staff IQ

Alfredo Aceves, Mark Melancon, Daniel Bard was drafted by the Yankees and now Ross Ohlendorf. hmm…

by jetanumba2 on Feb 16, 2012 12:01 PM EST reply actions

I get the Joba/Lin comparison...

Not in how they got to the pros but in the overwhelming sensationalism that surrounds them and in the fact that people are extra fascinated by them because of their ethnic backgrounds.

I understand why everyone that wasn’t a Yankee fan hated Joba in 2007, now. The sports media just takes these “stories” and punches you in the face with them over and over. If you’re not a fan of the team the player is on, you just find yourself rooting for him to fail so it’ll stop.

by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Feb 16, 2012 12:08 PM EST reply actions

their ethnic background?

Joba is a fat white guy. I know he’s part native american, but that was hardly part of the craze as compared to Lin being asian-american

by jetanumba2 on Feb 16, 2012 12:46 PM EST up reply actions

This is the first I ever even heard he was part Native American…

by otamamij on Feb 16, 2012 1:36 PM EST up reply actions

Maybe LIn will have a crazy/creepy impersonator too.

by MichaelGGBGrabow on Feb 16, 2012 12:11 PM EST reply actions

Both Joba and Lin exploded on the scene(obviously Lins is on a totally different level). But yes I agree, getting Soler would be huge. I just don’t know if this Yankee regime, at this point in time, is one that is going to go the extra mile once put into a bidding war(which is what seems to be taking place right now). So I’m trying not to get my hopes up.

by cermolaNY2 on Feb 16, 2012 12:16 PM EST reply actions

True, but this would be a bidding war over an unproven player so hopefully it stays reasonable enough for them to maintain interest.

by MichaelGGBGrabow on Feb 16, 2012 12:52 PM EST up reply actions

With the resources they’ve put into the Minor League system, them losing interest would surprise me. Like I’ve said, this is probably the last opportunity for the Yanks to add a high impact prospect through international free agency without being capped on spending by MLB.

It makes a lot of sense, given that Soler would immediately slot into their top 3 or 4 prospects and into top 50 lists everywhere, that the Yankees would add him while they can. He doesn’t cost draft picks, they’re not limited to how much they can spend on him, and he fits a need in the minor league system. He simply makes a lot of sense.

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

by Frank Campagnola on Feb 16, 2012 1:02 PM EST up reply actions

He really does. Everything about him fits perfectly for us. It fits a need having just traded a young bat. Our OF is most likely going to go through at least a minor transition over the next 2-3 seasons and it’d be great to have a top tier prospect on track to fill that void. Also,a lot of the concern about our offense in the future after this Montero trade(with our aging ML roster) can be answered through this deal. And lastly, I heard Soler referred to as a guy with a “Stanton-like build.” Sign em up. I hope they go the extra mile on this one, but I have my doubts based on their recent history.

by cermolaNY2 on Feb 16, 2012 2:18 PM EST up reply actions

I don't think the Pirates are the only suitor left

According to this, there are still some teams well in the mix.

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

by I'mGivingYouARaise on Feb 16, 2012 12:40 PM EST reply actions

Beat writer/source fight?

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

by Frank Campagnola on Feb 16, 2012 1:04 PM EST up reply actions

Haha, totally!

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

by I'mGivingYouARaise on Feb 16, 2012 1:06 PM EST up reply actions

You have to wonder who’s giving information out, since the posts didn’t come out too long after the other and they have some pretty conflicting information.

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

by Frank Campagnola on Feb 16, 2012 1:09 PM EST up reply actions

Very true

I see on the Baseball Nation Recent Stories side that they mention a mystery team as well, so it’s possible.

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

by I'mGivingYouARaise on Feb 16, 2012 1:12 PM EST up reply actions

the Nationals

They want to trade Harper for AJ.

Yankees say that’s too much.

Romine!

by david d on Feb 16, 2012 1:16 PM EST up reply actions

cui bono?

It seems fairly safe to assume that any tip that says that the market for AJ is red-hot comes from the Yankees, and any tip that interest is cooling down comes from the Pirates or any other team that wants AJ.

by long time listener on Feb 16, 2012 1:17 PM EST up reply actions

Wait, what?

People looking to conduct a business transaction will lie to get an advantage???

I've lost all faith in humanity

Just once I'd like someone to call me "Sir," without adding, "You're making a scene."

by YankeeCarp on Feb 16, 2012 4:26 PM EST up reply actions

Not sure I understand this Soler deal.

Soler is expecting a 4 year contract for millions but will only be in the minor leagues. If this happens, does that make him a free agent after the contract expires? So he could be 23 years old and the Yankees starting right fielder and we could be in the same situation we are in with Swisher next year?

by alouishes on Feb 16, 2012 1:41 PM EST reply actions

I don't think that's how it works

The 4-year contract guarantees his compensation, but he’s still under team control the same as if he had signed out of high school or college. So he’d be a FA six years after making his major league debut.

by long time listener on Feb 16, 2012 2:13 PM EST up reply actions

Is that only because Soler will be starting in the minors? I know Cespedes is a free agent after his 4 year deal is up with the A’s.

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

by WhatwouldJeterdo on Feb 16, 2012 2:16 PM EST up reply actions

I think they have to negotiate it into the contract

Where the team isn’t allowed to offer the player arbitration, so he becomes a free agent as soon as his contract is over, rather than having to wait the usual 6 years. The Yankees did this when they signed Hideki Matsui.

I doubt a team would agree to a clause like that in Soler’s case.

by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Feb 16, 2012 2:28 PM EST up reply actions

Ah, that makes sense.

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

by WhatwouldJeterdo on Feb 16, 2012 2:29 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks for your explanations

by alouishes on Feb 16, 2012 2:51 PM EST up reply actions

that makes sense to me too

It seems like most international FAs are locked into the typical system, but I guess a guy with more leverage can negotiate an out at the end of his contract.

by long time listener on Feb 16, 2012 5:04 PM EST up reply actions

Brackman didn’t have arb years either if my understanding is correct. I think ti depends on if they receive a ML deal.

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

by Frank Campagnola on Feb 16, 2012 3:29 PM EST up reply actions

Brackman had a ML deal AND he couldn't be offered arbitration?

are you serious?? That is the stupidest contract ever. Needing tommy john going into the draft he should have had next to no leverage in negotiations. Either sign a guaranteed MiLB contract now and we pay for your surgery, or don’t sign and have fun paying for surgery then trying to get drafted coming off of surgery (possibly after missing a year for recovery)

by jetanumba2 on Feb 16, 2012 4:44 PM EST up reply actions

The Red Sox pen is collecting ex- Yankees, and the Yankees are collecting ex- Sox.

Unfortunately, the Red Sox are getting the better of the deal. The chances of Okajima and delCarmen helping the Yankees are nugatory, while Aceves, Bard, Melancon, and Ohlendorf all figure to contribute in Boston.

As I have said before, any Burnett deal is a good deal for the Yankees, regardless of whom they get for him. It’s about clearing a roster spot and getting under the luxury tax, not about receiving the value of an 11 win pitcher.

It would be ironic indeed if the A’s spent more on Cespedes than the Yankees do on Soler. Evidence of the existence of a really screwed-up god.

by designatedquitter on Feb 16, 2012 1:46 PM EST reply actions

But we got Mike Myers once!

by MichaelGGBGrabow on Feb 16, 2012 2:05 PM EST up reply actions

And Alan Embree...

Who I believe the Red Sox released specifically hoping the Yankees would sign him.

by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Feb 16, 2012 2:29 PM EST up reply actions

Ahhh I was thinking I remembered seeing Myers come into a 17-9 loss in Baltimore I saw, but it was Embree. Oddly enough he was one of only three Yankee pitchers that day to not allow them to score. Another was Wayne Franklin who I have ZERO recollection of.

Lord, he had been horrible that year, it’s unreal they picked him up. On the other hand, Myers was better and with them longer/had more IP than I remember.

by MichaelGGBGrabow on Feb 16, 2012 2:41 PM EST up reply actions