MLB Hot Stove Report: Raul Ibanez is heading to the Big Apple

Mood Music - Could You Bite The Hand? by Steve Conte

In happy.....sad.....acceptable....Yankees news today, as expected the Bombers have signed OF and long stretched out chantable first name guy Raul Ibanez to be our DH and star with Andruw Jones in the new remake of "Platoon." This deal was expected as soon as the A.J. Burnett trade to the Pirates was approved. Speaking of which, here's a photo of A.J. in a Pirates uniform. Call me crazy, but I think he looks better as a Pirate cause of the tattoos. I wonder if that makes me a Pirate-cist?

With that deal out of the way, Jon "Please don't retweet his tweets if PSA writer williamnyy follows you" Heyman tweets that the Yankees have moved on to talks with Eric Chavez, tweeting that the deal would be a major league deal. Funny how that phrase can have two meanings. Regardless, the predicted outcomes of the A.J. Burnett trade seem to all be coming true. I wish one of those predictions was that PSA writer I'mGivingYouARaise would make more money!

Many tweets are coming in that New York Yankees closer and ultimate bullpen dream come true Mariano Rivera has given many hints that this will indeed be his last year in Pinstripes. However, there has been nothing officially stated yet by Mo himself, only that "I know now, but I don't have to tell you!" which could really mean anything. Until he officially announces his retirement, anything said on the matter is just pure speculation. I personally choose to believe that it means he's sticking with his original plan to pitch till he's 50 years old.

LoHud Yankees tweets that Joe Girardi has no plans to change his current bullpen setup formula, and that Soriano will pitch the 7th, D-Rob will pitch the 8th, and Chad Gaudin (C-Gaud) will pitch the 9th. Wait, no. I meant Mo. I don't even think the Binder, forged in the fires of Mt. Doom, would allow such an evil. LoHud also tweets that Girardi fully expects Cervelli to be the backup catcher. Romine is going to have to seriously impress them in Spring Training in order to beat out Cervelli for the job.

Finally, LoHud is reporting that new Yankees pitcher Michael Pineda made a strong first impression on his first day. First impressions are always important, although probably more on dates than workouts and Spring Training. Still, these are definitely the types of thing you like to hear about a new pitcher coming into the fold, so perhaps we can think that Pineda wants to date us. If that's the case, he should bring me chocolate in addition to a third pitch!

Non-Yankee Hot Stove reports after the jump...

The Oakland Athletics decided to "Manny Up" and sign Manny Ramirez to a minor-league deal. Manny still has to serve a 50-game suspension, as well as possibly serve the A's fans curly fries in the Overstock.com Coliseum. Okay, I made that last part up, but I think that'd be kinda cool if he had to do that.

The Phillies have agreed to a two year deal with right hander Kyle Kendrick. Look out, NL East! Seriously though, that is going to be an interesting division to watch this season.

Finally, a photo of Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder with their new respective club uniforms on. The AL just got a whole lot more dingers!

Also, in a bit of shameless self promotion, don't forget to listen to the all new, always exciting, fresh for 2012 Pinstripe Alley Podcast! It's delicious!