Mood Music - Happy Jack by The Who
A bounty of New York Yankees related links:
Brian Cashman has challenged Bobby Valentine to join him in rappelling down a building
Valentine said "Anytime. Anywhere." This should be taken as literally as possible, for example: Green Monster, Opening Day, 5th Inning.
Hurlers Head Yankees' Meetings Wish List
As expected, the Yankees number one priority in winter meetings will be beefing up the options for the starting rotation. "We're set in a lot of places, we really are," Cashman said. "Could it be better? It's my job to try to find ways to make it better."
Yankees aim to trim payroll to $189MM by 2014
With the new Collective Bargaining Agreement taking effect, the Yankees will face even steeper taxation if they can't get their payroll below the luxury tax limit. There are only three players under contract in 2014 (with an option year for Derek Jeter): Alex Rodriguez, CC Sabathia, and Mark Teixeira. The trio are set to make $72.125MM.
Yankees Deny C.J. Wilson's Request for a Visit
This was a few days ago, but I wanted to link it because I don't really understand it. The market for Wilson does not seem to be booming and the new CBA means the Yankees would not have to forfeit a first round pick to the Texas Rangers. Meeting with him, watching him pitch, and seeing if there is any way that he can be had on the cheap seems like a no-brainer, even if it's not very likely to come to fruition. At the very least, I am surprised that Cashman has not elected to feign interest to give Wilson leverage against the rival team that he does end up signing with.