Around the Empire: New York Yankees News - 3/18/13

Yesterday on Pinstriped Bible

• What if Mark Teixeira Needs Surgery?
• Matt Diaz was cut from camp and released
• Matt F recaps yesterday's game

Around the Internet

• Spring Training Stats - The Seattle Times | Geoff Baker: People take Spring Training statistics too seriously, but there are many reasons not to use them to judge the coming season. By using the Mariners as an example, Baker believes that bad results don't always mean a lot and really good results don't always either.
• Old Man Kuroda - The New York Times | David Waldstein: Hiroki Kuroda asked David Wells for advice on how to prolong his career and what he should do as he gets older. It has been rumored that Kuroda wants to return to Japan, but after coming back for a second season with the Yankees, he could decide to stay in America and keep pitching into his 40s.
• WBC Pitcher Killed - CBS Sports | Matt Snyder: Cuban pitcher Yadier Pedroso was killed in a car accident on Saturday when the car he was in hit a freight truck. He pitched 1.2 innings for Team Cuba in the World Baseball Classic in 2013.
• Meeting With Martin - LoHud | Chad Jennings: Russell Martin talked about the Yankees and his offseason now that he's a Pirate. He discussed his offseason, Francisco Cervelli, Chris Stewart, the Yankees' lack of home run power, and A.J. Burnett's new leadership role in the Pittsburgh clubhouse.

Quick Shots

• Homerless: Before yesterday's game the Yankees had only 12 home runs this spring, the lowest in the league. Kevin Youkilis and Melky Mesa hit another two yesterday to bring the total to 14. Could this be a preview for the regular season?
• Fingers Crossed: If Mark Teixeira needs surgery his season will be over.
• Retired: Javier Vazquez will not be returning to the MLB in the future and he is staying retired.
• LOLOL: The Royals are looking to trade Luke Hochevar, but they want a lot back in terms of prospects and they don't want to pay a lot of the $4M owed to him this season.

Questions of the Day

• Which Yankee player will have the biggest surprise season? (good or bad)
• Which player on the Yankees do you think has the most trade value? (non-prospect)
• What is your favorite movie soundtrack?
• Who is going to win the NCAA Tournament? Who do you want to win?

Coming Up Today

• Making the Team Meter: Yankees Spring Training Hitters - Week Three @ 10 a.m.
• Making the Team Meter: Yankees Spring Training Pitchers - Week Three @ 1 p.m.