Heyman's article on RJ and Clemens sounds right on the money to me. The Johnson deal will get done because everyone involved wants it. It's just a matter of structuring the money, which takes some time. If I were Cashman, I'd hold my cards close to the vest while the negotiations between Unit and Arizona swirled and then swoop in with a little more money to sweeten the pot in favor of a little better prospect.

As for Clemens, I'm all for it. I know Steve over at WW doesn't think Rocket will be the same lights out guy from Houston if he came back north, but it makes sense for so many reasons. He's a Hall of Fame guy with big game ability. That sounds a bit like a David Eckstein kind of "heart and soul" routine, but I mean something a little different. Clemens is one of the few guys who can pitch his A game and dominate any lineup in baseball. If he's on, you aren't hitting him. That's the key to the playoffs. He's short term, and he's very good. Our kind of deal, circa 2007.

If Cashman turns Sheffield and RJ into a heaping spoonful of pitching prospect sugar, and then gets Pettitte and Clemens back for one more Batman and Robin sequel, who would you say is the best GM in the game today? He's among the top 3 or 4 for sure.

Cash on the other hand lines up with the winter I noted in 4 and I forgot to mention Igawa at half Matsuzaka's cost. Yowza!

Johan

Santana

that's more intoxicating than a bottle of Cristal!!!

Happy New Year, Alex and Cliff. And thanks for the best blog in Yankeedom.

the OTHER RI Yank

Spring training is right around the corner.

(except to the NFL -- which wouldn't show the f'ing Giants game last night, and I'm not shelling out the bucks for it.)

Wishing you all health and happiness -- and here's to the Yanks winning #27 in 2007.

Jeter and Rodriguez look like twin versions of Scott Erickson with a George Hamilton tan.

It's pure Made In China cheese, but it cracks me up.

The "Warning: Choking Hazard" on the box: is that a cheapshot at the third baseman?

everyone enjoy and be safe out there...

10 Hilarious.

my favorite of hers is still her cameo on Rush's "Time Stand Still"

sorry for the off-topic...

An extra bit of happiness as we say hello to '07 - only 6 more weeks until pitchers and catchers!

Happy New Year to all!

Happy New Year eveyone. Thanks for a great baseball year. Looking forward to see what 2007 holds.

Also a warm 'Welcome Home' to Andy and Girardi... and fond farewells to The Unit, Iron Sheff, J. Wright, Tanyon, Mazz, The Tampa Mafia, the 'Evil Empire' moniker and Karim Garcia in BB threads.

Happy New Year, gang!

Ah well.

Happy New Year to everyone, and enjoy your partying!

And not to be redundant but....
Thanks again Alex and Cliff.
Honestly... I don't what I'd do without ya!

A happy and safe one to all.

Happy New Year, everyone. Focus on the things you want and not what you don't want. Attract to you the things and people that will make achieving your goals come true, and always look forward and up.

My last story of the year, and believe me you can't make this stuff up (only in NY?):

I had a meeting in Queens, after which I ducked into a 99-cent store to buy a few items for my roommate. I went down the aisle, picking up hair gel and handi-wipes, but I couldn't find deodorant. A clerk walked up and asked if I needed help.

"I'm looking for deodorant," I said.

He smiles and walks up and down the aisle, then returns and hands me a can of mousse.

"No," I said bemused, "I want deodorant. Roll-on deodorant."

Oh, he says and looks up and down again, this time returning to hand me a bottle of shampoo.

"NO! DEODORANT! ROLL-ON..."

Sniff-sniff...

"Oh," I said. "Never mind..."

Happy New Year, family! >;)

...How many days 'til pitchers and catchers?

Upcoming Schedule...

...2/15: Pitchers and Catchers

My son was born this morning (Jan. 1 in Japan) and is resting with mom in the hospital. I'll work with Cashman on a signing bonus that allows us to get ours while keeping the team under the penalty. Watch for him. He'll be arriving in the Bronx in about 2020 and we'll take whatever the lowest number left is at that point. Probably 61 (which I always thought would be a cool number for a Yankee to wear).

Happy holidays.

In other news...Pittsburgh is talking about bringing back Craig Wilson. Even though they didn't part on friendly terms. Supposedly, the Yankees and the Orioles were the only ones pursuing Wilson, and with the Orioles going with Huff instead, the Pirates are starting to think they may have a chance.

They still want LaRoche most of all. Atlanta wants a leadoff hitter, though, and the Pirates don't want to give up Chris Duffy.

Make sure he's a southpaw, and wait until he's at least 3 before teaching him the 12-to-6 curve, filthy slider, etc. You're looking at about ¥5,900,000,000 a year by then, so please sign a lifetime personal services contract with the Yankees ASAP to keep Theo and ascendants of John Henry at bay.

Whatever happens, I'm going to hold out for the Yankees when it's time for him to sign his 1st contract. In 2020 that ought to be a $90 million dollar signing bonus on top of his MLB minimum $12.8 million.

His middle name is Ichiro, but that was a family decision and long before the Suzuki version came upon the scene, as the name roughly refers to 'first born male'.

Here's the game recap via baseballlibrary.com:

April 10, 1991: Scott Sanderson hurls eight no-hit innings against the Tigers in his first appearance as a Yankee. He surrenders a wind-blown double to Tony Phillips on his first pitch of the 9th, and is replaced by Greg Cadaret, who finishes the 1-hitter for a 4-0 NY victory.

----

An great day all around ;-) ... Welcome to fatherhood, much health and happiness to all in the New Year!

I'll be Bronx Bantering, while he's Bronx Babbling and Bronx Boweling I guess. ;)

Here is a list of players born on January 1st... Hank Greenberg, not too shabby...

http://www.baseball-reference.com/friv/birthdays.cgi?month=1&day=1

March 4: Alex Rodriguez goes 0-for-3 and strands three baserunners in a Grapefruit League game, prompting angry fans to complain that A-Rod can't hit when it doesn't count, either.

May 2: Yankees fans blame A-Rod for letting nationwide housing prices drop.

Oct. 2: Baseball's postseason opens with John Daly and Charles Barkley putting down $60 million on the Yankees to beat the Mets in the World Series.

Oct. 3: The Yankees pile on the mound and spray champagne in the clubhouse after beating the Tigers in the opening game of the Division Series, then miss the remainder of the series while voting on World Series shares and riding in the ticker-tape parade down Wall Street.

Oct. 27: The Cardinals win the World Series. Angry Yankees fans blame A-Rod, pointing out he didn't drive in a single run during the Series.

Dec. 7: Angry Yankees fans blame A-Rod when the new NBA ball is dropped.

My question for ARod is: Where's Osama?

I wonder if we're going to have A-Rod to kick around next season?

Hows aboud a WS ring, next year?

In case youd like to check out who died.

Looking forward to tracking your son's early baseball career on Hiroto Matsumura Plugh Watch.

Thanks Sliced.

And happy new year, everybody. I've been lurking here a long time, and I love this place.

the always excellent batters box (link to the right...) has a great new years day list of ballplayers. hey mike, there's a cy young award winner in there (lamar hoyt)! plus, the article is written by a yankees fan!

http://tinyurl.com/y59pok

philthy, huh? not sure if you're a nittany lions fan, but penn state just beat tenn. in the bowl game!

Goodbye, Twins. Hello, New York City."
-----------------------------------------
New Years Eve postpartum depression rant...
-----------------------------------------
You know what? I DON'T want the Yankees to make the biggest salary signing in sports history, and buy a ring with Santana.
The truth is, the money aspect of the game is getting nuts, and it's time for salary caps... both top and bottom.

I love what Cashman is doing this year. I love the new direction. I love building a team from the bottom up, using smarts.

I don't like seeing frachises desparate to compete by throwing sick dollars at players.
I fear when Zito starts failing, how many jumpers will head over to the bridge.. only to be caught on film.

I hate the thought of loyal Cubs fans heading to the other side of town, when $250 million in contracts STILL doesn't by a ring. Will there be enough money to hire someone to water the ivy?

Remember when Carlos Beltran and Jermaine Dye were Royals. Now they have $55 million worth of Gil Meche. I hate the thought of Royals fans begging MLB for contraction, to put them out of their misery.

I hate the thought of more $50 million posting fees, to buy indentured Japanese players. Will it be exciting to see a $70 million posting fee paid (by either Boston or NY).

I hate the though of NY, NY and Boston always fighting for the Santana's of this world, while the rest of the teams pay double the value for sloppy seconds.

I really hate to be a bummer, but...
I just don't want to see MLB become IBM.

But there IS good news.
The good news is Hiroto Matsumura Plugh WILL become a Yankee.

The bad news is the Posting fee will be larger then the collective salaries of the NL Central, to make sure Boston doesn't get him.... and Hiroto, in order to save face, will have to settle for a fraction of his value, and get bupkus, after Scott Daisuke Boras Jr. gets his 40% cut (plus expenses).

The good news is 'financial parity' has paid off, as seeking a more enthusiastic and participant fan base, the Pirates have been relocated, and have finally won their division.

The bad news is they won on forfeitures, as other NL West teams refused to play all Pirate September home games, in Anchorage.

The good news is Hiroto will pitch the game opener at the stadium in in 2028.

The bad news is Mike can't make it to the game, as his stadium ticket costs more then the RT airfair from Japan and 2 nights at the Hilton.

The good news is that 163' diagonal 3D photosynthplasmadron TVs will only cost slightly more then 2 dogs, 2 beers and a popcorn at the stadium, and Mike will have his choice of which YES Network feed he wants to pick up; NY, Florida, Guam, China, Chile, Madagascar, Slavovia or outer Mongolia.

The bad news is all broadcasts will still be announced by willey veteran Joe Morgan, and we will hear every mispronounced word, as cheering is outlawed at the stadium, as it interfers with all the cell phone calls.

The good news is Joe Morgan has FINALLY decided to take english lessons... from Hiroto Matsumura Plugh.

The bad news is the game is cancelled because even though 4 teams chipped in for the Royals airfare to New York, they could only to send 6 players, the team psychologist and DH Barry Bond's recliner (it's in his contract).

The good news is good news, because the 'Guest Colorman' was Tim McCarver.

Really... is anyone else concerned about the direction of baseball? After all, remember: when WE weren't looking, WE elected Bush to run our country for 8 years.

(Here's where it came from: I saw 'Supersize Me' last night. Capitalism is beginning to scare the shit out of me).

anyways, congrats mike. I remember teaching a class in Japan and responding to one of my students whose sister had had the first baby of the year in chiba prefecture --

wow that must be like hitting the lottery said I and launched into an explanation of "first baby of the year" concept. got everybody interested for a while until one of my downer students reminded me that the Japanese way is to give a prize to everyone or to select something innocuous like "ichiban birri," the prize that goes to the next-to-the-last finisher.

the great thing about bringing up baby in Japan is all the low tables and tatami rooms with the increased visual stimuli. will look forward to your later than usual posts in the coming months...

how many feet of snow in akita now?

Happy New York Yankees everyone!

Trying to send a message to Cashman? Or showing the Melky highlights while he's still a Yankee?

...and may pinstripes flow freely through his blue blood and to our hearts as he leads us back to Yankee dominance.

(Now I sign off contented, Lord, for mine eyes have read the promise, etc.,)

He will be a great Yankee.

That's all I have to say about that.

Once again I will say Brian Cashman is a tremendous GM. Another great move by B-Cash. If some of you are upset regarding this deal all I got to say is............. actually have nothing to say. When the deal is announced and I know for sure who the players coming to New York are check in for a break-down of the trade. Also, Dont think the Yankees off-season is done, just a heads up!"

Congratulations Mike; don't let him become a Sawx fan.

http://tinyurl.com/y8s3xc

HNY, everybody.

As I leaned in to kiss him on his little forehead, I heard a whisper. I kind of pulled back and looked in disbelief as he smiled at me cooing. "Nah. It was nothing", I told myself. I leaned in again. Another whisper.

This time I could hear him....He said, "Joe should never have put in Jeff Weaver in Game 4 of the 2003 Series. Oh, and don't trade Melky."

This kid is goooood.....

By the way, he probably will be in the amateur draft in 2028 rather than the posting system. I'm not sure we're staying in Japan beyond this summer actually. We may move back here eventually and stay for a while, but I've applied to grad school for next Fall and hope to be in the States, at least for a few years.

I would never let him sign with a Japanese professional team in the first place! Better to take a minor league deal with the Yankees and let him grow in Tampa.

The Yankees have lots of money. Johnson wants both an extension and a chance to play in Arizona. The D'Backs want RJ. I imagine the Yankees will offer to pay 6 million of his contract, the D'Backs will make the prospects in the package of sufficient quality to make that worth the Yankees while, and Randy will work with the snakes to re-structure the 40 million of deferred money into his new deal. It just takes time. The holidays got in the way, and Johnson is reportedly back from his fishing trip to get more directly involved. I'm going to guess it's all finalized by the weekend.

i usually make it a rule not to dish out parenting advice, but i thought i would remind you that it is never too early to start training.

perhaps encouraging the little phenom to use his left hand as often as possible... placing toys to his left...
etc.

a hearty congratulations and best wishes.

"... the Yankees have asked for two young starters amongst a group of three – Owings, Ross Ohlendorf and Dana Eveland. They also want a major-league ready reliever -- most likely Brandon Medders and a young infield prospect."

Four for One? Go get 'em Cashman!

Ichiro Suzuki "Ichiro will be 34 in October"

Tori Hunter "...has a .323 career on-base percentage and a .786 OPS in eight seasons."

Andruw Jones
"... move past Mel Ott and Hank Aaron for the sixth highest (HR) total by a player before age 30. The five guys ahead of Jones: Alex Rodriguez, Ken Griffey Jr., Jimmie Foxx, Mickey Mantle and Eddie Mathews. Boras will point to Wells' contract as evidence that Jones deserves eight years and $160 million on the open market."

Is Santana on this list?
(even swap for Hiroto Matsumura Plugh)

Any of these guys look good in Pinstripes?

1B?

i'd be willing to suffer through that experiment.

of course!

quick. somebody give me ca$hman's cell number...