STG25: Yankees VS Braves

Here’s the lineup, via LoHud: YANKEES Brett Gardner LF Nick Swisher RF Jorge Posada C Robinson Cano 2B Curtis Granderson CF Juan Miranda 1B Kevin Russo SS Brandon Laird 3B CC Sabathia P RHP CC Sabathia BRAVES Melky Cabrera RF Martin Prado 2B Chipper Jones 3B Troy Glaus 1B Yunel Escobar SS Matt Diaz LF [...]

STG10: Braves @ Yankees (canceled)

Here are the lineups via Sam Borden (LoHud): YANKEES Randy Winn DH Nick Swisher RF Mark Teixeira 1B Alex Rodriguez 3B Jorge Posada C Marcus Thames LF Jamie Hoffmann CF Ramiro Pena SS Reegie Corona 2BPitching: RHP A.J. Burnett (13-9, 4.04 ERA in 2009) BRAVES Nate McClouth CF Martin Prado 2B Jason Heyward RF Troy [...]

Cano “better off” will Melky gone?

Here’s an interesting bit of text via Bob Klapisch of the Bergen Record: Yankee hitting instructor Kevin Long spoke for the franchise when he said, “We all want to see Robbie get to the next level. It’s definitely time, and he knows it.” Cano seems ready for the challenge, showing up at 7 a.m. this [...]

Vazquez eager to start the season

  Javier Vazquez threw his first bullpen session today – 35 fastballs and changeups – three days ahead of schedule. The early outing is indicative of the right-hander’s attitude going into the 2010 season, as he has something to prove after his previous campaign in pinstripes, which was largely ruled a failure. “The main thing [...]

Salcedo to sign with the Braves?

Eduardo Salcedo, an international prospect the Yankees were rumored to be interested in back in 2008, is expected to sign with the Atlanta Braves. Mark Bowman of MLB.com writes that the Braves and Salcedo are “nearing a deal,” which would effectively remove the 18-year old shortstop from the free agent pool. As I noted earlier [...]

Damon and Detroit closing the gap

In a joint blurb by FOX Sports’ Jon Paul Morosi and Ken Rosenthal, according to a “one major league source,” there is “now only a ‘small difference’ of opinion between the Tigers and Johnny Damon as to what the outfielder’s salary should be.” Damon is said to be contemplating two deals from Detroit, one a [...]

Missing Melky

Here’s Dave Cameron of FanGraphs, offering an “optimistic” outlook for Melky Cabrera‘s 2010 prospects. He’s been around long enough that its easy to forget that he’s just 25 years old. He gets labeled as a tweener, because he’s not a great defensive CF or a great offensive LF, but guys like this are often better [...]

Retirement Bits: Frank Thomas, Tom Glavine, Carlos Delgado

Here are some noteworthy baseball items on the morning: FAIRWELL, FRANK At 11 am today, Frank Thomas, one of the best right-handed hitters of all time, will officially announce his retirement at US Cellular Field in Chicago. The Big Hurt ends his incredible 19-year Major League career with 521 home runs, 1704 runs batted in, [...]

Tigers owner approves $14M deal for Damon

According to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, Tigers owner, Mike Ilitch, has authorized a two-year, $14 million deal for free agent, Johnny Damon. Damon, however, is still considering a one-year offer from Detroit (and the Braves), as well (perhaps he thinks he could make more annually a year from now). The $14 million contract would actually [...]

Morning Bits: Johnny Damon, Implicit Racism, Kyle Farnsworth

Here are a few items of note on the morning: WHO WOULD GIVE DAMON A 2-YEAR DEAL? With Atlanta’s recent proposal, it appears that the Johnny Damon sweepstakes is now a legitimate two-team race, with the Tigers and the Braves currently vying for the Yankees’ former left fielder. In the end, the team that may [...]

Quick Bits: Joba, Hughes, Damon, Robertson

Here are a few quick items on the evening: Pitching coach, Dave Eiland, reiterates that the Joba rules are, indeed, a thing of the past. Eiland also noted that Phil Hughes would have “some” restrictions, but added they would not be “extreme.” According to Tyler Kepner’s sources, the Braves have offered Damon a $4M deal [...]

For Damon, it’s Detroit or bust

Desperation can be extremely embarrassing. From Scott Boras’ favorite newspaper, the Detroit Free Press: If Steve Yzerman wasn’t busy running Team Canada for the Olympics, perhaps he could help persuade free agent Johnny Damon to sign with the Tigers despite a lower offer than he’d like. Damon has rooted for the Red Wings for years. [...]

Damon Bits: Tigers, Braves, Angels

Though the Randy Winn signing should have done it, the addition of Marcus Thames undoubtedly ends any lingering thoughts as to whether or not the Yankees would still be able to sign Johnny Damon. As Joel Sherman reported a few weeks ago, the Yankees only had $2 million left after the Javier Vazquez acquisition, and [...]

Damon to Cincy still makes sense

In his latest piece, ESPN‘s Tim Kurkjian writes that the Cincinnati Reds, who are in need of more offense and have a vacancy in left field, should look to sign Johnny Damon. Damon is still in search of a home due to Scott Boras’ failings this winter (Damon must also shoulder the blame for his [...]

Tigers, Braves still in on Damon

According to FOX Sports, the Tigers and Braves are still in on Johnny Damon, however, in order for the Tigers to sign him, team owner, Mike Ilitch, would have to expand the club’s budget, whereas the Braves are only capable of signing him if his price drops dramatically. FOX is passing this off as news, [...]

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