Morning Bits: Split Squad, Vazquez, Cervelli, Chapman

As usual, here are a few quick items on the day (included is an interesting non-Yankee bit):

Yesterday, the Yankees defeated the Phillies, 7-5, thanks to Robinson Cano and Nick Swisher.
Right-hander, Javier Vazquez, also deserves credit, holding Philly to 1 ER over 2 IP (1 H, 0 BB, 4 K).
Yesterday, the Yankees also defeated the Pirates, [...]

Taveras to sign with Washington

Via ESPN, we learn that the Washington Nationals have agreed to a deal with outfielder Willy Taveras, who was recently released by the Oakland A’s after having acquired him from the Cincinnati Reds. Taveras’ deal is a minor-league contract with an invite to Spring Training. If he makes the team’s 40-man roster, he will earn [...]

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 [...]

Should the Yankees sign Jonny Gomes?

As Spring Training approaches, the Yankees’ 2010 lineup, as I see it, is not yet complete. Currently, a pair of of the team’s starting outfielders – Curtis Granderson and Brett Gardner – could potentially encounter issues with left-handed pitching this season. If we, for a moment, forego sample size criticism and believe that Curtis Granderson [...]

Recap Bits: Damon, Rotation, Reed, Wang

Here are a few quick items from the weekend, plus a “new” bit:

Johnny Damon is still homeless as the few options he once had have dwindled considerably.
Last night, we were treated to a guest post regarding Damon and WPA from our own, tedbrogen.
Joe Girardi said the Yankees will host a 5-man “competition” for the 5th [...]

Morning Bits: IPK, Payroll, Wang, Damon, Winn

Here are a few quick items on the morning:

Ian Kennedy seems eager to prove himself as a starter for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Maury Brown points out that the 2010 Yankees are committing about $199M to 18 players.
SI’s Jon Heyman tweets that Chien-Ming Wang is expected to wind up “on one of the coasts.”
The Reds have reached [...]

Davidoff: A’s offer Damon $7M

According to Newsday’s Ken Davidoff, the Oakland A’s have offered former Athletic, Johnny Damon, a one-year contract for “about” $7 million. However, Davidoff adds that Damon isn’t exactly “jumping at the opportunity,” as he is likely wary of Oakland’s ballpark, which he blames for his poor stint with the A’s in 2001. Still, whether or [...]

Reds interested in Damon?

According to a report via ESPN, “a baseball source told ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick” that “[Scott] Boras and [Johnny] Damon are trying to engage the Detroit Tigers and Cincinnati Reds as possible alternatives” to the Yankees. Though the Tigers-Damon connection is not new – Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated offered the possible marriage a few weeks [...]

Yanks viewed Chapman as a luxury

What’s a day without an Aroldis Chapman post?
From Mark Sheldon of MLB.com:
Once Chapman was declared a free agent by Major League Baseball, speculation was that the 21-year-old’s asking price might make big-market, deep-pocketed clubs favorites to acquire Chapman. But that proved to be a wrong assumption.
Many teams, such as the Red Sox and Yankees, were [...]

Quick Bits: Chapman, Gorecki, McGwire

A few items on the morning:

According to Tyler Kepner, the Yankees never actually bid on LHP Aroldis Chapman.
For depth purposes, the Yankees have signed former Cardinals prospect, Reid Gorecki.
The great Richard Sandomir has a nice read out on Mark McGwire’s PED admission.

Interesting tidbit from the Sandomir article—former White House press secretary, Ari Fleischer, was actually [...]

Quick Bits: Offseason, Chapman, Damon

Here are a few items to start the day:

Bob Klapisch believes that the Red Sox had a better offseason than the Yankees (it’s debatable).
With the Reds landing Aroldis Chapman, David Pinto believes that a draft system is unnecessary.
Aubrey Huff has agreed to a deal with the SF Giants and will presumably play first base for [...]

Chapman agrees to 5-year, $30M deal with Cincinnati

Via MLBTR, from Jeff Passan (Yahoo! Sports) we learn that Aroldis Chapman has signed a 5-year, $30 million deal with an NL Central club. Passan speculates that the Reds, who have never really been linked to Chapman outside of today, might be the team, as Chapman is actually on a flight to Cincinnati as we [...]

Quick Bits: Offense, Montero, Albaladejo, Cano

Here’s a quick rundown of some notable news items:
1. The Yankee offense clicked today, plating 11 runs against Cincinnati pitching. Robinson Cano, Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez all had big days, yet somehow, the Yankees still managed to lose the game by 2 runs.
2. Both Jesus Montero and Jonathan Albaladejo left today’s game with injuries. [...]

Jocketty looking at Nady and Swisher

From the Cincy Enquirer:
The Reds haven’t given up hope on getting a righty run-producer, but general manager Walt Jocketty said the club might go to spring training without one.
“I’m not turning my back on it,” Jocketty said. “But we may end up going into spring without one. I’m going to try to strengthen the bench [...]

Trading Nady

From Henry Schulman (via MLBTR):
Some speculation has arisen that the Giants might find a first baseman in New York, either Nick Swisher or Xavier Nady. I do not expect either will come to San Francisco.
I’ve been told by a good source that Yankees GM Brian Cashman wants to keep Swisher to replace Bobby Abreu in [...]

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