Quick Bits: Winter Meetings (pt.3)

Okay, so there were quite a few news items as the Yankees dealt for Granderson.

Even though the Yanks are getting Curtis Granderson, the team may still consider Johnny Damon.
The White Sox, like the Angels, are interested in Hideki Matsui but they want him to play the OF/DH.
The Yankees will meet with many agents this week, [...]

D-Rob, Marte to setup for Mo?

From Peter Gammons (ESPN):
Cashman feels David Robertson and Damaso Marte can pitch the seventh and eighth innings in front of Mariano Rivera, but a Yankee run at Lackey, Ben Sheets or another starter hasn’t been ruled out. The feeling inside the Yankees’ offices is that there will be some payroll cutback, but how much is [...]

Yanks interested in Matthews?

From Peter Gammons (ESPN):
Angels manager Mike Scioscia says Matthews “isn’t comfortable” with his role as a fourth outfielder, but despite rumors that the Angels may try to work something out with the Yankees, the contract will be difficult to move.
If you ask me, Gary Matthews Jr. isn’t a very enticing CF option. He would offer [...]

Demanding Specificity

From ESPN:
PETER GAMMONS: You’re saying that the time period was 2001, ‘2 and ‘3?
ALEX RODRIGUEZ: That’s pretty accurate, yes.
PETER GAMMONS: What kind of substances were you taking?
ALEX RODRIGUEZ: Peter, that’s the thing. Again, it was such a loosey-goosey era. I’m guilty for a lot of things. I’m guilty for being negligent, naive, not asking all [...]

An A-Rod Rundown

Here are a few A-Rod bits that might interest you:
1. Read the full transcript of A-Rod’s interview with Peter Gammons, here.

2. Tom Hicks, the owner of the Rangers, is really pissed with A-Rod and rightfully so. He also questions the validity of A-Rod’s steroid timeline.
3. Jon Heyman (SI) thinks that A-Rod’s apology is a good [...]

A-Rod's Admission

In light of his ESPN confession (looks like SI won’t be getting anymore  A-Rod exclusives), do you forgive Alex Rodriguez?
I’ll discuss the results at the end of the day.

Quick Bits: Gammons, Giambi, Scranton, Payroll, Nady/Swish

Real quick:
1. Peter Gammons is a tool.
2. Jason Giambi gave the Yanks props at his press conference in Oakland.
3. Chad Jennings attempts to piece together the Triple-A rotation.
4. Pete Caldera did the math and notes that as long as Andy doesn’t return, the team will be under its 2008 payroll.
5. Jon Heyman lets us know [...]

Quick Bits: Stadium, Gammons

A few notes:
1. Rich Brodsky, the state assemblyman that has been investigating the Yankee Stadium project, is attempting to postpone a vote that would provide the Yanks (and the Mets) with additional public bonds (to the tune of $370 million) for their ballpark. The Yankees are going to have a difficult time from now on, [...]

Let it Burn

 
The stove is getting hotter as the weather itself is getting colder.  Peter Gammons, through Buster Olney, has reported that the Twins would, if dealing Santana to the Yankees, expect at least Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera and Austin Jackson (the young CF prospect) in the trade.  This is an initial offer and is no means [...]

Yoooooouuuk's New Teammate

Golden commentary from Kevin Youkilis’ MLBlog:
Some people doubted us all year — people were worried about the Yankees and they should have just been enjoy our success of being in first place all year. But we had a lot of fans didn’t doubt us and they stayed with us and cheered us on, and this [...]