Vegas Update - Day 2 8:20 AM EST

Jon Heyman of SI and Joel Sherman of the NY Post expect the Mets and free agent closer Francisco Rodriguez to work out a 3-year deal, worth app. $37 million, before the end of the winter meetings.

Rodriguez's agent, Paul Kinzer, said, "I am more optimistic than I have ever been" about finalizing a deal between the single-season save leader and the Mets.

It's hard to believe the Angels wouldn't match such an offer or bump it up a bit to keep K-Rod.

One team rep feels the Red Sox will sign Mark Teixeira. Why does that count any more than what we think?

These updates from Fox's Ken Rosenthal:

The Braves and Cards are trying to work out a deal that would send Rick Ankiel to Atlanta, but thus far the Cards are asking for Mike Gonzalez, and that's a no-go for Atlanta.

The Blue Jays are meeting with shortstop Rafael Furcal's agents, but the chance of signing the free agent are slim.

The Phillies are still looking at Delmon Young of the Twins, and have jumped into the Jake Peavy trade talks.

The Rangers are quietly shopping shortstop Michael Young according to an AL executive, so says Yahoo Sports' Tim Brown.

The Dodgers inked veteran Mark Loretta to a one year deal, meaning that Nomar's days in LA are numbered.

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Posada Comes Up Throwing

The Post's Joel Sherman is reporting that Jorge Posada has begun a throwing program as his next step in the rehab process for shoulder surgery.

The Yankees are counting on Posasa being able to start the season behind the plate rather than at first base or as a DH.

Jorge while you're at it, buy your a wife a decent dress. C'mon man.

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The Daily Yankeeland - 9/23

What? There's a game tonight? Didn't the season end on Sunday? Oh wait, that's right, the MLB scheduler makers fecked up. The Yankees travel north of the border tonight to visit the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.

Tonight's game is huge and we're not talking about the fact that the Yankees aren't mathematically eliminated. Mike Mussina (18-9, 3.57) goes for win number 19 tonight. If he gets it, he'll go for number 20 in Fenway Park. Moose will be opposed by Jesse Litsch (12-8, 3.72).

Phil Hughes makes his second start, since coming from the DL, tomorrow night against new Yankee killer, and maybe future Yankee, A.J. Burnett. The series finishes up on Thursday with Carl Pavano going against Roy Halladay, who will be looking for his 20th win.

We waded through many of the reviews of Sunday night's festivities and though most were favorable, there were some definite on-the-money criticisms. The ridiculous re-enactment of the 1923 lineup and of players like Joe D. The complete omission of Joe Torre from the highlights. The inclusion of Jesse Barfield in the highlights.

There was one thing we were quite curious about - who pulled the lever to set the countdown to zero. We saw no mention of it, so we asked Peter Abraham during his live chat yesterday - the answer? Michael Kay. Michael Kay??? WTF. Not even Hal or Jennifer Steinbrenner? By the way, nice of Hank not to show.

Here are some of the good columns we read concerning Sunday's ceremonies and some of the suggestions of what could have made the day better:

Richard Sandomir of the Times.

Joel Sherman of the Post.

Peter Abraham's video chat from yesterday. We asked what Pete would have added and taken away from Sunday's ceremony, how Jason Giambi felt about the possible end of his days in Pinstripes, and about the countdown lever.

Yankees spokesperson Jason Zillo claimed that Torre and Clemens were not intentionally skipped. Yeah, right.

Word has it that Roger Clemens was not invited. Duh. He was reportedly heartbroken over being left out of the montage. Ya reap what you sow.

You knew there were some people who were going to try to purloin some history on Sunday.

As for the business of rebuilding the Yankees. We're not happy about the Yankees considering bringing back Jason Giambi. Remember, this is about winning, and while the Big 'G' is a really likeable guy, it's time to go.

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The Daily Yankeeland - 9/11

George King has a brief look at the Yankees final homestand and a Far East scouting trip.

Joel Sherman talks about Andy Pettitte's uncertain future.

Ivan Rodriguez sat out yesterday's game with the Angels and will do so again tomorrow against the Rays to serve his two game suspension.

Edwar Gonzalez stood out at Tampa and Trenton this year and may look to go to another organization next year.

The USA Today wonders "What happened to the National Anthem?".

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The Daily Yankeeland - 8/29

The Yankees open a tough three game series with the Blue Jays tonight at the Stadium. What makes it tough is facing A.J. Burnett and Roy Halladay in two of the games.

Friday - Carl Pavano (1-0, 5.40) vs A.J. Burnett (16-9, 4.58)
Saturday - Darrell Rasner (5-9, 5.03) vs. John Parish (1-0, 4.05)
Sunday - Andy Pettitte (13-10, 4.37) vs. Roy Halladay (16-9)

Veteran outfielder Matt Stairs was dealt earlier today to the Phillies for a player to be named. The Blue Jays are calling up their top hitting prospect Travis Snider, who has played at three different levels in the minor leagues this season.

A Joba Chamberlain update from the Post.

Joel Sherman begs YES not to make yesterday's game a "Yankees Classic".

Hank says don't blame Girardi. He's also monitoring the initial boys- CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett.

Brian Cashman falls on the sword.

Two Yankees prospects in the Dominican Summer League are going to sit 50 games for PED.

Mike Ashmore has an interview with the newest Yankee, Al Aceves.

The NY Times has a profile on Cody Ransom.

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The Daily Yankeeland - 8/28

The Yankees will try to salvage the finale of the three game series this afternoon when Mike Mussina faces Jon Lester. Yankees aren't going anywhere but downward, but they owe it to Mussina to show up today.

Hank says things will change!

Ken Davidoff thinks Joe Girardi needs to loosen up.

Pavano is on waivers and available. Yankees couldn't possibly be that lucky to get someone worthwhile back for him.

Like the rest of us, Joel Sherman says it's time to look towards '09.

Too little, too late for A-Rod.

Girardi defends the middle of the lineup.

Viedo of the fan ejected for trying to blow off God Bless America.

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The Daily Yankeeland - 8/27

Sidney Ponson goes against Paul Byrd in the second game of the series tonight. Unfortunately that means Michael Kay will talk about how much Byrd looks like Kelsey Grammer.

The Boston Herald talked to Mariano Rivera about no longer facing Manny Ramirez on a regular basis.

Joel Sherman says Alex Rodriguez is the Yankees poster boy for failure. We don't disagree.

Jason Giambi continues to prove that the Yankees need a real first baseman.

The Post's Kevin Kernan says Andy Pettitte's big game performances are a thing of the past.

Tyler Kepner has info on Melky Cabrera, Joba's unscripted return, and Jose Molina's nickname.

Quote of the day from The Record's Ian O'Connor. In comparing Tiger Woods, who was at last night's game, and Alex Rodriguez, "Tiger shrinks the moment. Rodriguez? The moment shrinks him."

Jon Heyman has this on Jason Giambi:

Jason Giambi, Yankees first baseman ($21 million option, $5 million buyout): Teammate/good buddy Johnny Damon recently told Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe that Giambi likes it so much in the Bronx he'd be happy to return for less than that $21-million figure. Damon isn't exactly giving away state secrets, but no matter what Damon or anyone says, the Yankees are more likely to try to lure Teixeira as they try to get younger. The call: The Yankees buy Giambi out and let him go.

Needless to say, the Yankees better NOT bring Giambi back under any circumstances.

LoHud's Sam Borden wonders if this team would have responded differently under Joe Torre.

Igawa continues to earn that Triple-A money.

A man who wrote threatening, racially charged letters to Derek Jeter, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, and others, was sentenced to three years and 10 months in prison.

John Flaherty was elected to the Hall of Fame. No, not that one.

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The Daily Yankeeland - 8/21

The Yankees appear to be leaning towards Carl Pavano against the Orioles on Saturday, rather than Phil Hughes or Victor Zambrano. We think the Yankees don't want to rush Phil Hughes back and Zambrano isn't a very good option. They must figure they'll see if Pavano has anything. As for now, Hughes is listed as Scranton's starter on Friday.

Sidney Ponson goes against Roy Halladay in tonight's series finale with the Blue Jays.

Joba Chamberlain is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday.

Mariano Rivera's son, Mariano Jr., served as the Yankees bat boy last night.

Joel Sherman annoys us by telling us how much better the Mets youngsters are doing in comparison with the Yankees kids.

WCBS radio has new pics, including the one above, of the Yankee Stadium 2.0 construction.

A-Rod defends his Tuesday night base running.

Sidney Ponson fits in with the Yankees, so says Peter Abraham.

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The Daily Yankeeland - 8/17

Joel Sherman wonders if Derek Jeter won't be a lifetime Yankee after all. (link fixed!)

The NY Post is counting down the 25 greatest Yankee Stadium moments. Today is #6 - Reggie's World Series trifecta.

Bill Madden thinks Hank Steinbrenner is a whiner.

The '78 Yankees and Red Sox reunited in Scranton yesterday. Here's another take on it.

It's a week old, but here's an article we just stumbled on having to do with Oscar Gamble's incredible '70s 'fro.

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Joba and Other Stuff

Let the pundits go at it again. The Yankees made it official last night, Joba Chamberlain is now in the transition phase of becoming a starting pitcher once again. What this means is that Mike Francesca will make your ears bleed for 5 hours today talking about what a mistake it is. Steve Phillips will go on the Michael Kay radio show and disperse his usual incorrect information. And the newspapers (Joel Sherman, Bill Madden, will go on about it for several days.

It's clear that this had to be done. Just how many 8th inning leads has there been to protect this year? The team is barely treading water and just because they've recovered the past couple of years to make the playoffs, doesn't mean it will happen this year. And if they do and make another quick first round exit will it even be beneficial to be a playoff team? With Phil Hughes struggling and injured, with Ian Kennedy unable to retire t-ball hitters, and Andy Pettitte and Mike Mussina getting old and creaky, it was a move that had to be done.

Much to everyone's surprise Joe Girardi revealed that Joba will NOT be sent to the minors at all in the attempt to stretch out his arm and assist in the transition. Conceivably, Joba could become the long man in the pen until he's ready for more innings.

In more nonsensical news, the NY Post has a blurb stating that Derek Jeter's latest catch is Friday Night Lights star Minka Kelly.

Don't have a cow man. Both of the scheduled starters, Chien-Ming Wang and Felix Hernandez, for Saturday's Yankees-Mariners game are iffy with mild calf strains.

The Yankees will be ending their 11 year sponsorship deal with Adidas at the end of the season. They've signed a new 5 year mega deal that with Nike that will kick off in '09.

As part of their coverage of Asian Heritage Month, NY1 has a feature on Johnny Damon's work in the Asian community. Damon's mom is of Thai heritage and the Yankees left fielder takes pride in his background. He hopes to serve as a role model and wants to encourage Asian youngsters to play baseball. That being said, this quote almost sounds like he's stereotyping his own culture.

“I can spread the word and people are seeing now that an Asian ballplayer can be in front of a mic and when he talks people listen,” says Damon. “Asians who look at me probably think I talk well in front of a camera and hopefully it just gives them the courage and the confidence to do it themselves.”

While we appreciate Damon's heritage and his pride, he's never come across as particularly articulate or bright. His quote kind of backs that up.

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The Daily Yankeeland

Depending on how who you believe the Yankees either turned down a soft, last minute offer for Johan Santana or an absurd one. Bob Klapisch of the Bergen Record says it was Ian Kennedy, Jeffrey Marquez and a prospect. Joel Sherman of the NY Post says the Twins said you can take Hughes out if you substitute Kennedy AND Chien-Ming Wang. We think Sherman's take sounds a lot more plausible.

Hank Steinbrenner, meanwhile, declined to say if the Yankees tried to top the Mets' offer, but did give the Mets a thumbs up- "I think the Twins did what they needed to do and I think the Mets made a good deal." Source

Derek Jeter's new G2, Gatorade's low calorie sports drink, ad will premiere during Super Bowl LXII this Sunday.

Roger Clemens was back on the mound yesterday, throwing batting practice to some Houston Astros prospects. He obviously had no comment to anyone on the steroid situation.

A Florida judge has ruled that Jim Leyritz must take daily breath tests while he awaits trial on DUI charges. Judge Marc Gold ruled that Leyritz must stay away from alcohol and drugs, and must be blow into a breathalyzer 3 times daily. The ruling came after Leyritz pleaded "not guilty" of DUI and vehicular homicide. Source

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The Daily Yankeeland

What would the Daily Yankeeland be without a Johan Santana report? Joel Sherman of the NY Post says his sources indicate that the Red Sox are still in the lead to land the lefty. The absurdity of this is that it isn't an election. It doesn't matter who trails or leads. Obviously the Twins are not completely happy right now with any offer or they would have pulled the trigger by now. This has clearly turned into a marathon and not a sprint.

The Yankees have told Robinson Cano to stop playing winter ball, ostensibly because they want an injured calf to completely heal. Cano had just begun playing recently for Estrellas de Orientales in the Dominican and was starting post-season play.

Mr. Holier than Thou, Mike Lupica, whom we have as much respect for as say toe fungus, rips Roger Clemens a new one in today's Daily News. The Lip compares Clemens' defense to that of Tour de France cheat, Floyd Landis (does anyone really think Lance Armstrong was clean?).

The NY Times has an interesting piece on Clemens' attorney, Rusty Hardin. Hardin represented Wade Boggs a few years back, when the Hall of Fame 3rd Baseman was accused of assaulting a flight attendant on the Yankees' charter.

Anyone else as creeped out as I am by this new Derek Jeter cologne ad?

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