Master of the Bullpen Dojo

Mariano Rivera is arguably the greatest closer off all time. There's no doubt he's the greatest at the position in the post-season. But what makes Mo even greater, is his desire to work with his teammates to help make them better. As the Star-Ledger's Dan Graziano explains, it's become a second full-time job.

"Look," Rivera will say, pointing to the batting cage as he delivers one of his standard lessons. "It's batting practice. They know what pitch is coming. And they still don't hit a home run every time."

That's Mariano Rivera working with his fellow bullpen mates on the mental aspect of the game. It's his way of telling them, "don't be afraid to throw strikes." Mo's teachings have had a great impact on his teammates, both young and old. Veteran Luis Vizcaino turned his season around last year after Mo became his personal tutor.

"He's a great speaker, and he just has a way of getting his point across," Joba Chamberlain said the other day, at his locker next to Rivera's in the Legends Field home clubhouse. "It's powerful, forward and to the point. And you get completely engrossed in what he's saying."

"The greatest thing about Mariano Rivera is, after he says 'Hi,' the second word he tells you is something good for you," Yankees reliever Jose Veras said. "The second thing that comes out of his mouth is something to make you better. It's hard to find people like him."

When Mo broke into the bigs in 1995, Yankees closer John Wetteland took him under his wing. Now it's Mo's turn to help bring the kids along. Edwar Ramirez follows him around like a younger brother. Mo takes this role very seriously.

"A lot of people feel the same way and do the same things," Rivera said. "I just think it's important for guys to know the right way to play the game. Not that I know everything about that, but I think I do know some things."

Whether or not he wants to remain in baseball past his playing days remains to be seen, but some team would very lucky to have Mariano Rivera on their coaching staff.

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Weekend Hot Stove

Happy Holidays from My Pinstripes. Today's the shortest day of the year and there probably won't be much MLB activity, now thru Jan 2nd. The MLB offices will be closed during that period.

Josh Hamilton was a nice pick up for the Rangers, but not at the price. 2 pitching prospects? When will the Rangers front office ever learn? Now there looking at signing Eddie Guardado, who is 37-yrs old with an arm going on 500.

GM Andy MacPhail hasn't heard any offers for Erik Bedard that are to his liking, so the most likely scenario is Bedard still being an Oriole on opening day.

Despite steroid use, the Cubs are still pursuing O's 2nd Baseman, Brian Roberts.

Luiz Vizcaino finally got his deal from the Rockies, a 2-year contract worth $7.5 million.

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The Daily Yankeeland

The Yankees have agreed in principle to a 1-year, $3.75 million deal with free agent reliever LaTroy Hawkins, so says the Associated Press. We've never been a big fan of Hawkins, back to his days as a starter, set up, and closer for the Twins. But we are happy that it's only a 1 year deal. Luiz Vizcaino will get multiple years from someone, but let the buyer beware. Viz was another victim of Joe Torre burn out last year.

A little comparison between the 2 relievers last year

Hawkins 35 yrs old 62 G 55.1 IP 51 H 21 ER 6 HR 16 BB 29 K 2-5, 3.42 1.23 WHIP

Vizcaino 33 yrs old 77 G 75.1 IP 66 H 36 ER 6 HR 43 BB 62 K 8-2, 4.30 1.45 WHIP

Hawkins has the better control, but Vizcaino has a much better strikeout per inning total. The biggest thing that sticks out for Hawkins is how great his numbers were at home, and just how bad they were on the road.

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Hideki Matsui commented for the first time on the possibility of leaving the Yankees.

I have not heard anything from the Yankees and my agent," Matsui told the paper, in remarks translated by one of its reporters. "I cannot comment about any reports or rumors. I am going to think about (whether to waive the no-trade clause) only when the team or my agent calls me.

"All I can do right now is to prepare for the next season. Especially I have to rehab for my right knee during this off-season."

Godzilla's agent Arn Tellem confirmed that he has not been approached by the Yankees.
Source

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Bronson Sardinha made a quite splash during spring training earlier this year, but it didn't translate to the regular season. Sardinha became a victim of the 40-man roster Friday when he was released to make room for Andy Pettitte. The Yankees have 10 days to trade, release or outright Sardinha to the minors.

Source

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The Carl Pavano saga continues. The Yankees are expected to buy out the remaining year, plus the 2009 buyout of his contract, and then sign him to a minor league deal to rehab from Tommy John surgery. They're afraid his rehab will go too well and could help another team should they release him outright. Okay, commence laughter.

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The Weekend Yankeeland

What the fucku? The Yankees met with agent Alan Nero to discuss his client, Kazuo Fukumori. Nero has indicated there are 10 teams interested in the Japanese reliever, and the Yankees were late additions.

Fukumori, 33, served most recently as a closer for the Rakuten Golden Eagles. He went 4-2 with a 4.75 ERA in 34 appearances, striking out 33 and walking 17 in 36 innings, before going down with an elbow injury. He underwent season-ending surgery in July to remove bone chips from his elbow. Source

Luis Vizcaino turned down the Yankees' arbitration offer in hopes of finding a multi-year deal. He's still hoping to remain with the club. The Yankees are talking to infielders Nick Green, who was with the club in '05, and former Met Chris Woodward about minor league deals. Source

The Yankees had been having discussions with Mark Loretta about a possible utility role, but yesterday he accept arbitration from the Astros.

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