iYankees

Would you ever consider moving Robinson Cano to left field? No, right? Well, Baseball Musing’s Dave Pinto, citing Cano’s defensive issues at his second base, recently stated that he would. Moshe over at TYU disagrees and writes why the idea is a bad one. Essentially, ab...ove average offensive left fielders are easier to find than above average offensive second basemen, therefore, it is better to have Cano, an above average offensive player,...

Scott Boras was recently on the MLB Home Plate channel (SiriusXM) and had a few interesting things to say to host Jim Bowden about the Yankees and Johnny Damon, a client of his that has struggled to find a home this winter. Via Bryan Hoch’s Bombers Beat Blog: Bowden: “I...s the door left open for Johnny Damon to return to the Yankees or has that door been closed?” Scott Boras: “Well, you know, I...

Congrats to Andrew Dawson, who was elected to the Hall of Fame today. Bert Blyleven and Roberto Alomar just missed, although both will get in next year. Here are the results via the BBWA: 2010 Hall of Fame voting Name Votes Pct. Andre Dawson 420 77.9% Bert Blyleven... 400 74.2% Roberto Alomar 397 73.7% Jack Morris 282 52.3% Barry Larkin 278 51.6% Lee Smith 255 47.3% Edgar Martinez 195 36.2% Tim Raines 164 30.4% Mark McGwire 128 23.7% Alan Trammell 121 22.4% Fred McGriff 116 21.5% Don...

Maybe Ken Rosenthal’s recent prediction will become a reality? According to the Sun Sentinel (props to MLBTR), which spoke to “an American League source following the situation,” the Florida Marlins are “still in the game” with regards to their pursuit of prize Cuban le...ft-hander, Aroldis Chapman, and have supposedly “increased their initial $13 million offer.” The increase subsequently follows a number of reports detailing interest from various other organizations in competition for...

Here are three quick items for you during your lunch break: According to Todd Zolecki, the Phillies have called Alan Nero about our boy, Chien-Ming Wang. Unfortunately, the Braves have signed the ultimate good luck charm, Eric Hinske, for their bench. Last night, the R...ed Sox agreed to trade Casey Kotchman to the Mariners for spare part, Bill Hall. Seattle has really taken this run prevention approach to another level. Oh, and that picture of Hinske...

If you’re like Jason Bay and fully expect the Yankees and Johnny Damon to resolve their contractual differences, reach an agreement this month, and reunite for the 2010 season, then you might be disappointed by the following post. Yesterday, Pete Caldera of the Bergen R...ecord spoke briefly with GM Brian Cashman and, from that abbreviated conversation, we learn that the Yankees already have a left fielder and his name is, you guessed...

Although the Yankees have yet to be linked via accredited media report to the recently non-tendered Jack Cust, who hit .240/.356/.417 in 2009 with Oakland and owns a career .239/.374/.459 triple slash line, some writers have recently mentioned the soon-to-be 31-year old... as a possible left field candidate for the 2010 season....

Here are three quick items on the day: The end has come. Former Yankee, Randy Johnson, will announce his retirement tomorrow. Jason Bay on the Yankees’ tepid interest in him: “I just kind of assumed Damon would be back.” Greg Fertel writes that Zach McAllister is “the ...top pitching prospect in the Yankees farm system.” Recently, Greg also proposed signing Austin Kearns, but he’ll join Shelley Duncan in Cleveland. Back with more later (some left field...

Yesterday, Buster Olney struck down the Pujols-in-pinstripes idea put forth by Phil Rogers. Today, it’s Keith Law’s turn (he’s a bit more explicit with regards to the idea’s impracticality): “The Yankees have Jesus Montero — one of the top 10 hitting prospets in the gam...e — in their system. And while he’s a catcher now, I see very little to zero chance he catches in the big leagues....

According to Dave O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Braves can “afford to sign” the 36-year old outfielder “if they could do a one- or two-year deal for well below $10 mill per, and perhaps closer to $7-8 mill per season if it’s a two-year deal.” Essentia...lly, the Braves could look to offer Damon the same multiyear deal the Yankees had proposed to him earlier this winter....

Here are some interesting items to start the morning: It looks like the back-and-forth between Matt Holliday and St. Louis will end with a deal this week. Jay over at Fack Youk takes a detailed look at starter Javier Vazquez’s ability to pitch “in the clutch.” Erik Bol...and says that the Yankees left field search could affect their pursuit of pitcher Chien-Ming Wang. CC Sabathia informs us that he’ll join Yankee fan, Denzel Washington, on...

Earlier tonight, the Red Sox signed former Mariner third baseman Adrian Beltre to a one year deal with a player option for 2011. Beltre is a career .270/.325/.453 hitter that can likely swat 25-30 home runs for the Sox while playing excellent defense at the hot corner (...over the past three years, he has been the best third baseman in the American League, defensively)....

According to LoHud’s Chad Jennings, the Cleveland Indians have signed Shelley Duncan. Jennings says that it’s likely a minor league deal. Good luck to Shelley, who hit .277/.370/.546 with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last season and led the International League in home runs (3...0), runs batted in (99), and total bases (247). Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images

If Johnny Damon doesn’t return to the Yankees — most of you believe he will — then, perhaps the National League awaits. In his latest, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports notes that the Giants and the Braves, the two teams that have been connected to Damon the most this winter ...(outside of the Yankees), “could view him as a strong fit,” given the offense he provides....

With regards to the Yankees’ left field situation this season, while the somewhat fragile Reed Johnson seems to lead the list of right-handed candidates that could potentially platoon with the left-handed Brett Gardner come opening day (assuming the Yankees choose to go... that route), one name that has recently picked up steam among Yankee fans is former Tampa Bay Ray and current free agent outfielder, Jonny Gomes. Gomes, a career .241/.330/.471 hitter,...

Yesterday, I wrote about Phil Rogers’ recent report in the Chicago Tribune which speculated that the Yankees were “keeping the DH spot clear” and limiting their spending this winter season in order to make a run at Albert Pujols (or Prince Fielder, Joe Mauer, Adrian Gon...zalez) if St. Louis actually allows the best player in the game to reach free agency in 2011....

Before I begin explaining the viewpoint captured by the above title, first, I must relay an opinion which I have put forth, repeatedly, throughout the course of this blog’s two-year existence. Essentially, I believe that both Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes should be full-time starters for the New York Yankees....

Here are three quick items on the morning: Joe at RAB takes a look at Ryan Church. I’ve also written about Church, but Joe and I have differing opinions. If you’re interested in brushing up on statistical analysis — stuff like UZR, WAR, etc — check out this must read. ...It looks like Madonna has come between Alex Rodriguez and his former clutch queen, Kate Hudson....

Here’s a quick and dirty view of Nick Johnson’s injury history, via Fantasy Pitch F/X. During the course of his 8-year career, Johnson has spent roughly 589 days on the bench due to medical issues. However, he has never been a team’s designated hitter for a full season.... Perhaps the change will alter his fortunes. Photo by Chang W....

In his most recent piece, Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune discusses Joe Mauer, Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, and Adrian Gonzalez, dubbing them the Four Horsemen of baseball. While Rogers’ analogy is somewhat strange, he then goes on to turn a few more heads once he ...begins discussing the Yankees’ future in relation to the aforementioned quadruplet....