Thursday Hot Stove

The Mets negotiations with Johan Santana continue as the left-hander's agent, Peter Greenberg, is reportedly seeking a 6-year, $150 million deal. The Mets are also heavily into talks with Kyle Lohse. And they've added reliever Ruddy Lugo to the bullpen mix, picking him up off of waivers from the A's.

MLB.com reported earlier today that the O's were considering trying to sign Erik Bedard to an extension. ESPN.com has countered that with a report that Bedard's agent, Mark Pieper, said that the O's were not considering a new contract. ESPN also reports that the O's and M's are still talking deal and working on the "language" of the deal concerning physicals for Adam Jones and George Sherrill.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports is reporting that veteran outfielder Luis Gonzalez has reached agreement with the Florida Marlins on a 1-year deal worth $2 million, plus another $1 million in incentives.

Much bounced around reliever Jorge Julio has agreed to a 1-year minor league deal with the Cleveland Indians.

The Phillies officially completed their signing of free agent 3rd Baseman Pedro Feliz. The former Giant will get $8.5 million for 2 years. The club also has an option for 2010.

Thursday Hot Stove

The Mets negotiations with Johan Santana continue as the left-hander's agent, Peter Greenberg, is reportedly seeking a 6-year, $150 million deal. The Mets are also heavily into talks with Kyle Lohse. And they've added reliever Ruddy Lugo to the bullpen mix, picking him up off of waivers from the A's.

MLB.com reported earlier today that the O's were considering trying to sign Erik Bedard to an extension. ESPN.com has countered that with a report that Bedard's agent, Mark Pieper, said that the O's were not considering a new contract. ESPN also reports that the O's and M's are still talking deal and working on the "language" of the deal concerning physicals for Adam Jones and George Sherrill.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports is reporting that veteran outfielder Luis Gonzalez has reached agreement with the Florida Marlins on a 1-year deal worth $2 million, plus another $1 million in incentives.

Much bounced around reliever Jorge Julio has agreed to a 1-year minor league deal with the Cleveland Indians.

The Phillies officially completed their signing of free agent 3rd Baseman Pedro Feliz. The former Giant will get $8.5 million for 2 years. The club also has an option for 2010.

Friday Hot Stove

Seems like the Twins' beat writers are creating more havoc this winter than those covering the Yankees. Yesterday it was Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star Tribune stating the Twins were willing to do a deal with the Mets for 5 prospects, but the Mets were unwilling to include Fernando Martinez.

Mike Francesa, a legend in his own mind, said he spoke to a Mets official, who stated that no talks between the two teams had not included Jose Reyes. The official also felt a deal would be done within 2 weeks, with whichever team it happens.

Obviously all the teams are balking at unloading a bunch of prospects and then giving Santana a huge contract.

The Texas Rangers are said to be close to signing free agent pitcher Jason Jennings to a multi-year deal. Imagine that, the Rangers getting pitching.

The Mariners brought back Chris Reitsma with a minor league deal, and former Yankee Josh Phelps inked a minor league contract with the Cardinals.

The Rays brains are getting together to figure out whether to give the 3rd Base job to Evan Longoria or start out the stud prospect at Triple-A. Hopefully the Rays make better decisions than they have in the past.

Akinori Otsuka is undergoing elbow surgery though it is not known if it is Tommy John surgery. Why did he wait so long?

Tim Wakefield can relax (actually Jason Varitek can relax), the Red Sox have brought back his personal catcher, Doug Mirabelli, with a 1 year deal.

The Mariners have joined the Marlins in showing interest in Luis Gonzalez, especially if the M's decide to deal Adam Jones.

Friday Hot Stove

Seems like the Twins' beat writers are creating more havoc this winter than those covering the Yankees. Yesterday it was Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star Tribune stating the Twins were willing to do a deal with the Mets for 5 prospects, but the Mets were unwilling to include Fernando Martinez.

Mike Francesa, a legend in his own mind, said he spoke to a Mets official, who stated that no talks between the two teams had not included Jose Reyes. The official also felt a deal would be done within 2 weeks, with whichever team it happens.

Obviously all the teams are balking at unloading a bunch of prospects and then giving Santana a huge contract.

The Texas Rangers are said to be close to signing free agent pitcher Jason Jennings to a multi-year deal. Imagine that, the Rangers getting pitching.

The Mariners brought back Chris Reitsma with a minor league deal, and former Yankee Josh Phelps inked a minor league contract with the Cardinals.

The Rays brains are getting together to figure out whether to give the 3rd Base job to Evan Longoria or start out the stud prospect at Triple-A. Hopefully the Rays make better decisions than they have in the past.

Akinori Otsuka is undergoing elbow surgery though it is not known if it is Tommy John surgery. Why did he wait so long?

Tim Wakefield can relax (actually Jason Varitek can relax), the Red Sox have brought back his personal catcher, Doug Mirabelli, with a 1 year deal.

The Mariners have joined the Marlins in showing interest in Luis Gonzalez, especially if the M's decide to deal Adam Jones.

Wednesday Hot Stove

Ken Rosenthal reports that the Orioles and Mariners in serious talks about Erik Bedard. The M's are thought to be willing to part with top prospect Adam Jones.

K-Ros also reports that the Marlins are interested in free agent outfielder Luis Gonzalez.

The Chicago Tribune's Phil Rogers believes that an Orioles-Cubs trade for Brian Roberts will happen, and it's just a matter of time.

The Rockies have signed Marcus Giles to a minor league deal, and the Mariners have inked former Yankee Miguel Cairo to a deal. Cairo will try to push Jose Lopez for the starting 2nd Base job.

The Braves are thought to be talking to the A's about centerfielder Mark Kotsay.

Matt Mantei is trying to make a comeback, with the Detroit Tigers showing interest.

Tony Pena and Brandon Lyon are the front-runners for the Diamondbacks' closer job.

Wednesday Hot Stove

Ken Rosenthal reports that the Orioles and Mariners in serious talks about Erik Bedard. The M's are thought to be willing to part with top prospect Adam Jones.

K-Ros also reports that the Marlins are interested in free agent outfielder Luis Gonzalez.

The Chicago Tribune's Phil Rogers believes that an Orioles-Cubs trade for Brian Roberts will happen, and it's just a matter of time.

The Rockies have signed Marcus Giles to a minor league deal, and the Mariners have inked former Yankee Miguel Cairo to a deal. Cairo will try to push Jose Lopez for the starting 2nd Base job.

The Braves are thought to be talking to the A's about centerfielder Mark Kotsay.

Matt Mantei is trying to make a comeback, with the Detroit Tigers showing interest.

Tony Pena and Brandon Lyon are the front-runners for the Diamondbacks' closer job.

Yankees vs. Diamondbacks Preview

It's kind of ironic that the Yankees are following up their series with the Pirates by playing the Diamondbacks. The two teams are intertwined in Yankees fans nightmares.

For anyone over the age of 50 seeing the Pittsburgh Pirates brings back painful memories of the 1960 World Series. For the rest of us, there is 2001. Both last at-bat losses in Game 7. There were many differences, but some painful similarities as well.

The Yankees offense was a juggernaut in the '60 series. They won games by scores of 16-3, 12-0, and 10-0. Each game the Pirates won was a close, tightly pitched contest. That all changed in Game 7 at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. You've probably seen the replay hundreds of times of Bill Virdon's bad hop hit Tony Kubek in the throat. It helped turn the game around as the Pirates scored 5 times in the bottom of the 8th to take a 9-7 lead.

The Yankees rallied for 2 runs in the 9th to tie it, but then there's the image of Yogi running back in left and watching Mazeroski's ball clear the left field wall. The HR made Maz's career and overrated his value as well. Sorry, but the guy doesn't belong in the Hall.

The Yankees were far from an offensive juggernaut in 2001. It was clear that the team was getting old and couldn't hit like it used to. As it turned out, Paul O'Neill and Scott Brosius would retire after the season, and Tino Martinez would sign as a free agent with the Cards as the Yankees preferred to bring in Jason Giambi.

If not for some magical moments in games 4 and 5, the series could have been over quickly. And then of course, it seemed like another championship was a lock. Alfonso Soriano had homered off of Schitbag to give the Yankees the lead and Mo was on the mound in the 9th. And the rest is misery. Just as many older Yankees fans turn their head and can't watch the end of the '60 series, I can't watch the end of 2001. With Luis Gonzalez's little bloop over the drawn in infield scoring the game winner against a suddenly human Mariano Rivera.

The Pirates last made it to a series in 1979. Neither they nor the Dbacks will going again any time soon. Sometimes you have to be punished for messing up Yankeeland!

Here are the pitching probables for the 3 game series with AZ.

Tuesday - Battle of the sinkers - Brandon Webb vs. Chien-Ming Wang
Wednesday - Livan Hernandez vs. Mike Mussina
Thursday - Doug Davis vs. Andy Pettitte

Yankees vs. Diamondbacks Preview

It's kind of ironic that the Yankees are following up their series with the Pirates by playing the Diamondbacks. The two teams are intertwined in Yankees fans nightmares.

For anyone over the age of 50 seeing the Pittsburgh Pirates brings back painful memories of the 1960 World Series. For the rest of us, there is 2001. Both last at-bat losses in Game 7. There were many differences, but some painful similarities as well.

The Yankees offense was a juggernaut in the '60 series. They won games by scores of 16-3, 12-0, and 10-0. Each game the Pirates won was a close, tightly pitched contest. That all changed in Game 7 at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. You've probably seen the replay hundreds of times of Bill Virdon's bad hop hit Tony Kubek in the throat. It helped turn the game around as the Pirates scored 5 times in the bottom of the 8th to take a 9-7 lead.

The Yankees rallied for 2 runs in the 9th to tie it, but then there's the image of Yogi running back in left and watching Mazeroski's ball clear the left field wall. The HR made Maz's career and overrated his value as well. Sorry, but the guy doesn't belong in the Hall.

The Yankees were far from an offensive juggernaut in 2001. It was clear that the team was getting old and couldn't hit like it used to. As it turned out, Paul O'Neill and Scott Brosius would retire after the season, and Tino Martinez would sign as a free agent with the Cards as the Yankees preferred to bring in Jason Giambi.

If not for some magical moments in games 4 and 5, the series could have been over quickly. And then of course, it seemed like another championship was a lock. Alfonso Soriano had homered off of Schitbag to give the Yankees the lead and Mo was on the mound in the 9th. And the rest is misery. Just as many older Yankees fans turn their head and can't watch the end of the '60 series, I can't watch the end of 2001. With Luis Gonzalez's little bloop over the drawn in infield scoring the game winner against a suddenly human Mariano Rivera.

The Pirates last made it to a series in 1979. Neither they nor the Dbacks will going again any time soon. Sometimes you have to be punished for messing up Yankeeland!

Here are the pitching probables for the 3 game series with AZ.

Tuesday - Battle of the sinkers - Brandon Webb vs. Chien-Ming Wang
Wednesday - Livan Hernandez vs. Mike Mussina
Thursday - Doug Davis vs. Andy Pettitte