Yankees Continue Prep for New Decade

We're down to the final two days of 2009 and the Yankees continue to ready themselves for defense of their 27th world championship.

The left field spot is still up for grab, with no firm commitment to Brett Gardner, who would play either left or center (with Curtis Granderson shifting to left). The Yankees grabbed Jamie Hoffman in the Rule V draft, but I really don't see the Yankees going with an inexperienced player for that spot on their 25 man roster. Hoffman will likely be offered back to the Dodgers.
Jason Bay, though he was never seriously considered by the Yankees, has been removed from contention with his signing by the Mets. The Cardinals are said to be trying to work a long term deal, possibly as long as eight years, to keep Matt Holliday in St. Louis. The amount is thought to be around $100 million, well beyond what the Yankees would spend at this point.

So what's "left" out there. One Johnny Damon. But that will only occur if Damon and his agent Scott Boras considerably lower their demands.

Xavier Nady, whom the Yankees acquired from Pittsburgh in '07, missed basically all of last year with elbow surgery. His asking price is said to be too high, plus there is a question as to whether he'd be able to play the outfield this season.

Another option that I, as well as some other readers have wondered, is what about Marlon Byrd. Byrd was once a top prospect in the Phillies organization, but flopped. He became a serviceable part time player at the age of 30 in 2007. Last season Byrd played in a career high 146 games for the Texas Rangers and posted career highs with 20 HR and 89 RBI. Byrd was also give the Yankees another right-handed bat.

Rick Ankiel had a bust out season in 2008, but injured his shoulder last season and didn't produce. He might come cheaper, but his shoulder is a major question mark. Another problem is Scott Boras is his agent. He most likely won't have Ankiel agree to a deal until Damon does in order to set his asking price.

Former A's prospect Javier Herrera was signed to a minor league contract on 12/22. He was highly touted in the A's organization, but injuries and less than adequate output has kept him from fulfilling his promise. He's not likely an option.

Clearly I was way off base with my thoughts that Cashman was still lurking for Bay or Holliday. So now maybe he's lurking for Damon.

So where does that leave us? Nowhere at the moment. It's still Brett Gardner's job for now.

UPDATE - 12/31
You can scratch Marlon Byrd from the list as well. The Cubs and Byrd have reportedly agreed to a three year deal.

Ankiel Face First to the DL

In case you haven't seen the video, here it is. Rick Ankiel went on the 15-day DL today after this dangerous collision with the outfield wall.

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.

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.

Around the Horn - 5/7

Gavin Floyd came oh so close again. For the 2nd time this season Floyd flirted with a no-hitter. Before Edgar Renteria singled, Floyd had no-hit the Tigers through 7.1 innings on April 12. Last night Floyd gave the U.S. Cellular crowd another thrill as he entered the 9th inning without allowing a hit. After striking out Brendan Harris for the first out (which meant we had to hear Hawk Harrelson give a "he gone"), Floyd's attempt came to an end when Joe Mauer doubled to the gap in left-center field. Center fielder Nick Swisher dove about 15 feet (seemed that way) , but to no avail). Floyd improved to 3-1 as the White Sox dropped the Twins 7-1.

The Red Sox keep rolling and the Tigers keep sliding. Tim Wakefield threw 8 innings of 2-hit ball in the Sox 5-0 win. Look out AL, Big Papi is heating up. David Ortiz homered for the second straight night and has a 6-game hitting streak in which he's hitting .440 (11-25).

Andy Sonnanstine is now 5-1 after the Rays beat the Blue Jays 5-4. Aki Iwamura drove in 2 runs and Eric Hinske homered. The Jays got a scare when slick fielding John McDonald went down with what appeared to be a badly sprained ankle. Starting shortstop David Eckstein is also bothered by a bad hip.

Garrett Anderson 5 Royals 0. The Angels veteran drove in all 5 LA runs with a home run and two singles. Nick Adenhart's start was nearly as bad as his first one, but the Angels bullpen picked him up. Royals starter Brian Bannister has seen his ERA go from 0.86 to 4.46 over his last four starts.

The Rangers used a 7-run 3rd inning to pound the slumping Mariners 10-1. Josh Hamilton, Michael Young, and Dave Murphy drove in 3 runs each. The big shocker though? Sidney Ponson is now 2-0, 1.33 in 2 starts.

Justin Duscherer and the A's bullpen limited the Orioles to 4 hits in the A's 4-2 win. Emil Brown drove in his 28th run, second best in the AL.

The Dodgers overcame a 4-1 deficit to beat the Mets 5-4. Blake DeWitt's 2-run inside-the-park home run was the game winner. The rookie drove in 4 runs on the night.

Carlos Zambrano is 5-1 after limiting the Reds to 3 hits over 8 innings in the Cubs 3-0 win. He was also 1-3 and is hitting .261.

The Marlins got a dominant performance from Scott Olson who allowed 2 hits over 8 and struck out 8 in a 3-0 win against the Brewers. Mike Jacobs slugged his 9th home run and Luis Gonzalez was 4-4.

The Pirates pounded the Giants 12-6 as Zach Duke earned his first win. Nate McClouth slugged a pair of home runs and is hitting .333.

Braden Looper came within 2 outs of a complete game in the Cards 6-5 win over the slumping Rockies. Rick Ankiel homered and Ryan Ludwick was 4-4.

Chipper Jones belted his 396th career home run in the Braves 5-3 win over the Padres. Mark Kotsay also homered to help sink the Padres to 12-21.

Carlos Lee doubled home 2 runs in the bottom of the 8th as the Astros beat the Nationals 6-5. Lance Berkman went 5-5 and is hitting .353.

Stephen Drew hit a 3-run HR and Randy Johnson drew a bases loaded walk in the Diamondbacks 6-4 win over the Phillies. The Big Unit earned his 286th career win.

Around the Horn - 5/7

Gavin Floyd came oh so close again. For the 2nd time this season Floyd flirted with a no-hitter. Before Edgar Renteria singled, Floyd had no-hit the Tigers through 7.1 innings on April 12. Last night Floyd gave the U.S. Cellular crowd another thrill as he entered the 9th inning without allowing a hit. After striking out Brendan Harris for the first out (which meant we had to hear Hawk Harrelson give a "he gone"), Floyd's attempt came to an end when Joe Mauer doubled to the gap in left-center field. Center fielder Nick Swisher dove about 15 feet (seemed that way) , but to no avail). Floyd improved to 3-1 as the White Sox dropped the Twins 7-1.

The Red Sox keep rolling and the Tigers keep sliding. Tim Wakefield threw 8 innings of 2-hit ball in the Sox 5-0 win. Look out AL, Big Papi is heating up. David Ortiz homered for the second straight night and has a 6-game hitting streak in which he's hitting .440 (11-25).

Andy Sonnanstine is now 5-1 after the Rays beat the Blue Jays 5-4. Aki Iwamura drove in 2 runs and Eric Hinske homered. The Jays got a scare when slick fielding John McDonald went down with what appeared to be a badly sprained ankle. Starting shortstop David Eckstein is also bothered by a bad hip.

Garrett Anderson 5 Royals 0. The Angels veteran drove in all 5 LA runs with a home run and two singles. Nick Adenhart's start was nearly as bad as his first one, but the Angels bullpen picked him up. Royals starter Brian Bannister has seen his ERA go from 0.86 to 4.46 over his last four starts.

The Rangers used a 7-run 3rd inning to pound the slumping Mariners 10-1. Josh Hamilton, Michael Young, and Dave Murphy drove in 3 runs each. The big shocker though? Sidney Ponson is now 2-0, 1.33 in 2 starts.

Justin Duscherer and the A's bullpen limited the Orioles to 4 hits in the A's 4-2 win. Emil Brown drove in his 28th run, second best in the AL.

The Dodgers overcame a 4-1 deficit to beat the Mets 5-4. Blake DeWitt's 2-run inside-the-park home run was the game winner. The rookie drove in 4 runs on the night.

Carlos Zambrano is 5-1 after limiting the Reds to 3 hits over 8 innings in the Cubs 3-0 win. He was also 1-3 and is hitting .261.

The Marlins got a dominant performance from Scott Olson who allowed 2 hits over 8 and struck out 8 in a 3-0 win against the Brewers. Mike Jacobs slugged his 9th home run and Luis Gonzalez was 4-4.

The Pirates pounded the Giants 12-6 as Zach Duke earned his first win. Nate McClouth slugged a pair of home runs and is hitting .333.

Braden Looper came within 2 outs of a complete game in the Cards 6-5 win over the slumping Rockies. Rick Ankiel homered and Ryan Ludwick was 4-4.

Chipper Jones belted his 396th career home run in the Braves 5-3 win over the Padres. Mark Kotsay also homered to help sink the Padres to 12-21.

Carlos Lee doubled home 2 runs in the bottom of the 8th as the Astros beat the Nationals 6-5. Lance Berkman went 5-5 and is hitting .353.

Stephen Drew hit a 3-run HR and Randy Johnson drew a bases loaded walk in the Diamondbacks 6-4 win over the Phillies. The Big Unit earned his 286th career win.

Around the Horn - 4/5

The Tigers skid to start the season was extended to 4 games yesterday when the White Sox beat them 8-5. A.J. Pierzynski drove in 5 runs, including the game winning 3-run home run in the 8th. Starters Jose Contreras and Nate Robertson both stunk.

Ramon Hernandez, Kevin Millar, and Melvin Mora homered in the Orioles 7-4 win over the Mariners. Former Mariner set up man George Sherrill picked up his 2nd save as the O's closer.

Shaun Marcum limited the Red Sox to 3 hits over 7 innings in the Blue Jays home opening 6-3 win.

The Twins got a new centerfielder and lead off man, Carlos Gomez, in the Johan Santana deal. Last night he gave the Twins what they were hoping for-3 hits, 2 stolen bases, and a run scored. The Twins beat the Royals 4-3, handing KC their first loss.

Angels starter Dustin Moseley beat out highty touted prospect Nick Adenhardt for the 5th starter's spot. Moseley may be looking over his shoulder after allowing 5 runs in 5 innings while Adenhardt tossed 5 shutout innings inTriple-A. Ben Broussard took Moseley deep for a grand slam in the Rangers 11-6 win.

Justin Duscherer has been a reliable set up man in his brief career, but last night he limited the Indians to 1 run in 5 innings of work before leaving with bicep tightness. The A's beat the Tribe 6-3, but they have to be concerned about closer Huston Street. He's allowed at least 1 run in each of his 3 appearances and has given up a home run in each game.

Bill Hall homered twice and drove in 6 runs in the Brewers 13-4 drubbing of the Giants.

Miguel Tejada tripled in the go-ahead run in the Astros 4-3 win over the Cubs. Rookie of the year candidate J.R. Towles hit his 1st home run of the year.

Micah Owings got a hit as usual, but it was his pitching, 2 hits allowed, 9 Ks in 6.2 innings that dominated the Reds. The Diamondbacks got home runs from Justin Upton and Mark Reynolds in their 8-1 win.

The Dodgers scored 6 runs in the 7th to beat the Padres 7-1 making Hiroki Kuroda's MLB debut a successful one. The Japanese born right-hander limited the Pads to 3 hits in 7 innings.

The Cardinals improved to 3-1, beating the Nats 5-4 behind Rick Ankiel's HR and Braden Looper's pitching.

Chase Utley just keeps on hitting. The 2nd Baseman, off to a .357 start, homered twice in the Phillies 8-4 win over the Reds.

The Mets and Braves were rained out, delaying Tom Glavine's start against his last team.

Around the Horn - 4/5

The Tigers skid to start the season was extended to 4 games yesterday when the White Sox beat them 8-5. A.J. Pierzynski drove in 5 runs, including the game winning 3-run home run in the 8th. Starters Jose Contreras and Nate Robertson both stunk.

Ramon Hernandez, Kevin Millar, and Melvin Mora homered in the Orioles 7-4 win over the Mariners. Former Mariner set up man George Sherrill picked up his 2nd save as the O's closer.

Shaun Marcum limited the Red Sox to 3 hits over 7 innings in the Blue Jays home opening 6-3 win.

The Twins got a new centerfielder and lead off man, Carlos Gomez, in the Johan Santana deal. Last night he gave the Twins what they were hoping for-3 hits, 2 stolen bases, and a run scored. The Twins beat the Royals 4-3, handing KC their first loss.

Angels starter Dustin Moseley beat out highty touted prospect Nick Adenhardt for the 5th starter's spot. Moseley may be looking over his shoulder after allowing 5 runs in 5 innings while Adenhardt tossed 5 shutout innings inTriple-A. Ben Broussard took Moseley deep for a grand slam in the Rangers 11-6 win.

Justin Duscherer has been a reliable set up man in his brief career, but last night he limited the Indians to 1 run in 5 innings of work before leaving with bicep tightness. The A's beat the Tribe 6-3, but they have to be concerned about closer Huston Street. He's allowed at least 1 run in each of his 3 appearances and has given up a home run in each game.

Bill Hall homered twice and drove in 6 runs in the Brewers 13-4 drubbing of the Giants.

Miguel Tejada tripled in the go-ahead run in the Astros 4-3 win over the Cubs. Rookie of the year candidate J.R. Towles hit his 1st home run of the year.

Micah Owings got a hit as usual, but it was his pitching, 2 hits allowed, 9 Ks in 6.2 innings that dominated the Reds. The Diamondbacks got home runs from Justin Upton and Mark Reynolds in their 8-1 win.

The Dodgers scored 6 runs in the 7th to beat the Padres 7-1 making Hiroki Kuroda's MLB debut a successful one. The Japanese born right-hander limited the Pads to 3 hits in 7 innings.

The Cardinals improved to 3-1, beating the Nats 5-4 behind Rick Ankiel's HR and Braden Looper's pitching.

Chase Utley just keeps on hitting. The 2nd Baseman, off to a .357 start, homered twice in the Phillies 8-4 win over the Reds.

The Mets and Braves were rained out, delaying Tom Glavine's start against his last team.