Yankees Offer Youkilis 1 for 12

MLB.com's Bryan Hoch has reported that the Yankees have offered free agent third baseman Kevin Youkilis a one year deal worth $12MM. Whether there is any flexibility in the number of years and/or the cash remains to be seen.

My feeling is that the Yankees won't budge off the one year, but might raise the money a bit. The Cleveland Indians are said to be very interested in Youkilis as well and I could see them making a two year, $24MM or more deal.

Andruw Has No Jones to be a Yankee

SI.com's Jon Heyman is reporting that free agent Andruw Jones rejected a minor league contract offer by the Yankees. Jones would have come to Tampa as a non-roster invitee, but said "no thanks".

Heyman believes the Rangers, Mets, Braves, and Phillies are all interested in Jones, and correctly speculates that he would benefit from a top hitting coach, such as the Yankees' Kevin Long or the Rangers' Rudy Jaramillo.

Breaking News: Yankees, Pettitte in Serious Talks

SI.com's Jon Heyman is reporting that the Yankees and Andy Pettitte are in serious contract talks and are optimistic something will get done.

Interestingly enough, Heyman is indicating that Pettitte would receive less, not more, guaranteed money than previously offered.

Pettitte Unhappy With Negotiations

Ken Davidoff of Newsday is reporting that Andy Pettitte is unhappy about how negotiations have transpired with the Yankees and may be re-thinking returning to the Houston Astros. Negotiations are still on going though as both sides seem to want to come to a resolution.

Pettitte's issues are three fold, and not unexpected:

1. Show me some appreciation. Sorry, Andy this worked last time, as so eloquently illustrated by Mrs. MM yesterday, but doesn't fly this time.

2. The Yankees aren't hurting for more based on the contracts recently handed out. It's a valid point, bu that's not the reason for the cut.

3. He thinks his 2008 season was not as bad as the Yankees are making it out to be. You get props for pitching while hurt, but you were pretty mediocre overall.

Davidoff also confirms that the Yankees are looking to deal Xavier Nady, to lower salary.Nady has one year remaining prior to free agency. To us it makes no sense to trade him. Play him, offer him arbitration after the season, and get the draft pick(s). The Yankees have also gotten calls about Nick Swisher, but the 3 years left on his contract could make him a less desirable target.

What do you think about the Andy Pettitte situation? Take our new poll! Our compromise is to give him $10 million guaranteed with incentives that could pay him another $6 million or more.

UPDATE - THE POLL IS WORKING AGAIN, SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE

Pettitte Unhappy With Negotiations

Ken Davidoff of Newsday is reporting that Andy Pettitte is unhappy about how negotiations have transpired with the Yankees and may be re-thinking returning to the Houston Astros. Negotiations are still on going though as both sides seem to want to come to a resolution.

Pettitte's issues are three fold, and not unexpected:

1. Show me some appreciation. Sorry, Andy this worked last time, as so eloquently illustrated by Mrs. MM yesterday, but doesn't fly this time.

2. The Yankees aren't hurting for more based on the contracts recently handed out. It's a valid point, bu that's not the reason for the cut.

3. He thinks his 2008 season was not as bad as the Yankees are making it out to be. You get props for pitching while hurt, but you were pretty mediocre overall.

Davidoff also confirms that the Yankees are looking to deal Xavier Nady, to lower salary.Nady has one year remaining prior to free agency. To us it makes no sense to trade him. Play him, offer him arbitration after the season, and get the draft pick(s). The Yankees have also gotten calls about Nick Swisher, but the 3 years left on his contract could make him a less desirable target.

What do you think about the Andy Pettitte situation? Take our new poll! Our compromise is to give him $10 million guaranteed with incentives that could pay him another $6 million or more.

UPDATE - THE POLL IS WORKING AGAIN, SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE

Yankees, Others offer Lowell 4 Year Deal

7Sports television in Boston is reporting that the Yankees, Braves, Cardinals, and Angels have all offered free agent Mike Lowell a 4 year deal. The contracts range from $55 -$60 million.

The last Red Sox offer on the table is believed to be 3 years, $36 million.

We repeat what we said before. Mike Lowell's bat would not be a good fit in Yankee Stadium.

Source

Yankees, Others offer Lowell 4 Year Deal

7Sports television in Boston is reporting that the Yankees, Braves, Cardinals, and Angels have all offered free agent Mike Lowell a 4 year deal. The contracts range from $55 -$60 million.

The last Red Sox offer on the table is believed to be 3 years, $36 million.

We repeat what we said before. Mike Lowell's bat would not be a good fit in Yankee Stadium.

Source