Andy to Have Around

The Yankees announced today they have brought back left-hander Andy Pettitte for one more season. Pettitte, who bounced back from injuries and poor outings in 2008, helped lead the Yankees to their 27th title with a 14-win season.

The deal is reportedly worth $11.75 million.

Granderson in Pinstripes Afterall

The deal appeared dead last night, but a three way deal has been completed today that brings Curtis Granderson to the Yankees. In getting the 6-yr veteran, the Yankees gave up prized prospect Austin Jackson (Detroit) and pitchers Ian Kennedy (Arizona) and Phil Coke (Detroit).

The Tigers received pitchers Max Scherzer and Daniel Schlereth (son of the ESPN bozo) from the Diamondbacks, who get hard throwing right-hander Edwin Jackson in addition to Kennedy.

I didn't initially like the idea of giving up Jackson in this deal, but the more I've thought about it, the more I like this. Jackson making it big is not a given by any means (I could care less about Kennedy or Coke). In Granderson, the Yankees get a bonafide center fielder, one who has gold glove ability on defense, can hit for power (avg 25 HR the last 3 seasons, 30 last year alone), and adds speed (20 steals). He's also said to be a good guy in the clubhouse, which is important with the possible departure of Johnny Damon.

Granderson comes cheaply too- he's under contract thru 2012 (with an option for 2013) at just over #$6 million per year.

Granderson's two shortcomings are his inability to hit left-handed pitching and a penchant for striking out (141 times in 2 of the last 3 years). The Yankees hope hitting instructor Kevin Long can make a difference in those two departments.

Jackson has hit at every level, but has yet to display much power in the minor leagues. It's possible that was one of the contributing factors in the Yankees' decision to move him.

Granderson Talk Highlights Day 1

There may be nothing more to it than pure speculation or the Yankees, Tigers, and Diamondbacks may have actually had some meaningful discussions on a possible three team trade. No matter, the outcome was the same. No deal.

The Yankees have shown interest in Tigers' center fielder Curtis Granderson since Mark Teixeira recorded the final putout in the World Series. The Yankees would have had to part with plenty of talent though in order to land Granderson and that's why the deal made no sense.

Top prospect Austin Jackson and left-handers Phil Coke and Mike Dunn would have been shipped to Detroit, while right-hander Ian Kennedy was sent to Arizona. The Diamondbacks would have sent Max Scherzer to the Tigers, receiving fellow right-hander Edwin Jackson in return. But by the end of the evening, the talks had stalled, maybe permanently.

It's just as well that they did. There's no point in dealing Jackson for a fellow center fielder, even he's as good as Granderson. Notice I said (very) good, not great. Granderson has plenty going for his game, but that doesn't mean Jackson might not turn out to be better. If Jackson is to be dealt it should be for a higher rated position player or a top notch starter (i.e. Roy Halladay).

Brian Cashman told the Bergen Record's Pete Caldera that pitching is still the Yankees top priority this off-season. That includes looking to re-sign Andy Pettitte, reportedly for around $10 million.

Short time Yankee Ivan Rodriguez agreed to a 2-yr, $6 million deal with the Washington Nationals. The future Hall of Fame catcher didn't find a taker last season until the Astros scooped him up in mid-March.

The Cardinals inked righty Brad Penny to a 1-yr, $7 million contract. Penny, who spent this past season with the Red Sox and Giants, could earn an additional $2 million in incentives. By signing Penny, it's also thought the Cards will not bring back John Smoltz.

American Idle himself, Carl Pavano has agreed to arbitration and will stay with the Minnesota Twins. Pavano had a resurgence last year with the Indians before being dealt at the deadline to Minny.

The Tigers re-signed shortstop Adam Everett to a 1-yr, $1.5 mill deal.

No suprise in Houston where Astros' closer Jose Valverde turned down arbitration in search of a much bigger deal. The Braves were surprised though that Rafael Soriano took them up on arbitration. Meanwhile lefty Mike Gonzalez said no thanks.

Winter Meetings 2009 - Day 1

Plenty of rumors on day 1 of baseball's Winter meetings in Indianapolis (you would think they would pick a warm spot). Among them are:

The Tigers are actively shopping pitcher Edwin Jackson, but are currently asking for a lot in return.

The Mets believe someone will take Luis Castillo off their hands. I believe there probably is someone dumb enough to do it. The most likely scenario is the Mets dealing a top regular or prospect and throwing Castillo in as a 'must'.

Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News reported on his Twitter account that the Cardinals are close to signing free agent right-hander Brad Penny.

ESPN's Jayson Stark reports that Nick Johnson is drawing interest from the Mariners, Giants, Orioles, Mets, Red Sox, Diamondbacks, and his original team, the Yankees. Reserve a spot on your disabled list now.

Foxsports reports the Mets are going hard after free agent catcher Bengie Molina. The Mets picked up backup Henry Blanco from the Pads over the weekend.

Herzog Leads Vets into Hall

Manager Whitey Herzog, who skippered the 1982 St. Louis Cardinals to a World Championship and had several contenders in Kansas City, has been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee.

Joining Herzog is long time National League umpire Doug Harvey, who spent 31 years in the field. Also receiving votes among managers and umpires, but falling short of the required 12 votes, were Danny Murtaugh (8), Hank O'Day (8), and Charlie Grimm (3). Davey Johnson, Billy Martin, Tom Kelly, Gene Mauch and Steve O'Neill all received less than three votes.

Marvin Miller, the long time player representative who helped shape the face of the game today, fell short in the executive/pioneer with just seven votes.

For more on the voting, go to mlb.com.

Bye Bye Bruney

Brian Bruney was supposed to be the Yankees to go guy in the late innings this past season. Things started out well, but than injuries and poor pitching led to a mop up role and a seat on the bench for all but one game in the post-season.

Bruney will have a fresh start next season with the Washington Nationals. The Yankees have dealt the right-hander to the NL East cellar dweller for a player to be named later.

The only shock is that it wasn't to the Pirates.

Friday Night Hot Stove

On this Friday night, Chone Figgins may be licking his chops. Despite his post-season failure against the Yankees this past post-season, the free agent third baseman may be on the verge of a huge free agent contract.

The Seattle Mariners have reportedly offered Figgins a four year, $36 million deal. The eight year veteran of the LA Angels stole 42 bases last season and a posted a .395 on-base percentage. Angels' GM Tony Reagins said Figgins has an offer on the table from LA, but would not elaborate on the specifics.

Placido Polanco already got his new deal from his old team. The Gold Glove second baseman will switch to third base to return to the Philadelphia Phillies. Polanco was given a 3-yr, $18 million deal to part ways with the Detroit Tigers.

In other moves:

The Braves have added to their bullpen by signing free agents Billy Wagner (7.5 mill) and Takashi Saito (3.2 mill) to a pair of one year deals.

The Mets continued their never ending search for replacements for Mike Piazza by signing Chris Coste away from the Phillies. The Brewers meanwhile added veteran Gregg Zaun.

The A's picked up infielders Jake Fox and Aaron Miles from the Cubs for Matt Spencer, Jeff Gray, and Ronny Morla.

Marco.........Scutaro

photo courtesy of Yahoo Sports

There may be a new swimming pool game in Boston this Summer if newly signed free agent Marco Scutaro pans out. The Red Sox signed the veteran of 8 major league seasons in to a 2-yr deal with an option for 2012.

The 34-yr old enjoyed one of his best offensive years this past season for the Toronto Blue Jays. Scutaro had career highs in home runs (12), RBI (60), walks (90), runs scored (100), and OPS (.789). Mostly a utility man for much of his career, which had stops in Oakland and in New York with the Mets, Scutaro got the chance to play regularly for the Blue Jays the past two seasons and eclipsed 500 at-bats each time.

Scutaro also gives the Red Sox some depth at second and third base, should an injury befall Dustin Pedroia or Mike Lowell.

Up Up and Away

Look up in the sky. It's a bird, it's a plane, no..it's Super Joe. Born Joseph Girardi in Peoria, IL, by day he is mild mannered, okay, not so mild, manager of the New York Yankees. By night, he's Super Joe, rescuer of car accident victims and teacher of proper sliding techniques.

What's that you say? Sliding techniques. Seems that Jets QB Mark Sanchez can't slide properly on his right side. He tweaked a knee on Sunday when he awkwardly went to the turf. So Rex Ryan put up the Bat signal.

Ryan, who with father Buddy, could run a public relations firm (well, a "self" public relations firm) if he ever left football, called up Yankees president Randy Levine for some help. Expecting a sliding coach, as if someone walked around with that title, Ryan was shocked when Super Joe showed up.

Manned with a rubber mat, Super Joe worked with Sanchez on the practice turf in Florham Park. Sanchez is now ready to steal second base...er, pull up short of that on-coming linebacker.

Good work Super Joe!

Chip Caray Gets 'Fisted' From TBS

Chip Caray, whose announcing style and apparent lack of understanding/knowledge annoyed everyone this past post-season, is no longer employed by TBS.

The announcement came today that Caray and the network couldn't come up with a new deal for the 2010 season. Perhaps TBS executives listened to all of the criticism of Caray's work in October and decided it was time to get a new number one announcer.

Caray became a running joke when he repeatedly used the word "fisted" during playoff broadcasts.

Jeter is SI's Top Sportsman

Written for Baseball Digest Online

Derek Jeter had already enjoyed a phenomenal year, but now he has one more prize to add to it. Jeter has been named Sports Illustrated’s “Sportsman of the Year”. In winning, Jeter became the first Yankee to pick up the magazine’s award.

In addition to winning his 5th World Series ring, Jeter passed Lou Gehrig as the Yankees’ all-time hitter leader, won the Roberto Clemente Award for his off the field work, the Henry Aaron Award for his offensive exploits, and Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards.

It was that combination of on- and off-field achievement that helped make Jeter this year’s Sportsman. Said Sports Illustrated Group Editor Terry McDonell, “Derek Jeter has always presented himself with class; he does numerous good works for the community with his Turn 2 Foundation, which is one of the most efficient, effective foundations of its kind; and he’s extremely generous with not just his money but with his time, which in many cases is more valuable. He also had another signature year on the field.” Source: SI.com

Doc Willing to Make House Calls in the Bronx

According to a story in Friday's Toronto Sun, Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay, according to a major league executive, has said he would be willing to waive his no-trade clause to play for the Yankees next season. The effect of a 27th championship no doubt had some influence on Doc's decision, if in fact he has really made said decision.

But what would it take to get the star right-hander in Pinstripes? You can start putting a package together that begins with Yankees top prospect Jesus Montero. It's unlikely the Blue Jays would make any deal with the Bombers without Montero's inclusion.

And the Yankees would likely not make a deal without at least exploring a new contract for Halladay, whose deal expires at the end of the 2010 season.

Hot Stove Friday

Image courtesy of mlb.com

A lot of talk, but not much action so far this off-season. Here's what has gone down since we last touched on the subject.

The White Sox apparently feel that getting older is a good thing. They've signed 21-yr veteran Omar Vizquel as utility man and 14-yr veteran Andruw Jones as an outfielder/DH. White Sox outfielder Jermaine Dye, expected to sign elsewhere, said he would be willing to switch to 1st base in order to be a good fit for his new team.

Johnny Damon wants a long term deal and says he has offers from a handful of teams. Actually, not only did Damon make that statement, but so did his wife Michelle and his agent Scott Boras. If Damon sticks to his guns, it's unlikely he'll be back in Pinstripes.

The Blue Jays re-signed great defense/no bat infield John McDonald to a new deal and then added good defense/not much of a bat Alex Gonzalez to their roster as well. Blue Jays' free agent infielder Marco Scutaro is likely to leave with Boston being tops on his wish list. That according to his agent, Peter Greenberg.

Phat Albert

A little late in passing this along, but as expected Albert Pujols was named NL MVP on Wednesday. Pujols received all 32 first place votes to finish ahead of Hanley Ramirez, Ryan Howard, and Prince Fielder.

It was Pujols' 2nd consecutive award and his third overall. He's the first NL'er to repeat since Barry Bonds took the award four straight years from 2001-2004.

Despite losing out on the Cy Young award to Tim Lincecum, Chris Carpenter (14) finished highest in the voting among all pitchers.

2009 NL MVP vote leaders

Player	1st	2nd	3rd	Points
A. Pujols, STL	32			448
H. Ramirez, FLA		15	5	233
R. Howard, PHI		6	8	217
P. Fielder, MIL		5	9	203
T. Tulowitzki, COL		3	6	172
A. Ethier, LAD		2		113