THE 5 STAGES OF YANKEE OFFSEASON GRIEF

It’s been a tough off season. We all hate losing, just like the Boss did. We didn’t make the important plays during the regular season….and now we are not scoring in the off season either. Not only are we not scoring, but we are now being outbid by other teams. It just does not compute! I have had many moments where I have ranted and just had my little freak out moments; ask my loved ones they will confirm this. I am proud to say…I am turning over a new leaf. Pardon the pun, but it’s true.

The best way to describe my mood swings would be to reference the Kübler-Ross model commonly known as “the five stages of grief.” It has taken me a few weeks to get through this cycle, but I am learning how to make lemonade with my lemons. It hasn’t been easy though. Here is what I had to overcome.

First came the denial stage. It was a case of the classic “this CAN’T be happening.”  As soon as the rumors of the Pirates pursuit of Russell Martin turned into an official signing I was pretty bummed. Sure, some people may not be as upset about losing him and I get that. Why would Russell want to leave a franchise that has won so many titles for a team with a 20 consecutive loss seasons? How dare he?!  I was mad at Martin until I learned that the Yankees didn’t even make him an offer HERE. I guess I can’t fault him for that after all, it still stung though. The facts were there and I just refused to accept them or that picture of him in a Pirates uniform!

Second came the anger stage. It was a case of the “It’s not fair!” or the “Who can I blame for this?!” I spent a little too much time on this, but I am sure I am not alone. After news leaked about the hip surgery that Alex Rodriguez needed my “Dr. Jekyll” side quickly turned into the evil “Miss Hyde.”  Once Brian Cashman arrived in Nashville for the Winter Meetings, I expected action. We had a big hole to fill so I was waiting for him to pounce on Eric Chavez again, and when he signed with the Diamondbacks I threw a small temper tantrum. I’m sure toddlers everywhere would have pointed and laughed. Then once Jeff Keppinger signed with the White Sox, I blamed Cashman. I wanted to pick up my sack full of lemons and take out my aggression.

Next came the bargaining phase. I was definitely in the “I’ll do anything for a splash signing” state of mind. I wanted that classic Yankee attack where we make the big deal, the deal that everyone else wanted like we used to. I wasn’t ready to admit this at the time, but once most of the replacements to Arod signed with other teams I was crossing my fingers, toes, eyes, legs….you name it just to hear that Kevin Youkilis was going to be a Yankee. After years of making fun of his batting stance here I am making crazy promises to the baseball gods of things I will do if they just let us have this ONE signing. We needed a change of luck and we needed it fast. I hope they didn’t hear the things I promised….I was in a bad state emotionally.

Next came the depression phrase. I spent too long in the “I’m so sad, so now what?” also known as the “pity party” stage. Once upon a time, the Yankees spent money and we lured some of the best players in the game to our team. Money talks, it’s true. Ask the Dodgers because they have plenty of it now thanks to Magic Johnson and his money tree. The Dodgers have made several splashy moves this winter, most recently signing Zack Greinke one of the best free agents this year. Just like my bank account since the recession hit….the Yankee money pot has dried up. It’s a cruel role reversal I tell ya.

Finally, I have come to the acceptance stage. I get it, and now I believe that “It’s going to be ok.” Sure, the Yankees are not going on a big shopping spree this year. We are the damn Yankees and we will make it work. Brian Cashman is a very sneaky man and he knows what he is doing. I believe he has a plan. To quote Billy Beane’s genius line from the movie "Moneyball"…."Adapt or die.” Sure, the plan is not clear right now but I am drinking that tall glass of lemonade I was talking about earlier.

Right now I am at peace. Dr Jekyll is gone, and I am not trying to beat people with a pillow case filled with lemons. I am found my zen place and I have just enough sugar in the lemonade.

It will be OK Yankee fans, keep the faith! If you want, I will share my lemonade with you.

--Jeana Bellezza, BYB Writer and Editor

Twitter: @NyPrincessJ


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GIVE YANKEE FANS WHAT WE WANT FOR CHRISTMAS

It's December. I feel like every December the past few years there has been lack of movement or a "gift" that we just weren't exactly looking for. Remember Bartolo Colon a few years back? No one really wanted him, and sure, he turned out to be a nice success story with the Yanks, until he ran out of gas. But truth be told, he wasn't on the list, you know what I mean?

We're at that point again, we have a Christmas list, but no one's really reading it.  There are a lot of presents we could be given this year, but like a child with a sibling though, somehow  the gift goes to them rather than us. What follows is jealousy and sadness because we didn't get what we wanted for Christmas.

The Yankees, or, Santa in this scenario, have a lack of motivation. Sure, it's been stated numerous times that we don't have the money for big time players anymore.  Sure, we've heard that Cashman doesn't have "permission" to spend (Read HERE.)  Look, if you're like me, you grew up a Yankee fan in the Steinbrenner era, so these days are strange to us. I personally don't really like the era of the broken down and "cheap" player. We want what we want.  After all,  this Christmas season, and we're Yankee fans.  So I ask for Yankee Brass to do the right thing... Give the Yankee fans what we want for Christmas... Players we can count on.  Players we know can contribute and not guys that are "available".  We want energy in our General Manager... We don't need a lethargic Santa Claus.

I have always loved the Yankees franchise and have defended them even when others just want them to go away. People have accused the Steinbrenner sons as not being as tough as their father. I think we're in different times. I think the Luxury Tax is a major issue for the Yankees and Hal is the numbers guy, Hank has the knee-jerk trait from George and with it, their doing it their way, the best they can. Bottom line, the Yankees need to figure out though.  Patience is fine, but this is more than patience... it's small market baseball, something Yankee fans are not used to. At the end of the day, they need to sign us good players. Why? I'll tell you why. We are Yankee fans.

Yankee fans pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to watch our collection of players play in pinstripes, in Yankee Stadium. Getting to the Bronx is a struggle sometimes in this congested city. Paying for parking is expensive.  Buying food and getting a good seat in the House that Jeter Built isn't easy because for a family of 3 or 4 or 6, it's damn expensive.  But we do it. We do it because we love our Yankees and we want them to win... all 162 games if possible. So all we ask is for the Yankee brass do their job, be creative, be smart and get us the players WE WANT to represent the pinstripes each year.

Stop with the guys who you "think" can help and are super "cheap" and go with the believers and the hard workers and the "sure things" that we know can do the job, be it Ichiro or Eric Chavez or Raul Ibanez or Josh Hamilton or whomever. Too expensive? Then figure out the right way to get it done. 

(In Photo: Jason Giambi)
We don't need a 7 year deal with a Jason Giambi type, but put it this way, if Ichiro is available and willing and the fans want him...guess what should be done? And by the way, it should have been done around Thanksgiving!  If Jeff Keppinger seems interested and the fans want him, work out a deal instead of letting him walk away. Russell Martin was "Munson-like" remember? Suddenly that doesn't matter to you? And Kevin Youkilis, if he wants a chance to contribute in pinstripes and we feel good about him. make a move and make it happen. The point is, it's Christmas and we are fans, or, the children in this scenario... give us the top toy, not a knockoff.


At the end of the day... it's the holiday season, we are Yankee fans and we pay for these guys to play, so in the best interest of this Yankee ball club, as the owners and general managers... your job is simple... Give us what we want Santa, because at the end, we both have a common goal... winning #28. And you us happy children, don't you Santa?

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WHAT IF THE YANKEES FAIL TO SIGN KEVIN YOUKILIS?

The Yankees left the 2012 Winter Meetings with more questions than they did when they arrived. Other than missing out on potential free agent targets, the only newsworthy item during the meetings was that Alex Rodriguez would require left hip surgery, thus giving the Yankees yet another hole to fill. The team has reacted by reportedly offering Kevin Youkilis a one-year, $12 million contract. However, the Cleveland Indians have reportedly offered Youkilis a two-year, $18 million deal. So, the question is: What will the Yankees do if they don’t sign Youkilis?

Before the Yankees had to turn to the Kevin Youkilis option, I felt they had a good chance at plugging the third base hole by signing Jeff Keppinger (who has now recently signed with the White Sox for three-years and $12 million) and re-signing Eric Chavez (who instead signed a one-year $3 million contract with the Diamondbacks). The Yankees would then have a pretty formidable third base platoon, but of course now that won’t happen, so they turn their focus to Youkilis.

Kevin Youkilis will turn 34 before Opening Day, and he’s coming off one of his worst seasons in his career. He posted a career-worst slash line of .235/.336/.409 in 122 games with 19 homers and 60 RBI with the Red Sox and White Sox. The average and on-base percentage are the lowest marks of his career, while the slugging percentage was the second-worst mark of his career since becoming a regular in 2006. This could be just a blip on the radar, or a start of a downfall for him, but with the other third base alternatives in mind, it might be worth the risk to sign him anyway.

(In Photo: Jack Hannahan)
Who are the third base alternatives after Kevin Youkilis, you ask? Well, there’s Jack Hannahan. Reportedly, the Yankees were interested in Hannahan, according to Jon Morosi (HERE), but now word on the street is that an “MLB source” suggests that Hannahan will sign with the Reds (read HERE). Either way, I won’t lose sleep if the Yanks miss out on Hannahan. He’s a good glove, but the bat is left to be desired, and we need bats at the moment.

Along with Hannahan, the Yanks have also been linked to Mark Reynolds, as they’ve visited with his agent, according to Bryan Hoch (HERE). Reynolds is far from an ideal candidate since he’s near the top in strikeouts every year, and he was so bad defensively at third, the Orioles made him move over to first during the season. However, the upside is very good. We saw first-hand late in the season, that when Reynolds’ bat is hot, he is one of the toughest outs in the game.

(In photo: Asdrubal Cabrera)

The rest of the free agent crop is pretty weak (HERE, take a look for yourself), so the Yankees could explore a trade if they miss out on Youkilis and if they miss out on/don’t want Hannahan and Reynolds. They could trade for Asdrubal Cabrera of the Indians, who of course is a shortstop and would need to move to third. In fact, there reportedly was a team that had a deal in place with Cleveland to land Cabrera. That deal would’ve included “one big-league pitcher and two high-level prospects.” The team acquiring Cabrera would then have moved him to shortstop. However, the deal fell through because Cleveland wanted an extra high-end prospect as well, according to the Plain Dealer (HERE).

Could that have been the Yankees that were involved in that scenario? Maybe, maybe not. If it was, maybe the two clubs could revisit talks if the Yanks are still searching for a solution at third, but it will most likely come at a hefty price. The point is, like it or not, signing Kevin Youkilis is the best option right now, and if they don’t do so, they’ll continue having trouble filling the vacancy at third. 



--Jesse Schindler, BYB Lead Staff Writer
Follow me on Twitter @SchindlerJesse


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THE YANKEES & THE PAYROLL CRUNCH

For years, the Yankees have had no problem opening up the checkbook and adding the necessary amount of zeroes to get the player they wanted in pinstripes; we have been spoiled. Now the Yankees are quickly changing the way they do business. It’s not easy to watch other teams outbid us for players; we have never had that problem. A lot of players have said they dream about playing for us…..but so far Brian Cashman hasn’t been able to sign them. What’s going on?

The new Collective Bargaining Agreement has really changed the philosophy for the Yankees. The terms give tax incentives if a team stays within payroll constraints, and in this case it is $189 million for the Yankees in 2014. If the Yankees go over this number, they are taxed a hefty 50% on the excess amount, read the rest HERE. There is a benefit to it, but this is a daunting task for a team that has had a payroll in excess of $200 million in five of the last seven seasons.

So what does this have to do with what the Yankees are facing now? Well….a lot. The Yankees have to be careful with how they spend their money this year. Multi-year deals are not favorable for them at this point. Looking ahead to 2014, the Yankees already have $70 million committed to big names like Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, and CC Sabathia to name a few…and they will have $119 million for about 20 other players. That’s really going to require a lot of strategy, especially if they want to resign Robinson Cano.

I know it is frustrating to watch the free agents that the Yankees pursue sign with other teams. A lot of people are protesting to just ditch the payroll strategy all together because it just isn’t how the Yankees operate. Derek Jeter weighed in on the idea saying "I don't know what to make of it, it's the Yankees," he said. "I'll believe it when we get to spring training. Just when you expect us not to do something, something happens. That's pretty much been the norm the 17 years that I've been here,” you can read the rest HERE. Just like Jeter, I’m not sure what to make of it either. This is a business and I get that. The idea is to make the most money regardless of the point that this is the Yankees and they make plenty of it. On the other hand, I can also see this from both a player and a fans point of view….let me explain.

Let’s look at the Winter Meetings. One example sticks out to me, Jeff Keppinger. The Yankees really wanted him, but the White Sox offered him a three year deal worth $12 million. Sure, that breaks down to $4 million a season, and that isn’t expensive but the Yankees are trying to avoid longer term deals. I can’t blame Keppinger for taking the offer; he’s got a place to lay roots down for a while. Who wouldn’t want that? A fan is going to have a hard time believing that the Yankees can’t match that offer to put the best product available on the field to help win.

Also, what does a one year deal say to a player? Sure, some may not be opposed to the idea like Kevin Youkilis but that doesn’t work for everyone. Think about it….right now any third baseman interested in coming to the Yankees is wondering what happens to when ARod returns. These guys want their at bats, and they want their playing time on the field, not everyone likes to DH. This is unfamiliar territory for the Yankees and we will have to see how Cashman works his way around it. I’m sure he is feeling frustrated, too.

Times have changed. Who would’ve guessed that previous shopping sprees in the Free Agent market would put the Yankees in this position under new guidelines? It’s just more proof that anything is possible when it comes to baseball. This hasn’t been an easy process by any means, but at the end of the day, we have to believe that once Opening Day gets here we will have a winning team on the field with or without the bigger budget. GO YANKEES!!

--Jeana Bellezza, BYB Writer and Editor

Twitter: @NyPrincessJ


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BEFORE YOU BLAME CASHMAN, READ THIS

The Wall Street Journal (HERE) had a brilliant piece about Brian Cashman and his inability to make offers to players.  According to the Journal, it had nothing to do with Cashman and everything to do with Yankee brass. It's very interesting and here is a large portion of the Journal's piece:

"The situation was first brought to light by agent Scott Boras, who quietly suggested Wednesday that Cashman lacked the power to make offers.

'He had indicated that right now, he’s working with ownership on getting advance authority. He really is not involved in a lot of dealing right now, but is doing due diligence to go back and meet with them about that,' Boras said Wednesday.

On Thursday, people within the Yankees organization confirmed that this was in fact true: Cashman arrived in Nashville unable to make offers to players, and without that power, targets like Jeff Keppinger and Eric Chavez took deals elsewhere.

The Yankee general manager went back to ownership and made his case, and Cashman was allowed to move forward with offers – the Yankees made a one-year, $12 million offer to third baseman Kevin Youkilis Thursday morning.

Another Yankee official downplayed the seriousness of the situation, saying that most general managers would have to go back to ownership to vet potential deals.

'What does Scott Boras know? Are you kidding me?' the official said, arguing that Boras is trying to stir things up because he lacks good markets for his players. 'The only reason that Cash didn’t have the authority at that point, if you want to use the word authority, is that he wasn’t making any offers, there was nobody out there that he thought, at these prices, that he should make offers on.'

But another official confirmed that this represents a departure for the Yankees, who have given Cashman more authority in the past.

The Yankees are working to get under a $189 million payroll ceiling by 2014, but it was not clear until recently how much that frugality would affect the 2013 payroll as well. Combined with the significant money other teams are spending in free agency, the Yankees have been on the outside looking in so far this winter."

A few thoughts here from my perspective.  I'm no fan of Scott Boras and I happen to agree with that Yankee official that Boras was stirring it up.  It's ridiculous.  Secondly, I knew something was up.  Brian Cashman is a smart General Manager and I knew that something didn't make sense if the Yankees didn't "pursue" Eric Chavez for $3 million and then offered Kevin Youkilis $12 million.  It didn't jive.

I'm curious what happens next...

Excellent piece and Kudos to the Wall Street Journal

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WE DON'T NEED SUPERSTARS, WE NEED BELIEVERS

If you read the social networks like I do, yesterday was vicious among Yankee fans. Frustration has settled in. Many different conversations, some not coherent, some ridiculous and others logical, but all angry. I'm in there too  Trust me, I am not singling anyone out. Bottom line, Yankeeland is in a tizzy. We see the holes on our club, we know what needs to be filled and most of all, we know that despite the lack of spending, the New York Yankees have some money to do it. Whether it's to sign someone for 3 years and $12 million or 1 year and $12 million... Believe me, they can do it. But it's more than that, I don't even think it's a matter of having 9 superstars in the lineup... Yankee fans just want players that believe in themselves.  Not following me? Keep reading...

So what's been happening? Why have we passed on a lot of these guys or have not "officially" put offers in? Well, if you're Shane Victorino and you want $39 million for 3 years, Boston's a nice place for you. Cashman was smart to not engage in that type of deal. It was stupid.  Someone like Dan Haren I would have rolled the dice on, especially for 1 year and $13 million. He believes in himself, despite the bad back, there is no question he could have been a nice addition. Look at  Jeff Keppinger who is very close to a 3 year deal worth $12 million? I'll tell you something... I'm not even sure I'd do that deal either if I'm Cashman. 3 year deals are tough. But look, I'm not 100% agreeing with Cashman either. I believe is you want a player badly enough, the pitch is easy, but somehow, we've missed the mark on some.

I mean, when Eric Chavez bolted for The Arizona Diamondbacks yesterday, it was disappointing, especially when I read from Ken Davidoff that the Yankees never really engaged Chavez on a contract, read HERE. That's strange, especially if you see what he did as a part time player for the past 2 years in New York. Chavez is no longer a superstar, but he's solid and he was a believer. He believed in himself after a long time trying to get back and he did in the Bronx.  Now, truth be told, Chavez was smart. He knew he needed to latch onto any club offering a contract quick or he may be out of work. I don't fault him, he did the right thing.

But where's Raul Ibanez? He told BYB in our interview with him (HERE) that he was excited about being a Yankee again saying "I can't wait to come back to the Yankees!" Seems positive enough! Again, Ibanez is not a superstar, but he's 40 and he's a believer. Yet... Nothing.  Nate Schierholtz was the guy the Yankees were in the lead for yesterday.  All day you could read about it, read HERE. Yet, Scheirholtz signed with the Cubs.  What about Ichiro Suzuki? A gold glover that gets on base... Seems like a no brainer to me.  How the hell are the Yankees not snatching him up yet? Age is irrelevant, Ichiro is still a smart player and he came to the Bronx last year because he believed he could still offer something to a club. Still, the Yankees haven't checked in officially. What the hell?

I keep thinking something better is on the way. I keep thinking that the Yankees have something big cooking and it will stare me in the face one morning when I log on. That's how the old Cashman used to operate. Cashman can't be this stagnant, can he?  There must be something big about to happen. Why? Because we're the Yankees and right now we look like we just got the balls stripped away from us. The Red Sox are out to prove that last year was a fluke, they are overspending, which is ridiculous, but they are spending. The Blue Jays are going to be competitive. The Rays are still decent and the Orioles want a rematch. Trust me, while we have good players already, we don't need additional superstars, we need solid players, we need believers to fill the holes... that's it, yet, we're behind on everyone. In other words, I'd like to know the Yanks at least made offers and lost out to some of these guys rather than read that we never tried at all. In the Bronx, winning matters, and that applies to the fans, the players, and it should apply to Yankee brass too.

Am I panicked? Hell no, but I'm surprised we haven't done 1 thing to improve our club this week. Look, if the Yankees want to hand the ball to Jayson Nix to play third base in 2013, tell us, I could get on board with that. I'm sure Nix can handle it, plus, it will be his time to shine and  the guy plays hard!  If they want Francisco Cervelli or Chris Stewart to be the top catcher in 2013, Tweet it and put Yankee fans at ease, because this smoke and mirrors bullshit will drive anyone to drink.

At the end of the day, we will survive, we're the Yankees, but I have a huge problem with my club when a bunch of us spend hundreds of dollars each season to watch a club of winners, and yet, we see no urgency trying to sign anyone "solid"... And again, I don't need 9 superstars, I need a solid, smart baseball player that's hungry to win, a believer! Last time I checked, even solid players can help a team win. Don't believe me? Asked the Baltimore Orioles about that. Bottom line, they fought the Yanks hard down the stretch... A bunch of nobodies who believed in themselves. I tip my cap.

So, yeah, If the Yankees are looking to wow us with a Josh Hamilton type, who needs him? I'm looking for a guy who plays as hard as he can for a $1 million, $2 million... $6 million dollar and 1 year contract. And why would he play hard for only $1 million?  Because he was signed to the Yanks, and he'd be wearing the pinstripes and will know the importance and tradition of it... That's why. Stick with believers Cashman... because they become winners in New York.  Because sitting on the sidelines only brings frustration...

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KEPPINGER SIGNS WITH THE WHITE SOX

Jeff Keppinger is now a Chicago White Sock after signing a deal with them at 3 years and $12 million. That's coming from Ken Rosenthal at Fox Sports, HERE.

All Yankee fans will now sit on the edge of their seats as we wait and see if the Yankees will intensify their pursuit of Kevin Youkilis and/or Nate Schierholtz... Buster Olney has the info on Schierholtz HERE.
According to the Baltimore Sune, the Orioles made an offer to Nate and he turned it down, read HERE.
Speculation is a Schierholtz signing with the Yankees will happen soon.

As far as Youk is concerned, half of Yankeeland wants him, the other half don't. I suggest we sign him, roll the dice and shave that ridiculous goatee off his face. WEEI suggests Youkilis is weighing offers, read HERE.

Stay tuned... things are heating up.

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WATCHING KEPPINGER, YOUKILIS & CHAVEZ

According to Danny Knobler of CBS Sports.com, his Tweet HERE indicates that the Yankees want Jeff Keppinger...bad.  It would mean a 3 year deal worth about $13 million, according to Knobler.

Keppinger could easily fill in at 3rd base while Alex Rodriguez heals and that's fine. He's an infielder and plays all infield positions.  Perfect utility guy but I would assume 3rd base is where the Yanks would want him. There was once a guy that no one in New York had faith in when they signed him out of Oakland.  His name was Scott Brosius and he ended up being a star in New York.  I'm not saying that will happen with Keppinger, but I see this kid lighting it up in the Bronx with a big opportunity waiting. 

Eric Chavez is also on the Yankees radar, read HERE.  If we had him, Keppinger at shortstop and throw Eduardo Nunez in the mix, (I just goaned) and it's a band aid situation until we know for sure that Derek Jeter is back on his feet and Alex is back, I predict July for that.

Personally, I love the idea of Kevin Youkilis, but that's just me.  A 1 year deal and a lot of anger and aggression at 3rd and he can sometimes fill in at first...Hey, I'd love to see it.

Day 3 of the Winter Meetings... the Yanks have nothing but alot of talk and wonder among us Yankee fans....I guess we need to stay patient.

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GRANDERSON TRADE TALK & JOSH HAMILTON

Looks like if the Yankees can move Curtis Granderson, they will. That story came out yesterday (read HERE), before the sun even came up in Nashville. I read all the stories, I thought about it... I slept on it and not I'm writing about it... I'm ready to part with Curtis Granderson but I'm still wondering who our rightfielder will be and what we'll do with Grandy's spot.  It's all connected, nothing's easy.

I am a big fan of Curtis Granderson, or, "The Gentleman" as I fondly refer to him. He has truly shined in New York, but there is one thing that has been mounting and is tarnishing his record...his strikeout rate over the past few years is terrible. I am also a believer that his horrendous performance in the postseason this year opened the Yankees eyes a bit. Now, the timing seems right, contract-wise, Winter Meetings, etc. And so, the Yankees have announced that Curtis is available.

There are 2 things I hate in baseball...errors and strikeouts. No one likes to lose a game on an error and no one likes an automatic out on your ball club. Sure, Granderson has found a power in New York that makes him likable, he's a true Bronx Bomber, but put this in perspective a bit. We may see 40 plus homers a season in Granderson, but we needed to weed through the 195 K's.

(In Photo: Austin Jackson)
I remember when the Granderson trade went down, we gave up Austin Jackson, the future of the Yankees to get Curtis. Then, last year we gave up Jesus Montero for a broken down 23 year old in Michael Pineda. Jackson was Montero before Montero...untouchable. Now, Austin Jackson may not be a superstar in Detroit, but he's solid and he's young and full of energy...he's mold-able. Now, after 2 years of Curtis and alot of homers and a lot of strikeouts, this off season we're hearing the "Granderson may move to a corner outfield spot" or "The Yanks are listening to offers for Curtis." It's nuts how things change so quickly. Ironically, The Yankees still need a right fielder, yet we may want to unload Granderson. Confusing yet? It's gets more confusing now...

Enter Josh Hamilton, a conversation I honestly didn't expect to hear about at the Winter Meetings...especially him connected to the Yankees. But here it was... read HERE.  I read that ESPN piece and laughed. I can't imagine Hamilton ever coming to New York and I'm not sure why we'd want him here. This is a guy with problems off the field and true, every day is one day as a time, and I'm not being critical of that. I am however concerned for this guy who looked like he aged 5 years in the past 2.  Hamilton is mad talented with the bat, but often hurt, and not a good outfielder and with that instability and age brings everything the Yankees have NOT been wanting. So why? Why would Hamilton be a "good fit" as some are suggesting? It's silly.  What are we getting for the guy and then, say we get him to man right field... then what are we doing with Curtis Granderson? Would we be keeping him in center? Will he NOT be a corner outfielder for the Yankees? Are we still looking to trade him? A lot of outfield questions and I'm not sure Hamilton is and ever was truly in our plans.  Truth be told though, it was revealed that the Rangers and Hamilton are looking to seal a deal anyway, read HERE... so at least that silly rumor goes away for a bit, but still, let's get this Granderson thing settled, either he stays or goes, but let's get moving, don't you think?

The whole thing is frustrating as a Yankee fan...the Winter Meetings are madness. A lot of chatter... But Yankee fans want stability and a sure thing... So what are we doing here exactly Cash? What? Kevin Youkilis? Jeff Keppinger? Ichiro Suzuki? Raul Ibanez? Who?

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THE YANKS AIN'T GETTING NOTHING FOR CHRISTMAS

Shhh.  Don't tell anyone... The Yankees have a secret gift coming, right?  I mean, there are moves happening all around us. The Red Sox have already snatched up Jonny Gomes and Mike Napoli, HERE. There were conflicting reports about whether or not the Detroit Tigers offered a 2 year offer to Scott Hairston, the same Scott Hairston the Yankees were claiming to be in the mix for, read HERE.

Joakim Soria seems to have sealed his 2 year deal, with a 3rd year option with the Texas Rangers...read HERE.  Even Eli Whiteside was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays, read HERE. Good, now someone else can write about Eli Whiteside. I had my fill HERE.

There has to be some type of surprise gift that the Yankees are about to get.. I know it. Right Santa Claus? Come On!  Brian Cashman can't actually seem this quiet and sluggish unless he's got something up his sleeve.  I mean, let's face it, even Santa's confused... Cashman's list is in pencil with plenty of cross outs and eraser smudges. Time seems to be running out just because it looks like after Day 1 of the Winter Meetings in Nashville, moves are happening quickly and teams are engaged..except for the Yankees. Instead, Cashman is trying to figure out if he can sign an infielder with next to no money, a few tokens from Chuck E. Cheese and some Box Tops.

The Yankees are really sticking to that Luxury Tax stuff huh?  It's killing me. I'm a child of the Steinbrenner Era, I like movement...yet... Nothing.

The Yankees needs seem complicated, but they aren't. I mean, from the outside looking in, there are easy fixes under that small budget we have been allotted. First off, there hasn't been a single word from the Yanks on Raul Ibanez and Ichiro Suzuki lately. Why? You want to lock up right field and get a DH at a cheap price? You can do it for about $7 million between the 2 of them. How about a steady infielder or bench player...part-time 3rd baseman? Jeff Keppinger is available, all the Yankees need to do is call. Eric Chavez is playing in 2013, that's been established. I'm not sure why next year would be any different than this year with Chavez... he's 34...sign him.

Now look, the catching situation is no easy task, but the reality is, we have Francisco Cervelli and Austin Romine but Lord knows Brian Cashman wants to upgrade the backstop. And yes, right field is definitely a concern for him, I get feel it. I know he wants a right fielder with power, not Ichiro, because if he truly wanted Ichiro, he would have signed him already. So what will happen? Watch... Ichiro will slip from our grasp and Cashman will be behind the 8 ball again. Let's hope that's not the case. I like Ichiro in pinstripes.

Look, I am praying for a gift this December. Something the Yankees can be proud of, but based on the way things are going, I need to tell you, it don't look good...

And it's a damn shame too because we've been good all year, haven't we?

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AROD & HIS BUM HIP

Joel Sherman just Tweeted HERE that Alex Rodriguez will miss the beginning of the 2013 season because he will be undergoing another surgery for his hip.

Say what you will about Alex, but the guys having a tough time and I like the guy. Many have given up, I respect that opinion as well.  Sure, it's been speculated that the reason why ARod is having all these problems is because of whatever he shot into him, PEDs, etc.  I'm not getting into that. I'm not smart enough to know all of that stuff.  My take is simple. For the sake of Alex and the Yankees, I hope he makes a speedy recovery and comes back to be a success for the Yankees again.

No question now... the Yanks need to try and figure out who to get for infield help.  Remember, Derek Jeter may not be ready at the beginning of the season either... that's a gaping hole on the left side.

Eric Chavez? Jeff Keppinger? Scott Brosius?  Anyone? Anyone? Stay tuned...

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