YANKEE RUMORS & BYB: PART 21

Yu Darvish: If you read our last rumors piece, YANKEES RUMORS & BYB: PART 20, you knew that we didn't know when Darvish-mania would get underway. But, according to Darvish's agent, Don Nomura (Read HERE), his client will be posted Thursday. The Yankees have scouted Darvish since 2009, so you know for sure they'll put a bid in. Personally, I'm not as high on Darvish as most seem to be, but that doesn't mean I don't think he'll be a quality pitcher in the states.Hiroyuki Nakajima: In cased you missed it, the Yankees won the bidding for Japanese shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima. Read BYB BREAKING NEWS: YANKEES WIN RIGHTS TO HIROYUKI NAKAJIMA for more details. Although the Yanks won the rights, Jon Heyman reports (read HERE) that the Yankees aren't confident that they'll strike a deal with Nakajima because he may not get the money he desires. Also, Ken Rosenthal reports (read HERE) that Nakajima strongly prefers to play on the West Coast. This is a tricky situation, and at this rate I wouldn't be surprised if the two sides didn't agree on a deal. But, if they did, I'd be perfectly content if Nakajima was the 2007-2009 version of Akinori Iwamura.
Joel Zumaya: Joel Sherman reports that next week the Yankees will send a scout to watch Joel Zumaya throw. Read it HERE. I'd definitely be all in for signing Zumaya, just as long as it's not a guaranteed major league contract. At this point in Zumaya's career with all the arm injuries he's gone through, he'll probably only get a minor league deal as it is. Sure the Yankees bullpen is stacked, but it wouldn't hurt to give him a shot.

Finally, The Rule 5 Draft was Thursday, and the Yankees acquired two players. First, they acquired 22 year old left handed pitcher Cesar Cabral from the Royals--who was picked with the fifth overall selection in today's draft--for cash. Cabral pitched in the Red Sox minor league system from 2006-2011. Then, with the 29th pick of the draft, the Yanks selected 26 year old right handed pitcher Brad Meyers. Meyers pitched in the Nationals minor league system from 2007-2011.

All Rule 5 picks must stay on the 25-man roster for the duration of the regular season, or they must be returned to their original teams. Both of these guys have had some success in the minors with their respective teams, so it'll be interesting if at least one of these guys makes the big league club in April. The Yankees designated Greg Golson for assignment.




--Jesse Schindler, BYB Staff Writer




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SITTING DOWN WITH CURTIS GRANDERSON

Haley Smilow is 10 years old. Recently her father sent and email to Bleeding Yankee Blue and asked if we would be interested in printing an interview Haley did from Baseball Youth Magazine with Curtis Granderson back in July. Who are we to say no? First off, we here at BYB love Granderson and Haley is clearly a future journalist. I wrote her father back immediately and let him know we were interested and showing off Haley's work. I am happy to now bring you Haley Smilow's interview with The Gentleman, Curtis Granderson:
Haley: In your book "All You Can Be: Dream It, Draw It, Become It", you share the lessons that you learned growing up, what is one lesson you would tell the Baseball Youth readers if they haven’t read the book?

Curtis Granderson: The selection of friends, good and bad, positive or negative and the people you surround yourself with, will shape your whole life.

Haley: I also know you are an ambassador for MLB and have traveled to England, Italy, South Africa, China, and New Zealand is there any place you would really like to go and represent MLB?

Curtis Granderson: I have never been to South America so that would be amazing. I would also like to go to Japan and Australia, those would be on my top 3 list.

Haley: Why did you choose the #28 in Detroit and #14 in New York?

Curtis Granderson: I was given the #28 in college, which was great because the numbers 2 and 8 are my favorite numbers, so it was both of them together. When I became a Yankee Joe Girardi was #28 so I chose #14 because that was my number from high school.
Haley: What is it like in the Dug Out before and after a game?

Curtis Granderson: It is a fun place filled with energy and lots of handshakes. We are always meeting people before games. After the game it depends if we won or lost. If we win everyone is happy and celebrating and if we lost we need to move on to the next game.

Haley: When you are on the road do you share rooms with your teammates?

Curtis Granderson: In the majors we get our own rooms. In the minors we share rooms, I used to share with Ryan Raburn, Joel Zumaya and David Espinosa.
Haley: AJ Burnett has created a celebration for a walk off win, a pie in the face. Have you ever gotten pied?

Curtis Granderson: No, I have not been pied. If I get pied it means we won but I am afraid it will burn. (The pies are Shaving Cream.)

Haley: Who is the biggest practical joker you have ever been on a team with? Have you ever been the victim of a practical joke?

Curtis Granderson: Brandon Inge on the Tigers will do funny pranks, silly ones and even some gross ones. We had a little battle going when I played for Detroit. Once I opened his car and filled it with paper and construction tape making it a big mess inside the car and out. Jorge Posada is a real joker as well.
Haley: My little brother is a fan of WWE, I heard you are as well. Who are some of you favorite wrestlers of today?

Curtis Granderson: Of course I like CM Punk because he is a great wrestler and from Chicago. Jon Cena is another favorite. I also like the Diva’s because they work hard and are as good as the guys.
Haley: Who would you consider your closest friends on the Yankees?

Curtis Granderson: Of course I have special bond with my fellow outfielders Nick Swisher and Brett Gardner. But I also like to hang out with CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett and Russell Martin we go out to dinner and movies together.

Haley: What is your favorite meal?

Curtis Granderson: I really love Thanksgiving dinner because you get to eat a little bit of everything and you can go back over and over for more helpings.

Thank you to the Smilow family for wanting to be apart of Bleeding Yankee Blue and terrific job with your interview with Curtis Granderson Haley! You have a future in sports journalism for sure! We hope you all enjoyed this interview. Comment here and let Haley know just how great she did! --Casey



-- Haley Smilow, BYB Guest Writer