Source: #Yankees release Juan Rivera.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 28, 2013

Golf carts will now once again be permitted on the field…

Man, this is going to be fun.  There’s a lot of decisions to be made between today and Monday on both the Yankees 25 and 40-man rosters.

Do you have any predictions on who may be added or cut from both?

What happens with NRI’s Jayson Nix,  Ben Francisco, Thomas Neal, Juan Rivera, Dan Johnson and Lyle Overbay?  Has someone like Preston Claiborne or Josh Spence pitched their way on to the team? Someone else in the picture that we should be talking about in terms of coming or going? Has Ronnier Mustelier hit his way on to the team? Does Travis Hafner get a buddy pass on his rough spring? Is Brennan Boesch heading to the minors? Goodbye to Cody Eppley?

So, so, many questions…

Sources say the Yankees’ share of the Vernon Wells contract will be about $13 million over the last two years of his deal.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) March 24, 2013

Hearing #Yankees will pay almost all of $13M they r responsible to Wells in ’13 so as not to put toward $189M payroll goal in ’14

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) March 25, 2013

That’s “Today’s Yankees” for you: Really shitty talent evaluators, but, really good bookkeepers!

I heard that Brian Cashman is special ordering a FlairHair Green Eyeshade for 2014.

Via Matt Snyder -

Just two days after being released by the Tigers, Brennan Boesch has landed with another 2012 playoff team. He has signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal — plus possible incentives — with the New York Yankees, reports CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman.

Boesch, 27, finished fifth in AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2010 and then hit .283/.341/.458 with 16 homers in just 115 games in 2011. But last season, he hit just .240/.286/.372 with 12 homers in 503 plate appearances. He struck out 104 times while walking just 26.

Worth mention here is that Boesch is left-handed and Yankee Stadium plays very favorable for left-handed power hitters. In 32 career plate appearances in Yankee Stadium, Boesch has hit .367/.375/.533 with a homer and six RBI.

Boesch has never played first base as a professional, but he gives the Yankees the chance to put Juan Rivera at first. The Yankees desperately need corner infield help with third baseman Alex Rodriguez likely on the shelf for the majority of the season and first baseman Mark Teixeira out for the first four to six weeks. They have Kevin Youkilis to play either corner, so another corner man is needed.

With Boesch able to play left field — alongside Brett Gardner and Ichiro Suzuki until the also-injured Curtis Granderson can return — Rivera could be used at first.

Many Yankees fans seem to like this transaction.

So, here’s a little cold water for them. This is a guy who had an OPS of .659 last season. And, the Tigers RELEASED him because they couldn’t find ANYONE willing to give them a bag of balls in exchange for his services.

Look at the facts. This is a player who was so-so in the minors – reaching Double-A in 2009 at the age of 24. And, at that level, he struck out A LOT and hardly walked. (Not a good sign.) However, in 2010, in Triple-A, he got off to a hot start in a handful of games and carried that hot streak into the majors for two and half months. Then, the clock struck midnight.

From July 18th, 2010 through the end of last season, he’s played in 312 big league games with the BA/OBA/SLG line of .242/.297/.377 (in 1,108 AB).

Hey, Yankees fans, it’s the second coming of Dave Revering!

Oh, that Cashman, he’s a ninja…not.

Yanks signed Ben Francisco, who was released by the Indians today. And, I don’t hate this move.

Via MLBTraderumors -

The Yankees have acquired right-hander Shawn Kelley from the Mariners in exchange for outfielder Abraham Almonte, according to Ryan Divish of the Tacoma News Tribune (on Twitter). The Mariners designated Kelley for assignment on Thursday to make roster space for Kelly Shoppach.

Kelley, 28, appeared in 47 games for the Mariners in 2012, posting a 3.25 ERA with 9.1 K/9, 3.0 BB/9, and a 28.8% ground ball rate in 44 1/3 innings. The right-hander will earn $930K in 2013.

Meanwhile, Almonte will give the M’s some much needed minor league depth at the centerfielder position and can also play the corners. The 23-year-old spent last season in Double-A, hitting .276/.350/.392 in 78 games.

Let’s hope this one works out better than the 1981 trade of Willie McGee for Bob Sykes…

I don’t think Cleveland is going to lose 94 games again this year…

Via the AP -

The Cleveland Indians have signed first baseman-designated hitter Jason Giambi to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

The Indians announced the signing Saturday, six days ahead of the team’s first full-squad workout.

The 42-year-old Giambi spent the past three-plus seasons filling a part-time role with the Rockies. The 2000 AL MVP was a mentor to younger players and he interviewed for Colorado’s managerial position this offseason.

Giambi could become the Indians’ DH, a role filled by veterans Jim Thome and Travis Hafner in recent years.

A five-time All-Star, Giambi has 429 homers – just one in 89 at-bats for Colorado last year – 1405 RBIs and a .280 average in 18 big league seasons with Oakland, the Yankees and Rockies. Known for his patience at the plate, Giambi has a career on-base percentage of .403.

The dude still gets on base. But, he’s 42 and the power is not what it used to be…

Via MLB.com -

The A’s added another new piece to their infield on Monday, acquiring Jed Lowrie and right-handed pitcher Fernando Rodriguez from the Astros for first baseman Chris Carter, right-hander Brad Peacock and Minor League catcher Max Stassi.

The most interesting part of this trade, for me, is that it was a Billy Beane and Jeff Luhnow hook up. Always fun to see who out-smarts who there…

Yankees, Hafner Could Be Nearing Deal.

Give us your old, broken down, likely former juicers…

Hide the golf carts!

To be honest, I have been wondering about this for a while – pondering if the Yankees would make this move. It seems to make sense for both parties. But, if the Yankees are smart, they will limit Rivera to D.H. as much as possible. He’s a dog in the field. And, he’s a bit of a turd on the bases too.

Low risk, given the contract. And, I would not be shocked if he made the team.

I actually like this deal.

Source: Braves get Justin Upton and Chris Johnson from D-backs for Prado, Delgado, Ahmed and Spruill.

More on the deal.

Via Paul White -

The Philadelphia Phillies obviously weren’t as concerned about Delmon Young’s ability to play the outfield as his previous employers.

The former Detroit outfielder and mostly DH signed a one-year, $750,000 contract with the Phillies today. The contract also includes undisclosed performance incentives.

“Delmon is an experienced major league bat who will add some depth to our relatively inexperienced outfield and another layer of competition for playing time there as well,” said general manager Ruben Amaro in a statement released by the club.

Average hitter, at best. Terrible fielder, at best. And, not the nicest person in the world, by any means. But, $750,000 ain’t that much more than the big league minimum.

If he behaves, hits like he normally does, and they have a defensive caddy for him, the ROI here could be pretty good.

True story.

No idea if the Mets sent Brian Cashman a “Thank You!” card for baby-sitting Pedro for the last two years…

Two year deal.

It’s true.

I guess he doesn’t want to go out on this note.

Via Mark Feinsand -

Nick Swisher is officially a former Yankee.

Swisher agreed to terms on a four-year, $56 million contract with the Indians late Saturday night, the Daily News has learned. The deal includes an easily-attainable $14 million vesting option for a fifth year based on plate appearances that could bring the total value of the contract to $70 million through the 2017 season.

The 32-year-old outfielder had received interest from no less than a half-dozen teams, but the Indians made the strongest push for Swisher’s services. The Rangers, Mariners, Red Sox and Orioles were among the other teams that had expressed interest in Swisher.

Swisher’s $56 million deal is the fifth-largest contract signed this winter, and the third-biggest for a position player. Josh Hamilton, 31, inked a five-year, $125 million deal with the Angels while 28-year-old B.J. Upton signed a five-year, $75 million pact with the Braves.

The only other deals larger than Swisher’s this offseason were Zack Greinke’s six-year, $147 million deal with the Angels and Anibal Sanchez’s five-year, $80 million contract with the Tigers.

The Tribe gave Swisher and his wife, JoAnna, the red-carpet treatment during a visit to Cleveland last week, making it known how badly they wanted him in an Indians uniform.

Swisher grew up in a West Virginia town only 14 miles from Ohio and attended Ohio State, so the Indians’ pitch centered around his potential homecoming.

Former Buckeyes head football coach Jim Tressel helped recruit Swisher during a lunch, while current Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer, basketball coach Thad Matta and baseball coach Greg Beals each recorded personal messages to Swisher that were played on the Progressive Field scoreboard.

Swisher’s history with new Indians manager Terry Francona played a key role in the decision. Francona, who in 1988 was managed in the minor leagues by Swisher’s father, Steve, has known Swisher since he was a child. Francona was very involved in the Indians’ recruitment of Swisher last week.

Maybe “The Lish!” will wear #34 in Cleveland, in honor of Joe Charboneau? Of course, he would have to buy it from Zach McAllister…but he can afford it now.

“What me worry?” Cashman says “No biggie. I have Freddy Garcia on speed dial!”

Five years at $125 million.

Every team is printing their own money these days except the Yankees and Marlins…or so it seems.

Via MLB Trade Rumors -

The Royals have bolstered their starting rotation for 2013 thanks to the addition of two quality pitchers. Kansas City has agreed to acquire right-hander James Shields, right-hander Wade Davis and a player to be named or cash from Tampa Bay in exchange for outfielder Wil Myers, right-hander Jake Odorizzi, left-hander Mike Montgomery and third baseman Patrick Leonard, according to a team release.

Great trade for both teams. I really like the prospects that the Rays got in this deal. And, the Royals just got 40% of a starting rotation. You don’t see that in a trade everyday.

Anyone else thinking  that Don Mattingly, right now, is pretty happy that he got the Dodgers manager gig and not the one with the Yankees?

I don’t get this one, at all.

But, maybe I am missing something on the pitchers the Phils gave up?

Done deal.

The details.

Alex Meyer can bring it.

Seems like a good trade for both teams.

The skinny.

Andy Pettitte is one of my all-time favorite Yankees. And, I have no question in my mind regarding his ability to face and handle major league hitters. But, he will be 41-years old next season. And, the last time he pitched more than 130 innings in a big league season was 2009. Therefore, I think it’s a mistake to count on him to be your #3 starter in your rotation.

One year at fifteen mill. So much for that dung about wanting to pitch on the west coast…

Note that he will be 38 next year and had an Opponents Faced allowed BA/OBA/SLG line of .303/.353/.510 (in 158 PA) during the last month of this past season.

Did he run out of gas this year? Or, is age catching up? We’ll see in 2013.

Melky Cabrera is heading to Toronto.

Man, he’s like the modern Bobby Bonds, the way he keeps changing teams.

Starting today, you can add “2012 Yankees, MLB” to this resume:

.
Anyone still have a “Got Melk?” shirt?

The Los Angeles Dodgers have acquired Hanley Ramirez and Randy Choate from the Miami Marlins in exchange for Nathan Eovaldi and minor league pitcher Scott McGough, according to a person familiar with the deal. (Source.)

Good luck, Donnie Baseball.

Ramirez is a dog.