Yanks may be in transition but don't count them out

Maybe you've read that this has been a difficult offseason for the Yankees. Maybe you've noticed that some people have already declared them toast in 2013. That's a good, strong opinion. Makes for good reading. Good talk-show material, too. There's just one problem.

The Yankees still might be pretty good. Maybe even a contender. Maybe even a champion. Yes, even with all the departures. Yes, even with all the age.

Look at what they'll be running out there. They'll have CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda, Andy Pettitte and Phil Hughes at the front of the rotation. They'll have David Robertson and Mariano Rivera at the back of the bullpen. Offensively, they'll have Ichiro Suzuki and Derek Jeter at the top of the order and Robinson Cano, Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson in the middle.

Is that a lousy team? Again, it's not nearly as deep as it has been in previous seasons. The Yankees probably will have an unproven catcher (Francisco Cervelli, Chris Stewart or Austin Romine) and a young designated hitter (Eduardo Nunez). They're unlikely to come close to matching last season's franchise-record 245 home runs.

They badly need a right-handed hitting outfielder to balance those three left-handed hitting outfielders. They also need Kevin Youkilis, who was signed to replace Alex Rodriguez while he recovers from hip surgery, to stay healthy.

Youkilis is 33 years old, but if his body holds up -- and it didn't in 2012 -- he'll probably return to something resembling his career norm: 70 walks, 20 home runs, .893 OPS.

There's also a respect factor. During Jeter's 18 seasons, the Yankees have come to define professionalism. Any manager or general manager will tell you that professionalism -- effort, preparation, teamwork, chemistry -- are vital.

It's impossible to walk in the Yankees' clubhouse and see Rivera, Pettitte, Jeter, Teixeira, etc., and think they're not going to be a factor. Despite all that the Yankees have lost, they still have a great general manager in Brian Cashman and a proven manager in Joe Girardi.

The Yankees also have the greatest winning tradition in the history of professional sports in this country. To wear the pinstripes is to believe. Because Pettitte, Kuroda, Ichiro, Rivera and Jeter are all at least 37, there's a point where they're going to break down. But that may not happen in 2013. Remember that Cashman told us this is how the offseason was going to go. The Yankees are committed to being under baseball's $189 million luxury-tax threshold by Opening Day 2014, so this would be an offseason of modest spending.

Cashman has also pointed out again and again that he still felt good about his core players and believed his team had a chance to be as good as ever. His top priority was to keep that core together, and he did that by re-signing Rivera, Pettitte, Kuroda and Ichiro.

Yes, the Yankees are going to be old in some important areas. For instance, the starting rotation. Yes, the Yankees are going to have a smaller margin of error. On the other hand, their run differential was the largest in the American League in 2012, so they have some wiggle room.

Again, it's easy to see the glass as half empty. The Blue Jays have made dramatic improvements. The Red Sox have gotten better, too, and the Rays still have the best starting rotation in the AL East.

The Yankees? They said goodbye to Russell Martin, Nick Swisher, Raul Ibanez, Eric Chavez and Andruw Jones. Those five players accounted for 94 of New York's 245 home runs, and when a team is built around starting pitching and home runs, well, you get the picture.

Few people took Cashman at his word when he promised that the Yankees were going to make every effort to be under the luxury-tax threshold in 2012. In recent years, he has also talked about how organizations must be willing to give their young guys a chance.

That's why the Yankees could be pushing kids from their Minor League system. Right-handers Adam Warren and Mark Montgomery are being fast-tracked to the big leagues. So is outfielder Zoilo Almonte. And when Cashman traded catcher Jesus Montero for right-hander Michael Pineda last winter, he said catching -- Romine has been highly regarded -- was an organizational strength.

So Cashman is steering the Yankees toward being a franchise driven by player development. He's not going to apologize for a $200 million payroll, but he has poured resources into the Draft and international signings.

The 2013 season could be an important transition year in that regard, but that doesn't mean the Yankees are incapable of winning. Only a fool would count them out 98 days before Opening Day.

Richard Justice is a columnist for MLB.com. Read his blog, Justice4U. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Holiday Q&A with David Robertson

David Robertson and his wife, Erin, pose with Habitat for Humanity of Tuscaloosa's Golden Hammer Award. (Robertson family)

Yankees reliever David Robertson has certainly had no trouble filling his days since the season ended. He and his wife, Erin, are preparing for their first Christmas with their son, Luke, who was born during a Yankees homestand in late August.

The right-hander has also been busy with his foundation, High Socks for Hope, which was founded after tornadoes devastated Robertson's hometown of Tuscaloosa, Ala. In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the charity found new ways to lend support.

Robertson joined MLB.com for a Q&A to talk about the holidays, his efforts in the community and the Yankees' outlook for the 2013 season:

MLB.com: I'd imagine you've had a lot going on over the last few months. What's life like in the Robertson household right now?

Robertson: I'd say life is good. The baby is doing really well, which is great, but other than that, it's a little stressful. We're trying to get everything unpacked; we've been traveling a whole lot this offseason. Both my brother and Erin's brother got married, so we've been to Maine and to Nashville, and Alabama and Massachusetts, so we've been all over the place.

MLB.com: What has it been like getting ready for Luke's first Christmas?

Robertson: It's great. I wish he was a little bigger and able to open presents, but he's not quite there yet. He's still trying to get to the crawling stage; he just learned how to roll over. We haven't been able to take him to see Santa because we've been traveling so much, so we haven't had a chance to get that picture yet.

MLB.com: Do you sense that the holidays have more meaning for you?

Robertson: For me, now that I have a son, it's a lot better to be able to see family, especially during the holidays. We're actually going to be in Florida, in St. Petersburg, so we're probably going to go hang out with the Swishers at some point.

MLB.com: Since you bring it up, Nick is obviously a free agent. Any hints for where he might be playing next season? (Note: This Q&A was conducted before Swisher agreed to sign with the Indians.)

Robertson: You know what, I haven't talked to him in a while. Erin just talked to JoAnna, his wife. I called him probably a week ago. I haven't talked to him since then, but we just got back into town and got settled in. I'm sure I'll be playing golf with him soon.

MLB.com: Let's talk a little bit about the efforts with your foundation, High Socks for Hope. What have you been able to accomplish in the wake of Hurricane Sandy?

Robertson: We've been able to contribute a lot of stuff, especially during Sandy. We sent a lot of items up and had a good group of people in Alabama who were willing to go out and actually get the items that were needed for Hurricane Sandy. They were actually nice enough to drive the stuff up to the towns that needed it. We sent grills, generators, chainsaws, gasoline -- anything there was a real need for. We furnished households, 200 mattresses, all sorts of stuff to try to help.

MLB.com: I would imagine that watching the news coverage of Hurricane Sandy had a personal impact.

Robertson: It did. I know firsthand after seeing Tuscaloosa when it was hit by the tornado how bad a natural disaster is. A hurricane is slightly different, with the tidal surge and flooding, but it still ruins all your belongings. To see families that don't have anything, for us, it was a no-brainer to try to jump in and help. A lot of other organizations were doing the same thing, but we were willing and able.

MLB.com: Let's get back to the holidays for a moment. What was Christmas like in your house growing up?

Robertson: Christmas was all about fun. I have two brothers, so every year it was great. In the morning we'd wake up and my mom would make -- it's hard to explain -- omelette pizza with sausage, eggs, everything on it. We always had that for breakfast. Then we'd open gifts and usually get all sorts of things from socks to clothes to guns to bows to bikes; gosh, you name it, we got it. I can remember tearing through the wrapping paper and leaving the house in devastation because of all the wrapping paper and everything, and running out with the new toys that we got.

MLB.com: What was the best gift you can remember finding under the tree?

Robertson: For me, I got a shotgun from my father when I was probably 12 years old. I think he bought it with a good purpose because he knew I wasn't big enough to use it. It was actually too big for me to hold, so I had to wait another two or three years. Still, knowing that I had a real gun like my dad had for dove hunting or shooting skeet, I thought it was the greatest thing. I think I finally hit a growth spurt in eighth grade and grew about nine inches, so I could finally hold it.

MLB.com: What's the best gift you've ever given?

Robertson: [long pause] I can't think of a gift that I've given. I'm more about trying to please the person, but I can't think of one I've really awed anybody with. I haven't really gotten that perfect gift yet. Maybe this Christmas I'll get it [laughs].

MLB.com: How closely have you been paying attention to the Yankees' offseason, and how do you think the team looks for 2013?

Robertson: I always feel good about our team going forward. We're the Yankees and we're expected to win, and we always compete and manage to make the playoffs. I saw we signed [Kevin] Youkilis, if I'm not mistaken, and I haven't really paid much attention besides that. I kind of don't want to pay attention to it too much because it's not my decision. I'm not able to really call [general manager] Brian Cashman or someone and say, 'Hey, I'd like you to get this guy.' That's not my job. I know when I show up, there will be a good group of guys and we're going to play hard and try to win a championship.

MLB.com: One of the other moves the Yankees made was re-signing Mariano Rivera. Did you have any surprise that Mo is coming back, and how would you feel about the bullpen if Rafael Soriano signs elsewhere?

Robertson: I could have sworn Mo said he was coming back last year, so when Mo says something, I believe it. He sticks by it. It'll be like years past. Hopefully Mo stays healthy this year, which I'm sure he will. We'll just give him that time to get ready, and I don't think anything is wrong with his arm, that's for sure. He knows how to throw the ball. If Soriano goes somewhere else, that's just going to be the way it is this year. We'll play hard with what we've got and make it work for us.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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HOPE Week honoree Fratto passes away at 19

By Quinn Roberts / MLB.com | 12/24/12 6:00 PM ET

Daniel Fratto, a 2010 HOPE Week honoree, passed away on Sunday at the age of 19, the Yankees announced Monday evening.

A member of the "Beautiful People" -- an organization that unites children with disabilities and the community through sports programs -- Fratto took part in the HOPE Week celebration at Yankee Stadium on Aug. 19, 2010.

During the celebration, Fratto got the chance to be the public address announcer for a half-inning as the Yankees took on the Tigers. Fratto announced Derek Jeter's name prior to an at-bat.

Fratto, who battled extreme physical challenges as a result of severe combined immune deficiency syndrome, was studying graphic design at SUNY Rockland. In the process of creating his own company called "Roaring Graphics," his lifelong goal was to become an animator.

A funeral service will be held for him Wednesday evening in Middletown, N.Y.

Quinn Roberts is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Yankees, Ichiro make two-year deal official

By Andrew Simon / Special to MLB.com | 12/19/12 6:57 PM ET

The Yankees, long reported to be near a two-year contract with veteran outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, finalized that agreement Wednesday.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, although The Associated Press reported last week that it could guarantee the 39-year-old between $12 million and $13 million. To make room for Suzuki on their 40-man roster, the Yankees designated right-handed pitcher Jim Miller for assignment.

Suzuki, a 10-time All-Star in 12 Major League seasons, came to the Yankees in a July 23 trade with the Mariners and now figures to replace free agent Nick Swisher in right field.

"The Yankees are the kind of team that I always envisioned being a part of," Suzuki said in a statement. "Everyone in the world of competition has a strong desire to win, but the Yankees also have an atmosphere where losing is not an option. These two observations may sound similar, but I believe it is a rarity to find both coexisting in the same organization.

"I believe the Yankees organization appreciates that there is a difference between a 39-year-old who has played relying only on talent, and a 39-year-old who has prepared, practiced, and thought thoroughly through many experiences for their craft. I am very thankful, and I will do my best to deliver on their expectations."

Suzuki posted a .261/.288/.353 batting line for the Mariners last season but improved to .322/.340/.454 in 67 games with the Yankees, hitting five home runs and stealing 14 bases. All of his homers came at Yankee Stadium, where he recorded an .894 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) on the year.

Suzuki stands at 2,606 hits in his big league career, putting him 394 away from the 3,000 mark and giving him a chance to reach that legendary number in Yankees pinstripes. He has notched 362 hits over the past two years, following 10 consecutive 200-hit campaigns.

A lifetime .322 hitter, Suzuki owns two batting titles and was the 2001 American League Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player. He was a three-time MVP during his nine-year career in Japan's Pacific League.

Miller was selected off waivers by the Yankees on Nov. 30. The 30-year-old appeared in 33 games as a reliever for the A's last season, posting a 2.59 ERA and striking out 44 in 48 2/3 innings.

Andrew Simon is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Jeter offers condolences to family of slain teacher

By Paul Casella / MLB.com | 12/20/12 2:08 PM ET

Yankees captain Derek Jeter on Wednesday phoned the mother of Victoria Soto, the Sandy Hook elementary teacher who died last week in Newtown, Conn., attempting to shield her students from gunfire to offer his condolences, according to a report from the New York Daily News.

Soto, 27, was laid to rest Wednesday, and Jeter reached out to her mother, Donna Soto, just hours after the funeral.

The Yankees confirmed Jeter made the phone call.

Soto's sister, Carlee, tweeted about the visit.

With Wednesday's phone call, Jeter became the latest New York-area athlete to pay his respects to the families of Sandy Hook victims. Earlier this week, New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz met with the family of 6-year old victim Jack Pinto, who was laid to rest wearing his replica Cruz jersey.

Paul Casella is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @paul_casella. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Yanks may be in transition but don't count them out

Maybe you've read that this has been a difficult offseason for the Yankees. Maybe you've noticed that some people have already declared them toast in 2013. That's a good, strong opinion. Makes for good reading. Good talk-show material, too. There's just one problem.

The Yankees still might be pretty good. Maybe even a contender. Maybe even a champion. Yes, even with all the departures. Yes, even with all the age.

Look at what they'll be running out there. They'll have CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda, Andy Pettitte and Phil Hughes at the front of the rotation. They'll have David Robertson and Mariano Rivera at the back of the bullpen. Offensively, they'll have Ichiro Suzuki and Derek Jeter at the top of the order and Robinson Cano, Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson in the middle.

Is that a lousy team? Again, it's not nearly as deep as it has been in previous seasons. The Yankees probably will have an unproven catcher (Francisco Cervelli, Chris Stewart or Austin Romine) and a young designated hitter (Eduardo Nunez). They're unlikely to come close to matching last season's franchise-record 245 home runs.

They badly need a right-handed hitting outfielder to balance those three left-handed hitting outfielders. They also need Kevin Youkilis, who was signed to replace Alex Rodriguez while he recovers from hip surgery, to stay healthy.

Youkilis is 33 years old, but if his body holds up -- and it didn't in 2012 -- he'll probably return to something resembling his career norm: 70 walks, 20 home runs, .893 OPS.

There's also a respect factor. During Jeter's 18 seasons, the Yankees have come to define professionalism. Any manager or general manager will tell you that professionalism -- effort, preparation, teamwork, chemistry -- are vital.

It's impossible to walk in the Yankees' clubhouse and see Rivera, Pettitte, Jeter, Teixeira, etc., and think they're not going to be a factor. Despite all that the Yankees have lost, they still have a great general manager in Brian Cashman and a proven manager in Joe Girardi.

The Yankees also have the greatest winning tradition in the history of professional sports in this country. To wear the pinstripes is to believe. Because Pettitte, Kuroda, Ichiro, Rivera and Jeter are all at least 37, there's a point where they're going to break down. But that may not happen in 2013. Remember that Cashman told us this is how the offseason was going to go. The Yankees are committed to being under baseball's $189 million luxury-tax threshold by Opening Day 2014, so this would be an offseason of modest spending.

Cashman has also pointed out again and again that he still felt good about his core players and believed his team had a chance to be as good as ever. His top priority was to keep that core together, and he did that by re-signing Rivera, Pettitte, Kuroda and Ichiro.

Yes, the Yankees are going to be old in some important areas. For instance, the starting rotation. Yes, the Yankees are going to have a smaller margin of error. On the other hand, their run differential was the largest in the American League in 2012, so they have some wiggle room.

Again, it's easy to see the glass as half empty. The Blue Jays have made dramatic improvements. The Red Sox have gotten better, too, and the Rays still have the best starting rotation in the AL East.

The Yankees? They said goodbye to Russell Martin, Nick Swisher, Raul Ibanez, Eric Chavez and Andruw Jones. Those five players accounted for 94 of New York's 245 home runs, and when a team is built around starting pitching and home runs, well, you get the picture.

Few people took Cashman at his word when he promised that the Yankees were going to make every effort to be under the luxury-tax threshold in 2012. In recent years, he has also talked about how organizations must be willing to give their young guys a chance.

That's why the Yankees could be pushing kids from their Minor League system. Right-handers Adam Warren and Mark Montgomery are being fast-tracked to the big leagues. So is outfielder Zoilo Almonte. And when Cashman traded catcher Jesus Montero for right-hander Michael Pineda last winter, he said catching -- Romine has been highly regarded -- was an organizational strength.

So Cashman is steering the Yankees toward being a franchise driven by player development. He's not going to apologize for a $200 million payroll, but he has poured resources into the Draft and international signings.

The 2013 season could be an important transition year in that regard, but that doesn't mean the Yankees are incapable of winning. Only a fool would count them out 98 days before Opening Day.

Richard Justice is a columnist for MLB.com. Read his blog, Justice4U. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Cashman, Ibanez talk about possible return to Yanks

By Paul Casella / MLB.com | 12/19/12 11:46 AM ET

General manager Brian Cashman said on Tuesday the club is continuing talks with veteran free agent Raul Ibanez about returning to the Yankees in 2013, according to the New York Post.

Ibanez, 40, hit just .240 last year, but he added 19 home runs to mark his 11th consecutive season with 15 or more home runs. The left-handed-hitting veteran also added three more homers in the postseason, including his notable two-homer performance in Game 3 of the American League Division Series when he tied the game with a pinch-hit solo shot in the ninth then won it with a walk-off blast in the 12th.

The Yankees are continuing to evaluate other options as well, given Ibanez's struggles against left-handed pitching. Used mostly in a platoon role last year, the 16-year veteran hit just .197 and didn't homer in 61 at-bats against southpaws.

Ibanez would be used primarily as the club's designated hitter, with the trio of Curtis Granderson, Brett Gardner and Ichiro Suzuki expected to start in the outfield.

Paul Casella is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @paul_casella. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Yankees, Ichiro make two-year deal official

By Andrew Simon / Special to MLB.com | 12/19/12 6:57 PM ET

The Yankees, long reported to be near a two-year contract with veteran outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, finalized that agreement Wednesday.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, although The Associated Press reported last week that it could guarantee the 39-year-old between $12 million and $13 million. To make room for Suzuki on their 40-man roster, the Yankees designated right-handed pitcher Jim Miller for assignment.

Suzuki, a 10-time All-Star in 12 Major League seasons, came to the Yankees in a July 23 trade with the Mariners and now figures to replace free agent Nick Swisher in right field.

"The Yankees are the kind of team that I always envisioned being a part of," Suzuki said in a statement. "Everyone in the world of competition has a strong desire to win, but the Yankees also have an atmosphere where losing is not an option. These two observations may sound similar, but I believe it is a rarity to find both coexisting in the same organization.

"I believe the Yankees organization appreciates that there is a difference between a 39-year-old who has played relying only on talent, and a 39-year-old who has prepared, practiced, and thought thoroughly through many experiences for their craft. I am very thankful, and I will do my best to deliver on their expectations."

Suzuki posted a .261/.288/.353 batting line for the Mariners last season but improved to .322/.340/.454 in 67 games with the Yankees, hitting five home runs and stealing 14 bases. All of his homers came at Yankee Stadium, where he recorded an .894 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) on the year.

Suzuki stands at 2,606 hits in his big league career, putting him 394 away from the 3,000 mark and giving him a chance to reach that legendary number in Yankees pinstripes. He has notched 362 hits over the past two years, following 10 consecutive 200-hit campaigns.

A lifetime .322 hitter, Suzuki owns two batting titles and was the 2001 American League Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player. He was a three-time MVP during his nine-year career in Japan's Pacific League.

Miller was selected off waivers by the Yankees on Nov. 30. The 30-year-old appeared in 33 games as a reliever for the A's last season, posting a 2.59 ERA and striking out 44 in 48 2/3 innings.

Andrew Simon is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Jeter offers condolences to family of slain teacher

By Paul Casella / MLB.com | 12/20/12 2:08 PM ET

Yankees captain Derek Jeter on Wednesday phoned the mother of Victoria Soto, the Sandy Hook elementary teacher who died last week in Newtown, Conn., attempting to shield her students from gunfire to offer his condolences, according to a report from the New York Daily News.

Soto, 27, was laid to rest Wednesday, and Jeter reached out to her mother, Donna Soto, just hours after the funeral.

The Yankees confirmed Jeter made the phone call.

Soto's sister, Carlee, tweeted about the visit.

With Wednesday's phone call, Jeter became the latest New York-area athlete to pay his respects to the families of Sandy Hook victims. Earlier this week, New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz met with the family of 6-year old victim Jack Pinto, who was laid to rest wearing his replica Cruz jersey.

Paul Casella is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @paul_casella. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Cashman, Ibanez talk about possible return to Yanks

By Paul Casella / MLB.com | 12/19/12 11:46 AM ET

General manager Brian Cashman said on Tuesday the club is continuing talks with veteran free agent Raul Ibanez about returning to the Yankees in 2013, according to the New York Post.

Ibanez, 40, hit just .240 last year, but he added 19 home runs to mark his 11th consecutive season with 15 or more home runs. The left-handed-hitting veteran also added three more homers in the postseason, including his notable two-homer performance in Game 3 of the American League Division Series when he tied the game with a pinch-hit solo shot in the ninth then won it with a walk-off blast in the 12th.

The Yankees are continuing to evaluate other options as well, given Ibanez's struggles against left-handed pitching. Used mostly in a platoon role last year, the 16-year veteran hit just .197 and didn't homer in 61 at-bats against southpaws.

Ibanez would be used primarily as the club's designated hitter, with the trio of Curtis Granderson, Brett Gardner and Ichiro Suzuki expected to start in the outfield.

Paul Casella is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @paul_casella. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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