Mussina gains ground in Hall of Fame voting

NEW YORK -- Mike Mussina received a small uptick in support from the voting members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America this year, but the former Orioles and Yankees right-hander still faces a long climb for induction to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Eligible for the second time, Mussina's name was checked by 24.6 percent of voters, appearing on 135 of the 549 ballots cast. Mussina was selected on 20.3 percent of ballots in 2014, and players must receive at least 75 percent for induction.

It is possible that Mussina could receive greater consideration from voters next season, now that five elite starters have been cleared from the ballot with tickets for Cooperstown in the past two years: Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez and John Smoltz.

Pitching for 10 seasons with Baltimore (1991-2000) and eight with New York (2001-08), Mussina compiled a lifetime record of 270-153 with a 3.68 ERA. A five-time All-Star and seven-time Gold Glove Award winner who spent his entire career in the American League East, Mussina won at least 15 games in 11 seasons and recorded 2,813 strikeouts, good for 19th all-time.

Mussina a consistent winner

Mussina caps off his 270-win career on a high note

Five-time All-Star and seven-time Gold Glover Mike Mussina collected 270 wins and capped off a 20-win season in the final year of his career

Mussina enjoyed one of his best seasons in 1999, going 18-7 with a 3.50 ERA, but he finished second behind Martinez's otherworldly statistics for the 1999 AL Cy Young Award -- one of Mussina's six top-five finishes in Cy Young voting.

That was part of a pattern establishing Mussina as a "Mr. Almost" of sorts; he came within one inning of celebrating a World Series title with the 2001 Yankees and was one strike away from a perfect game in '01 at Fenway Park, a bid shattered by a Carl Everett single. Mussina retired after the '08 campaign as the oldest pitcher to record a 20-win season for the first time.

There is hope for Mussina's case. The most recent example of a Hall of Fame starter who received a lower total than Mussina in his first year is Bert Blyleven, who was named on just 17.5 percent of ballots when he appeared on the 1998 ballot and was finally elected in 2011. Don Drysdale also only reached 21 percent on the 1975 ballot, but he was inducted in 1984.

Voters reviewing Mussina's numbers may want to consider that only four pitchers have made at least 500 starts with a better winning percentage than Mussina's .638: Christy Mathewson, Grover Cleveland Alexander, Johnson and Roger Clemens.

"People are going to talk about it any number of ways," Mussina has said. "I'm just glad that I've achieved enough and made enough of an impression that people are going to include me in the conversation."

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.

14.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Big Unit, Pedro, Smoltz, Biggio make Hall of Fame

Johnson received 97.3 percent of the vote from the BBWAA, Martinez 91.1 percent, Smoltz 82.9 percent and Biggio 82.7 percent. Mike Piazza fell 28 votes shy at 69.9 percent, and Jeff Bagwell received 55.7 percent. Piazza crept inevitably closer, rising from 62.2 percent last year. This year, 549 ballots were cast by eligible BBWAA members with 10 or more consecutive years in the organization. Seventy-five percent is needed to earn induction into Cooperstown, 412 votes this year. Last year, when first-timers Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Frank Thomas were elected, Biggio missed by only two votes.

MLB insiders share HOF ballots

MLB insiders share their Hall of Fame ballots

Joel Sherman, Peter Gammons, Ken Rosenthal, Jon Heyman and Tom Verducci share their 2015 Hall of Fame ballots

"Last year [going into the announcement], I was totally fine," said Biggio, who played his entire 20-year career with the Astros. "It definitely wasn't the same. I was a nervous dog this morning. I haven't been this anxious in a long time. It's a super, special building, and [it's a great thing] to be invited in it at any time. We were hoping that we'd get a couple of more votes to get us over the top, and we did. I'm just glad I'm able to be a part of it, whether it's in my first, second or third year. It's an overwhelming and humbling experience." 

The new quartet of electees will be inducted on July 26 in Cooperstown, N.Y., during the second day of the annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend ceremonies. Unlike last year when the Expansion Era Committee elected managers Bobby Cox, Joe Torre and Tony La Russa, there were no electees this year from the Golden Era Committee that considered nine players and one executive whose careers were prominent from 1947-72.

"I'd like to congratulate all the other inductees for their great careers and accolades," Johnson said. "It's all well-deserved. They were all great competitors. Further, I'd also like to thank all the [members of the] Baseball Writers' [Association] of America for making this possible. And then honestly, there are so many other people to thank: all of the various teammates on the teams I played for and the fan base. The list goes on."

Biggio joins 24 other 3,000-hit players in the Hall. Save for Pete Rose (who is serving a lifetime suspension for betting on baseball and is not eligible for the Hall of Fame), Rafael Palmeiro (who was once suspended for performance-enhancing drugs and is no longer on the ballot) and Derek Jeter (who retired this past season with 3,465 hits and is eligible for the Hall in 2020), Biggio was the only player with 3,000 or more hits who had not been elected.

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"I mean, it's a great feeling," Biggio said. "To be in the Hall of Fame and to be one of those guys who has 3,000 hits, it's a hard thing to do and especially in the National League. The only way to get 3,000 hits in the NL is that you have to go out there and play every day. That's why I think it's a little bit harder, because you have to do the offensive and defensive side of things. To be able to be a 3,000-hit guy and play in the NL and be in the Hall of Fame, it's a pretty cool feeling."

Johnson, with 303 wins, was a certain first-ballot selection. His 4,875 whiffs are the most ever by a left-hander and second behind Nolan Ryan's all-time record (5,714). Johnson played for six teams, winning his 300th game for the Giants in 2009, pitching a perfect game for the D-backs in 2004 against the Braves and sharing the 2001 World Series MVP Award with teammate Curt Schilling as the D-backs beat the Yankees in seven games. He won five Cy Young Awards, one in the American League for Seattle in 1995, and four in a row in the National League for Arizona from 1999-2002.

Johnson humbled by HOF election

Johnson humbled by election into Hall of Fame

Randy Johnson discusses being elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame alongside the game's greatest players

Johnson said he was most proud of his durability.

"And my tenacity to want to stay out there and pitch," he said. "It was fun. I enjoyed it, despite what some people thought. I wasn't out there smiling and laughing a lot, but I enjoyed the competition and I tried to make it last as long as I could. There were bumps along the way with the [back] injuries that I had. But every player has those and you have to overcome that adversity. Playing 22 years at the Major League level was something I could never have imagined."

Martinez, another first-time candidate, pitched for five teams in 18 seasons, but his claim to fame centered on the seven seasons (1998-2004) he pitched for the Red Sox, for whom he had a remarkable 117-37 record. His career record was 219-100, and his winning percentage of .687 is the sixth best all-time. Martinez won the Cy Young Award three times, twice while with Boston, including 1999, when he took the AL's pitching Triple Crown with a career-high 23 wins, a 2.07 ERA and 313 strikeouts.

"I was very aggressive," Martinez said. "I consider myself a power pitcher with some finesse added to it. I'm very happy that I'm going in with this group. I was very precise with my mechanics. My legs were the ultimate dictator to my success and power. I didn't have the height and strength. I had to do a lot of exercises to maintain my shoulder and remain in the big leagues."

Pedro on Hall of Fame election

Pedro Martinez reacts to Hall of Fame election

Pedro Martinez discusses being elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on his first ballot

Smoltz -- also on the ballot for the first time -- is set to join Cox, Maddux and Glavine in the Hall. The three starting pitchers played together on the Braves under Cox's tutelage for 10 seasons. Smoltz had 213 wins and 154 saves, and he enjoyed the longest consecutive tenure with Atlanta of the trio of Hall of Fame pitchers. The right-hander played 20 seasons for a Braves team that went to the playoffs in 14 consecutive non-strike seasons from 1991-2005, captured five NL pennants and won the 1995 World Series. Smoltz was a huge part of all that winning, posting a 15-4 mark in the postseason, four wins fewer than Yankees left-hander Andy Pettitte, who holds the playoff record with 19 victories.

Smoltz said he's not in the same the class as Maddux, who won 355 games, and Glavine, who won 305, though he has now joined them as first-year electees in the Hall of Fame.

"I had the best opportunity to play with two of the greatest pitchers in the game," Smoltz said. "At this point, I can't put myself in anybody's category, let alone the Hall of Fame. It will hit me when I get there. I'm not comfortable with titles, but I will relish this one and will for the rest of my life. The three of us share such a unique bond that I don't think anyone really feels any different from the other person, although I can tell you that I'm not in their class when it comes to the numbers they put up."

Smoltz on Hall of Fame honor

Smoltz discusses being elected to Hall of Fame

John Smoltz discusses the honor of being elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on his first ballot

Beyond Piazza, no one else was close. Bagwell needed 106 more votes, and Tim Raines, with only two years left on the ballot under the new 10-year eligibility rule, settled at 55 percent.

The other players most affected by the shadow of performance-enhancing drugs didn't move the needle much, either. Roger Clemens (37.5 percent) and Barry Bonds (36.8 percent) moved up a few ticks. Mark McGwire (10 percent) and Sammy Sosa (6.6 percent) barely remained on the ballot. A player needs 5 percent of the vote each year to carry over.

In his final year on the ballot, Don Mattingly, grandfathered in under the old eligibility rules of 15 years, received 50 votes (9.1 percent), and he'll be eligible for consideration by the Expansion Era Committee in two years.

Gone from the ballot for not receiving the requisite 5 percent are Carlos Delgado (3.8), Troy Percival (0.7), Aaron Boone (0.4), Tom Gordon (0.4), Darin Erstad (0.2), along with a group that didn't receive any votes: Rich Aurilia, Tony Clark, Jermaine Dye, Cliff Floyd, Brian Giles, Eddie Guardado and Jason Schmidt.

Name	Votes	Percentage	Years on ballot
Randy Johnson	534	97.3	1
Pedro Martinez	500	91.1	1
John Smoltz	455	82.9	1
Craig Biggio	454	82.7	3
Mike Piazza	384	69.9	3
Jeff Bagwell	306	55.7	5
Tim Raines	302	55	8
Curt Schilling	215	39.2	3
Roger Clemens	206	37.5	3
Barry Bonds	202	36.8	3
Lee Smith	166	30.2	13
Edgar Martinez	148	27	6
Alan Trammell	138	25.1	14
Mike Mussina	135	24.6	2
Jeff Kent	77	14	2
Fred McGriff	71	12.9	6
Larry Walker	65	11.8	5
Gary Sheffield	64	11.7	1
Mark McGwire	55	10	9
Don Mattingly	50	9.1	15
Sammy Sosa	36	6.6	3
Nomar Garciaparra	30	5.5	1
Carlos Delgado	21	3.8	1
Troy Percival	4	0.7	1
Aaron Boone	2	0.4	1
Tom Gordon	2	0.4	1
Darin Erstad	1	0.2	1
Rich Aurilia	0	0	1
Tony Clark	0	0	1
Jermaine Dye	0	0	1
Cliff Floyd	0	0	1
Brian Giles	0	0	1
Eddie Guardado	0	0	1
Jason Schmidt	0	0	1

Barry M. Bloom is a national reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog, Boomskie on Baseball. Follow @boomskie on Twitter. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

14.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Source: Yankees finalizing 1-year deal with Drew

NEW YORK -- The Yankees are finalizing a one-year agreement with infielder Stephen Drew, who is expected to return to the club as their starting second baseman for the 2015 season.

The deal, which was not confirmed by the club, will be worth approximately $5 million plus performance bonuses, according to a source familiar with the negotiations, and is pending the passing of a physical.

Drew, who turns 32 in March, is hoping to bounce back after a lost 2014 season in which he rejected a qualifying offer from the Red Sox and missed Spring Training before eventually re-signing with Boston. He did not appear in a big league game until June 2.

After struggling with the Red Sox, batting .176 in 39 games, Drew was traded to the Yankees on July 31 in exchange for infielder Kelly Johnson. Playing second base for the first time in his professional career, Drew batted .150 with three home runs and 15 RBIs in 46 games for New York.

Drew is regarded as a more than capable defensive shortstop, but the Yankees executed a three-team trade in December to acquire Didi Gregorius from the D-backs, envisioning that the athletic Gregorius would serve as Derek Jeter's successor at shortstop and possibly share at-bats with Brendan Ryan in a platoon.

It is expected that Drew will see the majority of his time at second base. Following last month's trade of Martin Prado to the Marlins, the Yankees had said that they were comfortable going forward with a spring competition for second base that would have included 23-year-old Rob Refsnyder and 25-year-old Jose Pirela.

The Yankees hope that with the benefit of a regular offseason and spring, Drew will be able to return to the form he showed as Boston's starting shortstop in 2013, when he helped the club to a World Series title by batting .253 with 13 home runs and 67 RBIs in 124 games.

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.

14.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

New year finds Yanks' roster younger, more versatile

"We're clearly going to continue to be open-minded to any legitimate opportunities; something that fits within our current circumstances," Cashman said recently. "That will continue as we move forward to Spring Training and as we move forward into the season."

Beginning on Nov. 12, when the Yankees acquired left-hander Justin Wilson from the Pirates in exchange for backup catcher Francisco Cervelli, Cashman's Yankees have executed six trades while pulling two of the winter's major free agents off the board in left-hander Andrew Miller and third baseman Chase Headley.

The result is what the Yankees believe will be a deeper and more diverse roster than the one that produced 84 victories and a second-place finish in the American League East. As 2015 begins, here is an overview of what has already been done in each area and some thoughts on what may be next:

Starting pitching
Adding depth to the rotation was a priority, as Masahiro Tanaka, CC Sabathia and Michael Pineda will all enter the 2015 campaign with injury-related questions. The reports have been encouraging on Sabathia's workouts, while Tanaka and Pineda both completed the regular season as healthy players in the club's estimation.

Right-hander Nathan Eovaldi was acquired from the Marlins in a Dec. 19 five-player deal that saw the Yankees give up right-hander David Phelps and versatile infielder Martin Prado. The Yanks are excited about Eovaldi's arm strength, strike-throwing ability and assortment of pitches.

Yankees acquire three

Yanks acquire RHPs Eovaldi, German and 1B/OF Jones

The Yankees traded Martin Prado and David Phelps to the Marlins for Nathan Eovaldi, Garrett Jones and Domingo German

Eovaldi is not advertised as a finished product, having led the National League with 223 hits allowed and recorded just 142 strikeouts in 199 2/3 innings. He turns 25 in February, and the Yanks believe that Eovaldi's stuff will translate into more strikeouts as well as outs on balls in play. He's also under team control for three more seasons.

Though the Yankees lost Brandon McCarthy (free agent, to the Dodgers) and Shane Greene (trade, to the Tigers) from last year's rotation, they re-signed Chris Capuano to a one-year, $5 million deal in December, bringing the 35-year-old back after the lefty went 2-3 with a 4.25 ERA in 12 starts for New York last season. Yankees executives were impressed by Capuano's influence, both on the mound and in the clubhouse, where his high pitching IQ rubbed off on others.

Thus far, the Yankees have resisted the temptation to enter the push for free agents Max Scherzer and James Shields, with both Cashman and team president Randy Levine publicly downplaying the likelihood of Scherzer landing in the Bronx. Already carrying nine-figure commitments to Tanaka and Sabathia, the Yanks have indicated that they do not plan to add another big contract to their rotation.

Bullpen
With the Yankees declining to make an offer to David Robertson, who instead accepted a four-year pact from the White Sox, New York will boast its fourth closer in four seasons. The Yankees believe that the next closer is on this roster already, setting up a spring where right-hander Dellin Betances and Miller can both state their cases for the job.

Betances and Miller were elite setup men last season, with Miller excelling for the Red Sox and Orioles, but have just two career saves between them. The Yanks were drawn to Miller's devastating fastball-slider combo, which comes from a three-quarters angle and has been tough on both lefties and righties, giving him a four-year deal worth $36 million in December.

Yanks acquire David Carpenter

Yankees acquire Carpenter, Shreve from Braves

Bryan Hoch talks Yankees pen after the club acquired David Carpenter and Chasen Shreve from the Braves for pitching prospect Manny Banuelos

After dealing Shawn Kelley to the Padres for Johnny Barbato, a right-handed starter who might need Tommy John surgery, the Yanks filled that void quickly by triggering a New Year's Day trade with the Braves that brought right-hander David Carpenter and left-hander Chasen Shreve to the Bronx.

That move cost the club Manny Banuelos, once touted as the Yanks' top pitching prospect before injuries interrupted his path. They deemed it a worthwhile gamble to score a setup man in Carpenter -- vouched for by Brian McCann, who caught Carpenter's terrific 2013 season in Atlanta -- as well as a lottery ticket pickup in Shreve. Carpenter has a track record of being especially tough on righties.

The Yanks believe that Wilson will earn a bullpen spot, coming off a season in which he logged a 4.20 ERA in 70 appearances for the Pirates. New York also re-signed right-hander Esmil Rogers and acquired right-hander Gonzalez Germen in a December cash deal from the Mets. Those hurlers, plus a stable of young arms that include Jacob Lindgren, Tyler Webb and Nick Rumbelow, could help a Yankee bullpen that ranked 19th in the Majors in ERA last year.

Infield
How do you replace a first-ballot Hall of Famer like Derek Jeter? The Yankees hope the answer is to just ask Didi Gregorius to be himself. Gregorius turns 25 in February and projects to give the Yankees a defensive upgrade at shortstop, with potential to grow offensively -- particularly with a left-handed swing that could fit Yankee Stadium nicely.

He batted .247 with a .706 OPS against right-handers last season but struggled against lefties (7-for-51, .137), so the Yanks plan to have Brendan Ryan platoon with Gregorius to begin the season. Still, the Yankees like Gregorius' defense and baserunning ability, while believing that his plate discipline is better than advertised.

Girardi wants Didi to be himself

Girardi believes Gregorius will blossom in New York

Joe Girardi likes the addition of Didi Gregorius and hopes he plays his brand of baseball without worrying about replacing Derek Jeter

Re-signing Headley to a four-year, $52 million deal gave the club a solid option at third base, where it didn't know what to expect from Alex Rodriguez. Instead, Rodriguez will get his crack to serve as the everyday DH, but will have competition in lefty slugger Garrett Jones, who was acquired from the Marlins.

Jones should also see time backing up Mark Teixeira at first base, though the Yankees are hoping Teixeira will be stronger and more productive in his second season back from right wrist surgery; the resurgences of Jose Bautista and David Ortiz from similar procedures offer reason for optimism in that regard.

Dealing Prado opened up a youthful spring competition at second base, where the Yanks project to have a quartet of players -- Rob Refsnyder and Jose Pirela, plus non-roster invitees Nick Noonan and Cole Figueroa -- battling for the attention of the coaching staff.

The Yanks like the bats of both Refsnyder and Pirela, the latter of whom saw some September time with the club in 2014. Refsnyder's fielding was said to be an issue last season, but the Yankees saw improvement as the year went on and now believe that criticism may be louder outside the organization than within it.

By dealing Cervelli to Pittsburgh, the Yanks have set up a spring battle between John Ryan Murphy and Austin Romine to serve as McCann's backup catcher. Romine is out of Minor League options, but Murphy's defense and savvy have won him praise within the organization.

Outfield
With Brett Gardner, Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran ringing the outfield from left to right, the Yankees head into 2015 with three locked-in starters, assuming that Beltran returns from right elbow surgery with no issues. In Beltran's case, the club expects something closer to the production he had with the Cardinals in 2013 (.296 batting average, 24 homers, 84 RBIs), which would represent an instant upgrade to the lineup.

New York re-signed Chris Young to a one-year, $2.5 million deal in November, and the 31-year-old Young will have the assignment of backing up at all three positions. As Ichiro Suzuki proved over the last couple of seasons, it's a role that can present the opportunity for more at-bats than anticipated.

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.

14.24 | 0 komentar | Read More

Jeter's swan song one for the ages

"This is all I've ever wanted to do, and not too many people get the opportunity to do it," Jeter said that evening. "It was above and beyond anything that I've ever dreamt of. I've lived a dream since I was 4 or 5 years old, and part of that dream is over now."

Jeter's exit was one of the most prominent and unforgettable storylines of the 2014 season. The journey began on the morning of Feb. 12, when Jeter gave approval to a lengthy Facebook post that he had spent the previous evening crafting; by clicking the "Post" button, the countdown was officially on.

"I didn't want to be forced to retire due to injury," said Jeter, whose 2013 season ended after a Sept. 7 broken ankle. "The organization gave me a chance to come back and play one final year. I get the fact that not everyone has an opportunity. You can only do this job for so long, I don't care who you are. The shot clock runs out. I'm happy that I was able to have this one last year."

As with Mariano Rivera in 2013, Jeter was lauded at each of the Yanks' road stops, graciously accepting gifts in pregame ceremonies that he never seemed completely comfortable attending. As he'd later remark, it almost felt like being a guest at his own funeral, but he tried to enjoy the kind words as much as possible.

Jeter savored his 14th and final All-Star Game selection and was touched by the Derek Jeter Day ceremonies in early September. But he detested the term "farewell tour," believing that it implied that his presence in the lineup was more important than the goal of winning games.

Like any treasured book, the ending might have been the best part of the tale. That night of Sept. 25 saw Jeter -- that cool and unflappable king of New York's back pages for two decades -- emotionally wrecked.

He lost a batting glove, forgot to strap on his elbow guard and retreated to the dugout bathroom often to hide his tears. At one point, he felt like a scared Little Leaguer, hoping that the ball wouldn't be hit to him.

2 Witness An Icon: A Bronx end

Torre on Jeter's unforgettable final home game

Joe Torre talks about the emotional and unforgettable final home game for the Captain on MLB Network's "Derek Jeter: 2 Witness An Icon"

"I don't know if the cameras were on me close, but there were a couple times I almost broke down," Jeter said. "I was almost thinking to myself, 'Get me out of here before I do something to cost us this game.' It's funny how things change, I guess."

It took a special set of circumstances to even engineer Jeter's Hollywood exit. Closer David Robertson coughed up a late three-run lead to the Orioles, so Jeter was nudged up for one more Stadium at-bat, trailed by the last airing of the late public address announcer Bob Sheppard's voice.

"Now batting for the Yankees, No. 2, Derek Jeter, No. 2."

With his parents, Charles and Dorothy, watching from the first row behind home plate, Jeter flicked his wrists at an Evan Meek fastball, sending pinch-runner Antoan Richardson home with the winning run.

"You think about all the big hits that he's had in his career, and all the things that he's done to help this club win championships and divisions," manager Joe Girardi said. "He's been here since the run that started in '96. I don't think there's a more fitting way for it to end."

Out of respect for the Red Sox and their fans, Jeter took four more at-bats as the designated hitter that weekend at Fenway Park, legging out a run-scoring infield single in his last at-bat -- a high chopper to third baseman Garin Cecchini that wrapped his career with 3,465 hits, sixth all time and the most ever by a Yankee.

Jeter requested a pinch-runner, his numbers frozen with a lifetime .310 average to go along with his five World Series rings. The franchise leader in games played (2,747), at-bats (11,195), runs, doubles (544), and stolen bases (358), Jeter's next stops will be in Monument Park and Cooperstown.

"I've had a blast," Jeter said. "Listen, I got an opportunity to do what I wanted to do -- the only thing that I ever wanted to do. I know that not a lot of people can say that. I've been fortunate, but I've had fun. There isn't a thing that I would change."

The "Core Four" is gone now, and even more incredibly, just four players remain from the Yankees' most recent World Series championship in 2009. With that period of transition well underway, Jeter's advice to envisioned successor Didi Gregorius is to appreciate the job as much as he always did.

"For me, I'm happy being known as a Yankee," Jeter said. "That's the only thing I've ever wanted to be, was the shortstop of the New York Yankees, and I had an opportunity to do that for 20 years. Being remembered as a Yankee is good enough for me."

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.

14.24 | 0 komentar | Read More

Yankees interested in bringing back Randolph

NEW YORK -- The Yankees recently interviewed Willie Randolph for a position on the team's coaching staff, MLB.com has learned.

Randolph is believed to have met with the club in November, shortly following the dismissals of hitting coach Kevin Long and infield coach Mick Kelleher. News of Randolph's interview was first reported on Monday by CBS Sports.

The Yankees' interest in Randolph would be to fill the position previously held by Kelleher, working with the club's infielders and coaching first base during games.

New York interviewed several candidates for their open coaching slots in late October and November but were unable to find a match. General manager Brian Cashman said the team decided to shelve that pursuit of coaches until the new year, opting to focus instead on the free-agent and trade markets.

Randolph, 60, played 13 of his 18 seasons with the Yankees and won six World Series rings in pinstripes, including four as a coach. He managed the Mets from 2005-08 and last held an on-field position as a third-base coach with the Orioles in 2011.

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.

14.24 | 0 komentar | Read More

Former NY governor Cuomo dies at 82, played in Minors

Mario Cuomo, the former governor of New York and an avid baseball fan, passed away on Thursday at the age of 82.

Cuomo was also a ballplayer, seeing time in 81 games with the Class-D Minor League Brunswick Pirates during the 1952 season.

A 20-year-old center fielder with the club, Cuomo hit .244 with a total of 62 hits, including one home run and 10 doubles.

Cuomo served as governor of New York from 1983 to 1994 and became known nationally for his ability to share his story of humble beginnings as a son of Italian immigrants.

While Cuomo dreamed of one day playing in the Majors, he knew it was a near impossible feat.

"I've gotten some things done [in my life]," Cuomo told MLB.com in 2007. "But I never thought of myself as a Major Leaguer, or good enough to be one. The first good player I watched as a kid was Joe DiMaggio, and that was like ballet. Since then, I played sandlot and college ball and came to understand how difficult it can be.

"Then you get some madman in the Minors throwing the ball 100 miles an hour and not knowing where it's going to wind up. And on one occasion it wound up in the back of my head. So, it didn't occur to me to ever be that good [in baseball]. God had other plans for me."

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

14.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Inbox: Will the Yankees look to bolster rotation?

There are legitimate questions about all three of the pitchers you mentioned, and though the additions of Nathan Eovaldi and Chris Capuano give the Yankees a five-man rotation that they'd feel comfortable going forward with (while keeping the light on for Ivan Nova's expected summer return), there is also a sense that the Yankees are not done adding just yet. I would expect to see a few more names in that mix come Feb. 20.

If Tanaka is able to be who he was for the first 17 starts last season and if Pineda looks like he did when he was actually on the mound, they could be in good shape, especially if Sabathia can bounce back from surgery and give them the 30-32 starts that he's talked about. Now, realize that those are three pretty big "if" scenarios, and it's easy to come up with counter-arguments of why it might not work out.

Click here to submit an Inbox question.

Thus far, the Yankees have been adamant that they have no interest in adding another nine-figure salary to the books, resisting the outside cries to get involved with the chases for top free agents like Max Scherzer and James Shields.

Eovaldi gives them a young, hard thrower with a good amount of strike-throwing ability and Capuano provides a positive influence with a high pitching IQ, so it's a good start to round out the back end. The Yankees had 13 different guys make starts for them last season; you can't really ever completely prepare for injury problems like that, but you can certainly try.

Since Hiroki Kuroda and Derek Jeter are no longer on the payroll, wouldn't that clear space for signing Scherzer?
-- Jose C., Utuado, P.R.

Not necessarily. Kuroda and Jeter accounted for $28 million of last year's payroll, but most of that sizable chunk was immediately swallowed up when Alex Rodriguez's $22 million salary for 2015 came back on the books.

Some initially believed the recent Marlins trade was an indication that the Yanks were freeing up money for a Scherzer push, but general manager Brian Cashman called it "almost a wash" in terms of saving money because the Yanks ate $6 million of Martin Prado's salary while taking on $5 million with Garrett Jones. They also spent $5 million on Capuano.

There are those in the game who remain skeptical that the Yankees will truly resist the Scherzer sweepstakes. No matter what, it appears the Yankees will be have a payroll over $200 million again -- a number that managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner has said that teams shouldn't have to exceed in order to win a World Series.

Any chance the Yankees go after a closer and give Dellin Betances another year to develop?
-- John Y., Commack, N.Y.

They were linked to Sergio Romo before he re-signed with the Giants, but those talks never seemed very serious. Yankees people are very comfortable with the idea that their next closer is already on this roster. Between Andrew Miller and Betances, they could have a dominant left-right combination that is capable of getting outs, no matter which inning they're deployed in. Spring Training will guide the ultimate decision.

Do the Yankees have any intention of trying to trade for Troy Tulowitzki? I understand he has two bad hips and is owed a lot of money but a healthy Tulo could boost the Yankees' lineup.
-- Jon R., Brooklyn

There were reports that the Yankees checked in with the Rockies about Tulowitzki recently, but I've been told there was not much substance to those discussions. In theory, the Rockies would have to eat a significant portion of the $118 million Tulowitzki is owed, and you'd at least like to see Tulo resume baseball activities before parting with talented prospects and assuming an investment of that size.

Could those talks be revisited in Spring Training? Perhaps, stranger things have happened, and who better to import than a guy who actually wears Jeter's "Driven" cologne? But the Yanks are looking forward to seeing Didi Gregorius grow into the shortstop position, and as of now that has been locked in as the plan.

Who will be the backup catcher?
-- Todd C., Staten Island, N.Y.

The Yanks are high on John Ryan Murphy, who seemed to leapfrog Austin Romine on the depth chart last season and showed veteran savvy in handling the pitching staff. Romine will be out of Minor League options, so he'll either win the job from Murphy or be cut loose.

Gary Sanchez, the Yanks' No. 2 prospect according to MLB.com, will also be in camp. He is expected to begin the season at Triple-A, but Sanchez could see time in the Majors this year.

Which everyday player do you see being the leader of this team now that Jeter is retired?
-- Jonathan V., Staten Island, N.Y.

I believe you're going to see Brian McCann step into more of a leadership role over the next few seasons, but he won't be alone. It has been suggested that guys might have tried to stay in the background last year out of deference to Jeter, so even though the Yanks won't have an official captain, you may hear and read about several players being more actively vocal.

Carlos Beltran and Mark Teixeira are both well-respected in that room, and Brett Gardner has grown into more of a team spokesman in recent seasons. Before his suspension, Rodriguez was also a strong influence on some of the younger players and it will be intriguing to see how he re-assimilates into the mix.

Which pitchers in the Yankees' farm system have the best chance of being in the big leagues in 2015?
-- David K., Washington, D.C.

In no particular order, I would keep an eye on Jacob Lindgren, Nick Rumbelow and Tyler Webb to try and make the jump after their impressive 2014 seasons. A couple of other names to keep eyes on are Danny Burawa and Branden Pinder, both of whom were added to the 40-man roster in November.

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.

14.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Jeter's swan song one for the ages

"This is all I've ever wanted to do, and not too many people get the opportunity to do it," Jeter said that evening. "It was above and beyond anything that I've ever dreamt of. I've lived a dream since I was 4 or 5 years old, and part of that dream is over now."

Jeter's exit was one of the most prominent and unforgettable storylines of the 2014 season. The journey began on the morning of Feb. 12, when Jeter gave approval to a lengthy Facebook post that he had spent the previous evening crafting; by clicking the "Post" button, the countdown was officially on.

"I didn't want to be forced to retire due to injury," said Jeter, whose 2013 season ended after a Sept. 7 broken ankle. "The organization gave me a chance to come back and play one final year. I get the fact that not everyone has an opportunity. You can only do this job for so long, I don't care who you are. The shot clock runs out. I'm happy that I was able to have this one last year."

As with Mariano Rivera in 2013, Jeter was lauded at each of the Yanks' road stops, graciously accepting gifts in pregame ceremonies that he never seemed completely comfortable attending. As he'd later remark, it almost felt like being a guest at his own funeral, but he tried to enjoy the kind words as much as possible.

Jeter savored his 14th and final All-Star Game selection and was touched by the Derek Jeter Day ceremonies in early September. But he detested the term "farewell tour," believing that it implied that his presence in the lineup was more important than the goal of winning games.

Like any treasured book, the ending might have been the best part of the tale. That night of Sept. 25 saw Jeter -- that cool and unflappable king of New York's back pages for two decades -- emotionally wrecked.

He lost a batting glove, forgot to strap on his elbow guard and retreated to the dugout bathroom often to hide his tears. At one point, he felt like a scared Little Leaguer, hoping that the ball wouldn't be hit to him.

2 Witness An Icon: A Bronx end

Torre on Jeter's unforgettable final home game

Joe Torre talks about the emotional and unforgettable final home game for the Captain on MLB Network's "Derek Jeter: 2 Witness An Icon"

"I don't know if the cameras were on me close, but there were a couple times I almost broke down," Jeter said. "I was almost thinking to myself, 'Get me out of here before I do something to cost us this game.' It's funny how things change, I guess."

It took a special set of circumstances to even engineer Jeter's Hollywood exit. Closer David Robertson coughed up a late three-run lead to the Orioles, so Jeter was nudged up for one more Stadium at-bat, trailed by the last airing of the late public address announcer Bob Sheppard's voice.

"Now batting for the Yankees, No. 2, Derek Jeter, No. 2."

With his parents, Charles and Dorothy, watching from the first row behind home plate, Jeter flicked his wrists at an Evan Meek fastball, sending pinch-runner Antoan Richardson home with the winning run.

"You think about all the big hits that he's had in his career, and all the things that he's done to help this club win championships and divisions," manager Joe Girardi said. "He's been here since the run that started in '96. I don't think there's a more fitting way for it to end."

Out of respect for the Red Sox and their fans, Jeter took four more at-bats as the designated hitter that weekend at Fenway Park, legging out a run-scoring infield single in his last at-bat -- a high chopper to third baseman Garin Cecchini that wrapped his career with 3,465 hits, sixth all time and the most ever by a Yankee.

Jeter requested a pinch-runner, his numbers frozen with a lifetime .310 average to go along with his five World Series rings. The franchise leader in games played (2,747), at-bats (11,195), runs, doubles (544), and stolen bases (358), Jeter's next stops will be in Monument Park and Cooperstown.

"I've had a blast," Jeter said. "Listen, I got an opportunity to do what I wanted to do -- the only thing that I ever wanted to do. I know that not a lot of people can say that. I've been fortunate, but I've had fun. There isn't a thing that I would change."

The "Core Four" is gone now, and even more incredibly, just four players remain from the Yankees' most recent World Series championship in 2009. With that period of transition well underway, Jeter's advice to envisioned successor Didi Gregorius is to appreciate the job as much as he always did.

"For me, I'm happy being known as a Yankee," Jeter said. "That's the only thing I've ever wanted to be, was the shortstop of the New York Yankees, and I had an opportunity to do that for 20 years. Being remembered as a Yankee is good enough for me."

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.

14.24 | 0 komentar | Read More

Former NY governor Cuomo dies at 82, played in Minors

Mario Cuomo, the former governor of New York and an avid baseball fan, passed away on Thursday at the age of 82.

Cuomo was also a ballplayer, seeing time in 81 games with the Class-D Minor League Brunswick Pirates during the 1952 season.

A 20-year-old center fielder with the club, Cuomo hit .244 with a total of 62 hits, including one home run and 10 doubles.

Cuomo served as governor of New York from 1983 to 1994 and became known nationally for his ability to share his story of humble beginnings as a son of Italian immigrants.

While Cuomo dreamed of one day playing in the Majors, he knew it was a near impossible feat.

"I've gotten some things done [in my life]," Cuomo told MLB.com in 2007. "But I never thought of myself as a Major Leaguer, or good enough to be one. The first good player I watched as a kid was Joe DiMaggio, and that was like ballet. Since then, I played sandlot and college ball and came to understand how difficult it can be.

"Then you get some madman in the Minors throwing the ball 100 miles an hour and not knowing where it's going to wind up. And on one occasion it wound up in the back of my head. So, it didn't occur to me to ever be that good [in baseball]. God had other plans for me."

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

14.25 | 0 komentar | Read More