Yanks Trying To Rid Themselves Of Park

From Jayson Stark:

Here's a big name to add to your distinguished list of available relievers: Yankees trying to unload Chan Ho (7 HR in 32.1 IP) Park

Things obviously aren't working out for Park with the Yanks, so maybe a change of scenery will help him. Regardless, I doubt they're going to get much in return for him.

Moseley Could Be Bronx Bound

From Tim Bontemps:

After being scratched from his start for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last night, Dustin Moseley could be on his way to The Bronx.

The 28-year-old right-hander, who is 4-4 with a 4.21 ERA in 12 starts, was a late healthy scratch from his start against Rochester in favor of Kei Igawa. Because Moseley has an opt-out clause in his contract if he isn't on the major league roster by Thursday, there's a good chance he will be promoted in the next 48 hours.

As of last night, though, Yankees GM Brian Cashman said no decision had been made.

If he does get called up, and the Yankees decided to go with the extra pitcher, they could send Colin Curtis or Chad Huffman back to Scranton. The other option is going with an 11-man rotation, and either sending Chad Gaudin packing or optioning Boone Logan back down to Scranton. They could say goodbye to Chan Ho Park, but I think it's more likely that Gaudin or Logan are moved.

Chan Ho Park Pitching For SWB Yanks Tonight

According to Donnie Collins, the Yankees have just announced that Chan Ho Park will start and pitch one inning for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre tonight as he begins his rehab stint.

Park Ready To Begin Rehab Assignment

Chad Jennings reports that Chan Ho Park threw a 45-pitch bullpen session yesterday and is read to start making rehab appearances. His first will come on Wednesday in an extended spring training outing.

The Yankees will see how his body responds and will go from there.

“He might get two (rehab games),” Joe Girardi said. “We’ll make a judgment after Wednesday.”

...

Girardi said the Yankees are content with leaving Park in extended spring for all of his rehab. They only need him to pitch, they don’t need him to face advanced hitters.

Hopefully, everything goes smoothly and he can get back soon.

A Setback For Park

From Chad Jennings:

As expected, injured reliever Chan Ho Park went to the Yankees' spring-training complex in Florida on Monday. He threw long toss just fine, but when he tried to pitch off flat ground, his sore hamstring felt tight. Park will reevaluated by a doctor in Tampa today.

"He's not progressing as well as we want and we'll just continue to go slow," manager Joe Girardi said. "I can't tell you when he's going to get off the mound."

with the Yankees pen struggling a bit lately, they could definitely use another effective arm, so let's hope he can make it back sooner rather than later.

Park Hurts Hammy While Warming Up

Chan Jennings is reporting that Chan Ho Park felt something in his right hamstring while warming up in tonight's game and will be reevaluated tomorrow. This isn't his first time dealing with hamstring injuries, last year he had hamstring problems in the spring and again in September.

“A hamstring problem last year almost ended the season for me,” Park said. “But this is a different spot.”

Hopefully this isn't anything major and he can avoid the DL, but if he can't I assume a guy like Boone Logan will get the call.

Chan Ho Park is an Honest Man

I saw this over on WasWatching and had to post it. It's Chan Ho Park speaking with the media following his terrible opening night performance in Boston. Let's just say he explains why he wasn't at his best:

8th Inning Isn't Joba's Yet

From Joel Sherman:

Unlike with the fifth starter's job, the Yankees are comfortable going into the season without delineating a primary set-up man for Mariano Rivera.

It had been believed that if Joba Chamberlain failed to win the last rotation spot, he simply would become the main eighth-inning reliever. But manager Joe Girardi has said publicly that Chamberlain must earn that position, and several Yankees officials insisted to The Post that is not just said for effect or as a motivational ploy toward Chamberlain, a player the organization does worry about when he gets too comfortable.

Instead, early in the season, Girardi is leaning toward looking at multiple options and letting the results dictate how he proceeds.

...

"Guys will step up and let us know who should pitch in the eighth," pitching coach Dave Eiland said.

Sherman mentions that much of this is due to the "positive vibe" the Yankees have about Chan Ho Park and David Robertson. But regardless of their vibes, if the Yankees have a lead in the 8th inning on Sunday in Fenway, Joba will be the guy who gets the call, so I still think it's his job to lose.

That said, I'm glad the Yankees are at least publicly taking this stance. Not because it will help Joba, but because it shows that winning is still the only thing they care about. I'd give Joba some time to settle in a prove himself, but if the 8th inning isn't a comfortable inning by late April and Joba is pissing away leads, I'd like to see the Yankees put their money where their mouth is and give someone else a chance.

Park Came Here To Win A Ring

From Marc Carig:

Chan Ho Park has arrived. Says he had offers to start elsewhere, but took a bullpen job with NYY because he wants a ring.

Remember, this is a guy who rejected a $3 million dollar offer from the Phillies earlier this offseason because he supposedly wanted a longer contract and to be a starter. I guess the only teams that were willing to give him that were not contenders. Either way, it's good to see he's coming here for the right reasons.

Edwar Ramirez DFA

With Chan Ho Park's arrival at Yankees camp down in Tampa today, the Yanks needed to open up some space on the 40-man roster, so they did so by designating Edwar Ramirez for assignment. This looks like the end of the Edwar era.

In 96 career games with the Yankees from 2006-2009, Ramirez went 6-2, with 2 saves, a 5.22 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP. In 98.1 innings pitched he allowed 57 earned runs on 93 hits, allowed 19 long balls, walked 56, and struck out 116. A lot of strikeouts, a lot of walks, and too many homers. If he only had a better fastball to go with that changeup he could be a pretty dominating reliever. Good luck Edwar, I hope you catch on some place else.

Yanks Sign Park

From Thomas Harding:

Right-hander Chan Ho Park, who pitched for the National League champion Phillies in 2009, announced early Monday that he has reached a one-year agreement with the World Series champion Yankees, according to Korea's Yonhap News Agency.

Park, 36, a native of Korea, made the announcement at Park 61, a fitness center he opened in Seoul after last season, when he went 3-3 with a 4.43 ERA in 45 games, including seven starts, for the Phillies.

The press conference occurred after 1 a.m. ET. The Yankees have not made a formal announcement. The contract is reported to be for $1.2 million, with incentives that could net an extra $300,000, provided Park passes a physical.

$1.5 million is not going to hurt the Yankee financially, but I really didn't think the Yankees were ready to hand over another MLB contract--shows what I know. If Park can handle the AL East and pitch like he did out of the pen for the Phillies last year this could be a big addition for the Yanks. There is also the chance he'll struggle like he did the first time around in the AL, although all that was as a starter.

He will be working out of the pen for the Yanks, so anyone concerned that the Yankees might make him a starter can rest easy. Here's a quote from Park, via Chad Jennings:

“I wanted to play for a champion-caliber team this year again,” he said. “I am not certain how much longer I will play baseball, but it will be huge experience and memory to play with the Yankees.”

What are your thoughts on the Yankees most recent move?