Clemens Arrives in Washington

It was Knoblauch last week, Pettitte yesterday, and today it's Roger's turn. From the New York Post:

Clemens will go to Capitol Hill today to speak with staff members of a congressional committee about his alleged steroid use, one day after his friend and former teammate Pettitte did.

The Yankees New York Yankees lefty spent more than two hours behind closed doors yesterday giving a deposition to lawyers from the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

All of this is in preparation for the Feb. 13 hearing before committee about the allegations in the Mitchell Report that Clemens used steroids and human growth hormone.

UPDATE - Here are some quotes from Clemens about today's almost five-hour deposition: “I just want to thank the committee, the staff that I just met with, they were very courteous,” he said to reporters in the hearing room of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. “It was great to be able to tell them what I’ve been saying all along, that I’ve never used steroids or growth hormone. And I look forward to being here I guess in this room next week. So, thank you very much. Y’all have a good day.”

Rudy the Red Sock

Giuliani alienated many Yankee fans this past October when he said he was rooting for the Sox in the World Series because he's "an American league fan." Now Topps made has made a special insert dedicated to the back-stabbing former mayor, adding his image to the Red Sox World Series celebration. There will be one in every 70 packs. They are also already up for sale on EBAY.

Tip of the cap to River Ave. Blues for finding this.

Yanks, Bruney Agree on Deal

MLB.com is reporting that the Yankees and Brian Bruney avoided arbitration, and have agreed on a 0ne-year $725,000 deal. Bruney had asked for $845,000, while the Yankees offered $640,000.

He made $395,545 last season, when he went 3-2 with a 4.68 ERA in 58 appearances.

New York also has a preliminary agreement with second baseman Robinson Cano on a four-year, $30 million contract, a deal that still needs to be finalized.

Starting pitcher Chien-Ming Wang is the other Yankees player in arbitration. The righty asked for $4.6 million, and he was offered $4 million after going 19-7 in 2007, his second consecutive season with 19 wins.

Gotta Love Ticker Tape

For the first time since 2000, a New York team brings home a championship, and it's about time. The New York Football Giants ride through the Canyon of Heroes today after their stunning 17-14 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII on Sunday.

These parades had become so common in the late-90's that a lot of people, including myself, began to take them for granted. Then we went seven long years without one - seven long years filled with choke-jobs, and disappointment. But now the G-Men finally bring glory back to greatest city in the world.

This will be the first time the Giants will be honored with a parade in Manhattan.

The Giants are also holding a Welcome Home Victory Celebration at Giants Stadium after the parade. The celebration, originally scheduled for 2:30 PM today, was pushed back to 4:00PM. All fans are invited free of charge to join Giants players, coaches, and officials to honor this great triumph.

Jeter Settles Tax Dispute

From MLB.com:

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Derek Jeter settled his case with tax officials, who had said the Yankees captain should have paid three years of taxes as a New York State resident.

A state official confirmed the settlement, which was first reported in Tuesday's New York Daily News. The official was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Terms were not disclosed.

Tax officials contended Jeter should have been taxed as a state resident from 2001-03. Jeter, who has a Manhattan apartment, said he was a Florida resident and didn't owe New York taxes. Florida does not have a state income tax; New York state and city do.

Jeter's contract with the Yankees called for him to receive $11 million in 2001, $13 million in '02 and $14 million in '03. In addition, he has a $16 million signing bonus payable between February 2001 and June 2008.

Jeter bought an apartment at Trump World Tower in October 2001, according to New York City real-estate records.

At least this is out of the way before spring training begins in ten days. The Yankees have enough distractions going into the upcoming season.

# 34 Phil Hughes

As you know Phil Hughes is changing his number. Today on his blog today he said he liked the number 34 and that Sean Henn has no problem giving up the number. Hughes also said he offered to buy Henn dinner, and he likes the number because "3+4=7, my Mom’s favorite number, and 34 was the number of my favorite pitcher growing up, Nolan Ryan."

Rotoworld Top Yankees Prospects

Rotoworld.com came out with their list of top prospects for the AL East today, here is the Yankees top 15.

1. Joba Chamberlain - RHP - DOB: 09/23/85 - ETA: Now
4-0, 2.03 ERA, 25 H, 51/11 K/BB in 40 IP (A Tampa)
4-2, 3.35 ERA, 32 H, 66/15 K/BB in 40 1/3 IP (AA Trenton)
1-0, 0.00 ERA, 5 H, 18/1 K/BB in 8 IP (AAA Scranton)
2-0, 0.38 ERA, 12 H, 34/6 K/BB in 24 IP (AL New York)

2. Jose Tabata - OF - DOB: 08/12/88 - ETA: 2010
.307/.371/.392, 5 HR, 54 RBI, 70/33 K/BB, 15 SB in 411 AB (A Tampa)

3. Ian Kennedy - RHP - DOB: 12/19/84 - ETA: Now
6-1, 1.29 ERA, 39 H, 72/22 K/BB in 63 IP (A Tampa)
5-1, 2.59 ERA, 27 H, 57/17 K/BB in 48 2/3 IP (AA Trenton)
1-1, 2.08 ERA, 25 H, 34/11 K/BB in 34 2/3 IP (AAA Scranton)
1-0, 1.89 ERA, 13 H, 15/9 K/BB in 19 IP (AL New York)

4. Austin Jackson - OF - DOB: 02/01/87 - ETA: 2010
.260/.336/.374, 3 HR, 25 BI, 59/24 K/BB, 19 SB in 235 AB (A- Charleston)
.345/.398/.566, 10 HR, 34 RBI, 48/22 K/BB, 13 SB in 258 AB (A Tampa)
.333/.600/.667, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2/2 K/BB, 1 SB in 3 AB (AAA Scranton)

5. Alan Horne - RHP - DOB: 01/05/83 - ETA: Aug. 2008
12-4, 3.11 ERA, 149 H, 165/57 K/BB in 153 1/3 IP (AA Trenton)

6. Dellin Betances - RHP - DOB: 03/23/88 - ETA: 2011
1-2, 3.60 ERA, 24 H, 29/17 K/BB in 25 IP (SS-A Staten Island)

7. Jesus Montero - C - DOB: 11/28/89 - ETA: 2012
.280/.366/.421, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 18/12 K/BB, 0 SB in 107 AB (R GCL Yankees)

8. Daniel McCutchen - RHP - DOB: 09/26/82 - ETA: June 2009
11-2, 2.50 ERA, 86 H, 67/21 K/BB in 101 IP (A Tampa)
3-2, 2.41 ERA, 30 H, 36/12 K/BB in 41 IP (AA Trenton)

9. Humberto Sanchez - RHP - DOB: 05/28/83 - ETA: Aug. 2008

10. Jeff Marquez - RHP - DOB: 08/10/84 - ETA: Sept. 2008
15-9, 3.65 ERA, 166 H, 94/44 K/BB in 155 1/3 IP (AA Trenton)

11. 1B Juan Miranda, 12. RHP Jonathan Albaladejo, 13. OF Brett Gardner, 14. RHP Ross Ohlendorf, 15. RHP Kevin Whelan.

The Yankees' list really drops off after the top four, with Horne as the only other prospect set to make the Top 150. However, there's an awful lot of depth here. While their prospects in the 5-15 range don't match up so well, they probably have as much upside after No. 15 as any team. Andrew Brackman and Jairo Heredia are a couple of big-time arms, Austin Romine and Francisco Cervelli are interesting catcher prospects and there are several more potential setup men, with Mark Melancon leading the way.

Yanks Interested In Kenvin Mench

Ed Price of The Star Ledger says the Yankees have interest in Kevin Mench as a fifth outfielder. Last year with the Brewers he hit .267, with 8 HR, and 37 RBI.

Mench, 30, would probably go to Yankees camp on a minor-league contract. But he give the Yankees a right-handed option in the outfield, where Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and Bobby Abreu are lefties and Melky Cabrera is a switch-hitter. Shelley Duncan is right-handed but could win the first-base job.