GM Meetings Begin Today

From Peter Abraham:

With the contracts of six significant players expiring, the Yankees have the opportunity and resources to change the composition of their roster to better compete with Tampa Bay and Boston. That process will get started this week at the annual general manager meetings, which start today.

It is unlikely any significant moves will be made this week. Teams can negotiate only with their own free agents until Nov. 14 and the trade market has not yet fully developed. Traditionally, the GM Meetings serve mainly as a precursor to the larger Winter Meetings, which start Dec. 8 in Las Vegas.

Although it was at the GM Meetings last season when the Philadelphia Phillies obtained closer Brad Lidge from the Houston Astros. Lidge converted every save opportunity including one to clinch the World Series against the Rays last week.

Cashman said the Yankees are open to free agents or trades as they look for pitchers.

"We have to pursue it on both markets. Whether there are realistic trade opportunities out there, it's too early to say," he said.

There should be a lot of rumors flying around over the next three or four days, I will pass along anything I hear/read about.

Heyman's Free Agent Predictions

Here's his predictions for the top 9 free agents on the market from SI.com:

The Mega Stars

1. Sabathia. Good for the Brewers and their go-for-the-gusto owner Mark Attanasio to make a serious try at around $100 mil. And while the Dodgers, Angels and others might also make a play, realistically the Yankees can blow everyone away. My call: Yankees, seven years, $160 million.

2. Teixeira. The Angels love Teixeira and badly want to keep him. Other teams expected to be in the hunt include the Orioles, Yankees and Mariners. The Red Sox look like a long shot from here, unless than can unload 2007 World Series MVP Mike Lowell (not likely after recent hip surgery). My call: Angels, eight years, $150 million.

3. Ramirez. He's not going to like the Dodgers' short-term bid and will play the field. The Yankees, Mets, Blue Jays and Phillies are among those expected to check in. My call: Dodgers, three years, $75 million.

Best of the Rest

4. A.J. Burnett, starting pitcher. Once he exercises his Blue Jays op-out clause, the money should roll in. Timed his best year well. My call: Yankees, five years, $80 million.

5. Francisco Rodriguez, closer. Record-setting reliever lost a few mph but still figures out how to get batters out. My call: Rangers, five years, $75 million.

6. Derek Lowe, starting pitcher. Proved to be clutch again this postseason. Seems to want to go East. My call: Mets, four years, $56 million (but the Yankees will be pitching, too, and Lowe's hometown Tigers could be a dark horse).

7. Ryan Dempster, starting pitcher. He should stay in Chicago, which helped turn him into a successful starter: My Call: Cubs, four years, $56 million.

8. Brian Fuentes, closer. An excellent but cheaper alternative to K-Rod. My call: Mets, $39 million, three years.

9. Ben Sheets, starting pitcher. Health is a question. (If he were surely sound, he'd be close to a $100-million pitcher himself.) As one GM said, "How can anyone give him a long-term deal?'') But they love him in Houston. My call: Astros, $28 million, two years.

7 years $160M for CC, and 5 years $80M for Burnett? Those are huge contracts, both in price and especially in years.

I understand they are going to have to make an offer like that to land CC, so I don't have a major problem with it, although it's probably 10M too much and one year too long.

The Burnett prediction bothers me a little more. 5 years for a guy who can't stay healthy? Scary.

The rest of the article has predictions on the lower level free agents, players on the trading block, as well as much more. Here's what he had to say about Brian Cashman:

6. Brian Cashman, Yankees GM. It's like the winter of 1992-93 all over again, where the Yankees had bags of cash with which to entice big-time free agents. (That time, managing partner Joe Molloy was the point man, and after they lost out on Barry Bonds, Maddux and David Cone, they came back with Jimmy Key and Wade Boggs, and traded for Jim Abbott.) The Yankees will try first and hardest for Sabathia, but also have their sights on Burnett, Lowe and possibly Sheets. They will look into Teixeira and Ramirez for good measure. If they don't get Teixeira, look for Blake as a backup plan.

Winter Ball Weekly Recap

Here's Big Guy's weekly wrap of all the Winter Ball action. Thanks for the great contribution BG.

ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE:

Phil Hughes has not pitched since the AFL all star game over a week ago. His first 2 starts of the year were good going 10 innings allowing only 1 run with 10 K's. His last AFL game and the all star game he got knocked around. He had one terrible inning in each of those starts. AFL totals---including all star game, 15.2 IP, 9 runs, 15 hits (3 HR), 14 K's--10 walks, 3 HBP.

Jeff Marquez made his 2nd start Friday, after having 4 good relief appearances. 4 IP, 1 run, 6 hits, 4 K--0 BB. AFL Totals--6 games, 13 IP, 5.54 ERA, 8 runs, 13 hits, 14 K--8 BB.

Humberto Sanchez appeared in 2 gamess 3..2 IP, 2 runs, 2 K---2 BB. AFL totals---6 Games., 6.1 IP, 15.63 ERA, 11 runs, 13 hits, 3 K--6 walks.

Kevin Whelan made 2 relief appearances covering 3 innings. He allowed his 1st AFL run on a solo homer. AFL totals--6 games, 0.90 ERA, 10 IP, 1 run, 6 hits, 10 K---6 walks, BAA .167.

Austin Jackson went 3-15 in 4 games this week with a triple, a RBI 2 runs. AFL totals: .250 BA, 12 RBI, 8 runs, 1 HR, 3 triples, 2 doubles, 13 K's--3 walks.

Juan Miranda did not appear in any games this past week. AFL totals---11 Gms, .333, 7 RBI, 8 runs, 1 HR, 2 triples, 6 doubles.

Kevin Russo continues his hot hitting going 7-21 in 5 games, but also had 9 strikeouts. AFL totals---16 Gms, .357 BA, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 15 K's---3 walks.

HAWAII WINTER LEAGUE:

Andrew Brackman had his best start Thursday picking up his 3rd win against 3 losses. He went 6 IP, 1 run, 4 hits, 7 K--1 walk. HWL Totals--6 games, 25.2 IP, 4.21 ERA, 12 runs, 24 hits, BAA .242.

Jeremy Bleich did not make a start this week. HWL totals 5 games, 2-1 record, 2.45 ERA, .220 BAA, 25.2 IP, 7 runs, 20 hits, 22 K's--7 BB.

Damon Sublett played in 3 games after not playing for 2 weeks. He went 4-13 featuring a
2-run homer and 4 rbi for the week. HWL totals---.294, 2 HR, 15 RBI, 12 runs.

Austin Romine 2 games this week, 1-7. HWL totals .242, 6 runs, 2 RBI, 2 doubles.

VENEZULEAN WINTER LEAGUE:

Victor Zambrano pitched 1 inning Friday, his 1st relief appearance allowing 1 run, 1 hit. VWL totals---4 Gms, 17 IP, 2 runs, 7 hits, 12 K---4 BB. BAA .136

Francisco Cervelli played in 2 games with a solo home run. VWL totals 9 games, BA .118, 1 homer.

Reegie Corona appeared in 3 games going 4-10, 2 doubles, 3 runs. VWL totals---11 Gms, .370 BA. 5 RBI, 8 runs, 5 doubles, 1 HR

Edwar Gonzalez played in 1 game this week going 3-5 with a 2-run triple and run scored. VWL totals--4 games, .455 average.

DOMINICAN WINTER LEAGUE:

Matt Carson in 1 game this week hit a 3-run homer. DWL totals--7 games, .250, 6 RBI, 1 HR.

Wilkins Arias this week 3 games, 2 IP, 3 runs scored on 3 walks all in Friday's game. DWL totals---6 Gms. 4.1 IP, 8 runs, 5 hits, 5 K--5BB

Oneli Perez played in 1 game throwing 1 scoreless inning, 0 hits, 1 K. DWL totals---5 games, 1 save, 4 runs, 6 hits, 8 K's--4 walks.

MEXICAN WINTER LEAGUE:

Justin Christian went 6-25 for the week with 2 rbi and 4 runs scored. MWL totals---.238, 5 RBI, 11 runs, 7 stolen bases.

Walter Ibarra played in 4 games, going 2-13 with a run. MWL totals, .276, 1 RBI, 2 runs.

King: Yanks Not Likely to Exercise Marte's Option

From George A. King III:

Add Damaso Marte to Jason Giambi and Carl Pavano as players the Yankees aren't likely to exercise options on - which will make them free agents.

Declining Marte's $6 million option isn't an indication the club doesn't want the lefty reliever back. It means the Yankees don't want to pick up the option ($250,000 buyout) that trailed Marte from Pittsburgh when he was acquired with Xavier Nady for Jose Tabata, Ross Ohlendorf, Jeff Karstens and Daniel McCutcheon on July 26.

I'm kind of surprised by this.

Even though King says this doesn't mean the club doesn't want him, I think there's a good chance it does. Teams overpay for relievers all the time, so for $6 million, you would think that the Yankees would have just picked up the option and hoped for the best.

Another reason I think this is an indication that the Yankees don't want to resign him is because I don't think the Yankees want to sign him to a long-term deal, and now that he's a free agent he will probably be looking for a 3-year deal.

Marte did not pitch well as a Yankee, but I still think it would have made sense to exercise the option. You can never have enough bullpen help.

One good thing is that Marte is a Class A free agent and the Yankees will receive two draft picks.

11/1 Winter Ball Report

In the AFL the Peoria Javelinas lost to the Mesa Solar Sox 13-3: Box Score - Recap - Game Story

Austin Jackson went 1-for-5 with a triple and a run scored.

Humberto Sanchez pitched 2 innings in relief, he allowed one run on two hits, struck out two and did not walk a batter. He threw 22 pitches, 17 of them for strikes. He now has a 15.63 ERA for the winter.

In HWB the Waikiki BeachBoys lost to the West Oahu CaneFires 13-8: Box Score - Recap - Game Story

Damon Sublett went 2-for-5 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored.

Austin Romine went 0-for-4 with a walk.

Other Yankees players are playing in the Venezuelan, Mexican and Dominican winter leagues. Here's a run down of the players in each league:

Venezuelan League: Edwar Gonzalez, Francisco Cervelli and Carlos Mendoza are playing for Cardenales de Lara. Reegie Corona and Victor Zambrano are on Navegantes del Magallanes. And Edgar Soto is on Aguilas de Zulia.

Dominican League: Bernie Castro, Matt Carson and Wilkins Arias are playing for Aguilas Cibaenas. And Jhonny Nunez, Jose Valdez, Amaury Sanit and Oneli Perez are playing for Tigres del Licey.

Mexican League: Justin Christian is playing for Caneros de los Mochis. And Walter Ibarra is on Naranjeros de Hermosillo.

You can check out all of their Winter Ball stats here.

Abreu's First Choice is to Stay With the Yanks

From the NY Daily News:

If you want something out of the ordinary this offseason, try this on for size: the top right fielder on the free-agent market is a Yankee, wants to stay a Yankee, and the Yankees might let him walk away.

You read that right. Bobby Abreu’s stated first choice this winter is to remain in the Bronx, but the Bombers have a surplus of outfielders - Melky Cabrera, Johnny Damon, Brett Gardner, Hideki Matsui and Xavier Nady - under contract, in addition to the organization’s top hitting prospect, Austin Jackson.

“Bobby’s definitely very happy with the Yankees and he’s enjoyed his time with the Yankees, and it’s his first choice to come back,” said Chris Leible, one of Abreu’s agents. “But it’s just wait and see what happens.”

There was also this from George A. King III:

The Yankees have discussed internally about retaining the left-handed hitter who will be 35 in March on a one-year contract even if it means his salary being determined through the arbitration process.

The Yankees will offer Abreu arbitration by Dec. 7 for two reasons. If he declines, they receive draft picks when he signs with another team. If Abreu accepts arbitration, he is considered a signed player.

I've said before that I don't think the Yankees should bring him back and I still believe that. He's very good offensively, but he's become a liability on the defensive side of the ball, and the Yankees must improve defensively. Bill James' Fielding Bible ranked Abreu the second worst right fielder in the game with a -24 on the plus/minus ratings.

This Week in Yankees History (11/2-11/8)

November 2nd - November 8th

November 2nd

1960 - The Yankees make it official by announcing that General Manager George Weiss will retire after 29 years of service with the Yankee organization. Weiss ran the Yankee farm system under General Manager Ed Borrow, before becoming the Yankees General Manager in 1946. Roy Hamey is named his successor. Weiss tells the media that the Yankees have a good run of 5 years left, before the Yankees farm system talent is finished. He will join former Yankees manager Casey Stengel in running the new 1962 NL expansion team in NYC, the Mets as their 1st General Manager.

1960 - The Yankees RF Roger Maris defeated his fellow Yankees teammate CF Mickey Mantle for the 1960 AL MVP Award, 225-22 votes.

1964 - CBS Inc. purchases 80% of the Yankee ownership for an estimated $11,200,000 from Yankees co-owners Del Webb and Dan Topping. The network later purchased the remaining 20% of stock held by Dan Topping.

1995 - The Yankees named Joe Torre as their new manager, replacing the recently departed Manager Buck Showalter. Joe Torre, a former Cardinals' star and NL batting champion, will guide the Yankees to 4 World Championships in his 1st 5 years with the team. He will manage the Yankees until 2007.

2005 - Former Orioles manager Lee Mazzilli rejoined the Yankees as Joe Torre's MLB bench coach.

2007 - Former Yankees player and MLB coach Joe Girardi signs a 3 year, $7.8 million deal with a $300,000 signing bonus and $2.5 million per season through 2010. He becomes the 32nd manager in Yankees History.

November 3rd

1878 - Former Yankees P Walter Clarkson (1904-07) was born. During August of 1905, Walt was purchased by the Highlanders from the Jersey City (Eastern). Walt went 13-9 in 54 games with the Yankees with 1 save. On May 16, 1907, Walt was traded by the Highlanders along with OF Frank Delahanty to the Naps for P Earl Moore.

1911 - Former Yankees Manager John Keane (1965-1966) was born. Johnny Keane replaced Yankees Manager Yogi Berra, after he left the Cardinals in October of 1964. Keane was 81-101 with the Yankees before being replaced in the beginning of the 1966 AL season, by former Manager Ralph Houk. He was disliked by many of the veteran Yankees players. Johnny was the wrong man to manage a veteran Yankees team.

1934 - The Yankees All Star 1B Lou Gehrig wins the AL Triple Crown after hitting .363 BA, with 49 HRs and 165 RBIs, but Lou will not win the AL MVP award.

1942 - The BWAA selected Yankees 2B Joe “Flash” Gordon as the 1942 AL MVP Player. Joe hits .322 with 103 RBIs. Gordon of the Yankees leads the AL in strikeouts (95), most ground balls hit into double plays (22) and the most errors at 2B base (28).

1945 - Former Yankees P Ken Holtzman (1976-1978) was born. On June 15, 1976, Ken was traded by the Orioles along with P Doyle Alexander, OF Jimmy Freeman, C Ellie Hendricks, and P Grant Jackson to the Yankees for Pitchers Rudy May, Tippy Martinez, Dave Pagan, Scott McGregor, and C Rick Dempsey. Ken went 12-10 in 44 games with the Yankees, he was a major disappointment for the team. On June 10, 1978, Ken was traded by the Yankees to the Cubs for a player to be named later. The Cubs would send P Ron Davis on June 12, 1978 to the Yankees to complete the trade.

1955 - The Yankees tour Japan and draw a record crowd of 64,000 fans, when they play the 1st game against the All-Japan Stars in Osaka. Andy Carey slugs 13 HR’s, and Elston Howard bats .468 on the 25-game tour. According to "Elston and Me" by Arlene Howard (University of Missouri Press, 2001), the goodwill tour of Japan took place in 1955, immediately following the Yankees loss to the Dodgers in the World Series. The amount of HRs hit in Japan by Andy Carey affects his batting swing, he tries to be a HR hitter in AL, but he fails.

1992 - The Yankees make one of their best modern trades ever by acquiring OF Paul O'Neill from the Reds for OF Roberto Kelly. Paul O'Neill will help the Yankees win World Championships in 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2000 seasons.

2001 - In Game 6, the Diamondbacks get 21 hits in the 1st 6-innings against the Yankees to set a record for hits in a World Series game. The 1921 Giants in Game 3 against the Yankees, and the 1946 Cardinals in Game 4, against the Red Sox, established the previous WS record of 20 hits. The Diamondbacks win by a score of 15-2, forcing a decisive Game 7. Randy Johnson is the winning pitcher, while Andy Pettitte is the losing pitcher for the Yankees.

2005 - Former Royals Manager Tony Peña was hired by the Yankees as their 1B coach. Tony tells the media that he would withdraw as a candidate to manage the Dominican Republic team in next year's inaugural World Baseball Classic.

November 4th

1910 - Former Yankees P Joe Beggs (1938) was born. Joe went 3-2 in 14 games Yankees in 1938. On January 4, 1940, Joe was traded by the Yankees to the Reds for P Lee Grissom.

1931 - The Yankees purchased OF George Selkirk from Jersey City (International League). He would join the Yankees in 1934, spending 9 nine years (1934-1942) with the Yankees, hitting .290 for them. He would later work as General Manager for the new Washington Senators in the early 1960's.

1947 - Former Yankees P Lloyd Colson (1970) was born. On June 6, 1967, the Yankees in the 28th round of the 1967 amateur player draft drafted Lloyd. He appeared in only 1 game in 1970 with no record.

1948 - Former Senators and Yankees OF Jake Powell (1936-40) shot and killed himself in a Washington, D.C. police station.

1961 - Former Yankees minor league P Logan Easley was born. On June 8, 1981, he was drafted by the Yankees in the 20th round of the 1981 amateur player draft. Logan never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. On November 26, 1986, he was traded by the Yankees along with pitchers Doug Drabek and Brian Fisher to the Pirates for pitchers Rick Rhoden, Cecilio Guante, and Pat Clements.

1967 - Former Yankees reserve OF Ryan Thompson (2000) was born. Ryan hit .260 for the Yankees in 33 games in 2000.

1981 - The Reds traded veteran All Star OF Ken Griffey Sr. to the Yankees for P Fred Toliver and minor-league P Brian Ryder. Ken Griffey was about to become a free agent.

1982 - Yankees MLB Coach Mike Ferraro lands his 1st MLB managing job, signing a 2-year contract to lead the Indians. He will be fired before the end of the 1983 AL season.

2001 - In Game 7 of a classic World Series, the Diamondbacks rallied for 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th inning defeating the Yankees and their usually unbeatable closer, Mariano Rivera, by the score of 3-2. The 4-year-old Diamondbacks, the youngest franchise to win a Fall Classic, ended New York's string of 3 consecutive World Championships. Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling shared the Series MVP honors. The Arizona pitchers are the 1st multiple winners since the Dodgers trio of Ron Cey, Pedro Guerrero and Steve Yeager shared the award in the 1981 World Series.

2003 - Former Yankees All Star 1B Don Mattingly is named as the hitting coach of the Yankees replacing Rick Down.

November 5th

1883 - Former Yankees INF Otis Johnson (1911) was born. Otis appeared in 71 games with the Yankees in 1911, just hitting .234.

1892 - Former Yankees C/OF Alfred ‘”Roxy” Walters (1915-1918) was born. On July 23, 1915, Roxy was purchased by the Yankees from Waco (Texas). He hit .265 in 193 games for the Yankees. On December 18, 1918, Roxy was traded by the Yankees along with P Ray Caldwell, OF Frank Gilhooley, P Slim Love, and $15,000 to the Red Sox for P Ernie Shore, OF Duffy Lewis, and P Dutch Leonard.

1907 - The Highlanders trade 2B Jimmy Williams and OF Danny Hoffman to the Browns for P Fred Glade, 2B Harry Niles and OF Charlie Hemphill. Glade will pitch in just 5 games in 1908 for the Yankees before retiring from MLB.

1924 - Former Yankees P John “Sonny” Dixon (1956) was born. Sonny went 0-1 in 3 games for the Yankees, after being acquired from the A’s for veteran P Johnny Sain and OF Enos Slaughter, before leaving the MLB for good.

1955 - Former Yankees reserve C Bobby Ramos (1982) was born. On April 5, 1982, the Expos to the Yankees for C Brad Gulden traded Bobby. Bobby will appear in only 4 games for the Yankees, hitting just .091. Bobby was sold back to the Expos in November of 1982.

1973 - Current Yankees OF/DH Johnny Damon (2006-8) was born.

1996 - Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter is the unanimous choice as AL 1996 Rookie of the Year. Jeter becomes the 8th Yankees player to win the award and the 5th unanimous choice in AL history.

November 6th

1931 - Former Yankees P Jack “Happy Jack” Chesbro passed away (1874-1931). Jack Chesbro holds the MLB and Yankees team record for most wins in a season with 41 wins in 1904. From 1903-1909, Jack won 129 games as a Yankee, in 269 games with 169 complete games, 1,953 innings, a .577 WP, an 2.58 ERA, with 16 shutouts and 913 strikeouts. Before joining the Yankees in 1903, Jack had previously pitched for the Pirates in NL.

1942 - The Yankees are notified that INF Frank Crosetti will be suspended for 30 days, commencing opening day of the 1943 AL season for pushing Umpire Bill Sommers in Game #3 of the 1942 World Series. Frank was fined $250, as was Yankees 2B Joe “Flash” Gordon.

1953 - Former Yankees P John Candelaria (1988-1989) was born. On January 15, 1988 John was signed as a free agent with the Yankees. John went 16-10 in 35 games with the Yankees. On August 29, 1989, John was traded by the Yankees to the Expos for INF Mike Blowers.

1968 - Former Yankees reserve OF Chad Curtis (1997-1998) was born. On June 9, 1997, Chad was traded by the Indians to the Yankees for P Dave Weathers. Chad hit .291 in 93 games in 1997, but he slumped to .243 in 151 games in 1998. On December 13, 1999, Chad was traded by the Yankees to the Rangers for minor league hurlers Brandon Knight and Sam Marsonek.

1968 - Yankees sell INF Ruben Amaro Sr. to the Angels for a disclosed amount of money believed to be greater than the waiver price.

1971 - Former Yankees OF Bubba Trammell (2003) was born. On March 19, 2003, Bubba was traded by the Padres along with Mark Phillips (minors) and cash to the Yankees for OF/DH Rondell White. Bubba appeared in 22 games hitting .200, before leaving the team for personal reasons.

1978 - The Yankees released P Andy Messersmith, who will sign with the Dodgers. Andy Messersmith never really recovered from the separated shoulder injury suffered in spring training; he was run into on a play at 1B with Cliff Johnson.

November 7th

1911 - Former Yankees reserve C Herbert “Workhorse” Crompton (1945) was born. On November 1, 1944, Herb was drafted by the Yankees from the Pirates organization in the 1944 Rule 5 player draft. He appeared in 36 games, hitting just .192 for the Yankees.

1933 - Former Yankees OF/1B Bob Hale (1961) was born. On July 28, 1961, Bob was purchased by the Yankees from the Indians. He appeared in only 11 games hitting .154, before retiring at the end of the 1961 AL season.

1938 - Former Yankees 3B/C Jake Gibbs (1962-1971) was born. The Yankees signed Jake for $100,000 as an amateur free agent in 1961. Jake was originally signed as a 3B, but he was converted into a catcher. Jake hit .233 in 10 seasons with the Yankees. He helped Thurman Munson with his catching skills, when he first came up with the Yankees before retiring in 1971 as an MLB active player. Jake was a All-American quarterback at Old Miss, before deciding on a MLB career with the Yankees.

1938 - Former Yankees P and Broadcaster Jim Kaat was born. On May 11, 1979, Jim was purchased by the Yankees from the Phillies. Jim appeared in 44 games with the Yankees, posting a 2-4 record with 2 saves, before being sent to the Cardinals in 1980.

1944 - Former Yankees P Joe Niekro (1985-87) was born (1944-2006). On September 15, 1985, Joe was traded by the Astros to the Yankees for minor league players to be named later and P Jim Deshaies. The Yankees sent Neder Horta on September 24, 1985 and Dody Rather on January 11, 1986 to the Astros to complete the trade. Joe went 14-15 in 36 games for the Yankees. On June 7, 1987, the Yankees traded Joe to the Twins for C/1B/DH Mark Salas. Joe passed away in 2006.

1963 - The Yankees All Star catcher Elston Howard becomes the 1st black player to win the AL MVP Award. Howard beats out Tigers RF Al Kaline by 248 votes to 148 votes in the AL MVP balloting. Ellie hit .287 with 28 HRs, with 85 RBIs in 135 games for the 1963 AL champion Yankees.

1968 - Former Yankees P Russ Springer (1992) was born. On June 5, 1989, Russ was drafted by the Yankees in the 7th round of the 1989 amateur player draft. Russ appeared in 14 games with the Yankees with no record during the 1992 AL season. On December 6, 1992, Russ was traded by the Yankees along with P Jerry Nielsen and 1B J.T. Snow to the Angels for P Jim Abbott.

1978 - In a controversial selection, Red Sox OF Jim Rice is named AL MVP over Yankees P Ron Guidry. Rice led the AL in HRs (46), RBI’s (139), hits (213), triples and slugging percentage (.600), and became the 1st AL player to accumulate 400 total bases in a season since Joe DiMaggio in 1937, while Guidry posted a 25-3 record with 248 strikeouts and a 1.74 ERA for the AL pennant-winning Yankees. Ron Guidry will win the AL Cy Young Award.

1997 - The Yankees traded veteran P Kenny Rogers to the A’s for a player to be named and cash considerations. The A’s will send 3B Scott Brosius to the Yankees on November 18, 1997, to complete the trade.

2006 - Former Yankees pitcher (1951-55) and MLB Pitching Coach (1961-63) Johnny Sain passed away (1917-2006). John was obtained from the Braves in August of 1951 for Yankees rookie P Lou Burdette and $50,000. John was 20-20, with 67 saves for the Yankees coming out of the bullpen and occasional spot starter. His best Yankees season was in 1953, posting a 14-7 mark with 19 saves. Johnny led the AL in saves in 22 in 1954, while going 6-6. He was traded in 1955 to the A’s along with OF Enos Slaughter for A’s P Sonny Dixon. John would later become a very successful MLB pitching coach with the Tigers, Yankees, Twins and the Braves. He was the Yankees pitching coach from 1961-1963. Whitey Ford won 25 games during Johnny Sain’s 1st year as Yankees pitching coach. Johnny left the Yankees after the 1963 AL season, when Yogi Berra was named the new Yankees manager.

November 8th

1896 - Former Yankees Manager Bucky Harris (1947-1948) was born (1896-1977). Bucky won the 1947 AL pennant and World Series, while managing the Yankees. After the 1948 AL season, finishing in 3rd place, veteran NL Manager Casey Stengel replaced him.

1942 - Former Yankees OF William “Birdie” Cree (1908-1915) passed away (1882-1942). Birdie hit .292 in 8 seasons with the Yankees.

1951 - The Yankees Catcher Yogi Berra wins the 1st of his 3 AL MVP awards. He hit .294 with 27 HRs with 88 RBI’s in 141 games.

1961 - With only one Cy Young Award given for the 2 leagues, Whitey Ford, the AL leader in wins (25) and innings pitched (283), won the honor ahead of the Braves Warren Spahn, who led the NL in wins (21) and ERA (3.02). In one of the closest votes in MVP Award history, future HOF’s Whitey Ford and Warren Spahn totaled 9 and 6 points respectively.

1977 - Former Yankees Hall of Fame manager Bucky Harris dies on his 81st birthday. Harris had won 2 World Championships (1925, 1947) and 3 AL pennants over a 29-year MLB manager career. He won AL pennants with the Senators (1924-25) and Yankees (1947).

1979 -The Yankees sign veteran free agents 1B/DH Bob Watson and P Rudy May to long-term contracts. The 2 veterans will help the Yankees to an AL leading 103 victories in the 1980 season.

1990 - Former Yankees 1B and Coach Clifford “Earl of Snohomish” Torgeson (1961) passed away (1924-1990). On June 17, 1961, Earl was signed as a free agent with the Yankees, after being released by the White Sox. He appeared in 22 games, just hitting .111, before being released by the Yankees as a player, finishing the 1961 AL season as an 1B coach for the Yankees.

2001 - The Yankees let All Star 1B Tino Martinez leave, declining their $3 million option on the popular 1st baseman. Tino Martinez will return to Yankees in 2005. He will hit .241 in part-time duty with 17 HRs and 49 RBI’s. He was a staple in the starting Yankees' lineup from 1996-2001, helping the team to 4 World Series Championships and 5 AL pennants with his clutch hitting and reliable defense at 1B.

previous week

(As always I'd like to thank Fw57Clipper51 for his great contribution.)

10/31 Winter Ball Report

In the AFL the Peoria Javelinas lost to the Mesa Solar Sox 3-2: Box Score - Recap - Game Story

Austin Jackson went 0-for-4

Kevin Russo went 1-for-5

Jeff Marquez started for the Javelinas. In 4 innings he allowed one run on six hits, he struck out four and did not walk a batter. He threw 62 pitches, 39 for strikes.

In HWB the Waikiki BeachBoys beat the West Oahu CaneFires 3-2 (in seven innings): Box Score - Recap - Game Story

Damon Sublett went 0-for-4

Austin Romine went 1-for-3 with a triple and a run scored

Other Yankees players are playing in the Venezuelan, Mexican and Dominican winter leagues. Here's a run down of the players in each league:

Venezuelan League: Edwar Gonzalez, Francisco Cervelli and Carlos Mendoza are playing for Cardenales de Lara. Reegie Corona and Victor Zambrano are on Navegantes del Magallanes. And Edgar Soto is on Aguilas de Zulia.

Dominican League: Bernie Castro, Matt Carson and Wilkins Arias are playing for Aguilas Cibaenas. And Jhonny Nunez, Jose Valdez, Amaury Sanit and Oneli Perez are playing for Tigres del Licey.

Mexican League: Justin Christian is playing for Caneros de los Mochis. And Walter Ibarra is on Naranjeros de Hermosillo.

You can check out all of their Winter Ball stats here.