This Day In New York Yankees History 1/19: Adios Esteban Loaiza

On this day in 2005 the Yankees lost out on one of their own free agents in Esteban Loaiza. Loaiza agreed to a one year deal with the Washington Nationals worth $2.9 million after going a combined 10-7 with a 5.70 combined with the Yankees and the White Sox. The Yankees traded Jose Contreras, a struggling starter of theirs, for Loaiza at the trading deadline hoping he would get back to his 2003 form in which he went 21-9 with a 2.90 ERA.

Also on this day in 1972 the Yankees Yogi Berra was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. On the same day 300 game winner Earl Wynn and Dodgers southpaw Sandy Koufax were also elected to Cooperstown.

This Day in New York Yankees History 12/24: Jose Contreras, Santa Claus & the Evil Empire

On this day in 2002 the Yankees officially got the moniker the "Evil Empire" from the Boston Red Sox when they reached an agreement with free agent Jose Contreras. The 31 year old right handed Cuban defector would sign a four year deal.


Also it is highly unreported that on this day George Steinbrenner bought Santa Claus from the North Pole for season tickets to the new Yankee Stadium.

This Day in New York Yankees History 7/31: NOT The Trade Deadline Special :(

On this day in 2004 the Yankees shipped their struggling pitcher Jose Contreras (8-5 5.64 ERA) for the White Sox struggling starter Esteban Loaiza (9-5 4.86 ERA). Both pitchers were 32 years old and having down seasons based on their past performances and neither player really performed for their new teams this season.


Also on this day in 2001 the Yankees lost out on relief pitcher Ugueth Urbina to the Boston Red Sox. Boston got Urbina for two minor league pitchers in Tomo Ohka and Rich Rundles after the Yankees had a deal in place for the closer that fell through earlier in the season. Urbina failed his physical, the Yankees backed out of the deal, and the rest is history for the former Expos' closer.


Can you believe the only other notable trade for the New York Yankees in the past twenty years or so has been the Cecil Fielder trade that happened in 1996? The Yankees have made moves, marginal more than anything, but Cecil was the deal that stuck out. On this day in 1996 the Yankees sent Ruben Sierra and prospect Matt Drews for Fielder in the first trade in Major League history that included two players that have hit more than 220 home runs are traded for each other.

This Day In New York Yankees History 1/19: Adios Esteban Loaiza

On this day in 2005 the Yankees lost out on one of their own free agents in Esteban Loaiza. Loaiza agreed to a one year deal with the Washington Nationals worth $2.9 million after going a combined 10-7 with a 5.70 combined with the Yankees and the White Sox. The Yankees traded Jose Contreras, a struggling starter of theirs, for Loaiza at the trading deadline hoping he would get back to his 2003 form in which he went 21-9 with a 2.90 ERA.

Also on this day in 1972 the Yankees Yogi Berra was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. On the same day 300 game winner Earl Wynn and Dodgers southpaw Sandy Koufax were also elected to Cooperstown.

This Day in New York Yankees History 12/24: Jose Contreras, Santa Claus & the Evil Empire

On this day in 2002 the Yankees officially got the moniker the "Evil Empire" from the Boston Red Sox when they reached an agreement with free agent Jose Contreras. The 31 year old right handed Cuban defector would sign a four year deal.


Also it is highly unreported that on this day George Steinbrenner bought Santa Claus from the North Pole for season tickets to the new Yankee Stadium.

MLB Hot Stove 7 Worst Yankees Contracts

MLB Network's show Hot Stove named their seven worst contracts in New York Yankees history and unfortunately this was pretty hard to look at. Of course we all knew, and agree, that Alex Rodriguez's contract was going to top the list but the rest of the list is pretty interesting, take a look.

7. Jose Contreras four years $32 million
6. Jaret Wright three years $21 million
5. Hideki Irabu four years $12.8 million plus $3 million sent to the San Diego Padres
4. Roger Clemens one year (prorated, worked out to be four months) $18.7 million
3. Carl Pavano four years $40 million
2. Kei Igawa five years $20 million plus $26 million posting fee
1. Alex Rodriguez ten years $275 million

This Day in New York Yankees History 7/31: July 31st Trade Deadline Special 2015

Remember above when I said the only notable trade that happened in the last 20 seasons was the Fielder trade? You see why here as just minutes before the trading deadline ended in 2004 the Yankees shipped their struggling pitcher Jose Contreras (8-5 5.64 ERA) for the White Sox struggling starter Esteban Loaiza (9-5 4.86 ERA). Both pitchers were 32 years old and having down seasons based on their past performances and neither player really performed for their new teams this season.

Also on this day in 2001 the Yankees lost out on relief pitcher Ugueth Urbina to the Boston Red Sox. Boston got Urbina for two minor league pitchers in Tomo Ohka and Rich Rundles after the Yankees had a deal in place for the closer that fell through earlier in the season. Urbina failed his physical, the Yankees backed out of the deal, and the rest is history for the former Expos' closer.

Can you believe the only other notable trade for the New York Yankees in the past twenty years or so has been the Cecil Fielder trade that happened in 1996? The Yankees have made moves, marginal more than anything, but Cecil was the deal that stuck out. On this day in 1996 the Yankees sent Ruben Sierra and prospect Matt Drews for Fielder in the first trade in Major League history that included two players that have hit more than 220 home runs are traded for each other.

Get ready because we're a mere 16 hours away from the trading deadline coming to a close.

This Day In New York Yankees History 1/19: Adios Esteban Loaiza

On this day in 2005 the Yankees lost out on one of their own free agents in Esteban Loaiza. Loaiza agreed to a one year deal with the Washington Nationals worth $2.9 million after going a combined 10-7 with a 5.70 combined with the Yankees and the White Sox. The Yankees traded Jose Contreras, a struggling starter of theirs, for Loaiza at the trading deadline hoping he would get back to his 2003 form in which he went 21-9 with a 2.90 ERA.

Also on this day in 1972 the Yankees Yogi Berra was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. On the same day 300 game winner Earl Wynn and Dodgers southpaw Sandy Koufax were also elected to Cooperstown.

Top 5 Worst Yankees Free Agent Contracts Ever

It's the final day of 2014 so let's take a quick look at the worst free agent signings for the Yankees ever:

5. Jose Contreras - 4 years $32 million

He was no "El Duque" and was signed in 2003 and traded in 2004 for Esteban freaking Loaiza. Come on.

4. Kei Igawa - 5 years $20 million

3. Ed Whitson - 5 years $4.5 million

Whitson had ugly ERA numbers for his year and a half in New York, broke Billy Martin's arm in 1985 and received death threats from Yankees fans due to his poor performance.

2. Carl Pavano - 4 years $39.95 million

Four years and roughly $40 million for 26 starts and a 0.4 WAR

1. Alex Rodriguez -10 years $252.87 million plus incentives ($320 million cap)

Enough said.

Honorable mentions:

Dave Collins - 3 years $2.47 million
Spike Owen - 3 years $7 million
Pascual Perez - 3 years $5.7 million

This Day in New York Yankees History 12/24: Jose Contreras, Santa Claus & the Evil Empire

On this day in 2002 the Yankees officially got the moniker the "Evil Empire" from the Boston Red Sox when they reached an agreement with free agent Jose Contreras. The 31 year old right handed Cuban defector would sign a four year deal.

Also it is highly unreported that on this day George Steinbrenner bought Santa Claus from the North Pole for season tickets to the new Yankee Stadium.

The Cuban/USA Embargo and Cuban Born Yankees

The New York Yankees may or may not have really open the flood gates for Major League Baseball to sign an influx of Cuban talent to their rosters. Sure Minnie Minoso broke the barrier officially but things were not as wide spread until players like Jose Contreras were signed to lucrative contracts by Mr. George Steinbrenner. Let's take a quick look at some of the better Yankees players who called their native homes Cuba.

Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez wowed many Yankees fans with his clutch postseason performances and strong rookie campaign.

The aforementioned Contreras had an 11 season career that started in 2003 with New York. Contreras sported a nasty split fingered fastball that he made his way with in the Bronx before being shipped off to Chicago in 2004.

Jose Canseco was surprisingly Cuban born and spent time with the Yankees in 2000, getting a World Series ring, after New York got stuck with him after a waiver claim in August. Luis Tiant falls under the same category after spending the better part of his career with the Boston Red Sox before ending up in the Bronx.

Trend Being Set As Cuban Players Become More Expensive

Over the past few seasons buying offense has come at a premium in Major League Baseball and teams have put a premium on acquiring talent coming out of Cuba. When the New York Yankees handed starting pitcher Jose Contreras a $32 million deal it was easily the largest deal ever handed to a native of Cuba and that record would stand for nine seasons until Yoenis Cespedes received $36 million in 2012. The price for Cuban free agents has gone up and up and since then and that could mean good things for Yasmany Tomas and Yoan Moncada in the coming weeks.

The trend upwards in the Cuban market continued last season when Jose Abreu signed a $68 million deal with the Chicago White Sox and continued upward when Rusney Castillo signed a $72.5 million deal with the Boston Red Sox 10 months later. With the 24 year old power hitting outfielder Tomas and 19 year old five tool infielder Moncada set to sign soon those numbers are likely to continue to climb.

The impact of these Cuban players in the game is undeniable as last year alone Abreu, Cespedes, Yasiel Puig and Alexei Ramirez were in last season’s All Star Game. The talent is fresh for the picking in Cuba lately and it is getting expensive, be wary. For every Abreu there is two Contreras’, Ariel Prieto, etc. right behind him. Buyer beware. 

MLB Hot Stove 7 Worst Yankees Contracts

MLB Network's show Hot Stove named their seven worst contracts in New York Yankees history and unfortunately this was pretty hard to look at. Of course we all knew, and agree, that Alex Rodriguez's contract was going to top the list but the rest of the list is pretty interesting, take a look.

7. Jose Contreras  four years $32 million
6. Jaret Wright three years $21 million
5. Hideki Irabu four years $12.8 million plus $3 million sent to the San Diego Padres
4. Roger Clemens one year (prorated, worked out to be four months) $18.7 million
3. Carl Pavano four years $40 million
2. Kei Igawa five years $20 million plus $26 million posting fee
1. Alex Rodriguez ten years $275 million

Scout That Signed Cano Leaves For Atlanta

I am a couple days late on this news unfortunately but real life happens to everyone every once in a while, even me, so you have my apologies. Long time Yankees scout Gordon Blakeley has left his job with New York for a new job with the Atlanta Braves. Blakeley will be a special assistant to the new GM in Atlanta, whether that be John Hart on a permanent basis or when a new GM is hired, after spending 21 seasons with the Yankees.

Blakeley had various jobs inside the Yankees organization including VP of Baseball Operations, Head Professional VP of Scouting, and other jobs. Blakeley was the scout that originally signed notable players like Robinson Cano, Phil Hughes, Orlando Hernandez, and other Latin American players and now he is a member of the Atlanta Braves organization.

Congratulations to him and good luck in his newest ventures.

This Day In New York Yankees History 7/31: The MLB Trading Deadline Day

Can you believe the only notable trade for the New York Yankees in the past twenty years or so has been the Cecil Fielder trade that happened in 1996? The Yankees have made moves, marginal more than anything, but Cecil was the deal that stuck out. On this day in 1996 the Yankees sent Ruben Sierra and prospect Matt Drews for Fielder in the first trade in Major League history that included two players that have hit more than 220 home runs are traded for each other.

On this day in 2001 the Yankees lost out on relief pitcher Ugueth Urbina to the Boston Red Sox. Boston got Urbina for two minor league pitchers in Tomo Ohka and Rich Rundles after the Yankees had a deal in place for the closer that fell through earlier in the season. Urbina failed his physical, the Yankees backed out of the deal, and the rest is history for the former Expos' closer.

Remember above when I said the only notable trade that happened in the last 20 seasons was the Fielder trade? You see why here as just minutes before the trading deadline ended in 2004 the Yankees shipped their struggling pitcher Jose Contreras (8-5 5.64 ERA) for the White Sox struggling starter Esteban Loaiza (9-5 4.86 ERA). Both pitchers were 32 years old and having down seasons based on their past performances and neither player really performed for their new teams this season.

Get ready because we're a mere 16 hours away from the trading deadline coming to a close.

This Day In New York Yankees History 1/19

On this day in 1972 the Yankees Yogi Berra was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. On the same day 300 game winner Earl Wynn and Dodgers southpaw Sandy Koufax were also elected to Cooperstown.

On this day in 2005 the Yankees lost out on one of their own free agents in Esteban Loaiza. Loaiza agreed to a one year deal with the Washington Nationals worth $2.9 million after going a combined 10-7 with a 5.70 combined with the Yankees and the White Sox. The Yankees traded Jose Contreras, a struggling starter of theirs, for Loaiza at the trading deadline hoping he would get back to his 2003 form in which he went 21-9 with a 2.90 ERA.

This Day In New York Yankees History 12/24

On this day in 2002 the Yankees officially got the name the "Evil Empire" from the Boston Red Sox when they reached an agreement from free agent Jose Contreras. The 31 year old right handed Cuban defector would sign a four year deal.

Also it is highly unreported that on this day George Steinbrenner bought Santa Claus from the North Pole for season tickets to the new Yankee Stadium.

Changes Coming To Japanese Player Posting System

Possibly just in time for the Masahiro Tanaka sweepstakes comes news that Major League Baseball and the Nippon Professional Baseball league are working on changes to the Japanese player bidding system. These changes could be in place as early as this winter before the Tanaka all out sweepstakes begins.

Currently teams submit blind bids in simply for the right to negotiate with the player on a major league deal. The changes they are looking to implement would include as many as three teams included as "winners" giving the player three options to choose to negotiate with. I like the idea of giving some sort of input to the player so I am all for this and I hope that it gets into effect before this winter.  Maybe this will be enough incentive to let the Yankees get over the Kei Igawa, Jose Contreras,  and Hideki Irabu failures and jump back into the international market.

This Day In New York Yankees History 7/31

On this day in 1996 the Yankees traded Ruben Sierra to the Detroit Tigers for first basemen Cecil Fielder. This is the first trade in major league history where two players with more than 220 home runs were traded in a single deal.

On this day in 2004 the Yankees traded Jose Contreras to the Chicago White Sox for Esteban Loaiza just one minute before the trading deadline passed.

Former Yankees Update Jose Contreras

Jose Contreras was recently released by the Pittsburgh Pirates and now has signed a minor league deal with the Boston Red Sox. Yankees fans should be familiar with the name Jose Contreras as he was a New York Yankees player from 2003 - 2004. Now in his age 41 season and fresh off shoulder inflammation and the bereavement list Contreras is still looking to resurrect his career now with the Red Sox. I would say good luck but good luck to the Red Sox means bad luck to us so all I will say is congratulations.