Rivera Returns!

The Yankees have been monitoring the health of Mariano Rivera, and apparently they're happy with what they've seen because they've reportedly signed the GOAT to a deal worth $10 million, with another $5 million in incentives.

Although the pitching staff is pretty much set, I'm sure we'll see the team do a bit of tinkering. I wouldn't put it past Ninja Cashman to move one of the young Yankee starters (Hughes, Nova, Phelps, etc) in order to fill positional holes like right field and catcher.

Russell Martin Signs With Pirates

David Waldstein tweeted that Russell Martin has agreed to a two-year deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Jon Heyman tweeted that the Yankees only offered a two-year deal to Russell for $12-$14m, however Buster Olney says the Yankees didn't make any offer at all.

Outside of Twitter I don't see anything official, but for the time being I'm going to start thinking about other catchers for the Yankees.

Pirates Willing To Go 3 Years With Russell Martin

I know that I said yesterday that I thought the Pittsburgh Pirates were the front runners for Russell Martin's
services and i feel a whole lot better about that prediction today. The Pirates announced today that they knew they would have to pay more in years and dollars to sign Russell and they proved it by their willingness to go a third year on a potential contract. No way the Yankees should go three years after Russell's 2012 season in my opinion so this will be worth keeping an eye on at the winter meetings.

Happy 43rd Birthday Mariano Rivera

A very happy 43rd birthday goes out to Yankees closer Mariano Rivera. He is not officially signed yet but is expected to be before weeks end.

BJ Upton Signs With Atlanta Five Years $75 Million

The Atlanta Braves and BJ Upton have announced that the two have agreed upon a five year deal in the $75 million range that will make BJ the highest paid Braves player in the history of their franchise. The deal is pending a physical and there is no word yet of a potential no trade clause or anything yet. Why do we care? The Rays, on paper, just got worse until they call up their next uber prospect.

Ryan Madson Comes Off The Board

One of the two formerly elite closers that underwent Tommy John surgery last year came off the board, as the Angels came to terms on a 1 year contract with Ryan Madson worth $3.5 million, with another $2.5 million in roster bonuses (meaning how many days he's on the active roster) and yet another $1 million based on incentives (games finished).

This is a good sign for the Yankees, and for fans such as myself that want the team to bring Joakim Soria on board. Soria has already said that he's willing to set-up for Mariano Rivera, and seeing that it could simply take a one year deal I really hope Brian Cashman and Co. is looking hard at the guy. Joakim had a poor 2011 campaign, in which he put up an ERA of 4.03, but that could have been due to his elbow as he had an ERA of 2.01 over the previous 4 years.

Yankees Designate Eli Whiteside For Assignment

Just days after avoiding arbitration with Eli Whiteside just days removed from claiming him off waivers from the San Francisco Giants the Yankees have designated Eli for assignment. Was it the gray hair? Do they have someone targeted in the Rule 5  draft? Did Francisco Cervelli find those damning pictures that Andruw Jones had that kept him in the lineup? The world may never know...

Yankees Have A Good Problem To Have

All of a sudden a big question mark and concern for the Yankees in what was a slow and boring offseason has become a good problem to have in New York. The Yankeea have filled huge holes in their rotation with the signings of Hiroki Kuroda and Andy Pettitte and with Mariano Rivera presumably on the way the bullpen is looking better and better by the day as well. Not that it has to be said but here is the rotation as it stands right now.

CC Sabathia
Hiroki Kuroda
Andy Pettitte
Phil Hughes
Ivan Nova or David Phelps

Michael Pineda, Adam Warren, Mark Montgomery, etc waiting in the wings to fill spots in the rotation or bullpen never hurts either I guess.

The Yankees have a great problem to have because if need be a David Phelps or Ivan Nova or (as much as I am against this) Phil Hughes could be made available to fill the void left by Nick Swishers departure by trade, can you say Justin Upton?

Russell Martin Seeking Four Year Deal

Russell Martin has been linked to many teams this off season in what is a weak class for catchers but has expressed interest in returning to the Bronx. He may have just talked his way out of the Bronx today when he announced he wanted a four year deal this off season, sonething the Yankees would be insane to do. The Pirates have expressed interest in his services and would be willing to go four years in my opinion so they just became the front runners in my eyes. I would rather give AJ Pierzynski a one year deal and hope for the best with Austin Romine then give Russ four years.

Andy Pettitte Officially Back In Pinstripes

Andy Pettitte and the Yankees have agreed upon a one year deal worth $12 million. No word on incentives or anything like that yet but I will keep you posted.