Yankees Will Not Allow Cano To Play In Winter Ball

The Yankees have declined Robinson Cano's request to play in this years Dominican Winter League playoffs. Cano will be entering his age 30 season and will be the integral part of the Yankees offensive attack so this move makes a lot of sense especially when you consider that he has played in the third most number of games in the last six seasons with at least 159 games in each. He really has nothing to gain and everything to lose from this so this makes sense from the Yankees point of view.

Dear Santa...

Dear Santa:

You know I have been good and you know what I want, so get it done. I know that you are busy this time of year so I will keep this short and sweet. Thank you!

The Greedy Pinstripes

Yankees Interested In Matt Diaz

The Yankees continue to search for a right handed bat in the outfield to compliment Ichiro and they are reportedly interested in long time Braves player Matt Diaz. Matt has battled some injuries but is reportedly regained his health to 100% and would be willing to sign a one year deal. His batting line against left handed pitching really intrigues me as well with a triple slash of .324/.364/.498 to go with what one would think would be a very inexpensive base salary. I would welcome Matt to New York although I fear that it would mean a loss of Chris Dickerson on the 40 man roster and the team all together.

John Sickels Top 20 Yankees Prospects List

John Sickels of Minor League Ball released his preliminary Top 20 Yankees prospects list with his grading system attached. For the full article click the link and head over there but I will give you the readers digest version here. 

1. Gary Sanchez

2. Tyler Austin

3. Mason Williams

4. Slade Heathcott

5. Brett Marshall

6. Jose Campos

7. Angelo Gumbs

8. Mark Montgomery

9. Ty Hensley

10. Manny Banuelos

11. Nik Turley

12. Corey Black

13. Rafael DePaula

14. JR Murphy

15. Ramon Flores

16. Bryan Mitchell

17. Austin Romine

18. Corban Joseph

19. Nick Goody

20. Dante Bichette Jr

Nick Swisher Signs Four Year Deal W/ Cleveland

Nick Swisher came to the Yankees in a trade before the 2009 season and has left this year via free agency after signing a four year deal with the Cleveland Indians this morning. This four year deal with worth $56 million before potential incentives and such which have not been announced at the time of this writing. There is an option year for a 5th year at $14 million which could bring the total deal up to $70 million.

Raul Ibanez Comes Off Board, Signs W/ Seattle

Mr. Yankee Raul Ibanez has come off the Yankees board and radar tonight when the 41 year old signed a one year deal worth $2.75 million. He will be missed I cannot even lie because it is hard to find clutch hitting.

Mariners Enter The Raul Ibanez Sweepstakes

Last week we learned that the Texas Rangers would be possible suitors for Mr. Yankee Raul Ibanez and today we learned that the Seattle Mariners also have "serious interest" in the left handed DH/outfielder. Ibanez will be entering his age 41 season and while he only had a triple slash of .240/.308/.453 with 19 home runs for the Yankees last year he had big hit after big hit after big hit in the biggest of spots. Ibanez would be comfortable in Seattle as he played there from 1996-2000 and then again in 2004-2008.

Yankees Release Seven Minor League Prospects

The Yankees have announced that they have released seven minor leaguers today from various affiliates. Here is the list of released minor leaguers.

RHP Reinier Casanova

RHP Ryan Flannery

RHP Jhorge Liccien

SS Yadil Mujica

OF Kelvin Duran

OF Justin James

OF Damon Sublett

No big names or probably anybody that you would notice but still worth posting because this is a slow off season.

Cody Ross Come Off The Board, Signs W/ Arizona

The top right handed outfielder left on the market has officially come off the Yankees board. Cody Ross has signed a three year deal worth $26 million with an option for a fourth year with the Arizona Diamondbacks. As much as the Yankees could have used him that is an awful lot for a platoon outfielder and part time bench player. Makes you wonder why the Diamondbacks would sign ANOTHER outfielder after trading away Chris Young but who knows maybe he is a Justin Upton replacement *hint at Cashman*.

Jim Miller Clears Waivers, Outrighted To AAA

Jim Miller was designated for assignment to make room for the recently signed Ichiro Suzuki and has cleared waivers and will be sent down to AAA Scranton Wilkes-Barre. In 33 appearances last year in the majors for the Oakland Athletics Miller pitched to a 2.59 ERA with a .217 batting average against while being much better against lefties then right handed batters. He will add some considerable depth to the AAA bullpen and be in line for a Bronx call up if need be.