Yankees Release Chris Dickerson

The Yankees have released outfielder Chris Dickerson making him an unrestricted free agent. This is good news and bad news because the good news is he was not claimed and can be re-signed to another minor league contract with an invite to Spring Training. The bad news is he could go to another team and we could get absolutely nothing for him, which seems like the most likeliest of the scenarios. The Yankees designated Chris for assignment on January 4th to make room for the recently claimed Russ Canzler.

Yankees Not Interested In Jim Thome

The Yankees are showing zero interest in left handed DH Jim Thome. At age 42 he still has power from the left side and gets on base enough but is not really a good fit for the left handed heavy and aging Yankees. His clubhouse character and dedication will never be questioned and he would walk in and become an instant fan favorite but Thome would need a platoon player and offers no versatility in the field anymore so I cannot see this happening unless we get Michael Morse, even then it would still be unlikely in my opinion.

Former Yankees Update : Marcus Thames

Marcus Thames was originally drafted by the Yankees way back in the 1996 draft in the 30th round of the First Year Player's Draft. Marcus retired from Major League Baseball today after two stints with the Yankees and while also playing for the Tigers, Rangers, and most recently the Dodgers. Marcus first at bat was a memorable one as he went deep off the Big Unit Randy Johnson in his first at bat. Marcus will now be the hitting instructor for the High A Tampa Yankees joining another former Yankee, the Tampa Yankees manager Luis Sojo.

Should The Yankees Spend That Much On Upton?

Answer: A pitching prospect with "ace" upside, a top infield prospect, and two young MLB relievers.

Question: What will it cost to trade for Justin Upton?

Scott Miller of CBSSports.com reported that Seattle had offered Taijuan Walker ("pitching prospect with 'ace' upside"), Nick Franklin ("top infield prospect"), and Charlie Furbush and Stephen Pryor ("two young MLB relievers"), to Arizona for Justin Upton. Ken Rosenthal tweeted that a source said Upton rejecting the deal saved Seattle GM Jack Zduriencik's job, as the package was too much. Especially when you consider that the Mariners most likely won't compete for any sort of title within the next few years, and Upton is signed for 3 more years and $38.5 million.

So, anyway, Justin may still be in play for the Yankees, but do they have what it takes to acquire the young outfielder? I'm not so sure. Looking at the Yanks' pitching prospects, I don't see one with "ace" potential. Sure, Manny Banuelos has a lot of upside, but after only throwing 24 innings in 2012 I doubt the DBacks are that keen on trading for him. And as far as a top infield prospect... the Yankees don't really have one. The only place the Yankees can compete as far as talent is with the relievers, by offering David Robertson and Mark Montgomery, but even then Robertson will be getting paid more since Furbush and Pryor are not arbitration eligible.

Although I've made it clear that I'd love the Bombers to bring Justin to the Bronx, I'm not sure it's the best thing to do. Yes, the austerity budget is ridiculous, but it's a reality. Therefore, spending $38.5 million over the next 3 years for Upton, when the team has Tyler Austin close to MLB-ready, may not be the best way to go. I'd rather the team extend Robinson Cano, and then see what they have left to spend in other areas. And as for those other "areas", finding a corner outfielder isn't the hardest thing to do. What about dealing a lefty reliever, which the Yankees can afford to give up, for Michael Morse and then looking at re-signing him next year when Granderson is gone?

"Yeah, what about that?"

I'm really just playing devil's advocate here, and pointing out the side of the discussion that would say trading a big package for Justin Upton may not make sense. This time next year the Yankees may be in a position where they really do need to make a big splash like this, and you can't tell me there won't be any good/young corner outfielders available somehow. But right now they don't seem to be in that "need" spot.

"Nothing alive" Regarding Morse Trade

According to Chad Jennings, there is nothing brewing in regards to trading for Michael Morse. However, there is still interest from the Yankees on acquiring Morse, and the Nationals are looking to trade the outfielder/first basement. Keep in mind, though, that this doesn't mean it won't happen. Cashman hasn't earned the nickname "Ninja" for nothing.

EDIT: Although nothing may be alive on the Morse front right now, Jack Curry tweeted that the two teams will be talking.

Kevin Youkilis Will Wear #36 For The Yankees

Kevin Youkilis caused a little bit of controversy when he signed with the Yankees, at least in the blogosphere, because he wore #20 with his time in Boston and Chicago. The Yankees and their fans hold someone near and dear to their hearts that used to wear #20, maybe you have heard of him? Jorge Posada? While the number is not retired it would not have went over well for Youk to take Jorgie's old number and good news Yankees fans, he didn't! Kevin Youkilis will wear #36 for the Yankees next season. Buy your jerseys now!

Justin Upton Still In Mix For NY, Rejects Trade To Sea

Justin Upton has been part of every trade rumor we have heard it seems this off season but the Diamondbacks finally had a deal in place to trade Justin Upton to the Seattle Mariners for a package of young talent. Upton has a limited no trade clause and has reportedly rejected this trade so he is still in the mix for the Yankees to acquire. This has to excite Yankees fans and employees alike because obviously there was a reason that Justin did not want to go to Seattle. The obvious reason you would think would be playing for a contender which the Yankees seem like they will be in 2013 and beyond. Also the Mariners have a much better farm system then us so if they are taken out of the mix this only improves our chances.

Meet Our 2013 Utility Infielder : Eduardo Nunez

Brian Cashman has said from the very beginning of the off season that Eduardo Nunez would be a short stop only going forward into 2013 and beyond. That tune changed a little bit today when Cashman was quoted as saying that if Nunez made the big league club, which I cannot fathom a scenario where he doesn't, that it would have to be as a utility infielder. His defensive struggles and woes are well documented and probably scares the crap out of everybody reading this, including myself, but it is what it is. Eduardo is not going to move Jeter out of the short stop position and we have Alex Rodriguez and Kevin Youkilis for third base so the choice was obvious.

Obviously the Yankees could always waste Nunez like they did with Ramiro Pena and send him down to AAA to either be an every day short stop or let him learn another position or twelve and never make it back to the majors. We always could plug in Jayson Nix, who is currently assigned to AAA and not on the 40 man roster, to play utility infielder and let Nunez get some reps and work down in the minors. There is always that whole trade scenario as well but he has not been linked or rumored to be a part of any deal so I did not think it was worth mentioning.

MLB Announces Random Drug Testing For HGH In 2013

Major League Baseball has announced that they have modified their Joint Anti Drug program to include random HGH drug tests starting as soon as 2013. In the current plan we had drug testing for minor league players and in Spring Training, the off season, and if a player showed reasonable cause for the major league players. Now everyone is eligible for a random test at any time in the year thus continuing to make baseballs anti drug and steroid program the strongest and best in all of sports. Say what you will about Bud Selig and the whole proactive vs. reactive argument but Bud is doing what he has to do to clean up the game with full cooperation from the players and the union and I think the fans win for it.

Maybe The $189 Million Plan Is Not Set In Stone

Hal Steinbrenner left a little wiggle room regarding the 2014 luxury tax thresh hold plan of getting under $189 million in payroll. When asked about it by Ken Davidoff down in Tampa Hal responded by saying "Is our goal 189 next year? Yes, but only if I'm convinced the team I see, that we've put together, is a championship caliber team." He also went on to say that he did not believe you needed to have a payroll of $220 million to win a World Series which I can agree with. Maybe there will be a little wiggle room in this and we have been already putting Cano on a farewell tour and looking at being a 3rd or 4th place team for nothing...