Yankees Okay With Price For Upton

According to Jon Morosi of Fox Sports, the Yankees are willing to meet the asking price for Justin Upton... which is great news. But they aren't willing to take on all of the $38.5 million remaining on Upton's contract... which is bad news. I understand that thinking, as they're looking at the money owed to Justin in 2014 and 2015. Again... I don't like it, but I understand it.

Morosi floats the idea of trading Curtis Granderson in order to free up money for Upton in 2013. That doesn't make any sense to me for a couple of reasons...

1. Granderson is gone after this season anyway, so how does trading him help the austerity budget for 2014? The answe... it doesn't.

2. Morosi talked about dealing Granderson to Seattle, as their interest in Upton shows that they want a strong outfielder to anchor their lineup. Sounds great when Jon mentions a window to sign Curtis to an extension, but when he says "even if it's only for one year" I scratched my head. Why would the Mariners, who aren't going to compete in 2013 after finishing 19 games back in the AL West last season, want to pay Grandy $14 million for one year? I already didn't quite understand paying as much as Seattle would have for Upton, who is signed for 3 more years, but them paying for Granderson makes even less sense.

Moving on, Mike Axisa at River Avenue Blues said exactly what I was thinking in their post regarding this bit of news, saying that the Yanks should look to add Upton to their current outfield situation... they shouldn't make a lateral move (switching one outfielder for another). I mean, is an outfield of Upton-Gardner-Ichiro that much better than Granderson-Gardner-Ichio? I don't think so.

Yankees Considering Javier Vazquez For A 3rd Time?

The Yankees are one of several teams including the Washington Nationals and the Boston Red Sox to be monitoring Javier Vazquez as he attempts a comeback to the Major Leagues. Javier has been down in the Winter League in Puerto Rico and has been impressing a lot of scouts with his 92-95 mph fast ball and breaking stuff. Vazquez is entering his age 36 season but is pitching to a 3.52 ERA with 30 K's and 6 BB's in 23 IP. I cannot see the Yankees bringing him back since we already potentially have six or seven starters depending on whether you count Adam Warren or not but it does not hurt to send a scout or two down there. I expect him to go to Boston who would give him the most playing time.

Swisher & Sabathia To Be Honored At BBWAA Dinner

Next Saturday on January 19th the Baseball Writers Association of America will hold its annual dinner to hand out the awards for the 2012 season. The MVP's and Cy Young award winners will be honored that night but we will also see some other awards handed out that generally do not get talked about. Nick Swisher will win the "Good Guy Award" and CC Sabathia will be presented with the "Joan Payson Humanitarian Award" next Saturday at the Hilton. HERE is a list of the rest of the awards to be given out courtesy of Lohud.

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.