Yankees Avoid Arbitration With Joba Chamberlain

The Yankees and Joba Chamberlain have agreed upon a one year contract for the 2013 season avoiding arbitration. Joba signed for $1.875 million after MLB Trade Rumors projected a base salary of $1.8 million. Joba can earn an additional $275,000 with games finished incentives and bonuses. Joba has one more season of arbitration before he becomes a free agent after the 2014 season. The Yankees have two arbitration eligible players left in David Robertson and Boone Logan.

Derek Jeter Cleared To Resume Baseball Activities

Derek Jeter is coming off of a ankle surgery to repair a fractured ankle in late October and has been cleared by team doctors to resume baseball activities. Jeter claims that he does not usually start baseball activities for another week or two anyway so he claims to be right on schedule for the beginning of Spring Training and the 2013 season. The only thing that scares me here is Derek's heart and him trying to push himself too far too fast but as it stands right now we will have #2 as our Opening Day short stop when we open the season against Boston in the Bronx.

Former & Current Yankees Well Represented In WBC

The Yankees, both current and former, are going to be well represented in this years World Baseball Classic that will be played this March. We have already heard that Yankees 1B Mark Teixeira will play for Team USA and we have also heard reports that Andy Pettitte will pitch for Team USA although that is still unofficial. Yankees 2B Robinson Cano will play for team Dominican Republic and Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli will play for team Italy in this years classic. Former Yankees will also be in this years classic like Russel Martin for team Canada, Melky Cabrera on team Dominican Republic (please stay away from Cano.. please), Jose Molina will play for team Puerto Rico, Andruw Jones will play for team Wife Beaters Netherlands, and Luis Ayala, Alfredo Aceves, and Ramiro Pena will play for team Mexico.

Napoli Agrees To 1-Year Deal With Boston

According to Jon Heyman, Mike Napoli has agreed to a one year deal with the Red Sox, worth $5 million. This after having originally agreed to a 3 year deal worth $39 million. Talk about a big difference. It'll be interesting to hear what the medicals said to make the contract drop that much... assuming we ever hear that information.

My idea of going after Mike Napoli looks even worse that I thought.

Team USA Roster

The roster for Team USA, which will play in the World Baseball Classic, has been announced. There are only 27 players listed, as teams are allowed 28. Joe Torre has announced that the 28th player will be another starter.

C/1B - Joe Mauer
C - JP Arencibia
C - Jonathan Lucroy
1B - Mark Teixeira
2B - Brandon Phillips
3B - David Wright
SS - Jimmy Rollins
UT - Ben Zobrist
UT - Willie Bloomquist
OF - Ryan Braun
OF - Adam Jones
OF - Giancarlo Stanton
OF - Shane Victorino

P - Jeremy Affeldt
P - Tim Collins
P - Derek Holland
P - Glen Perkins
P - Heath Bell
P - Mitchell Boggs
P - Steve Cishek
P - RA Dickey
P - Luke Gregerson
P - Craig Kimbrel
P - Kris Medlen
P - Chris Perez
P - Vinnie Pestano
P - Ryan Vogelsong

Yankees Will Play Exhibition W/ West Point

The New York Yankees have announced that they will play an exhibition game with the West Point Academy on March 30th. That day is significant because it is the day after they play the Washington Nationals in an exhibition game and two days after Spring Training and the Grapefruit League schedule will end. Further details, including I am assuming how to purchase tickets, will be released by the Yankees organization at a later date.

Michael Morse Comes Off Board, Traded To Mariners

The Yankees were said to be extremely interested in and the most aggressive team in the Michael Morse sweepstakes but we once again missed out as the Seattle Mariners have swept in and traded for Morse. This three team trade including the Nationals, Mariners, and Athletics will send John Jaso to the A's, Michael Morse to the Mariners, and prospects to the Nationals. The A's have designated George Kottaras for assignment to make room for Jaso so I wonder if the Yankees will make a waiver claim if they get the opportunity. Either way we missed out on a right handed power hitter that was very versatile and would have been a perfect fit for the team in 2013. Very disappointing.

Alex Rodriguez Hip Surgery Complete & A Success

Alex Rodriguez has come through his second hip surgery in the last five seasons after he had the procedure done on his left hip this time. The procedure was considered to be successful and the healing process begins immediately. Dr. Kelly performed the procedure in the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York and everything went as planned with zero complications.

It will take Rodriguez six weeks to heal where he can only do range of motion exercises followed by six more weeks of strengthening the tissue that was repaired. After that it is hard to put a time table on it but anywhere from a month to three months later Alex Rodriguez should be fully rehabilitated and healed and back on the field for the Yankees.

Yankees, Phil Hughes Avoid Arbitration With 1 Yr Dealarbitr

The Yankees and Phil Hughes have agreed upon a one year contract for the 2013 season avoiding arbitration. Hughes will sign a deal worth $7.15 million after MLB Trade Rumors predicted that he would only get $5.7 million. This was Hughes third and final season being arbitration eligible so he will be a free agent after the 2013 season.

Nationals Sign Soriano

The Washington Nationals have agreed to sign Rafael Soriano to a two year deal worth $28 million. Turns out that turning down the qualifying offer of $13.3 million from the Yankees didn't bite Soriano in the backside after all, as he's not only got a 2nd guaranteed year but a bit more money too.

Personally I'm happy that the Yankees didn't go back on what they've said regarding not bringing back Soriano, as I feel the bullpen looks pretty good without him. And spending that much more money didn't make a whole lot of sense to me, especially when they've had chances to sign other players to fill true holes, but have apparently balked at the asking price.

Since Rafael turned down the Yankees' qualifying offer, and has now signed with another team, the Yanks will receive another draft pick. While the Nationals have to give up the 29th pick in the draft due to this signing, the Yankees will possibly receive the 32nd overall pick.