Robertson "Letting it All Play Out," Shawn Kelley Says

David Robertson is just weighing his options, Yankees' Reliever Shawn Kelley said.

Kelley joined MLB.com's Bryan Hoch for a phone interview this week, and didn't seem fearful that Robertson is about to leave the team in doing so. He said that he talks to Robertson "once in a while," and that Robertson is just seeing what's out there after rejecting the Yankees' qualifying offer.

"I’ve texted him personally to see what his thoughts are," Kelley said. "Honestly, I think he’s just kind of letting it all play out at this point. Since he turned the qualifying offer down, he might as well hear what the teams have to say and see what the best situation is personally for him.”

Robertson reportedly received interest from the Astros recently, a happening that has some Yankees fans concerned. Had Robertson not turned down New York's original proposal, he'd make $15.3 million in 2015, but has made it clear that he wants more length.

Nonetheless, according to Kelley, Robertson still has a part of him that is open to a return to the Bronx, where he's spent the entirety of his young career.

“I know he loves New York, I know he’s close with Mariano (Rivera) and wants to kind of follow in Mariano’s footsteps,” Kelley said. "...But he’s got to do what’s best and see what’s out there. That’s where he’s at in his career right now. I’ll support anything he does. We’re close friends, we always will be and I want what’s best for him and his family.”

Robertson has gone 25-19 with a 2.81 ERA in 393 1/3 innings pitched since 2008. This season, his first as the Yankees' closer, he successfully converted 39/44 save opportunities, the third most in the American League. 

However, with Dellin Betances now a record-breaking contributor and Adam Warren slowly evolving into a reliable threat, it's beginning to look more and more like the Yankees could still survive without Robertson if they had to, as good as he's been.

More on the Rays Fire Sale

Last time we spoke about the potential fire sale that is about to go on in Tampa Bay I explained how my semi sarcastic comment claiming that a house cleaning was about to go down in Tampa was killed on Twitter. Well a Joel Peralta, Jeremy Hellickson and Cesar Ramos trade later and a Jose Molina DFA rumors are starting to circulate around more potential trade happenings with the Rays.

Over the weekend my folder full of news sites that I have bookmarked were loaded with potential Rays players being put on the block by Tampa. Some of these players included Matt Joyce, Ben Zobrist, and basically everyone else not named Evan Longoria and Alex Cobb (for now). This sure sounds like the team is ready to blow it up and start all over to me.

When the Rays announced two rookie managerial candidates in Raul Ibanez and Doug Glanville I knew the team was ready to start over. I just hope the person who killed me on Twitter for suggesting that it was coming after the team “traded their 7^th starter away” and a “terrible relief pitcher” see’s the error of his ways and acknowledges that maybe he isn’t the smartest Rays fan in the world. That’s all that I ask. 

HOLIDAY PURCHASES WILL BENEFIT THE CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY OF NEW JERSEY

The tenth annual Trenton Thunder Gift of Baseball program begins today, giving fans the chance to share the experience of cheering on the hometown team with underprivileged families in our community.  For each Season Ticket, Pic-A-Plan and Mini Plan purchased between November 24 and December 19, the Thunder will provide tickets for families in the Holiday Gift Outreach program run by Children's Home Society to attend a 2015 Thunder game.

"Our fans and corporate partners deserve a big "thank you" for supporting this initiative every year," said Thunder General Manager Will Smith.  "We're hoping even more families can visit ARM & HAMMER Park next season thanks to our fans' holiday shopping."

In its first nine years, the Gift of Baseball program has allowed the Thunder to donate a total of 6,344 tickets to the Children's Home Society.

"We are so grateful to the Trenton Thunder for once again sharing this wonderful 'Gift of Baseball' with the children we serve," said Donna C. Pressma, CHSofNJ President and CEO.  She continued, "This gift allows hundreds of our children to experience a live baseball game. It is a chance to make memories that last a lifetime, and we cannot thank the Trenton Thunder enough for always thinking of our CHSofNJ children and families."

2015 Trenton Thunder Mini Plans go on sale December 1st.  Mini plans include five or six of the most popular games on the schedule, free food at each game, a Trenton Thunder hat, a complimentary ticket to Opening Night and start as low as $60. More information about Mini Plans can be found here: MINI PLANS

Pic-A-Plans allow fans to choose any 10 or more games and like Mini Plans include free food, a limited edition hat and a free Opening Night ticket.  More information about Pic-A-Plans can be found here: PIC-A-PLANS

Season Tickets are available as either a full (71 games) or half (36 games) and include a lot of perks such as early entry, special events and more.  More information about Season Tickets can be found here: SEASON TICKETS

The Children's Home Society of New Jersey provides at-risk children and their families with a range of services that empower them to achieve their potential.  They are child-oriented, family focused, community based, and outcome-oriented.

The Thunder will begin the 2015 season at ARM & HAMMER Park on Thursday, April 16 against the Portland Sea Dogs (Red Sox). Single game tickets will go on sale in March 2015.  For more information about tickets, fans should call 609-394-3300or visit TrentonThunder.com.

Red Sox Get Hanley and Panda, Should We Worry?

The Boston Red Sox are re-tooling and rebuilding their team after missing the postseason in 2014 and the New York Yankees should take notice and worry. The Boston Red Sox will no longer be the whipping boy in the American League East after signing maybe the top two offensive free agents in this class. Each player reportedly will receive a five year deal and both players will receive somewhere in the neighborhood of $100 million each. Paying for guys entering or leaving their primes to mega contracts and stealing all the attention in the media, isn’t that the Yankees job?

Hanley and Sandoval should take advantage of the Green Monster in Fenway and have huge offensive seasons in 2015 assuming health. The worst part about it is that Boston is likely not done this hot stove season either. The team could always bring back Jon Lester and/or trade away depth, Will Middlebrooks and Xander Bogaerts for example, for even more pieces to complete the puzzle. The team could always move Ramirez to left field since the dimensions are so small out there if the star would be willing to make the move allowing the team to keep and build around Bogaerts and creates a controversy.

Currently the Red Sox have Yoenis Cespedes in left field, Shane Victorino in right field, and a combination of Allen Craig, Daniel Nava, Brock Holt, and others. I said all that to say this, the Red Sox are far from done and that group of management has a track record of doing things efficiently and the right way. If I were the Yankees organization I would be scared right about now because I know, as a fan, I am. 

My Hall of Fame Ballot

The ballots for the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame have been announced and there are a few notable first timers on the list. As many of you know I am a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America and I will get a say in that ballot but I will save that ballot reveal for another day. Today I wanted to reveal who I would vote for if I had a vote in the BBWAA ballot.

Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, Carlos Delgado, Nomar Garciaparra, Gary Sheffield, Tony Clark and John Smoltz are among 17 newcomers to the ballot joining Craig Biggio who fell two votes shy last season among others. Don Mattingly will also appear on the ballot for the 15^th and final time in his eligibility this season while Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, Mike Piazza, Jeff Bagwell, and Time Raines make their returns to the ballot.

My ballot includes Johnson, Martinez, Smoltz, Mattingly, Mike Mussina, Bonds, Clemens, Biggio, Piazza and Raines. While I know many will disagree with the Mattingly pick I had to slide him in there as my 10^th and final selection. Many more will disagree with my picks who were linked to steroids and the entire steroid era but it’s referred to as an era because, and I use the term loosely, everyone was doing steroids. The Black Sox threw the World Series but it wasn’t called the Black Sox era it was called the Black Sox scandal because they were one of the only ones doing it. Everyone did steroids and no one should be punished for it before it was illegal in the game. 

TGP Daily Poll: Chase Headley a 2015 Yankee

With the market for Chase Headley shrinking with every third baseman the Boston Red Sox sign it makes me believe that Headley will be a New York Yankee in 2015.

Vote in our poll!!

This Day in New York Yankees History 11/25: Bob Sheppard Retires

On this day in 2009 the long time New York Yankees public address announcer Bob Sheppard announced that he would not be back to do any more games. The 99 year old Sheppard cited age and lack of stamina, imagine that, for the reason for his retirement. Bob was the voice of the Yankees, and the "Voice of God," for over 50 seasons and saw the likes of Joe DiMaggio, Derek Jetah, and Mickey Mantle in his time with the team.

Also on this day in 1980 the Yankees and George Steinbrenner hired Gene Michael to be their manager. Michael would be the 25th manager in Yankees history and would replace Dick Howser after he led the Yankees to a first place finish in the AL East and a 103-59 record. "Stick" did what Howser couldn't though when he won two American League pennants in his first two seasons as the manager.

Finally on this day in 1970 the Yankees catcher Thurman Munson was named the American League Rookie of the Year. Munson received 23 of the 24 first place votes in an absolute landslide over the Indians Roy Foster.

Kuty: Locking Up Headley Might Now Be Yankees' Biggest Concern

With Pablo Sandoval now guaranteed to be a member of the Red Sox for multiple seasons, re-signing Chase Headley may become the Yankees' main concern, NJ.com's Brendan Kuty argues.

According to Kuty, Sandoval coming off the table makes Headley this offseason's most desirable third baseman. He is coming off a 77-game stretch with the Yankees in which he batted a solid .262, and is likely not going to ask for the money Sandoval did.

However, that doesn't necessarily mean inking Headley will be easy for the Yankees, as another coastal contender could soon begin to compete for his services.

From Kuty's report: 

"It’s likely Headley will want a deal that guarantees him at least three or four years, considering Sandoval’s reported $90-million haul will come over a five-year span. And there are several teams who could give Headley what he wants.

The Yankees have been in contact with Headley’s agent, Casey Close, general manager Brian Cashman has said. The Giants, Sandoval’s old team, could also emerge as serious contenders, considering their sudden need at third base and that Headley has spent almost his whole career in California."

That the Giants didn't push harder for Sandoval after he helped them take home three championships in five years is definitely strange, but nonetheless, that doesn't mean they'll just go away.

They are still looking to improve their team, while the Yankees seem to just be trying to keep theirs together. That being said, it's very important that the Yankees find a way to keep Headley in their uniform, as no other reliable options appear to be available at the position. 

Headley, 30, is a career .265 hitter, and was well known for his defensive talent during his recent time in pinstripes.

Yankees Announce 2014 Black Friday and Cyber Monday Ticket Deals

Yankees Press Release:

The New York Yankees today announced special holiday on-sale opportunities exclusively for MasterCard cardholders to purchase tickets for select 2015 New York Yankees home games in April, May and June.

Beginning at 10:00 a.m. ET on Black Friday (November 28) and continuing through 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 24, all fans using their MasterCard may purchase specially priced individual game tickets to select 2015 New York Yankees home games in April, May and June as part of the “MasterCard Preferred Pricing” program, which offers discounts of up to $15 per ticket in select seating categories when purchasing using a MasterCard.

Select MasterCard $5 and Half-price Games will be available for purchase during the above on-sale.

Additionally, from 10:00 a.m. ET on Black Friday (November 28) through 11:59 p.m. on Cyber Monday (December 1) only, there will be a special “Buy 2, Get 2” offer. Fans can save up to 50 percent off select seats with this opportunity by using their MasterCard and the code MCB2G2. The “Buy 2, Get 2” offer is valid for four games during the 2015 season (May 8, May 22, May 26 and June 18).

Fans interested in taking advantage of the above special single-game MasterCard on-sale opportunities may purchase tickets by visiting www.yankees.com/priceless or www.yankeesbeisbol.com, or by calling Ticketmaster at (877) 469-9849 or (800) 943-4327 (TTY). This on-sale opportunity will not be available at the Yankee Stadium Ticket Office or Ticketmaster outlets.

Existing Yankees Season Ticket Licensees using their MasterCard will have special advanced access to all of the above ticket specials during an exclusive pre-on-sale from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. ET on November 28.

Also on sale on www.yankees.com beginning at 10:00 a.m. ET on Black Friday (November 28) will be 16-game, 12-game and nine-game value plans for the 2015 regular season. The 16-game, 12-game and nine-game plan offers are available for all fans regardless of the form of payment. Nine-game plan offers are available starting at $90. Existing Yankees Season Ticket Licensees, regardless of the form of payment, may begin purchasing these value plans at 8:00 a.m. on November 28.

—

The specifics of 2015 regular-season ticket specials (eg: Senior Citizen, Student, Youth, Military Personnel), as well as the 2015 regular season promotional schedule, will be announced at a later date.

The on-sale for all other 2015 individual game tickets will be announced at a later time.

Select Yankees season ticket plans are now available on both a full-season and partial-season basis. For complete season-ticket information, please visit yankees.com or yankeesbeisbol.com, contact the Season Ticket Sales and Service Department via email at seasontickets@yankees.com, or call (212) YANKEES [212-926-5337].

For group tickets for individual games during the 2015 regular season, a Yankees group sales representative can be reached at groups@yankees.com or by calling (212) YANKEES [212-926-5337]. Individual-game suites are available by contacting the Yankees Premium Sales and Services department at premium@yankees.com or (718) 508-3955.

Most Popular Article of the Week: Justin Upton to the Yankees

First and foremost I want to start this post by explaining that this is pure speculation. I do not have any inside sources, I did not read anywhere that a deal is being discussed or even a possibility, etc. It's the offseason and it's the time to dream, live in a Playstation sort of world, and have fun. Let's do it.

Whether or not the Atlanta Braves are in full sell mode or not remains to be seen but the Tommy La Stella and Jason Heyward trades made you wonder what's going on in the ATL. I understand the team is "starved" for starting pitching but at what point does one begin to scratch their heads and wonder what John Hart's ultimate plan is. Does he know more then you or I, yes he does by the way, and will the Braves exceed expectations in 2015 or are these two deals simply a precursor to a bigger deal, a deal involving Justin Upton?

If the latter is true the New York Yankees need to pick up the phone right now and make this happen. One thing the Yankees have been lacking for over two seasons now is right handed power and Upton has that as evident by his 29 home runs in 2014. The problem is where do you play the aforementioned Upton brother? He plays left field in Turner Field, why not left field in Yankee Stadium?

Atlanta is looking towards the now and the future so while Upton has one year left on his deal Gardner still has four at a very team friendly price. Gardner makes the Braves lineup more dynamic while the Yankees offense gets better ten fold in my opinion. Add in a Bryan Mitchell (or Shane Greene although my preference is to hold on to Greene) and Austin Romine who is out of options and a viable backup for Christian Bethancourt and I think a deal gets done.

So what say you, do you pull the trigger? Let us know in the comments section.