All players are now in camp and the 40-man roster is set... Pitchers: Dellin Betances Cesar Cabral Joba Chamberlain Freddy Garcia Phil Hughes George Kontos Hiroki Kuroda Boone Logan Brad Meyers D.J. Mitchell Ivan Nova David Phelps Michael Pineda Mariano Rivera David Robertson CC Sabathia Rafael Soriano Cory Wade Catchers: Francisco Cervelli Russell Martin Austin Romine Infielders: David Adams Robinson Cano Eric Chavez Derek Jeter Corban Joseph Brandon Laird Eduardo Nunez Ramiro Pena Alex Rodriguez Mark Teixeira Outfielders: Zoilo Almonte Chris Dickerson Brett Gardner Curtis Granderson Raul Ibanez Andruw Jones Justin Maxwell Melky Mesa Nick Swisher Disabled List: David Aardsma, pitcher Reegie Corona, infielder Pedro Feliciano, pitcher
Russell Martin just went down several notches in my book... Yankees Catcher Martin Likes Molina's Big Contract - N.Y. Post Spring Training has just begun and this guy is walking around with a shit-eating grin on his face already about fattening up his paycheck. The Yankees talked with Martin and his agent over the winter about a contract extension but things went nowhere. Now we know why. It's "stick a gun in the Yankees ribcage" time again. Because of the new CBA, the Yankee organization is ahering to certain financial constraints for the next year or two. In the long run, this restraint will greatly benefit them in terms of what they will have to pay in luxury tax. Specifically, they vow not to go past a payroll of $189 million. Martin knows this, but still seems interested in making waves and blabbing to the press. My advice to Brian Cashman is get the kids ready. Let's work to have Austin Romaine and any other young catchers down in the minors prepared to help us in 2013 and let the greedy go off into free agency. The Yanks will be having more payroll come off in the coming seasons. Mariano may not be back in 2013 and Jeter could be out after 2014. That's money we will need to keep a true star like Robinson Cano around, not squander on a glorified journeyman like Martin. He seems to forget that nobody wanted him last year because his health was questionable, but the Yankees gambled on him. Well, I guess no good deed goes unpunished.
The "State of the Yankees" from Hal Steinbrenner... Yankees Want to Cut Payroll to $189 Million by 2014 - N.Y. Times
Yankees began their Spring Training schedule today... Prospects Shine in Yankees' Victory Over USF - N.Y. Yankees
CC Delivers Solid Outing in Spring Debut - N.Y. Yankees I see Phil Hughes is still in fine 2011 form. Hasn't someone told him this is a new year?
CC, Mo Breeze Through Outings vs. Phils - N.Y. Yankees Hughes Rebounds with Strong Effort vs. Twins - N.Y. Yankees
Yanks Draw Close But Can't Top Blue Jays - N.Y. Yankees X-rays on Garcia's hand came back negative. In other injury news, David Robertson has been coming along well and may be allowed to start throwing off a mound by this weekend. Eduardo Nunez, who was drilled on the right hand by a pitch in a game against the Phils on Mar. 5, still hasn't returned to the lineup. Girardi has indicated a couple of times that he's going to play but then scratches him.