SB Nation New York - Yankees News: Raul Ibanez Signed As Lefty DHhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48977/ny-fave.png2012-03-16T18:11:16-04:00http://newyork.sbnation.com/rss/stream/23396092012-03-16T18:11:16-04:002012-03-16T18:11:16-04:00Yankees News: Derek Jeter Hampered By Calf Injury
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<p>After injuring his left calf, <span>Derek Jeter</span> wont return to spring training action until next week at the earliest.</p>
<p>Though Yankees manager Joe Girardi was unsure when Jeter's <a href="http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/7695488/2012-spring-training-new-york-yankees-derek-jeter-next-week-calf-injury">injury happened</a>, he decided to err on the side of caution after New York's shortstop missed nearly a month last season with a right calf injury.</p>
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<p>"My alarm was he hurt his calf last year and even though it is the other calf, we are going to be smart about this," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "I told him, 'Don't even go outside today.' I think he could hit or take BP, but just let it calm down."</p>
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<p>Girardi did say Tuesday is a possible return date for Jeter. The Yankees will face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pittsburgh Pirates</a> in Tampa, Fla., that night.</p>
<p>Jeter joins a growing list of injured Yankees, including backup shortstop <span>Eduardo Nunez</span> (hand), utility man <span>Ramiro Pena</span> (ankle), catcher <span>Russell Martin</span> (groin) and starting pitcher <span>Freddy Garcia</span> (hand). Reliever David Robertson, who slipped on some stairs in his home and injured his right food, is expected to be ready for Opening Day on April 6.</p>
<p><i>For more coverage of the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">New York Yankees</a>' offseason, stay tuned to our <a href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-yankees/2011/11/20/2575568/yankees-trade-rumors-braves-dangling-pitcher-jair-jurrjens-mlb-hot-stove">StoryStream</a>. For more Yankees coverage, visit our <a href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-yankees/2011/mlb/teams/new-york-yankees">team page</a> or our blog <a href="http://www.pinstripealley.com/">Pinstripe Alley</a>.</i></p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-yankees/2012/3/16/2878749/new-york-yankees-derek-jeter-spring-training-2012Mike Fiammetta2012-02-22T14:13:28-05:002012-02-22T14:13:28-05:00Yankees News: David Aardsma Signs With New York Yankees
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<p>Looking for a low-risk, high-reward addition to their bullpen, <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/yankees/post/_/id/27652/yanks-add-aardsma">the New York Yankees signed relief pitcher David Aardsma</a> to a contract that will pay him a base salary of $500,000 this season.</p>
<p>The hard-throwing righty missed all of last season due to Tommy John surgery, and the Yankees don't expect him to make an instant impact.</p>
<p>Rather, they inked Aardsma with an eye to the future.</p>
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<p>"Nothing ventured, nothing gained,'' general manager Brian Cashman said. "He's a power arm we picked up for $100,000 over the minimum (salary) and we feel it could have a nice payoff down the road.''</p>
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<p>The 30-year-old saved 69 games for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Seattle Mariners</a> during the 2009 and 2010 seasons. His best season came in 2009, when he saved 38 games with a 2.52 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 71.1 innings.</p>
<p><i>For more coverage of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">New York Yankees</a>' offseason, stay tuned to <a href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-yankees/2011/11/20/2575568/yankees-trade-rumors-braves-dangling-pitcher-jair-jurrjens-mlb-hot-stove" target="_blank">our StoryStream</a>. For more Yankees coverage, visit our <a href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-yankees/2011/mlb/teams/new-york-yankees" target="_blank">team page</a> or our blog <a href="http://www.pinstripealley.com/" target="_blank">Pinstripe Alley</a>.</i></p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-yankees/2012/2/22/2817022/new-york-yankess-offseason-news-2012-david-aardsma-free-agent-signingsJay King2012-02-20T09:22:36-05:002012-02-20T09:22:36-05:00Raul Ibanez Signing: Yankees Officially Ink Veteran Hitter
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<p>The first domino from the New York Yankees trade of A.J. Burnett to the Pittsburgh Pirates has fallen. The Yankees, as had been rumored for weeks,<a target="new" href="http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/7593898/new-york-yankees-agree-1-year-deal-raul-ibanez-sources-say"> have signed veteran Raul Ibanez</a> to be a left-handed hitting designated hitter and occasional outfielder.</p>
<p>The Yankees bypassed two former Yankees to sign the 39-year-old Ibanez. They chose him instead of <a target="new" href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-yankees/2012/2/18/2808918/johnny-damon-rumors-yankees-say-no-thanks/in/2339609">the begging Johnny Damon</a> and former World Series hero Hideki Matsui.</p>
<p>Ibanez hit .245/.289/.419 with 20 home runs and 84 RBIs in 144 games for the Philadelphia Philliesin 2011. For his career, Ibanez is .280/.342/.471. The Yankees will obviously hope the 16-year veteran rebounds from his worst season since hitting .229 back in 2000.</p>
<p>The Yankees had been expected to use some of the $13 million they saved by trading Burnett to sign a designated hitter. <span class="caps">ESPN</span> reported that Ibanez will sign for around $1 million.</p>
<p>New York holds its first pitchers and catchers workout of Spring Training today in Tampa, Fla.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-yankees/2012/2/20/2811534/raul-ibanez-signing-yankees-officially-ink-veteran-hitterEd Valentine2012-02-18T19:20:31-05:002012-02-18T19:20:31-05:00Johnny Damon Rumors: Yankees Say 'No, Thanks!'
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<p><span>Johnny Damon</span> <a target="_blank" href="http://slidingintohome.blogspot.com/2012/02/damon-doesnt-understand-why-yanks-dont.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SlidingIntoHome+%28Sliding+Into+Home%29">thinks he's a "perfect fit" for the left-handed designated hitter role</a> the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Yankees</a> have open. The Yankees apparently think the veteran outfielder/designated hitter should go peddle his wares somewhere else.</p>
<p>Damon told the New York Post that the Yankees have, basically, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/yankees/damon_not_coming_back_to_yankees_IZlBjUsJKp7Iub0KHgdNwJ?CMP=OTC-rss&FEEDNAME=">slammed the door in his face</a>. From the Post:</p>
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<p>"We both are looking at other options now,'' Damon told The Post Saturday and called it "unfortunate.''</p>
<p>According to GM Brian Cashman, Damon contacted the club.</p>
<p>"He called and I told him the truth. He is not the No. 1 option if and when I turn to DH options,'' Cashman said.</p>
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<p>The Yankees are <a target="_blank" href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-yankees/2012/2/18/2807852/new-york-yankees-offseason-news-2012-raul-ibanez-eric-chavez-aj-burnett/in/2339609">reportedly ready to sign Raul Ibanez</a> for the designated hitter role once Major League Baseball gives its final approval to the trade of <span>A.J. Burnett</span> to the <a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pittsburgh Pirates</a>. </p>
<p>Damon, 38, was a Yankee from 2006-2008. He seems stunned by the team having no apparent desire for a reunion.</p>
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<center><i><b>Related: </b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=185&position=OF">Damon's Career Stats, via FanGraphs</a></i></center>
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<p>In a harsh rip job on Damon, the <a target="_blank" href="http://nybaseballdigest.com/2012/02/18/johnny-damon-can-take-his-whining-and-lying-to-another-town/">NY Baseball Digest takes Damon to task</a> and insinuates that he has no one to blame but himself for the Yankees turning away from him.</p>
<p>That stance might be a little harsh. Damon, however, is still a productive player. So, you have to think there is more to the Yankees' decision than playing ability.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-yankees/2012/2/18/2808918/johnny-damon-rumors-yankees-say-no-thanksEd Valentine2012-02-18T17:50:23-05:002012-02-18T17:50:23-05:00New York Yankees Close To Signing Clay Rapada To Minor League Contract, According To Report
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<p>According to <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/#!/BryanHoch/status/170986907235397632">Bryan Hoch of MLB.com</a>, the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Yankees</a> are close to picking up <span>Clay Rapada</span> on a minor league contract and with an invite to spring training.</p>
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<p>Yankees close to signing Clay Rapada to a minor league contract with invitation to spring training.</p>
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<p>Rapada is 30 years old, 6'5" and 200 pounds with a mid-80s fastball. He's spent most of his career in the minors with the <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rangers</a>, <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tigers</a>, <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cubs</a> and most recently the Baltimore <a href="https://www.camdenchat.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Orioles</a>. He has 52.5 major league innings under his belt with a career ERA of 5.13. He's struggled with control throughout his short sting in the majors, posting a BB/9 rate of 5.47.</p>
<p>Give Rapada's lack of success, age and limited-to-no upside, this move is likely one of the 'warm body' variety, strictly for added depth in spring training.</p>
<p><i>For more coverage of the New York Yankees' offseason, stay tuned to <a target="_blank" href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-yankees/2011/11/20/2575568/yankees-trade-rumors-braves-dangling-pitcher-jair-jurrjens-mlb-hot-stove">our StoryStream</a>. For more Yankees coverage, visit our <a target="_blank" href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-yankees/2011/mlb/teams/new-york-yankees">team page</a> or our blog <a target="_blank" href="http://www.pinstripealley.com/">Pinstripe Alley</a>.</i></p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-yankees/2012/2/18/2808771/new-york-yankees-news-clay-rapada-minor-league-spring-training-2012Jordan Sams2012-02-18T08:39:29-05:002012-02-18T08:39:29-05:00Yankees News: Raul Ibanez, Eric Chavez To Sign Deals With New York, According To Report
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<p>Once the <span>A.J. Burnett</span> deal is finalized by the league office, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">New York Yankees</a> have agreements to sign <span>Raul Ibanez</span> and <span>Eric Chavez</span>, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/JonHeymanCBS/status/170639125647597570">Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports</a>.</p>
<p>The Yankees have been looking to add a left-handed designated hitter all offseason, even setting the groundwork for a trade that would have sent Burnett to Anaheim in exchange for <span>Bobby Abreu</span>. But Burnett waived the deal and the Yankees returned their focus to the relatively cheap fill-ins left in the free agent market.</p>
<p>Ibanez, 39, hit .245 with 20 home runs and 84 RBI with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Philadelphia Phillies</a> in 2011. The lefty has knocked in at least 80 runs in nine of the past 10 seasons and hit at least 16 home runs every year since 2002, though his on-base percentage (.289) and slugging percentage (.419) both saw a precipitous drop in the past year.</p>
<p>Chavez, 34, returns to the Yankees after batting .263 with two homers and 26 RBI in 160 at-bats during 2011. </p>
<p>It's likely that Ibanez will be used as New York's primary DH against right-handed pitching, with <span>Andruw Jones</span> earning most of the starts against southpaws. </p>
<p><i>For more coverage of the New York Yankees' offseason, stay tuned to <a href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-yankees/2011/11/20/2575568/yankees-trade-rumors-braves-dangling-pitcher-jair-jurrjens-mlb-hot-stove" target="_blank">our StoryStream</a>. For more Yankees coverage, visit <a href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-yankees/2011/mlb/teams/new-york-yankees" target="_blank">our team page</a> or our blog <a href="http://www.pinstripealley.com/" target="_blank">Pinstripe Alley</a>.</i></p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-yankees/2012/2/18/2807852/new-york-yankees-offseason-news-2012-raul-ibanez-eric-chavez-aj-burnettJay King2012-02-17T14:59:00-05:002012-02-17T14:59:00-05:00A.J. Burnett Trade: Yankees Will Receive Prospects Diego Moreno, Exicardo Cayones From Pirates, According To Report
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<p>The two prospects the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">New York Yankees</a> will receive from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pittsburgh Pirates</a> as part of the <span>A.J. Burnett</span> trade are Diego Moreno and Exicardo Cayones, <a href="http://twitter.com/JonathanMayoB3/status/170593978973032448">according to an MLB.com report</a>.</p>
<p>The two teams still await MLB approval on the trade, which is required because of the money being exchanged in the deal. The Yankees have reportedly agreed to send Burnett to Pittsburgh in exchange for the two prospects, with the Pirates assuming $13 million of the $33 million left on the two years of Burnett's contract.</p>
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<center><i><b>Related: </b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.minorleagueball.com/2012/2/17/2807430/prospects-in-the-a-j-burnett-trade">Minor League Ball Assesses Prospects Received By New York</a></i></center>
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<p>Neither of the prospects is considered a great fetch. Moreno is a 25-year old reliever who was 2-4 with a 3.63 ERA last season in Single-A and Double-A. Cayones is a 20-year old outfielder who batted .228 with zero home runs and 12 RBI during 2011 in 114 at-bats split between rookie ball and Single-A.</p>
<p><i>For more coverage of the New York Yankees' offseason, stay tuned to <a target="_blank" href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-yankees/2011/11/20/2575568/yankees-trade-rumors-braves-dangling-pitcher-jair-jurrjens-mlb-hot-stove">our StoryStream</a>. For more Yankees coverage, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-yankees/2011/mlb/teams/new-york-yankees">our team page</a> or our blog <a target="_blank" href="http://www.pinstripealley.com/">Pinstripe Alley</a>.</i></p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-yankees/2012/2/17/2805275/a-j-burnett-trade-new-york-yankees-news-2012-pittsburgh-pirates-diego-moreno-mlb-rumorsJay King2012-02-17T13:34:00-05:002012-02-17T13:34:00-05:00A.J. Burnett Traded To Pittsburgh Pirates From New York Yankees, According To Report
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<p>The quest to trade A.J Burnett is reportedly over.</p>
<p><a href="http://twitter.com/MLB/status/170568203225923586">According to a report from Ken Rosenthal of the MLB Network</a>, the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Yankees</a> have agreed to a trade that will send the starting pitcher to the <a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pittsburgh Pirates</a>. The deal is still subject to MLB approval because of the money involved.</p>
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<center><i><b>Recommended Reading:</b> <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/joe_lemire/02/17/burnett-trade/index.html?sct=hp_t2_a8&eref=sihp" target="_blank">Why The Yankees Had To Unload Burnett</a></i></center>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/Ken_Rosenthal/status/170565555210829824">Rosenthal reports</a> that the Pirates will assume $13 million of the $33 million owed to Burnett over the next two seasons in addition to sending two low-level prospects to the Yankees. The two teams had previously been stuck at an impasse, with the Pirates unwilling to assume more than $10 million worth of Burnett's deal.</p>
<p>Burnett was 11-11 with a 5.15 ERA in New York during 2011, striking out 173 batters in 190.1 innings.</p>
<p><i>For more coverage of the New York Yankees' offseason, stay tuned to <a target="_blank" href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-yankees/2011/11/20/2575568/yankees-trade-rumors-braves-dangling-pitcher-jair-jurrjens-mlb-hot-stove">our StoryStream</a>. For more Yankees coverage, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-yankees/2011/mlb/teams/new-york-yankees">our team page</a> or our blog <a target="_blank" href="http://www.pinstripealley.com/">Pinstripe Alley</a>.</i></p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-yankees/2012/2/17/2805047/new-york-yankees-news-2012-a-j-burnett-trade-pittsburgh-pirates-mlb-tradesJay King