Yanks' get nothing, and like it

Posted by Jon Creem.

On the eve of pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training the Yankees deal once World Series hero, A.J. Burnett, to the Pirates. The details of the trade, however, are making Yankee fans scratch their heads.

A.J. Burnett

Game two of the 2009 World Series is most likely the lasting image of A.J. Burnett's career as a Yankee. Since then, his win totals have dropped, his loss totals have risen, he has lost a little mustard on his fastball, and he has lost support of the Yankee organization and fan base. Coming off a 18 wins season in Toronto, the Yankees spending spree of 2009 saw Burnett come in with a 5 year, $82.5 million contract, and making him the overnight number two in the eventual World Series champion's rotations. What would be an unprecedented amount of money and commitment for the majority of other teams in the league, the contract was business as usual for the Bronx Bombers. Analysts conclude that Burnett's best years as a Yankee were over after the right-hander went 11-11, with an ERA of 5.15 and who's 31 homers against him was a career high, but to the Yankee organization, that first year was worth the contract. 

The Yankees traded Burnett to the Pirates for two prospects that we will get into later, but first lets talk about the numbers. Burnett is owed roughly $33 million on the contract from 09'. The Pirates, being the small market they are most definitely could not handle Burnett's contract fully with the investment still that big. So now, the Yankees are paying $20 million of the $33 million Burnett is owed for the next two years. According to an article by ESPN MLB, the Pirates will pay Burnett the remaining $13 million with $5 million this year, and $8 million the next. 

The Yankees didn't get much in return for Burnett either. The two low level minor leaguers include 20-year old outfielder  Exicardo Cayones and 25-year old right-hander Diego Moreno. Fox News Latino reports that Cayones batted .293 with no homers and 12 RBI for the Gulf Coast Pirates in Pittsburgh's Rookie League team last year. Moreno, playing seven games for Double-A went 0-0 with a 4.91 ERA, and before that went 2-4 with a 3.21 ERA in relief Bradenton of the Florida State League. Neither of the the two players seem will have much impact in the Yankees organization this season or in the near future. So why make the deal?

Raul Ibanez

The deal, as we found out, was most likely made so that outfielder Raul Ibanez can be brought in to add to the Yankee offense. Ibanez, who is 39 will be used primarily as a DH, now that Jorge Posada has retired, although he can still play a couple games in left field if the Yankees need him too. Coming off a solid year where Ibanez hit .245 with 20 homers, the Yankees signed him for one 1-year $1.1 million. What does the Burnett deal have to do with Ibanez signing? Even though the Yankees are paying Burnett $20 million to pitch for another team, they are saving themselves $5 million and utilizing it to sign Ibanez and possibly to re-sign Eric Chavez.

The Yankees are known for their big spending, and the Burnett deal is no different. As I said before, any other team would have a real problem letting go a guy they've already invested close to $70 million for two players that aren't going to be used in the near future, but that's the kind of organization the Yankees are. Burnett's time in the Bronx was over, but even without him the Yankees still look to be a favorite in the American League.

You can read up about my co-writer, Anthony Romano's predictions on how well the Yankees will do this season as he predicts the AL East standings for the 2012 season.

One Last Go for Mo?

Posted by Michael Millan.

After arriving to Yankees Spring Training camp in Tampa, Florida on Monday, Mariano Rivera stated that he had already made up his mind about whether or not this would be his final season about two or three weeks ago.  And although Rivera failed to make an official statement regarding his status for the 2013 season, everything that Rivera did say would lead you to believe that the 2012 season will be his final season.

Mariano Rivera

"I know now," the all-time saves leader said. "I just don't want to tell you. I know now. I will let you guys know when I think I should tell you."  When asked if there was any chance that he might change his mind later on in the season, Rivera stated that he would not, "...even if I save 90 games," he said. "If they want to pay this much money ... anything."  A statement like this would leave many to believe that Rivera has already decided to end his career at the conclusion of this season.

Following the recent retirement of longtime teammate Jorge Posada, Rivera finds himself in a unique position.  Unlike Posada, and other longtime teammate and iconic Yankee Derek Jeter, Rivera's skills have not declined one iota.  His statistics would dictate that Rivera was just as effective last year as a 41 year old as he was when he was in his twenties.  And if you watch the Yankees game in and game out, you wouldn't think anything differently.  Although it hasn't been made official, it seems very likely.  It makes all the sense in the world for Rivera to want to retire at the end of this season.  42 years old is very old in this league.  He has a son in college and a family who he hasn't been around for over the last 22 years of playing professional baseball in the Yankees system.

So this season looks like it's going to be Mariano's farewell tour.  For Yankee fans everywhere, all I can ask is that you take it all in.  When the ninth inning comes around and those strings of Enter Sandman start playing and 42 comes trotting out of the bullpen in all of his godliness, just remember that it's never going to be this easy ever again.  We get one last season to witness the most dominant baseball player at his position ever.  The modern day Babe Ruth of closers, and in an era where having a closer is an absolute necessity if you want to compete in this league.  So sit back and enjoy this one last year and don't take it for granted.  Every generation has an Albert Pujols, a Micky Mantle, a Sandy Koufax, or a Greg Maddux, but there will never be another Mariano Rivera in any generation, ever again.

AL East Standings Projections

Posted by Anthony Romano.

NEW YORK YANKEES (99-63) 

BOSTON RED SOX (95-67) 

TAMPA BAY RAYS (90-72) 

TORNTO BLUE JAYS (85-77) 

BALTIMORE ORIOLES (65-97)

​
The New York Yankees saw a significant upgrade in starting pitching over the winter when they traded for young phenom Michael Pineda from the Seattle Mariners. The Yankees also signed Hiroki Kuroda, who is a free agent after pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers. These two pitchers figure to be the reasons why the Yankees will solidify themselves as the number one team in the American League East. ​

The Boston Red Sox saw closer Jonathan Papelbon leave as a free agent and sign with the Philadelphia Phillies. The Red Sox have acquired Andrew Bailey from the Oakland Athletics as their new closer. He needs to stay healthy to provide them with a solid ninth inning option while Mark Melancon from Houston will take care of the 8th inning. Last year set-up man Daniel Bard will be moved to the starting rotation as the 4 or 5 spot in hopes to add more depth to their pitching. There is no question about their offense as they consistently rank in the top 5 in most major offensive categories. ​

The Tampa Bay Rays have one of the best young pitching rotations in all of baseball. Led by David Price, this pitching staff keeps the Rays in games every night, but it is their offense that really holds them back. The Rays just do not have enough fire power outside young star Evan Longoria to compete with the Yankees and Red Sox. ​

The Toronto Blue Jays are similar to the Rays in that they have above average pitching but not much offense. Jose Bautista is a threat to hit a home run in every at bat but there needs to be other threats in the lineup for this team to complete in the American League East. ​

The Baltimore Orioles are in a rebuilding phase. They just dealt arguably their best pitcher in Jeremy Guthrie to the Rockies and really do not have many candidates to be an ace of their staff. The offense is filled with big name players, such as Nick Markakis and Adam Jones, but unfortunately many of them do not perform up to their expectations.