Open Thread

Good evening everyone. I’ll briefly recap today’s news and signings…

Today, the Yankees signed three players to minor league contracts: OF Cole Garner, RHP and former top prospect Adam Miller, and OF Dewayne Wise (pictured above – a.k.a. the savior of Mark Buehrle’s perfect game). Ken Rosenthal reported today that the Yankees are very unlikely to sign Hiroyuki Nakajima before Friday’s 5pm deadline. Not signing Nakajima will only increase the likelihood of a Eric Chavez-Yankees reunion.

Anyway, there’s college football on at 8:30 EST on ESPN (West Virgina vs. Clemson), along with some college men’s basketball (Duke vs. Temple) on ESPN2 at 7. Additionally, the Knicks, Devils, and Nets are all playing. Have a good night – here’s the open thread.

New signings DeWayne Wise & Adam Miller & Cole Garner

New signings DeWayne Wise & Adam Miller & Cole Garner

by Matt S.

Update: Another player to add to the list:

Yankees signed OF Cole Garner to a minor league deal. Garner became a free agent after being non-tendered by the Rockies in December. The 27-year-old had a brief stint with the big-league club last July, but spent the majority of the 2011 season at Triple-A Colorado Springs, batting .330/.366/.557 with eight home runs, 35 RBI and a .923 OPS over 203 plate appearances. He’ll provide some outfield depth with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Source: Matt Eddy on Twitter

Yankees signed RHP Adam Miller to a minor league contract. Joel Sherman of the New York Post first reported the possible signing last month. Miller, a supplemental first-round pick of the Indians in 2003, missed the 2009 and 2010 seasons due to multiple surgeries on his right middle finger. The 27-year-old right-hander moved to the bullpen full-time last season, posting a 5.93 ERA and 39/21 K/BB ratio over 44 innings between High- and Double-A. The odds are against him, but the former top prospect is certainly worth the gamble.

Source: Matt Eddy on Twitter

Yankees signed OF DeWayne Wise to a minor league contract.  Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reported last month that the two sides were discussing. Wise, who turns 34 in February, batted just .202/.231/.303 over 104 plate appearances between the Blue Jays and Marlins last season. He’ll likely begin the year at the Triple-A level.

Source: Matt Eddy on Twitter

Nakajima is seeking a “a couple million” and a multi- year contract

Nakajima is seeking a “a couple million” and a multi-year contract

by Matt S.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that Hiroyuki Nakajima is asking the Yankees for “a couple million” as part of a multi-year contract. The Yankees are reportedly reluctant to go beyond one year and don’t view him as anything more than a utility man, so it’s increasingly unlikely that a deal is reached before Friday’s deadline. If Nakajima returns to the Seibu Lions, the Bombers are expected to re-open talks with free agent Eric Chavez.

Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter

Spanning the Yankee Blogs: Garza, Jackson, Prospects, Nova, PED’s

Hello all and welcome to another installment of Spanning the Yankee Blogs. If you’re new to the site, every week,  I link the best articles out there in the Yankee “blogosphere”.

Enjoy the links……..

* An A-Blog for A-Rod has released their Top Yankee Prospects as well.  Here is 5 through 1.

* Bleeding Yankee Blue opines that Boras will mess things up for Edwin Jackson.

* NY Baseball Digest feels that Matt Garza is worth the asking price.

* Pinstripe Alley details what to make of Anaheim’s spending splurge.

* River Ave Blues thinks out loud about Ryan Madson.

* Road to Yankee Stadium has an interview with Yankees Pitching Prospect Shaeffer Hall.

* The Captain’s Blog says MLB’s loose lips could sink PED Policy.

* The Yankee Analysts discuss the  realistic expectation for Ivan Nova in 2012.

Torre steps down from his MLB position to pursue ownership of Dodgers

Torre steps down from his MLB position to pursue ownership of Dodgers

by Matt S.

Joe Torre has resigned from his job as MLB executive vice president of baseball operations in order to pursue ownership of the Dodgers. Torre was hired in February of last year, so he only held the position for about 10 months. Joe Garagiola, Jr., Kim Ng and Peter Woodfork will handle his responsibilities until a full-time replacement is named. According to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, Torre will join a potential ownership group which is headed by Los Angeles real estate developer Rick Caruso. The 71-year-old compiled a 259-227 record (.553) while managing the Dodgers from 2008-2010.

Source: MLB PR on Twitter

Morning Bits: Free agents 2013, Curious off-season, Oswalt, A-Rod,

Good Morning all it’s already Mid-Week so that’s exciting.  We are getting closer to Friday and to find out what the Yankees will be doing with Nakajima.  From all the reports though it seems that he will be going back to Japan.

Let’s get right to the links.

* The Yankees are saving now for a potential splash next winter.  Some great options in the 2013 class of free-agents.

* They Bombers curious off-season leads to many questions, few answers. IMO it also lead to a lot of head scratching.

* Yankee and Cardinals have interest in Roy Oswalt.  Please please be true.  Let’s lock him up Cashman.

* Batting coach Kevin Long says A-Rod is determined and focused.  Well that’s good to hear.  The Yankees also believe that A-Rod is at full strength.