Can the Yankees sign Manny???

After committing nearly $424 million in future salaries, many believe the Yankees’ free agent spending spree will continue. Derek Lowe and Ben Sheets have been rumored, but the name that everyone is wondering will be the next to flash across tickers announcing their signing with the Yankees is Manny Ramirez. While it would make interesting press when the Yanks and Sox squared off 19 times in 2009, the question has to be asked; can the Yankees even sign Manny? No, it’s not a question of money or Manny’s willingness to play in New York, it’s a question of league rules when it comes to signing Type A free agents.

Quota

(a) Clubs shall be limited in the number of Type A and B Players, as defined below, they may subsequently sign to contracts. The number of signings permitted shall be related to the number of Players electing free agency under this Section B. If there are 14 or less such Players, no Club may sign more than one Type A or B Player. If there are from 15 to 38 such Players, no Club may sign more than two Type A or B Players. If there are from 39 to 62 such Players, no Club may sign more than three Type A or B Players. If there are more than 62 such Players, the Club quotas shall be increased accordingly. There shall be no restrictions on the number of unranked Players that a Club may sign to contracts.

(b) Irrespective of the provisions of subparagraph (a) above, a Club shall be eligible to sign at least as many Type A and B Players as it may have lost through Players having become free agents under this Section at the close of the season just concluded.

According to MLBtraderumors.com, there were 43 Type A/B players who filed for free agency, meaning that teams could only sign 3 Type A/B free agents or a number equal to the number of Type A/B free agents they lose. In the case of the Yankees, they will more than likely see Pudge, Abreu and possibly Pettitte sign elsewhere. The Yankees resigned another A/B free agent, reliever Damaso Marte. However, according to MLB rules, he will not not count towards the Yankees as an A/B free agent signed.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the free agent and his former
Club may engage in negotiations and enter into a contract during
said period. Should they enter into a contract during said period,
the Club shall be deemed not to have signed a free agent for purposes
of paragraph (5) of this Section B.

This would also mean the Yankees could bring Pettitte back without him counting as an A/B free agent signed by the club.

So, it would appear that the Yankees have already met their qouta. But hold on, there is the question about Mike Mussina who was designated a Type A Free Agent. Though he retired and did not sign with another club, MLB rules are a bit nebulous as to this question:

a Club shall be eligible to sign at least as many Type A and B Players
as it may have lost through Players having become free agents under
this Section at the close of the season just concluded.

What exactly does “lost through players having become free agents….” constitute? Mussina filed for free agency a week prior to announcing his retirement, but does a player have to sign with another club in order for that player be considered a player lost by having become a free agent? One would assume that Mussina would not be considered as a Type A/B Free Agent lost by the Yankees, but MLB has not always done the most obvious thing–like its previous steroid policies.

Live Podcast Tonight!

Due to the Mark Teixeira news today, there will be a live episode of the Vortex tonight. Internet only, Youcastr only, no commercials, no breaks. You can listen below, the festivities start at 9 PM est.

The call-in number is 603-397-3559

http://www.youcastr.com/casts/listen/1298

Yankees Sign Burnett, May Be Out on Lowe

In an e-mail from ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, I asked him if he thought the Yankees would still be in on Derek Lowe now that they have signed AJ Burnett. His response…

I don’t think the Yankees want to make another long-term commitment for a pitcher. They’d like to bring in Andy Pettitte or (if that doesn’t work out) Ben Sheets on a short contract. But after investing $243 million in two guys, I don’t think they want to spend $60 million more on Lowe.

I’m not sure how Lowe’s market is going to shake out. The Red Sox would only be interested if he comes cheap, the Phillies just spent $30 million on Raul Ibanez today, and the Dodgers don’t expect to bring him back.

Everybody thought the Braves were the likeliest fit, but they’re not interested.

To me, that leaves the Mets as the best fit for Lowe. But I don’t think he’s going to sign for anything close to what Burnett received.

Yankees Land Their First BIG Fish!

Well, the New York Yankees made the first big splash at the Winter Meetings. CC Sabathia has been dragged kicking and screaming into the Bronx for what looks like a 7 year, 161 Million Dollar deal, with an opt out clause after 3 years. Those 3 years would be worth approximately 70 million and the total contract would make him MLB’s highest paid pitcher. Doug Melvin, Milwaukee Brewers GM, confirms that the Brewers tried and failed to give CC everything he wanted.

What does this mean for the Bronx Bombers, quite a bit! This move solidifies a starting rotation filled with injuries last year. This is basically a 2 for 1 deal, as Chien-Ming Wang will be returning from injury. Throw Joba Chamberlain in the 3rd spot, and the Yankees immediately have a 1-2-3 punch unequaled by many in the American League. Throw in the rookies who have another year, albeit a year of misfortune, under their belts and the Yanks have a solid pitching rotation once again.

Unfortunately for the Yankees, their division rivals, the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays (yep they are rivals now folks) are 2 teams that may be able to equal the Yanks starting pitcher for starting pitcher. For Boston, assuming Josh Beckett returns to his 2007, uninjured and slimmed down form, Dice K and Jon Lester combine to absolutely provide the solid outings to match the Yankee rotation. As for the Rays, there is no doubt James Shields, Matt Garza and Scott Kasmir have all learned from their World Series run, and will most likely step their game up another notch in 2009.

Let’s remember one thing, the Yankees are likely not done with their rotation. All reports have them closing in on either AJ Burnett or Derek Lowe, either of which would make them a very deep rotation. Does this make them early favorites to take the AL East and contend for the World Series? Maybe. There are far too many chips to fall at this point. Will, as rumored, the Yankees pursue Manny? Will the loss of Giambi and possibly Abreau hurt the offense too much. Will Cano stay put or will they trade him away? Far, far too many questions to be answered to make a solid judgement on where this team stands right now.

Make no doubt about it Red Sox fans, the Yankees have fired the 1st big shot and it has made them better. Will the Red Sox counter, or will they stay the course and hope that the system,choc full of prospects, will be enough to keep them ahead of Yanks for another year? We will see. Stay tuned!

Want another reason to dislike the New York Yankees

Wednesday Morning Quick Hitters

DON’T FORGET! MONTREAL EXPOS APPRECIATION DAY BELOW AND INTERVIEWS ABOVE. ALSO REMEMBER THE SPORTS VORTEX LIVE TONIGHT 9PM. WE WILL HAVE A SPECIAL GUEST LIVE RIGHT AT THE OPEN. LET’S JUST SAY A SPACESUIT AND JETPACK MAY BE INVOLVED!

The Chicago White Sox won the pitching duel against the Minnesota Twins to propel the Pale Hose to a divisional series against the Tampa Bay Rays. There were only 7 toal hits in the game, but the biggest a Jim Thome blast in the 7th, leading the White Sox to the 1 – 0 win

Brian Cashman gets a 3 yr deal to stay in Yankee Land.

Pat Burrell leaves Philadelphia Phillies practice with back injury.

Lane Kiffin finally met his demise in Oakland, as Al Davis fired him. Priceless video of the Al Davis press conference and Kiffin’s response.

BREAKING NEWS!!!!! Tony Mandarich used steroids at Michigan State. (Editor’s note: By breaking news we mean “we know you already knew that”)

The Pittsburgh Steelers tried to bolster their running back corps by signing Najeh Davenport.

Monday Morning’s Painful Quick Hitters

Well is there any other story, really, that matters to most of the NFL world today. Here is a round-up of stories regarding Tom Brady and his apparent ACL tear. Sirius NFL Radio reported and confirmed that Chris Simms and Tim Rattay are heading to Foxboro Monday.

Boston Globe Patriots Page
Boston Herald Patriots Page
ESPN Story
Yahoo Sports
Ron Borges of WEEI.com
Adam Schefter of The NFL Network

Well now to the game. The Matt Cassell era has begun in a 17 – 10 win over the Chiefs.

Former BC Eagle Matt Ryan throws a 62 Yrd TD pass on his 1st NFL attempt on the way to an Atlanta Falcons stomping of the Detroit Lions 34 – 21.

The Buffalo Bills special teams lead the way to a 34 – 10 win over the Seattle Seahawks.

Brett Favre’s debut goes well in Miami, with a 20 – 14 win over the Dolphins.

Reggie Bush and Drew Brees combined to lead the New Orleans Saints over the Tampa Bay Bucs 24 – 20.

The Pittsburgh Steelers pound the Houston Texans 38 – 17.

The Tennessee Titans beat the Jacksonville Jags 17 – 10, but lose QB Vince Young.

Baltimore Ravens rookie QB Joe Flacco leads his team past the Cincinnati Bengals 17 – 10.

Jake Delhomme connects with Dante Rosario in te last seconds of Sunday’s game against the Chargers for a late win, beating the Bolts 26 – 24.

The Arizona Cardinals beat the San Francisco 49ers 23 – 13.

The Dallas Cowboys wallop on the Cleveland Browns 28 – 10.

I saved a little sunshine for last….

The Chicago Bears christened Lucas Oil Stadium, beating the Indianapolis Colts 29 – 13.

As all of New England is distracted by Tom Brady’s injury, the Boston Red Sox beat the Texas Rangers 7 – 2 behind Paul Byrd and Big Papi. The win combined with Tampa Bay Rays 1 – 0 loss to the Blue Jays, leaves the Red Sox just 1 1/2 games out of 1st place.

The AL Central stayed the same Sunday as the White Sox lost to the California Angels 3 – 2 and the Minnesota Twins lost to the Detroit Tigers 7 – 5.

The New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies split a day night double header keeping the Mets lead over the Phils at 2 games in the NL East.

The Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers both lost on Sunday, so the Cubs lead over the Brew Crew stays at 4 games. Chicago loses to the Reds 4 – 3 and the Brewers lose to the Padres, as Chris Young loses a perfect game bid in the 8th inning, 10 -1.

The Loas Angeles Dodgers go 1 1 /2 games ahead of the Diamondbacks by beating Arizona 5 – 3.

Friday Morning Quick Hitters

The Tampa Bay Rays held off a 9th inning charge from the Yankees to move 3 1/2 games up on the Red Sox, beating the Yanks 7 – 5.

The Minnesota Twins fell another 1/2 game back of the Red Sox in the Wild Card race, losing to the Toronto Blue Jays 9 – 0.

The Milwaukee Brewers dropped another game, this time to the San Diego Padres 5 – 2.

Seems the Chicago Cubs dodged a huge bullet.

The NFL season opened up in New York, at the home of………….I guess I have to say it…….Super Bowl 42 Champion New York Giants. I think I just threw up in my mouth a little. Anyway, the NY Giants used a huge 1st quarter and held on the rest of the way to stifle Jim Zorn and the Washington Redskins. The Giants beat the Skins 16 – 7. Our editor blames John McCain for the Redskins running out the clock last night (even though they were behind by two scores with 5 minutes left).
Editor’s note:before you get all uppity, this has nothing to do with political affiliations or anything. Read it and see…

The aforementioned Super Bowl Champs made official a multi year guaranteed deal with Plexiglass Burress.

Tom Brady is not on the NFL injury report for the 1st time in 4 years. Any bets (if betting were legal) if Brady plays Sunday?

Daunte Culpepper retires at 31.

Joe Paterno suspends 3 Penn State football players for drug policy violations.

“Beanie” to sit.

Ponder named starter at FSU.

The Old Ball Coach and his Gamecocks lose to Vandy 24 -17.

Apparently things might be a little different at KU.

Wednesday Morning Quick Hitters

The Boston Red Sox demolish the Baltimore Orioles 12 – 4 and finally gain a game on the Tampa Bay Rays, as the Rays lose to the New York Yankees 7 – 2.

The Minnesota Twins lost a game to the Red Sox in the Wild Card Standings, losing to the Toronto Blue Jays 7 – 5. The Chicago White Sox lost to the Cleveland Indians 9 – 3. The White Sox and the Twins stay tied for the Central lead.

The Atlanta Falcons beat the Miami Dolphins with a late safety.

The NL East stays status quo as the Mets and the Phillies both win. The Mets beat the Milwaukee Brewers 6 – 5 in 11 innings. The Phillies beat Nationals 4 – 0. The Phillies stay 2 games behind the Mets for the NL East lead, while the Brewers loss keeps them 4 1/2 games back of the Chicago Cubs.

Speaking of the Cubs, they lose the game to the Houston Astros 9 -7, but the bigger loss may be to Carlos Zambrano.

The LA Dodgers finally gained a game on the Arizona Diamondbacks as the Dodgers beat the Padres 8 – 4, and the D-Backs lose to the Cardinals 8 – 2. The Dodgers are 1 1/2 games back of Arizona on the NL West.

Jacksonville Jaguars player Richard Collier was critically shot yesterday.

The New Orleans Saints will stay at the Superdome for Sunday’s game.

Rudi Johnson now a Detroit Lion.

The Denver Broncos trade Dominique Foxworth to the Falcons for undisclosed draft pick.

The Miami Heat signed center Jamaal Magloire.

The Philadelphia 76ers sign Donyell Marshall.

The 2008 Red Sox/Yankees Fishing Challenge

The Weigh-in, Central Maine Sports Bog editor Matty with Stump Merrill, and a view from the deck of the boat

Another year, another Yankee loss. Yesterday’s Red Sox/Yankees fishing challenge wasn’t as much a challenge as an exhibition, as the Red Sox team outfished the Yankees team 28-8. As one member of my boat said “It’s a great day for a boat ride, but the fishing is a bit off today”. I managed to catch a whole lot of seaweed and drink a lot of Pabst Blue Ribbon, and had a great time on the Atlantic ocean. Port Harbor Marine did a great job with everything (especially the barbecue afterwards, yum!), Jeff and Toby were great as our captain and fishing pro, respectively, and I would also like to thank WJAB for selecting me. I hope to return next year and improve on the lackluster showing. Also former Yankee manager Stump Merrill took part and he was great, I got to talk about Andy Hawkins no-hitter and Kevin Maas with him (yes Yankee fans it was much worse then than it is now).