Reports: Yankees like Lowell for first base

Even as the Yankees press ahead in their talks to bring third baseman Alex Rodriguez back into the fold, free agent Mike Lowell remains a point of interest.

Mike Lowell was drafted by the Yankees and broke into the majors with New York. Now the club is interested in bringing him full-circle.

If anything, the Yankees are now coming at Lowell from another angle ... or corner.

According to reports in the New York Post and Star Ledger of Newark, the Yankees are talking with Lowell, Boston's third baseman the last two seasons, about moving from third to first.

"All I can say at this time is that the Yankees have engaged us," one of Lowell's agents, Seth Levinson, told the Post.

Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein put a new contract for the World Series MVP on the table last week, a three-year offer reportedly worth in the $35 million to $45 million range.

Where the Red Sox were the only team that could negotiate with Lowell through midnight on Monday, others now can make offers. It's not known if the Yankees and Lowell's agents have advanced beyond the discussion phase.

Lowell followed a superlative regular season -- career highs in batting average (.324) and RBIs (120) to go with 21 home runs in 154 games -- with an outstanding October. In Boston's four-game sweep of Colorado, Lowell hit .400 (6-for-15) with four RBIs, three walks and a team-high six runs in winning

He homered, doubled and scored twice in the Game 4 clincher at Denver's Coors Field.

Lowell, who made $9 million last year, was selected by the Yankees in the 20th round of the 1995 amateur draft. He played eight games for New York in the 1998 season before being dealt to the Florida Marlins in February 1999. He was acquired by Boston from Florida in November 2005 in the Josh Beckett trade.

It is likely that Jason Giambi will play out the final season of his Yankees contract as the team's designated hitter. First baseman Andy Phillips is returning in 2008, but Lowell, who turns 34 in February, is known for excellent defense.

Source: ESPN

Report: A-Rod, Yankees agree on outline of $275 million

NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez and the New York Yankees have agreed to the outline of a record $275 million, 10-year contract, a deal that potentially would allow him to earn millions more if he sets the career home run record.

The amount of the guaranteed money was revealed by a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke Thursday on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn't been finalized. A-Rod and his wife met Wednesday in Tampa, Fla., with brothers Hal and Hank Steinbrenner, but the parameters of the agreement were set in place last weekend.

"The meeting was a final get-together," Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner said. "He wanted to make sure myself and my brother knew that he was sincere and serious."

The Yankees still must draft the agreement with Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras. Asked whether the only remaining details were putting the deal on paper, Steinbrenner responded: "pretty much so."

Boras wasn't a part of the negotiations, in which Goldman Sachs managing directors John Mallory and Gerald Cardinale conducted shuttle diplomacy.

"They were the go-betweens, initially," Steinbrenner said. "That's how he reached out to us."

The Yankees were notified by Boras on Oct. 28 that Rodriguez was opting out of the final three seasons of his $252 million, 10-year contract -- the previous record -- and becoming a free agent. New York maintained then that it no longer would negotiate with A-Rod because the decision eliminated a $21.3 million subsidy from Texas that was negotiated in the 2004 trade.

About a week later, A-Rod contacted Mallory, a friend who works in private wealth management in Goldman's Los Angeles office. Rodriguez knew the Yankees have a close relationship with the investment bank, which was instrumental in the launch of the team's YES Network.

Mallory called Cardinale, who works in the merchant banking section in New York and helped finance the network. Cardinale in turn got in touch with Yankees president Randy Levine.

A-Rod and the Yankees exchanged proposals via the bankers, and the deal gradually was framed in about a dozen telephone calls.

The sides still are working on putting together a provision that would allow Rodriguez to share revenue created by his pursuit of the career home record held by Barry Bonds, who was indicted Thursday on perjury and obstruction charges. A-Rod has 518 homers, 244 shy of the mark.

"The Yankees have never had a player since Babe Ruth that really had a 100 percent chance" of setting the record, Steinbrenner said. "[Mickey] Mantle should have, but he had too many injuries. It's a historical achievement bonus more than it is an incentive bonus. There is no yearly incentive bonus."

That provision must be drafted carefully because of Major League Rule 3 (b) (5), which states no contract shall be approved "if it contains a bonus for playing, pitching or batting skill or if it provides for the payment of a bonus contingent on the standing of the signing club at the end of the championship season."

Even with that, the commissioner's office allowed the Boston Red Sox in 2003 to give Curt Schilling a provision for a $2 million raise in a season following a World Series championship. Boston won the title the following year.

The Yankees already have been in touch with Major League Baseball, and A-Rod's side contacted the players' association.

"Because he's generating such enormous revenue potential, both to the player and the club, there should be some way for the player and the club to capitalize on that achievement in some fashion," said Gene Orza, the union's chief operating officer. "The devil will be in the details. The minds of men and women in the sport should be able to figure this out."

Steinbrenner said Rodriguez was given bad advice by Boras during the time before the decision to opt out.

"Boras did a lot of good things for Alex through the years, and Alex knows that. I mean, obviously, he's going to look to Scott's advice on everything," Steinbrenner said. "That's not unusual today. It's not like he's the only one. And if an agent gets out of line or makes bad decisions, then that's going to hurt the player. And obviously, that's one of the things that happened here."

Rodriguez still winds up with baseball's largest contract, a fact that got the attention of Schilling.

"None of us are worth that much relative to 'real world' salaries," the pitcher wrote on his Web site. "But if someone in the game was getting a contract that big, I am not sure you could argue it being Alex. On the field this guy is the MVP-in-waiting every year, it seems."

Steinbrenner said he thinks that had Rodriguez tested the free-agent market, he would have gotten a more lucrative contract and cited the interest of the Los Angeles Dodgers, led by new manager Joe Torre, and perhaps other teams.

"There are a few cynics who say, 'Well, he really couldn't get this there,' " Steinbrenner said. "Trust me, he would have gotten probably more. He is making a sacrifice to be a Yankee, there's no question. ... He showed what was really in his heart and what he really wanted."

Source: ESPN

They would be crazy to give Mo a fourth year. They were crazy to even give him three. He is definitely in the twilight of his career. I thought anything more than one year was risky, but four?? That's ridiculous. And I doubt he'll find anyone else who will give it to him.

I agree SB. He wants what Posada got (4 years) but he's two years older. Jorge's 36 and Mo's 38. I think the Yankees should give him 3 but I think Mo knows they're in a tough position because if Mo walks, who's the closer? He's not the Mo of old but he's still one of the best closers in the game even at age 38

You talking about someone giving Jeter the millions he owes NYC??

Why does Jeter owe millions to NYC?

Jeter is a tax cheater. He resides apparently in NYC 8 months a year, and Florida the other four months. However, he listed his primary residence as Florida, so he could try to sneak out of his obligation to pay the more hefty NYC tax. It's funny that ticket prices are constantly raised to accommodate the overpaid players in the Bronx, but the player isn't as willing to pay their fair share to the city that supports him.

Imagine if A-Rod was involved with tax evasion.

Report: Rivera to re-sign with Yanks

NEW YORK -- Mariano Rivera's icy negotiations with the Yankees may be reaching a thaw, as the future Hall of Fame closer appears primed to remain with the club.

According to a report published Sunday in the New York Post, Rivera is expected to accept the Yankees' three-year, $45 million contract offer early this week. Rivera had spent last week in the Dominican Republic conducting baseball clinics.

The Post reported that Rivera will meet with his representatives on Sunday. According to multiple reports, Rivera may have had interest in a fourth year being added to his contract.

Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner has said the team would hold firm with its offer, which would make Rivera baseball's highest-paid closer, eclipsing Billy Wagner's deal across town with the Mets, where he earns $10.5 million annually.

Rivera, who turns 38 on Nov. 29, has pitched for the Yankees since 1995, compiling an American League-record 443 saves in the regular season. The most dominant postseason pitcher of his generation, Rivera owns a Major League-record 34 more saves in the playoffs, where he has a 0.77 career ERA.

Rivera made 67 relief appearances for the Yankees in 2007, finishing with 30 saves while going 3-4 with a 3.15 ERA. His signing has been earmarked by Yankees general manager Brian Cashman as one of the club's priorities leading into the early offseason months, along with re-signing catcher Jorge Posada.

Hours before he could have discussed financial terms with other clubs, Posada reportedly agreed to a four-year, $52.4 million deal. Posada had a physical last week and an official announcement is expected shortly.

The Yankees are also continuing to hammer out the details of Alex Rodriguez's landmark 10-year, $275 million contract, just weeks after the likely American League MVP delivered word that he had opted out of contract during Game 4 of the World Series.

"It feels great," Steinbrenner told the Post. "There was never any question we wanted to keep all of them. Obviously, they are being paid very well. Alex was the thing nobody expected, and he came through."

Source: Yankees

To probably his best season in pinstripes

No-brainer: A-Rod wins AL MVP Award

NEW YORK -- In an announcement that should have surprised absolutely no one, Alex Rodriguez claimed his third American League MVP Award on Monday, winning the coveted honor for the second time as a Yankee.

Putting it all together offensively as he reached new levels of comfort in New York, Rodriguez established career highs with 143 runs scored and 156 RBIs, leading the Major Leagues with 54 home runs while batting .314. His exploits led the Yankees to the playoffs for a 13th consecutive season.

"New York has been a place of growth to me," Rodriguez said on a conference call with reporters. "I really learned a lot as a player, and I've been able to become a better player in New York. To be able to win two MVPs in three years in that uniform -- I've said it all along, New York is a great place and it's been a privilege to wear that uniform.

"For me, it was a magical season, both on and off the field, coming together with my teammates in the clubhouse and in the community. To be able to put that type of year, it's certainly a year that I'll never forget."

A-Rod became the fifth AL player to win the award three times, but he did not win the honor unanimously. Rodriguez picked up 26 out of the 28 first-place votes, with Detroit's Magglio Ordonez, who came in second place, earning the other two votes.

The 32-year-old Rodriguez, who has agreed to the framework of a $275 million contract which would keep him in pinstripes through the 2018 season but declined to discuss the deal in specifics, also led the Major Leagues with a .645 slugging percentage and produced one RBI every 3.7 at-bats.

Without Rodriguez's hot start and continued contributions, the Yankees would likely have not been able to keep their string of 13 consecutive postseason appearances alive. That, he said, made this award more satisfying to him than either his 2003 AL MVP Award with the Rangers or his '05 award with the Yankees.

"It was such a tough year for us to get to the playoffs," Rodriguez said. "It seemed like we were in playoff mode after the All-Star Game, and this year, I was mentally exhausted after the season was over because it was such a tough fight."

While the Yankees floundered out of the gate, due in large part to injuries and underperformance, A-Rod kept the deficit from getting out of control. Rodriguez led the Major Leagues with 14 home runs in April and provided the club with a powerful point to rally around.

Consciously trying to keep as low a profile as possible while closing in on 500 home runs, Rodriguez helped the Yankees dig out from their season's low point, 14 1/2 games behind in the AL East and eight games under .500 on May 29.

By September, Rodriguez's efforts were recognized as a large reason why the Yankees were celebrating and claiming the AL Wild Card, before falling to the Indians in a four-game AL Division Series.

While Rodriguez said he was proud of his MVP Award, he made sure to state that there was "definitely a huge hole" in his resume -- namely, a World Series title. For all of his success and accolades, Rodriguez still has yet to log his first at-bat in the Fall Classic.

"It's my third MVP, and I'm here to say that I would trade all three for one world championship," Rodriguez said. "I wouldn't think twice about it. The only reason we play this game, the reason I came to New York and the reason I have unfinished business in New York is because we haven't won a world championship with me being there."

Rodriguez became the youngest member of the 500-home run club on Aug. 4, when he homered off Kansas City's Kyle Davies, one of numerous historical accomplishments by the 11-time All-Star. At year's end, A-Rod would be listed as the only player in Major League history to record at least 140 runs scored, 50 home runs, 150 RBIs and 20 stolen bases in a single season.

He said the fact that he'd done it as a Yankee made it even more "special" in his view.

"When I sat down with [reporters] after the 500th home run, I truly felt like I was in Little League with a hamburger in front of me, eating French fries. I was so happy," Rodriguez said. "You talk about the privilege of wearing the uniform, and I've said it from Day 1 of Spring Training, that I would love to stay a Yankee and love New York. There's something magical when you go on that field in front of 55,000 people."

Rodriguez's MVP is the 20th won by a Yankees player since the honor was created in 1931. Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle are the only players to win it more than twice in pinstripes, each having done so three times.

Rodriguez's previous MVP Awards came in 2003 with the Rangers and in '05 with the Yankees, his second season in New York. That season, Rodriguez batted .321 with a Major League-leading 48 home runs, 124 runs scored and .610 slugging percentage as the Yankees won the AL East before bowing out in the first round.

In four seasons with the Bronx Bombers, Rodriguez has hit 173 home runs. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the only player to hit more home runs for the Yankees over a four-year span was Babe Ruth, who hit 209 between 1927-30.

Rodriguez's new contract ensures that he will be present when the Yankees open their new ballpark across the street for the 2009 season, while also forecasting an era of baseball in New York that will be largely A-Rod dominated.

"I felt sometime in January I was committed to have a world championship-type season," Rodriguez said. "Although we came up short, I think this year was a year where it all came together for us. We've got some momentum going in for the future."

Source: Yankees

Pretty good company. He beat the likes of Gehrig, DiMaggio and Mantle.

Yankees, Twins talking Santana trade

NEW YORK (AP) - The New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins have started trade talks involving Johan Santana.

Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner said Monday that discussions are ongoing but it was too early to tell whether they would lead to a deal. He did not detail how far talks had progressed.
"I don't want to get into that at this point, as far as what they want, what we're willing to give and all that," he said. "It's preliminary right now."

Santana is eligible for free agency after the 2008 season, and the Twins have been trying to sign the two-time AL Cy Young Award winner to an extension.

Asked whether the Twins had said they would consider a trade, Steinbrenner responded: "Oh, yeah."

The New York Mets, Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers also are thought to be interested in Santana, who is far better than any of the starting pitchers available on the free-agent market.

Santana's agent, Peter Greenberg, has not spoken publicly about his talks with the Twins, who last week lost free-agent center fielder Torii Hunter to the Los Angeles Angels.

Santana, a left-hander who turns 29 in March, has a 93-44 record with a 3.22 ERA in eight major league seasons and is owed $13.25 million next year. Minnesota would want top prospects in any deal and while Steinbrenner previously said he wouldn't trade some of the Yankees' top young pitchers for third baseman Miguel Cabrera, he didn't rule out a deal for a pitcher.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said he has received repeated inquiries from teams about Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain and Ian Kennedy.

Santana has a no-trade provision in his contract, and a team acquiring him likely would want to discuss an extension. That means if the teams agreed to a trade, there probably would be a 72-hour window to work out a new contract.

After reaching agreements to re-sign Alex Rodriguez, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and Jose Molina - deals that are awaiting completion - Steinbrenner said the Yankees have turned their attention to relievers. Cashman has said the team hopes to keep Luis Vizcaino.

"Obviously, I think the big thing for us now is shoring up the bullpen all that we can," Steinbrenner said. "Brian is looking into several different things."

Steinbrenner said Rodriguez likely will take a physical this week.

Source: FOX Sports

Schilling called into Yahoo's Fantasy Football Live this morning to talk about football, but was asked about Santana - and he confirmed the BoSox were in the race (nooooooooo!), and he said NYY has dangled Hughes & Melky into their mix

...at least Joba so far is out of the question, thankfully...

I read that they Twins want Melky, Hughes AND Kennedy in exchange for Santana. That would be insane. I would rather see Kennedy go, because I think that Hughes has a wonderful future.

There's no way that Joba would be in the mix. And I still think it's a mistake to make him a starter. I think he should be the Mo's setup man, eventually taking over as closer.

I agree. I'd rather them trade Kennedy than Hughes (I think he has A LOT of potential). But Minnesota will only trade Santana if Hughes was included. I'm hearing it's going to be Hughes, Melky and a minor leaguer and New York and Minnesota are just fighting over who that third player will be. Boston is in it but if they don't include Clay Buchholz or Jacoby Ellsbury (neither of which they are willing to trade), Santana more than likely won't be going to Boston.

The Yankees need to get something done quickly

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Sources: Twins better act fast on Santana

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - It might be now or never for the Twins if they wish to trade left-hander Johan Santana.

According to major-league sources, Santana has informed the Twins that he would not waive his no-trade clause during the season, ending any chance that he could be moved before the July 31 non-waiver deadline.

Players with no-trade protection occasionally adopt such positions when they are in the free-agent years, fearing that their performance could suffer if they change teams and/or leagues just months before hitting the open market.

The Twins have said privately that they will be content to keep Santana if they do not receive the right offer this off-season, then entertain the possibility of trading him in July. But Santana's stance greatly increases the chances that the Twins will act quickly.

It is in Santana's interest to be traded now because he will require a monster contract to approve a deal. It is expected that the contract would be at least six years and $120 million, and rather than enter the season with the risk of injury, he would prefer the deal to be struck as soon as possible.

If Santana refused to waive his no-trade clause after Opening Day, it would force the Twins to carry him the entire season — and settle for two high draft picks if and when he departed as a free agent.

Meanwhile, the winter meetings begin Monday, and the Yankees are threatening to pull their offer of pitcher Phil Hughes, outfielder Melky Cabrera and a third player if the Twins do not reach a decision early in the week, sources say.

The Red Sox also remain in the mix for Santana, offering a four-player package that includes pitcher Jon Lester or center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury along with shortstop Jed Lowrie. The Sox would include center fielder Coco Crisp if the Twins chose Lester.

Ellsbury, sources say, has been available to the Twins from the start of their discussions with the Red Sox, but not in a deal with Lester. The Sox have told the Twins they are willing to be creative if the Twins are that adamant that Ellsbury is included in the deal.

The sticking point with the Yankees is the identity of the third player. The Yankees want it to be a mid-level prospect, but the Twins have asked for players such as Class AAA shortstop Alberto Gonzalez and Class AA right-hander Alan Horne.

Source: FOX Sports

The Twins are considering tampering charges against the Yankees in light of Hank's Sunday comments that Santana will only waive his no trade clause to go to the Yankees or Red Sox. Santana and his agent have angrily denounced the comments as a lie. This is particularly upsetting to Santana as the comments were directly designed to limit the pitcher's marketability.

The Yankees may get their pitcher, but Hank lacks some skills.

No doubt a personality trait handed down from Daddy.

Gee, you THINK???

It looks as though Boston is putting together a package that includes Ellsbury and Lester for Santana. This may get the Yankees to throw in Ian Kennedy with their package, if for no other reason than to keep Santana from the Red Sox.

I really REALLY hope the Sox don't give up Ellsbury. Of course I'd love them to get Santana (but not at the expense of Jacoby).

Nats acquire Yanks' Clippard

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Nationals continued to stay busy at the Winter Meetings, acquiring right-hander Tyler Clippard from the Yankees for right-handed reliever Jonathan Albaladejo on Monday night, according to a baseball source. The news was first reported by The Washington Post.

Clippard, 22, made his Major League debut in 2007 and went 3-1 with a 6.33 ERA in six starts. Albaladejo also made his Major League debut this past season, giving up three runs in 14 1/3 innings out of the bullpen.

Nationals general manager Jim Bowden was not available for comment on the deal, which is pending physicals.

Source: Yankees

Clippard was my husband's favorite pitcher, if only for the fact that he liked to call him "Clippard the Big-Eared Pitcher" after "Clifford the Big Red Dog". We actually saw him pitch at a home game this summer. I don't believe he lasted very long.

And Pettite's back!! He's decided to pitch for one more year, which takes some of the pressure off.

From the MLB.com website:

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- With their self-imposed Monday night deadline having come and gone, the Yankees have reportedly ended their pursuit of Johan Santana.

Sources with knowledge of the situation indicated on Tuesday that the Yankees would not proceed further in attempting to deal for the two-time American League Cy Young Award winner, having been unable to reach an agreement after executives from both clubs met late Monday evening.

The Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger reported that senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner, who had hoped to have resolution on the issue by Tuesday morning, ended the trade talks.

"[Hank Steinbrenner] closed the door on the Santana thing," a high-ranking Yankees official told the newspaper. "The Santana thing's over."

The Yankees had improved their offer to include both right-hander Phil Hughes and outfielder Melky Cabrera, and they were prepared to supplement that proposal with a mid-level prospect to acquire Santana, a left-hander who will be 29 by Opening Day and is seeking a sizable contract extension. But the Twins, who are engaged in discussions with the Red Sox and reportedly also the Angels, again requested that right-hander Ian Kennedy be included as well, a proposal the Yankees balked at.

With Santana apparently out of the picture, the Yankees' rotation projects to include Chien-Ming Wang, Andy Pettitte, Joba Chamberlain, Hughes and Mike Mussina. The Yankees have been reportedly linked to trade talks with the A's involving right-hander Dan Haren, but Oakland's price may prove to be just as high as Minnesota's.

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And from the Hartford Courant:

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Johan Santana moved closer to Boston early this morning.

After meeting well into the night at the winter meetings in Nashville, according to multiple reports, the Red Sox and Twins traded medical information on Santana and lefthander Jon Lester, signaling that a trade could be close.

The Red Sox would send Lester, center fielder Coco Crisp, minor league infielder Jed Lowrie and righthander Justin Masterson for Santana. The two sides were expected to resume talks this afternoon.

Once a deal is agreed upon, the Red Sox would have a 72-hour window to negotiate a new contract for Santana, who becomes a free agent after the 2008 season. Santana is reportedly seeking a six-year, $150 million contract.

The Yankees are believed to be walking away from the negotiations after the Twins demanded both pitchers Philip Hughes and Ian Kennedy. The Yankees had set a Monday deadline for a deal.

After the Yankees talks broke down Monday night, the Twins re-engaged the Red Sox, with the meeting lasting well past midnight.

The Twins had been seeking center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, but the Red Sox apparently have prevailed in keeping Ellsbury out of the deal.

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I hope it works out for the Sox!

Stupid, stupid Hank!! In a way, I'm relieved to be holding onto Melky (LOVE the Melk-Man!), but we need starters. While Kennedy and Hughes definitely have potential, some experience would be nice.

This would be quite a coup for the Sox if they could land Santana without giving up Ellsbury.

By the way, the Tigers just acquired Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis from the Marlins.

Cabrera?!!??! God damn, that's a steal.

As for D-Train, he can be pretty good, but he's too inconsistent. I tried telling Irishboy that, a reason why I'm sure the Yankees never seriously pursued him.

But Cabrera is damn great, and a steroid boast to that Tigers lineup.

I agree that Dontrellehasn't lived up to the hype.

I've always suspected Cabrera of steroids. Look at him now and look at pictures of him in 2003. Then again, it could be cheeseburgers. He's also known as a party boy, but he can hit the cover off the ball.

Personally, I'm glad they kept Hughes. I just had this bad feeling about trading him. But why do the Yankees have to give up Hughes, Melky AND Kennedy or another high profile minor leaguer, while Boston only has to give up Lester, Crisp () and two minor leaguers?

Not steroids. That's Taco Bell fat through and through.

Giants interested in Yanks' Matsui

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Giants, who are desperately seeking offense, have inquired about Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui's availability. Matsui has a no-trade clause, so if there's a match there, the Yankees first would have to get his approval.

The Giants have a lot of good young pitchers whose names have come up in trades, with Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum at the top of the list, followed by Noah Lowry and Jonathan Sanchez. The Yankees, who have said they are out of the Johan Santana sweepstakes, would still like to upgrade their pitching staff.

The Giants had been talking to the Blue Jays about Alex Rios, but Toronto asked for either Cain or Lincecum, who have been called virtually untouchable by the Giants.

The Yankees are talking to other teams about pitching help and have had some talks with the Pirates about Damaso Marte and Josh Grabow. Marte was once a Yankee.

Source: SI