Monday Monday (la la la la la la) …. here’s the press:

• Over at WasWatching.com, the Yankees’ “Top 10 Prospects” are listed, as per Baseball America.  OF Austin Jackson heads the list.
• PeteAbe at LoHud.com notes that Andy Pettitte filed for free agency, but only wants to play for the Bombers for a one-year deal.  Abraham suggests $12-13 million should do the job.
• Mike Lupica of the News joins the list of columnists piling on Mayor Bloomberg for the funding of new stadiums for the Mets and Yankees given the City’s budget cuts.
• John Perrotto of BP.com makes some educated guesses at where the premier free agents will land.  He expects the Yanks to land Sabathia (its all about the Benjamins, at the end of the day).  Also, Derek Lowe will be wearing pinstripes in 2009.  He sees Abreu re-signing, but not for the three years he was seeking.
• Happy 30th birthday to Jorge DePaula.  Happy 44th to “The Gambler”, Kenny Rogers.  Jack Clark turns 53.
• On this date in 1978, the Bombers traded Sparky Lyle and four other players to the Rangers, getting back top pitching prospect Dave Righetti and four others.
• On this date 80 years ago, Knute Rockne delivered his famous “win one for the Gipper” halftime speech to the Notre Dame team during a game at Yankee Stadium.

Before you settle in front of the tube for an afternoon of football, here’s what is going on:

• PeteAbe from LoHud gives us audio clips from various Yankees and general gossip while at the Joe Torre event Friday night.
• Over at Newsday, Ken Davidoff compares the organization-building philosophies of the Yanks and BoSox.  Here’s an interesting quote from Theo Epstein on the philosophy they employ:

“I think the goal is always to build a healthy organization. We try to keep that in the front of our mind,” Epstein said this past week at the general managers’ meetings in Dana Point, Calif. “If we ever get too focused on having to fill this hole, or having to get better in this area, we take a step back and say, ‘Does this make sense for what we’re trying to do over five to 10 years?’

• The Post’s Kevin Kernan has a nice piece on star pitching prospect Dellin Betances, who conceivably could be with the big club in 2010.
• ESPN reports that Willie Randolph was named to be bench coach of the Milwaukee Brewers.  Good luck Willie!
• From the “Does the construction union know about this?” department, “with the help of a few legendary players and Bronx teenagers, the New York Yankees carried pailfuls of dirt taken from home plate and the pitchers’ mound at their old home to a new one Saturday.” (Source: Canadian Press).  Here’s MLB.com’s coverage of the “event”, including video.
• Today’s birthdays: The only player in ML history whose last name begins with Mm, Kevin Mmahat, turns 44.  Kevin’s “career” consisted of 4 games in 1989, giving up 13 hits and 8 walks in 7.7 innings.  Dion James is 46.
• On this date in 1953, the United States Supreme Court rules 7-2 that baseball is a sport and not a business and therefore not subject to antitrust laws. The ruling is made in a case involving Yankees minor leaguer George Toolson, who refused to move from Triple-A to Double-A.
• On this date in 1998, Catfish Hunter announces that he is suffering from Lou Gehrig disease.  Hunter will succumb to the disease less than a year later.

The GM meetings are over …. so let’s kick back and catch up on the news:

• Newsday reports that the City Comptroller William Thompson found that the Yanks had underpaid the city by $11 million over a three-year period. The team is supposed to pay the city a percentage of all revenue from tickets, parking and cable television.  The team is in the midst of paying it back.
• In the “we’ll pay you to take this off our hands” department, Peter Abraham reports that no one has contacted Brian Cashman regarding the readily-available Kei Igawa.
• The Times Jim Dwyer takes Mayor Bloomberg to task for assisting the Yankees in the funding for the new Stadium, while slashing the City budget.
• Abraham also has some fun facts gleaned from his attendance at the Joe Torre Safe at Home charity event Friday night:

1. Girardi revealed that Mussina told him after the season that he planned to retire. He has not heard from Moose since.
2. Pettitte, contrary to some reports, wants only a one-year deal and only to play for the Yankees.
3. Posada and Rivera said their respective shoulder rehabs are going well and both expect to be ready for spring training.  Posada said he is a catcher and has no interest in playing first base.
4. Don Mattingly said he wants to manage.

(more…)

We made it to Friday!  Here’s the latest:

• The Boston Globe’s Tony Massarotti handicaps the race for Manny Ramirez in a blog piece.  He lists the Mets, Phillies and Dodgers as favorites, with the Yanks, Angels and Giants (!?) in the next tier.
• Peter Abraham at the LoHud blog reports that the Yanks have been eliminated from the Peavy sweepstakes.  Its down to three NL teams: the Braves, Cubs and either the Cards or Astros.  He also clues us in on a potential cross-town battle for Derek Lowe.
• Joel Sherman and George King of the Post report that a Mike Cameron for Cabrera and pitching swap might be in the works with the Brewers.  Also, Wilson Betemit may also be on the move.
• At Newsday, Ken Davidoff reports that the Yanks declined their option on Damaso Marte.  He also chimes in on the possible Cameron deal, stating that Ian Kennedy would probably not be included in any package.  An update: No deal will get done until the Brewers know for sure whether Sabathia is staying (he and Cameron are buddies, and the Brew Crew don’t want to do anything to jeopardize the chances of re-signing C.C.)
• Over at ESPN.com, Brian Cashman keeps an open mind on the future of Phil Hughes, “”He’s a significant piece for us as we move forward.  But that doesn’t mean he can’t be traded, either. He continues to be a guy that gets asked about quite often, so he must being doing something right despite the ’08 season.”  Cashman also seems happy to hear that Andy Pettitte would like to return next year.
• Congrats to Mike Mussina on winning his 7th Gold Glove award.  He was the only Yankee so recognized.
• Happy 40th birthday to a guy who made his ML debut with the Yanks at age 23, pitched 14 games for them in 1992, and has since pitched for 7 other teams, Russ Springer. The big 7-0 to a Yankee broadcasting favorite, Jim Kaat.  Also, a happy 70th to the man that preceeded Munson behind the plate, Jake Gibbs.
• On this date in 1963, Elston Howard becomes the first African-American to win the A.L. MVP Award.
• On this date in 1978, Jim Rice edges out Ron Guidry for the A.L. MVP.  Rice led the AL in homers (46), RBI (139), hits (213) and SLG (.600), and became the first AL player to accumulate 400 total bases since DiMaggio in 1937, while Guidry posted a 25-3 record with 248 Ks and a 1.74 ERA.
• On this date in 1997, the bombers trade Kenny Rogers to the A’s for a PTBNL, which turns out to be Scott Brosius.

Let’s get right to it …

• Don’t rush out to get your Jake Peavy Yankee t-shirt just yet.  Following up on a story yesterday, the Times Michael Schmidt notes that Peavy would “consider” a trade to the Bombers, but not necessarily approve of one.  Schmidt also passes along a somewhat amusing quote from Peavy’s agent.

“Jake grew up dreaming of playing in pinstripes, but he has a strong preference to stay in the National League,” Axelrod said. “He’s a good hitter -– he was the most potent part of the Padres’ offense at times this year -– and he knows the hitters in the National League.”

• More Peavy news:  Mark Feinsand of the News reports a source stating that the Yanks could put together a package built around Phil Hughes and Austin Jackson, although they would likely have to include two or three more players, one of which could be Ian Kennedy. The Padres, according to the source, have no interest in Cano.
• A three-way Holliday?  Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports quotes a source noting a potential three-way deal that would send Matsui to the Mariners for a pitching prospect, perhaps Ryan Rowland-Smith. The Yankees would package the prospect with Cano and another young player to the Rockies for Holliday.
• Four 2008 Bombers filed for free agency on Wednesday, reports MLB.com.  Pavano, Giambi, Marte and Mussina put their paperwork in.
• Joel Sherman of the Post reports that the Yankees have just about finalized their coaching staff for ’09, with Tony Pena shifting from first base to the bench, Rob Thomson moving from the bench to third base and Mick Kelleher being named the first base coach.
• In a separate blog entry, Sherman writes that any Bomber pursuit of Matt Holliday will probably include (but not be centered around) Ian Kennedy.  Also, he suggests the Yanks might find something to like (OBP, switch-hitting, 1B-capable) in the possibly-available Nick Swisher.
• DE-FENSE! That’s what Brian Cashman wants to improve in 2009, says Newsday’s Ken Davidoff.
• Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald suggests that the Marlins might be interested in reacquainting themselves with Carl Pavano.
• Happy 37th birthday to another player that suited up for both NY teams, Bubba Trammell.  Happy 40th to the hero of Game 3 of the 1999 World Series, Chad Curtis.  Happy 55th to the “Candy Man”, John Candelaria.

Alan Schwarz of the Times has a nice piece on the friendship between White Sox GM Kenny Williams and now President-elect Barack Obama:

“All 30 general managers at baseball’s annual executive meetings here at a Southern California resort spent Tuesday distracted by more than arbitration seminars and beckoning golf holes. Like many other citizens, they sat around televisions expecting to watch the national election returns deep into the night.

But Williams, general manager of the Chicago White Sox, followed the coverage with a keener sense of anticipation than any of his contemporaries. Not only is he one of just two African-American general managers — the Los Angeles Angels’ Tony Reagins is the other — but as a fellow prominent member of Chicago’s black community he has known Barack Obama for almost 10 years, and considers him a friend.

They have hung out at mutual friends’ barbecues, shot hoops at a local health club as recently as this summer, and — with Williams intrigued by public-policy issues and Obama a longtime White Sox fan — discussed each other’s jobs far more than their own.

“I’m interested in all these questions of foreign policy and national security,” Williams said. “In between his games, shooting a couple of baskets, he asks me, ‘What about your pitching?’ I said, ‘Excuse me, you worry about national security, I’ll worry about the pitching.’ ”

Congrats to President-elect Obama…here now the news:

• Bryan Hoch at MLB.com reports that Robinson Cano “could help anchor a trade package for Peavy if San Diego is willing to take on his deal, which has three years and $27 million remaining, plus two club option years.”   Another interesting quote from the article, “Cashman also told reporters that the Yankees have had interest from other clubs in outfielders Melky Cabrera, Brett Gardner and Austin Jackson.”
• Ken Davidoff of Newsday.com informs us that the Yankees had their first meeting with C.C. Sabathia’s representatives Monday at the GM meetings.  Nothing too substantive …. just preliminary.
• DailyNews.com’s Mark Feinsand has Brian Cashman stating that he is counting only on Chien-Ming Wang and Joba Chamberlain as starters next season at this point in time.  He’s not sure if the Yankees will bring Andy Pettitte back, though Pettitte wants to come back.  The biggest shock?  Cashman hasn’t shut the door totally on Carl Pavano returning.
• Jon Heyman at SI.com chimes in from the GM meetings in California with some tender morsels. The Bombers are exploring a possible bid for 2B Orlando Hudson, with the thought that he might displace Cano, or may even be capable of playing CF.  They may have interest in the Dodgers’ Matt Kemp or the Royals’ David DeJesus, but no teams appear anxious to trade a young center fielder.  As expected, they announced they were declining options on the contracts of Jason Giambi and Carl Pavano.
• Over at Newsday.com, Wallace Matthews makes the case for keeping Joba Chamberlain in the bullpen in 2009, reminding us of the recent domination shown by the Phillies bullpen in its ability to “shorten” games.
• Is Jason Giambi returning to the A’s?  Well, MLB.com notes that the A’s have re-hired Bob Alejo, who has ties to Giambi, as their strength and conditioning coach.  When Giambi signed with the Yankees after the ’01 season, he hired Alejo away from Oakland to serve as his personal trainer.
• NY Times blogger Michael Schmidt notes that Yankee hitting coach Kevin Long plans to travel to the Dominican Republic this winter to work with Robinson Cano.  Cano plans to play one month for a team in the Dominican Winter League as a designated hitter.
• At BP.com, they’ve started giving out their annual Internet Baseball Awards, as voted on by BP readers.  Dustin Pedroia took AL MVP honors (A-Rod finished 4th).  Cliff Lee took the Cy Young (Rivera finished 6th, Mussina 8th).  Evan Longoria ran away with the AL ROTY award (Joba finished 4th).  Joe Maddon won AL Manager of the Year (Girardi finished 9th).
• At AssociatedPress.com, Scott Boras is quoted as stating that his relationship with A-Rod has been repaired.
• Happy 35th to Johnny “not Matt” Damon.
• On this date in 1996, Derek Jeter is named the unanimous winner of the A.L. Rookie of the Year award. He becomes the eighth Yankees player to win the award and the fifth unanimous choice in AL history.

Vote for your White House All-Star Team today … then read this:

• ESPN.COM’s Jerry Crasnick notes that a group of 15 GMs, assistant GMs and baseball operations people and scouts were surveyed by ESPN, and 12 believe Sabathia will end up signing with the Yankees.  On a separate issue, one out of the 15 believes the Yanks will sign Manny Ramirez.
• Jon Heyman of SI.COM has news that Jake Peavy has added the Yankees to the list of teams he would be willing to be traded to, but that NY is at the bottom of the list (along with the Angels, also a new addition).
• Tim Dierkes of MLBTradeRumors.COM makes an educated guess at where his top 50 free agents will land.  He sees the Bombers landing Sabathia and Lowe, with Pettitte re-signing and Mussina retiring.
• Times blogger Michael Schmidt chimes in from the GM meetings in California, having spotted Brian Cashman in a 30-minute conversation with the Reds Walt Jocketty.
• The Yankee beat reporter for MLB.COM (Bryan Hoch) answers readers’ questions.  Here’s some unconfirmed World Baseball Classic attendees: Damon said that he had already filed his paperwork to play again, while A-Rod and Jeter enjoyed their experiences in 2006 and said they’d play in the Classic again. Chamberlain, Abreu, Cano and I-Rod also showed interest.  As far as free agent compensation goes, Hoch mentions that Marte is a Type A free agent, so if the Yankees offered him arbitration, they would get two compensatory Draft picks if he signed elsewhere — same with Abreu. Pettitte and Mussina are also Type A players, but both say they’ll only pitch for the Yankees. Ivan Rodriguez is a Type B, which would entitle the Yanks to one Draft pick if he is offered arbitration.
• Tom Singer of MLB.COM examines the disappointing crop of free agent CFs, and has some interesting notes with regard to the Yankees’ supposed plans for the position.   “The Yankees reportedly have cooled on Melky Cabrera, and Johnny Damon is no longer an everyday option in center. Now that Cameron is off the table as a free agent, the Yankees may have to swing a trade to fill their need. One option might be Gary Matthews Jr., a high-priced No. 4 outfielder in Anaheim, or Cameron himself, should the Brewers be open to listening.”

(more…)

You many not know who to vote for, but you KNOW you should read the latest news:

• John Perrotto of BP.COM has some analysis of the Yankees off-season needs, and thinks the pressing issue is starting pitching, particularly with Mike Mussina leaning toward retirement.  He notes there is some sentiment towards acquiring a center fielder, though many in the organization believe rookie Brett Gardner can ably fill that position. Ian Kennedy, Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui are listed as top trade bait.
• SI.COM’s Jon Heyman has some educated guesses regarding the landing spots for various free agents.  He thinks C.C. will end up with the Yanks (7 years, $160 million), as well as A.J. Burnett (5 years, $80 million).
• At FOXSports.COM, Joel Sherman noted this amazing comment by one agent, made without any hint of a joke …  “(he) would not be surprised if the Yanks signed CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Mark Teixeira and Manny Ramirez. Beyond having a conscious, there is no reason the Yanks cannot take their payroll to $250 million or more.”
• Over at the LoHud Yankees Blog, our buddy Peter Abraham thinks Pat Gillick might be useful in a consultant function for the Yankees.
• Ken Davidoff of Newsday suggests the Yanks hire Mick Kelleher for their coaching staff. Kelleher has “a long-standing relationship with Robinson Cano, and his easygoing demeanor would be a boon to a team that takes itself too seriously too often”.
• According to Boston.com, the Bombers have already tried to initiate trade talks with a few teams, such as Houston.  The Astros said that Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman were not available.
• Happy 36th birthday to one of 51 players to have pitched for both the Mets (333 games) and Yankees (9 games) … Armando Benitez.  The big 4-0 for a guy who gave up 172 hits in only 127.7 innings over two seasons with the Bombers, Paul Quantrill.  Happy 63rd to a pitcher acquired in a 9-player trade with the Orioles in 1976, Ken Holtzman.
• On this date in 1934, Lou Gehrig clinched the A.L. Triple Crown after hitting  .363 with 49 homers and 165 RBI.

Quit doing the Sunday crossword and read this:

• Katie Thomas of the NY Times has an article on the sad turn of events in the life of Jim Leyritz. Leyritz is awaiting trial in Florida on charges of manslaughter and driving under the influence of alcohol after a crash last December that killed 30-year-old Fredia Ann Veitch. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
• The Bombers most likely will not pick up Damaso Marte’s $6 million option, but that doesn’t mean his time in pinstripes is done, writes George King of the Post.
• Although OF Bobby Abreu is among the players who have filed for free agency, the New York Post reports the Yankees plan to offer him arbitration. Even if he doesn’t accept arbitration, this step will enable the team to collect two draft picks if Abreu signs elsewhere as a free agent.
• Jack Curry of the NY Times examines some of the “lesser” free agents available. He suggests that if the Yanks can’t land Sabathia, they should pursue Derek Lowe.
• T.R. Sullivan of MLB.COM points to Ian Kennedy as one of the pitchers the Rangers may target in trade talks. Texas has a surplus of catchers to deal from, as well as Hank Blalock.
• Another NY Post story details the re-hiring of the scout that spotted Derek Jeter. Bill Livesey was the team’s scouting director in 1992. On the morning of the 1992 draft, the Yankees were sitting with the sixth pick. They never thought Jeter would be there. Then: Phil Nevin went to the Astros; a couple of pitchers, Paul Shuey and B.J. Wallace, were taken by the Indians and Expos. The Orioles took outfielder Jeffrey Hammonds. Cincinnati grabbed Chad Mottola, and Jeter fell into their laps.
• Here’s a quirky Daily News article relating the history of Presidential elections/administrations to the fortunes of the Yankees. According to the article, with a Democratic commander-in-chief, the Yankees have won several more pennants (22 compared to 17) and nearly three times as many championships (19 to 7). The team has a losing World Series record when the GOP controls the Executive Branch, going 7-10 for a .412 clip. Under Democrats, the Yanks are 19-3 in the Fall Classic.
• Happy 27th birthday to the utilitarian Wilson Betemit and a happy 32nd to the “futilitarian” Sidney Ponson. A Yankee prospect drafted in the first round and later traded straight-up for Bob Sykes turns 50 today …. Willie McGee.
• On this date in 1964, CBS becomes the first corporate owner of a major league team, buying 80% of the Yankees. The price tag? $11,200,000.
• On this date in 1995, Joe Torre was named manager of the Bombers, replacing Buck Showalter.

Here’s some stuff to chew on now that you’ve finished gorging yourself on candy corn:

• Daily News blogger Jesse Spector reports that even though Bobby Abreu filed for free agency, his first choice is to come back to the Yankees.
• SI.COM mentions that Double-A RHP Eric Hacker and Class-A LHP Wilkin De La Rosa had their contracts purchased by the club Friday.
• Joe Ricciuti, President of the Staten Island Yankees, has been named Executive of the Year by Ballpark Digest. They noted that during his tenure he’s increased attendance via mini-plans, promotions and restructured sponsorships. Staten Island’s season-ticket accounts jumped from 350 in 2006 to 1,731 in 2008, leading to an 83 percent attendance rise, a 21 percent increase in attendance revenue in 2007 and 40 percent attendance revenue increase in 2008.
• MLB.COM has an article on Brett Gardner’s fight for the starting CF job in 2009.
• Yahoo Sports notes that BetOnline.com already has odds posted for the 2009 World Series. The Yankees and Phillies are each listed at 6-1, behind the BoSox (3-1), Angels (5-1) and Cubs (5-1). The Rays are next at 10-1.
• On this date in 1978, Ron Guidry was named as the unanimous choice for the A.L. Cy Young award. Gator led the league in wins (25), winning percentage (.893), shutouts (9), and ERA (1.74, in a season in which the league ERA was 3.63). His WHIP was a nasty 0.946, and he gave up only 13 dingers in 273.7 innings. Fun little trivia …. his 3 losses came against starting pitchers with the first name of Mike (Flanagan, Caldwell, Willis).
• On this date in 2001, the first major league game ever started in the month of November ends up with D’backs closer Byung-Hyun Kim once again serving up a dramatic homer in the ninth, this time by Scott Brosius. Brosius ties the game with two out, and Alfonso Soriano knocks an RBI single in the 12th to give the Yankees a 3 – 2 victory and 3-2 Series lead over Arizona.
• Joe Torre got hired by the Dodgers exactly one year ago today.

Only 106 days till pitchers and catchers report!

Here is what’s going on:

• The Post’s George King and Bart Hubbuch state that several “industry sources” have the Yanks making a run at Manny Ramirez to fill the RF spot next season.
• Yankee free agent filers, day 1: Abreu, Moeller, Pudge and Ponson (as per MLB.COM).
• Take this trade rumor with a large grain of salt …. Ian Kennedy to the Rockies for Willy Taveras (from a site called bleacherreport.com, which doesn’t specify sources of the rumor)
• MLB.COM has an article on everyone’s favorite ambidextrous pitcher, Pat Venditte. Venditte earned a Minor League Baseball Yearly award for Best Class A Short-Season Reliever.
• Feel the desire to carve a Yankee pumpkin? Go here for the stencil.
• Yankee prospect Humberto Sanchez is the lead writer for an MLB.COM blog following the progress of the Baby Bombers in the Arizona Fall League.
• You may not be able to afford seats at the new stadium, but you can at least ogle the latest construction photos.
• Lots of Bomber Birthdays today. Happy 45th birthday to one the Yankees drafted and let get away, the “Crime Dog” … Fred McGriff, and to one the Yankees acquired and should have let get away sooner … Matt Nokes. Mike Gallego turns 48 today. The immortal Paul Zuvella (who went 10 for 82 over two seasons with the Bombers) turns 50. The always humorous Mick the Quick (aka Mickey Rivers) hits the big 6-0.
• On this date in 2001, a two-out, two-run home run by Tino Martinez in the bottom of the ninth ties Game 4 of the World Series, and Derek Jeter hits a home run in the bottom of the 10th, giving the Yanks a 3 – 2 victory over the D’backs.

Warming up the Hot Stove to deal with the chilly weather …

• The Post’s George King reports that Mike Mussina’s decision on retirement will probably come shortly, as his agent will be meeting with him at the end of this week.
• King also reports that Arn Tellem, the agent for both Mussina and Jason Giambi, has mentioned that Giambi would like to be a Yankee in ’09, if the club wants him back.
• Newsday’s Ken Davidoff opines that the Yankees are more concerned with landing a top-flight pitcher than securing Mark Teixeira. Davidoff also reports on some AFL reviews of Yankee prospects.
• SI.COM has a pretty light-hearted interview with Derek Jeter. A few questions on how it feels to be out of the playoffs and other baseball issues. A lot of questions regarding his love life, his political affiliation and his preference in video games.
• NY Post blogger Tim Bontemps gives us an update on how some of our guys are doing in the Arizona Fall League. Juan Miranda is tied for second in doubles (six), tied for third in triples (two), is seventh in slugging percentage (.643) and is seventh in OPS (1.071).
• BP.COM has heard that the Brewers are leaning towards Ken Macha as their new manager, and that Willie Randolph will probably be heading to Colorado as a bench coach.
• Happy 26th birthday to reliever Jonathan Albaladejo. A happy 46th birthday to Danny Tartabull and a happy 67th birthday to Jim Ray Hart.
• On this date in 2001, President Bush threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Game Three of the World Series. He was wearing a New York Fire Department windbreaker in honor of the heroes of the September 11th attacks.

Happy Humpday … here now the news!

• MLB.COM’s Anthony DiComo has some big news from the mouth of Brian Cashman:

1. Chien-Ming Wang got a thumbs up from the doctors after a pain-free bullpen session Monday.
2. He wouldn’t comment on whether the Yanks would discipline Joba Chamberlain for his recent DUI incident.
3. He isn’t counting on Mussina returning for 2009, at least at this point.

• ESPN reports that Willie Randolph denied a report stating he was interested in a coaching job with the Nats. Randolph is being considered for the managerial position in Milwaukee. (Thanks to Baseball Musings for the link)
• USA Today has a piece penned by Gary Thorne detailing the issue of tax-exempt bonds being used to finance new stadiums (Mets, Yanks, Nets). It is noted that teams are getting “interest-free loans” through the issuance of tax-exempt federal bonds for construction of the stadiums and allowing them to pay them back in place of taxes. However, as of Friday, the IRS revised their regulations to prevent future deals where tax-free bonds could be used in this manner to avoid taxes.
• Over at SI.COM, Jon Heyman has some tasty Yankee tidbits:

1. If you believe Jimmy Rollins (a good friend of C.C. Sabathia), the Yankees will end up the winner of the Sabathia Sweepstakes.
2. Matt Holliday intrigues the Yanks, but they are wary of his home/road splits.
3. One of the reasons Brian Cashman stayed with the Bombers was because Pat Gillick warned him to avoid the Mariners opening at all costs.

• Happy 33rd birthday to former Yankee (and Banter punchline) Karim Garcia. Also, a happy 49th b-day to the cannon-armed (and once traded for Banter fave Al Leiter) Jesse Barfield.

Game 5 of the Series may have been suspended, but news about the Yankees never sleeps. Here’s today’s line-up:

• Over at ESPN’s Page 2, writer Jeff Pearlman catches up with 1998 World Series MVP Scott Brosius, who is now a very contented baseball coach at his alma mater, Linfield College.
• New York Post blogger Tim Bontemps reports on Baseball America’s ranking of the top 20 prospects at each level/league of the minors, and where any future Mets and Yanks show up. Brett Gardner was the only local to crack the Triple-A level top 20, at number 19 in the International League.
• MLB.COM reports that the late Catfish Hunter was remembered at the annual Lou Gehrig Sports Award benefit in New York last night. Graig Nettles and Tommy John were in attendance to support the cause of ALS research. Chris Chambliss received an award, but was unable to attend due to an illness in the family.
• The NY Times has an article on a one-credit research seminar on the topic of Yankee Stadium, being offered at Rutgers University. Topics of research include the hero in American culture, the plusses and minuses of urban development, and the relationship between public finance and private enterprise.

til tomorrow …

Howdy! Here is what’s going on in Yankeeland today.

River Avenue Blues takes a crack at the off-season plans for the Yankees, and sees an inevitable push to sign Teixeira.

Over at the Daily News, George King writes that A.J. Burnett may be interested in signing with the Yanks if he opts out of the remainder of his deal with the Blue Jays.

MLB.COM’s Lisa Winston reports that the Trenton Thunder have been awarded the 2008 Minor League Baseball Yearly Award as the top Double-A organization.

Chien-ming Wang was honored as one of the ten most outstanding young men and women in Taiwan for 2008, reports the Taiwan News.

U.S. Representative Anthony Weiner suggests that the City sell off its luxury boxes at the Mets and Yankees new Stadiums as part of the plan to balance the budget, mentions the Daily News.

That’s all for now.