Kevin Long, back to work.

[Photo Via: The Poetry of Material Things]

Ken Dawidoff has word from Prince Hal. Chad Jennings has more.

Rafael Soriano, yeah, he won’t be back; Mariano Rivera, will.

Here’s Chad Jennings with some notes. Otherwise, the Hot Stove is cool these days round these parts.

Still, here’s an open Yankee thread to start the day, featuring Bruce Davidson’s photograph of Willie Randolph because I found it at the lively Yankee site 161st & River.

Hope the holidays treated you all well. Over at Lo-Hud, Chad Jennings has these New Year’s resolutions for the Yanks.

[Picture by Bags]

Don’t need much of an excuse to check out the cool Yankee blog 161st and River, but this picture of Don Zimmer is a good one. So is this list of the 15 Worst Transactions in Yankee History.

Raul Ibanez to the Mariners and, as expected, Nick Swisher to the Indians.

That is all.

Some players go on and on forever while others fall off the table without ceremony, thwap. Ichiro belongs in the first group though there were times last year when it looked like he was all but finished. And then he had a late surge and it reminded us of the great player he’s been.

The Yanks are bringing him back for two years and he could be more like the player in Seattle last season than the one he was in September and October for the Yanks. Still, I liked this from Marc Carig’s article in Newsday:

“I believe the Yankees organization appreciates that there is a difference between a 39-year-old who has played relying only on talent, and a 39-year-old who has prepared, practiced and thought thoroughly through many experiences for their craft,” Ichiro said. “I am very thankful, and I will do my best to deliver on their expectations.”

[Photo Credit: Charlie Riedel/AP]

Hey Swish…Woo Woo.

This weekend’s Yankee rumors involved Vernon Wells and Michael Bourn.  Meanwhile, the Jays are on the clock with R.A. Dickey.

If he winds up in Toronto the Blue Jays’ starting rotation looks nice.

[Photo Via: frOzenpizza]

It’s almost official but looks like the Yanks will have their Ichi for Christmas.

[Photo Via: New York Times]

Youk a Yank? Why not? (Photo: Getty Images)

Will there be a serenade of “Yoooouk” or a cascade of “boos” when Kevin Youkilis makes his Yankee Stadium debut in pinstripes? Judging by the initial response to the trade, the reaction might be somewhat mixed, especially with the Red Sox in town for Opening Day. Considering Youkilis’ infamous past as a Yankee killer, even those willing to welcome him into fold might still be susceptible to a flashback, particularly if they imbibed a little too much before the game.

In the 112 year history of both organization, 219 players have appeared in at least one game for both the Yankees and the Red Sox. However, Youkilis migration to the Bronx isn’t a run of the mill rivalry crossover. With a bWAR of 29.5 while in Boston, the former All Star ranks 20th on the Red Sox all-time list for hitters. So, when Youkilis steps into the box on Opening Day, many in the crowd will likely do a double take, and not just because the third baseman will be without his signature facial hair.

Red Sox Standouts Who Became Yankees

Just missed: Duffy Lewis, who compiled 19.8 WAR with the Red Sox from 1910 to 1917, played for the Yankees from 1919 to 1920. Bill Monbouquette, who compiled 19.8 WAR with the Red Sox from 1958 to 1965, played for the Yankees from 1967 to 1968.

Note: Includes players who compiled 20 WAR or more with the Red Sox before joining the Yankees. Babe Ruth’s WAR includes totals as a pitcher and position player.
Source: Baseball-reference.com

By joining the Yankees, Youkilis becomes only the fifth Red Sox player to don the pinstripes after compiling at least 20 WAR in Boston. Babe Ruth was the first person to crossover, and since the Bambino helped build the Yankees into the most successful franchise in sports, the flow of talent between the two teams has usually benefited the Bronx Bombers. Although it would be almost 60 years before another Red Sox legend made his way to the Bronx, the two recent transfers since Luis Tiant’s short stint with the Yankees in 1979-1980 also had a major impact.

Like Youkilis, Wade Boggs was a mid-30s third baseman when he joined the Yankees after having a down year. However, Boggs rejuvenated his career in pinstripes, batting over .300 in four of five seasons to go along with an OPS+ of 112. Soon after Boggs departed the Bronx, Roger Clemens joined the Yankees. After the 1996 season, the Red Sox had also given up on the Rocket, claiming he was in the twilight of his career, but instead Clemens responded with two Cy Young seasons in Toronto. Following his stint with the Blue Jays, Clemens spent five years in pinstripes tormenting his former team by not only winning two World Series rings, but adding another Cy Young while on the “downside”.

Yankees Standouts Who Became Red Sox

Just missed: David Cone, who compiled 19.1 WAR with the Yankees from 1995 t0 2000, played for the Red Sox in 2001.

Note: Includes players who compiled 20 WAR or more with the Yankees before joining the Red Sox.
Source: Baseball-reference.com

The Red Sox have actually had more 20-plus WAR Yankees join their ranks than vice versa, but the contributions of those players were relatively insignificant. On offense, Ben Chapman, Elston Howard, and Rickey Henderson were all former All Stars in pinstripes who wound up playing for the Red Sox, but neither made much of an impact in Boston. Among pitchers, Jack Chesbro made his Hall of Fame bones with the Yankees, but ended his career by pitching six innings for the Red Sox. Herb Pennock, who actually had an undistinguished start to his career with the Athletics and Red Sox, was another successful pinstriped hurler who pitched his last season in Boston. Finally, Ray Caldwell cobbled together a competent 12 years with the Yankees, but also found his way to Boston before retiring as a Cleveland Indian.

Even if Yankee fans don’t warm up to him at first, Youkilis can still win their affection by making a contribution in line with the other former Red Sox who wound up wearing the pinstripes. Of course, if he struggles in the Bronx, the denizens of Yankee Stadium won’t hesitate to voice their displeasure. In that regard, however, Youkilis does have one distinct advantage. Even if the crowd showers him with “boos”, he can always pretend their singing his last name.

The Greek God of Walks is really a Jew, and according to Ken Rosenthal he’s also about to become a Yankee.

Ah, memories of Paul O’Neill, our favorite red ass.

I don’t have anything against Youkilis as a former Red Sox who was easy to root against but I worried if he’s got any game left in him. Twelve million bucks seems like an awful lot for a a guy who was lousy in Boston and Chicago last season.

Got a friend, big Red Sox fan, whose dog is named Youk. I imagine this isn’t easy for him.

It was raining when I left my apartment building this morning but the sun was out by the time I reached the subway platform.

No word on Ichiro yet. The Mets have reportedly upped their offer to R.A. Dickey, though it still might not be enough.

And the Yanks, Angels, and Cubs will no longer play nice with StubHub.

This report from Ken Rosenthal says that there is a good chance Ichiro will be back in the Bronx next year. I’d like to watch him play for the Yanks again. He may be old but he’s the King of Style.

Meanwhile, they are also waiting on that old goat Youk. Vat Gives, Youk? You’ve got $12 million on the table, Hoss. Nu?

The Dodgers are making the Yanks look like low rent bums.

[Photo Credit: Digital Grin]

Recovering addict in NYC? Pass.

[Photo Credit: Grzegorz Sowa]

Being a Yankee fan during the Steinbrenner years meant knowing what was coming. You could anticipate rash, unpredictable moves but knew that money was never an obstacle in getting George what he wanted. Now, with all this talk of the Yankees wanting to get under the salary cap in 2014, the team has scaled back and they’ve become something different. What they are, or what they are going to become, is unknown. We might not know who the post-Rivera, post-Jeter Yankees are for three or four years.

It feels as if they are willing to sacrifice a few seasons in favor of a more reasonable payroll. That certainly was never a concern for The Boss. Spend first was his motto. It’s funny, the Yanks have always been criticized for outspending everyone else and I’m certain that once they tighten the purse strings, they’ll be knocked for that too.

Where it’s all going is anyone’s guess.

Here’s a Day Three recap from MLB Trade Rumors, and Chad Jennings.

More Grown Man Gossip today at the Winter Meetings.

First, here’s a recap of yesterday’s dish.

And today’s big rumor.

Our man in the field, Chad Jennings has Yankee notes, here and here.

Or: Let’s make a dope deal.

First off, MLB Trade Rumors recaps Day One. Chad Jennings has the Yankee-related recap as well as a some lingering questions about Alex Rodriguez.

Let’s start today with this news on Curtis Granderson.

And then dig this from Emma: Yankee GM for a Day.

[Featured Image Via It’s a Long Season]

The winter meetings begin today. Be sure to check out MLB Trade Rumors and NBC’s Hardball Talk for all of the latest.

Meanwhile, things start on an ominous–though not surprising–note for Alex Rodriguez and the Yanks. He’s going to need surgery.

And according to this, he was hurting mightily during the playoffs.

[Photo Via: Baseball Art, Paintings, Illustrations, etc.]