The LoHud Yankees Blog

Hal Steinbrenner just got to Orlando and said there’s “nothing out of the ordinary” going on with the Yankees.

The only minor news out of his quick walk to the elevator was that the Yankees have talked to Derek Jeter’s agent “a couple of times” since last week’s meeting in Tampa.

Otherwise, Steinbrenner said it’s business as usual.

“Things are going well right now,” he said.

I’m still in the lobby posting from my phone, so I have no idea how to post a link, but Ken Rosenthal has reported on Twitter that the Marlins are close to a three-year deal with John Buck.

I’ve been surprised at the number of emails I’ve gotten from fans wanting the Yankees to sign Buck, some thinking Buck would accept a deal as a non-everyday player.

I’ve never seen the two sides as a perfect match. I’m certainly not surprised to see him heading elsewhere.

This is coming from Ken Davidoff.

Apparently the Yankees have “expressed interest” in lefty reliever Pedro Feliciano. It makes sense given the fact Brian Cashman has openly admitted that he’s looking for a left-hander to join Boone Logan in the bullpen. Feliciano had some success with the Mets, and his splits against lefties are pretty impressive with a lot of strikeouts.

My guess would be that this depends entirely on the contract. Felciano clearly fits what the Yankees are trying to do, but he’s already 34 years old. Damaso Marte turned 34 in 2009, just after he signed his three-year contract, and that deal hasn’t worked out at all.*

* I feel like every mention of the Marte contract has to include a note that he was outstanding in last year’s postseason. Teams sign players in hopes that those players will help them win a World Series, and Marte did that, despite his regular season injuries and struggles.

Let me set the scene…

A beautiful hotel lobby looks out on a massive swimming pool and golf course. It’s a nice, Florida day. Sun is shining through the clouds. Fountains are shooting up into the air. Vacation families are coming and going.

Meanwhile, several dozen baseball writers are standing around with nothing to do. We haven’t seen any of the GMs, and only a few agents have passed through.

There are official media sessions scheduled for late this afternoon, and it seems most of the news will have to wait until then. In the end, I don’t think this will be a waste of a day. But it has certainly been a waste of a morning.

When you’re in Orlando for three days, and you’re expected to write Yankees stories each of those three days, the last thing you want Brian Cashman to say is this:

“I don’t expect to get anything done.”

Unfortunately, that’s the first thing Cashman said yesterday as a small group walked with him through the halls of this massive hotel complex.

On this first day of the general managers’ meetings, there’s a much better chance of Yankees rumors and speculation coming out of this hotel than actual Yankees news. But, when it comes to the offseason, you pretty much take what you can get.

The GMs have meetings most of the morning, but the hope is that enough people will be roaming around to make a lobby stakeout worthwhile. Other GMs might have something to say or do. Agents might have something to say. Even Cashman might have some mid-day insights.

You never know.

Now that I’m back in the room to re-write a newspaper story and actually listen back to Brian Cashman’s brief conversation with a group of three reporters, I can throw a few more quick notes on the blog.

Fair warning, Cashman started by saying he doesn’t expect any significant Yankees news to break while he’s down here.

“I don’t expect to get anything done,” he said. “It will be mostly industry stuff… I’m not on the verge of anything.”

• Cashman said he still plans to bring back the rest of the Yankees coaching staff. “That’s our hope,” he said. Obviously Dave Eiland is out, and Mike Harkey could change things if he gets the pitching coach gig, but for now Cashman expects to have the rest of the coaches back for 2011.

• Cashman did not rule out Rick Peterson as a pitching coach candidate. “I’ve got a whole list of candidates that I’m going to plow through,” he said. “I’m not going to interview all of them. I know Rick’s a terrific pitching coach. There’s no doubt about.”

• The actual Cashman quote about Leo Mazzone: “We’re not going to interview Leo. Leo turned down the Yankee job once. He was offered the job before Gator, and he went to Baltimore.”

• Cashman acknowledged having interviewed Gil Patterson and Mike Harkey for the pitching coach opening, and he said the Scott Aldred interview will happen later this week, but he wouldn’t say who else will be interviewed for the pitching coach job. He only ruled out Mazzone.

• Similarly, Cashman acknowledged having already met with Derek Jeter, Cliff Lee, Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada — or their agents — but he wouldn’t say whether he’s talked to any other free agents. He said he’s already had some discussions with other teams, and he’ll have more discussions here in Orlando, but he said nothing is close to happening.

• I just thought this was cool: Cashman’s pitching coach interviews are so in depth, he has to do them at Yankee Stadium so that the pitching coaches can use the video facilities. “I could have continued them down here,” Cashman said. “But part of the process I have set up, I need the facility up there. These guys come in and do prep work. They get assigned kind of homework before the interview, so we need the facility and the video and all htat stuff up there. I can’t really transport the interview process.”

Just saw Brian Cashman in the lobby.

Scott Aldred is next up in the pitching coach interview process. That will happen later this week, when Cashman gets out of Orlando.

Leo Mazzone will not be interviewed.

Cashman said he has no plans of meeting with Mazzone, who turned down the Yankees job before Ron Guidry was hired.

For the here and now, Cashman said there is nothing on the verge of happening and he does next expect to finalize any sort of trade or signing during these meetings.

I’ve settled into the hotel in Orlando, and it’s of course a massive complex. If GMs want to meet in private without media finding them, they’re going to have no problem making that happen.

Meanwhile, I’m heading down to do the usual lobby standing. Word is Brian Cashman spoke very briefly earlier today and said absolutely nothing.

Everyone is shocked by this, I’m sure.

The meetings haven’t even officially started, so I don’t have high hopes for tonight, but I’ll be standing around trying to shake hands and start conversations that might or might not lead anywhere. Wish me luck.

Via the Yankees, here’s the information on tickets for next season.

YANKEES RELEASE 2011 TICKET INFORMATION

The New York Yankees today announced ticket information for the upcoming 2011 regular season at Yankee Stadium, which is scheduled to begin on Thursday, March 31, when the Yankees host the Detroit Tigers.

The Yankees will play 13 of their first 16 games – and 20 of their first 28 contests – at home. Interleague matchups at Yankee Stadium in 2011 include the annual Subway Series vs. the Mets (5/20-22), as well as games against Colorado (6/24-26) and Milwaukee (6/28-30). The Yankees’ final five home games of the season will be vs. Tampa Bay (9/20-21) and Boston (9/23-25).

The Yankees drew 3,765,807 fans to Yankee Stadium in 2010, leading the Majors in home attendance. The team also averaged a Major League-best 46,491 fans per game.  The Yankees have led the American League in home attendance in each of the last eight seasons and have topped the AL in combined attendance (home and road) in each of the last 12 seasons.

As in past years, the Yankees will make available individual-game ticket value programs throughout the 2011 season.  A complete list of ticket specials, including game dates, seating locations, and terms and conditions, can be found at www.yankees.com/ticketspecials, by calling (212) YANKEES (926-5337) or e-mailing tickets@yankees.com.  Please note that all ticket specials are subject to availability and all offers are subject to change.

Information regarding the on-sale for individual-game tickets at Yankee Stadium will be announced at a later date.

E-Saver Games – Fans can register at www.yankees.com/esaver to receive weekly e-mail ticket offers for E-Saver Games available only to Yankees e-mail subscribers.

$5 Games – For select games during the 2011 season, fans can purchase tickets in select areas of the Terrace Level, Grandstand Level or Bleachers for $5. Tickets for $5 Games may be purchased in advance or on the day of the game. (Excludes all Premium Games*.)

Tuesday Night Games Ticket Special – For each Tuesday night home game at Yankee Stadium, fans can take advantage of specially discounted tickets in select areas of the Grandstand Level. Tickets for Tuesday Night Games may be purchased in advance or on the day of the game. (Excludes all Premium Games*.)

Family Games – Families can enjoy specially priced tickets on designated Monday through Thursday games in April, May and September. Tickets may be purchased in advance or on the day of game. (Excludes all Premium Games*.)

Senior Citizen Games – Senior Citizens (60 and older) can purchase $5 tickets in designated seating locations for select Monday through Thursday games. Tickets may be purchased ONLY on the day of the game at Yankee Stadium Ticket Windows, adjacent to Gate 4, and are subject to availability.  All tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis. A valid form of identification must be presented at the time of purchase. (Excludes all Premium Games*.)

Student Games – For select games during the 2011 season, students who present their valid high school or college ID cards when purchasing tickets can receive one half-price ticket in designated seating locations. Tickets may be purchased ONLY on the day of the game at Yankee Stadium Ticket Windows, adjacent to Gate 4. (Excludes all Premium Games*.)

Youth Games – All fans 14 and younger, when accompanied by an adult, are eligible for half-price tickets in designated seating locations for Saturday games. Tickets may be purchased ONLY on the day of the game at Yankee Stadium Ticket Windows, adjacent to Gate 4. (Excludes all Premium Games*.)

Military Personnel Ticket Special – Active military members can present their military identification card at designated Yankee Stadium Ticket Windows before any Monday through Thursday game and receive one complimentary ticket in select areas of the Grandstand Level or Bleachers, or purchase one half-price ticket in other available non-premium seat locations at Yankee Stadium. Tickets may be purchased ONLY on the day of the game at Yankee Stadium Ticket Windows, adjacent to Gate 4. (Excludes all Premium Games*.)

* The term “Premium Games” is defined for the 2011 season as the Opening Day game, the Old-Timers’ Day game and all home games played against the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets. The Yankees reserve the right to add or remove Premium Games at their sole discretion.

All ticket specials are subject to availability, exclude all Premium Games and other restrictions may apply.  For official rules regarding the purchase of Premium Games tickets, please visit www.yankees.com.

MO-SAVER TICKET BOOTH:

Additionally, fans will once again have the opportunity to purchase individual-game Yankees home game tickets for prices that are up to 50 percent off face value using the Mo-Saver ticket booth at the Modell’s Sporting Goods store in Times Square (234 W. 42nd St.). Mo-Saver tickets will go on sale ONLY on the day of Yankees home games, starting at on 8:00 a.m. for day games and 12:00 p.m. for night games, and will remain available for sale while supplies last.

GROUP TICKETS:

Groups of 20 or more are eligible to take advantage of a variety of group ticket discounts. For complete group ticket information, please visit www.yankees.com, call the Yankees Group Sales Department at (212) YANKEES (926-5337), or e-mail groups@yankees.com.

For more information on pricing categories and to inquire about purchasing 2011 season tickets, fans can visit www.yankees.com.

TIME, OPPONENT, DATE AND TEAM ROSTERS AND LINEUPS, INCLUDING THE YANKEES’ ROSTER AND LINEUP,

ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

NOTICE: All persons specifically consent to and are subject to metal detector and physical pat-down inspections prior to entry.  Any person or property that could affect the safety of Yankee Stadium occupants/property shall be denied entry.

WARNING: During all batting practices, fielding practices, warm-ups and the course of the game experience, hard hit baseballs and bats and fragments thereof may be thrown or hit into the stands, concourses and concessions areas.  For everyone’s safety, please stay alert and be aware of your surroundings.  Any guest who is concerned with his or her seat location should contact any guest services representative for an alternate seat location.

Location	2011 Full-Season	2011 Partial-Season	2011 Advance Individual Game	2011 Game Day Individual Game
Field Level (Rows 12-30: 116-124)	$260	$275	$325	$325
Field Level (Rows 12-30: 115, 125)	$235	$250	$275	$300
Field Level (Rows 12-14: 114a-114b, 126-127a)	$225	$235	$250	$275
Field Level (Rows 15-30: 114a-114b, 126-127a)	$175	$225	$235	$250
Field Level (Rows 12-14: 112-113, 127b-128)	$150	$175	$200	$225
Field Level (Rows 15-30: 112-113, 127b-128)	$110	$115	$125	$150
Field Level (Rows 1-14: 108-111, 129-131)	$110	$115	$125	$150
Field Level (Rows 15-30: 108-111, 129-131)	$80	$90	$95	$100
Field Level (Rows 1-14: 103-107, 132-136)	$100	$110	$125	$150
Field Level (Rows 15-30: 103-107, 132-136)	$75	$85	$95	$100
Main Level (Rows 1-22: 216-217, 223-224)	$125	$135	$150	$175
Main Level (Rows 1-22: 215, 225)	$110	$115	$125	$150
Main Level (Rows 1-22: 213-214b, 226-227b)	$80	$85	$90	$95
Main Level (Rows 1-22: 210-212, 228-230)	$65	$70	$75	$80
Main Level (Rows 1-22: 205-209, 231-234)	$50	$55	$57	$60
Terrace Level (Rows 1-10: 315-316, 324-325)	$65	$75	$80	$85
Terrace Level (Rows 1-8: 313-314, 326-327)	$55	$65	$70	$75
Terrace Level (Rows 1-10: 305-312, 328-334)	$40	$45	$48	$50
Grandstand Level (Rows 1-14: 415-425)	$25	$25	$29	$30
Grandstand Level (Rows 1-14: 405-414, 426-434b)	$20	$20	$22	$23
Bleachers (Rows 1-24: 201-204, 235-239)	$15	$15	$15	$15
Bleachers (Rows 1-24: 201/239)*	$5	$5	$5	$5
*Designated seats in Sections 201 and 239 are considered obstructed and sold for $5

Rangers closer Neftali Feliz won the AL Rookie of the Year award, easily beating out former Yankees prospect (and current Tigers outfielder) Austin Jackson. Feliz, who set the rookie saves record with 40, was named first on 20 of the 28 ballots cast. He’s the third closer to win the award in the past six years.

Giants catcher Buster Posey took the NL award, also getting 20 first-place votes. Braves slugger Jason Heyward was second in the NL with nine first-place votes.

For complete ballots, check out the official web site of the Baseball Writers Association of America right here.