The LoHud Yankees Blog

Here we are, in a big room full of big tables. And we’re about to hear some small names with a small chance of sticking on a big league roster. It was just announced taht the draft will start in two minutes.

The buzz here, beyond the Rule 5, is that the Yankees have upped their Cliff Lee offer to seven years. They obviously need him, and after Jayson Werth and Carl Crawford got seven, I’m sure they were concerned that Lee could get seven from some other team.

UPDATE, 9:02 a.m.: Josh Rodriguez, a Cleveland infielder, is the first pick going to Pittsburgh. Ouch, and Seattle follows with a Cleveland pitcher.

UPDATE, 9:05 a.m.: The Mets just lost a pitcher named Elvin Ramirez.

UPDATE, 9:06 a.m.: Six or seven teams in a row just passed.

UPDATE, 9:07 a.m.: George Kontos was just taken by San Diego. That’s one Yankees prospect off the board.

UPDATE, 9:08 a.m.: Yankees just took lefty Robert Fish from the Angels.

UPDATE, 9:11 a.m.: And there goes Lance Pendleton. The Yankees have now lost a second pitcher in the Rule 5.

UPDATE, 9:12 a.m.: In the greatest upset of all time, the Yankees took a second Rule 5 pick, a Red Sox pitcher named Daniel Turpen.

Baseball America has twice previewed this morning’s Rule 5 draft. Their first and most in-depth look listed 25 players who seemed to be strong candidates. A second preview listed an additional seven names generating some buzz during these Winter Meetings.

That’s 32 names in all, not one of them from the Yankees organization.

The draft begins at 9 a.m., and the Yankees left some notable players unprotected, but no one jumps out to me — or to anyone I’ve talked to — as an obvious Rule 5 candidate. Zach Kroenke was clearly going to be taken last year. The Yankees don’t have anyone quite like that this time around. A few candidates to keep in mind:

Wilkins Arias: Lefty who pitched well in Double-A last season. He’s also 30 years old without a day of Triple-A experience.
George Kontos (right): My pick as the Yankee most likely to go. Legitimate prospect, but he had Tommy John in 2009.
Lance Pendleton: Good in Double-A last season. At least held his own in Triple-A. Righty never generated much prospect buzz. Got through Rule 5 last year.
Brad Suttle: Highly regarded hitter out of Texas. Hit .293 with power in the second half last season as Tampa’s 3B. Injuries have slowed his progress.
Eric Wordekemper: Completely overshadowed in the Yankees system. Two straight years of good numbers in Double-A and Triple-A.

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Of course, the Rule 5 isn’t only about losing players. It’s also about gaining them, and the Yankees are prepared to make a pick if a player they like falls to them. Last year they took a shot on Jamie Hoffmann, who filled a need at the time but became infinitely expendable when Marcus Thames came on board.

This time around, the Yankees could justify a utility infielder, an outfielder, a long reliever or a lefty. It all depends on where they find worth-a-shot talent. Remember, there’s no such thing as a sure-thing Rule 5 candidate. All of them come with uncertainty and questions. For obvious reasons, the Yankees won’t leak who they’re considering. Based largely on Baseball America, I’ll single out these possibilities, but these are little more than guesses. Think of these primarily as an attempt to find the type of player the Yankees might like.

Ed Lucas, Util (right): A six-year free agent who signed with the Braves, he can play all over the field and he’s shown a pretty good bat. Could be one more young guy to add to the mix for a bench role.
Scott Diamond, LHP: Had a 3.46 ERA between Double-A and Triple-A last season. He’s been a starter, but could be interesting as a lefty who could throw multiple innings out of the pen.
Elvin Ramirez, RHP: BA reports that his fastball reaches 99 mph, and his winter ball numbers are pretty impressive, suggesting he might have fixed some control issues. Might be a long shot as a back-of-the-bullpen arm.

Finally back in front of a computer.

Great job by Pete Abraham breaking the story. Carl Crawford is with the Red Sox as the highest-paid outfielder in baseball history. Seven years, $142 million. It’s a great addition for the Boston lineup.

Brian Cashman simply shrugged.

The Yankees general manager said the signing has no impact on his team’s plans for the winter. The Yankees were never really in the Crawford hunt. During my brief conversation with him, Cashman never specifically said the Yankees were bluffing, but that was certainly the feeling I got.

Let there be no doubt, Cashman and Crawford had dinner Tuesday night. The two sides were talking. But baseball’s offseason is its own sort of game. The Yankees have been making vague references to Plan B, which might also have been a bit of gamesmanship.

The Yankees have their target. And he’s still on the market.

I’m nowhere near my computer, but the Boston Globe is reporting that Carl Crawford has signed with the Red Sox.

It’s a seven-year deal worth $142 million.

Andy Pettitte called Brian Cashman today. The message was vague and uncertain, but the purpose was direct and to the point. Pettitte still hasn’t decided whether he’s going to retire, but he had to make sure his indecision wasn’t negatively affecting the Yankees offseason.

“If I had to bet at some point, I think he’ll play,” Cashman said. “But he’s telling me right now he’s leaning the other way. He just doesn’t want to hold us up.”

Cashman said there was nothing Pettitte said that gave him reason for optimism, he simply believes — because “this is what he always does” — that Pettitte will eventually have a change of heart and decide to pitch one more year. For now, though, it’s completely up in the air.

“He hasn’t put himself in play yet,” Cashman said. “We’re just going to stay in touch with one another… I’m focusing on what’s in play. He knows that.”

Cashman is not waiting for Pettitte. The Yankees are going to make the moves they have to make. What if Cashman spends all of his budget, and then Pettitte decides to come back?

“I never have a problem knocking on Hal’s door and asking for more money,” Cashman said. “I have a problem sometimes with Hal saying yes. I know my title is general manager, but I consider myself the director of spending for the New York Yankees. I don’t make it. I spend it.”

• While they’ve stayed in touch, the Yankees and Pettitte have never talked money. Cashman said he has no idea whether that will become a problem, but he doesn’t expect it to be an issue like it was two years ago. That, Cashman said, was a problem of communication, and there will be no such problem this time.

• Cashman would not confirm nor deny reports that he had dinner last night with Carl Crawford. His only comment on last night’s dinner: “I had steak.”

• For whatever it’s worth, Cashman never shot anyone down when they asked a Crawford question. He once again referred to the “wide net” he’s cast into the free agent and trade markets.

• Speaking of the trade market: “There are definitely pitchers out there available,” Cashman said. “And I know that we can line up with teams because of the deep farm system I think we have, and I think people recognize that. There are some players that are available on the trade market.”

• Cashman once again spoke to Kerry Wood’s agent, but said he has no idea whether Wood has been offered a closer job. He’s also not ready to push the Wood talks forward at this point. “Right now we’re going to wait on Cliff,” Cashman said. “By my choice.”

• I might have been wrong, but when Cashman said, “by my choice,” I took that as him making it clear that he’s choosing to wait right now. His choice could change at some point.

• It’s not only Wood who’s being put on hold. “There are different things that are within range,” Cashman said. “There are things that we could potentially conclude, but I described before (as) Hannibal Lecter in a straightjacket waiting on this Cliff Lee thing. It’s kind of restricting my movements a little bit.”

• Cashman would not comment on rumors of the Yankees being interested in Mark Prior.

• Cashman also would not say whether he has enough money to sign both Lee and Crawford.

• According to Cashman, Pettitte specifically said that he wants the Yankees to sign Lee.

• If some sort of opportunity presents itself and Cashman needs to stay in Orlando tomorrow night, he’s ready and willing to do that, but for now he’s planning to attend the Rule 5 draft and then get on a plane back to New York. Most likely, he’s done all he’s going to do at these Winter Meetings.

Associated Press photos

I’ll just let Curtis Granderson take it from here. This is from his Twitter account.

One year ago today, I was traded to the 27-time World Champion NY Yankees. Thank you fans, teammates, and front office for an amazing year.

Cool stuff from the Yankees center fielder.

Brian Cashman was in full “no comment” mode. He would admit to meeting this afternoon with Cliff Lee’s agent, Darek Braunecker, but he wouldn’t admit to making an offer for the left-handed free agent.

“I may have made an official offer,” he said. “I’m just deciding not to admit whether I have or haven’t. For some reason.”

Exactly 20 seconds went by.

“Yeah, we’ve made an offer,” Cashman said. “You guys have worn me out.”

Braunecker left Orlando today and went to Arkansas, where he’s scheduled to meet with Lee and Lee’s wife to discuss the situation as it stands. Cashman said Braunecker wanted to get all the offers on the table before discussing the situation with his client, and Cashman said he couldn’t argue with that strategy. Braunecker was just as thorough two years ago when negotiating the A.J. Burnett deal. The only difference then, Cashman said, was that Burnett became a bidding war between the Yankees and Braves. Cashman called Braunecker “direct and honest.”

Now the Yankees have to wait. Cashman said his offer was exactly what the Yankees always planned to offer. It was not affected by recent events, and it was not some sort of counter offer to a proposal from the Lee camp.

“If it takes time, so be it,” Cashman said. “He’s someone that’s worth waiting for.”

Between meetings and planning sessions, the Yankees scouting department has been working on a list of Rule 5 eligible players who might fit on the Yankees big league roster.

As I understand it, there are five guys who interest the Yankees, but they’re not especially optimistic that any of the five will still be available when it’s the Yankees turn to pick.

There is plenty of roster space to take someone tomorrow morning. The only question is availability.

Let’s face it, these have been the Cliff Lee Meetings. Major League Baseball is only playing a secondary role.

When Joe Girardi sat for his Winter Meetings press conference, this afternoon, the first bundle of questions were about the most obvious topic.

According to Girardi, Cliff Lee has been “on (the Yankees) radar screen for a while.” Adding him to the rotation is “pretty important” because Lee is a “guy that wins” and even though no deal has been reached, Lee is “someone that we’ll continue to pursue.”

So, clearly Girardi broke some new ground on the Lee front.

Actually, the most interesting Lee tidbit might have been the fact Girardi has not been involved in the conversations at all. “I’ll talk to Cash and see what he wants me to do,” Girardi said. Otherwise, it was pretty much the same non-information.

Lee is good. The Yankees need a starter. The pursuit is ongoing. That’s the bottom line.

And for whatever it’s worth, I gladly would have given Pete Caldera my seat in front of Girardi’s table if I’d known standing behind Girardi would have gotten me in the Associated Press photo. Live and learn.

Other notes from the Yankees manager:

• On the possibility of Lee landing elsewhere: “We have explored options. And I do feel that there are some options out there. Obviously, as I’ve said all along, Cliff Lee is the complete package. It was a guy that we tried to trade for at the deadline. It’s a guy that we followed very closely. But the one thing that the Yankees always do if something doesn’t work out, they always have other options, and they’ll consider other options.”

• No surprise, but Girardi clearly indicated that one of those other options might include Carl Crawford. “We have a very good outfield,” Girardi said. “But it’s something that you look at all the pieces that are out there and you make decisions. Does it fit with your team or doesn’t it fit maybe your Plan A doesn’t go according to plan, and you go to something else.”

• As expected, Girardi said Jesus Montero will have to earn a job in spring training. “He’s going to have to earn the job as a catcher,” Girardi said. The DH spot is taken, but the Yankees are currently prepared to give their top prospect a long and legitimate look in spring training. He’s never caught a 162-game schedule, but Girardi said he doesn’t think of Montero as being limited in the number of games he’ll catch. He’ll get breaks like any catcher, but he won’t go into the season with a planned limit.

• Jorge Posada was told to prepare himself as a catcher, but with the understanding that the bulk of his time will likely come at DH. “He understands,” Girardi said. “But I still think that he wants to catch. I mean, that is his first love, that is his first passion. To me this gives him a chance to extend his career, stay healthy, and be productive for us.”

• Girardi said it’s not time to commit to any sort of lineup for next season. Asked specifically about Derek Jeter’s spot in the order, Girardi said: “I think you have to evaluate your team on a daily basis, weekly basis, and monthly basis as time goes on. The one thing he did do is he hit in September for us. After we made that change with him, he hit much better. We’ll continue to work on those things.”

• Ideally, how much rest for Alex Rodriguez? Girardi said it depends on how Rodriguez feels in spring training, but as a general rule, “You try not to play him more than seven or eight days in a row,” Girardi said. “Will your day off be a DH day? Possible. Or a DH day here or maybe a DH two days later.”

• Speaking of resting Rodriguez, Girardi said the Yankees have looked into backup infield options, but he stressed that the Yankees like Ramiro Pena and/or Eduardo Nunez in that spot. He called it “an important role.” Getting someone externally may depend on “what we have left financially to sign.”

• For the eighth inning, Girardi said he believes Joba Chamberlain and Dave Robertson can handle the job. “I really believe the talent is there to do it,” he said. “And these guys will probably get the opportunity to do it. But you have to prove you can do it.” Much of Chamberlain’s struggles, Girardi said, came from his inconsistent slider.

• Although the Yankees project Ivan Nova as a starter, Girardi said he wouldn’t rule out Nova breaking in as a reliever. A personal observation: With Alfredo Aceves and Dustin Moseley gone, the Yankees don’t currently have many long relief options beyond Sergio Mitre.

• The Yankees have a lot of almost-ready, upper-level pitching talent (Brackman, Noesi, Betances, Banuelos, Phelps, etc.), and the team has had success in the past converting those sort of pitchers into short-term, late-inning relievers. Girardi said that’s not something the Yankees will consider directly out of spring training, but it’s possible by mid-summer. “Not immediately,” Girardi said. “Because most of them haven’t had a season or year of Triple-A, or two or three months of Triple-A. But we have been known to. A lot of clubs believe it’s easier to break a guy into the bullpen first and move him into the starting rotation as a young pitcher. If we feel they can help us in the bullpen say middle of the summer, then we’d make that switch.”

• If Nova were to make the Yankees rotation out of spring training, there would be no innings limit on him. Girardi was happy to say that.

• The Yankees have admitted to being in the market for a second left-handed reliever. “But when we go to New York, we’re going to take the 12 best pitchers no matter who they are,” Girardi said.

Associated Press photos

Joe Girardi has not spoken to Cliff Lee this winter, but he has called CC Sabathia — “His rehab is almost complete,” Girardi said — and an Andy Pettitte phone call is in the not-so-distant future. As for the Yankees most unpredictable starter:

“A.J. and I have talked a lot,” Girardi said.

A.J. Burnett has three years left on his $82.5-million deal. He’s going to be in the Yankees rotation next season and beyond, and a repeat of 2010 would be an absolute debacle. Rebuilding Burnett is almost certainly the most important task of Larry Rothschild’s first season as the Yankees pitching coach.

And Burnett seems to know it.

Girardi said this afternoon that Burnett has already reached out to Rothschild, and the two will get to work this offseason. The problem is easy to diagnose but not necessarily easy to fix.

“Refining his mechanics,” is the way Girardi described it.

When Burnett is good, he’s very good. When he’s out of whack, last season happens. With all the moving parts, Girardi said Burnett has to be “on time” in his delivery. It’s not an unusual phrase in baseball circles, but it’s easier said than done.

Rothschild, it seems, has been given his first assignment.

Associated Press photo