The LoHud Yankees Blog

It was on, then it was off, then it was on again. Now the Adrian Gonzalez trade to Boston is official, with the Red Sox having yet to agree to an extension with their new first baseman.

At his introductory press conference, Gonzalez jumped right into the rivalry. “I’m ready to beat the Yanks,” he said.

In other AL East news, the Orioles have traded for Mark Reynolds, adding a ton of power and strikeouts to the middle of their lineup. The Orioles gave up some pitching in the deal, because, you know, the last thing the Orioles need is pitching.

Things seem pretty quiet with the Yankees. I’m sure there’s plenty bubbling beneath the surface, but the team hasn’t been much of a physical presence so far.

As I understand it, most of the Yankees front office folks in attendance are gathered upstairs. That’s not unusual for this sort of thing. Brian Cashman isn’t exactly a roam-the-lobby kind of guy, and his crew doesn’t stray too far. The fact they aren’t especially visible doesn’t mean much.

Associated Press photo

The Expansion Era Committee has elected one new member to the Baseball Hall of Fame, and it’s not George Steinbrenner.

Pat Gillick, the longtime general manager, was the only person on the ballot to receive the necessary 12 votes. He got 13. Next closest was Marvin Miller who fell one vote shy. The only other name receiving as many as eight votes was Dave Concepcion.

Ted Simmons, Vida Blue, Steve Garvey, Ron Guidry, Tommy John, Billy Martin, Al Oliver, Rusty Staub and Steinbrenner each received votes from less than half of the committee.

UPDATE, 11:01 a.m.: Tom Verducci, who was on the committee, said the election process was very private. The committee itself didn’t know who had been elected until this morning. They went through the ballot, one name at a time, and debated each candidate. Then each member filled out a ballot and left the room.

“I really didn’t have a feeling one way or the other about anybody,” Verducci said. “I guess that means the vote totals for me – not just for Steinbrenner, but for a few guys – were surprising, because there’s so much back-and-forth that you don’t really know where the votes lie. It wouldn’t have surprised me if he got in, and I guess it’s a little bit surprising that he didn’t get in.”

Although this was not the first year Steinbrenner was eligible, Johnny Bench said there was a sense that it was too soon to elect him.

“Some people thought it was too early,” Bench said. “… He will be (elected). I believe he certainly will be.”

One way or another, there will be some early Yankees news on this first day of the Winter Meetings.

At 10 a.m., the Veterans Committee is scheduled to announce its decisions for the 2011 Hall of Fame class. George Steinbrenner is among those on the ballot. If Steinbrenner is not elected this morning, he’ll be held out of consideration until the Expansion Era is up for election again in the winter of 2013.

The Veterans ballot includes several Yankees connections, but as always, The Boss steals the show.

The rest of the ballot: Vida Blue, Dave Concepcion, Steve Garvey, Ron Guidry, Tommy John, Al Oliver, Ted Simmons, Rusty Staub, Billy Martin, Pat Gillick and Marvin Miller.

Brian Cashman survived the descent. He made it 22 stories, straight down, wearing full elf gear. And when he got to the ground, he managed to give Erik Boland his thoughts on the Jayson Werth contract.

“At least it’s not Boston.”

The better Werth quote from a New York GM: “It makes some of our contracts look pretty good,” Sandy Alderson said.

That’s comedy, my friends.

Cashman isn’t expected in Orlando until very late tonight. Until he gets here, this place will feel like the calm before the inevitable storm for the Yankees. Right now, the biggest Yankees news to break was a fake announcement from the crew working on the official MLB podium just outside the press room. Testing the microphone, a guy took it upon himself to make this announcement: “Derek Jeter has just signed with the Tampa Bay Rays.”

It was kind of funny, but not Alderson-level funny.

And now, without further ado, pictures of Brian Cashman in an elf costume.

Associated Press photos

Didn’t take long for the Winter Meetings to have its first big story.

Just as the baseball universe is settling into the Swan & Dolphin resort, Jayson Werth has agreed to a seven-year deal with the Nationals. That leaves Carl Crawford as the premier free agent outfielder. With Werth no longer a secondary option for teams in the Crawford hunt, Crawford’s stock might have improved.

Adrian Beltre’s stock might also have gone up, because the Red Sox are suddenly back in play after their Adrian Gonzalez trade fell through.

I’ve officially checked in, collected by credential and now I’m off to stand around in a lobby that has a massive Christmas tree in the middle.

And because I know you’re curious, here’s an AP photo taken today of Brian Cashman practicing for today’s Heights and Lights main event in Stamford. It apparently went well, and Cashman should be here later tonight.

As much as I’d love to see Brian Cashman put on an elf costume and climb down a building in Connecticut, I’m instead making my way to Orlando for this week’s Winter Meetings. That means one thing: Cliff Lee.

Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera are done, and the Yankees focus will shift to the rotation, which is the team’s most glaring need. Of course, the Yankees aren’t the only team interested in Lee. The Rangers are also going to make a push, and the Dallas Morning News took a look at the backup options should Lee sign elsewhere.

They’re basically the same for the Rangers as they are for the Yankees.

1. Trade the farm for someone like Zack Greinke.

2. Hope for a remarkable resurgence from someone like Brandon Webb or Chien-Ming Wang.

3. Try to catch lightning in a bottle with an internal candidate. I’m looking at you Ivan Nova.

Obviously, the preference is Lee. My guess is you’ll hear his name a lot this week.

Associated Press photo

More than a month after their season ended, the Yankees deals with Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera are all but official. It seemed to take a long time to finally get something done, but in reality, this offseason hasn’t been out of the ordinary. It usually takes awhile.

Last winter
The Yankees didn’t make a significant move until the Winter Meetings. It was December 9 before the Yankees traded for Curtis Granderson and re-signed Andy Pettitte. They didn’t sign Nick Johnson until a week before Christmas, and didn’t make The Boone Logan Trade until a few days later.

Last time the Yankees made a major splash
When the Yankees significantly reworked their roster in 2008, the makeover didn’t begin until December 10 when CC Sabathia agreed to his seven-year deal. A.J. Burnett was signed a couple of days later, then Mark Teixeira just before Christmas.

Last time the Yankees re-signed two icons
Back in 2007, both Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera were on the market. Posada signed first, and he actually signed more quickly than Jeter or Rivera did this year. Posada officially signed on November 29, but the deal was agreed to on the 13th. Rivera’s deal didn’t become official until December 17.

Associated Press photo of Posada and Rivera

Obviously this day was all about Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera. Frankly, the past week has been all about Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera.

Outside of the Yankees universe, though, another familiar face signed this afternoon.

Lance Berkman settled on a one-year deal with the Cardinals. He’ll reportedly make $8 million and play left field. According to the Post-Dispatch: “The physical, combined with Berkman’s weight loss this off-season, assured the club he could again handle an everyday role in the field.”

Risky? Sure. But as Jon Heyman pointed out on Twitter, in two of the past three years a team won the World Series with Pat Burrell in left field. Just saying, that’s all.

Yankee fans never seemed quite sold on Berkman, but he was an unquestioned favorite in the clubhouse. He players liked him, and the media loved him. He’s a good guy. I wish him nothing but the best.

A few other notes for the day…

• To finalize the Adrian Gonzalez trade, the Red Sox have until 2 p.m. Sunday to work out a contract extension.

• Word is the Blue Jays are making a push for Zack Greinke. Not sure he would make Toronto a legitimate threat, but Greinke would make that an awfully good rotation.

• Former Yankees reliever/spot starter Jeff Karstens has re-signed with the Pirates. He’ll make more than a million bucks. Good for him. Another guy I always enjoyed talking to.

• For the Astros, it made sense to let Berkman go, but it’s going to be awkward seeing him in the National League Central.

Associated Press photo

One of the great signings of last season: Jack Curry to the YES Network. As always, Jack has been on top of this Jeter situation, and tonight he’s checked in with the contract details.

Essentially, the deal starts with a three-year contract worth $48 million. If Jeter doesn’t come back for a fourth year, there’s a $3 million buyout, bringing the minimum total to $51 million for three years.

If Jeter takes the fourth year, he’ll earn a base salary of $8 million, and the contract could add another $9 million in incentives. That means the most Jeter could make — if he goes all four years and hits every incentive — is $65 million.

Jack Curry says it’s finished.

Derek Jeter and the Yankees have settled on a three-year deal, with a fourth year option that isn’t guaranteed. The deal is pending a physical, so it won’t become official just yet.

Same for Mariano Rivera’s deal. He spoke to the Daily New and Newsday this afternoon, saying the negotiations were quick and smooth, and this might very well be the final contract of his career.