The LoHud Yankees Blog

Sports Illustrated is letting fans vote on the Best Sports Moment of 2011. There are 15 candidates, and Derek Jeter’s 3,000th hit is one of them.

It got my vote.

Go to SI’s Facebook page to vote. There are two baseball moments in the mix: Jeter’s 3,000th and the Cardinals unexpected World Series run. The other candidates range from the NFL to the NBA dunk contest to professional surfing.

Associated Press photo

Just passing this along for any of you who might be in the city on Monday. Here are the details from Major League Baseball.

WHO: Yankees CC Sabathia and his wife Amber Sabathia

WHAT: The Sabathia’s will host a private Holiday party for 52 (in honor of CC’s uniform number) youngsters from the Madison Boys & Girls Club at the MLB Fan Cave on behalf of their PitCCh In Foundation. The members will take part in various activities including interactive games, karaoke, dancing, dinner and will leave with gifts for all.

Prior to the party, the first 100 fans who bring a canned food item to the MLB Fan Cave, are invited to have their picture taken with CC and Amber. The canned food donated to the MLB Food Drive benefiting City Harvest.

The MLB Fan Cave will be celebrating the holidays with a 15 foot Christmas tree that is decorated with New Era hats, baseballs signed by players who visited the Cave throughout the season and other MLB licensed merchandise and ornaments. The Cave also has a Menorah and various holiday-themed items.

WHEN: Monday, December 12th
4:00 pm – First 100 fans in line with canned food to take picture with CC and Amber Sabathia

WHERE: MLB Fan Cave, 692 Broadway (corner of 4th street and Broadway)

The Yankees today officially announced their one-year deal with Freddy Garcia. To make room on the 40-man, the Yankees designated Colin Curtis for assignment. Curtis is the second outfielder in as many days to be removed from the Yankees roster. After missing all of last year with an injury, he could easily clear waivers and return to the Yankees system. As a left-handed outfield bat off the bench, he was below Chris Dickerson in the pecking order. Here’s the Yankees press release.

The New York Yankees today announced they have signed right-handed pitcher Freddy Garcia to a one-year contract.

Garcia, 35, went 12-8 with a 3.62 ERA (146.2IP, 59ER) in 26 appearances (25 starts) in his first season with the Yankees in 2011. In matching his win total from 2010 with the Chicago White Sox, he recorded his first back-to-back 12-win seasons since a six-season stretch from 2001-06 (18, 16, 12, 13, 14 and 17 wins, respectively). His 3.62 ERA was the second-lowest single-season mark of his career, trailing only his 3.05 ERA with Seattle in 2001.

Originally signed by Houston as a non-drafted free agent in 1993, Garcia owns a 145-95 career record with a 4.09 ERA (2,076.1IP, 944ER) in 329 games (327 starts) over parts of 13 seasons with Seattle (1999-2004), Chicago-AL (2004-06 and ’09-10), Philadelphia (2007), Detroit (2008) and the Yankees (2011).

The two-time American League All-Star (2001-02) has won at least 12 games in a season nine times (1999, 2001-06 and ’10-11), tying Derek Lowe and Roy Halladay for the fourth-most among active pitchers, trailing only teammate CC Sabathia, Mark Buehrle and Tim Hudson who each have 10 such seasons. Since 2001, he owns the third-most wins (118) in the American League among active right-handed pitchers, trailing Halladay (135) and John Lackey (128).

A native of Caracas, Venezuela, Garcia leads all Venezuelan-born pitchers in wins (145) and innings pitched (2,076.1) and ranks third in strikeouts (1,486). In 2006, he pitched for Venezuela in the inaugural World Baseball Classic, going 1-0 with a 1.23 ERA (7.1IP, 1ER) and 11 strikeouts in two starts.

In order to make room on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated outfielder Colin Curtis for assignment.

Associated Press photo

I have to imagine the lobby of the Hilton Anatole is pretty boring this morning. No baseball executives randomly walking through. No reporters constantly checking their cell phones. No random guys stumbling into fountains.

The baseball world has separated again, with decision makers going their separate ways. Brian Cashman and Co. flew back to New York yesterday afternoon having done very little in Dallas. The Yankees won the right to negotiate with a Japanese shortstop, and the landed a pair of Rule 5 picks.

Otherwise, some of the game’s top free agents came of the market this week without the Yankees ever being seriously involved.

“You should do what you’re willing to do regardless of outside stimuli,” Cashman said. “Just because somebody else did something doesn’t all of sudden change your focus. We’ve worked hard. We’ve put a game plan out. We’ve had a lot of meetings. We’ve had a lot of discussions.

“… The road I wouldn’t say is hard – it’s not expected to be easy – but just because it’s what I expected it to be doesn’t mean we have to all of a sudden decide to throw more chips on the table. We’ll just wait, and we’ll be patient. We’ve got a lot of good stuff here, and we’ve got a good team. I want to make it better. It can get better. It could get better. It’s not like a basketball game where you’ve got a clock that’s going to go off and you have to do it in a 60-minute period, or whatever the timeframe is. I don’t have a buzzer going off just yet.”

Cashman was saying these things before he went to Dallas, and he was singing the same song on his way out.

Associated Press photo

At the end of the Rule 5 draft, Major League Baseball sent a list of all the official transactions that took place during this week’s Winter Meetings. It includes only official moves, not stuff like the Albert Pujols signing, that was done during the meetings but not officially announced.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 5th

Minnesota Twins – Claimed SS Pedro Florimon, Jr. off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles. Acquired a player to be named later from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for RHP Kevin Slowey.

Colorado Rockies – Acquired RHP Kevin Slowey from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for a player to be named later. Claimed OF Jamie Hoffmann off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Los Angeles Dodgers – Signed free agent LHP Chris Capuano to a two-year contract. Signed free agent INF Jerry Hairston, Jr. to a two-year contract.

Miami Marlins – Signed free agent RHP Heath Bell to a three-year contract.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6th

Arizona Diamondbacks – Signed free agent RHP Joe Martinez to a one-year contract. Chicago White Sox – Acquired RHP Nestor Molina from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for RHP Sergio Santos.

New York Mets – Acquired OF Andres Torres and RHP Ramon Ramirez from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for OF Angel Pagan.

San Francisco Giants – Acquired OF Angel Pagan from the New York Mets in exchange for OF Andres Torres and RHP Ramon Ramirez.

Toronto Blue Jays – Acquired RHP Sergio Santos from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for RHP Nestor Molina.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7th

Cleveland Indians – Signed free agent OF Grady Sizemore to a one-year contract. Designated RHP Hector Rondon for assignment.

Colorado Rockies – Acquired a player to be named later from the San Diego Padres in exchange for RHP Huston Street.

Kansas City Royals – Acquired SS Diego Goris and RHP Brooks Pounders from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for SS Yamaico Navarro.

Miami Marlins – Signed free agent SS Jose Reyes to a six-year contract.

Pittsburgh Pirates – Acquired SS Yamaico Navarro from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for SS Diego Goris and RHP Brooks Pounders. Designated C Jason Jaramillo for assignment. Released RHP Ross Ohlendorf.

San Diego Padres – Acquired RHP Huston Street from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for a player to be named later. Designated OF Jeremy Hermida for assignment.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8th

New York Yankees – Released OF Greg Golson.

Toronto Blue Jays – Designated C Brian Jeroloman for assignment.

Major League Rule 5 draft selections

1. RHP Rhiner Cruz
To Astros, from Mets 

2. RHP John Doyle
To Twins, from White Sox

3. Lucas Luetge
To Mariners, from Brewers 

4. 2B Ryan Flaherty
To Orioles, from Cubs

5. LHP Cesar Cabral
To Royals, from Red Sox (traded to Yankees)

6. RHP Lendy Castillo
To Cubs, from Phillies 

7. SS Gustavo Nunez
To Pirates, from Tigers

8. LHP Robert Fish
To Braves, from Angels

9. Erik Komatsu
To Cardinals, from Nationals 

10. 3B Marwin Gonzalez
To Red Sox, from Cubs 

11. RHP Brett Lorin
To Diamondbacks, from Pirates 

12. RHP Brad Meyers
To Yankees, from Nationals

RHP Brad Meyers
From the Nationals
26 years old

Played at three levels in 2011, going 9-7 with a 3.18 ERA from High-A to Triple-A. He struck out 116 batter and walked only 15. Originally a fifth-round draft pick in 2007, he was the Nationals organizational Pitcher of the Year in 2009.

Potential role: Meyers has been a starter in the minor leagues, but he’ll compete for a long relief role with the Yankees. That spot is wide open because the Yankees don’t want Hector Noesi to do it. “I just think Noesi is a starter,” Brian Cashman said. “So one way or another, that’s where he needs to be. I don’t want to waste his time as a long man if we can avoid it.”

Cashman’s scouting report: “Six-foot-six, a right-hander. He’s got a four-pitch mix. A strike-thrower. We look at him as trying to take a shot at that long-man spot for us in the spring.”

LHP Cesar Cabral
From the Red Sox
22 years old

Had a 2.95 ERA in 36 relief appearances between Single-A and Double-A in 2011. Originally signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2006, he was previously taken by the Rays in last year’s Rule 5 but didn’t stick.

Potential role: The Yankees traded cash considerations for the rights to the Royals pick in the Rule 5 draft, then used that to get Cabral who will compete for a spot as a second lefty behind Boone Logan in the Yankees bullpen. The Yankees have had no luck spending big money on proven left-handed relievers, and this is kind of the opposite approach. It didn’t work with Rule 5 pick Robert Fish last year.

Cashman’s scouting report: “His fastball gets up to 94. He’s a fastball, slider, changeup guy. We like him a lot. He’s got ability, and he can get lefties out, so we’ll see what we see in the spring.”

Yu Darvish announced last night that he will be posted to play in the United States, but exactly how aggressive the Yankees will be in their pursuit of the Japanese starter depends on how much you believe Brian Cashman when he says the Yankees are not in a financial position to make a huge splash this offseason.

“Sometimes, if you like somebody a great deal, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to be in a position to participate,” Cashman said. “I think, obviously he’s extremely talented. If he’s going to get posted, it’s going to be interesting to see how this plays out and how everybody on this side of the fence – meaning all Major League clubs – how they decide to or not to participate, and at what level. But that’s all for another day.”

Cashman has not ruled out a pursuit of Darvish. In fact, he’s spoken highly of him, and there are plenty who expect the Yankees to be major players in the Darvish bidding. But this morning, Cashman wouldn’t say whether he’ll submit a bid. In fact, he seemed to be creating the impression that he won’t be especially active in the process by comparing the Darvish situation to when Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado were free agents.

Beltran hit the market when the Yankees had Bernie Williams in center field. Delgado hit when they had Jason Giambi at first base. Now Darvish has hit when the Yankees have CC Sabathia at the top of the rotation and a significant commitments already attached to their payroll.

“We’ve got a lot of depth (in the rotation),” Cashman said. “Can we add to it? We’d like to. But is it realistic? It’s not necessarily that realistic because for me to be able to push through something, I’m probably going to have to overpay to do that. And that’s a tough thing to do, especially when you’re sitting with a lot of talent, a lot of people you could slot in and (have them) do this job. It’s just, do you want to bet on somebody doing it significantly better at the expense of payroll flexibility going forward or (the loss of a prospect in a trade)? I’m OK with the balancing act. I’m OK with the decision making. I didn’t expect much, and it’s hard to improve on what we already have.”

That said, Cashman readily admits that he’s prioritized improving his rotation, and Darvish is certainly the top arm available now that C.J. Wilson and Mark Buehrle have signed with the Angels and Marlins. The Angels and Marlins have been aggressive spenders this winter. Is the potential of Darvish enough to kick the Yankees into action?

“There’s been a lot of discussion over the last few years about him coming over,” Cashman said. “It’s just one of those things where you kind of wait and see if he gets posted, then obviously everybody on this side of the fence will evaluate him about whether they want to participate or not… He’s extremely talented, but in terms of how it transitions and everything else like that, I wouldn’t even want to speculate. He’s obviously got a great deal of ability.”

Associated Press photo

Brian Cashman is flying out of Dallas this afternoon, and he said he doesn’t expect to have any more meetings with agents or general managers before he leaves for the airport.

Cashman confirmed this morning’s Rule 5 trade for Cesar Cabral. The move gives the Yankees hard-throwing lefty to compete for a spot in the bullpen. Cashman also explained that the Yankees took right-hander Brad Meyers to compete for a long relief role, because they have no plans of using Hector Noesi in that role next year. The Yankees want Noesi to start, either in New York or Triple-A.

To make room for the second Rule 5 pick on the 40-man roster, the Yankees released outfielder Greg Golson.

The Angels additions this morning, Cashman said, have no impact on the Yankees. Cashman also had very little to say about Yu Darvish, though his posting clearly adds a premier arm to the market.

Ultimately, the Yankees seem to be leaving Dallas exactly as expected: Quietly.

In this morning’s Rule 5 draft, the Yankees took RHP Brad Meyers from the Nationals.

The Yankees lost no one.

The Braves took Robert Fish, the same guy the Yankees drafted in last year’s Rule 5.

UPDATE, 10:23 a.m.: There’s a report from Kansas City that the Royals have traded their pick, LHP Cesar Cabral out of the Red Sox system, to the Yankees.

As the sort of unofficial end to baseball’s Winter Meetings, the Rule 5 draft takes place this morning at 10 ET. A quick Rule 5 explanation from the Winter Meetings handbook sent out by MLB…

During the Major League phase of the Rule 5 Draft, players left unprotected may be selected for $50,000. The Selection Rules provide that a player must remain on the drafting team’s active Major League roster during the following season or be offered back to the original club at half the original price.

The draft order is the reverse order of finish from last season. Since the Yankees had the second-best record in baseball, they choose next to last. I’ve heard — and Brian Cashman has basically said — that the Yankees have some targets in mind, but they’re not sure they’ll still be available by the time they pick.

In the past two years, the Yankees have taken three Rule 5 picks, none of whom stuck with the big league club. They took outfielder Jamie Hoffmann in 2009 (at a time when they had a serious lack of outfield depth) and they took a pair of pitchers last winter (at a time when they seemed to have at least one bullpen spot up for grabs).

This year, a left-handed reliever would seem to be an obvious target for the Yankees. They might be interested in someone who could provide long relief, and maybe a versatile bat off the bench, a lefty seems to make the most sense. I can’t pretend to know all of the eligible players from other organizations, but MLB.com and Baseball America have some names that might make sense.

As for players the Yankees might lose, I’d say the most notable candidate is switch-pitcher Pat Venditte. Not sure he’s the best bet to be taken, but he’s probably the most recognizable Yankees name available. Scouts have always seen Venditte as a fringy prospect with fringy stuff, but his results have been steady and he’s pitching well in winter ball. I wonder if some team might want to take a closer look.

When I looked at players the Yankees might protect, I mentioned center fielder Abe Almonte and corner infielder Brad Suttle as notable prospects left exposed. Both have potential that might intrigue other teams, but Almonte still hasn’t played above High-A, and Suttle’s stock has taken a serious hit through injuries and underwhelming performance.

Associated Press photo of Venditte