Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives

The Yankees will be adding another elite arm to an already dominant bullpen, giving the club a certain advantage over virtually the entire league.

New York and free-agent right-handed reliever Adam Ottavino agreed to a three-year, $27 million deal on Thursday, SNY.tv's Andy Martino confirmed.

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives: Manny Machado was supposed to help the Yankees surpass the Red Sox. He's apparently not coming (and neither is Bryce Harper), so the Yanks should double down on their strongest facet -- the bullpen.

If the Yankees want to measure up to the Red Sox, they must possess an advantage somewhere on the roster that unequivocally distances the World Series champs. Adding one more "elite" reliever, like Adam Ottavino, should make it next to impossible for the Red Sox to catch the Yankees in that department even if Boston re-signs Craig Kimbrel. Boston arguably has a slight edge in the rotation and the offenses are quite similar in strength, but the overall scale could tip toward New York if the Yanks add to an already dominant bullpen.

Much has been made about the Yankees "coming up short" in the offseason if they're unable to secure Machado or Harper. Expectations were high that one of the two 26-year-old stars would become part of the Yankees after the team reset their luxury tax rate. Adding Machado or Harper would have clearly pushed the Yanks offense ahead of Boston's.

It's not just his Gold Glove the Yankees like about DJ LeMahieu.

The Yankees' internal data suggested LeMahieu was undervalued offensively, according to Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic. His elite defense and superior makeup are bonuses for New York, which signed the former Colorado Rockie to a two-year, $24 million contract.

Yankees LHP CC Sabathia was just having a catch with teammate Dellin Betances when he began to feel shortness of breath. He knew something was up.

"For me," Sabathia told YES Network's Ryan Ruocco, "normally, I can run, swim, do whatever, elliptical for however long. My cardio's normally really good. So for me to have shortness of breath playing catch, I knew something was up."

The 38-year-old Sabathia would undergo an angioplasty to clear a blocked artery in December, a heart procedure he is expected to recover fully from.

The Yankees received some good news about LHP CC Sabathia.

Sabathia, who underwent a heart procedure last month, passed a follow-up stress test on Tuesday. Now, the veteran is allowed to work out, which includes baseball activities. 

Yankees GM Brian Cashman said during a conference call last week that he has been waiting to deal RHP Sonny Gray until he was sure Sabathia would be healthy enough to play next season. With Sabathia just getting back on the grind, Cashman may not be too hasty in sparking a trade for Gray, but it wouldn't be a surprise to hear talks have ramped up again.

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives

The Yankees have reached the offseason many believed would see them make monumental moves that push them back to the head of the pack in the American League as they aim for a 28th World Series title. 

Here is an update of rumors surrounding the Yankees pursuits, followed by my take on how things currently stand and may shake out...

Yankees GM Brian Cashman declared back at the GM Meetings that he was working hard to ship beleaguered RHP Sonny Gray out of the Bronx via trade before Spring Training begins. 

Well, things might have changed on that front. 

Last month, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal broke the news that Yankees veteran LHP CC Sabathia needed a heart procedure known as an angioplasty to fix a blocked artery. The surgery went as expected, and Sabathia was said to be ready by the time Spring Training came around. 

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives

The Yankees have reached the offseason many believed would see them make monumental moves that push them back to the head of the pack in the American League as they aim for a 28th World Series title. 

Here is an update of rumors surrounding the Yankees pursuits, followed by my take on how things currently stand and may shake out.

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives

It's that time once again to pledge changes in our lives that are sure to be broken within a week. I took a stab at 2019 New Year's resolutions for key Yankees (including some staff) on an indi-vidual basis. The list is taken alphabetically.

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives

The Yankees have reached the offseason many believed would see them make monumental moves that push them back to the head of the pack in the American League as they aim for a 28th World Series title. 

Here is an update of rumors surrounding the Yankees pursuits, followed by my take on how things currently stand and may shake out…

Yankees working on bullpen market

As the Yankees await a decision from Manny Machado, the club is reportedly working on revamping its bullpen according to a tweet from Jon Heyman.

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives

In the past, the Yankees have made some important free agent signings during Christmas season. Some of the deals turned into the favorite toys of the organization, while others despite the perceived promise turned into coal.

As we await the Yankees next free agent move, let's take a look back at some of those memorable agreements.

As we're in the middle of the holiday season, the Yankees are looking to see if their Christmas list will be fulfilled as the MLB offseason is in full swing. But we have the perfect gift for you: GIFs!

You can use these whether the Yanks make a signing, miss out on your favorite free agent, or save for the season.

Check them out below!

Yankees LHP CC Sabathia had to undergo a heart procedure to fix a blockage in one of his arteries leading to his heart earlier this month, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reports.

During the week of Dec. 10, Sabathia and Red Sox CF Jackie Bradley Jr. were supposed to fly together to London to promote their respective teams facing each other in England during the 2019 season. However, Sabathia began experiencing some chest pain with symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn along with increased sweating during his normal exercising. 

Sabathia decided to check it out, and doctors told him about the blockage. He underwent a procedure known as an angioplasty -- a common procedure to put a stent in the artery -- within days to clear things up. 

CC Sabathia will receive his $500,000 bonus after all.

The 38-year-old Sabathia was ejected two innings shy of hitting the 155-inning mark for the 2018 season, which would have triggered a $500,000 incentive in his contract.

In his last regular-season start, Sabathia had thrown just 55 pitches through five scoreless innings. But after hitting Jake Bauers with a pitch in the fifth inning, the Tampa Bay Rays' Andrew Kittredge threw a fastball behind Yankees catcher Austin Romine's head in the sixth inning. 

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives

The Yankees have reached the offseason many believed would see them make monumental moves that push them back to the head of the pack in the American League as they aim for a 28th World Series title. 

Here is an update of rumors surrounding the Yankees pursuits, followed by my take on how things currently stand and may shake out...

Happ signing doesn't preclude trade

John Harper, SNY.tv | Twitter | : After re-signing with the Yankees, J.A. Happ will be a perfectly fine No. 4 starter in the Bronx. And such a deal makes more sense than giving Patrick Corbin six years at something approaching the $140 million he received from the Nationals.

It probably just doesn't sound quite as appealing to Yankee fans after all the buzz about a potential trade for Noah Syndergaard the last couple of days.

Same goes for the weeks of speculation about trading for Corey Kluber that apparently goes by the wayside now...

Anthony McCarron, SNY.tv | Twitter |

James Paxton is a terrific addition to the Yankees rotation and whatever relief pieces GM Brian Cashman lures to the Bronx likely will be key bullpen figures in 2019, too. Cashman also wants another starting pitcher. 
 
Whoever those hurlers are, though, they won't make the kind of splash that signing Bryce Harper or Manny Machado would. Heck, or both. This is the Yankees we're talking about, after all. 
 
Nor will the new pitchers impact the Yankee payroll in quite the same way as the 26-year-old mega-stars, who are projected by some this winter to stomp Giancarlo Stanton's record $325 million contract. 

Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter |

LAS VEGAS -- Earlier in the offseason, summarizing how the team viewed Manny Machado's free agency, a Yankees person said it was best explained by a comparison to CC Sabathia.

In the winter of 2008, the Yanks had just missed the playoffs in the first season of the post-Joe Torre era, and identified Sabathia as the player they needed to have. They would not be outbid -- whatever the market for Sabathia became, the Yanks would go there. The Yankees eventually nabbed Sabathia with a seven-year, $161 million deal, the richest ever for a pitcher at the time.

The 2018 Yankees also ended their year with disappointment, thought not as severely. The team won 100 games, finished in second place in the AL East and lost to Boston in the ALDS. Watching the Red Sox go on to win a championship made the Yankees antsy, but perhaps not desperate.

Hey, Yankees fans: Can we stop hitting the panic button please?

After the Nationals signed LHP Patrick Corbin to a six-year, $140 million deal (which is way too much), all hell broke loose on social media with fans spewing out backlash -- some even saying the entire offseason was a "failure" because GM Brian Cashman was outbid for the coveted lefty. And those knee-jerk reactions continued when Nathan Eovaldi re-signed with the division-rival Red Sox. 

For those of you that indulged in these talks, go grab a paper bag, stress ball, or whatever makes you calm down. These two signings doesn't mean it's the end of the world for the Yankees in 2019...

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives: Here is an update of rumors surrounding the Yankees' free agent and trade pursuits, followed by my take on how things currently stand and may shake out...

Cashman says Sanchez for Realmuto rumors are "completely false"

Fancred's Jon Heyman reported last Thursday that the Yankees, among several clubs, had expressed some level of interest in All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto. However, Yankees GM Brian Cashman said Sanchez is not available. Cashman believes Sanchez is not only going to be the Yankees catcher for a long time, but going to be a superstar in the role.

Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter | Even after trading for Seattle ace James Paxton, the Yankees are looking to acquire a high-end starting pitcher, according to major league sources. Free agent Patrick Corbin is the most likely target, but J.A. Happ and Dallas Keuchel are also in the mix.

The Yanks have stayed engaged with Cleveland regarding Corey Kluber and other starters, but the Indians' prices are high.

Mutual interest between the Yankees and Corbin is real, but the lefty also appeals to the Phillies and Mets, among other teams...

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives

If you can't beat him, see if he'll join you? Is that the stance the Yankees might undertake with free agent left-handed starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel?

Here are the pros and cons of the Yanks signing Keuchel, what he might cost, and what the team should ultimately do…

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives

Even after trading for James Paxton, the Yankees still have their eye on adding another high-end starting pitcher. Enter free-agent LHP Patrick Corbin.

Here are the pros and cons of the Yankees signing Corbin, what he might cost and what the team should ultimately do...

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives: The Yankees need starting pitching and with an eye toward remaining fiscally responsible, the trade market offers some strong opportunities, including Mariners left-hander James Paxton.

Here are the pros and cons of the Yanks trading for Paxton, what he might cost, and what the team should ultimately do...

What makes Paxton a better fit than others?

The Astros are among the teams talking to the Mariners about acquiring Yankees trade target James Paxton, reports Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, who says the market is "active."

Rosenthal reported on Friday that the Yankees had spoken to the Mariners about acquiring Paxton.

The 30-year-old Paxton, who made $4.9 million in 2018 and is arbitration-eligible in 2019 (when he is projected to earn $9 million) and 2020, had a 3.76 ERA (3.24 FIP) and 1.09 WHIP with 208 strikeouts in a career-high 160.1 innings this past season. 

The Yankees have talked to the Mariners about a potential James Paxton trade, reports Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. 

In addition to Paxton, the Yankees are interested in acquiring high-end starting pitchers Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco, with the Yanks having met with the Indians earlier this week at the GM Meetings. 

The 30-year-old Paxton, who made $4.9 million in 2018 and is arbitration-eligible for the 2019 (when he is projected to earn $9 million) and 2020 seasons, had a 3.76 ERA (3.24 FIP) and 1.09 WHIP with 208 strikeouts in a career-high 160.1 innings this past season...

Another round of GM Meetings is in the books for Brian Cashman, and there were plenty of stories surrounding the Yankees that will continue to take shape before next month's Winter Meetings.

Here are the top storylines from the meetings in Carlsbad, CA..

Yankees LHP CC Sabathia will play one final season in the major leagues, he said in a video posted on his Twitter page.

The veteran left-hander signed a one-year, $8 million deal with the Yankees on Wednesday to return for a 19th season.

"This will be it," said the 38-year-old Sabathia, who won a World Series as a member of the Yankees' 2009 team.

CC Sabathia is coming back for one more year. 

The Yankees and the veteran southpaw agreed to a one-year, $8 million deal, pending physical, SNY confirmed. 

Sabathia reportedly did not want to look around elsewhere this winter and wanted to work out a deal quickly with the Yankees to return for 2019, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post. 

Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter | CARLSBAD, Calif. -- The Yankees have already engaged in preliminary talks with free agent J.A. Happ's agent about a return, per major league sources, and there is definite mutual interest in a reunion. But it's early enough in the offseason that the sides are both weighing other options, too.

That is in keeping with the Yanks' primary goals this winter, which are to improve the starting rotation and make sure the bullpen remains strong. As SNY first reported, the team is not interested in Bryce Harper, and is lukewarm on Manny Machado. The latter is more likely to become a Yankee than the former, but both are less important to Brian Cashman than pitching.

In addition to Happ, who is 36 but in excellent shape and expecting to pitch for many more years, the Yankees are in the early stages of weighing several intriguing trade options. Both Cleveland and Seattle are prepared to deal high end pitchers like Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco and James Paxton, and the Yankees are interested in all of them -- though the free agent market is a bit more appealing to them than a trade, because they have already traded away several top prospects...

The Yankees hope to re-sign CC Sabathia, aim to add multiple pitchers via trade or free agency and have received interest in Sonny Gray, GM Brian Cashman told reporters at GM Meetings on Monday.

"We need to reinforce our pitching, so we'll do the best we can with that," Cashman said, according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch. "That seems to be a yearly effort."

The Yankees will enter the 2019 season with Luis Severino and Masahiro Tanaka as staples from last season's rotation and could also put top pitching prospect Justus Sheffield in the mix, but Cashman said he hopes the team will re-sign Sabathia, who has been with the Yankees since 2009.

Here are the key 2018 MLB offseason dates, and how they impact the Mets...

Day after World Series ends: Free agency begins

Outfielder Bryce Harper and shortstop/third baseman Manny Machado headline the free agent class, and the Yanks are expected to have interest in at least Machado. But the Yankees' main need will be starting pitching help, and Patrick Corbin, Dallas Keuchel and old friend Nathan Eovaldi will be among the best arms available. When it comes to relievers, Craig Kimbrel, Adam Ottavino, and Jeurys Familia will be among the headliners as the Yankees could look to recreate their "super bullpen."

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives: As the Yankees look toward the 2019 season, the starting rotation will be chief among the facets the club will seek to improve. They need an ace. They need a strong No. 2 and heck, they need a back-end of the rotation arm.

As it stands, the Yankees have two starters -- Luis Severino and Masahiro Tanaka -- locked into roster spots. Yankees GM Brian Cashman has already stated he will try to trade Sonny Gray, while J.A. Happ and CC Sabathia are free agents.

So, how will the Yankees build the 2019 rotation?

Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter |

The Yankees will hold their annual pro scouting meetings next week, during which Brian Cashman and his staff will determine an offseason strategy, including which players to pursue, and which of their own free agents to retain.

Cashman, along with top lieutenants Michael Fishman, Tim Naehring, Jean Afterman and others on the staff will huddle, as they do annually, and hash through the many issues facing the roster. Hal Steinbrenner is also expected to participate to some degree.

According to major league sources, and basic common sense, here are some of the key topics...

Yankees manager Aaron Boone is still under fire for his strategy following the ALDS loss to the Red Sox that ended his inaugural season as the skipper. But former Yankees closer Mariano Rivera doesn't understand the scrutiny. 

In fact, Rivera thinks Boone did a "tremendous" job with the Yankees, per Newsday's Laura Albanese. 

Rivera, who was at a fire house in Harlem on Thursday to teach elementary school kids about fire safety, said Boone was the motivator the Yankees hoped him to be in his first season. And with the right offseason moves, this team could certainly make a deeper run into the postseason than they did this year. 

After Game 4 of the ALDS ended in a loss, the Yankees 2018 season was officially closed. For CC Sabathia, it may have also been the end to an era in pinstripes.

Sabathia is set to be a free agent this offseason, and he has already made it known that he wants to return in 2019. Whether or not the Yankees want that to happen is still up in the air.

But fellow starter Masahiro Tanaka thinks New York should bring back the big lefty for another season...

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives

Right after being eliminated in the ALDS, questions stirred regarding the slew of free agents that are on the Yankees' roster. Who should stay and who should go?

Zach Britton

It is uncertain if CC Sabathia will pitch again in the majors, but what is certain is his disdain for umpire Angel Hernandez. 

Sabathia, who took the loss in Tuesday's season-ending 4-3 defeat in the ALDS to the Red Sox, ripped the home plate umpire following the game. 

"I have something to say: Angel Hernandez should not be behind the plate for playoff games," he told reporters. 

Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter |

 All through the fall and winter, it will be as if Aaron Boone didn't help a team win 100 games during his rookie season as a manager, didn't synthesize complex analytics, didn't win over the clubhouse, and didn't handle his media responsibilities with ease and class.

Many Yankee fans will only want to talk about his bullpen management in the division series. And in a sense, that's the deal in New York. When you work for the championship-or-bust Yankees (however silly and dated that mentality may be), you will only win over the public with a World Series win. Or two or three or four.

Taking the mound in the a win-or-go-home Game 4 against the Red Sox, Yankees LHP CC Sabathia may have toed the rubber for the last time in pinstripes. And, if that's the case, this definitely isn't the way he wanted to go out. 

It was an eventful first inning for the big lefty, as he saw a bases-loaded scenario with two outs and Ian Kinsler at the plate. He avoided a first-inning surge, though, as Kinsler flew out to Brett Gardner in left field. 

After a quiet second inning, the Red Sox offense turned it up a notch, and Sabathia couldn't handle it. Andrew Benintendi was hit by Sabathia's first pitch of the inning, and Steve Pearce moved him over to third with a single. Then, the regular-season RBI king in J.D. Martinez hit a long sacrifice fly to center field to score the first run of the ballgame. 

The Yankees are on the brink of elimination after an embarrassing 16-1 Red Sox rout in ALDS Game 3 at Yankee Stadium, the most lopsided defeat in their postseason history.

Yankees Notes

The Yankees have their backs against the wall after Boston made Aaron Boone regret sending a struggling (and possibly tardy) Luis Severino back on the mound for the fourth inning. The Sox also pummeled reliever Lance Lynn in that seven-run frame, as former Yankee Nathan Eovaldi went on to shut down his former team, while Brock Holt became the first player ever to hit for the cycle in the postseason...

It was too little, too late for the Yankees. A ninth inning rally gave the Yankees a chance to win the game but Craig Kimbrel righted the ship and got Gleyber Torres to ground out with two runners on to end the game and the Yankees' season. >> Box score

1) The Red Sox bullpen shut down the Yankees until Kimbrel came in and struggled with the strike zone. He allowed two runs on one hit, two walks and a hit batsman but ultimately settled down to finish the job. The final out was decided after a replay review, putting the Red Sox celebration at a momentary halt.

CC Sabathia is 38 years old, on balky knees, and set for free agency. But he reiterated Monday that he wants to pitch in 2019. 

"I definitely want to play next year," he said before Game 3 of the ALDS at Yankee Stadium. "I'll play anywhere, whoever needs me.''

Sabathia, who gets the start in Game 4 on Tuesday, had a 3.65 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with 140 strikeouts in 153.0 innings (29 starts) during the season. 

J.A. Happ, who the Yankees hoped would be a weapon against the Red Sox throughout the ALDS, failed to escape the second inning during Game 1 on Friday night in Boston.

As of now, the Yankees have Masahiro Tanaka, Luis Severino, and CC Sabathia lined up to start Games 2, 3, and 4 (if necessary) respectively. However, if the Yankees are down two games to one heading into Game 4, it's fair to wonder if they'll bring Happ -- who tossed only 44 pitches Friday night -- back on short rest.

If the series goes the distance and Happ isn't used on short rest, he would be well-rested for Game 5 in Boston...

When the Yankees return to the Bronx to continue the ALDS against the Red Sox, they'll be handing the ball to Luis Severino to start Game 3 and CC Sabathia to start Game 4 (if necessary), manager Aaron Judge said Friday.

After J.A. Happ starts Game 1, Masahiro Tanaka gets the ball for Game 2. 

Severino, who tossed four scoreless innings in the Wild Card game against the Athletics, will be on regular (four days) rest for his start...

In his roster announcements for the ALDS with the Red Sox, manager Aaron Boone said LHP CC Sabathia and LHP Stephen Tarpley will be added with Tyler Wade and Kyle Higashioka being replaced. 

Sabathia had postseason success last year during the Yankees' improbable run. He owned a 3.72 ERA in two starts against the Indians, and a 0.96 ERA in two ALCS starts against the Astros.

Sabathia could work as the fourth starter if Boone wants to use him in that Game 4 situation if it comes down to it. Overall, his veteran presence on the roster is always good to have. 

The Yankees and Athletics will battle it out in the Bronx in this win-or-go-home matchup in the AL Wild Card Game at 8:08 p.m. 

Yankees notes

The Yankees have made back-to-back Wild Card Games, with a win coming against the Twins at Yankee Stadium last season. ...New York recorded their 20th 100-win season after 2018. It was their highest win total since their 2009 World Series team that totaled 103 wins. ...The Yankees broke the single-season MLB home run record with 267 regular season homers. They homered in 80.1 percent of their games. 

Greg Bird has been left off of the Yankees' American League Wild Card roster as the Bombers are set to face the A's on Wednesday night.

The first baseman only appeared in just seven of New York's 27 games in September, starting only three times. 

The 25-year-old hit just .199 this season with 11 home runs and 38 RBI in 82 games.

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives

The Yankees have not settled on their Wild Card Game starter, but it appears they will not utilize a reliever to open the game. As such, this leaves two distinct scenarios in which the Yankees might deploy its vaunted relief crew.

Bullpenning: The undesirable method

In the 2017 Wild Card game against the Twins, the Yankees had one of the game's best starters on the hill, but it was then that Luis Severino endured his worst start of the year. With Severino pulled after recording just one out, the Yankees were forced into a bullpenning situation and it amazingly worked.