Adam Ottavino was one of the hottest bullpen pieces on the free-agent market this offseason, and it was mainly due to one single pitch. 

Ottavino's signature pitch is his slider that has a ridiculous spin rate, and breaks across the plate like he's throwing a frisbee at his opponent. And his new Yankees teammates got to experience it during a simulated game down in Tampa at the team's Spring Training facility. 

The result? Lots of swings and misses...

Brett Gardner, the longest-tenured Yankees player, debuted in 2008 and won a World Series in 2009. 

Though he and the Yankees haven't won a World Series since, he's optimistic in their chances in 2019.

"I think we're better this year than we were (in 2018)," Gardner told reporters on Thursday morning. "Obviously the season hasn't started. But at this point, I think we've got a better group of guys in place than we've had -- maybe than I've ever seen."

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

The Yankees had a wrench thrown into its roster plans for 2019 when Didi Gregorius underwent Tommy John surgery in October. The decisions made to fill the gap remain puzzling (at least for me), including the signing of infielder DJ LeMahieu.

It is not that LeMahieu is a bad player by any means. The 30-year-old is a former batting champion (he hit .348 in 2016 for the Rockies) and one of the best defenders in the game at second base (three Gold Glove awards, including two straight honors). The perplexing aspect of his signing is that he's filling a utility role -- at a hefty price of two years, $24 million -- which won't maximize his potential production as a second baseman.

John Harper, SNY.tv | Twitter |

TAMPA -- Betting that Troy Tulowitzki will stay healthy and play at something resembling his old All-Star level probably wouldn't be a wise investment based on his recent history. But, for the moment at least, it's as if the ghost of Derek Jeter is back at shortstop for the Yankees.

He famously idolized Jeter, wearing No. 2 for the Rockies and Blue Jays. And to hear others talk about Tulowitzki, he brings some of that same star presence.

San Diego might have been a surprise landing spot for Manny Machado, but the Yankees' decision to pass on the 26-year-old should not have been a shock. Yet, there are fans who will have a hard time letting go of the Yankees' choice.

The Yankees apparently believe they have their third baseman of the future in soon to be 24-year-old Miguel Andujar, who is coming off a second-place finish in the 2018 American League Rookie of the Year balloting. While the point will be made that Andujar will never be the fielder that Machado is at third base, the Yankees youngster doesn't have to be for fans to forget about the newest Padre.

One of the reasons Troy Tulowitzki signed with the Yankees, aside from his admiration for Derek Jeter, is that the Yanks were willing to give him a no-trade clause.

When he was traded from Colorado to Toronto during the summer of 2015, Tulowitzki was shocked by the deal. Now with a chance to pick his destination after the Blue Jays released him with two years and $38 million remaining on his contract, Tulowitzki wanted to ensure he'd be with the same team in 2019 from start to finish.

Former Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, who recently became the first unanimous Hall of Fame selection, is accused in his native Panama of failing to support two children outside of his marriage.

Rivera, who is married with three children, is being asked to appear before Panamanian judicial authorities to answer the accusations but the 49-year-old spent Tuesday in his native country defending himself through local media outlets, calling the allegations "unfounded."

"I have always acted ... as a good family father," he said, according to The Associated Press. 

If winning is a priority for Manny Machado, one former player does not believe he will experience much of it after inking a 10-year, $300 million contract. 

Carlos Beltran, who currently serves as a special adviser for the Yankees, said on Tuesday he understood why Machado chose the Padres and signed the most lucrative free-agent deal in American sports. 

Yet the former outfielder said if Machado were older and had done this before, things would have went differently. 

John Harper, SNY.tv | Twitter |

TAMPA - The Manny Machado news broke on Tuesday just as the Yankees were taking the field for their first full-squad workout of spring training, and it turns out they weren't lying in the weeds on the Johnny Hustle guy any more than they are going to make a last-minute bid to sign Bryce Harper. 

It also wasn't so much a surprise at this point as a statement of belief in the team they've built, as well as further proof of how times have changed for this storied franchise. 

Indeed, the Yankees may have won 100 games last season but they were no match for the Red Sox in the post-season, leaving them to watch helplessly as their famed rivals won still another World Series - their fourth since breaking the Curse of the Bambino in 2004.  

Yankees outfielder Clint Frazier is ready to put 2018 behind him. 

The 24-year-old sustained two concussions last season, the latter forcing him to shut down for the second half of the season as he struggled to find at-bats at the major league level.

Yet Frazier said on Tuesday that he is fully healthy now after a long offseason of rehab that included attending concerts and sitting as close as possible to the stage. 

Manny Machado is finally off the free-agent market, and with Bryce Harper not on the Yankees' radar, it appears their roster is set for the season barring any out-of-the-blue signings.

And Aaron Judge is perfectly fine with that. 

The Yankees made a few moves this offseason to add to their 100-win team of last year, but there was no big splash like the Giancarlo Stanton trade in 2018. GM Brian Cashman, instead, adding players like James Paxton, Adam Ottavino, and Troy Tulowitzki while re-signing Zack Britton and J.A. Happ as well...

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

Once SNY's Andy Martino described the Yankees' feelings about Manny Machado as being "lukewarm," everything about the pursuit, or lack thereof, rang true to those beliefs. The Yankees did not believe Machado was a difference maker at his terms and price, shifted gears and never sniffed near his desires.

It's actually easy to debate both sides of the question as to whether the Yankees were right or wrong to pass on Machado. I'll say this, the Yankees might have become better in the short term with Machado aboard, but they will not suffer because he is not. Moreover, failing to sign him will not come back to haunt the club.

It's difficult to take the stance that the Yankees would not have become a better team with Machado manning shortstop or third base. However, it's also cringeworthy to suggest that the Yankees are going to pay the consequences for passing on a 10-year, $300 million deal, knowing all too well how these deals can crumble long before they wind down.

Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter | PORT ST. LUCIE - In recent days, talk of Manny Machado and the Yankees would not quite die, but that had nothing to do with the team.

Right up until the end, when Machado joined the San Diego Padres on the megadeal he had always sought, some in the player's camp were urging him to consider a shorter-term deal with the Yankees. But word all throughout Machado's free agency was that he would chase the highest offer, and that's what ended up happening.

Here is the full history of the Yanks' very half-hearted pursuit of Machado: As reported last fall, the team came out of its annual pro scouting meetings lukewarm on the idea of signing him, and all but ruling out pursuing Bryce Harper...

After being told Manny Machado had agreed to a huge deal with the Padres, Jacob Carpenter -- a young Yankees fan at Spring Training in Tampa -- started screaming his head off about being glad Machado didn't come to the Bronx.

This little kid's rant was incredibly impressive. But once he calms down, someone should give him a gentle reminder about the many other AL East stars the Yankees have poached...

The Yankees had been in pursuit of free agent 3B/SS Manny Machado, who was reportedly looking for a deal that will pay him roughly $300 million over 10 years. Now, the saga appears over...

Feb. 19, 12:27 PM:

Machado has agreed to a deal with the Padres, Jeff Passan of Yahoo! reports. The deal is worth $300 million over 10 years, reports MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. The deal has an opt-out after the fifth season, reports Tim Brown of Yahoo!

The Yankees' Luis Severino took a bit of a jab at Mets ace Jacob deGrom on Sunday over deGrom's potential self-imposed innings restriction if he doesn't get an extension by Opening Day. On Monday, Severino claimed he "wasn't saying anything" about deGrom's situation after he clearly did just that. 

On Tuesday, deGrom responded.

"Everybody is entitled to their own opinions," deGrom told Matt Ehalt of NJ.com. "...the business side of the game is why you have agents. ... they're looking out for my best interest and advising me."

After being ranked No. 2 last year behind Gleyber Torres, outfielder Estevan Florial enters 2019 as the Yankees' No. 1 prospect, according to the latest top-30 list released by MLB Pipeline.

Rounding out the top five are RHP Jonathan Loaisiga, RHP Albert Abreu, RHP Deivi Garcia and RHP Clarke Schmidt.

While MLB.com's Jim Callis notes there are "swing-and-miss concerns" with Florial, his multiple above-average tools put him atop the Yanks' farm system. The site gives Florial a 65 grade for running and arm, a 60 for defense and a 55 for power.

There's a simple reason why Jorge Posada's return to a full-time job in baseball at 47 years old is coming with the Marlins and not the Yankees team for which he played his entire career: The Yankees didn't offer their former catcher a job.

"There was nothing official. They just wanted me to be a guest coach," Posada told the New York Post. 

The five-time All-Star and owner of four World Series rings said he was "not really" disappointed. "It is what it is. I'm OK," Posada said.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone sat down with SNY.tv's Andy Martino on "Baseball Night in New York" to talk about New York's revamped bullpen, what he expects in his second year as manager and how he hopes his club can win its first World Series since 2009.

John Harper, SNY.tv | Twitter |

TAMPA - On his first day in Yankee camp, Giancarlo Stanton wasn't making any bold predictions or declaring that New York has yet to see him at his best, but he said just enough to make it seem he believes Year Two in pinstripes will be something closer to his NL MVP season of 2017. 

Which raises an obvious question:

Is there legitimate reason to believe he's more than a streaky mistake-hitter who will always be vulnerable to elite pitching, as it appeared last season?

Luis Severino claims he wasn't specifically discussing Jacob deGrom's situation (despite saying "$17 million" and, you know, his name).

During an interview with SNY on Monday, the Yankees ace was informed that his comments about the National League Cy Young winner were getting a lot of attention. 

"Nobody has said anything to me about it," he told SNY contributor John Harper.

Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter |

On Oct. 8, 2018, during the terrible span of 10 minutes or so between a playoff loss and a grilling from reporters, Brian Cashman offered Aaron Boone an out.

"You can tell them about Britton," said the GM, whose typical approach is to preemptively reveal stories that are likely to leak anyway.

Giancarlo Stanton owns the largest contract in Major League Baseball, a title many thought would belong to either Bryce Harper or Manny Machado at the start of Spring Training. 

The two star free-agents still remain unsigned as of Feb. 18, although Harper is reportedly close, and it is possible the two players still garner contracts that would keep Stanton as the highest-paid player in the league. 

The Yankees' slugger has seen what has transpired this offseason in free agency and like many he is left confused as to what is going on. 

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

The Yankees had plenty of preparation time to find a temporary replacement for shortstop Didi Gregorius, who underwent Tommy John surgery on October 17, 2018. Yet, the club's answer - or prayer - is Troy Tulowitzki.

As if the Yankees were lost in 2013, the team apparently loved what they saw from Tulowitzki in a workout conducted for MLB squads in mid-December. Recall, Tulowitzki was released outright by the Toronto Blue Jays, who will pay the shortstop all but the MLB minimum ($555K) toward his $19 million due in 2019.

Taking a flyer on a player like Tulowitzki at the league minimum salary is understandable, but to outright name him the starting shortstop for a team with legitimate hopes to win a World Series title before seeing him step foot on the field in a competitive atmosphere is not.

Didi Gregorius and the Yankees infielders work on their defense at Spring Training.

Luis Severino fired off an unexpected fastball toward Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom on Sunday. 

The Yankees' ace, who recently inked a four-year, $40 million extension to buyout his arbitration years, was critical of the reigning National League Cy Young award winner for considering an innings-limit this season if he does not sign an extension with the Mets. 

"For me, I would never do something like that," Severino told Randy Miller of NJ.com. "I want to pitch. I love to pitch. I love this game. I'd never do that."

Giancarlo Stanton's stats in 2018 were all down from his MVP season in 2017.

But Yankees hitting coach Marcus Thames is confident the four-time All-Star will rebound in his second season in pinstripes in 2019.

"I know he's been working on some things," Thames said, according to the New York Post's Dan Martin.

Leading off for the Yankees, Aaron Judge?

Yes, you read that correctly. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that Aaron Hicks will likely lead off most games for the Bombers, but when asked how he could flip the lineup, he noted Judge potentially filling that slot.

"First I think DJ [LeMahieu], especially with the way he hits left-handed pitching," Boone told the media on Sunday. "He can certainly be an option up there. We could even flirt with the big boy up there, Judge in certain situations. But I do like Aaron (Hicks) at the top of the order. [Brett Gardner] could play into that mix, especially against right-handed pitching. So it kinda depends on who's in the lineup that day, who the pitcher is, who the opponent is. I would say Aaron Hicks is probably the frontrunner to be that guy to lead off."

While the Yankees' pursuit of Manny Machado hasn't been aggressive, the Bombers haven't been on Bryce Harper's radar all offseason. 

Yes, the Yankees don't necessarily need Harper with Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton in their outfield already. But, at age 26 and a left-handed power bat, Harper would be a perfect fit in the Bronx. 

So what's held the Yankees back from looking Harper's way? CBS Sports' Jim Bowden says it's Harper's defense and price tag that is turning the Yankees off.

Luis Severino, fresh off signing a four-year contract extension, and J.A. Happ were among the Yankees to take the field during spring training on Sunday.

John Harper, SNY.tv | Twitter |

Ah, spring training. In some ways it's the best time for baseball writers, a time when players, managers, and executives are more relaxed and willing to talk before the pressure of the long season takes hold. 

I first went to spring training in 1982, and suffice it say we writers were a lot more relaxed as well in those days, before Internet deadlines and social media changed everything about the job. 

The quotes aren't nearly as colorful these days, when players seemingly live in fear of the Twitter reaction to even the smallest misstep, but as I head to Florida to write about both the Mets and Yankees for SNY, there's still nothing better than baseball and sunshine in February.

Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter |

TAMPA, Fla. -- It was a day of transition for the Yankees at Steinbrenner Field on Saturday, with glimpses of both the past and future -- and questions about whether the Yankees can hold their new core together.

The marquee event was an afternoon news conference in which CC Sabathia announced his plans to retire at the end of the season. Sabathia was a key member of the Yankees' most recent championship team, and a link between the Derek Jeter/Andy Pettitte/Jorge Posada era and the Aaron Judge/Gary Sanchez/Luis Severino group...

Jacoby Ellsbury is already missing the beginning of Spring Training and it is likely that will mean he will start the 2019 season on the injured list. 

Yankees GM Brian Cashman said on Saturday that the oft-injured outfielder, who is battling plantar fasciitis, is not running on flat ground and that he will not arrive to Spring Training until mid-to-late March. 

"At the earliest he could be here is mid-to-late March, so we're probably looking at a start on the DL," Cashman told reporters. "That doesn't mean we are (looking at the IL to start) yet, but just in terms of timing it could be."

It has been known for months now, but the Yankees had an official press conference where veteran LHP CC Sabathia announced that 2019 will be his final season in the MLB. 

This season will be Sabathia's 19th year in the MLB, and to have the great career he's been able to put together over that time, there are a lot of people to give thanks to. During his opening comments, he started with his mother.

"I just wanted to make this announcement that 2019 will be my final season," Sabathia began. "I want to obviously thank a lot of people. I wouldn't be here today, 18 years in the big leagues without so many different people. But I want to start with my mom. She couldn't be here today, but her sacrificing so much for me as a kid to be able to get to this point to live out my dream."

When the deadline passed for players to avoid arbitration, the Yankees had just one player who didn't settle on a deal for the season in RHP Luis Severino. 

So, before Severino could get to work down in Tampa at the Yankees' Spring Training facility, he had to go through his arbitration hearing to hopefully hammer out a deal fast to avoid wasting any time. Well, he got a long-term extension instead.

The Yankees and Severino agreed to a four-year extension worth $40 million that comes with a fifth-year club option worth $15 million. New York locked up Severino through his 20s in hopes that he becomes the consistent ace they believe him to be. 

Anthony McCarron, SNY.tv | Twitter | : Luis Severino got paid life-changing money and didn't have to endure the potential hurt feelings that the nitpicking of an arbitration hearing can sometimes make bloom. The Yankees grabbed cost certainty on an ace-level arm. 

And the rest of us scored some juicy topics to kick around when the Yanks and Severino came to an agreement Friday on a contract extension for the righty. Especially this: 

Does Severino's deal signal that the Yanks are ready to talk pre-free agency deals with the rest of their young studs? In other words, on deck, Aaron Judge? 

Yankees manager Aaron Boone sat down with SNY's Andy Martino at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa to discuss the upcoming season. 

The second-year manager touched on a variety of subjects, including why he feels confident in this year's roster as well as whether or not he would consider using an 'opener' with his deep bullpen this season. 

Be sure to check out the full interview with Boone on BNNY at 6 p.m. on SNY. 

Click below for another clip from interview

It was less than a year ago on April 20 when RHP Danny Farquhar suffered a life-threatening brain hemorrhage as a result of a ruptured brain aneurysm, causing him to collapse in the White Sox's dugout. He was immediately taken to a hospital, where he remained for 17 days before he was discharged with the knowledge that he eventually would be able to pitch again, though not in the 2018 season.

Fast forward to Friday, when Farquhar threw his first bullpen session with the Yankees, who signed Farquhar to a minor league deal less than a month ago. His bullpen received much fanfare, and even though it was just a Spring Training bullpen session, the moment wasn't lost on Farquhar.

"Just to think 10 months ago that I would be here, you don't know," Farquhar said. "I am extraordinarily thankful."

Whether one believes this is Jordan Montgomery being critical of the Yankees for trading Sonny Gray depends on one's interpretation. But at the very least, Montgomery believes the Reds did a great piece of business in acquring Gray last month and signing him to a three-year, $30.5 million contract extension.

"Cincinnati got a steal," Montgomery told NJ.com on Thursday.

Yankees GM Brian Cashman was very public about his intent to move Gray, and he finally did on Jan. 21 in what was essentially a three-way trade. The Yankees received a 2019 Competitive Balance Round A draft pick and 2B Shed Long from Cincinnati; the Yanks then sent Long to Seattle for OF Josh Stowers; the Reds received Gray and LHP Reiver Sanmartin. 

Yankees pitchers and catchers reported this week in Tampa for Spring Training. Take a quick peak behind-the-scenes as SNY is on hand for all the Spring Training coverage at George M. Steinbrenner Field. 

With Spring Training upon us, MLB Network released it's "Top 20 Players Right Now!" and a couple Yankees made the cut. 

Aaron Judge came in at No. 12 on the list, while fellow outfielder and baseball masher Giancarlo Stanton was placed at No. 19. 

Judge has only two full seasons in the bigs under his belt, but he has already made his mark as one of the game's best young stars. He didn't have the same year in 2018 as he did in his Rookie of the Year campaign in 2017, where he hammered 52 homers with 114 RBI and a .284 batting average. 

Luis Severino and the Yankees agreed to a four-year, $40 million contract extension to avoid arbitration and cover his remaining years of team control, the team announced on Friday.

SNY.tv's Andy Martino confirmed the details of the contract, which includes a fifth-year option. Severino will receive a $2 million signing bonus and earn $4 million in salary in 2019. He will make $10 million in 2020, $10.25 million in 2021 and $11 million in 2022.

He also has a $15 million club option that covers his first year of free agency in 2023. The Yankees could buy that out for $2.75 million, which is included in the guaranteed money, meaning Severino's contract could max out at $52.25 million.

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

The Yankees are comfortable shifting Gleyber Torres to shortstop if immediate plans do not pan out in 2019. But the Yanks should reconsider the move (one that feels almost certain to be required) as a last resort -- not the first response.

Torres enters his sophomore season in the big leagues needing a clearer focus with increased expectations. Despite a very good overall rookie campaign, he did show that he's still a young man learning the game.

James Paxton threw a career-high 160 1/3 innings with the Mariners last season, 24 1/3 innings more than his previous high the year before.

Now that he's with the Yankees, Paxton has a loftier goal.

"My goal is to get to the 200-inning range," Paxton said, according to the New York Post's Joel Sherman. "I understand the bullpening and leverage, but I wonder if those relievers who are being pushed to constant two- and three-inning stints will run out of gas. I think it is still up to starters to provide innings."

Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter |

TAMPA, Fla. - A few minutes after one o'clock on Thursday afternoon, a contingent of Yankee bigwigs gathered behind the cage to watch Gary Sanchez's first batting practice of Spring Training.

As they stood there in the sun, Brian Cashman, Aaron Boone, and assistant GM Tim Naehring shared a common thought: Despite Sanchez's terrible season in 2018, the Yankees still truly believe he will be their catcher of the future, and an All-Star caliber hitter for many years. Spring is a time for easy platitudes and flattery, but this one is different. The Yankees really do still think highly of Sanchez.

Last season, the Yankees had one of the most productive bullpens in the MLB. But GM Brian Cashman bulked up his relievers even more this offseason, which begs the question: How will manager Aaron Boone utilize this unit in 2019?

With names like Aroldis Chapman, Dellin Betances, Chad Green, Zack Britton, and Adam Ottavino, Boone will have a variety of options each and every game. In fact, this squad could get the Yankees through a game if need be. 

SNY's Andy Martino and Sweeny Murti discuss how they think Boone will use his bullpen this season, and whether or not a "bullpen game" is in the cards...

Adam Ottavino went to high school in Brooklyn but went to college in Boston. Now that he's one of the newest Yankees relievers, he's proud to be directly involved in one of the biggest rivalries in sports.

Upon signing a three-year, $27 million deal with New York this offseason, the newest Yankees reliever is glad to be part of the team he rooted for as a kid.

"It's cool, it's a thrill," Ottavino said. "It's a team I grew up watching and rooting for and it's just a great opportunity for me."

The Yankees signed Troy Tulowitzki on a one-year minimum deal this offseason once the Toronto Blue Jays released him, and manager Aaron Boone believes the 34-year-old shortstop can recover from double heel surgery to make a significant impact with New York.

"We feel like he's in a good place and over some of the injuries that really plagued him over the last year and a half, two years,'' Boone said during Wednesday's press conference. "We'll try to be vigilant as far as how his schedule goes and obviously communicating with him. We'll develop a plan that kind of evolves a little bit."

John Harper, SNY.tv | Twitter | Much is still to be determined, but if D.J. Lemahieu winds up being a glorified utility infielder in the Bronx, which seems to be a distinct possibility, then wouldn't it be fair to suggest the Yankees -- with the questions surrounding CC Sabathia -- may have been better off spending that money on, say, Gio Gonzalez?

Or better yet, Wade Miley?

It's too late in the case of Miley, who signed the bargain deal of the winter with the Astros -- one year, $4.5 million -- apparently because nobody believes the story that he re-invented himself with a cutter, despite his 2.57 ERA over 18 starts with the Brewers last season...