The news about Nova shouldn’t come as a surprise, as anyone who’s followed the team recently could have concluded that that’s what was bound to happen. What is a shock, at least to me, is that Fabulous Freddy made the rotation and Colon is in the ‘pen. Bart has outperformed his counterpart for the most part this spring, and I really can’t figure out why Girardi did this.

The only thing I can think of is that Garcia seemed to want out if he didn’t make the rotation and Colon appeared willing to assume a relief role, and the team didn’t want to lose either in case of injury. But even that is kind of a far-fetched theory.

Girardi also said that Pedro Feliciano, who was signed to a two-year, $8 million contract with a club option for 2013 in the offseason, might start the season on the DL due to upper-arm tightness. The team should know for sure by Tuesday. Serves them right for bringing in a Met.

It seems likely that Gustavo Molina (no relation) will be the backup catcher when the season starts. Jesus played himself out of the spot late in spring training and Austin Romine is also not ready. Methinks that the non-Molina Molina is just a spot filler until Frankie Cervelli is all healed.

Finally, Girardi said that he will announce the roster on Monday. Eric Chavez, who is hitting .410 this spring, seems like a shoo-in to make it, and Monday will be the last day to add him. He is in camp on a minor-league deal and can request to be added to the roster on Sunday; after he does so, the Yanks have 24 hours to agree or he can opt out and go somewhere else.

Cashman on Chavez:

I don’t think he can look any better than he looks. He’s done everything he needs to do.

Girardi added that the perpetually-injured Chavez has “looked really, really good” this spring and has shown no signs of injury. So you can expect to see him break camp with the team.

Of course I’m sad about the news, as any Yankee fan should be, but, realistically, how much of an impact could Pettitte have made at 38 years of age? He injured his groin in July of last year and didn’t return until late September. What makes you think that he could have lasted a whole season in 2011? Not to mention the stress and whatnot that the Clemens trial in July will bring.

Don’t get me wrong, I would have loved to have him back for another year. He definitely would have helped out with the starting rotation, or lack thereof, but I don’t think his retirement is the end of the world. The Yanks will figure something out.

We’ll never misremember what you’ve done for the organization, Andy. You’re terrifying stare and filthy pick-off move will be greatly missed. I can’t wait until they retire 46 at The Stadium in the near future. Good luck in whatever you do after hanging up the spikes.

What can be said about Pettitte that hasn’t already been said? He made is NYY debut on April 29, 1995, going 2/3 inning in relief of Melido Perez in a win against the Royals. His final start came just a few months ago on October 18, when he recovered after a shaky start to throw 7 innings of two-run, five-hit ball in a loss to the Rangers in Game 3 of the ALCS. In between, he went 240-138 with a 3.88 ERA, 117 ERA+, 2,251 K, 962 BB, 0.8 HR/9, 2.8 BB/9, 6.6 SO/9, 2.34 SO/BB and 3,185 H in 3,055 1/3 innings over 16 seasons (three with the Astros). That’s not including his five World Series titles and all-time record of 19 postseason wins, which is not surprising when you consider he only missed the playoffs three times (2004, 2006 and 2008) in his career.

The news has already spread to Tatooine:

(more…)

Joba will get $1.4 million, Philthy will get $2.7 million and Boom Boom Boone will get $1.2 million in 2011. Hughes is a steal at $2.7 million, that is a fact, and I think Joba has a bounce-back year from his up-and-down 2010 and earns his dough.

Boone is kind of a steal at his price, I liked him last year, but it seems like a lot for a lefty specialist who only threw 40 innings last year. Oh well, what can you do?

The team now has no more arbitration-eligible players this year, so now it’s pretty much time to start counting down the days until pitchers and catchers report. 27 MORE DAYS!!!

I'm rich, bitch!

Also, the Yanks made it official with the Soriano deal.

The mystery executive said that even though Cashman was against signing Soriano he still has the complete trust of Hank and Hal. The GM didn’t want to sign Soriano but was overruled by the Steinbrenners as the team inked MFIKY to a three-year, $35 million deal.

Mystery exec:

(more…)

However, that doesn’t mean the lefty is officially retired. The proverbial door has been left open for a Roger Clemens-esque return in June.

Cashmoney:

(more…)

Pettitte, who turns 39 in mid-June, just returned from a Hawaiian vacation with his family and is expected to make an announcement within “a matter of days.” After the team gets wind of his intentions they can go about making moves to fill out the roster.

Mystery official:

Starter, reliever, a bat, it depends on what’s out there. But we gotta know what Andy is gunna do first.

Pettitte got off to a hot start in 2010 but a groin injury in July derailed his season. He returned to make three starts before the playoffs, but kinda pitched like shit. However, he bounced back to have a great postseason even though he was pitching hurt.

Needless to say, the Yanks need him to return in 2011. They have CC and Philthy but beyond that there are just question marks with regards to the rotation. Will AJ bounce back from a dreadful 2010 campaign? Can Ivan Nova duplicate his solid 2010, which was a VERY small sample size, over a long season? Can Sergio Mitre play the role of a fifth starter? If SuperNova and/or the Tray of Meat can’t cut it can the team find a starter who can?

The answers to these questions and more when pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in just 42 more days!!!