Friday, December 16, 2005
Yanks mostly idle at Winter Meetings
12/08/2005
DALLAS -- They came, they saw, they went home.
That was pretty much the story for the New York Yankees, who sat on the side and watched other teams make the big splashes at this year's Winter Meetings.
Most of the Yankees' activity came in the final 12 hours of the meetings, as Mike Myers agreed to terms on a two-year contract to be the team's new left-handed specialist and Tony Womack was traded to the Reds.
Several big names were discussed during the week, from Nomar Garciaparra to Johnny Damon, but in the end, the Yankees' only official move was the Womack trade, which saw New York acquire two Minor Leaguers.
Myers, who told MLB.com that he had agreed to a two-year contract with the Yanks, still had to take a physical before his deal could be announced.
Perhaps the most interesting development this week was the decision to offer arbitration to Bernie Williams, giving the two sides another month to reach a one-year agreement.
The Yankees are closing in on a $2 million deal with Williams, who will fill the role of backup outfielder and part-time designated hitter that Ruben Sierra has had for the past two years.
Deals done: Traded Womack and cash to Cincinnati for prospects Kevin Howard and Ben Himes; agreed to terms with Myers on a two-year contract; extended arbitration offers to Williams, LHP Al Leiter and RHP Ramiro Mendoza; declined arbitration offers to RHP Kevin Brown, 1B Tino Martinez, C John Flaherty, RHP Felix Rodriguez, Sierra, LHP Alan Embree, OF Matt Lawton and INF Rey Sanchez.
Rule 5 activity: Lost outfielder Erold Andrus (Double-A Trenton) to Minnesota in the second round (29th pick) of the Minor League phase.
Goals accomplished: The Yankees managed to part company with Womack, who did not fit in with their plans for 2006. In exchange, they received two prospects, including Howard, a third baseman who led the Arizona Fall League with a .409 average.
New York also extended arbitration offers to three veterans -- Williams, Leiter and Mendoza -- who figure to be back with the organization next spring one way or another.
Unfinished business: Bullpen and center field continue to be the priorities for Brian Cashman this winter, so the general manager will keep scouring the market for help on both fronts.
With Myers signed, the Yankees will likely look for one more reliever this winter, possibly right-hander Julian Tavarez.
GM's bottom line: "I wasn't optimistic coming into it, and it's lived up to its expectations. I wasn't expecting to do too much." -- Cashman
Source: http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/
DALLAS -- They came, they saw, they went home.
That was pretty much the story for the New York Yankees, who sat on the side and watched other teams make the big splashes at this year's Winter Meetings.
Most of the Yankees' activity came in the final 12 hours of the meetings, as Mike Myers agreed to terms on a two-year contract to be the team's new left-handed specialist and Tony Womack was traded to the Reds.
Several big names were discussed during the week, from Nomar Garciaparra to Johnny Damon, but in the end, the Yankees' only official move was the Womack trade, which saw New York acquire two Minor Leaguers.
Myers, who told MLB.com that he had agreed to a two-year contract with the Yanks, still had to take a physical before his deal could be announced.
Perhaps the most interesting development this week was the decision to offer arbitration to Bernie Williams, giving the two sides another month to reach a one-year agreement.
The Yankees are closing in on a $2 million deal with Williams, who will fill the role of backup outfielder and part-time designated hitter that Ruben Sierra has had for the past two years.
Deals done: Traded Womack and cash to Cincinnati for prospects Kevin Howard and Ben Himes; agreed to terms with Myers on a two-year contract; extended arbitration offers to Williams, LHP Al Leiter and RHP Ramiro Mendoza; declined arbitration offers to RHP Kevin Brown, 1B Tino Martinez, C John Flaherty, RHP Felix Rodriguez, Sierra, LHP Alan Embree, OF Matt Lawton and INF Rey Sanchez.
Rule 5 activity: Lost outfielder Erold Andrus (Double-A Trenton) to Minnesota in the second round (29th pick) of the Minor League phase.
Goals accomplished: The Yankees managed to part company with Womack, who did not fit in with their plans for 2006. In exchange, they received two prospects, including Howard, a third baseman who led the Arizona Fall League with a .409 average.
New York also extended arbitration offers to three veterans -- Williams, Leiter and Mendoza -- who figure to be back with the organization next spring one way or another.
Unfinished business: Bullpen and center field continue to be the priorities for Brian Cashman this winter, so the general manager will keep scouring the market for help on both fronts.
With Myers signed, the Yankees will likely look for one more reliever this winter, possibly right-hander Julian Tavarez.
GM's bottom line: "I wasn't optimistic coming into it, and it's lived up to its expectations. I wasn't expecting to do too much." -- Cashman
Source: http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/
