Record Last Week: 3-5 (23 RS, 34 RA)
Spring Training Record: 5-5 (38 RS, 43 RA)
Opponents This Week: vs. Astros (Mon.), vs. Red Sox (Tues. on YES/MLBN), @ Blue Jays (Weds.), @ Nationals (Thurs. on MLBN), vs. Nationals (Fri. on YES), vs. Astros (Sat. on YES/MLBN), @ Orioles (Sun. on MLBN)

Top stories from last week:

• Injury News: David Robertson slipped on some steps in his home and was diagnosed with a bone bruise in his right foot. He is expected to be ready for Opening Day. Eduardo Nunez missed just about all of last week with a bruise after getting hit by a pitch in the right hand. Brad Meyers has started throwing bullpen sessions after suffering a shoulder injury while lifting weights this offseason.
• Mariano Rivera will announce his decision to retire or keep playing at some point this summer.
• Freddy Garcia said he’s willing to pitch out of the bullpen if he doesn’t win the fifth starter’s job.
• Michael Pineda, Ivan Nova, and Eduardo Nunez all agreed to one-year contracts worth ~$500k for 2012.
• The Triple-A Scranton Yankees will be temporarily renamed the Empire State Yankees this season.
• The Yankees signed left-hander Alex Smith out of an independent league.

Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the interactive Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.

Record Last Week: 2-0 (15 RS, 9 RA)
Spring Training Record: 2-0 (15 RS, 9 RA)
Opponents This Week: @ Phillies (Mon. on MLBN), @ Pirates (Tues.), vs. Rays (Weds. on YES/MLBN), @ Blue Jays (Thurs.), vs. Braves (Fri. on YES/MLBN), @ Braves (Sat.) vs. Twins (one game, Mon.), vs. Rays (four games, Tues. to Thurs., two on Weds.), vs. Red Sox (three games, Fri. to Sun.), @ Twins (Sun. on MLBN, split squad), vs. Twins (Sun. on YES, split squad)

Top stories from last week:

• Hal Steinbrenner confirmed that the Yankees intend to get under the $189M luxury tax threshold by 2014, and both he and Brian Cashman explained why and theoretically how.
• Injury News: Joba Chamberlain threw off a full mound for the first time as part of his Tommy John surgery rehab and Mark Teixeira is nursing a sore foot after a foul ball got him. George Kontos played catch for the first time since tweaking his oblique. Manny Delcarmen will miss a few days with a lat strain. Russell Branyan and Kyle Higashioka are out with back spasms and a shoulder problem, respectively. Robinson Cano missed a few days because his grandmother passed away.
• MLB officially announced that the new ten-team playoff system will be implemented in 2012. The two Wild Card teams in each league meet in a play-in game with the winner advancing to the LDS round.
• The fifth starter competition may be rigged in Phil Hughes‘ favor again. Yadier Molina’s new contract is bad news for the Yankees and good news for Russell Martin. Eric Chavez is officially back.
• Cashman shot down a report saying they made an offer to Cuban utility man Adonis Garcia. The Yankees released Burt Reynolds.
• Teixeira hired a new agent, Casey Close.

Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the interactive Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.

Spring Training Schedule This Week: vs. University of South Florida (Fri.), @ Phillies (Sat. on MLBN), vs. Phillies (Sun. on YES/MLBN)

Top stories from last week:

• The Yankees filled out the roster this week, re-signing Eric Chavez to a one-year, $900k deal. They also added a midseason bullpen option by signing David Aardsma for one year and $500k. The Raul Ibanez signed became official as well. The Yankees maintain interest in various left-handers, just not Damaso Marte or Scott Kazmir.
• Mariano Rivera told reporters that he knows what he’ll do after the season, hinting at retirement. He’s not going to tell anyone his plans however.
• Injury News: Joba Chamberlain threw his final half-mound session and will get up on a full mound for the first time as part of his Tommy John surgery rehab on Tuesday. Austin Romine will miss a few days after an MRI revealed inflammation in his back. George Kontos tweaked his oblique and has been on the shelf the last few days. Tim Norton is reportedly throwing bullpen sessions.
• The Yankees and Russell Martin reportedly discussed a three-year contract earlier this offseason, then rekindled talks this week. Brian Cashman has since confirmed that there will be no more talks until after the season.
• Chris Dickerson cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A, so he is still with the organization but is no longer on the 40-man roster. The Yankees signed Robinson Cano‘s cousin, Burt Reynolds.
• Manny Banuelos, Dellin Betances, Gary Sanchez, and Mason Williams all made Baseball America’s Top 100 Prospects List. The Yankees will have $4,192,200 to spend on the first ten rounds of the draft.
• Lou Piniella officially joined the YES Network as a special contributor.
• RAB turned five.

Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the interactive Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.

2011 Record: 97-65 (855 RS, 657 RA, 102-60 pythag. record), won AL East, lost to Tigers in ALDS

Top stories from last week:

• After a week’s worth of rumors, the Yankees agreed to trade A.J. Burnett to the Pirates for $13M in salary relief and minor leaguers Diego Moreno and Exicardo Cayones. The deal became official yesterday.
• Johnny Damon was off the table, so the Yankees agreed to sign Raul Ibanez for $1.1M to serve as their left-handed DH. He still has to pass his physical.
• Pitchers and catchers reported to Spring Training yesterday, and the position players will follow on Friday. Brian Cashman met with reporters after arriving in Tampa, and said his divorce and stalker won’t interfere with his job, among other things.
• Both Frankie Cervelli (concussion) and Alex Rodriguez (knee) are 100% heading into Spring Training. Joba Chamberlain will get on a full mound as part of his Tommy John surgery rehab for the first time next week.
• Hideki Okajima failed his physical and will not be in camp. The Yankees signed Clay Rapada to a minor league deal to replenish their left-handed relief depth. The Athletics surprisingly signed Yoenis Cespedes, and the Yankees have “serious interest” in Jorge Soler.
• Manny Banuelos, Gary Sanchez, Dellin Betances, and Mason Williams all cracked Kevin Goldstein’s Top 101 Prospects List. Banuelos topped my Preseason Top 30 Prospects List. Rafael DePaula still doesn’t have a visa.

Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the interactive Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.

2011 Record: 97-65 (855 RS, 657 RA, 102-60 pythag. record), won AL East, lost to Tigers in ALDS

Top stories from last week:

• The Yankees are still trying to trade A.J. Burnett to free up some money. Four teams have interest, but they reportedly have a framework in place with the Pirates. They’re said to be willing to eat $10M of the $33M left on his deal but will not include Garrett Jones in a trade. The Yankees are pushing for a 50-50 split.
• Although they are reportedly in serious talks with Raul Ibanez about their DH job, the Yankees signed Russell Branyan to a minor league contract. Utility man Bill Hall was also signed to a minor league pact.
• Joba Chamberlain‘s rehab from Tommy John surgery continued as some other pitchers started throwing in Tampa. Manny Banuelos headlines the list of Spring Training invitees.
• Banuelos, Mason Williams, Gary Sanchez, and Dellin Betances all cracked Keith Law’s top 100 prospects list. The Yankees placed tenth in his organizational rankings.
• Yankee Stadium will host a second Roger Waters concert, a Madonna concert, and potential a soccer match this year. Stadium parking prices could spike in the future.

Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the interactive Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.

2011 Record: 97-65 (855 RS, 657 RA, 102-60 pythag. record), won AL East, lost to Tigers in ALDS

Top stories from last week:

• The Yankees hired former Cubs GM Jim Hendry as a special assignment scout and announced a series of promotions, most notably pro scouting director Billy Eppler to assistant GM.
• Joba Chamberlain is throwing off a half-mound as he continues his rehab from Tommy John surgery. Phil Hughes reportedly looks great during offseason workouts.
• The Yankees are “in serious talks” with utility man Bill Hall. The Mariners reportedly asked about Mason Williams during the Michael Pineda talks. Joe Girardi would like another bat.
• Kevin Whelan was outrighted to Triple-A Scranton, and the Yankees signed Manny Delcarmen.
• Mark Teixeira might bunt more to beat the shift.

Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the interactive Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.

2011 Record: 97-65 (855 RS, 657 RA, 102-60 pythag. record), won AL East, lost to Tigers in ALDS

Top stories from last week:

• The Michael Pineda/Jose Campos trade, Hiroki Kuroda signing, and Andruw Jones signing were all made official. Kuroda’s contract includes a full no-trade clause. Kevin Whelan was designated for assignment to make room on the roster for the right-hander.
• The Yankees avoided arbitration with Russell Martin ($7.5M) and Boone Logan ($1.875M). All six of the team’s arbitration-eligible players are now under contract for 2012.
• Brian Cashman said that free agents would be “secondary” in their pursuit of a DH, though the team has interest in Raul Ibanez. One player they definitely won’t be getting is Prince Fielder, who signed with the Tigers for nine years and $214M.
• Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes has been declared a free agent and can now sign with any team. The Yankees have interest in 18-year-old Cuban left-hander Gerardo Concepcion.
• Jorge Posada‘s retirement became official at Tuesday’s press conference.
• Kim Jones will not be back with the YES Network in 2012.

Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the interactive Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.

2011 Record: 97-65 (855 RS, 657 RA, 102-60 pythag. record), won AL East, lost to Tigers in ALDS

Top stories from last week:

• The Yankees avoided arbitration with several players, agreeing to one-year contracts with Phil Hughes ($3.2M), David Robertson ($1.6M), Joba Chamberlain ($1.675M), and Brett Gardner ($2.8M). Russell Martin and Boone Logan remain unsigned at the moment, but we’re still a month away from hearings.
• The Yankees were contact by the representatives for Jack Cust, Vlad Guerrero, and Raul Ibanez about their DH vacancy while the team reached out to Hideki Matsui. Carlos Pena is no longer an option though, he signed with the Rays.
• The Michael Pineda trade and Hiroki Kuroda signing are still pending physicals. Jorge Posada will officially announce his retirement on Tuesday.
• The Yankees announced the first 2012 concert at Yankee Stadium.

Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the interactive Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.

2011 Record: 97-65 (855 RS, 657 RA, 102-60 pythag. record), won AL East, lost to Tigers in ALDS

Top stories from last week:

• The quiet offseason is officially a thing of the past. The Yankees agreed to trade Jesus Montero and Hector Noesi to the Mariners for Michael Pineda and prospect Jose Campos on Friday, adding a young power arm to their rotation and a high-ceiling prospect to their farm system. The trade is still pending physicals and is not yet official.
• Because Pineda was not enough, the Yankees also agreed to sign Hiroki Kuroda to a one-year deal worth $10M on Friday, not long after we learned that the price for free agent pitching was dropping. The contract is pending a physical as well.
• Prior to those moves, Hal Steinbrenner met with Scott Boras about Edwin Jackson. Steinbrenner had to approve an expanded budget to accommodate Kuroda, and they were only willing to add a pitcher on a one-year contract.
• With Montero on his way to Seattle, the Yankees are calling around for offense and have already spoken to both Carlos Pena and Johnny Damon about their DH job. They also have interest in re-signing Luis Ayala.
• The Yankees signed Cory Wade to a $500k contract for 2012, and brought in Preston Mattingly on a minor league deal. Preston is Don’s son.
• Bernie Williams received 9.6% of the vote his first year on the Hall of Fame ballot while Mattingly received 17.8%.
• The YES Network continues to draw monster ratings, tops among regional sports networks.

Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the interactive Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.

2011 Record: 97-65 (855 RS, 657 RA, 102-60 pythag. record), won AL East, lost to Tigers in ALDS

Top stories from last week:

• It’s not official yet, but Jorge Posada will reportedly announce his retirement within the next two weeks. Posada apparently instructed his agents to not make calls on his behalf this winter as he mulled over his future.
• The Yankees and Hiroyuki Nakajima did not come to a contract agreement during the 30-day negotiating window, with role and years being the major sticking points. We also found out that they bid just $15M for Yu Darvish.
• Rafael Soriano may be costing the Yankees a shot at signing Edwin Jackson. The Yanks didn’t inquire on left-handed reliever Darren Oliver before he signed with the Blue Jays.
• Mariano Rivera expected to be ready for Spring Training and is doing well after having surgery on his vocal cords.
• The Yankees signed righty Adam Miller and outfielder Cole Garner to minor league contracts. They also released 14 low-level minor leaguers.
• It’s unlikely there will be a NHL Winter Classic in Yankee Stadium until 2016.

Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the interactive Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.