2012 Record: 95-67 (804 RS, 668 RA, 96-66 pythag. record), won AL East, swept in ALCS

Top stories from last week:

• The Yankees handled most of their arbitration business last week, agreeing to one-year contracts with Phil Hughes ($7.15M), Boone Logan ($3.15M), and Joba Chamberlain ($1.875M) . David Robertson did not reach an agreement, so the two sides filed salary figures with the league.
• Injury News: Alex Rodriguez (hip) had surgery and there was minimal cartilage damage. Derek Jeter (ankle) has been cleared to resume baseball activities.
• The Mariners traded for Mike Morse, whom the Yankees had some interest in acquiring. The Nationals signed Rafael Soriano, gifting the Yankees another supplemental first round draft pick. New York signed Reegie Corona and Thomas Neal to minor league deals.
• Mark Teixeira, Robinson Cano, and Frankie Cervelli will participate in the World Baseball Classic this spring. Andy Pettitte is not on the Team USA roster, however.
• Jorge Posada will not attempt a comeback, but he will be in camp as a guest instructor during Spring Training.
• The owners have tentatively approved three rule changes. Once the union signs off they will be implemented in 2013.

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.

2012 Record: 95-67 (804 RS, 668 RA, 96-66 pythag. record), won AL East, swept in ALCS

Top stories from last week:

• The Yankees had interest in a reunion with Lance Berkman, but he instead signed with the Rangers. The team is not looking for bullpen help and they don’t have interest in Delmon Young. They also didn’t call about Chipper Jones.
• Injury News: Mariano Rivera (knee) is at about 95% as he rehabs from surgery. He’ll being throwing in a week or so. There is still no date set for Alex Rodriguez‘s hip surgery.
• The Yankees claimed Russ Canzler off waivers from the Indians and designated Chris Dickerson for assignment to clear a 40-man roster spot.
• Austin Romine is likely to begin the season back in Triple-A.

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.

2012 Record: 95-67 (804 RS, 668 RA, 96-66 pythag. record), won AL East, swept in ALCS

Top stories from last week:

• Despite signing Matt Diaz to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training, the Yankees are likely to continue looking for a right-handed hitting outfielder. They did not make an offer to Raul Ibanez before he signed with the Mariners.
• Robinson Cano will not be allowed to play in the Dominican Winter League postseason next month.
• The Yankees added former Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu to their pro scouting staff.
• New batting practice hats were leaked.

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.

2012 Record: 95-67 (804 RS, 668 RA, 96-66 pythag. record), won AL East, swept in ALCS

Top stories from last week:

• The Yankees didn’t add any players last week, though a number of (potential) targets agreed to deals elsewhere: Raul Ibanez (Mariners), Stephen Drew (Red Sox), Nick Swisher (Indians), Cody Ross (Diamondbacks), and A.J. Pierzynski (Rangers). Ibanez and Drew were the only ones linked to New York this offseason.
• Brian Cashman said the team will not pursue further rotation upgrades, though they continue to seek a right-handed bat. There’s “no chance” they will pursue Michael Bourn.
• Injury News: Michael Pineda (shoulder) and Cesar Cabral (elbow) are throwing off flat ground from “extended distances.” Top prospect Jose Campos (elbow) is throwing off a mound.
• The Ichiro Suzuki signing became official. Both right-hander Jim Miller and left-hander Josh Spence were outrighted to Triple-A.
• The Yankees will field a second rookie level Gulf Coast League affiliate in 2013. They’re also considered moving top prospect Tyler Austin back to third base. Cuban left-hander Omar Luis Rodriguez is still waiting for his visa.
• The 2012 luxury tax bill is $19.3M, though MLB made an error in the initial calculation and had to revise the bill.

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.

2012 Record: 95-67 (804 RS, 668 RA, 96-66 pythag. record), won AL East, swept in ALCS

Top stories from last week:

• The Yankees plugged two big position player holes last week. First they signed Kevin Youkilis to a one-year deal worth $12M to play third base, then they re-signing Ichiro Suzuki to a two-year, $13M deal to play right field.
• Vernon Wells and maybe Michael Bourn were among the players the Yankees reportedly had interest in these last few days. On the other hand, Troy Glaus and Cody Ransom reached out to the team.
• CC Sabathia plans to begin throwing soon after Christmas following October surgery to remove a bone chip from his elbow, which is his usual offseason schedule.
• Left-hander Josh Spence was designated for assignment to clear room on the 40-man roster for Youkilis. The Yankees signed catcher Bobby Wilson and infielder Gil Velazquez to minor league contracts.
• The Yankees opted out of MLB’s secondary market agreement with StubHub and will forge a new agreement with TicketMaster.
• MLB hit the Yankees with an $18,917,994 luxury tax bill for the 2012 season.

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.

2012 Record: 95-67 (804 RS, 668 RA, 96-66 pythag. record), won AL East, swept in ALCS

Top stories from last week:

• The Winter Meetings took place in Nashville, and the biggest story in Yankeeland was Alex Rodriguez‘s latest hip injury. He’ll have surgery for a torn labrum, a bone impingement, and to correct a cyst in mid-January. A-Rod will miss the start of next season and is expected to be out 4-6 months following surgery. The team does have insurance on his contract.
• During his Winter Meetings press conference, Joe Girardi confirmed that Derek Jeter (ankle), CC Sabathia (elbow), and Curtis Granderson (eyes) are all doing well. The skipper also discussed a number of other topics.
• In the wake of A-Rod injury, the Yankees offered Kevin Youkilis a one-year contract worth $12M. They’re still waiting for his answer. The club also made an offer to Nate Schierholtz before he signed with the Cubs. Brian Cashman reportedly lacked the authority to make contract offers at the Winter Meetings.
• Among the players the Yankees were connected to at the Winter Meetings: Stephen Drew, Scott Hairston, Cody Ross, Mark Reynolds, A.J. Pierzynski, Jeff Keppinger, Eric Chavez, Shane Victorino, Jack Hannahan, Alex Gonzalez, R.A. Dickey, and maybe Asdrubal Cabrera. Keppinger (White Sox), Reynolds (Indians), and Chavez (Diamondbacks) all signed elsewhere.
• Unsurprisingly, Robinson Cano will not give the Yankees a hometown discount with his next contract. Scott Boras confirmed the two sides have not have any contract talks. Cano will play in the World Baseball Classic.
• The Yankees are likely to re-sign Ichiro Suzuki, though they have kicked the tires on Josh Hamilton as well. Brett Gardner avoided arbitration by signing a one-year, $2.85MM contract for next season.
• Jayson Nix cleared waivers and accepted his assignment to Triple-A while Mickey Storey was re-claimed off waivers by the Astros. Eli Whiteside wound up with the Blue Jays via waivers.
• The Yankees are looking into hiring an assistant hitting coach.
• The Yankees neither selected nor lost any players in the Rule 5 Draft.
• Mariano Rivera will announce his plans for the 2014 season during Spring Training.

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.

2012 Record: 95-67 (804 RS, 668 RA, 96-66 pythag. record), won AL East, swept in ALCS

Top stories from last week:

• The Yankees re-signed two of their own last week, bringing both Andy Pettitte ($12M plus incentives) and Mariano Rivera ($10M plus incentives) back on one-year contract. Russell Martin, however, signed a two-year deal worth $17M with the Pirates. The Yankees did not make him an offer.
• Injury News: Alex Rodriguez (hip) experienced tightness and visited Dr. Mark Phillippon in Colorado recently.
• Ichiro Suzuki is tired of waiting around and is talking with other clubs. Eric Chavez plans to play next season and the Yankees continue to seek infield help.
• The Winter Meetings open this week, and among the players the Yankees reportedly have interest in are Shane Victorino and the recently-non-tendered Nate Schierholtz. They have yet to show interest in A.J. Pierzynski.
• The Yankees avoided arbitration with both Jayson Nix and Eli Whiteside, then designated them for assignment along with Mickey Story. Right-hander Jim Miller was claimed off waivers from the Athletics.
• The Red Sox hired Low-A Charleston hitting coach Greg Colbrunn to be their big league hitting coach while the Yankees hired Pete Mackanin as a Major League scout.
• MLB and NPB are discussing changes to the posting system.

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.

2012 Record: 95-67 (804 RS, 668 RA, 96-66 pythag. record), won AL East, swept in ALCS

Top stories from last week:

• The Yankees made their first major move of the offseason prior to Thanksgiving, re-signing Hiroki Kuroda to a one-year deal worth $15M. He took less money to return to New York. Meanwhile, Andy Pettitte could make a decision about 2013 this week.
• Ichiro Suzuki is willing to wait for the Yankees to take care of other business before approaching them about a new contract. The team has not made Russell Martin an offer and there is nothing new to report with Mariano Rivera. The Yankees have “significant interest” in re-signing Raul Ibanez.
• News Corp. agreed to purchase 49% of the YES Network from various non-Yankees investors, and the deal should close by the end of the calendar year. The agreement will put $420M in the team’s pocket over the next three years and keep the club on YES through 2042.
• Among the players the Yankees were rumored to have interest in last week were Giancarlo Stanton, Jeff Keppinger, and Stephen Drew. The team is expected to bottom-feed for rotation depth later in the offseason.

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.

2012 Record: 95-67 (804 RS, 668 RA, 96-66 pythag. record), won AL East, swept in ALCS

Top stories from last week:

• The Yankees didn’t make any notable moves this week, but their competition did. The Blue Jays swung a massive 12-player blockbuster with the Marlins while the Tigers reeled in Torii Hunter with a two-year pact.
• Injury News: Derek Jeter (ankle) is “a little bit of a question” for Opening Day according to Joe Girardi. Michael Pineda (shoulder) continued his throwing program after being cleared by a doctor during a check-up.
• Hiroki Kuroda is said to prefer playing in Southern California. The Yankees have had “preliminary discussions” about bringing Raul Ibanez back, and they’re reportedly open to re-signing Rafael Soriano to a two-year deal. Talks “are ongoing” with Russell Martin.
• The Yankees are said to have interest in free agents Scott Hairston and Mike Napoli, and trade interest in Rickey Nolasco.
• News Corp. is closing in on a deal to purchase a minority share in the YES Network.
• The Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees have been renamed the RailRiders.
• Robinson Cano finished fourth in the AL MVP voting.

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.

2012 Record: 95-67 (804 RS, 668 RA, 96-66 pythag. record), won AL East, swept in ALCS

Top stories from last week:

• Hiroki Kuroda, Nick Swisher, and Rafael Soriano all declined their qualifying offers before Friday’s deadline. The Yankees are now entitled to draft pick compensation if they sign with another team. Kuroda is open to signing elsewhere and the Yankees still haven’t heard from Andy Pettitte about 2013 yet. The Yankees are preparing to offer Mariano Rivera a pay cut.
• Robinson Cano is among five MVP finalists, and Scott Boras expects the second baseman to play out 2013 before signing a new contract. Cano and Derek Jeter won the Silver Slugger Awards at their respective positions.
• Joakim Soria is willing to work as a setup man for the Yankees. The team had interest in David Ross before he signed with the Red Sox. The Dodgers won the bidding for Korean southpaw Hyun-Jin Ryu.
• Brian Cashman said there has been some dialogue with Ichiro Suzuki‘s camp, but none with Melky Cabrera, Andruw Jones, and Justin Upton. The latter is on the trade market yet again. The Yankees won’t offer Torii Hunter two years and are seeking an upgrade over Jayson Nix.
• The Yankees claimed three players off waivers last week: catcher Eli Whiteside, right-hander David Herndon, and left-hander Josh Spence. Ramiro Pena headlined the crop of players who became minor league free agents.
• Four position players top Baseball America’s list of the top ten Yankees prospects.
• Tino Martinez left the front office to take over as the Marlins hitting coach.
• Michael Pineda has started throwing off flat ground.

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.