And perhaps fewer tinkerers.

Burnett said Monday that he’s looking forward to a fresh start in Pittsburgh after his struggles in the Bronx.

“I let a few too many people tinker with me, maybe,” Burnett told reporters from Pirates camp, a day after the Yankees dealt him to Pittsburgh for cash and a pair of low-level prospects.

“When you let that happen, you start doubting yourself sometimes,” he added. “You wonder, ‘Am I doing it right? Is this how it’s supposed to feel?’ and things like that. In ’09, nobody messed with me. I was able to do what I wanted to do on the mound, whether it was turn around, close my eyes and pitch upside down. Then you have a few bad games and you start changing and listening.”

After signing an $82.5 million, five-year contract, Burnett helped the Yankees to their 27th World Series title in 2009. Then he slumped to a 21-26 record with a 5.20 ERA over the following two seasons.

He led the major leagues with 25 wild pitches last year and allowed a career-high 31 homers.

“It was fun the first couple of years. Then it got like, I’m never going to get out of this funk,” said Burnett.

A 13-year veteran, Burnett will move into the top spot in the Pirates’ starting rotation.

“I’m not going to lie,” Burnett told KDKA-FM in Pittsburgh on Monday, “I look pretty good in black and gold.”

Do you think it’s just sour grapes from Burnett, or does he have a point? Sound off below…

(TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

Filed under: Sports, Yankees Tagged: 2009 Yankees, A.J. Burnett, KDKA, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates

View full post on CBS New YorkYankees – New York Yankees »

Side note: Burt’s Twitter account is the greatest thing ever.

Post from: River Ave. Blues A New York Yankees blog

Yankees sign Robinson Cano’s cousin, Burt Reynolds

View full post on River Avenue Blues

View full post on NY Post: Yankees

View full post on Yahoo! Sports – MLB – New York Yankees News

View full post on New York Yankees

View full post on New York Yankees

Every spring training, Mariano Rivera gets to his locker and finds a pair of gray pants hanging on the rod. They’ve always been a joke… until now.

Rivera is actually planning to go on the road this spring. From March 31 through April 3, the Yankees play four consecutive road games, including two exhibitions at the new Marlins stadium in Miami. Rivera said today that he’s actually planning to make that trip. At that point, he’ll need to pitch, and apparently he’s going to do it on the road against big leaguers rather than in Tampa at the minor league complex.

At least, that’s what he says now. Let’s see what he’s saying on March 30.

Speaking of things Rivera is saying: The Yankees closer acknowledged today that Derek Jeter is one of the few non-family members who know his plans for next season. Speaking to reporters at the minor league complex this morning, Jeter refused to spill the beans.

“You appreciate him while he’s here,” Jeter said after a morning workout. “I think everyone should just focus on that as opposed to if and when he’s going to retire.”

• Except for Rivera, all of the obvious big league pitchers threw bullpens today. Rivera said he’s thinking Sunday might be the day of his first bullpen. That seems a little earlier than usual, and Rivera said that’s because it’s a little warmer than usual. “I know that when it’s time, he’ll be ready,” Girardi said.

• Joe Girardi on the David Aardsma signing: “Power arm. Closer. We’re looking at him down the road, maybe being ready in August, possibly. It’s another option you have for your bullpen. You look at our bullpen, last year we went through a lot of arms. We had some injuries to Soriano, Joba, Feliciano, so we kept changing people out. I think the more you have, the more options it gives us, and that’s a good thing.”

• A few young starters threw live batting practice today, and Girardi said it was in anticpation of early spring training games. “We want to make sure everyone’s ready to go,” Girardi said. Manny Banuelos, Dellin Betances and D.J. Mitchell threw live BP, and Girardi’s wording suggested at least one of them could get an early start this spring. Lefty Rule 5 pick Cesar Cabral also threw batting practice.

• Over at the minor league complex, Brandon Laird, Jayson Nix, Doug Bernier, Ramiro Pena, Bill Hall, Corban Joseph and Jorge Vazquez went through infield drills together. Hall was at second base, Vazquez was at first, Nix was at second and third, Laird was at third and first, and both Bernier and Pena got their reps at shortstop.  

• Girardi said, as far as he knows, everyone came through today with no physical problems. No one to add to the injury list today.

• It was reported earlier this winter, but the YES Network announced today that Lou Piniella has joined the network as a special contributor who will provide game and studio analysis.

• Girardi’s fairly generic comment on today’s workout: “I thought it went great. I thought the guys threw well. You see them throwing more breaking balls, and they increased the amount that they threw. You’re always curious to see how they bounce back, but they seemed to bounce back pretty well.”

Associated Press photos

View full post on The LoHud Yankees Blog

E. Chavez as an Oakland A Image via Wikipedia

It is mind-boggling that this took so long, especially after reading a mid-January post on MLB Trade Rumors that there were a number of teams interested in him.

This was not surprising because when Chavez is healthy he is as solid a player as anyone.

From 2001-2006, Chavez was a baseball superstar, winning six straight Gold Gloves at third base, as well as knocking in a least 22+ homers and four times he smacked in 100+ RBIs to boot.

Unfortunately, staying healthy has plagued Chavez over his career, and after calling Oakland home for all his 13-years in the big leagues, the A’s had no choice but to release him following 2010 season.

Not knowing if his surgically repaired back would hold up, Chavez agreed to a minor league deal with New York for the 2011 season.

Tragically, Chavez’s injury woes wound up following him to the Bronx as on May 5^th he hurt his foot and had to miss 29 games.

When he return in mid-July, Chavez’s role turned crucial as A-rod was hampered by a bum knee and needed surgery.

Chavez jumped right in at third base and demonstrated to New York fans why he won six Gold Gloves. He didn’t miss a defensive beat, and at times looked even better than A-rod.(…)
Read the rest of Eric Chavez You Look Hot In Yankees Pinstripes

© Kate for Lady Loves Pinstripes, 2012. |
Permalink |
No comment |
Add to
del.icio.us

Post tags: Andruw Jones, Brian Cashman, Chavez, Eric Chavez, Joe Girardi, MLB Trade Rumors, New York Yankee, Run batted in

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

View full post on Lady Loves Pinstripes