nysports

2 of the Yankees Free Agents have signed contacts elsewhere in the American League.  Carl Pavano signed a 1 year, $1.5 million dollar deal to pitch with the Cleveland Indians.  Pavano who spent the last 4 seasons with the Yankees made only a combined 26 starts in those 4 seasons, compiling only a 9-8 record. Pavano signed as a free agent with the Yankees in the 2005 off season, after going 18-8 with Florida the year before.  Pavano missed massive amounts of time during his time in NY, including the entire 2006 season. (that killed my fantasy year that year)

Giambi, also signed a 1 year deal in the American League, signing with the Oakland Athletics, the team who he came up with.  Giambi spent 7 years in Oakland, including the 2000 season, when he won the MVP award.  Giambi is now 38 years old, and coming off a season where he hit 32 HRs and drove in 96 runs, while striking out 111 times and piling up 22 HBPs and a .247 Batting Average.  Giambi will get $5.25 million dollars to play 1B/DH for the 2009 season.  Oakland has a club option for 2010.  Along with the recent trade for Matt Holiday, the Athletics seem to be poised to make a run for the Playoffs in 2009.

That’s my 2 cents… I’d love to hear yours!

It is believed that the Mets have made free agent starting pitcher Tim Redding a 1 year offer to secure the 5th spot in the teams rotation.  The soon to be 31 year old right hander had one of his best seasons last year with the Washington Nationals, where he went 10-11 with a 4.95 ERA, although he was 3-1 with a 3.41 ERA against the Phillies.  Redding came up with Houston in 2001, and was rumored to be a phenom who never really developed (think Kyle Loshe).  The Mets are hoping that they can have the same type of success that the Cardnials had with Loshe, or the Mets had with Oliver Perez.  Redding is believed to be seeking a 2 year deal, while the Mets have currently only offered him 1 year.

 In other news, the Mets set up a face to face meeting with Super Agent Scott Boras on Wednesday, who was in town for the Mark Teixeira conference.  The team talked with Boras about both Oliver Perez and Derek Lowe.  With the offer made to Redding, and 3 rotation spots secured by John Maine, Mike Pelfrey, and Johan Santana, there is only 1 rotation spot left to be filled (should Redding sign).  That spot could be filled by either Lowe, Perez or Jonathan Niese.

In my opinion, the best situation would result in them signing Lowe and Redding, and leaving Niese in AAA until an injury or poor performance should occur.  The worst case scenario would result in them signing only Randy Wolf, handing Niese the 5th slot in the rotation, Wolf gets hurt, misses time, Niese under performs, and the Mets don’t make the post season.

That’s my 2 cents…. I’d love to hear yours!

Just over 1 week after the NY Jets decided to fire head coach Eric Mangini, the Cleveland Browns signed him to a 4 year contract.  Mangini is replacing fired Browns head coach, Romeo Crennel.  Crennel and Mangini are long time buddies, and the hiring of Mangini could lead to Crennel staying on as an assistant coach.

The financial details of the contract are not finalized at this time, but the length is rumored to be 4 seasons.  The deal keeps Mangini in the AFC, and could lead to an interesting matchup next year, if the Browns and Jets meet.  I personally would love to see Farve back, and the match be hyped up as a Mangini vs. Farve showdown.

Personally, I am glad to see Mangini land another job so soon.  I was disappointed to see the Jets fire him, and feel he got a raw deal.  It will be nice to see him coaching a young team including future NFL stars such as Brady Quinn, Kellen Winslow, Braylon Edwards, and veterans such as Jamal Lewis and Willie McGinest.  I’m routing for Mangini.

That’s my 2 cents…  I’d love to hear yours!

Here it is.  Your Yankees First Basemen for the next 8 years.