Wow has it been a busy week for the management of the New York Yankees. Earlier in the week the team announced that they had signed pitcher Damaso Marte to a new three year - $12 million dollar contact. Marte will make $3.75 million next year, $4 million in 2010 and $4 million in 2011. The 2012 option is also worth $4 million and includes a $250,000 buyout.

And then on Thurday the Yankees picked up Nick Swisher and a minor leaguer from the Chicago White Sox via a trade that sent Wilson Betemit, Jeff Marquiz, and Jhonny Nunez to the White Sox. Expect Swisher to get looked at to the everyday starting first basemen. He can also play all three outfield positions for the team.

Swisher has three years left on a five-year, $26.75 million contract. He’s scheduled to make $5.3 million in 2009, $6.75 million in 2010 and $9 million in $2011. His deal also includes a $10.25 million club option for 2012, with a $1 million buyout. As you can tell, the deal didn’t come cheap for the Yankees.

On Tuesday the New York Yankees declined options and starting pitcher Carl Pavano and first basemen / dh Jason Giambi. Pavano’s option was to be worth $13 million instead it was bought out for $1.9 million. Giambi’s was worth $22 million and he was bought out for $5 million. Not a bad payday for going on the free agent market if you ask me.

Pavano could possibly be re-signed by the Yankees if he will take a cheap deal but don’t look for the Yankees to really negotiate with Giambi.

Yankees

Mike Mussina logged his tenth win of the season and the Yankee offense powered the team to an 8-4 victory in Houston taking the first two games of the series.  The Yankees have reached their high water mark going three games over .500 for the first time this season.

Alex Rodiriguez got the Yankee bats started in the 2nd by delievering his 11th home run of the season into the right-center field seats.  Back to back doubles from Jason Giambi and Melky Cabrera added another run to make it a 3-2 game.  In the third, with a man on third, Houston pitcher Wandy Rodriguez issued three consecutive walks to Rodriguez, Giambi and Cabrera to tie the score at three.  Jose Molina then ripped a single to left scoring A-Rod and Giambi to put the Yanks in front for good.  The Yankees tacked on three more runs throughout the game including a pinch-hit RBI single by Robinson Cano in the 8th. 

Mussina got off to a rocky start being greeted by a long three-run homrun by Carlos Lee in the first inning, but he settled in quickly after that retiring 13 of his next 15 batters.  Mussina worked 6 strong innings allowing only the three runs.  The bullpen of the Yankees continued to impress allowing 3 hits and 1 run over the final three innings to preserve the victory for Mussina.  Mussina has now reached a minimum of 10 wins in each of his last 17 seasons.

The Yankees go for the sweep Sunday afternoon at 1pm CDT.  Alberto Gonzalez rejoined the team and got the start Saturday after being recalled from Scranton on Friday. Shelly Duncan was sent back to make room for Gonzalez.   

The New York Yankees have signed infielder Morgan Ensberg to a one year contract.  Ensberg will probably fill in a first and third base and pitch hit a little bit.  I wouldn’t expect to him to have much value to the Yankees unless Alex Rodriguez or Jason Giambi get hurt.

Ensberg had a pretty bad 2007 season, and was actually non-tendered by the San Diego Padres.  So maybe changing uniforms and playing for a great team like the Yankees will get him going back in the right direction.

Yankees Blog

The New York Yankees and utility player Wilson Betemit have agreed on a one year contract for the 2008 season.  Reports are saying that the contract will be worth a little over $1 million dollars.

Pretty good signing for the Yankees and a really cheap price.  Betemit was once the next great player for the Atlanta Braves but that didn’t turn out.  He will be a solid player in New York in my opinion.

Yankees Blog

There is a new Yankees blog out on the Internet today as YankeesHomePlate.Com has set up shop and will be blogging about the Yankees starting with the 2008 season.  You can expect to see some great articles out of YankeesHomeplate as they will be blogging about game reviews, injuries, rumors & transactions, as well as Yankee tickets and merchandise.

The big story during the off season for the New York Yankees was the re-signing of Alex Rodriguez.  Most Yankees fans though A-Rod was long gone when he opted out of his contact, but a few weeks later he signed a new 300 million dollar contract to stay with the Bronx Bombers.  Will this be a good a move for the Yankees?  Will A-Rod show up in the playoffs and and lead the team to the World Series?  Let us know what you think by leaving a comment!  Let your opinion be heard here at Yankeeshomeplate.com !