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.

The New York Yankees doubled up the Chicago White Sox by the score of 4-2 on Monday night as the two teams kicked off a four game series. The Yankees scored two runs in the second and and seventh innings as they went on for the victory.

Xavier Nady had the big hit for the Yankees in the second inning when he hit a two run blast off of Mark Buehrle of the White Sox. In the seventh inning, the Yankees got a rbi ground rule double by Wilson Betemit and then he scored on a Johnny Damon single.

On the mound, Alfredo Aceves got the start and tossed six innings of five hit baseball. Aceves did give up both runs that the White Sox scored when Dewayne Wise took him deep for a two-run home run in the fourth inning. Phil Coke, Joba Chamberlain, Mariano Rivera and all tossed one inning each in relief to hold of the sox. It was Rivera’s 36th save of the year.

Good win for the Yankees as they kicked off the series exactly like they wanted to do. Yankees Blog

The New York Yankees scored nine runs in the seventh inning as they beat the Texas Rangers by the score of 18-7.  It was a very high scoring game between the two teams but the Yankees were able to come out on top to avoid the sweep.

Jason Giambi had a grand slam and two run double to finish the game with six rbi’s to lead the Yankees at the plate.  Alex Rodriguez had a three run home run as he finished the game with three rbi.  Jorge Posada was right behind A-rod as he had two rbi.  Johnny Damon and two rbi, Robinson Cano, and WIlson Betemit, and Bobby Abreu all contributed with one rbi of their own.

Sidney Ponson struggled in his first start with the Yankees.  He only lasted five innings and gave up nine hits and seven early runs.  The Rangers hit two home runs off of Ponson who will really need to turn things around if he wants to stay in the rotation.

Edwar Ramirez pitched the sixth and seventh innings without giving up a run and then Kyle Farnsworth pitched a scoreless eighth inning for the Yankees.  LaTroy Hawkins pitched the ninth inning for the Yankees as he finished off the Rangers.

The Yankees will now play the Red Sox for four games this weekend.  The series is always a huge one between the fans I expect this one to be the same way.

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Mariano Rivera gave up a rbi single in the top of the ninth inning to Michael Young as the New York Yankees lost to the Texas Rangers by the score of 3-2.  It was a dissapointing loss for the Yankees as they just couldn’t get anything going in the game and looked very frustrated at the plate.  The Yankees will now have to win on Wednesday to avoid the three game sweep by the Rangers.

Yankees starting pitcher Joba Chamberlain struggled as he only lasted four innings.  Chamberlain gave up five hits and two runs in the game as he got a no decision.  Joba walked four batters while striking out six in his four innings of action.  Dan Giese, David Robertson, and Jose Veras all seen action before Rivera blew the game in the ninth inning.

Robinson Cano and Wilson Betemit both had rbi singles for the Yankees.  The Yankees just couldn’t get a good rally going to score any runs in the game.  It was a very frustrating game to watch and it had to have been very frustrating to be a Yankees player or coach in the game.

I do like the Yankees chances to avoid the sweep on Wednesday however.  What do you think?

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Talk about a dramatic scene at Yankees Stadium as Jason Giambi was called upon in the ninth inning to pitch hit and hit a game winning two run home run.  Giambi’s home run barely stayed in play as he it into the upper deck to the right field line to give teh Yankees the 9-8 victory over the Blue Jays.

Giambi wasn’t the only Yankees player to hit a long ball as Wilson Betemit had a two run shot in the sixth inning as well.  Besides Giambi and Betemit’s two rbi each, Bobby Abreu and Alex Rodriguez also had two rbi each.  Hideki Matsui finished things up with one rbi on the game.

Kyle Farnsworth was credited with the win as he pitched the top of the ninth inning.  Farnsy is is now 1-2 on the season.  He didn’t even pitch that well in the ninth inning as he gave up three hits and one run.

Starting pitcher Chien-Ming Wang only lasted 4 1/3 innings as he was pulled after giving up five hits and seven runs.  Wang was pretty wild as he also had four walks and gave up one home run.  Ross Ohlendorf, LaTroy Hawkins, and Jose Veras all pitched before Farnsworth pitched the ninth.

The Yankees will now start a series with the Kansas City Royals this weekend that I can seem the sweeping.

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The New York Yankees played a better game on Wednesday than they did on Tuesday and they came away with a 5-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.  Everyone in the Yankees lineup had atleast one hit except the Bobby Abreu on the night as they had a lot of production up and down the lineup.

Wilson Betemit had a solo home run in the game while Johnny Damon, Derek Jeter, Hideki Matsui, and Melky Cabrera all helped out with an rbi of their own.  Good job by the Yankees offense putting the baseball in play and making things happen.

Mike Mussina picked up the win for the Yankees as he tossed six innings and gave up five hits and one run.  Mussina was able to improve his record to 9-4 on the season and lower his era to 4.01.

Ross Ohlendorf, Kyle Farnsworth, and Mariano Rivera all tossed one scoreless inning in relief of Mussina.  Rivera threw the ninth inning even though it wasn’t a save situation.

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The New York Yankees avoided a three game sweep by beating the Cleveland Indians 6-3 on Thursday afternoon.  Out of no where the Yankees hit four home runs and put up six runs on the board to pick up the win which was their 18th of the season as they are 18-18 now.

Johnny Damon, Jason Giambi, Robinson Cano, and Wilson Betemit all hit home runs for the Yankees.  Damon and Giambi finished the game with two rbi each while Cano and Betemit had one rbi each.

Mike Mussina picked up the win for the Yankees.  Mussina tossed five innings of four hit ball as he gave up three runs.  Ross Ohlendorf, Joba Chamberlain, and Mariano Rivera pitched the final four innings of the game to finish off the Indians.  Rivera picked up his ninth save of the season.

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The New York Yankees continue to play bad baseball as they lost to the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday afternoon by the score of 5-2.  Alex Rodriguez struck out four times for the first time in his career, and other Yankees hitters had troubles as well.

Phil Hughes took the loss for the Yankees and is now 0-2 on the season.  Hughes only lasted three innings as he gave up six hits and three earned runs.  Ross Ohlendorf came in following Hughes and gave up another two earned runs.

Johnny Damon and Wilson Betemit recorded one RBI each for the Yankees.

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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.

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