Here is a recap of the day at Legends Field courtesy of Peter Abraham and his LoHud Yankees Blog. Peter is down in Tampa right now and is probably the best source on the internet for "insider information" on the Yankees and their Spring Training program.
Yankees Beat Wang Out Of $600,000:
Chien-Ming Wang lost his arbitration hearing and will be paid $4 million a year instead of the $4.6 million that he requested from the team.
Posada believes Clemens:
“I’m supportive,” Posasa said. “He says he never took it and I’m behind him 100 percent. Rocket is one of my favorite teammates ever. It doesn’t take anything away from what he did. For me, he’s the best pitcher I ever caught and it doesn’t change that.”
Posada on New Skipper Joe Girardi:
“Joe Torre was the probably the best for us. Joe Torre for me was a father figure and we’re going to miss him dearly. He’s a great man. But Joe Girardi brings a little different (style). He’s a hands-on guy. He’s going to be a little more critical. He’s going to be a little tougher on us than we’ve had in the past.”
Future Major Leaguer:Joe Girardi and his wife Kim played on the field with their kids today. Dante Girardi, who is 6, can throw the ball from the lip of the infield to the plate on the fly and Serena Girardi, who is 8, has a nice level swing.
Dante has a little Yankees uniform with No. 27 and his own catching equipment. The Yankee should send him to live in the Dominican and sign him when he’s 16.
Gettin' Work:
Mike Mussina, Chien-Ming Wang, Joba Chamberlain, Ian Kennedy, Edwar Ramirez, Sean Henn, Jeff Karstens, Darrell Rasner, Ross Ohlendorf, Mark Melancon and Billy Traber were among the pitchers who threw in the bullpen today.
Hideki Matsui and Shelley Duncan took part in drills and took BP. As injury rehab players, they’re allowed to be in camp early.
Jesus Montero took some BP. The 19-year-old goes the other way with ease. He generates a ton of power. Scouts are right, he looks like a first baseman.
Girardi's Hands On:It was interesting to watch Joe Girardi. He ran from place to place and clearly is more hands-on than Joe Torre was. Is that a good thing? We’ll know a few months into the season. If running made you a good manager, Alberto Salazar would have been hired.
Sorry New York Post, Joba's Still A Starter:
Joe Girardi said that Joba Chamberlain will be worked as a starter this spring and be part of the rotation. Depending on what shakes out, his role will be determined at the end of March.
