Kuzul

First and foremost, I hope everyone on here had a great holiday this past week and enjoyed time with your family and friends.

With Christmas now over, the page on 2012 is about to turn and the 2013 year is upon us.

With New Year’s, everyone likes to make their “New Year’s resolutions” for what they want to change about their life.

For the New York Yankees, what would be their New Year’s resolutions for 2013?

What are Brian Cashman, Joe Girardi and Hal Steinbrenner looking to accomplish in the next year?

Here are a few possible resolutions for the Bombers.

Begin Slideshow

It was rather shocking to see Michael Bourn‘s name linked to the New York Yankees this winter.

It’s shocking because the Yankees already have their outfield all set for the 2013 season with Brett Gardner in left, Curtis Granderson in center and the recently re-signed Ichiro Suzuki in right.

However, in a story done this week by Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, the Yankees were “quietly” in on the center fielder, but only if the price tag dropped.

According to Wallace Matthews of ESPN, that will not be happening, as a source has told Matthews that there is “no chance” the Bombers pursue Bourn.

For those who were hoping for the Yankees to go after Bourn, I’d hate to be the one to tell you this, but it makes sense that the Yankees aren’t interested.

Why? Because the Yankees already have that kind of player on their roster in Gardner.

Both are known for their tremendous speed in the outfield and on the basepaths, neither are any resemblance of a power hitter and have geared their games toward being a leadoff hitter and both are left-handed.

And that’s exactly what the Yankees have a lot of in their outfield and lineup, lefty hitters.

Right now, they are currently searching for a right-handed outfield bat and both Scott Hairston of the Mets and Vernon Wells of the Angels have been linked to the Yankees as possibilities for that spot.

Because Bourn is the last top center fielder on the free agent market, he has become a prime target for teams like the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers; both teams who lost out on Josh Hamilton.

And if you asked me right now where Bourn lands, I’d say either one of those spots depending on who is willing to pony up a little more dough for the soon-to-be 30-year-old.

Most people like Matthews are waiting for the Yankees to “make their big splash” of the winter.

That’s something the Yankees haven’t done yet, but there’s still a lot of winter offseason left before pitchers and catchers report.

However, it looks like Bourn just won’t be that “big splash.”

Stay tuned, Yankees Universe.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

Here’s the situation.

The Angels have too many outfielders after they landed Josh Hamilton in free agency and could look to trade someone.

The Yankees could use a right-handed bat and potential fourth outfielder.

Apparently, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the two teams have discussed a potential trade to send Vernon Wells to the Bombers:

The #Angels‘ preference with their outfielders – and how it could involve #Yankees. Story: msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/los-…

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 15, 2012

The two teams talked about Wells during the baseball winter meetings last week in Nashville, but no deal has surfaced yet.

But now with Hamilton in the fold for the Angels, the potential trade talk could be resumed, as Los Angeles needs to shed a few players.

Wells is owed $42 million dollars over the next two seasons ($21 million in 2013, $21 million in 2014), so if any trade is going to happen, the Halos would almost certainly have to eat most of the remaining deal for the 34-year-old.

In 77 games for the Angels, Wells hit just .230 with 11 home runs and 29 RBI in 2012. However, Wells does hit left-handed pitching, hitting .266 against lefties over the last two years.

If the Angels are going to give away Wells for two seasons and it won’t cost the Yankees a lot, if anything, in a return deal, I don’t see why Brian Cashman explores a trade.

Wells could take the spot of the departed Andruw Jones, who recently signed with a Japanese team for 2013.

Wells is a former three-time Gold Glove center fielder who can play all three outfield positions if needed in case of injury and has the potential to hit 20-30 home runs if he is given the at-bats.

The trade for the Yankees makes sense, especially if the Angels pay most of Wells’ remaining deal.

Stay tuned to see if the Yankees acquire the veteran outfielder within the next few weeks.

Stay tuned, Yankees Universe.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

We’re already two weeks into December, and Nick Swisher still doesn’t have a home.

The former New York Yankees right fielder is still one of the top free agents out on the market, and people have been wondering where he might sign.

Swisher’s market has been slow to develop, but I think that’s because of Josh Hamilton.

I think once teams knew where Hamilton was going, they could turn their attention to guys like Swisher and Michael Bourn.

With the Los Angeles Angels wrapping up their five-year, $125 million deal for Hamilton, Swisher’s phone is likely about to be ringing off the hook with offers.

Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News tweeted that Swisher is set to visit multiple teams next week in person.

As expected, Josh Hamilton’s signing is setting the Nick Swisher market in motion. Swisher will visit multiple teams in person next week.

— Mark Feinsand (@FeinsandNYDN) December 13, 2012

Let’s take a look at who might be interested in the former Yankees’ services.

Begin Slideshow

If you’re wondering what that sounds was, it was the collective groan coming out of Boston.

Why?

Kevin Youkilis is officially coming to the Bronx.

After weeks of speculation, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports broke the news on Twitter that the Yankees have officially signed the former Red Sox infielder.

Source: #Yankees sign Youkilis, one year, $12M.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 11, 2012

It’s for the one-year deal worth $12 million that the Yankees offered him last week just as the Baseball Winter Meetings ended in Nashville.

Youkilis will take the spot of the injured Alex Rodriguez, who will be sidelined for the summer with hip surgery.

And even if A-Rod comes back, there’s a good possibility that he may be moved to the designated hitter spot with Youkilis already on the team.

The 34-year-old split time between the Red Sox and White Sox in 2012 and was traded to Chicago back in June as part of the Red Sox “re-building mode.”

Youkilis now joins a list of players such as Babe Ruth, Johnny Damon, Wade Boggs and Roger Clemens—all former established Boston players who went on play for the Yankees.

While Youkilis had an offer from the Yankees, he also had an offer from the Indians for a two-year, $18 million contract, but the Tribe signed Mark Reynolds, which took Cleveland out of the running for Youkilis.

It seemed like it was inevitable that Youkilis was coming to New York, especially for the money that was being offered on the one-year deal.

It’ll be interesting to see how fans in the Bronx respond to Youkilis now after nine years in Boston.

Stay tuned, Yankees Universe.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

We all wondered what the Yankees would do to fill the void at their catcher spot.

New York’s catcher of the last two seasons, Russell Martin, signed a two-year, $17 million deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates this past Friday.

Former Texas Rangers catcher Mike Napoli, another name that was linked to the Yankees, signed a three-year, $39 million deal with the Boston Red Sox this week.

That leaves one more big name on the free-agent market, and according to Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune, the Yankees are currently negotiating with former White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski (via Twitter):

According to executives with other teams, the Yankees are in talks to sign A.J. Pierzynski. Certainly seems like a good fit for both sides.

— Phil Rogers (@ChiTribRogers) December 4, 2012

The 35-year-old catcher has spent the last eight years in Chicago and was a fan favorite because of his gritty play and hard-nosed approach to the game.

In 2012, Pierzynski hit .277 with 27 home runs and 77 RBI in 135 games for the White Sox.

Getting Pierzynski would be an upgrade on offense over Martin and personally I think this is the kind of player the Yankees really need.

Like I said before, Pierzynski is as tough and hard-nosed of a baseball player as they come. The Yankees need to inject a little toughness that Jorge Posada once possessed when he was the team’s backstop and vocal leader.

Pierzynski had a career year on offense and he might be able to continue that trend while hitting in Yankee Stadium. Defensively, he’s is still a very good defensive catcher who is also very durable.

I think this would be a great signing if Yankees GM Brian Cashman lands him during the baseball Winter Meetings in Nashville, and I know a lot of people on here have been pushing for the Yankees to do so.

We’ll all wait to see what turns out from this, but some of you might get your wish as far as which catcher you wanted in pinstripes.

Stay tuned, Yankees Universe.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

******UPDATE (10:07p.m.)**********

According to Buster Olney of ESPN, the Yankees never even made an offer to Russell Martin this winter.

The Yankees never made an offer to Russell Martin; they haven’t made any offers to position players so far this offseason.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) November 30, 2012

We had heard that Martin was waiting to see what the Yankees would do, but I guess he couldn’t wait any longer and pass up on the Pirates offer.

********************************************************

The New York Yankees officially have a vacancy at catcher for 2013.

Their catcher for the last two seasons, Russell Martin, has reportedly signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

 

Source: #Pirates reach agreement with Russell Martin, pending physical.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 30, 2012

 

The deal is pending a physical and it’s for a two-year deal worth around $17 million, according to David Waldstein of the New York Times.

 

Russell Martin has agreed to a 2-year, $17 million contract with the Pirates, according to a person with direct knowledge of the deal.

— David Waldstein (@DavidWaldstein) November 30, 2012

Martin hit just .211 but had 21 home runs and 53 home runs in 133 games for the Yankees last year.

The Yankees had offered him a three-year extension worth around $20 million in the winter, but it was rejected by Martin and his agent, Matt Colleran, thinking he could get more money and potentially more years in a deal.

Martin will join former Yankee teammate A.J. Burnett in Pittsburgh, who was traded there last winter with two years left in his deal from back in February.

Right now, the Yankees have Francisco Cervelli and Austin Romine penciled in as their catchers. Both are nothing more than backup catchers and aren’t projected to be starters.

So now Yankees GM Brian Cashman has to figure out a plan for the catcher spot.

Does he turn to a free agent like Mike Napoli or A.J. Pierzynski, or does he pursue a trade elsewhere?

Bleacher Report lead writer Zachary D. Rymer speculated on the Yankees trying to make a trade for Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer, although that would be a long shot.

Mauer is due $23 million per season until 2018, which is a huge salary for a catcher on the verge of turning 30. Plus, Mauer has a full no-trade clause, and who knows if he’d even waive it to play for the Yankees.

If any of you had hope in the Yankees trading for Mauer, don’t expect it happening anytime soon.

So right now, we all wait and see what Cashman will do as far as filling the catcher spot.

Stay tuned, Yankee Universe.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

Earlier on Thursday, it was reported that the New York Yankees and Mariano Rivera were on the verge of completing a deal.

On the night of Rivera’s 43rd birthday, the only team that he’s ever known as home locked him up for one more season, as he signed a one-year deal for $10 million, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports and WFAN.

#yankees and mariano rivera have agreed on a $10M guarantee for 2013. will also have awards/incentives.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) November 30, 2012

After making $15 million in each of the last two seasons, the Yankees asked the greatest closer to ever play the game to take somewhat of a pay-cut.

However according to Heyman, he has incentives built into the deal for bonuses and awards, so his deal could be in fact anywhere around the $11-12 million mark when the season is done.

The all-time saves leader was limited to just nine appearances in 2012 after he tore his ACL shagging fly balls in May during batting practice at Kansas City.

Rafael Soriano filled in as the interim closer in 2012 and reverted back to his All-Star form, saving 40 games for the Bombers, which is a major reason why he opted out of his contract in late October to become a free agent.

Before the 2012 year, we all speculated on if last year was going to be the final hurrah for Rivera, but because of the ACL injury, Rivera decided to put off retirement.

Now the question becomes: How will a 43-year-old Rivera handle pitching while coming off a major surgery?

If his contract is any sign of how the Yankees think of him, Brian Cashman feels very confident in his closer making a full recovery.

Stay tuned, Yankees Universe.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

Russell Martin is one of the top catchers available on the free-agent market right now.

The New York Yankees are interested in bringing back the 29-year-old Canadian as their starting backstop, but according to Andrew Marchand of ESPN, his asking price is pretty high:

I’m told Martin is looking for four years and $9-10M per. Doubt Yanks will do that.

— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) November 27, 2012

Martin turned down a three-year, $20 million extension to stay with the Yankees back in the offseason last year, but many felt he should have taken it given how his 2012 campaign went.

Martin hit just .211, but had 21 home runs and 53 RBI in 133 games for the Yankees.

After they transitioned Jorge Posada to the designated-hitter role in 2011, the Yankees brought in Martin on a one-year deal for $4 million and liked how he handled the pitching staff, which led to them giving him another one-year deal for $7.5 million for 2012.

According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports and WFAN, the Seattle Mariners, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago White Sox and Texas Rangers have all expressed interest in acquiring Martin this winter.

Aside from Martin, Mike Napoli and A.J. Pierzynski are the two other top names on the market. The Yankees have shown some interest in Napoli, but he has not met with them yet (he has, however, already met with the Boston Red Sox).

If the Yankees decide that is too much to offer to Martin, which according to Marchand in his tweet, seems to be the case, they will need a plan B.

I could see the Yankees inquiring on Pierzynski, but that’s only if they don’t bring back Martin.

I still think Yankees GM Brian Cashman’s main intent for the catcher position is to bring back Martin, but at a lower cost, because I can’t see them giving Martin a four-year, $36-40 million deal.

I think a two- or three-year deal for $7-8 million per year is a more reasonable contract for Martin.

And in my opinion, I think that’s what the Yankees will do—wait on Martin and see where his market is.

If his price comes back down to the offer from a year ago, I think they end up locking Martin up. If not, he’s as good as gone.

It’ll be very interesting to see where this situation goes from here and if Martin is back in the Bronx or not.

Stay tuned, Yankees Universe.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

So much for California teams having the edge.

After weeks of wondering where Hiroki Kuroda would end up, he chose to come back to the Bronx for one more season, as he signed a one-year deal worth $15 million, according to Buster Olney of ESPN.

Sources: The Yankees have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with Hiroki Kuroda.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) November 20, 2012

The 37-year-old Japanese starter was 16-11 with a 3.32 ERA last season and got a raise from the $10 million he made in 2012.

Kuroda had interest from the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, Boston Red Sox, plus his former team in Japan, and for a while, it seemed like the two California teams were in the lead to land him for 2013.

But in the end, he chose to stay in New York and compete for another chance to make it back to the postseason and win a championship.

So now with Kuroda locked up for 2013, what does that do for the Yankees winter plans for free agency?

Let’s take a look.

Begin Slideshow