Red Sox Looking At Tino For Hitting Coach Job

I think I speak for every Yankee fan out there when I say don't do it, Tino.

9 Years Ago Today, This Happened

Cheap Tickets Available For Yankees-Red Sox

So, we got three games left and we're all tied with those pesky Orioles for first place and the Red Sox (of all teams) are coming to town. You would think that tickets for this series would be pretty expensive, but then you'd be wrong.

In fact, tickets for this series are selling for 16% less than the Yankees-Red Sox series in August, and 41% less expensive than their series in July. I'm not sure why fans are so uninterested in seeing this huge series live, but hey, it's better for those of you who are.

If you are one of those fans who want to see the Yankees wrap up the division against the hated Red Sox, click here for your tickets.

UPDATED: Red Sox-Dodgers Mega Deal is now Official

(UPDATE) According to reports the deal is done (Nick Punto also tweeted this photo of the Sox players heading to LA). Beckett, Gonzalez, Crawford and Punto to LA for Pitcher Rubby De La Rosa, James Loney and prospects Allen Webster (RHP), Ivan De Jesus (INF) and Jerry Sands (OF) are headed to Boston.

... Original post below ...

There's a lot in the deal, so here's ESPN for the details if you have not heard them already.

Jon Heyman is reporting that the deal has been agreed upon by the teams and is awaiting approval from the league.

Crazy deal, but one that will help both clubs. The Red Sox get a bailout on all their bad contracts giving them a ton of flexibility moving forward, plus whatever they take back in the deal. On the other hand, the Dodgers probably put themselves at the top of the WS Contenders list. Good for Donnie.

Pitching Matchup for Yankees - Red Sox

Game 1: Tonight @ 7:05 PM | TV: MY9/MLBN | Radio: WCBS
RHP Phil Hughes (11-10, 4.44) vs. LHP Franklin Morales (3-3, 3.29)

Game 2: Saturday @ 4:05 PM | TV: FOX | Radio: WCBS
RHP David Phelps (3-3, 2.53) vs. LHP Jon Lester (6-10, 5.20)

Game 3: Sunday @ 8:05 PM | TV: ESPN | Radio: WCBS
RHP Hiroki Kuroda (11-8, 3.06) vs. RHP Josh Beckett (5-10, 5.19)

Ichiro: Being part of Yankees-Red Sox is like a dream

From Ray Monell:

The experience [of being part of Yankees-Red Sox], Suzuki told Yahoo! Contributor Network through his interpreter, felt like a dream.

"I was very excited," he said after New York routed Boston 10-3. "My first game at Yankee Stadium [as a Yankee] was against the Boston Red Sox.

"In Japan, you grab your cheek to see if it's real or not, if you're dreaming. That's really how I feel right now."

...

"I used to have a Yankees uniform as a fan; I wore that in Japan," he said. "Also, in the 2001 All-Star Game, I traded jerseys with Bernie Williams, so I put that on before.
"Obviously it's very special."

Ichrio also told MLB.com on Friday night that he hasn't had this much fun playing baseball in a "long time," and that the stadium was the type of environment he was "hoping to play in" when he looked at potentially being traded. Sounds like someone's enjoying life as a Yankee.

Yankees vs Red Sox Series Ticket Prices

Here's some great info from our friends over at TiqIQ:

Below is some additional deal data for each game:

Game 1:
- 700+ tickets starting @ $40.

- 75+ tickets available for less than $55, including some that are selling for as much as 41% below market average.

- Bleacher tickets start @ $40 and there are 100+ available for less than $70. These seats are selling from 4% to 30% below market avg.

- Grandstand tickets start @ $46 and there are 100+ available for less than $75. Some of these seats are selling for up to 31% below market avg.

- Main Level tickets start @ $91 and there are 20+ available for $150 or less, some for up to 47% below market avg.

- Field Level tickets start @ $105 and there are 30+ available for less than $200. Some of these seats are selling for up to 43% below market avg.

Game 2:
- 2100+ tickets starting @ $46

- 70+ tickets available for less than $60, including some that are selling for as much as 49% below market average.

- Bleacher tickets start @ $57 and there are 90+ available for less than $65. These seats are selling from 29% to 36% below market avg.

- Grandstand tickets start @ $46 and there are 100+ available for less than $70. Some of these seats are selling for up to 49% below market avg.

- Main Level tickets start @ $83 and there are 100+ available for less than $125, some for up to 47% below market avg.

- Field Level tickets start @ $100 and there are 90+ available for less than $175, some for as much as 50% below market avg.

Game 3:
- 5400+ tickets starting @ $27

- 60+ tickets available for $35 or less, including some that are selling for as much as 52% below market average.

- Bleacher tickets start @ $38 and there are 150+ available for less than $50. These seats are selling from 31% to 51% below market avg.

- Grandstand tickets start @ $27 and there are 400+ available for less than $50. Some of these seats are selling for up to 52% below market avg.

- Main Level tickets start @ $51 and there are 60+ available for less than $100, some for up to 50% below market avg.

- Field Level tickets start @ $75 and there are 90+ available for less than $125, some for as much as 43% below market avg.

If you'd like tickets to any of these games click here. 

Game 85: Yankees @ Red Sox

Regular Season Game 85
YANKEES @ RED SOX
First Pitch: 8:05 PM | TV: ESPN | Radio: WCBS
Here are the lineups:

YANKEES (51-33)
Derek Jeter SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano DH
Nick Swisher RF
Andruw Jones LF
Jayson Nix 2B
Chris Stewart C

Pitching: RHP Ivan Nova (9-3, 4.05 ERA)

RED SOX (43-42)
Daniel Nava LF
Pedro Ciriaco 2B
David Ortiz DH
Adrian Gonzalez 1B
Cody Ross RF
Jarrod Saltalamacchia C
Ryan Sweeney CF
Mauro Gomez 3B
Mike Aviles SS

Pitching: LHP Jon Lester (5-5, 4.33 ERA)

Game 82: Yankees @ Red Sox

Regular Season Game 82
YANKEES @ RED SOX
First Pitch: 7:10 PM | TV: YES/MLBN | Radio: WCBS
Here are the lineups:

YANKEES (49-32)
Derek Jeter SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Alex Rodriguez DH
Robinson Cano 2B
Mark Teixeira 1B
Nick Swisher RF
Raul Ibanez LF
Eric Chavez 3B
Russell Martin C

Pitching: RHP Hiroki Kuroda (8-7, 3.17 ERA)

RED SOX (42-40)
Daniel Nava LF
Ryan Kalish CF
David Ortiz DH
Cody Ross RF
Adrian Gonzalez 1B
Jarrod Saltalamacchia C
Mauro Gomez 3B
Mike Aviles SS
Nick Punto 2B

Pitching: RHP Josh Beckett (4-7, 4.06 ERA)

Yanks Fan vs. Sox Fan @ Yanks-Tigers

Here's a couple videos of a recent brawl at the stadium that's been going around the interwebs today. The fight was between a few female Yankees & Red Sox fans (Why were they at Yanks-Tigers?).

Part One Part Two

Ain't that a kick in the head?

Swisher's 2-Run Double From Inside Fenway

(No, I was not there.)

Yanks To Wear Throwback Uniform For Opener on Friday

If you did not know--I was out all day yesterday and did not know either--the Yankees and Red Sox will be wearing 1912 throwback uniforms on Friday to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Fenway Park.

The Red Sox have worn these throwbacks before (below), but this will be a first for the Yankees. It'll be odd seeing the Yanks in something other than the usual road greys, but being that it was the Yankees Highlanders who were the visitors when Fenway opened in 1912, it'll be cool to see it all play out the way it was 100 years ago, same teams, same ballpark, same uniforms. Hopefully, the Yankees will win this one.

 

Valentine Upset at Girardi for Ending Game in a Tie

From Mark Feinsand:

Bobby Valentine thought he earned another inning of play against the Yankees when the suicide squeeze he called brought the game-tying run home in the ninth Thursday night.

Instead, he got a 4-4 tie, one that left the Red Sox manager puzzled.

“The umpire came over and said we couldn’t play,” Valentine said. “I don’t care about not playing. It’s just, why do I have to warm up my pitcher who’s trying to make a team come in in a tie game against the Yankees and maybe help him make a team and instead he has to walk off the mound and take a shower? That’s just not very courteous.”

...

“I used all our pitching, so I just said, ‘That's it,’ ” Girardi said. “I looked at Tim and was like, ‘We don’t have any more.’” Valentine disagreed.

“They had plenty of pitching,” Valentine said. “Probably too long of a ride. They could have known that going in.”

He's an idiot, but one thing is undeniable, he's going to make the rivalry a lot more fun.

As for the tie, who cares? It's spring training.

Jeter & A-Rod Respond to the Newest Idiot in Beantown

If you didn't know, new Red Sox manager, Bobby Valentine, has already gotten into the habit of bashing the Yankees every two weeks for apparently no reason whatsoever. His most recent barrage came yesterday when he questioned whether the Yankees actually practiced the flip-play and also said Jeter was "out of position" on the play. He also said that Jason Varitek was a "man's man" who was "able to beat up Alex", obviously referring to the 2004 brawl when Varitek tackled A-Rod while wearing full catcher's gear.

Here are the responses via Mark Feinsand:

Derek Jeter had a question for Bobby Valentine Wednesday after hearing what the Red Sox manager had to say about his legendary flip play.

“Why are we talking about this?” Jeter asked.

...

“I don’t know Bobby well enough to tell you what he’s trying to do,” Jeter said. “I could care less, I guess that’s the best way to put it. I just don’t know why it’s being brought up. I don’t know what to tell you.”

Jeter said the Yankees have practiced the play since he first came up. His job is to be on the first base line to cut off a throw and get the runner at third – “I don’t flip it home when we practice it,” he said – so whether Valentine believes that or not didn’t matter.

“Am I supposed to convince him?” Jeter said. Asked if he was annoyed or amused by the comments, the Captain replied, ““I’m indifferent, really. Think about it. We don’t practice it? We do; you guys see it. What else can I say? I was out of position? I was where I was supposed to be.”

...

“But who cares?” Jeter added. “Why are we talking about this? He must be bored over there, huh?”

...

“I’m not going to win many battles here when it comes to words – especially against Bobby,” A-Rod said. “I have my new press secretary that should be landing in the next couple days – Reggie Jackson – so I’ll let him handle that.”

Jeter wondered why the 2004 scrap was brought up in the first place.

“Talking about Varitek, you point out the good things,” Jeter said. “Varitek had an unbelievable career, I’m happy for him, I enjoyed competing against him all these year; that’s what we should be talking about as opposed to what Bobby said.”

Sure, this fool might be adding a little fire to the rivalry, but it's freaking February and obviously this guy is far too preoccupied with the Yanks. I guess that's just what happens when you put on those Red Socks.

Are The Sox Trying To Steal Jones?

From Mark Feinsand:

For weeks, it has appeared to be a foregone conclusion that Andruw Jones would return to the Bronx next season, but that’s no longer the certainty it once seemed.

The Yankees have stayed in touch with Jones’ agent, Scott Boras, but a source said the two sides have not made much progress despite the mutual desire for a reunion. The source added that “several” other teams have expressed interest in the 34-year-old outfielder — one of which is believed to be the rival Red Sox.

Like the Yankees, the Red Sox are searching for a righthanded power bat to share time in the outfield, a role Jones filled admirably last season in New York.

Cashman and Co. have done very little, if anything this offseason to improve the team, the least they can do is sure up the bench. Get it done, Brian.

Sox Trade For Former Yankee Mark Melancon

From WEEI:

According to multiple sources, the Red Sox acquired Astros closer Mark Melancon in a trade Wednesday for pitcher Kyle Weiland and Jed Lowrie.

Melancon, 26, a 2006 draft pick of the Yankees out of the University of Arizona, had Tommy John surgery late in 2006 and missed the 2007 season. He made his debut for the Yankees against the Red Sox in 2009. He was traded to the Astros last year as part of the Lance Berkman deal. The right-hander went 8-4 with a 2.78 ERA and 20 saves in 25 chances for the lowly Astros this past season. He had 66 strikeouts in 74 1/3 innings.

Weiland, 25, debuted for the Red Sox this season, going 0-3 with a 7.66 ERA. He is expected to be given a spot in the Astros rotation.

The Sox also signed Nick Punto to 2-year deal worth $3.5M.

WTF: Beckett is mad at Kevin Long?

From Kevin Kernan:

Boston ace Josh Beckett, who always seems to be upset about something, is ticked off at Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long for mentioning that Beckett takes too long between pitches, which can throw off the rhythm of the hitter.

That was the word from new Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine in comments made Saturday at the Red Sox “Christmas at Fenway’’ event.

...

On an ESPN telecast in August, Valentine criticized Beckett for his slow pitching pace, saying, “That’s a half hour added to this game of him standing around and us sitting around watching him do nothing.’’

Valentine was correct. The Aug. 7 game between the Yankees and Red Sox lasted 4 hours, 15 minutes. Beckett started that game and pitched six innings in Boston’s 3-2, 10-inning victory. Valentine spoke to Beckett last week and said at the winter meetings that Beckett is still quite upset. Valentine and Beckett, though, worked out their differences, Valentine said in the interview Saturday and it is Long on the receiving end of Beckett’s ire.

Basically, the pitcher who takes too long between pitches is upset with Long for mentioning that fact.

“Kevin Long started complaining about him taking too long,’’ Valentine explained at the event. “And [Beckett] felt, ‘Why don’t I take long and if [the hitters] don’t like it, then that’s exactly what I want to do? Whatever they don’t like, and what makes them uncomfortable, makes them unsuccessful.’ So he said that and we at ESPN fell into his trap ... or we bought into Kevin Long’s strategy to reverse his success. I get it. Maybe I did and there was frenzy about what Kevin said and I was reiterating it.”

As you might expect, Kevin Long didn't care:

Long, reached by The Post yesterday, said he was merely stating the obvious to Valentine and the ESPN broadcast crew at the time and that it was Valentine who ran hard with his own comments about Beckett’s pace, backing up Long’s point of view.

Long is not losing any sleep over the fact that Beckett is upset with him, telling The Post, “I kind of think this is humorous.’’

Is this really the sort of thing that upsets these losers in Boston? Get over it, freakin' crybaby.

Red Sox Hire Valentine

From Boston.com:

The Boston Red Sox have picked Bobby Valentine to be their next manager and the sides were working to complete a contract, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Tuesday night.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made. Several media outlets in Boston, citing anonymous sources, reported earlier in the evening that Valentine would be the team's new manager.

An announcement could come by Thursday.

"He's got it. I just spoke to him a little while ago," Hall of Famer Tommy Lasorda, who managed Valentine in the minors with the Los Angeles Dodgers, said in a telephone interview with the AP.