Joe Girardi names Michael Pineda as the rotations 5th starter.

After speculations for the past few months, Joe Girardi announced earlier today, that Pineda will in fact take the 5th spot in the starting rotation.

Pineda is coming back after a season ending shoulder injury in 2012.

The 5 man rotation will be as follows:

CC Sabathia

Hiroki Kuroda

Ivan Nova

Masahiro Tanaka

Michael Pineda

A young arm like Pineda could be a huge asset to this team. If he stays healthy, along with the rest of the rotation, this could be one of the strongest, most solid rotations the Yankees have seen since 2009. Only time will tell if this is a good or a bad move. However, Phelps can easily take the 5th spot, if Pineda is unable to get the job done. 

By:: Dana P. (Blog Owner/Editor in Chief)

They weren't done yet. Yankees sign 29 year old closer, Andrew Bailey! Orioles look build by adding Cruz, and more.

Just when you thought the Yankees were done shopping, BOOM! There goes a new addition to the bullpen. 

The Yankees have signed former Red Sox and Oakland A's reliever Andrew Bailey, to a one year deal worth about 2 million, with a second season option. 

Via CBSSports.com

Bailey, age 29, pitched to a 3.77 ERA (110 ERA+) and 3.25 K/BB ratio in 28 2/3 innings for the Red Sox last season. For his career, Bailey owns an impressive ERA+ of 160 across parts of five big-league seasons, and he's struck out 227 batters in 218 innings. On the downside, Bailey has been on the DL five times in and lost more than 300 games to injury. Last July, he underwent shoulder surgery.

Still recovering from his shoulder surgery, he isn't expected to start throwing til July. With his experience and young age, I think he would be a better fit for a closer, rather then David Robertson. But right now, this is the only option. Starting him as the closer next year, wouldn't be a good for Robertson. Throwing D-Rob around from reliever to closer, would screw him up. He would end up similar to how Joba Chamberlin ended up. That being said, Bailey will likely be the 7th-8th inning guy for his career in pinstripes.

Today, the Yankees locked in Brett Gardner, for 4 years!! That deal is worth 52 million. Gardner, straight from the Yankees farm system, has decided to stay loyal to where he came from, unlike Robinson Cano. 

Perfect trade bait this off season, has turned the other direction!  Love this.

Off Yankee talk real quick, the Orioles signed former Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz, to a one year deal worth 8 million. This team is really looking to build. I'm predicting a Yanks vs. Orioles ALDS, with the Yankees taking it in game 4. 

By:: Dana Pelotta (Blog Owner/Editor in Chief)

CC Sabathia signs with Roc Nation Sports

Roc Nation Sports, the sports agency started by Jay Z, has signed New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia and will represent him on and off the field.

"CC exemplifies everything Roc Nation looks for in an athlete and a partner," Roc Nation Sports president Juan Perez said in a statement.

Via the official Roc Nation Twitter:: (@RocNation) January 17, 2014
Sabathia, 33, has at least three years left on his contract, which comes with a guaranteed $76 million. But when contract conversations do come up, which won't take place until before the 2017 season at the earliest, Roc Nation spokesman Ron Berkowitz said Jay Z and Perez plan on negotiating the pitcher's Roc Nation Sports, the sports agency started by Jay Z, has signed New York Yankees starting pitcher, CC Sabathia, and will represent him on and off the field.

The agency's official Twitter account tweeted a picture of Sabathia signing with the firm:

Welcome @CC_Sabathia to the @RocNation family! #RocNationSportspic.twitter.com/

This photo was running wild on social media last night. Sabathia not only tweeted this, but also posted it on his official Instagram account. This seems to be a "trend." First, Cano signed with Roc Nation last year, and now Sabathia. 

Which athlete are you expecting to sign with Jay-Z, and Roc Nation next? 

By:: Dana P. (Blog Owner/Editor in Chief)