Bye Bye and Hello

Andy Phillips and Matt DeSalvo have signed elsewhere, the former with the Reds and the latter with the Braves. I'd be lying if I said I would miss them. Both were not that young (but babies compared to rest of Yankees) in their upper 20's, and their upside was limited. DeSalvo could become a middle-end rotation starter, but Phillips probably won't improve much. DeSalvo could hit over 90 mph and threw 20 different pitches (not really). His control was above-average, too, but he wasn't in any Yankee plans.

Clemens, Knoblauch, and Clemens have been asked to testify for Congress. I don't care, it's not going to change the Yankees that much. I prefer to post on strict baseball, not this riffraff. Unless something dramatic happens, you'll have to look elsewhere for steroid etc. coverage.

But good news has arrived. Yankees signed a few more minor league free agents: IF Nick Green, LHP Heath Phillips, LHP Billy Traber, C Jason Brown, OF Greg Porter, and RHP Scott Strickland (first found a River Ave. Blues).

Nick Green (born in 1978) - was once a Yankee in 2006 as a utility infielder, and that's about his upside this year; good glove playing 2b, SS, and 3b with a bat that'll get 10 hits in a lifetime

Jason Brown (born in 1974) - has been a minor league catcher for the Yankees since 2005; is a career minor league backup catcher; just a roster filler

Greg Porter (born in 1980) - put up great numbers at AA and AAA in the Angels' system getting a .316/.369/.456 vital line and 11 homers and 17 steals; career minor leaguer (career minor league OPS is .801) is a sleeper for a backup outfield job and eliminates any thoughts of Lew Ford

Scott Strickland (born in 1976) - has been a career journeyman, amassing decent major league 3.34 ERA and striking over a batter per inning; his control isn't bad; however, he hasn't seen major league action since 2005; a deep bullpen sleeper candidate, he's just going to strengthen the Scranton bullpen

Billy Traber (born in 1979) - a former 2000 first round pick of the Mets, Traber has been solid in the minors (3.61 ERA, 1.25 WHIP) but atrocious in the majors (5.41 ERA, 1.55 WHIP in 194.6 innings); still on the good side of 30, there is a chance for a breakout season as he enters his prime and could result in a lefty role in the Yankee bullpen

Heath Phillips (born in 1982) - the best haul of the bunch, Heath was rated by Scout.com as the number 10 ChiSox prospect as recently as last year, he was non-tendered this year, and gives the Yankees some much-needed minor-league lefty pitching depth; he is a solid workhorse pitcher who throws a high-80s sinker, and he is a solid sleeper for a LOOGY role in the majors

I hope the Yankees sign even more minor league free agents because cost so little and some can turn out to be very useful. Bounce back-candidates are good, too, for the reason that it will build their trade value.