Family, turkey, football sit atop Kelley's holiday list

"It's got whipped cream and other things in it; it's like a big spread," Kelley said in a recent telephone interview. "It's creamy and thick and it's got cherries and grapes and apples. It's like a smorgasbord of fruit all mixed up, and it's probably the most delicious thing.

"She used to make a whole extra batch for me to take back to college with me after Thanksgiving. That's definitely my favorite of all time."

Baseball's Giving Spirit

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The 30-year-old Kelley has a deeper appreciation for the holiday season now, with those days of Tupperware containers at Austin Peay State University safely stored in air-tight memories.

Having just completed his sixth big league season, Kelley was busy stringing up Christmas lights earlier this week and is looking forward to spending the holiday in Tennessee with his family.

"It means a lot," Kelley said. "It's a time for friends and family to get together and spend time, and now that I've got two little boys that are getting older, teaching them the meaning of Thanksgiving and Christmas, it's a good family time. I really enjoy it."

Growing up, Kelley recalls looking forward to an afternoon he'd spend with his extended family, digging forks into early dinners filled with stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes, macaroni and soft buttery rolls.

"We'd get so stuffed and so full," Kelley said. "Then we'd go outside and throw a football or throw horseshoes, depending on the weather if it was cold or nice. We'd be outside for the day and basically we'd heat the stuff up again and do it again for dinner."

Football is still part of the equation, but Kelley plans on resting his right arm from spiral duty, still a few weeks away from picking up a baseball in preparation for Spring Training. His attention will be more closely focused on Bears at Lions, Eagles at Cowboys and Seahawks at 49ers.

"I tend to just try to eat and watch as much football as possible nowadays," Kelley said. "Now that they usually have two or three games versus when they used to have just one back when I was younger; any chance you can just sit around and do nothing and watch football is a great day."

There will inevitably be some baseball talk during dinner, with family members stoking the Hot Stove and wondering what the Yankees will do between now and the report date for pitchers and catchers. Thus far, there has not been much noise out of the Bronx, but Kelley is not concerned.

"We've basically got the team already in place to do it," he said. "You saw it all last year: a lot of guys just didn't play to their baseball cards, so to speak. It was a disappointing year for the whole team, including myself. I think if we refocus and do what we're capable of doing, nothing more, whether we add a lot or not this offseason I think the pieces are in place to make a run and be a playoff team."

Part of the Yankees' offseason plan includes re-signing closer David Robertson, with whom Kelley has exchanged recent text messages. Kelley ribbed Robertson about turning down the Yankees' $15.3 million qualifying offer and said that Robertson seems to be in no rush to make a move, allowing his market to play out.

"I know he loves New York, I know he's close with Mariano [Rivera] and wants to kind of follow in Mariano's footsteps," Kelley said. "I'm sure there's a big part of him that probably wants to stay in New York, but he's got to do what's best and see what's out there. That's where he's at in his career right now."

Kelley said that he is also looking forward to learning what his own future holds. The non-tender deadline is Dec. 2, and Kelley said that he has been "pretty relaxed" in waiting for the process to play out, assuming that he will be back for a third season with the Yanks in 2015.

"Me personally, I'll be thankful if I sign back with the Yankees and this arbitration process goes smoothly, and I end up pitching for another year in New York and in pinstripes," Kelley said. "Then making a playoff run -- that's what I'll be thankful for."

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Yankees must counter Red Sox's big moves

Forgive them for being tempted. That was an impressive double the Red Sox pulled off by signing both Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval. And Boston made it clear there's more to come, because the club intends to add two veteran starting pitchers -- including Lester, the hottest free agent on the market right now.

If the Red Sox can pull that off, they'd be nicely positioned to trade for a starter -- say, Cole Hamels.

Just for grins, let's say they do exactly that. How does that change the American League East race?

Yes, that's a rhetorical question.

The Red Sox would have transformed themselves from a last-place team that lost 91 games to possibly favorites. If you lined 'em up, you might have:
1. Red Sox
2. Orioles
3. Blue Jays
4. Yankees
5. Rays

There's a large back story with every team, especially since we're still so early in the comings and goings.

For instance, the Orioles. They'll be favored to win again if Boston can't pull off a Lester/Hamels double play, or something close. Baltimore has made fewer headlines, but that's the norm.

Executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette and his staff find players here, there and everywhere. To dismiss the O's would be silly. Even if they don't re-sign Nelson Cruz, they'll be getting Manny Machado, Matt Wieters and Chris Davis back. Has any club signed three players that good? Nope.

The Orioles also still have that Showalter guy -- that would be AL Manager of the Year Award winner Buck Showalter -- who once more in 2014 proved his greatness in a variety of areas. With 1,259 career victories, he's up to 36th (and counting) on the all-time list.

Anyway, the point is that we should not sleep on Baltimore, even though its biggest moves have been the re-signing of shortstop J.J. Hardy and the continued pursuit of its own guy, right fielder Nick Markakis.

The Blue Jays also aren't finished, even though they've checked the No. 1 thing off their shopping list with the signing of catcher Russell Martin. With a deep rotation, they're good enough to go play now. Senior vice president of baseball operations and general manager Alex Anthopoulos is hoping to upgrade at either second base or third, or perhaps both. If he does just one, Toronto could win the AL East in 2015.

And then there are the Yankees. Regardless of what senior vice president and general manager Brian Cashman does, there's going to be a large unknown quantity with the Yanks. For them to contend, they're probably going to need healthy, productive seasons from CC Sabathia, Carlos Beltran and Mark Teixeira.

Cashman's first priority seems to be the re-signing of third baseman Chase Headley, right-hander Brandon McCarthy and closer David Robertson. He also has to figure out shortstop, with Stephen Drew and others in the mix.

If Cashman brings those four players back onto his roster, the Yankees will be good enough to go play. Whether they'll be good enough to avoid a third straight season out of the playoffs is the interesting question.

The Yanks made their own big moves in free agency a year ago with the signings of Jacoby Ellsbury, Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran.

But it's a bottom-line business. The Yankees may not see a position player that would significantly upgrade their roster, but there are three starters -- Lester, Max Scherzer and James Shields -- who'd make virtually any team better.

Which teams are in on Lester? 3:44

MLB.com's Tim McMaster and Jeff Nelson discuss which teams could attempt to sign left-hander Jon Lester this offseason

With Lester the No. 1 target of several teams, including the Red Sox, the Yanks could alter the dynamics of two offseasons by grabbing his 200 innings and 200 strikeouts.

For now, at least, the Yankees say they're staying the course. Given that they usually get the people they want to get, it seems reasonable that Headley, Robertson and McCarthy will be back in the Bronx in 2015.

Headley is a hotter commodity with Sandoval off the market, but the Yanks say they'll go only so far. If they don't land him, they say they're prepared to shift Martin Prado from second to third and to put one of their kids at second.

But you just know that today they're at least batting around the possibility of responding. While the Orioles and Rays have been able to contend without going crazy with spending, Red Sox-Yankees has always had its own dynamic, that of punch/counterpunch.

Your move, Yankees.

Richard Justice is a columnist for MLB.com. Read his blog, Justice4U. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Early Hot Stove feast in AL East, but room left for dessert

The Yankees and Orioles have been relatively quiet, but this is a wide open division, and we should expect action from all of them, particularly the Yanks, who will likely be in the mix for one of the remaining big-name starting pitchers.

As we recover from our collective turkey coma, here's a look at where every team in the AL East stands right now as the Winter Meetings slowly become visible above the horizon.

BALTIMORE ORIOLES
What the Orioles have done: The O's have made a few Minor League signings, but they have been fairly quiet in filling any major holes. The club continues to have discussions with free-agent outfielder Nick Markakis, and Baltimore is still in the running to retain Nelson Cruz.

Markakis wins second Gold Glove 1:00

Nick Markakis is named the Gold Glove Award winner for the second time in his career for his defensive prowess with the Orioles in 2014

What the Orioles need to address: Markakis and Cruz are two of the important players to watch, but the O's would also like to add another starting pitcher and fill the hole vacated by lefty reliever Andrew Miller, who will be too costly for Baltimore to retain.
-- Brittany Ghiroli

BOSTON RED SOX
What the Red Sox have done: The Sox have made two impact signings to upgrade an offense that was among the worst in the Majors in 2014, adding Ramirez and Sandoval. It is a reunion for Ramirez, who came up through Boston's farm system before being dealt to the Marlins for Mike Lowell and Josh Beckett nine years ago. Ramirez has one of the most well-rounded bats in the game when he stays healthy. His presence in left field could spell the end of Yoenis Cespedes in Boston.

Pablo, Hanley join Red Sox 2:32

It was a big day in Boston as Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez were introduced as the newest members of the Red Sox

Sandoval is a switch-hitter and stronger from the left side. This is a good thing because the Sox were in desperate need of another productive lefty bat. He gives the club production at third base. In the latter years of the contract, Sandoval could transition to designated hitter when David Ortiz retires.

What the Red Sox need to address: The offense looks far better than it did last year, but the pitching staff needs some attention. Clay Buchholz and Joe Kelly are the only current members of the roster who are sure things for the 2015 rotation. General manager Ben Cherington still needs to plug the holes that were created with the trades of Jon Lester and John Lackey last July. Lester could actually replace himself, given Boston's interest in bringing the lefty back to town as a free agent. A trade with the Phillies for Cole Hamels is another intriguing possibility. In fact, the Sox have quite a few trade chips, particularly in the outfield, to address their pitching needs. They also remain on the hunt for a lefty reliever.
-- Ian Browne

NEW YORK YANKEES
What the Yankees have done: Following Alex Rodriguez's reinstatement to the active roster at the conclusion of the World Series, the Yankees have made a series of smaller moves. In November, New York re-signed outfielder Chris Young to an incentive-laden $2.5 million deal, acquired left-handed reliever Justin Wilson from the Pirates in exchange for catcher Francisco Cervelli, and signed right-hander Andrew Bailey to a Minor League deal. They also sold the rights for infielder Zelous Wheeler to Japan's Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in exchange for $350,000.

Yankees Acquire Justin Wilson 3:14

Yankees bolster bullpen with the acquisition of hard throwing left-handed reliever Justin Wilson

What the Yankees need to address: General manager Brian Cashman has stated that he intends to upgrade the left side of the infield, unwilling to count on A-Rod as an everyday third baseman and hoping to find a better option than Brendan Ryan at shortstop. Chase Headley is thought to be New York's top target at third base, while the trade market is the preferred avenue to find Derek Jeter's successor. The Yankees also have interest in adding at least one starting pitcher, hoping to bring Brandon McCarthy back while waiting to hear word on Hiroki Kuroda's plans. Thus far, New York has stayed away from top free agents like Lester and Max Scherzer. The club also has maintained talks with closer David Robertson, who declined its $15.3 million qualifying offer in favor of seeking a longer commitment.
-- Bryan Hoch

TAMPA BAY RAYS
What the Rays have done: They have traded starter Jeremy Hellickson and relievers Joel Peralta and Cesar Ramos for prospects. In addition, they signed veteran reliever Ernesto Frieri and designated for assignment veteran catcher Jose Molina and infielder Sean Rodriguez. The Rays will have to eat Molina's $2.75 million contract for 2015, but they dodged the issue of tendering Rodriguez a contract (he made $1.475 million this past season) by the Dec. 2 deadline. Finally, the Rays have spent the bulk of the offseason re-shuffling their front office and looking for a replacement for Maddon, who exercised an opt-out clause in his contract and will now manage the Cubs. Team president Matt Silverman took over as president of baseball operations after Friedman left to take a new position with the Dodgers. They narrowed their initial manager search to 10 candidates, all of whom were interviewed. That list has since been whittled down to three: Kevin Cash, Don Wakamatsu and Raul Ibanez.

Rays narrow managerial search 3:06

MLB.com Rays reporter Bill Chastain talks about Kevin Cash, Raul Ibanez and Don Wakamatsu emerging as the candidates for the club's manager

What the Rays need to address: They will begin their interviews with the final three managerial candidates on Dec. 1, and they could have a manager in place by the Winter Meetings, which begin Dec. 8 in San Diego. The team's starting rotation, bullpen and infield seem to be in order, but there are many options remaining in the outfield, including: Matt Joyce, Wil Myers, Desmond Jennings, Brandon Guyer, David DeJesus, Kevin Kiermaier and Mikie Mahtook. With Molina's departure, the Rays again look thin at catcher, with just Ryan Hanigan and Curt Casali currently in the mix. So don't be surprised if they sign or trade for catching help.

The non-tender date could bring some interesting results, particularly where Joyce is concerned, since he made $3.7 million in 2014. Even if he is tendered a contract, he could still be traded before Spring Training. The Rays must also figure out some way to generate more runs in 2015 after having lackluster results on offense in '14. In order to do this, they must assess which players will return to form and which ones will not. Once they have a better idea about that question, they can try to address how to improve their offense. As usual, expect the Rays to sign one or two veteran starters and relievers to help with depth.
-- Bill Chastain

TORONTO BLUE JAYS
What the Blue Jays have done: The Jays made a tremendous splash in the middle of November when they signed Canadian catcher Russell Martin to a five-year contract worth $82 million. It was the largest free-agent deal handed out in the organization's history. They followed that by trading for All-Star third baseman Josh Donaldson, who finished fourth in MVP voting in 2013, and sending another Canadian, Brett Lawrie, to the A's in addition to two pitchers, Kendall Graveman and Sean Nolin, and shortstop Franklin Barreto.

The Jays have traded outfielder Anthony Gose to the Tigers for second-base prospect Devon Travis, and sent designated hitter Adam Lind to the Brewers for right-hander Marco Estrada. They also parted ways with Brandon Morrow, Dustin McGowan and Colby Rasmus.

Martin signing impacts Blue Jays 2:15

MLB.com Blue Jays reporter Gregor Chisholm discusses how the signing of Russell Martin could affect the club's offseason plans

What the Blue Jays need to address: Toronto's already had a busy offseason, but there may be more work left to be done. The Blue Jays have noticeable holes to fill in the bullpen and left field. General manager Alex Anthopoulos appears to have at least $20 million at his disposal, but that number could be increased further by trading former starting catcher Dioner Navarro, left-hander J.A. Happ and to a lesser extent R.A. Dickey or Mark Buehrle. Free agent Melky Cabrera remains a possible option in left, but the two sides have yet to find common ground in their contract negotiations.
-- Gregor Chisholm

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AL ROY candidate Betances found form in bullpen

"There's a different mentality out of the bullpen," Betances said. "You're only going to face the guys once; as a starter, you face them two or three times. It's definitely a little different."

Outfielder Jose Abreu of the White Sox and pitcher Matt Shoemaker of the Angels have also been selected as finalists alongside Betances, 26. The candidates were selected by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

Making his first Opening Day roster with a stellar spring, Betances used a high-90s fastball and a biting slurve to dominate big league hitters, fanning 135 in 90 innings and shattering Mariano Rivera's 1996 franchise record for strikeouts by a reliever.

Player Profile: Dellin Betances 5:18

Dellin Betances surpassed Mariano Rivera for the most single-season strikeouts by a reliever in franchise history.

"He's been awesome for us all year," Derek Jeter said late in the season. "It seemed like Mo pitched two innings every time toward the middle and end of '96; Dellin's been doing the same thing. He's pitched a lot of innings. Anytime he gets guys on base, he's capable of getting out of trouble because he can strike guys out."

Velocity had never been an issue for the 6-foot-8 Betances, a product of Brooklyn's Grand Street Campus High School, but his out pitch developed as a result of that Minor League demotion in 2012. He had been sent back to Trenton after posting a 6.39 ERA at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Betances' mechanics were off, his command was not sharp and he had been affected by repeated nail issues when throwing his curveball. Betances quickly picked up the slurve grip from teammate Mikey O'Brien, a right-hander who is now in the Reds organization.

"I was trying to throw an extra pitch because I couldn't throw my curveball for strikes that year," Betances said. "I worked with [O'Brien], just kept throwing it. I went to the [Arizona] Fall League and it felt good. I was like, 'Man, this could be a good pitch to throw.'"

With some tinkering, Betances found the slurve to be a more effective and reliable weapon than his old curveball, giving him a solid 1-2 punch to use coming out of the bullpen. Betances also sprinkled in a changeup, his third-best pitch, just to mix things up.

"Those struggles helped," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "When you struggle and you're able to get back up and fight through it, it helps you down the road, because it's not always going to be easy in this game. What a year he's had."

Moving into a setup role behind closer David Robertson, Betances finished the season with a 5-0 record, one save and a 1.40 ERA in 70 appearances.

Betances nails down the save 00:00:23

7/7/14: Dellin Betances gets Nick Swisher to fly out to right for the final out in the 9th, securing his first Major League save

Betances led all AL relievers in innings pitched, holding opponents to a .149 batting average and ringing up the most strikeouts by a rookie reliever since Mark Eichhorn of the Blue Jays fanned 166 in 1986.

"My focus was on making the team," Betances said. "I knew that if I believe in myself and I had the confidence going into spring, that I was going to get that job. I can't tell you that the numbers would be the way that they are, because you're facing great hitters on a daily basis."

With Robertson eligible for free agency -- the right-hander received a qualifying offer this week, valued at $15.3 million for one year, and must reply with a decision by Monday -- Betances' emergence gives the Yankees an insurance policy in the event that Robertson wears another uniform in 2015.

Regardless of his future assignment, the Yankees have many reasons to be optimistic about what Betances will do for an encore.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Yanks to wrap Spring Training with exhibition in D.C.

NEW YORK -- The Yankees will wrap their spring with a visit to the nation's capital, announcing on Wednesday that they have scheduled an April 4 exhibition game to be played at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.

The contest between the Yankees and Nationals is set to be played at 1:05 p.m. ET and will conclude a Spring Training schedule that now features a total of 34 games for New York (17 at home and 17 on the road).

This will mark the Yankees' fourth visit to Washington since the Nationals began play there, including a previous exhibition contest in 2013 and regular-season visits in 2006 and 2012.

The Yankees and Nationals are also scheduled to meet in regular season Interleague Play. The Yankees will return to Washington for a two-game series May 19-20 and the Nationals will play a two-game set at Yankee Stadium June 9-10.

Season tickets for 2015 Yankees Spring Training home games are on sale now at yankees.com.

Individual-game spring tickets for games at Steinbrenner Field will go on sale on Jan. 9 at 10:00 a.m. ET at the Steinbrenner Field box office or online at yankees.com. For ticket information, fans can call (813) 879-2244 or visit yankees.com.

Yankees pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Tampa, Fla., on Feb. 20 and hold their first workout on Feb. 21. Position players are scheduled to report on Feb. 25 and the first full-squad workout is scheduled for Feb. 26.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Yankees to bring back Bailey on Minor League pact

NEW YORK -- Andrew Bailey and the Yankees have agreed to terms on a Minor League contract, MLB.com has confirmed.

The Yanks have not officially announced the signing of the 30-year-old right-hander, who was with the organization this past season while rehabbing from surgery to repair a torn capsule and labrum in his pitching shoulder.

The American League Rookie of the Year Award winner in 2009, Bailey owns a 2.64 career ERA and 89 saves in 206 relief appearances over five big league campaigns with the Athletics and Red Sox, having been named to the All-Star team in his first two seasons.

Bailey did not pitch at any level this past season and last appeared in the Majors on July 12, 2013, his final outing of a season in which he went 3-1 with a 3.77 ERA in 30 appearances for Boston.

Bailey was non-tendered by the Red Sox that December and signed with the Yankees in February, inking a deal that would have been worth $2.5 million if he had been promoted to the big leagues.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Yanks to wrap Spring Training with exhibition in D.C.

NEW YORK -- The Yankees will wrap their spring with a visit to the nation's capital, announcing on Wednesday that they have scheduled an April 4 exhibition game to be played at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.

The contest between the Yankees and Nationals is set to be played at 1:05 p.m. ET and will conclude a Spring Training schedule that now features a total of 34 games for New York (17 at home and 17 on the road).

This will mark the Yankees' fourth visit to Washington since the Nationals began play there, including a previous exhibition contest in 2013 and regular-season visits in 2006 and 2012.

The Yankees and Nationals are also scheduled to meet in regular season Interleague Play. The Yankees will return to Washington for a two-game series May 19-20 and the Nationals will play a two-game set at Yankee Stadium June 9-10.

Season tickets for 2015 Yankees Spring Training home games are on sale now at yankees.com.

Individual-game spring tickets for games at Steinbrenner Field will go on sale on Jan. 9 at 10:00 a.m. ET at the Steinbrenner Field box office or online at yankees.com. For ticket information, fans can call (813) 879-2244 or visit yankees.com.

Yankees pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Tampa, Fla., on Feb. 20 and hold their first workout on Feb. 21. Position players are scheduled to report on Feb. 25 and the first full-squad workout is scheduled for Feb. 26.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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After minor surgery, Gardner close to 100 percent

NEW YORK -- Brett Gardner had a minor surgical procedure in October to address a core muscle injury and expects to be ready for Spring Training, the Yankees outfielder said in a radio interview on Wednesday.

Gardner told MLB Network Radio that he is completing his physical therapy following the surgery, which he hopes will correct an injury that affected Gardner in both July and September of this past season.

The Yankees said that Gardner had the procedure performed on his right rectus abdominis muscle on Oct. 16. The surgery was performed by Dr. William Meyers at the Philadelphia Vincera Institute in Philadelphia.

"I'm just about feeling 90 to 95 percent from that," Gardner said. "I should be back to 100 percent here in about a week or so and pretty much have my normal offseason from here on out, and get ready for 2015."

Gardner, 31, batted .256 with a career-high 17 home runs and 58 RBIs in 148 games for New York this past season, serving as the starting left fielder and having inked a four-year, $52 million contract extension that will kick in next year.

He missed a game on July 9 in Cleveland with what was initially feared to be a hernia, and Gardner's September performance was affected by a recurrence of what was described at the time as a lower abdominal strain.

Gardner logged just 12 hits in his final 72 at-bats of the year (.167), knocking 11 points off his season batting average.

"I think here in the next week or two, I'll be pretty darn close to 100 percent and just be able to go through my normal offseason routine," Gardner said. "That's one of the reasons we just went ahead and got it done after the season.

"Obviously without making the playoffs, we had a much longer offseason than we would have liked, but it also gave me a little extra time on the front end to get this thing taken care of and not have it be an issue next year. I'm looking forward to having that behind me pretty soon."

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Former big league lefty Halsey dies at 33

Former Major League left-hander Brad Halsey died last week at the age of 33, according to a tweet by Halsey's agency, O'Connell Sports.

According to a report from USA Today citing anonymous sources, Halsey's death occurred Friday in a recreational climbing accident near his home in New Braunfels, Texas.

Halsey's agency first tweeted the news on Tuesday night: "We are sorry to hear of the passing of longtime client, Brad Halsey. Our thoughts & prayers are with his family during this difficult time."

The southpaw spent three years in the Majors from 2004-06, pitching one season each with the Yankees, D-backs and Athletics. The lefty appeared in 88 career games, making 40 starts, and he went 14-19 with a 4.84 ERA.

According to Bob Nightengale's story in USA Today, the Comal (Texas) County Sheriff's Office is investigating Halsey's death and will not release any information until the case is closed.

Halsey was selected by the Yankees in the eighth round of the 2002 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Texas. In addition to stops in Arizona and Oakland, he spent time in the Dodgers' organization.

Halsey won his first Major League start in June 2004, giving up two runs in 5 2/3 innings for the Yankees against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

His last Major League appearance came for the A's in 2006. But Halsey was involved in a number of high-profile baseball moments over his career, including the '05 D-backs-Yankees trade involving Javier Vazquez and Randy Johnson; surrendering Barry Bonds' 714th career home run in '06; and starting for the Yankees against the Red Sox in the '04 game in which Derek Jeter famously dove into the stands for a foul ball.

Austin Laymance is a reporter for MLB.com. Joey Nowak is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @joeynowak. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Former big league lefty Halsey dies at 33

Former Major League left-hander Brad Halsey died last week at the age of 33, according to a tweet by Halsey's agency, O'Connell Sports.

According to a report from USA Today citing anonymous sources, Halsey's death occurred Friday in a recreational climbing accident near his home in New Braunfels, Texas.

Halsey's agency first tweeted the news on Tuesday night: "We are sorry to hear of the passing of longtime client, Brad Halsey. Our thoughts & prayers are with his family during this difficult time."

The southpaw spent three years in the Majors from 2004-06, pitching one season each with the Yankees, D-backs and Athletics. The lefty appeared in 88 career games, making 40 starts, and he went 14-19 with a 4.84 ERA.

According to Bob Nightengale's story in USA Today, the Comal (Texas) County Sheriff's Office is investigating Halsey's death and will not release any information until the case is closed.

Halsey was selected by the Yankees in the eighth round of the 2002 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Texas. In addition to stops in Arizona and Oakland, he spent time in the Dodgers' organization.

Halsey won his first Major League start in June 2004, giving up two runs in 5 2/3 innings for the Yankees against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

His last Major League appearance came for the A's in 2006. But Halsey was involved in a number of high-profile baseball moments over his career, including the '05 D-backs-Yankees trade involving Javier Vazquez and Randy Johnson; surrendering Barry Bonds' 714th career home run in '06; and starting for the Yankees against the Red Sox in the '04 game in which Derek Jeter famously dove into the stands for a foul ball.

Austin Laymance is a reporter for MLB.com. Joey Nowak is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @joeynowak. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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After minor surgery, Gardner close to 100 percent

NEW YORK -- Brett Gardner had a minor surgical procedure in October to address a core muscle injury and expects to be ready for Spring Training, the Yankees outfielder said in a radio interview on Wednesday.

Gardner told MLB Network Radio that he is completing his physical therapy following the surgery, which he hopes will correct an injury that affected Gardner in both July and September of this past season.

The Yankees said that Gardner had the procedure performed on his right rectus abdominis muscle on Oct. 16. The surgery was performed by Dr. William Meyers at the Philadelphia Vincera Institute in Philadelphia.

"I'm just about feeling 90 to 95 percent from that," Gardner said. "I should be back to 100 percent here in about a week or so and pretty much have my normal offseason from here on out, and get ready for 2015."

Gardner, 31, batted .256 with a career-high 17 home runs and 58 RBIs in 148 games for New York this past season, serving as the starting left fielder and having inked a four-year, $52 million contract extension that will kick in next year.

He missed a game on July 9 in Cleveland with what was initially feared to be a hernia, and Gardner's September performance was affected by a recurrence of what was described at the time as a lower abdominal strain.

Gardner logged just 12 hits in his final 72 at-bats of the year (.167), knocking 11 points off his season batting average.

"I think here in the next week or two, I'll be pretty darn close to 100 percent and just be able to go through my normal offseason routine," Gardner said. "That's one of the reasons we just went ahead and got it done after the season.

"Obviously without making the playoffs, we had a much longer offseason than we would have liked, but it also gave me a little extra time on the front end to get this thing taken care of and not have it be an issue next year. I'm looking forward to having that behind me pretty soon."

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Yanks to wrap Spring Training with exhibition in D.C.

NEW YORK -- The Yankees will wrap their spring with a visit to the nation's capital, announcing on Wednesday that they have scheduled an April 4 exhibition game to be played at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.

The contest between the Yankees and Nationals is set to be played at 1:05 p.m. ET and will conclude a Spring Training schedule that now features a total of 34 games for New York (17 at home and 17 on the road).

This will mark the Yankees' fourth visit to Washington since the Nationals began play there, including a previous exhibition contest in 2013 and regular-season visits in 2006 and 2012.

The Yankees and Nationals are also scheduled to meet in regular season Interleague Play. The Yankees will return to Washington for a two-game series May 19-20 and the Nationals will play a two-game set at Yankee Stadium June 9-10.

Season tickets for 2015 Yankees Spring Training home games are on sale now at yankees.com.

Individual-game spring tickets for games at Steinbrenner Field will go on sale on Jan. 9 at 10:00 a.m. ET at the Steinbrenner Field box office or online at yankees.com. For ticket information, fans can call (813) 879-2244 or visit yankees.com.

Yankees pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Tampa, Fla., on Feb. 20 and hold their first workout on Feb. 21. Position players are scheduled to report on Feb. 25 and the first full-squad workout is scheduled for Feb. 26.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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After 16-year career, Soriano hangs up spikes

Alfonso Soriano is retiring from the Major Leagues after 16 seasons, according to a report from The Associated Press.

Soriano, 38, was released by the Yankees in July after playing in 67 games in 2014, the final year of an eight-year, $136 million contract he signed with the Cubs before the 2007 season. Soriano was selected to seven consecutive All-Star Games during his career and ranks 50th on the all-time home run list with 412.

He belted 46 homers and stole 41 bases for the Nationals in 2006, becoming just the fourth member of the 40-40 club.

"I've lost the love and passion to play the game," Soriano said in a radio interview Tuesday in his native Dominican Republic, according to the AP. "Right now, my family is the most important thing. ... Although I consider myself in great shape, my mind is not focused on baseball."

Soriano played parts of five seasons with the Yankees from 1999-2003 before he was traded to the Rangers in '04 in the deal that brought Alex Rodriguez to New York. After two seasons with Texas, Soriano was traded to the Nationals before the '06 season. Soriano spent seven years with the Cubs before being dealt to the Yankees in '13.

Austin Laymance is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Betances a finalist for AL Rookie of the Year Award

NEW YORK -- Yankees right-hander Dellin Betances has been named as a finalist for the American League Rookie of the Year Award, as selected by the Baseball Writers' Association of America and to be announced on Monday.

First baseman Jose Abreu of the White Sox and pitcher Matt Shoemaker of the Angels have also been selected as finalists alongside the 26-year-old Betances, who set a franchise single-season record for strikeouts by a reliever during his dominant All-Star campaign.

With 135 strikeouts in 90 innings, Betances surpassed Mariano Rivera's 1996 mark of 130 in 107 2/3 innings. Betances went 5-0 with one save and a 1.40 ERA in 70 appearances after being named to his first Opening Day roster.

Betances' milestone strikeout 00:00:43

9/17/14: Dellin Betances strikes out Kevin Kiermaier to set the Yankees' franchise mark with 131 strikeouts by a reliever in a season

"I'm just thankful for the opportunity that I've gotten from the organization," Betances said. "I'm truly blessed to be mentioned in any sentence with the best of all time."

Once touted as a top starting-pitching prospect, the 6-foot-8 Betances struggled with his control in the Minor Leagues and was demoted to Double-A at the end of 2012, when the Yankees began the process of converting him into a reliever.

The adjustments took hold this spring, as Betances pitched his way onto the club and eventually moved into the role of setup man to closer David Robertson, showcasing an electric fastball in the high-90s as well as a nasty slurve that prompted many swings and misses.

"My focus was on making the team," Betances said. "I knew that if I believed in myself and I had the confidence going into spring, that I was going to get that job. I can't tell you that the numbers would be the way that they are, because you're facing great hitters on a daily basis."

AL ROY Award finalists revealed 4:34

Jose Abreu, Dellin Betances and Matt Shoemaker are named as the finalists for the 2014 AL Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year

Betances led all AL relievers in innings pitched, holding opponents to a .149 batting average and ringing up the most strikeouts by a rookie reliever since Mark Eichhorn of the Blue Jays fanned 166 men in 1986.

"I just try to keep the same routine and just try to get advice from some of these guys that have been here and have been doing it for a while," Betances said.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Former big league lefty Halsey dies at 33

Former Major League left-hander Brad Halsey died on Tuesday at the age of 33, according to a tweet by Halsey's agency, O'Connell Sports.

Halsey spent three years in the Majors from 2004-06, pitching one season each with the Yankees, D-backs and Athletics. The lefty appeared in 88 career games, making 40 starts, and went 14-19 with a 4.84 ERA.

Halsey was selected by the Yankees in the eighth round of the 2002 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Texas. In addition to stops in Arizona and Oakland, he spent time in the Dodgers organization.

Austin Laymance is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Yankees extend qualifying offer to Robertson

NEW YORK -- The Yankees announced on Monday that they extended a qualifying offer to closer David Robertson. He will have seven days to decide if he will accept the deal, valued at $15.3 million for the 2015 season.

No player has accepted a qualifying offer to date, but Robertson could be one of the first players; the salary represents a significant raise over the $5.215 million the right-hander earned this past season, his first as a full-time closer.

Robertson converted 39 of 44 save opportunities after inheriting the ninth inning from Mariano Rivera, posting a 4-5 record and a 3.08 ERA in 64 1/3 innings, with a 1.06 WHIP and 96 strikeouts. He turns 30 in April.

"The question going into this year, clearly, was whether Robertson could graduate from the eighth inning to the ninth inning," general manager Brian Cashman said recently. "He graduated with honors. He mastered that and he is a bonafide closer, without question."

A product of the Yankees' farm system, Robertson said during the year that because the organization had not contacted him about a contract extension, he was no longer inclined to offer a hometown discount before reaching free agency.

It is likely that the Yankees will still pursue a multiyear contract with Robertson, who is regarded as the best available closer eligible for free agency. If Robertson departs, the Yankees would receive a compensation-round selection in the 2015 First-Year Player Draft.

The Yankees have a safety net of sorts in the event that Robertson pitches elsewhere in 2015. They could turn the closer's duties over to All-Star right-hander Dellin Betances, who was stellar in a setup role this past season.

Robertson has until 5 p.m. ET on Nov. 10 to formally accept or decline the qualifying offer, which is calculated by the average of the top 125 salaries from the preceding season.

Also on Monday, the Yankees declined to make a qualifying offer to right-hander Hiroki Kuroda, who was 11-9 with a 3.71 ERA in 32 starts this past season after declining the qualifying offer in favor of a one-year, $16 million contract. Kuroda will turn 40 in February and is entertaining thoughts of retirement.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Bird flying high, claims Fall Stars Game MVP

"It was a lot of fun," Bird said. "I was looking forward to playing and having fun. That's what these kinds of games are all about. The fact that this happened, it's cool, I'm honored."

Howard retired the East in order in the first inning, then battled with Bird, who worked the count to 2-2 before sending the ball to the third level of the batter's eye.

"I was fouling off some pitches; he was making some really good pitches," Bird said. "I was just trying to stay alive. I got one I could handle. I tried not to do too much with it. When I'm just myself, good things happen. I have to remember that and stick within myself."

Bird has managed to be himself for most of the Fall League, and good things have definitely happened. As a result, it's hard to find an offensive category where Bird isn't among the leaders in the AFL.

Sure, it's a small sample size, but Bird currently tops the AFL in home runs and RBIs. He's second in slugging, fourth in OPS and sixth in batting average. That made Bird a pretty good choice to start at first base and bat cleanup for the East, a selection that seemed even smarter when he hit his seventh homer of the AFL, even if it doesn't officially count toward his league-leading total.

"I just finished the year where I wanted to be," Bird said. "I got a late start, but once I got going and kind of got settled in, I felt great. So I was looking forward to coming out here and playing more. I think that attitude has helped me."

Bird on AFL expectations 00:02:37

Yankees 11th-ranked prospect Greg Bird talks about working on his defense and other expectations while playing in the Arizona Fall League

Bird missed the first month of the Florida State League season because of a back injury. He slowly worked himself back and got bumped up to Double-A for the final month. Bird hit .253, but with a .379 on-base and a .558 slugging percentages. Always known for his on-base skills, he has a career .407 OBP. At times, Bird admits to being too selective, and one of the things that's worked for him in the AFL has been finding a balance between discipline and aggression at the plate.

"I think the right attitude is to look for your pitch. If you don't get it, take your walks," Bird said. "I think in the past, I was a little more passive in those count-related situations. I've tried to be more aggressive for my pitch early in at-bats and let the walks come more, rather than, 'Maybe I'll walk, maybe I'll hit.' It's been good out here."

Bird has been particularly adept at driving the ball in the AFL, with his .632 slugging percentage as proof. First basemen are typically expected to be power-hitting run producers, and there has been some question whether he would have enough pop to profile well at the position. Bird works hard at not worrying about those expectations. Like with his Fall Stars Game home run, it was all about trying not to do too much.

"We joke around, me and the hitting coach, 'Birdy's good enough,'" Bird said. "What I do, when I just stick to my plan, that's good enough. It's when you try and be someone else and do something else that you run into bad results. For me, it's just staying within myself and enjoying it."

The more Bird enjoys it, the more talk there's been about his ability to be a regular first baseman. Mark Teixeira is under contract through the 2016 season, but he has struggled with injuries and performance of late. There might be growing confidence that Bird can be the heir apparent, though Bird said questions about Teixeira have been limited.

"Not too many," Bird laughed -- then added when told he should start expecting more of them, "Who knows? I'm just looking forward to finishing up strong here, and we'll take it from there."

Jonathan Mayo is a reporter for MLBPipeline.com and writes a blog, B3. Follow @JonathanMayoB3 on Twitter. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Inbox: Will Tanaka be at full strength in 2015?

At this point, the Yankees are operating under an expectation that Tanaka will return as the All-Star-caliber pitcher you saw in the first half of last season. Tanaka went home to Japan and said he planned to use the offseason to further rest his right elbow, with the hopes of coming back healthy enough to turn in a 32-start workload in 2015. That would do a lot to answer some of the questions about the rotation.

The results of Tanaka's two September starts -- one solid against the Blue Jays in New York and one rough against the Red Sox at Fenway Park -- weren't as important as the fact that Tanaka got through them without clutching his elbow. He wouldn't have been able to hide that kind of discomfort, and Tanaka even was able to snap off a few of his trademark splitters with good action.

It remains possible that Tanaka will need Tommy John surgery at some point, but it looks like the rehab recommendation -- supplied by four specialists in July -- turned out to be the right call. Manager Joe Girardi said that a Tanaka injury will still be his biggest fear leaving Spring Training, and pitching coach Larry Rothschild said that we probably won't know the full effect of that tear until five years down the line.

Working in the Yankees' favor, as far as their substantial investment in Tanaka goes, is that there is some history of pitchers enjoying success at the big league level despite a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament. Adam Wainwright is probably the most prominent example, and as Rothschild said, "It's possible that he can get through this for quite a while." The Yanks have their fingers crossed.

Given that the free-agent-shortstop field is thin, should the Yankees consider moving Alex Rodriguez back to shortstop and bring in a new third baseman?
-- Tim F., Fort Pierce, Fla.

We have been seeing this question quite a bit, but there's no circumstance where the Yankees would ask Rodriguez to play shortstop on a regular basis in 2015. He hasn't played in a year, will be turning 40 in July and his mobility has been impacted by two surgically repaired hips; plus, Rodriguez hasn't seen an inning at the position since 2005, and he has not played there regularly since '03.

As it stands right now, the Yankees aren't even sure if Rodriguez will be physically capable to play third base; they'll attempt to find out in the spring, but the Yanks are seeking contingency plans for the position. Rodriguez will probably take a few ground balls at first base this year, but the club won't be asking him to take on an even more physically demanding position like shortstop.

A-Rod's strong throw 00:00:23

8/22/13: Alex Rodriguez grabs Brett Lawrie's grounder and throws to first to get the out just in time

I like David Robertson both as a setup man and as a closer. If the Yankees decide to give Dellin Betances a chance at closing games, would it be a good fit to have Robertson back as the setup man?
-- John T., Brooklyn, N.Y.

Robertson has graduated to "bonafide closer" territory, as general manager Brian Cashman said recently, and if he returns in 2015, it would be as the Yankees' closer. That's no guarantee; the Yanks extended him a qualifying offer on Monday, valued at $15.3 million for 2015, but Robertson is in good position to chase an even bigger payday on the open market.

If Robertson does return, having Betances setting up as a dominant arm capable of getting four or more outs would keep the bullpen as one of the team's strengths. If not, it's possible that Betances could flourish in the ninth inning -- think Mariano Rivera, circa 1997 -- while the Yankees plug in a new setup man.

Robertson nails down save 00:00:34

9/26/14: David Robertson gets Garin Cecchini to fly out to left, ending the game and preserving the Yankees' 3-2 victory for his 39th save

Greg Bird has been impressive in the Arizona Fall League this year. How far from the Bronx could he be?
-- Pete S., Nanuet, N.Y.

Bird was named the MVP of the Arizona Fall League's Fall Stars Game on Saturday after crushing a monster home run to center field. Originally drafted as a catcher and now seeing time at first base, Bird will turn 22 later this month and has been ranked as the Yankees' No. 11 prospect by MLB.com, tagged with a 2016 MLB ETA.

Bird played in just 27 games this past year at Double-A Trenton and is slated to open 2015 at that same level. If he continues swinging the bat well, it wouldn't be surprising to see Bird get a promotion to Triple-A and perhaps even a late-season callup next season.

Bird's solo homer 1:01

11/1/14: Greg Bird drives a pitch over the center-field wall for a solo shot, giving the East a 1-0 lead

Is David Phelps still viewed as a starter or more of a long-relief pitcher?
-- Ron C., Belmar, N.J.

Phelps' last six appearances of the year were in relief, but that was a result of him missing more than a month with right elbow inflammation and not having enough time to build his stamina back up for starting. Looking ahead to 2015 (and not knowing who might be imported via free agency or lost in trade), Phelps figures to be in the mix for a back-end rotation spot.

The Yankees will have plenty of candidates in circulation there because of injury-related uncertainty: CC Sabathia and Tanaka are coming back as question marks, Ivan Nova won't be ready until at least May and, though he finished the year healthy, Michael Pineda can't really be considered a given because of his history. As projected right now, Phelps, Shane Greene, Bryan Mitchell and Chase Whitley are among the hurlers who could all be considered for big league starting or relief duty.

Phelps induces double play 00:00:16

8/3/14: David Phelps gets Xander Bogaerts to ground into an around-the-horn double play to end the 1st inning

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Chavez hired by Yankees as special assignment scout

NEW YORK -- The Yankees have hired Eric Chavez, who announced his retirement after playing this season for the D-backs, as a special assignment scout.

Chavez, 36, won six Rawlings Gold Glove Awards at third base over 17 seasons in the big leagues and made a solid impression on the Yankees in 2011-12, when he moved to the Bronx after spending the majority of his career with the Athletics.

CBS Sports first reported the Yankees' hiring of Chavez, who will work under general manager Brian Cashman and assistant general manager Billy Eppler. Part of the position will involve being dispatched to file reports on players around the league next season.

Chavez played in 44 games this past season for Arizona, batting .246 with three home runs and eight RBIs before retiring in July. He was a lifetime .260 hitter with 260 homers and 902 RBIs in 1,615 games for Oakland, the Yankees and Arizona.

The move into the Yankees' front office may represent a first step of sorts for Chavez, who has spoken about hoping for an opportunity to manage in the big leagues at some point in the future.

The Yankees are still looking for a hitting coach and an infield coach after dismissing Kevin Long and Mick Kelleher, respectively, earlier this month.

Raul Ibanez, who played this past season with the Royals, is expected to be interviewed soon for the hitting coach opening. The Yankees turned down Dave Magadan, who returned to the Rangers' staff, and Chili Davis opted for the Red Sox hitting coach job.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Revisions made to Yankees' spring schedule

NEW YORK -- The Yankees announced on Friday that four revisions have been made to their 2015 Spring Training schedule.

The team's March 13 game against the Red Sox will start at 7:05 p.m. ET, while the March 15 game against the Phillies will be played at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla.

The Yankees' March 18 road game against the Braves in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., has been set to begin at 6:05 p.m., and the March 22 game against the Mets in Port St. Lucie, Fla., will start at 1:10 p.m.

The Yankees released their Spring Training schedule on Oct. 20, with the first contest set for March 3 against the Phillies in Clearwater, Fla.

Yankees pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Tampa on Feb. 20, and they will hold their first workout on Feb. 21. Position players are scheduled to report on Feb. 25, and the first full-squad workout is scheduled for Feb. 26.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Bird flying high, claims Fall Stars Game MVP

"It was a lot of fun," Bird said. "I was looking forward to playing and having fun. That's what these kinds of games are all about. The fact that this happened, it's cool, I'm honored."

Howard retired the East in order in the first inning, then battled with Bird, who worked the count to 2-2 before sending the ball to the third level of the batter's eye.

"I was fouling off some pitches; he was making some really good pitches," Bird said. "I was just trying to stay alive. I got one I could handle. I tried not to do too much with it. When I'm just myself, good things happen. I have to remember that and stick within myself."

Bird has managed to be himself for most of the Fall League, and good things have definitely happened. As a result, it's hard to find an offensive category where Bird isn't among the leaders in the AFL.

Sure, it's a small sample size, but Bird currently tops the AFL in home runs and RBIs. He's second in slugging, fourth in OPS and sixth in batting average. That made Bird a pretty good choice to start at first base and bat cleanup for the East, a selection that seemed even smarter when he hit his seventh homer of the AFL, even if it doesn't officially count toward his league-leading total.

"I just finished the year where I wanted to be," Bird said. "I got a late start, but once I got going and kind of got settled in, I felt great. So I was looking forward to coming out here and playing more. I think that attitude has helped me."

Bird on AFL expectations 00:02:37

Yankees 11th-ranked prospect Greg Bird talks about working on his defense and other expectations while playing in the Arizona Fall League

Bird missed the first month of the Florida State League season because of a back injury. He slowly worked himself back and got bumped up to Double-A for the final month. Bird hit .253, but with a .379 on-base and a .558 slugging percentages. Always known for his on-base skills, he has a career .407 OBP. At times, Bird admits to being too selective, and one of the things that's worked for him in the AFL has been finding a balance between discipline and aggression at the plate.

"I think the right attitude is to look for your pitch. If you don't get it, take your walks," Bird said. "I think in the past, I was a little more passive in those count-related situations. I've tried to be more aggressive for my pitch early in at-bats and let the walks come more, rather than, 'Maybe I'll walk, maybe I'll hit.' It's been good out here."

Bird has been particularly adept at driving the ball in the AFL, with his .632 slugging percentage as proof. First basemen are typically expected to be power-hitting run producers, and there has been some question whether he would have enough pop to profile well at the position. Bird works hard at not worrying about those expectations. Like with his Fall Stars Game home run, it was all about trying not to do too much.

"We joke around, me and the hitting coach, 'Birdy's good enough,'" Bird said. "What I do, when I just stick to my plan, that's good enough. It's when you try and be someone else and do something else that you run into bad results. For me, it's just staying within myself and enjoying it."

The more Bird enjoys it, the more talk there's been about his ability to be a regular first baseman. Mark Teixeira is under contract through the 2016 season, but he has struggled with injuries and performance of late. There might be growing confidence that Bird can be the heir apparent, though Bird said questions about Teixeira have been limited.

"Not too many," Bird laughed -- then added when told he should start expecting more of them, "Who knows? I'm just looking forward to finishing up strong here, and we'll take it from there."

Jonathan Mayo is a reporter for MLBPipeline.com and writes a blog, B3. Follow @JonathanMayoB3 on Twitter. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Bird flying high, claims Fall Stars Game MVP

"It was a lot of fun," Bird said. "I was looking forward to playing and having fun. That's what these kinds of games are all about. The fact that this happened, it's cool, I'm honored."

Howard retired the East in order in the first inning, then battled with Bird, who worked the count to 2-2 before sending the ball to the third level of the batter's eye.

"I was fouling off some pitches; he was making some really good pitches," Bird said. "I was just trying to stay alive. I got one I could handle. I tried not to do too much with it. When I'm just myself, good things happen. I have to remember that and stick within myself."

Bird has managed to be himself for most of the Fall League and good things have definitely happened. As a result, it's hard to find an offensive category where Bird isn't among the leaders in the AFL.

Sure, it's a small sample size, but Bird currently tops the AFL in home runs and RBIs. He's second in slugging, fourth in OPS and sixth in batting average. That made him a pretty good choice to start at first base and bat cleanup for the East, a selection that seemed even smarter when he hit his seventh homer of the AFL, even if it doesn't officially count toward his league-leading total.

"I just finished the year where I wanted to be," Bird said. "I got a late start, but once I got going and kind of got settled in, I felt great. So I was looking forward to coming out here and playing more. I think that attitude has helped me."

Bird on AFL expectations 00:02:37

Yankees 11th-ranked prospect Greg Bird talks about working on his defense and other expectations while playing in the Arizona Fall League

Bird missed the first month of the Florida State League season because of a back injury. He slowly worked himself back and got bumped up to Double-A for the final month. He hit .253, but with .379 on-base and .558 slugging percentages. Always known for his on-base skills, Bird has a career .407 OBP. At times, he admits to being too selective, and one of the things that's worked for him in the AFL has been finding a balance between discipline and aggression at the plate.

"I think the right attitude is to look for your pitch. If you don't get it, take your walks," Bird said. "I think in the past, I was a little more passive in those count-related situations. I've tried to be more aggressive for my pitch early in at-bats and let the walks come more, rather than, 'Maybe I'll walk, maybe I'll hit.' It's been good out here."

He's been particularly adept at driving the ball in the AFL, with his .632 slugging percentage as proof. First basemen are typically expected to be power-hitting run producers, and there has been some question whether Bird would have enough pop to profile well at the position. He works hard at not worrying about those expectations. Like with his Fall Stars home run, it was all about trying not to do too much.

"We joke around, me and the hitting coach, 'Birdy's good enough,'" Bird said. "What I do, when I just stick to my plan, that's good enough. It's when you try and be someone else and do something else that you run into bad results. For me, it's just staying within myself and enjoying it."

The more he enjoys it, the more talk there's been about his ability to be a regular first baseman. Mark Teixeira is under contract through the 2016 season but has struggled with injuries and performance of late. There might be growing confidence that Bird can be the heir apparent, though Bird said questions about Teixeira have been limited.

"Not too many," Bird laughed -- then added when told he should start expecting more of them, "Who knows? I'm just looking forward to finishing up strong here, and we'll take it from there."

Jonathan Mayo is a reporter for MLBPipeline.com and writes a blog, B3. Follow @JonathanMayoB3 on Twitter. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Revisions made to Yankees' spring schedule

NEW YORK -- The Yankees announced on Friday that four revisions have been made to their 2015 Spring Training schedule.

The team's March 13 game against the Red Sox will start at 7:05 p.m. ET, while the March 15 game against the Phillies will be played at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla.

The Yankees' March 18 road game against the Braves in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., has been set to begin at 6:05 p.m., and the March 22 game against the Mets in Port St. Lucie, Fla., will start at 1:10 p.m.

The Yankees released their Spring Training schedule on Oct. 20, with the first contest set for March 3 against the Phillies in Clearwater, Fla.

Yankees pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Tampa on Feb. 20, and they will hold their first workout on Feb. 21. Position players are scheduled to report on Feb. 25, and the first full-squad workout is scheduled for Feb. 26.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Chavez hired by Yankees as special assignment scout

NEW YORK -- The Yankees have hired Eric Chavez, who announced his retirement after playing this season for the D-backs, as a special assignment scout.

Chavez, 36, won six Rawlings Gold Glove Awards at third base over 17 seasons in the big leagues and made a solid impression on the Yankees in 2011-12, when he moved to the Bronx after spending the majority of his career with the Athletics.

CBS Sports first reported the Yankees' hiring of Chavez, who will work under general manager Brian Cashman and assistant general manager Billy Eppler. Part of the position will involve being dispatched to file reports on players around the league next season.

Chavez played in 44 games this past season for Arizona, batting .246 with three home runs and eight RBIs before retiring in July. He was a lifetime .260 hitter with 260 homers and 902 RBIs in 1,615 games for Oakland, the Yankees and Arizona.

The move into the Yankees' front office may represent a first step of sorts for Chavez, who has spoken about hoping for an opportunity to manage in the big leagues at some point in the future.

The Yankees are still looking for a hitting coach and an infield coach after dismissing Kevin Long and Mick Kelleher, respectively, earlier this month.

Raul Ibanez, who played this past season with the Royals, is expected to be interviewed soon for the hitting coach opening. The Yankees turned down Dave Magadan, who returned to the Rangers' staff, and Chili Davis opted for the Red Sox hitting coach job.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Yankees prep for busy Hot Stove season

As general manager Brian Cashman returns with a new three-year extension in hand, he is being challenged to restore the Yankees' roster to one that can truly be considered championship-caliber, coming off a second dark October in as many seasons.

Free agents/options
Closer David Robertson is a good bet to receive a qualifying offer, valued at $15.3 million for one season, though Robertson seems primed to test the open market. In the rotation, Brandon McCarthy pitched well in a half-season audition and expressed willingness to return, while Hiroki Kuroda is considering retirement.

Player Profile: David Robertson 5:06

David Robertson was stellar in replacing Mariano Rivera as the Yankees closer and finished third in the American League with 39 saves

Even with Alex Rodriguez reinstated from suspension, the Yanks could re-sign veteran Chase Headley for help at the infield corners. Stephen Drew was disappointing, but he is one year removed from being the starting shortstop on a World Series winner and represents one option to replace Derek Jeter.

Ichiro Suzuki has said that he intends to continue playing at age 41, but he is likely to seek more regular playing time in a different uniform. Other free agents include left-hander Chris Capuano, left-hander Rich Hill and outfielder Chris Young.

Needs
Managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner has said that the Yankees need to secure at least one starting pitcher this offseason, with Ivan Nova not expected to return from Tommy John surgery until at least May. The club also needs to obtain a shortstop who would represent an upgrade over Brendan Ryan.

The Yanks are veteran-heavy and counting on bounce-back campaigns from players like Carlos Beltran and Mark Teixeira, but they have spoken about the need to get younger and more athletic. They could have an opening at second base, where prospects Rob Refsnyder and Jose Pirela might get a good look in the spring.

Cashman will chase contingency options at third base in the event A-Rod isn't ready for everyday duty. Martin Prado, already on the roster, is one choice. Replacements for hitting coach Kevin Long and first-base coach Mick Kelleher, both dismissed in October, are also on the agenda.

Yankees dismiss Long, Kelleher 00:01:34

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman discusses the team letting go of hitting coach Kevin Long and first-base coach Mick Kelleher

Potential targets
Pitching wasn't the Yankees' problem in 2014, but it would not be a surprise to see them pursue a big arm like Jon Lester, Max Scherzer or James Shields to upgrade the rotation. They spent big on bats (and Masahiro Tanaka) last winter, but missing the playoffs could motivate them to open the checkbooks once more.

The crop of free-agent shortstops includes Clint Barmes, Asdrubal Cabrera, Drew, Jed Lowrie and Hanley Ramirez; Korean star Jung-Ho Kang is also expected to be posted. If the Yanks were to pursue a trade, they could check in on the D-backs' Didi Gregorius, the Tigers' Jose Iglesias or the White Sox's Alexei Ramirez.

If the Yankees crave a bigger name (and can stomach a contract to match), you could dream on dealing for the Blue Jays' Jose Reyes or the Rockies' Troy Tulowitzki.

In the event that New York is convinced that Beltran will be healthy enough to play right field and A-Rod can handle third base, free agent Victor Martinez has appeal as a DH and a part-time first baseman.

Duquette on '14-15 free agents 5:12

MLB.com's Jim Duquette starts off the Hot Stove season with a preview of the 2014-2015 MLB free-agent class

Trade assets
The Yankees have a wealth of catching behind starter Brian McCann. Francisco Cervelli is arbitration-eligible and out of options. John Ryan Murphy has seen big league time already, and slugging prospect Gary Sanchez was mentioned in trade rumors this past summer.

Outfielder Aaron Judge and infielder Greg Bird were among the top talent representing the club in the Arizona Fall League. Young pitching like Dellin Betances, Ian Clarkin, Shane Greene, David Phelps, Luis Severino and Adam Warren may also draw interest.

Bottom line
The Yanks are banking that their 84-win showing was an aberration and that improved health will permit them to improve on their 633 runs scored. Expect them to stir excitement with a few big splashes -- and incremental upgrades when possible in other areas.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Revisions made to Yankees' spring schedule

NEW YORK -- The Yankees announced on Friday that four revisions have been made to their 2015 Spring Training schedule.

The team's March 13 game against the Red Sox will start at 7:05 p.m. ET, while the March 15 game against the Phillies will be played at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla.

The Yankees' March 18 road game against the Braves in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., has been set to begin at 6:05 p.m., and the March 22 game against the Mets in Port St. Lucie, Fla., will start at 1:10 p.m.

The Yankees released their Spring Training schedule on Oct. 20, with the first contest set for March 3 against the Phillies in Clearwater, Fla.

Yankees pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Tampa on Feb. 20, and they will hold their first workout on Feb. 21. Position players are scheduled to report on Feb. 25, and the first full-squad workout is scheduled for Feb. 26.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Chavez hired by Yankees as special assignment scout

NEW YORK -- The Yankees have hired Eric Chavez, who announced his retirement after playing this season for the D-backs, as a special assignment scout.

Chavez, 36, won six Rawlings Gold Glove Awards at third base over 17 seasons in the big leagues and made a solid impression on the Yankees in 2011-12, when he moved to the Bronx after spending the majority of his career with the Athletics.

CBS Sports first reported the Yankees' hiring of Chavez, who will work under general manager Brian Cashman and assistant general manager Billy Eppler. Part of the position will involve being dispatched to file reports on players around the league next season.

Chavez played in 44 games this past season for Arizona, batting .246 with three home runs and eight RBIs before retiring in July. He was a lifetime .260 hitter with 260 homers and 902 RBIs in 1,615 games for Oakland, the Yankees and Arizona.

The move into the Yankees' front office may represent a first step of sorts for Chavez, who has spoken about hoping for an opportunity to manage in the big leagues at some point in the future.

The Yankees are still looking for a hitting coach and an infield coach after dismissing Kevin Long and Mick Kelleher, respectively, earlier this month.

Raul Ibanez, who played this past season with the Royals, is expected to be interviewed soon for the hitting coach opening. The Yankees turned down Dave Magadan, who returned to the Rangers' staff, and Chili Davis opted for the Red Sox hitting coach job.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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