2008 New York Yankees season

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The 2008 New York Yankees season is the 106th season for the New York Yankees franchise. The Yankees will host the 2008 All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday July 15, 2008. It is the last season at Yankee Stadium before they move to a more technologically advanced ballpark (also called "Yankee Stadium") just north of the current ballpark.

[edit] Offseason summary

The Yankees' 2007/2008 offseason began in a tumultuous manner, with uncertainty as to the status of manager Joe Torre and team stalwarts Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, and Alex Rodriguez, all of whom were free agents. While Torre departed after 12 years as the team's manager, all four free agents returned to play for the Yankees in 2008, providing stability and continuity for new manager Joe Girardi.

[edit] Comings and goings

Manager Joe Torre left for the Los Angeles Dodgers after the 2007 season. After conducting interviews with Don Mattingly, Tony Pena and Joe Girardi, Girardi was signed to be the new Yankees Manager. This prompted Mattingly to leave the team as well and follow Torre to the Dodgers.

On November 29, the Yankees resigned catcher Jorge Posada to a four year contract for $52,400,000. Posada will be earning $13,100,000 per season which is the highest average salary ever for a catcher.

On December 3, the Yankees resigned backup catcher Jose Molina to a 2 year, $4 million contract.

On December 4, the Yankees shipped minor league pitcher and part time MLB starter Tyler Clippard to the Washington Nationals for reliever Jonathan Albaladejo.

On December 9, the Yankees agreed to a contract with relief pitcher LaTroy Hawkins.

On December 12, the Yankees resigned pitcher Andy Pettitte to a 1-year, $16 million contract.

Alex Rodriguez opted out of his contract in the middle of Game 4 of the 2007 World Series. The Yankees initially stated that they would not negotiate with Rodriguez once he opted out but changed course once Rodriguez announced his desire to return to pinstripes after issuing an apology for the public and the Yankees misunderstanding his desire to stay with the team. On December 13, 2007, Rodgriuez and the Yankees officially agreed to a 10-year, $275 million contract that may rise to above $300 million if certain performance milestones are reached.

On December 17, the Yankees resigned closer Mariano Rivera. Despite his original plan to hold out for a fourth year, Rivera has agreed to a three year contract offer worth $45 million. This contract makes Rivera the highest-paid closer in baseball history.

Relief pitcher Luis Vizcaino turned down an offer of salary arbitration and signed a multi-year deal with the Colorado Rockies on December 21. 1B Andy Phillips departed for the Cincinnati Reds, and Doug Mientkiewicz departed for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Roger Clemens still remains a free agent and will not return to the Yankees in 2008 according to Hank Steinbrenner. On March 10, 2008 the team signed actor/comedian Billy Crystal to a one day contract just before his 60th birthday.

[edit] Regular season

[edit] April

The Yankees started opening day one day late at Yankee Stadium against the Toronto Blue Jays after a rain delay. The Yankees took 2 of 3 games of the series. After that, they faced a new look Rays team. They lost the first two by the scores of 13-4 and 6-3, and then went on to even up the series 2 games apiece. Following the series, the Yankees had a grueling road trip that had them playing 18 of their next 20 games on the road. During this stretch, rookies Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy struggled mightily and went winless the entire first month. After a rib injury to Hughes, Kennedy was reassigned to the minor league AAA affiliate Scranton/Wilkes-Barre as the Yankees called up Darrell Rasner. Fortunately, Rasner has been pitching well this season, going 3-1 with a 1.80 ERA.

Both Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez had suffered minor quadriceps injuries at different times. Jorge Posada was also placed on the disabled list for the first time in his career after a slight tear in his rotator cuff and backup infielder Wilson Betemit missed several games due to conjunctivitis.

[edit] May

The struggles continued in May, They only had one series win in May as of May 20th, and that was a 3-game sweep against the Seattle Mariners on May 2-4. They lost 3 of 4 against the Rays in St. Petersburg, and were swept in 2 games in the Subway series. There was a controversial call where Carlos Delgado appeared to hit it foul against the left field foul pole, when replay would later show that the ball was actually a home run. The Mets won 11-2. The game on May 16th was postponed because of rain. Since then, the Yankees ended the month, winning 8 of their last 10 games, escaping the AL East cellar, and got back over .500 since early May.

[edit] June

The Yankees lost three in a row through the first three days of June, dropping the final 2 games of the four-game set vs the Twins, and were blitzed 9-3 by the Jays on Joba Chamberlain's first career start in the MLB, but the Yankees won the next 2 against Toronto, including a wild comeback on June 5th which ended in a two-run, pinch hit homer into the upper deck by Jason Giambi.

[edit] July

[edit] August

[edit] September

[edit] Season standings

[edit] Record vs. Opponents

[edit] Game log

[edit] Current roster

[edit] Player stats

[edit] Batting

Note: G = Games played; AB = At Bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; AVG = Batting average; SB = Stolen bases

[edit] Starting Pitching

Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts

[edit] Relief Pitching

Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts

~ Disabled List

* Optioned to Minor Leagues

[edit] References

• 2008 New York Yankees season at Baseball Reference
• 2008 New York Yankees team page at www.baseball-almanac.com