Yankees - Yanks near deal for Vazquez return; Johnson deal soon

The Nick Johnson deal has yet to be official as he still has to pass a physical. In more recent news, the Yankees are close to re-acquiring right-handed starter Javier Vazquez via a 5-player deal with the Braves. The Yankees would be sending outfielder Melky Cabrera, minor league players Mike Dunn and Arodys Vizcaino to the Braves in exchange for Vazquez and Boone Logan. With the Braves last year, Vazquez went 15-10 with a 2.87 ERA. He struck out 238 batters in 219 1/3 innings and only walked 44. In Vazquez, the Yankees receive a workhorse/innings eater who makes the Yankees good rotation even better. Vazquez also is an inexpensive option for the Yankees. The trade could re-open talks with Johnny Damon, but there is also some talk that the Yankees may take a run at Matt Holiday.

The Yankees have also signed catcher Mike Rivera. More to come.

Yankees - Granderson to Yanks

The New York Yankees have agreed to a three-way deal that would net them Detroit's Center fielder Curtis Granderson. The Yankees have given up starting pitcher Ian Kennedy, reliever Phil Coke and top prospect Austin Jackson in this deal. Chances that Damon returns are slim now.

Yankees - Yankees deal Brian Bruney to Nats

To start off the winter meetings, the Yankees have traded Brian Bruney to the Washington Nationals for a player to be named later. More to come...

Yankees - Halladay would approve trade to Yanks

Roy Halladay has said that he would approve a trade if he were going to the Yankees. Also, Pettitte, Matsui and Damon were not offered arbitration. That is all.

Yankees - Swisher trade rumors/Free Agency opens

I think it was a few days ago that a rumor started of Nick Swisher being on the Yankees trading block. At the time when I heard that, I laughed. There was no way the Yankees would trade Nick Swisher. No way they would trade their best clubhouse guy. Also, they wouldn't trade him now since Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui are both free agents and the Yankees need outfielders. Just wanted to end the rumor.

By the way, the free agency has officially opened, but do not expect the Yankees to make any first day moves.

Yankees - Jeter, Teixeira win Silver Slugger award

First they win the World Series. Then they win Gold Gloves. Now they win the Silver Slugger awards. Could an MVP award be next? Congratulations to Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira again on their latest accomplishment!

Islanders - Islanders 4, Panthers 5 in Shootout

For the 10th time this season, the Islanders found themselves in yet another tie game going into overtime. The result: a 7th OT loss, this time to the lowly Panthers, 5-4. The Islanders are now 7-6-7 with 21 points on the year. On their current 7 game road trip, they are 1-0-2. Despite giving up leads in the 2nd period, they have been playing some decent hockey of late. Rookie John Tavares, who scored twice against the Hurricanes, had a goal and a assist. He now leads all rookies with 8 goals. The Islanders had a 2-0 lead and saw that turn into a 4-2 deficit. They would fight back and score two 3rd period goals to force OT. Nathan Horton for the Panthers got the game winning goal in a shootout, beating Roloson up high. Next up for the Isles: The Boston Bruins in Boston on Monday night.