Game 7: Home Opener - Angels @ Yankees

Regular Season Game 7

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2-4) @ New York Yankees (3-3)

Yankee Stadium - Bronx, NY
TV/Radio: YES| WCBS 880

1:05pm

ANGELS

#2 Erick Aybar SS

#53 Bobby Abreu RF

#5 Albert Pujols 1B

#8 Kendrys Morales DH

#44 Mark Trumbo 3B

#10 Vernon Wells LF

#13 Maicer Izturis 2B

#17 Chris Iannetta C

#25 Peter Bourjos CF

RHP Ervin Santana (0-1, 7.94 ERA)

YANKEES

#2 Derek Jeter SS

#14 Curtis Granderson CF

#13 Alex Rodriguez 3B

#24 Robinson Cano 2B

#25 Mark Teixeira 1B

#33 Nick Swisher RF

#27 Raul Ibanez DH

#55 Russell Martin C

#11 Brett Gardner LF

RHP Hiroki Kuroda (0-1, 6.35 ERA)

Jeter: "I like who's on our team."

Today, spring training officially kicked into gear as the first full-squad workouts were held. As per each of his 17 big league seasons, Derek Jeter began his 18th talking to the media about a lot of things, from how last season ended, to, unlike Mariano Rivera, why he has no thoughts of retiring anytime soon.

On whether last season’s ending came as a shock
“It’s always a shock when you lose, especially when you feel as though you could win. We felt as though we had a team that was capable of winning, but Detroit played better than us. It’s always shocking when you’re season ends so abruptly. We liked the position we were in. We were in a Game 5 at home, and we didn’t get it done. They played better. It is a shock and it takes you quite some time to get over it.”

On whether this year's team is better than 2011
“We have a lot of great players that are on our team, we’ve made some great acquisitions, we have a lot of guys coming back. But it’s hard to tell. You felt good about last year’s team going in. We felt as though we had a team that could win. Feel the same way this year. You’ve got to get through spring training and see what happens, and hopefully you can stay away from injuries. But I like who’s on our team.”

On his motivation to keep preparing winter after winter
“Because I enjoy playing. That’s the biggest thing. I enjoy playing, I enjoy competing, I enjoy what I do. You make some sacrifices. If sacrifice is working hard, or doing something that you may not necessarily enjoy doing all the time in terms of preparation, then that’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make.Because I enjoy playing. That’s the biggest thing. I enjoy playing, I enjoy competing, I enjoy what I do. You make some sacrifices. If sacrifice is working hard, or doing something that you may not necessarily enjoy doing all the time in terms of preparation, then that’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make.”

Jeter, the quiet lead-by-example guy, clearly had a lot to say in his annual press conference. As always, it's World Series or bust for him and the entire Yankees organization, and with the entire team now in Tampa, it's time for the Chase for 28 to begin.

Yankees Sign David Aardsma

Just days after Mariano Rivera strongly hinted towards retirement, the Yankees might have found his successor in David Aardsma, who they signed to a one year deal worth $500K.

The 30-year old right-hander missed the entire 2011 season and underwent Tommy John surgery in July. However, you might remember him for the great season he had in 2010, in which he saved 31 games for the Seattle Mariners. Though it is a guaranteed major league deal, Aardsma isn't expected to return until the All-Star Break.

But here's where the deal gets interesting - it includes a club option for 2013. So if Aardsma returns in July, racks up a couple of solid outings, and Mo retires, he could be thrust into the closer competition for next season. And it's not a long-shot he could be the next Yankees closer. Remember, he's had success in the American League before, and it's not a sure thing David Robertson will be handed the job either.

Personally, it's not a bad signing. I'm a guy who will take pitching depth any day, and Aardsma could have a future with the Yankees once he returns. Whether it's as just another relief pitcher or the Bobby Murcer to Mickey Mantle, Aardsma will be in the mix for the Yankees' 2013 bullpen and beyond.

Why Russell Martin Should Get An Extension

As odd as it was to see someone other than Jorge Posada catch for the Yankees last season, Russell Martin did a fine job coming in on a one-year, $4 million deal. A quiet signing that came hours after the Yanks lost out on Cliff Lee, Martin embraced the role of the Yankees' backstop and ended up producing big on all sides in 2011.

Still only 28, Martin's 2012 option for $7.5 million was picked up by the Yankees, and barring injury it's a sure thing he'll be the starting catcher once again. He proved to be a true old-school catcher, one that focuses on working with the pitching staff rather than competing for home run crowns or batting titles. His work with Ivan Nova, Bartolo Colon, and Freddy Garcia was a direct reason they performed so well and the Yanks made the playoffs last season.

I mean, put it this way - if Jorge was catching would those hurlers have performed as well as they did? Probably not.

Russell is also no slouch with the bat. Though batting a career-low .237, he hit 18 home runs and drove in 65 RBI in 2011. That's very respectable for a catcher and he probably will put up similar numbers in 2012. The Yankees aren't in need of another Jorge Posada or offense-first catcher, and Martin is exactly not that, which makes him such a great option for the Yankees next long-term catcher.

Clearly, I like Martin a lot, and I think the Yankees do too. The problem of course is that the Yanks are stacked with catchers in the farm system, some nearly ready for the Bigs like Austin Romine, and others developing but have tons of potential like J.R. Murphy and Gary Sanchez.

These young backstops probably won't be moved, and eventually there will come a time where holding them back in the minors becomes detrimental to them, and to the Yankees as well. All signs point to Martin being let go following 2013, when Sanchez and Romine should be ready to become the starter. But I really like Martin, and think he should get an extension and stay around much longer than common sense may say.