April 2011 - New York Yankees Wiretap
Rutgers Takes Second Annual Pinstripe Bowl
Rutgers and Iowa State met at Yankee Stadium on Friday for the second annual Pinstripe Bowl, a game that reconnects New York with its storied past in college football.
Rutgers, feeding off a friendly crowd, started slow but scored 20 straight points en route to a 27-13 victory.
The school has now won five straight bowl games -- all under coach Greg Schiano -- and hasn't lost since the 2005 Insight Bowl. Rutgers, in fact, has gone to six bowls in the last seven years.
Andruw Jones Re-Signs With Yankees
The Yankees have re-signed veteran outfielder Andruw Jones.
Jones will make $2 million over the new one-year deal with the opportunity to make $1.4 million through incentives.
He hit .247 with 13 home runs and 33 RBI in 190 at-bats with New York in 2011.
Kobe Bryant Directed A-Rod To German Doctor
Kobe Bryant confirms he recently directed Alex Rodriguez to the German doctor who performed the treatment the slugger had on his right knee.
"I gave him the phone number," Bryant said Thursday night.
Bryant opened up about the steps he has taken to heal his arthritic joints in a rare pregame interview, crediting the therapy with dramatic improvement in his own troublesome right knee and an injured left ankle in recent months.
IRS Sues Hal Steinbrenner
The Internal Revenue Service is suing Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner over what it calls an "erroneous" tax refund of more than $670,000.
The dispute dates to the 2001 tax year and involves a refund the IRS paid in 2009. The IRS says the refund claim was filed too late and has sued Steinbrenner and his wife, Christina, to recover $670,493.78.
Doctor Who Treated A-Rod: I Can Cure Arthritis
The doctor that Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez traveled to Germany to see for his aching knee and shoulder claims to be a miracle worker when it comes to reversing arthritis.
The doctor is also a former physician for Pope John Paul II.
A long list of Hollywood stars and pro athletes have travelled to Dusseldorf to seek treatment from Peter Wehling, a brash molecular scientist.
Wehling's treatment involves isolating growth factors and other healing agents in his patient's blood that stop a particularly destructive arthritic agent known as interleukin-1, which causes degeneration of the joints.
After he incubates and supercharges the proteins, Wehling gets a serum that he says is up to 1,000-times higher in the arthritis fighting growth factors than normal blood.
In an interview with ESPN The Magazine, Wehling claimed to have a 90 percent success rate by genetically screening his patients to personalize their serums.
"I am the only one to have found a way to cure arthritis," he said.
Yankees Nearing Deadline With Nakajima
The deadline for the Yankees to sign Japanese shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima is Jan. 6.
New York bid $2 million for the right to negotiate with Nakajima, giving them a 30-day window to complete a deal.
Cubs Want Young Starter For Garza
The Cubs appear to want a young starting pitcher in an trade for right-hander Matt Garza.
The Yankees and Blue Jays have the type of young arms that Chicago would desire and a need for a starter.
Cashman Has 'Nothing To Report' On Re-Signing Jones
The Yankees are still in talks with free-agent outfielder Andruw Jones, but general manager Brian Cashman said there is "nothing to report from that."
It was expected that New York would re-sign Jones, but recently the Red Sox have been mentioned as a possible suitor.
Yankees Add Hideki Okajima To Bullpen
The Yankees have signed left-handed reliever Hideki Okajima to a minor league contract.
He will be in spring training as a non-roster invite.
Okajima, 36, a member of the 2007 Red Sox championship team that spent most of 2011 in Triple-A, is expected to compete with Cesar Cabral, acquired by the Yankees in this year's Rule 5 draft, for a spot as a second lefty out of the bullpen with Boone Logan.
A-Rod Has Knee Treated In Germany
Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez turned to a new therapy to treat his knee and shoulder.
Rodriguez traveled to Germany to receive Orthokine therapy on his right knee and left shoulder, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said.
NBA star Kobe Bryant recommended the procedure after having it performed on his balky knee and ankle.
The procedure uses the patient's own blood, which is drawn from the arm and put into a centrifuge to separate out a certain protein. The mix with the protein is then injected into the affected joint.
Rodriguez's treatment was first reported by the New York Post.
Will Zack Greinke Get Big Payday?
Brewers starting pitcher Zack Greinke could be in line for a significant payday after the 2012 season.
Yankees Declined To Sign Beltran
The Yankees were offered the chance to sign free-agent outfielder Carlos Beltran, but they declined.
Yankees Bluffing On Kuroda?
The Yankees have been linked to right-hander Hiroki Kuroda, but a source doesn't expect New York to sign the veteran because of the luxury tax.
Yankees Were High On Danks Before Extension
Looking for a starting pitcher this offseason, the Yankees liked Chicago's John Danks better than Gio Gonzalez.
Chamberlain Won't Be Ready For Opening Day
Joba Chamberlain is still recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Tigers, Red Sox, Yankees And Blue Jays Interested In Garza
The belief is that Cubs president Theo Epstein will trade right-hander Matt Garza this winter.
Yankees Were Concerned About Beltran's Knees
The Yankees briefly considered courting free-agent outfielder Carlos Beltran, but they opted not to.
Seven Teams Still Seeking Starting Pitcher
Hiroki Kuroda, Edwin Jackson, Roy Oswalt, Jair Jurrjens and some of Tampa Bay's pitchers are on the market.
Indians Called Yankees About Swisher
The Indians are one of several clubs that have called the Yankees about outfielder Nick Swisher, according to a report by FOX Sports.
Yankees Have Lowest Luxury Tax Bill Since 2003
The Yankees have been hit with a $13.9 million luxury tax penalty on Thursday, their lowest since 2003.
Yankees, Red Sox Only Teams Hit By Luxury Tax
The Yankees and Red Sox are the only teams that will have to pay a luxury tax.
Andruw Jones No Longer A Lock To Re-Sign With Yankees
The Red Sox are believed to have interest in Andruw Jones.
Yankees Very Interested In Cespedes
Yoenis Cespedes is expected to hit the free agent market in the near future.
Blue Jays Believed To Be High Bidders For Darvish
Toronto is believed to have made a posting bid of between $40 million and $50 million for the Japanese right-hander.
Jeter Named One Of 'Most Fascinating Of 2011'
Derek Jeter was named one of Barbara Walters' "10 Most Fascinating People of 2011."
White Sox Want Top Prospects From Yankees For Danks
It's possible that New York could give up one top prospect in a deal this offseason.
Nakajima Bid May Allow Yankees To Rest Jeter
The Yankees may have indicated that they plan to rest shortstop Derek Jeter more often in 2012.
Yankees Believe Pitchers Are Priced Too High
The Yankees are willing to wait to make a deal this winter.
Yankees Deny Any Interest In Kuroda
The Yankees have denied a report that they have extended an offer to free-agent pitcher Hiroki Kuroda.
Kuroda Hasn't Received Offer From Yankees
It had been reported that the Yankees offered a deal to right-hander Hiroki Kuroda.