July 2012 - New York Yankees Wiretap
The Yankees have made the postseason in 17 of the last 18 years, during which they have not posted a negative run differential.
New York's highest run differential over the span came in 1998 when they won 114 games and outscored opponents by 309 runs over 162 games.
The team's lowest differential came in 2000, when they were a +57.
Hideki Matsui, 38, has decided to call it quits.
He is retiring because he could no longer play the game at the level he wants and knew it last season when he fizzled with the Rays.
Matsui received offers from Japanese teams this offseason, but passed.
Hideki Matsui officially announced his retirement from Major League Baseball on Thursday night.
Matsui, 38, held a news conference in New York to mark the conclusion of his 20 years playing professional baseball.
"I want to thank all my fans, in the past 20 years -- 10 years in Japan and 10 years in the U.S. -- who have supported me," Matsui said. "I was supported by many fans and wonderful coaches and teammates."
Given the team's payroll concerns for 2014, Phil Hughes could price himself off the Yankees with a strong effort next season.
He will be a free agent after the 2013 season and this offseason has proved that teams will pay a lot, whether it be money or top prospects, for starting pitching.
Even after signing Matt Diaz to a minor league contract, the Yankees maintain interest in Scott Hairston.
Hideki Matsui will announce his retirement at a news conference Thursday night in New York, according to a Japanese report.
Matsui, 38, spent 20 years playing professional baseball, establishing himself as one of Japan's most dominant hitters with the Yomiuri Giants from 1993-2002 before signing with the Yankees and playing out his career in the Majors.
A career .282 hitter with 760 RBIs, Matsui owns the highest home run, RBI and walk totals for any Japanese player in Major League history.
The Yankees may have found a fit in their search for a right-handed-hitting outfielder, reportedly agreeing to terms on a Minor League deal with veteran Matt Diaz.
The New York Daily News reported on Wednesday that the Yankees will extend a Spring Training invitation to Diaz, who turns 35 in March and had his 2012 season with the Braves cut short due to injury.
The Yankees will enter the 2013 season with a payroll above $200 million, but the perception this offseason has been that they are cutting corners.
New York is reportedly shopping Curtis Granderson, while Robinson Cano is in line for a huge payday as the free agent after next season.
The Yankees never made an offer to Raul Ibanez, who signed with the Mariners.
New York's priority is to sign a right-handed outfielder, especially before they sign a left-handed designated hitter.
The Red Sox decided against bidding on free agents that received qualifying offers this offseason, refusing to part with the compensatory pick required for signing such a player.
That meant passing on Kyle Lohse, Adam LaRoche and Nick Swisher.
Boston instead targeted Ryan Dempster, Mike Napoli and Shane Victorino, three free agents who did not require draft-pick compensation.
