More proof that it's better to be lucky than smart when it comes to prospects

According to a story by long-time Mariners beat writer Bob Finnigan in the Seattle Times on Dec. 4, 1995, the Mariners nixed a trade that would have sent pitcher Sterling Hitchcock and (Jorge) Posada to the Mariners for (Tino) Martinez and a reliever, either Jeff Nelson, Bill Risley, or, wait for it, Bobby Ayala...Why did the Mariners turn down the trade? Because the Yankees pulled minor-league third baseman Russ Davis -- Seattle's main target -- out of the deal.

Yikes. This reminds me of how Robinson Cano was one of the prospects-to-be-named later that the Rangers passed on while completing the Alex Rodriguez/Alfonso Soriano trade.

Yankees minor league system still strong

MLB Network has released it's top prospects list, and Manny Banuelos and Dellin Betances both rank in the top 50, while Gary Sanchez and Mason Williams both rank in the top 100.

Get used to hearing "heir to Mariano Rivera" like a borken record over the next 12 months

This LoHud piece cites David Robertson, Joba Chamberlain, and Rafael Soriano as the most logical potential successors to Rivera. Um, duh.... The "heir to Mariano" is like the heir to Michael Jordan or the heir to Jerry Rice - this person doesn't exist. The New York media hasn't had a good ol' fashioned closer controversy to write about in more than 15 years so I'm sure they'll be chomping at the bit after the first blown save of the 2013 season.

Some guy named Fielder signs for a lot of money

Everybody knows this contract is already an albatross, so there's no reason to rehash points that people have already made. However, putting his (gargantuan) weight issues aside, Prince Fielder is, statistically speaking, the worst player to ever sign a $150+ million contract. Enjoy it Detroit.

If you have a son under the age of 15, teach him to throw lefthanded

Otherwise known as, "Yankees and Boone Logan agree to 1 year, $1.875 million contract".