Phillies/Yankees Rematch

Philadelphia Phillies (32-30) at New York Yankees (41-23).
Jamie Moyer, LHP (6-6, 5.03 ERA) vs. A.J Burnett, RHP (6-3, 3.86 ERA).

The losing ways continue. With last night's 8-3 loss to the Yankees, the Phillies dropped to 8-17 in their last 25 games. Not only is that the second worst record in the majors, but they've only averaged 2.6 runs per game.

The offense has been pathetic, but the Phillies are still more than capable of putting up crooked numbers, especially at Yankee Stadium. Just 314 down the right field line, the Phillies left-handed power bats could use a short-porch, like Mark Teixeria's homer last night.

The Phillies will have to get to A.J Burnett in order to for them to do anything offensively. Burnett is 5-8 with a 4.75 ERA in his career against the Phillies. In the 2009 World Series, he went 1-1; he was terrific in his 3-1 victory, but was lit up in his 8-6 loss.

Even if the Phillies can put up big numbers, Jamie Moyer will have to keep the Yankees' bats in tact. Moyer is coming off a start in which he could not get an out in the second inning. Against the Yankees, Moyer is 4-3 with a 5.37 ERA in his career.

Tonight's Lineup:Victorino (CF), Polanco (3B), Utley (2B), Howard (1B), Werth (RF), Ibanez (LF), Dobbs (DH), Schneider (C), Valdez (SS), Moyer P.

Homer Happy

The new Yankee Stadium has been a hitting paradise since it opened. In 22 games, there have been 82 home runs at the new ballpark. The Philadelphia Phillies proved why its a hitter's park, smashing four home runs to lift them over the New York Yankees, 7-3, snapping the Bronx Bombers' 9 game winning streak.

On the first pitch of the game, Jimmy Rollins hit a solo shot to the short porch in right giving the Phillies a 1-0 lead. The next batter, Chase Utley, was plunked which looked to be intentional. Myers responded by throwing behind Derek Jeter on the first pitch he threw which led to a warning for both sides. Nothing happened after, except more home runs off the Phillies bats.

Carlos Ruiz, Jayson Werth, and Raul Ibanez each homered for the Phils. Ibanez hit his major league leading 16th home run off Chein-Ming Wang, a monster shot to the right of center field above the Yankees bullpen.

Brett Myers was excellent in the eight innings he pitched. He allowed three earned runs, all on solo home runs. He struck out five, allowed eight hits but did not walk a batter.

Burnett, who signed a 5 year $82.5 million contract during the offseason, allowed five earned runs in six innings of work, raising his ERA to 5.28.

The Phillies called up John Mayberry Jr. after the game, who could serve as the designated hitter. To make room for him, Sergio Escolona was sent back to Triple-A.

Yankees Add Another Starter; Other Updates

Not even a week after signing CC Sabathia, the New York Yankees agreed to terms with pitcher A.J. Burnett. The deal is reportedly worth $82.5 million over 5 years.

The soon to be 32 year old right hander is 87-76 with a 3.81 ERA and 1.28 WHIP over 10 Major League seasons. Batters hit .235 off Burnett, and he strikes out 8.36 per 9.

Burnett spent 7 seasons with the Florida Marlins and 3 with the Toronto Blue Jays.

The report that Boston Red Sox are looking to add another Japanese player is not accurate. The rumor stated that Red Sox made a 3 year, $21 million offer to Kenshin Kawakimi.

The New York Mets have traded Scott Schoeneweis to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Connor Robertson and cash considerations. The Mets will pay $1.6 million of Schoeneweis' 2009 contract.

The Cincinatti Reds signed relief pitcher Arthur Rhodes. The Chicago White Sox sign the Cuban 19 year old Danyan Viciedo to a 4 year, $10 million contract.

Sabathia Signs with Yankees; Other Updates

CC Sabathia and the New York Yankees agreed to a 7 year deal reportedly worth $161 million which includes an opt-out clause after 3 years.

Sabathia won the 2007 American League Cy Young with the Cleveland Indians. In mid-2008, he was traded to the Brewers. Overall, Sabathia pitched 241 innings with a 2.70 ERA, and 251 SO in 2008.

The Yankees may not be done adding big name pitchers, if nothing else is new. The Yankees extended their offer to A.J. Burnett to 5 years, $60 million. The Yankees must really like pitchers with an abbreviation as their first name. In a 10 year career, Burnett has posted a 3.81 lifetime ERA.

The Washington Nationals are even getting in on the big spending fun. The Nationals proposed an 8 year $160 million offer to free agent Mark Teixeira. Teixeira has a career .290 AVG, .919 OPS and provides great defense.

A small trade similar to the Greg Golson/John Mayberry Jr. trade was made. The Phillies have acquired Ronnie Paulio in exchanged for catcher Jason Jarmaillo. The Phillies would also like to trade Adam Eaton, buying out his contract if necessary.

Not only could a small trade fall through, but a big trade could as well for the Phillies. The deal would involve Jake Peavy going to the Cubs, Mark DeRosa coming to the Phillies in exchange for Carlos Carrasco, J.A. Happ or the most talked about prospect during the Winter Meetings, Jason Donald.

That is the latest from the Winter Meetings.