MLB Network Launches, Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui Coming Off Books Next Year

(Zell's Pinstripe Blog)

I hope everyone had a great New Year’s. Tonight the MLB Network will officially launch. I am very excited about this new network, as it will bring you MLB 24/7.

The channel will start up at 6 p.m. ET tonight with its Hot Stove Live show. At 7 p.m. ET, they will televise Don Larsen’s perfect game in the 1956 World Series. This will be the first time since the day it aired back in 1956 that the game will be seen in its entirety on TV.

Cablevision announced that they picked up the MLB Network channel. You can watch it on channels 149 and 400 on a regular set, and on channel 790 if you have an HD television.

To learn more about the MLB Network, click here.

These players will be available on the free-agent market after the 2009 season. I just wanted to point out that there will roughly be $30 million coming off the payroll next year.

Johnny Damon: $13 million

Hideki Matsui: $13 million

Jose Molina: $1 million

Xavier Nady: >$3.3 million

There’s still a void in the rotation 

Giambi and Abreu May Be Looking at One-Year Deals

With Teixeira on board, pressure is on Yanks to win

Yankees still want Pettitte at their price