On the Yankees beat

If I had to guess I'd say the higherups are split 50/50 on what they want to do. On one hand they have a guy who has brought stability to the Yankees unlike any other manager in the last 30 years. On the other they wonder if he can manage a young pitching staff without destroying their arms and keep them modivated despite his even ways. This doesnt also account for the fact that Mariano, Jorge and Petitte might not return if Torre doesn't. I'd wager that he stays, if not i'd probably vote for Girardi. He's proven he can manage young guys, and he knows all the vets from his experience either as a member of the team or as a bench coach a few years ago.

All I can hear in here is myself.

Listen.......

cricket, cricket, cricket
(that's the noise we really make! that's why we're called crickets silly!)

If it is a split decision right now then they have to give the split to Torre and sign him to a 1 year deal.

We have to many other very important decisions to make to have this go on this long. There is no better option for next year then Torre.

Then turn the focus to Arod and convincing him to name his price so we can get a deal done before he Opts out.

Then tackle Mo and Posada before they become Free Agents if at all possible.

I think it will end up being a compromise of 2 years $5 mil per.

Joe remains the highest paid manager which is what he wants. George gets to lower his salary, closer to what other managers are making, which is what he wants. And it gives them more time to groom Donnie, which is what Cash wants.

As for Alex. I don't think either side is bluffing. I think Boras will take him to free agency and I think the Yankees will let him walk.

From Buster Olney:

A rival GM offered this prediction of how this will play out: "I expect Alex/Boras to present NYY with a figure ('Alex will sign for this now without testing the market -- a one-time opportunity for you guys to have exclusive rights -- or he's going to test the market and you can bid like everyone else, but without Texas' subsidy.') Yanks either bite down at that figure, or they don't and Alex is a FA. The real question is whether they can stick to their guns and not bid at that point. A marquee free agent without the Yanks as a buyer is not in the strongest position."

Other officials are beginning to read Boras' constant public talk as a bluff. "The more he talks and threatens," says an NL GM, "the more it seems like he knows he isn't going to get a better deal someplace else."

Well! It won't be 8 in a row to the title, like in 2004, but 7 will be just as sweet!

Okay not as sweet as 2004, but close.

Okay not that close, but at least fun to watch you all bum out about it!

Sox in 7!

Enjoy the games!

Chip -

I think your Joe Torre outcome would be ideal and it would make it much easier for us to attract Posada and Mo back for a little less than what they can make on the market. It also certainly does not hurt helping Pettitte make up his mind to come back.

As far as Arod goes...I hope the Yanks are not bluffing because as soon as Arod opts out, there is going to be an uproar with Yankee fans.

Personally I thought Arod made great strides as a person this past year. He was better with dealing with the media, the fans and with the pressure of playing in NY. If he opts out I will lose any respect I thought I had for him over this past year. He will not get paid much more anywhere else and it will tell me he does not want to stay in NY.

So I was thinking that we have talked A-Rod and Torre to death - with that in mind I want to bring you some information on Future Yankees:

Baseball America listed their top 20 prospects for each minor league level - The Yankees dominated A ball and AA. But the most intriguing information may come from the Gulf Coast League (Rookie Level) where the Yankees legitimately could have had at least 8 players make the top 20.

Of those the most interesting could be:

Jesus Montero (c) - he was signed by the Yankees last year as a 16 year old and immediately there were questions about if he would last a year. Reports were that the Yankees were so disappointed in him that they thought about voiding the contract. If this season is any indication of what his future could be, they will be glad they didn't. His power is unbelievable. Scouts rate skills on a 20-80 scale and Montero was a solid 80. But there was a question about how he would perform behind the plate and whether he would outgrow the position. Well this season he was phenomenal behind the dish and while he still might get too big to catch full time, they expect him to jump to High A ball to start next season.

Abe Almonte has great speed and a tremendous arm in the outfield - though he was just moved there from 2b. He notched 5 assists in one week throwing players out all over the place. He is a stocky switch hitter that scouts compare to a young Tim Raines at the plate.

Zolio Almonte isn't as fast as Abe, but he's also a switch hitter and got a terrific bat and a good enough arm to play the corner outfield spots.

Manny Barreda (19) racked up 44 K's in 39 relief innings and held batters to a .200 average.

The Yankees farm overall is ranked the 5th best in the majors - 3 years ago they were 27th.

Let's face facts ... no team w/ Arod on it has EVER played in the WS (much less won it) ... apparently, it can be done without him!!! Shocker, I know. Pitching and a degree of "hotness" leads to winning the WS (just look at the Rockies now) and nothing else. How many times have the Yanks bats gone cold in October in recent years?? That's all it takes ... get hot for 2 weeks at the right time. Every October 7 teams go home crying in their towels and 1 team is elated. But at least Torre gets the Yanks there and gives them that chance year after year. You can't take that away from the man ... keep Torre, try to sign Pay-rod and if he opts out, help him pack his bags.

Okay Larry M. of Florida fame,

Great to finally talk with you. We will see you in Bradenton for lunch at 1 pm. If I can look for the Yeti in Tibet I can look for that new restaurant I suppose!

Since you don't know what I look like ... I am 6' 4" and 227 and people say I look just like Robert Downey Jr. Tricia is blonde, very pretty, kind of like Reese Witherspoon I guess. No chance you'll miss her ...

We will wait by the reception area but you said you will already be there ... so ... just look for us ...

I am so excited to meet someone from the Blog. It is like meeting a Rock Star or something.

Anyway ... I don't like how the Yankees are handling the Torre thing ... it is very unfair to him and very disappointing. You don't things this way in any field of endeavor. You don't treat loyal employees this way. It's disgusting.

It's just so very, very, very lousy. 'Bizarre' as the AP wrote in their story today on the situation. Sends a bad message around the USA and the world about the Yanks.

I would like to find out about Felix Lopez, GS's son in law, and his influence on the organization, but I can pretty much guess already.

The Yanks will pull it together somehow and go forward ... they are a like a big giant who is slow to get rolling ... but later gathers energy ... and then watch out.

See you Friday at 1 pm in Bradenton!

Cashman's "recommendation" regarding A-OPT has nothing to do with The Boys not negotiating with A-OPT should he opt out. Like the Torre situation, this is all about money. Money will now be the "primary" consideration in all decisions regarding the Yankees, and winning a distant 2nd. Get used to it.

We are lucky to have someone like Roy who knows the Steinbrenner family so well. We can stop speculating and get the scoop straight from Roy.

It wouldn't be fair to the fans if they rehired Torre without giving the matter serious thought; it wouldn't be fair to Torre if they dismissed him without giving it serious thought. This decision is not a simple one and any intelligent businessman would know it takes time and effort to come to fair, intelligent conclusions. You could also compare the process to a jury trial where the jury may deliberate for a week or two because the issues are serious enough. Anyone who wants a rushed decision is being selfish. God forbid they should remain curious for a while longer. What's the big deal? A man's livelihood and a team's future is at stake, so this matter should be fairly contemplated for however long is necessary.

Indians say choice of Game 5 singer 'coincidence'

[quote]http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2007/news/story?id=3068893

Updated: October 18, 2007, 12:31 PM ET

Teams have been known to go to extraordinary lengths to get an edge. But the Cleveland Indians swear Thursday night's choice of pre-game singer is not a piece of gamesmanship.

[b]
Danielle Peck, a country music singer who also happened to date Red Sox ace pitcher Josh Beckett, will sing the national anthem and "God Bless America" at tonight's Game 5 in Cleveland. Beckett is scheduled to start the game for Boston.[/b]

"It's an incredible coincidence. Honestly," said Indians spokesman Bob DiBiasio.

Taylor Swift was supposed to be the Game 5 vocalist, but when she couldn't attend, DiBiasio said a country music booker recommended the up-and-coming Peck. She is from Coshocton and her single "I Don't" is a hit.

"She's from Ohio. Her entire family are Indians fans. We did not know anything about her connections to Beckett. The next day, we find out the rest of the story," said DiBiasio of Peck. "How are we supposed to know who Josh Beckett dates?"

With a victory tonight, the Indians would close out the Red Sox and clinch their first spot in the World Series since 1997[/quote].

Danielle Peck pic

http://www.countrystarsonline.com/images/artists/2006/DaniellePeck_350.jpg

Roy,

I still don't get your chicken little take on the transition of ownership from George to Hank and Hal - it seems you have no factual reason to believe they a) are not as committed to winning as their father, b) are any less qualified to run the organization than their father or c) are determined to sell the team ASAP - yet you are committed to these ideas so I'm going to just let you keep barking at shadows and ignore your redundant, baseless claims.

From Baseball America:

Miranda On The Rise

The Yankees’ future at first base is somewhat clouded, but it appears Cuban defector Juan Miranda has emerged as the frontrunner from within the organization.

Miranda started the year with Tampa and finished with Trenton; overall, he batted .265/.350/.471 with 16 homers and 96 RBIs. The Yankees assigned him to the AFL, and he has drawn praise from not only Franklin but from scouts as well.

“This guy’s got huge power,” a scout from a National League club said. “He’s a legitimate threat regardless what his ceiling is age-wise.”

Age is a question with Miranda. His official birthdate provided by the club after he signed for $2 million in 2006 is April 23, 1983; but several Cuban sources have the former Pinar Del Rio player with a 1981 birthday (some have a March birthdate, some April), which would make him 26.

“I don’t really care if he’s 26 or 30,” said another scout from an American League club. “The bat has a higher ceiling than a lot of people thought, and he will hit for average too.”

Miranda has been pushing the envelope at first base since he signed, and it appears he’s worked his way past 2003 first-rounder Eric Duncan on the depth chart despite not playing for two years after leaving Cuba.

“I would think that after this season we’ll really be able to get a handle on where he stacks up,” Franklin said. “What I like about Juan and what I think the organization’s tried to do with him is to have him to be as aggressive as he can while being selective as he can be. He’s going to strike out some–that’s inevitable–but we don’t want him to give up anything where the power is concerned.

“He’s got the capability to take a ball that’s away from him and (drive) it out of the yard. He can hit a ball that’s up out of the yard and has the ability to hit balls down low in the strike zone and somehow make solid contact. He has enough power to hit balls out of any park no matter where it’s pitched.”
-----
Double-A Trenton manager Tony Franklin had a lot of success in 2007.

The Thunder had arguably the best pitching staff in the minors despite having a revolving door that led from Trenton through Triple-A to the big leagues, as well as new blood coming in from high Class A Tampa.

Trenton wasn’t exactly an offensive force in the Eastern League–the club finished ninth (out of 12 teams) in batting with a .254 average. The Thunder also scored just 598 runs–which ranked 11th overall in the league.

That didn’t seem to matter very much in the end, as quality pitching wound up knocking off one of the best offensive teams in the EL, with Trenton winning the league championship over Akron in four games.

“We hit a couple rough spots, but what we did all year was pitch well,” said Franklin, now managing the Peoria Javelinas in his first trip to the Arizona Fall League. “We played good defense fairly consistently all year. I think one thing that was a constant for us was we pitched well and played well behind our pitchers.

"We didn’t score a lot–pitching and defense was our staple.”

The Trenton staff included mainstays Alan Horne (12-4, 3.11), Jason Jones (8-11, 3.62) and Jeff Marquez (15-9, 3.65) but also saw righthanders Joba Chamberlain and Ian Kennedy work their way through New Jersey, as well as lefty Chase Wright and righthander Tyler Clippard.

“It seemed like when we lost a pitcher, we replaced him with someone pretty good as well that was either coming up or in some cases, moving back down," Franklin said.

“We were able to maintain what we had all year because we replaced guys–pitchers and position players–and I think that speaks to the depth in the organization.”

Okay, now the big questions are settled. The younger generation is running things, decisions are firm about Joba and A-Rod, frameworks for negotiation with the remaining pieces have been agreed upon in a timely way, and preliminary steps are in train.

So what do we have left to speculate about?

Anybody have predictions for tonight?

Good quote from Rockies Manager Clint Hurdle in the NYTimes:

“You build a good offensive team, you’ll send a lot of players to the All-Star Game,” Rockies Manager Clint Hurdle said, referring to the team’s longtime identity. “You want to win late and play late, you need to have a team that can pitch and a team that can play defense. That wins championships. All you’ve got to do is pick up the old books and read.”

Maybe the Yankees will renew their library cards.

I have always felt that the beginning of the end of the modern day Yankee Dynasty came when the Yanks signed Jason Giambi. Biggest name available, big money. The hallmark of the losing years was making the biggest splash on the FA market.

They signed the big names, lost their draft picks and the farm was barren. Horrible way to run an organization. Only when Cashman was able to get control back in the GMs office where it belongs did the team reverse this trend. I'm hoping that going forward this team builds on the kids and doesn't get blinded by superstardom (A-Rod notwithstanding). Hard to know what will happen as George becomes less involved and the sons take over.

For A-Rod, it's all about money. Or at least it is for Boras.
From what I've read and I'm sure all of you have also, the Yankees will be willing to offer him 30 mil for at least 6 years. That's a pretty darn good offer. If he thinks that he can get more from some other shnook owner, more power to him. I don't see who else will be a serious player in this. Arte Moreno has already come out and said that he won't be. I would think that if there's any serious competition here it would come from the Angels. I read one poster's comment here about the stupidity of A-Rod going to Florida and i agree with that. Why would he put himself in the same situation that he was dying to get out of in Texas? If he's even considering that team, then we all know that all of his talk about wanting to be a Yankee and win a championship here is nothing but a joke.

Does anybody know anything about the rumors that Becket is injured, left his last game hurting, and that that was the real reason Francona didn't dare pitch him on short rest? If so, is it anything that will likely affect him tonight?

I'm "almost" wishing "A-Rod" will "opt out" so "Roy" can stop "calling" him "A-Opt"...although I'm "sure" he'll "come up" with a new "name" then like "Away-Rod," "Bye-Rod," or "A-Road"...something "catchy" and "funny"...like "A-Opt," LOL...or "maybe" it's not so "catchy" or "funny" after all...or maybe as "funny" as all his "quotes."

I believe that if the Yankees offer Alex a contract it will be a very good one. If he still opts out it is because he does not want to play for the Yankees.

Marianne - I think the Indians take the series and lose to Colorado.

I'm actually focusing less on Alex and Torre (solely so I don't go insane) and looking at the minors - I think the future of this team is very bright indeed.
I could see Juan Miranda, Austin Jackson, Humberto Sanchez all playing huge roles in the 2008 season.

Beckett became stiff because of the cold weather -- not an injury. They say he's fine now.

Michael Kay out?

Apparently on an XM interview, Sean McDonough said that he is negotiating with YES about becoming their play by play guy for the upcoming season.

Chip, thanks for the great info on our future players! I enjoyed seeing the youngsters this year in spite of the dire circumstances that sent them to us early, and I look forward to seeing Miranda, Jackson, Sanchez and their peers next season. Miranda was scouted very enthusiastically at one time. I wonder what the effect on his career will be of losing two playing years in his twenties? Will it mean he never develops as he might have done? Or will it mean an extra two years of play left in his body on the late end?

I'd love to see Michael Kay gone, but I'm afraid that's wishful thinking.

Anonymous,

If what you say is true, then it will be interesting to listen to Kay's show today on ESPN1050.

Kay is probably not 'out' even if there is a new play-by-play guy. He likes to do the more entertainment-oriented 'feature' type presentations on YES and seems to be a decent interviewer. His career might be going more in that direction.

Indians take the series tonight and win the WS. The AL is stronger than the NL. The Rockies have got to cool off soon - especially with all this down time. They won 21 of their last 22 against NL teams.

My guess is that will just limit the amount of time he plays in the majors. First there are the lost two seasons then you have to factor the year to year and a half it takes to get the rust off, improve his conditioning, and do all the things he needs to to adjust to American baseball and then he hits the majors at around 27 or so (depending on his real age) figure that will leave him with 5 - 7 years before he's past his prime.

I feel the same about replacing Kay as about replacing Torre. Is there a better replacement on hand? The garbage I heard during the post-season made me miss MK even though I have complained about him enough!

OH THANK GOD

GTFO KAY WITH YOUR "DEEP TO LEFT!!! BUT POSADA CATCHES IT AT THE SCREEN" BULLSH*T

Cashman's "recommendation" regarding A-OPT has nothing to do with The Boys not negotiating with A-OPT should he opt out. Like the Torre situation, this is all about money. Money will now be the "primary" consideration in all decisions regarding the Yankees, and winning a distant 2nd. Get used to it.

-------------------------------

I wonder if Roy is using that same brilliant intuition which guided him to insist on trading Joba Chamberlain for Mark Teixeira and Ian Kennedy for Eric Gagne. He then claimed th Yankees were a “sinking ship” because Cashman didn’t pull the trigger on those moves.

Dare I mention this is also the same guy who advocated a year ago that the Yanks should trade A-Rod to the Angels for Ervin Santana - a guy who sucked so bad this season that he was sent down to the minors.

I always have to roll my eyes every time Roy comes up with this goofy sh!t because he doesn’t have a clue what he’s talking about 99% of the time.

Viper - As I said, he's got a chicken little "the sky is falling" approach going on.

Sean McDonough was CBS's lead baseball announcer in the 90's.

He also worked for some team 200 miles north of New York

Boston fired him because he ripped Lucchino on WFAN a few years ago.

He also mention that the Yankees sent a very nice flower tribute when his father Will passed away which was much nicer than what the Red Sox sent

Ant: I'm 5'9", olive complexion and a fiesty 172lbs. pretty much my playing weight lacking the muscles. I will not miss a striking couple of which you described.

Now back to baseball, Joe T. could actuallt be digesting the Yankee offer at this time. I believe a one year deal is a slap in the face but 2 years at 4/5 million is respectful. The digestion part may not be the money but criteria on how many innings these young pitchers maybe allowed to throw. For example, Hughes threw about 150 in 2006 from his high school days a large jump. 2007 was not much more or equal to this total. Joba has college pitching that has put his arm through the ringer. And the possible roster filled with young guys which Joe has aproblem with trust not as individuals but between the white lines. He's much as a fan is. he reads the back of baseball cards for a prediction of results. it does not work out this way as we all know.

Ant: is your ID on your 12:15 PM message , an indication of Tampa because you are keenly aware of your surroundings.

Hey Larry M. my new Florida friend!

Ok we will look for you!

I am so excited as I said!

Yes as you asked ... I am in Tampa now ... and still finding my way around. I've worked in 40 countries but it is never an easy thing to learn how to navigate through a new city, be it Cape Town or Bangkok or Seoul or Amman for that matter.

See you at 1 pm tomorrow. Be ready to talk about baseball. There is so much to cover from so many angles.

Call me if need be ...

314 412 6738.

Well, I'm off like a prom dress ...

Ant

... this is an ant crawling on the screen.

I believe the Yankees have reached a decision and discussed it with Torre. Just because the Yankees are leaving the media hanging doesn't mean they are leaving Torre hanging as well.

Don't think for a minute that the Yankees aren't enjoying the fact that the playoffs are going on and the little box in the lower right corner on ESPNEWS says "NYY: No decision yet on Torre". Any publicity is good publicity and it is stirring fans and the media into a frenzy. I mean, just look at our blog and the amount of comments from not only the regulars, but a bunch of new friends as well.

NY post is reporting Torre is in Tampa.

Breaking News: Torre arrives in Tampa, Official Joe Torre Watch

[quote]
http://www.yp-forums.net/index.php?showtopic=10550

It's time for reality boys and girls. Don Mattingly is going to manage this team. Whether you think that's a good thing or a bad thing, it's a true thing. The only question is whether he will manage them next year or after the next manager leaves.

With that reality in place, I think Joe Girardi is all but eliminated from consideration for the job.

Certain criteria must be met for the next manager if he is not Don Mattingly. He must be experienced, he must be older, i.e. not some young guy like Girardi who will be around for another decade, and he must be successful.

Three names meet that criteria in my mind.

Joe Torre- The incumbent manager who has had a great deal of success with the Yankees. His bullpen management is very shaky and his motivational abilities have been called into question over the last 5 years or so. He certainly not an "in game strategist" but more of a player's manager. His players love him, the media loves him, baseball people love him, and many of the fans love him.

Tony La Russa- Wildly successful. Third winningest manager in baseball history and will likely end his career in second place on that list. Has won two world series, one in each league, multiple manager of the year awards, multiple pennants, etc. Considered by many to be the smartest game tactician of the past few decades. Has a good reputation of motivation and working with his players. His drawbacks include that his a little prickly with the media and some believe he "over-manages" a game, preferring implore strategy for every out instead of just letting his players play. Has been criticized in the past for working too hard in the season and burning his players out. This criticism has seemed foolish, but exists none the less. Has the added bonus that he brings an outstanding pitching coach along with him in Dave Duncan.

Bobby Valentine- Many experts say that no manager has done more with less than Bobby Valentine. He was praised for putting his pitchers in optimal positions to succeed. He has a fiery personality which is a sharp contrast to Joe Torre and anyone who has heard him speak knows that he has a tremendous amount of baseball knowledge. He has been wildly successful in Japan as a manager and the players there, who value respect and honor, speak very highly of him. Gets a bad wrap in the States, and mostly from Yankee fans, for the Mets WS berth. It should be noted however that her an into a dynasty Yankees team and was relying on one ace to get him through. Those Mets teams overachieved. Has been accused of being arrogant which some see as a drawback.

So where do I stand?

I personally think that it's time for a change at the manager's position so I rule out Torre. After that, I look at Tony La Russa and see a guy that for whatever reason is not well liked by NY media and fans alike and think that his managerial style might be too intense for a team that is likely to be comprised of mostly veterans and a weak bullpen. I think he and Duncan would work wonders in NY, but I rule him out because I think a lot would be against him.

Therefore, I nominate Bobby Valentine. He's Joe Torre's opposite in that he's fiery and passionate and into every play of every game. I won't debate which is better because there is no evidence to validate one way or the other. I just think that providing Mattingly some years under a different type manager will help broaden his horizon as a coach. I also think that Valentine would be successful at getting his players to play harder and stay motivated, something I personally think Torre has failed at.
[/quote]

Sounds like they brought Torre down to just smooth out the fine print and handle a couple of issues:

1. Pitching Coach

2. Will he be alright with Mattingly knowing Don will take his job at the end of this contract

3. Joba will be a starter

Anybody up for another good old-fashioned Yankee upstaging?

I'm guessing the contract will be 2 years $10 mil and maybe some incentives that can bump it up.

Why not offer Torre $4 million per year, plus a $1 million bonus if they win the ALDS but lose the ALCS, a $2 million bonus if they win the ALCS and lose the WS, and a $3 million bonus if they win the whole thing? That way, his compensation is between the lower end of "respectable" and what he made this past season? Quite frankly, I don't know why managers' and players' compensation packages aren't heavily performance based.

IF they rehire Torre than this whole thing was just another huge waste of time and news print.
Now onto "will Arod opt out?" and weeks of drawn out scenarios akin to it. Then he stays , with a new contract , anyway.
Spring training can't come soon enough!

It's not a matter of money with Torre. If he can bring the Yankees another World Series win, they would pay him $100 million. Why would they lower his salary a couple of million? Doesn't make sense. Either he's fit to do the job or not. That's the only issue of concern to the Yankee brass. A decrease in salary is just an insult, nothing more.

I don't care what they pay him, just get the man some pitching! I've said it before and I'll say it again, 2008 could be great if the team can catch a few breaks:
a. Joba lives up to the hype
b. Hughes becomes a stable member of the rotation
c. FA's come back (A-Rod, Posada, Mo, Andy).
d. Other youngsters take the bullpen jobs and pitch well.

If they could stay healthy it would be nice too!

Also I don't think Torre gets two years. He'll get another one-year ultimatum.

If you're the one trying to get backsides into the seats, newsprint is never wasted.

Do you think there's a team PR department in the world that would not have payed dearly for this many headlines in the week and a half AFTER THEIR TEAM IS ELIMINATED?

Don't you know the PR guys of the teams that are still playing are gnashing their teeth, seeing all the media space the Yankees are hogging?

If the announcement is made tonight, which will be bigger news? The winner of the last game in the AL? Or Joe Torre and the Yankees?

Jim A.

My 2008 Yankees' Bullpen:
Mo, Ohlendorf, Veras, Edwar, Karstens, Henn, Humberto Sanchez (with Wright, Bruney, Britton, Ty Clip pitching in)

A-Rod is really in an all-or-nothing situation with the Yankees. If he opts out of his contract, he will be blasted by NY fans and press as someone who truly only cares about the money and has no desire to win the WS.

However, if he chooses NOT to opt out, he'll be a hero - someone who passed up on a chance to sign a contract in the neighborhood of 10 years, $300 million (!!!).

I hope he stays, and I suspect that he wants to stay, but I really think that Boras has A-Rod's ear and is going to convince him to walk.

Of course I know the PR men love it , if Yankee employees and hate it if team's pr men that are still in the playoffs. It is the fans that don't need to be treated to this display of nonsense. Either he is the manager or not? It is real simple and quite frankly stealing headlines does little to soothe this Yankee fan's woes over yet another disapointing post season.

At least KAY-MOUTH, and Gator might be gone! (2 outta 3 ain't bad).
Kay-Mouth has, and always will be, a JINX!!!

Chip is probably right, NYY will make AR an excellent offer before the deadline.

And following up on Marianne's upstaging theory, NYY announces it during the WS.

Marianne couldn't be more correct. The Yankees, though not playing, have been the back page story almost every day and have led off lots of national sports shows.

Chip has been plagiarizing my blog. Oh yeah, forgot to copyright it. Pay me later.

Dave,
I don't know if he'll be a hero if he stays. Keep in mind that without the Yankees as a bidder, any free agent out there loses. All agents have to do is say "by the way, the Yankees called and they'd like to talk" and the price goes up. This is a standoff. The Yanks are daring A-Rod to opt out and move on to basically Anaheim, San Fran or Chicago or stay in baseball heaven.

On these meetings: The Yanks never said these meetings were "The Joe Torre Meetings" they are organizational meetings and I'm sure Torre was just one topic that was probably resolved within a day, but the Yanks had everyone in the room to come up with a strategy for A-Rod and all the other FA's as well as Joba's role; the coaching staff, players to pursue etc.

What is the url?

Jim A, you may be right. If A-Rod does in fact stay, no doubt some analysts will hypothesize that the only reason that he didn't opt out is because the Yankees weren't involved to drive up the price, and he probably couldn't get better than the $25 (or so) million that he's making each of the next two years.

However, you have to remember that A-Rod doesn't only have the chance to renegotiate the next 2 years of his contract - he could be looking for contract for the next 10! He's coming off of an MVP season and he's entering the peak of his prime. Now is a GREAT time for him to set himself up for the rest of his life. Who knows what could happen in the next 2 years? With so much at stake, the risk of him waiting 2 years to make a new deal just doesn't make financial sense for him, with or without the Yankees in the negotiating picture.

Believe me, Boras is telling him "you could have a career ending injury tomorrow" and "you have to strike while the iron is hot" type stuff. And I think he'll probably listen.

Anyone curious why this managerial decision has not been characterized as a "circus".Certainly the Yankees have become a one trick pony to most of the nation.An old,rich owner whips his collective horse with a comment,whereupon,he vanishes to some vantage point from which to watch his horse jump.Message to the masses:the "circus" has left town.Only the faint remnant of a "circus" lingers after.Any thoughts?

Rat ass imposter.Blog this.......

I meant "post", feel better? ;v)

yeah A-Rod could have a career ending injury tomorrow and his thought will be let me collect $300 million from these suckers...money I was supposed to get because of future performance but now I'm collecting because I'm A-Rod period. Sucks.

First: Steinbrener (sp) should have his juevos removed. The Yankees do not represent baseball, they reperesent money. Joe represented baseball. He should have shoved a ball up Steinbrener's ass.

ALEX I DOBOUT IF YOU READ THIS BUT PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE N.Y.,JUST PAC YOUR BAG, AND TAKE IT ACROSS TOWN.WHERE NOT ONLY YOU ARE NEEDED YOU ARE LOVED AN RESPECTED THERE,WERE BUILDING A NEW STADIUM WE HAVE A TEAM THAT PLAYS FOR MORE THEN MONEY LIKE PRIDE. IT HURTS LIKE HELL GOING OUT LIKE THAT.THIS TEAME IS SPECIAL SPORTS HATTERS,CALLING THEM SELVES ANOUNCERS,FEEL THEY ARE CAULIFIED TO CRIT YOU PLAYERS,MOST NEVER PLAYED A YOUR LEVEL.COME ON OVER , DAVID WIGHT HAS SAID IF YOU DO HE CAN PLAY OUT FIELD , THAT WOULD BE GOMEZ BELTRON DAVID WOW ADD YOU BRING REVERA AND POSADA,WITH YOU. AND THE FINAL TOUCH GIVE JOE THE RESPECT HE DESERVES PUT RIGHT NEXT TO WILLIE SHARING A SUB AND DIET DRINK TOGHTER.YEA.