On the Yankees beat

let the Yanks pickup Abreu's option, trade him for more pitching and then sign Andrew Jones for a 1 yr incentive laden deal. Move Cabrera to RF. Damon in LF.

Forget Jones Rowand is better in the outfield.

You guys have problems with MANNY'S attitude and want to bring Andruw (sic) Jones in?

Wow.

Rowand is who you should be focused on
Is he a FA?

Sully, Why are you so concerned with the Yankees? Didn't you get the beer bottles ready?

I like it in here.
Not a lot of Red Sox fans.

We're obnoxious.
Besides, I am friends with more Yankee fans than Sox fans. It's more fun.

Besides, I'm not taunting... I'm not recapping last night's game.

Like all Red Sox fans I have a Yankee obsession in my DNA.

Like all Yankee fans, you guys have the need to be superior to the Red Sox and their fans in YOUR DNA.

It's fun.
Besides, I have opinions and thought I'd share.

Besides... I don't drink

Bronx Bomber,

I like you and admire you on many levels.

As I have stated on many occassions.

But the right to free association in the end, for blacks, whites, gays, Koreans, whomever, as a part of the Bill of Rights, must outweigh a few high profile appointments. This in comparison to Willie (whom I like very much) managing the Mets more than let's says Bobby Valentine (whom I really don't like very much) or LaRussa (who everyone in St. Louis detests.)

Does anyone black or white really admire Condi Rice after she was buying US$ 2000 shoes during Katrina?

Pena is a real man. To me ... if I am only a token interview then I am not there.

Look in a parallel universe at John Thompson (black) of Georgetown defending the "token" Dan Majarle (white) of the US Olympic basketball team. Dan was a white NBA All Star with the Phoenix Suns (along with Tom Chambers and Jeff Hornacek) ... but he was there on his own Dream Team out of ability. The only white player. But Thompson defended him because Thompson is a real man, a good man, and perhaps a great man.

Let's only look for the best person.

I don't know you Bronx Bomber but I know you are black and as I told Larry M. in our face to face interview, you are the very best person ... no question ... the best person on this Blog.

No one should use any of us, for any reason at any time.

Let us use our lives and talents to help one another, love one another and bring God glory in the process. That's what made this country great.

God has no minorities and no favorites.

Just heard on Mike from Jersey's buddy, Michael Kay, that Selig told the Yankees not to make any anouncements until the series is over, not even on off-days.

So, I guess that we're all going to have to wait for the manager announcement.

I think Pena is a good candidate no matter what his color is.

Sometimes it is good to have someone who had some ups and downs as a manager.

I always like the signing of Francona because he experienced hard knocks in Philly and also because his name is not Grady Little.

Jack McKeon and Phil Garner had success after some bumps and look at Hurdle now.

And hell... look at Torre who had one, count em, ONE good year with the Braves (and he needed Joe Morgan's help on that last day homer to clinch that division title).

Pena is a good choice.
I think Girardi is a better one.

That's my color blind Red Sox fan should be buying beers already turned in my monologue jokes and waiting for a call from the Globetrotters opinion...

I could be wrong

Selig just loves to stick it to us. I thought him and George were supposed to be comrades. What a zombie! And of course, Kay-Mouth the Jinx is the one who had to deliver the information. What a butt kisser! He must think he might be out the door next season for a more experienced, and non-annoying REAL baseball commentator (rumor). Stay with "Center Stage" and do something you are really good at, kissin' movie stars and athletes butts.

Sully the Sea Monster,
Painful to say but...you are alright for a Bosox fan (the only one).

Yes! Girardi got the job!!!

STOP THE PRESSES!

Mike actually likes a Sox fan.

What is this world coming to?

Now cats and dogs will be buddies!

Did Selig tell George Mitchell not to make any steroid allegations until after the World Series? Of course not. Should Mitchell have known better? Of course. Mitchell conveniently leaked that information about Indians Byrd at the most opportune time for the Red Sox and Selig has not dismissed him or openly chastised him. He should be fired and sued. If Selig doesn't fire Mitchell, the Yankees shouldn't listen to a word this piece of $hit Selig says. F**k him.

Buster Olney was just on Kay's show and there's a rumor floating around that the Dodgers want to fire Sully's favorite manager and offer the job to Girardi; assuming that he doesn't get the yankee gig.

Anonymous,

I agree.

I don't see what the big deal is anyway. Tomorrow is an off day for the series.

Jimmy,

Where did you hear/read that from?

Didn't say I like him, just that he's, uh...alright (I guess)

LOL Mike.

At least he's not obnoxious.

On the blog that is.

His "Curse of the Bambino" piece is another story.

Sully the Sea Monster!
Awesome!

You are alright too Mr. From Jersey.

I actually dig a lot of you Yankee fans as I said after living in NYC for 15 years... you adapt.

The fact that the Dodgers haven't fired Grady is a crime.

My co worker Hench calls him Gradio after the Cuba Gooding character.

The Dodger job is a plumb job:

Big market... a lot of talent... a competitive but winnable division... a devoted fan base... a marquee fan base... good TV exposure (if ESPN are Sox/Yankees obsessed the LA based FOX sports could become Dodgers obsessed.)

AND they have a fan base that isn't angry. Win they love you (and they really do).

Lose and eh... what else is on?

Waite,

I try to be on my best behavior here. I feel like I am a guest here and I in all honesty try to not cause problems but to have fun and talk ball

But when I did "Curse" and "Reverse the Curse" and "Spaceman"... the gloves were off.

It got me a job... so I guess I have my cake and eat it too.

Sully,
You have a friend named Hench? Isn't that the same guy who is friends with Bill Simmons from ESPN?

Yeah he has a collumn on Fox Sports.
He essentially got me the Dennis Miller job

So,

You're a 2 headed sea monster huh?

Sully,
That's cool. I thought you didn't like Simmons though, is that true?
When is your show on? It's on VS. right?

One of my employees is a lifelong Sox fan from somewhere in Mass. and I told him he had to take this opportunity to go to the game (he didn't go in 2004). He sat at his desk with various ticket outlet websites open and agonized about it until I told him "just pull the trigger will ya" and off he went. He drove from VA this morning and is at Fenway now. This will be the only night I will root for the Sox to win as I don't want his experience ruined. Of course I'll need Colorado to sweep them the rest of the way but we all know that's not happening. I still stand by my prediction: Sox in 5.

I love Simmons.
I think he is hilarious. Not as hilarious as Manny but there you go.

I've gone to four Sox playoff games... NONE in Fenway.

I saw games 3 and 4 in 1988 in Oakland.
They lost both

I saw game 2 in 2003 in Oakland.
They lost.

And I saw the Schilling Sock/A-Rod slap game in 2004.

Haven't stepped foot in Fenway since 2002... before the Monster Seats and singing Sweet Caroline and Tessie.

I've been called worse, Waite

I was at Yankee Stadium in 2001 for game 3 against AZ, it was awesome because the country was just beginning to heal from 9/11 and the place went crazy with a USA! chant after Bush threw a strike for the ceremonial first pitch.

Then I had the displeasure of watching the Marlins celebrate their championship in 2003 as I went to game 6 when Beckett pitched his arse off. Not one of the highlights of my life there as I happened to be sitting next to the Marlins fan. That's right, THE Marlins fan. There was only one at the game (he looked like an Elton John wanna be) and I had to sit near him and keep my friend from giving him a beating.

Found this in a paper called The Journal:

Around baseball

Best match: Yankee officials deny the chatter that they are negotiating with the Twins for Johan Santana.

But if the Twins do decide to move their ace now before losing him as a free agent next fall, the Yankees are one of the teams that have the right pieces for a deal.

Melky Cabrera would give Minnesota a center fielder to replace Torii Hunter if he bolts. The Yankees could then offer the Twins Phil Hughes or Ian Kennedy along with a second prospect.

The Mets can't match that. The Dodgers or Diamondbacks could, however. The Red Sox would have to part with Jacoby Ellsbury, which seems unlikely given that he's already better than Coco Crisp.

Did anyone else see the TV shot of the Sox owners box the night before the Byrd stuff came out?

There sat Selig and Mitchell with Sen. Dodd and a bunch of other snobs laughing and drinking it up. Probably planning the Byrd strategy!

It was sickening looking at all the elites partying it up while plotting their evil. Sickening people!

WE GOT TACOS!

I don't like Bud Selig. He is such a Yankees hater and a phony trying to act like he is being fair to them.

I hate Selig because he was one of those colluding owners from the 1980s which caused the players to entrench and cancel a World Series

I don't like Selig either, but you have to admit he has overseen some good things during his tenure: Interleague play; New All-Star format; Luxury tax/revenue sharing; drug testing (although he's just as guilty as anyone for ignoring the drug use so he could line his pockets) and the labor peace that they have now.

I still hate him though.

Just saw the clips of Papelbon dancing. The dude is weird.

Selig is a jerk! One of the greatest ballparks in history is being torn down and he couldn't grant the Yankees a home stand to finish the season. Instead the preliminary schedule has the Yankees at fenway. But the Mets get to bid adieu to their dump in Queens.

When can we switch Commissioners? We need a coup!

I don't like the rumor where we give up Hughes for Santana. I know Santana is Santana but he's going to want to be a free agent and nothing guarantees he stays in NY. Hughes for a 1-year rental? Nah!

OYF

Nobody would do advocate the loss of Hughes at 21 yrs old for a one yr rental of Santana.

I think I can speak for most of us of the "Get Santana Guerillas" when I say that we all pledged with one mind in that if we were to jettison our crown jewel #2-Hughes...

That we'd insist upon delivery that we'd have a contract of no shorter than and no longer than 6yrs with Santana.

That said it would hurt to lose any youngin...

But you have to make choices.

One thing that is good ... since we don't really care about the Red Sox or Colorado, who cares who wins. Now the Sox will probably win ... but I think Sully will go easy on us. And then we will be at it again ... wondering who will win next year ...

You have to hand it to Boston ... they can focus when they need to and they don't fall apart as the Yanks have in recent years in the playoffs.

Yes, get Johan and if you can't get Kazmir.

I am still in my office.
I decided to not drive home tense listening to the game... so I watched it on the huge TV.

Sully sitting in the conference room alone watching the game cheering on the Red Sox.

A sad sad sight

Now that the news is out that there will be no further announcement on the manager until next Tuesday at the earliest, does anyone else think that this could be a bad omen for Mattingly?

If a decision had been reached for Donnie, there would be no further reason to wait. In fact the Yanks would have every incentive to get the news out there. However if they've decided to go for Girardi (or someone else other than Don) then by announcing it next week, after a long drawn out period, they could say that it was an extremely difficult decision and thereby try to appease somewhat the Mattingly contingent. There would be need to appease the Girardi crowd or anyone else because, in spite of the fact the great majority of 'real' fans on all the blogs I've read prefers Girardi, he and the others are not a Yankee 'immortal' like 'Donnie Baseball.' Just a thought - I wonder what everyone else thinks?

the only reason they have to wait is b/c Selig won't allow anything to upstage the Series

Selig is phony,

The drug case involving Byrd upstaged the ALCS

The Yankees probally read or viewed public repsonse and saw the diversity in choices and realized something who knows

I don't know if the info on Byrd upstaged the ALCS, it certainly didn't do that any more than George being quoted in the paper as saying "if we don't win this series, we won't bring Joe Torre back".

Frankly, I didn't give a sh*t about the Byrd story but I'm one of those who believes just about everybody was doing it so I don't even care. The way I see it is, if everyone's doing it, then it's not cheating because they're all on equal ground. Maybe we found out why guys are recovering so much better from surgeries than they used too? The magic potion called HGH!

Girardi won 74 games with what was considered a just above AAA team. The Yank core and everday lineup is still stacked with Veterans. The argument that Girardi needs to be there to handle the kids is baseless. Most of the kids (and all the Yank Vets) can say that they are better players than Girardi ever was. Being an all-star player at 2 positions gave Joe some credibility. I don't see why the same "experts" that called Torre 'cluless' in 1996 and voted Girardi MGR of the year in 2005 should be listened to. they are as clueless as the what-have-you-done-lately fans

According to Tyler Kepner in the Times, Girardi knows a lot about the whole statistical analysis aspect and when he was bench coach he handled all that for Joe. When Mattingly came along it had to be done by that assistant coach Thomson who was one of the people receiving thanks from Torre in his departure. According to Kepner one of the reasons Cashman prefers Girardi is because of his command of this aspect of the modern game.

Marianne,
That's good info.
I think we have a case where the "old school" baseball people want Mattingly and the "moneyball" people want Girardi.

It gets more interesting every day.

A couple of things:

1. Good job by Murray Chass of the NYTimes yesterday pointing out the hypocrisy in Joe Torre being insulted by incentive clauses

2. NYPost this morning reports that the Yankees will pick up Abreu's option and also that the team is looking for more ways to use Shelly Duncan - one thought is that he'll play a lot of first base and DH against lefties.

3. On Aaron Rowand - I think he's a nice player, a gritty good role player. But he's 30 and was reportedly looking for a bigger contract than the 3 year $30 mil deal that Eric Byrnes got from Arizona - rumor was 5 years $65 mil was what his agent has been floating. Which, to me, is far too big a contract to give to a nice gritty, role player.

I would much prefer - for that price - the Yankees sign Mike Cameron who is vastly better defensively than Rowand. In any case I don't think it matters much - Unless the Yankees move two of the following: Abreu, Damon, Matsui, Melky, Giambi - they are pretty set in terms of outfielders.

BTW, why do we keep talking about Joe Crede as a third basemen for this team? He's not a free agent until 2009. He's merely arbitration eligible in 2008, but not a free agent. So once again, to get him, it would have to be a trade.

Maryanne and Jim

I also saw where Cashman prefers Girardi over Mattingly because he is worried about some of the bad habits Mattingly may have learned from Torre.

He looks at how Willie Randolph has used his bullpen with the Mets and sees Torre's influence and is afraid that hiring Mattingly will create the same problems with future Yankee teams that they had under Torre, namely inconsistent bullpen performance because certain guys get used too much while others don't get used enough. Under Girardi in Florida their young pitchers thrived.

A couple of Girardi's young arms thrived all the way to Dr. James Andrews because they needed Tommy John surgery.

Viper -

I don't follow the Marlins all that closely, but I think Josh Johnson is the only pitcher who was on last year's Marlins' team that had problems this year.

RE:HYPOCRISY OF JOE TORRE

How about the hypocrisy of the NY MEDIA. No mention in the other local rags.

I didn't follow the Marlins very closely myself, but I've researched this by talking to Marlins' fans who did.

Frankly, many of them do blame Girardi for the injury-related problems affecting Johnson and Sanchez and were not all that upset to see him get fired last year.

Basically, he became a little power hungry and could have alleviated his problems with upper management and chose not to do it.

I think Marlins' fans are perhaps the best source to seek about Girardi's managerial style and tendencies because they were the people watching their games on a daily basis.

Many Yankee fans don't bother to look beyond his perceived success and MOY award and really take a good look at the job he did regarding all facets of the game.

I find several of his habits to be a bit startling and I'm not sure he's the guy I want managing this team.

The physical/medical side of handling pitchers is one of the great unanswered questions of today.

There are people who blame all their troubles on over-use, there are those who blame it on under-use in that they don't train for heavy use in their youth and therefore break down when they get to the bigs, and then there are others who claim that the mix of pitches that young pitchers are expected to master and regularly use are harder on their arms than good old country hardball.

Then there's the issue of their training. It was only a few months ago that all the Yankees pitchers were having hamstring problems at once and a new training regime was blamed.

I don't believe there is a real professional consensus on these issues at present, and probably Girardi doesn't have the magic solutions either.

It's in the other aspects of managing a pitching staff that he is said to excel.

CHip,

didn't Anibal Sanchez also have some problems?

Chip,
From what I heard about Girardi's tenure with Florida, he was not so adept at using his young pitchers.

If the Yankees don't think Mattingly is smart enough to learn from the mistakes Torre made, then why would they even consider him? Surely Mattingly is smart enough to know that the biggest knock on Torre was his use of the bullpen.

Viper

You are some whack job...What Marlin fans did you talk to--Joe G power hungry--You find his habits to be a bit startling.
Well I find you to be a delusional $sshole who pretends he knows the game and has a false sense of importance. Get a life you loser.

Michaelz

True on Sanchez

Viper

Part of the problem with Girardi in Florida was that the owner hired him with out consent from the GM or other team officials - so their relationship was bad from the start.

I'll admit, from what I've heard he is a lot like a mini Buck Showalter but I think with a young team that's what's needed - they don't know how to act at this level so you have to be tough and give them lots of detailed rules until they do learn the ropes - I don't know if he would act that way with established veterans who know what is expected on a daily basis.

Also, in Florida, I would assume the situation was made tougher by the fact that the team's best player (Cabrera) was a bit of a loafer and when young players see the star player acting a certain way they feel it is alright to emulate that - Girardi wanted to dispel that notion.

Again - I don't think either Mattingly or Girardi (or Pena for that matter) would make a bad choice - each one brings a little something different to the table.

The one thing that would frighten me about Mattingly would be that, as a Torre student, he might emulate his tendencies with the pitchers - which is why I think a strong pitching coach would be his best ally.

Well I find you to be a delusional $sshole who pretends he knows the game and has a false sense of importance. Get a life you loser.
----------------------------------

Um, I have family and friends who live in Florida and are Marlins' fans.

Do the math, genius.

The one thing that would frighten me about Mattingly would be that, as a Torre student, he might emulate his tendencies with the pitchers - which is why I think a strong pitching coach would be his best ally.

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

Can't argue with that.

Ultimately, if they continue the youth movement and stack the rotation with arms that will eat innings - that will help get this team rolling more than anything else.

Sweet laid-back guys and tough hard-nosed guys have different advantages and disadvantages as managers.

Nice guy Willie for example was unable to keep a brilliant young player like Reyes from turning into a disappointment and a distraction, even though he tried a little too late to rein him in a bit.

The exuberance of young players has its good side but there's no question that it needs to be channeled firmly.

We seem to have a raft of charmingly exuberant youngsters, and I think a couple of them could easily get a bit full of themselves a la Reyes. Who will channel that energy in the directions that the team needs?

A sweet, laid-back manager, or a tough, hard-nosed one?

The tough guy managers are much more suited for young teams.

The Yanks do have implemented quite a few young kids the last year but this is still a veteran team.

Johnette Howard column was surprisingly on point regarding Girardi vs Mattingly. These are valid reasons why Girardi, not Mattingly, should be the next Yankees manager. Enjoyed your article. Keep up the accurate reporting!

I just heard that Ken Rosenthal says the Yankees have chosen TONY PENA!! and they will announce it later today. What a stunner!

Above post is just a joke hahahaha

With word "leaking" out that the Yanks decided to keep Abreu, and use Duncan both at 1B and in the OF on occassion, what are they going to do with Giambi? His "clogging" the DH slot, ruins any rotation among the 4 OF's, which worked very well this season. Giambi is now the Yanks version of Mo Vaughn. We gotta find a "taker" for this guy. He doesn't fit on this current team, and complicates trades and any thought of offensive free agent signings.

The Bosses are putting the Manager position in Cash's hands. Obviously H&H will have final say. But expect Cash to take his time on his suggestion for the job. If he goes with his fav Girardi then he's going against what is perceived as the organization's pref. and if he goes with Mattingly then he's choosing someone he's not 100% on. We'll have to wait until the WS is over. The Yankees haven't even asked MLB about making an announcement today.

I heard something to the effect that Posada and Girardi have issues and that wouldn't help with Jorge's negotiations. Anybody know what that's all about?

The Stein's are gonna choose whoever they want. They'll listen to the recommendation of Cashman and the baseball people, but it will be purely perfunctory. They already know who they want. Hank will make the announcement whenever Bud allows. Further delays could ensue if Hank has other "stuff" to attend to.

Can I get a Thank You??

I give props when it's due

Yesturday I said early in the day the Hank is very crafty especially on how and who choses the next maanger.

well Bill madden agrees with me and states that BC already on the Hot seat is now holding a hotter potato.
Yankee brass is putting this load on him so if the choice is a disaster you cannot blame them. and if Success then they would be considered to have wisen up and let Baseball people make the decisions.

Now remember yesturday I stated That BC is not exactly a baseball savy (player etc.) GM . this was echoed as well in todays article that Madden pointed out when he wrote the yankee teams of recent times is BC work while the team prepared for Torre in 96 is the work of Gene Michael.

Jim.A.
LOL. Good one!

Heard nothing but praise from Girardi every time he speaks about Jorge. Seems like he really likes his game. Especially since he helped mold him.

Bomber,

You're a profit Dude!

Seriously, I just love the "blame game" that's already being played here.

It looks like whomever Cashman chooses and if that person doesn't get to the series next season, it will be time for a crucifixion.

Look -- George made the final decisions in the past and that was no secret. He was allowed to because he was the boss -- and Hank is allowed to now. What if Hank's decision is a mistake? Big Deal. He's the owner, he doesn't get fired, and life goes on. Why-oh-why would Hank tell the public that Cashman will be responsible for making the decision and then turn around and secretly decide to make the decision himself? He'd look like a total A$$ when that big dirty secret eventually leaked out. If Hank says Cashman makes the decisions then Cashman will make the decisions. If they're not happy with Cashman's other choices he will be fired -- it's that easy. No need to pin the managerial mistakes on Cash. No need for conspiracies and secrecy when it comes to choices and responsibilities.

Not trying to be funny but how can we blame Girardi for Marlins arm troubles and clear Torre from the same?

The Stein's know who they want, and are "bent" that Bud is preventing them from concluding this process. Hank is not used to being "dogged" by the media, and the restrictions employed by the commissioners office. This explains his "curt" responce yesterday. This is a very difficult adjustment for someone who is used to having things the "way" he wants them, "when" he wants them. While Hank struggles with all this, Little Hal is "cruising" around the parking lot in that vintage Vette only adding to his frustration.

Anonymous 12:41 post,

If you were responding to my post, I certainly don't believe that Cashman should be blamed if the Yanks don't get there next season. I was just stating that the way this thing seems to be playing out, the "Yankee High Command" will blame Cashman. If Cashman's choice is different from the person that the Steinbrenner family wants and Cashman's guy fails, they will have a convenient scapegoat. To me, this will all take time and we know that the Yanks are not a patient bunch.

Anon 12:55 PM,
How has Torre been cleared from anything? He has always been blamed for burning out the bullpen, hence the "Joba Rules" that were created by Cashman to keep Torre from overusing Joba.
I can't name any starters Torre supposedly burned out unless you count his massive overuse of Pavano, which he should have been fired for. I mean, how can anyone expect Carl to pitch 3 times per season and not get hurt? Damn you Joe Torre! :)

Bomber,
Kudos to you! I think you are really Bill Madden, hiding under cover in our little blog.

Hahaa Jim A - With a suntan and a afro!

I once again have so info cannot be 100% but here it goes a hint.

A prior agreement may Determine the next manager and display some loyalty questions.

Thats it no more hints

Bronx Bomber-
Was this "prior agreement" the reason an experienced MLB Mgr. turned down the opportunity to manage again last season?

Lips sealed .

But i say this ...

NOPE

BRONX BOMBER-
Thanks