I'm now home, and I see that in the time it took to fly 1,000 miles the deal between the Astros and White Sox has been deemed officially dead, for now. Obviously it would have been ideal for the Yankees had the deal happened, as Andy Pettitte would have fallen right in their laps. But that the Astros came that close figures to hurt their case to retain Pettitte. Should be interesting to see how this pans out.
I have to say, it's been a fun week of blogging. Almost as much fun as witnessing Phillies manager Charlie Manuel take one step on the elevator and then awkwardly realizing it was going up, and he wanted down. Or almost as much fun as seeing Braves manager Bobby Cox warmly refer to an older woman as "Lady" after she rushed onto the elevator... Anyway... I'm really psyched by the response we've received here at the blog. We had more traffic to this site on Wednesday alone than we did during the entire month of May, believe it or not. But don't go away now -- there's still moves to be made and funny old baseball cards to be found on the Internet...
Also, got an e-mail from someone who, in the midst of complaining about a lot of things, complained that it was hard for him to find my e-mail address.
For full disclosure, it's jim.baumbach@newsday.com.
Comments (50)
[b]Cashman to A-Rod: 'We love you'[/b]
[b][quote]LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Yankees general manager Brian Cashman sent a strong message to Alex Rodriguez in a long dinner meeting Wednesday night with agent Scott Boras: "We love you, and you're not going anywhere.''
A big stir was created at the Winter Meetings when Cashman and Boras hopped into a car and drove off, and the main purpose of the dinner was to discuss how they can best support Rodriguez, who had an off-year by his standards in 2006 when he batted .290 with 35 home runs and 121 RBIs and was occasionally the target of booing in the Bronx.
Bruce said...
According to Heyman at si.com (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...y.scoop/2.html):
"The Red Sox and three or four others were pursuing "Game Over'' closer Eric Gagne. The Yankees inquired whether Gagne would set up for Mariano Rivera but were told no."
Thank god. He's a shell of himself, probably used roids too
Jim,
The reason you get so much feedback is because of the great job you do. I check in w/ you all the time to get the inside dope. Great stuff!!
Thank you!
Chris Russo Just said on his show Unless The Yankees trade Arod's this Offseason, The Yankees will repeat the process - lost in first rounds again every year and Arod's will go 0-21 in playoffs and choke..
Which is why they actually play the games.
Based on the Astros loyality to Andy and their desire to match greenbacks with the Yankees. I would hope Andy has the insight into how much his Texas buddies realy wanted him.
Mr. Cashman move in now and get this deal done or put together a good trade for a Yankee fans Holiday season.
What does Chris Russo acually know about sports he watches it like us and gives his opinion. I'm sure he picked the Giants to win the NL west and the Tigers to win the AL pennant. Like Rob indicated "which is why we play the games."
Russo HATES the Yankees. He always has. He's just a loudmouth jackass.
Bad dog!!
Jim B: This blog proves one thing, that most of us have already known: Yankee fans are the best fans in the world!
Thanks for all the info and so forth. This week has been crazy. We're even sending out a search party in Ohio for Rick Keyes who may have harmed himself after we didn't get Ted Lilly. You guys will need to stop from jumping off a building if we don't get Pettitte.
Gotta go take my ulcer medicine now....
I'm not worried we're playing opposite George, remember? We'll be fine. The "experts" thought we were going to run with it last year. This year they predict 2nd or 3rd place. I say we win it all and laugh our way down town in a ticker tape parade.
Yankees Bullpen still messed? Needs to be fix
Do you trust Mike Myers against his Former teammates Redsox?
Myers who gave up homerun to Ortiz. Second He Hit Mirabelli in purpose which gave up a winning run to the Redsox.
Farnsworth = Can he go back to back games? He has plus and straight fastball but He loves throwing his Slider instead.
Same Thing Proctor - He has a straight fastball.
I just don't want this process with Pettitte to drag on until Dec. 22, I would like to know (I'm sure Cash would to) ASAP so we can move on.
I hate Chris Russo. I think he's gay. Not that there's anything wrong with that. But I hate him. Everything involves Barry Bonds. And the callers that call into the show are even more retarded than him.
Caller: Yo, Dog, who would win...the '86 Giants, or Hurricane Katrina?
Russo: Aaahhhhh, I dunno, Mike! Maybe if Barry Bonds were playing TE for the Giants, I think they'd take it!
Mike: Uhhh, you know Dog, my favorite Yankee was always Mariano. I need a soda.
Caller 2: Yo, what do you think since the Yankees didn't get Lilly...what about Shockey suitin' up and pitching in the 5 spot?
Russo: Aaahhh Mike, I don't think number 80's taken! But Barry Bonds could probably pitch better, Mike!
Jan,
Myers gave up the bomb to Ortiz the first time he faced him. He also struck him out in a huge spot later in the season when it really counted. I think Myers did a good job last year. He's only good for a batter or two per game so he doesn't bother me.
Farnsworth worries me. His back seems to "lock up" every time the bullpen phone rings.
Proctor was overused, partly because of Farnsworth's back problems, so I hope that situation gets resolved. By getting starters who go longer than 5 innings, they would eliminate some of those issues.
Bring back Aaron Boone as replacement for Cairo. He can play third and also he's former second baseman in his career. Can Yankees bring him back as backup infielder? thoughts
I personally love Boone, what Yankee fan couldn't? but Cairo is just a little more versatile as he plays a decent shortstop on the days that Jeter takes a break. Cairo is pretty good defensively,even plays first, but I wouldn't be opposed to Boone coming back. He is RH which helps. I heard he was going back to Cincinnati though.
How about The Yankees putting Hughes in the Bullpen and become 7th innning guy ? Scot Shields and Krod was former starters in the minors until they converted to good relievers.
It's about Bridge to Mo's and getting to him in the late innings. What do you guys think?
Jason,
No way. The Yanks have way too much time, energy and hope invested in Hughes to make him a bullpen guy. He's projected to be their ace for years to come. Him going to the bullpen will never happen. I can see him coming up later in the year for a taste of the big leagues, but he won't be a regular in the rotation until 2008, in my opinion.
What about having Mo play C and Jorge play RF. Then move Jeter to 1B and have Giambi at SS. Then move Mussina to CF and have Torre play 2B while Nick Green is the manager.
Chris Russo: Aahhhh Mike, I still say move Barry Bonds out of LF to the bullpen for hte late innings, that's why he's gotta stay in the NL so he can still bat!! Ahhh Barry Bonds! Ahhh Mike!!!
How about Moving Curt Schilling and switches places with Green Monster Mascot. Terry Francona to play in third base and Manny Ramirez to catcher. Then Move Wakefield to Shortstop and Lugo as Manager.
thoughts?
Lol , Arod is the next Zumaya or Mariano. If can't Arod hit in the postseason and be clutch, I suggest converting this $25 million guy to pitcher. Thoughts?
Jim A and atticas
Still alive....just smoldering with smoke coming out my ears. Too shook to even think straight much less type sensible thoughts. Thanks for thinking of me. Back soon I hope. Need to calm down first. Not liking what I see of this new era. I think Roy is on to something.
Rick,
I read some stuff on Lilly today that may ease your pain. Only 30% of his starts over the past 4 years were considered "quality" starts. We may have dodged a bullet here by not getting him. It seems as if he may have been only a slight upgrade from Wright.
I'll join you in the therapy session if we don't get Pettitte.
It's hard to believe what I read in the NY Daily News today that Pettitte is using the Yanks to get the Astros to pay him more, I didn't think Andy was that type of guy, and I'm still holding out hope he comes back.
It's funny how my expecations have dropped. This time last week I was expecting a blockbuster trade for a number 1 or 2 like Willis, then I was salivating over friggin' Ted Lilly...now I'm losing sleep over Andy Pettitte. Sometimes I wish I was one of those freaks who didn't like sports...life would be so much easier.
I agree with every thing Cashman has done so far. I feel we're in terrific position for thsi upcoming year and for years to come with our new approach to the minor leagues. Everybody on here seems to be panicking to which I must say chill out. Our hiting is terrific this upcoming year. Our pitching with or without petitte is good enough to win the division, especially with its numerous backup plans on the farm. 2007 will be a transition year. We're 1 year removed from having a reduced payroll to invest in superb players as the FA market will be good and 1 year removed from developing most of our up and coming pitchers. Reduced payroll + roster flexibility are in sight and we're good for this upcoming year. Im excited about the Yankees future, but thats just me. Thoughts?
DG,
I don't see how we're improved over last season when we got knocked out in the first round and it wasn't even close. We've lost Sheffield and Wright and got a bullpen guy and minor leaguers in return. Sure, we're younger and cheaper but we're not better. This pitching staff needs another quality arm or two right now or we're going home in the first round again.
It looks as though we're setting up for 2009 right now, and frankly, I don't think this team with all the veterans can wait that long. Giambi; Damon: Matsui; Abreu: Posada and especially Mo Rivera aren't getting younger. We need to win now and we're too close to give up. All we need is two arms and some backup pieces.
First off Chris Russo is an idiot! he knows nothing more than the average fan about baseball or sports itself. he is just like Greeny only Greeny has more comman sense. all these so called experts know squat they just have more inside knowledge then we do and went to school for journalism, except for Peter G. i take everything they say with a grain of salt. Second anyone who thinks trading A-Rod is best for the team has no clue what so ever. Yes A-Rod had a bad year last year but name a player who hasn't had a bad year. and if you look at A-Rods stats his year wan't really that bad. oh and by the way he wasn't the only one who sucked this post-season for the Yankees. where was Damon, Giambi, Matsui, Sheff, Moose can't hold a lead, the only one who came to play was Wang, and sometimes Jeter (who also had a bad game 2,3,4. )anyways the Yankees need A-Rod, and A-Rod needs the Yankees and sorry A-Rod haters he isn't going anywhere, period. hopefully we sign Pettite, maybe make another trade, and we will be fine. I have faith, you should too.
The majority of the people who post regularly on this blog agree that A-Rod should not be traded. Hard to find a 3b whose "bad year" included 35 HR's and 121 RBI.
We're all pretty concerned about the pitching staff right now. I watched "Yankees Hot Stove" on YES tonight and Tom Verducci from SI still swears that Andy Pettitte is coming back. Evidently he didn't feel that his Houston team was very intense and focused on winning as the Yanks and misses the atmosphere. They also said Clemens may pitch the second half of the season for the Yanks if Andy comes back. I think Clemens will go to whoever is in first place around July 1- The Yanks or Boston. Clemens is a narcissist and I really can't stand him.
Yea, Russo is a lot like Greeney, only Greeney is a decent human being, not a raving condescending douche bag who yells at callers.
Aahhhh Mike!!!
Hey Atticas we need to get Costanza on a plane to Houston to see what those B-tards are up to ! Rick I really don't know why Lilly was such a valuable piece in your estimation,he's nothing but a 5+ inning pitcher,with a propensity for spending time on the DL,has never pitched in postseason etc...If the Yanks need a quality starter I'm sure they'll find one....Did you guys hear the latest on Matsusaka ..the Red Sox are not even close to signing him ,they have 7 more days to do so...some are saying it was all a bluff on their part.
My List of Players and Coaches that bring Bad Karma and bad luck to their respected teams?
Arod
Damon
Myers
Farnsworth
Marbury
Plaxico Buress
Jeremy Shockey
Isiah Thomas
Yeah, Damon brought such bad Karma to the Red Sox that they won their first WS in '86 years with him as the face of the team.
Myers? He pitches to one guy per game, you gotta be kidding.
Hey Ruse and Atticas, ask Costanza what this b*stard is talking about!
Damon - He was laughing when Yankees was losing to detroit same as Plaxico Burress.
Myers - He can't concentrate and feel distracted when He faces his former teamates like Boston- same Mike Vanderjagt and Adam Vinatieri missing field goals
Damon was laughing because somebody told him that they felt like Jaret Wright was going to throw a great game that day. He couldn't help himself.
It wasn't Only Damon that Bring Championship to Boston It was Idiot Curt Schilling with red ketchup on his sock. Second, David Roberts stealing second base and Bill Mueller game tying hit off Mariano. Third, David Ortiz was absolute Monster in that Alcs series.
Really? you know, I never heard that. Who's this Ortiz guy?
You heard the man, Jan, what the hell are you talking about??? Jeez, I take 20 minutes away to take a jog, and suddenly Johnny Damon is a jinx?
I don't know man, I had bad feeling on my stomach that somehow Damon and Myers bring bad luck and karma to this team for some reason. I don't trust these guys yet. Just watch him Damon's closely next year and when he plays.
Jeter, Posada had great postseason and Wang. All rest of the Yankees team are bad and awful
Dotel signs with the Royals!
http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/redSox/?p=779
Jan ,don't forget to take your medication before you go to sleep ....like I said Jim A. step over it Man
Who is the Evil Empire?
Talk of Misconduct Is Swirling Around Red Sox
[quote]
The Boston Red Sox might think of the Yankees as the Evil Empire, but other people in baseball now seem to view the Red Sox as a team that feels it can operate outside the rules.
According to executives of several clubs, the Red Sox were a hot topic of private conversation at the general managers’ meeting last month and at the winter meetings this week. Several officials who work for Major League Baseball said there appeared to be good reason for the talk. Many of those interviewed did not want to be quoted by name because of what they viewed as the sensitivity of talking critically about another team’s conduct.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/08/sports/baseball/08chass.html?_r=1&ref=sports&oref=slogin
Red Sox...acting shady...sounds about right. You know, it amazes me, because I've never seen a sports organization ran exactly how its entire fan base acts. Before I turned 21 and could bar-hop here, I was in Montreal to take advantage of the lower drinking age in the Summer of 2002. There are a lot of people from Boston and the Northeast in general from that area. Anyway, in the middle of the bar, for no reason whatsoever, these hammer strokers started chanting "Yankees Suck," out of nowhere. We've been there literally in the winter, and the same stuff had happened, not even during baseball season. Anyway, me and my friends and a bunch of other Jersey people we knew started a "Boston Sucks" drunken rebuttal (mature, I know). So I get outside, and this douche bag comes up to me to start an argument over me starting a "Boston Sucks" chant.
Douche: So you know the Yankees buy all their championships.
Me: Right. Because everyone on the Red Sox is homegrown. You know, Manny, Pedro, Varitek...
Douche: Yea, well name me 5 homegrown players on the team.
Me: Umm...Posada, Mariano, Pettitte, Lilly, Jeter...
Douche: Jeter isn't a homegrown Yankee!
Me: You're serious about yourself?
Douche: Yea, well, the Yankees just got Raul Mondesi...
Me: Right. And the Blue Jays are paying most of his salary.
Douche: No they're not!
You can imagine where this conversation is headed. I think this kid may have had down syndrome, I swear.
Douche: Where are you from?
Me: New Jersey.
Douche: (mockingly) Well why don't you root for NJ's team, oh wait they don't have one, haha!
Me: Umm...Okay, dick. I grew up 10 miles outside of Manhattan. I can see the skyline from my window, and saw the towers get hit last September right in front of me. If I want to root for the Yankees, I will, because they're my hometown team. Where are you from in "Red Sox" nation anyway, the city of Boston?
Douche: I'm from Connecticut...
I swear to God...now, this was a few years ago, and I'm paraphrasing a bit, but the substance of that conversation was EXACTLY as described. I can't make that up.
But that's my point - the Sawx can complain and whine about the "Evil Empire" all they want, but it's okay if they wind up effectively blocking one of the best foreign pitchers from coming to the major leagues just to keep him out of the Yankees' hands. It's just like a couple of years ago when they had those "Who's Your Daddy?" shirts with the pacifier on them, and MLB literally had to pull those from the shelves because they complained so much about them hurting their feelings. Booohoooo!!! :'-( They can always give, but not take.
Collectively, Red Sox fans are that kid in High School that we all knew. Not really funny, but thinks he is, and is really obnoxious and makes fun of people at every chance he gets even though what he's saying is about as funny as Jack Black singing. But God forbid someone makes fun of him! All hell breaks loose.
Atticas-
Love the story! Every year I go up to Sox nation for the Yankee series and have to deal with those Ben Affleck and S. King nutjobs. I realized over the years that yes us Yankee fans can be rude at times but the most rude and class less fans are Sox fans. They are all drunk by the 2nd inning and they seem to revolve their entire lives around the Yankees. I remember the first time I saw the Yanks win in 96 we were setting off fireworks and just cheering. In sox nation I saw a video from 2004 where people were actually flipping over cars and setting things on fire. It must have been scary as hell to be a Yankee fan up there in 2004 fearing that if you step outside these sickos might actually kill you. They are scum of the earth. It is funny how they have anti-yankee web sites. It is almost like they hate us so much they love us (if that makes sense). Every player we get they either thinks sucks or is "gay". They will never give the Yanks credit when credit is due even when we gave them a Bronx beatdown this year.
Anyways Jim B thanks for having this blog. I enjoy coming on here and talking to fellow Yankee fans even if I agree with them or not. In the end we all share a passion for the pinstripes.
Atticas: Nice job of telling the Montreal story.
I hope this is your brake time and release from studying for your law school finals or Bar exam. By the way good luck to you, I'm sure you'll do well.
Atticas:
Awesome story. Sounds like quite a few of my discussions with various Red Sox fans over the years. I live in Virginia, but only about 40 miles from Baltimore so I'll go to watch the Yanks every time they play the O's and there are always Red Sox fans, usually drunk and stupid, never have their facts straight and they start the "Yankees Suck" thing even though the Red Sox are not even there. I asked one guy if he liked the Red Sox or just hated the Yankees and he said "the Yankees are all that is wrong with baseball" so I said "how?" and he stumbled a bit, looked to his buddies for help and finally came up with "They buy everything they want and that ruins the chances of other teams". When I pressed him for more information I finally got him to agree that not only are the Yankees good for baseball but that without them, there wouldn't be an MLB.
He turns to his friends after a while and says "let's get out of here, this guy is talking me into liking the Yankees". I just smiled and watched Bernie Williams rip a game winning two run homer later that inning.
The Red Sox are just that annoying little SOB from high school that is always wanting to fight with you, so you kick his ass time and time again but he still keeps hanging around talking trash. You've done all you can to prove that he is a loser but he just won't go away. Finally, in 2004 he lands a lucky punch and you buckle your knees but you get right back up and take it to him again, but now he remembers that lucky punch so you'll NEVER get him to go away.
Someone needs to find the Ben Affleck reaction to the Yankees A-Rod trade on YouTube if they can, it was classic. All I remember is he was at the Indy 500 and when someone told him about it his voice almost sounded like Edith Bunker "What??? Oh Come on....". I can't remember the rest because I was rolling on the floor.
chris russo AND Mike Francesa are both egotistical morons that know very little. I do not know why anyone would listen to them.
Cashman may be banking on Johnson and Pavano coming through this year which is why he hasn't made any moves yet. He also may be waiting for Zito's price tag to drop just like Damon's did last year.
Anyway guys, now's not the time to panic cause the Yanks have had a quiet off season.
... so far.
Trade still has life. read...
NY POST:
LIFTOFF DELAYED
TRADE COLLAPSE KEEPS ASTROS IN PETTITTE RACE
By GEORGE KING
December 8, 2006 -- LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - At 10 o'clock yesterday, the Astros believed they made a move that would have forced Andy Pettitte out of Houston. Less than an hour later, a deal that would have sent right-hander Jon Garland from the White Sox to the Astros for Taylor Bucholz, Jason Hirsh and Willy Taveras was boxed. White Sox officials were furious at the Astros for telling people a press conference was being put together to announce the trade.
According to several people with knowledge of the crash, Bucholz failed a White Sox physical. However, the trade isn't completely dead because the White Sox are intrigued about Hirsh, a 6-foot-8, 250-pound stud right-hander who a Yankees official said is the Astros' Phil Hughes.
"There is still something to it," said an Astros source.
The fact the Astros were, and still are, willing to take on the 27-year-old Garland, who has two years and $22 million left, strongly indicates a couple of points about Pettitte: 1) They don't want to match the $15 million-a-year price the Yankees have set aside for Pettitte; 2) Pettitte has already told them he is heading to The Bronx. That could be a ploy to get the Astros to up their limit of $12 million for one year to keep Pettitte home.
If Pettitte hasn't made up his mind to split Houston, the Astros' dalliance with Garland could make him leave. And though it has always been the Astros or Yankees, Pettitte's decision to play and not retire has brought other clubs into the picture, agent Randy Hendricks said.
"There are three other teams interested," Hendricks said as the Winter Meetings ended yesterday. "We have had a lot of calls since Andy said he was going to play. I will talk to [Brian] Cashman."
With the Rangers heavily involved in the Barry Zito derby and close to Pettitte's Houston home, they may view Pettitte as an option if Zito spurns Tom Hicks' ocean of money and signs with the Mets.