On the Yankees beat

When Steinbrenner talks of a "transition period" no one should read that as "rebuilding." With the Yankees' resources you can be assured that they will not go all Florida Marlins on us.

If Mattingly gets the job I would not be shocked to see former Yankee and current Colorado 3B coach Mike Gallego wind up on his staff in some capacity.

And this from Buster Olney today:

Spoke with someone with some insight into how the Rodriguez negotiations will play out and this is his read on the situation:

1. Scott Boras is bluffing, big-time. "Before J.D. Drew opted out of his contract, we heard nothing from Scott," said the insider. "Because he probably had a sense of what was out there for [Drew], on the market. The more he talks about how good A-Rod is, the more of a tell it is that he has nothing solid."

2. The magic numbers that could get the deal done for the Yankees are seven years, $200 million -- on top of the three years and $81 milllion A-Rod will make in salary over the next three seasons. Total deal: 10 years, $281.

"This will work for Scott for three reasons," the insider said. "The average annual value will be $28.5 million, which would break [Roger] Clemens's record for prorated salary of $28 million. The total value of the deal, of $281 million, would be higher than A-Rod's previous record of $252 million. And the $200 million deal with the Yankees would be higher than the $189 million that Derek Jeter got.

"Isn't this what this is all about, in the end? The new benchmarks?"

Whatever the offer is, the Yankees are expected, by the way, to present Boras with the parameters of the deal before they sit down with the agent and A-Rod. The sense here is that the Yankees are absolutely prepared to offer A-Rod a huge deal -- and if he balks and opts out, they will have absolutely no patience for playing a waiting game.

Thanks, Chip.

I'm a big fan of Buster Olney myself because he's one of the best baseball writers out there.

This is good news ...

Hank is saying the right things with the media and being classy.

Maybe they just got off on the wrong foot ...

Maybe they will hire Mattingly.

I would prefer Girardi as I said. Pena will be around no matter what. Girardi wants to manage again so, someone will hire him. I would in a second.

SI John Donovan - Redsox Cursed no more
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/john_donovan/10/23/redsox.revival/index.html
[quote]

Red Sox have replaced Yanks as MLB's gold standard

BOSTON -- It wasn't that long ago, remember, that the Red Sox were a punchline, a franchise so star-crossed that many people around the team were forced to turn to the supernatural to explain a generation's worth of woe and heartache.

You remember. The Curse of the Bambino. Bucky Dent in '78. Bill Buckner's error in '86. Aaron Boone in '03.

Well, four short years after the Sox finally and forcefully reversed the curse with their first World Series title since 1918, Boston's beloved Sox have shown that 2004 was no fluke. They've become the game's new juggernaut, a big-market, big-money team that not only can outspend the Yankees when the urge strikes (for Daisuke Matsuzaka, as one example) but -- as they showed this year -- can outplay them, too.

Wednesday night at Fenway Park, the new Sox open the World Series -- their second in the past four years (which, if you're counting, is two more than the Yankees) -- as a good-sized favorite against the upstart Rockies.

From loveable losers to World Series favorites. Massachusetts politicians don't flip flop like that.

"In this region, people were always waiting for the other shoe to drop," John Henry, the principal owner of the Sox, said Tuesday. "There's still some of that out there. I think it's just human nature. But I really think that people in New England expect the Red Sox to win now. They expect the Patriots to win. They expect the Celtics to win this year."

It's amazing, when you think about it, how quickly and completely the image of this franchise has turned. Back in October of 2003, when the Yankees' Boone hit his 11th-inning home run in Game 7 of the ALCS to defeat the Sox, no one who had paid any attention at all in the previous century was the least bit surprised. In fact, in a lot of people's minds, it was a stunner that the Sox had made it that far. Losing, especially getting their hearts ripped out like that, was simply the status quo for the Sox and their long-suffering fans.

But then came 2004 and the historic comeback from 3-0 in the ALCS against the Yankees, and then Boston's first World Series title in 86 years. That Series was the culmination of a quick and thorough franchise makeover by Henry's ownership group and some savvy moves by the baseball brain trust, including general manager Theo Epstein.

It wasn't easy -- "2004 was suffering until the last out of the World Series," Henry said -- but the first step was made, and the Sox have been heading in the right direction ever since. The Sox lost in the first round of the playoffs the following year -- to the eventual Series champion White Sox -- and they missed the playoffs in an 86-win season in '06.

But this season, with their payroll jacked up more than $20 million (and that doesn't include the winning $51 million posting fee to negotiate with the Japanese pitcher, Matsuzaka), the Sox bounced back by winning their first AL East title since 1995 and coming from behind to beat the Indians in the ALCS. They now carry home-field advantage -- and the increased expectations of their far-flung nation of fans -- into the World Series.

"In my opinion, it's turned around 180 degrees," Tim Wakefield, the veteran knuckleball pitcher who has been part of both of these Red Sox teams, said of the image of the team.

"The confidence you feel around town is huge," said catcher Doug Mirabelli, another member of the '04 team. "Fans are excited for us. It's not like, 'Uh, oh. What's going to happen next?'"

Since Wakefield served up the knuckleball that Boone pounded into the left field stands at Yankee Stadium in 2003, the Sox have continued to refine and strengthen their roster, trading away good players when necessary to get good players that better fit the team, hitting the free-agent market when needed and grooming some homegrown players to help out.

In 2005, for example, the Sox traded Hanley Ramirez to the Marlins. He's now one of the best young shortstops in the National League. But the Sox landed both Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell in that deal. Beckett, baseball's only 20-game winner this year, is 3-0 this postseason, with a 1.17 ERA. Lowell hit .324 with 21 homers and 120 RBIs as Boston's regular third baseman this year.

Boston went the free-agent route to sign Matsuzaka and reliever Hideki Okajima, both big parts of a 96-win team this season. And three of the players who will start Wednesday against the Rockies -- second baseman Dustin Pedroia, first baseman Kevin Youkilis and center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury -- were draft picks by the team. Closer Jonathan Papelbon was, too.

That's this generation's Sox. A team that drafts well and develops its own players. A team that is bold and smart in trading with other franchises. And a team that still is deep-pocketed enough to compete for the priciest free agents on the market.

Cursed? Not these Sox. The only curses you hear about around here anymore are the ones coming from Boston's rivals.

Building the 2007 Red Sox
Pos. Player How Acquired
2B Dustin Pedroia Draft, 2004
1B Kevin Youkilis Draft, 2001
DH David Ortiz Free agent, 2003
LF Manny Ramirez Free agent, 2000
3B Mike Lowell Trade, 2005
RF J.D. Drew Free agent, 2007
C Jason Varitek Trade, 1997
CF Jacoby Ellsbury Draft, 2005
SS Julio Lugo Free agent, 2006
SP Josh Beckett Trade, 2005
SP Daisuke Matsuzaka Free agent, 2006
SP Curt Schilling Trade, 2003
RP Hideki Okajima Free agent, 2006
RP Manny Delcarmen Draft, 2000
CL Jonathan Papelbon Draft, 2003
[/quote]

Chip: Thanks for the Buster Olney's comments.
I have indicated that the Yanks would be in transition in 2007 & 2008 with and eye on 2009. It had to be with their contracts situation and age of the players. Its another Russian 5 year plan but this might work if the fans and ownership allows it to happen.

I listed Girardi, Pena and Mattingly as the order of preference but could live with a Mattingly and Pena team. It would be dynamic both work horses as players with that burning desire to make every moment of the game special. The New Yankees could be something special.

Viper - I like Alex, would like him back, but I'm starting to warm to the idea of him leaving the Yankees and finding that Boras misled him on the market out there - and watch as Boras tries to explain why Alex is getting $200 mil over 10 years to play for the Giants. Maybe that will start to get players to opt for other agents.

Larry, I get the impression that if Peña doesn't get this job he would be the frontrunner for the Pirates position.

Lupica wrote a column in the News about A-Rod:

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2007/10/24/2007-10-24_yankees_should_say_adios_to_alex_rodrigu.html

If any of you feel inclined to, check it out. This time, I happen to agree with him.

Alright, lets play the speculation game: Assume for a minute that Mattingly gets the job and Pena, Gator, and Bowa are all gone (NOTE: I get the impression Bowa is stalling on the job offer that he's gotten from Seattle because if Mattingly is hired he would like to stick around) The Yankees would need a Bench Coach, 1b and 3b coaches and a pitching coach - how do these names strike you.

Bench Coach: Bob Boone - Veteran baseball man who has seen and done just about everything in the sport, plus as an ex-catcher he can help Posada in much the way Pena did.

1B: Luis Sojo - a calming influence who could also serve as a conduit to the team's latino players

3B: Mike Gallego - a butt kicker who has done an amazing job in Colorado keeping their young players from getting too happy with their press. Contently pushing them to do more.

P: Nardi Contreras - I don't necessarily like the idea of a rookie manager and rookie pitching coach which would give Contreras the edge over Eiland. The other possibility, though a real longshot, would be bringing Rags back from San Fran - If Mattingly is the manager I think he might be receptive to the idea, but I don't know.

Simulations say ... Red Sox will be champions

By Charles Wolfson and Luke Kraemer, Imagine Sports

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2007/news/story?id=3076269

Updated: October 24, 2007

*

The 2007 postseason has produced one of the more intriguing World Series matchups of recent years: the hot-hitting Boston Red Sox, fresh off yet another dramatic ALCS comeback, against the Colorado Rockies, winners of 21 of their last 22, but hardly "fresh" after a lengthy layoff following their NLCS sweep.
Imagine Sports
The simulations were done using the Diamond Mind Baseball software, which was developed by renowned baseball statistics expert Tom Tippett. Diamond Mind is now widely regarded as the most sophisticated and realistic baseball simulation software and was named PC Magazine's "Editor's Choice" for pc-based baseball software. Diamond Mind is now owned by Imagine Sports, a Silicon Valley-based Internet company developing multiplayer online simulation games, including Diamond Mind Online, an online baseball management game licensed and promoted by MLB Advanced Media.
We previously employed our Diamond Mind simulation software to project the results of the four Division Series and two League Championship Series. We projected the Red Sox and Yankees as ALDS winners, and the Rockies and Cubs to win in the NLDS, but with one caveat -- winning the first game of a best-of-five series gave a team such an advantage that it shifted the odds in favor of the underdogs if they drew first blood, particularly given the pitching matchups. For example, the Yankees and the Cubs dropped their openers and ended up getting eliminated. Our LCS projections for ESPN.com were even more on target. Not only did they indicate that the Rockies and Red Sox would win, but that the Rockies would do so fairly easily, while the Red Sox probably would need seven games to defeat the Indians. Before revealing our World Series simulation results, here is a brief recap of our methodology: • Before the postseason got under way, we updated our projections and ratings for each player based on his 2007 regular-season performance. • Before running our simulations for each series, based on the information available at the time and using our best judgment, we set the teams' starting rotations, batting orders, bullpen and bench roles. • Then we played each series 1,000 times. As we noted in our previous articles for ESPN.com, luck plays an even greater role in a short series than it does during the regular season, which itself can be rather unpredictable. With that in mind, the results of our simulations project the Red Sox to reprise their 2004 championship and defeat the Rockies. In fact, Boston won over 70 percent of our 1,000 series simulations, the largest winning margin of any of our 2007 postseason projections:
ROCKIES VS. RED SOX
BOS in 4 BOS in 5 BOS in 6 BOS in 7 COL in 7 COL in 6 COL in 5 COL in 4 Overall
105 182 201 215 83 100 80 34 703-297
Over our 1,000 series simulations, the Red Sox averaged 4.81 runs per game to just 4.09 for the Rockies, which is equivalent to 779 and 663 runs, respectively, over a 162-game season. A 779-663 run differential equates to a record of 94-68, a .580 winning percentage, using Bill James' Pythagorean formula for projecting team wins based on runs scored. Sure enough, Boston's aggregate record against Colorado over1,000 simulated series was 3,341-2,417 (.580). There are, however, a number of features presented by this series capable of confounding any attempt to project or predict the outcome:

The Designated Hitter
In Colorado, there won't be a DH, which will present Red Sox manager Terry Francona with a dilemma: send Kevin Youkilis (who banged out 14 hits in the LCS against Cleveland) to the bench and play David Ortiz (with his bad knee and weak defense) at first base? Or use Ortiz and Youkilis in a platoon? If Ortiz plays first base, could Youkilis be shifted to third, weakening another position defensively and benching Mike Lowell (and his team-leading 120 RBIs during the regular season)? We chose to start Ortiz at first base in all three games in Colorado, but then tried a few other combinations as well. However, it made little difference to the outcome. For example, when we started Youkilis instead of Ortiz, Boston actually increased its series edge from 703-297 to 707-293.
The Layoff
The Rockies have won a remarkable 21 of their last 22 games, but will not have played for nine days when the first pitch is thrown on Wednesday. Our simulation does not factor in any effect for that unprecedented layoff, nor is the projected performance of players or teams in the simulation influenced by the fact that they may be in the midst of a streak or slump.
The Weather
Our Diamond Mind simulation software does include weather effects, so seasonably chilly weather in Boston and Denver did affect the results of our series simulations. Nevertheless, unseasonably cold (or warm) weather, including gusty wind and snow, could affect the series in a number of ways, such as causing postponements that might allow Josh Beckett to start three series games on full rest.

As good as Colorado's pitching has been in its Cinderella run to the World Series, our simulations suggest that the Red Sox will turn giant-killer Josh Fogg (6.43 ERA in our simulations) and flame-throwing youngster Ubaldo Jimenez (5.19) back into pumpkins. While Ortiz and Manny Ramirez both continued their postseason assault against the Rockies in our simulations, it was Lowell's .304 batting average that led the way for Boston, with substantial contributions from Dustin Pedroia (.292) and Jacoby Ellsbury (.286). In our ALCS simulations, we projected that one key to a Red Sox victory might be that their pitching would control Travis Hafner -- he averaged .227 in our simulations, and he hit just .148 in the series. In our World Series simulations, Matt Holliday (.292) and Todd Helton (.286) were productive offensively for the Rockies, but Boston's pitching managed to hold Brad Hawpe (.250), Troy Tulowitzki (.238) and Kazuo Matsui (.280 OBP) in check. A short series often will produce standout performances, sometimes from unlikely sources (like David Eckstein in last year's World Series). Imagine if a series actually were replayed 1,000 times, which is more postseason series than have been played throughout the entire history of Major League Baseball: the odds of something extraordinary occurring would increase significantly. Here are some of the more spectacular performances from our 1,000 series simulations: • No pitcher on either team threw two shutouts in even a single series out of 1,000. Interestingly, though, the pitcher to come closest to the feat wasn't Josh Beckett, but veteran Curt Schilling, who in one of our simulations had two complete-game victories in which he allowed just one run total. • Ortiz belted five homers in four different series simulations.

• Mike Lowell had one 18- and two 16-hit series. • Willy Taveras, perhaps as unlikely a potential series MVP as Eckstein, had two scintillating series, tallying 19 hits in one and 16 hits in another. If the Rockies were to defeat the Red Sox, it may be Holliday, however, who carries them to victory. Over our 1,000 series simulations, Holliday had one series with 17 hits and three with 16; he hit five home runs in five different series; and he registered one 15-, one 14- and two 13-RBI series. Winning Game 1 of a short series is such an advantage that it frequently will shift the odds in favor of an underdog. In our simulations, Beckett and the Red Sox bested Jeff Francis and the Rockies in Game 1 59.5 percent of the time. Simulating the series 1,000 times after a Game 1 Boston win put the Red Sox in a commanding position, with an 81.4-percent likelihood of winning and a 15-percent chance of a sweep:
ROCKIES VS. RED SOX
BOS in 4 BOS in 5 BOS in 6 BOS in 7 COL in 7 COL in 6 COL in 5 COL in 4 Overall
150 234 236 194 78 75 33 0 814-186
On the other hand, if Francis and the Rockies best Beckett and the Red Sox in Game 1, the odds get much better for the Rockies, with the Series essentially becoming a toss-up. Still, Boston enters the series with such a substantial projected edge that the Red Sox remain very slight favorites, winning the series 50.9 percent of the time even if they drop the opener, compared to the Rockies winning it 49.1 percent of the time:
ROCKIES VS. RED SOX
BOS in 4 BOS in 5 BOS in 6 BOS in 7 COL in 7 COL in 6 COL in 5 COL in 4 Overall
0 186 188 235 111 125 145 110 509-491
If the Rockies are to overcome the odds and win the World Series in their first attempt, the key might be to overcome the postseason dominance of Josh Beckett and the rust of a eight-day layoff to win Game 1. The bottom line, however, is that Imagine Sports projects another championship for Red Sox Nation -- their second in four years -- with their victory most likely coming at Fenway Park in six or seven games but with a decent chance that Boston could take it in four or five games.
Postscript
Hold the presses! After we'd run and analyzed the results of our simulations, the Red Sox and Rockies each announced changes to their playoff rosters and pitching rotations: Boston removed Tim Wakefield from its World Series roster, with Jon Lester the likely Game 4 starter, and Colorado activated Aaron Cook, who is slated to start Game 4 in place of Franklin Morales.

We ran our simulations again to reflect these changes, and the advantage was even more decidedly in favor of the Red Sox. With Game 4 being a matchup of Lester against Cook instead of Wakefield against Morales, Boston's edge over 1,000 series simulations increased from 703-297 to 720-280 and raised the likelihood of Boston sweeping or winning in five games from 28.7 percent to 32.2 percent. Furthermore, the Series changes from a virtual toss-up if the Rockies win Game 1 (509-491, Boston) to a more significant Red Sox advantage (542-458) in that scenario.

The last-minute changes to the rosters and rotations appear to have increased Boston's advantage, possibly because of the Rockies' dropping Morales in favor of Cook. Ironically, Morales -- now in the Rockies' bullpen -- threw the only no-hitter in our original simulation runs.
As a result, we still see the Red Sox winning in six games, but there is now a more substantial possibility that Boston will take it in four or five.

If the Yankees are ina "transition period" aka Rebuilding, we can say goodbye to Posada, Mo, and A-Rod. Why would any of them want to stick around to Rebuild? Especially, Posada and Mo who are both nearing the ned of their careers.

Chip: It might be so and makes sense for Pena if not chosen. But, taking the Pittsburg job is such a dead end.

Personally, I would prefer bench coach on a contender than playing baseball in market with little to offer as far as opportunity to contend. Pena may be hurt sitting next to a guy who beat him out for the job. I understand this but an offer of some worth might be worth consideration. But your coaching staff is appealing. it will be interesting to see the influence of the new mgr.

John:

As I said in a post above, when the Yankees talk about transition it should not be confused with rebuilding.

Yes, the team is letting moving some older players for an infusion of youth, but that started a couple of years back with Cano and Melky coming in and guys like Womack and Bernie being shifted out - next year it will continue with Clemens (and possibly Mussina) going in favor of young arms like Joba, Hughes and Kennedy - but the thing is, in those instances the Yankees had good young players ready to step in. Not so with Mo or Posada (A-Rod is a separate issue in my mind).

And the Yankees, even in this transition mode, are not going to turn into the Marlins or the Nationals - they are going to compete at a high level and just mix young players in with seasoned veterans.

Larry you could be right re: Bench Coach on a contender vs. Manager for the Pirates, but I just think Pena really wants to get back to the managerial position and if Mattingly gets the Yankee job that door obviously won't be open to him here.

He might want to wait a year though because next season there could be some bigger jobs opening up (Mets, Dodgers, White Sox, Brewers, Blue Jays) so that could work in the Yankees' favor.

"Transition period" is just another way of saying "cutting payroll". Hank is trying to "lower" the expectations of Yankee fans by "puffing up" the young Yankee players. Kind of the old magacian's trick of diverting your attention. A-OPT is as good as gone. They will use the same approach they used with Torre. Hit A-OPT with a 1 time offer they are confident he will reject, then walk away waiting for him to use the opt-out clause. I do believe they will try to get both Posada and MO back in that order, and attempt to get as much of the money involved "deferred". H\H want a competitive team, with "name" players opening that new park in "09", but as I've said before, their primary intention is to sell this team, or sell the parts "piece meal" if that option is easier and more lucrative.

I know a team that doesn't need a manager....The Red Sox because they have the best manager in the world and are the best team in the world! Swallow that Yankke Fans!

By the way, Nudge, Sully, Viper and Casual Observer are my heroes!

Um, I'm not a Red Sox fan.

Please go away and watch your team lose to the Rockies.

Roy - The Yankee payroll will be cut as a result of the team having a better farm system and the free agent market being drier than the Sahara.

Rather than replacing Roger Clemens' $18 mil by signing Carlos Silva for 4 years and $40 mil the Yankees will insert Joba Chamberlain into the rotation for considerably less. Rather than signing the next Kyle Farnsworth or Steve Karsay to replace Luis Vizciano they will call upon Ross Ohlendorf.

The Yankees are still going to make both Jorge Posada and Mariano the highest paid players at their positions, and offer a very big contract to Alex - but they will not spend money for the sake of saying "we don't want fans like Roy to think that we're slashing payroll."

Anonymous, Until your team losses in the greatest upset in the history of sports to the Rockies. Then you chowder lovers will be calling for the head of Francona. Gotta love the chowder hyprocites!!!

I would like to point out my girlfriend is a Red Sox fan as are three of the people I work with on a daily basis - between them and Roy's daily proclamations that the Yankees are doomed - I've been in hell for about 2 weeks.

Well said, Chip. That is exactly the plan going forward.

Roy still wants Joba traded for Teixeira and Kennedy traded for Gagne so that Brian Cashman will keep his job.

Guys - be fair to Anon - after all he's only been a Red Sox fan for 3 years now. About as long as he's been a Patriots fan I reckon.

Chip you should be in extasy talking about the wicked awsome Sox!

Viper - I'm sure at some point it will dawn on him that having good young players means that you can cut payroll without "dismantling the team" or doing it with the motive of "selling the team for scrap" I don't know when that point will be - possibly after someone teaches him how to properly use quotation marks - but it will happen....right?

CHIP-
"He who excuses himself, accuses himself". Man up

Roy - "The wind that makes no sound still offers relief" I can quote fortune cookies too.

ROY -

So just to double check what you're saying:

Even if the Yankees have better, less expensive options in the minor leagues, you want them to spend money on high priced free agents who are not as good just so that Hal and Hank can prove to YOU that their intention is to not slash payroll?

How does that make sense? Either from a baseball or business sense?

The point your "opinions" do not have to be defended with the number of R\Sox fans you know. Again, Man Up.

Roy - the point of the Red Sox fans was nothing more than humor. That I am in hell, as a Yankee fan, listening both at work and home to them boast - now go take a midol and lie down.

The team can go with youth in their "transition period" of "lowering payroll" and still win at the same time. It might or might not make them a better or worse team. Time will tell us.

Personally, I would take ANY of the young guys over Farnsworthless, Clemens, etc. The key is getting the right manager to lead this team. And, I must admit that I just read something Mattingly said that has allowed me to give him a few points.

He said that he has learned something from ALL of the managers he's worked or played for - JT, Billy Martin, Lou, and Dallas Green. He also said that he knew JT was a "low key" personality and that doesn't mean he (Mattingly) is too.

I think it is obvious by Hank's statement that Mattingly is going to get the job! It's a done deal from my perspective. This is one of those read between the lines moments. Take notes on how you read this stuff fellow fans. Hank's basically telling us to stay off the rookie managers back for a couple of years.

CHIP-
I said a while ago H\H were "intent" on selling this team, and you guys "dog piled" me. Today, Hank announces "transition period", which we all know is "speak" for payroll slashing which is done in order to maximize current profit, and therefore ease selling a team. It's all there to see.

Rick - I can't believe I actually agree with you. It's scary and all and I encourage all bloggers to call your friends and loved ones and tell them how you feel about them because there is an 87% chance the world is going to end.

Great article on Hank but horrible photo of him. I know Newsday photogs can do better than that!! We know Hank is not that ugly but what does the quality of the photo say about Newsday's talent? Not a lot.

Roy -

The fatal flaw with your logic is that the Yankees are not slashing payroll just to slash payroll - they are getting rid of high priced ineffective veterans (Clemens this year, Giambi, Mussina, and Farnsworth the next) and replacing them with kids who are not being a given a shot just because they are inexpensive, but because they are actually GOOD players.

They will still have a higher payroll than every other team next season after they re-sign Posada and Mo. This is not a slash and burn like the Marlins did - it is simply the result of bad free agents, and a deep farm system.

The Transition Period refers to:

* New manager
* No more Torre
* More minor league players
* Hank and Hal now in control

That's all there is to see.

Anon -

Forgive Roy - he's like that Mel Gibson character in Conspiracy Theory.

Rick,
I took Hank's statement to mean the same thing, Donnie Baseball will be the next manager of the Yankees. I think he gets an automatic grace period from fans since he is so popular but I think Hank was asking the media to back off, which they won't.

We should start calling Roy "MR. DOOM" or "Roy-Doom" or "R-Doom"

I can agree with that Chip,

So who is going to be Your set up guy??

COMMISH-
Hanks comments were not only intended to lower the bar\expectations, but to inform everyone the days of "free spending" are over. This is what I mean by "distaction". He starts off defending a Yankee icon\Mattingly, then it's, "by the way, we are in a transition period". After the Torre fiasco, the B\B Boys must be getting a crash course obfuscation.

Ineffective Veterans= A-OPT?

Bomber - I think the Yankees will try out Ohlendorf and Veras (and Farnsworth and Bruney will get another crack) but ultimately it could be Humberto Sanchez who should be ready to go by June I would think.

Roy -

No, A-Rod is not an ineffective veteran which is why I didn't list him. The Yankees are just not interested in playing Boras' games - I don't see it as penny pinching to offer him a 7 year $200 mil extension on top of the 3 years and $81 he has left - but if Boras thinks he can get 12 years and $400 million from some other team, that's just stupid and I would rather the Yankees moved on to plan B than spent the entire winter messing around with that.

So if the Yanks offer anything less than 7yrs. $200 million, on top of his remaining 3 yrs, you would agree they are "dumping" him. Correct?

Roy

If you recall, last winter when Swindell was still in charge, I posted on here alot about the "new Yankee way" which was going to be much more frugal in it's spending and going to youth.

Like I said above, it could work out well. It depends on alot of things. They have in recent years wasted alot of money on ineffective FA players like Clemens, Farnsworthless, Mussina, Igawa, Giambi, Damon, etc.

I have no problem with transition to youth per say. But, money still needs to be spent on the "right players" such as Mo and Jorge. A combination of giving youth a chance and still signing "key" performers is needed. Time will tell. Let's see what happens!

After Watching Russ in game 1 I wonder , basically Fingers is crossed for Sanchez

I think that when Hank says transition, he's talking about the manager situation, not spending. He's talking about the transition from a guy who's managed the yankees for 12 years to a new manager. That's all i took from that comment.
The Yankees are not going to go all out and slash payroll for the sake of slashing payroll, but they're going to reduce it when the contracts of the high priced slugs like Giambi. Mussina and Fransworth are done.
If there's a FA out there who they feel will help the club, they're going to go out and get that guy, regardless of price.

Going to youth is the key and with that comes a smaller payroll. It's a win-win situation. The focus will now be more on finding the best homegrown talent -- not spending the most money.

If the Yankees offer him:

A deal that is less than 6 years long or

A deal with an average annual value of less than $25 million

Then yes, I would say it is an offer they do not intend for him to take seriously.

NOW - if Alex walks away from the team and ends up signing with the Giants (for example) for 7 years at $25 million per - and the Yankees keep to their word and just let him go - I have no problem with that, because at that point they are just falling into Boras' trap of getting the Yankees to bid on him as a Free Agent and drum the price up.

Chip

WOW, I find myself agreeing with you much too often also. You are actually agreeing that AR isn't worth a billion dollars per year for 40 years! UNBELIEVABLE !!!

I consider Rowand a "key" signing. Talk about "fire \desire".

Bomber -

I actually give Ross a pass on that game. He hadn't pitched in relief a lot in the minors, only had a couple of ML appearances and was tossed into a firestorm. I think he rebounds nicely from it.

Sanchez will be good - he's my leading candidate to take over for Rivera down the line.

I have a bad feeling about Don ,not that bad but a feeling that if this team plays bad he QUITS.

"The team stress is making me miss my family and I wanna go home and play with my horsey's"

so let me ask ya'll this if you see Mattingly do a rea l bad manager move and it cost the team some games would you boo him?

Roy -

Where would you play Rowand considering Melky in CF, Damon/Matsui in LF and Bobby Abreu in RF.

Trying to figure out when we allowed a stinkin' Bosox fan to post their garbage lineup match-ups on our YANKEE blogsite. Keep your filthy players and your filthy stats to yourself, Anemone. Go back to the bottom of the ocean where you belong, and bring a bar of soap with ya.
Sacrilege and lack of respect. See what nice guys get?

Bomber,

We're fans. If Mattingly makes a bad move, he's going to get booed.

It comes with the territory.

I also don't think that the Yankees are going to be a bad team. I see a lot of good things here so I'm hoping for a good season in 2008.

CHIP-
Waffle, Waffle, Waffle. You go fromm 7yrs. $200 million, to 5 yrs, at less than he is currently making. It's easy to see why you are "living in hell" with the R\Sox fans around you. Again, stand firm.

Bomber

I would boo "the move" as bad baseball. Hopefully, it would encourage the manager (whoever it is) not to make that same mistake move again.

Nice way to treat a Yankee icon, Bomber.

Here's the scoop. You wanted Torre gone and that's your prerogative.

Well, you got your wish but you can't name his replacement. Like it or not, you're gonna have to live with the decision.

I do find it appalling that you would already trash the guy and essentially predict doomsday scenarios before he has the job.

Classy.

I've posted previously I would trade Melky. Hopefully to the Braves, (who love him), for Escobar to replace A-OPT. Chipper has 3rd "covered", and they can use Kelly Johnson at 2B. With Jones gone, they need a CF.

Chip,

Is Roy totally missing your points or am I real bad at reading comprehension? Which one of us has the problem?

ROY -

You asked me what offer I thought would indicate that the Yankees are not seriously trying to retain Alex - I just told you what I thought you chuckle-head.

I think a 7 year extension at $200 mil is fair. As the scout listed above in the quote from Buster Olney pointed out - that would take the contract to a total of 10 years and $281 million. I do not think that if the Yankees offered an extension that would gross out to 6 years $180 mil ($25 mil per season) they would seriously expect Alex to sign on the dotted line.

So what do you think is a reasonable deal for a rookie manager?

Base salary how much?

Years of contract how many?

Incentives what kind and how much?

H/H Boys must have stiffed Roy on the tip again! Stop taking that table, Roy. Those guys just don't tip well. Chip has had some "right on the mark" opinions today.
Kinda impressed there, Chip-wich.

Roy - that's not a bad trade idea, but Yuniel Escobar is a SS, the Braves are trying to trade Renteria to open the position up for him, and they wouldn't include Escobar for Teixiera so they certainly won't trade him for Melky.

Anon - it's not you.

Viper

Again you don't get it at all! It's not about CLASSY. It's about WINNING championships!

"Nice guys finish last". Leo Durocher

"If winning isn't important, why do we keep score?" Billy Martin

You're like one of these soccer moms that want their kid to grow up "politically correct" on everything and for everyone to get a trophy just for participating. WAKE UP to REALITY!!!!

3 yrs @ 2.5 - 3 mil per plus the same JT playoff bonus structure.

No viper you just addressed the situation that may have been already brought up at the meeting.

How would you handle New York Jeers if it comes your way?

I was'nt being funny jsut setting a example or playing devils advocate.

Again you mention Icon , No he would be a damm manager and should'nt be treated any different than any other manager.

You commented on my example .

However if mattingly does not get the Job and the next person makes a flaw that person would get booed and people like you would probally say If they woudl have hired Mattingly it would've been different while on the other hand you would give mattingly a pass due to him being an Icon.

That is not evaluation material that is sentiment.

Mattingly will, as with every manager, have ups and downs. I don't think he'll walk away if the team is bad - more to the point I don't think the team will be bad. I think the Yankees and Mattingly himself will be smart enough to fill his staff with experienced baseball people who can provide him with some words of wisdom when he needs them (see my above comment about Bob Boone)

Mike from Jersey,

I'm just desperate for attention and so I'm jumping up and down here crying for it. I'm very upset that Yankee fans are more concerned with their next manager and their 2008 team than they are with the Red Sox. I now realize that Yankees fans are interested in the World Series no matter who is playing in it, not because the Red Sox are in it. I know that the Red Sox being in the World Series takes nothing away from the Yankees... there's always next year. It bothers me that Yankees fans aren't obsessed with the Red Sox the way we are obsessed with the Yankees...win or lose. Please forgive me for coming to the Yankees forum and acting like a total a$$.

Trading Renteria will be difficult, and Atlanta still has that "hole" in CF. H\H should make a serious run at Atlanta regarding this move.