Hank Steinbrenner stopped and spoke with the media twice within half an hour. He arrived at Legends Field just before 1 p.m. and was gone by 1:25 p.m. I'm sorry the news isn't terribly juicy, but here it is.
On his way in, he said: "I'll get the baseball people's opinion, mostly."
Asked about if they had planned to have more than three candidates, he said: "At one point, sure. It kind of whittled down to three, and three good guys."
Asked if a decision could be made today, he said: "It could be, I couldn't tell you that."
About 20 minutes later, Hank Steinbrenner left. He had earlier been asked if there was any concern over naming a manager during the World Series, given commissioner Bud Selig's preference that that not happen. He didn't have an answer on his way in, but on his way out, said: "We're going to honor Bud's wishes, and that's the bottom line."
Asked if that meant they could announce it on a World Series off day, he said: "We'll talk to the baseball office and see what they think."
As yet, though, he said there was no decision: "We haven't made it, though."
Could they make it today? "I don't know."
As he walked away, someone asked if he was headed to meet with GM Brian Cashman, he said: "I've got other stuff, not just the Yankees."
Comments (89)
Thanks, Kat, for keeping us updated, many of us are out here obsessing and appreciate any little details you can pass on.
It would be nice to find out who the manager is so we can move on to the players. If Joba is starting what do we do for middle relief? We really need to find a Stanton/Nelson combo again. Either way we need a reliable lefty in the pen. We haven't had one of them since......I can't think of any since Stanton.
Hey I see that A-Clod won the "MLB/Pepsi Clutch Player award". To bad he can't do that in the post season. If they had an award for the post season he would get the "Least Clutch Player Award". What an overpaid bum!
A little something to take note for that the accounting firm I work for, KPMG, will be doing before game 3 of the World Series:
"The 2007 World Series between the Boston Red Sox and Colorado Rockies is underway, and KPMG and the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) initiative will be center stage at the fall classic.
Before Game 3 in Denver on Saturday, Tim Flynn will present Major League Baseball with a $1 million check. The check represents a good portion of the firm’s sponsorship of RBI, which is the cornerstone of the firm’s community involvement efforts. We anticipate the presentation will take place before live television coverage of the game begins."
Probably won't hear much from me for a while.
Dog:
Here's how I see the pen shaping up: Rivera, Ohlendorf, Farnsworth, Karstens, Henn, Ramirez, Veras - eventually Humberto Sanchez will come in and be the shut down Joba type.
Here - to get our minds on players and not managers - are some purely speculative deals:
Johnny Damon to the Indians for Cliff Lee and Andy Marte
Lee was a huge disappointment after signing his new contract and spent the entire year in the minors, but I think he's prone for a bounce back - Marte was a top prospect who now no longer will have an opportunity to play (I think the Tribe will move Peralta to 3b, Asdrubal to SS, and Barfield back to 2nd to give them a stronger defensive infield) Damon would give the Indians something they desperately lacked this year, and that's a true leadoff hitter so they can move Sizemore to the 3 spot where he belongs.
I don't think Marte could replace Alex if A-Rod leaves, but he's a valuable commodity for Trade 2:
Marte, Kennedy, Horne, Zach McCallister, Brett Gardner to the Marlins for Miguel Cabrera and Henry Owens.
The Marlins get three very good young pitching prospects as well as a third baseman to plug into the hole created by trading Cabrera and a CF prospect - which they desperately want. The Yankees get one of the four best right handed hitters in baseball (with Alex, Manny, and Pujols) the trick will be to light a fire under him and keep him motivated. Given what Bowa has done with Cano I don't see that as a problem if he's still on the coaching staff. Henry Owens is a hard throwing relief pitcher (which you can never have enough of)
Mike Mussina and cash to the Phillies for prospects. If the Yankees could get the Diamondbacks to take Randy Johnson coming off of back surgery with $16 mil on his contract they can find a market for a healthy Mike Mussina with $11 mil owed to him. The trick would be getting Moose to OK a trade - which is why I suggest the Phillies. First, with Leiber and Garcia both FA's they will need pitching, 2nd - if they have any plans on keeping Aaron Rowand they can't go out and spend 50 mil on a Carlos Silva to find that pitching. If Moose wants to keep his career going, the NL is the place to do it and the Phillies are close to his Pennsylvania home. The prospects the Yankees get back in the deal will help off-set the loss of the prospects that they are giving up.
Matsui and Tyler Clippard to the Angels for Juan Rivera and Erik Aybar
The Angels desperately need a Lefty bat to protect Vlad in the lineup - Juan Rivera was hurt a lot of last year and has been a little injury prone, but I take the shot on him - and Aybar is a good utility guy on the bench.
So here's my team:
Jeter - SS
Melky - CF
Abreu - RF
Cabrera - 3B
Posada - C
Cano - 2B
Rivera - LF
Giambi - DH
Meinty - 1B
Bench: Phillips, Molina, Betemit, Duncan, Aybar
Rotation:
Pettitte
Wang
Lee
Hughes
Joba
Pen: Rivera, Farnsworth, Owens, Ohlendorf, Henn, Edwar
I Just want to say i am disappointed in the decision to let Joe Torre go. If there where a better option i would understand the thinking but there is not
getting ready for long season now
Nice work Chip. You are the man when it comes to this stuff. I would prefer a better lefty in the pen other then Henn. Is there anybody out there?
Dog - not really - lefties in the pen are a shot in the dark more often than not.
Oh well. I guess I long for the days of Stanton and Nelson.
Chip
It would be great if these moves could happen and we can dump these guys, but I don't think they are going to trade Matsui because of the Japan marketing business aspect. Matsui is bigger than DiceK over there isn't he?
Last year Cashman pulled the trifecta of Sheffield,Johnson and Wright dumps.
Can he do the same this year with (pick 3 of 5)Mussina, Farnsworth, Damon, Giambi, Matsui? If he does, Cash earns a contract extension
Juan Rivera? Are you kidding me? He's former Yankees prospect and player. No thanks ...
Hank's conversation with the "baseball office" was along the lines of, "Is Bud gonna allow us to announce this Friday, or does he wanna run the risk of it "leaking" out and droning on throughout the entire World Series"? Hank saying "I've got other stuff, not just the Yankees", shows the same lack of interest he displayed in the 80's, when The Boss tried to get him involved in the operation of the Yanks. Once George is no longer involved in the operation of this team, either physically and or mentally, H\H are gonna sell. Hanks words are a dead give-a-way.
Chip
All the stuff I've read recently (some of which I believe you yourself directed me to) has Alex coming back next year.
If he stays it's not an issue but I must admit that Cabrera is VERY attractive and if Alex does skip town I hope he'd be a 1st priority for Cashman to go after.
Roy
Maybe Hank had a family or medical issue. These people do have lives.
There is more to life than baseball.
cs07...
I think Mussina believe it or not has value to a Cardinals, Padres or some NL team in a pitcher's park (the Giants?)
Farnsworth is like the psychopath woman with a killer body. You know she's trouble but you can't resist her.
Someone will stare at Farnsworth's chest.
Some pitching coach will think "I can fix him." And then have his rabbit boiled.
Damon has value. He's a winner, a potential leader and a media star. Think a team like the Dodgers wouldn't love him?
If I were the Yankees I wouldn't trade Matsui... he's still a good hitter and his lousy post season not withstanding I think he can be a solid contributor. If you want to dump him, you'd get something usable.
The real question is Giambi.
If he could get a Milky Way bar for Giambi you make the deal.
The fat can be trimmed with the New Yankees and frankly with a new manager without the veteran alliegances, it might be easier emotionally to part with Mussina et al.
The younger the Yankees get the scarier they will be
Roy
You CAN NOT POSSIBLY be this paranoid.
Please tell me your being "Tongue" in "Cheek"
CS 07 - I think Cashman has a tricky situation - he needs to move either Giambi or Matsui, would rather deal Giambi but can get more for Matsui - that's why I think he goes.
Phucker - He very well might be back - but the hot stove stuff is more interesting if he's gone.
Roy - you're my favorite nut job. Saying you have other things to do doesn't mean you're not interested in the stuff you're doing.
Side note: I'm getting sick of Mike and Mad Dog taking shots at YES and the Yankees as if their show is a key bit of programming for the network - how many guys interested in sports can sit around watching TV all day. Most of us in offices have radios or can listen through computers, but how many stay at home dads do you know?
cs07-
"Stuff" usually doesn't qualify as a "family" or "medical" issue. Stuff is normally a sustitute for saying "sh..", and shows a level of frustration.
Chip is off his rocker this time. Only players that I believe should be moved (and will be) are:
Moose
Giambi
Farnsworth (maybe)
The new manager will try to keep Farnsworth, thinking he can "fix" what is wrong with him. Farns-not-worth will be traded during the season. I think Karstens will not be in there. Igawa will be the long man/lefty out of the bullpen. That will be solely because of the monetary investment, until a better option comes along via trade (San Diego?). Rivera is GARBAGE (Angels have a way of making their "garbage" players look like they are must-haves, when they are really borderline major leaguers (AAAA). Lee will take the place of Paul "Uumpa Luumpa" Byrd in their rotation, so they are not giving him up to us. We have a set starting rotation anyway-
Hughes
Wang
Pettite
Kennedy
Joba
Menky and Phillips will share 1st base. Don't be surprised if Joe Crede is playing 3rd, getting an occasional rest from Betemit against tough righties.
Chip is off his rocker this time. Only players that I believe should be moved (and will be) are:
Moose
Giambi
Farnsworth (maybe)
The new manager will try to keep Farnsworth, thinking he can "fix" what is wrong with him. Farns-not-worth will be traded during the season. I think Karstens will not be in there. Igawa will be the long man/lefty out of the bullpen. That will be solely because of the monetary investment, until a better option comes along via trade (San Diego?). Rivera is GARBAGE (Angels have a way of making their "garbage" players look like they are must-haves, when they are really borderline major leaguers (AAAA). Lee will take the place of Paul "Uumpa Luumpa" Byrd in their rotation, so they are not giving him up to us. We have a set starting rotation anyway-
Hughes
Wang
Pettite
Kennedy
Joba
Menky and Phillips will share 1st base. Don't be surprised if Joe Crede is playing 3rd, getting an occasional rest from Betemit against tough righties.
Sully -
I agree that Mussina has value. The problem is finding a team that will see that value in Mussina that he will agree to be traded to. Given his general stubbornness I can't see him picking up and moving all that far, which limits him to the Orioles, Nationals, Phillies, and Mets. Given how bad the Orioles and Nationals are - that's a no, the Mets are trying to get younger so he's not a fit there - but the Phillies do make sense. Granted his home park is a joke, but the other teams in that division play in huge parks.
I like Crede at third. He is a tough player. He could be a Brosius type. I hope the Yanks don't cave on their stance of A-Rod. If he opts out then let him go. I want to see some new faces. Of course I was never a big A-Rod fan so that is probably swaying my thought process.
Mike - If the new manager is Mattingly then he has seen Farnsworth long enough to know that he can't be fixed.
Not off my rocker - just thinking out loud and trying to get us away from all this managerial nonsense.
Can any of you familiar with The Boss in his prime ever remember or even imagine him saying this? No way. Whether you liked George back then, he showed a level of dedication that his sons do not possess.
If the Yanks are willing to eat some of Mussina's contract, he's the type of pitcher Atlanta has acquired in the past.
I have two problems with Crede at 3rd:
1. He's coming off of major back surgery
2. He's a Boras client - so if we assume that Boras wants the Yankees to be in until the end on Alex Rodriguez he is certainly not going to negotiate a contract for Crede to sign with the Yankees.
Mike - Adam Miller, Indians' top prospect pitcher, is probably going to replace Paul "Pituitary" Byrd
Roy,
I agree with your comments about George but there is only one George. You will never see another owner like him again. His son's don't have the desire that their father has but that doesn't mean they do not want to win. It is all about the money. The more you win the more money you make. They see it as a business where George saw it as a competition. Either way it is all about putting the best team on the field and winning.
If none of the trio of Damon/Matsui/Giambi are moved, I wouldn't be surprised if they move Damon to first during spring training.
If Joe Crede is mentioned again I may have to slit my wrists!!
1.Cabrera
2.Lowell
After those two you may as well look for a 2nd baseman and move Robbie IMO.
Crede is old, damaged, and nearly useless at this stage.
Roy -
You have no idea what Hank had to go take care of - you're reading way too much into all of this - ease off the panic button.
JOE CREDE
Phucker - I'm not a huge Joe Crede fan but he's only 29.
I would add one more name to that list before moving Robbie and that's Adrian Beltre who had a nice bounce back year this season and is a wizard at third - but after that I'm with you - move Cano to 3b and go sign Orlando Hudson.
CHIP-
No panic here. Just looking at the man's actual words.
Roy,
Sorry, but i don't see Hank's comments as a big deal. I sure as hell don't get the impression that he wants to sell the team from hose comments.
Besides, I'd much rather that he and all of the other non-baseball management types stay in the background and let the baseball people do their jobs.
Roy
No, you're reading meaning into words without actually knowing what he means. You're applying your value to the word "stuff" to what he said. For all you know, CS07 is right when he said that maybe Hank had some family thing to do - hell maybe he did have something to do with the horse farm - there's not exactly any pressing business going on with the Yankees that can be taken care of at the moment - they aren't interviewing anyone today, Free Agency hasn't started - maybe he just wanted to go out and get some lunch - what do ANY of those things have to do with him selling the Yankees?
Dedication\Interest
If I tell my girlfriend that I can't have dinner with her tonight because I have other stuff to take care of, does that mean I'm cheating on her? Of course not. And Hank saying he has "stuff besides the Yankees" to take care of just means he has other obligations at that moment and it's not something he cares to share - NOT A BIG DEAL
Damon is not going anywhere.The only legit lead off man the Yanks have.Also, Farnsworth will be much better next year with a manager that knows how to use him.
Sweeny Murtry is on the FAN now.
I was just reading the ridiculous comments made by Barry Bonds during an interview this week. Among them were the following:
"I would consider DHing for the Yankees. Unfortunately, the Yankees have two DHs, so that dream would never happen," Bonds said.
What "dream" is this exactly. Has Bonds ever publicly stated that he wanted to play for the Yankees? Didn't he use them to jack up the price when he left Pittsburgh for SF?
Of all the things that can happen this Yankee off season, signing Bonds cannot be one of them.
CHIP-
Your example means "stuff" has the priority over your girlfriend. Dedication\Interest
One of the comments that came out from the Yankee meetings today is: "Are you going to go against your father's wishes?"
I take that to mean that no matter who cashman recommends for the job, it's going to be Mattingly.
Chip
I had a feeling that Crede may not be as old as I think he is but thats more reason that I believe he's a horrible idea.
I'm with you-O. Hudson is nice player. I'd be far more comfortable with him than Crede/Betimit et al...
Roy - not necessarily - it just means I can't be in two places at the same time.
Right now - according to what I'm hearing on WFAN as I type this - Brian Cashman is meeting with the baseball people who were part of the interview and in an hour will meet with both brothers with his choice for manager. So there is nothing for Hank to do in the process until Cashman is ready to meet with him.
Hi Boys!! Love you so much.. Go Redsox..!!
I'm listening to Mike and Mad Dog trying to paint conspiracies about Randy Levine being in the process of picking the manager - and no matter how many times Sweeney is shooting that notion down they keep coming back to it:
M&MD: Who besides Cashman is making the recommendation?
Sweeney: We've been told that Cashman will meet with ownership and ownership is Hank, Hal and George
M&MD: So where is Levine in all of this
Sweeney: As far as I know when a manager is picked Levine (whose job is to consult on contracts) will help form the contract
M&MD: But does Levine get to have a pick in the manager
Sweeney: Not that I heard of.
BTW - Some rumor that the Dodgers might be in on Torre, or Girardi.
Cabrera is a malcontent (see Sheffield), an overweight one at that, and is not even 30. He is going to be decent for a few more good years - then "get in trouble with the law/fight your teammates" type guy. Head got too big too soon. Who can get through to this guy? Rather give ARod the keys to the city before grabbing this tub of pasteles.
Although, Chip, I do agree with you now about Crede, if Boras is his agent. He would never undercut the ARod deal by letting the Yanks have an out with Crede. Crede would be a good fit for us, but I guess we have to look around some more. Lowell will resign with Bosox.
The Steins will make their own choice regardless of "The Baseball People" and their recommendation. It does appear things are picking up speed heading into that "off" day.
Chip,
That was an interesting interview.
This is the one thing I agree with those two clowns on: The Yankees can't let Torre, Gator and Mattingly go in the same year. So if Girardi and Mattingly are equally impressive it gives Mattingly the edge.
I love Russo referring to Peña as a "disposable manager." Someone should point out to him that Torre was supposed to be a disposable manager to prime Willie Randolph for the job.
Waite - I agree - Mike and Chris have a very obvious agenda and the problem (for them) is that their view and reality are not on par.
Mike -
I think part of his attitude comes from getting a WS ring in his first year and then watching the team get torn down and all of a sudden being tabbed as "the man" at 22. I think if you take him out of that bad situation in Florida, stick him on a good Yankee team with leaders on the field (Jeter, Posada) who won't take his nonsense and coaches who will light a fire under him (Bowa) he could be a different player.
I agree.
The Yanks can't take a public relations hit like they would if all three were out.
Russo is a lamebrain.
Available 3b (in no particular order)
Lowell (FA)
Cabrera (Fla)
Crede (FA)
Beltre (Sea)
Chavez (Oak)
Rolen (St. L)
Garret Atkins (Col)
Chad Tracy (Ari)
Corey Koskie (FA)
Chip,
Francessa is a Torre guy and he perceives Levine as the bad guy with what happened last week. Any chance that he gets to find some dirt on Levine, he's going to use it to crucify the guy, whether it's real or imagined.
A couple of comments...
1) I was devastated after the Yankees lost in the ALDS, again. But, hey this is only baseball. Yankees and Knicks are a big part of my life, but there are far more important things in life. Plus, there always in the next year. More on that below.
2) As many have pointed out, we need either an ace that can pretty much guarantee 2 wins in any playoff series, or SP depth in 2-4 like the 96-00 team that the other teams cannot match. You can easily see the advantage Beckett gives Boston. (They have to win only 1 of 3 or 2 of 5 other games to win a series.) I think we finally found our ace in Joba. Yes, his fastballs reach 100 miles and he probably has the filthiest slider in the game. But, having pitches is not enough. Farnsworthless also has similar pitches. How many games have he blown? Joba's biggest strengths are his control and poise. Although having him as Rivera's setup man gave the team a whole new dimension, he might be even more valuable as a starter.
3) I know many Yankee fans crave for Santana. Yankees are likely to make a push for him, if he is available. But, even if he never becomes a Yankee, a rotation consisting of Joba, Wang, Hughes, and Kennedy will be better than anything the Yankees had so far this millennium. Petite might be back for one last hurrah, which will provide even more depth to SP. If Wang could perfect his secondary pitches so that he can dominate even on days his sinker is not working, Joba/Wang will be a killer 1/2 SP tandem, perhaps the best in the MLB, unless it is Joba/Santana (or Santana/Joba).
4) If Joba is moved to rotation, they will need to find a setup man. They have many promising young arms in the farm system and given this year's experience, they will be smart to promote a few more pitchers next year. (I think Sanchez is almost certain to be called up.) Plus, the young bullpen arms already called up this year will have some experience and even if only a couple of them pans out, the bullpen will be in a pretty good shape (something we could not say for several years).
-Alibaba
Out of everyone on that list, I'd take Lowell. he won't cost the Yanks anything but cash.
Waite
I would be happy with either Lowell or Cabrera - have to admit his bat and age make him quite the enticing pick up.
I think Lowell is perfectly suited for Boston though - a lot of those balls he bangs off the wall would be outs in NY.
Russo is angry because he hates the Yankees and he knows that the yankees have a better chance of winning with an agressive manager. That is why is is acting mad that Torre was let go and it is why he is pushing Mattingly.
Francesa is angry becasue Joe was always gracious and answered his questions and he doesn't want to deal with interviewing someone who could have an attitude and make him look foolish.
This is why they will both erupt if Girardi is named manager.
I'm also tired of the show's constant- "I heard from a guy who would know last night" line. Russo said he heard from a "guy at Fenway" last night that the Dodgers wanted Girardi or Torre. And last week, the day before the Torre thing went down, Francesa "heard from a guy who would know at the Springsteen concert" that Torre was coming back for 2 years. Who was this guy? Clarence Cleamons?
Please Alibaba, GO back mowing Nudge's Lawn...Your clueless
Get a Grip? The Yankees are only sports team in Ny that give me happiness and joy as Fan and rest of sports team in Ny stinks. Thanks to John Henry , The Redsox winning in 2004, took my happiness and joy being a Fan..
Meanwhile, Even if Redsox lose, They have Pats and Celtics to turned to. As Jets and Knicks Fan, My Jets season probably over already and Basketball haven't started yet.
cs07 -
Just turned them off - they are sometimes a good listen but they have had the same agenda now for two straight weeks - it's getting old.
I agree with you on them blowing their top if it's Girardi since he already has a relationship with Michael Kay from their work on YES and Girardi's call in show on ESPN radio it stands to reason that Kay would get that interview instead of Mike and Mad Dog - so to recap - the flagship show as they call themselves would have Antonio Pierce (because they alienated every other Giant player) and Willie Randloph, but no Knicks, Yankees, or Jets -
Hey what about Chavez in Oakland. He has a great glove and power. How much would Billy Beane want for him?
80 years combined The Jets and Knicks haven't won a championship...
I'm also going to love, when Mattingly is named, their conspiracy theories that Cashman wanted Girardi but was outvoted because it was the right PR move to make.
I love how they spin it so even when they aren't right they're not wrong.
Anon:
over the last two years Chavez has battled injuries and managed to hit just .240 and .241 - he's owed a ton of money - I'll pass.
I hate M&MD,all they do is sit around all day and argue about the Yankees....oh wait, that's what we do, but they get PAID for it, the b*stards!
Great stuff going on here today folks, keep it up. Unfortunately for me I have work to do so I can't stay but will catch up later.
Everyone is forgetting to mention Miguel Cabrera's terrible range and declining play at third base. I see him as more of an option at first and if you could pull that deal off, I would do it with A-Rod still in the fold. If they could dump Giambi, that gives you this lineup:
C Posada
1B Mig. Cabrera
2B Cano
SS Jeter
3B A-Rod
LF Damon
CF Melk. Cabrera
RF Abreu
DH Matsui
I have been following the Yankees since 1974. I love Yankee history and read many books on the old Yankees.
Since that time there was a manager on the verge of getting fired every even when they did not make a change.
For 16 years there have been only 2 Yankee Managers Buck & Joe. Buck started the job and Joe got to complete the job. Stability reigned in the Bronx and the manager of the Yankees was not just a piece of furniture that could be cast away. One of the problems the Yankees had in the 80s was that the players new if they were not happy with a manager it was only a matter a time with enough complaints the manager would be gone.
The Yankees need to hire Giradi and give him 3 years with no interference from management except personel discisions to become the leader a Yankee manager needs to be.
I love Donnie but with possibly 6 very young pitchers on your staff in 2008 it is best for Giradi to be the manager. He was great at handling pitchers when he was a catcher. Giradi is also a teacher and the Yankees have quite a few young playeres already on their team with a couple more coming.
Donnie should stay as a bench coach at least 1 more year and then start looking for a manager position. Or maybe he should take a job as the AAA Yankee manager to get his feet wet. I feel bad but he is not the right man for the next couple of years for the Yankees.
Note to Chip,
Miguel Cabrera is not a FA till the 2009 season.
As for my naked sister....My real sister is actually a Yankees fan and I dont think she has ever been naked in her life.
Tony A,
Cabrera has played the outfield and that is what the projected position for him is. Beleive it or not he was a SS at one time. I can understand the Yanks interest in him seeing that he now has a weight problem. The New Yankee stadium is supposed to have a Weight Watchers franchise and the concession stands all selling food prepared by the Zone Chefs.
Is anyone else bothered just because A-Rod is even exploring opting out? No athlete, not even the best in the MLB, is worth 189M or 252M. Now Boras wants 30-35M a year for A-Rod, when he already has a contract worth $81M for the next 3 seasons! If the Yankees give him a 7-year extension for $200M, that would make his total contract worth a insane 452M, or nearly a half billion!!! Yes, A-Rod is the 2007 AL MVP, but will he be 2+ times more valuable to the Yankees compared to Posada? (Yankees are reportedly preparing a 3-year offer for Jorge in 13M per year range.) This is NOTHING BUT GREED, in its purest and ugliest form. I think Yankees may be better served by ASKING HIM to opt out and LET HIM WALK with his 0.159 playoff average (since 2005). (The added bonus will be one less Boras client.) The money thus freed could be used to sign TWO star players. It is likely that neither will be a 0.159 October hitter. (Each will probably have more than 1 RBI every three playoff series.)
Miguel Cabrera would be great but I do not want to give up the Yankee farm system to get players. Mike Lowell would be a better fit and he was a Yankee farm hand. The only older veterens I want to see on this club is:
Jeter
Rivera
Posada
Pettite
Abreau
Matsui
and sign Lowell
Cano, Melky, Joba, Hughes, & Kennedy are the future Dynasty.
The Yankees also have Tabata, Duncan, Umberto Sanchez & 2 releivers ready to at least be invited to camp next year.
All other veterens need to go!!!!!
Alibaba,
A-men. A-ROD MUST GO!!!!!HE MUST BE THE FIRST VETEREN TO GO!!!! HE IS A CANCER!!!!!
Alibaba,
A-men. A-ROD MUST GO!!!!!HE MUST BE THE FIRST VETEREN TO GO!!!! HE IS A CANCER!!!!!
Michael,
What type of cancer is he?
Nudge,
Has he won with any team he was on? He is a me first person. He is like a high maintenance girlfriend who is hot but not much good for anything else. He is a high priced primadona baby. He is immature. That is not the type of veteren I want in the clubhouse with the young talent the Yankees have coming up. If you gave me a choice for a team filled with Paul Oniels or A-Rods it would not be even close, Oneil type players hands down.
I am not sure that Rodriguez is quite the dire threat to our pinstripe babies that Anonymous depicts.
However, I think rookie management/ownership will not take anything like the PR hit if they let him go that they have taken over the bungled transition from Torre to the next manager.
He is not loved in Yankeeland, any more than he was loved in Texas. He is exactly what we bought him for -- a skilled mercenary. Fans respect his skills and his hard work and they are excited by his accomplishments, but there seems to be no fondness for him as an individual, no attachment to him as a personality, no sense that HE would be missed. The home runs would be missed, but that's another matter. No emotional loss would be felt by most Yankee fans as far as I can tell.
Based on Anemone's post, Anemone is a sword fighter. No matter, Rodriguez is still the best option for the Yankees at 3rd, but he may not want to play here any longer. And I say if thats the case, nice to have known ya, good bye. If he stays, the Yankees will make it worth his while. I personally hope he stays, not for the reason Anemone has given us(his "good looks") but.......
the yanks dont need a power hitter. they need solid starting pitchers. the more the better. i say hughes or kennedy and melky cabrera for johan santana. then go after jones or hunter to play CF. the yanks won 4 world series without a legit cleanup hitter. all you need is contact hitters who can hit 25-30 homers and knock in 110 rbi's. pick up a scott brosius type 3B who can pick it and hit .280 with 20 HR and 80 rbi's. combine that with solid starters and you have no need for 50+ HR and 150+ rbi's. remember when the yanks would go after lefty starters b/c of the short porch? santana would look good in pinstripes. and for all those who dont want to trade young starters, what are the chances that joba, hughes, and kennedy will all be studs?
santana
wang
pettitte
joba
hughes or kennedy
i dont know why it says mike from jersey in my above post. i live in colorado.
mountain man!
Tell us what to expect tonight! I stuck my neck out and predicted Rockies in six...
And will they really be playing baseball in the snow this weekend?
It's warmer in Denver than it is in Boston.
Go figure.