So what now?
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Oct 09, 2007 
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The Yankees will open the clubhouse to reporters for at least the next two days as the players pack up. I’ll be posting reports throughout the day.
After that, we’ll post news as it becomes available. There are enough lingering issues to keep me busy for a month and I don’t plan to go on vacation any time soon, unfortunately.
So keep on checking back here for Yankee news and views. There will be plenty to talk about.
I can’t believe we had 1,800+ comments on the game post tonight. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you all reading and participating on the blog.
The best part of covering this team (well, outside of certain attractions in Tampa) is knowing that I cover a team so many people care so deeply about. It’s is honestly a daily motivation.
Catch you later on today from the Stadium.
Pete your the man. This blog is where I come to get all my information on the Yankees and I look forward to reading it during the offseason because I’m sure there will be a lot of Yanks news from now until spring training.
I think my only highlight of the night was hearing suzyn waldman crying.
Pete:
I only found this blog in August.
It’s been an amazing summer, and I have you to thank for making it something that I never imagined possible.
Thank you.
Pete, thanks for all the blogging you do. You do a great job with the job, really enjoy reading it everyday. Keep up the good work, and take a damn vacation, you deserve one
pete you may be obnoxious and pompous at times but your blog is imformative and you are a hard worker. thanks for the good work.
Thanks for all you do here Pete.
And hey do all your blog readers a favor. If you get the chance, tell Joe that even though alot of us think it is time for a new manager, we all love him and will never forget all he has done to restore the pride in the organization.
There’s happening joints in Tampa??
who knew??
Of all the offseason moves, is there any chance that the Yanks will get a new radio broadcasting team? I listen to the games over the Internet, and I routinely listen to the visiting team’s broadcast. The Yanks have the worst radio announcers in MLB.
Thanks for the great coverage. Aside from the parts in which you assert your opinion, I really enjoyed it! Looking forward to 2008!
Peter, thank you for enhancing the Yankee experience. This is without question one of the best blogs around.
Pete you have the best Yankee blogs on the net. You’re reporting is awesome.
Can you do me one favor, tell Joe Torre how much we fans truly appreciate him. He deserves a better fate than this. Wang’s two starts and a few bugs cost him his job, and that’s a freaking shame.
Anyway I’m looking forward to another great year of Yankee baseball, and this blog in ’08.
Pete,
Thanks so much for this blog. You write so well and bring us so much information that we don ‘t find elsewhere. You do a great job and really care about what you do. that’s what makes it so great.
Regards,
Ed
OK, one more post…Had to thank Dr. Acula for the link to the Debbie Clemens pics!!! You da man Dr. A (as always)!!!
Pete, thank you very much for this blog. You do a terrific job keeping us informed about the Yankees. I always enjoy checking the news on here and I will continue to do so. Keep up the good work!
Great season blogging Pete.
If anything good came from this season it’s that I found a good place for information and chat for years to come.
Peace.
From Buster Olney
The Yankee Brass’ short list for the next Skipper
(in no particular order)
1. Bobby Valentine
2. Buck Showalter (this is not a typo)
3. Tony LaRussa
4. Joe Girardi
5. Don Mattingly
6. Trey Hillman
7. Dick Cheney
Okay, the last one I made up.
Olney said the Brass is interested in Hillman.
p.s. According to the media, we have the highest payroll in baseball. I’m shocked, I didn’t know that.
Thanks, Pete, for the great blogging/reporting you did this season. Will check in for updates once in awhile, but reality calls. Looking forward to a great final season at the old Yankee Stadium. Thanks, again, Pete. Mahalo and Aloha!
Dr. Acula
ARE YOU HIGH? Bobby Valentine ???????
If George von Steingrabber gets involved, expect the worst. He’s not a baseball guy. The Yankees have been successful despite him. It was most successful when he was suspended.
I hope the Torre haters realize what they are going to get if George gets his way… “the good old days” – the late 80s and early 90s all over again.
Don’t expect A-Rod to play for the Yankees without Torre. The same will be true of Pettitte. Posada in Queens is a very strong possibility.
Good luck filling those spots from within. And we all know there aren’t any viable FA out there.
Be careful what you wish for, George.
Dr. A- Instead of calling Bobby V “Skipper,” I’ll just call him Gilligan. Number 7 on your list was a joke, but I think he has as good of a chance as Valentine!!
If Tony La Russa manages the Yankees next year, I will quit watching baseball. What a nightmare! I would rue the day Clueless Joe left and went away. Bobby V would be OK, Showalter???? What?
hillman is ok in my book
What now? I root for the Rockies.
Bobby V would be interesting, a brilliant game manger but Torre will be coming back He was fired last year and came back and this year they need to make sure their free agents come back like Mo
Guys,
not my list.
That’s the list the Yankee’s *Front Office* is mulling over tonight.
“I hope the Torre haters realize what they are going to get if George gets his way… “the good old daysâ€? – the late 80s and early 90s all over again.”
What about the seventies? You do realize those years count as a decade, too, right, dingbat?
I wonder if Showalter would appease the Jeter, Pettite, Mariano sect in the clubhouse enough to return. Something tells me that those guys would not take to a Girardi hiring all that much. Maybe I’m wrong though.
Bobby V blows this whole team up. Everyone, including Mariano, leaves if Bobby V is running the show. We’ll have Benny Agbayani in RF before you can say Judas Priest.
I would not be shocked to see Mo and Posada in Flushing next year.
I shudder to think of the Yankees w/o Marano Rivera.
a lot of money around baseball for free agents and the 5 best are all on the Yankees Mo, Arod, Pettite, Posada, and Rocket who will also be back somwhere
Well, at least the loss means dr acula is gracing us with his presence instead of trolling red sox blogs. Karma’s a bitch, huh doc?
After watching tonights game, I’ve decided that they should blow up this team and blow up this stadium. Neither one intimidates anyone anymore. I’d also would like to give huge kudos to David Justice for not pulling any punches tonight on the YES post game show. He called out A Rod on his comments on not thinking about the money and he came out and said that the Yankees would not take the option on Abreu. Neither of these is earth shattering news but for the YES channel for someone to be so candid was refreshing.
Trey Hillman is an interesting choice. I wonder if Jeter will be asked his opinion as the Captain.
I wish there was a website to listen to Susan on the post game. That would of been interesting to hear.
I’d also like to wish nothing but pain and sorrow for most posters on SoSH, you know who you are. A few of them are great fans, but a majority are scum.
kellen_55
Huh ?
I like red sox blogs.
http://tinyurl.com/267rnw
The only choices that I like from the Yankee Brass List that Dr. A showed are 4, 5, and 6. I don’t want Number 3, but his pitching coach could take over for Guidry!!
Hey Pete, I know you said you liked and respected Torre. You did a great piece about him, about he his an old school kinda guy who demands respect and in turn gives it. Being you cover the team, any sense the media will miss the guy as manager, will you?
Also, any preference for who you would like to be manager, especially from your standpoint as a guy who needs interview and speak with him daily.
Pete just wonder if the media get sad also when the season ends abruptly. The team and this blog by the way become like an old friend that you bring into your life everyday for 8 straight months, you look forward to the pre-game and the game and the post game show, you devour all of the blogs after the game and you hope that the season will last forever because there is no other team than the Yankees if you’re a true Yankees fan. Right now I could care less who else is in the playoffs and what will happen. To be a Yankee fan is to care so deeply that your heart actually aches when the season is over, its like your best friend or you dog just died, and you know freakin’ winter is right around the corner. And the only thing you have to look forward to is that damn Hotstove Show with Bob Lorenz and the Yankee writer hacks that they invite on the show like Tom Verducci and Bill Maddon. Pete why don’t you try to be on the Hot Stove show this winter to lend some sanity to that show? Anyway we will now have to hear ad nauseaum the A-rod saga, who the new manager will be etc. God its going to be a long winter. Thank god we got you Pete!!!
fyi you can already see the back and front covers of the daily news on their website and the front cover says “beaten yankees eye LA Russa to be manager as torre looks finished.”
fyi you can already see the back and front covers of the daily news on their website and the front cover says “beaten yankees eye LA Russa to be manager as torre looks finished.�
Oh please no, NO NO NO. I never cared for him, I dont want him managing this team.
hiring la roussa would be like covering chernobyl with a wet blanket
The AL MVP is sure to go to “A-Rod” … but how about “P-Abe?”
I don’t think there’s any question as to who the 2007
“Most Valuable Blogger” is…
MVB, MVB, MVB!!!
Pete,
Thanks for all the hard work that you put into this blog. Please keep it up!
Ken in Hawaii
Hey Peter
I read this blog since the beggining of this season
Just want to say thanks for all the info and all the news you’ve putted in this blog
Thanks and great work
Greetings from Chile
Pete- Just thought I’d throw in my ‘thanks’ as well. Far and away, this is the best Yanks blog around. I’m looking forward to your reports from Spring Training ’08 already (nevermind your coverage of the mayhem that will be the Torre/ARod situations in the coming weeks).
Much thanks. Hopefully we’ll get to read you post about a NY WS win one of these years.
Still hard to believe that this season is over for the Yankees. It has been a wonderful experience to follow the Yankees through this blog. I may need some time to get over the Yankees’ elimination and Wang’s defeat.
My final comment on this blog this season will be an image of Suzyn, care of a poster at SoSH:
http://www.blohards.com/nytpg2.jpg
um who exactly is this trey hillman dude?
Pete ,thanks so much for all your hard work on your #1 blog
it is really fresh and first class like YOU.
ALSO, I don’t think any true Yankee fan could EVER hate JOE TORRE.He’s etched in yankee history forever. Some of the best wins we ever had,and worst lost(2004) we endured with him.We need to get deep in postseason and Joe’s not getting us there with his coaching,something’s got to give.
If I were Big Stein, I’d give Joe another yr with these new
bombers,but fire the hitting and pitching coaches.
12345,on espn olney sai hillman was “somehow” incharge of the minor league system
Hey Pete,
Great blog. I always check in here first for timely info on the Bombers.
Hmmm…would those Tampa attractions include The Doll House, Mon Venus or Caliente???
Tampa=strip club capitol of world
*Suzy Waldman Breaksdown* (2:53)
http://tinyurl.com/2xaaay
Okay, I found the clip of Suzy crying. It’s a HOOT – Sterling has to remind her nobody died. I set the audio to pictures (naturally), unfortunately I couldnt find any good pictures of Suzy, so I used photos of Kim Jones instead; which makes it even funnier.
Yanks in 08
Nice to see others recognize the finer landmarks of the Tampa area. lol
Girardi would be the best option imo. Followed by Mattingly. LaRussa is a great manager, but I wonder if he would be good for us, I´m afraid not.
I don´t know Hillman very well.
It´s going to be tough for anyone to succeed Torre, who has been great for the Yankees. Whoever succeeds him may be a blessing for the bullpen though.
I just hope Mo, Posada, Pettitte and A-Rod stay. We need them.
PS. thanks for the blog Pete, it´s been a joy to read it.
Many thanks for a job well done, Pete. This place has been a wonderful source of Yankees news and information. Glad to hear that there will be at least a month of quality blogging to come.
Such a sad end to the Torre era, though.
Pete -
Thanks again. You’ve added a new dimension to my experience as a fan of the Yankees. I started reading here a little bit after the post-season last year – happened upon your blog after searching for Yankees information and finding so many other venues unsatisfying. You keep the blog fresh by infusing new information, just the right tweaks to keep the conversations (and “heated debates”) flowing, and an insider’s point of view. What I appreciate most is that you tend your garden. The other things I’ve come to appreciate is the “cast of characters” on this blog – people I’ve come to look forward to sharing opinions with, even when they’re sometimes diametrically opposed. I’m a stay-at-home mom, so, your blog is my watercooler!
Last night felt like a real ending. Even the screaming headlines after last year’s ALDS didn’t have the deafening finality of the last out last night. I stayed up to watch the post-game. Darned if I didn’t conk out just before Mo’s interview. And I read this morning that he was not coy about entertaining other offers. I appreciate his candor, even while despising the reality of it. Jorge, ARod and Pettitte danced around a bit, and I truly felt for Derek Jeter when he was asked if he had contemplated that some of his teammates (actually best friend) might not be back next season.
Like the poster above, I thought it was interesting how blunt David Justice was on the post game show. He usually is, and at one point, when he was not doing the post-games during the season quite so much, I thought the YES brass had cut him precisely because he was so blunt. He was right-on in his assessment that ARod was being less than honest in saying he hadn’t thought much about his situation or that the money wouldn’t be a factor. I’m not sure I agree about his take on Abreu, if only because Abreu will be the most cost-effective option out there, unless they promote from within, which is unlikely since no one is quite ready.
I know I’ve gone on too long, and I apologize. But I’ve avoided posting in the last few days as the temperature in here was a bit hot for my sensibilities, I suppose.
Anyway, I wanted to thank Pete, and the rest of you, for making this season even more enjoyable than it was on its own, the final results notwithstanding. I truly am impressed with the regular season the Yankees pulled off. They worked hard to get to the playoffs. You can probably point fingers of blame in 25 or more directions as to why they didn’t get far once they got there, but it doesn’t matter.
Now I can’t wait to see how the mystery unfolds. Pete, keep the information highway flowing freely!
Thanks for the blog,Pete! I’ve been reading along since the begining.Although I never comment, this has become a favorite place to be before,during and after games. I’ve followed the Yankees since the early ’70s , so I’ve had my fair share of winning and loosing seasons. This one feels especially poignant because you know it’s the end of the Torre era. I hope the changes don’t alter the face of the team too much but I do look foward to watching the younger players emerge.
Peter;
I can only imagine how hard blogging is while doing everything else required of a beat reporter, including filing several stories a day.
Your great work is extremely appreciated and I hope we all have the opportunity to get together at an event during spring training.
Great job, man! Sincere thanks!
Pete:
You have created and maintained an interactive community of fans of the greatest team in baseball. You have attracted interesting and very informative regulars along with the news and insider opinion that’s always here first. You ought to get a prize, if not a big raise. Hey, don’t be shy… really, can we nominate you for something?
I would also like to shout out to all the regulars, especially SJ44, Randy1 and Doreen, who really make this place a good place for me: I hope you guys will be checking in regularly as we run through the LCS and WS, the winter meetings and the long, dark days before pitchers and catchers.
I’ll skip the season-specific post for now and close with this, because it’s the end of the virtual season we have enjoyed here. I know the blog’s official musician is the Boss, but the end of the season always reminds me of Paul Simon’s “Night Game,” (from Still Crazy After All of These Years), added below. Feels especially appropriate for this season’s bittersweet ending:
There were two men down
And the score was tied
In the bottom of the eighth
When the pitcher died
And they laid his spikes
On the pitcher’s mound
And his uni-form was torn
And his number was left on the ground
Then the night turned cold
Colder than the moon
The stars were white as bones
The stadium was old
Older than the screams
Older than the teams
There were three men down
And the season lost
And the tarpaulin was rolled
Upon the winter frost
Pete, I discovered your blog towards the end of the Summer and I was immediately addicted! I read it several times a day. Keep up the good work!!! Thank you!!!
murphydog –
Now you went and did it! I didn’t want to cry. There’s no crying in baseball!
well folks thats it . i’m not as upset as i thought i would be . i kind of saw all this coming . the tribe seriously out-pitched the yanks and certainly had a ton more timely hits . i hope they beat the red sox . good bye to all and to all a good winter .
Pete: Thanks for a great blog. It added to the fun of this roller coaster season.
While I am among those who felt during the season that Torre’s managerial style was wrong for the team (e.g. bullpen, over-reliance on veterans), I am saddened by the heavy-handed nature of his likely departure, instead of a graceful carefully orchestrated exit. It is especially ironic that the playoff failure that precipitated it was not due to managerial decisions, but a failure to get clutch hits in a short series.
Anyway, I was wondering if you (or someone else on the blog) could highlight exactly what is the time period during which A-Rod can exercise his opt-out right. I imagine this event will be a triggering event for other personnel decisions.
Thanks again
* Anyway, I was wondering if you (or someone else on the blog) could highlight exactly what is the time period during which A-Rod can exercise his opt-out right. I imagine this event will be a triggering event for other personnel decisions
I believe I heard last night that he has 10 days after the end of the World Series before he can opt out.
I think I am more emoitional about this loss than I was about the one in 2004. Strange as it may seem. Maybe it is because I know there will likely be alot of changes on this team.
An interesting bit on news I heard on the radio this morning. Joe wanted Mussina to start game 4, but he is overruled for the first time as manager. I guess you can say at least he can go out knowing that he was probably right.
If Joe is gone I can tell you one thing, I don’t want Donnie as manager, and I certainly don’t want LaRussa. He can’t handle the 3 beat writers in St Louis there is no way he’d be able to handle the 8 beat writers in NY. I would want Joe G to become manager.
I don’t even know what else to say at this point. :’(
Many feel that Jeter has evolved into too much of a lacadaisical role. It’s time that he stepped to his captaincy or give it up to somebody deserving. He’s far too chummy with opposing players on the field and gives vague / blank answers.
And GO INDIANS at least make it to the world series!!
If Buck is manager don’t expect to see Alex back.
haha. pete and mons venus. perfect together
Thanks for the blog Pete!
We saw the end of this era last night, but a new one is ready to begin everybody. Keep trying to keep your heads high..
Jennifer :
Tell ya what. They’ll be changes alright and a lot of them. No World Series appearance since ’03 says it all. Everything will be looked at and affected, on and off the field. The complacency factor has set it and it’s not a good thing for the next wave of Yankees to see and develop. It needs to get nipped in the bud.
As fans, we’ve become a little spoiled but the time may have arrived where thr restructuring of these Yankees may require an almost given year of no expected postseason in the process. Can we deal with it is the question.
Pete,
I found your blog in August and it has become a daily stop for me. Thanks for all the good work and info you put out there for us.
I think this will be the most interesting off season for the team in years. I know you will right on top of things but hey make sure you sneak a vacation on there somewhere. We need you rested for next season.
Doreen I’ve been crying on and off since last night, i sat at my desk and started to read somethings and started to get teary eyed.
Pete, You’ve done a great job at keeping us informed. I hope you get to enjoy the off season, maybe catch a Springsteen concert or two! I know I’ll be checking daily for your tidbits and I’m already looking forward to Feb ’08. Thanks for being our eyes and ears.
Changes I’d like to see happen.
I want Jason gone, he is injury prone and cloggs the lineup. He only has a year left on his deal if we pay half maybe we can get rid of him.
for first- I want Doug back, he has a great glove and can hit.
2nd- cano
ss-derek
3rd- alex, needs to be back, there isn’t anyone to replace him with.
lf- I want Damon in left, he is better than mats
cf- melky
rf- bobby is the best and cheapest option out there, it will only be for one more year, than maybe we can bring up the kids from the farm.
c- Jorge 2/26
back up- jose, best back up in years!!
dh- mats, hopefully he will finally be healthy
bench- Duncan, alex gonzaeles (sp)
I don’t want Wilson back, try to trade him for a bag of balls
sp
Pettitte- hopefully he will return
Hughes
Wang
Joba
Kennedy
mussina- maybe we can trade him to Philly, they need pitching and he is relatively cheap and on the last year of his contract, it is just as close to home as NY
pen
mo- he’s gotta come back
i can’t think of who is in the pen at the moment. lol
but I want Kyle gone, also only owed for one more year, sure we can find a taker.
Sorry if this doesn’t make any sense, but the way this ended doesn’t make sense.
Jennifer 27 in 07 –
My daughter has an electric piano that plays pre-set music. This morning she turned it on, and the first song it plays? Auld Lang Syne.
Frankie D –
I’m not sure it’s complacency. This team, in particular, seemed to really appreciate this opportunity to get into the playoffs. My take? You CAN try too hard; and you CAN want something too much. It can be paralyzing; it’s happened to me. But, undoubtedly, there will be changes. Some will be good changes; but some of the changes are not necessarily going to be ones that the Yankees front office really wants.
Brian Cashman is probably going to have to do the one thing he didn’t want to have to face; I hope he can at least prevail upon “the powers that be” that if Torre’s tenure is indeed over, that they proceed with the respect the man is due — to treat him with the same class that he’s brought to the team these 12 years.
Back to the tissue box.
I don’t think George is hiring LaRussa. Sounds like heavy media speculation more than anything.
Im not sure what to do with the starters, because no one is really available in free agency. But I had a few ideas. Pitching wise, I love the three kids, but its hard to go into the season with all three in the rotation. How about Jon Garland. He eats innings, hes a good pitcher, and will not take any of the major cogs in the minors to get. Bullpen, Mo must come back, i dont know who else they can bring in, but someone needs to pitch the 8th. In the lineup, i would like to see Arod and Posada back. I then have 2 plans of action. 1)Bring back Abreu, move damon or Matsui to 1st and the other one to dh, and sign Rowand to play either left or center(move Melky over?). 2)Let Bobby go, have Damon in left and Hideki dh, sign Rowand for cf/rf. Sign Mike Lowell to play 1st. I think Rowand, Garland and Lowell are all the type of players we want here, especially Rowand and Lowell, and all have won a World Series. Thoughts?
Jax I hope you’re right, the media is already saying the LaRussa is a George guy. I don’t think he’d fit here.
And as much as I’d like Joe G, how do you think the players would react to having a guy manage them, that they used to play with?
I don’t think Donnie would do well. I keep going back to the game where he managed when Joe was suspended. The Seattle game, when the runner was thrown out, and he didn’t argue. His reply was why argue, it isn’t going to change anything!! That ticked me off!! Of course you argue, first yes they could have changed the call and second, even if they don’t change that call, you might get one later.
Pete – Thanks so much for all the information you have provided on the blog this year. I always come here first for my information about the Yankees. I guess what we will never know is whether George Steinbrenner’s ultimatum helped or hindered this Yankee team.
MO, not bad ideas, I forgot about Rowand. I don’t think we need another starter, that is of course if all three kids will be in the rotation. Also your ideas hinge on the idea of getting rid of Jason. He is a shell of his former self, and I think it is pretty clear he needs the juice to produce. And as someone pointed out they think he was quietly suspended the begining of the year. He was gone a little over 50 days, a little odd. I think he is owed over 20 million, if we pay half or over half just to be rid of him it would be worth it.
I think another key to next year would be to buy out Giambi’s contract. He’s too much of a distraction.
I’m sorry to say this about Mattingly but he is not a good fit to manage in NY. He seems like a perfect candidate to manage in a town like Kansas City, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh…….
Dave I didn’t even think of buying out his contract. Maybe they can shame him into it.
I just hope what ever they do with Joe they do it with dignity. We call ourselves a classy organization, let him say he wants to leave. Don’t “fire” him, don’t leak it to the press. Let him “leave” on his own.
Kevin Long has to be on shaky ground. He will likely get fingered for the quiet playoff bats. Torre or no Torre, Mattingly should go back to what he knows best – hitting. Bring in the fire of Paul O’Neill as bench coach. Replace Guidry as pitching coach with Dave Eiland or Gil Patterson with one of them replacing Joe Kerrigan as bullpen coach. Player personnel moves is an entirely different subject.
Every year regardless of when the season is over, the brass meet in Tampa within a week to analyze the next season with meetings for a few days.
I seriously cannot believe the season has ended like this. i’m the saddest person at my job this morning. BY FAR. I agree though, I want Joe G as manager. Let Torre leave on his own will. Don’t fire him. PLEASE. I’m really liking who Jennifer wants back and who she wants to get rid of. I totally agree! I just can’t believe I have to wait until April to ride & die with my team all over again. This should be an interesting off-season, to say the least….where are my tissues, damn it?
*sniff*
We need Pettitte anchoring the rotation next year with the 3 young guys and CMW. I don’t know where Mussina falls but we need Andy.
We also may need Torre in order to keep A-Rod. I don’t know if I see Posada or Mo walking (you really think Jeter would let that happen?), but A-Rod might not want to start over with a new manager.
I know the writing is all over the wall, but don’t dismiss the idea of Torre coming back just yet. Like someone else said, the top free agents are on this team and if we want them back (how could we not?), they may insist on bringing Joe back to make that happen.
It’s funny. I’ve always had a feeling that Bobby Valentine might manage here someday. Maybe he will.
I am concerned that at the meetings the powers that be will learn the wrong lessons from this season and change course and try to buy one time flukes and over the hill free agents instead of going with the younger, cheaper and more flexible approach.
Doreen-
No, ARod has 10 days from the last day of the Yanks’ season to opt-out, if I’m not mistaken. So the countdown starts now.
I wouldn’t expect it to come much before the 10 days are up. Cashman is undoubtedly burning the midnight oil trying to find out from the Tampa brass how much money he’s allowed to throw Alex’s way. Hopefully they tell him to just hand over a blank check. Anyway, he’s probably talking to Boras already, and I would think Boras would at least give NY time to make them an offer before ARod opts out.
I think it should be up to Joe Torre whether he would prefer to hold the press conference or let Brian Cashman handle it.
I think it will be a matter of high irony that Joe Torre will either win manager of the year or be a close second to that Wedge guy.
I think the second the formal announcement comes, Joe Torre’s telephone will be ringing off the hook with job offers of one kind or another, including those of the managerial kind.
I hope the Yankees choose a manager quickly so that the players who are “on the fence” will know who they would be playing for next year – I think it helps negotiations.
I think if a player says they left because Joe Torre will not be back, I will not believe them entirely. Because, after all, they will be playing for a new manager anyway. I also think that the players were prepared for this to happen (eventually) because they don’t live in a vacuum. Now, if they say they left _in part_ because of the _WAY_ Torre is let go (which remains to be seen), that I would respect as valid.
I feel they need to resign Mo & Posada The problem is they are I think 38 & 36. No more than a one year contract with maybe an option. The days of loyalty are over
Dave that is what i’m worried about too. I don’t want Hughes, Kennedy and Joba pitching for anyone else but us. I don’t want them to make a stupid trade and get Dontrell Willis, who would most certainly be a bust. He is already taking a down turn in the weak NL east!!
Girardi is a great manager. But he’s too close to this team, in terms of having played with some of them, to command their respect. Torre is a father figure who they all love and respect and look up to. They can’t bring in a former colleague and expect guys to answer to him.
I like Girardi a lot, but I don’t think it would work.
Pete,
Like so many others, I’d just like to say thank you for all the hard work you put into this blog and for adding so much to the season. Ignore the trolls. We’ll all (well most of us) keep dropping in, and we’ll be with you again next season.
New York Yankees — Your 2008 World Series Champions
re: next manager. what ever happened to Lee Mazzilli?
Players want the money. They may say they like the manager, the good school system, but they want the money. If Torre is fired, the most likely candidates are Mattingly and Girardi. These guys are former teammates to Pettitte, Rivera and Posada.
Any chance George offers contract with a pay cut..say 1 year $5 million. Enough to say “We wanted Torre back and offered him the highest annual salary. He’s the one who decided not to return”.
Mazilli took himself out of Yankee job lists by taking a job with SNY. George doesn’t forget those “insults”.
Chris NY- If Torre goes, I’d bet top dollar Jorge leaves too. He was already upset about how the Yanks treated Bernie in the spring. I’d actually be surprised if he came back without Torre, especially if Torre is fired in a typically Steinbrennian manner.
I think Mo probably stays, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he jumped ship with Jorge. In which case, maybe Joba becomes the closer, which would keep Moose around, too.
As fun as it is to speculate, at this point it’s all up in the air. There’s really no telling what’s going to happen. The Yanks may need to spend the offseason finding a new closer, third baseman, catcher, and right-fielder, not to mention an entirely new bullpen and manager, and maybe even a starter. Or they could just have to spruce up the pen a bit. Or somewhere in between.
Like everyone else, I think there’s going to be a lot of big changes, but how big and at what positions, there’s just no way to predict yet.
10 days from the end of the World Series, not the end of the Yankees’ season.
Hello Peter …
I am from Taiwan …and I like your blog ..And I can get any news of Wang at first time…
So I add your blog to my favorite site of my file.
I am really sad that Wang’s bad outing and Yankees’ final lose
Even I am in Taiwan…I and most Taiwanese are really really very very sad….
But my friend told me “The sun still raise from the eastern side ” We have to live very well ” although I hardly accept this result ..
Joe Torre is a good manager ..I like him and please keep him stay in Yankees …
Wang Go go go …
from Taiwan Tim
Jennifer -
Correct take with Giambi. This team can no longer carry Giambi. The nagging 1st base question needs stability. Too many pieces to fit just one puzzle. If possible, sign Lowell with only Jorge seeing time there to save his knees. Shelley and Alberto Gonzalez are better utility fits than Wilson Betemit.
I don’t know, I still don’t think Jeter lets Mo or Posada go anywhere.
Joba needs to start, 4 plus pitches and a good starter is always more valuable than a good closer, maybe less sexy but more valuable.
As much as I’ve always admired Mattingly, I’m not keen on him to manage this team either. One name I haven’t heard thrown out there yet is Larry Bowa, so allow me….
Too many years of having to be the uber team in baseball have been catching up to these guys. They’ve internalized not just the pride of the Yankees, but the pressure of carrying on the legacy and traditon. It clearly doesn’t work anymore. Quality starts, timely hitting, clutch play and a little bit of luck used to be OUR forumula, but it’s all in the other dugout anymore.
The Yankees always have enough resources to bludgeon their way thru the regular season somehow, someway – burning the pen, furiously signing and discarding starters, FA signings, trades/moves at the deadline etc, but no spark in October.
The teams that win are often ( as someone pointed out here recently) one year wonders with a bunch of guys having career years, everything falling into place while other teams in their divisions take a step back to retool, rebuild whatever.
Honestly I wouldn’t mind if the Yankees as an organiztion kinda stepped back and reexamined how they’ve been going about things.
I used to love it when Cashman bagged some big name or two every winter to add to the team, but after Sheff, Johnson, Jason, Roger, Vasquez, Pavano et al…that’s the last thing I want to see anymore.
Stick to baby bombers and targeted mid level types
LaRussa and Mattingly are a downgrade.. just keep Torre if thats the case
Kurticus Maximus –
No, it’s 10 days after the World Series.
“Opt Out Source”:http://www.topix.net/content/a.....-cleveland
“Second Source for Opt-Out”:http://sportsbiznews.blogspot......break.html
Pete –
Thank you for providing this great information source; reading this blog provides the inside info and (sometimes contentious) camaraderie that we out-of-town fans miss, especially here behind “enemy” lines.
THANKS!
Oh, and Go Rockies.
Pete,
First off, many, many thanks for making this place THE place to go to discuss Yankee Baseball. Your bosses should give you an ARod-sized raise for creating this venue.
Dr. Acula,
I am really happy you found that clip! I heard it last night and I was blown away by it! If its not the most unprofessional thing I have ever heard from ANY sports broadcaster, its certainly in the Top 3.
Nobody died last night. Yes, its sad and frustrating to see the season end so abruptly. However, that doesn’t mean you start bawling on the air.
As far as the future? Let’s can the doom and gloom predictions. They are baseless. Its parroting media people, some of whom don’t have the foggiest idea what they are talking about. The Yankees aren’t going to become the Devil Rays simply because they will have a new manager.
Also, some of you need to lose the Steinbrenner hate. Talk about ungrateful. That man has poured out his ENTIRE life to the Yankees. Sure, he is a hot head and can treat people poorly at times. However, comparing him to James Dolan, as someone has? Are you kidding? Really, are you serious? The Yankees not only do not have a hostile work environment but, do you really think the product they have given you under Steinbrenner has been terrible? Really, get a clue before you spout that nonsense.
There are a lot of dumb things written in this blog. Comparing George Steinbrenner to James Dolan is FAR AND AWAY the dumbest thing that has EVER been written in this blog.
George Steinbrenner has not treated Joe Torre poorly. Far from it. He has made him a millionaire 50+ times over, has given him the opportunity to manage a team with near unlimited resources, securing his legacy in the sport, and it was a marriage that worked well for a very, very long time. Its just reached the end of the line. For both parties.
The Yankees need to go in a different direction. Frankly, so does Joe Torre. Its time for both parties to move on.
As Pete said last night, the only thing you hope for is a classy parting from both sides. You know it will be classy on Torre’s part. You hope George and/or Randy Levine keep it classy from their end.
They aren’t firing Joe Torre. He is no longer under contract with the Yankees. They will not offer him a new contract. Perhaps they don’t want to play almost 8 million per year for a manager any longer.
Think about it another way. Paying 8 million dollars a year for a manager means you believe the guy is a difference maker in the post-season. You have to believe that way because if you don’t, then paying 8 million a year for a manager for 162 games is insane.
As we have seen the last 4 years, he isn’t a difference maker any longer in the post-season. Is it fair? Sports isn’t fair. Its a perception business and you can’t run from 4-13.
He has been able to earn what he has earned as Yankee Manager on the perception (and reality for a long time) that he is a difference maker. That’s no longer the case.
You can’t say, “Its the not the managers fault” when they lose and, “Its the manager” when they win. If that’s the case, no manager would ever lose their job.
Players won’t run for the hills because Joe Torre will no longer be the manager. Its still the New York Yankees.
They will put together a very good team again next year and be very competitive. That’s the way its been under Steinbrenner. Its not like the whole franchise is going to crawl up and die now.
Its time for new leadership and new direction. Instead of whining about it, try embracing it. Its not the end of the world, its just the end of an era.
Doreen- Ah well, my bad. I guess I was always hoping the Yanks would get to the WS, hence confusing “end of WS” for “end of Yanks season.”
Sentimentality goes just so far. Let the dust settle. If Joe goes, the faction of players so loyal and upset about it will calm down and have 2nd thoughts. It’s difficult to imagine these players going wherever else Joe would go in a mutiny scenario.
There’s no major market teams with managerial openings and a small market team with availability will not take on a sudden group of salaries and bloat their payroll almost overnight. Time heals all wounds.
I don’t think we really need any changes. Wang won’t be this bad in the playoffs next year and we most likely won’t get attacked by swarms of crazy insects from the heavens again. We didn’t do that badly and but for some bad luck, would’ve won this series. I think we’ve got a great team that deserves another shot. The only difference will be Hughes, Joba, and Kennedy will be a year more experienced and (hopefully) better and able to step into the rotation. I like having Moose around, too, and Giambi. As long as you’re going to be paying them- can you really think of a better bench player than Jason Giambi? Or a better long man/spot starter than Mike Mussina? These guys are legends and much better than the typical Ruben Sierra or Tanyon Sturtze you’d have in those spots. Hopefully cooler minds will prevail and Joe and Co. will all be brought back.
As long as Brian Cashman is the GM, they aren’t trading younger players for older “names”. We have already seen that not being the case. Changing managers isn’t going to change that course.
Yes, it will be a different team next year. It HAS to be. Its not a team built to win post-season games. If it was, they would win them.
As far as Giambi is concerned, with 22 million dollars due to him, AND A full no trade in place, its going to be VERY hard to move him. I would love to see it but, don’t be surprised if he is back with the Yankees next year.
As far as players leaving because of Torre, don’t be so sure of that. Players make decisions for themselves. Its not little league. If they decide to leave, its going to be for one reason and one reason only……more money.
The Yankees have some very, very tough decisions to make. Jorge Posada had a career year this year. But, he is 36 years old. Do you give a 36 year old catcher a 3 year deal?
IMO, of all the decisions they have to make, the Posada decision is the toughest one. That’s a REALLY tough call to make.
The others (Arod, Pettitte, Mo) are a mixed bag because its not up to the Yankees. Andy has a player option. He has already said its the Yankees or he retires. He may just retire. I hope he returns for one more season.
Arod? If he opts out, he’s gone. The Yankees can’t pay one guy that much money. If he decides not to opt out, different story because of the Texas subsidy. He knows the deal from the Yankees. Its up to him if he decides to stay.
Mo? No brainer. Re-sign him because he is still at the top of his game and, with new on field leadership in place, may even flourish with better bullpen management.
SJ what I am most concerned about, is that this team will undo all the good that Cash has done with the farm system. I don’t want to see the kids traded away for over the hill washed up stars anymore. I fear that George will go nuts and look to get a Johan Santana, or Dontrell Willis.
Well, Jennifer, trading away for old or injury-prone veterans is one thing- having the ability to snag Johan Santana is a no-brainer. He is what we hope against hope Hughes or Joba will turn into, so if you can trade the merely potential Santana for the actual Santana, you do it. The guy is 28 years old. The greatest pitcher on the face of the earth. It’s not a question. Do you give up two top pitching prospects? No, or at least not any two of Hughes, Joba, and Kennedy, but giving up one of them plus one of the guys who has far too go where anything can happen is something that you’d do. We’ve got more where these guys came from and nobody knows what could happen here. Bonderman was supposed to develop into an ace this year, but it didn’t happen and may never happen. You can’t make the mistake of overvaluing prospects if a guy like Santana is on the line. Not to mention that you cannot allow him to go to the Sox. If the Sox had a rotation of Beckett, Santana, Dice-K, Lester, and Bucholz, that’s a dynasty. That’s a young incredible rotation that could dominate baseball for years. The Yankees cannot allow that to happen.
In defense of Suzy Waldman.
I know there’s no crying in baseball, but, at least Suzy’s meltdown was a “real” moment. I for one am sick and tired of the packaged, promoted, slick, very, very professional and wart-free Yankees. About the only things close to natural about this season were Joba Chamberlain and his dad and Shelly Duncan’s wide eyed child personna. Good luck getting an unrehearsed and revealing quote from A-Rod, Jeter or Torre (unless it’s post-season tears time for Joe). There’s so little humanity on display from this team of millionaire robots that we have to settle for getting emotion from the broadcasters. In fact I think it’s the super cool Yankee style that is costing them in the post season – - you just can’t turn your emotions on and off when you need to. The post 2001 team sits on the bench like they are chomping on fistfuls of Effexor. Compare that with Paul O’Neill’s serial water cooler homicides.
Seriously, is Suzy really a bigger geek than Michael Kay, the eternal 12 year old Yankee fan? Don’t get me wrong, I like Kay despite his excesses, for precisely that reason: he’s an overgrown 12 year old who takes nothing as seriously as Yankee baseball. But I think Suzyn is getting a dose of the double standard here. When Scooter did his goofy stuff, it was wonderful and we all miss it. She didn’t play the game, but Suzyn is an amazing character, a Broadway actress and singer, and a pioneer for women in sportscasting. (She is also a breast cancer survivor, which may explain part of her emotions over Torre, he being a prostate cancer survivor). So why is it that nobody tolerates the corny, goofy, natural style of the Scooter in Suzyn?
Hey look, it’s the morning after… all I’m saying is give Suzy a break.
I have never posted before, but I read this blog multiple times every day. I guess I’ve never been emotional enough to actually comment on something. I can’t believe Steinbrenner is going to do this to Joe. He deserves so much more after all he’s done for the Yankees. He IS Mr. Yankee. This is a HUGE mistake. Joe deserves a retirement, ANYTHING better than how George is treating him right now. Joe deserves respect, he’s earned it. I am outraged.
jennifer:
I gotta agree with Anthony. If you can get Santana without giving up two of Joba, Hughes and Kennedy, you do it. Maybe you do it even if you have to give up Hughes and Kennedy.
If opening day were tomorrow, what’s your rotation look like? Wang (Assuming they figure out what the hell’s wrong with him), Pettitte (?) Hughes, Chamberlain and Mussina or Kennedy. That’s three possible starters with very little MLB experience, Hughes’ and Chamberlain’s ’07 work notwithstanding. They are still rooks and you have to expect that they will have rookie problems being consistent starting pitchers next year. Adding a proven, solid lefty ace in his prime to anchor the rotation is money in the bank, especially with David Ortiz still out there and that short porch in RF.
So, we give up Hughes and Kennedy for Santana and we have a rotation of Santana, Wang, Pettitte, Chamberlain and Mussina or any of the other kids down on the farm. Now that’s a respectable rotation. Who knows, maybe even Igawa actually learns how to pitch (Yeah, I know.. I’m dreaming).
Any chance you’ll share some Yankees or Yankees beat writer stories from the Mons, Pete? That place is one of a kind!
They aren’t trading Hughes.
Or Kennedy.
Didn’t you watch the playoffs?
Stud pitching is what wins you series after series.
Joba, Hughes, Kennedy
is a legit 3 some for the next 10 years
Pete:
I agree with all of the sentiment here that this is THE PLACE for Yankees news. And I love the community of it too. I would check every morning and even finally started posting these last few months.
After a H*ll of a tear after the All Star break I too am feeling worse about this season than any other.
I’d like to see Joe stay…but if not Mattingly would be a good choice…or Girardi….or…what about this…everyone is saying “Jorge and Mo might go to Queens”…what about Queens coming here? The Mets said they’re not firing Willie but what about Willie leaving?
Mike Westchester:
Mike, this isn’t Randy Johnson we’re talking about – - Santana is 28 and at the top of the list of Stud Pitchers (lefty or righty). I agree that Joba, Hughes and Kennedy are legit prospects, but can you say for sure that any of them will have the same success Santana has had and will likely continue to have? I doubt it.
Using prospects to acquire high-level, proven talent is one of the expected uses of young talent. Besides, you cannot trot out a rotation with three rookies in it and expect to consistently beat Boston, Cleveland and the rest. And, FYI, I did watch the playoffs. With Johann Santana we might have won.
murphydog-
I love Suzyn. She’s way sharper than the crap on broadcast Tv.
at the same time, the clip is funny.