That’s insane. Hughes has dominated the minor leagues and is only 22 years old. He’s shown flashes of dominance in the Major Leagues. Teixeira is a better hitter and fielder than any of the guys you listed and is will be in his prime for most of the contract.

Your comments are persuasive. I agree that the Yankees could have done a much better job handling Torre’s departure from a PR perspective. We saw the team make the same mistakes with Bernie. It’s as if the team thinks the only way to show respect is with a contract.

I also think, though, that the Yankees’ image would take a hit no matter how they handled Torre’s departure. I don’t think they could have made a clean break by saying “Sorry Joe, we won’t even offer you another contract, but we will let you throw out the first pitch on Joe Torre Day some time next year.” The backlash would have been even worse than what we actually saw. Torre would still say he was insulted, Bowa and Mattingly would say that the team spit in Torre’s face by denying him even an offer. I can’t believe this wouldn’t happen considering how good the Yankees’ offer actually was. Most managers would kill to get $5 million guaranteed, with the possibility of up to $8 million.

Yes, the Yankees should have honored Torre somehow at the final game. No argument there. But the team’s failure to play a clip of Torre just reopened old wounds. It didn’t create new ones.

Yup. I’d assume his loyalty to Torre far exceeds his loyalty to the Yankees organization. I’d also guess Girardi would want no part of him.

Within could mean Tino or the minor league coaches.
Outside could mean Larry Bowa, Don Baylor, Willie Randolph, or a surprise.

Bowa is in one now, I believe.

That’s right. I would have to think that a coach who is signed to a multi-year deal considers himself quite lucky.

Same as Bobby Meacham. Not much distance between not having your contract renewed and being fired.