Levine on Jeter: “You can’t take away who he is”
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Nov 17, 2010 
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With Brian Cashman already back in New York, team president Randy Levine briefly held court this afternoon. The bulk of the conversation was predictably about Derek Jeter.
“He’s a baseball player,” Levine said. “It’s a player negotiation. Everything he is and who he is gets factored in. This isn’t a licensing deal or a commercial rights deal. He’s a baseball player. With that said, you can’t take away who he is. He brings a lot to the organization, and we bring a lot to him.”
Otherwise, Levine didn’t say much we don’t already know.
Cashman flew back to New York to resume his pitching coach interviews. Levine said he expects Cashman to check in with Jeter’s camp soon, if he hasn’t already.
“I haven’t heard anything about Mariano,” he said.
GF, even if that were the case, it was not necessary to bring my name up……..you could have made your point that you thought he had a great year without bringing me into it. The only thing that served to do was upset me and just start something.
As to Phil being my favorite player, he’s not – Mo is. I don’t dislike him, I just don’t think he had that good a year. If he surpassed your expectations, that’s great. I don’t get on anyone for thinking that about him, so I don’t appreciate being made to feel as if my opinion (just because it’s a minority one) is invalid. I shouldn’t have even mentioned what other people think on other boards because that frankly doesn’t affect how I feel; my opinion is based on what I think, not influenced by anyone else. The point I was making was that you are mistaken if you think all Yankee fans, all pundits, all whomever you want to refer to are all rosy about Phil. There are plenty of folks who think he had a decent, not spectacular year, and who wonder about how good he will truly turn out to be. It’s really ok for people to have differences of opinion.
Randy Levine is a donkey. He knows nothing about baseball and should never be interviewed for anything baseball-related.
Levine=moron
randy l. November 17th, 2010 at 6:14 pm
“Speaking of spying. a movie suggestion: “Cloak And Dagger” from about 1946 with Gary Cooper. Based on some of the exploits of Michael Burke, former CEO and President of the Yankees.”
gb7-
i spent an evening sitting right beside michael burke at my high school baseball banquet in 1967. he grew up in my high school town of enfield, ct . i remember he was late because he drove from new york in a snowstorm.
i remember a classy guy with grey hair who went out of his way to be a regular guy with us high school players.
you never know sometimes who it is you’re meeting.
———————————————————————————————————————-
Thanks, Randy. Great story. Burke was quite a character. He was one of those did everything, been everywhere guys. I believe he was All-American or 2nd team at Brown University in the ’30s, worked with Donavon and the OSS behind German and Russian lines in Eastern Europe. After that, he was President of Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus. I guess that gave him great experience for running the CBS Yankees.
I look at Hughes and I see a starting pitcher who gave up 3 runs or less in 20 out of 29 starts. He was very good 2/3rds of the time.
Betsy,
You’re easy to upset. It takes no effort. None. Oftentimes, you get upset when a poster’s intentions are anything but malicious.
The last couple of days, you were upset Cashman didn’t trade for Haren because Joba alone supposedly held the deal up – an assertion that’s almost certainly a bunch of baloney.
And for the record, my comment stated that Hughes and a “very good year” in his first season as a full time starter.
Didn’t make him out to be Cy Young or suggest he’s ready to compete with the top 5 pitchers in the league. He has plenty of room for improvement as any 24 yr old kid does.
But I can assure you the Yankee front office and coaching staff was thrilled with the kind of season he had in 2010.
We all should be excited to see him take the next step in 2011.
Tom, just so you know, that wasn’t the point of my rant. I saw absolutely no reason for GF to bring my name into it – unless he wanted to tweak me, an obnoxious move.
GB-
I know you prefer Billingsley but Rumor-R-Us is reporting that Floyd may be available.
If we Get Lee but AP hangs them up I would consider Floyd.
Th WS need a catcher, 1b, 2b, and young pitching.
If we were willing to include Romine it would seem to be an easy deal to make.
Just a thought. What say you ?
yankee Magazine is one, including a piece on the minor leaguers.
Warning: For those anti- Gold Glovers, this is not for you. They’ll be showing the 3 Yankee GG winners.v
Phil Hughes is the guy that helped the SF Gianys get HFA in the World Series, right?
If Romine was all they wanted, maybe, MTU. I’d look at trying to move a guy like Nova and maybe a DJ Mitchell.
GF, I got upset in this case because I thought it was best to let sleeping dogs lie. I’m not going to convince anyone to chang their minds (not that I’ve been trying to) and I’m not going to change mine – so what’s the point in arguing? I get upset when my words are twisted (I never said Phil was bad or that he was incapable of improving, as SJ said I said) and I get upset when I feel that I have to apologize for my opinions.
I’m going to have a perfectly lovely evening watching Les Miserables on a movie screen tonight and so hopefully I will not be upset when I get home, lol
GB-
With all of White Sox needs their are many options on how to construct a deal.
May not even need to include Romine.
Floyd would be fine if the price is right and kenny Williams likes to deal.
Blake-
Would you rather have Nova or Floyd ?
I know my answer.
# jaysonst
More. I’m hearing would probably be a 5-for-1. RT @Shportsfan @jaysonst What would it take from Yanks? Swisher, a C prospect, and more? 14 minutes ago via web
* Reply
* Retweet
# Jayson Stark jaysonst
The Justin Upton rumors are more than just talk. I was told #Diamondbacks “genuinely open” to moving him – but for huge short/long-term pkg 22 minutes ago via web
In the AFL, today….a big game by Brandon Laird, 305 with a double and 2 more RBI. Pirel had a 2 run homer.
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday.....n_pddwin_1
GB-
Laird seems to be doing well in the OF ?
Sounds like Towers wants a “Herschel Walker” deal for Upton.
MTU,
Floyd would be a solid middle of the rotation guy for the guys.
that’s 3-5 for Laird.
Blake-
Doesn’t really matter we both know Lee and AP
will be ours.
No one is saying Hughes had a Cy Young year.
He had a great year in terms of his development.
Go look at just about any other starters first full year starting in the big leagues.
Up and down, peaks and valleys.
Saying he just had an decent years shows your expectations were way to high for him to begin with.
I personally think it’s reasonable to think Pettitte will return in 2011 if Lee signs with the Yanks or see him retire if Lee doesn’t.
No evidence to back that up but you would think a guy like Pettitte would be more likely to return if he sees the biggest fish on the market added to the rotation.
MTU, in 24 outfield games, just one error and 7 assists (1 dP). 2 runners thrown out at home. He’s been in a slump for about a week, but, 2nd in homers (1 behind), 2nd in doubles (1 behind) and 2nd in RBI (1 behind). Not bad for a 27th round pick.
If Swisher, Romine, Betances, and Nova would swing a deal for Upton who is doing it?
GF-
It’s funny because I see it just the opposite way.
Guess that’s what makes the world go round.
Question: Can the Jays still offer John Buck arbitration even though he signed already?
# blake November 17th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
If Swisher, Romine, Betances, and Nova would swing a deal for Upton who is doing it?
In a heartbeat.
I wouldn’t do it, blake.
There’s something about Justin Upton’s shoulder injury from last season that bothers me
Tom, they’ll get the picks. I assume though that Florida has protected picks as one of the 15 worst records.
Blake-
Would you do it ?
MTU,
Weird.
I think both will be pitching with the Yanks in 2011 or neither.
This board will plummet into a sewer real fast if the answer is neither.
GF-
More like abject panic.
I don’t see that scenario though but hey, I’m an optimist.
GB, I thought so too. But, I seem to remember the Braves getting pissed at the Yankees for signing Shefield before they could offer him arbitration.
With the ND-Army game coming up, a perfect time for a reading on the talents of Grantland Rice. The following was written about Babe Ruth’s passing. Nobody wrote like Grantland Rice.
“Game Called by darkness — let the curtain fall.
No more remembered thunder sweeps the field.
No more the ancient echoes hear the call
To one who wore so well both sword and shield:
The Big Guy’s left us with the night to face
And there is no one who can take his place.
Game Called — and silence settles on the plain.
Where is the crash of ash against the sphere?
Where is the mighty music, the refrain
That once brought joy to every waiting ear?
The Big Guy’s left us lonely in the dark
Forever waiting for the flaming spark.
Game Called — what more is there for us to say?
How dull and drab the field looks to the eye
For one who ruled it in a golden day
Has waved his cap to bid us all good-bye.
The Big Guy’s gone — by land or sea or foam
May the Great Umpire call him “safe at home.”
# blake November 17th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
If Swisher, Romine, Betances, and Nova would swing a deal for Upton who is doing it?
__________________________________________________________________
I would make that deal in a second. Upton is a significant improvement over Swisher. I believe that Montero, and not Romine is our catcher of the future. We would still be left with two of the Killer B’s, and Nova probably won’t make the rotation anyway if we sign Lee. I doubt AZ would make that deal though. Most “experts” are saying that it would take Swisher/Gardner, Montero or Hughes, and two or 3 more good prospects.
A reprint of the 1924 Notre Dame and Army game. Well worth the reading if only because of it’s sheer poetry.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.c...../index.htm
MTU,
Yes, if I could get a 23 year old potential cornerstone type player and not have to give up Hughes, Montero, or Baneulos then I think you have to. He, Cano, and Montero could for a very talented nucleus for years.
But it would probably take more than that.
Felix Hernandez 2006. W-L 12-14. Games 31. Innings pitched 191. ERA 4.52. WHIP 1.335. HR 23. SOs 176.
Phil Hughes 2010. W-L 18-8. Games 31. Innings pitched 176.1. ERA 4.19. WHIP 1.248. HR 25. SOs 146.
Not to say Hughes will become as good as Felix, but you have to give pitchers time to evolve. Hell, Pettitte was having one his best seasons until he get injured this year. Pitching is a craft that no young pitcher just has. Great young pitchers have great stuff, but you learn that craft over several years.
So to those unimpressed by Hughes years, or unsatisfied, or think he just had an ok year, or thinks he’s a trade chip – think of the context. This isn’t a guy in his prime, it’s his first full year starting.
Look on the bright side, he won 18 games. Pretty damned impressive as most young pitchers have trouble hanging on to wins or going deep into games. The Yankees can bail pitchers out, but it takes some skill to hold onto that against pro hitters. You can’t throw anyone out on the mound for the Yankees an expect them to win 18 games over the season (and yes, the examples continue beyond Javy and AJ).
Would you prefer to substitute a different OF
if you could ?
Carl November 17th, 2010 at 6:48 pm
# blake November 17th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
If Swisher, Romine, Betances, and Nova would swing a deal for Upton who is doing it?
In a heartbeat.
——————————————————————————————————————
So you are going to replace swisher with less production from upton,throw in a great catching prospect,great pitching prospect & another ok pitcher in nova?
Glad you are not the gm of the yankees.
We need pitching & more pitching not swap an o.f. with another o.f. of similar production,probably less while throwing in a potential ace & another ok pitcher.
MTU,
If payroll weren’t an issue then I would rather have Gardner in the deal….strictly from an on field performance standpoint. If they would make a deal like that Id probably let them choose the outfielder they wanted…
Blake-
The Snakes really do not need a catcher because they already have a Montero. Miguel.
Forget Upton as far as the Yankees are concerned. The needs of the team have been crystal clear for weeks. The only external needs will be for pitching and it starts with Cliff Lee, possibly another back of the rotation starter, and another LH bullpen arm.
If the right situation presents itself, a backup catcher if it’s felt that Cervelli is not the answer.
All other position player needs can filled from within.
MTU,
Can’t have too many catchers….they could always flip him.
Ron,
Its dealing from excess. My guess is the actual GM of the Yankees would make that deal without hesitation….though it would probably require even more than that. Swisher is soon to be a FA, they are loaded with catching prospects, and while it would hurt to lose Betances…he’s still a couple years away from the big leagues.
Toronto picks up Rajai Davis from oakland for a pait of minor league relievers, Danny Farquhar and Trystan Magnuson. Magnuson is the son of the late Chicago Blackhawks great HOF defenseman, Keith Magnuson.
***Oakland for a pair***
Upton is a marvelous talent who is just about ready to blossom into a top tier ballplayer….Cashman ( if this is even remotely true ) has to explore this….Proposal isn’t too far off although I’d hold back one of those pitchers…….Kevin Towers knows the Yankee organization as it was one of his consulting projects to evaluate their developmental program…….
Pat M,
I agree. He’s a guy you go that extra mile to get if you can. I wouldn’t do Hughes and maybe not Montero….but if a combo of pretty much anybody else gets it done then you have to consider it. (Id also try and hang on to Banuelos).
Blake I agree entirely……As for Phillip Hughes, at this point there’s very little that I would trade him for as he could and most likely will be the anchor of the club’s rotation for years to come……..If not for the fluke injuries he could have 60 wins by now……
# ron November 17th, 2010 at 7:13 pm
Carl November 17th, 2010 at 6:48 pm
# blake November 17th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
If Swisher, Romine, Betances, and Nova would swing a deal for Upton who is doing it?
In a heartbeat.
——————————————————————————————————————
So you are going to replace swisher with less production from upton,throw in a great catching prospect,great pitching prospect & another ok pitcher in nova?
Glad you are not the gm of the yankees.
We need pitching & more pitching not swap an o.f. with another o.f. of similar production,probably less while throwing in a potential ace & another ok pitcher.
Him and Montero may be able to be my 3-4 combo in the future.
Betances just made it to AA.
With guys like Phelps and Noesi in AAA, Nova is expendable.
Romine would be tough to let go, but like said, Him and Montero would be my 3-4.
# Carl November 17th, 2010 at 6:48 pm
# blake November 17th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
If Swisher, Romine, Betances, and Nova would swing a deal for Upton who is doing it?
In a heartbeat.
———————————–
in a NY minute
Wouldn’t Andy’s value rise if Lee did not sign with the Yanks?
Either way he is coming back.
When hasn’t he?
GreenBeret7 November 17th, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Toronto picks up Rajai Davis from oakland for a pait of minor league relievers, Danny Farquhar and Trystan Magnuson. Magnuson is the son of the late Chicago Blackhawks great HOF defenseman, Keith Magnuson.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oakland seems to be proactive. Rajai Davis is a speedster. If kept and isn’t a spinoff to another deal, it makes a Toronto OF expendable. Not likely to be Vernon Wells and his hefty contract.
Does anybody know if SJ has declared himself ineligible or on temporary hiatus?
Did any others make announcements of their departures or just take a mental health break as I had and recommended?
Carl…with regard to pitching, trading Swisher would free up payroll short term.
And as far as guys like Betances and Nova, the reality is that the odds of a Yankee minor leaguer EVER pitching in the rotation is slim to none. Pettitte and Hughes in the last twenty years yet some here think there are five future Yankee starters in the minors. No way at all. Nothing against Nova or the B’s…but the Yankees buy their starters not develop them.
Whatever the case, it feels like the (Y)Angst has been removed from the equation except for the usual suspect(s).
Nothing against Nova or the B’s…but the Yankees buy their starters not develop them.
=======================================================
The Yanks hype their minor leaguer pitchers more than any other team. Very rarely do they live up to it.
Most of the time they are traded, which is why Hughes is special and won’t be.
“If Swisher, Romine, Betances, and Nova would swing a deal for Upton who is doing it?”
Without question. Keep the best of the killer Bs and Montero while getting an elite, cost-controlled talent.
Cano-Montero-Upton in the middle of the order for the next decade….
See there was talk on the blog about trading for Justin Upton. He missed most of September with a shoulder problem due to a slight labral tear.
108, The Jays will probably one of the outfield corners to Travis Snyder and Davis in the other and move Bautista back to 3rd base while letting Encanarcion walk as a non-tender or move him in a trade. Lewis would fill the #4 outfield spot..
If the Yankees could get Derek Jeter to agree to a three-year contract for $21 million per year, they would sign off on it today.
But they can’t get him to agree to that, which is why we are a week away from Thanksgiving Day and a deal that was supposed to be a slam dunk is still on the shot clock.
That is the word from a source with inside knowledge of the negotiations between the Yankees and Jeter. The source says the Yankees are willing to give Jeter more money than his play currently warrants, but fewer years than Jeter currently wants.
Jeter, the source said, wants more. Four years, minimum, and preferably five or even six. Right now, it is a standoff, a dirty dance, a game of chicken in which one side or the other must eventually blink.
And according to the source, who has ties to both the team and the player, there is at least one voice inside the Yankees’ hierarchy urging the front office to play its game as hard as Jeter plays his on the field.
“Tell him the deal is three years at $15 million a year, take it or leave it,” goes the hard-line approach. “Wait him out and he’ll wind up taking it. Where’s he gonna go, Cincinnati?”
But according to the source, the Yankees are fearful of taking that sort of a stance with their most beloved player since Mickey Mantle, fearful of a fan backlash and a public relations nightmare
http://sports.espn.go.com/new-.....id=5818664
Oh, no. Just a week from Thanksgiving, only 3 months from ST and Jeter hasn’t signed yet. Quick…find an emergency backup.
Upton also hit into 20 DP’s, double his 2009 total and his strikeouts were up from 2009 in less at bats 137 to 152. Not worth 5 players for him. Has had an assortment of injuries over the last few years-hip flexor, oblique strains X2 and old left shoulder labral tear.
As much as I love Justin Upton there is no way I include Bettances in that deal….of the killer B’s he has the highest ceiling and is the most likely to hit his ceiling….
What the D Backs most need is 1B and pitching both ‘pen and mid to back end SP.
They don’t need C as they have Miguel Montero so Romine is out.
I’d offer Joba/Nova/Laird and Mitchell….
Banuelos and Bettances along with Jesus are off the table…
I actually think that fans would turn on Jeter before they turned on the Yankees FO. This is different, but somewhat similar to the situation with the Jets and Revis, their star CB. I thought that fans would be annoyed at the Jets front office for not giving him the money he wanted, but most fans actually became annoyed with the players “selfish” demands. Obviously this isn’t the same because of Jeter’s legacy and because he isn’t currently under contract. But people have trouble feeling sorry for athletes, when they are being payed millions of dollars to do what most of us wish that we could do. I have a feeling that fans would become annoyed with Jeter’s demands, and not the Yankees organization. When someone asks you what team you like, you say the Yankees, and not the Derek Jeter’s. I don’t think that any player is above an organization in the eyes of most fans. I’m not saying that either side is right or wrong, or that Jeter’s demands are necessarily selfish, but I would be very surprised to see the fans turn on the Yankees FO. Thats just my opinion.
# champ809 November 17th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
As much as I love Justin Upton there is no way I include Bettances in that deal….of the killer B’s he has the highest ceiling and is the most likely to hit his ceiling….
What the D Backs most need is 1B and pitching both ‘pen and mid to back end SP.
They don’t need C as they have Miguel Montero so Romine is out.
I’d offer Joba/Nova/Laird and Mitchell….
Banuelos and Bettances along with Jesus are off the table…
________________________________________________________________________
No offense, but they would laugh and hang up the phone.
GB7-
Encarnacion was picked up by the A’s who are also interested in Beltran. Even without Beltran, Kouzmanoff might be nontendered.
Tired of all the Jeter talk when he will sign. Cashman- Just trade with your pal Towers and get Stephen Drew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Then make Swisher Captain [Clown]
Oh, i agree. I’m turning on Jeter as soon as I wake up tomorrow morning. I’m going to have some pizza first.
Trader, when did the Encanarcion deal happen?
That damned peyote stash must be contaminated.
No way the Dbacks would do that deal. Towers is going to want an impressive package and to get him you are going to have to send some elite talent in return….otherwise he has no incentive to trade him.
Jeter at $21M (!!!), plus Lee, Pettitte, Rivera and the raises some of the others are due puts them well over last year’s payroll. You can forget about getting a decent bench player or reliever much less a Crawford or someone like that.
Its the NY Yankees, not the NY Jeters!!!
They are CRAZY to sacrifice the overall good of the team to pander to an over the hill star. And some of you will disagree with me now, but when someone gets hurt and there’s no one good on the bench you need to remember that $4 or $5M extra they give Jeter could have gone towards the bench or bullpen.
Give him a Jeter Day…give him a silly monument, but DON’T give him an over-priced, long term contract.
http://spreadsheets.google.com.....utput=html
What a pathetic life it must be troll troll a sports board in November, just to be an ass. Congratulations.
Can the Yankee brass stay out of the media on Jeter’s contract negotiations? They seem to have this consistent message – whether it’s Jeter, Williams, Torre, etc. – of “you’re not beigger than the Yankees.” And while that may be true – my message to the brass is “you’re not bigger than the Yankee player.”
But they do have leverage when it comes to contracts – and they like to use it. I think it’s mainly ego – and what I am now reading in the paper from Hal, Cashman and Levine is starting to edge torward something ugly. While Jeter’s agent had his one quip – you haven’t heard “boo” from Jeter, other than pleading ignorant to “the process.” I don’t know what the Yankees shoudl pay him, but I appreciate how he’s handling “the process.”
I wish the execs would follow his lead – when a reporter asks about contracts talks, say “I’d rather not comment…” and let it go.