Torre: “I don’t wear those rings without Derek Jeter”
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Dec 07, 2010 
Print This Post
| 
Email This Post
MLB just hosted a press conference to honor Bobby Cox, Cito Gaston, Lou Piniella and Joe Torre, and the room was packed. The reporters spilled well beyond the seats. Tony LaRussa was in the crowd. My plan was to stop for a few minutes to listen while I finished my coffee, but it was too engaging to walk away. If nothing else, baseball is a game that appreciates it’s history, and it’s hard to ignore that group.
Torre was, of course, asked about Derek Jeter.
“No question, I don’t wear those rings without Derek Jeter on our club,” Torre said. “We were fortunate to have Derek (at) my Safe At Home Foundation. We honored him in November before he signed. He’s a very private person. I said at that time, and I’m glad it turned out that way, it’s hard for me to believe the Yankees wouldn’t want him back. And I know that’s the only ball club he ever wanted to play for. I’m just happy it worked out for him.
“I talked to him a couple of times over the last, well actually, I talked to him once over the last few weeks and we’ve communicated through the texting, which my daughter taught me how to do. As I say, he’s very private. I’m sure he’s happy it’s over with. What can I say? He’s a special young man, not only the baseball part of the game, but he’s just been a great role model for all the young kids. To do that in New York, especially as a single player where there are a lot of distractions that can certainly cut into what you do, I think he’s been tremendous. Hopefully he continues to stay healthy.”
Jon Heyman 2 hours ago: Source: #nats “very much” in on cliff lee. Rumor is they may throw out 7 year offer.
Jon Heyman 5 minutes ago: Source:#nats not in on lee. Looking at other pitching options.
Jon Heyman all the time: I make stuff up.
Ken_Rosenthal
#A’s, #RedSox, others on Willingham. Price said to be “absurd.” A’s also on DLee. Could offer more $$$ than #Padres, #Diamondbacks #MLB
4 minutes ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®
Repost:
If insiders (especially a GM) know the way the game works, what does a player/agent benefit from leaking something like the Lee/7-from-Nats rumor to NY writers? Cashman would immediately know this is BS, actually it would give him the information that on the contrary, the Nats are NOT offering 7 yrs.
Not being a wise-ass, I’d seriously like to know. If the “game” is so transparent, what’s the point in playing it?
Sounds like the teams are.having fun with the Heymans and Rosenthals…..
I could see the Nats doing Lee for 7. With him and Stratsburg for years to come, why not. Mentor and mentee, plus Werth anchoring the lineup.
Cashman has a plan B, since he’s not giving Lee a 7 year contract. Not happening.
In many ways, this reminds me of the baseball media:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....r_embedded
In the age of twitter where the news cycle is about 30 seconds there seem to be plenty of opportunities to look like a fool.
Washington is more likely to go after a Pavano and Webb or Harden or all 3 than just Lee. Those 3 would win more than Lee will and probably for less. They need starter, not a starter and they need bullpen help.
Heyman is cracking me up
# While nats are said NOT to be in on cliff lee now, can’t rule out 7 years from someone else. best postseason pitcher since gibson. 4 minutes ago via web
While nats are said NOT to be in on cliff lee now, can’t rule out 7 years from someone else. best postseason pitcher since gibson.
He’s all over the place. Yes, no, maybe so.
http://twitter.com/SI_JonHeyma.....7556186112
Blake-
It’s GIGO.
The only tweet I really want to see is : Yankees get their Man. Lee to be a Yankee.
Or
AP decides not to ride off into sunset will return to Yankees for one more go around.
Or
Upton to go “uptown”. traded to the Yankees for 4 players and cash.
Heard this:
Respected baseball writer Jon Heyman being spun like a top by his sources
Will the real Jon Heyman please stand up!
Chris Young or Rich Harden might be worth a shot.
No on Feliciano, strictly a lefty specialist who appeared in a league leading 92 games.
Someone needs to take away his Blackberry.
Report:
Heyman is a tool.
MTU,
Agreed.
Its almost like the teams and agents are seeing his many circles they can make Heyman run…..
# LGY December 7th, 2010 at 12:02 pm
Heard this:
Respected baseball writer Jon Heyman being spun like a top by his sources
———————————
Haha, nice.
Blake-
Like a dog chasin’ his tail.
maybe he’s tryin’ for a new Guiness record.
Guys knock it off, Heyman works for Sports Illustrated. It is entirely possible that 30 seconds ago the nats were going to go 7 years on Lee, then changed their mind 25 seconds ago, and then another team took their spot 20 seconds ago.
Sports Illustrated is a respected magazine who should be respected.
AdamKilgoreWP Hearing more confirmation that there is nothing to Cliff Lee and the #Nats. 18 minutes ago via Mobile Web
The other agents an “reporters” may be tired of watching him suck up to Boras and his clients (his only real sources).
But, he is a “respected writer”!!
How can this be?
The Nats had a 7 year offer for Lee when they entered the buffet line.
By the time they sat down, its off the table.
Shocking.
Well said Mr. Torre. Class personified.
Report:
Heyman reveals 2 of his main sources are Chip and Brett the Hitman from Lohud.
I said it before Kilgore debunked the rumor – the whole “7 year deal with the Nats” thing was obviously planted by Lee’s agent. Come on guys, it’s fairly obvious if you just think about it…
I bet if I walked into the winter meetings and told Jon Heyman the Montreal Expos have a 7 year offer on the table for Lee he would tweet it.
It’s not a proud day for a Jon Heyman fan when Ken Rosenthall and Tim McCarver are more respected baseball minds.
I think this Cliff Lee is a plant too.
The real one pitches for NY Yankees.
I look at all the tweets and rumors, look at who is reporting it, then look at who gains most by the rumor, then I still don’t believe it, just file it away. The rumors are more fun to just drive discussion, nothing to get worried about. Worry/Excitement is when multiple sources tweet a deal is finished/complete.
Betting on the reputation of baseball writers is a dangerous field to enter.
GB-
And Rosenthal turns out to be taller by an inch !
Somebody is feeding Heyman this stuff on purpose to make him look stupid.
Laura-
he doesn’t need any help.
This “Wood” be a pleasant surprise.
Yankees, White Sox Interested In Kerry Wood
By Tim Dierkes [December 7 at 11:06am CST]
The Yankees and White Sox are interested in free agent reliever Kerry Wood, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The Yankees want to take care of Cliff Lee first, while the Sox must address Paul Konerko.
The Orioles and Cubs have previously been linked to Wood, who finished strong with the Yankees despite some control issues.
GB-
That was reported yesterday but not by Heyman.
“Well said Mr. Torre. Class personified.”
————————–
Did he put that class in a storage locker while his tell all book was being published?
Red Sox after Magglio….good move, bad move?
With Boston looking so strongly left-handed after acquiring AGon I’d much prefer the Yanks spending their bullpen dollars on a good left-handed reliever rather than Kerry Wood.
MTU December 7th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
GB-
And Rosenthal turns out to be taller by an inch !
———————————————————————————————————————-
Only when he borrows Tim Kurkjian’s shoe lifts.
Magglio is such a weasel with his clown hair, I support the Red Sox signing him. He is eminently hatable.
Blake-
another one of their famous “high upside” trades ?
I don’t know LGY, why don’t you ask Jeter, Mariano, Pettitte and Posada what they think about Joe Torre and get back to me.
c’MON Cashman bury boston with great acquisitions !! The race is on
West Coast,
You still want to sell us on how Feinsand had to be correct on the 7 year Lee offer since he’s “respected”.
Its been debunked by everybody at this point.
Like many agent-fed rumors are if you step back and think about them and where they are placed.
Lee is best postseason pitcher since Gibson?
Having never seen Gibson pitch did he ever get beat twice in a series by a 160 lb. pothead?
I think Heyman is confusing Braunecker for Boras if you know what I’m getting at.
I hear that Magglio Ordonez once had knees ?
Is that true ?
I don’t know LGY, why don’t you ask Jeter, Mariano, Pettitte and Posada what they think about Joe Torre and get back to me.
–
Weak argument. And a debate faux-pas. Jeter might think Torre is classy, or just SAY he is classy because that is the classy thing to say. Especially if Torre is their friend. And what they would say to the media might be different from what they say in a private situation.
Why don’t you try and back your argument up with some facts based on known information, which paints a dirtier portrait of St. Joe than what you imagine Jeter thinks.
“With Boston looking so strongly left-handed after acquiring AGon I’d much prefer the Yanks spending their bullpen dollars on a good left-handed reliever rather than Kerry Wood.”
——————–
I don’t know. Wood is pretty money against LHB especially with that cutter.
The last 3 years:
Wood vs LHB: .226 AVG .665 OPS
Wood vs RHB: .216 AVG .658 OPS
I would rather them just sign the better pitcher. I think that is a better strategy over the course of the season and postseason.
I love it that some of the people bashing Heyman are also the ones who follow him on Twitter. If he sucks so bad, don’t follow him on Twitter.
Jeers-
It’s just hyperbole to go with his song and dance.
Besides Lee can’t shoot hoops to save his Deer hunting permit.
Ellsbury
Pedroia
Gonzalez
Youkilis
Ortiz
Ordonez
Drew
Scutaro
Salty
Pretty impressive…
* no offense to 160 lb potheads intended. I realize Lincecum is an amazing talent despite his alleged pharmaceutical habits.
I get the sense that many of these insiders are not much different than us… they sit around and try and figure out what story would be interesting.
For example, the other day Ken Rosenthal played the game of “one of these rumors is false” where he said that – among other things “the D’backs and White Sox were discussing a Mark Reynolds for Jake Peavy swap”….but he said it just to stir up some noise.
I love it that some of the people bashing Heyman are also the ones who follow him on Twitter. If he sucks so bad, don’t follow him on Twitter.
–
You need to follow him to get scoops or Boras’ negotiation position since he is so far up Scott’s patoot that he gets the information first hand. I follow a lot of people I find dumb because then I can tweet back to them, which Heyman hates and gets so pissy about, or re-tweet them and add my own spin / joke.
Plus its fun to see what dumb people write, can’t go through life just saying ‘Wow great article!’ over and over. Its fun to get dirty and bash something.
LGY-
But I’m not sold on Kerry Wood. Although his strikeout numbers are great, he puts too many people on base. His HR% was way down in 2010 – if it bounces up those walks are going to hurt.
The Red Sox currently have lost more WAR (Beltre/Vmart) than they have gained with Gonzalez………they haven’t replace their WAR!.!
Why don’t you ask Arod what he thinks of Torre?
“Class” is a tough term to throw around after a guy writes a tell all book.
There are people who like Joe Torre and people who think he is a phony.
Me? I’m in the middle on it.
He wasn’t as good a manager without Zimmer by his side as he was when he was there.
The last two years he was in NY, he did as much to foster the Anti-Arod v. Pro-Arod in the locker room as anybody and that was wrong.
Writing the book was also wrong.
To his credit, he has been reaching out to mend fences.
Its why I hope they have a Joe Torre Day soon, retire his number, and he gets his plague in Monument Park.
You just have to be careful throwing the “C-Word” about anybody in sports these days.
That’s shaky ground.
LGY -
I’m still scared off by Wood’s health an would hesitate to give him a contract that would keep him in the Bronx.
I think when you catch lightning in a bottle once as they did with keeping him healthy for the second half of the season – you’re better off not to spend too much time chasing it again.
Judge rules Dodgers are community property. Let the fun begin in LA.
Ellsbury
Pedroia
Gonzalez
Youkilis
Ortiz
Ordonez
Drew
Scutaro
Salty
–
Impressive? Eh
Ellsbury, Salty, and Scutaro are unimpressive. Ortiz and Ordonez could just as likely be done as good. And Drew and Youkilis are injury prone and never play full seasons. Its a pretty good lineup but I don’t know if impressive is the right word for it. Impressive was 2009 Yankees or 2004 Red Sox.
Gardner
Granderson
Cano
A-rod
Tex
Swisher
Posada
Montero
Jeter
is better in my opinion.
Wave,
Yeah I agree on that. Wood with his time with the Yankees was too good to be true.
But, I think he is the best of the bunch, non draft pick compensation division.
Do you have someone else in mind?
pat-
The Yankees part is Clayton Kershaw.
jerkface-
Something tells me the Sox aren’t done yet though.
SJ44 – I didn’t say Feinsand was right. I never said the rumor was true. What you don’t seem to understand is that baseball writers report what they hear. Things move too fast and they don’t have the resources to verify the veracity of every single rumor. Their job is to report – not to predict.
Jon Heyman said clearly that the nats seven year report was a “rumor”. Here is his exact tweet:
“Nats very much in on Cliff Lee. Rumor is they may throw out seven year offer”
Wave Your Hat December 7th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
With Boston looking so strongly left-handed after acquiring AGon I’d much prefer the Yanks spending their bullpen dollars on a good left-handed reliever rather than Kerry Wood.
—————————————————————————————–
AGon hit .337 with a .937 OPS against LHP last year.
hope nobody takes advantage of them being away from orlando.
As of right now the Yankee lineup is still better and deeper than the Red Sox is.
“Why don’t you ask Arod what he thinks of Torre?”
—————————
I’m thinking a few other C-Words may come to mind.
Just love how Kevin Towers is going about his business.
Fast and focused.
Remaking the bullpen with power arms. Got Putz for 2 affordable years – $10M with a 3rd year option.
Now possibly setting his sights on Konerko, a Scottsdale resident, enticing him to play at home.
I think I’m developing a man crush.
LGY -
Rich Harden at a much lower salary or Ryan Madson via trade after Carl Crawford is signed.
pat December 7th, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Judge rules Dodgers are community property. Let the fun begin in LA.
———————————————————————————————————————-
Does that mean that everyone in the community owns the LA Doggies?
Chip:
Good thoughts and if Andy doesn’t retire I want to see the AAA most ML ready guys get their feet wet in the pen
If Andy retires:
Sign Lee……Of course
Sign Crawford…..Would love it.
Sign Feliciano…..Better option than Downs, imo.
Sign Rich Harden (minor league deal)…….imo I think some team who needs a SP will give him a ML deal
Sign Matt Diaz……..might be too expensive with so many teams in on him
Sign Lastings Milledge…….Attitude, immature
Trade Brett to the Angels for Jeff Mathis
25 man roster:
Jeter – SS
Crawford – LF
Tex – 1b
Alex – 3b
Cano – 2b
Swisher – rf
Posada – DH
Granderson – CF
Montero – C
Bench: Mathis, Nunez, Milledge, Diaz
Rotation:
CC, Lee, Hughes, AJ, Nova/Noesi/Phelps………….Are Noesi and Phelps the most ML ready, iyo ?
Pen:
RHP: Mo, Harden, Joba, Robertson, Nova/Mitre
LHP: Logan, Feliciano
SJ44 December 7th, 2010 at 12:27 pm
“Why don’t you ask Arod what he thinks of Torre?”
**************
Really? You want to go there? Comparing Jeter, Posada, Pettitte and Mariano’s take on class and integrity with A-Rod?
Umm. Ok.
SJ44 December 7th, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Why don’t you ask Arod what he thinks of Torre?
———————
Not just A-Rod but Kenny Lofton, Gary Sheffield, Kevin Brown, David Wells
or some of the guys whose careers he ruined: Tanyon Sturtze, Paul Quantrill, Steve Karsay, Scott Proctor.
There were Joe’s Guys and then there was everyone else…never forget that.
GB
lol Nope, means Jamie McCourt can’t be locked out of the building anymore.
West Coast, you spend more time tap dancing than Bill “Bojangles” Robinson and Shirley Temple did.
WCYF
When you alienate the most talented player on the team you are not effectively using your resources as a manager. That’s what Torre did.
Having differing opinions on Joe Torre will always be a reality for Yankee fans. No one is perfect.
New Post: Writers on the road to Tampa, Lee not on his way to D.C.
“I love it that some of the people bashing Heyman are also the ones who follow him on Twitter. If he sucks so bad, don’t follow him on Twitter.”
I also follow “Fake Fred Wilpon” and Bret the Hitman’s totally fabricated rumors. Why? the occasional laugh.
And what ever happened to “fake Michael Kay” ?
I don’t formulate my opinions to please you GB7. I’m honest as I hope you are. I like and respect Joe Torre and have been through hours of back and forth with Torre haters before. I’m not inclined to do it again. I made a simple comment on Chad’s post about Torre. I thought his comments were very classy. I’ll leave it at that.
Not saying Cash isn’t doing well, but seriously, you don’t get points for re-upping Jeter and Mariano. Those are supposed to be givens.
Thus far we’ve learned:
1. Signing Lee will be not only expensive, but also for more years than may be considered prudent. There may have to be a Plan B.
2. That Andy has not given his answer as yet, and may still in fact retire. Is there a Plan C?
3. That Upton may have been available, and now may not be.
4. Swisher is tradable, due to his production as well as his very favorable contract terms.
5. Cashman may consider picking up a veteran backup catcher, which possibly means that he doesn’t have faith that Posada could catch more than half the season’s games with one of the rookies or Cervelli catching the balance.
6. We still need to add a lefty to the bullpen.
7. We still need bench pieces, particularly someone who can spell 3B and SS without giving automatically giving up plate appearances.
Lots to do Cash.
Ordonez could bat 5th and they’d go lefty-righty straight down the order. The guy hits .300 every year, would rake in Fenway, could play smaller LF there and replace Ortiz as DH next year (or this year). Then Kalish could replace him in the OF if he’s good enough.
Ordonez, Ellsbury, Drew is better offensively than Gardner, Granderson, Swisher. Ordonez is significantly better than any of them.
If you want to fantasize about potential line ups all good, but Jeter is not batting in the nine hole. That is as definitive as anything get.
the real story behind all of this will come out when either cashman or jeter write their book one day!