Cashman confirms Hafner signing; won’t say much on A-Rod
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Feb 01, 2013 
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Brian Cashman was just on ESPN radio with Ryan Ruocco and Stephen A. Smith. A few things to note.
• Cashman confirmed the Travis Hafner signing. Asked whether Hafner will be a Yankee, Cashman said, “yes.” The team has yet to officially announce the signing.
• Cashman would not comment on the ongoing Alex Rodriguez situation. It’s no surprise, but he said the team has decided to not comment and referred to the previously released statement from the team. “I am not commenting other than we are in full cooperation with Major League Baseball,” he said.
• Are the Yankees looking into being able to void Rodriguez’s contract? “I’m not going to comment on anything,” Cashman said. “I could say, and would say, those types of suggestions or speculations are all premature until you have facts (from MLB’s investigation).”
• The Yankees first learned of the New Times story a week ago when they received a letter from the newspaper explaining the situation and seeking comment from Rodriguez. “Our immediate reaction was, once we saw that, we turned it over to Major League Baseball,” Cashman said.
• Are the Yankees resigned to the idea of not having Rodriguez at all this year? “Alex we’re expecting back in the summer,” Cashman said. “… If we can get Alex back under that scenario as expected, that will certainly be a significant contribution as we move forward. But to count on it, I think, would be a mistake from my position as a general manager.”
• Derek Jeter’s rehab from ankle surgery is going as expected. He’s taking ground balls directly at him — not fielding side-to-side yet — and hitting in the cage. The Yankees have been told that, medically, Jeter should be fine to begin running, but the Yankees are going to wait and make running the last thing he does. “We’re just going to take him out slowly because we have time,” Cashman said. “The goal is starting shortstop Opening Day against Boston. There’s no reason that’s not going to happen. He’s really 100 percent healthy and he’s just now knocking the rust off.”
• Cashman did not going into specifics about Michael Pineda’s rehab from shoulder surgery, only said that he’s been throwing off a half mound for a few days now. Certainly left no indication that there’s been any sort of setback with Pineda.
tomingeorgia February 1st, 2013 at 2:58 pm
If the Yankees were to release Rodriguez, if he can still play, does anybody really think there’s no team out there who would sign him for league minimum? There are probably 20 of them who would.
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I can’t see teams clamoring for a 38 year old with degenerative hips and more baggage than a British Airways flight.
Good to see that Cashman is at his gregarious best once again.
This is not a knock on Cashman, because I think every decision on this is being made above him (as it should be), but they don’t have to comment. Their acolytes in the media are it doing for them.
Also if people are speaking to the press they obviously want this to get out I.E. they want to see people get in trouble. MLB just needs to follow the breadcrumbs.
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All MLB can do is eat breadcrumbs, they have no power to actually do anything except drug test players. And even if they random test based on probable cause the cause can be appealed and testing is not completed until after the appeal is heard by the arbitrator.
There is nothing that suggests some paper is going to end with A-rod suspended.
The Yankees first learned of the New Times story a week ago when they received a letter from the newspaper explaining the situation and seeking comment from Rodriguez. “Our immediate reaction was, once we saw that, we turned it over to Major League Baseball,” Cashman said.
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And of course someone on the Yankees called the NY Daily News which is how we all sort of knew it was coming prior to Tuesday. The Yankees are planting stories make no mistake about it.
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports......war-usage/
Regarding ARod, he needs to step in front of a microphone soon and in front of the cameras
and defend himself against these accusations.
I have to think that because of his recent hip surgery, he is literally moving a lot slower
than a normal person would. Meaning, it’s taking him time to set up a situation where he can
defend himself in front of the media.
No more hiding behind “statements”
“Regarding ARod, he needs to step in front of a microphone soon and in front of the cameras
and defend himself against these accusations.”
This would be insane.
man if a-rod is lying again, i dont see coming back from it mentally or physically (or with his peers). he had a chance to confess again and again he denied it. and the evidence just keeps piling up…….
Here was the Yankees biggest mistake. They gave Alex way too much money and too many years. A contract they now are stuck with.
And if these stories are true, then Alex is very arrogant or very stupid. Or maybe both.
The link I posted above is about a call to moderate the usage of WAR – that it’s certainly a useful stat, but shouldn’t be a conversation ender.
As for leaks to the press – I’m sure that they’re happening – as they do on every topic from trades to free agent signings, why should it be any different in this case?
“Here was the Yankees biggest mistake. They gave Alex way too much money and too many years. A contract they now are stuck with.”
Will they be smart enough not to repeat that mistake with Cano?
Rich in NJ February 1st, 2013 at 3:12 pm
“Regarding ARod, he needs to step in front of a microphone soon and in front of the cameras
and defend himself against these accusations.”
This would be insane.
————————–
More importantly, it would be useless. Do you think there’s a single person who is going to believe Alex Rodriguez?
Rich in NJ February 1st, 2013 at 3:13 pm
“Here was the Yankees biggest mistake. They gave Alex way too much money and too many years. A contract they now are stuck with.”
Will they be smart enough not to repeat that mistake with Cano?
————
Nope.
8 years 24/year.
Chip February 1st, 2013 at 3:14 pm
Rich in NJ February 1st, 2013 at 3:12 pm
“Regarding ARod, he needs to step in front of a microphone soon and in front of the cameras
and defend himself against these accusations.”
This would be insane.
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More importantly, it would be useless. Do you think there’s a single person who is going to believe Alex Rodriguez?
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Yes. He needs to pull a Pettitte and convince the media that he is indeed telling the truth
The more time that passes without ARod facing the media, the more time the sources and cable channels like ESPN can continue to dig his grave.
“8 years 24/year.”
the dodgers might beat that
“Of course, Nick, but the operative word is if.”
Okay, I didn’t think it was necessary to bold the IF again when I posted this…
“I’m not getting into the morality of Alex’s potential usage either (or even of potentially lying to Peter Gammons’ face
), and Arod can defend himself all he wants, but just in general, if one breaks a rule/commits a crime, one can’t always control the timing of the exposure and consequences of said acts, whatever those may be.
At the moment, I don’t know if I would be too shocked if Arod never plays a game again as a Yankee or if he’s back in the lineup in early August. Arod retiring for medical reasons and thus getting the Yankees off the hook for his contract — THAT would be the most shocking of the potential outcomes.”
… so yes, IF Arod did it, he’s responsible for it. He has a right to defend himself either way, but the Baretta Principle applies.
Chat transcript with Brian Cashman:
http://espn.go.com/sportsnatio.....an-cashman
None of you can be trusted with bold and italic font.
blake February 1st, 2013 at 3:20 pm
“8 years 24/year.”
the dodgers might beat that
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I hope they do.
Oh no.
I just don’t get the jump from pieces of paper with Arod’s name on it to him being banned from the game. Right now, we know absolutely nothing about this investigation.. including, as far as I can tell, which governing body actually commissioned it in the first place. Some reports had MLB investigating it from the start, but most reports since imply MLB is only now investigating the …investigation.
How is Calcaterra the only guy interjecting logic into this debate?
There is nothing that suggests some paper is going to end with A-rod suspended.
——————
Gibbons and Guillen were suspended without tests. Just can’t find what hard evidence MLB had and how they got it.
I dunno, I think the bold font makes us look like we’re sort of blog bad asses…
Warning Track Power February 1st, 2013 at 3:19 pm
Chip February 1st, 2013 at 3:14 pm
Rich in NJ February 1st, 2013 at 3:12 pm
“Regarding ARod, he needs to step in front of a microphone soon and in front of the cameras
and defend himself against these accusations.”
This would be insane.
————————–
More importantly, it would be useless. Do you think there’s a single person who is going to believe Alex Rodriguez?
——————————————————————–
Yes. He needs to pull a Pettitte and convince the media that he is indeed telling the truth
The more time that passes without ARod facing the media, the more time the sources and cable channels like ESPN can continue to dig his grave.
———————
He’s never going to convince them that this didn’t happen. He’s been caught in too many lies – whether it was about his usage in the 09 report, his relationship with Galea, etc for anyone in the media (or many fans) to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Also, and there’s no getting around this, people don’t like Alex. They think he’s a tool and a diva.
I like Cano but i would rather rebuild this team without a lot of 25M/yr contract even if we lose Cano. Lets see CoJo or Adams play for much less money.
I hope, in case I ever get charged with anything, that Chip is not the presiding judge at my trial.
Gibbons and Guillen were suspended without tests. Just can’t find what hard evidence MLB had and how they got it.
–
Both got suspended due to evidence turned up by a federal investigation, so probably a lot stronger than a piece of paper that says ‘Alex Rod’
Almost everyone screws up with html tags eventually if they use them enough, but why is it that some people’s errors infect the rest of the thread while some are just localized within a particular post? #thingsthatdon’treallymatterbutIstillwonderabout
Bold is incontrovertible proof that your words are on PEDs. Italics mean they’re drunk.
Nick in SF
Did you buy any Yankees vs A’s tickets for the series in June?
I wanted to but have not.
I think MLB is doing the leaking to try and get the public stirred up to put pressure on the DEA/Feds to get invoolved because that’s the only shot MLB has of getting anything solid.
The Feds got involved in the Galea investigation and still refused to share their interview with Alex with MLB so their involvement still doesn’t guarantee answers.
Nick in SF February 1st, 2013 at 3:28 pm
Almost everyone screws up with html tags eventually if they use them enough, but why is it that some people’s errors infect the rest of the thread while some are just localized within a particular post? #thingsthatdon’treallymatterbutIstillwonderabout
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Has the entire blog ever gone bold? Now that I think about it, in every case I’ve seen it’s always been the italics that have taken over the blog.
Its also worth pointing out that you need to either fail a test OR be convicted (as in real convicted not baseball convicted) of possession, and that the subsequent clause does not allow Selig to suspend based on probable cause but on just cause. Which requires substantial evidence, which is more than probable cause. MLB can use probable cause to perform a random test, not to suspend.
pat February 1st, 2013 at 3:30 pm
I think MLB is doing the leaking to try and get the public stirred up to put pressure on the DEA/Feds to get invoolved because that’s the only shot MLB has of getting anything solid.
The Feds got involved in the Galea investigation and still refused to share their interview with Alex with MLB so their involvement still doesn’t guarantee answers.
——————–
Interesting…
It’s just weird isn’t it? I’ve heard some reports saying MLB did the investigation.. but if they did, why have some rinky dink news paper report it?
Other reports have MLB investigating after the report was published. Chad’s info above seems to indicate that much, since the Yankees got the news from The TImes and not MLB, and Cash said their first move was to ‘hand it over to MLB.’
“We are always extremely disappointed to learn of potential links between players and the use of performance-enhancing substances. … Through our Department of Investigations, we have been actively involved in the issues in South Florida,” MLB’s statement said.
So by ‘actively involved’ they mean they were doing the investigation..?
WTP: No, I haven’t yet either. At some point in the next few days I’ll probably take a drive over to Oakland and buy some tickets sans les charges de service and perhaps enjoy a burrito on Les Boulevards du Internationales.
Disappointing that the Yanks’ only visit to Oakland is a 3-game weekday series, but that pretty much guarantees that we won’t witness another 4-game sweep.
MLB cannot do any investigation. They can’t subpoena anyone or do anything cool. They mostly just follow around the police and suck up to them in hopes of getting info. Their ‘investigative unit’ must be the cushiest job.
Cash is saying all the right things as a GM of the team.
I’m not surprised by his comments.
The Yankees have no choice but to allow MLB to investigate before the team can draw there
own conclusions.
I still want to believe in ARod because they is an overwhelming majority that does not.
It’s very possible the paper is lying, that Bosch is also lying or the sources are lying.
Anything and everything is possible.
I dunno. Maybe Bud can promise the feds more face time with Roger Clemens.
my new years’ resolution is to not have the yankees take up more than 2% of my 2013 time.
so far so good.
alex’s problems won’t eat up many minutes because i just don’t care.
what could get my attention?
definitely jeter putting up another year like last year. mariano coming back after his injury.
cashman resigning and some young gm taking over the yankees .
i’ve been thinking about it, the yankees need a new gm. why not break the glass ceiling in baseball and have the first female gm?
oh i forgot, gms are all macho and do all that guy stuff that’s needed to do the job
Ownership, i.e. Hal and Hank S. are totally responsible for the Yankees current trouble.
1. Hank insisted on signing ARod after he opted out. It was stupid and destructive. Cashman was against it.
2. Hal insists upon getting under the luxury cap (which would not be an issue if Hank had not re-signed ARod), even though L.A. and other teams are going past the cap.
3. The Steinbrenner brothers mad a huge windfall with the partial sale of YES.
The Yankees are doing very well financially, the fan base is one of the best in sports and they should not have to suffer because Hank was a fool and Hal does not want to bear the burden of Hank’s mistake but rather make the fans live through a period of austerity as he tries to cut back financially.
It’s very possible the paper is lying, that Bosch is also lying or the sources are lying.
=====================================================
And very possible Alex is lying.
“I dunno. Maybe Bud can promise the feds more face time with Roger Clemens.”
Or perhaps, Debbie Clemens…
Nick
I was going to buy tix last Sunday until I learned that was the same day as the A’s fanfest.
No way I was going to stand in the long lines and surrounded by A’s fans.
Then I decided against purchasing tickets online due to the service charges and extra fees.
One 3-game series is very weak. And 1 game is an afternoon match-up.
Since I’m going to NYC the last week of April & planning to see at least 1 game while in town, missing the series here in the bay area does not sting as much.
WTP: missing the series here wouldn’t be the worst, especially if you can see them in NY, but then again tickets to games here are pretty cheap both in advance and often at the last minute on craigslist or stubhub.
“Their ‘investigative unit’ must be the cushiest job.”
During the Summer Olympics™, the local NBC affiliate ran a ton of commercials touting their local news broadcast’s “Investigative Unit”.
The tagline was “we investigate”. I should hope so.
Jerkface February 1st, 2013 at 3:32 pm
Its also worth pointing out that you need to either fail a test OR be convicted (as in real convicted not baseball convicted) of possession, and that the subsequent clause does not allow Selig to suspend based on probable cause but on just cause. Which requires substantial evidence, which is more than probable cause. MLB can use probable cause to perform a random test, not to suspend.
*******
It is not limited to these two categories. You are confusing 7.A with 7.E and 7.F of the joint agreement. There are different penalties in place for an actual criminal conviction of possession (see 7.E of the joint agreement) versus 7.A which deals with a different sort of level of possession.
Section 7.A only states:
A. Performance Enhancing Substance Violations
A Player who tests positive for a Performance Enhancing Substance, or otherwise
violates the Program through the use or possession of a Performance Enhancing
Substance, will be subject to the discipline set forth below.
See http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/pdf/jda.pdf
Now there is nothing there that says use or possession established through a criminal conviction.
Now look at 7.E – which is separate provision:
E. Conviction for the Use or Possession of a Prohibited Substance
A Player who is convicted or pleads guilty (including a plea of nolo contendere or
similar plea but not including an adjournment contemplating dismissal or a similar
disposition) to the possession or use of any Prohibited Substance (including a criminal
charge of conspiracy or attempt to possess or use) shall be subject to the following
discipline:
1. First offense: At least a 60-game but not more than an 80-game suspension, if the
Prohibited Substance is a Performance Enhancing Substance, or at least a 25-game but
not more than a 50-game suspension, if the Prohibited Substance is a Stimulant or a Drug
of Abuse;
2. Second offense: At least a 120-game but not more than a one-year suspension, if
the Prohibited Substance is a Performance Enhancing Substance, or at least a 50-game
but not more than a 100-game suspension, if the Prohibited Substance is a Stimulant or a
Drug of Abuse;
Notice that the punishment is different under 7.A and 7.E of the joint agreement. While possession and use under 7.A triggers the what we know – 50, 100, and then the real big one – 7. E deals with a different structure of penalties. Therefore, there are two different types of possession. Therefore, it is not as you say: “either fail a test OR be convicted” – no, you can be suspended for possession or use WITHOUT a criminal conviction.
Additionally, the commissioner has power under 7.G.2 of the joint agreement to do the following if just cause is established:
A Player may be subjected to disciplinary action for just cause by the
Commissioner for any Player violation of Section 2 above not referenced in Section 7.A through 7.F above.
Just cause is not defined in the agreement. It might be incorporated by reference to another definition ection of another agreement, but I do not see the incorporated by reference – maybe there is, I just do not see.
Lastly, a word search of the agreement does not reveal anything referring to “substantial evidence.” Substantial evidence, that standard at least in appellate review in most court of appeals, means that the unless the record evidence compels a contrary finding. Regardless, I do not see that standard expressed in the joint agreement so I am not sure where you are obtaining this.
This is Stoneburner, reporting from Ceti Alpha V, for the Wax Poetic minute for the upcoming 4 pm hour, (3 pm my time)
Shame
From what I’ve read, MLB had been watching the Bosch’s going back to Manny’s “pregnancy” and increased the investigation after Melky’s positive. I haven’t seen anything written where an agency other than MLB admitted that they were involved.
Miami New Times said a source came to them with the story 3 months ago and their writer began investigating then. Unless the source had a personal connection at the Miami New Times, it does seem to be a strange choice.
Also- I just heard Cashman say they became aware of the Miami New Times story when the paper sent an email to Alex at Yankee Stadium asking for comment on the story they were working on. That seems odd to me. I would think contacting Alex’s agent or attorney would be how most people would have handled contacting him unless they wanted to make sure the Yankees were getting a heads up.
Nick
Being the fan I am, I really only care to sit on the 1st base side/visitor side at Oakland
when the Yankees are in town.
Surrounding by all the Yankees fans makes me feel safe!!! HAHAHA!!!
MLB can conduct an investigation. They have to rely on people voluntarily talking with them and/or voluntarily giving them access to documents. Bosch sure isn’t talking. AROD and the other players are the only ones they can force to speak.
my new years’ resolution is to not have the yankees take up more than 2% of my 2013 time.
——————
That’s like 60 games. And more like 40 if you’re only counting the hours you’re awake.
“MLB can conduct an investigation. They have to rely on people voluntarily talking with them and/or voluntarily giving them access to documents. Bosch sure isn’t talking. AROD and the other players are the only ones they can force to speak”
Do they have to present A-Rod’s attorneys’ with the evidence they have assembled prior to any testimony?
Just cause is a legal term, it does not need to be established in the document. Just like you do not have to establish the meaning of probable cause.
And there is a reason that Unions have clauses based around just cause put into contracts, because it requires a burden of proof. Though less than would be needed in a criminal trial.
Stoneburner, I agree with your view of the separateness of the provisions. If evidence supports possession or use, they can be suspended.
“That’s like 60 games. And more like 40 if you’re only counting the hours you’re awake.”
yes, i’ve decided being a yankee fan is a bad habit for me given the present state of ownership and management. 40 games would be pushing it.
i think i need some kind of patch with some kind of pharmaceutical in it.
i should check with hal. he’s obviously found a way to kick the baseball habit.
Rich,
I think MLB can hire an investigator like you and I can to have them ask most anything. There would be some point before action is taken they need to tell the player of the evidence.
It’s not unusual for publications to tip off the subjects of story they’re about to run before they do it.. it’s done for a couple reasons. Sometimes it’s just so they can get a comment in advance, other times it’s the publications way of staying on the right side of the org/subject… just good manners I guess.
The Yanks need a healthy and productive ARod. They don’t need an ARod suspended for 60 – 80 games. That wouldn’t even help them much with their cap issues.
That wouldn’t even help them much with their cap issues.
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It wouldn’t help them at all. The best case scenario for the Yankees is A-rod getting off scot free.
I think this discussion highlights the very real possibility that the “investigation” as conducted by various organizations and agencies might still be unresolved/ongoing by the time Arod is ready to begin his baseball-related rehab under team auspices. Interesting times ahead.
The standard of proof will either be in the agreement or more probable than not as in most civil proceedings. Probable cause deals with criminal issues. Only the government has that power or burden.
I think this discussion highlights the very real possibility that the “investigation” as conducted by various organizations and agencies might still be unresolved/ongoing by the time Arod is ready to begin his baseball-related rehab under team auspices. Interesting times ahead.
–
Slightly below best case is A-rod getting a 50 game suspension and serving it concurrent to DL time. The beginning of the worst case scenarios is A-rod being suspended for games POST DL stint, as that reduces the chances he hits 13 HRs in 2013.
The standard of proof will either be in the agreement or more probable than not as in most civil proceedings. Probable cause deals with criminal issues. Only the government has that power or burden.
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Outside of the just cause clause, I think for the other use or possession violations would only have the burden of being able to convince the third party arbitrator. So then its up to whoever that is?
Mike Greenberg ?@Espngreeny
ARod. Finished. It’s all about the money now. You won’t see him on the field again. #Yankees
“It wouldn’t help them at all. The best case scenario for the Yankees is A-rod getting off scot free.”
Are you sure? I was just reading the section of the Basic Agreement dealing with the “Competitive Balance Tax” and the definition of “Salary” is compensation “paid”. Compensation isn’t paid during a suspension period. But the Yanks would only get 20% of the savings as relief against the yearly cap once it is averaged over the remaining 5 years of the contract.
However, maybe there’s a clause adding back in salary not paid during a suspension for purposes of calculating “Salary”.
Yes, the arbitrator ultimately would decide if the evidence was sufficient.
The Yankees, as often seems to be the case, are rather screwed. Playing him, unless absolved, is a PR nightmare. Paying him off is a financial nightmare and not a penny saved in the cap. Nor is AROD really motivated to reach any deal with big savings. He can sit back and say pay whether or not you play me.
Wave,
I think they would benefit for the suspension period or a little less than one-third of his salary.
Wave,
Multi year contracts are based off AAV, which are calculated at the original time of signing by MLB. I don’t see how the suspension would affect that.