An Hour I Will Never Get Back

Last night I was curious to find out what Joe Torre had to say for himself on Larry King Live, so I decided to waste a Friday night.  Bad move.  If you did the same, well sorry you had to witness such pointless television.  Let’s break it down:

The first 20 minutes of the program was actually mildly interesting (and 40 min of junk).  Torre defends his comments on David Wells and ARod.  Torre said he has not spoken to ARod since he has left for Los Angeles.  Torre also confirms that everything in the book was straight from his mouth.  Then he goes on to say that leaving NY was not about the drop in salary, rather the incentives that were on the table.  He feels that for someone who has tasted winning often, he doesn’t need incentives.  Fair enough but nothing I didn’t know already.  Also, while with the Yankees, coaches are asked to sign a confidentiality agreement if they want to, so this stuff doesn’t happen.  Well you can say that Torre unfortunately rightfully refused and now he’s making bank.  Basically, he wanted to write the book so that he can give an insider’s take on everything baseball in the biggest media market in the US.  He did not do it for the money.  Actually, the concept of the book was Verducci’s idea and they started planning the book at least a year before Torre joined the Dodgers (while with the Yankees).

The rest was purely garbage.  Larry King is probably the worst interviewer alive.  He let stupid people ask stupid questions.  Specifically, I remember someone asking Torre whether or not he thinks a professional player will ever admit that he is gay?????  What???? Does this guy even read the paper or watch the news?  Torre just released a book, spilling the beans on many of his players and staff members and he had the audacity to ask such a dumb question.  I really hope he was charged for that phone call.

Torre was there to give his take on the book and back up some of the included material.  He didn’t think he offended anyone and didn’t break the ‘code’.  I don’t think he supplied enough information to sway most pre-read judgements.  I want my hour back Mr. King and Mr. Torre.  I really hope Joe knows what he is doing, because Yankee fans don’t.

Free Agent Spending 101

With the acquisitions of Teixiera, Sabathia, and Burnett the Yankees are seemingly done in the free agent market according to Barry Bloom of MLB.com.  Earlier this month, Nick Carfardo wrote that the quota of Type A and B free agents is nine per team.  At the time that seemed great as the Yankees only signed three; Pettitte and Marte do not count against them.  However, in a conversation between Mr. Bloom and MLB’s Executive VP of Labor Relations Rob Manfred, it has been unearthed that the Yankees may very well indeed have reached their offseason free agent quota.  This is all according to the number of players who were eligible as Type A and B free agents.  If there were any more than 62 Type A and B free agents, the quota will be increased accordingly.  Check out the article for more details.

Now what does this mean to me…absolutely diddly squat.  I thought the Yankees were done anyway with the big three landing in NY.  The Yankees could have used Juan Cruz in the bullpen and ultimately would only have to give up a fourth rounder.  As proven last year, the bullpen was clearly a strength and not a weakness.  And the Yankees have more effective troops on the way in Melancon, Robertson, and Albaladejo.  As for adding Manny, Dunn, or Sheets…well that’s just wishful thinking and there was never an urgency to get anything done in the first place.  It comes down to this-if you were able to sign only three players, who would you sign this winter?  Most likely your answers are the same as the Yankees.  Guess what, your dreams came true.  Let Manny’s mental lapses, Dunn’s poor defense and K’s, and Sheets health be a problem for another team.

Update: Barry Bloom corrected himself. The Yankees can sign up to eight Type A and B free agents.

Shhhhhhh!

Upon the release of Torre’s new book (which I will read and judge for myself in due time), the Yankees are thinking about installing confidentiality agreements within coaches’ and players’ contracts.  In the Newsday article, it states:

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a Yankee official said yesterday that some members of the front office staff already are required to sign a confidentiality agreement in order to protect “proprietary knowledge of our business model.” The proposed clause is intended to ensure that future books about the Yankees are “positive in tone,” and “do not breach the sanctity of our clubhouse.”

This would make sense in any professional organization and it’s a rule in which is followed for the most part.  The unwritten rule however, of the clubhouse is, “what is said or done in the locker room, stays in the locker room.”  Pretty self explanatory, right?  Basically, if this rule is broken, the player or coach probably will be disowned to a certain degree.  According to this stipulation, anyone who breaks this rule in their contract will receive a hefty fine.  If hefty fine can clear the smoke, then so be it.  Paying the fine will definitely be the easiest part.

The same goes for the manager.  Once again, I have to read the book, but Torre sure talks openly about everything.  I am more interested in the process of success of the Yankees anyways.  Gossip is not for me.  There has to be a reason for Torre to co-author the book and I don’t think money was the only factor.  When it’s all said and done, this just might be his downfall and rightfully so.

Dog Days of Winter

Pacey

I am sorry to inform everyone that I missed the UPS man and my apartment office was closed, thus preventing me from partaking in endless hours of MLB Front Office Manager fun.  Mike A. over at RAB broke it down for you anyway if you have not read it already.  If you are looking for an in-depth review of the game, I assure you this is the way to go.  It’s probably better that way as I adopted a dog yesterday, which needs all of my attention at the current moment.  If anyone knows any great dog training tips, don’t be shy, toss them my way.  My new dog only knows how to sit, but at least it’s a start.  I really can’t teach her anything just yet as she was spayed yesterday.  I have to wait until she probably heals in order to pursue the proper training.

In baseball news, John Garland actually received a contract from a major league team.  I’m flabbergasted by the Diamondbacks thinking at the moment.  Well then again, he is better off in the National League.

Also, another overrated guy was in the news: Aaron Heilman.  He was traded to the Cubs for Ronny Cedeno and Garret Olson.  I have watched Heilman closely over the years as I used to flip on the Mets from time to time and I can tell you, he is nothing more than an average middle-man.  I just don’t see where this extreme value is, as a starter or reliever.  I guess with this transaction, the Cubs might have Peavy on the back-burner.

Well it’s been a fairly slow news day from a Yankees standpoint.  I will leave the steroid allegations talk to the professional writer and Hall of Fame voters.  Lastly, more and more Torre quotes have surfaced from his latest book.  Yet again, I reserve judgement until I read it.  Look elsewhere if you are not going to read the book.  The season can’t come soon enough.

MLB Front Office Manager in Route

FYI: MLB Front Office Manager is on the way to my apartment as I write. Let you know how it is.

Warning: I have heard many bad reviews of the game thus far, but don’t buy into what other people are saying. This game is purely made for hardcore baseball fans, not hardcore video game fans. If you spend hours simulating games just to get to the offseason, then you will love this game. My brother calls this the “stat game” and can’t understand why I do it instead of playing the game. MLB Front Office Manager answers that question. Check it out if you can.

Yanks Officially Sign Pettitte

With the reacquisition of Andy Pettitte yesterday, the Yankees have finally filled out their rotation.  I have to admit I wanted the high upside and low risk guy in Ben Sheet, but realistically this is a better signing.  At his best, Pettitte has be as good as any other teams’ fourth or fifth starter, which I am fairly certain he can do on a weekly basis.  And Pettitte is really a three I still believe.  With that being said, the pressure has lessened in terms of what he is supposed to bring to the club and I think everyone prefers it that way.

This move allows the maturation of Hughes and Kennedy, and more importantly at their pace.  Sure there could be an injury to the rotation and they would among the first pitchers to be called up.  I prefer Aceves to Kennedy, but that is for another day.  The depth now rivals many clubs that are going to be in contention again this year.

Pettitte is going to relied upon to shoulder some of the load this season, purely based on innings thrown.  He is a known quantity for the most part (recovering from elbow and shoulder problems) and therefore is an ideal candidate for the back end of the rotation.

In the end, Andy Pettitte didn’t get what he was looking for, but if all goes more than well, he will earn $12 million for the 2009 season.  He is guaranteed $5.5 million and has the opportunity to make $6.5 in incentives.  That sure is a lot of money.  At 36 and on the brink of 37, he can’t expect to do better than that.  This might be his last hurrah…make it count.

Just (go) Read the Book

Many people are trying to make an issue out of nothing regarding Torre’s book, The Yankee Years. I could care less for the opinions of sports writers concerning this book.  When I read it (and that may take forever), I will certainly form my own opinion.  I am not going to sit here and bash Torre for what he did or did not say or do in the book, especially for everything he did for the Yankees organization.  A consummate professional, I can’t imagine he would tarnish his Yankee legacy in a few hundred pages.  Please read the book and form your own hypothesis.  I am trying really hard to not read any quotes from the book on various blogs and columns and you should think about doing the same thing.  A daunting task I know,  but I have to read it first to discuss it later.

UPDATE:  Sorry for the double meaning in the title…I just noticed it.  I changed it.

Yankees News and Notes

- Joe Torre reflects about his time in New York in his new book called, The Yankee Years.

In this new book that I will most certainly read even though I prefer to spend my precious time doing other things, Torre explains what went through his mind when he was made aware of the Yankees intentions of hiring a new manager after the 2007 season.  He also notes that ARod was known as A-Fraud in the clubhouse by many members within the organization and that ARod was obsessed with his rival at shortstop, Derek Jeter.  Can the Yankees ever have a quiet offseason?  I think that people are reading too much into this small topic within Torre’s book.  I’m sure it has more insight than we realize.  We will just have to reserve judgement until we pick up a copy.

- Ben Sheets may fit into the Yankees plans after all.

Well that’s certainly music to my ears.  A top of the rotation starter in the 5th spot, not too shabby.  He might have more upside than any member of the Yankee rotation.  And here comes the kicker: can he pitch all season?  He has a history of injury and a lot of teams have been scared by the initial medical reports during this offseason.  It has been reported that new medical reports have surfaced that just might help Sheets’ stock.  I believe he is looking for a two-year contract in which he certainly will not receive.  An incentive-laden contract, based on innings pitched, with $5-7 million guaranteed should get his attention.  Maybe even a similar deal to that of Smoltz’s might work.  The Red Sox might have helped the Yankees in this particular situation.  If by signing Sheets means saving a few million over Pettitte, then this is the way the Yankees have to go.  If he gets hurt (put it at about 70%), Hughes will already have his bags packed.

- Cano has worked real hard this offseason; retooling his swing and losing weight.

I will have to see it to believe it.  He has to stop swinging at every freakin pitch.  Can this new regimen make him the player he was supposed to be?  I will get back to you in May.

- OTHER: NHL All-Star Game.

Each year, I designate this as a must watch event, including the skills competition (which took too damn long).  The first two periods were exceptionally boring.  The most talented players around the world playing only offense.  Why even have defensemen in this game at all?  This game looked exactly like a high school hockey game without the dekes and fancy shots.  I feel like I could have let up at least 11 goals for either team.  I guess the goalies are only as good as their defensemen in front of them.  Thankfully, the excitement began in the shootout.  In the end, the East beat the West.   Hometown winger Kovalev won the MVP.  In his mid 30’s now, Kovalev looks as good as ever.  It’s a shame the Rangers traded him on two separate occasions.  He is still a goal scorer with elite puck handling skills.

Pettitte Talks Back On

It has been a busy weekend for the Yankees as news stories have made their way across many media outlets.  Specifically, I want to comment on the Pettitte situation.

With about 20 days until pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training, Pettitte remains unsigned.  However, talks have been reestablished between the two parties.  I believe the reason he is still a free agent is that he really wants to be and stay a Yankee.  Sure he feels a little under-appreciated because of the low ball offer by the Yankees, but the fact remains that the Yankees did not offer him arbitration because in their minds, he is not worth $16 million or more.  With the signings of Sabathia and Burnett, Pettitte will be at best, the fourth starter in the rotation.  Given his diminished tool bag, his rotation position, and his age, Pettitte is lucky the Yanks were offering $10 million for his 2009 services.  Personally, I can’t see him being worth much more because of the above factors.

Pettitte may very well give the Yankees 200+ decent innings, and considering the work load of Sabathia, the injury history of Burnett, and the unknowns and injuries of Joba and Hughes, these 200 innings cannot be overlooked.  Both parties are obviously interested, but price remains the issue.  In this economy, Pettitte asking price must come down.  Sure the Yankees have spent freely on three high-end free agents already, but realistically, Pettitte should not even be considered in the same conversation with any of those players at this point in his career.  Also, it has been knowfor quite some time that the Yankees would like to reduce their payroll.

Pettitte has said last year that he would love to pitch in the new Yankee Stadium and that money was no object.  But in the end, we are all human beings after all.  What I am afraid might happen, considering Pettitte’s emotional state, he might totally separate himself from the Yankees because of their lack of interest and respect during this offseason.   Kind of like what transpired with Bernie Williams.  It could happen, but when it is all said and done, Pettitte couldn’t hold a grudge forever.  What he has to consider is the fact that the Yankee organization and his teammates stood by him after the Mitchell Report was announced and the truth behind it.  And that didn’t change the fact that he was an important piece for the 2008 Yankee team from day one.

By spring training, the Yankees will add another starting pitcher.  If that’s Pettitte, Sheets, or an in-house candidate, well they just really don’t know.  Pettitte still has something left to give, and armed with this information, other teams will surely give him a call and make a play for his services.  If the Yanks wait too long, they might miss out.  Tick tock.

Get Back to Work Would Ya!

Tomorrow, the migration from the old Yankee Stadium to the new Yankee Stadium will take place. Via PeteAbe, the entire process will begin at 7:00 am.  Can you imagine the job of hauling nearly 1,500 crates back and forth…gently of course…in the dead of winter?  Is it possible that can jump-start the workforce and the economy? Jeez, that’s a lot of movin’.

The eighth wonder of the world, known as the new Yankee Stadium, will undoubtedly be the most magnificent modern ballpark of today.  Oh the perks that each employee must get.  Oh the desk that they will work from.  Oh the office space that will be available.  Oh being the talk amongst all your friends.  Oh the Steinbrenners watching every move.  Hold on…count me out.  That doesn’t sound all that great anyways.  Maybe the no heat (yes it’s cold in NC), old desk, disorganization, crashing Internet, and phone static in my office  isn’t that bad after all.