Posted by: Patrick
Former Yankee Jim Leyritz, who says he would have "been in for sure" if Don Mattingly was made the manager, is looking for a job on Girardi's staff. He sees himself as a first base coach who can work with pitchers.
Besides the fact that the staff seems to be settled without him, a couple weeks ago Leyritz called Don Mattingly the "only logical choice" for the Yankees manager job, making Joe Girardi an illogical choice, I suppose. That probably didn't help.
Besides the fact that the staff seems to be settled without him, a couple weeks ago Leyritz called Don Mattingly the "only logical choice" for the Yankees manager job, making Joe Girardi an illogical choice, I suppose. That probably didn't help.
10/31: Pettitte: Yankees or Bust
Posted by: Patrick
From the KRIV in Houston:
He also said that the manager swap wouldn't effect his decision and that all 3 guys the Yankees interviewed would have been good.
Via Bobcat via the AP.
"The New York Yankees committed an awful lot of money to me and put it in my hands, gave me a player option and trusted me with that option," Pettitte said in an interview Tuesday with FOX 26 Sports. "It probably wouldn't be real honorable for me not to do anything other than if I shut it down, shut it down or go back and play for the New York Yankees."
He also said that the manager swap wouldn't effect his decision and that all 3 guys the Yankees interviewed would have been good.
Via Bobcat via the AP.
10/30: Potential Coaching Staff
Posted by: Patrick
Peter Abraham shares what may end up being the Yankees coaching staff this year.
Pitching: Dave Eiland
Hitting: Kevin Long
Bench: Rob Thomson
Third Base: Bobby Meacham
First Base/Catching: Tony Pena
Bullpen: Mike Harkey
A nice side benefit of having Pena back is, of course, his relationship with Jorge. Meacham was a career Yankee from 1983-1988. He was the Marlins third base coach with Girardi and the Padres' first base coach this season.
Thomson has spent 18 years in the Yankees organization, serving as the field coordination this year. Steve has a bit on Mike Harkey. Eiland, another former Yankee, was the pitching coach at triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season.
Pitching: Dave Eiland
Hitting: Kevin Long
Bench: Rob Thomson
Third Base: Bobby Meacham
First Base/Catching: Tony Pena
Bullpen: Mike Harkey
A nice side benefit of having Pena back is, of course, his relationship with Jorge. Meacham was a career Yankee from 1983-1988. He was the Marlins third base coach with Girardi and the Padres' first base coach this season.
Thomson has spent 18 years in the Yankees organization, serving as the field coordination this year. Steve has a bit on Mike Harkey. Eiland, another former Yankee, was the pitching coach at triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season.
Posted by: Patrick
Peter Abraham is on a roll. He's reporting that Torre has agreed to a 3 year deal, worth $15 million dollars. So, though we don't know the full details of the contract - in other words, the same base salary that the Yankees offered, but with 2 extra years. He had said that the years were the thing and that's certainly reflected in the contract.
It's going to be weird, but I wish him (and Donnie, if that happens) a lot of luck.
It's going to be weird, but I wish him (and Donnie, if that happens) a lot of luck.
Posted by: Patrick
Peter Abraham has audio from all 3 conference calls. Check them out:
Joe Girardi
Brian Cashman and Hank Steinbrenner
Don Mattingly
From Girardi's call, care of ESPN:
And from Don Mattinglys conference call, again from ESPN:
Joe Girardi
Brian Cashman and Hank Steinbrenner
Don Mattingly
From Girardi's call, care of ESPN:
"I expect to be playing in the fall classic next October. I think that's everyone's expectation," Girardi said. "I've been there some years, and I haven't been there some years, and I've broadcast there some years, and let me tell you, it's much better when you're in uniform and you're there." ...
"I don't think you can ever replace a figure because that figure is unique in his own way. What I'm going to do is I'm going to be myself," Girardi said. "And yes, are there expectations on me and, you know, the coaching staff and the players? Absolutely. The same expectations that were on Joe Torre when he came in in 1996.
"I can't be Joe Torre because I'm made up different," Girardi said. "You know, I'm a different character, so I don't really necessarily worry about replacing someone or how I'm going to replace someone. I'm more worried about just being myself and getting the most out of the guys."
"I don't think you can ever replace a figure because that figure is unique in his own way. What I'm going to do is I'm going to be myself," Girardi said. "And yes, are there expectations on me and, you know, the coaching staff and the players? Absolutely. The same expectations that were on Joe Torre when he came in in 1996.
"I can't be Joe Torre because I'm made up different," Girardi said. "You know, I'm a different character, so I don't really necessarily worry about replacing someone or how I'm going to replace someone. I'm more worried about just being myself and getting the most out of the guys."
And from Don Mattinglys conference call, again from ESPN:
"I was never, ever guaranteed anything. Mr. Steinbrenner never said, 'Donnie come back, you're going to be the next manager,'" Mattingly said. "You have to earn your place and prove that you can do something, and I have no problems with that." ...
"I don't feel any ill will. I'm not sitting here -- vengeance is not running through me at all," Mattingly said. "Trust me, I'm not all of a sudden going to start rooting for the Red Sox." ...
"I'm sure it's going to be something different for me," Mattingly added. "The easiest thing is to stay in the comfort zone. ... At some point you have to get to know new people. That point is exciting for me."
"I don't feel any ill will. I'm not sitting here -- vengeance is not running through me at all," Mattingly said. "Trust me, I'm not all of a sudden going to start rooting for the Red Sox." ...
"I'm sure it's going to be something different for me," Mattingly added. "The easiest thing is to stay in the comfort zone. ... At some point you have to get to know new people. That point is exciting for me."
10/30: Pena Will be Back
Posted by: Patrick
As has been alluded to, Tony Pena will be back, according to Peter Abraham. No word on the role, though.
Posted by: Patrick
Peter Abraham reports that Mo and his agent, Fernando Cuza, met with Brian Cashman and the Steinbrenners (Cashman and the Steinbrenners... do I hear hit single?) today in Tampa. No word on how the meetings went.
Posted by: Patrick
The conference call is going on now, but Peter Abraham mentioned that Girardi's deal is for 3 years at a total of $7.5 million dollars a year. It looks like he becomes the 4th highest paid manager in the game.
Posted by: Patrick
According to Peter Abraham, the Yankees will announce Joe Girardi as the manager today. The time of the announcement has not yet been revealed.
Posted by: Patrick
Bryan Hoch reports that A-Rod, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, Doug Mientkiewicz and Luis Vizcaino filed for free agency Monday, the first day that players are able to do so.
