Posted by: Patrick
Our first interview in the fourth annual Interviewing the Yankees Blogosphere series is with Frank Della Femina of NJ.com.
When you aren't doing something related to or depending on the Yankees, what are you up to?
When I'm working and not doing something about the Yankees, you can also find me putting something together on any of the other tri-state teams. The fun thing about NJ.com is that I'm not following just one team, so that keeps me active and reading/browsing material all day. Outside of work I try to absorb any news surrounding any of the teams NJ.com covers to stay on top of the big rumors and heavy talk. Friends and family can't understand why I watch games after work or listen to sports radio at night, but it hardly feels like I'm working when I do these things. What's more relaxing than kicking your feet up and watching a game from the comfort of your own couch? Outside of following sports, I'm an avid reader (try to read 4-5 books a month), video game player nerd and exercise fiend.
How long have you been blogging about the Yankees?
I started working for NJ.com in June. The site launched its real-time sports blog around the first or second week of July, so I guess we're coming up on the fourth month of actual blogging.
What's the best and worst part of blogging?
When you aren't doing something related to or depending on the Yankees, what are you up to?
When I'm working and not doing something about the Yankees, you can also find me putting something together on any of the other tri-state teams. The fun thing about NJ.com is that I'm not following just one team, so that keeps me active and reading/browsing material all day. Outside of work I try to absorb any news surrounding any of the teams NJ.com covers to stay on top of the big rumors and heavy talk. Friends and family can't understand why I watch games after work or listen to sports radio at night, but it hardly feels like I'm working when I do these things. What's more relaxing than kicking your feet up and watching a game from the comfort of your own couch? Outside of following sports, I'm an avid reader (try to read 4-5 books a month), video game player nerd and exercise fiend.
How long have you been blogging about the Yankees?
I started working for NJ.com in June. The site launched its real-time sports blog around the first or second week of July, so I guess we're coming up on the fourth month of actual blogging.
What's the best and worst part of blogging?
Posted by: Seamus
The Yankees have released their tentative spring training schedule for 2009. The Yanks will begin play against the Blue Jays in Dunedin, Florida and the schedule culminates, of course, with two exhibition games at the new Yankee Stadium against the Chicago Cubs on April 3 and 4.
Interestingly, the Yankees will play two games against Word Baseball Classic teams (Team USA and Team Canada). I can't recall whether or not Major League teams played exhibitions against WBC teams during the last Classic. So that begs the question: On March 3, will Derek Jeter be suiting up in pinstripes or in the red, white and blue?
Interestingly, the Yankees will play two games against Word Baseball Classic teams (Team USA and Team Canada). I can't recall whether or not Major League teams played exhibitions against WBC teams during the last Classic. So that begs the question: On March 3, will Derek Jeter be suiting up in pinstripes or in the red, white and blue?
11/26: Pettitte to the Dodgers?
Posted by: Seamus
According to FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal, Andy Pettite has had multiple discussions with his old skip, Joe Torre, about joining forces for a third time in 2009, this time in Dodger blue. Rosenthal goes on to say that the Dodgers could be a suitable alternative to the Yankees if he "does not feel completely wanted."
Andy Pettitte in L.A.? I can't quite see it myself, but to my surprise, apparently 59% of the 18,000+ people responding to the poll on the site of the article at the time of this post disagree with me. This is something I can only see happening if the Yankees completely slam the door on Pettitte (i.e. blatantly tell him to his face that he is "not wanted"). That is something that I really couldn't fathom, especially considering Moose's retirement, which has left the Yankee rotation with only two definite starters.
The only way I don't see Pettitte returning to the Bronx next year is if somehow the Yankees land the entire trio of Sabathia, Burnett and Lowe, or if Pettitte has a change of heart and decides to retire.
Andy Pettitte in L.A.? I can't quite see it myself, but to my surprise, apparently 59% of the 18,000+ people responding to the poll on the site of the article at the time of this post disagree with me. This is something I can only see happening if the Yankees completely slam the door on Pettitte (i.e. blatantly tell him to his face that he is "not wanted"). That is something that I really couldn't fathom, especially considering Moose's retirement, which has left the Yankee rotation with only two definite starters.
The only way I don't see Pettitte returning to the Bronx next year is if somehow the Yankees land the entire trio of Sabathia, Burnett and Lowe, or if Pettitte has a change of heart and decides to retire.
Posted by: Seamus
From SI's John Heyman:
That's why you don't make your best offer on the first day of free agency. As many people (myself included) have been saying, if it comes down to money, he's going to end up with the Yankees.
The Angels are probably thinking that if the money is close then he'd choose to play closer to his hometown, and they'd probably be right in their thinking. I think in the end, though, the Angels would just be immersing themselves into an insane bidding war if they decided to make Sabathia the focus of their offseason plans. I'd imagine the Yanks would just slap an extra $10 million or so to any bid the Angels or any other team made, and I would think that the team has already expected to do so. $140 million is obviously a lot of money, but I doubt very highly that the Steinbrenners or Cashman really believe that would be the actual cost of a final deal.
On the flip side, I guess this speculation would just lead to further speculation that this would almost guarantee the Yankees at least one of Sabathia/Teixeira. The Angels are obviously not going to sign both, and if they do somehow end up snagging CC away from the Yankees, one would think that $140 million+ is going to have to go somewhere.
The Angels reportedly are about to make an offer to superstar free agent pitcher CC Sabathia that will approach the Yankees' $140-million bid of a couple week ago, and if the Angels can steal Sabathia, that may change the entire free-agent landscape.
The Los Angeles Times reported today that the Angels are focusing on Sabathia right now while remaining interested in free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira, who's been called their top target all along. The report suggested the Angels may be turning to Sabathia in part because they have come to believe they will have trouble making a quick deal for Teixeira.
The Los Angeles Times reported today that the Angels are focusing on Sabathia right now while remaining interested in free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira, who's been called their top target all along. The report suggested the Angels may be turning to Sabathia in part because they have come to believe they will have trouble making a quick deal for Teixeira.
That's why you don't make your best offer on the first day of free agency. As many people (myself included) have been saying, if it comes down to money, he's going to end up with the Yankees.
The Angels are probably thinking that if the money is close then he'd choose to play closer to his hometown, and they'd probably be right in their thinking. I think in the end, though, the Angels would just be immersing themselves into an insane bidding war if they decided to make Sabathia the focus of their offseason plans. I'd imagine the Yanks would just slap an extra $10 million or so to any bid the Angels or any other team made, and I would think that the team has already expected to do so. $140 million is obviously a lot of money, but I doubt very highly that the Steinbrenners or Cashman really believe that would be the actual cost of a final deal.
On the flip side, I guess this speculation would just lead to further speculation that this would almost guarantee the Yankees at least one of Sabathia/Teixeira. The Angels are obviously not going to sign both, and if they do somehow end up snagging CC away from the Yankees, one would think that $140 million+ is going to have to go somewhere.
Posted by: Seamus
Newsday's Ken Davidoff reports:
My guess is that the team is: probably nobody.
While I don't doubt that Burnett might receive a 5-year offer once the market plays itself out and more teams start making offers, this is probably simply a bluff. I don't see any team out there who would go five years when the richest team in the land is supposedly only willing to go four, unless the yearly salary is way down from what the Yankees are offering. And if the Yankees had offered five years, I'd imagine Braunecker would be working on talking up the dollars moreso than the years at that point.
Either way, I don't think the Yanks are desperate enough (yet, at least) to have to throw in another year to compete for Burnett, even if it is true.
Darek Braunecker, the representative for A.J. Burnett, said Friday night that his client will be able to sign a five-year deal this offseason, although he didn't identify the team willing to commit so enthusiastically to the power righthander.
It's believed that the Yankees, while open-minded, still are trying to get a four-year deal done with Burnett. And the Blue Jays, the club that employed Burnett for the previous three seasons, don't want to go five years, either.
It's believed that the Yankees, while open-minded, still are trying to get a four-year deal done with Burnett. And the Blue Jays, the club that employed Burnett for the previous three seasons, don't want to go five years, either.
My guess is that the team is: probably nobody.
While I don't doubt that Burnett might receive a 5-year offer once the market plays itself out and more teams start making offers, this is probably simply a bluff. I don't see any team out there who would go five years when the richest team in the land is supposedly only willing to go four, unless the yearly salary is way down from what the Yankees are offering. And if the Yankees had offered five years, I'd imagine Braunecker would be working on talking up the dollars moreso than the years at that point.
Either way, I don't think the Yanks are desperate enough (yet, at least) to have to throw in another year to compete for Burnett, even if it is true.
Posted by: Seamus
The Hal Steinbrenner era as officially begun, as Major League Baseball has officially approved the transfer of control of the Yankee franchise from George Steinbrenner to his youngest son. That's Hal Steinbrenner, folks, not Hank, who we all know by now as the voice of the Yankee front office.
From ESPN.com:
Parentheses were mine. This doesn't really change anything, as Hal and Hank have been taking over the operations of the franchise for quite some time now. It feels kind of strange, though, to see such a prominent figure fade away so quickly, yet so quietly.
From ESPN.com:
"He's been slowing down the last couple years," Hal Steinbrenner said (referring to George). "Really, for the last two years I have been intimately involved with all aspects and all departments of the company. It's what I've been doing day-to-day. My duties aren't really going to change and my workload isn't going to change much. So, I mean, it's as much a procedural thing within the family, I think, as anything at this point."
Parentheses were mine. This doesn't really change anything, as Hal and Hank have been taking over the operations of the franchise for quite some time now. It feels kind of strange, though, to see such a prominent figure fade away so quickly, yet so quietly.
Posted by: Seamus
Ken Rosenthal is reporting that Mike Mussina has decided to retire, citing "major-league sources." The article says that Mussina will announce his decision at the end of the week. Mussina went 123-72 with a 3.88 E.R.A. and 1,278 strikeouts as a member of the Yankees.
I guess this is what most of us expected, but it's sad to see him go without being able to put a World Series ring on his finger. He pitched in an era of Yankee baseball mostly marred by postseason failures, but he was certainly one of the positives. Moose has shown to be an intelligent individual who can excel in many areas even outside of baseball, so whatever he does, we wish him well.
I guess this is what most of us expected, but it's sad to see him go without being able to put a World Series ring on his finger. He pitched in an era of Yankee baseball mostly marred by postseason failures, but he was certainly one of the positives. Moose has shown to be an intelligent individual who can excel in many areas even outside of baseball, so whatever he does, we wish him well.
Posted by: Patrick
From Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal:
Via Ben.
The Yankees' farm system is strong enough to match up with the Padres if the teams revive their discussions on right-hander Jake Peavy. The Padres, according to one major-league source, told the Yankees that a deal would be possible even if the Yankees declined to offer right-hander Phil Hughes.
The Padres scouted Hughes in a recent Arizona Fall League game, but the Yankees have zero intention of trading him.
The Padres scouted Hughes in a recent Arizona Fall League game, but the Yankees have zero intention of trading him.
Via Ben.
Posted by: Patrick
Yesterday George King of the Post reported:
The emphasis is mine. But, Kat O'Brien reports today:
Gulp. These are some big numbers. How much am I comfortable paying Burnett? The truth is, I don't really want him. Of course, I'd rather he not end up with the Red Sox, either. This is a contract I just don't see ending well and not just at the end, but in the last 2-3 years of the deal.
Via Steve.
The Yankees, according to several industry insiders, spent yesterday preparing an offer - perhaps a five-year deal worth about $80 million - for Toronto righty A.J. Burnett. This would come after they offered Milwaukee lefty CC Sabathia a six-year contract worth between $140 million and $145 million.
The emphasis is mine. But, Kat O'Brien reports today:
The Blue Jays already have offered a four-year, $54-million deal to retain Burnett, according to the Toronto Star. The Yankees' offer is expected to top the Blue Jays' in average annual value. However, a source shot down a report that the Yankees would offer five years and $80 million. They will not make an opening bid of more than four years or anywhere near $80 million, the source said.
Gulp. These are some big numbers. How much am I comfortable paying Burnett? The truth is, I don't really want him. Of course, I'd rather he not end up with the Red Sox, either. This is a contract I just don't see ending well and not just at the end, but in the last 2-3 years of the deal.
Via Steve.
11/19: Bernie Keeping Options Open
Posted by: Patrick
From Kevin Kernan at the Post:
This after Bernie was asked if he'd like to play in the new Stadium. Of course, he said that he'd love to and that it would be the "opportunity of a lifetime."
"I'm looking to keeping my options open, keep working out,'' explained Williams, who last played in 2006. "It's been a great two years. I've had the opportunity to do things that I never really had the opportunity to do when I was playing. I had the chance to travel. Take my kids to school, watch my kid graduate from high school, a lot of things that I never would have never had the opportunity to do if I had been playing the game.''
This after Bernie was asked if he'd like to play in the new Stadium. Of course, he said that he'd love to and that it would be the "opportunity of a lifetime."
