Posted by: James
This is all just hear-say at the moment and we'll all seen ESPN be wrong before but Buster Olney is reporting that the Yankees are planning to make A-Rod quite the offer (really an extension) if and when they meet with him.
The offer could be for something in the range of five years -- beyond the three years Rodriguez is already under contract for, from 2008-10 -- and perhaps $30 million a year. The highest per-workday salary earned to date is the $28 million Roger Clemens received, in prorated salary, for a little less than four months of work this season.
Posted by: Patrick
A-Rod has been named Baseball America's Player of the Year. Not much to say. Congrats to him. Now, we just wait for the MVP to be awarded.
Posted by: Patrick
Yesterday night, Hank Steinbrenner told reporters that he wants to think about the managerial search over the weekend, ruling out the idea that our new manager could be announced today. He went onto say that we will honor the wishes of the commissioner, as far as when it will be announced.
A team source, speaking to the New York Daily News, said that the manager could be named on Tuesday, the next World Series off day after today.
Via Yahoo!
A team source, speaking to the New York Daily News, said that the manager could be named on Tuesday, the next World Series off day after today.
Via Yahoo!
Posted by: Patrick
George King and Joel Sherman report that the Yankees are "certain" to pick up Bobby Abreu's option, but that they want to give Shelley Duncan plenty of at bats in right field and at designated hitter as well as, potentially, first base.
Posted by: Patrick
Tom Kackley, clubhouse manager for the Trenton Thunder, a Yankees Minor League affiliate, put together a charity auction on eBay to benefit the Domestic Violence Project.
There are items signed by Joba, Phil, Kennedy, Godzilla, Alan Horne, Cano, Guidry, Tim Raines and more, including some game used stuff. You can bid on eBay.
Via Peter Abraham.
There are items signed by Joba, Phil, Kennedy, Godzilla, Alan Horne, Cano, Guidry, Tim Raines and more, including some game used stuff. You can bid on eBay.
Via Peter Abraham.
Posted by: Patrick
Tony Pena interviewed for the manager job yesterday. From Bryan Hoch:
From everything I've read, Pena wouldn't be a bad choice. I think, in all likelihood, we have 3 good choices in front of us. Peter Abraham has audio from Pena's conference call.
Most indications point to interviews now being over. Peter Abraham, having heard from Brian Cashman says that the General Manager will stay in Tampa and meet with the Steinbrenners tomorrow - a decision is expected to be made at that time and, then, will probably be announced Friday.
"I'm capable to manage this ballclub," Pena said on a conference call from Tampa. "I'm capable to take this ballclub to the final line, which is to win the World Series. I feel we have great talent in this organization." ...
"There's no question that just being around Joe, I learned so much from him," Pena said. "I have to say thanks to him for the things that I learned. I know that I did a great job in KC, but I think the two years that I spent in New York working for Joe Torre helped me a lot. One thing about Joe -- he never was up and he never was down." ...
"If I don't get the job and they ask me to come back as a coach, I have no problem with that," Pena said. "I'm in love with this organization. I'm very, very proud to wear that uniform."
"There's no question that just being around Joe, I learned so much from him," Pena said. "I have to say thanks to him for the things that I learned. I know that I did a great job in KC, but I think the two years that I spent in New York working for Joe Torre helped me a lot. One thing about Joe -- he never was up and he never was down." ...
"If I don't get the job and they ask me to come back as a coach, I have no problem with that," Pena said. "I'm in love with this organization. I'm very, very proud to wear that uniform."
From everything I've read, Pena wouldn't be a bad choice. I think, in all likelihood, we have 3 good choices in front of us. Peter Abraham has audio from Pena's conference call.
Most indications point to interviews now being over. Peter Abraham, having heard from Brian Cashman says that the General Manager will stay in Tampa and meet with the Steinbrenners tomorrow - a decision is expected to be made at that time and, then, will probably be announced Friday.
Posted by: Patrick
From the press release:
Randy Levine is on the Advisory Committee for the IBL.
Via Steve.
The New York Yankees announced today that they have signed outfielder Jason Rees and catcher Eladio Rodriguez to minor league contracts. Both players participated in the Israel Baseball League's inaugural season in 2007.
Rees, 23, batted .362 (47-for-130) with seven doubles, leading the league in home runs (17) and RBI (50) in 42 games for the league champion Bet Shemesh Blue Sox, managed by former Yankee Ron Blomberg. A native of Newcastle, Australia, Rees was awarded the league's Co-Defensive Outfielder of the Year honors and was named to the IBL South All-Star team. Rees played collegiately at Cloud County Community College and Fort Hays State University in Kansas where he was named Second-Team All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in 2006.
Rodriguez, 28, received the Hank Greenberg Award as the IBL's Co-Most Valuable Player after leading the league with a .461 batting average (47-for-102) and a 1.000 slugging percentage. In 34 games at catcher with the Modi'in Miracle, he led the club with 16 home runs and 44RBI and was named to the IBL South All-Star team. Rodriguez was originally signed by the Boston Red Sox as a non-drafted free agent in 1998 and played seven seasons in their system, hitting .253 (203-for-803) with 38 doubles, seven triples, nine home runs and 98 RBI with the DSL Red Sox, GCL Red Sox, Short-Season Single-A Lowell, Single-A Augusta and Single-A Sarasota. Rodriguez was also named the most valuable player for his native Dominican Republic team in the Central American Games in 2006.
Rees, 23, batted .362 (47-for-130) with seven doubles, leading the league in home runs (17) and RBI (50) in 42 games for the league champion Bet Shemesh Blue Sox, managed by former Yankee Ron Blomberg. A native of Newcastle, Australia, Rees was awarded the league's Co-Defensive Outfielder of the Year honors and was named to the IBL South All-Star team. Rees played collegiately at Cloud County Community College and Fort Hays State University in Kansas where he was named Second-Team All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in 2006.
Rodriguez, 28, received the Hank Greenberg Award as the IBL's Co-Most Valuable Player after leading the league with a .461 batting average (47-for-102) and a 1.000 slugging percentage. In 34 games at catcher with the Modi'in Miracle, he led the club with 16 home runs and 44RBI and was named to the IBL South All-Star team. Rodriguez was originally signed by the Boston Red Sox as a non-drafted free agent in 1998 and played seven seasons in their system, hitting .253 (203-for-803) with 38 doubles, seven triples, nine home runs and 98 RBI with the DSL Red Sox, GCL Red Sox, Short-Season Single-A Lowell, Single-A Augusta and Single-A Sarasota. Rodriguez was also named the most valuable player for his native Dominican Republic team in the Central American Games in 2006.
Randy Levine is on the Advisory Committee for the IBL.
Via Steve.
Posted by: Patrick
A-Rod has been named the Major League Baseball Clutch Performer of the Year, according to Bryan Hoch:
The Yankees' year might have been an early loss if not for Alex Rodriguez's heroics. Time and time again, he came through with success in tight situations, helping to lead the club into the postseason.
For his efforts in what will be remembered as a remarkable individual season worthy of praise, Rodriguez has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the 2007 Major League Baseball Clutch Performer of the Year, presented by Pepsi.
For his efforts in what will be remembered as a remarkable individual season worthy of praise, Rodriguez has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the 2007 Major League Baseball Clutch Performer of the Year, presented by Pepsi.
10/24: Donnie Interviews
Posted by: Patrick
Don Mattingly interviewed for the manager job, yesterday. Peter Abraham has audio from the conference call toward the end of the day and Bryan Hoch puts some of that into text. He felt the interview went OK (though, it wasn't over at the time he was speaking with the press). Abraham thinks we could have an announcement on the new manager by Friday.
Kat O'Brien at Newsday cites sources indicating similar things:
Tony Pena interviews today.
Via Dave and Aziz.
Kat O'Brien at Newsday cites sources indicating similar things:
A person familiar with the Yankees' thinking indicated that the interview process will be short. Previously, Cashman and Hank Steinbrenner had estimated that they might interview four to six candidates, but the source said last night: "They really believe that these are the three best candidates." ...
Hank Steinbrenner commented after Girardi's interview Monday, but did not stop to speak yesterday. Cashman does not plan to speak until the search is complete. A person familiar with the Yankees' thoughts said of Mattingly: "He was very impressive; he did great."
Hank Steinbrenner commented after Girardi's interview Monday, but did not stop to speak yesterday. Cashman does not plan to speak until the search is complete. A person familiar with the Yankees' thoughts said of Mattingly: "He was very impressive; he did great."
Tony Pena interviews today.
Via Dave and Aziz.
Posted by: Patrick
Cliff Corcoran and Kevin Kernan recap Joe Torre's appearance last night on HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel.
Torre told Bob Costas that he would have accepted the contract as it was (with the pay cut and incentives) if it was a guaranteed two year deal. He also responded to Hank Steinbrenner's comments from a few days ago. From Cliff:
Torre told Bob Costas that he would have accepted the contract as it was (with the pay cut and incentives) if it was a guaranteed two year deal. He also responded to Hank Steinbrenner's comments from a few days ago. From Cliff:
The juiciest part of the interview came when Costas read Hank Steinbrenner's remarks to him. One could see the fury in Torre's face as Costas read Hank's words (I swear his lip was twitching). Joe took a good swipe at Hank in response, but did it in his usual smooth, laid-back fashion. "For some reason he thought I was disrespectful because I was insulted," Torre said of Hank, "but the insult came from the incentive-based situation, and unless you understand what sport is all about and how important winning is to you, I don't think you understand the insult part of this thing."
