Posted by: Patrick
From Tyler Kepner:
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that it’s a tremendous offer for a 38-year-old relief pitcher? Again, I don't know why this sort of thing needs to be said. It makes it easier for him to leave. At any rate, I guess this is the Hank Steinbrenner era and I better get used to it. To his credit, it is true that this is a terrific offer and one that will likely not be matched by any other team. Nonetheless, Pete Caldera is reporting that the Mo camp is believed to be looking for a 3 year, $50 million dollar deal.
Via Steve.
“I think we’re all pretty much in agreement that this is it,” Hank Steinbrenner, the Yankees’ senior vice president, said in a telephone interview last night. “Make no mistake, I want him back, and that’s why this offer is what it is.”
Rivera was in the Dominican Republic on Monday, and his agent, Fern Cuza, did not return calls yesterday. Steinbrenner said he believed General Manager Brian Cashman was in contact with Cuza, but Steinbrenner said he did not know why Rivera has not decided on an offer that Steinbrenner says is more than generous.
“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that it’s a tremendous offer for a 38-year-old relief pitcher,” Steinbrenner said. “He’ll be, by $4 million, the highest-paid relief pitcher in baseball, by far. I don’t know what the holdup is. The ball’s in their court.”
Rivera was in the Dominican Republic on Monday, and his agent, Fern Cuza, did not return calls yesterday. Steinbrenner said he believed General Manager Brian Cashman was in contact with Cuza, but Steinbrenner said he did not know why Rivera has not decided on an offer that Steinbrenner says is more than generous.
“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that it’s a tremendous offer for a 38-year-old relief pitcher,” Steinbrenner said. “He’ll be, by $4 million, the highest-paid relief pitcher in baseball, by far. I don’t know what the holdup is. The ball’s in their court.”
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that it’s a tremendous offer for a 38-year-old relief pitcher? Again, I don't know why this sort of thing needs to be said. It makes it easier for him to leave. At any rate, I guess this is the Hank Steinbrenner era and I better get used to it. To his credit, it is true that this is a terrific offer and one that will likely not be matched by any other team. Nonetheless, Pete Caldera is reporting that the Mo camp is believed to be looking for a 3 year, $50 million dollar deal.
Via Steve.
Posted by: Patrick
Following up on the hitters projections, here are the pitchers. Really, we should just call these the Patrick and Richard A. Holland projections since we were the only two to post projections on all pitchers but one (Wang). So, with that in mind, here we go:
Chien-Ming Wang
Individual Matches: Richard A. Holland for games. Richard A. Holland for games started.
Mike Mussina
Individual Matches: None.
Chien-Ming Wang
G GS IP W L BB K ERAOur projections reflected high expectations for Wang and he delivered right in line with them. The three start difference can be attributed, in part, to him starting the season injured and out of the rotation.
Projected: 33 33 220.0 18 8 46 87 3.64
Actual: 30 30 199.3 19 7 59 104 3.70
Individual Matches: Richard A. Holland for games. Richard A. Holland for games started.
Mike Mussina
G GS IP W L BB K ERAMoose had his moments, but was poor overall, falling well short of our predictions.
Projected: 31 31 187.7 16 9 46 156 3.97
Actual: 28 27 152.0 11 10 35 91 5.15
Individual Matches: None.
Posted by: Patrick
From Tyler Kepner:
Thanks YankeeUniverz.
Rivera, 38, is the other star free agent the Yankees had hoped to retain before other teams could talk money with him. The Yankees recently improved their offer to Rivera to $45 million for three years, which would easily surpass the salary of the Mets’ Billy Wagner for the highest among closers. Wagner averages $10.75 million a year.
But while Rivera also wants to return, his agent, Fern Cuza, said last week that he planned to test the market. Rivera was in the Dominican Republic yesterday and told The Associated Press: “The Yankees are my first option. But if that is not possible, there is Joe with the Dodgers.”
But while Rivera also wants to return, his agent, Fern Cuza, said last week that he planned to test the market. Rivera was in the Dominican Republic yesterday and told The Associated Press: “The Yankees are my first option. But if that is not possible, there is Joe with the Dodgers.”
Thanks YankeeUniverz.
11/13: Mo Files for Free Agency
Posted by: Patrick
Mo has filed for free agency as he and the Yankees failed to come to terms before the exclusive window of negotiation ended. From Bryan Hoch:
I am not sure why "We'll see how committed they are?" needs to be said in public.
Life can be funny sometimes. For a while now, it's been reported that Mo was the one that would sign with the Yankees before the deadline and that Jorge was going to test them. Yet, Jorge signs and we're still dealing with Mo.
"The ball's pretty much in their court now. They've both been made very good offers now, and we'll see where they're at," Steinbrenner told The AP. "We'll see how committed they are." ...
After the Yankees' elimination in the American League Division Series, Rivera vowed he would treat negotiations like a "business." Coyly on Monday, Rivera hinted he could even follow manager Joe Torre to Los Angeles if the Yankees' offer was not to his satisfaction.
"The Yankees are my first option," Rivera told The AP in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. "But if that is not possible, there is Joe with the Dodgers."
After the Yankees' elimination in the American League Division Series, Rivera vowed he would treat negotiations like a "business." Coyly on Monday, Rivera hinted he could even follow manager Joe Torre to Los Angeles if the Yankees' offer was not to his satisfaction.
"The Yankees are my first option," Rivera told The AP in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. "But if that is not possible, there is Joe with the Dodgers."
I am not sure why "We'll see how committed they are?" needs to be said in public.
Life can be funny sometimes. For a while now, it's been reported that Mo was the one that would sign with the Yankees before the deadline and that Jorge was going to test them. Yet, Jorge signs and we're still dealing with Mo.
Posted by: Patrick
From ESPN:
Good to see. The alternatives were... scary.
Thanks Mark.
The New York Yankees and Jorge Posada agreed Monday night to a $52.4 million, four-year contract that keeps the catcher off the free-agent market.
Posada, a five-time All-Star who is 36, said Sunday he was "really close" to an agreement with the Yankees and his preference is to remain with the only major league team he's played for. A person familiar with the talks confirmed the deal to The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because the team didn't announce it.
Posada, a five-time All-Star who is 36, said Sunday he was "really close" to an agreement with the Yankees and his preference is to remain with the only major league team he's played for. A person familiar with the talks confirmed the deal to The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because the team didn't announce it.
Good to see. The alternatives were... scary.
Thanks Mark.
11/12: Posada: "We're really close"
Posted by: Patrick
Members of the media caught up with Jorge Posada at the Knicks game last night. Jim Baumbach has the details, thanks to Anthony Rieber. Among other things, he said:
- The Yankees are his first choice.
- He doesn't know when he wants a decision.
- He is going to listen to other teams but he doesn't know if he's going to get a chance.
- The Dodgers already have a catcher and he's only talking to teams that don't have one.
- He loves Girardi, looks at him like a big brother.
- The chances are good that he'll return to the Yankees.
- They (Yankees, his agents, etc.) are really close in negotiations.
- The Yankees are his first choice.
- He doesn't know when he wants a decision.
- He is going to listen to other teams but he doesn't know if he's going to get a chance.
- The Dodgers already have a catcher and he's only talking to teams that don't have one.
- He loves Girardi, looks at him like a big brother.
- The chances are good that he'll return to the Yankees.
- They (Yankees, his agents, etc.) are really close in negotiations.
Posted by: Patrick
According to Ken Davidoff, who spoke with "a person familiar with Minnesota's operations said yesterday", the Twins will ask the Yankees for a package centered around Robinson Cano. Davidoff cites a "second major league official" as thinking that a package of Phil, Melky and a prospect might not be enough for Santana. Check please.
Via Steve.
Via Steve.
Posted by: Patrick
Joel Sherman reports that there is a strong likelihood that the Yankees will release Carl Pavano before November 20, in order to free up his spot on the 40 man roster before the Rule V draft.
2008 is the final year of Pavano's 4 year, $39.95 million dollar contract. He's set to make $11 million. There is a $13 million dollar club option with a $1.95 million dollar buyout. So, we're on the hook for $12.95 million.
2008 is the final year of Pavano's 4 year, $39.95 million dollar contract. He's set to make $11 million. There is a $13 million dollar club option with a $1.95 million dollar buyout. So, we're on the hook for $12.95 million.
Posted by: Patrick
From the New York Post:
Within the next 48 hours, the Yankees are expected to make new contract offers to two of their biggest free agents.
The Yankees' exclusivity period with both Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera ends after tomorrow, and yesterday Hank Steinbrenner reiterated that new proposals to Posada and Rivera will be submitted before the period expires.
The Yankees' exclusivity period with both Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera ends after tomorrow, and yesterday Hank Steinbrenner reiterated that new proposals to Posada and Rivera will be submitted before the period expires.
Posted by: Patrick
Last night, Joe Torre's Safe at Home foundation held it's annual gala in Manhattan. Besides Torre, Jeter, Mo, Posada, Bernie and Lee Mazzilli attended. Anthony DiComo and Peter Abraham (more) have reports. Here's a summary notable details:
Posada and Mo did not speak to the press. Torre, Jeter and Bernie did. On losing Posada and Mo, Jeter said:
Torre said that Pettitte is leaning towards staying home and that he'd be surprised if Posada and Mo didn't return to the Bronx. He said that A-Rod to L.A. is possible, but he was surprised that he opted out here. Finally, The Torres plan to maintain their home in Westchester and hold the gala in Manhattan next year. However, they will be opening a Los Angeles office.
Bernie denied speculation that he might be headed to the Dodgers, but DiComo notes that Torre wasn't "as critical" of the idea, though no quote from Torre is included.
Mazzilli said that he did discuss joining Torre's staff in Los Angeles, but declined due to his mother's health. We wish him and his family well.
Edit: Also, Jim Baumbach pointed out that Donnie said that he will be Torre's hitting coach.
Posada and Mo did not speak to the press. Torre, Jeter and Bernie did. On losing Posada and Mo, Jeter said:
"I talked to [Posada] a little while ago. Am I worried? No. That has absolutely nothing to do with what he's told me. I've played with him since I was 18 years old. I just can't picture it. So if you ask me if I'm worried, I'm not worried."
"I don't have to sell the Yankees to them. They've been here long enough. There is nothing I can tell them they don't already know. ... I think they're coming back."
"I don't have to sell the Yankees to them. They've been here long enough. There is nothing I can tell them they don't already know. ... I think they're coming back."
Torre said that Pettitte is leaning towards staying home and that he'd be surprised if Posada and Mo didn't return to the Bronx. He said that A-Rod to L.A. is possible, but he was surprised that he opted out here. Finally, The Torres plan to maintain their home in Westchester and hold the gala in Manhattan next year. However, they will be opening a Los Angeles office.
Bernie denied speculation that he might be headed to the Dodgers, but DiComo notes that Torre wasn't "as critical" of the idea, though no quote from Torre is included.
Mazzilli said that he did discuss joining Torre's staff in Los Angeles, but declined due to his mother's health. We wish him and his family well.
Edit: Also, Jim Baumbach pointed out that Donnie said that he will be Torre's hitting coach.
