Posted by: Patrick
Bill Madden has an interesting interview with Hank Steinbrenner.
Via Steve.
"I had a lot of good teachers whether they know it or not," Hank says now. "All those dinners on the road with Clyde and Woody and Lou - I learned a lot."
"What was the most important thing you learned?" I asked him.
"The mistake of trading young pitching," he answered quickly. "It killed me seeing all those young pitchers we traded back then - (Scott) McGregor, (Jose) Rijo, (Doug) Drabek - who went on to have great careers because we just didn't have the patience. If there's one thing that's going to be different between me and my dad it's patience."
"Maybe," I said, "but it sounds like you're about to do the same thing - trading young pitchers - for (Johan) Santana."
"There's a big difference," Hank countered. "Santana's only 28 and just coming into his prime. I remember consoling Woody when my dad insisted we trade Drabek for (Rick) Rhoden. Rhoden was 32 or 33, but back then that's the way we did things.
"What was the most important thing you learned?" I asked him.
"The mistake of trading young pitching," he answered quickly. "It killed me seeing all those young pitchers we traded back then - (Scott) McGregor, (Jose) Rijo, (Doug) Drabek - who went on to have great careers because we just didn't have the patience. If there's one thing that's going to be different between me and my dad it's patience."
"Maybe," I said, "but it sounds like you're about to do the same thing - trading young pitchers - for (Johan) Santana."
"There's a big difference," Hank countered. "Santana's only 28 and just coming into his prime. I remember consoling Woody when my dad insisted we trade Drabek for (Rick) Rhoden. Rhoden was 32 or 33, but back then that's the way we did things.
Via Steve.
Posted by: Patrick
Kat O'Brien reports that the Yankees offer of Phil, Melky and another player expires tomorrow. We'll see...
Posted by: Patrick
Our next interview is with EJ Fagan of Pending Pinstripes and The Bronx Block.
When you aren't doing something related to or depending on the Yankees, what are you up to?
I am a student at Providence College, so I spend a lot of time writing papers and reading books. I am a political science major. I spend my weekends debating on the American Parliamentary Debate Association circuit - it takes up basically all my free time. Basically, I'm a massive dork.
How long have you been blogging about the Yankees?
It seems so long ago, although it really wasn't. I started blogging at Fire Joe Torre in April of 2006.
When you aren't doing something related to or depending on the Yankees, what are you up to?
I am a student at Providence College, so I spend a lot of time writing papers and reading books. I am a political science major. I spend my weekends debating on the American Parliamentary Debate Association circuit - it takes up basically all my free time. Basically, I'm a massive dork.
How long have you been blogging about the Yankees?
It seems so long ago, although it really wasn't. I started blogging at Fire Joe Torre in April of 2006.
Posted by: Patrick
John Harper reports that the Twins aren't happy with the package of Phil, Melky and a mid-level prospect and that they are willing to go on with Johan on their roster in 2008. He says they want either Alan Horne or Austin Jackson in the deal, as well.
He mentions that the Twins GM persistently asked about adding Ian Kennedy with Hughes and the Yankees refused to do that (thank you!) and said they'd walk away if that was a requirement. The Twins dropped the Kennedy request last night, but still want another top prospect.
TYler Kepner reports that the Yankees have told the Twins that in a deal with Phil and Melky, Dellin Betances, Horne, Jackson, Kennedy and Jose Tabata are untouchable.
Via Pro Sports Daily.
He mentions that the Twins GM persistently asked about adding Ian Kennedy with Hughes and the Yankees refused to do that (thank you!) and said they'd walk away if that was a requirement. The Twins dropped the Kennedy request last night, but still want another top prospect.
TYler Kepner reports that the Yankees have told the Twins that in a deal with Phil and Melky, Dellin Betances, Horne, Jackson, Kennedy and Jose Tabata are untouchable.
Via Pro Sports Daily.
Posted by: Patrick
Bryan Hoch reports that the Yankees have offered arbitration to A-Rod, Mo, Pettitte and Vizcaino. This ensures that the Yanks will receive compensation, in the form of draft picks, should any of the four leave for another team. Seemingly, though, it's little more than a formality for A-Rod, Mo and Pettitte, due to the fact that the first two are near deals and Pettitte has said that he'll play for the Yankees or no one at all.
They declined to offer arbitration to Clemens, Mientkiewicz, Molina and Vilone.
They declined to offer arbitration to Clemens, Mientkiewicz, Molina and Vilone.
Posted by: Patrick
From John Harper and Bill Madden:
Via Ben.
After two days of internal discussions among front-office executives, the Yankees swallowed hard Friday and decided to offer Phil Hughes to the Twins as part of the trade package they hope will land them Johan Santana.
The Yanks had declared Joba Chamberlain off limits, and the Twins told them that Ian Kennedy, the third of their three prized righthanders, wouldn't be enough. According to the club source, there was spirited internal debate in the organization via conference calls about whether to make Hughes available.
The Yanks had declared Joba Chamberlain off limits, and the Twins told them that Ian Kennedy, the third of their three prized righthanders, wouldn't be enough. According to the club source, there was spirited internal debate in the organization via conference calls about whether to make Hughes available.
Via Ben.
11/30: Joba Chamberlain - #5
Posted by: James
The last Yankee on the MiLB.com Top 50 Prospect list is Joba Chamberlain, who slots in at number 5, just ahead of Clay Buchholz and right behind Clayton Kershaw.
3 kids on a list of 50 isn't too shabby. Throw in Hughes, Cano, Melky and the cavalcade of pitchers in the minors and you have a nice looking system. Again, I am surprised that Tabata did not make this list considering who else was on it...but hey, maybe I'm guilty of over-hyping.
Chamberlain dominated three levels of the Minors, went to the Futures Game and made it to the big leagues as a high-impact short reliever
...
He's got the kind of stuff that should put him near the top of the rotation in time, with the ability to throw four pitches -- fastball, curve, slider and changeup -- for strikes. You never can tell what might happen in the future with trades and signings, but the concept of a Philip Hughes-Joba Chamberlain-Ian Kennedy rotation should make Yankee fans plan for baseball deep into October for the next decade or so.
...
He's got the kind of stuff that should put him near the top of the rotation in time, with the ability to throw four pitches -- fastball, curve, slider and changeup -- for strikes. You never can tell what might happen in the future with trades and signings, but the concept of a Philip Hughes-Joba Chamberlain-Ian Kennedy rotation should make Yankee fans plan for baseball deep into October for the next decade or so.
3 kids on a list of 50 isn't too shabby. Throw in Hughes, Cano, Melky and the cavalcade of pitchers in the minors and you have a nice looking system. Again, I am surprised that Tabata did not make this list considering who else was on it...but hey, maybe I'm guilty of over-hyping.
Posted by: Patrick
From The Denver Post:
Loretta, who will be 36 on opening day, is attractive because of his versatility (he's played 194 more or more games at each of the infield positions - 780 at 2B, 400 at SS, 195 at 1B and 194 at 3B) and the fact that he's far from a liability on offense. Last year, with the Astros, he hit .287 with a .352 OBA and .372 SLG. His career numbers are .298/.362/.399. No power, but a guy who puts the ball in play and gets on base.
Via Jim Johnson via Buster Olney.
The Rockies contacted the agent for Loretta, who tore up the National League West while with the San Diego Padres. However, the Rockies don't like their chances, believing he will end up with the Yankees. While that deal is close, Loretta has made it known how much he likes the Rockies and would prefer to see how their second base situation plays out before signing with the Yankees.
Loretta, who will be 36 on opening day, is attractive because of his versatility (he's played 194 more or more games at each of the infield positions - 780 at 2B, 400 at SS, 195 at 1B and 194 at 3B) and the fact that he's far from a liability on offense. Last year, with the Astros, he hit .287 with a .352 OBA and .372 SLG. His career numbers are .298/.362/.399. No power, but a guy who puts the ball in play and gets on base.
Via Jim Johnson via Buster Olney.
Posted by: Patrick
The Times and the Post have quotes from Posada and Andy's father, Tom Pettitte, on Pettitte's status as far as him rejoining the Yankees.
Via Steve.
“He’s so torn right now,” Tom Pettitte said. “Everybody knows that he was done last year and he didn’t want to play because he wanted to be with his kids. That’s what this is all about. He’s not looking for more money or anything.” ...
“I guess if he hadn’t had as much success as he’s had or accomplished as much as he’s accomplished, I don’t know, it might be different,” Tom Pettitte said. “He’s pretty much accomplished everything he wanted to.”
“I guess if he hadn’t had as much success as he’s had or accomplished as much as he’s accomplished, I don’t know, it might be different,” Tom Pettitte said. “He’s pretty much accomplished everything he wanted to.”
“Right now he is leaning toward retirement," Posada said of Pettitte, who had a players' option for $16 million but opted for free agency. It's believed Pettitte's choices are pitching for the Yankees or retiring. “But he wants to play. Hopefully we will see him around February. He will make his decision in January."
Via Steve.
11/29: Posada Deal Finalized
Posted by: Patrick
The AP reports that the Posada deal has been finalized. Welcome back, Jorge.
