Posted by: Patrick
The 2008 Hall of Fame ballot has been announced. New Yankees added to the list include Tim Raines, David Justice, Chuck Knoblauch and Jose Rijo. Returning, we have "Goose" Gossage, Tommy John, Don Mattingly and Lee Smith.
Posted by: Patrick
From Buster Olney:
Our colleague Peter Gammons is hearing that the Twins want this three-player package from the Yankees, in any Santana conversation: pitcher Phil Hughes and center fielders Melky Cabrera and Austin Jackson. Given that the Yankees will probably be asked to pay Santana a deal of at least six years and $150 million to convince him to stay, I'd be shocked if they seriously considered that trade. Because part of the equation for the Yankees or any other team, as they make decisions about a possible Santana deal, is this: Even beyond the question of swapping promising young players like Hughes and Cabrera and Jackson, how much money does it save them to have cheap players on their roster. How much will it cost them to replace a Cabrera or Jackson? Without Cabrera or Jackson, the Yankees might have to sign a veteran center fielder in their place in a year or two.
Posted by: Patrick
Our next interview is with Eric Schultz of Pending Pinstripes.
When you aren't doing something related to or depending on the Yankees, what are you up to?
I'm a sophomore at Amherst College, majoring in political science. Aside from schoolwork, I play on the ultimate Frisbee team and am involved in various clubs and organizations. I enjoy reading, following politics and watching sports (especially the Yankees and the New York Giants).
How long have you been blogging about the Yankees?
I've been blogging with MVN since June and I had another blog, called Yanks and More, for a few months before then.
How did you end up blogging at MVN?
They were looking for a fill-in writer because EJ Fagan (my current co-writer) was going to be away for the summer. As someone who enjoys getting my opinion out onto the blogosphere and a big fan of Pending Pinstripes, I decided to apply and give it a shot.
When you aren't doing something related to or depending on the Yankees, what are you up to?
I'm a sophomore at Amherst College, majoring in political science. Aside from schoolwork, I play on the ultimate Frisbee team and am involved in various clubs and organizations. I enjoy reading, following politics and watching sports (especially the Yankees and the New York Giants).
How long have you been blogging about the Yankees?
I've been blogging with MVN since June and I had another blog, called Yanks and More, for a few months before then.
How did you end up blogging at MVN?
They were looking for a fill-in writer because EJ Fagan (my current co-writer) was going to be away for the summer. As someone who enjoys getting my opinion out onto the blogosphere and a big fan of Pending Pinstripes, I decided to apply and give it a shot.
11/25: Q&A with Hank Steinbrenner
Posted by: Patrick
Steve Serby has a long and interesting Q&A with Hank Steinbrenner.
Q: You once said: "If I fired somebody, it would be for a very good reason, and they'd stay fired. Dad fires somebody, then hires them back and sends their kids to college."
A: I don't want to compare myself with my dad. The fact is, I'm a much easier Boss; I'm very slow to fire somebody. It would have to be for a very good reason - if they cross me or the company. Once I fire them, they stay fired.
A: I don't want to compare myself with my dad. The fact is, I'm a much easier Boss; I'm very slow to fire somebody. It would have to be for a very good reason - if they cross me or the company. Once I fire them, they stay fired.
Posted by: Patrick
From the AP:
From Murray Chass:
The $30 million will be broken into payments of $6 million dollars each when (or if) A-Rod ties Willie Mays at 660, Babe Ruth at 714, Hank Aaron at 755, Barry Bonds at 762 and when he passes Bonds.
Alex Rodriguez and the New York Yankees have agreed on a $30 million marketing package based on home run achievements that could raise the total value of his new contract to $305 million over 10 years.
From Murray Chass:
The nonguaranteed part of the contract will be the marketing agreement, which the commissioner’s office and the players union have approved. The Yankees and Rodriguez had to keep changing the nature of the agreement to gain approval because players cannot receive bonuses for achievements like home run totals. ...
The contract will not have the kinds of award bonuses that filled Rodriguez’s $252 million contract. In the seven years he played under the contract, Rodriguez earned $5.5 million in bonuses, including $3 million for his three Most Valuable Player awards in the last five years.
The contract will not have the kinds of award bonuses that filled Rodriguez’s $252 million contract. In the seven years he played under the contract, Rodriguez earned $5.5 million in bonuses, including $3 million for his three Most Valuable Player awards in the last five years.
The $30 million will be broken into payments of $6 million dollars each when (or if) A-Rod ties Willie Mays at 660, Babe Ruth at 714, Hank Aaron at 755, Barry Bonds at 762 and when he passes Bonds.
Posted by: Patrick
Posted by: Patrick
Ken Rosenthal has this:
He also notes that a 7 year, $140 million dollar deal would likely be the minimum that Santana would sign. So, it'd probably need to be something like Cano, Joba/Phil/Kennedy, a very good prospect and something else. Maybe they'd take Melky in place of a very good prospect (or, possibly more likely, as the something else), but that would seem unlikely. Is it worth it?
If they take Cano, Kennedy, Tabata or Horne (not sure) and Melky, that leaves us with major league openings at second and center field, as Johan would obviously fill Kennedy's rotation spot. Though it's not ideal, we do have Matsui, Damon and Abreu and that could be our outfield. Maybe Shelley Duncan would get time out there in left instead of Matsui. The loss of Melky, while a minus, doesn't really concern me. What really concerns me is who plays second base. Wilson Betemit? Alberto Gonzalez? The free agent market is pretty slim. Tadahito Iguchi? Cano is a tough one here because he's one of the best second basemen in the game, he's young and he's under our control. Cano is what breaks this deal. If that's what they want, then I have to say pass.
If it's Kennedy, Horne or Tabata and Melky, I'd think about that. Add Cano and it's just too much. Santana's great, but I'd rather rock with what we have than do that deal.
Via Ben.
One major league star, multiple prospects and a seven-year, $140 million contract.
That's all it will take to add Johan Santana at the Twins' current price — and the likely price for a starting pitcher of his caliber.
The Twins, rival executives say, want at least one big-name major leaguer for Santana, a player such as the Mets' Jose Reyes or Yankees' Robinson Cano.
That's all it will take to add Johan Santana at the Twins' current price — and the likely price for a starting pitcher of his caliber.
The Twins, rival executives say, want at least one big-name major leaguer for Santana, a player such as the Mets' Jose Reyes or Yankees' Robinson Cano.
He also notes that a 7 year, $140 million dollar deal would likely be the minimum that Santana would sign. So, it'd probably need to be something like Cano, Joba/Phil/Kennedy, a very good prospect and something else. Maybe they'd take Melky in place of a very good prospect (or, possibly more likely, as the something else), but that would seem unlikely. Is it worth it?
If they take Cano, Kennedy, Tabata or Horne (not sure) and Melky, that leaves us with major league openings at second and center field, as Johan would obviously fill Kennedy's rotation spot. Though it's not ideal, we do have Matsui, Damon and Abreu and that could be our outfield. Maybe Shelley Duncan would get time out there in left instead of Matsui. The loss of Melky, while a minus, doesn't really concern me. What really concerns me is who plays second base. Wilson Betemit? Alberto Gonzalez? The free agent market is pretty slim. Tadahito Iguchi? Cano is a tough one here because he's one of the best second basemen in the game, he's young and he's under our control. Cano is what breaks this deal. If that's what they want, then I have to say pass.
If it's Kennedy, Horne or Tabata and Melky, I'd think about that. Add Cano and it's just too much. Santana's great, but I'd rather rock with what we have than do that deal.
Via Ben.
Posted by: Patrick
Billy Martin and Gabe Paul are among the finalists in the round of Veterans Committee voting for Hall of Fame entry for managers/umpires and executives/pioneers.
On a note unrelated to the Yankees, I wouldn't mind if Davey Johnson made it. I met him a couple times, maybe 6 or 7 years ago and caddied for him at a celebrity golf event (well, actually, I caddied for Mike Schmidt and Davey Johnson was his playing partner, but I did have the opportunity to talk with him a bit) and he was a super nice guy.
On a note unrelated to the Yankees, I wouldn't mind if Davey Johnson made it. I met him a couple times, maybe 6 or 7 years ago and caddied for him at a celebrity golf event (well, actually, I caddied for Mike Schmidt and Davey Johnson was his playing partner, but I did have the opportunity to talk with him a bit) and he was a super nice guy.
11/23: Joe Kennedy Passes Away
Posted by: Patrick
MLB pitcher Joe Kennedy passed away suddenly early today. Very sad. Our thoughts are with those who were close to him.
Posted by: Patrick
From seattlepi.com:
Via Steve.
Kuroda, 32, who has a 96 mph fastball and a power slider, has won 40 games during the past three years in Japan while averaging 193 innings per 135-game season.
Seattle isn't alone in pursuing Kuroda. The Rangers, Dodgers, Cubs, Phillies and Yankees are all thought to have an interest in the right-hander, who could have come to the U.S. last year but signed a four-year contract with Hiroshima.
Seattle isn't alone in pursuing Kuroda. The Rangers, Dodgers, Cubs, Phillies and Yankees are all thought to have an interest in the right-hander, who could have come to the U.S. last year but signed a four-year contract with Hiroshima.
Via Steve.
