Posted by: Patrick
From Newsday:
Via Ben.
Rivera is believed to have been one of A-Rod's major sounding boards during the craziness of Rodriguez's past three weeks. Rivera, according to his friend, told Rodriguez as far back as days after A-Rod opted out Oct. 28 that he should approach the Yankees to tell them how he truly felt.
Via Ben.
11/19: Mariano Agrees to Deal
Posted by: Patrick
From the official site:
Mariano Rivera has informed the Yankees that he is accepting their three-year, $45 million offer, returning to wear the only uniform for which he has pitched.
Word of Rivera's signing comes days after the future Hall of Fame closer returned from a week conducting baseball clinics in the Dominican Republic, leaving the Yankees to wait for his response.
Word of Rivera's signing comes days after the future Hall of Fame closer returned from a week conducting baseball clinics in the Dominican Republic, leaving the Yankees to wait for his response.
Posted by: Patrick
We kick off the 2007-2008 edition of Interviewing the Yankees Blogosphere with Eric Haskell of The Bronx Block.
When you aren't doing something related to or depending on the Yankees, what are you up to?
I am also a die hard New York Giants fan, so I spend a lot of time doing Giant related things. As far as something completely un-sports related, I am really into politics. I spend a lot of time watching and reading about the 2008 presidential election.
How long have you been blogging about the Yankees?
I am fairly new to blogging, having only been writing for The Bronx Block for about two months now.
How did you end up blogging at MVN?
MVN became probably my favorite site to read about the Yankees. I spent all season reading and commenting about the Yankees there, until I finally decided that I was interested in writing for them. I sent them an application letter, which they apparently really liked and I started soon after.
When you aren't doing something related to or depending on the Yankees, what are you up to?
I am also a die hard New York Giants fan, so I spend a lot of time doing Giant related things. As far as something completely un-sports related, I am really into politics. I spend a lot of time watching and reading about the 2008 presidential election.
How long have you been blogging about the Yankees?
I am fairly new to blogging, having only been writing for The Bronx Block for about two months now.
How did you end up blogging at MVN?
MVN became probably my favorite site to read about the Yankees. I spent all season reading and commenting about the Yankees there, until I finally decided that I was interested in writing for them. I sent them an application letter, which they apparently really liked and I started soon after.
11/19: A-Rod Wins the MVP
Posted by: James
Label this under duh news as the Yankees All-Star picked up his 3rd (should be his 4th) MVP award (second with the Yankees).
By the way, if you go to the main Yankees page and take a look at the top right, the graphic they're using of a flame-throwing Joba is pretty sweet.
Putting it all together offensively as he reached new levels of comfort in New York, Rodriguez established career highs with 143 runs scored and 156 RBIs, leading the Major Leagues with 54 home runs while batting .314. His exploits led the Yankees to the playoffs for a 13th consecutive season.
"For me, it's been the most magical and most special year of my career so far, for many reasons," Rodriguez told MLB.com. "Again, not winning the World Series is very disappointing -- that's why you strap it on every Spring Training and that's why you work so hard in the wintertime.
"But from a personal level, it was very satisfying to be able to come back from '06 and show the world what kind of player I am, on the greatest stage in the world, which is the Yankees."
A-Rod, who became the fifth AL player to win the award three times, did not win the coveted honor unanimously. Rodriguez picked up 26 out of the 28 first-place votes, with Detroit's Magglio Ordonez, who came in second place, earning the other two first-place votes.
"For me, it's been the most magical and most special year of my career so far, for many reasons," Rodriguez told MLB.com. "Again, not winning the World Series is very disappointing -- that's why you strap it on every Spring Training and that's why you work so hard in the wintertime.
"But from a personal level, it was very satisfying to be able to come back from '06 and show the world what kind of player I am, on the greatest stage in the world, which is the Yankees."
A-Rod, who became the fifth AL player to win the award three times, did not win the coveted honor unanimously. Rodriguez picked up 26 out of the 28 first-place votes, with Detroit's Magglio Ordonez, who came in second place, earning the other two first-place votes.
By the way, if you go to the main Yankees page and take a look at the top right, the graphic they're using of a flame-throwing Joba is pretty sweet.
Posted by: Patrick
George King reports:
The Yankees are looking into Francisco Cordero in case things fall through. The Daily News reports that they called Cordero's agent to ask about him as a closer, not as a setup man. Though, even if we bring Mo back, I'd like to bring Cordero on as a setup man, not that that thought has any grounds (whatsoever) in reality.
After returning from the Dominican Republic last night, Mariano Rivera is going to huddle with his representatives today and according to several sources is expected to accept the Yankees' three-year, $45 million offer early this week.
The Yankees are looking into Francisco Cordero in case things fall through. The Daily News reports that they called Cordero's agent to ask about him as a closer, not as a setup man. Though, even if we bring Mo back, I'd like to bring Cordero on as a setup man, not that that thought has any grounds (whatsoever) in reality.
Posted by: Patrick
From The Wall Street Journal:
The whole article is an interesting read as far as what happened behind the scenes to get A-Rod back in pinstripes.
Via MLB.com.
Amid deafening criticism by sports writers and on talk radio, a worried Mr. Rodriguez called Mr. Buffett, say people familiar with the matter. The two had become friends a few years ago, after the slugger flew to Omaha to meet with the investing guru and rabid baseball fan. After that, the two met socially several more times, say the people familiar with the matter. Signifying their mutual admiration, an autographed Rodriguez jersey hangs at Berkshire Hathaway's Omaha headquarters.
Mr. Buffett's advice was simple, says a person familiar with the matter: approach the Yankees solo, without Mr. Boras. "A-Rod really loves being a Yankee," says Mr. Buffett. He declined to comment on the substance of any conversation with Mr. Rodriguez, saying he doesn't discuss private talks.
Mr. Buffett's advice was simple, says a person familiar with the matter: approach the Yankees solo, without Mr. Boras. "A-Rod really loves being a Yankee," says Mr. Buffett. He declined to comment on the substance of any conversation with Mr. Rodriguez, saying he doesn't discuss private talks.
The whole article is an interesting read as far as what happened behind the scenes to get A-Rod back in pinstripes.
Via MLB.com.
Posted by: Patrick
From Bryan Hoch:
A report in The Record of Hackensack, N.J., discounted a Boston television station's claim that the Yankees were one of four teams to bid on Lowell. Citing two high-level Yankees executives, the report indicated the Yankees have not made a formal offer.
Additionally, the New York Daily News reported Saturday that any reports of a Yankees offer were "pure fantasy." In reality, Lowell has received a reported three-year contract offer worth between $35 and $45 million from the Red Sox. He is believed to covet a fourth year.
Additionally, the New York Daily News reported Saturday that any reports of a Yankees offer were "pure fantasy." In reality, Lowell has received a reported three-year contract offer worth between $35 and $45 million from the Red Sox. He is believed to covet a fourth year.
Posted by: Patrick
While Mark Feinsand was reporting that Jose Molina had signed a two year, $4 million dollar deal to remain in New York, Bryan Hoch has this:
Via Cbeck3.
Reached by telephone at his home in Puerto Rico, Molina said that he had no knowledge of a completed deal but was pleased to hear of reported progress.
"No doubt about that, I still want to go back," Molina said. "It's just a matter of what we're going to do and what their plans are. A lot of times, it doesn't depend on the players -- it depends on what they're willing to do and say. It's what the teams need."
"No doubt about that, I still want to go back," Molina said. "It's just a matter of what we're going to do and what their plans are. A lot of times, it doesn't depend on the players -- it depends on what they're willing to do and say. It's what the teams need."
Via Cbeck3.
Posted by: Patrick
Yesterday, I wrote about how I didn't really think A-Rod was sacrificing much - just taking the best offer he's going to get - and how Scott Boras might not have lost in this deal. There were a few related articles in the blogosphere today and I wanted to highlight them.
Larry Mahnken writes that both A-Rod (gets a raise) and the Yankees (by not backing down on not negotiating with him) win, but Boras loses. His reasoning:
If the Yankees are willing to pay $275 million over 10 years without the $21 million from Texas, then it would make sense that there could have been more money to get, if they were negotiating with that money at their disposal (which is essentially the point that Mr. Mahnken makes in the next paragraph of the article).
Jay Jaffe paints Boras as the loser, as well:
That's interesting - hadn't considered the rate of inflation (though, I don't know that it affects what A-Rod may or may not have sacrificed). Still, should the deal have been in line with inflation? It probably goes without saying that a 25 year old Alex Rodriguez should get a better, inflation adjusted ten year deal than a 32 year old Alex Rodriguez.
Finally, Ben Kabak says that we saved maybe $5 million dollars (after taking into account provisions in his old contract that I had forgotten - good find) - but that isn't what matters here. What matters is that the Yankees stuck to their hard line, broke Boras' "stranglehold" over the game (and A-Rod) and brought him back on their terms. He closes with:
When you factor in everything, if we did intend to offer him an extension that would have made his overall package ten years at $291 million dollars, then we're either losing $5 million or $3 million or saving $5 million (depending on those contract provisions). So, I guess you could say that it comes out about even. As far as cost for us, we're giving him about the same deal we were thought to be willing to give him before he opted out.
I had been ready to move on without him, but I'm certainly glad to have him back. He's the best player in the game and we can get him (as the best third baseman in the game) without trading anything. It'll be neat to (hopefully) watch him set some records, too.
Larry Mahnken writes that both A-Rod (gets a raise) and the Yankees (by not backing down on not negotiating with him) win, but Boras loses. His reasoning:
Sure, he got the biggest contract in history for his client. And maybe the whole “A-Rod crawls back” thing was a ploy by Boras after he realized he misread the market for A-Rod, and got him the best deal possible—probably for a lot more than anyone else would pay. But here’s the irrefutable fact: A-Rod COULD have gotten more if he hadn’t opted out. Would he have? That depends on how good a negotiator Scott Boras is, but there can be no doubt: there was more money to be had.
If the Yankees are willing to pay $275 million over 10 years without the $21 million from Texas, then it would make sense that there could have been more money to get, if they were negotiating with that money at their disposal (which is essentially the point that Mr. Mahnken makes in the next paragraph of the article).
Jay Jaffe paints Boras as the loser, as well:
Boras overreached, and while the new contract -- incentives regarding his potential chase of the all-time home run record aside -- sets a record by being $23 million more than the 10-year, $252 million deal Rodriguez signed for the 2001 season, the increase doesn't even match the rate of inflation. That's all ya got, Scott? Pfft.
That's interesting - hadn't considered the rate of inflation (though, I don't know that it affects what A-Rod may or may not have sacrificed). Still, should the deal have been in line with inflation? It probably goes without saying that a 25 year old Alex Rodriguez should get a better, inflation adjusted ten year deal than a 32 year old Alex Rodriguez.
Finally, Ben Kabak says that we saved maybe $5 million dollars (after taking into account provisions in his old contract that I had forgotten - good find) - but that isn't what matters here. What matters is that the Yankees stuck to their hard line, broke Boras' "stranglehold" over the game (and A-Rod) and brought him back on their terms. He closes with:
In the end, in all honesty, the Yankees aren’t getting a great deal. They’re not overpaying, but they’re not underpaying either. They’re simply paying A-Rod what they would have given him in the first place. But they’re doing it on their terms, and that edge makes all the difference.
When you factor in everything, if we did intend to offer him an extension that would have made his overall package ten years at $291 million dollars, then we're either losing $5 million or $3 million or saving $5 million (depending on those contract provisions). So, I guess you could say that it comes out about even. As far as cost for us, we're giving him about the same deal we were thought to be willing to give him before he opted out.
I had been ready to move on without him, but I'm certainly glad to have him back. He's the best player in the game and we can get him (as the best third baseman in the game) without trading anything. It'll be neat to (hopefully) watch him set some records, too.
Posted by: Patrick
Ken Rosenthal reports that, according to sources, Mo wants a four year deal. Rosenthal notes that the Yankees remain the "overwhelming" favorite and that no other team is expected to get close to the offer that they have made.
Though it may be true, from Mo's perspective, I wouldn't be happy with that comment, either. "We'll see how committed they are." "It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that it’s a tremendous offer for a 38-year-old relief pitcher." These things don't help. They especially should not be made when we're talking about long time, career Yankees.
I'm not saying that the Yankees offer isn't generous - it is. Nor am I saying that he shouldn't take it - I think he should (and hope he does). But, the side circus isn't needed. Make the offer, speak privately. Don't make statements to the media that could be taken as condescending.
Via Steve.
But Rivera, who turns 38 on Nov. 29, has instructed his agents to shop him, in part because he was angered by Hank Steinbrenner referring to his age in recent comments about the Yankees' offer, a source says.
Though it may be true, from Mo's perspective, I wouldn't be happy with that comment, either. "We'll see how committed they are." "It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that it’s a tremendous offer for a 38-year-old relief pitcher." These things don't help. They especially should not be made when we're talking about long time, career Yankees.
I'm not saying that the Yankees offer isn't generous - it is. Nor am I saying that he shouldn't take it - I think he should (and hope he does). But, the side circus isn't needed. Make the offer, speak privately. Don't make statements to the media that could be taken as condescending.
Via Steve.
