Posted by: Patrick
Scott Boras issued the following statement:
"I apologize to the Boston Red Sox and Colorado Rockies and their players, Major League Baseball and its players, and baseball fans everywhere for that interference," he said in a statement. "The teams and players involved deserved to be the focus of the evening and honored with the utmost respect. The unfortunate result was not my intent, but is solely my fault. I could have handled this situation better, and for that I am truly sorry."
Posted by: Patrick
The Journal News is reporting that the Dodgers have decided to fire Grady Little and replace him with Joe Torre.
It gets better. The article also notes that Don Mattingly is expected to go with him and become his bench coach. And, apparently, Torre is interested in Kevin Long, too.
Wow. Just... wow. What else is gonna happen? Is Guidry headed over there? A-Rod to the Dodgers? Is the reincarnate of DiMaggio going to coach third? Jeez.
This is bad for us. It would have been better if he stayed out a year or, at least, until we had Mo and Posada signed and we had Andy back under his option. Not that they won't come back to us, but they don't need even more temptation not to and, if the Dodgers come calling for a catcher or a closer... well, hold tight everyone.
It gets better. The article also notes that Don Mattingly is expected to go with him and become his bench coach. And, apparently, Torre is interested in Kevin Long, too.
Wow. Just... wow. What else is gonna happen? Is Guidry headed over there? A-Rod to the Dodgers? Is the reincarnate of DiMaggio going to coach third? Jeez.
This is bad for us. It would have been better if he stayed out a year or, at least, until we had Mo and Posada signed and we had Andy back under his option. Not that they won't come back to us, but they don't need even more temptation not to and, if the Dodgers come calling for a catcher or a closer... well, hold tight everyone.
Posted by: Patrick
Peter Abraham has another from the statements department. This time, from MLB's COO, Bob DuPry.
We were very disappointed that Scott Boras would try to upstage our premier baseball event of the season with his announcement. There was no reason to make an announcement last night other than to try to put his selfish interests and that of one individual player above the overall good of the game.
Posted by: Patrick
Peter Abraham has a statement from Donnie's agent.
Don feels both Joe and Tony Pena represent true professionalism both on and off the field and he was honored to be among them as candidates for the managerial position. Don extends congratulations to Joe and wishes him and the organization good luck next year!
Posted by: Patrick
ESPN is reporting that, according to sources, the Yankees have offered Joe Girardi the manager job and Don Mattingly will not be back.
Via my brother, Sean.
Via my brother, Sean.
10/29: A-Rod: King of Free Agency
Posted by: Patrick
That's some nice news I wake up to. A-Rod has opted out of his contract. I thought he had until 10 days after the World Series? Why the rush? If he is really concerned about the direction of the team - about the manager, about Pettitte, about Jorge and Mo - why couldn't he wait a little bit to see how that played out? Numerous reports indicate that we're getting ready to make aggressive offers to both of them. Granted, Pettitte may not have been cleared up in the next 10 days (edit: it would have been, Buster Olney just said that he has to let the Yankees known within 10 days), but it's possible that he might have and that after the manager was in place and after Jorge and Mo were signed (assuming it happens), he'd be more likely to return.
So, why now? Some speculate that A-Rod simply doesn't want to be in New York. The Yankees wanted to meet with him to discuss the offer. Hank Steinbrenner called him and left messages on his phone. No response. He wouldn't agree to meet with them and he wouldn't return their calls. This would seem to support the notion of not wanting to be in New York.
He leaves New York - the largest stage and the most storied franchise - without a World Series and with poor performances in October. The Yankees have been clear in their intentions not to participate in the free agency bidding of Alex Rodriguez.
Hindsight's a funny business, but I think there will be some discussion as to whether or not this strategy was the best way to go, since it ended as it did. Plenty were in support of it, but was it wise to, essentially, threaten A-Rod and Scott Boras publicly? Couldn't they have just privately had this in mind (i.e. "we will not negotiate if he opts out") and communicated it to A-Rod and Boras the importance of the Texas money? Instead of announcing it to the world? I'm not saying it would have mattered, but by publicly announcing it, not only do you risk offending A-Rod and Boras, but you paint the Yankee organization into a corner. We can't bid on A-Rod now without looking foolish, so we allow the best player in the game to walk because of things we said. Even if it was the right call at the time, it didn't work.
The only way that I could see A-Rod returning now is if Boras has badly overestimated the market. Let's say, for example, that no one is even able to offer him the $27 million he would have made this year. So, then the Yankees offer him an 8 year, $26 million dollar a year contract, totaling $208 million. With the Yankees, if we added 5 years to his deal at $30 million (which, really, we probably would have gone higher), his current deal would have been worth $231 million and we would have received $21 million from Texas, so it would have cost us $210 million. So, we'd actually be saving $2 million dollars and he'd be making $23 million less. In that sort of situation, it'd be taken, publicly, as him crawling back to us. That would enable us to make the deal. Is that going to happen? Unlikely. Boras is at the top of his field, he has to know that A-Rod will command $30 million from someone. As such, A-Rod is gone.
Of course, some people wouldn't want him back, not even at 8 years and $26 million a year. Maybe not even the Yankees. Hank Steinbrenner has said that it's clear that A-Rod didn't want to be a Yankee. For all of his talk, he did produce this line, which gave me a chuckle:
In the end, this is disappointing. No matter what happens, we're taking a big step down at 3rd base. I liked Alex and I wanted him to succeed in New York. I rooted for him and was happy when he did well. I felt that, generally speaking, many Yankee fans didn't realize what they had in him. He's a great player and a future Hall of Famer. But, he's no longer a Yankee. Life goes on. I've read a couple comments where someone suggested the Yankees should just go young this year and make it a rebuilding year. To be honest, there is probably never a reason for the Yankees to do that - ever - assuming we don't mess things up too bad. With our money and moderate restraint in our farm system, we should be able to field a competitive team every season with a mix of younger and older guys. Let's not lose sight of that.
Via Steve.
So, why now? Some speculate that A-Rod simply doesn't want to be in New York. The Yankees wanted to meet with him to discuss the offer. Hank Steinbrenner called him and left messages on his phone. No response. He wouldn't agree to meet with them and he wouldn't return their calls. This would seem to support the notion of not wanting to be in New York.
He leaves New York - the largest stage and the most storied franchise - without a World Series and with poor performances in October. The Yankees have been clear in their intentions not to participate in the free agency bidding of Alex Rodriguez.
Hindsight's a funny business, but I think there will be some discussion as to whether or not this strategy was the best way to go, since it ended as it did. Plenty were in support of it, but was it wise to, essentially, threaten A-Rod and Scott Boras publicly? Couldn't they have just privately had this in mind (i.e. "we will not negotiate if he opts out") and communicated it to A-Rod and Boras the importance of the Texas money? Instead of announcing it to the world? I'm not saying it would have mattered, but by publicly announcing it, not only do you risk offending A-Rod and Boras, but you paint the Yankee organization into a corner. We can't bid on A-Rod now without looking foolish, so we allow the best player in the game to walk because of things we said. Even if it was the right call at the time, it didn't work.
The only way that I could see A-Rod returning now is if Boras has badly overestimated the market. Let's say, for example, that no one is even able to offer him the $27 million he would have made this year. So, then the Yankees offer him an 8 year, $26 million dollar a year contract, totaling $208 million. With the Yankees, if we added 5 years to his deal at $30 million (which, really, we probably would have gone higher), his current deal would have been worth $231 million and we would have received $21 million from Texas, so it would have cost us $210 million. So, we'd actually be saving $2 million dollars and he'd be making $23 million less. In that sort of situation, it'd be taken, publicly, as him crawling back to us. That would enable us to make the deal. Is that going to happen? Unlikely. Boras is at the top of his field, he has to know that A-Rod will command $30 million from someone. As such, A-Rod is gone.
Of course, some people wouldn't want him back, not even at 8 years and $26 million a year. Maybe not even the Yankees. Hank Steinbrenner has said that it's clear that A-Rod didn't want to be a Yankee. For all of his talk, he did produce this line, which gave me a chuckle:
“Does he want to go into the Hall of Fame as a Yankee,” Steinbrenner said, “or a Toledo Mud Hen?”
In the end, this is disappointing. No matter what happens, we're taking a big step down at 3rd base. I liked Alex and I wanted him to succeed in New York. I rooted for him and was happy when he did well. I felt that, generally speaking, many Yankee fans didn't realize what they had in him. He's a great player and a future Hall of Famer. But, he's no longer a Yankee. Life goes on. I've read a couple comments where someone suggested the Yankees should just go young this year and make it a rebuilding year. To be honest, there is probably never a reason for the Yankees to do that - ever - assuming we don't mess things up too bad. With our money and moderate restraint in our farm system, we should be able to field a competitive team every season with a mix of younger and older guys. Let's not lose sight of that.
Via Steve.
10/29: A-Rod Wins Hank Aaron Award
Posted by: Patrick
I'm mentioning this because the season he won it for was as a Yankee, of course. From the official site:
Alex Rodriguez's terrific season may soon open a pathway to even greater riches, as the Yankees prepare a lucrative contract extension for the All-Star third baseman. ...
Rodriguez received 24 percent of the American League vote and secured his fourth Hank Aaron Award on Sunday, with the presentation taking place at Colorado's Coors Field before Game 4 of the World Series.
Rodriguez received 24 percent of the American League vote and secured his fourth Hank Aaron Award on Sunday, with the presentation taking place at Colorado's Coors Field before Game 4 of the World Series.
Posted by: Patrick
From Jon Heyman:
The Yankees appear to be focusing on Joe Girardi to replace legendary Joe Torre as manager. Barring an unforeseen development, Girardi could receive the offer Monday.
10/28: CNN: A-Rod is Opting Out
Posted by: James
According to CNNSI's Jon Heyman, Alex Rodriguez notified the Yankees on Sunday that he's opting out of his contract.
Instant reaction/analysis? Forget you A-Rod. For a guy that kept reiterating that he has an eye on his legacy and how it was never about the money, this sure reeks of being about the money. Since he never even sat down with the Yankees like they were asking him to, it sure seems like he just wanted out of NY, no?
In any case, Cashman laid it out to you throughout the year and I hope the man sticks to his guns so, so long Alex - enjoy the rest of your HOF career somewhere else and prepare for the worst the next time you step into NY (and Texas...and Seattle...well, I guess he should be used to it by now). Still, this should make his acceptance of the MVP award somewhat interesting though.
Via Big Ben K.
Rodriguez's decision means he will become a free agent and be able to negotiate with all clubs. Rodriguez's bombshell move will shake up the entire winter for the Yankees -- who had hoped to retain him with a big extension -- as well as other big-market clubs that will now pursue him.
Responding to the revelation, Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras, confirmed he sent word of the opt-out decision in writing Sunday to the Yankees and expected the club to receive it by Monday. Boras also left phone and text messages with the same information for Yankees general manager Brian Cashman.
Responding to the revelation, Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras, confirmed he sent word of the opt-out decision in writing Sunday to the Yankees and expected the club to receive it by Monday. Boras also left phone and text messages with the same information for Yankees general manager Brian Cashman.
Instant reaction/analysis? Forget you A-Rod. For a guy that kept reiterating that he has an eye on his legacy and how it was never about the money, this sure reeks of being about the money. Since he never even sat down with the Yankees like they were asking him to, it sure seems like he just wanted out of NY, no?
In any case, Cashman laid it out to you throughout the year and I hope the man sticks to his guns so, so long Alex - enjoy the rest of your HOF career somewhere else and prepare for the worst the next time you step into NY (and Texas...and Seattle...well, I guess he should be used to it by now). Still, this should make his acceptance of the MVP award somewhat interesting though.
Via Big Ben K.
Posted by: Patrick
A-Rod was named, by his peers, the Player of the Year in MLB as well as the Outstanding Player in the AL this season. Congrats to him.
Via Kat O'Brien.
Via Kat O'Brien.
