N.Y. Yankees: Cashman Acquisitions Overshadowed By Aaron Judge Injury

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

Brian Cashman Shores Up Pitching With Two Savvy Transactions

New York Yankees: Jury Remains Out on J.A. Happ and Zach Britton Deals Until Judge Returns to Lineup.

The true measure of Brian Cashman's trade deadline acquisitions will be Aaron Judge.  For now, his wrist fracture renders the Yankees newest pitchers somewhat inconsequential, as A.J. Happ and Zach Britton were meant to enhance the team, not supplant their best layer.

A tip of the cap is nonetheless owed Brian Cashman for masterfully restocking the Yankees farm system with an abundance of young talent.  Some prospects have earned regular work with the big club, others remain parked at Scranton, while yet another handful have been traded in order to procure active major league talent.

If you include last season, Brian Cashman has literally traded away a small minor league team within a year's time.  On July 31, 2017, Cashman acquires Sonny Gray from Oakland in exchange for James Kaprielian, Dustin Fowler, and Jorge Mateo.  During the off-season, he ships Jorge Guzman and Jose Devers along with second baseman Starlin Castro to Miami for Giancarlo Stanton.  Now he sends Brandon Drury (originally acquired from Arizona) and Bill McKinney to Toronto in exchange for starter J.A. Happ, which comes on the heels of acquiring Zach Britton from Baltimore in exchange for Dillon Tate, Josh Rogers, and Cody Carroll.  All told, that's ten minor league players other general managers found interest with.

By the same token, successfully rebuilding the big club according to his own design without ever falling below .500 is nothing short of remarkable.  Even more remarkable is how Cashman fit Giancarlo Stanton, A.J. Happ, and Zach Britton into the budget all while satisfying Hal Steinbrenner's mandate for staying under the tax threshold, with room to spare.  Meanwhile, Boston president Dave Dombrowski is spending John Henry's money like a drunken sailor on leave, just as he did at Detroit.

The Yankees entered the weekend already owning a slight pitching advantage in ERA and BAA over the Red Sox.  But by adding another sorely needed quality southpaw, the league's best bullpen just got better.  Not only is Zach Britton not a member of the Red Sox, he now brings the Yankees a step closer to reducing any game against the pinstripes into a more desperate five inning affair.

However, Brian Cashman's primary need was a starting pitcher, and he landed one.  J.A Happ, a 35-year old veteran of both leagues, is another lefty who seemingly should fit right in at Yankee Stadium.  His 4.18 ERA is presently the highest its been in four years, but his WHiP, H/9 average, and K/9 average are all improved over last year.  More importantly, he owns superlative numbers against the Red Sox.

Conversely, the Red Sox already own distinct advantages at the plate over the Yankees even with Aaron Judge in the lineup.  They've established a +36 run differential over the Yankees, and lead the American League in runs scored, total bases, team average, and OPS.  Meanwhile the Yankees lead the Red Sox in home runs, slugging, and strikeouts.  The latter should improve while Judge misses the next three weeks to a month.

Until his return, the jury remains out on J.A. Happ and Zach Britton.

N.Y. Yankees: Because Stone Cold Cashman Says So

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

Sun Sets On Joe Girardi's Career With Yankees

New York Yankees: If There Were Any Lingering Questions Before, There's No Doubt Who Runs The Evil Empire Now.

David Lennon quotes Brian Cashman in Friday's Newsday saying, "Everything this organization does is with careful and thorough consideration, and we've decided to pursue alternatives for the managerial position."

Sharp words ... cut like a knife.

I just finished putting the Jets on blast for what I believe is their general manager's lack of conviction.  So it would be hypocritical of me to harangue Brian Cashman after parting ways with Joe Girardi.

There's no escaping, however, he did after all tell a man who owns a 910-710 (.562) record in ten seasons as manager of the Yankees; who never even had a losing season; who led them to six post-season appearances and a World Series title in 2009; and who this year piloted a new batch of young Bombers over the defending American League champions; that his services are no longer wanted by the organization.

First, let's play along and suppose this was a financial move.  What they say about baseball and life mimicking each other is true.  If a manager is being made to merely comply with front office metrics, then there's no reason to pay multi-millions for practical experience and length of service, when they can just as easily employ a younger person to serve the same purpose at a fraction of the cost.  That is the epitome of corporate America.  Lest we forget, Hal Steinbrenner is an accountant by trade.  He signed off on this.  Even though he grew up witnessing George's wanton spending up close; and is proving himself a good baseball man in his own right; this kind of negative cost/return must make the back of Hal's head tingle.

Brian Cashman has said on numerous occasions, be it in print or on radio, that he prefers a manager utilizing all the information provided by the organization.  Which essentially means he does not necessarily want a manager thinking for her/himself, regardless of their baseball experience or intellect.  That, however, was not Cashman's issue with Joe Girardi, who played by the book just as the front office wished.

Who knows?  Managing with limits could have been a point of contention for Joe Girardi, but we may be waiting until he writes a book before finding out.

Being as I went there ... Joe Girardi had one shot at relying on his instinct and better judgement, and still blew it.  Game Two of the ALDS against the Indians at Cleveland, when he failed to challenge a potential foul-tip/strikeout.  He needlessly waited on his scouts in the sky for a determination; that came too late; when he absolutely should have asked for a replay post haste, not because Gary Sanchez implored him to, rather, just because(!) the situation demanded it.

Perhaps a packed Yankee Stadium raining down boos upon Joe Girardi during Game Three's opening introductions somewhat served as confirmation in Brian Cashman's mind that it was indeed time to move on.

I've always felt Joe Girardi is wound too tightly.  Many Yankee fans do too.  Even on the heels of success, it winds up being his downfall in the Bronx.  He means well, and maintained the respect of his players and opponents alike throughout his ten year managerial run with the Yankees.  But let's face it, time marches on, and Girardi's dogged/nose in the dirt/no-nonsense/grinding style is better tailored for the Boss' era, when veteran stoicism still ruled the day.  In fact, it's still the Yankees legacy.

But take a look at the post-George atmosphere today.  His own children christened the Judge's Chambers in right field.  There's open camaraderie and levity in the dugout.  As a result, Joe Girardi suddenly became an overly rigid square peg straight out of the 1960s, trying to fit into a round, younger, more hipper scene, man.

In truth, Girardi has been on the major league level for 26 years now.  To help put this in perspective, that's a full generation.  In Girardi's defense, what if his vast experience, and intensity, are what actually kept a young team in line?  Were it not for Girardi's tight grip on matters, could youthful exuberance have gotten out of hand?

We'll find out next season, won't we?

Regardless, this is Cashman's Yankees now, built according to his own specifications and by his own device, and he saw little sense in moving forward with a manager of Joe Girardi's vintage.

Sure, Steinbrenner money was still good enough to by a championship in 2009, but that was eight years ago.  I believe Brian Cashman knew he was doing himself no favors by spending nearly another half-billion dollars in 2013 (with only Masahiro Tanaka to show for it today).  At the time, Hal Steinbrenner may have had no choice but to keep feeding the machine.  And I think both knew this flew in the face of the very bones Cashman originally picked with George.  He and Cashman had a falling out in the mid-2000's that made him consider accepting the general managerial position in Washington.  But once the two reconciled their differences, Cashman has been slowly separating the Yankees from past practices ever since.

This is Brian Cashman's new world order.

He dictated the end of Bernie Williams' career with the Yankees.  He coldly handled the team's separation from Hall of Fame manager Joe Torre with the greatest of ease.  Also recall how Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi acting in tandem offered no quarter to Yankee legends, Jorge Posada, Alex Rodriguez, and Derek Jeter, in the last years of their respective careers.

Is it any wonder, then, despite his winning three rings as a player with the Yankees, then a fourth as their manager, that Cashman should end Joe Girardi's Yankees career in similar fashion?

He decides these Yankees, and future pinstriped talents to come, will march to a different beat.  Cashman now wants someone more affable, who will negotiate the team through this new age with more simpatico.

Oh, the irony!

You have to give it to him, though.  Brian Cashman successfully flipped this team on the fly without ever dipping below the .500 mark.

Now it appears as if the young Yankees and the young Red Sox have the American League East to themselves again.  That's why there's more to this than just trying to establish better communication with players.  Competition is the real impetus here.  This rivalry has been about managers as much as players, featuring the likes of Joe Torre and Joe Girardi, Grady Little, Terry Francona, and the recently excused John Farrell.

The Red Sox were first to act, and have already replaced Farrell with a well respected graduate of the new age school of baseball.  I have no doubt this factored in Cashman's decision.  He knows he needs to counteract, and oppose, the hiring of Alex Cora in Boston.

And on a completely different level, this is Brian Cashman's attempt at seizing his own enduring Yankee legacy.

Hear him.

Believe it.

N.Y. Yankees: Congratulations, Nonetheless

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

A Season To Be Proud Of

91-71 (.562)

WILD CARD

WINNER ALDS

New York Yankees: Young Bombers May Have Come Up Short, But Fans Have An Awful Lot To Look Forward To.

The Yankees are coming!

Not only did the young Bombers arrive ahead of schedule, but they knocked off the defending American League champions to boot.

The regular season also demonstrated just how slim the margin of difference is between the Yankees and Red Sox.  It looks like the American League East is a two team division again.  Both teams are young, and still upcoming.  Their respective farm systems are also well stocked.  Meanwhile, the Orioles, Blue Jays, and Rays, are all trending downward; all three finished the regular season below par.  In any event, the rivalry between the Yanks and Sox appears back on, and with potential to last for many years to come.

That's good for baseball.  It's also fun to watch.

Losing, however, is never fun.  Saying the Yankees and their fans should be proud of themselves despite losing to the Astros is easier said than done.  I know.  I root for the Mets.  When you get that close to the prize, one wants to win badly as ever.

Congratulations, nonetheless.

The BTB Top Three Concerns:

I)  Joe Girardi's Contract 

With most of the top managerial candidates being quickly gobbled up, it's unlikely the Yankees would risk parting with Girardi at this juncture.  Teams would line up to hire Joe should he become    available.  I'm sure if Girardi, or the Yankees front office, had any intentions of parting ways, we would have already known.

However, I can certainly see Hal Steinbrenner insisting Girardi come at a reduced price.  That in turn may put Brian Cashman in a pickle if, and when, he negotiates a new pact with Girardi.

As a Mets fan, I'll throw this into the mix - what if the end of season exit interviews go horribly wrong?  We Mets fans were under the impression Collins was well liked in the clubhouse, partly because the media defended him all these years.  The same media then kicked Collins when he was already down and on the way out with a scathing expose rife with anonymous sources.

II)  Gary Sanchez is a Defensive Liability Behind the Plate

That was made painfully clear, if not confirmed, against the Houston Astros.  Three particular instances stand out when he was unable to cleanly receive a rely throw to the plate, thus allowing a potential out to score safely.  All three plays directly affected the outcome of three respective games.  Joe Girardi makes no secret of his displeasure with Gary's defense.

III)  Yankees Got All The Pitching in the Post-Season They Could Have Hoped For

Luis Severino posted a fine regular season, and may have simply tuckered out the playoffs.  Masahiro Tanaka is signed through 2019, but can opt out.  He is clearly a better pitcher with extended rest.  Starters make one appearance a week in Japan.  Here, pitchers start every fifth day.  It's a somewhat taxing situation, which makes his potential price somewhat prohibitive.  Jordan Montgomery is up and coming, and the acquisition of Sonny Gray helped, but to what extent remains to be seen.  He is arbitration eligible.  The Yankees may potentially need another replacement in the starting rotation.  CC Sabathia's contract is finally coming off the books.  Capt'n Crunch is now a free agent to be.  He is 37-years old, and just might be asked back on a one year deal with an option.

In other words, questions abound.

N.Y. Yankees: Hal Steinbrenner Backs His General Manager

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

First stop ... Roosevelt Avenue, Queens

Next stop ... River Avenue, Bronx

SUBWAY SERIES

New York Yankees

vs.

New York Mets

Series tied 1-1

I - NYY 6; NYM 5*

II - NYM 7 ; NYY 1

Game Three @ BRONX

Game Four @ BRONX

*10 innings

New York Yankees: The dreams and hopes of a whole generation of seven year olds ... ruined.  But in time, they'll understand.

A famous New York football coach once said, "You are what your record says you are."

The New York Yankees entered this year's Subway Series with a par 52-52 record.

Meanwhile, after posting a 15-7 record in April, the Mets have played below .500 baseball since.   There's hope, though.  After Sunday's victory over the Colorado Rockies, the Mets finished 13-13 for the month of July, and entered Monday's Subway Series opener with a 54-50 season record.

The teams, however, couldn't be headed in more opposite directions.  The Mets are struggling, but are nonetheless attempting to defend their National League title, while the Yankees have officially entered rebuilding mode.

Monday's numerous non-waiver trade deadline transactions confirmed that.

If you ask me, Hal Steinbrenner played this one correctly.  I began the season thinking Brian Cashman needed to be fired, and the only thing saving his employment was Hal's perceived lack of baseball experience on my part.

I still do not think Hal is prepared to move forward without Cashman, but having them operating on the same page of music trumps all ... to include Randy Levine.

*  *  *  The PHANTOM MENACE  *  *  *

The law of diminished returns caught up with the Yankees.  It happens.  But one must first recognize the situation for what it is.

It was indeed becoming painfully evident Randy Levine and Brian Cashman were on divergent paths with regards to the present state of the Yankees, and the club's future.  Now Cashman gets to be general manager, and do general manager stuff.  For a change, the Yankees will cultivate their own farm system instead of relying on 28 other team's developmental efforts.

He gets to rebuild a team a la Gene Michael, instead of just writing checks for other team's all-stars and jacking up YES ratings.

In fact, Brian Cashman has already done well to quietly reinvigorate a long dormant system.  The Yankees AAA affiliate (Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders) presently owns the best record in the International League.  Their AA affiliate (Trenton Thunder) owns a 68-40 record, and their New York-Penn League affiliate (Staten Island Yankees) are just 1.5 games out of first place with a 24-19 record.

Then consider Cashman's transactions:

• Top relievers Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller were traded to the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians, respectively, for a clutch of highly touted prospects.

• Carlos Beltran was traded to the Texas Rangers for likewise highly touted Dillon Tate, among others.

• Ivan Nova was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for ... it doesn't matter (two players to be named later is a steal). 

Then consider Mark Teixeira's contract will come off the books after this off-season, while C.C. Sabathia has a vested $25 million dollar option for next season with a $5 million dollar buyout which I fully expect the Yankees to explore.

Alex Rodriguez' contract will finally expire after the 2017 season, but I have a strong belief the Yankees just may eat that money too.

That leaves Jacoby Ellsbury's pact as the lone remaining albatross to resolve.

There's certainly something to be said for winning.  Brian Cashman doled out nearly a half billion dollars to purchase the 2009 World Series.  Well worth it for the Core Four - without a doubt.

The Yankees have been paying an onerous price ever since.

But there's good news.  Better days are not that far away.


Head-Butting Mr. Met is next...

N.Y. YANKEES ~ When Empires Fall, They Crumble

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

**SUBWAY SERIES SPECIAL**


new york YANKEES:  Bomber Fans, The Beginning Of The End Is Upon You!

I've been thinking lately about the Yankees...; and their demise!   There's a ton of details to include in something like this.  So instead, here is my shorter version.

When the Boss was still involved with the Yankees, Brian Cashman gave George an ultimatum; either start changing the way this organization operates or he was outta here.  The short version is Cashman got his way and stayed on as GM of the Yankees.  His first order of business was to dismantle the meddling troop in Tampa; i.e.; George's Baseball People like Billy Connors..etc.  George always played them off Cashman until he finally told George, No Mas with those guys.

George gave him the centralized power he sought.  Or, so he thought.  And on the way out of the Boss' office, in typical George fashion, warned Cashman he better be right or else.  Cashman enjoyed a substantial increase in the size of his baseballs due to this break-through with George.  So he set about restocking his farm-system and passed on an opportunity to trade for Johan Santana.

I admittedly was already predicting the decline of the Yankees as far back as 2007 for the same reasons we've heard over the years - They were getting old; all the long term contracts were burdensome; and the farm wasn't supplying a steady stream of prospects just yet. 

I believe I would have been on course too.  I thought Brian Cashman was dying to rid the team of some of those long term contracts; like Giambi, Mussina, AND A-Rod's! - just to name a few.  And I believed Cashman was in no rush to sign-away the Yankees into another long-term situation like that again.  The Yankees had upwards of $80 million coming off their books.  Brian Cashman had always talked of his want to gain more financial flexibility in addition to wanting to bring payroll costs down.  The expiring contracts would have afforded him just that.  The team had not enjoyed such financial prudence since the earlier 1990's under Stick Michael.

But what happened?  The Yankees re-committed themselves to long-term, onerous contracts again.  They went out and spent almost half a Billion dollars on C.C., A.J., and TEX.  What that did (besides winning a Championship) was just stall the inevitable by a few years.  And now, we (actually more like you...) are there.  Things won't fall apart this weekend or this season.  Maybe next season is safe too.  But after that,  I want you to ponder all the following:


Brian Cashman:  He's Chosen Shock and Awe As An Exit Strategy.  His Attitude Betrays Him.
Brian may have succeeded in convincing George to let him call all the shots.  But it never stopped others, namely George himself and one person in particular, Randy Levine, from stepping all over him like a welcome mat.

We all know Cashman wanted no part in the re-signing of Alex Rodriguez to that ludicrous contract.  What's closer to the truth is Cashman wanted him gone.  But ARod secured a backroom deal with Levine and the Boss thus making Brian Cashman have to back track on an earlier comment or two he may have made.  Cashman was quite curt about things then.  But he was no where near the Samurai GM slashing his way through Derek Jeter this past off-season.  Why?  His own sense of empowerment and the knowledge he's leaving after this year has his current demeanor redefining the term DIVA.

But again, Brian Cashman was urged by higher-ups to get the deal done and to make it for more years and more money than was prudent.  Higher-ups uh..Randy Levine also told his GM outright, to secure the services of Rafael Soriano.  Brian Cashman wanted nothing to do with this pitcher but Randy Levine insisted.

With Posada, the Yankees' hand was forced when the Mets offered him a fourth year.  So the Yankees matched the years of the Mets' offer and kept their Catcher.  Today, the Yankees are paying dearly for that fourth year.

But the point here, there is little to no reason why Brian Cashman should want to re-up with the Yankees considering Randy Levine himself is tapping into his inner-George, but with a much more amateurish and derisive manner.  But on the way out, Brian Cashman has made it his business to whip a forked tongue at anyone withing hissing distance.

He'll also want no more part of putting these current Yankee legends to bed.  He ended Bernie Williams' career in a very cold, direct manner by offering him a minor league deal or nothing.  Brian Cashman likewise let Andy Pettitte leave to Houston (the first time) with a Don't let the door hit you on the way out attitude.

And then there was Derek Jeter this past off-season.  Brian Cashman operated with a lack of blood in his face; cold.  Most recently, Posada-Gate surfaced, but what followed was another passive-aggressive attack against Derek Jeter again for his stance taken with Posada as acting Captain of the Yankees.  And now it it seems as if Jeter, Posada, Cashman, and Girardi are all headed on a collision course of wills this season.

Someone is going to be left behind to tell these players they are no longer wanted.  But it won't be Brian Cashman.  He knows better.  Besides, he's been disrespected by this Front Office one too many times.  YankeeVille isn't big enough for both Cashman and Randy Levine without George around to be Supreme Allied Alpha-Male.  And slowly but surley, chaos is starting to take hold.  Players, managers, GM, and Front Office personnel are all acting out.

RANDY LEVINE:  The Phantom Menace

....Will look to replace Brian Cashman with a yes man - (not a YES Network Person); I mean a Yes Boss, Whatever You Say Boss - kind of person.  Why not?  If Randy Levine is stepping all over Brian Cashman's toes now, what makes you think he'll give the next GM more autonomy than Brian?

And this is when things will really start to get ugly in the Bronx.  Hal is just a numbers cruncher.  Hank is inconsequential in this operation.  That leaves Lonn Trost and Randy Levine calling shots in Bronx County Park.

In a very short span of time, Jeter, Mo, and Posada will join Pettitte and Bernie as all being retired.  By then, the Yankees will wish Tex and most of all, ARod would retire also.  Robinson Cano, if he's still here, will be hitting in a line-up, alone.

The Yankees are trapped in a vicious cycle they created for themselves.  They HAVE to spend $200 million on payroll.  They have no choice.  They are slaves to having to sell-out the Stadium to keep up with their own financial universe that is currently riddled with debt on the new park.  But the down-ticks in attendance nation-wide are all beginning to be realized.

The Yankee era that started in the late 90's will end any season now.  ALL good things come to an end.  Joe Girardi's drama with Jorge Posada will only be the first in a series of flare-ups as the careers of some of these greats wind down.  Joe Girardi will be in the unenviable position of having to make many more unpopular decisions.  Only next year, Cashman won't be around to have his back.

There will be little to no patience for another stripped down version of the Yankees while a new core is drafted and groomed through the system.  The Monster in the Bronx requires much more to feed on in order to sustain itself.

I envision Randy Levine and his puppet Front Office throwing bad money, after bad money, after bad money, trying to keep the momentum in the Bronx lukewarm at best.


The Steinbrenner Ownership:  How Much Is That Empire In The Window?
So...,  Let's face it, the children have never been overly fascinated by this aspect of Daddy's life.  For all intents and purposes, Hal Steinbrenner is the only real player here.  And he's already admitted to us all, the only things he's really good at in this Baseball enterprise is crunching numbers. 

I'm going to share a gut feeling with you.  I think as soon as the debt on the new park becomes a little more negotiable, the remaining Steinbrenners will look to sell their interest in the franchise and cash in on Daddy's Empire.

And what you may find even more incredulous of me to say, it can happen within the next five years.



Mike.BTB

NYY ~ "The BRONX is Simmering"

The N.Y. Yankees' Head Guy in Charge; Hal Steinbrenner thought it very necessary fans of the Yankees and New Yorkers, receive an apology from Texas Rangers' CEO/Owner Mr. Chuckie (good guy) Greenberg for disparaging comments he made on the heals of the San Francisco World Series victory, and the Texas Rangers' defeat.

Chuckie called "us" awful and embarrassing; violent or apathetic....we were the worse out of any crowd he's seen in the post-season....! Blah blah..

Can you imagine that?  Us?

Brilliant; Spoken like a man who has no experience,  practical to Baseball in late October. This was the first opportunity for your franchise to shine in the national spotlight and you allowed the whole experience to flicker-out like a "dim bulb".  Thank your lucky "Lone Star" you have Nolan Ryan on board is all I can say.


Chuck Greenberg, obviously reacting to backlash, called Hal Steinbrenner to apologize for the comments.
Hal responded in a manner as if to say...'Save it.  Takes more than you to Rattle(snake) the Empire.  You want to apologize?  Direct it towards the fans you insulted and good luck with that.  Cowboy-up Chuck!'

Mr. Greenberg did just that issuing a statement today.

And we say - Save it Road Kill; not interested.  You're only apologizing because you're getting flack over getting special sauce all over your cow chips.

Us?  We have skin thinker than a steer in a spacesuit.  We wear insults like a badge of courage so...,  Dont'cha fret none bout us now...ya hear?  Because "Frankly", (wink wink Chuck) my man, we don't give a Damn.

But to those dummies who spit down on Mrs. Cliff Lee, don't make that mistake again because as far as you're concerned, Greenberg is right.  After all, we aren't Philly fans are we?

Moving on, Bruce Bochy, manager of the new World Champions of Baseball is "irresponsible"; or so thinks Brian Cashman, in a manner of speaking.  Last week, Brian Cashman was on the Michael Kay Show and when asked about the differences between managers who manage with their guts versus skippers who employ a stat based decision process, Cashman responded by saying he prefers a manager who uses all the information and statistical analysis at his disposal to arrive at the most informed decision possible and who will implement said dictates.  He continued to say how a manager employing a gut-based system was irresponsible and wasn't the type of manager he wanted working for him.  In a separate interview, Sandy Alderson also concurred with Cashman's assessment when asked about managerial styles.

The Blue Binder Joe Girardi is joined in STATISTICAL matrimony with is co-authored by Brian Cashman himself.  Joe Girardi is every bit the manager he wants Joe to be.  As a matter of fact, a deviation from the binder will earn Joe a demerit.  Prepare to watch "LooseLeaf" in action for another three years.

So, does this make Bochy a modern day Baseball Fred Flintstone; a rebel; lucky.....? - Does this make him a hockey stick flung into the spokes in the theory of high probability?  Cashman calls it plain ol' irresponsible.

Stats have their usefulness and place in decision making.  But give me a caveman who breathes this game and knows what to do when he gets a tingly feeling in his head; and I don't mean flies.

Mariano Rivera, always class, has made his latest great pitch.  He said he is willing to sign a one year deal, with an option.  He has provided the Yankees with the best possible resolution regarding the question "what to do about resigning MO?"  Mariano "saved" the Yankees from having to deal with that problem by offering them a respectful and minimalist way of winding down his career in Pinstripes.  If only every situation came with ready made solutions.....like...,

What to do about Derek Jeter?  Some how, some way, ARod figures into the answering of this question.
Inevitably, based on the principal aspect alone, the extensions of ARod and Jeter will no doubt be played against each other by Jeter's agent.  Because of what Jeter has meant to this franchise, any and all attempts to play off that legacy will hold water.  Hal also made a comment to the effect the Team has reached out to initiate discussions, but there may be a possibility things could get difficult (my words).  That all remains to be seen.

But here's what I think Jeter might thinking.  The Great Mickey Mantle ruined his lifetime .300 career average by hanging on too long.  Later in life he admitted that and about how much it bothered him.  Mickey would say defiantly he was a .300 hitter.  The only problem was his baseball card disagreed.  I don't think Derek Jeter wants to jeopardize his career .300 average.  This last season was the worst batting average he posted in his career. 

His pursuit of 3000 hits will most likely come to a close by mid-season 2011 baring any unforeseen disasters.  When he gets that momentous 3000th hit he will be the only New York Yankee/ New York Highlander to ever achieve that milestone.  That will no doubt get him into Cooperstown in due time.  But I think Jeter's .300 career average is something haunting Derek Jeter and I do not feel he's willing to risk falling below the rate of three out of every ten.

I'm looking for Jeter to sign a three year deal somewhere in the neighborhood of  $19 to $20 million dollars.
I strongly believe he will stay short term and not even entertain the idea of a 5 year deal.  A personal services contract isn't out of the question and would be something wholly different when talking deals.

What ever Derek signs for and what ever he decides to do in the future I'm sure will still be carried out in typical JETERIAN fashion; With Class.


That's everything "Yankee" which interests me at the moment.

*note for clarification:  By "we" I meant NY'ers.  I am a Met fan/Jekyll and Hyde Yankee Hater.  I only Hate when provoked to do so by irresponsible Yankee Fan phenomena.




Mike.BTB