Joe Torre's Legacy Should Not Be Tarnished By His Book

For the last couple of days, we have been hearing a lot of things about "The Yankee Years," Joe Torre's new book which covers his 12 successful years as manager of the New York Yankees. I have been reading and hearing many things that have said that Torre's legacy has been destroyed by his new book because of the insults that he shot at players that are, and were, on the Yankees. Personally, I don't believe a word of it. It's the New York Post people! They are trying to make money, so they put the things that people will be most interested in the paper. I have quite a few reasons why this book shouldn't be made too big a deal of.

It has been reported that in Torre's book, he says that A-Rod was called A-Fraud by teammates. It has been reported that David Wells went out of his way  to make people frustrated with him, and Kevin Brown was just naturally good at making people frustrated. It was reported that Brian Cashman betrayed him on several occasions, particularly the final meeting last year when he was essentially fired. He killed Carl Pavano, and had a number of insults toward Randy Johnson, Kenny Lofton, Gary Sheffield, and more, as it was reported. See a pattern here? Nobody has read the book yet! It has all been reported by New York Post. Am I saying that none of it is true? No. Am I saying that the newspaper blew it out of proportion? Absolutely.

Lets go through the reported insults for a little bit. He said that A-Rod was called A-Fraud during his tenure with the Yankees. Well, we know it wasn't in the last 2 years, because Andy Pettitte said he has never heard it once. Mike Mussina reported that it is possible that he heard it, but that it didn't necessarily mean that he heard it in a bad way, as it might have been a joke. We haven't even seen it in context yet. I don't think this one is a big deal.

He said Brian Cashman never "betrayed" him, and that they had disagreed, but that is normal for 2 different people. This one isn't anything.

He killed Pavano. This one doesn't surprise anyone. Everybody killed Pavano. It's not like he didn't deserve it.

He had insults for Kenny Lofton, Gary Sheffield, David Wells, and Randy Johnson. Well, Sheffield and Lofton insulted him for "treating white players better," which we all know isn't true. He said Kevin Brown just was naturally frustrating, and had insults for Randy Johnson too. Maybe these weren't called for, but what do they expect. They didn't live up to what they were expected to do. He also insulted Cashman for becoming increaingly obsessed with numbers, and didn't like "the feel" of players. I think he is right here, because none of his signings since 2004 have worked out. 

Well, I think the Post makes it a lot worse than it really is. If we wait until we get the book, and see it in context, and listen to what Torre has to say about it when he addresses the media, I think that our opinion of him won't change. Maybe some of the stuff in the book is a little harsh, but once we read it, we will still look at him as a legend, and one of the best managers the Yankees have ever had.

Andy Pettitte to Return

Well, the Yankees and Andy Pettitte will be having a reunion after all. I posted earlier that I didn't think that the Yankees should bring him back because I didn't feel that he wanted to come back for a pay cut. I said that since he rejected the offer, another one shouldn't be on the table. However, another one was, and he took it. He took a 5.5 million dollar offer, and would have to pitch 210 innings and not get injured at all to get 12 million. 

This contract has made me see things in 2 ways. Either the guy is an idiot, or he really wants to pitch for the Yankees. I don't think he can pitch 210 innings next year, being a year older. He may have a better ERA, may have more wins, have a better batting average against, but he won't get 10 million if he doesn't pitch 210 innings. He may think he can, but I'm not sure if anyone else thinks he can. I guess he is an idiot and he wants to pitch for the Yankees. If he is going to take this offer, there is no reason why he didn't take the guaranteed 10 million dollar offer. But also, if he took the lower offer, I guess he does want to pitch here. And no question he helps the team. In my opinion, his return means the Yankees can go two ways.

The first is to go with a deep rotation of CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, Chein-Ming Wang, Andy Pettitte, Joba Chamberlain. That is a pretty deep rotation when your number 5 pitcher had an ERA of under 3 during his short time as a starter last season. I say Joba is the number 5 because if the Yankees do it this way, Joba will be skipped to keep his innings down. That may very well be the best rotation in the American League. That is the first way they can go.

The second, as you may have guessed, involves putting Joba Chamberlain back in the bullpen. Permanently. This is the way I think would be better. I think that the kids need to be developed, and have the potential to be just as good as Chamberlain. I also think that out of all the kids, Chamberlain is the least durable, throws the most pitches to get people out, but is also the most dominant. We've seen what he can do in the bullpen. They only have to fill 7 innings with starters and other relievers, which, by the way, are pretty good. After that, if you have a lead, 99 times out of 100 the game is over (except, unfortunately, the one time it failed happened to be in the postseason). And when Rivera is gone, Joba can be closer and you will still have the end of the game locked down for another 15-20 years. This is the smartest way to go.

Well, Andy's return makes the Yankees better, and gives them different options. Hopefully, whichever option they take, it will be a championship team on the field in 2009.

Good Bye Yankee Stadium

Well, this is it. The Yankees front offices have officially moved out of Yankee Stadium today, and into the 1.3 billion dollar park across the street. Well, I guess it isn't official, because they don't get the keys until February 17th, but it is true that there will never be another event here again. For me, it is disappointing. I never liked it that they were moving into this new place. I believe that the atmosphere will never be the same again at this new park. None of the legends, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Lou Gehrig, Joe Dimaggio, Whitey Ford, Yogi Berra, and so on, never will have played there. I think that the feel you get when you walk into the New Yankee Stadium will never be the same as it was before. I don't like it, especially since I have to watch Fenway Park (I've been there, really don't like it), Wriggly Field (Now that's a nice park), and Dodger Stadium (Never been there, if someone has tell me what it's like) still stand while the House That Ruth Built will no longer be up, and above them. Going to games at Yankee Stadium just wasn't the same as going to Fenway, or Toronto's Rogers Centre, or any other major league park. The atmosphere is much more intense, much more exiting. You get the feeling that special things are going to happen on every pitch, especially during a big game. You don't get that feeling anywhere else. My favorite moment, and it was hard to pick since there are so many, was probably Games 4 and 5 of the 2001 World Series, and the 2 miracles. That was really special, especially in that year, with the 9/11 tragedy. After that was Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS, and in that game I knew something big was going to happen. It couldn't just end 5-2, something exciting had to happen, and then it did. They came back, and won on the Boone home run. The building had so many incredible moments that I really can't believe they are going to tear it down. I am going to miss it.

Feel Free to leave comments on your best memories on Yankee Stadium, and whether you think they should tear it down.

Yankees Could Get Garcia

The New York Yankees have emerged as top candidates, along with the New York Mets, as favorites to land RHP Freddy Garcia, according to FOXsports.com. The Mets probably need him much more, as after Santana the Mets have nothing but question marks. The Yankees, however, need someone too.

The Yankees need a number 5 starter. The Yankees would like Andy Pettitte back, but as you already know I am against that. They also could use the kids, and have some competition from Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy, Alfredo Aceves, and even Phil Coke. They could pursue the trade market, and see if teams are fielding offers. They also could go, once again, back into the free agent and pursue guys still available, like Ben Sheets, and, Freddy Garcia.

I, for one, do not believe that he should be a Yankee. I have no problem with him as a person, but his health is a question. He hasn't pitched a full season in 2 years, and the last time he posted a good ERA was 3 years ago. The Yankees are already going to take a chance with AJ Burnett, hope Mariano Rivera has no lasting effects from surgery, and hope Joba Chamberlain can stay healthy as a starter. The Yankees need to start developing these young kids, the sooner they do it, the sooner they will develop. Getting Freddy Garcia will mean another year without the kids having a full year in the majors. Sacrificing young, cheap talent for another injury prone pitcher could wind up being a disaster. If they get him, and he gets hurt, it's another 5-10 million dollars wasted. I think they've wasted enough money the last bunch of years. In the last 10 years or so, every single free agent pitcher they have gotten, with the acception of Mike Mussina, has not lived up to expectations. I did not agree with the signing of AJ Burnett (if I had this blog when they got him, I would have written about it. I would have preferred Derek Lowe. I hope I'm wrong about Burnett), and I don't agree with the possible signing of Freddy Garcia. Go with the kids. Let them develop. They will regret it if they don't.

What do you think they should do?

Mike Mussina's HOF Career

As you know, Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina announced his retirement almost 2 months ago. Since then, there has been debate on his Hall of Fame chances. I thought that I should go into that discussion a little bit. Here we go.

Good

• 270 Wins
• 117 Games over 500
• Reasonable ERA of 3.68
• 7 Gold Gloves
• 17 Consecutive Seasons of 11 or more wins
• 3.42 ERA in the postseason
• Appeared in 2 World Series
• Pitched in the Steroid Era
• 5 All-Star Appearances
• 3 Time MVP award nominee
• Pitched in the AL East his entire career
• Won 20 games once, 19 twice, 18 three times
• Reinvented Himself after diminished fastball

Bad

• No World Championships
• No Cy Young Award
• Only one 20 win season
• Never been regarded as a dominant pitcher

Mike Mussina was my favorite pitcher of all time. I might be being a little generous to him because of that, but I honestly believe he is a Hall of Fame pitcher. First of all, I can think of a lot more cases for him than against him. Secondly, the luck factor, I believe, was never on his side. For example, only 5 All-Star Appearances, but with a little luck and generosity, that could have been 8-10 appearances. He should have been on the team in 2001, 2003, 2006 (I believe they asked him in 2006 a few days before the game, but he turned it down), and 2008. I also don't think people would have complained if he was on the team in 2002. As far as no Cy Young Awards, I think most people agree that he should have won it in 2001, but they looked at Roger Clemens brilliant record and didn't look at more important things, like ERA, walks per 9 innings, Batting Average against, or Strikeouts. I also thing that if he won in 1992, people wouldn't have complained. He pitched in the steroid era, where many of the top pitchers, like Roger Clemens, were all enhanced, and he played clean baseball. He pitched in the toughest division in baseball for 18 straight seasons, and pitched against 8 World Championship teams (1992-1993 Blue Jays, 1996, 98, 98, 2000 Yankees, and 2004 and 2007 Boston Red Sox). He pitched in Camden Yards, one of the best hitters parks of the game, and played for the Yankees when they had some of the worst defensive outfields I have ever seen. I think that when you look at the numbers alone, he is a great pitcher, but not a HOF pitcher. However, if you add everything I mentioned. Look at the luck against him, what he should have had but doesn't. He was an out away from a perfect game. Two outs away from a World Championship in 2001, two wins away in 2003, and one win from going to the 2004 World Series. Many of the stats against him were not his fault, and I believe that it should be taken into account. As for what cap he should wear, I would say a Yankee cap, because I think that is what he is remembered for. The Yankees are where his best season was (2008), his best pitched game was (Near Perfect-Game), and his most clutch postseason performances were (Game 3 2001 ALDS, Game 5 2001 World Series, Game 7 2003 ALCS, etc). Again, when you look at his numbers, he isn't a HOF, but when you look at other factors, I think those push him in. Maybe not on the first ballet, but he will eventually get in.

What do you think?

Yankees Should Not Resign Andy Pettitte

I have been a Yankees fan for years, and I have loved watching Andy Pettitte pitch. He has come up big in so many clutch games for the Yanks, and he is a great person. But I can honestly say that I don't think he will return too the Yankees, and nor do I want him to.

Not because of his second half performance last year, not at all. I have no doubt in my mind that he is capable of turning it around. Watching Mike Mussina in 2008 alone taught me that. No, I don't want him back because I think he does not want to be back.

I believe team chemistry is very important on a ball club. I think that everybody in the clubhouse should be there because they want to be there. Andy Pettitte seems to think that 14-14 with a 4.54 ERA, and an awful second half is worth 16 million. Well, just some news for you Andy, those numbers aren't.

If he really wanted to return, he would have accepted the 10 million offer within 24 hours, not ponder it for a month and then reject it. The Yankees offered him a more than fair deal, and if he wanted to be there, there would be no discussing this right now. Pitchers and catchers report in less than a month, and Andy still isn't signed. I think he is waiting for a team to finally agree with him, and when no team does, he will come crawling to the Yankees trying to work out that 10 million deal.

But that deal isn't there anymore.

And I don't think it should be there again. He should have taken it when he had the chance. So even if he does turn out to want to accept that offer, the Yankees shouldn't give it to him. Go with the kids, have some competition. Let them fill the number 5 slot. Your rotation is good enough now that you can afford that. It's cheaper, younger, and who knows? Maybe they will turn out to be better. My words to Andy Pettitte right now would be, "Thanks for the memories," but good bye.

What do you think?

Yankees Could, and Should Get Manny

Hi. My name is Dave, and this is a new blog dedicated entirely to baseball, specifically the New York Yankees. My first post will be on the Manny Ramirez debate, and, as many are wondering, where will he go?

 

Most people are saying he will go back to the Dodgers. I've heard some rumors about the Giants and Rangers, and even the Angels. I don't know about anyone else, but frankly, I don't believe any of them.

I don't see any reason why he can't go to the Yankees, especially when no other team seems to even be negotiating for him. He would be a perfect guy to protect A-Rod in the lineup, and the Yankees can have one of the most fierce lineups in Major League Baseball if Manny is added. If your top 5 is Damon, Jeter, Teixiera, Rodriguez, Ramirez, you would be unstoppable! Manny would take pressure off the rest of the order, and guys like Teixiera, A-Rod, and Robinson Cano would all improve their game. There are a few problems with it, but they are possible to get around.

The first, as people say, is his personality. No one, including me, will forget what he did to get out of Boston. But no one will also forget how he was the reason the Dodgers got into the playoffs last year. No one will forget that he hit almost .400 as a Dodger and hit a bunch of home runs, and then dominated the playoffs as well. Guys like Derek Jeter will deal with his personality in the clubhouse, and make sure he behaves. I don't think his personality should be a factor. The guy is one of the best clutch hitters in the game. Joe Torre said he was one of the hardest workers he had ever seen. The Yankees have missed clutch hits during the last 4 postseasons they have taken part in, and this guy can give it to them. You can't let this problem stop you.

The second problem, as you also probably know, is the cash. Brian Cashman is aiming to have a lower payroll than the 209 million they had in 2008. He has already hit the jackpot 3 times this offseason with the signing of CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, and Mark Teixiera, but spent a lot of money in doing so. People will say "there is no way the Yankees can afford Manny Ramirez." I'm wondering if they thought it through.

CC Sabathia and Mark Teixiera make, on average, about 23 million a year. AJ Burnett makes about 17 million a year on average, a little less. That adds up to about 63 million spent. The Yankees shed close to 90 million by losing Mike Mussina, Bobby Abreu, Jason Giambi, Andy Pettitte, and others.  Manny has been said to want about 25 million a year. That would bring it to 88 million, about the same they had last year. However, they are shopping Nady and Swisher, and may be able to dump one of those contracts to lower the payroll so it still is less than last year. Also, if this market continues to pretty much shun Manny, he and Scott Boras may have to lower their cost, making it a perfect time to swoop in.

 

As you can see, it is possible to avoid the problems Manny might bring. And even if they do have to even their payroll to what they had last year to get him, don't you think they should? The Steinbrenners say every year that their number 1 goal is to put a championship team on the field. If Manny Ramirez can get them closer to that, then they should make that sacrifice.

 

What do you think? Please feel free to leave your thoughts, and remember this is may first blog entry, so there may be mistakes. If you find one, feel free to point it out. Thanks.