They interrupted the World Series in the 8th inning with this "news" that was probably planted by Steinbrenner and timed to steal the spotlight...
It will be interesting to see if any other team in baseball is willing to pay even what he is making right now much less 30 million a year. Plus he's going to want a really long term deal probably. I'd like his talent in Houston, but not his contract. I'd be willing to pay him more than Carlos Lee though.
Yankees will probably go hard after this year's World Series MVP. He's a proven winner with two WS rings, he's a leader in the clubhouse, and he plays the game the right way.
Honestly, I have no problem with ARod leaving. It's best for him and it's best for the Yankees. I like the idea of Lowell, he is a very solid "baseball guy".
Wherever ARod goes, it will be perfect for him since the team that gets him likely ends up like the Rangers and never makes the playoffs. This way ARod's huge flaw of being horrendously useless in the postseason will never be exposed. Smart move on his part if you ask me.
Looks like I get my wish for Joe Girardi as new Yankee manager.... Don Mattingly just announced he will be leaving the team. WFAN just bounced a rumor out there that has Joe Torre going to the Dodgers to be joined by Don Mattingly and the possibly soon to opt out Andy Pettitte...
JOE HOLLYWOOD - L.A. HOPES TO SIGN TORRE By GEORGE KING If divorce proceedings between Grady Little and the Dodgers go the distance, as many expect, The Post has learned Joe Torre has been targeted as the manager to heal a fractured Los Angeles clubhouse. According to two people with knowledge of the Dodgers' universe, the club and Little are talking about a buyout that would leave the manager's office in Chavez Ravine vacant for Torre to inherit. Torre, who wants to manage again, is interested in talking to the Dodgers if the job becomes available. Since none of Little's coaches is signed for next year and he is ($1 million and an undisclosed option for 2009), there has been speculation Little is out. And since the underachieving Dodgers have a dysfunctional clubhouse with veterans and youngsters feuding, Torre is the ideal person to put the room back together. Last week it was reported the Dodgers offered Joe Girardi a job - either as bench coach to replace Dave Jauss, who is a candidate for the Pirates' managing gig, or to take over for Little. When Girardi supposedly turned the Dodgers down, many took that as a sign Girardi is in line to succeed Torre in The Bronx. According to several people, the Dodgers inquired about Torre's interest before he rejected a one-year deal for $5 million with a chance to earn $3 million in incentives and stay with the Yankees. If Torre replaces Little, it will be a popular move based on the reception Torre received at an Elton John concert in Las Vegas Saturday night. John introduced Billie Jean King and Torre from the stage. The crowd at The Colosseum At Caesars Palace gave Torre a standing ovation and the Dodger fans on hand serenaded Torre with “Come coach L.A." “Knowing [Dodger owner] Frank McCourt, it could be real," a baseball executive said of the Dodgers' fascination with Torre. While it would cost considerably more money to land Torre ($12 million for three years?) than keep Little, the Dodgers need to retake the L.A. market. The Angels are a much better team, and owner Arte Moreno has successfully marketed his club as an L.A. brand despite playing in Anaheim. The hiring of Torre, a former Angels broadcaster with a fondness for Southern California, would go a long way in giving the Dodgers star power that is required in a star-driven town. Should the move be made, Torre could raid the Yankees' for his coaching staff, since none is under contract past Wednesday. Texas has an interest in hitting coach Kevin Long. Field coordinator Rob Thomson has drawn interest as a bench coach or base coach. Dodger hitting coach Bill Mueller, who replaced Eddie Murray during the season, is likely headed back to the front office. That would open a spot for Long, who Torre believes did an outstanding job in his initial season in the The Bronx this past year.
Meanwhile the Tigers solve a defensive problem that they've had by getting Edgar Renteria from the Braves. With the departure of Sean Casey, Guillen moves to first. Gave up a good young pitcher in Jurrjens to get him. This tells me that they don't anticipate changes in starting ptiching next season.
Step right up Red Sox, Cubs, Dodgers, Mets and Angels. Have we got a deal for you! 8) NEW YORK (AP) -The Yankees were told by agent Scott Boras that they could not meet with Alex Rodriguez unless they presented an extension offer that guaranteed the star $350 million "as a floor." Boras' remarks, first reported Friday by ESPN.com, were made Oct. 25 during a conversation between the agent and general manager Brian Cashman, a baseball official said Friday, speaking on condition of anonymity because those details were not made public. Rodriguez had $81 million remaining over the final three years of his record $252 million, 10-year contract, and the deal contained an additional $10 million escalator. The Yankees were prepared to offer him an extension worth $25 million to $30 million a season for four or five years. Boras then notified the Yankees on Sunday that the star third baseman was opting out of the contract to become a free agent. Cashman declined to comment on the conversation, and Boras only would go into general details. "We've made no offers to anyone and we have received no offers from anyone," Boras said. "I'm not going to respond." New York said repeatedly that it would not negotiate with Rodriguez if he opted out. "Brian's made it clear, and I've made it clear," Hank Steinbrenner, son of owner George Steinbrenner, said Friday.
Wow, those Yanks are tough smart negotiators aren't they? Why Roger Clemens must laugh himself to sleep every night thinking about how stupid they are.
Don't forget the Toledo Mud Hens. They've already extended an offer, provided A-Rod is willing to consider a position change. I don't get why a Steinbrenner would choose a minor league team from Ohio - and a storied one at that - to disparage, given George's Buckeye State roots.