Shortchanging Joe a no-no

More and more, you sense the Yankees are going to make an offer Joe Torre must refuse. Yankee executives have hinted that in order to return Torre might have to take a paycut from his $7 million annual salary. It would not be surprising if the Yanks offered Torre a one-year, $4 million extension, which would keep him the highest paid manager, but just barely.

Torre would know such a pact - less dollars, no extra years - would leave him so much more vulnerable to be fired during the season should the Yanks get off to something resembling a 21-29 start again. He almost certainly would not accept such an offer. The Yanks would know that, too, and could then plan to spin this as Torre spurning the Yankees rather than the other way around. Continue