Yankees baseball blog

Bosox tryin’ to stockpile

The Yankees strongly suspect that if the Red Sox were on the brink of acquiring Johan Santana that the Twins would let them know as a way to, at the least, elicit a last, best package offer. And as of last night, the Yanks had not heard such info.

Nevertheless, the Yanks consider the package that is being brandished by the Red Sox as formidable as the Santana stakes seem to have come down to the AL East superpowers, extending the heat of The Rivalry into the chill of the offseason. It is late November and it is Red Sox vs. Yankees for the biggest prize available.As of now, Boston is still refusing to include the center fielder Minnesota craves, Jacoby Ellsbury, and is instead offering Coco Crisp, who is owed $10 million over wo seasons. But the other pieces of the package, likely pitchers Jon Lester and Justin Masterson, and infielder Jed Lowrie are an attractive collection. Continue

Jorge Posada feels end for Andy Pettitte

Jorge Posada is hoping to see Johan Santana in a Yankees uniform next season, but the two-time Cy Young winner isn't the only lefthander on Posada's mind this winter. Andy Pettitte still hasn't made his decision on whether to pitch in 2008 or retire, and according to Posada, right now the smart money is on the latter option. "He's got a tough decision to make," Posada said. "He said if he doesn't play with the Yankees, he's not going to play at all. Right now, he's leaning toward retirement."

Posada believes it will be another month or more before the Yankees learn of the southpaw's fate. The catcher said that Pettitte's decision has nothing to do with the makeup of the team or last season's disappointing first-round playoff exit. Pettitte wrestled with the idea of retiring last winter to spend more time with his family, but the Yankees lured him back to the Bronx with a $16 million offer - the same one that is currently on the table. Continue

Yankees can't allow Santana to join Red Sox

There are a bunch of excellent reasons why the Yankees should stifle the urge to acquire Johan Santana - their spotty history of signing highly touted starting pitchers to lucrative free-agent contracts, the terrible cost in young talent it would require to get him here, the possibility that as tough as everyone says Santana is, he may just not have the internal wiring to thrive in New York, and the reality that as great as he has been, Santana, like all pitchers, is always one bad delivery from a date with the orthopedic surgeon.

And then there is one compelling reason for why they damned well better get him, at whatever the cost (short of Joba Chamberlain, of course): If they don't, he might just wind up with the Red Sox. That, of course, would be disaster, and the end of baseball as we have come to know it around here. If Santana goes to Boston, the Yankees go to second place in the American League East for the rest of George Steinbrenner's life, and maybe Hank Steinbrenner's, too. It's as simple as that. Continue

Phil Hughes wouldn't trade Yankee life

For the past three years, Phil Hughes has been widely considered to be the future of the Yankees' organization. Time and again, Brian Cashman would receive calls from other general managers, each trying to pry away the Yankees' top pitching prospect. Each time, Cashman would tell them Hughes was not available.

That has apparently changed now that two-time Cy Young winner Johan Santana is being shopped by the Twins. While Hughes hasn't talked to Cashman recently, he does have a message for the Bombers GM: He wants to stay with the Yankees. Continue

Johan deal would be painful and pricey...but worth it

That “transition period" Hank Steinbrenner declared the Yankees were in late October lasted about as long as the idea that David Beckham would make professional soccer relevant in this country. Since then the Yanks have invested approximately $400 million of Hank's inheritance to re-enlist three players who will play at 33 or older next year (as an aside, happy 38th birthday tomorrow Mariano Rivera).

Britney Spears is moving with as much speed toward Shakespearean theatre as the Yanks are moving toward true rebuilding.With another $200 million payroll and a positional roster that might have to be carbon dated to determine its age, the 2008 Yanks will remain a now team. This is why they must sacrifice even more precious youth - think Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera and Jose Tabata - to land Johan Santana. Continue

While Johan Santana loves New York, L.A. and Boston could be inviting

Forget about the Subway Series. The Yankees and Mets will set off on a collision course next week in Nashville with a far greater bounty than a measly regular-season game at stake. Their mutual target: Johan Santana, the two-time Cy Young winner who will be the buzz of the Dec. 3-6 winter meetings. Which team will add the talented lefthander to its rotation, potentially shifting the power of its division - and league - with one swift move? Continue

Yankees inquire about Johan Santana; Hank Steinbrenner says its up to Twins

The hot stove has been relatively cool for the past week or so, but the Yankees are doing their best to heat things up with the winter meetings set to get started next week. While they wait for Andy Pettitte to make his decision on whether to play next season, the Yankees have been doing some leg work on adding another lefthander to their starting rotation: Johan Santana.

Discussions between the Yankees and Twins have been ongoing since the general managers' meetings earlier this month in Orlando, though the two sides are not close to a deal. "We've been having discussions ongoing since the GM meetings - as I'm sure other teams have," one Yankees official said. "I don't know where any of this is going to go, but obviously if a pitcher like this is available, we're going to be interested." The Yankees have made it clear that they would be interested in Santana if he is made available by the Twins, but Hank Steinbrenner said last night that the ultimate decision is not the Yankees' to make. "It's up to Minnesota," Steinbrenner said when reached by telephone. "It's not up to us or anybody else."  Continue

With mainstays back, Yankees gauge Johan Santana's price

Having spent the past few weeks taking every necessary step to bring their own stars back to the Bronx, the Yankees presumably will spend the next few days making everything official with catcher Jorge Posada, closer Mariano Rivera and perhaps even third baseman Alex Rodriguez.

In addition, general partner Hal Steinbrenner is expected in New York this week to meet with general manager Brian Cashman, president Randy Levine and COO Lonn Trost for the team's annual budget meetings, as the Yankees will settle on a payroll number for the 2008 season. While that payroll surely will be the highest in the majors, the question is, will that number include enough room to add a $25-million-per-year pitcher? Continue

A-Rod could earn $305 million if he breaks all-time home run record

One of the final details of Alex Rodriguez's new contract with the Yankees has been resolved, and it could push the total value of his new pact to $305 million over 10 years. The Yankees and officials from both the players' union and Major League Baseball have worked through the language regarding the marketing package that centers on A-Rod's pursuit of various home-run milestones, including Barry Bonds' all-time record, a Yankee official said last night.

Rodriguez, who hit 54 homers last season and has 518 in his career, which puts him 17th on the all-time list, could make as much as $6 million each time he ties one of the luminaries in the top four. He'd cash in if he were to match Willie Mays' 660 homers, Babe Ruth's 714, Hank Aaron's 755 and Bonds' final tally. Rodriguez would get an additional $6 million for setting the all-time mark, making the marketing package worth $30 million if he hits every milestone. Continue

Santana available?

The Johan Santana sweepstakes are about to start burning up the Hot Stove League, and the Yankees and Mets are expected to go all-out in attempting to acquire the ace lefthander.

The Twins recently offered Santana a four-year, $80-million contract extension that would have kept him in Minnesota through the 2012 season, a person familiar with discussions said Friday. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune first reported that talks had broken down. When Santana turned down the offer, the Twins indicated they would begin looking at trading the two-time Cy Young Award winner, although Santana has a full no-trade clause. Continue

Scott Linebrink's deal with White Sox could impact relief market, Yankees

The Yankees had some interest in free-agent reliever Scott Linebrink but lost out to the White Sox, who reportedly signed the righty to a four-year, $19 million contract. But the Yankees might feel a sting from that transaction more in their wallets than in their bullpen. Linebrink's deal, worth $4.75 million annually, may tilt the market for middle relievers and affect the Yanks - and other teams - in the pursuit of setup arms.

The Yankees want to retain free agent Luis Vizcaino, who appeared in 77 games and went 8-2 with a 4.30 ERA last season, when he earned $3 million. The 31-year-old Linebrink, by comparison, was 5-6 with one save and a 3.71 ERA in 71 games for the Padres and Brewers last season, making $2.15 million. Continue

Girardi hopes to bring back Pettitte

Joe Girardi had plenty of reasons to be excited when he was named Yankees manager last month. But now, with his coaching staff complete and the knowledge that Alex Rodriguez, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera will be playing for him, Girardi feels much more comfortable.

"I think everyone feels better," Girardi said in a conference call yesterday. "When you talk about losing your starting catcher, your starting third baseman and your closer, that's a big concern. It's not like we were losing average players - we were losing players that are at the top of their profession. Whenever you have a chance to bring them back, it's very exciting." There's one more key figure Girardi hopes the Yankees can bring back: Andy Pettitte. The lefthander has yet to decide whether he will pitch for the Yankees in 2008 or retire. Continue

Oh, Henry! Yanks sign outfielder

While the Yankees and Alex Rodriguez inch closer to finalizing a 10-year, $275 million deal that will be announced next week and the club scours the universe for relief pitching - Trever Miller, Jeremy Affeldt, Troy Percival, Luis Vizcaino, etc., etc. - the team made an interesting under-the-radar move.

The Yankees signed C.J. Henry to a minor league deal after their No. 1 pick in the 2005 draft asked for and was granted his release by the Phillies. He was dealt to Philly in 2006 as part of the Bobby Abreu deal. "He came to us," scouting head Damon Oppenheimer, the man who drafted the 21-year-old Henry, who batted .184 for Lakewood (Single-A) this past summer. "He told us he wanted to play for us and asked would we want him back? We made sure he wanted to play baseball and we found out the last month of the season he was fitted for contacts and hit .300." Continue

Joba not a lock to start next season

Those who have seen him start strongly believe Joba Chamberlain can evolve into Josh Beckett and insist his greatest value to the Yankees is working every fifth day as a No. 1 stud. Others, who only witnessed Chamberlain bounce out of the bullpen and finally build a sturdy bridge to Mariano Rivera last season, believe the Yankees are nuts to delete Chamberlain from the bullpen.

And the Yankees? A month ago, before Joe Girardi replaced Joe Torre and Dave Eiland took over for Ron Guidry, Hank Steinbrenner said Chamberlain would be in the rotation and that's the way the organization is tilting, but . . . “It's not 100 percent but I think we are leaning that way,'' Eiland said yesterday about using Chamberlain as a starter. “We haven't had long discussions on that part of it yet. I am sure we will in the near future. We are leaning that way and that's where we would like to see him.''  Continue

Mo is pact & ready to go

You can't always get what you want, but Hank Steinbrenner doesn't know how that feels in the short time he has been running the Yankees. When Mariano Rivera left a message for the Yankees' front office yesterday that the future Hall of Fame closer was accepting a three-year, $45 million deal, the Yankees went 3-for-3 in retaining key free agents. Four-for-four if you include them picking up the $16 million option on Bobby Abreu.

Rivera, who has to pass a physical before the deal becomes official and announced, joins Jorge Posada and Alex Rodriguez in returning to The Bronx. Posada signed a four-year, $52.4 million contract last week and Rodriguez will eventually ink a 10-year, $275 million pact that will become official when the sides can agree on a revenue-sharing program that will allow him to share in the financial windfall the Yankees will receive when Rodriguez closes in on Barry Bonds' home run record. The deal could easily surpass $300 million. Continue

A-Rod wins 3rd AL MVP, would trade all three for World Series ring

Alex Rodriguez joined the Yankees in 2004 as the defending American League Most Valuable Player. When he signs his new 10-year contract in the coming days, he will hold the same title.

A-Rod picked up his third career MVP award Monday, joining an exclusive club that now has nine members, including Yankees legends Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra. Barry Bonds leads the list with seven MVPs, while Roy Campanella, Jimmie Foxx, Stan Musial and Mike Schmidt each won three. Continue

MVP before

Alex Rodriguez isn't going to hit the mother load of daily doubles today because the details of the richest deal in baseball history won't be ironed out by the time Rodriguez is announced as the AL MVP this afternoon.

The Yankees, agent Scott Boras and MLB officials are moving toward finding a way for Rodriguez to share in the financial windfall the Yankees will experience as Rodriguez approaches Barry Bonds' all-time home-run record in pinstripes. Because milestone bonuses are not allowed in player contracts, a revenue-sharing program has to be agreed on before the 10-year, $275 million deal becomes official. The contract easily could climb past the $300 million mark. Rodriguez, 32, has 518 homers; Bonds leads with 762. Continue

Rivera expected to take Yanks' 3-year, $45M deal

Mariano Rivera's illustrious Yankees career is going to be extended three years at a record price. The longtime Yankees closer, having just returned from a charity trip to the Dominican Republic, is expected to accept the Yankees' three-year, $45-million offer, according to a friend of his who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The Yankees have been awaiting Rivera's response to their increased three-year offer for more than a week. Part of the reason for the delay has been Rivera's request for a fourth year, which the Yankees refused to give him. Another reason is that Rivera has spent the past week running baseball clinics and working with churches in areas of the Dominican where cell-phone service is shaky. Continue

A-Rod: I have 'unfinished business'

Just days after agreeing to a gargantuan contract after his gargantuan season that should result in his being named MVP Monday, Alex Rodriguez said Saturday he has "some unfinished business in New York."

Presumably, he's not talking about simply signing the 10-year, $275 million contract he and the Yankees negotiated late in the week. Rodriguez, in his first public comments since he and the Yankees reunited, told MLB.com - the Web site for Major League Baseball - that he and his wife, Cynthia, finally feel like New Yorkers and New York "is a place we want to be a long time. Continue

Closing the deal

After returning from the Dominican Republic last night, Mariano Rivera is going to huddle with his representatives today and according to several sources is expected to accept the Yankees' three-year, $45 million offer early this week.The future Hall of Fame closer isn't happy about Hank Steinbrenner talking as much as he has about the contract offer that will make Rivera the highest paid closer by $4 million, but that doesn't appear to be a deal killer.

Though Rivera wanting a fourth year added to the deal has become an issue, it's not clear if the 38-year-old asked the Yankees for the extra year or had a four-year deal from another team. If that was the case, then Rivera is turning down additional dollars to remain with the only team he has worked for since 1990, where he's posted 443 saves (third on the all-time list). Continue

Closer wants 1 Mo year

Mariano Rivera can embrace the Yankees' three-year deal for $45 million or leave it with the hope of doing better elsewhere. Alex Rodriguez is taking toddler steps toward finalizing a 10-year, $275 million contract with parameters that have been agreed to. And Hank Steinbrenner wouldn't comment on talks with free agent Mike Lowell or about the possibility of making a deal for Twins left-hander Johan Santana. Welcome to the Yankees' universe.

According to Steinbrenner, the Yankees aren't going to add a fourth year to Rivera's offer, nor will they increase the dollars. Yet, despite the chance of another team even matching the Yankees' package being remote, Rivera hasn't accepted it. Continue

Ma Dorothy goes to bat for Derek Jeter

Don't you dare call my son a tax cheat! Derek Jeter's mother defended him Friday amid allegations he sidestepped state taxes by declaring Florida his home state when he really lives in New York. "He pays his taxes," Dorothy Jeter told the Daily News. "My boy does everything right - everything right," she said at her New Jersey home. "He's paid taxes in New York for every doggone day he's been there." Continue

Mo, Yankees can't agree on 4th year

The Yankees remain at an impasse with Mariano Rivera, and neither side seems willing to give in. The Yankees have offered Rivera $45 million over three years, which is a contract that would easily place him atop the pay scale for closers. But as Newsday first reported Tuesday night, Rivera is holding out for a fourth year guaranteed. That's something the Yankees aren't interested in, especially given that Rivera turns 38 on Nov. 29. Continue

Deal all but done

One day after Alex Rodriguez met with the Steinbrenner family in Tampa, the superstar third baseman and the Yankees agreed yesterday on the parameters of a 10-year deal worth $275 million.

Standing in the way of an announcement is language concerning how Rodriguez would benefit financially from him breaking Barry Bonds' all-time home run record as a Yankee. Rodriguez has 518 homers. Bonds, who was indicted for perjury yesterday, has 762.

Since milestone clauses aren't allowed in MLB contracts, the Yankees and Rodriguez are attempting to reach a revenue-sharing type deal since the Yankees will make an ocean of sponsor money off the historic event. It's believed that Rodriguez's take could reach as high as $30 million and push the total value of the contract beyond the $300 million mark. Continue

275 million reasons to stay: A-Rod says he loves New York

In a letter from the bottom of his heart - or the depth of his wallet - superstar Alex Rodriguez yesterday professed his love for New York and his desire to stay with the Yankees. "We know there are other opportunities for us, but Cynthia and I have a foundation with the club that has brought us comfort, stability and happiness," Rodriguez said in a surprise statement posted on his Web site.

After two weeks of playing chicken with Yankee brass, A-Rod didn't say why he now wants to make nice with George Steinbrenner and Company. (Of course, it couldn't possibly have anything to do with the 10-year, $275 million contract on the table.) Continue

A-Rod plea: Take me back please

If Alex Rodriguez is serious about returning to the Yankees - and it sure sounds that way - the Best Player On The Planet could be back in The Bronx shortly, stay for a decade and become the all-time home run leader in pinstripes.In fact, there was a buzz around baseball last night that a deal had been reached, but Yankees officials refused to comment and Rodriguez did not immediately return messages.

Rodriguez made the short trip from Orlando to Tampa yesterday and met with the Steinbrenner family and Yankees officials at Legends Field where, according to Hank Steinbrenner, the soon-to-be-named AL MVP informed the club he wants No. 13 back. Continue

I made a mistake-Rod

The New York Yankees are getting close to re-signing third baseman Alex Rodriguez to a multi-year contract that would pay him as much as $290 million, multiple baseball sources told MLB.com as the owners gathered here Wednesday for the final quarterly meetings of the year.

Though one source cautioned that the Yankees "don't have a deal yet," the possibility of it happening was the main topic of conversation as committees met on Wednesday in preparation for Thursday morning's joint session of the 30 owners and/or their representatives. Continue

A-Possibility

Hank Steinbrenner opened the door even wider for Mariano Rivera to return to the Yankees yesterday and - perhaps more interesting - did not slam the door on the potential of bringing back Alex Rodriguez.

Maybe it is just wishful thinking or part of a negotiating strategy, but in recent days the Yankees began to hear some buzz that Rodriguez was interested in engaging the organization in conversations. Until yesterday, Steinbrenner had dismissed Rodriguez since his agent, Scott Boras, announced during Game 4 of the World Series that his client was opting out of the final three years of his contract. Upset that Rodriguez would not even return his calls or negotiate with the club, Steinbrenner said the Yanks were moving on without Rodriguez, and the organization was unified behind that strategy. Continue

Yanks' pursuit of Lowell to send A-Rod to Bosox?

Just last week, at the general managers' meetings, Brian Cashman said that he expected Mike Lowell to return to the Red Sox. But free agents can negotiate with other clubs today, and Lowell, the Most Valuable Player of the 2007 World Series, is still a free agent. And the Yankees intend to capitalize on that development - which, in turn, could push Alex Rodriguez toward the rival Red Sox. The Yankees will reach out to Lowell, who grew up in their farm system, and in short time, they could make him an offer."He's a player we're going to certainly talk to," Cashman said yesterday. Continue

Jorge Posada agrees to deal; Mariano Rivera talks heat up

After being schmoozed by Omar Minaya yesterday during a lengthy lunch at Le Cirque, Jorge Posada and his agents finally received the offer from the Yankees they had been hoping for all along.

The Yankees offered Posada a four-year, $52.4 million contract - slightly more than they gave both Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui two years ago - to remain in pinstripes, as first reported last night on the Daily News Web site. Once the final details are worked out and Posada takes a physical, the 36-year-old catcher will remain a Yankee, according to sources familiar with the negotiations. Continue

Jorge Posada, Yankees 'really close' to new deal

Jorge Posada said last night he believes he and the Yankees are "really close" to a contract agreement that would keep the five-time All-Star catcher in pinstripes, his first choice. "Right now it's up in the air, but the chances are good," Posada told reporters at halftime of the Knicks-Heat game at the Garden. "It's not about the money, it's about the situation. First priority, stay with the Yankees. My heart is with the Yankees, so hopefully we'll get something done." Continue

Cano could be the cost for Twins' Santana

Johan Santana is not yet officially on the trade market, but that seems to be an inevitability. What isn't inevitable is that Santana, now property of the Twins, will begin his 2008 season somewhere besides the Metrodome. The gap between an available Santana and a traded Santana figures to be steep, and that means high asking prices for all suitors - including the Yankees, who have targeted the two-time Cy Young Award winner. In return for Santana, the Twins likely will ask for a package centered on second baseman Robinson Cano, a person familiar with Minnesota's operations said yesterday. Continue

2 for the money

Within the next 48 hours, the Yankees are expected to make new contract offers to two of their biggest free agents. The Yankees' exclusivity period with both Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera ends after tomorrow, and yesterday Hank Steinbrenner reiterated that new proposals to Posada and Rivera will be submitted before the period expires. The players' current offers are comparable. Rivera will be offered a three-year pact for $39 million, while Posada's offer will be for approximately three years and $40 million. Continue

Going, Going . . .

While the hints dropped by Derek Jeter last night point to free agents Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera remaining in pinstripes, it may not be all roses for the Yankees, as Andy Pettitte seems to be inching toward retirement.

That nugget came from Dodgers manager Joe Torre, who also indicated before his Safe at Home Foundation gala that his new team could be in the running for Alex Rodriguez. "As far as Alex, you've got four or five clubs that figure to be in the sweepstakes, but there aren't a lot of clubs that can pay the money to get him," Torre said. Continue

Miguel Tejada could be third option for Yankees

The Yankees might not be able to lure Mike Lowell from Boston and appear unwilling to pay the price to acquire Miguel Cabrera from Florida, but another name has emerged that could prove to be the most sensible option: Miguel Tejada.

Tejada, the 2002 American League MVP, apparently is on the block, and it is believed he could be had at a much more reasonable price to replace Alex Rodriguez than the other available options. Tejada's availability was not kept secret at this week's general managers' meetings, and although he has resisted a move from shortstop to third base with the Orioles, one source told the Daily News that he probably would be willing to make a move in order to escape from Baltimore. Continue

Cash takes tomorrow over today

The total is now at approximately $331 million. That is how much Joe Torre, Alex Rodriguez, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera have so far rejected in Yankee offers.

So the Yankees currently do not have a catcher under control on their 40-man roster. If the season began today, their corner infielders likely would be Wilson Betemit and Shelley Duncan. Their most dependable lefty starter would be Kei Igawa. Their closer by default would be Joba Chamberlain, whom they desperately want to put in the rotation. Continue

Full 'Court' pre$$

Hank Steinbrenner wanted nothing lost in translation. He repeated himself several times. He emphasized the key words. His message could not have been clearer. The Yankees' new Boss wants the old guard of the Yankees to stay, stressing that the organization plans to make new, larger bids, likely over the weekend, to both Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera with the idea of keeping them in pinstripes for the remainder of their careers.

"These are going to be substantial offers," Steinbrenner said yesterday by phone. "We are not going to short-change these guys. I think we have a great chance to get back who we want back. We are going to make it obvious how much we want them, and then, ultimately, it is up to them." Continue

Roger Clemens may actually be retiring this time

Roger Clemens is headed back to Houston. For now, anyway. Clemens plans to begin his personal-services contract with the Astros as a consultant, the first sign that the Rocket is finally ready to retire, just four years after he first announced his intention to do so. "He's moving toward retirement and leaving open the possibility of playing," agent Randy Hendricks told the Associated Press. "As Roger has stated several times, he's failed at retirement repeatedly."

Hendricks sent Astros owner Drayton McLane an e-mail informing him of Clemens' decision. In an e-mail to the Daily News, Hendricks said Clemens will make his final decision about retirement by late May. Continue

Yankees want Miguel Cabrera, won't trade big three pitchers

If the Yankees want Miguel Cabrera to succeed Alex Rodriguez as their third baseman, it's going to cost them. Brian Cashman met with the Marlins at about 6 p.m. last night at the GM meetings. No offers were made, but a source with knowledge of the situation said the Marlins made it clear that the Yankees would have to include either Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain or Ian Kennedy in any trade for Cabrera, something the Yankees are not willing to do.

The Yankees would likely offer a deal involving their next tier of prospects, which includes Alan Horne, Humberto Sanchez, Ross Ohlendorf and Jose Tabata. "The Marlins have evidently let it be known that he's available, so we're looking into it," Hank Steinbrenner said. "But everything is really very preliminary." Continue

He might be stay-Rod

The last tiny, but real, lifeline between the Yankees and Alex Rodriguez still exists - arbitration. When asked last weekend if the Yanks would offer arbitration to Rodriguez, GM Brian Cashman said, “of course." But the idea was not based on retaining A-Rod. Cashman thought there was little possibility Rodriguez would accept a one-year deal.

“It is about the two draft picks," Cashman said. “By offering arbitration, we get the first-round pick of the team that signs him and a sandwich pick." Teams have until Dec. 1 to offer arbitration to their own free agents, and players must accept or reject by Dec. 7. If the player accepts, he is deemed a signed player and would either negotiate a contract or have an arbitrator decide the outcome. Continue

Jorge Posada wants 4-year deal; waits on Yanks, Mets

Brian Cashman's top priority of getting Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera re-signed remains the same, but at least one of those Yankee stalwarts isn't inclined to make it that easy on the Bombers. Posada appears ready to make the Yankees work for his services, according to sources familiar with the discussions, as the five-time All-Star catcher plans to wait until he can hear offers from other teams before making a decision. Continue

No Atkins diet at 3rd for Yanks

You can knock Garrett Atkins off the Yankees' wish list to replace Alex Rodriguez at third base. The Rockies are adamant they are keeping Atkins. The reason there was so much speculation Atkins would be moved was because Colorado has top prospect Ian Stewart. However, the Rockies had Stewart work at second base during Instructional League play and received positive reports on the experiment.

The Rockies plan is to see if Stewart can win the second base job, especially if they do not retain free agent Kaz Matsui. If Stewart does not win the job, Colorado intends to send him back to Triple-A for more seasoning. Continue

Pettitte declines Yankees option, weighting future

Andy Pettitte declined his $16 million option with the New York Yankees, still uncertain whether he wants to pitch next season. "I have spoken with Brian Cashman, who has reiterated what Hank Steinbrenner said about the Yankees wanting to give Andy all the time he needs to decide about next season," Pettitte's agent, Randy Hendricks, said Monday in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "Accordingly, we are declining to exercise the option for 2008 and Andy will declare free agency in order to free up a roster spot for the Yankees.

"If Andy decides to play, I am confident we can reach an agreement with the Yankees within 24 hours. The only options, as Andy has stated, are the Yankees or retirement. He appreciates the Yankees' willingness to give him the time he feels he needs. I do not expect him to make a decision for quite some time." Continue

Dealer's choice

Three days from now, Andy Pettitte must tell the Yankees if he is going to exercise his 2008 option. The Yanks' problems could follow soon after. Pettitte has a $16 million player option with a Wednesday deadline. If Pettitte rejects that option, but decides later in the offseason he still wants to play, his agent, Randy Hendricks, said a negotiation with the Yankees would begin fresh. "If he declines the option, we would start over," Hendricks stated in an e-mail. Continue

A-Rod's ego, demands hit new highs

What an unseemly end to the baseball season. Alex Rodriguez opts out of his Yankee contract during the last game of the World Series and his phony and greedy rep, Scott (Avenging Agent) Boras tries to tell us it was all an accident, coming out when it did.

"This was not an act that was done publicly," Boras insisted. "I sent a notice to the Yankees on Sunday, which was an interoffice communication between my office and the Yankees offices and somehow during the course of the day the story broke." As if to say it was the Yankees who leaked the story to SI.Com. But then, this is how stupid Boras thinks we all are. A close associate of A-Rod's tells the Daily News' Mark Feinsand that "the opt-out was not done with the intention of saying goodbye to the Yankees." Continue

Mo, Posada No. 1, 1A on Cash's checklist

Brian Cashman's trip to the general managers' meetings, which begin tomorrow in Orlando, Fla., suddenly got busier when Alex Rodriguez opted out of his contract last Sunday.

The Yankees had hoped - although they weren't exactly counting on it - to hang on to Rodriguez with a long-term contract extension. But they never even had the chance to meet with him before he opted out. Now that they no longer own the rights to one of the top players (if not the top player) in the game - a good defensive third baseman who hit 54 home runs and drove in 156 runs in 2007 - they are left with a huge void. Continue

Jorge Posada denies rift with Joe Girardi

Upset over several recent published reports suggesting there is a rift in his relationship with new Yankee manager Joe Girardi, free agent Jorge Posada directed his agents to put out a statement yesterday in which Posada said he learned a great deal from Girardi when the two were Yankee teammates from 1996-99.

"Girardi was my mentor and he always taught me the value of having a great work ethic and how it was most important to maintain the position year after year," said Posada, who has been silent publicly since the Yanks' season ended. As for the idea that Girardi's hiring might impact Posada's chances of re-signing with the Yankees, the catcher said his first choice is to return. Continue

Yankees more than $100M short of entertaining A-Rod

Before Alex Rodriguez opted out of his contract with the Yankees earlier this week, the team was told that it would not be able to meet with the third baseman unless it presented an offer of at least $350 million, sources say.

The Yankees had hoped to meet with Rodriguez this week, and would have presented him with an extension offer close to five years and $150 million, to begin at the conclusion of his 2008-2010 contract, through which he would have earned $81 million. Through the Yankees' proposal, then, Rodriguez would have made about $230 million over eight years, and during the last five years of the contract, sources say, he would have earned the highest annual salary in Major League Baseball history.

But team executives were told, sources say, that in order to arrange a meeting with Rodriguez, they would have to be prepared to make an extension offer that would take the third baseman's deal up to a total value of $350 million. That means that the offer the Yankees intended to propose would have been more than $100 million short. Continue

Abreu coming back to Yanks

Bobby Abreu received his wish on Friday, as the Yankees triggered a $16 million contract option to keep the outfielder in pinstripes for another season. The 33-year-old Abreu offered the Yankees a consistent presence batting in front of Alex Rodriguez in 2007, occupying the No. 3 spot in the order for most of the season. A left-handed batter, Abreu logged a career-high 123 runs scored in his first full season in pinstripes, ranking second in the American League.

"Bobby Abreu possesses a unique skill set and has proven to be a durable and reliable asset to this club," said Yankees general manager Brian Cashman. "Consistency has been a hallmark throughout his career, and we are excited to work with him again as we look forward to the 2008 season." Continue

Earnin’ his pinstripes

The best player in baseball is 32, plays third base, led the majors in homers and RBIs and is a free agent. And despite whispers throughout baseball that he wants to be a Yankee, the club hasn't lifted a finger to make it happen even though there is a Help Wanted sign attached to the third base bag. Welcome to the dawn of a new era.

Joe Girardi was announced as the 32nd manager of the Yankees yesterday, but Alex Rodriguez was in the air at Yankee Stadium. Following Girardi getting blinded by an ocean of strobes and Joe Torre's replacement saying he will do whatever it takes to ensure free agents Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada return to The Bronx with Andy Pettitte, GM Brian Cashman was smothered with questions concerning Rodriguez. Continue

Alex Rodriguez still hoping for chance to stay with Yankees

Alex Rodriguez's career in pinstripes came to an end when he opted out of his contract on Sunday night. Or did it? The Yankees have made it clear that they have no plans to bid on Rodriguez when free agency gets underway, but a source with knowledge of the situation said Rodriguez is hoping that the Bombers reconsider their stance.

"Alex wants the Yankees to be a part of this, because the opt-out was not done with the intention of saying goodbye to the Yankees," said the source. "Alex wants to see what his market value is, but that doesn't mean he necessarily wants to leave the Yankees." Continue

On his honor

When Joe Girardi is introduced as Joe Torre's replacement today at Yankee Stadium, he can be comforted by the fact that if Andy Pettitte isn't with Girardi next summer, there's no chance the left-hander will be pitching against his former battery mate.

Talking to Houston television station KRIV at a charity golf event Tuesday, Pettitte explained he would pitch in The Bronx next year or not at all. Considering Alex Rodriguez opted out of his contract Sunday night without giving the Yankees a chance to present him with an offer that would have raised his annual average salary from $25.2 million, and the real possibility that Jorge Posada will leave via free agency, Girardi needed some good news. And that's exactly what Pettitte's declaration was. Continue