Yankee New Years resolution

As the clock runs out on a terrible year in Yankee history, it's time to commit to a New Year's resolution. 2008 will require a novel approach for the organization and it's fan base. The new concept is called patience. For the befuddled, Websters defines patient as: bearing pain or trials without complaint. As Monty Python would say, "and now for something completely different."

Enthusiasm is high for a system bursting at the seams with young pitching. We all want to believe that the young phenoms will spurt, Joba like, from the gate. Well, let's keep it real, it takes time for young pitching to develop and history teaches us that inconsistency will be prevalent. Phil Hughes is a recent example. Optimists will point to his dominance in Texas as a glimpse of the future. Realists would point out that he had a mediocre season. The odds are you can expect more of the same from most of the green staff. The fact that they will be supported by a Joba-less, suspect bullpen, won't help.

The need for patience extends from the stands to the owner's box. Hank Steinbrenner has arrived on the scene with bluster. He is the new face of a storied organization in transition. Ego is at the root of his family tree. He is smart enough to know it will take time. Will his actions back up his logic? The Santana sweepstakes provided a test and the early results are promising--so far the farm hasn't been mortgaged for another big name. Let's hope, he stays the course.

Ideally, the young players would be nurtured by a fan base and front office committed to patient resolve. Let's hope it lasts past March, 31st 2008--opening day.

Yankee nightmare

Photo/Audrey C. Tiernan/Newsday The worst off season in Yankee history concludes February 14Th--pitchers and catchers. 46 days until Spring Training provides a ray of sunshine and fans can bask in the glow of the game. It can't come fast enough.
The torment started with a Red Sox victory parade--an ominous omen. A-Rod, Posada and Rivera threatened to walk, only to rekindle their love of pinstripes as soon as an exorbitant contract hit the table. Joe Torre was, 'insulted' out the door and took Donnie Baseball with him. Gator was unceremoniously dumped. Turns out, these events were the calm before the Mitchell Report storm dumped an avalanche of dirt on Yankee history. Icons, Clemens and Pettitte were the stars of the scandal sheet. The roster of the 2000 championship team was laden with alleged cheats. Andy came somewhat clean--he cheated but only twice in his long career. The Rocket fired the high-heat of denial at his accuser's head. Chapter 2 will air on 60 Minutes, venerable Mike Wallace makes a Clemensesque comeback to MC the spectacle, with the whole world watching. This story figures to be an epic as Rocket has hired investigators and his former trainer, confidant and Judas has a prominent defamation lawyer on staff. Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse, former Bomber World Series hero Jim Leyritz is charged with manslaughter. Have we bottomed-out yet?

Spring Training allows us to re-focus on the game and it's attendant earth-shaking decisions:

• Will 18 bullpen suspects be enough to build a bridge to the Great Rivera?
• New skipper Joe Girardi has taken on the ultimate challenge--getting in Kyle Farnsworth's head. Do you believe in miracles? (Boundless optimism will be profoundly challenged.)
• How many DHs can fit on the bench?
• Does anyone have Tino's number?
• Will there be Joba rules for the three green starters?

These are the type of issues we should be obsessing about--46 days, it can't come fast enough.

Yankee ghosts of Christmas past

Peter Abraham's LoHud Yankee Blog published an article titled: "Yankees should say no thanks for Santana." Peter believes the youth movement philosophy should be adhered to, Baseball Hot Corner agrees completely and has advocated this approach since last spring.


There was one sentence in Peter's article that left a particularly strong impression: " Cashman has some how made it cool for Yankee fans to care about Jose Tabata even though 99% of them have no idea what he looks like." Well, that's true but it's no mystery how Brian got us enthused in the next generation. He did it by signing a long list of over-rated, over-paid mediocrities who couldn't handle Gotham. Here's something from Yahoo Sports written this time last year:"The Yankees' winning bid comes one day after New York re-signed Mussina to a two-year, $23 million contract. Igawa would join Mussina, Chien-Ming Wang, Randy Johnson and Carl Pavano in the Yankees' starting rotation if he signs with New York." Ouch, if there was ever a reason to drink the youth-movement cool aid Cashman gave it to us.

New York Style Merry Christmas

Carl from Adult Swim says Happy Holidays more eloquently than I ever could.

Baseball's Godfather--Bud Selig

Photo/Getty Images--Time, 5/2004 Baseball's never-ending performance enhancing drug scandal has produced: an indictment of home run king Barry Bonds, a stain on the legend of Roger Clemens, a fraudulent homer race between the now infamous Big Mac and Sammy Sosa, an embarrassing performance before Congress with the whole world watching that promises to have a sequel. This is a partial list of the low lights that figured to be the epitaph of the guardian of the sports integrity Commissioner Bud Selig.


Well, as Yogi said: "it ain't over till it's over." Newsday published an article titled: "Selig's support strong in baseball." Here's a couple of highly credible Selig supporters: "He has total support of the ownership, total support."--Chicago White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. Wikipedia provides some background on the Selig/Reinsdorf relationship:
"The Union basically doesn’t trust the ownership because collusion was a $280 million theft by Selig and [Jerry] Reinsdorf of that money from the players. I mean, they rigged the signing of free agents. They got caught. They paid $280 million to the players. And I think that’s polluted labor relations in baseball ever since it happened. I think it’s the reason [MLBPA executive director Donald] Fehr has no trust in Selig.[2]
—Fay Vincent"

More support for Bud comes from George Steinbrenner:"He's a terrific commissioner." Some more historical perspective from Wikipedia:" New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner was reinstated from a lifelong suspension that was instituted by Selig's predecessor Fay Vincent."
Defenders of Selig's inaction, on the burgeoning drug scandal, point to union head Donald Fehr as the ultimate evil-doer. You see the all powerful union guy wouldn't let poor Bud do the job he really wanted to do. Fay Vincent mentions the "pollution of labor relations" in his statement on Reinsdorf, another feather in Bud's cap.
Bud Selig has a list of friends in high places that would make Vito Corleone proud. The commissioner has made a lot of money and done favors for the people in power--nothing else matters.

NY Yankee comic relief

Yankee fans in need of some quality humor to help divert them from the tedious headlines can find it at:
http://www.baseballmusings.com/archives/024289.php

Those of us who grew up in the North East know a lot of Carls.

Baseball's ongoing steroid saga

Baseball fans, hoping to escape the ongoing PED melodrama, can refer to the famous quote uttered by Al Pacino's character in the Godfather: "every time I get out they drag me back in." My goal today was to find a positive story that could provide some relief from the steroid scandal. Yankee legend Rich "Goose" Gossage is on the Hall of Fame ballot and it appears he will finally get the well deserved accolade. Unfortunately, Goose also contributes to the steroid debate. Baseball Think Factory links to an article by Bob Klapisch, of the Bergen Record. Here's an excerpt:

"There's too much at stake here, too much great history, too many great players whose numbers pale in comparison to the steroid numbers. With Clemens, you just shake your head and wonder how it all happened, how it came to this. I mean, why didn't the Red Sox re-sign him [after the 1996 season]? All of a sudden his numbers started getting crazy when he was supposed to be getting older."

Goose Gossage has waited for years to be enshrined in the hallowed Hall. Now, as it's about to happen, the story is muddied with steroid stain. Baseball fans won't escape from this scandal for a long time, for some of us, it may be a lifetime commitment.

Clemens gets peer review

Photo/Boston Dirt Dogs Curt Schilling and John Smoltz have gone public with their opinions regarding the Clemens controversy. Smoltz (in commenting to ESPN) suggested a simple step in resolving the issue--take a lie detector test. Interesting idea, but somehow I don't think it will happen, makes too much sense.

The New York Daily News, in an article titled: "If Roger Clemens cheated than he should lose hardware." refers to Curt Schillings blog 38 pitches to detail Curt's opinion. Here's an excerpt:
"So as a fan my thought is that Roger will find a way in short order to organize a legal team to guarantee a retraction of the allegations made, a public apology is made, and his name is completely cleared. If he doesn’t do that then there aren’t many options as a fan for me other than to believe his career 192 wins and 3 Cy Youngs he won prior to 1997 were the end. From that point on the numbers were attained through using PED’s"

After reading Schillings article I posted the following question to Curt:

"Curt, John Smoltz suggested lie detector test. Have a question regarding cheating. Is abusing LEGAL drugs (IE painkillers) cheating? when you pitched famous bloody sock game did you use/abuse legal painkillers in order to help team?" The site informed me that my comment awaits moderation. I will pass on the response to readers of Baseball Hot Corner.

Editors note: Curt Schilling posted a followup article to the one linked to above. He wrote this:"At the end of the day are you truly concerned you might offend someone that cheated?"
I asked him to respond to my initial question: "Is abusing legal drugs (painkillers) cheating? Did you use/abuse legal drugs in the bloody-sock game.
I think it's a fair question.

Clemens fires back

Roger "Rocket" Clemens answered his critics with heat: "I want to state clearly and without qualification: I did not take steroids, HGH or any other banned substance." This delivery is right down the middle nothing on the black. People now have a choice they can believe a living legend or the word of his former personal trainer and confidant who has legal issues, but is supported by circumstantial evidence.
The court of public opinion is licking it's chops. This melodrama figures to peak at a congressional hearing featuring pios politicians, posturing MLB officials and an all-star team of reformed athletes. "Welcome back my friends, to the show that never ends."--Emerson, Lake and Palmer.
The only cure for this stuff is the joy of the game. I'm focused on pitchers and catchers, let's get back to where it all began.

Roger Clemens's lost legend

Say it ain't so Roger


The Mitchell report uses testimony from Roger Clemens's former trainer Brian McNamee to detail steroid usage by the living legend. The time frames correlate to an extraordinary improvement in Roger's production on the field. There are 89 names listed in the report but Clemens and Bonds are the only icons. Bonds name was sullied by Game of Shadows his tarnished image already infamous. The Rocket is now front and center in the fallout from baseball's steroid era.


The New York Daily News, in an article titled: "Roger Clemens refuses to talk about Mitchell report allegations," quotes the Rocket: " I'm not talking to y'all about it... We'll handle this our way." It will not be easy. Congress is preparing to step in again, it appears Clemens will take Big Mac's place as guest of dishonor.


The ramifications are being felt on the home front as well, more from the Daily News: the one time Yankee power pitcher refused to talk about allegations he was shooting up performance-enhancing drugs - or the growing backlash here.
The Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association is meeting today to decide whether he should be dropped as its keynote speaker at its convention next month.
"A dark cloud has been put over Roger's head," the association's president told the Houston Chronicle. "Nothing is final, but we will be meeting in regards to the issue."
Clemens was scheduled to give a speech on "My vigorous workout, how I played so long."


If the allegations have merit, Roger Clemens's legend is a myth. On the other hand, if he is being slandered, as his attorney has stated, he needs to communicate the truth. "Not talking" won't cut it.

Andy Pettitte apologizes

Today's New York Times sports section, features a large picture of Yankee stalwart Andy Pettitte with the headline: 'I apologize.' The article details Andy's admission that he used HGH while recovering from an elbow injury and supports the information provided from the Mitchell report.

Two days prior to the release of the report, Baseball Hot Corner published an article titled: "Apology to Andy Pettitte." I wrote that I had underestimated Pettitte's integrity (in the context of contract negotiations.) The article received a comment that proved to be prophetic and hits the nail on the head: Jerry said...
"Pettitte's is the one name that I most fear being on Mitchell's report today... If he is implicated, you can't trust *anything* that's happened in baseball the past 12 years, and that would be sad."

Unfortunately, Jerry is right we can't trust anything, baseball's credibility is shot and all the investigative reports, press releases, lawyers, dubious test results or posturing officials won't change that.

Baseball's lack of integrity

Photo/NY Daily News Websters defines integrity: "adherence to a code of values--honesty, honor, virtue."
The Mitchell report presents more evidence that baseball's integrity during the Steroid era is null and void. The championships are hollow, the legends myths, the records and statistics trivial.
The focus is on the name players who cheated, lied, and took money under false pretenses. Let's not forget the enablers--owners, union officials, sports media ("Chicks love the long ball") and the fans who voted with their wallets. At the top of the list, last but certainly not least, is baseball commissioner Bud Selig. Bud's reign of incompetence has reached it's precipice. The damage done to the game on his watch is unprecedented. The drug culture took root and flourished because the man responsible for protecting the game has been asleep at the wheel for a decade. He has been more concerned with counting the money than doing what's in the best interest of the sport.
Baseball had hoped that the Mitchell report would end an ugly chapter and mark a new beginning. Unfortunately, "This story is far from being over."--Tim Kurkjian, ESPN. At the end of the day, baseball's emperor with no clothes just doesn't get it: "The report is a call to action and I will act... In the name of integrity I assure you I will not rest."--Bud Selig 12/13/07--a decade too late. In the best interests of baseball, Bud Selig should take responsibility and resign--don't hold your breath.

Baseball's Mitchell Report on deck

Photo/New York Post Divine intervention?


The baseball world holds it's collective breath today, in anticipation of the long-awaited Mitchell Report. Here at Baseball Hot Corner, I will wait until the report is released before commenting. The media, however, is a tad impatient as speculation featuring the omnipresent anonymous sources is rampant.

Let's do a brief chronology of the facts leading up to today's frenzy. Here's an excerpt from today's New York Times:"Vincent had tried to crack down on steroids in his last year as the commissioner. In June 1991, he sent every major league club a memorandum saying all illegal drug use was “strictly prohibited” by law, “cannot be condoned or tolerated” and could result in discipline or expulsion. Vincent specifically highlighted steroids in the memo.
The next year, Selig became commissioner. Through the 1990s, even as newspapers reported that as many as one in five baseball players used steroids, Selig and the union played down the issue. “If baseball has a problem, I must say candidly that we were not aware of it,” Selig said in 1995."

Years after a significant problem was addressed by Vincent, Bud Selig "wasn't aware of it." That was than, this is now. Here's a quote from Bud, on the day home run king Barry Bonds was indicted:"As I told the clubs today, we're on a great high here," Selig said Thursday following the conclusion of a two-day meeting in which owners discussed, among other things, ways to speed up games."When you look at the final numbers and you see what's happened, it's remarkable. There are times, honestly, when I have to pinch myself to make sure all of this is happening. . . . Growth and revenue, growth and profitability; it's just been really, really good."
Whenever I hear Bud Selig speak, it reminds me of the quote from Tim Robbins' character in the movie Shawshank Redemption: "Why are you being so obtuse, is it deliberate?" We live in a time when success is defined by the amount of money you make. The integrity of baseball is more important than money. Commissioner Bud Selig should be held responsible for the damage done to the sport, on his watch.

Apology to Andy Pettitte

The Yankees have re-signed Andy Pettitte to a 1 year 16-million dollar contract. The New York Post reports the details including this interesting excerpt:
"Pettitte owns a 201-113 career record with a 3.83 ERA. He ranks third in the majors in wins since his debut in 1995 behind Greg Maddux (216) and Randy Johnson (203), and has posted a winning record and made at least 15 starts in each of his 13 Major League campaigns. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, he joins Cy Young (15 seasons, 1890-1904) as the only pitchers in history to accomplish the feat in the first 13 years of their careers."
Impressive pitcher, more impressive person, when Andy decided to pass on his option, the entire staff of Baseball Hot Corner (me) assumed it was a negotiating ploy designed to get him more money for a longer term and the Clemens family package. I under-estimated Andy's integrity (big mistake.) In this era of greed is good, Andy Pettitte is an exception to the rule.

Yankees add Hawkins to crowded bullpen

Quantity over quality

The Yankees added another suspect to a long list of bullpen wannabes. La Troy Hawkins joins a list of 18 candidates trying to build a bridge to the Great Rivera. The casting call is necessary because last year's savior Joba Chamberlain is being moved to the starting rotation. This plan is set in stone, until late inning leads are squandered on a routine basis by Farnsworth and company.

Here's Mike Pagliarulo's opinion from Dugout Central:

"Hawkins wasn’t able to hold down the closers spot for the Twins or Cubs. He’s been traded straight up for Steve Kline. His WHIP the past three years has been 1.456, 1.459 and 1.229. His strikeout rate has decline to 0.5 per inning. He’s only pitched 56, 60 and 55 innings over the past three years.
Hawkins is not what the richest franchise in baseball needs in critical innings. And he’s not what they should be forced to acquire for middle relief. They should be able to produce middle bullpen help themselves – it is the easiest roster position to develop in baseball."

The plan is throw it at the wall, something has to stick. Injuries depleted the Yank's staff last year and a parade of young pitchers were auditioned. One--Joba--did the job and he is being moved. Reverting to the same plan will be ok in spring training but when the "critical innings" of the regular season start watch for the audible that the Red Sox used with Papelbon. The job is too important to trust to suspects.

Matsui's shooting star

Better to trade a player a year early than a year late--Branch Rickey





It is being reported that the Yanks would be willing to deal Hideki Matsui for pitching. Moving a 34 year-old DH coming off knee surgery for a viable mound option sounds smart, but is it realistic? Reports ranged from names like Matt Cain or Tim Lincecum and deteriorated to Noah Lowry. That's called keeping it real.





The Giants are looking to fill a void left by Barry Bonds. San Francisco has a large Asian population and Godzilla would be good for business. On the field, Matsui offers a dependable bat, a strong, professional work ethic and dubious defense. Canyon of Heroes, documents his offensive prowess. The Yanks have a glut of aging one-dimensional DH's (Giambi, Damon) and Matsui is the most marketable. The problem is return on investment. New York doesn't need another suspect--Noah Lowry. I'd like to believe that they could package some non-impact young players (there is a long list) with Matsui and get an upgrade, but given recent Bomber transaction history it's not going to happen.

NY Yankee baseball--Cashman's future

The next Pavano


This is Yankee GM Brian Cashman's free-agent year. Pinstripe Alley links to an article by John Heyman of SI.com reporting that the Yankee brass is considering an extension. Here's an excerpt from Pinstripe Alley that I can relate to:


"the mere mention of Brian Cashman causes angst and unrest with at least half of our folks. There really doesn't seem to be any middle ground with Cashman. You either love him or you hate him."


I don't love or hate Brian, but haven't been shy in criticizing his track record. Cashman has done some good work and is a bright guy. For some reason, his admirers tend to give him credit for the good moves and gloss over the fact that he has been GM for 10 yrs. He inherited a great young team and has had more resources at his disposal than anyone. The list of failed, expensive acquisitions is long. That's not all his fault--the organization was a political quagmire for a long time. Cashman has spent his entire professional career in the organization and knew what he was getting into when he accepted the job.


That was than this is now. Brian starts his 3rd year as sole architect. He has received an avalanche of positive pub for his youth movement. Joba Chamberlain was a revelation and actually lived up to the hype. The rest of the next generation is a work in progress. The most expensive roster in the history of sport has holes (again). The projected spring training roster has 18 pitchers in the bullpen, try finding a reliable one other than the Great Rivera. The off season has been spent over-paying popular veterans because the farm system had no viable options. The Abbott and Costello routine that starts "who's on first" would describe the list of candidates trying to fill that position since Tino left (the first time.)


I believe that the Yanks should let Cashman play out his last year and than look at the big picture. If the young pitchers actually deliver MLB production and live up to some of the hype, reward Brian for rebuilding a depleted farm. On the other hand, should the youth movement fall flat it is clearly Brian Cashman's responsibility and he should pay the price.

NY Yankee baseball-- stay the course

Astute, long-term baseball planning and Yankee baseball philosophy (featuring a lack of patience and a penchant for instant gratification) are contradictory concepts. The traditional Yankee business model has featured a star-laden lineup that eats up headlines and demands results now. It appears (this week) that times may be a changing in the Bronx.


Was Watching, links to Pete Caldera who quotes new Yankee Boss Hank Steinbrenner:


"We're going to be a powerhouse in a couple of years, but with the pitching we've got now, we can win it this year," Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner said on Tuesday"


Despite all the bluster of the Santana saga, the smart long-term plan is to let the young pitchers get a year under their belt with rookie skipper Girardi at the helm. It gives the team the unique opportunity to compete as underdogs. Expectations will lower, giving the kids an opportunity to grow in Gotham. Ideally, future stars will emerge and get to compete for a playoff spot. The odds are they will fall short of winning it all but the experience gained and the payroll flexibility garnered from the long list of expiring, bloated contracts sets them up for the next dynasty. This concept makes a lot of sense, let's hope it lasts

Yankee Baseball--is Farnsworth the future?

HYPNOTIST?

Weeks of erroneous rumors, that were giving Yankee fans delusions of re-claimed grandeur, have concluded with a dose of reality. The Bombers can re-sign all the familiar faces they want but without a strong, deep bullpen that features a sturdy bridge to the Great Rivera they aren't winning anything.

Yesterday, Yankee architect Brian Cashman was quoted as saying that Kyle Farnsworth would be the primary set-up man. G.M's say a lot of things this time of year so I took it with a grain of salt. Apparently, he's not alone, Peter Abraham reports on his interview with Joe Girardi:

" Girardi also seems to have a bad case of Kyle Farnsworth. He said the set-up was “dominant” when he caught him with the Cubs and that he understands his personality.
Dominant? Farnsworth and Girardi were teammates from 2000-02. Farnsworth was 2-8 with a 5.16 ERA during that stretch. He allowed 208 hits and 109 walks in 205.2 innings. He did strike out 227, however.
Farnsworth may be smarter than we all think. He clearly has all these guys hypnotized."

Overly optimistic delusions aren't fatal in December, there's time to snap out of it. The entire staff of Baseball Hot Corner (me) is on record as saying that sooner or later Joba will be back in the pen. The Yanks will audition a long list of hopefuls, but in the end, they will come to the same conclusion the Red Sox did with Papelbon. Let's hope they have similar results.

Media reports on Yankee moves

Trying to make sense of all the contradictory media reports, of possible Yankee transactions is impossible. Teams, agents and anonymous sources with agendas are posturing and using hungry reporters to deliver their ingenious messages. In a saturated market, the rush to report the inside scoop or the big headline results an array of conflicting stories.






The most recent example is the on-going Santana saga. Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News reports that the Yankees are done with Santana: "Monday night, a Yankees source told the Daily News that the Santana negotiations were over.
"I just don't think they were ready to do a deal," the source said. "We're moving on."




Don't tell that to George King of the New York Post, who notes that the deadline passed but:"since the Yankees remained the favorite to land the lefty - that is, if the Twins trade him"



Tom Singer at MLB, reports:"a Minnesota source who conceded it will take two players to effectively replace Torii Hunter, the center fielder who has signed as a free agent with the Angels.
"With [Delmon] Young, [who was acquired in a four-player deal with Tampa Bay on Wednesday], we took care of the offense," the source said. "But we don't think he can play center, so we now have to look for the defense.
"Is Melky Cabrera the answer? I don't think so. But Boston ... they have the guy who could be it."



Dubious sources produce erroneous news. Andy Pettitte decided to return to the Bombers yesterday. This followed a weeks worth of media speculation that he was about to retire. Deciphering all the mixed messages isn't an easy job, but as ardent baseball fans, we'll give it our best shot.

Yankee baseball--Twins up the ante for Santana

The Yanks, Red Sox and Twins are in a high-stakes poker game battling over a pot that will have a profound impact on each teams future. Minnesota holds the Ace and is playing it for all it's worth. New York and Boston exchange wary glances and are under the gun. The Yanks just made an aggressive move by tossing their Phil Hughes chip on the table and expected Minnesota to fold. The Twins re-raised and have put the pressure back on their opponents.

While the next move is contemplated, I would suggest that the Bombers evaluate the possibility that Minnesota is bluffing. Recently, the media is reporting that the Twins may keep Santana--yeah right, multi-billionaire Carl Pohlad would actually invest money in his team. The Yank's fear that the Red Sox may acquire Santana and actually have the makings of a dynasty is probably hype. Boston adds Santana, the ripple affect on their payroll and farm system would be significant. The Red Sox are chip-leaders why take a risk. Posturing may be more profitable, by helping the Twins extract an exorbitant price they improve their competitive position--poker is a game of position.

The Yank's last wager of Hughes, Cabrera and a second-tier prospect should be all-in. Let their opponents hold 'em or fold 'em.

Editors note: after writing and publishing this article, I started my morning routine of surfing baseball sites. The league leader Baseball Musings beat me to the poker analogy punch in reference to the Santana negotiations.