Abreu files for free agency

Bobby Abreu field for free agency today, according to Ed Price.

Abreu, who made $16 million last year, hit .296/.371/.471 with 20 home runs and 100 RBI last season. With those numbers, he'll probably look for similar money.

"We just haven't heard anything," agent Peter Greenberg said. "All things being equal, I'm sure the Yankees would be his preference. But he's got to maximize his value. He'd like to get a long-term deal somewhere."

He will also turn 35 during spring training. If the Yankees aren't interested in Manny Ramirez, I'd look to sign Abreu to nothing longer than a two-year deal.

The Yankees will have a 15-day period of exclusive negotiation with Abreu.

This is why Philly shouldn't be allowed to win

Philadelphia fans are certainly celebrating like they haven't won anything in 25 years. Via Deadspin comes this video:



I'll admit it: I laughed.

At least it wasn't the Red Sox

Congratulations to the Philadelphia Phillies for winning their first World Series championship since 1980. The Rays had a good run, but the Phillies were simply better.

Now the Hot Stove season really begins. I can't wait.

Mr. Vazzano can now know how I felt in 2004 and 2007.

Moose, Giambi updates

George King of the Post has updates on the futures of Mike Mussina and Jason Giambi.

Arn Tellem will travel to Montoursville, Pa., shortly to find out what Mike Mussina's future holds.

"I am going to see him at the end of the week," Mussina's agent said yesterday. "Nothing has been decided."

While Mussina strongly hinted to Yankee staff members and friends he was going to retire, he hasn't officially done that. And while that is the way to bet, several Yankee officials believe the 40-year-old righty will file for free agency following the World Series to keep his options open.
...

As for Jason Giambi Jason Giambi, another Tellem client, he would like to stay a Yankee.

"We will see what happens. He would like to stay in New York if they want him," Tellem said of Giambi, who batted .247 with 32 homers and 96 RBIs.

Mussina has made it known that returning next year will most likely balloon into a three-year commitment in order to reach 300 wins. He is currently at 270.

Mussina signed a two-year deal after a solid 2006 season and struggled in 2007 before winning 20 games this season. I'd only want him to sign a one-year deal, but I'm not sure he'd be willing to do that.

As far Giambi, he will make at least $5 million from the Yankees next season because there is no way they'll pick up his $22 million option. King suggests that Giambi could sign a one-year deal with the team if they can't sign someone like Mark Teixeira. I could live with that if it's a one-year deal. If he wants anything more, he can look to play elsewhere.

No baseball tonight

The completion of last night's fifth game of the World Series, originally scheduled for tonight at 8 p.m., was pushed back to tomorrow night.

I'm amazed they played as long as they did last night. The game should've been called much earlier than it was. Imagine if the Rays didn't score in the top of the sixth?

The Rays have looked like a team that's just happy to be in the World Series. As a result, the Phillies have pretty much wiped the floor with them. Unfortunately, it's pretty much over. It was a good run by them.

Now let's get the Hot Stove fired up. Remember, teams can negotiate with free agents other than their own 15 days after the completion of the World Series.

AP Photo

Yankee Stadium class being taught at Rutgers

A research seminar called "Yankee Stadium" is being taught to 20 freshmen at Rutgers this year, according to Vincent M. Mallozzi of the Times.

Theresa M. Collins, a history professor at Rutgers for 17 years, teaches the one-credit course at the Livingston campus in Piscataway, N.J. With 220 applicants, she said, Yankee Stadium was the most requested first-year research seminar this fall.

“The purpose of this course is to open up the minds of these students to the joys of research, especially in places you wouldn’t normally think of it — like Yankee Stadium,” she said. “We often discuss the potential for certain research projects related to the Stadium, which allows the students an opportunity to maximize their sense of learning in this field.”

This is pretty cool. I wish my school had something like that.

Bowa to remain with Dodgers

Hello, everybody. It's been a couple of days, but I've been busy and there hasn't been much to talk about. I figured I'd break my silence to talk about...the third base coach vacancy.

The Dodgers announced yesterday that Larry Bowa will remain in that role next year. That obviously rules out any return to the Yankees.

It would have been nice to see Bowa back with the Yankees to hopefully give Robinson Cano the kick in the butt he needs.

The next best choice would be Willie Randolph, but I doubt that will happen.

Happy birthday, Robinson Cano

Today is Robinson Cano's 26th birthday, so happy birthday wishes are in order.

It's ironic that Game 1 of the World Series will be played tonight. Cano's play this season is one of the many reasons why the Yankees will not be participating in this year's Fall Classic.

Meanwhile, looking back at happier times, today is the eighth anniversary of Roger Clemens tossing a broken bat at Mike Piazza. I can't believe that was eight years ago. Jeez.

Cubs might help open new Stadium

Opening Day in the new park is still slated for April 16 against the Cleveland Indians, but the Yankees and Chicago Cubs may play an exhibition game on Monday, April 6.

According to the article, the Cubs are the Yankees' first choice and the clubs are still negotiating.

Yankees and Cowboys enter partnership

The New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys entered into an agreement that will focus on catering, concessions and merchandising. The new group, called Legends Hospitality Management, LLC, will be the exclusive caterer and merchandising service to both of the teams' new stadiums.

George M. Steinbrenner, Chairman of the New York Yankees said, “This partnership brings together two of the finest sports franchises and creates a business that will take advantage of their tremendous insight and expertise. No one knows their fans better and has a greater interest in providing them a great game-day experience. With both the Yankees and the Cowboys moving into new stadiums next season, this is certainly the right time to rethink our approach. Beyond that base, we are confident that other facilities and teams will be interested in what Legends can offer. I look forward to building a business with Jerry.”

Wow...the evil Yankees and the evil Cowboys joining forces. I, for one, hate the Cowboys, but this seems like to be a smart deal for both organizations.

Click the above link for the complete press release if you are interested.

Thank you, Rays

The dragon has been slayed! The Rays were able to fight the Red Sox momentum and beat them 3-1 to advance to the World Series.

The two Red Sox fans in my room haven't said a word in minutes and I have the biggest smirk on my face. I haven't felt this good about October baseball in a few years. This is a great feeling. I'm very happy for them.

Let's go Rays!!!

Game 7 tonight

Yes, I know the Red Sox have all the momentum in the world. Yes, I know the Red Sox have forced a Game 7 after being in a large deficit three straight times.

That said, let's go Rays. Please. Please prove the baseball world wrong. Please beat up on Jon Lester. Please. Por favor. どうぞ.

Joba speaks

Joba Chamberlain released a statement regarding yesterday's arrest:

"I want to apologize to the New York Yankees and the fans for an error in judgment and for putting myself in a difficult situation. I intend to properly resolve this situation, and do not intend to be in such a situation again. My goal is to focus on pitching for the Yankees in the 2009 season."

He better not be in such a situation again.

Joba arrested for DUI

Joba Chamberlain was arrested for driving under the influence this morning, according to Peter Abraham.

Deborah Collins, a spokeswoman for the Nebraska State Patrol, said that the 23-year-old Chamberlain was pulled over after being observed speeding in a 2006 BMW 75i shortly after 1 a.m. on U.S. 77.

Chamberlain was arrested after an odor of alcohol was detected and an open container of alcohol was observed on the front passenger seat. Chamberlain was taken to the Cornhusker Place Detox and booked on charges of driving under the influence, having an open container of alcohol and speeding.

How stupid do you have to be?

Hopefully the Yankees will talk this over with him, because behavior like this is absolutely unacceptable.

Banish this man from "Yankees Universe"

Read this Harvey Araton article, and tell me how you feel about Jeremy Flug.

For one thing, I'll never be caught dead wearing a Red Sox cap ever, let alone in Fenway Park cheering for them in the playoffs.

"The Red Sox grow on you," Flug said. If the Red Sox are a parasite, then yes, they do grow on you - and the host does not benefit.

Video of the new Yankee Stadium

Greg from Sliding Into Home has kept us updated throughout most of the Yankee Stadium construction process with great photos. Today he found a video of the inside.



As you can see, the grass has been installed and they're already running a Budweiser ad. That sounds about right.

Huge comeback vaults Sox into Game 6

Unbelievable.

The Rays, up 7-0, nine outs away from advancing to the World Series, gave up eight runs over the next three innings to lose 8-7 to bring the series back to Tampa for Game 6.

This is the kind of win that can catapult Boston to the World Series and the kind of loss that can cripple the Rays.

Scott Kazmir was cruising through six innings. When he came out of the game, everything went to hell. What a shame.

Game 6 is tomorrow night at 8:07 p.m.

Listen to me on Quinnipiac radio

I will be appearing on my friend Jeremy's radio show, Teeing It Up with Jeremy Schilling, tonight around 6:20 p.m. ET. Joining me will be Andrew and Jamie. As you can see, it'll be a blogtravaganza.

You can listen to it all on WQAQ.com. Click "enter" and then "new online radio player."

I have no idea what we'll be talking about, but how can you pass up an opportunity to listen to my wonderful voice?

Phillies advance to World Series

The Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Joe Torre-led Dodgers to win the National League pennant tonight. Needless to say, my Mets fan roommate is unhappy.

He's probably feeling how I felt in 2004 when the Red Sox made the World Series and eventually won the whole thing. While the Phillies didn't advance to the World Series at the expense of the Mets, there are parallels to this situation.

Hopefully the Rays will only need one game to close out the Red Sox and will beat the Phillies in the World Series so everyone is happy.

Fenway Citgo sign catches on fire

Keeping in tune with the slow news day them, I saw this on The Final Score:

The Boston Red Sox's season isn't quite up in flames, but a small fire at a landmark near Fenway Park can't be a good omen.

The Citgo sign, looming over Fenway Park, was damaged in a fire on Wednesday, an off-day in the ALCS.

The fire melted and blackened some of the plastic panels on the red, white and blue Citgo sign over Fenway's Green Monster in left field. No one was injured.

That's great news for the Tampa Bay Rays. Game 5 will take place tomorrow night in Boston at 8:07 p.m. ET.