Boras called Yankees about Teixeira

We learned yesterday that the Yankees were back to talking Mark Teixeira. However, as Kat O'Brien reported this morning, it was Scott Boras who initiated the talks.

One source said Boras gave Cashman an estimate of what it would cost to land Teixeira, a superb defensive and offensive first baseman. The ballpark figure reportedly was about $22 million to $23 million per year on an eight-year contract, for a total of $180 million to $185 million.

The source said Boras wanted to give the Yankees an opportunity to make an offer. The Yankees currently do not have an offer on the table for Teixeira.
...

Cashman met personally with Teixeira and Boras before the winter meetings but reportedly made no offer. A source said the Yankees have not ruled out making an offer for Teixeira, saying: "We're debating it. Some in the organization want to do it."

"Some in the organization want to do it."

My guess is that should read: "Hank and Hal Steinbrenner want to do it."

O'Brien goes on to suggest the Yankees will remain on the sideline of these talks. She also said Brian Cashman said earlier this week that the Yankees plan to have a lower payroll this year.

So there you have it. The Yankees are debating offering Teixeira a contract.

Post: Hank still in charge

The Steinbrenner brothers (not only Hal) are still the go-to guys when it comes to making decisions, according to the Post's George King.

"There is one very important point here," Steinbrenner told The Post during an exclusive half-hour session. "The most important thing to remember is this: If you didn't get it from me or my brother [Hal], it doesn't mean [anything]. I don't care about some piss-ant employee. If you don't get it from me or Hal, it's meaningless. I have a lot of things [in Tampa] and Hal is in New York, which is good."

Asked if he has taken a step back, Steinbrenner emphatically said, "No."

First off, I hate when newspapers call their interviews "exclusives." Hank talks to anyone who has a microphone or recorder and is willing to listen.

Now that that's out of my system, let's discuss this quote. Usually the stuff that comes out of Hank's mouth is meaningless. Also, is Brian Cashman considered a "piss-ant employee?" He does a lot of speaking on organizational matters. Because Hank said this, I'll just take it with a grain of salt.

Cashman signs three-year contract extension

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has signed a three-year contract extension to remain with the team through the 2011 season.

Peter Abraham has a statement from Cashman himself:

“I know I’ve said it before, but it’s an incredible opportunity and honor to hold the title of general manager for the New York Yankees. With it comes a great responsibility to ownership, the people who wear the uniform and our fan base. I’ve got a job to finish here. That’s the bottom line.

“I consider coming off a season where we didn’t reach the playoffs for the first time since 1993 as a personal challenge. I’ve never been one to run from a challenge, and I look forward to having the chance to go after this thing again.”

Cashman apparently can stand working for Hank Steinbrenner after all.

He has his own philosophy on how to run a team and will certainly be a level-headed voice in the front office to go along with Hal Steinbrenner. With a lot of money coming off the payroll at the end of this season, Cashman can fill up many of the holes that plagued the 2008 team. Whether or not he makes the right decisions, however, remains to be seen.

What are your thoughts on Cashman's return?

Hank puts his foot in his mouth yet again

Neil Best has excerpts of Hank Steinbrenner's latest column:

— On revenue sharing: “That’s a system I don’t particularly like. It’s a socialist system, and I don’t agree with it. Does it work? It depends on your point of view. But is it right? Is it even American? I’d argue no on both of those points.”

— On the divisional setup: “… If you want to talk about things that infuriate me about the game today, revenue sharing doesn’t top the list. The biggest problem is the divisional setup in major league baseball. I didn’t like it in the 1970s, and I hate it now. Baseball went to a multidivision setup to create more races, rivalries and excitement. But it isn’t fair. You see it this season, with plenty of people in the media pointing out that Joe Torre and the Dodgers are going to the playoffs while we’re not. This is by no means a knock on Torre — let me make that clear—but look at the division they’re in. If L.A. were in the A.L. East, it wouldn’t be in the playoff discussion. The A.L. East is never weak.”

— On Joe Torre: “I’m happy for Joe, but you have to compare the divisions and the competition. What if the Yankees finish the season with more wins than the Dodgers but the Dodgers make the playoffs? Does that make the Dodgers a better team? No.”

— On his case for the divisional setup not being good for the game: “Go back to the 2006 season. St. Louis winning the World Series — that was ridiculous. The Cardinals won their division with 83 wins — two fewer than the Phillies, who missed the postseason. People will say the Cardinals were the best team because they won the World Series. Well, no, they weren’t. They just got hot at the right time. They didn’t even belong in the playoffs. And neither does a team from the N.L. West this season.”

— On the media: “The divisional setup is not right by any definition of logic. But the sports media rarely deals with logic —so you never read about this.”

This is coming from a man who had "better things to do" than to attend the last game in Yankee Stadium. That alone ruins any credibility Steinbrenner had. It's obvious that Hal is the one who is really in charge and that the media shouldn't run to Hank for answers.

I'll let the words speak for themselves and not try to analyze whatever point he's trying to make.

Update - 9:00 p.m.: Apparently, Hank watched the final game with his father in Tampa. That excuse will suffice. I still believe that Hal is really the one who is in charge.

Our long national nightmare is over

The infamous Red Sox shirt buried in the new Yankee Stadium has been unearthed.

We now don't have to worry about jinxes and other nonsense.

This quote from Hal Steinbrenner is absolutely hilarious as well: "I hope his co-workers kick the [expletive] out of him."

Hat tip to RAB.

Rubenstein: Hank and Hal are equals

Peter Abraham did some digging and got some interesting information from the former mouthpiece of the organization, Howard Rubenstein.

Regarding the power of the Steinbrenner Brothers:

“They share the power,” Rubenstein said. “They are equal partners for both business and baseball. I spoke to them about it today and that’s the situation.”

Rubenstein also mentions that George still has input, but obviously his role.

I'm starting to get the feeling that Brian Cashman won't be back next season.

Yankosphere: January 6

• Brian Cashman feels has job has changed since the emergence of Hank and Hal Steinbrenner [LoHud Yankees Blog]
• Goose Gossage will be a Spring Training instructor. He also feels that Joba Chamberlain is more valuable out of the bullpen. [New York Post]
• Roger Clemens and his legal team thought about attacking the Mitchell Report before it was even released. [New York Post]
  
• The Star-Ledger scored an interview with Hank. [The Star-Ledger]
• Mike from High and Tight was today's guest blogger. Reminder: I will be guest blogging on Jan. 9. [LoHud Yankees Blog]

Clemens will be on 60 Minutes tonight as soon as CBS' football coverage ends.

Until then, go Giants!!!

Hank vs. Hal

According to Joel Sherman of the Post, there seems to be a conflict between George Steinbrenner's sons, Hank and Hal.

Hank Steinbrenner has continued to suggest the Yanks are in play for Santana, and a sense has percolated of a tug-of-war between Steinbrenner's willingness to surrender top youngsters and GM Brian Cashman's reluctance. But multiple sources say the media has focused on the wrong son of George Steinbrenner. These sources say Hal Steinbrenner is most responsible for dictating financial policy and does not want to spend the dollars in salary and luxury tax (nearly $30 million annually) necessary for Santana.

I think this could finally put an end to the Johan Santana/Yankee trade rumors to bed. Cashman has seemed hesitant to trade away the farm system that he has helped recover, and the Yankees have had to pay a large luxury tax bill each of the last five years.

If the Yankees don't end up trading for Santana, Cashman would have made a huge stand with the new owner. Hank Steinbrenner likes to talk a lot, but the decisions on players should ultimately rest with Cashman.