The Posada situation

As first reported by Scott Proctor's Arm, Jorge Posada is a free agent. He is also planning on fielding offers from other teams this off-season to gauge how valuable he is. To the Yankees - at least this off-season - he is extremely valuable. Since the Yankees have no catchers in their system that are Major League ready and since there are no overwhelmingly great options in the free agent or trade markets, the Yankees will be forced to overpay for Posada's services.

Posada will be 37 next August. Posada has also played in at least 131 games at catcher every season since 2000.

I know I have gone on record stating my disdain for Posada. He has had a couple of terrible postseasons and is not an extraordinarily clutch player, at least in my opinion. When he comes up to bat in a huge spot, I never feel like something good is bound to happen. For whatever the reason, he's never been one of my favorite players. I know I take a lot of heat for this, but I can't help the way I feel.

This season was arguably Posada's best of his career. He hit .338 with 20 home runs and 90 RBI at the age of 35 in a contract year. I feel that this season may have been somewhat of an aberration.

Can Posada hit over .300 next year? Absolutely. However, he is seeking at least a four-year deal worth over $12 million per. That would take him to age 40, and as a catcher, that is very old. If the Yankees want to make that kind of commitment to Posada, he would probably have to switch positions if his knees start to give out behind the plate.

If this was another other off-season, I'd say that the Yankees could almost let Posada walk. However, the loss of Alex Rodriguez is going to force the Yankees' hand. Posada has all of the leverage in the world and the Yankees will have to give into his demands.

This will be a moot point in four years if Posada miraculously shows no signs of decline. However, his workload suggests that a decline could be in the future.

Posada has played 86 innings at first base in 18 career games. If he signs a four-year deal with the Yankees, that number could increase drastically.

Scott Proctor's Arm on Facebook

So, Facebook has added this cool new feature that allows people to promote their businesses. Me, being the opportunist that I am, decided to make one for Scott Proctor's Arm.

Scott Proctor's Page on Facebook can be found here. If you are a frequent user of Facebook, please add it.

Jeter speaks

Derek Jeter spoke at Joe Torre's Safe at Home Foundation gala last night.

He spoke about the future of Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera, as well as Alex Rodriguez.

From Mark Feinsand:

"There's not many people in the game that do the things that he does," Jeter said of Rodriguez, who opted out of the final three years of his contract, leading the Yanks to state that they will not try to work out a deal with him. "We're trying to win, but it takes more than one person. We've had teams that have won and we haven't had numbers like that put up, so you don't necessarily have to have those type of numbers in order to win."

"I'm not worried about it. I think they're coming back," Jeter said. "It has nothing to do with what I've talked to them about, but if you asked me, I think they're coming back."

Rivera and Posada also attended the event last night, giving him an opportunity to convince the two free agents to return to the only team for which they have ever played. Not that Jeter feels they need much convincing.

"I don't have to sell the Yankees to them," Jeter said. "They've been here long enough. There's nothing I can tell them that they don't already know."

Jeter is absolutely right. The loss of Rodriguez will hurt this year, but in the long run, it could be one of the best things to happen to the Yankees this century. It's time to go back to being a team, and not just 25 guys who hit home runs against Tampa Bay in July but can't score runs in the playoffs.

I think Rivera is a lock to return. No other team will offer him as much as the Yankees are prepared to offer. Posada seems more adamant to test the market.

Jeter, Rodriguez and Posada win Silver Sluggers

From Bryan Hoch:

Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada and Alex Rodriguez were rewarded with American League Silver Slugger Awards, recognizing their offensive contributions in helping the Yankees to a 94-victory season and the AL Wild Card.

Louisville Slugger's Silver Slugger Award winners were determined in balloting of Major League coaches and managers who were asked to vote for the players they felt were the best offensive producers at each position in both leagues in 2007. (MLB.com)

Congratulations to Jeter and Posada.

Carlos Pena, Placido Polanco, Ichiro Suzuki, Vladimir Guerrero, Magglio Ordonez and David Ortiz rounded out the American Leaders winners.

Yankees and Posada still far apart

From Mark Feinsand:

Cashman spent roughly an hour late Wednesday night with Seth Levinson, one of Jorge Posada's agents, but a source said the two sides made no progress and don't appear any closer to reaching an agreement.

The Yankees extended their latest offer to Posada, but the catcher has made it clear that he plans to test the free agent market before signing a deal. The Yankees have offered the catcher a three-year contract, but it would likely take four years in the range of $52 million to $56 million to secure the rights of the five-time All-Star, as he believes other teams will offer deals of that magnitude. (New York Daily News)

That contract is ridiculous for a 36-year-old catcher, but the Yankees have to do it. I've never been a huge fan of Posada, but they have no one in the system that could step in and fill Posada's shoes, unfortunately.

Torre to publish memoirs on his Yankee years

From the Associated Press:

The book, currently untitled, will be co-authored by Sports Illustrated's Tom Verducci and will include Torre's memories of the Yankees, with whom he won four World Series championships, and general thoughts on the game.

Doubleday, an imprint of Random House Inc., will publish the book in the spring of 2009.

"Baseball has changed dramatically since I began my tenure with the Yankees,'' Torre said in a statement issued Thursday by Doubleday. "It was a wonderful 12 years and I look forward to sharing my thoughts and perspective on how the game has evolved.''

According to Doubleday, Torre will explain his "decision to walk way from the job of manager of the Yankees, but only as the endgame in explaining in unprecedented detail what history will record as the 'Torre Era.'"

"In addition to sharing Torre's knowledge of the game, the authors will examine the rapidly changing baseball landscape, explaining how developments such as revenue sharing and the rise of statistical analysis have made the future existence of dynasties virtually impossible,'' the statement reads. (ESPN.com)

It should be interesting to see what Torre has to say about his Yankee years. I'm not much of a reader, but I may just have to pick this book up.

Orioles interested in Farnsworth

From Tyler Kepner:

The Orioles also need a closer because of injuries to Chris Ray and Danys Báez and are interested in Kyle Farnsworth, who was developed by the Chicago Cubs when MacPhail and Manager Dave Trembley worked there. (The New York Times)

Farnsworth made $5.25 million last year and will make $5.5 million next year. He was barely used down the stretch and was highly ineffective when he was used. If the Yankees can get anything for him, they might as well make the move.

Damon to be the starting left fielder

From Ken Davidoff:

Girardi, the Yankees' new manager, is leading the charge to keep Johnny Damon in pinstripes, a person familiar with the club's thinking said, as part of the team's renewed commitment to pitching and defense. Damon impressed the Yankees last year when he switched from centerfield to leftfield, with a layover at designated hitter.

"They realize how important I am to the team," Damon told reporters, according to WFAN. "The way it looks, I'll definitely be back."

Said Cashman: "Like anything else, you don't rule anything out. But I feel Johnny is an important part of this club. I'd love to see him out in leftfield every day and leading off for us." (Newsday)

Damon seemed to be rejuvenated towards the end of the season after a brutal start. After moving to left, Melky Cabrera was given the everyday center field job. While he remains the topic of trade rumors, Cabrera is a very capable outfielder and should only be a better hitter this season.

This leaves Hideki Matsui and Jason Giambi in interesting positions. Matsui would seemingly be the everyday designated hitter, with Giambi occasionally playing first base.

What do you think? Should the Yankees try to play Matsui at first base? I don't really know, but, as Davidoff mentions, it'll be hard for the Yankees to trade Matsui. He has a full no-trade clause and is crucial for marketing purposes.

Base coaches to wear helmets

Major league general managers decided Thursday that first- and third-base coaches will wear helmets during games next season, an action taken four months after Colorado's Mike Coolbaugh was killed when he was struck on the head by a line drive.

Coolbaugh, a coach for the Rockies' minor league team in Tulsa, died July 22 when he was hit as he stood in the first-base coach's box during a Texas League game at Arkansas. (Associated Press)

This is the absolute right move, but it is too bad that someone had to die before they made changes.

So, I made Deadspin this afternoon

Deadspin, the premier sports blog on the Internet, linked to Scott Proctor's Arm this afternoon.

I submitted my post on Skip Bayless and Jay Crawford last night and Will Leitch thought it was good enough to be a main article on his site today.

This really means a lot to me. Deadspin is read by thousands of people each day, and to be linked by them has brought in a few hundred more hits today (so far). When I first started this blog, one of my goals was to have something of mine be put on Deadspin.

I am very happy.

What Mets fans are "just sayin'" about A-Rod

My good friend Andrew over at The 'Ropolitans has this take on the Alex Rodriguez situation.

He makes a valid argument. Scott Boras knows what he's doing by trying to get the Mets involved. In the long run, however, the Mets will realize that they don't need him.

Girardi has no issues with Cabrera

Joe Girardi would not be opposed to a trade involving Miguel Cabrera.

From Peter Abraham:

As manager of the Marlins in 2006, Girardi can provide a better report on Cabrera than any scout on Brian Cashman's staff. And Girardi believes Cabrera would be a perfect fit for the Yankees.

"He's a great player and he's a smart player, too. He really understands the game of baseball," Girardi said. "I loved having him.

"I'm very interested in him because he's such a great young player. But obviously everything has to come at the right price. I'm sure there will be a lot of discussion. But at times you wonder how much he is out there (in the trade market)." (The Journal News)

The price that Girardi is referring to with almost certainly involve some of the Yankees' young talent. Brian Cashman said that he is looking to build around the young arms, specifically Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes.

I do not want to part with either of them. In fact, I'd be willing to trade Melky Cabrera and Chien-Ming Wang before I trade Chamberlain and Hughes.

However, the Yankees do need a third baseman, so I wouldn't be shocked if the Yankees do indeed end up with Cabrera. Hopefully the trade does not involve the top prospects, because as good as Cabrera is, the young arms are more important.

Jay Crawford: Skip Bayless is bizarre

This is rather off-topic, but this was too good not to share.

Jay Crawford (right), host of ESPN's First Take, spoke to one of my classes this evening and had a lot of interesting things to say.

His thoughts on Skip Bayless (left), the annoying sports devil's advocate, were especially intriguing. He gave us some insight on Bayless' social life.

At staff parties celebrating the show's anniversary, Bayless would often lock himself in a room by himself and watch games instead of hanging out with his co-workers, according to Crawford.

Also, if Bayless came across a great game, he would TiVo it and watch the game, play-by-play, the next day.

Apparently Bayless isn't all that he seems on television. According to Crawford, Bayless is shy and quiet in person - not his table-banging self. However, he does believe everything he says, no matter how nonsensical it is.

Rivera: 3 years, $40 million?

From Peter Abraham:

Mariano Rivera: By the end of this week, the Yankees could announce a three-year, $40 million deal for their closer. Rivera was dramatically underpaid when compared to some of his teammates, but this would give him an average annual salary of $13.3 million. (LoHud Yankees Blog)

My ideal contract would have been two years with an option, but like with Jorge Posada, the Yankees can't afford to lose Rivera.

Rivera will turn 38 at the end of November and struggled at various points this season. However, he is still one of the best closers in the game, and until he shows otherwise, the Yankees need to keep him if he is willing to pitch.

Posada wants four years

From Mark Feinsand:

After the Yankees opted not to give Posada a contract extension during spring training, the catcher expressed his desire to play out the season and wait until the end of the year to discuss a new deal.

Given last month's events, which included the departure of Joe Torre and Alex Rodriguez's opt-out, Posada will wait to see what offers come in from other teams before making any decision.

The biggest sticking point for Posada may wind up being the length of a deal, as the 36-year-old is seeking a four-year pact, according to sources, who said the Yankees have internally discussed an offer of three years and $40 million. With the Mets expected to be one of the teams in the bidding, Posada plans to see what his market value is, though the Yankees likely will do whatever they must in order to retain the popular 11-year veteran. (New York Daily News)

I'd be extremely hesitant to give Jorge Posada a four-year deal. However, after losing Alex Rodriguez, they can't lose Posada's bat too (at least for this season). He will need to start taking grounders at first base if he starts to decline due to age behind the plate.

Pettitte declines player option

From ESPN.com:

Andy Pettitte declined his $16 million option to return to 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 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." (ESPN)

Pettitte will not sign elsewhere, so until he says he's retiring, I'm not worried.

Mattingly and Bowa to join Torre in LA

Joe Torre announced at his press conference that former Yankee coaches Don Mattingly and Larry Bowa will be joining his coaching staff in Los Angeles.

Joe Girardi has already named his coaching staff, so this doesn't come as a surprise. Bowa was rumored to join Seattle's staff earlier this month, but I guess that can be put to rest.

(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Yanks to pick up Abreu's option

From Ed Price:

The Yankees have picked up the $16 million option for 2008 on right fielder Bobby Abreu. A person informed of the decision, who asked not to be named since the Yankees had not yet made an announcement, confirmed the move today. (Ledger on the Yankees)

This is a good move. If you asked me in May if I wanted Abreu's option picked up, I'd obviously say "no." However, he had a more "Abreu-like" second half and finished with respectable numbers (.283, 16 HR, 101 RBI). If he was consistent all year, he would've hit over .300.

Torre to manage Dodgers

This was reported a few days ago and has been mentioned on this site, but Joe Torre has officially been named manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

According to SportsCenter, the contract is worth $13 million over three years. The Yankees had offered him one year for $5 million with $1 million for each round advanced to in the playoffs.

Rodriguez wants the door to remain open

From Mark Feinsand:

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." (New York Daily News)

If this were true, Scott Boras wouldn't have given Brian Cashman 10 minutes between voicemails and text messages. If this were true, Rodriguez would control Boras and tell him not to make any moves during Game 4 of the World Series. If this were true, Rodriguez would have negotiated an extension on his own.

I'm not buying this one bit. Rodriguez knew opting out of his contract would result in cutting ties with the Yankees.

Alex Rodriguez is done as a New York Yankee.