Yankosphere: January 9

• Goose Gossage reacts to his Hall of Fame election. [New York Daily News]
• Bryan Hoch breaks down the Yankees' corner infielders. [Yankees.com]
• My pal Rob Neyer lists his top 10 individual seasons of all-time. [ESPN.com]
• Once again, I was today's guest blogger on Peter Abraham's blog. [LoHud Yankees Blog]
  

Hank talks Santana - again

Hank Steinbrenner finally acknowledges that Johan Santana would cost a lot.

From Kat O'Brien at Newsday:

"The payroll would just be out of this world this year," Steinbrenner said of potentially adding Santana, "but only for this year. When you've got to trade top young talent and pay a lot of money, it gets very risky."

If the Yankees do complete a trade for Santana, Steinbrenner said they would not go beyond a five-year contract extension (one that expires after the 2013 season).

"I wouldn't do it if it were a six- or seven-year contract," Steinbrenner said. "I wouldn't go past five, on an extension."

For once, he's right. You shouldn't give a 28-year-old pitcher seven years. However, why did he need to say this publicly?

Steinbrenner also mentions that there is nothing new on the Santana front. For those playing along at home, the last offer for Santana was thought to be Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera, Jeff Marquez and a fourth prospect.

Much ado about winter

The following is my guest post at the LoHud Yankees Blog:

Following another early playoff exit, things were looking grim for the New York Yankees. Joe Torre, after 12 successful seasons, was out after what was probably his best managerial job (winning 94 games after starting 21-29), and many thought free agents Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte would follow in a mass exodus. Alex Rodriguez also opted out of his record contract during Game 4 of the World Series.

But by the end of December, the Yankees were successful in retaining their free agents. Some of their contracts bothered me, while others were smart.

Posada, a 36-year-old catcher, has played in 131 or more games behind the plate every season since 2000. I would have been hesitant to give him four years and $52.4 million at that age for fear of him breaking down, no viable replacements in-house (the catching prospects are extremely young) and a lack of position mobility. However, at the time, Rodriguez looked like he was a goner and the team couldn’t afford to lose Posada’s bat after he had a career year. The Yankees blew their chance to get any sort of discount by refusing to negotiate during spring training.

Rivera also received a bloated contract (three years, $45 million). I would have given him a two-year contract with an option, but Rivera also felt slighted that he wasn’t spoken to during the spring. Rivera had probably the worst season of his career this year, yet he was rewarded with a pay-raise ($15 million per year for a closer pitching about 70 innings is ridiculous). An option would’ve allowed the Yankees to gauge where Rivera was at the age of 40.

The biggest and most expensive move involved the reigning M.V.P. Rodriguez signed a 10-year, $275 million contract with bonuses for home run milestones (making it potentially worth $305 million). The contract is a relative bargain, as it is not back-loaded when he’s past his prime.

Losing his right-handed bat would have been a crushing blow to the team for the upcoming season. But in the long-run, if he left, it could have been beneficial to the team. His production is irreplaceable, but the Yankees would’ve had more money to sign cheaper, quality players to stray away from the all-star lineup concept which has failed to win playoff games since 2004.

With the young pitchers likely having innings caps this season, re-signing Pettitte was a must. After declining his $16 million player option to weigh his future, he signed a one-year contract for the same amount a few weeks later. His production last season (15-9, 4.05 ERA), however, probably doesn’t warrant a deal worth that much.

I don’t like LaTroy Hawkins, but I liked his contract (one year, $3.75 million). The Yankees finally realized they shouldn’t give multi-year contracts to mediocre relievers.

Yes, this isn’t my money. However, with the luxury tax becoming a factor, the Yankees should become more cautious in their spending. They should also reevaluate their policy of not negotiating during spring training. They probably could’ve gotten Rivera and Posada to re-sign at much lower values.

I am very excited for the Joe Girardi era to begin. I loved his hire, because he won the 2006 National League Manager of the Year award with a young team and the Yankees appear to be headed in a younger direction as well. Hopefully Yankee fans will have a lot to cheer about when October rolls around this year.

---

Any feedback or comments are appreciated.

Gossage to the HOF

Goose Gossage was finally voted into the Hall of Fame today, earning 85.% of the vote. He received a little over 71% last year.

Congratulations, Goose.

37 days until pitchers and catchers

No, Casey, it's 37 days.

Baseball America releases its report on the Yankees

The print version of Baseball America's report on the Yankees' farm system was released earlier, but the online version was put up today.

The Yankees' top 10 prospects are:

1. Joba Chamberlain
2. Austin Jackson
3. Jose Tabata
4. Ian Kennedy
5. Alan Horne
6. Jesus Montero
7. Jeff Marquez
8. Brett Gardner
9. Ross Ohlendorf
10. Andrew Brackman

I don't know how Brackman can be on there after having Tommy John surgery. If that's the case, Humberto Sanchez should be listed too. I also don't think Gardner is anything more than a fourth outfielder and a pinch runner on this team.

Yankosphere: January 7

There is no news in the papers today other than a recap of the Roger Clemens interview, and I'm tired of talking about that.

• The only baseball-related item regarding Clemens is that he told Mike Wallace that he will not make a comeback. [New York Post]
• Bryan Hoch answers readers' questions. [Yankees.com]
  
• Mike from Canyon of Heroes was Peter Abraham's guest blogger today. [LoHud Yankees Blog]
  

Chronicle: Clemens sues McNamee

From Alyson Footer at MLB.com:

Roger Clemens filed a defamation lawsuit Sunday night against Brian McNamee, claiming his longtime trainer was threatened with jail if he didn't connect the seven-time Cy Young winner with steroids.

According to a Houston Chronicle report, the lawsuit was filed electronically with the Harris County civil courts Sunday evening, just before CBS aired Clemens' interview on "60 Minutes."

After releasing several statements claiming his innocence, posting a video denial on his personal Web site and speaking out on "60 Minutes," the lawsuit is Clemens' next strategic move in an effort to clear his name.

"I don't know if I'll ever get the naysayers back. I don't know what I'm going to get. Maybe some of my name back," Clemens said to the Chronicle Sunday. The report also revealed Clemens' stance that the lawsuit will not keep him from testifying before Congress on Jan. 16, which he plans to do without asking for immunity or invoking any rights.

And the circus continues.

I really can't wait for these 38 days to pass. I need to see some real baseball news before I go crazy.

The report also mentions that Clemens has asked the court to declare that Clemens has not defamed McNamee. The lawsuit includes quotes from McNamee that came from a conversation with private investigators hired by Clemens' attorney, including the fact that McNamee was persuaded to talk about Clemens after he was threatened.

38 days until Spring Training

Clemens on '60 Minutes'

I wasn't home to watch the Roger Clemens interview on 60 Minutes tonight. Apparently he didn't say much (not like that wasn't unexpected).

For those who also missed it, here is the transcript from Boston.com.

For those who saw it, what did you think of it?

At least one of my teams can get past the first round

bELIeve!

(AP Photo/Scott Audette)

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!!!

Cashman on the bullpen

According to Brian Cashman, there are only three guaranteed spots in the rotation - Mariano Rivera, LaTroy Hawkins and Kyle Farnsworth.

He spoke to the Daily News about the other spots:

"The pen is a work in progress," Cashman said. "We'll have a lot of competition in spring training. As long as you have quality competing for those spots, that's good. We have guys with a lot of potential. If they're ready now or later, we'll have to see.

"For the most part, we like the talent we have against the market at the prices the market is demanding."

Cashman said prized prospects such as Jeff Marquez and Alan Horne might be in the bullpen mix, along with Ross Ohlendorf, Edwar Ramirez, Jose Veras, Steven White, Jeff Karstens, Brian Bruney, Chris Britton and Jonathan Albaladejo. Lefties Kei Igawa, Sean Henn and Chase Wright will vie for pen spots, Cashman said.

...

"We've engaged the market," Cashman said. "We'll look at trades, free agents, as always. But right now, what we have is what is going to be competing in spring training."

The bullpen is the one trouble spot on this team, and that has always been a weakness of Cashman's.

I can still see Joba Chamberlain starting the season in the bullpen to keep his innings total down.

Cashman also said that the Yankees will not look outside the organization for a first baseman: "We have (Jason) Giambi, Shelley (Duncan) and Wilson Betemit and (Juan) Miranda is coming off a terrific Double-A season," Cashman said.

...Great.

Clemens and McNamee speak on the phone

From David Lennon at Newsday:

In a surprising twist to their public war of words, Roger Clemens and his former trainer, Brian McNamee, spoke by telephone Friday night, Newsday has learned. It was their first contact since the Mitchell Report was released Dec. 13, and a person close to the situation described the hourlong conversation between the longtime friends as "emotional."

It is unclear whether Clemens or McNamee initiated the call, and attempts to reach representatives for both of them Saturday night were unsuccessful. Clemens and McNamee have been friends since 1998, when the two were together on the Blue Jays, and it was Clemens who got McNamee hired by the Yankees after he was obtained from Toronto at the start of the 1999 season.

Just when you thought things couldn't get any stranger, this happens.

Clemens will appear on 60 Minutes whenever the late football game ends tonight. He has already stated that McNamee injected him with legal drugs.

Also, Clemens and McNamee, as well as Andy Pettitte and others were asked to testify in front of Congress on Jan. 16.

39 days until pitchers and catchers

Why so upset, Shawn Chacon?

New poll: What are your thoughts on Hank Steinbrenner?

I have added a new poll to the right-hand side.

The question is fairly simple: what are your thoughts on Hank Steinbrenner?

Discuss your choice here.

Yankosphere: January 5

Today has been relatively quiet.

• Jim Leyritz's attorney believes that his client is innocent. Big surprise there. [New York Daily News]
• More on Roger Clemens' and Andy Pettitte's court date. [The New York Times]
• Peter Abraham answers your questions, in his seventh installment of the off-season mailbag. [LoHud Yankees Blog]
• Mark from The Bronx Stop was today's guest blogger. [LoHud Yankees Blog]

Cashman dissents from the owner

Yesterday, Hank Steinbrenner said that final decisions rest with the owner (himself). He also said he was still leaning on pulling the trigger on a Johan Santana deal.

Brian Cashman doesn't want to hear any of it.

From today's Bergen Record by Pete Caldera:

"This is what the rotation is, and this is what we're going [to spring training] with," Brian Cashman said Friday. The Yankees' general manager added that he has between now and Aug. 31, the final day he can add players who could be on the postseason roster, to "put together the best team out there on the field."

...

"We have budgets and players that we want to hold on to," Cashman said, speaking generally about "some of the hurdles that prevent you from doing certain things."

I obviously agree with Cashman's sentiment. The Yankees have spent over $120 million in luxury tax the last five seasons and haven't won a World Championship. They are sick of spending a lot of money for first round losses in the playoffs and realize that it is time for a change.

Steinbrenner became the mouthpiece all of a sudden and is starting to not listen to his baseball people. This could be a big problem.

Via MLB Trade Rumors, there is a report in today's Star Tribune saying that the Twins realize that they won't get both Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy in a deal, and that they would accept other players instead of Kennedy - leaving it at Hughes, Melky Cabrera, Jeff Marquez and possibly Kei Igawa.

If this report is true, it only gives Steinbrenner more of a reason do the trade. I still wouldn't do it, even though I'd love to get rid of Igawa.

A-Rod's "stuff" not in Canseco book

Don Yeager was supposed to collaborate on Jose Canseco's new book. Instead, he passed and spoke to the New York Daily News about the book.

"I'm passing," Yaeger told the Daily News. "I had a chance to review the Jose Canseco (material) that he provided me. I don't think there's a book there. I don't know what they're going to do. I don't think he's got what he claims to have, certainly doesn't have what he claims to have on A-Rod.

"There's no meat on the bones."

This is good to hear. The last thing Rodriguez needs is another off-the-field distraction.

Canseco said that the Mitchell Report was incomplete and that Rodriguez is not who he appears to be. If Canseco really had "stuff" on Rodriguez, it would have appeared in his first book.

40 days until pitchers and catchers

Chien-Ming Wang is thrilled that he will report to Tampa in only 40 short days.