DISMISSALS:  A-ROD & MIKE FRANCESA

Isn’t it ironic that the only two people who thought that A-Rod’s lawsuit cases against MLB & the Player’s Union had a chance are now without a voice to be heard or seen on the YES Network again?  Basically, in the same week, A-Rod withdrew both lawsuits, submitting to his 162-game suspension and Mike Francesa was withdrawn by the YES Network, ending his 12-year on-air broadcast with them.

Both dismissals give Yankees’ fans quite the opposite - affirmation and declaration!  It is now affirmed that we don’t have to deal with anymore court drama, while we can relate to the Declaration of Independence from both morons.

A-Rod may never play another game in a Yankee uniform, which is what most NYY fans hope.  That soap opera is still lingering, but it’s thankfully losing its storylines.  Perhaps the Yankees will make a compromising offer that will lessen the $61 million owed for the final two seasons (2015 & 2016).  At least in this coming season, we don’t have to deal with the saga.

Mike Francesa is only getting what he has deserved for a long time - someone to put him in his place and disconnect him!  The man has progressively gotten worse each year since his bitter loss of his “dog”.  Ever since Chris Russo (the Mad Dog) was dismissed from WFAN, Francesa has begun to act more and more like a brat. It’s bad enough listening to him on the radio waves rudely hanging up on his callers, but watching his expressions and temper tantrums on TV is even more humiliating.

He claims that the YES Network wanted sportscasters that only spoke on a lopsided sway to their liking.  Well, talk about calling the kettle black, he determinedly only listened to callers that saw things from his close-minded perspective.  Others were rudely hung up on by the world’s cockiest and rudest man.  Many of those callers were even ridiculed more, after their disconnections!

Sadly, Mike Francesa has a lot of knowledge in baseball, football, basketball and even horse racing; but, his knowledge has been increasingly fading to the back of his reputation with his rudeness moving to the forefront of his career.  Many guests have reportedly resisted wanting to be on his show anymore because of it, and many callers continue to call others who are more open-minded, who might at least give them a chance to opinionate!  Ironically, the radio station advertises itself as the “Fan” but it’s the “fan” that Francesa filters and selectively ignores.  Without fans, he’s sportscasting to himself.  Maybe this could help him realize this?  Nah, he’s too cocky and thinks the world revolves around him.

Rumors evolve that Francesa may soon be aired on another TV cable channel and A-Rod still has a contract that will pay him a very handsome amount whether or not he plays another MLB game; but, for this week’s dismissals, I bluntly state that the Yankees are currently disconnected from both...“Yes”!!!

YANKS SIGN MASAHIRO TANAKA

Banzai, Banzai, Banzai / 万歳, 万歳, 万歳 / Hurrah, Hurrah, Hurrah

 
Finally, the NYY fans have some very hopeful news as the New York Yankees signed Masahiro Tanaka this past week.  The acquisition offers two major positives:  pitching and no more restricted spending for the upcoming season.  We now potentially have a number one or two starting pitcher to help boost a not-so-old starting rotation.  Furthermore, the whole attempt for luxury tax savings for 2013-2014 has officially ended as the $155 million contract for seven years (with an annual average of $22 million for the first 6 years and the final year amounting to $23 million) clearly hits the ball out of the park for this upcoming season’s tax restriction goal.

Of course, NYY fans can’t help but reflect upon the pain still lingering from our past non-MLB experienced Japanese pitching acquisitions - Kei Igawa and the late Hideki Irabu; but, the Yanks have revamped their whole Japanese (and overall) international scouting system since those baseball “errors” and have also added many more scouts to offer multiple opinions to help offer variant analyses.  Plus, we’re not the only ones who feel strong about Tanaka’s potential - although we’re the only ones who have fully scouted him for seven years!  There were allegedly many teams that bid the mandated $20 million fee to negotiate with Tanaka.  If this signing somehow (although doubtful) doesn’t amount to a successful signing, the other teams would be hypocritical to point their fingers at the Yankees, especially the Dodgers, Cubs, and Diamondbacks, who each supposedly offered contracts similar enough to what the Yankees proposed.

Additionally, Tanaka’s signing didn’t cost the Yankees any draft picks or require them to lose any players in a trade.   For the Yankees, it just cost them money, which is something that’s never been an obstacle during the Steinbrenner era.  I happily state “never” because this transaction clearly proves that the young Steinbrenners have definitively demonstrated what they’ve stated all along - they will continue building the team with the desire their father had - to win at all costs.

So, as we continue to anticipate this upcoming season with a lot of new key players added to our roster, we now have further hope of at least making the playoffs, with a lot of finger-crossing for health this year.  We also still have to continue waiting  a little longer to see the final 2014 season blueprint for our weak infield and weakened bullpen, both of  which Brian Cashman has already acknowledged.  Thus, time will eventually show us a clearer picture in each of those areas, too.

For now, it’s exciting to know we have added another huge piece to the puzzle - a young, 25-year-old phenom from Japan with a superb split-finger fastball and an excellent slider.  If he can initially convert his overly impressive Japanese League record of 24-0/1.27 ERA into at least 16 wins and an ERA below 3.50 during his first MLB season, then we will have enough ace-like pitching hope for years to come.  Banzai, Banzai, Banzai!!!

THE A-ROD SOAP OPERA SAGA

Are there many level-headed Yankees’ fans out there that are not relieved that A-Rod will not be playing in 2014 (barring a very unlikely Federal Court decision, based on the official MLB/Players Association's Collective Bargaining Arbitration Hearing)?  I, for one, am soooooo tired of all of this!!! 

For years, I have tried to respect his past abilities.  He, like Barry Bonds, was a superstar that never needed to cheat to achieve a great career.  Players like Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa apparently chose to cheat to become undeserving superstars during their final years, while A-Rod, and Bonds apparently chose to cheat to remain superstars during their final years.

Here are the numbers surrounding today’s outcome:

162 games (full 2014 season) suspension (reduced from 211 games originally suspended)

$22,131,148 salary suspension for A-Rod / savings for Yankees during the 2014 season

$6,000,000 additional savings for the Yankees during the 2014 season (assuming A-Rod would have hit 6 homers to attain a career total of 660 homers) activating a contracted bonus

Although, in this country, everyone is innocent until proven guilty, it is evident (for those who have paid attention to the MLB’s Players Association since their existence) that the union has persistently fought and stood by all of their accused players...until they saw the evidence against A-Rod!  That, in itself, is beyond the obvious.  Hence, there's enough for me to believe since I am not privy to the supposed confidential evidence.

 
Now, once again, we have another major step taken towards helping us evaluate the Yankees’ spending and possible attainment of the avoidance of the 2014 luxury tax penalty for exceeding $189 million.  Our next analysis will have to wait until the Tanaka outcome.  Will he sign with the Yankees or one of the many other MLB teams that have bid for his services?  If he does sign with the Yankees, will the Yankees have any leftover money?  If he doesn’t sign, will the Yankees try to contract one or more of the remaining free agents?

There are so many questions that I can’t wait to see answered during the upcoming week/months for this crazy offseason!  I believe that the failed television soap opera writers and the Soap Network should have followed the Yankees’ scripts over the years.  Perhaps, then, they'd both still be in business.  At least we know ratings and bottom-line dollars are drawn to the unscripted Yankees and, for the last decade, A-Rod.  Stay tuned for more episodes!

BRIAN CASHMAN'S FAULT

Brian Cashman was named Senior Vice-President (SVP) and General Manager (GM) of the New York Yankees back in 1998 and continues to service both of those roles.  For a very long time I have supported and continue to support most of the related transactions Brian Cashman has made during that span; however, I have one major issue related to his GM responsibilities which I will divulge that later in this blogged article.

I'd first like to begin, though, by evaluating the standard performance of today’s GMs in MLB.  Obviously, no GM can claim perfection any more than any of us can for our own professional responsibilities.  Even the supposedly best GMs rarely achieve a credible success rate regarding either player transactions or team wins that are essentially attributed to them.  A prime example would be the recently famous GM from the Oakland A’s, Billy Beane.  He gained his fame from the book and movie, "Money Ball".  Both illustrate Billy Beane as a brilliant GM who has figured out the best strategies to win without too much money to spend.  Yet, if you really examine his record and you believe (like most Yankees’ fans) that the ultimate goal is winning a World Series, then you will recognize that Billy Beane has never accomplished the ultimate prize - making him a failure under those expectations.

Of course, achieving a World Series with very little money to spend in comparison to higher market teams such as the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, and even the cheap Wilpon-owned Mets is not an easy accomplishment; however, the Florida Marlins have proven to be better with the same financial restraints.  While they were only formed in 1993 (7 years prior to Beane's management of the A's), they've achieved 2 championships (1997 & 2003) – which is, by the way, the same amount of championships the New York market Mets have won in their 52 seasons of existence!  So, although the A's have successfully made it to the AL Division Playoffs five times during Billy Beane’s current 14-year tenure, they've also failed to win any of the five AL Division Playoffs!  Again, not many general managers have true success, not even the famous ones.

As for Brian Cashman, I feel he qualifies as one of the best-proven GMs, even though he has the financial advantage by his side.  The aforementioned high-salaried Yankees have won 4 World Series titles with him enacting his GM responsibilities.  Aside from having a lot of money at his disposal, Brian has also helped build winning teams through talent retention and overall smart free-agent signings.  For retention, he’s fought to keep players such as Mariano Rivera, Bernie Williams, and Jorge Posada.  For some smart free agent signings, he’s helped persuade the Steinbrenners to offer competitive deals to some key free agents that have helped the Yankees win championships.  Such free agents include “El” Duque, David Wells, Johnny Damon, Tino Martinez, Hideki Matsui, Raul Ibanez, Hiroki Kuroda, Russell Martin, Mark Teixeira, C.C. Sabathia, and Nick Swisher.  Of course, he’s also signed some free agents that most Yankees’ fans cringe over, such as Carl Pavano and A.J. Burnett, just to name two.

Other teams have failed to attain championships with decent money to spend, perhaps because they don’t have the same (overall) successful wit and shrewdness as Brian Cashman.  Such examples include the Atlanta Braves who only achieved one championship since 1958 and even the pre-Cashman Yankees of the 1980’s, who failed to win any championships.  So bravo to Brian’s key contributions, which I feel should certainly be considered a contributing factor to the Yankees’ last four championships. 

Well, now that I've ranked on Billy Beane, added some sarcastic remarks about the Mets as I “sometimes” do, and given decent credit to Brian Cashman, I'll continue onto my main concerning criticism of Brian Cashman:

While his trading skills have mostly been weak, I feel that his largest detriment as a general manager revolves around his stubbornness towards expiring player contracts.  Now, I'm not complaining about any of the lengthy contracts because most players can be traded in their later years to lessen some of the whole spend anyway (such as the Tigers' Prince Fielder).  I'm also not complaining about A-Rod's ridiculous contract because that was all "Hank" Steinbrenner's doing.  My major gripe is that Cashman stubbornly avoids contract extensions to players already wearing pinstripes!  He has even rolled the dice by allowing the contracts of Yankees’ greats like Mariano, Jeter, and Pettitte expire more than once.  Thankfully, Mariano and Jeter have always proven their loyalty to remaining a Yankee, even while other teams have been known to make higher or lengthier contract offers.  Yankees’ fans are also grateful that Andy Pettitte came back after Brian’s first contract debacle convinced Pettitte to leave for Houston.

This year, with Cano reaching free agency, Cashman's failure to negotiate contracts a year or two prior to their expiration was magnified.  Cano would not have had any conversation with the Mariners if Cashman had offered a true extension before last season even began.  There’s going to be another Cano instance if Cashman doesn’t change his contract strategies for quality-proven players already wearing pinstripes.  I have cringed way too many times over the last 16 seasons whenever such players have gotten to free agency; it’s too risky!  The Steinbrenners need to recognize Cashman's main weakness and correct it.  Maybe Brian can even recognize and fix it on his own.  In either case, it's time to sign these critical players to contracts before other teams get a chance to make offers.  Let's sign David Robertson and, if they're not trading him before the 2014 season begins, also Brett Gardner.  Otherwise, it will once again be “BRIAN CASHMAN’S FAULT”.

YANKEES’ TURNOVER

Hey Yankees’ fans, it looks like there's some great news as the Steinbrenners may have changed their minds about trying to stay under the luxury tax threshold of $189 million for this upcoming season!!  They are fully beginning to demonstrate that they will honor George Steinbrenner’s passion of persistently putting the Yankees in a position to win each and every year.  Since George's passing, his family - with Hal showing the most involvement - has shown most signs of wanting to stay involved while achieving more World Series Championships.  Then, last year they began planning to decrease the total salaries so that once the 2014 season began, their total team spend fell under the luxury tax trigger of $189 million (assuming A-Rod is still activated).  Most of the other team owners have certainly achieved that feat, but this would have been the first time any Steinbrenner ownership would have.  Now, with their attendance and YES Network ratings decreasing, along with the departures of Rivera, Pettitte, and possibly A-Rod, they apparently realize the timing of such a financial reduction may be the worst timing to achieve that goal.  At least, that's what it's looking like over the past week based on their most recent player signings!

With that, since my blogged article last month, the Yankees are already looking like a very different team.  Perhaps the Steinbrenners read my prior “Dismal Upcoming 2014 Season” article and realized how important it was to satisfy little ol’ me…yeah, right!  Anyway, let’s look below at this past week's many transactions of incoming and outgoing Yankees.  I'm sorry that this blogged article is so long, but there's so much to share from last week!

 

PLAYERS WHO HAVE LEFT

Robinson Cano - Robinson is now a Seattle Mariner!  I "liked" Cano, but even with his stats, I never quite felt he was one of my all-time favorites.  He and his agents led by Jay Z got very greedy, clearly showing their disregard for keeping Cano a Yankee player forever.  The Yankees offered him a very fair amount of approximately $175 million, but Cano and his agents went for the "now" money and didn't see the bigger picture in which he could have eventually made much more than the $240 million Seattle offered him.  From an offensive standpoint, I will miss his steady production numbers.  Defensively, I will miss his quick-wrist throws and over-the-shoulder catches.  As for his well-known lack of effort in running the base paths, I will not miss that any more than any other Yankees' fan.  Whether it was due to the money or pure anger towards the Yankees’ management, Robinson just hurt his fans and made his hugest error of any game he will play!  Ciao!

Curtis Granderson - Curtis is now a New York Met – having been signed to a 3-year contract worth a whopping $45 million (a lot of commitment from the Mets)!  Similar to Cano, I “liked” him, but never loved his contributions.  He is a very good player who hits a lot of homeruns, but he's not a superstar.  I do love his attitude, which seems very genuine.  His strikeouts are way too high, but he will add a lot of offense for the Mets who have desperately been seeking such a hitter for many years.  David Wright must be pleased to have some protection surrounding him in the lineup.  I wish nothing but good luck to Curtis.

Phil Hughes – The Minnesota Twins signed Phil to a 3-year contract worth $24 million.  Just like Cano, he was drafted by and had played only for the New York Yankees' organization.  Phil had many signs of showing greatness, but had more signs of inconsistencies.  His homerun pitches will not be missed, especially at Yankees Stadium.  The Twins' Target Field Stadium will help him somewhat on that front.  He's a good guy who helped us a lot in 2009 when he produced very dominantly in the bullpen after being asked to step away from his career role as a starting pitcher.  That season he was one of the main contributors towards our eventual World Series Championship.  So, for mostly those contributions, I can only wish him good luck – except when he pitches against the Yankees.

 

PLAYERS WHO HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED/RENEWED

Brian McCann - The Yankees contracted free agent catcher Brian McCann for 5 years at $85 million.  This is one of my favorite acquisitions in a long time!  Wow!  I love McCann’s stats and his demonstrated efforts in being a true gamer.  Earlier this week, I heard an interview with Hal Steinbrenner in which he credited Gene Michael for telling him that McCann reminded him of Thurman Munson.  That, alone, is the best compliment a ballplayer can be attributed!!  I can’t wait to see his offense but, even more so, I can’t wait to see a catcher call great games, again!  Not only do his Atlanta Brave career stats support that, but several pitchers in Atlanta have voiced it, too.  Welcome, Brian!!!

Jacoby Ellsbury - The Yankees contracted centerfielder Ellsbury for 7 years at $153 million.  I also love this acquisition.  He is one of the best leadoff hitters in the game today.  Yes, he’s had a lot of injuries, but most of them occurred with his aggressiveness via collisions and one fracture injury via a foul ball.  None of his so-called "prone" injuries have been caused by bodily deteriorations.  The Yankees have not had a successful typical leadoff hitter in very long time.  He will be a catalyst, just like he was for the Red Sox.  Plus, remember the Yankees’ addition is the Red Sox’s subtraction – remember Wade Boggs and Johnny Damon?  Let’s hope he doesn’t get hurt so we can truly enjoy his base running abilities which I find to be similar enough to Ricky Henderson.  He will be fun to watch!  Welcome, Jacoby!!!

Carlos Beltran - The Yankees contracted outfielder Beltran for 3 years at $45 million.  Beltran has wanted to become a Yankee since the day he was born - I'm sure he even sneakily rolled out of the hospital's bassinet back then to call George Steinbrenner and tell him about his love for the Yankees and his 9-month long dreams .  Past negotiations have never worked out for Beltran.  This time, he and the Yankees came to an agreement that will now finally provide Carlos his dream.  That love he has persistently expressed for the Yankees is reason alone to admire him!  His stats are very impressive, especially his playoff/World Series stats.  Although he's not young, his physical condition has been good enough to show he should be durable enough, at least at the beginning portion of his 3-year deal.  Of course, only time will tell.  Welcome to your dream, Carlos!

Kelly Johnson – The Yankees signed utility player Kelly Johnson for 1 year at approximately $3 million.  He has basically played first base, second base, third base, and leftfield fairly well and he has a decent bat.  Based on last year's injuries, this type of player is very valuable!

Hideki Kuroda - The Yankees re-signed starting pitcher Kuroda with a one-year contract worth approximately $16 million.  Last year, his pitching was great during the first 75% of his starts.  Ironically, his 2012 stats offered almost identical results during the same period.  He seems to tire afterwards resulting in a swift depreciation of his pitching repertoire.  Hopefully, we'll see a full season in 2014 that resembles his early strengths.  For a one-year contract, it's certainly worth the risk.  Welcome back, Hideki.

Brendan Ryan – The Yankees also re-signed infielder Brendan Ryan to a $4 million contract for two years.  While he only hit .220 during his short stint with the Yankees last year, he offers superb defense at shortstop.  That is an important need the Yankees have with Jeter's questionable health.  Hence, Brendan offers some insurance for 2014 at a position that doesn’t normally depend on a lot of offense.  Welcome back, Brendan.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Winter Meetings just began today and I fully expect the Yankees to make at least 4 more significant moves/signings before spring training.  Hopefully, this week MLB and Japan’s Nippon  Professional Baseball will reach an agreement regarding the main criteria enabling MLB to bid on Japanese players.  It is currently expected the deal will limit teams’ posting bids up to $20 million by any or multiple MLB teams.  Of course, the Yankees will undoubtedly be part of that bid this year, if it’s ever resolved, for Japan’s most successful pitcher of all time, Masahiro Tanaka.  His record this past season for them was merely 24-0 with a 1.27 ERA.  If the Japanese team (Rakuten Golden Eagles) accepts the bid and the Yankees can concoct the most attractive offer to allure Masahiro away from the other bidding teams, he can immediately qualify as the Yankees’ number one or number two starting pitcher in their rotation.

Additionally, I agree with a lot of the sports writers (for once) that it looks more and more like Brett Gardner may be traded.  The Yankees still have many holes to plug and their requirement for a starting pitcher (or two) is the most important.  No one else on the Yankees whose salary is attractive to perspective teams can bring back the value that Gardner can.  I like "Gardy", but his unbelievable speed failing to achieve great results in successful stolen bases brings part of his value to almost subpar for us.  Girardi has always expressed his appreciation for Gardner's speed, so Brian Cashman will have to ensure to bring back very good value in any deal in order to keep peace with Joe (and the fans).  I would personally rather have them trade Eduardo Nunez or Ichiro Suzuki; but, Eduardo's injuries and questionable defense and Ichiro's age and diminished skills won't offer too much in return; however, they can still trade them for a possible future player - perhaps from Single A or Double A.

Furthermore, I feel that the acquisition of Brian McCann enables another opportunity of trade.  Brian's signing affords the Yankees an opportunity to trade from their strongest and only current farm system depth - catching.  Several of their catchers are highly regarded, such as J.R. Murphy and Gary Sanchez.  They also have two other young catchers in Austin Romine and Biogenesis suspect, Francisco Cervelli.  In any case, the Yankees don’t need so many catchers now that they have an All-Star in Brian McCann.

So, whether they trade collectively or trade each individually, I feel that the Yankees have a chance of attaining some farm system strength, a top-tier pitcher, and even possibly a power-hitting infielder or right fielder, especially if they resist their self-restricted $189 million team for 2014.  Let's keep our fingers crossed!

At this point, with all of these new team players, Jeter will soon have to introduce himself during Spring Training 2014!!

 

DISMAL UPCOMING 2014 SEASON

Last offseason, I expressed my concern over the 2013 New York Yankees.  This offseason, I’m even more concerned!  As I've mentioned in previous articles, they are trying to stay under the $189 million annual luxury tax threshold.  This time, though, they have so many question marks.  Will A-Rod play any games for them in 2014 or any other year for that matter?  Will Robinson Cano wear another uniform and leave the Yankees as a free agent?  Will they be able to sign a new contract with Granderson and/or Kuroda, who both rejected their $14.1 one-year standard offer?  Will they replace diminishing Ichiro and Stewart?  Additionally, how many innings will Jeter be able to play, especially at shortstop?  Was CC Sabathia’s poor season a fluke or has he lost his velocity and control for good?  Then, of course, there are the retirements of Pettitte and Mariano - who are their replacements going to be?  Especially, Mariano - how do they replace the greatest closer of all time?

While I dislike writing negative articles about my favorite team, especially an article that illustrates such a bleak preview of a whole season (just like I had forced myself to write for last season’s dismal analysis), it is still an obligation for me to write candidly.  I currently feel that next year’s Yankees will be even worse than last year’s team.  With all the aforementioned questions above, how can they possibly compete against many of the best teams in baseball within their own division, especially while trying to cut costs?

From a financial standpoint, they do have one major optimistic hope for financial alleviation if A-Rod is suspended for the majority of the season as originally determined by MLB for his alleged biogenesis usage/involvement.  If that suspension is upheld, it would result in the Yankees having approximately $35 million extra to spend on acquisitions.   It is currently anticipated that decision will not be made by the arbitrator for that case until late December; but that story keeps changing every other day.

Hence, with current conditions, the Yankees could feasibly need a shortstop, a second baseman, a third baseman, a left fielder, a right fielder, a catcher, a closer, and two starting pitchers.  Plus, they have to accomplish all of that during their only financially restricted year during a Steinbrenner era.  So fans, try to keep the faith that I have - they’ll be back to their normal spending ways once this year’s fiscal responsibilities help alleviate their luxury tax penalties for years to come.  Let’s all look forward to their 2015 season!!!

PAPI'S EXCUSED DISHONESTIES (P E D)

First of all, let me start by stating that, as a NY Yankees' fan, his October has been very disappointing. Instead of watching the Yankees in the playoffs, I'm watching other teams. Most New Yorkers aren't even watching one game, but, as the true baseball fan that I am, I simply cannot avoid watching the last remaining MLB games of the year! Of course, it's a no-brainer that I (and any true Yankees' fan) cannot root for Boston!!

The only major things that have happened with the Yankees this October have been Girardi's extended contract (congrats, Joe) and A-Rod's arbitration case and recent lawsuits against MLB and Doctor Ahmad, his surgeon. I'm sure that most, if not all, NYY fans have lost their patience with all of this A-Rod propaganda. He’s his own worst enemy as he is really the only one to blame – so, for that I don't feel sorry for him.

That now leads me to my main topic, which is regarding another accused PED (Performance Enhancing Drug) user, David Ortiz (Big Papi). As I've been watching the Boston playoff games (the Red Sox are currently leading the Tigers 2 games to 1), my mind’s few remaining working gears have been developing anger every time I see another accused PED cheater, David Ortiz. During the American League Championship Series (ALCS), the announcers (Tim McCarver & Joe Buck) never dare to talk about Ortiz’ accusations & findings from the 2003 tests.

On Sunday night’s telecast of the ALCS/Game 2 playoff game versus the Tigers, Ortiz hit a dramatic homerun to tie the game in the 8th inning. If A-Rod hit the grand slam in that situation the other night instead of "Big Papi" Ortiz, then Tim & Joe would have unhesitantly begun citing the past findings and placing some form of doubt relating to the grand slam feat (especially Joe Buck). Yet, neither announcer dared to say a word about that topic and its ties to Ortiz.

In fact, they continued to sensationalize the effects of the home run throughout every trotting step Ortiz took around the bases – while the Tigers' Torii Hunter was lying on the other side of the fence, physically as out of the ballpark as the ball was. When I first saw the homerun, during its sailing travels towards the fence, I couldn't believe the daring effort that Torii took, as he never even slowed down as he got inches away from the fence. (Remember Jeter running into the stands to catch a foul ball?) Then, as I saw Torii’s body completely flip viciously over the fence, I felt totally petrified for his life! Yet, I had to wait until the exuberant announcers finally issued some form of attention to the Torii situation - the one in which a man’s life could have been lost.

Then, after that, I saw the replay which showed the Boston policeman stationed in the bullpen area where the homerun was hit raising his arms in excitement, instead of doing his “job” - like immediately running over to help Torii. Great job, officer, you’ve proven to be a Sawx fan in every aspect!

There’s no doubt that I envy the Red Sox for being in the playoffs instead of the Yankees, but I also have no doubt that if A-Rod hit that homer in the same exact situation against the Tigers, I still would have shown the same concern over Torii - before A-Rod even rounded first base. Additionally, I would have begun to think about the real PED users, just like I would if the Yankees’ Cervelli hit the grand slam. It’s a shame that most of the baseball world is blinded and has a short-term memory only when it comes to the Papi’s Excused Dishonesties.

DONNIE BASEBALL IN LOS ANGELES?

Don Mattingly will always be loved by almost every Yankees’ fan, including me.  It's unfortunate that the Yankees lacked solid starting pitching and keen player signings during his 14 years as a player.  As a hitter, he was one of the best of his time and, as a fielder, he was one of the best of all time. 

During those years, many compared him to his crosstown rival, Keith Hernandez.  Defensively, Keith often edged his way towards the batters he felt were bunting (a more common strategy within the National League, especially with pitchers batting), but Don Mattingly shined during his almost infallible defensive 3-6-3 double plays.  Undoubtedly, both of them were great defensive 1^st basemen (9 Gold Gloves won by Don & 11 won by Keith).  Of course, comparing the two in regards to character is like comparing A-Rod to Mariano; but, that's not what this article is mainly about:

While I have a great deal of admiration for Don Mattingly as a Yankees’ player, captain, coach, and a person, I can't help but express my controversial opinion for him as a Los Angeles Dodgers manager.   Back in 2008, when he joined Joe Torre to become his hitting coach for the Dodgers, I selfishly felt a bit of disapproval.  Although the Steinbrenners chose not to hire him months prior to that as the manager to replace Joe Torre and, even though Don had given all that he had during his Yankees’ tenure (especially his unbelievable efforts during the 1995 playoffs), I greedily felt that he needed to wait a few years in hopes that he might inevitably manage the Yankees in the near future.  Perhaps, I thought, he should manage in the Yankees’ minor league system first, so that he could gain experience.  Those pinstripes were just so suitable to a fan favorite like him; after all, he even originated from our own farm system.  In those days, no one ever excelled from our farm system and played his whole career for the NY Yankees!

Another factor that bothered me (and still does) is that he would be working for the "Hollywood" team, not the Yankees.  As a native New Yorker, Hollywood has always been a rival, not just in sports but also many other forms of entertainment, e.g., the Grammy Awards are sporadically held in Los Angeles instead of New York's own Radio City Music Hall.

From the early 1900’s, the Yankees and the Dodgers faced each other in the World Series 11 times - gratefully the Yankees won 8 out of the 11!  I’m glad I got to personally witness two of those winning years in 1977 & 1978.  In fact, 1977 was the first time they had faced each other as East Coast versus West Coast teams.  That’s because 1957 was when the Dodgers’ owner (Walter O’Malley) decided to relocate the Dodgers from Brooklyn, New York to Los Angeles, California.  That major move made all New Yorkers feel betrayed, as I've been told and fully comprehend.

So, when Don Mattingly became the Dodgers manager in 2011, many of my rivaling feelings (perhaps inconsiderately) heated up and ultimately helped me choose my dual love for the Yankees and dislike of the Dodgers versus my admiration I had for Don Mattingly.  Additionally, when one of the biggest cheaters of all time, Mark McGuire, was hired as the hitting coach, that fully overtook any slither of hope for me to be rooting for Donnie Baseball as it was being applied towards the Dodgers!

In summary, from a very selfish/dedicated Yankees’ fan, I cannot root for the "Los Angeles – Hollywood" Dodgers – unless they end up playing my absolute least favorite team, the Red Sox!  What I will root for, though, is that one day (probably not anytime soon) Don will eventually become the Yankees’ manager and finally win a championship ring with the only fitting team for him…the New York Yankees.

MO, THE GREATEST MLB PLAYER OF THIS GENERATION

It’s no coincidence that my very first “THE NYY Writer” blog originating over a year ago was written about one of my heroes, Mariano Rivera.  Tomorrow, the Yankees are honoring his retirement at Yankees Stadium.  This year, both he and Andy Pettitte have announced their retirement.  While I have also displayed my personal gratitude for what Andy has contributed to the Yankees, my focus of writing today’s blog is to appropriately, once again, write about one of the greatest players of all time and certainly the greatest in this generation of players, Mariano Rivera.

As my first blog stated, Mariano is not only a great baseball player, but has always displayed himself as a true leader and humble human being.  In his final season, he requested for the management team of the Yankees to work together with all scheduled opposing teams and find their most dedicated fans and/or employees, whether or not they're Yankees fans, so that he could offer his own personal time for them in simply discussing baseball and acknowledging their dedication.  An example of one such instance occurred a few months ago when he spent time with the drummer that bangs those (damn) drums for all of Cleveland’s home games.  It’s not surprising to me at all that this great man ensured to carry on such a unique and selfless act.  No one has ever put such a heartwarming idea together for fans; but that is typical of Mariano - he's like none other.

The managers, coaches, and even the players from all 30 teams showed their love and appreciation for Mariano professionally and as a man during this year’s All-Star Game when they set aside “alone” time once Mariano entered onto the field in the 8^th inning.  Jim Leyland classily assured Mariano did indeed make an entrance to that mound as all of the mixed-team fans at Citi Field went wild.  How ironic was it that this humble man ended up stealing all of the attention?  From a professional level, as usual, he just pitched successfully before exiting the mound.  Rightfully, they even issued the MVP of the 2013 All-Star Game to Mariano.

The Yankees are considering a push for “River” Avenue to be renamed “Rivera” Avenue.  I would also root for the Yankees to name the bullpen in Yankees Stadium after Mariano.  It would represent him beyond his eventual dedications in Monument Park at the stadium.  It would also continuously remind all NYY pitchers of the seriousness and success that the Yankees bullpen represents.  Maybe it could even inspire them to strive towards becoming at least half the person Mariano has always been.

So, Mariano, I would like to personally and publically say, “Thank you for everything you’ve done professionally by helping the Yankees achieve 5 World Series Championships, producing the lowest E.R.A. in playoff/World Series history, and saving over 650 games collectively during the regular seasons - just to name a few of your long-list accomplishments.  Also, thanks for inspiring me and others, while demonstrating how each of us should act.  I will miss you as a player next year and for all the years that follow.  Finally, I look forward to all of the honors you will be receiving, especially in 5 years when you receive the most votes in the history of the game prior to your unquestionable induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.”

Best Closer Ever + Class + Consistency + Humbleness = Mariano

2013 YANKEES SEASON - WHO, WHAT, WHERE?

As stated in the beginning of the season, I had concerns over the health, age, and restricted spending of the New York Yankees’ 2013 team.  Unfortunately, all three concerns came to fruition.

Who are these players?  The year began with so many injuries (way more than any other team in the majors) and continued at a ridiculous pace throughout the season.  The 7 main injured players who were also each former All-Stars included Jeter, Teixeira, A-Rod, Granderson, Pineda, Youkilis, and Gardner.  In addition, the disabled list included some mid-level hitters/infielders such as Francisco Cervelli, Jayson Nix, Travis Hafner, and Eduardo Nunez, along with pitchers David Phelps, Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, and Michael Pineda.  Lastly, let’s not forget the very unfamiliar names that were supposed to come to the rescue:  Corban Joseph, Vidal Nuno, Luis Cruz, Zoilo Almonte, and Cesar Cabral.  Who the heck are most of these players, anyway?  Even the mid-level ones are not exactly famous enough to plug in the gaps of the All-Stars this team has been accustomed to for so many years.

What happened to the competition?  The only team in the American League East that has excelled this season has been the Red Sox.  Ever since they got rid of Bobby Valentine last year, they began to improve.  The Blue Jays underperformed (which I thought they would after attaining some of the Marlins’ headaches).  Also underperforming were the Orioles and Rays.  Actually, the Rays were the only so-so team that surprised me as I thought they would have taken the division this year.  No team in the AL East (except the Red Sox) has shown anything worthy over the last few weeks of baseball - with only approximately 7 games left.

Where will they all end up in a week?  Well, what has been obvious for a while is that the Red Sox would make the playoffs and the Blue Jays wouldn’t.  But the wild card races have been a crapshoot.  Even the other divisions in the AL have pitifully fallen apart.  I actually put a fork in the Yankees back in March, with more certainty a few weeks ago.

ADDING AN OUTFIELDER, NOT LUXURY

Baseball is less than 1 week away!  I would love to tell you how excited I am for this season’s NY Yankees, but that would be stretching the truth.  While I am always excited about baseball coming back each season, as I mentioned in my last blog, this year’s Yankees have a lot of issues, especially with all of the NEWLY incurred injuries since!  Amongst them are Granderson, Teixeira, and Hughes.

Additionally, Brian Cashman has been very busy acquiring many players that are past their prime or simply adequate.  Again, the infamous goal of achieving less than $189 million of expenses in 2014 is such a looming force.  I don’t mind “my” team cutting back and I fully understand it, but other things could have been done during the winter that would have given the 2013 Yankees some wiggle room in regards to signing above average players.  (Again, the specifics are all within my last blog.)

Today, the Yankees made yet another one of those “past their prime” signings, Vernon Wells.  He was an All-Star player several years ago, but has struggled a lot over the past few years.  My initial reaction was of grave disappointment, but after reading an article in the NY Daily News earlier, by Mark Feinsand, I began to slightly lessen my grave disappointment to just simply “disappointment”.  Thanks, also to Ken Rosenthal of FOX for collecting the final figures to help my numbers’ accuracies.

Since the 2013 salaries are mostly insignificant to the 2014 Luxury Tax, the Yankees can spend pretty much anything they want for the 2013 season, as long as the salaries are not included past this year; however, there is a loophole that only the Yankees’ well-paid team of lawyers/accountants could have found!  I’m attempting to try and illustrate their Vernon Wells acquisition/luxury tax achievement in more layman terms than the published articles I’ve read from the media.  While I’m providing my details of Vernon’s salary and effects below, you can choose to skip the breakdown below (I won’t be offended) and just read the paragraph under this 2012/2013 breakdown (especially the last sentence in that paragraph) to learn the bottom line:

Average Yearly Salary = $18 million (this number is included within a team’s luxury tax)

2013 Actual Salary Total (not average, but per contract) = $21 million

2013 Salary portion paid by the Angels = $9.5 million

2013 Salary portion paid by the Yankees = $11.5 million

2014 Actual Salary Total (not average, but per contract) = $21 million

2014 Salary portion paid by the Angels = $18.6 million

2014 Salary portion paid by the Yankees = $2.4 million

So, while the Yankees are paying a total of $13.9 million for Vernon’s remaining two years, they will only be paying $2.4 million in the all-important threshold year of 2014 while the Angels will take on the remaining $18.6 million next season!  The $18.6 is obviously $0.6 over the average $18 million luxury tax average salary.  Hence, the Yankees were attempting to utilize a flaw in the luxury tax rules, but most recently MLB would not allow it; however, they agreed that the Yankees would pay $0 luxury tax for Vernon in 2014 as opposed to receiving a $0.6 million credit.

The ultimate bottom line is that the Vernon Wells trade has given the Yankees an average outfielder for 2 years without any luxury tax commitment for at least one of their players in their conservative year of 2014!  Now, if they could just find loopholes for the other 24 players!!

Only the Yankees, over the last few decades, have compiled such a team of lawyers and accountants that can outdo the rest of MLB’s team of lawyers.  Thanks, George - it’s great to know that some of your initiated plots/hires are still bringing advantages to the Yankees and their fans. 

AGES & SALARIES MATTER TO SPOILED YANKEES FANS

This is the first time in a long time that I'm strongly concerned about next season's Yankees.  My main two concerns are their aging stars and the Steinbrenner's wallets.

Their Ages:  They've just renewed the contracts for several "senior" (in baseball sense) players - Mariano Rivera (43), Andy Pettitte (40), Ichiro Suzuki (39), and Hiroki Kuroda (soon to be 38).  They also just signed Kevin Youkilis (33) because another aging player, A-Rod (37), may not be able to play until at least July because of hip surgery.  Additionally, they have Mark Teixeira (soon to be 33) and Jeter (38) who they hope recovers from ankle surgery by opening day.

For me, 33 years old is when MLB players begin to diminish in regards to health, reflex, and strength issues.  Of course, they typically add experience as a benefit, which is great to have on any team, but if I owned the team I'd want no more than 5 "senior" players to also take advantage of the young athletes and other team mixtures for the most diverse opportunities to win.  Unfortunately, the Yankees are currently projected to have 7 on their Major League team roster by the second week of the season and, once A-Rod gets back, they're anticipated to have 8 which is almost one third of their major league roster!

Salaries:  For the first time in the Steinbrenner era, the Yankees are concerned about salaries!  Their main reason is totally sensible from a business standpoint, even for the most spoiled Yankees fans to accept.  If the Steinbrenners keep the costs of the Yankees 40-man roster including its players' average payroll & benefits under $189 million dollars in the 2014 season, they will reap multiple financial rewards totaling approximately $50 million.  That money will derive from both the MLB luxury tax and market disqualification (a market rebate for teams that have paid luxury tax over the last few years). 

Currently, the average payroll (in millions) for five of the "seniors" that will still be contracted in 2014 (barring trades) includes Sabathia (24.4), A-Rod (27.5), Teixeira (22.5), Ichiro (6.25) and Jeter's option (8.0).  Additionally, I've read that their projected benefits for 2014 will cost $10 million.  Collectively, that's $98.65 million - over 50% of the threshold they need to achieve!!  Furthermore, Robinson Cano's contract expired in 2013 and he and his agent (Scott Boras) will be seeking an average of around $26 million of annual salary!

They obviously need some low-salaried players for the remaining 19 players with a balance of only $64.35 million!  Brian Cashman and his scouting team did a great job over the last few years drafting/trading for such players, but due to some ill-fated injuries to many of the Yankees prospects including Michael Pineda, Manny Banuelos, Dellin Betances, and Austin Romine, their readiness to provide major low-salaried help from within the organization may not happen in time.

My Surface Solution:  Part of the "Age" issue will lessen in 2014 with the anticipated retirement of Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte, along with the expiring contract of Kevin Youkilis.  As for the "Salaries" issue, the expected payroll removal of Rivera, Pettitte, and Youkilis will help, somewhat; but, in addition to that, I would make a gutsy trade.  Although a lot of Yankees fans would argue with me, I would trade Cano in 2013 and/or convince Teixeira (he has a no-trade clause) to accept a trade.  Either or both would certainly offer opportunities to attain multiple low-costing 2014 salaried players with excellent talent in return.  Plus, mathematically, without subtracting Teixeira's and/or Cano's salaries, it is very improbable the Yankees would be able to assemble a competitive team in 2014.  I really like both players a lot, but I further value the Yankees being within striking distance of the championship every year - because I'm a spoiled Yankees fan.