RKMBs Forums .::Robegories::. Sports and Wrestling How 'bout those Yankees 2006

Quote:

---

Joe Mama said:
Man, Sheffield is piiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiissed!

Great move by the Yankees. And, anyways, fuck Sheffield. He was treated damn well by the Yankees. Considering he negotiated his own contract, he's got no bitching rights.

---

Don Mattingly will take over as bench coach for the New York Yankees next season, replacing Lee Mazzilli, according to a newspaper report.

The move puts Mattingly one step closer to manager Joe Torre's job, making him the favorite to take over when the long-time skipper leaves, according to the report, posted Thursday night on Newsday's Web site.

The Yankees would not confirm the report when reached Thursday night by The Associated Press.

Torre's contract expires after next season. Mattingly has been the Yankees' hitting coach for three seasons.

Mazzilli was fired during his second season as manager of the Baltimore Orioles and joined the Yankees as the bench coach last November. He also was New York's first base and outfield coach from 2000-03.

As a player, Mattingly was a six-time All Star with a career batting average of .307 in 14 major league seasons, all with the Yankees.

Former baseball star Dwight Gooden is set to be released from prison Thursday after finishing a sentence for violating his probation by using cocaine.

With gain time and credit for 93 days already served in the Hillsborough County Jail and in a secure drug treatment facility, his total prison time will be about seven months. He had been sentenced to a year and a day.

The Department of Corrections refused to give a time for when Gooden would be released from Gainesville Correctional Institution, DOC spokeswoman Gretl Plessinger said. Gooden has had numerous legal problems, most related to drug problems.

Last April, Gooden chose to accept prison time instead of an offer of probation. If he had violated probation, he would faced the prospect of five years in prison.

The 41-year-old was serving three years' probation for speeding away from police during a drunken driving traffic stop last year when he failed a drug test and acknowledged to a probation officer that he had used cocaine.

Gooden was the 1984 NL Rookie of the Year and 1985 NL Cy Young Award winner while with the New York Mets. He went 194-112 with a 3.51 ERA before retiring in 2001. He also pitched for the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

In 1994, while with the Mets, Gooden was suspended for 60 days for testing positive for cocaine. He tested positive for cocaine again while on suspension and was sidelined for the 1995 season.

Another Mets and Yankees star, Darryl Strawberry, was released from the same prison on April 8, 2003, after serving 11 months of an 18-month prison sentence for violating probation on cocaine possession charges.

Quote:

---

NEW YORK -- Gary Sheffield left New York with what he wanted: a $28 million contract extension through 2009 and a promise that he wouldn't be playing first base.

Sheffield was traded from the Yankees to the Detroit Tigers on Friday for three pitching prospects in the first major trade of the offseason, a deal that brings him back to Tigers manager Jim Leyland and team president Dave Dombrowski.

"I was ecstatic because I get reunited with the people that I've always loved," Sheffield said. "They're business-minded. They're smart people. They're respectful people. They treat you like men. That's what you want to be around. To reunite with them after 10 years is a blessing."

New York gets right-handers Humberto Sanchez, Kevin Whelan and Anthony Claggett.

"I was trying to find something that would make the Yankee family happy and consequently that would make the Sheff family happy, so I think this worked in everybody's favor," New York general manager Brian Cashman said. "I had a number of deals on the table and this is the one I wanted."

In 1997, Sheffield won a World Series title for the Florida Marlins, managed by Leyland under Dombrowski, who was the team's general manager.

"This is one of the ultimate bats in baseball and one of the ultimate people in baseball," Leyland said. "I have the utmost respect for him. I can't tell you how happy we are. It's almost unbelievable. It's hard for me to believe that we landed Gary Sheffield."

Detroit and New York reached a tentative agreement on the deal Tuesday night, and the Tigers had a three-day window to agree to a contract extension. Sheffield and the Tigers agreed Thursday to the new contract, which includes some deferred money, and Sheffield took a physical Friday.

"It's unfortunate from the sense that Gary's a good friend," Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter said. "That's the part of the business you never get used to."

Sheffield, who turns 38 on Nov. 18, has 455 homers in 19 seasons but became superfluous in New York after the Yankees acquired Bobby Abreu from Philadelphia in late July. Sheffield topped 34 homers and 120 RBI in each of his first two seasons with the Yankees, but missed most of 2006 with a wrist injury from an April collision with Toronto's Shea Hillenbrand.

"I'm happy it didn't drag out," manager Joe Torre said Friday night at a dinner for his foundation. "It just looked like it was getting uncomfortable for both sides. At least Gary's going back to the manager he won a World Series with and I know that Jimmy thinks very highly of him."

When Sheffield returned in late September, the Yankees shifted him to first base.

"I have no plans to play him at first base," Leyland said. "It might get on his mind and affect his hitting."

Leyland plans to use Sheffield primarily as a designated hitter as Detroit tries to repeat as AL champions and win the World Series for the first time since 1984. Sheffield also will be a backup to Magglio Ordonez in right and possibly to Craig Monroe in left.

"We have said all along that we wanted to add a big bat as one of our goals in the offseason," Dombrowski said. "As things turned out, we were able to do that in a very quick fashion."

Leyland said Sheffield would hit third, fourth or fifth.

"I made about 30 lineups out last night and I can assure you his name was in every one of them," he said.

New York exercised Sheffield's $13 million option last weekend to prevent him from becoming a free agent. Sheffield's first choice was to stay with New York and he said "middle men" on the Yankees blocked him from speaking with George Steinbrenner. Sheffield also said that if the owner's health wasn't an issue, he was confident he'd stay with the Yankees for 2007.

"The only thing I'm disappointed about is I didn't bring them a world championship," Sheffield said. "That was my sole reason for going there. I didn't go for the publicity of being a Yankee. I went for the big stage to win a ring."

The 23-year-old Sanchez was a combined 10-6 with a 2.53 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 123 innings with Triple-A Toledo and Double-A Erie this year. He is a hard thrower and was mentioned in trade speculation last summer before hurting an elbow.

"We're happy we're adding three quality arms to our system, hopefully we can use to out advantage and give us more depth and flexibility," Cashman said. "Sanchez obviously has a lot of potential. He has a lot of ability and we're planning on him going to spring training and hopefully take a lot of steps forward. We look at him as a long-term asset that hopefully we can cash in as early as '07."

Whelan, 22, was 4-1 with a 2.67 ERA and 27 saves for Class A Lakeland. Claggett, 22, was 7-2 with an 0.91 ERA and 14 saves for Class A West Michigan.

"We gave up a lot," Dombrowski said. "I winced."

Earlier this week, Sheffield had said he would retire if the Yankees sent him to a team he didn't want to be with.

"I've always said I want to go out on my terms and they allowed me to do that, and I thank them for that," he said.

---

Earlier this week, the Yankees dealt Gary Sheffield for three pitching prospects rather than allowing the outfielder to leave via free agency after the 2007 season.
On Sunday, the Yankees took the same approach with Jaret Wright, dealing him to the Orioles for right-handed reliever Chris Britton. New York also sent $4 million to Baltimore in the deal.

Wright, who is set to earn $7 million in 2007, had a clause in his contract that would have allowed the Yankees to buy out the final year of his deal for $4 million.

Since Wright was not expected to return to the Yankees next year, it was widely assumed that his contract would be bought out, but general manager Brian Cashman opted to pay that same $4 million to a team willing to acquire the pitcher, allowing the Yankees to obtain a player in return.

"We are excited with the addition of Chris Britton, who we expect to compete for a role in our bullpen," said Yankees general manager Brian Cashman in a statement. "This acquisition provides additional flexibility to our pitching staff as we continue the transition toward the 2007 season. We thank Jaret Wright for his contributions as a Yankee and we wish him and his family nothing but the best."

Wright, who will turn 31 on Dec. 29, went 11-7 with a 4.49 ERA in 2006, his second season with the Yankees. He signed a three-year, $21 million contract with New York before the 2005 season, but he battled injuries in his first year of the deal, making just 13 starts.

The trade leaves just Randy Johnson, Chien-Ming Wang and Carl Pavano as starting pitchers on the Yankees roster, though free agent Mike Mussina is expected to return on a new two-year contract.

Wright pitched well down the stretch in 2006, going 6-2 after the All-Star break and 2-0 with a 2.95 ERA in three September starts. But his final start for New York came in Game 4 of the American League Division Series, when he was hit for four runs (three earned) in just 2 2/3 innings against the Tigers. The Yankees lost that game, 8-3, ending their postseason run much earlier than expected.

In two seasons with the Yankees, Wright went 16-12 with a 4.98 ERA in 43 games, 40 of which were starts. Wright is 68-57 in his 10-year career as a member of the Indians, Braves, Padres and Yankees.

Britton, who turns 24 on Dec. 16, is an intimidating right-hander at 6-foot-3 and 278 pounds. He went 0-2 with one save and a 3.35 ERA in 52 games with Baltimore in 2006, his first year in the Majors.

With Scott Proctor, Kyle Farnsworth and Brian Bruney set to return to the bullpen next season, Britton could open the year at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Bernie Williams wants to finish his career with the Yankees, the only team for which he has ever played. The question now is, has he already played his final game for New York?

Williams, who just completed his 16th season in pinstripes on a one-year, $1.5 million contract, is back on the free-agent market for a second consecutive winter. But while Williams is hopeful to return to the Bronx for one more year, the Yankees haven't decided whether the veteran outfielder fits in their plans for 2007.

General manager Brian Cashman has spoken with both Williams and his agent, Scott Boras, at least two times, but he hasn't determined whether there will be a role for the 38-year-old Williams, who would be a fifth outfielder and switch-hitting pinch-hitter off the bench if he returned.

"We're working through how this club will shake out and where the opportunities on this club are -- if there are going to be any opportunities," Cashman said. "I've told Scott and Bernie to give us some time. There are no guarantees here."

Williams seems willing to give the Yankees as much time as they need to decide his future. A longtime friend of Williams said that the outfielder has no plans to finish his career with another team, leaving his fate in the Yankees' hands.

"I think it's the Yankees or nothing," said Williams' friend, who asked not to be identified. "It's going to be agonizing for Bernie if he has to wait all winter, but I don't think he'll play anywhere else."

Williams hit .281 with 12 home runs and 61 RBIs last season, playing in 131 games. Although he was brought back to serve as a part-time DH and bench player, Williams was forced into action after Hideki Matsui and Gary Sheffield suffered major wrist injuries. Williams started 49 games in right field, 28 in center, five in left and 27 as the designated hitter.

With Johnny Damon, Matsui and Bobby Abreu set to start in the outfield, and Melky Cabrera locked in as the team's fourth outfielder, it remains to be seen if Williams will fit in as the final outfielder. Aaron Guiel, who is arbitration-eligible, could take that spot, as he offers more versatility and is four years younger than Williams.

If the Yankees decide that Williams doesn't fit their 2007 roster, he will likely retire. Given what he has meant to the Yankees during his tenure in center field, the team will likely handle his situation very carefully.

"Bernie has been a great Yankee for quite some time," Cashman said. "But at the same time, we're going to look at the 2007 roster and see who the best fits are, then try to secure those fits for us. It's too early to see whether he's going to be part of that plan or not."

Williams ranks among the franchise's all-time leaders in several categories, including doubles (2nd), at-bats (3rd), hits (4th), games played (5th), home runs (6th) and RBIs (6th).

Only six other players have worn the Yankees' uniform for as many seasons as Williams, who joins Yogi Berra (18 seasons), Mickey Mantle (18), Lou Gehrig (17), Bill Dickey (17), Frank Crosetti (17) and Whitey Ford (16).

Now, Andy Pettitte is likely the chief target on the offseason agenda for the New York Yankees' general manager.

Usually one of the teams that drives the market, the Yankees didn't make any major moves all week. But they'd love to reacquire Pettitte, who pitched for them from 1995-2003.

Pettitte helped the Yankees win four World Series titles, and Cashman acknowledged that players from that era hold a special appeal for the team's fans.

"There's no doubt there's a love affair for some of these players that will last for a lifetime, and you've seen that obviously when some of these guys return to our park in another uniform -- or guys that have been playing with us still," Cashman said.

Pettitte left after the 2003 World Series to sign with his hometown Houston Astros and until Wednesday wouldn't say whether he wanted to pitch next season. The Yankees and Astros are the only teams he is considering, and it's unclear whether he would turn down more money from New York to stay in Houston.

"I felt that over time he would decide to play and put himself in the marketplace," Cashman said.

New York turned down left-hander Ted Lilly, who wanted to sign with the Yankees but instead accepted a four-year deal from the Chicago Cubs worth about $40 million.

Andy Pettitte is headed back to the New York Yankees. Could Roger Clemens be next?

Pettitte and the Yankees reached a preliminary agreement Friday on a $16 million, one-year contract, a deal that reunites the two-time All-Star with the team he helped to win four World Series titles.

"Roger has yet to decide what he wants to do," Randy Hendricks, the agent for both pitchers, said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "He has, however, followed the events with Andy and the Astros very carefully."

Pettitte's deal with the Yankees includes a $16 million player option for 2008. His agent, Randy Hendricks, said Pettitte would not exercise the option if he were hurt and unable to play.

Pettitte must pass a physical for the agreement to be finalized. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman confirmed the preliminary agreement but declined further comment.

"It's been a brutal several days trying to come to this decision," Pettitte told Houston television station KRIV. "It's been extremely difficult. That's really all I can say right now. It's been an emotional day. It's been an emotional couple of days."

When Pettitte left the Yankees after the 2003 season to sign with his hometown Astros, he felt unwanted by New York. This time, he felt unappreciated by Houston.

"We told the Astros we would do the same deal at $14 million," Hendricks said. "They have been stuck on $12 (million) and essentially said, 'Take it or leave it."'

Astros general manager Tim Purpura wouldn't get into numbers but said Pettitte's side made a late request for an option year, which was a deal breaker for Houston.

"When things really changed for us was Wednesday," Purpura said. "The adding of the second year was too wide a gulf for us."

A day earlier, Houston was on the verge of obtaining pitcher Jon Garland from the Chicago White Sox for outfielder Willy Taveras, pitchers Taylor Buchholz and Jason Hirsh. But the deal wasn't announced, perhaps because Chicago didn't like Buchholz's medical reports.

"The aborted Garland trade proves they had no intention of increasing their offer, so there was nothing more to wait for except a decision by Andy, which he made this afternoon," Hendricks said.

The 34-year-old Pettitte pitched for the Yankees from 1995-2003 and went 13-8 for them in postseason play. The lefty spent the last three years in Houston and, joined by Clemens, helped the Astros reach the World Series for the first time in 2005.

Clemens said he would retire after the 2003 season, but Pettitte's decision to join the Astros caused the Rocket to sign with Houston, too. Clemens thought about retirement again after 2004 and 2005, but rejoined the Astros both times.

Purpura said Houston will look elsewhere for starting pitching.

"It's a disappointment certainly," Purpura said. "We wanted to have Andy back, but it just didn't come to pass . . . That being said, though, we're being very active on the trade front and on the free-agent front."

Pettitte was 14-13 with a 4.20 ERA last season and joins a Yankees rotation that includes Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina and Randy Johnson. Carl Pavano, sidelined by injuries for 1 1/2 seasons, hopes to return next year, and the Yankees also have the rights to sign Japanese left-hander Kei Igawa. The Yankees have not made it back to the World Series since Pettitte left, plagued by inconsistent pitching, especially in the postseason.

The two-time All-Star's return to the Yankees reunites him with Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and possibly Bernie Williams.

Quote:

---

MisterJLA said:
I just hope you don't get disappointed if Rob doesn't appoint you, PJP.

I should be mod of the Women's and Video Game boards, but I made fun of Howard Stern today, so I don't see it happening...

---