Source: Contra Costa Times

by Rick Hurd

The greatest closer of his era -- if not the best ever -- will be going about his business with his usual quiet class this spring, all the while wondering if his current address will remain the same when 2008 commences.

Meantime, one of the best center fielders of his era sits at home unemployed, which when you think about it, may be even less insulting than the alternative.

As for the manager? Well, one of the best of his era can probably already feel the increased warmth on his backside.

Say this for the New York Yankees: They sure give the masses who love to bash them plenty of ammunition.

Interesting thing is, Yankee bashing is coming with a new twist this spring. The Yankees should catch heat not for the money they have spent, but for the cash on to which they've clung. General manager Brian Cashman has survived a power struggle to wrestle the reins of the franchise from owner George Steinbrenner's advisors in Tampa, and under Cashman's approach, the Yankees are showing a new financial restraint.

The net result being that Mariano Rivera has entered 2007 as a lame-duck closer, Bernie Williams has essentially been told he has nothing more to offer, and Joe Torre is among the first names mentioned in those annual "Manager on the Hot Seat" essays.

At least the Yankees haven't asked the trio to turn in their World Series rings.

Now understand, it's difficult to argue for loyalty these days. The concept in baseball (and all pro sports, for that matter) never really existed, and to say players eroded the concept when free agency evolved is to overlook all those decades when owners paid most of their employees chicken feed. As for real life, well, loyalty has become as outdated as those mom-and-pop shops that helped put a generation through college.

The Yankees had a chance to go against the tide in this case, and that would've been no small thing inasmuch as they are the standard-bearers in their industry. Hey, one small gesture to a man ...

Start with Rivera. He is the Yanks' all-time leader in regular-season and postseason saves, and his trademark cutter -- one of the most unhittable pitches of all-time -- launched more parties during the past decade than Dick Clark. Yes, he is 37, and he endured elbow difficulties last season, but both in action and comportment, he has meant as much to this storied franchise as anyone who has worn the pinstripes. Not one other player _-- not even Derek Jeter -- more deserves to be designated a Yankee for life.

Yet Cashman has indicated the Yanks have no interest in discussing a new contract for Rivera until after 2007. Rivera has responded by saying the Yanks can get in line with every other team if he hits free agency next winter. It's likely that both are posturing, but it has put an ugly, unfortunate twist on what has been a beautiful relationship.

Then again, it's not nearly as unfortunate as the way Williams was treated. Williams brought a grace back to center field, manning the position long enough (16 seasons) and well enough (22 postseason home runs, 80 postseason RBI) to make Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle proud. But Cashman extended Williams only a minor-league contract and an invitation to make the team. Williams rightly refused. Williams is 38 and his best days have long been behind him, but being a key cog on four World Series champs meant he deserved better, even if that meant a clean, mutual break.

Torre deserves the same thing, though he probably won't get it. His contract also expires at the end of 2007. Torre hasn't brought home a World Series crown since 2000, but he has guided the Yanks to 11 straight playoff appearances. Just as important, he brought dignity to the job with the way he deftly handled the challenge of working for Steinbrenner.

Now, it appears, he's about to be kicked to the curb. Just as Williams has been. Just as Rivera may soon be. All of which leaves little doubt as to what the Yankees will do when the other staples of their last dynasty _-- Jeter and Jorge Posada -- find themselves in a similar spot.

Such, it appears, is the new Yankees way. Cashman has said his motivation is the long-term health of the franchise, and nobody will argue that Rivera, Williams and Torre are short-termers these days. Too, you can't fault Cashman for putting a limit to what's available in the team's vault.

But clearly, there's still plenty left to keep Rivera and Torre from twisting in the wind, just as there was enough to show Williams he hadn't outlived his usefulness. These three brought pride back to the Yankees.

Too bad Cashman couldn't give them a small token of green in return.

DIFFICULT DAYS: If spring training is supposed to be all about affirmation and renewal, then you have to wonder how Kevin Lidle must feel these days. Former A's and Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle, who perished when his small plane flew into a New York City building on Oct. 11, was Kevin's fraternal twin.

"Different days are different," Kevin told the St. Petersburg Times. "Some days, the thoughts are there more than others. I guess in a way it's sad. But the majority of the time, there's positive thoughts [and] memories I'm able to have of him."

Kevin Lidle manages a baseball facility in Lakeland, Fla., less than an hour from where the Yanks train in Tampa. He and Cory often got together during the spring, though Kevin said he has tried to avoid those thoughts as much as possible.

"Sometimes, I don't want to say I play a game, but sometimes I'll just think, 'What would Cory say about a certain situation?'," he said. "And I'll know to the exact phrase what he might say. A certain thing will just remind me of what he'd think or say. And I know I'm on the same page."

Source: New York Post

by George King

February 18, 2007 -- TAMPA - With position players reporting to Legends Field today, Bernie Williams isn't expected to join the Yankees' camp.

According to GM Brian Cashman, there was no contact between the Yankees icon and the team yesterday. The Yankees offered Williams a minor-league invite, a chance to make the team as an extra player, but so far Williams has rejected that avenue to continue his stellar career.

"I believe Bernie can still play," Cashman said during a pitchers-and-catchers workout at Legends. "If he believes he can help, we would love to have him. This [minor-league contract] is the only vehicle I could create. If he doesn't want to do it, I understand. That's all I can say."

Because it's the beloved Williams, a 16-year Yankee and one of the dwindling names from the Joe Torre Dynasty, much more attention is being paid to Williams' situation than another name.

However, that will fade as the Yankees prepare for the season.

"At some point, we have to focus on who is here, and that will be quickly," said Cashman, who refused to divulge if there is a deadline on the offer.

Should Williams change his mind and report soon, he will battle right-handed first basemen Josh Phelps and Andy Phillips for the 25th man on the roster. Williams won't be considered for first base action, but the switch-hitter would give Torre options off the bench and at DH when Torre rests Jason Giambi.

Of course, Williams has to be in camp to win a job. Agent Scott Boras said yesterday, "I didn't hear anything from anybody today."

Torre, who chatted with Williams Wednesday, was out with the flu yesterday. Earlier in the week, Torre encouraged Williams to compete for a spot.

Last year, Williams, 38, convinced everybody that he can still play. In 420 at-bats, he batted .281 with 12 homers and 61 RBIs. That production and what he has meant to the Yankees led Williams to believe the team would bring him back via a major-league contract. Yet, from the start of the process Cashman has said Williams didn't fit on the major-league roster. Hence, the minor-league invite that Williams hasn't accepted.

With Melky Cabrera entrenched as the fourth and final outfielder, because Torre intends to carry a dozen pitchers, Williams doesn't have the option of the fifth outfielder to make the team. Since he isn't adept at base running, playing defense or pinch-hitting (.158; 3-for-19 last year), Williams' best spot to help is as a DH. By carrying Phelps or Phillips, the Yankees would have a right-handed-hitting first baseman to share with Doug Mientkiewicz.

If Williams doesn't report, he is basically ending one of the premier Yankees careers. Boras says Williams doesn't want to trade his pinstripes for another uniform. His 22 postseason homers are the most in baseball history, two ahead of Manny Ramirez. With 83 October RBIs, Williams is 20 ahead of David Justice, Reggie Jackson and Manny Ramirez, who are tied for second. On the all-time Yankees lists, Williams is fourth in hits (2,336), fifth in runs (1,366), sixth in homers (287) and sixth in games (2,076).

As for the reporting process, a player doesn't need to physically be at Legends Field today. All he has to do is call the Yankees and tell them he is in Florida. Physicals will be taken tomorrow, and the first full-squad workout is slated for Tuesday.

Derek Jeter, Miguel Cairo and Mientkiewicz, who have been working out at the minor-league complex, dropped off their gear Friday. Alex Rodriguez, Jason Giambi and Johnny Damon are expected tomorrow.

Source: Daily News

'Friends' of Bernie offer little support

BY MARK FEINSAND
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

TAMPA - Although there is no hard deadline, today should be decision day for Bernie Williams, who must decide whether he will be in pinstripes for the Yankees' first full-squad workout tomorrow at Legends Field.

Joe Torre planned on calling Williams, who has a standing offer to attend camp as a nonroster invitee, last night to find out if the outfielder was considering coming back for potentially a 17th season as a Yankee.

While the sentimental feeling in the clubhouse is that it would be great to see him in camp, two of his long-time teammates said Williams' presence might not be the best thing for the Yankees when it comes to putting the best team on the field.

"As a player and a teammate, I want Bernie here," Mariano Rivera said. "But I don't know if that's in the best interest of the team. The Yankees will decide that."

"To be here fighting for a job, it's tough to swallow when it comes to Bernie Williams," said Jorge Posada. "You look at it from a team point of view ... as a team, you want the team to be better."

Not only are Rivera and Posada longtime teammates, they are both facing career decisions. Rivera arrived in camp complaining about the fact he is unsigned beyond this year, and Posada also can be a free agent after this season.

Both Rivera and Posada pointed out that there isn't a spot for the 38-year-old Williams on the roster as currently constructed, with a platoon at first base. Should the team opt to use Doug Mientkiewicz as the everyday starter, Williams could take the spot that had been designated for either Josh Phelps or Andy Phillips.

Jason Giambi is slated to be a full-time DH and Melky Cabrera is set to get plenty of at-bats as the fourth outfielder, so Williams' role with the Yankees should he make the team would be limited to pinch-hitting duties.

"I don't think that would affect Bernie," Posada said. "I think he would be happy with that, but that's not the case. They're not guaranteeing he's going to be the 25th man."

As loyal as Torre has been to Williams, he can't make any assurances that he will have a spot on the roster at the end of the spring.

"I can't paint a picture that's guaranteeing him anything," Torre said. "I know there are a lot of players in this clubhouse who certainly feel for Bernie. Unfortunately, it's the nature of the game a lot of times that there's still business to take care of."

Torre, who spoke with Williams last week, said he was holding out hope that Williams would change his mind and report to camp. Posada, who hasn't been able to get in touch with his friend in a few days, thinks he has seen the last of Williams in a Yankees uniform.

"If he hasn't been here yet, he won't be here. I would love to see him walk through that door, but ..." Posada said. "He hasn't returned my calls. That tells me it's something negative. It tells me he won't be here."

GM Brian Cashman said he hadn't heard from Williams or his agent, Scott Boras. Boras did not return a call seeking comment.

If Williams plans to fight for a job, it would be wise for him to be in Tampa today to take his physical. The first full-squad workout is tomorrow, and Williams would need every break he can get to show the Yankees why he should be on the team.

"For his sake, the sooner the better," Torre said. "The more opportunities he gets to show what he contributes to our situation now, the better chance he has. ... If there wasn't any chance, I certainly wouldn't be trying to talk him into coming down."

Williams hit .281 with 12 home runs and 61 RBI in 420 at-bats last season, playing a lot more than expected due to injuries to Hideki Matsui and Gary Sheffield. When the Yankees acquired Bobby Abreu at the trade deadline, it cut into Williams' role, limiting him to just 116 at-bats over the season's final two months.

Should Williams return, it is not a certainty that a major injury to an outfielder would result in a greater opportunity. Cabrera would step in as the starting outfielder if Matsui, Abreu or Johnny Damon were injured, and if there was a second injury, the Yankees likely would go out and get whoever this year's Abreu is.

"That's not saying if we do have a breakdown somewhere that it's not going to involve more at-bats for him, because that probably will be the case," Torre said. "But we can't go into the season saying, ‘You're going to get 300 at-bats,' because you certainly don't pull for things to happen so that's the case."

Whatever Williams' ultimate decision is, it will be a difficult one.

"Being in his shoes isn't easy right now," Rivera said. "It's a decision that he has to make, and everybody will respect whatever he does."

Source: NJ Star-Ledger

Monday, February 19, 2007
BY ED PRICE
Star-Ledger Staff

TAMPA, Fla. -- Carl Pavano missed some of yesterday's Yankees workout, but the party line is that there is no cause for concern with the oft-injured right-hander.

Pavano, his legs sore from running drills the past three days, was allowed to go inside early and skip some drills.

"I just gave him a day off, to rest," pitching coach Ron Guidry said.

"To push it would be stupid," said Pavano, still scheduled to throw a side session today. "(The legs) are just heavy."

Meanwhile, Mariano Rivera cut off his bullpen session three minutes early. But that too was described as no cause for alarm.

Rivera said he was fine, and catcher Wil Nieves and Guidry said independently that Rivera stopped because he felt TOO good.

"He said you can't get better than that," Nieves said. "If you try to get better, you would mess up."

Said Rivera: "I wanted to stop. Simple as that."

Rivera, who has established himself as a Hall of Fame closer with only a cut fastball and occasional sinker, also toyed with a change-up.

"Nasty," Guidry called it.

Rivera said he was "just messing around." Asked if he might incorporate a change-up, he said, "We'll see."

Manager Joe Torre said he would like to get Melky Cabrera, the nominal fourth outfielder, significant playing time by using other outfielders as a DH at times.

"There's going to have to be some flexibility I think," Torre said. "We have to find a way to get Cabrera a number of at-bats."

Tony Pena, the first-base coach and catching instructor, broke out his unusual pop-up drills in yesterday's windy conditions.

"He keeps it fun," Jorge Posada said.

In one drill, three catchers lined up across the home-plate area, and three balls were fired out of a pop-up machine. The catchers had to concentrate on their pop-up and avoid the other players.

Later, one catcher would be given three pop-ups in rapid succession, forcing them to catch one and then quickly find the next one in the sky. A few players were able to go 3-for-3.

"It makes you concentrate, it really does," Ben Davis said.

Torre was back after missing a day with a severe cold but stayed inside during the workout. "Better than yesterday, that's all I can say," Torre said. "I just didn't feel like getting out of bed." ... Hideki Matsui checked in at Legends Field yesterday but declined interview requests. Andy Phillips also arrived.

Did Roger Clemens even toot his horn? No. And he's won 7 Cy Young's and 2 World Series. Just goes to show you how classy some inviduals are.

Please. I don't call him "classy." He left the Yankees saying he was retired, claimed he was 99% retired, and then went to play for Houston.

Now, he's "failing retirement," then he's coming back, now he's 80% sure he'll retire.

That's fucking retarded.

in all respects though, back in the old days the players played because they loved baseball, now its just for the money.

Source: Albany Times-Union

We're optimistic about the Yankees, because Randy Johnson's out West, and Andy Pettitte's back East.


Because they exported Jaret Wright, and imported Kei Igawa. Because the bullpen's a bit deeper, and the defense a tad better -- as long as Jason Giambi rarely plays it, as planned.

But the principal cause for optimism is that Brian Cashman's hands grip the reins of the Yankees' carriage harder than ever. No more must the Yankees succeed in spite of division and dysfunction between the general manager in New York and the empowered front office execs and advisors to George Steinbrenner in Tampa (can you imagine if Colts owner Jim Irsay had allowed a faction of "advisors" to undermine Bill Polian?).

No longer are the players Cashman doesn't want foisted on him, as Raul Mondesi and Kenny Lofton once were.

"For the last two years I've been able to set course on how we should proceed," Cashman said by phone from Tampa.

That is the most promising Yankees' development of all.

Cashman possesses the clout to persuade Steinbrenner not to fire Joe Torre when Steinbrenner wanted to last October, and the steely-eyed wisdom to say goodbye to Bernie Williams when Torre, blinded by sentimentality, would welcome him.

The Yankees of old would've signed Mariano Rivera to a hefty contract extension now instead of wisely waiting until after the season to see how the tender 37-year-old elbow that sidelined him for three weeks in September holds up.

The Yankees of old would've overpaid for a No. 4 starter such as Gil Meche or Adam Eaton in the hope their money and pinstripes would -- abracadabra! -- make their shortcomings disappear.

But these are the Yankees of Brian Cashman.

"We're still a big-game hunter on the free-agent market," he said.

But he's not going to waste payroll dollars on poor risks, either.

What Cashman and his staff have done that impresses most is replenish their farm system.

Nobody wants to talk about the Yankees' tomorrows; for years the Yankees focused obsessively on today. But the best sports franchises balance the tightrope between present and future. In their efforts to win every year, at any cost, the Yankees' farm had become fallow.

No more. Besides developing homegrown stars such as Chien-Ming Wang and Robinson Cano, and the useful Melky Cabrera, they've added so many promising prospects that Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus both ranked the Yankees' minor-league system among baseball's five best. They're particularly deep in pitching prospects, developing, adding to and holding onto them.

When Cashman traded Gary Sheffield to the Tigers, everyone knew the Yankees had to deal him. Yet, Cashman still acquired two of the Tigers' better pitching prospects for a player they no longer had use for.

Believe it or not, dealing Carl Pavano in the off-season would've been unwise. Yes, Pavano's "injuries" and commitment exasperate. But trading him when the Yankees need starters and his value is lowest would've made no sense. Cashman recognizes this.

None of this is to say Cashman hasn't and won't make mistakes.

But it'll be his team, and they'll be his mistakes.

We'll gladly live with both.