Mussina to Pavano: 'You're A Pansy'

Carl Pavano signed a $39.95 million, four-year contract with the Yankees prior to the 2005 season. The return? Just 19 appearances and a 5-6 record.

With such a great resume with the Yankees under his belt, it is easy to see why fans have paid little attention to his rehabilitation from elbow surgery. But Yankees' starting pitcher Mike Mussina surely has noticed, and is skeptical that Pavano can pitch with the pinstripes this year.

Mike Mussina said in spring training last year that Pavano must show his teammates he wants to pitch. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said teammates shouldn't be dubious of Pavano in his latest comeback attempt.

Belittled by New York tabloids that call him "American Idle," disparaged by some teammates for his lack of durability, Carl Pavano could return to the New York Yankees this weekend.

New York is deciding whether to pitch Pavano or Phil Hughes this weekend since the pitching staff has been hit hard with injuries. If I am Pavano I would give a rotten performance in a bullpen session and stay in the minors for the rest of the year.

Making that kind of coin away from the New York media and out of the way of teammates doubters. Take it Pavano. Relax, sign with another club next year, and stick it to the Yankees in 2009.

Ah the American way.

[Photo Cred: Allaroundphilly.com]

Hanks Needs Superman

Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner has already declared that 2009 will be the year for the Pinstripes.

And even though he made the brilliant stupid prediction, he hasn't written off the Yankees current season.

"I'm not writing off this season," the team's co-chairman said Tuesday. "They're trying hard to win. There's only so much you can do. They're not supermen."

The Yankees are missing starting pitcher Chien-Ming Wang, who likely will miss the rest of the season because of a foot injury, and Joba Chamberlain, who hopes to return from right rotator cuff tendinitis. Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy have missed most of the season.

"I think it's very simple, we've been devastated by injuries. No team I've ever seen in baseball has been decimated like this. It would kill any team," Steinbrenner said. "Imagine the Red Sox without [Josh] Beckett and [Jon] Lester. Pitching is 70 percent of the game. Wang won 19 games two straight years. Chamberlain became the most dominating pitcher in baseball. You can't lose two guys like that."

Steinbrenner needs to ease up on his mouth movements. Chamberlain, the most dominating pitcher in baseball? He does know that Joba has not done a thing in baseball except prove he has a dead arm?

Brian Cashman is going to kill Hank.

Steinbrenner can find Superman in Beijing. 11 and counting, suck it, bitter Spitz!

The Rocket Is Mad

Roger Clemens held a press conference yesterday in which he sat with his lawyer and played a taped conversation he had with former trainer Brian McNamee.

The press conference was to be Clemens "evidence" that he did not use performance-enhancing substances despite McNamee's claim that he injected Clemens himself.

All I saw was a scared Rocket trying to confuse the media, sports fans, and fellow MLB players. Problem is, he did not confuse anyone with that press conference.

McNamee continually asked Clemens, "what do you want me to do?" in the recorded phone conversation, to which Clemens answered vaguely each time.

What Clemens did get across to the world is that he is a desperate man. Taping a phone conversation in which nothing was said, proved, or disproved. Then follow that up with fielding a couple of questions before storming out.

He was aggressive while fielding questions, and at one point called out Hall of Fame voters:

"You think that I played my career because I'm worrying about the damn Hall of Fame?" Clemens said. "If you have a vote and it's (turned) because of this, you keep your vote. I don't need the Hall of Fame to justify that I put my butt on the line and I worked my tail off. And I defy anybody to say I did it by cheating or taking any shortcuts. OK?

"I made a statement through this man (Hardin) when it first happened. I made a statement through my foundation. That wasn't good enough. And now I'm here doing this. I cannot wait to go into the private sector and hopefully never have to answer it again. I've said enough."

Clemens even asked reporters if he "can drink water? Or is that good or bad? Can I drink water? You know. And I can swallow..."

Yes you can Roger, yes you can.

Who knows what will come of this story, but we do know one thing: Clemens is definitely worried about the Hall of Fame and his legacy that may be tarnished.

Baseball Winter Meetings

It is that time again.

The time when all baseball fans wonder and dream about moves that their favorite baseball team will make in the offseason. So many expectations all filled with hope.

Who will they sign? Who will be traded? What rumors will come true?

Johan Santana is on the trading block and the AL East rivals, Boston and New York, and fighting for his arm. But will a wild card team pick him up? Does he want to stay on the East Coast versus the West Coast? What about his no-trade clause?

Boston or New York will pay the money to give Santana the extension he is seeking if he is traded. There is no better way to stick it to your rival than to sign the best pitcher in the majors. Like I said in the past, Boston is the new evil empire. Ultimately I think that Boston has the upper hand on a deal over the Yankees. They have the young, talented center fielder in Jacoby Ellsbury to roam around in place of Torii Hunter.

And how about Miguel "Jabba the Hutt" Cabrera?

I think he ends up with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim by the end of this week. Arte Moreno has said that they had a deal in place and was frustrated over the talks.

"I've felt we had a deal with them twice," Moreno said of the Marlins, who apparently cut bait and decided they needed more in exchange for the 24-year-old slugger.

Do not mess with a frustrated Mexican. This deal will get done. They have plenty of young talent for the Marlins and have multiple players that play the same position that will not hurt the Angels too badly.

Andruw Jones? Word around the block is that the Dodgers are hot on Jones, with the outfielder seeking the money that Hunter got from the Angels.

Erik Bedard and Miguel Tejada are said to be on the trading block as well. Both will help any team, especially Bedard and his strong arm.

There will be some happy fans and some disappointed fans no matter what, and lots of hope will be lost.

Have fun at the bar arguing with your buddies about why your team will be making the best moves. I know I will.

Alex Rodriguez - Where Will He Go?

The best baseball player in the MLB is a free agent, and is looking to get a historical paycheck for the tune of about $30 million per year for ten years.

Is he worth that much money? My answer is yes. Roger Clemens, who was average at best this past season, got a $28 million prorated deal with the Yankees. And without A-Rod, the Yankees would not have made the playoffs.

Here is the look at the highest salaries in the MLB last year (not including Clemens):
1. A-Rod - $27.7 million
2. Jason Giambi - $23.4 million
3. Derek Jeter - $21.6 million
4. Manny Ramirez - $17 million
5. Todd Helton - $16.6 million
6. Bartolo Colon - $16 million
7. Andy Pettite - $16 million
8. Jason Schmidt - $15.7 million

Is he worth $30 million a year? Yes. If Jason Giambi is making $23 million, then you can pay A-Rod the money his agent is requesting.

Colon and Schmidt were scheduled to play once every five games, and both were unable to do that for a full season. A-Rod plays in 150+ games a year, and will be taking his stats with him, wherever that may be.

Another reason this guy should be paid that much is the revenues he will be taking to a team. The media coverage, merchandise sales, ticket sales, and marketibility are all intangibles that make him worth that money.

And now to my list ranking from worst shot to best shot at landing this big fish:

Mariners
I have heard that they may be in the running, but raise my eyebrows at that one. Yes, he has played there before, but why would he go back? They are not a big market team and is not a city that his family would enjoy. Fat chance.

New York Mets
How to stick it to the Yankees further? Join the Mets in their new stadium and put the spotlight on the other baseball team in the Big Apple. They have a better chance than the Mariners because of their location. A-Rod's wife loves New York because she is able follow her ventures in the city. But, they already have all-star players in the two positions A-Rod would play, with third baseman David Wright and shortstop Jose Reyes (although I heard the Mets would be willing to part with Reyes). The looming question: is A-Rod willing to deal with the media scrutiny that comes along with playing in New York, again? I say no.

San Francisco Giants
A-Rod has gushed about playing in San Francisco at AT&T Park, and he could replace Barry Bonds as the "worth the price of admission" player with the Giants. He likes the city and can break the home run record in the same place it was broken. But are the Giants willing to pay him? This is a one of my two sleeper picks, but there is a big reason I have my doubts (*see Dodgers explanation).

Chicago Cubs
Like San Francisco, A-Rod likes Chicago and the history of Wrigley Field. Plus, they have a manager he loves in Lou Piniella. Problem is the Tribune Co. may never let it happen because the sale of the team is still pending. A-Rod is not going to sit around waiting for the team to be sold to its new owner.

Boston Red Sox
You have to throw the Red Sox into the mix because they are the new evil empire in the MLB. But I think the Boston have too much pride to swallow (yes, they swallow) his contract especially with the feuds they have had with him when he was with the Yankees. If they do not re-sign Mike Lowell, they may be a player in the sweepstakes.

Detroit Tigers
My other sleeper pick. They have the money and a squad A-Rod would like to play with. Also, the Tigers have dealt with his agent, Scott Boras, who represents all-stars Magglio "The Perm" Ordonez and Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez. Jim Leyland is a manager he would like as well.

Los Angeles Dodgers
Now we are getting to the big boys; the teams who can only blow the chance at getting A-Rod. The Dodgers have only given themselves a better chance at A-Rod with the signing of Joe Torre. The familiarity of Torre and his managing might make it a smooth transition for Rodriguez to head out West. It is Hollywood, he can be on the big stage with less media scrutiny (but there will be some) than in New York. They are a storied franchise that appeals to a player like A-Rod, and have a chance to take make a splash in the playoffs next year.

Two glaring factors that make them the number two team:
1. Dodgers Stadium is not a hitter's ballpark. It will not be fun chasing the home run record in his later years in that stadium. Ah, his later years, which brings me to my next point (*the one that applies to San Francisco and the other NL teams)...

2. They are in the National League. Why would he change leagues now? And more importantly, why minimize the days he can get out on the diamond in the later stages of his career? Did you see Barry Bonds play left field with the Giants this past year? It was painful to watch, and I bet he would have given anything to DH for the whole season. In the American League, A-Rod can. No more errors at third base, just getting into the batter's box everyday. He can preserve himself by being a DH in the AL and chase down every record he dreamed of breaking.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Now, this is not a biased pick. This is real, and once you read why, you will understand.

• When Arte Moreno bought the Angels he had a vision of making them as big as the Dodgers. He started putting up Angels billboards in Los Angeles county and asking those who live in that county to give the Angels a look. He is enamored with A-Rod, not only as a player, but at his marketibility. Moreno once talked of starting an Angels television channel, and with A-Rod he could start it.
  
  
• The Dodgers may have just blown their own chance at A-Rod by hiring Joe Torre; not regarding A-Rod's willingness, but based on Moreno's pride. What better way to steal the Dodgers mojo by signing the biggest fish on the pond? The spotlight is currently on the Dodgers and Moreno does not like that. He has worked so hard to get the team to be recognized nationally, and now this is his opportunity to take it to that next level. Dodgers recognition level.
  
  
• Moreno can market the (expletive) out of A-Rod and make money back from the signing. He would love to be the owner of the team when A-Rod breaks the home run record, and be able to say "I signed the home run king."
  
  The media around Anaheim would not be as harsh on A-Rod as they would be in New York and down the freeway in Los Angeles. A pleasing environment for A-Rod and his family. His wife is in Southern California and can continue her ventures down the way in Los Angeles or in Orange County.
  
  
• Mike Scioscia. A-Rod showered Scioscia with praise last year, more so than any other manager (source NY Daily News):
  

  A-Rod couldn’t have enough nice things to say about Mike Scioscia, first throwing some love his way in an on-field interview with Kim Jones on YES, then telling reporters by his locker that Scioscia should be credited with making the Angels into the gritty team they are.
  
  Asked about the Yankees’ huge 14-9 win, A-Rod replied, “It just tells you how tough and competitive a team those guys are over there; that’s a tribute to Mike Scioscia. They never stop.”

  
  He wants to play for him. He has the wheels to run in Scioscia's offense.
  
  
• Angels Stadium. He kills it at Angels Stadium. In three games in 2007, he hit .417 with three home runs and six RBIs in Anaheim. His slugging percentage? 1.167. He has a .332 lifetime average in 77 games at the stadium.
  I have seen it live, he loves to hit the ball into the bullpens of both the Angels' and visiting teams' in left field.
  
  
• He would be welcomed with open arms. Rarely do Angels fans "boo" their own players, and he is what they have been waiting for. They have an open third base position for him to take, and a smiling Vladimir Guerrero who would sigh a breath of relief at his arrival. The pressure will not be as high as in New York, Boston or Los Angeles.
  
  
• His agent, Scott Boras' office is located in Newport Beach and he regulary sits in the Diamond Club behind home plate when A-Rod plays in Anaheim. Him and A-Rod could wine and dine together all they wanted, year round.
  

All signs point to Anaheim, the ball is in Moreno's glove.

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So there you have it... it will probably be a couple months until we know where he will be going, but at least you have these thoughts on your mind.

End Of An Evil Empire?

Has the evil emire moved to a different city? Is the new Death Star being constructed in Boston with the Red Sox winning their second championship in four years, and the talent to make them the favorites for next year?

The fans are already the stormtroopers; kind of slow, clumsy, and quick to make some unwanted noise. Star Wars references aside, these Red Sox can dominate baseball for years to come with their pitching and young talent that has already shown they are ready for the big stage.

Yesterday, it was Alex Rodriguez trying to steal some thunder from the Red Sox by announcing he was opting out of his Yankees contract. Today, it is the Yankees announcing that they have offered Joe Girardi the vacant manager's position.

First let me talk about Girardi (and it is reported he will accept the job tomorrow). This hire may cause a stir in the Yankees clubhouse because he was offered the job over Don Mattingly. Yes, that Don... "Donnie Baseball," one of the most beloved Yankee players, and a player who already had his number retired by the club.

Mattingly will not accept a position on the Yankees coaching staff, Marchand and ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney are reporting.

"Don was extremely disappointed that he wasn't the organization's choice to fill the manager's vacancy," Mattingly's agent, Ray Schulte, said in a statement.

I know Girardi is a great manager, but you have to try to keep your team intact after losing Joe Torre. Several key players with the Yankees were hinging their decisions on whether to stay with the Yankees based on if Torre was retained, and now who replaced him.

I think Mattingly was that guy to help make a smooth transition from the Torre era to a Yankees era that will include younger players.

The key Yankees players who are free agents: Jorge Posada, Andy Pettite, and Mariano Rivera. Pretty hefty names that helped the Yankees strive in their evil empire era. Oh yes, and do not forget that third baseman that decided to opt out.

And it appears that it is officially over between A-Rod and the Yankees, as Hank Steinbrenner had this to say about him opting out:

"It's clear he didn't want to be a Yankee," Hank Steinbrenner, a son of Yankees owner George Steinbrenner and now the figurehead of the club's baseball operations, told the New York Daily News. "He doesn't understand the privilege of being a Yankee on a team where the owners are willing to pay $200 million to put a winning product on the field.

"I don't want anybody on my team that doesn't want to be a Yankee."

So now the Yankees may or may not have to replace key players from the outside or from within. Hey, they have Wilson Betemit to play third.

The evil empire has changed uniforms, and I couldn't be happier.

Bleacher Creatures

I did not know about a special song that the Yankees' bleacher creatures have come up with for visiting team fans until I stumbled across it on YouTube (got to love that web site).



Pretty clever song... Boston fans probably could not think this one up.

As stupid as it sounds, this video makes me want to grab a seats in the bleachers next year in New York. Bank on that, I am going out there when the Angels play the Yanks.

Joe Torre Out

Joe Torre will officially be out of a Yankees uniform, as he turned down a one-year $5 million contract that included a possible $3 million in bonuses, and a $8 million option in 2009 if the Yankees won the AL pennant.

This has to be a pride thing for Torre. At $5 million, he still would have been the highest paid manager in the bigs, and probably would have made it $6 million since the Yankees have reached the playoffs for 12 straight years. Not only that, I think the Yankees wanted to save face by offering Torre a contract he would not accept.

The contract negotiations could have gone on for a couple of days but instead, they offered, he declined, thank you for the great years. Who would want to be in Torre's situation anyway?

He led the Yankees to 12 straight postseason appearances and four World Series championships, yet faced scrutiny from George Steinbrenner on the daily. Why would Torre take a one-year deal after all the years he put into the Yankees?

Basically that is telling Torre, "you better perform in 2008 or you will be out of here." Why would Torre want to go through a full season with that hanging over his head? The worst part about this whole thing is that Steinbrenner gave Torre an ultimatum during the ALDS. That is no way to treat a manager.

Some say that the door is still open for Torre to return, but I doubt that will happen.

Those considered to be the top candidates to replace Torre:
Don Mattingly, Joe Girardi, and Tony La Russa.

Stay tuned for more.

Nice move by the Yankees though: keeping the attention on them on the day that the Boston Red Sox can be eliminated in the ALCS. Touché.

Game 5, ALCS 8 p.m. ET on FOX.
The ex-girlfriend of Red Sox starting pitcher Josh Beckett, Danielle Peck, will be singing the national anthem at tonight's game. No word yet on whether she will give him a kiss of death before he pitches tonight. Double touché.

Derek Jeter Pays Your Parking

Derek Jeter is known as a ladies man, and there are perks that come with being with him: FREE PARKING!

Jeter is in Miami celebrating the Yankees season sulking with women, and the NY Post has the details:

Our spy in the lobby of the Shore Club in Miami early Sunday morning spotted "two scantily clad women screaming at the front desk because they had spent the night at Jeter's penthouse and were then charged for parking."

"The girls were wearing what looked like the same clothes they wore the night before - a tight cocktail dress and a mini-skirt. They were making a huge scene because they were asked to pay for parking.

"Obviously, they'd spent the night there," giggled the onlooker, who noted that one of the overnight guests was screaming into the phone, "After last night, he'd better [bleep]ing take care of it!"

After a bit of insistence, "they eventually left happy. I assume he paid for their parking after all," said our snitch.
Tongues in Miami are wagging over Jeter's stint in Miami, where he was spotted Friday night dining at Nobu, then partying it up with Timbaland at Skybar. "They took over the table in the back and drank Grey Goose all night," said a fellow reveler. "Five girls were dancing around him, but he didn't seem interested."

Jeter was spotted acting equally detached later that night at Set, where he was "surrounded by throngs of women five rows deep. He was hanging with a guy friend, though, and didn't seem to take much interest in the hordes of ladies."
Evidently, the Yankee captain likes to keep his conquests behind closed doors, because there were no Jeter sightings Saturday night.

"I heard he was staying in the penthouse at the Shore Club," said one Miami source. "He checked in solo Friday, but nobody saw him Saturday night . . . and everyone down here talks when big names come to town. Maybe he was holed up in his suite all night?"

Jeter is notorious for his off-field plays - he's been linked to the likes of Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Jordana Brewster, Mariah Carey, Scarlett Johansson, Vanessa Minnillo and Gabrielle Union. Shore Club reps had "no comment," and a Yankee rep did not return calls.
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Jeter knows how to spend his offseasons. A lot of players would stay locked up in the comforts of their home or go to a far destination to get away, not Jeter. He goes out there and mashes it up, since his postseason stats were less than stellar, he has to make it up in the other field he has expertise in.

I need to become a Yankees beat writer so I can become friends with him and chill out with the dude.

Mental note to self: Put Jeter's cologne on my Christmas list.