evil empire goes down again

[Tom Poje]

ZERO - number of runs scored by Yankees in the 3rd game of the playoffs

ZERO - number of runners advance by the Yanks in the same game

ZERO - number of World Series won by the Yankees in the 21st century.

ZERO - oh wait - A-Fraud did get a hit afterall.

gotta love those results.

especially for a payroll over 200 Million.

[Belgarath]

Yes, and Steinbrenner will probably fire Torre - who is arguably the best manager in baseball. But he can't throw the ball or swing the bat for these guys...

[Lori Friedman]

Ah, yes...the best lineup that money can buy. No amount of money can buy the spirit, heart, and determination of the Tigers.

[david rigby]

Are the Braves still playing?

[wsp]

This shows that good will ultimately triumph over evil. Red Sox in '07!

[stephen]

Pax,

The Braves are trying to talk the Yankees into paying $4,000,000 per year of A-Rod's salary so they can get him for the bargan basement salary of $12,000,000 per year (as the Rangers are still paying $9,000,000 of his salary).

Stephen

PS Another streak for the Braves begins next year!

[Lori Friedman]

Not that long ago, Slappy was one of the premiere shortstops in MLB. When he moved to the Yankees, he became a very poor third baseman. Slappy also has problems handling the pressures and attention of a huge market and highly visible franchise. He really needs to move to a smaller franchise, where he can play shortstop again. But, small city = tiny payroll. Can anyone afford him at $12,000,000?

[wsp]

Not that long ago, Slappy was one of the premiere shortstops in MLB. When he moved to the Yankees, he became a very poor third baseman. Slappy also has problems handling the pressures and attention of a huge market and highly visible franchise. He really needs to move to a smaller franchise, where he can play shortstop again. But, small city = tiny payroll. Can anyone afford him at $12,000,000?

Mariners are actually considering it....though he'd stay at third. They'd let Beltre go and keep Arod. Talk is they're looking to split the difference between ARod's non-Ranger salary and Beltre's salary...End up raising total payroll by something like 2.5 million.

I think Yanks would let him go for 2.5 mill per year. M's might even let them off without paying anything.

[Lori Friedman]

Mariners are actually considering it

He was loved by the Seattle fans, and he always seemed to enjoy playing there. It's too bad that he ever left in the first place. But, who among us could resist the allure of $25 million per year?

[Belgarath]

Me, if it involved living anywhere where the temperature goes over 90 degrees more than 10 days a year.

But if the climate is congenial, I'll come to work for any of you for half that figure.

[Guest willow]

There's talk in Chicago that White Sox GM Kenny Williams has always had a "thing" for A-Rod.

According to the Chicago Tribune on Oct. 12:

"Because Piniella will not become Yankees manager, he is available to the Cubs, making him a strong co-favorite for the job with Joe Girardi. And because George Steinbrenner was talked into letting the Torre/Jeter faction win out in New York, Rodriguez may be available for trade, despite denials.

And that brings in the White Sox.

General manager Kenny Williams, according to those in the know, long has had a "thing" for Rodriguez, much like he has had for Carl Everett (acquired twice), Sandy Alomar Jr. (acquired for a third time) and Ken Griffey Jr. (whom he tried to acquire two years ago).

In fact, insist sources very close to the situation at the time, first-year GM Williams tried to get a one-on-one interview with Rodriguez to induce him to join the White Sox before he signed with Texas in the winter of 2000.

Boras rejected that request, but Williams remains convinced—to this day—Rodriguez not only would have come to the White Sox but he would have made the Sox into instant and constant contenders.

Williams still believes Rodriguez, only 31 years old, would be a hero in Chicago, and never has been afraid of criticism for making a big splash for a big name.

The White Sox would have much more than most teams to offer the Yankees—certainly more than the talent-starved Cubs—in return, including fellow third baseman Crede. Coincidence or not, Crede also is represented by Boras, not a friendly face among Sox executives.

But Boras could do both of his clients a favor getting Rodriguez to a less-pressurized situation in Chicago. Here Rodriguez could move back to shortstop and get away from a sour situation in New York, where he and Jeter are seen as opposite forces.

As for Crede, he could get a long-term contract with the Yankees, something the Sox may not be willing to do with Fields on the horizon. The Sox also might be willing to part with a Yankee trade necessity, a starting pitcher in Garcia.

With the Rangers still paying a huge chunk of Rodriguez's salary, the Sox would be looking at a $66.6 million commitment for four years. Could they handle that? Yes, especially if they shuffle off Crede's potential contract and Garcia's $10 million for 2007."

Interesting scenario...

willow

[wsp]

Yankees would certainly like Garcia, but he'd fail miserably. He simply can't thrive in that environment. Lifestyle was an issue with him with the Mariners...put him in NY and you're asking for trouble.

And, if you're Arod and you get to pick and choose where you'll go. Would you pick Chicago? More likely he'll go to Boston, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Seattle, or even Houston. Wherever he goes you can bet they'll make "minor adjustments" to the fences and stadium. No way does he go somewhere that might damage his ability to hit the HR. Only reason I put Seattle in there is because the town still does like him (they just won't admit it)...and the stadium can be easily modified to become a hitters park.