How in the world COULD they say that they would trade A-rod before a deal is set. Remember A-rod has a no trade clause. So they will not come out and make him look bad until they are ready.You don't make your multimillion dollar star look bad, or slap him in the face. You may be stuck with him.

The whole league knows that he is available. They will let the offers come in and talk to A-rod before they go public.

Report: Sheffield's option picked up by Yankees
October 26, 2006


First off, WHY?
Secondly, what an asshole!

I know I'm the only Yankee fan but I'm glad (yes GLAD) the Yankees held onto him and I hope they don't trade him. I'd rather him stay in New York than be in Boston tourching us. He may be an a$$hole but he's a great player. Remeber we had this discussion about Kenny Rogers earlier in the year and look how he manhandled the Yankees in the postseason (although he is currently under suspicison of cheating). You have to ask yourselves what's more important, an a$$hole superstar who can produce, or the "nice" guy who craps in the playoffs (A-Rod). I think this is a smart move for the Yankees because losing Sheffield in that lineup would have been a great loss.

Re: Sheffield, Wasn't he the one who pissed and moaned in the press because he DIDN'T have this option, and cried and carried on about how unappreciated he was until he got it?! So, now that the Yankees have exercised it, he's pissed off about that, too? Or is he pissed off with the performances of Abreu and Cabrera, which have made him a virtual third wheel? I think that Gary is getting older, he's had medical problems, nobody is sure WHAT he'll have to offer next year and he should just shutup and be happy to play whatever position the Yankees want him to. His return to the team was certainly no indication of past performance, and he should just stop running to the press complaining all the time. JG, you're right, he looks like a spoiled brat.

I figured his option would be picked up to trade him. Problem is that another team won't offer as much as one would think unless they had assurances that he would sign for an additional few years. Moreover, with his past (a chronic complainer wherever he's been), his diminishing abilities and his age, he certainly won't command a top rate starter in return. But, NY should get something in return although they may have to help pay his overpriced option.

The key is that by signing him and then paying to trade him, they can pretty much control where he ends up, rather than cutting him loose and let a division rival snatch him up.

My feeling is that if and when he is dealt, there won't be any long faces in the clubhouse.

The only reason they've resigned Sheffield is because they think they can get value for him in a trade, rather than let him walk. Cashman will not keep him on - he'll become a cancer in the locker room with his attitude now.

And yes, you're the only one who is glad. Sheffield is a good player when he's healthy, but with Abreu, he's obsolete, unless he learns how to pitch.

As far as going after Kenny Rogers...bah. Rogers "magic" postseason should disappear in a Game 6 (if necessary) when he'll have to wear the normal cap and be totally clean, and he'll suck like he usually does.

Zito is not worth the money he'll be getting, and plus I think the A's will re-sign him. He seemed like a head case to me when we faced him early on in the year, and we rocked him too.

And A-Rod HAS to go. Even with a no trade clause - all of this is being done to save face. They're no doubt trying to put on a good smile so that other teams will be interested, and that it can be made positive PR so it doesn't look as bad of a failure as it is. But A-Rod WILL be gone. He'll waive his no trade clause. He has no choice. The relationship between him and Jeter is colder than a witches tit, and he won't last the offseason in pinstripes.

I don't agree, but I guess only time will tell who is "right"

How much you wanna bet on that?

Why would he stay in New York? To watch his career die? I think that Boras and Cashman will get together and make some sort of deal that will save face. A-Rod may have a no-trade clause, but he is smart enough to see that he'll never achieve the greatness its clear he desires as long as he stays in New York. So they'll chip away at his resolve and get him to go to a second-tier city - Chicago maybe - and play with slightly less of a critical lens upon him.

[quote=Double-J

Why would he stay in New York? To watch his career die? I think that Boras and Cashman will get together and make some sort of deal that will save face. A-Rod may have a no-trade clause, but he is smart enough to see that he'll never achieve the greatness its clear he desires as long as he stays in New York. So they'll chip away at his resolve and get him to go to a second-tier city - Chicago maybe - and play with slightly less of a critical lens upon him. [/quote]

His career is hardly dying. He won an MVP in NY in 2005 and hit 40 homers this year. If a post-season flop is a one-way ticket out of NY, he'll have plenty of company on that train.

Boras does not want him out of NY, and Cashman knows that he can't get equal value in return for a trade. Moreover, the number of teams to whom A-Rod or Boras would consider a trade could be counted on one hand.

A-Rod's greatness is already assured as he is a first ballot hall of famer even if he never plays another game again. He's not concerned about resurrecting a career. Also, the fact that he has few friends in the Yankee clubhouse is irrelevant as he hasn't made many friends during his stays in Seattle and Texas.

He wants the championship. While he might agree to a trade, I don't think he or Boras feel the need to play elsewhere.

You can't say its exactly flourishing either. A-Rod is coming off one of his worst seasons (relative to his standards) on record, he's hated by the fans, and the tension between himself and the captain as well as his resentment of Torre's demotion in the batting order has created an environent where he can no longer succeed.

I'd be careful about the number of people who want A-Rod...there are quite a few teams in the market for his talent, who are missing one or two pieces of the puzzle or need a jolt in the arm and think he may be the answer. With the Yankees obviously taking the money hit, why would a team object to trading a starting pitcher for an All-Star 3rd baseman if it will help their team? Sure the Yanks won't get fair value - but they don't want him in NY despite the public face of the situation put on by Cashman and Boras.

Yes, but the question isn't who wants A-Rod; it's whom does A-Rod want? He and Boras will only consider an established and winning franchise. He will not consider waiving the no-trade clause for a fringe team or a team with a losing record. Also, few teams will be able to take on his contract, or even that portion remaining after the Yankees contribute. I'm thinking only the White Sox, Red Sox and Angels are the only ones who might be able to consider it. He's got the Yankees by the short hairs.

Also, I don't think he gives a damn about what the fans. He'll win a few games, hit some homers, and they'll be happy again. Also, he didn't care for Jeter when he got there, so that wouldn't stop him.

But most of the fringe teams wouldn't have the talent the Yankees want anyways.

Furthermore, its clear A-Rod needs fans. He can't thrive without them.

Then again, I forgot how retarded the Yankees can be.

Don't get me wrong, I like Mattingly and thought he did a good job as the hitting coach, but I don't see why Mazzilli should be pushed out and Mattingly promoted. I hope Mazzilli is at least staying with the team...he should be the next manager of the Yankees.

WOO HOO! The Cards win the series! Man Detroit hitters really CHOKED when it counted the most! F U Pudge!

Your hatred for Texas is legendary. Have you added Michigan to the list as well, I12??

No, but they beat the Yankees so I couldn't cheer for them and I've always hated Pudge so I'm just glad to see him lose

Well I might not know he plays for St Lou and I might pick St Lou to get their ass swept by San Diego BUT CAN I PICK EM BABY!?!

MVP boys

Darn. And I was hoping to watch Kenny Rogers fall flat on his face in Game 6 when he would be totally clean.

Oh well. Yay Cardinals!

When are they going to announce the regular season MVP? I thought it would have been done during the postseason like it's done in the NBA. It seems like it's late this year

In a week or two.

I wonder why they wait so long? Oh well. These individuals have flied for free agency today:

NEW YORK (AP) - One day after the World Series ended, baseball's business season began Saturday when San Francisco's Barry Bonds, Oakland's Frank Thomas and the Los Angeles Dodgers' Nomar Garciaparra headed 59 players who filed for free agency.

Oakland pitcher Barry Zito and Washington's Alfonso Soriano are the biggest names available in this year's free-agent class. Approximately 200 players are eligible to file by the Nov. 11 deadline, and free agents can start talking money with all teams the following day.
Under new rules this offseason, free agents do not face any deadlines to re-sign with their former teams. In the past, players had to re-sign by Dec. 7 (or Jan. 8 if offered salary arbitration) or else could not return to their former teams until May 1. The deadlines were eliminated in baseball's new labor contract.

Among pitchers, the Chicago Cubs' Kerry Wood and Houston's Andy Pettitte could attract some interest. The Astros' Roger Clemens also is eligible, but the 44-year-old hasn't indicated whether he wants to pitch in 2007 or whether he'd consider leaving his hometown team.

Outfielder Luis Gonzalez, not wanted back by Arizona after eight seasons with the Diamondbacks, plans to play next year.

Five players filed Saturday from the New York Mets: outfielders Cliff Floyd and Ricky Ledee, pitchers Orlando Hernandez and Steve Trachsel and shortstop Chris Woodward.

Five players also filed from Philadelphia - catcher Mike Lieberthal and pitchers Arthur Rhodes, Rick White, Randy Wolf and Aaron Fultz - along with five from San Diego.

Three players filed from the New York Yankees: infielder Miguel Cairo, reliever Octavio Dotel and outfielder Craig Wilson.

Source: FOX Sports

Every time that Wilson would come up to the plate, Mr. Babe would scream Wilson!! just like Tom Hanks in Castaway.

Dotel, what a tard. He spent most of the season on the bench.

Report: Yankees have Sheffield trade in place

New York Yankees' general manager Brian Cashman has a potential trade in place for slugger Gary Sheffield, according to a Newsday report.

The Long Island, N.Y. newspaper reported the news citing an unnamed official from another American League team.
But it appears that Cashman is not ready to pull the trigger on a trade. In fact, a person familiar with the Yankees' plans reportedly told the newspaper that "there is no urgency to the process." The team apparently wants to wait to see if Sheffield's trade market value improves.

The Cubs and Phillies seem to be the teams most interested in acquiring Sheffield, whom Newsday called "an attractive, more affordable alternative to free-agent sluggers Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Lee."

Those sluggers are likely to land long-term deals this winter. Sheffield, meanwhile, will cost a team $13 million for next season with $4.5 million deferred.

The Yankees, according to Newsday have until Sunday to pick up Sheffield's contract option, and are expected to do so shortly after agreeing to a trade, which now seems inevitable.

Sheffield, meanwhile, made his feelings public in a USA Today story last week that he is not happy about the Yankees' plans to pick up his option and then trade him.

Why?

He would rather try to get a three-year deal on the free-agent market. What's more, the veteran slugger has publicly warned teams interested in dealing for him that he is going to want a contract extension.

An American League team official told Newsday that the Yankees are open to all kinds of (trade) packages. And Cashman reportedly could accept a deal that would include prospects, bullpen help or a starting pitcher.

The Rangers and Indians are thought to be among the AL teams interested in a possible Sheffield trade. But the Yankees might avoid trading him to an AL team simply to avoid facing him too often next season.

Source: FOX Sports

Unless its a deal for solid (young) starting pitching or better-than-average fielding 1st baseman (which we already have in Andy Phillips) I would hope Cashman would have the sense to go for prospects, especially pitching.

I agree DJ.

The Yanks officially have cut ties with Lee "Maz" Mazzilli, which proves that George is growing increasingly braindead.

Well, I thought Papa George was damn nuts already when he wanted to fire Torre last year. But yeah, now its certified.