Canseco Will be Vindicated Embarassed

Jose Canseco’s second steroid-based book, Vindicated, will be released on March 31st of this year. Therefore, expect some sort of controversy once the season starts. In fact, that’s (March 31st) when the Yankees open up the season (at home) against the Blue Jays. Anything on A-Rod (in the book) would probably be leaked earlier (that is, if there is anything substantial to actually leak).

Matsui’s Knee a Concern?

RAB has got the story. According to their info, Matsui broke his normal training routine and will be reporting to the states earlier this year (before ST) in order to have his knee checked out. Apparently he can’t run, and when you normally play the OF, that could be a problem.

I’m not a doctor, but hopefully this problem can be solved in time for the start of the regular season. He’s probably still recovering from the arthroscopic surgery he had done in November. If not, at least the bench is solid enough (meaning Giambi will get most of the DH time) to maintain without him. If we do start the season Matsui-less, I’d worry about well-rounded protection for A-Rod. Giambi can slot in there, but he can’t hit enough and strikes out too much to keep him there. At least with Matsui, you had a guy who could hit 30 bombs and hit for a relatively high average.

Mattingly Steps Down in LA

Apparently, Don Mattingly will not be the hitting coach for the LA Dodgers. He chose to step down due to “family reasons” and will stay on with the team as a “special assignment coach” (but he is expected to return to the role of hitting coach in 2009) 

Evaluating Joba’s Potential Roles, More on Santana

Nice read by Goldman at his Pinstriped Blog (props to the Pride of the Yankees Blog). It delves into the Joba Chamberlain, starter/reliever issue that’s been plaguing Yankee fans (but apparently not Joba Chamberlain) all winter.

His ultimate conclusion:

So there is the brief. The Yankees think that Joba can be an above-average starter, and it seems to me that given the outs that get absorbed in that role, that would be more valuable than limiting him to 80 innings in relief no matter how strong. The Yankees would be left with a deficit of 100 innings in the starting rotation that are likely to be filled by someone else, someone of lesser ability: Mike Mussina or an Ian Kennedy who has been figured out by the league. In a close race, those innings will make a great difference to the outcome.

That’s what most of us have thought, and we’re all looking forward to seeing Joba start in 2008 (although frequent trips to bullpen are likely as well).

Today, on the Santana front, Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press stated that the deals for Santana from the Sox and Yankees are likely diminishing. This seemed pretty obvious judging from recent comments by Hank S. & Brian Cashman in which they declared a proposed package to be “off the table,” saying that the trading window was still open, but that a new package would have to be worked out (and were awaiting a response from the Twins).

The Twins appear ready to wait it out though (good luck).

More From Smith: No Deal Has Been Good Enough

 

Last night, I had written about a report from Newsday’s Kat O’Brien regarding Bill Smith and his lack of information pertaining to a Santana trade (despite being the Twins’ GM). However, another report released by MLB.com seems to offer a bit more insight on the process and status of a Santana trade.

From Bill Smith (on Monday):

Smith said Santana told the GM that if he had to trade the pitcher, to make sure it was a very good deal.

“I have to go back to what Johan told me — we just haven’t gotten a good enough offer yet,” Smith said when asked what was holding up a deal. “We are listening, but we’re not going to just trade Johan Santana away for nothing. If our last option is that we keep him this year and he’s our starting pitcher on Opening Day, then that’s trouble for the Angels.”

Once upon a time, when the Yankees had offered a package of Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera and Jeff Marquez (with a fourth prospect, maybe Mitch Hilligoss), we as Yankee fans thought it was more than enough (and we’re not biased…). Obviously, as time passed and the Twins did not bite on that package, it became clear that they wanted more (e.g. an Ian Kennedy, a Jose Tabata, an Alan Horne?).

Ian Kennedy seems like the character that the Twins want the most (added to the initial package sans Marquez), as previous reports have indicated that the Twins were holding out for Hughes, Kennedy and Cabrera. What else could Smith be saying? With that said, I cannot see the Yankees giving in to such demands, and letting both of these kids make their way over to Minnesota. 

In fact, this could truly be wishful thinking by the Twins, who have failed to realize that teams are not willing to part with their best prospects and a boatload of cash, simply for one year of Johan Santana. Why not wait it out until 2009 and bid on him then? I think the Twins have been too hesitant, as the best packages from the Yankees and others (Mets, Red Sox) have already been put forth.

Igawa in Perspective

 

Octavio Dotel has agreed to a 2-year, $11 million deal with the White Sox. Once you move past the posting fee (even if it’s $26,000,194) that the Yankees coughed up for Kei Igawa and compare his annual salary to the $5.5 million that the White Sox are giving the iffy Dotel, the Yankees are paying a pretty decent wage ($4 million per) for a lefty-reliever and spot starter/long-man/innings eater.

I guess that’s my optimism shining through, but hell, when you frame it in this manner, it’s not really all that bad (as long as he isn’t horrible).