With Burnett, Health An Issue

Ken Davidoff has a nice piece out that reminds Yankee fans of A.J. Burnett’s injury-riddled past. Burnett definitely posted tantalizing numbers this season, as his talent is truly unquestionable. However, those numbers can often cloud one’s judgment when evaluating a free agent. Obviously, there are other factors that must be considered when signing players and Burnett’s inability to remain healthy will always hamper his value, that is, until he proves otherwise (meaning, consecutive seasons with 200+ IP).

Changes Coming?

From Mark Feinsand (Daily News):

According to a source, Brian Cashman has been asking some players to give evaluations of the coaching staff, giving the general manager information to use as he figures out what moves need to be made.

“I think there are going to be some changes,” the source said. “But I’m not sure which direction they’ll go.”

Third-base coach Bobby Meacham appears to be the coach most likely to be replaced, although he was one of two coaches – Mike Harkey was the other – that Girardi brought with him from Florida, so the manager could try to go to bat for him. Luis Sojo, who has been managing the Yankees’ Single-A affiliate in Tampa, could be a candidate to replace Meacham.

We’ve been hearing about Bobby Meacham’s demise for a while now. No surprises here.

(Props to RAB).

Hank Is Still Alive

From the NY Post:

Sitting behind his desk at George M. Steinbrenner Field, Hank Steinbrenner yesterday spit on the notion he has taken a step back in running the Yankees.

“There is one very important point here,” Steinbrenner told The Post during an exclusive half-hour session. “The most important thing to remember is this: If you didn’t get it from me or my brother [Hal], it doesn’t mean [anything]. I don’t care about some piss-ant employee. If you don’t get it from me or Hal, it’s meaningless. I have a lot of things [in Tampa] and Hal is in New York, which is good.”

Asked if he has taken a step back, Steinbrenner emphatically said, “No.”

Since The Boss turned over the day-to-day operations to his sons, Hank has one regret.

“I should have pushed harder for the [Johan] Santana deal,” said Hank, who was talked out of signing Santana by Hal and GM Brian Cashman because they believed the Yankees’ talent (Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy and Melky Cabrera) and the money (Santana signed a six-year, $137.5 million extension with the Mets) was too costly.

“My dad wanted to do that,” Hank said. “But that doesn’t mean we would have won if we got into the playoffs, because [Chien-Ming] Wang was hurt.”

So, with multiple holes in the rotation, center field and first base, will Steinbrenner be more assertive this offseason when the Yankees chase free-agent pitchers C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Derek Lowe and first baseman Mark Teixeira?

“I would likely say, ‘Go do it,’ ” Steinbrenner said. “But that won’t be necessary, because we are all on the same page.” Asked if the emphasis will be on pitching, Steinbrenner said, “Anything we can get to improve our situation, pitcher or position player. We are going to do everything we can and try our hardest.

“We are going to look at everything, and we are interested in everything, pitchers and position players. Whatever fits for us, whatever we need the most. To say we aren’t interested in somebody would be ridiculous. Teixeira is a quality player.”

Hank is such a character. Every report we get basically reiterates the fact that he is not, at all, involved in the team’s day-to-day operations. Hal has been the head Steinbrenner son, not Hank. Here, we’re getting a lot of bluster for nothing. All he’s really saying is that the Yankees are going to pursue pitching and free agents. Like we didn’t know that already? It’s style over substance.