Let’s Get This Party Started

The Yankees will begin their organizational meetings tomorrow, in Tampa, as these meetings will ultimately set the agenda for the team’s winter. I can tell you this, although I will not be at the meetings, personally (my invite must have gotten lost in the mail), I can, without a shadow of a doubt, say that the agenda will go something like this: 1) pitching (CC Sabathia or A.J. Burnett), 2) pitching (contingency plans— e.g. Derek Lowe, Mike Mussina, Andy Pettitte, trades), 3) discuss Mark Teixeira, 4) offense (e.g. Manny, others).

Batch Of Bits: Manny, Moose, Cano

Ken Rosenthal had a few noteworthy bits up in his latest piece for FOX Sports. Let’s go over the key points of interest.

On Manny Ramirez:

No matter what they say publicly, the Mets and Yankees are certain to investigate the possibility of signing Ramirez as they prepare to open new ballparks.

I don’t think money will matter, necessarily, when it comes to signing Manny. His contract will be contingent upon years and not cash. The Yankees won’t want to commit to a 5 or 6-year relationship with an aging player nearing 40 (no matter how good he is), which is something that Scott Boras has reportedly been seeking for his controversial client. I doubt he’ll get that from anyone, actually, as he’s more likely to be awarded with a 4-year deal ($25 million per?). What KR says about Manny and Yankee Stadium makes some degree of sense, however, the seats are going to be sold out regardless of whether or not he is on the team (unless the economy cuts into those luxury suite sales).

On Mike Mussina:

Friends of Yankees right-hander Mike Mussina are still convinced he will retire. One possible reason: Mussina fears that the Yankees will not be good enough next season for him to sufficiently chip away at the 30 victories he needs for 300.

Mussina, who turns 40 on Dec. 8, would consider playing for other teams near his home in Montoursville, Pa., but those teams either play in small ballparks (Phillies, Red Sox) or face their own competitive issues (Pirates, Orioles, Nationals, Indians). The Mets? Not happening.

One other thing about Mussina: His expectations of himself are so high, he could not tolerate getting hammered again the way he was in 2007. Better to go out on top, which is what he would be doing after his first 20-win season.

Eh, KR’s first point doesn’t make sense to me. Mussina thinks the Yankees won’t be good enough to help him “chip away at the 30 victories he needs for 300″? Are you serious? The Yankees had one of their worst seasons in recent memory in 2008 and Mussina won 20 games (a career high). So, again, this makes no sense, especially when the Yankees will likely bolster their lineup before heading into the 2009 season. If Mark Teixeira or Manny Ramirez are added to the team (or both), are you telling me Mike Mussina doesn’t think the team will be good enough? I don’t think so. Furthermore, if the Yankees sign CC Sabathia, as well, then Moose may push the panic button and return. He hasn’t gotten that ring he’s been searching for and the aforementioned lineup would be tremendous enough to get the Yankees into October.

Also, I must note that we had a conflicting report from Buster Olney (ESPN). Olney believes that Moose has legitimate doubts concerning retirement, whereas KR seems to think that Mussina is more or less leaning towards it.

Finally, on Cano:

The Dodgers’ interest in Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano is sincere, but at what price? Outfielder Matt Kemp would be an obvious fit for the Yankees, for whom he could play center or right.

Cano, after agreeing to a long-term contract last February, is under club control through 2013. Kemp actually would become a free agent first, after the 2012 season…

I don’t care if Cano did have a down year. If the Dodgers want to deal for him, they’ll have to consider sending Brian Cashman Chad Billingsley or Matt Kemp. He still has tremendous value and the Dodgers obviously recognize that.

Jake Peavy Is Scared… Of The AL

From the San Diego Union-Tribune:

If the Padres decide to trade Peavy, getting full value might be difficult as well if Peavy is unwilling to approve a trade to the American League.

At season’s end, Peavy said he would not accept a trade to the American League. When asked recently if that is still true, Peavy said he didn’t “want to get into any speculation” on trade scenarios.

His agent, Barry Axelrod, acknowledged that the American League isn’t Peavy’s first choice.

“Jake has a strong preference to stay in the National League,” Axelrod said. “It is hypothetical, but Jake, by any measure, has had a great deal of success in the National League. He has a comfort level with knowing how to approach hitters here.”

I always hear talk about Jake Peavy being a “tremendous competitor,” but, if such a description actually fit your character, wouldn’t you be eager to prove yourself in a more difficult league? I know, I know, I’m being too critical, and I’m not seeing the issue from his perspective. Either way, Peavy has yet to rule out the AL, totally, and would be willing to play for 1 of 3 AL teams (the Angels, Yankees, and… Red Sox, maybe?) if traded.

(HT to MLBTR).

Willie Join Us?

From the NY Post:

Randolph, reached in South Carolina by The Post, said he hopes to land a managing gig but would be open to returning as a coach under the right circumstances. However, he was very clear there hasn’t been any talk of him returning to The Bronx where he was a coach from 1994 to 2004, and played second base from 1976 to 1988 as a team captain.

“I heard rumors about (Yankee) changes,” Randolph said. “I haven’t talked to anyone. I buzzed Brian (Cashman) to congratulate him (on his new contract), but other than that I have had no contact at all. I’ll try and wait to see what happens.”

Randolph, who will be paid $2.25 million by the Mets next year, remains interested in managing.

“I don’t get a sense much will open up,” Randolph said of managerial openings. Seattle is expected to open after they hire a GM and there is a chance the Brewers will have a vacancy. “I will keep an eye on managing. To go back to the field as a bench coach or third-base coach is an option to explore. Let’s wait and see.”

One drawback to hiring Randolph as a coach is that he would be linked to the manager’s job if the Yankees fire Girardi next year. And if Girardi gets axed and Randolph doesn’t get the job, the backlash from Yankees fans would be severe.

It’s weird. I can see Willie returning (at 3B unless there’s a coaching rotation), yet I can’t see it. I actually think that the Yankees may consider it. I know that it would make for an awkward situation for Girardi, essentially having a potential predecessor hanging around (a contingency plan, if you will). However, Willie Randolph’s managerial style was so similar to Torre’s and I think this could actually help his case. Girardi’s style has been vastly different to Torre’s and the team seems to have trouble clicking with him, at times. Why not bring in Willie to close off the stylistic gap between the two managers? Willie seems like he could help guys get lose, whereas that was a problem for Girardi.

Then again, if the Yankees truly need a Joe Torre clone (I say that in reference to his managerial style and not his personality) to help balance things out, then, maybe, the Yankees should have, you know, just kept Joe Torre…