Will Mussina Retire?

From Ken Davidoff (Newsday):

At this point, it would be a shocker if Mike Mussina did not retire. For years, Mussina has been determined to end his career on his terms, rather than being told he’s not wanted any longer. To walk away after his first career 20-win season, when he could actually get offers from all over the place…the only way it could’ve ended better for Mussina would’ve been a Yankees World Series victory to go along with his personal success.You can expect a Yankee Stadium farewell news conference shortly after the conclusion of the World Series. I’ll leave myself one percent room for error. But no one who knows Mussina well thinks he’ll pitch again.

First, from an objective standpoint, if Mike Mussina retires, then the Yankees will be left with a rotation that features Chien-Ming Wang, who is coming off a serious injury; Joba Chamberlain, who cannot pitch an entire season; and, probably Andy Pettitte, who, at first glance, had a pretty bad year (thanks, in part, to an injury of some sort). This means that the Yankees will be on the prowl for 2 very solid starters. One of those starters will hopefully be CC Sabathia, and the other could be A.J. Burnett. Of course, the Yankees could go another route as Burnett’s injury history may scare them (so, Oliver Perez, Derek Lowe, a trade perhaps, all are real possibilities).

Now, in terms of what I think about a Mussina retirment as a subjective onlooker and a casual fan…

To be perfectly frank, I think it would be idiotic for Mike Mussina to retire when he clearly has gas left in his tank, and, if he does indeed retire, I think he’d ultimately regret his decision (over time). Essentially, this Mussina will retire argument is predicated upon the notion that Mike Mussina has a huge ego (e.g. leaving on his “own terms” instead of being cast aside), which I can easily believe (without a doubt). However, doesn’t the ego normally force you back into action, rather than to the sidelines? If ego is the primary reason Mussina retires, then it was never about ego to begin with.

Who’s In Center?

Who would you rather see playing CF, next year?

Reality Sets In

From Bob Klapisch (The Record):

ST. PETERSBURG – It’s been five years since the Yankees’ last appearance in the World Series, eight since they actually won it. That’s enough time for GM Brian Cashman to be able to watch the Fall Classic without bitterness or rage or even regret.

“I’m not sitting at home, watching the TV thinking, “that should be us.” It shouldn’t be us. We didn’t deserve it,” Cashman said by telephone on Wednesday, hours before the Phillies took Game One, 3-2. “This World Series is about two teams that fought to get there. In the Rays’ case, it was a long road for them.”

Eleven years, to be exact, including last season’s last-place, 97-loss season. No one saw the Rays coming in ’08 – at least not as American League champs. But Cashman is the first to admit the Rays thoroughly out-played his depleted Yankees, and broke the Red Sox’ hearts, too.

So Cashman’s message to Andrew Friedman, his counterpart in Tampa, is: enjoy the run. Don’t take it for granted, it never lasts as long as you think. Here is where the subject becomes touchy for Cashman and the Yankees, who once ruled the baseball world with maddening ease.

Maybe they made it look to easy, which is why Joe Torre became so unpopular with many fans in his last two seasons. Just getting to the post-season wasn’t good enough for a fan-base that’d developed a voracious sense of entitlement about the World Series.

October was supposed to belong to the Yankees. Not the Mets, not the Red Sox. Certainly not the Rays. Not only is that unrealistic rooting, it’s rejected by the Yankees themselves, Cashman in particular.

“Getting to the World Series and winning it in the period of time we did (four times between 1996-2000) was remarkable, I just don’t think people appreciated it,” the general manager said. “Maybe now they’re beginning to understand how hard it is to be a champion. Maybe reality is setting in. Re-creating that (golden era) is obviously very difficult.”

While I agree that reality has set in for many Yankee fans, as seeing their beloved pinstriped brethren finish in third place, behind the Rays and Sox, does that. However, I also hope that Brian Cashman is enjoying his sober dose of the real stuff, as well. He has been constructing lineups that are essentially offense-based for years now, and, finally, the offense just didn’t deliver this year. When you think about Cashman’s plans for rotations, you can’t help but to think of how tremendously lucky he has been. If you want proof, look no further than Aaron Small, Shawn Chacon, or even Chien-Ming Wang. He has basically thrown hail mary after hail mary and has gotten lucky, a bunch of times (sometimes, that luck will lead us to someone like Wang). This year, the luck stopped and reality has set in… for Brian Cashman.

Thursday’s Bits: 10-23-08

OK, so, if you’ve been reading these “bit” sessions regularly, you’ve probably noticed slight changes, recently, in the general format. As you can see, I’ll be providing brief albeit telling titles for each bit, within the post, instead of stuffing the umbrella post’s title with names and information (now, the date will be substituted in as the generic title, unless there’s a major story involved). With those minor details out of the way, let’s get into it:

A-ROD & MADONNA DRAMA

1. I thought this story was too funny to ignore, as I generally don’t post about A-Rod’s social world since the highly publicized split with Cynthia Rodriguez. According to Us Magazine (yes, I’ve stooped this low), it appears as though Guy Ritchie, Madonna’s soon-to-be ex-husband, has been “crying” over a recent photo that featured his son (Madonna’s son, too) wearing a NY Yankees t-shirt. Guy apparently blames A-Rod for some of what’s happened to his marriage, so obviously, the t-shirt is a somewhat insulting as it would impede upon any man’s sense of manhood. This story amazes me everyday, simply because Madonna is just not very attractive, or at least that’s what I think. A-Rod makes $30 million a year and could scoop females without much of a problem, so, why settle for the dinosaur that is Madonna? On a side note, my girlfriend and I have actually decided to attend a Halloween party, as the two (my comments pertaining to Madonna do not apply to my girlfriend–in case she reads this).

MIKE CAMERON IN CENTER?

2. Whenever the Yankees have CF issues, it seems like Mike Cameron’s name always comes up (well, at least that’s been the case, for the past 2 season). According to George King, a source close to the Yankees believes that the team is waiting to see whether or not the Brewers pick up the $10 million option they have on Cameron, because, if they don’t, then the Yankees may have an interest in picking him up for their CF vacancy. The Yanks supposedly see him as a better overall option at center than the trio of Damon, Gardner or Melky, says the source. Cameron, who will be 36 in 2009, could serve as a solid stopgap until Austin Jackson arrives in the Bronx, and if he’s willing to take on a cheap one-year deal, I think he’d be an adequate player. Last season, Cameron hit .243 with an .808 OPS, hitting 25 homers, driving in 70 RBI, and stealing 17 bases in only 120 games. Also, his defense is still solid, which is important to the Yankees (even as he nears 40).

CANO FOR CAIN, STRAIGHT UP

3. The guys over at NoMaas have concocted a pretty interesting trade idea (with some sound logic to back it up). How about Robinson Cano for Matt Cain? Cain plays with the Giants and it’s always a shame to see him pitch. His stuff is phenomenal, he’s a workhorse, and he has shown positive development with each new season. However, the Giants just don’t provide the kid with any run support, which has hurt his career record (30-43). This season, he struck out 186 batters, earned himself a 3.76 ERA and only managed to win 8 games (compare that to the 7 he won last year). That’s what happens when Bengie Molina is your number-4 hitter, I guess. Well, in terms of the trade, NoMaas believes that Cano’s bat is worth it for SF and Cain’s arm is worth it for NY, especially with Orlando Hudson available as a free agent. Now, as a Robbie fan, I would like to see him stay but if the Yankees could get Cain for him, I would probably do it and then add Hudson. To have control over Cain for a few years would be a great investment for the future of the team, while reinforcing an already thin rotation.

WILLIE BE A BREWER?

4. David Lennon (with help from my girl, Kat O’Brien) of Newsday informs us that the Brewers are taking a long look at Willie Randolph as they attempt to fill their managerial position (interim manager, Dale Sveum, will not be retained, which is why his name has been bounced around as a possible third base coach for the Yanks). This info seems to imply that the Brewers are very willing to hire Willie, who has a history with the team and has attempted to manage there in the past (he was passed over for others). It seems pretty clear, at least at this junction, that Willie will likely end up in Milwaukee, Washington, or at home relaxing, rather than return to the Bronx. Lennon also let’s us know that the Brewers have even considered our buddy Buck Showalter, as a possible managerial replacement, although the Brewers have not actually engaged in talks with Buck (not yet, anyway).

HIT THE TRAIN FOR 2009

5. Although I typically drive to Yankee games from New Jersey, for Yankee fans that like to or simply have to employ public transport, you’ll be happy to know that a new train station is being constructed by the new Yankee Stadium and is currently progressing quite nicely. The station is expected to be ready for service next spring (just in time), and will provide city dwellers with affordable transportation, all year round (it’s not solely for Yankee games). If you need to get around after having beers before or after the game, feel free to hit the train (that goes double for you, Joba Chamberlain).

RANDOMNESS: STRAWBERRY & JOBA, GRAEME LLOYD LOOKS BACK

6. Speaking of Joba, I know I said I wouldn’t post anymore on Joba’s alcohol-driven ride, but I thought the following story was pretty cool. Basically, Darryl Strawberry, who is the ultimate example of bad behavior and from that, wasted potential, reached out to Joba, hoping that his words would provide him with a sense of what could happen if one doesn’t learn from past mistakes.

7. Finally, if you’re a fan of former Yankee, Graeme Lloyd (and how can you not be?), feel free to check out this read from Australia’s version of FOX Sports (Lloyd is Australian). Lloyd looks back on his time with the Yankees and outlines some of his fond memories with the team.