One Year Down

Thanks to everyone that chooses to stop in and read whatever it is that I write on a given day. This blog has been up and running for a year now and it’s cool to know that there are so many intelligent and dedicated fans out there who share my enthusiasm for the Yankees. Props to all and, again, I can’t say it enough, thanks!

Burnett’s Future

ESPN is reporting that A.J. Burnett will likely opt-out of his contract with Toronto and will do so, at the latest, by Monday. The opt-out will come just in time for the GM meetings in California and it’s not much of a surprise to anyone in baseball.

Concrete Failure

Testwell Laboratories, which is a pretty high-profile concrete testing agency, was indicted on corruption and fraud charges on Thursday. The company may have provided false test results, improperly billed state groups, or simply didn’t do the tests that they were supposed to do. I’m reporting on this because Testwell had originally tested the concrete at the new Yankee Stadium. Luckily, the stadium’s concrete was retested and was deemed “structurally sound”.

I mean, it did take them an entire Sunday to dig up some of the concrete in search of that David Ortiz jersey, so I guess we already knew everything was OK.

Thursday’s Bits: Jeter, Manny, Teixeira

Light up that hot stove, boys.

DEREK TALKS IT UP

1. Before I get into any hot stove talk, though, Derek Jeter spoke with SI.com and, of course, the results were great. While the interview never really broke new ground, we did hear some interesting thoughts on his Xbox skills, his parents’ seats at Yankee Stadium, Texas football with Roger Clemens, and even his current flame, Minka Kelly. Well, we didn’t hear much about Kelly, which is fine, but SI’s attempts to pry relationship information from Jeter’s clutches was certainly worth a laugh.

As a quick side story, back in 2000, maybe, I was at the Garden State Mall (Jersey) and Jeter was there unveiling his new shoe in either Foot Locker or Finish Line. Anyway, before that, Jeter was reportedly linked to everyone’s favorite diva, Mariah Carey, and when I saw him giving a Q&A (a preplanned one) in the store, I kept yelling at him, antagonistically, asking him how she was doing (I was an obnoxious teen, but it was fun in retrospect). I was literally 10 feet away from him and, as he answered questions, he looked over at me and my friends and started laughing. It was subtle, but we loved it. Then again, maybe he was laughing at my mustache, which, I’m told, was terrible at that time.

MANNY IN THE BRONX?

2. Next up, the hot stove is beginning to burn, ever so slightly, as George King dove into the Manny Ramirez-Yankee rumors (yes, the WS is officially over). King notes that, despite Manny’s age, which is totally out-of-synch with Brian Cashman’s “younger and more athletic” mantra, “industry sources” believe that the Yankees will make a serious push for Manny to play RF. Obviously, this is nothing more than unreserved speculation, however, if the Yankees don’t sign Mark Teixeira, Manny would probably be the next best option, as it would allow the Yankees to slot Xavier Nady in at first base, a position he has a some history with (or, they could resign Giambi). This would mean, Brett Gardner, everyone’s favorite CF prospect (for now), would get the start in center.

Now, signing Manny Ramirez wouldn’t necessarily be the worst thing that could happen (many fans believe it would be a terrible idea). However, if the Yanks could pull Manny for 3-4 years at a decent price, it could work. Then again, after 2009, tremendously younger outfield options such as Matt Holliday, Carl Crawford, Jason Bay (potentially), Rick Ankiel and Austin Kearns, will be available via free agency. The Yankees have a lot to think about with their OF after this year, and, it’ll be interesting to see if Manny Ramirez factors into their plans. I don’t see the Steinbrenner brothers really pushing for Manny, but then again, they do have a new ball park to fill in 2009 and beyond.

Remember though, pitching is currently first and foremost.

THE TEIXEIRA SWEEPSTAKES

3. Now, with the WS over, the Mark Teixeira sweepstakes has now begun (unofficially). If Tex is really looking for $200 million over 10 years, Ken Davidoff notes that the Yankees will probably bow out of the chase. Nonetheless, Davidoff also reminds us that the Red Sox will be looking at Teixeira as well, especially with David Ortiz declining and Mike Lowell coming off of hip surgery (he’s an old man, what can I say). The Boston party could really kick the tires on the Teixeira playoff, and we can’t write off the Angels either, as they’ll try and lockup Tex after investing so much of their future in the trade for him (Casey Kotchman is a good player and without him or Teixeira, there’s a hole at first in LA). If the Yankees can’t nab Teixeira, they could try and trade for a first baseman like Adam LaRoche (ugh) or, again, they could resign Giambi (or move Nady to first).

Davidoff also lets us know that searching for a center fielder, is, in fact, on the Yankees’ to-do list this offseason. We’ve heard about this before and it seemed like a lot of unwarranted speculation, but I trust Davidoff’s reporting.

ESB UNOFFICIAL RANKINGS

4. Finally, MLBTR has a ranked list of free agents (Type A, Type B, etc.) using Eddie’s projections, from Detroit Tigers Thoughts.

Fin

The 2008 season is officially over and I’d like to congratulate the Phillies and their fans for a great season. They earned this WS title, and as an avid supporter of Cole Hamels, Brett Myers (wife beating aside), Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley, I must say that I’m pretty pleased. Of course, the Rays gave it all they had, but as soon as Longoria’s bat died, their chances to win died, as well. They should still hold their heads high, because they had a remarkable season.

With that said, for Yankee fans, now the fun begins. Players can soon declare free agency and the hot stove will certainly heat up for New York. This winter should be one hell of a ride, as it will truly dictate the future of the ball club.