Where to begin…

OK, so there’s a lot going on with Joe Torre’s latest book:

1. Despite co-writer Tom Verducci’s account of The Yankee Years, it seems as though Joe Torre used the book as a platform to criticize quite a few people. Ronald Blum (NY Post) has some quotes about Kevin Brown, David Wells, Randy Johnson, and others. Granted, for the most part, these weren’t likable guys to begin with (Wells, eh), but there’s still something distasteful about biting into them when you’re not retired (and they’re not all retired) and when Torre is still managing another team.

2. Larry Bowa doesn’t believe that Torre’s comments will hurt him much nor does he believe that they should. However, on WFAN Bowa made it a point to defend A-Rod despite his evident love for Joe Torre. He said that, contrary to Torre’s comments, A-Rod is actually well-liked in the clubhouse, and is absolutely obsessed with winning a World Series. A-Rod may actually be enjoying the backlash Torre is receiving for his comments, as people are coming out of the woodwork to defend him and his work ethic.

3. Mike Mussina also defended A-Rod and doesn’t believe that these comments are going to effect the Yankees’ clubhouse. Moose really went to bat for Alex, noting that A-Rod is one of the hardest workers he’s ever played with. In addition, it seems like Mike Borzello, former Yankee BP catcher, was one of the primary guys to use the term “A-Fraud” when describing Alex Rodriguez (according to Larry Bowa apparently, although the Bowa NY Post article doesn’t mention Borzello). Mike Mussina reiterates that such talk was simply friendly banter between two good friends and we’ve seen past reports verify the close bond between Borzello and A-Rod.

4. While Mussina went to bat for A-Rod, according to Mike Lupica, he also seemed to nudge Mariano Rivera a bit in Torre’s book. Now, take this with a grain of salt because we’re hearing conflicting reports on whether or not Mussina actually said what he said about Mo.

Garland joins Arizona

Before the Andy Pettitte signing, some of us wondered about Jon Garland. Well, with Pettitte on board it’s really a moot point, but according to Nick Piecoro, he’s joining the Arizona Diamondbacks for about $6-8 million. It’s somewhat surprising, actually, given that Randy Johnson got $8 million from SF. As the Garland signing indicates, the D’Backs could have easily matched that, but I’m guessing that they wanted reliability over stuff.

(props to MLBTR)

Olney: Bobby must swallow pride, Dunn “perfectly suited” for Yanks

In Buster Olney’s latest (ESPN), Olney notes that Bobby Abreu will likely have to reduce his demands if he actually wants to play this season. Our buddy Bobby was looking for $16 million per year, a price that the Yanks simply weren’t interested in paying. Now, in this market, he’ll be lucky to get Raul Ibanez money. In fact, a 1-year deal is probably all he’ll get and Olney believes that Abreu is now willing to accept that outcome, as it will help him find a home for 2009.

Furthermore, Olney had the following to say about Adam Dunn:

Dunn might draw interest from the Yankees, a team for which he is perfectly suited, if they could shed the contracts of two of Xavier Nady, Hideki Matsui and Nick Swisher

They’d have to lose Matsui and Nady in order to pick up Dunn. With Swisher in right, Dunn could easily slot into the DH role. However, Matsui is the biggest “problem” in acquiring Dunn, as he has a no-trade clause and costs $13 million, a figure that would be hard to move in the current market (unless you eat about $5-6 million of the salary). It’s possible, but highly unlikely. If you’re Dunn, you know the Yankees will likely call you for next year, so why not take a 1-year deal and wait for November.

Quick Bits: Hal, Stadium Stuff

Three quick bits to cap off the night:

1. Hal Steinbrenner spoke on WFAN today and discussed a variety of topics, although he didn’t speak at length about The Yankee Years, Joe Torre’s new book that’s due out next month.

2. Also, the new Yankee Stadium continues to cause controversy. This time, however, it’s about the parks that were supposed to be built around the new Stadium. Essentially, the cost of these parks are rising significantly, which isn’t exactly helping burdened taxpayers.

3. Finally, a few months ago I reported on a concrete-testing company that apparently performed fake tests on concrete and steel at the new YS. Well, Testwell Laboratories (nice name) actually sued NYC in order to overturn a license suspension. Of course, they won and the suspension has been overturned, albeit temporarily.