And That's The Way The Yankees Crumble...

by Oneflydude

Before Yankees mana...Yankees FORMER manager Joe Torre was on the hot seat, everything was all good in Yankeeland.  They turned their season around in the 2nd half and snatched a wild card spot in the playoffs making it to their 12th straight postseason appearance.  After falling 2-0 to the Cleveland Indians in the ALDS, George Steinbrenner said that Torre was managing for his job.  The Yanks won the next game but couldn't make a comeback to take the ALDS. 

But you guys know all of that.

As much as I hate hearing about the Yankees in the news every damn day, the way things are falling apart just tickles me.  This past week after a couple of meetings between the Yankees front office in Tampa Bay, Torre met with the Steinbrenner's, they offered him a 1 year, $5 million contract.  The best part is that Torre didn't want to take the pay cut, so he refused the offer.  Torre would have still been the highest paid manager in the league but he took the offer as an insult.  The offer included $3 million in bonuses and an $8 million option for 2009 if the Yankees won the pennant.  Torre said that he is still listening to offers until December 1st, but for now, Torre looks like he won't be back in New York.  This turned out to be a disastrous scheme by the Yankees front office.  They were suppose to fire Torre, but instead they try to resign him, and he turns them down.

Now that Torre may not going to be managing the Yankees anymore, there are several KEY players who may not be back with the Yankees because of this situation.

Alex Rodriguez- OK, we are not certain if A-Rod is going to be a Yankee in 2008, but with him and his agent going out to California, we don't know what will happen with him.  The front office said that if A-Rod opts out of his contract, they won't pick it up and he will be free to search new contracts from other MLB teams.  Rodriguez seemed to get closer to Torre this past season and he clearly wanted Torre back in New York.

Jorge Posada- Posada had one of his best offensive years this past season, hitting .338 with 20 homers and 90 RBI's.  "Joe Torre is the best manager in baseball.  It's not his fault.  He used the same lineup from April until now, the same guys.  He doesn't throw or hit or do anything on the field.  He does everything possible to keep us positive and get us to win."  Posada said this about Joe Torre.

Mariano Rivera- Rivera already told the world that he was going to test free agency after Steinbrenner said that Torre's job was on the line.  He also stated that the teams decision on Torre would be a factor on him returning or not.  The Yankees closer said he wouldn't be happy if the Yankees didn't get Torre back.

Andy Pettite- Pettite has the rights to a $16 million option for 2008.  Pettite was already uncertain about his status as a Yankee in the future.  "The man means everything to me.  I look at the way he's treated me and it makes me wish I'd never left [to play for the Astros]," Pettite said about Torre.  As you can see, Torre has had a big influence on Pettite's career.

Torre said he is free to listen NOW.  At 67, Torre looks like he is not done with his managing career, he is just done with the New York Yankees.

Quotes from ESPN

DonatevoMajor Leaguer

773 days ago

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I think the Yankees were ready for a change. Probably Torre as well.

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TylersaltAll-Star

773 days ago

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I'm not sure that Rodriguez is "definitely" not going to be a Yankee next year. I'd say probably not, but I don't think it's a sure thing by a long shot. We'll know soon enough I suppose -- he's got to choose whether to opt-out by 10 days after the World Series ends.

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OneflydudeAll-American

773 days ago

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yeah your right man but all of the things that are going on now, most people dont think A-Rod wants to be back to deal with a different manager or if his teamates are gone. who knows?

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CityhockeyfeverVarsity Captain

773 days ago

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Hey, Oneflydude... what makes you so damn sure that Alex Rodriguez won't be back with the Yankees next year? Do you have inside connections to Scott Boras? A-Rod's family dinner table chats? No. The only factor that won't have him back in New York is that he values money more than anything else in life. Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte might return based on how's brought in to be their next skipper and the contract offers if they're not of the "Joe Torre insult" approach. Oh yeah, it was just as satifying to see your Tigers crumble before our eyes this season (and did they make the playoffs?) and fall flat on their collective face. Maybe loudmouth Gary Sheffield should've shut his big fat trap and worried about playing for Jimmy Leyland instead.

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KelsdadAll-Star

773 days ago

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Ouch

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OneflydudeAll-American

773 days ago

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They are opinions you ass. Didnt you just see me agree with what tylersalt just said. Its just what he's doing, going to california this week and all and im posting it up. And i know youre not talking about teams crumbling. Nice to see your Mets blow a playoff spot and nice to see your Yankees waste a playoff spot

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CityhockeyfeverVarsity Captain

773 days ago

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Oneflydude, don't resort to namecalling. Thank you... I understand that A-Rod's going to look at all his options. That's fine and I expected that. But I don't think it is a good idea to say he's "definitely" not coming back when you don't know what he will ultimately do. Look at Joe Torre. I doubt most of us honestly knew for sure what was ultimately going to come out of those meetings in Tampa this week until Torre officially said no to the Yankees' lowball offer.

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OneflydudeAll-American

773 days ago

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I agree with you 100% on that. I made a mistake on saying that and just like what Tylersalt said, we could say he PROBABLY is not coming back. Saying definatly is like he said that he wasnt coming back

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Smmonroe2Varsity Captain

773 days ago

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Abreu wont be back wither, and if they are smart, which they are not Damon will be cut

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CityhockeyfeverVarsity Captain

773 days ago

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It's interesting how the Yankees failed to defeat the Indians in the ALDS and now everybody's talking about dismantling the team to its core. The one area that needs to be addressed first and foremost is their starting rotation. The other position players should take somewhat of a back seat to that. Is it a complete certainly that Bobby Abreu or Johnny Damon will be wearing Pinstripes in 2008? Of course not, but I would not suggest that they are the best options for the Yankees. It depends on who is out on the free agent market this winter and if there is a real sense of certainty Bobby Abreu's and Johnny Damon's ability to produce are not up to snuff.

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Kwitt11Varsity Captain

773 days ago

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Hughes, Chamberlain, and Kennedy should help their rotation some. Certainly better than anything they can get on the FA market this year...

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Rockymount7Red-Shirting

773 days ago

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You are typing angry Cityhockeyfever, almost reads(sounds) personal to me.

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CityhockeyfeverVarsity Captain

773 days ago

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I didn't want it to come out that way and if that was misunderstood, my apologies, Rockymount7. While I'm all for someone showing some true hatred for team (that's what this site is about, having a place to express your passion for sports and teams you love or hate), but I was just irriated by the comment "A-Rod's definitely not coming back" when there's no proof of that. Maybe, "it's not likely" or "indications point to him leaving" would've been better. But saying "definitely gone" makes it sound 100% certain, that's all of what I tried to point out. Oneflydude can write what he wants, but that view was just dying for a rebuttal.

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