Yanks snubbed by Nomah. Whatevah. You knew he was going to stay in L.A. and play for the West Sox. What's next, Damon the Dodger? Followed by Roger the Dodger?

In case Yankee fans forgot, we're genetically wired/biologically predisposed to dislike the Dodgers, or at least regard them with hostile indifference. Nomar's Yankee snub is just a reminder.

And let this be a lesson to Joe "Reach Out And Touch" Torre, who is starting to look like the desperate but persistent geek who gets rejected by every chick he asks to the prom. Preserve the dignity of your office, Joe. Enough with the recruitment phone calls to the free agents. The Yanks don't need players who have to be flattered into coming to the Bronx by a phone call from the manager. Only call the players who you know want to be here.

Good article on LoDuca in the Times today. paulie baseball indeed.

BTW, I'm happy the Nomar drama is over. We didn't need that, yes there was some "upside", but we don't need the drama.

My $.02 on CF - play Bubba and see what happens. Johnny Damon 3 years ago would be nice: a banged up, too expensive Damon is not worth it !

I agree. And, in fact, I am pretty damn happy with the moves that Cashman has made/not made. Nomar would have been nice, but I'm really very content with our current state of the bullpen, the one MAJOR achilles heel of the 2005 Yanks (Do you all remember the complete lack of confidence we all had in that middle relief bunch?). The Yanks won 95 games, the shittiest bullpen of Torre's tenure not withstanding!

Cashman has picked up not one, but TWO good lefties, a power arm to stick in the 8th inning, and may very well pick up a little insurance in Dotel. Pencil in Small and/or Wright as the 6th inning/7th inning/long relief guy and it's pretty solid.

Sure it would have been nice to keep Gordon AND pick up Farnsworth, but we all know that would not have happened. So, instead we have a power righty 5+ years younger. And everyone agrees that Kyle has the arm for to dominate, we just don't know if he has the head.

I also wouldn't mind seeing Leiter decide to give it one more chance and let him battle it out in Spring Training.

And lastly, does anyone know if the Yanks offered arbitration to Mendoza and, did he take it and, does that mean he's on the 2006 squad?

My biggest complaint with the team last year was that they failed in ways that even us fans were predicting. Just didn't seem smart. Seeing them make smart, market based moves hasn't been real splashy, but I'm starting to get the feeling that someone is steering the ship this year. That's worth a lot come crunch time.

I pretty much agree with everything you said. I would rather see the Yanks make small "boring" moves that actually might help the team, than "flashy" moves that we all know aren't going to pan out.

I'm just really hoping there is no Damon signing. I am fine with Bubba to start the season if that means no Damon.

And again, kudos to Cashman for avoiding the temptation to do something "big" (read: stupid).

I'd much prefer they go after an OFer who can rotate with Sheff at RF and DH, such as Encarnacion or Jacque Jones.

Anyway, it doesn't look like he's the answer; his center field stats are just below average I believe. Personally, I'm all for hopping on the Jeremy Reed bandwagon. And I still think Jacque Jones would be an excellent addition to RF to give Sheff a bunch of days as DH.

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Outfielder Johnny Damon rejected the Red Sox' offer of arbitration.

Damon might have made $13 million or $14 million in 2005 if he went to arbitration, but he'd rather have the multiyear deal. Other than the Red Sox and Yankees, it's unclear if anyone is in the running for him.

Dec. 20 - 1:08 am et

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I don't like the sound of this...

• According to Newsday, the Yankees appeared close to an agreement with free agent Octavio Dotel before talks cooled tonight. Still, they likely lead the chase. The Mets, Indians, Rangers and Red Sox are also competing for Dotel, with a deal expected as early as Tuesday afternoon, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.

• Yankees re-signed RHP Ramiro Mendoza to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.

• Outfielder Bernie Williams and LHP Al Leiter declined the Yankees' offer of arbitration. As they and Ramiro Mendoza had agreed to do before the offer was extended. Williams is still expected back with the team on a one-year deal worth $2 million or so. It had appeared that Leiter would also return, but there's not going to be room for him following the Ron Villone addition.

Also —

Apologies if this has been posted before, but:

Bat Day at Yankee Stadium
http://gorillamask.net/batday.shtml