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Off the Record...
2006-10-31 09:33
by Alex Belth

Our pal Pete Abraham has a wonderful blog entry about how newspapers cover Hot Stove rumors.

In other news, another report on George Steinbrenner's health.

Comments
2006-10-31 09:57:31
1.   unmoderated
i really need some unsubstantiated free agent rumors. i just wasted five good minutes googling george steinbrenner's granddaughter.

http://www.culver.org/news/Campus_Releases/Swindal_Receives_Morehead.asp

2006-10-31 10:01:44
2.   Chyll Will
Beat me to it, Alex. >;)
2006-10-31 10:22:56
3.   dianagramr
Will I be banished from this board if I admit I have George in my "dead pool" for this year?

(slinking away to the corner)

2006-10-31 10:25:38
4.   dianagramr
If I were Carl Pavano (I'd be rich ... but I digress), I'd try and do a little p.r. mending by annoucing some sort of fund set up to help some needy group, as a way of making up for his last/lost 18 months.
2006-10-31 10:29:30
5.   Chyll Will
3 As far as I can tell, only if you gave specifics.
2006-10-31 10:39:10
6.   dianagramr
5

So far this year, I've been right on Lou Rawls and the very recently departed Red Auerbach.

(The youngest one on my list of 10 is age 56).

2006-10-31 10:41:44
7.   Chyll Will
4 He could achieve the same thing by dominating in some Winter League and make it through Spring Training in one piece. That's probably the only way people will even start to take him seriously at this point.
2006-10-31 10:43:33
8.   dianagramr
7

GOOD (better) point ....

2006-10-31 10:46:20
9.   Chyll Will
6 One of the few times we hope for a really low average, I'm guessing...
2006-10-31 10:56:34
10.   rbj
If Pavano wants to make it up to me, he needs to pitch and win the clinching game of the WS for the Yankees in 2007. (Hey, if Jeff Weaver can do it . . .)
2006-10-31 11:10:44
11.   Yankee Fan In Boston
3 i'm pretty sure you've divulged this once before. you're still here. i've been guilty of worse, so i'm not in a position to judge you.

7 carl pavano is a dirty word in my home. i shout "Carl Pavano!" when i stub my toe. ...or when i drop a piece of bacon onto the floor. (actual instances of use, by the way.) it'll take a whole lot of quality starts to wipe that slate clean.

(which isn't to say that i wouldn't welcome that kind of performance. ...because i would be thrilled to.)

2006-10-31 11:15:11
12.   jakewoods
I can pretty guarantee you that Pavano doesnt really care about the fans. Then again what player does?

What Carl needs is to get healthy and have some pride. Because hes needed in the rotation.

2006-10-31 11:19:00
13.   Chyll Will
11 Easy there, killah. I only said it was a starting point; winter ball and spring training were "little p.r." 4 bullet points >;)
2006-10-31 11:20:14
14.   Voxter
. . . on the QT, and very hush-hush.

I'm sorry, I'm incapable of seeing that phrase without finishing it off like that.

2006-10-31 11:55:38
15.   Cliff Corcoran
11 Very nice. It works just like "Kelly Clarkson!" in The 40-Year-Old Virgin. Though I think I'd still rather use "Ken Phelps!"
2006-10-31 12:02:22
16.   Shaun P
1 Unsubstantiated? How about this?

Buster Olney's blog links to someone at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that speculates that the Braves will make catching prospect Jarrod Saltalamacchia available, because they have Brian McCann. Sheff played in Atlanta before and loved it. Why not Sheff, back to the Braves, for Salty and a pitching prospect?

2006-10-31 12:07:48
17.   Simone
The Yankees are pursuing Jeff Suppan? Haven't they had enough of NL pitchers? I refuse to believe that this is true.
2006-10-31 12:12:22
18.   bp1
16 Geez, if that guy has any talent at all - he's set. I can see t-shirts with "Salty's Dogs" on them already. Sterling with a "Say Sayonara, Salty!" home run call.

Even the whole name - Saltalamacchia - rolls off the tongue. Scooter would be in Canoli heaven, eh?

I want to be this guy's agent.

2006-10-31 12:23:39
19.   Cliff Corcoran
16 Because Sheff tends to burn his bridges and because while Cashman is wise to use Sheff in a trade, and has gotten a lot of interest, Saltalamacchia is surely worth more to the Braves than a 38-year-old slugger with a worrisome wrist injury. I'll pretend you didn't suggest they include a pitching prospect as well.
2006-10-31 12:45:22
20.   Yankee Fan In Boston
did somebody say something about vague sources?

"Two well-placed baseball sources said Monday they don't expect the Mariners to make anything more than a token bid for the negotiating rights to Matsuzaka."

this is from an article in a seattle paper.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2003332080_mari31.html

i don't care anymore. i'm getting my hopes up.

and as far as 13 goes, i saw the disclaimer and understand your intented point, but i'm just saying he'd need to save every kid enrolled from a burning schoolhouse, find a cure michael j. fox could use that would also appease both rush AND suppan, and get that john cougar mellencamp/chevrolet ad pulled in order for me to begin the forgiving process on PR alone.

...i'm just saying...

2006-10-31 12:48:29
21.   pistolpete
1 Wow, she dresses just like her grandfather...

http://tinyurl.com/ygcqpx

2006-10-31 13:02:57
22.   Cliff Corcoran
Speaking of the Boss's health, among Gary Sheffield's quotes in protest of the impending option pick up and trade move was one that said that the only thing that's kept him from appealing to George directly was Steinbrenner's health.
2006-10-31 13:28:05
23.   Simone
The oldest African American professional baseball player, Silas Simmons died today 2 weeks after his 111th birthday: http://tinyurl.com/ygsuw5

We are fortunate that Mr. Simmons was able to share his story about a month ago with Alan Schwarz in this NY Times article: http://tinyurl.com/p9m3k.

RIP, Silas.

2006-10-31 13:50:26
24.   Yankee Fan In Boston
23 i think he was the longest living ball player. ever. period. it's nice that he got a bit of (late) recognition, though.
2006-10-31 13:53:33
25.   Marcus
20 I don't buy it at all. If the Mariners are in need of starting pitching why wouldn't they go for Matsuzaka? If they are looking to save money, they shouldn't look to Zito and Schmidt. If they are looking for quality starting pitching, they don't have many more choices. They have a Japanese catcher, a sizable Japanese fan base, Matsuzaka is on record as saying he would love to play with Ichiro. Sounds like BS to me.

It sounds more like the Seatle front office is trying to keep the posting amount to a less than insane amount.

2006-10-31 13:56:57
26.   Murray
21 Scary, but true. Maybe Culver is where George picked up the habit. Young Miss Swindal looks like that picture of Joan Steinbrenner that appeared in every Yankee yearbook from 1975 to 1997.

Also Hayley Swindal needs a full-ride scholarship to UNC like Tara Reid needs another cocktail.

2006-10-31 13:59:57
27.   YankeeInMichigan
16 19 I had just suggested the Salty thing on the other thread. What makes Salty a bit more expendable (and less attractive) are his disappointing numbers at AA. Has anyone heard the scouts' take?

10 The Weaver thing finally makes sense now. Torre had received a prophecy that Weaver was destined to be a World Series hero. When Game 5 in 2003 went into extra innings, he figured that Weaver's moment had arrived. After Weaver pitched a scoreless 11th, he was sure that Weaver's destiny was playing itself out. Oh well.

2006-10-31 14:11:17
28.   3rd gen yankee fan
The media reports on Stein's health as if he were a head of state.

He is, isn't he?

21 Good one pete!

2006-10-31 14:24:50
29.   randym77
I think even Steinbrenner isn't sure there will be a next season for him. Which adds to the "win it now" urgency.
2006-10-31 14:25:44
30.   Cliff Corcoran
26 Wow, Tara Reid. Is she still famous (or infamous, or whatever she was a year or two ago)?

27 No, but if you look at his 2006 numbers, his plate discipline is outstanding (.353 OBP vs. .230 AVG). The leap from A to AA is supposed to be the most difficult. He's only 21. He could still come out and rake in 2007 at age 22. Remember, Jorge didn't really stick on the Yankee roster until he was 26. Yes, the Braves will likely try to move him now that McCann has appaeared to have panned out, but he's still a top prospect and won't be had that easily.

2006-10-31 14:35:30
31.   randym77
30 Tara Reid is making headlines now, talking about her "worst boob job in the world" and how she finally got it fixed.

I think a young catcher to spell Jorgie and be his heir apparent should be a top priority. Fasano and Stinnett types aren't going to cut it. Jorgie is 35 now. That sixteen year old kid we signed isn't going to be ready in time, assuming he sticks.

2006-10-31 17:03:55
32.   Chyll Will
20 Dude... so Pavano collecting for UNICEF would be, like, saying you just did a little nuclear testing the other day, right?
2006-10-31 17:40:54
33.   wsporter
31 who is Tara Reid?
2006-10-31 17:59:29
34.   randym77
33 Pretty blond actress. Played Melody in "Josie and the Pussycats." Her dress fell off while she was posing for photographers on the red carpet, revealing her bad boob job to the world.

http://www.awfulplasticsurgery.com/archives/005464.html

2006-10-31 18:36:53
35.   wsporter
Ouch, well, that's unfortunate. It's nice she can smile about it though. I think the real lesson there is that those do it yourself kits just aren't worth it; spend the money and get a professional to do the work. It's like Shef negotiating his own contract. Nothing good can come of it.

Live and learn I guess. I hope the other one looks better.

2006-10-31 18:43:26
36.   Shaun P
19 In my defense, Cliff, unmoderated in 1 was looking for an unsubstantiated rumor to distract him from searching the 'Net for things about George's granddaughter. While not realistic, I thought my idea was pretty unsubstantiated. ;) Kinda like "the Yankees are interested in Jeff Suppan."

Speaking of that, if I was a free agent and my agent didn't float a rumor that the Yanks were interested in me, just to drum up better offers, I think I'd fire my agent for stupidity. That said, there's no way in hell we ever see Suppan in pinstripes.

2006-10-31 19:08:49
37.   randym77
WFAN claims the Yanks already have a preliminary Sheff trade worked out. But they're hoping for a better offer.

ESPN is floating the Sheff for Lidge rumor. :-P

2006-10-31 20:03:06
38.   yankeemonkey
37 Next thing you know, it'll be Sheff for Pujols and Adam Wainwright....
2006-10-31 20:17:09
39.   randym77
A preview chapter from "Haunted Baseball," about a haunted hotel:

http://www.hauntedbaseball.com/preview.html

Pretty creepy!

2006-10-31 20:19:56
40.   manila boy
38 I'd be okay with just Pujols.
2006-10-31 20:21:56
41.   manila boy
30 How about Melky for Salty? Or (gulp) Cano?
2006-10-31 20:25:16
42.   randym77
41 I would be willing to trade Melky. I suspect his value will never be higher than it is now. Especially if Torre lets him rot on the bench next season.

I don't want to give up Cano, though.

2006-10-31 21:36:56
43.   Yu-Hsing Chen
I would do Salty for Cano in a heartbeat if i were the Braves, but the Yankees it's immediate short term lose with no guarenteed long term benifits.
2006-10-31 21:59:00
44.   Yu-Hsing Chen
Other teams that may have a surplus of catching talents are the Pirates/ Cubs (Soto) / Angels (Mathis or Napoli
2006-10-31 22:10:06
45.   joejoejoe
Second base and catcher are the two hardest positions to get better than average offensive players. Cano is an All-Star 2B. The Yankees would have to be crazy to trade him for a AA catching prospect. I might trade Cano for C Ronny Paulino of the Pirates straight up (131 games, .310/.360/.394, age 25, +fielder, +arm) but never a prospect. Robinson Cano can play in NY and is very good. If I were Cashman I'd consider Cano a building block of the lineup and look elsewhere to make a deal.

I love Melky but OFs are easy to come by and the Yankees can always sign someone the caliber of Johnny Damon for $$$. There are only a handful of 2B and Cs who can hit. You can't necessarily buy 2B and Cs on the open market like OFs. If Cashman is going to deal youth (I don't think he is) I think it will be Cabrera, not Cano, to leave.

2006-10-31 22:13:44
46.   Yu-Hsing Chen
45 i agree with you Joe, though in reality the Braves dont have particular need for Melky, and Melky's current value isn't enough to land a serious catching prospect.

I think in the shorter term though, the Yankees are still ok in catching, if Jorge is let go or reduced to a backup after next year, Michael Barrett's contract is up with the Cubs and he will most likely be avalible as they have Geovany Soto .

2006-10-31 22:48:13
47.   joejoejoe
46 Posada was great this year. I'm not trying to push him out the door in any way. I just think if you're going to spend the kind of $$$ the Yankees spend it makes sense to have two catchers that are everyday caliber players on the roster.
2006-10-31 22:56:17
48.   Yu-Hsing Chen
47 i agree, but not every catcher would sign while knowing he would only play part time, while it would be strange we we carry two catcher both making say 8M or more and both only catch about half the time.

And yes, If Jorge next year is anything like thie year, we probably just end up keeping him for a few more years.

2006-10-31 23:26:31
49.   Yu-Hsing Chen
I think the teams that could really use Melky are say... the Rockies, Marlins right now, both of these teams have serious problems in their CF, while Marlins lack disciplined hitters aside from Miguel, and the Rockies lack anyone that can lead off and/or steal a few.

Of course neither team has anything that they would trade to us and feel Melky was an reasonable price going back. unless they are interested in moving a few young arms. while they could just go sign a Dave Roberts who wouldn't exactly break the bank and they wouldn't need to lose player and still get equal/better production anyway.

2006-11-01 07:01:10
50.   jakewoods
Are you serious? You dont trade 23 yr old all stars for backup catchers.

The only place Melky goes is for a SP like Willis.

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