It looks like it’s going to be a soggy couple of days in New York, and yo, like Flava Flav once said, I ain’t got nothing for ya, man. I don’t know what to say about the Subway Serious other than I hope the Yanks win two-of-three and that the games are exciting. Otherwise, I’m numb to the canned hype at this point. I just can’t get geeked about this match up, dude. I don’t know, maybe it’s just me. But the Mets just are not the Red Sox.
In other news, Joel Sherman reports that the Yankees are interested in keeping GM Brian Cashman:
[Yankees general partner, Steve] Swindall revealed to The Post that he opened extension talks with Cashman during spring training, and that Cashman “acknowledged he wants to come back.” Cashman verified the exchange and that his “preference is to return.” Both men said negotiations have been tabled because Cashman wants to focus right now on remedying the team’s deficiencies.
Meanwhile, over at the Times, Tyler Kepner has a nice puff piece on Joe Girardi, the Yankees’ bench coach.
1. Nice that the Yanks are interested in keeping the Cash-man, but it brings up some questions.
Are they interested in letting him do his job unimpeded?
Are they interested in him because they know not many other high profile GMs would want to come to NY and deal with a meddling boss and the heat of the Gotham media?
Are they gonna trade their only two prospects for Roger this winter, leaving Cashman with less than zero to work with over the offseason?
2. anyone really understand the structure of yankee management?
3. There's George.
Then there's the NY section and the Tampa section.
Then there's George.
I don't think Houston will trade Roger, it's not clear he wants to go (he only unretired because it was Houston, I think he does want to be with his family) and aside fro the Rocket there really isn't much reason to go see the Astros. Trading him would hurt ticket sales. But if we could trade Kevin Brown for him, that would be great.
4. anyone know what the tampa people have done? and what the ny people have done? (using the last two seasons as a sample.)
5. Check out the Daily News back page. Think someone there is reading Bronx Banter?
6. What does it say, Jen? I live out of state.
7. Speaking of Bronx Banter, last night I got a call on my machine from a reporter from local TV station WPIX. The guy is doing a little segment on Yankee and Met fans on the Internet and wanted to interview me. I couldn't make it, though there is an outside chance that they'll film a short bit with me later this afternoon. Don't know if it'll happen, but if it does, I'll let you know, so those of you in the tri-state area can see me with my 2.5 second moment of soundbite fame.
8. Nick, given the state of baseball reportage especially in this market and especially when it involves the Yankees, there is really no way of knowing what the Tampa contingent is responsible for vs. the Bronx contingent. Lost in all of the posturing on both sides of this supposed conflict is the reality of how all organizations make decisions: by consensus as much as by autocratic fiat. We know George is at the top of the pyramid but do we know for a fact that Joe Torre really has no input? that Cashman totally disagrees with the Tampa people? that Gene Michael has actively voiced his displeasure on the trading away of prospects? Those of you fans who side with one or the other "faction" would probably be appalled at the general agreement that went into most of the moves made by the front office...and that includes Torre as well as Cashman, Newman, Michael, George, etc. As they say, after the fact, when the s*it hits the fan, everyone's got their alibi ready. Nobody more so than Torre, who is responsible for many of the "reactionary" tendencies (aging, high-priced veterans, not developing homegrown talent, and inculcating by-the-book push-button offensive and pitching strategies)others have been lambasted for within the organization.
9. rsmith51, it says Subway Serious.
10. Alex, if you do that interview I dare you to say Bababooey.
11. Fa-fa-fa-fa-phooey.
12. Gravitas
13. Alex: Great stuff! Love the link to Sherman! More pix please! Love you!
14. Interleague play is fine, though it's probably more geared toward the casual fan. I'd much rather watch the Yanks play the Sox, O's, or Jays. For that matter, I'd rather watch them play the White Sox, Twins, or Angels, so I can at least get the feeling of two teams jockeying for playoff positions within the same league.
15. Also, I have some sympathy for struggling clubs that are placed into artificial rivalries with baseball powers. Like, I'm not so sure how thrilled Sweet Lou is about the Marlins being his interleague "rival."
16. ...or is this the famous "I have the utmost faith in Brian Cashman" speech?