Our "National Treasure"

Here is an article on our winning the bidding rights to Igawa. I'm not sure what to make of this guy. Although he has won some strikeout titles and is left handed, his numbers in the Japanese league--86-60,3.15 ERA--are not dominant. Is he really a better investment than Ted Lilly? I'm not so sure. And if we do sign this guy, are we done or are we still going after Pettitte? Should be interesting.

Lucchino silly, Matsuzaka "National Living Treasure"

Here is an article on the Sox first offer to Matsuzaka.

Money quote:

"I assure you that the notion that this is a primarily defensive maneuver is preposterous," Lucchino said, adding that 51.1 million is "obviously a historical number but we are talking about a national living treasure and an exceptional baseball player."

Lucchino is one of those people who thinks the world is always thinking about him. He's preposterous, kind of like the injustices put upon the Ghostbusters when they were run out of Columbia on a rail.

Yankee News (Not Much Going On Folks)

Agent Scott Leventhal said more than a dozen teams have contacted him about Jeff Suppan. The New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners are reportedly two.
He couldn't pitch in Boston. What makes them think the stem-cell hating punk can pitch in New York?

Spring training is still months away, but Kevin Long already has begun work in his new job as the Yankees' hitting coach. He has had lunch with Alex Rodriguez to plan an offseason routine and will visit A-Rod at his winter home in Miami to help prepare him for camp. "I know we all need the offseason," Long said in a recent telephone interview. "But I want to go to spring training tomorrow." Long, 39, is an energetic "cage rat" who has generally been the first person at the ballpark during each of his stops in baseball, whether it was as a hitting coach in the Royals' system or while tutoring up-and-coming Yankees such as Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera in the minors. His new job is his first taste of the majors after 18 years in the game, and he's understandably thrilled. He's also realistic enough to know that he's in a pressure-filled environment with the Yankees, one in which hitting coaches have paid with their jobs for past playoff failures. And he realizes there are skeptics who think he'll have difficulty reaching millionaire superstars because he is not a former major leaguer himself.
Anybody know anything about this guy? Cano and Cabrera are good examples of his work.

ROBBED.

What bullshit.

Yankee News

According to industry sources, the Yankees have Hillenbrand high on their list. Their plan is to use Jason Giambi as a DH, thus creating a need for a first baseman who isn't a left-handed hitter because the Yankees have lefty swingers Bobby Abreu, Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, Robinson Cano and Giambi in the lineup. As the GM Meetings ended yesterday in Naples, Fla., Brian Cashman was asked about the Yankees' interest in Hillenbrand and said, "I couldn't comment on that." As they did a year ago, the Yankees made inquiries about Nomar Garciaparra, but believe he is returning to the Dodgers.

Dan Horwits, the agent for Octavio Dotel, said the Yankees have an interest in bringing the right-handed reliever back. "They want to re-sign him and we are working toward that." Danys Baez' agent, Greg Genske, said, "The Yankees have expressed interest in signing Danys" even though Baez wants to close.

Rumors at the (G.M.) meetings had the Yankees remaining mostly quiet and shying away from blockbuster deals this season. They are said to have some interest in getting lefty Andy Pettitte for a second tour in New York, and they also reportedly have interest in Gil Meche. . . .

Privately, Brian Cashman has said that contrary to what many seem to believe, Don Mattingly has not been designated by him as Joe Torre's successor for the simple reason that Mattingly has never managed anywhere. Based on this, Joe Girardi must be considered a candidate - a prime one - to replace Torre.

The Phillies are still hoping to re-sign lefty Randy Wolf, but he has received a lot of interest from teams including the Twins, Blue Jays, Yankees, Diamondbacks and Rangers.

GM Brian Cashman said the Yanks have a better wealth of internal options, specifically pitching, should they be shut out in landing Andy Pettitte or another starter. To that end, he said, he expects to instruct Scott Proctor to come to camp ready to be a starting pitcher, and if the club can ably fill the rotation without him, Proctor would be returned to the pen. Cashman reasoned it is easier to go from being a starter to reliever than vice versa.

Yanks re-sign Mussina

That's the word, anyway. And looking at his numbers last year makes me happy we did.

REC 15-7 | ERA 3.51 | WHIP 1.11

He really had a terrific season and at 197+ innings, he looks like he's in good form for a 38 year old.

Gyroball Update

An important article on the Red Sox new pitcher and his "gyroball."

Wright traded

Yanks look to have traded Wright for Chris Britton. Britton looks like a solid middle-relief guy, and Wright was worthless, so I can't complain too much about this one.

By far the best line of the article. "Brian Cashman admitted Thursday that the team can't count on Carl Pavano, who hasn't pitched for the Yankees since June 2005 because of shoulder, backs, buttocks, elbow and rib injuries."

Man, just seeing all the injuries listed at once is humbling.

Sheff traded

Just traded to Tigers. Man, no major league players? Anyone know any of the prospects?

Sheff Angry

The Master Sheff is miffed at Brian and Bobby. They are getting inbetween him and the old man.

Truth or Rumors

"Two old New York friends filed for free agency yesterday and though neither Roger Clemens nor Andy Pettitte has decided whether to play next season, the Yankees intend to inquire about both, according to a team source."

-- New York Daily News
Check out the article

Election Day Open Thread

You know you've been waiting for it. Well, here's your chance. Have it, you political animals.

-Steiner

Breaking News: Cohen Lied

Two days ago Adam Cohen said Gary Sheffield would be traded "within hours." That has not happened. Adam, I believe I speak for every man, woman, and child at Steiner's Warriors in demanding an explanation.

SHEFF WATCH- 2006

Gary Sheffield's time as a New York Yankee is now down to its final hours. Rumors are swirling about possible offers. One that I found particularly interesting is where San Diego sends us their set-up man Scott Linebrink. I really like Linebrink. You will too. Throw in a backup catcher or something reasonable, and you'll make this Yankee fan happy.

Oh and in case you haven't heard, the Mets like Moose. With Pedro possibly calling it a career if he doesn't get strong again, the bidding war on a guy like Moose might get ugly. We better wrap up that signing within days.

Andy Pettitte is a big baby

Steiner's boy is considering "retirement" at the ripe old age of 34.

The money quote:

"I know I'm young. I realize I'm young," Pettitte said. "Just right now, I don't know exactly what I want to do. I just need to take some good time away and I'm trying not to think about baseball. I didn't watch any of the playoffs. I'm just trying to spend time down at my ranch and spend time with my family, and in a couple of weeks I'll really try to bear down and [decide]."

This is not a warrior. This is a moth. And a stupid one for opening his mouth.

Sheffield for Westbrook?

That's the word here, anyway.