Yankees missing their closer, Joe Torre
Manager was good at convincing free agents to play in the Bronx
 Harry How / Getty Images Joe Torre was one reason free agents liked to sign on to play for the Yankees, writes columnist Richard Justice. |
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Maybe Joe Torre could have closed the deal with CC Sabathia. After all, he has a great reputation with players.
Perhaps he could have convinced Sabathia that pitching for the Yankees would be a wonderful experience. If Torre could change Mike Mussina's mind about the Yankees, he might be able to change Sabathia's.
Mussina never thought of himself as being Yankee material. He wanted to play someplace where it was all about the baseball.
He'd always laughed about the tabloids and the constant off-the-field drama around the Bombers.
It was Torre who convinced him to come to New York, check out the New Jersey suburbs and see how normal life with the Yankees could be. As for the clubhouse environment, well, Torre would take care of that.
Now, as the Yankees nervously await an answer from Sabathia, as they debate whether to throw still more money at him, it's one of those times where Hank Steinbrenner's decision to show Torre the door looks more foolish than ever.
The Yankees have millions to throw at free agents this winter, but so far no player has jumped at the money. There's a sense among some agents that a lot of players don't want to play for the Yankees.
That gossip could be a bargaining tool, or it could reflect how much less appealing the Yankees have become in the post-Torre era.
The nation's economic crisis could squeeze free agents in the middle and lower parts of the market, while those at the top likely will get the same money.
If the money's the same, the players may go where they feel the most comfortable. Mike Scioscia, Charlie Manuel, Terry Francona, Bobby Cox and Torre all offer a level of comfort that Joe Girardi might not.
Let's not rush to judgment. The Yankees are likely to sign two premier starting pitchers. If Derek Lowe doesn't prefer Boston. If A.J. Burnett doesn't tire of waiting and sign with the Phillies. Gulp.
Manny Ramirez will sign with the team that offers the most money. How does Manny sound to you, Brian Cashman?
OK, never mind. You don't have to get snippy. I know you need pitching. I keep up.
It's just that Sabathia apparently prefers the West Coast, and even if the Yankees blow the Angels out of the water financially, they may not get him in pinstripes.
Cashman would then begin scrambling for a fallback plan. For instance, Lowe.
There's a problem with Lowe, too. He's represented by Scott Boras, who does things at his own pace.
He's likely to play things out for a while. Cashman simply can't put all his chips on Lowe.
Then there's Burnett. Suddenly, those 10 trips to the disabled list seem like less of a risk.
Free agency seemed simpler back in the old days when players went to the highest bidder, which usually was George Steinbrenner.
That's how it may work out again. The Yankees appear to have offered Sabathia a six-year deal worth around $140 million.
If the Angels match that offer and if Sabathia prefers the West Coast, what do the Yankees do?
Will $150 million over six years do it? Will it take a seventh year? Is there even a number that would compel Sabathia to spurn Southern California for the Bronx?
Agents — and players — know the Yankees are desperate. Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy didn't develop the way Cashman thought they would, so he's willing to spend his franchise back into contention.
If I were Cashman, I'd focus on Burnett, get him under contract, then offer Andy Pettitte a one-year deal at a pay cut.
He'd then have some insurance even as he played things out with Sabathia and Lowe. He's in a tougher spot with the offense since Boras represents both Teixeira and Ramirez.
Boras almost always follows the money, and Manny has said he'll go to the highest bidder.
It would be fun to have Manny back in the American League East. He surely would be motivated in those games against the Red Sox.
If nothing else, he'd make life around the Yankees interesting. If things break the wrong way over the next few weeks, that would be important.
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