推 y2jj:喔喔 過來吧過來吧.... 11/22 16:44
Newsday.com
Ichiro-Hargrove feud may benefit Yanks
November 20, 2005
The Yankees recently inquired about the availability of Ichiro Suzuki but
were told by Mariners ownership they will not trade him.
While the Yankees previously were steadfast in their refusal to part with
their dual desirables, Robinson Cano and Chien-Ming Wang, they viewed Ichiro
as the perfect answer to their gaping centerfield hole.
"Whatever it takes" is basically their standing offer for Ichiro in hopes
that his feud with manager Mike Hargrove could be impetus to a trade.
Ichiro recently went on a public diatribe about Mariners problems, and
although he didn't name names, he is unhappy with both Hargrove and GM Bill
Bavasi (Newsday has learned that Hargrove and Bavasi recently proposed
trading Ichiro and that Ichiro suggested Hargrove's firing, which should make
for an uncomfortable spring reunion).
The Yankees also inquired about bringing back Alfonso Soriano to play center
but were unwilling to trade Cano and/or Wang (Texas could have had Cano as
the throw-in in the A-Rod trade). The Marlins requested the same two players
for Juan Pierre, whom Yankees reports suggest regressed last season, anyway.
GM Brian Cashman started strong with two brilliant free-agent deals - his
own, then Hideki Matsui's - before hitting that same hurdle that has stopped
the Yankees before. It'll never be like the dark days of the early '90s
again, but many ballplayers fear New York, preferring smaller cities, warmer
weather, lower prices, less taxes and no pressure.
Brian Giles, who's avoided New York forever with no-trade contract
stipulations, is said to be "playing phone tag" with Joe Torre - a very bad
sign - after the Yankees floated $33 million for three years. Giles is a West
Coast guy, but if he ventures east of the Rockies, he'll likely go to St.
Louis. That's really no great loss, as one AL scout said, "He's no
centerfielder."
The Yankees finally broke down and called agent Scott Boras about Johnny
Damon, and as Newsday reported, Boras seeks $84 million and seven years. The
Yankees like Damon, but for four years and at half that price.
Cashman is said to be "dead set against" the volatile Milton Bradley. And
with Cashman's newfound power holding through three weeks, Bradley appears
out, too.
The bullpen isn't exactly falling into place, either. Scott Eyre rejected the
Yankees for the Cubs, even Jose Mesa turned up his nose, and Yankees people
aren't confident they can lure Bobby Howry or Kyle Farnsworth, either. They
offered Tom Gordon two years for $10 million to return, but he's saying he
wants three years, and he might want it elsewhere, anyway.
While B.J. Ryan's agent tells the Yankees they're alive, Ryan is telling
folks he wants to close (and he doesn't love Lee Mazzilli). No wonder the
Yankees have begun moving to the second tier: Julian Tavarez, Ricardo Rincon,
Joey Eischen and Mike Myers.
Cashman began big with his best free-agent deal to date . . . yes, his own
three-year, $5.4-million contract, the very deal that so upset Bud Selig
(though as one agent pointed out, "What's he talking about? Bud makes $6
million.").
Anyway, Cashman topped himself with the four-year, $52-million deal for
Matsui, an absolute steal for a player who provides 100-plus RBIs and great
global marketing. As one club exec said, "We make money on him." And one
agent said, "That's the best contract from a management standpoint anyone
will sign this winter."
If they do nothing else, looks as if George Steinbrenner got revenge on
reviled agent Arn Tellem for sticking him with Jason Giambi's $120-million
deal (and the needles that came with him).
--
※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc)
◆ From: 68.126.198.185
※ 編輯: epipole 來自: 68.126.198.185 (11/21 12:10)