Joe Torre Safe At home Dinner

Joe Torre had his annual Safe At Home Foundation Dinner last night at the Chelsea Piers. He of course had a lot of Yankees there and revealed that he was rooting for the Yankees in the World Series. He did say it was "surreal" to see the Yankees winning the World Series without him. Joe Torre said "but to watch what they've done, and especially with Joe Girardi at the helm, it really made me feel good even though I'm supposed to be a National League fan. When you're as close to these guys as I have been for all these years, I was just real pleased for them." It looks like after saying he would be done after this upcoming season that he is trying to extend his deal for another year. I can only say poor Don Mattingly it looks like Joe Torre may be one of those guys you have to rip the uniform off of him before he retires. Don Mattingly has been so loyal to him and saying all the right things. I know it was never formally said that Mattingly would take over but everyone has basically said that and been led to believe that but how long will Donnie Baseball have to wait. I know he did interview for the Cleveland and I think Washington job but didn't get them so he will continue on as the hitting coach for Joe Torre and the Dodgers.

Jeter and Tex add more hardware

The New York Yankees keep adding hardware to their mantle. Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira who had just won gold gloves earlier in the week picked up the silver slugger awards for best hitter at their position. These awards were given out yesterday and just keeps adding to all the awards the Yankees and their players have been getting. It really is a golden time once again for the Yankees, these 2 players had great years and deserve all they get. Here is a list of the other award winners: American League 2B-Aaron Hill-Toronto Blue Jays 3B-Evan Longoria-Tampa Bay Rays OF-Ichiro Suzuki-Seattle Mariners OF-Jason Bay-Boston Red Sox OF-Torii Hunter-Anaheim Angels C-Joe Mauer-Minnesota Twins DH-Adam Lind-Toronto Blue Jays National League 1B-Albert Pujols-St Louis Cardinals 2B-Chase Utley-Philadelphia Phillies SS-Hanley Ramirez-Florida Marlins 3B-Ryan Zimmerman-Washington Nationals OF-Ryan Braun-Milwaukee Brewers OF-Andre Ethier-Los Angeles Dodgers OF-Matt Kemp-Los Angeles Dodgers C-Brian McCann-Atlanta Braves P-Carlos Zambrano-Chicago Cubs

Former World Series MVP suicidal?

The story today was that former Yankees closer and World Series MVP John Wetteland was about to attempt suicide. The article states that his wife called 911 saying he kept saying things about killing himself and he wasn't acting right. The police came and he walked out of his house with his hands in the air saying please help. He was always a high strung guy and admitted to using drugs in his younger days but this comes as a suprise. He was the World Series MVP in 1996 and then finished his career with Texas. He was out of baseball for a little while but came back to the big leagues last year as the bullpen coach for the Seattle Mariners, he seemed to enjoy his job with them so this came as a suprise. I am not sure what the situation is but I hope he gets the help he needs and is able to return home to his family and resume his life. It is amazing how quickly the rich and famous can fall and shows that it isn't always what it is cracked up to be. It also shows a more human side to athletes, they really are just like us other then having the fame and fortune, a lot of times they have more demons then even the so called normal person. I wish him and his family the best of luck and hopefully he will have a quick recovery and be able to go back to his job next year.

Yankees News?

I wouldn't really say there is any news coming out of Yankees land but there are some rumors and tidbits. Joel Sherman had the article today in the NY Post about the Yankees possibly going after Curtis Granderson as the Tigers say he and Edwin Jackson are available. I know they have been hard hit but the economic recession but do they really want to trade these guys?? It would be a good move for the Yankees to get Granderson as he is a top of the order guy with speed and he is young. He would be a upgrade in CF over what they have now and if Damon goes they could move Melky to LF and the defense would be a big upgrade out there. Granderson does have a knock on him though and that is he doesn't hit lefties at all. He would help with the power lost if Matsui and Damon both go or even if one of them goes. The thing with this is what would the Tigers want in return for him and that is the big question. Joel Sherman also mentioned it looks like Bruney will be back after the Yankees tender him a contract. Brian Cashman said at the GM meetings that there would be no significant innings limits on Hughes and Joba for next year. I think this is a good thing, the Yankees will always be careful with these guys but if they are in the rotation let them pitch and if anything is wrong they will have backups with Ian Kennedy, Sergio Mitre, Chad Gaudin and Alfredo Aceves and probably some others also.

Hot Stove action

The New York Yankees did make their first couple of moves this offseason. They were nothing to get too excited about but they removed Josh Towers and Freddy Guzman from the 40 man rosters and allowed them to become free agents. This news came from Chad Jennings of the Journal News who was out in Chicago for the GM meetings. The Yankees are going to try and sign their own guys but are in no rush, i am sure they will be in on Aroldis Chapman but not so sure they will sign any other free agents other then their own. If you don't know how Aroldis Chapman is he is a cuban defector. He is a 21 year old lefty who throws 100mph, they say he is the real deal but his control is erractic. Scott Boras today came out and tried and make the case for Damon getting 3 or 4 years. The Yankees just can't do it, 2 years is the most they should go and if he goes then they can look at another outfielder. Jason Varitek exercised his option for 3 million to stay with the Red Sox. He is their captain and has been with them 13 years but has been declining steadily. He will be the backup now behind Victor Martinez who is a really good hitter even though he is not a great defensive catcher. The Mariners resigned Ken Griffey Jr. to a 1 year deal. It is sad to see how much he has declined also but there is some sentimental value here since he started his career with the M's and is adored there. Jim Riggleman was named the manager of the Washington Nationals today. He finished ahead of Bobby Valentine.