The Rocket returns to Pinstripes

by anaconda on May 6, 2007 3:27 PM EDT in News

Welcome back, Rocket.

The Yankees will have as formidable of a starting rotation as any team in baseball once Clemens starts pitching again and Phil Hughes returns from the DL.

Update [2007-5-6 17:0:9 by anaconda]:

ESPN reports that the Clemens’ contract is a pro-rated salary of $28M, which means he will be earning approximately $4.5M per month.

A fine living -- I must say.

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As soon as Hughes returns and....

...all the hamstrings get stretched and healed.

by JTC111 on May 6, 2007 3:48 PM EDT 0 recs

I'm waiting for Al Rodgers...

...to show up with a video clip of this.

by PsiFighter37 on May 6, 2007 3:51 PM EDT 0 recs

yeah

I want to see a video of Shepphard asking to direct your attention to the Owners Box. I want clemens saying his shpeil.

Yankees win! Theeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Yankees win! -John Sterling

by goyankees on May 6, 2007 3:53 PM EDT up 0 recs

YEA!!

good choice roger!! hopefully this will turn our luck for better

by bronxbombers123 on May 6, 2007 4:25 PM EDT 0 recs

Great signing by our GM Joe Torre

At least that is the way the headline should read in zukatesta's world! I don't think we can expect a 2.30 ERA from Rocket like last year, but he should be a very good addition to the club, even if he goes six innings or so.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on May 6, 2007 4:45 PM EDT 0 recs

Great job by Brain Cashman

Is how I would write it. Apparently, he handled the situation beautifully, as this article illustrates:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=olney_buster&id=2862261

Also, it sheds light on the plan for trading Randy Johnson, as apparently a return by Clemens was much less likely if Johnson were here.

And finally, it mentions how Torre was involved all along, which is just not normal, unless your GM feels the need to include him. I really doubt Terry Francona knew half of what Epstein was doing to try and lure Clemens back.

by zukatesta on May 6, 2007 8:34 PM EDT up 0 recs

Not so sure about Francona

In light of the special rules for Clemens with leaving the team, etc. If Theo was going to bring someone into the clubhouse with a totally seperate set of rules for that one player, I am pretty sure he would run it by the manager, just like Cashman did with Torre.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on May 6, 2007 10:04 PM EDT up 0 recs

Francona

would not have been in the dark, no. But Olney indicates that Torre knew everything, and I don't believe Epstein feels the need to include Francona to that extent.

by zukatesta on May 7, 2007 1:50 PM EDT up 0 recs

Let me add

You are right: his performance is going to take a mighty hit moving back to the AL East, and he is at his best a 6 inning pitcher and an injury risk.

Nonetheless, when you are the premiere franchise in the sport, this is a move you have to make.

by zukatesta on May 6, 2007 8:37 PM EDT up 0 recs

Well said

I must admit that Cashman did a very good job of flying under the radar and keeping the entire media on the dark on this one and I also commend him for getting Rocket to speed up his timeframe, but paying a ton more money than the others were offering is not shrewd or skillful.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on May 6, 2007 10:03 PM EDT up 0 recs

However

you kind of called Epstein shrewd and skillful for doing the same thing with Dice K. (whom the league is hitting .327 against I might add).

by matthaggs on May 6, 2007 10:46 PM EDT up 0 recs

Apples and oranges

The posting process is a completely different ballgame. There it is a silent bid so the strategy is a lot different. Here, Cashman had the benefit of knowing that Boston was offering $18M pro-rated.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on May 7, 2007 7:31 AM EDT up 0 recs

You're right

The silent bid strategy is a lot different in that there is no strategy. You just push the biggest pile of money you can into the pot and hope for the best and hope no one will be crazy enough to top it.

How did Cashman know about Boston's offer? Did Epstein call him and give him a heads up?

If you're saying that Clemens' agent told him, well then I guess I have to concede your point, because an agent would certainly never mislead a GM when discussing what the direct competition is offering (eyes rolling).

by matthaggs on May 7, 2007 9:43 AM EDT up 0 recs

Give him some due

I never thought once that Roger was going to go to the Sox, and I knew the Astros weren't going to keep him. He had his run there, and it was fun, but Clemens is like a crack whore--he needs that excitement fix, that ego boost that only NY can provide.

I really don't think any Yankee fan was surprised, but I give Cashman credit for keeping it all underwraps and basically stealing the headlines from the fight, the horse race, the war and everything else. Kudos to him.

Now fire his ass.

by Ronster22 on May 8, 2007 11:45 AM EDT up 0 recs

Well said...

Even with Roger, the pen is in trouble unless our starters begin throwing 7-8 innings. Interesting that it was DeSalvo--a rookie, who broke the 7 innings barrier last night. Maybe it's a good sign of things to come...

by Ronster22 on May 8, 2007 12:16 PM EDT up 0 recs

Managing a budget

is only one aspect of a job. Cashman does an excellent job of advancing the notion of the Yankees as the premiere franchise in the sport. You might think that it is an easy thing to do, but maybe it's not.

Steinbrenner and Cashman do a better job than oh, say Dolan and Thomas, Jones and Parcells, etc.

Now, this was potentially slippery, but Cashman allowed Rocket to retire from the Yankees with class, accepted his un-retirement with more class (the way it played out, it did cost the Yankees 2 first round picks, but Cashman uttered not one peep about it), and managed to aggressively pursue him while respecting his privacy and timetable. Don't doubt for a second that in this regard he represented the Yankees perfectly (as he's done repeatedly over the years, for Moose, Damon, Pavano (oops) and others), and that the situation could have easily been botched.

The Yankees get who the Yankees want largely because of budget, but they're not the only game in town. The also get who they want because of professionalism, and that starts with Brian Cashman.

by zukatesta on May 6, 2007 10:49 PM EDT up 0 recs

Other high-budget buffoons

The Chicago Tribune and Jim Hendry, Frank McCourt and Ned Colletti, Angelos and whoever runs the baseball operations in Baltimore...

by Willton on May 6, 2007 11:21 PM EDT up 0 recs

Professionalism

Starts with Steinbrenner and his rules and also the great respect the players have for Torre. Cashman plays a significant part in that, but not the largest part.

As for Cashman doing some astute marketing job, I am not sure where you are going there. The Yankees are the most successful and recognizable franchise in sports history. Cashman doesn't have to "spin" anything to make them look good. I do agree that the way he handled these negotiations was wonderful. Just like you said, to maintain that privacy in the fish bowl of NY is impressive.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on May 7, 2007 7:34 AM EDT up 0 recs

I thought about writing

"Starts with Steinbrenner and his continued by Brian Cashman," but it really took the tooth out of the sentiment.

Well, maybe it's not as easy as you think. Player after player responds to their perceived lack of respect from organization after organization, and that rarely happens with the Yankees. Cashman's simply one of the best at recruiting.

Of course, having the largest checkbook doesn't hurt.

by zukatesta on May 7, 2007 8:34 AM EDT up 0 recs

Ah, see but

That's were Cashman doesn't get enough credit. In November, everything was swimming swiftly in Purpura's direction.

Everything Cashman has done since then has paved the way for Clemens to come to NY, while Boston and especially Houston couldn't get out of their own way.

Obviously Pettitte, which was a good move on it's own merit (also, good job signing Pettitte without ever making him feel like bait). Igawa over Lilly probably was a mistake, but it didn't block Clemens and that probably played into his decision. I didn't consider it at the time (because I didn't realize Clemens was so imminent) but keeping Torre promotes stability and confidence, and THAT makes the decision easier. Cano giving up his number, publicly? Cashman can be proud a player he developed thought to do that, even if he is in no way directly related.

I agree this fell into his lap, but it didn't have to--a couple of bad decisions or poorly timed remarks, and Clemens might be sporting a different cap.

by zukatesta on May 7, 2007 12:14 PM EDT up 0 recs

Man, you don't get it

This isn't about Pavano, who was courted by about 12 organizations, and it's not about what Houston or Boston did or didn't do.

It's about this: Houston had Clemens, and they fucked it up. Boston has fucked everything up since 1919, except for when Lucchino hired Francona as a blatant sherpa for Curt Shilling.

Cashman gets who Cashman wants. He doesn't fuck up deals, he closes deals. That is not akin to sitting still while it falls in your lap--it is making it happen, and promoting the sport's premiere franchise.

Maybe you'd get it if you were a Cub fan, Met fan, Angel or Dodger fan. They're all in the scrum for the Yankees's leftovers. If you're a fan of those teams, you must read the rumor wire with dread, hoping the Yankees aren't linked to the players you want your team to sign.

The Yankees's money alone doesn't get this done. Signing Pettitte, trading Johnson, passing on Lilly, keeping Torre, and numerous other things paved the way for this to happen, and Cashman DID that. He didn't sit there and wait for it to fall in his lap.

That's what Epstein and Purpura did.

by zukatesta on May 7, 2007 1:42 PM EDT up 0 recs

Sorry?

Did you mean to write that?

No, this post is not about Pavano.

And, fuck you.

OK, I'm done, it was fun.

by zukatesta on May 7, 2007 2:17 PM EDT up 0 recs

Steinbrenner alone

When The Boss took over at the helm, the Yankees were floundering. They weren't the prize organization. Like a grande estate, that falls into disrepair, they were a mess. Steinbrenner cleaned it up and masterfully restored the mystique and Yankee pride.

Cashman is just the gardener nothing more.

by Ronster22 on May 8, 2007 11:47 AM EDT up 0 recs

I claim it's hard to claim he's less effective

than his NY years.

Here's how the last 8 years stats look.

team games innings inn/out wins %starts won ERA WHIP

1999    yanks    30    187.7    6.26     14    47%    4.60     1.465
2000    yanks    32    204.3    6.38     13    41%    3.70     1.312
2001    yanks    33    220.3    6.68     20    61%    3.51     1.257
2002    yanks    29    180    6.21     13    45%    4.35     1.306
2003    yanks    33    211.7    6.42     17    52%    3.91     1.214
2004    houston    33    214.3    6.49     18    55%    2.98     1.157
2005    houston    32    211.3    6.60     13    41%    1.87     1.008
2006    houston    19    113.3    5.96     7    37%    2.30     1.041
Sorry about the wrap problem on the heading line. I hope it's clear enough.

What makes a good manager?....Good Players. (Yogi)

by Cbeck3 on May 7, 2007 5:44 PM EDT up 0 recs

Not to be forgotten in all the hoopla...

Rasner pitched a great game. Kudos to the kid.

And welcome back, Roger! I knew he'd sign.

by docgonzo on May 6, 2007 4:57 PM EDT 0 recs

Yeah it was great

the Pinstripe Alley outing was great. I couldn't see the screen when Roger was introduced and it took me a minute to figure out what was going on.

by Greenfuzz on May 6, 2007 5:58 PM EDT up 0 recs

They are paying him $28 mill pro-rated

Wow.

by PsiFighter37 on May 6, 2007 4:57 PM EDT 0 recs

$28 mil

I think that's what I predicted a week ago- enough so that his pro-rated salary is the highest ever (ie, more than A-Rod.) Does that trigger some clause in A-Rod's contract, though?

by SP on May 6, 2007 5:14 PM EDT 0 recs

ah great to see you guys back from PA day

I'm assuming that someone can upload the photographic evidence

Yankees win! Theeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Yankees win! -John Sterling

by goyankees on May 6, 2007 5:34 PM EDT 0 recs

Jscape should have it up

once he gets home. Sheesh those guys have a long drive.

by Greenfuzz on May 6, 2007 5:59 PM EDT up 0 recs

ok

He's located in upstate NY, right?

Yankees win! Theeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Yankees win! -John Sterling

by goyankees on May 6, 2007 6:03 PM EDT up 0 recs

Clements is back

Does this mean I wouldn't see Carl Pavano smiling on the bench earning $10M anymore?

by viasistina on May 6, 2007 6:19 PM EDT 0 recs

Clements?

Great Success!

by ReLaunch on May 6, 2007 6:34 PM EDT up 0 recs

Do you know how to add images?

If not, I'd be happy to help out if you have images you want to post.

by anaconda on May 6, 2007 6:40 PM EDT up 0 recs

Yeah, that

would be cool. I was trying photobucket but am still trying to figure out what codes to delete. Al explained some to me but I haven't tried since. I emailed jscape all the pics from the tailgate today.

Great Success!

by ReLaunch on May 6, 2007 6:46 PM EDT up 0 recs

Photobucket is the easiest way to do it....

I could have them posted quickly if either you or jscape sends them to me via email.

That is, if they don't require too much editing or downsizing.

anaconda44@gmail.com

by anaconda on May 6, 2007 6:50 PM EDT up 0 recs

I guess excitement has its own price.

In this case, it is spelling.

by YANKtheTitle on May 6, 2007 6:43 PM EDT up 0 recs

In the interview with Sterling

after the game, Clemens gave a LOT of credit to Jeter for his repeated calls, nudging him to come back. Clemen said "Jetes" kept telling him, "What are you waiting for??"

I wanna say that he also mentioned wanting to work with the younger pitchers--without mentioning Hughes specifically--as another point of motivation...but don't quote me on that.

This info is probably out there, but he gave end of May/beginning of June as his start date.

Currently under construction

by JaneKnowles on May 6, 2007 7:06 PM EDT 0 recs