Happy Monday, Pinstripe Alley readers. It's painfully slow when it comes to Yankees baseball right now, but that will change once the World Series ends and the Hot Stove season gets into full swing. For now, on to your usual morning news.
Cashman Expects New Deal By End of October - Yankees.com
Brian Cashman believes that he will have a new deal in place by the time his current contract expires on October 31st, retaining the position he has held since 1998. Here's what Cashman had to say:
"It'll get done between now and Oct. 31st, I'm sure. I can't promise, but I think that's what everybody expects. I know it's something that everybody has to follow. But that's not a pressing circumstance, as far as something I'm worried about right now."
Frankly, it wouldn't surprise me if the deal is already done. Major League Baseball frowns upon announcements during the World Series, and a new deal for Brian Cashman would take the attention away from the Fall Classic.
Keeping CC Sabathia is Yankees' Top Priority - Yankees.com
The Yankees don't want to talk about what the rotation would look like without CC Sabathia at the top, and making sure they don't have to will be the Yankees' top offseason priority.
Here's what Cashman had to say about the ace:
No doubt, it'll be the No. 1 thing to deal with and talk about. That's obviously going to be the most important thing. He's been great, I'm a huge fan. We've got some time on the clock -- but not much.
The only question that remains is, how far are the Yankees willing to go in negotiations?
Colon, Granderson Get Players Choice Nods - Yankees.com
Bartolo Colon and Curtis Granderson have been announced among the finalists for the 2011 Players Choice Awards. Granderson, after his incredible season, has been nominated for Player of the Year and American Leage Outstanding Player of the Year. Colon has been nominated for American Leage Come Back Player of the Year Award.
Winners will be announced on November 3rd at 8pm on the MLB Network.
Links:
- Mike Axisa of River Ave. Blues said Robinson Cano did what Robinson Cano does in 2011.
- Per Mike Axisa again, Damon Oppenheimer has "most buzz" for Angels GM job.
- Per Andrew Marchand, Rafael Soriano will not opt out.
One final thing. I want to start doing a "Yankees Mailbag" type of post, and I'd like to do it about once a week, depending on how many emails I get. So, send me good emails with questions worthy of being on the front page, and I'll do my best to answer them. My email address can be found in my profile page or at the bottom of the Pinstripe Alley page by clicking on the linked envelope next to my name.