MY BASEBALL BIAS

Great news from the Houston Chronicle today:

Andy Pettitte, who contemplated retirement this winter, has told his good friends, a few former Astros teammates and some current Yankees teammates that he will return to the Bronx for the 2008 season.

Last month Pettitte declined his $16 million player option for 2008 because he wasn’t ready to commit to another season. But Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner told Pettitte they would wait for him until February, if necessary, so he could take his time to make a decision.

That wait is over, and the Yankees have been informed of the decision by Pettitte’s agent, Randy Hendricks.

When reached by telephone this morning, Hendricks, who was in route to Nashville for the start of baseball’s winter meetings today, confirmed that he has advised the Yankees that Pettitte will play for them in 2008.

Having Pettitte back fills a huge void in the Yankees starting rotation. Plus, he really took on a mentoring role with the young guys last year. Expect that to carry over into ‘08.

Now we wait on Santana. Will the Twins accept the offer of Hughes, Cabrera and a mid-level prospect by the Monday night deadline the Yankees have set?
If not, look for the Bombers to press hard for either Dan Haren or Erik Bedard.

DAVID RISKE, RHP

Riske’s Stats

From ESPN.com:

David Riske, the veteran relief pitcher who compiled a 2.45 ERA in 65 games for the Kansas City Royals last season, is on the verge of agreeing to a multiyear deal with the Milwaukee Brewers, according to a club source.

The Yankees had shown some interest in Riske, but it looks like they’ll now turn their attention to re-signing Luis Vizcaino.

Other relievers that remain on the Yankees radar are lefty-specialist Ron Mahay and LaTroy Hawkins. Don’t count out a minor-league deal for Ron Villone and a “fix-it” plan for Kyle Farnsworth either.

The way it’s shaping up, the ‘08 bullpen could be a revolving door with no true set-up man for Mo Rivera unless Farnsworth miraculously finds his head, or, they call on Joba (highly unlikely).

Below is a list of the top free-agent relievers still on the market (I posted this the other day as well). Highlighted in blue are the guys the Yankees have shown interest in.

Here’s the latest news on a few of these guys:

• Troy Percival and the Rays are close to a two-year deal reports Buster Olney.

• Rockies reliever Matt Herges looks to be headed back to Colorado.

• Peter Abraham reports that the Yankees will continue their pursuit of lefty Roh Mahay and righty Luis Vizcaino. Abraham also mentions that new Yankees pitching coach, Dave Eiland, will try and “fix” Kyle Farnsworth. Ouch.

• The White Sox and Reds have finalized their respective deals for Scott Linebrink and Francisco Cordero. Linebrink receives a 4 year deal worth $19 million and Cordero signed for 4 years and $46 million.

The big news from yesterday was the six player trade between the Rays and the Twins. Delmon Young was traded to Minnesota along with Brendan Harris and Jason Pridie for Matt Garza, Jason Bartlett and Eduardo Morlan. The Twins needed to replace Tori Hunter’s power numbers and the Rays need starting pitching. A good trade for both.

Other MLB News:

The Rays look like they’re about to land reliever Troy Percival and make him their closer. Also, Rays reliever Brian Stokes was traded to the Mets for cash. They’re also unveiling plans for an open air stadium in downtown Tampa.

The Rockies are close to bringing back catcher Vorvit Torrealba and reliever Matt Herges. Torrealba almost signed a three year deal with the Mets a few weeks ago, but the Mets walked away at the last minute.

Jason Kendall has signed on with the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Royals landed Japanese releiver Yasuhiko Yabuta.

Tony Larussa pleaded guilty to that ‘07 spring training DUI.

Red Sox pitcher John Lester has been honored with Tony Conigliaro Award, presented annually to a major league player who has overcome adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination and courage.

Free agent reliever Scott Linebrink set the market when he signed for 4 years and $19 million with the White Sox. Below is a list of players that are still available, but will probably come at a price. Is there anyone on the list that you think the Yankees should target? What kind of contract do you think they should offer?

Players highlighted in blue are relievers the Yankees have said they have interest in.

DAVID RISKE, RHP
Riske’s Stats

From the Star-Ledger:

The Yankees have “definitely reached out” to free agent right-hander David Riske, said his agent Nez Balelo. Riske, 31, was 1-4 with a 2.45 ERA in 69 2/3 innings with the Kansas City Royals in 2007.

Riske spent the early part of his career with the Indians and has bounced around the last few years with Red Sox, White Sox and Royals.

Career Splits:

• vs RHB: .245 BA
• vs LHB: .211 BA

2007 Splits:

• vs RHB: .265 BA
• vs LHB: .202 BA

The thinking here is if they can’t re-sign Vizcaino, Riske at least comparable. He has shown over his career, however, an increase in walks and a decline in SO’s. I think the Yankees could do better.

Here are a few stories you should check out today:

Kat O’Brien of Newday mentions today that the Yankees have had internal discussions about trading for Athletics starting pitcher Dan Haren. A’s GM Billy Beane is definitely in a re-building mode and they could probably pry Haren away for less than Johan Santana. Plus, as Buster Olney notes this morning, Haren is owed just $4 million for 2008, $5.5 million for 2009, and has a $6.75 million option for 2010. Getting Haren would be a steal. He’s two years younger than Santana, has averaged 221 innings in each of the last three years and would come cheap for a few years. I like the move.

Joel Sherman of the NY Post thinks the Yankees made a mistake negotiating a $30 million bonus package with A-Rod based on breaking home-run milestones. I tend to agree with Sherman. Do you want a team built around records or championships?

Hank Steinbrenner doesn’t believe there will be an A-Rod press conference this week and contract details with Jorge Posada are still being hammered out.

Tim Marchman of the NY Sun thinks the Yankees should “sell the farm” for Santana. I don’t know about that, but if they can put together a reasonable package, why not?

MLB STUFFAGE:

Right-handed reliever Doug Brocail and the Astros have agree to terms on a deal. He appeared in 67 games for San Diego last season as a setup man, compiling a 5-1 record with a 3.05 ERA.

Murray Chass of the New York Times tries to figure out what Angels owner Arte Moreno was thinking when he signed another center-fielder in Tori Hunter. Remember the Angels signed Gary Matthews Jr. last years to a 5 year $50 million dollar deal. That’s $140 million on two center-fielders.

Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Juan Lara remains in critical condition in the Dominican Republic. His SUV was hit by a motorcycle in a horrific accident that ended up killing two people.

OTHER NEWS:

How about that Monday Night Football game last night? The Pirates beat the Marlins 3-0 in the slop.

Sad news out of the NFL today. Washington Redskins safety, Sean Taylor, died this morning after being shot early Monday in an attempted robbery at his Miami home. The wound damaged the key femoral artery, causing significant blood loss.

Buster Olney broke the news this morning in his ESPN Blog via Peter Gammons:

…the Twins want this three-player package from the Yankees, in any Santana conversation: pitcher Phil Hughes and center fielders Melky Cabrera and Austin Jackson. Given that the Yankees will probably be asked to pay Santana a deal of at least six years and $150 million to convince him to stay, I’d be shocked if they seriously considered that trade. Because part of the equation for the Yankees or any other team, as they make decisions about a possible Santana deal, is this: Even beyond the question of swapping promising young players like Hughes and Cabrera and Jackson, how much money does it save them to have cheap players on their roster. How much will it cost them to replace a Cabrera or Jackson? Without Cabrera or Jackson, the Yankees might have to sign a veteran center fielder in their place in a year or two.

And it’s possible that within three or four years, as Santana gets older and Hughes progresses, that Hughes might become something close to what Santana will be then.

I wrote late last night that the deal would probably take Hughes, Cabrera, Horne and Tabata. It looks like I was giving up too much in the deal including both Horne and Tabata, but from the various reports that I read, it was going to take a major leaguer and three “premium prospects”.

It’s not surprising that they have there eye on Austin Jackson either. He played extremely well in the Hawaiian Winter League batting .271 with 3 homers, 22 RBI’s and 8 steals. Melky Cabrera could immediately fill the Twins center-field vacancy and Hughes would be the blue-chip prospect you could build your staff around.

Olney eludes to the fact that the Yankees, or any team involved in a deal for Santana, should weigh the option of paying upwards of $150 million dollars for Santana or settle for “cheap players”. I share this concern, but not as it relates to the Yankees. Even though Cashman wants to reduce payroll, management has given no indication that they are willing to cut spending, nor do they need to. They’re the Yankees.

Trading a player like Hughes, however, is risky. Olney points out that four or five years down the road, Hughes might just become “something close to what Santana will be then”. In other words, the Yankees will find themselves in the same position they were just a few seasons earlier - looking to trade for the next big-name pitcher.

Make no mistake, the organization wants a number one guy now to compete with Boston’s ace Josh Beckett. Beckett turned out to be the real difference maker in ‘07 after a disappointing 2006 debut with the Red Sox.

As hesitant as I am to give up Hughes, a front-line number one starting pitcher is very appealing.

JOHAN SANTANA, RHP
Santana’s Stats

It seems as though the Minnesota Twins and their star lefty, Johan Santana, have been unable to come to terms on a contract extension that would keep him with the team.

Below is the offer, the counter-offer and the fall-out:

• The Twins offered Santana a five-year, $93 million dollar deal. (Actually, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune, the Twins wanted to negate the $13.25 million owed to Santana in ‘08 and begin a new five-year deal, thus, making it the equivalent of a four-year, $80 million dollar extension). Santana turned it down.

• Santana countered with a “Zito-like” deal of of 7-years and $126 million dollars. The Twins said thanks, but no thanks.

• Santana then gave the organization his blessing to begin exploring a trade for the two-time Cy Young Award winner.

Various sources have pegged four teams with a serious chance at landing Santana: the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets and Dodgers all possess the money, major league talent and ripe prospects that are required by the Twins organization for Santana. The cost will be significant, perhaps a big-name major leaguer and three more prime prospects. And because Santana has a full no-trade clause, any deal to another club will probably have to include a long-term contract. It is doubtful that Santana would consider playing just one season somewhere else and then hit the free-agent market in 2009. Performance and health would be the two major factors in deciding against that type of move. He’ll want guaranteed money.

Now let’s try and figure out what the Yankees would be willing to give up. Here are a few options:

• You have to start any conversation with Joba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes. The Twins seem to be more interested more in these two than Ian Kennedy. Either one will be the first pillar in any trade, but I think the Yankees would be more inclined to dump Hughes than Chamberlain. Don’t ask me why, it’s just a hunch.

• Next is Robinson Cano or Melky Cabrera. Of course most of us would be just fine to part with Melky, but Cano is a whole other issue. Seeing that the Twins really need a center fielder now that Tori Hunter has departed, I say it has to be Melky.

• Now we need two “premium prospects”, probably an arm and a corner infielder or outfielder. A pairing of Alan Horne or Kevin Whelan along with Jose Tabata might just get it done.

So if we add it all up, the final package looks like this:

• RHP Phil Hughes
• OF Melky Cabrera
• RHP Alan Horne
• OF Jose Tabata

Then you have to sign Santana to a contract probably worth $20 million dollars over the next seven years.

Is it worth it, or would you be happy if the Yankees just passed, knowing that there’s a chance he could end up with the Red Sox?

FRANCISCO CORDERO, RHP
Cordero’s Stats

Well, the big ticket free agents are starting to fly off the board. Closer Francisco Cordero signed with the Cincinnati Reds today, agreeing to a four-year, $46 million contract.

The 32 year-old closer was 0-4 with a 2.98 ERA and 44 saves in 51 chance for the Milwaukee Brewers last year.

The Yankees were interested in Corders before agreeing to a three-year, $45 million dollar deal.

Do you think it was important for Cordero to have that extra one million dollars added to his contract?

And another reliever signing for four years. I think both the Reds and White Sox (Linebrink signing) have overpaid in an attempt to remake their respective bullpens.