metirish

Nothing much here. ] RYE, N.Y. -- Joe Torre told his side of the story Friday, saying the incentives in the New York Yankees' contract offer were an "insult." "I just felt the contract offer, the terms of the contract, were probably the thing I had the toughest time with -- the one year for one thing, the incentives for another thing," Torre said of his reasons for declining the offer. "I've been there 12 years and I didn't think motivation was needed." "We knew exactly what was expected here," he said, "So, I just didn't think it was the right thing for me, I just didn't think it was the right thing for my players." Torre, who won four World Series with the Yankees and made the playoffs each of his 12 seasons, on Thursday turned down a one-year offer that would have cut his base pay to $5 million, a reduction of $2.5 million, but offered $3 million in performance-based incentives and an $8 million option for 2009 if the Yankees won the 2008 AL pennant. Torre, who had just completed a $19.2 million, three-year contract, turned down the deal after meeting for an hour in Tampa with team owner George Steinbrenner, his sons Hal and Hank and team management. Torre, who thanked the team, its fans and Steinbrenner, said that the Thursday meeting went 20 minutes and that there was no negotiation on the proposed contract terms. Asked if he would return if the team reconsidered, Torre said he wasn't expecting that to happen. He said committment, not money, was the biggest factor. "I like to work with people -- there's a certain trust that has to be earned and forged in order to have the commitment to follow," Torre said. "I can't answer that question because I don't anticipate it happening. If someone wanted me to manage here, I'd be managing here." "Yes it was a very generous offer," he added, "but it wasn't the type of commitment that 'we're trying to do something together,' as opposed to 'let me see what you can do for me.'"

I'd have expected nothing else form Wright, don't like that he's pals with Strahan though. Still can't be around enough winners I suppose.

Cashman might have the better book in the end.

I used to like how Billy and Juan Alicea would get acknowledged by the Mets TV Booth during games and the camera would cut to them always smiling. Not sure if that happened in the SNY era.

I would say no chance, they are probably not all that bothered that Torre turned them down, Cashman might have really wanted him back but Levine and the rest probably don't care. They'll deal with the fallout the next few days and move on, it will be interesting to hear what Torre has to say at his press conference later today.

I liked the line Lupica used today, Torre fired Stienbrenner and the Yankees.

From Newsday regarding candidates. ] 4. Bobby Valentine. Have you heard of him? Valentine, who just completed his fourth season in his second term as manager of the Chiba Lotte Marines, may have his share of detractors, but Cashman and Steinbrenner admire his work. Valentine has two years left, at $4 million per season, in his deal with the Marines. However, he does have the ability to opt out of it. Reached last night in Japan, where his team just lost a postseason series to the Nippon Ham Fighters, Valentine said, "I haven't had any time to think about [the Yankees' opening]. But I will sometime."

I don't think Valentine would want to work under the management system the Yankees have , in Japan he runs everything at his club , that's not going to happen at the Yankees. Bobby V might be too much personality for them to control.

I really hope the game tonight is not ruined with Torre talk, yes talk about it but please don't ram it down our throats all night.

The papers for the next several days are going to be a mess, I'll be avoiding them I hope.

I was confused by this thread, turns out Torre was not at the conference call, Randy Levine who was on the conference call said Torre had left.

Of all the dramatic things I have read in here this beats them all.

I don't think for one second that Posada or Rivera give a discount because Torre is staying, they'll follow the money no matter who the manager is.

Anyone crying yet?

What about Don Mattingly ?, not ready yet as reports are saying?

Newsday is reporting that Torre flew to Tampa with Cashman to discuss a one year extension . Tampa

Damn, bad day for the dying.

Livan is a fee agent.

Jeter has arguably the greatest intangible's of any player ever, which of course can't be measured by fancy stats.

1. Lance Barksdale - ............I 2. Laz Diaz............... B 3. Ed Hickox...............A 4. Bob Davidson............ L 5. Jerry lane..................E 6. Alfonzo Marquez............ J 7. Tim Tschida -..........H 8. Brian O'Nora................. K 9. Gary Darling.................M 10. Brian Runge...................... G 11. Jim Joyce............................. F 12. Ted Barrett................. D 13. CB Bucknor................. N 14. Angel Hernandez........ C 15. Chuck Meriwether .............P Tie - Time Welke

All this talk of religion is for the Byrds.

Boston with back to back jacks Youkilis and Ortiz, Byrd pulled.

Excellent resource , great work Yancy.

Great picture here, can't post it though. Dave Trautwein. http://www.baseballclinics.com/photos/Trautbbcard.jpg

It's going to be a long winter, that's Alex Gonzalez. http://deadspin.com/sports/baseball/shirts-off-boys-172762.php