Mets GM Omar Minaya said he had “full autonomy” in an interview on SNY yesterday. Really? Why wasn’t he at the Carlos Beltran press conference? Does he or the Wilpons sign the checks? Why is he only content with getting Jason Bay? What reality is he living in?
Yankee GM Brian Cashman doesn’t have autonomy. He was interviewed on The Michael Kay Show on ESPN 1050 this afternoon. He talk about the budget that the Steinbrenners gave him. He made an offer last week for $6 million year including $3 million deferred but rejected by Damon. Where else was Johnny going to get this? Cincinnati? Oakland? Detroit? Kansas City?
Johnny MIGHT get the money elsewhere. But, his best chance at baseball immortality is to stay with the Yankees and get 3,000 hits. Hall of Famers make lots of money in retirement at card shows. So Johnny make more in 2010 elsewhere but he’ll make less in 2020 and beyond as a possible Hall of Famer (after retiring in 2014 or so). Can his body hold up for five seasons with other teams instead of four seasons with the Yankees? Where else is he going to be able to hit in between players like Jeter and Teixeira?
Cashman complimented Johnny’s talent but he was “tired of waiting” and “couldn’t agree on market value”. “I’m sorry I didn’t address his value,” Cashman added.
Johnny now counters that he is open to a mid-season trade with the Yankees. It’s a shame it came down to this.
Posted by a saddened Tank in Hot Stove Land.