Hal: Yanks Are Not For Sale

So earlier today there was a report in the Daily News that said there have been rumors that the Yankees might be looking to sell after the recent deal made to sell the Dodgers. Here's a little bit more from the article:

Rumors are flying in Major League Baseball and New York banking circles that the family that has owned Major League Baseball's premiere franchise since Cleveland shipbuilder George Steinbrenner purchased the club for $8.8 million in 1973 is exploring the possibility of selling the Yankees.

Multiple baseball and finance sources told the Daily News they are hearing that the team the Steinbrenner family has led to seven World Series titles could be put on the block in the wake of the record sale price of $2.175 billion the Los Angeles Dodgers went for in April.

"There has been chatter all around the banking and financial industries in the city for a couple of weeks now," one high-level baseball source told The News.

Yankee president Randy Levine adamantly denied the rumors: "I can say to you there is absolutely, positively nothing to this. The Steinbrenners are not selling the team." And managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner, George's younger son, weighed in with his own denial Thursday morning, saying in a statement: "I just read the Daily News story. It is complete fiction. Me and my family have no intention to sell the Yankees and expect it to be in the family for years to come."

However, according to the sources, who requested anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the situation, the recent sale of the Dodgers to a group that includes NBA legend Magic Johnson is just one reason why the Steinbrenner family may be looking to sell the team, which experts estimate could be worth up to a stunning $3 billion.

Besides Levin's denials in the article, Hal Steinbrenner also responded to the rumors:

Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner said on Thursday that his family has no intention of selling the storied franchise, responding to a published report in the New York Daily News.

"I just learned of the Daily News story. It is pure fiction," Steinbrenner said in a statement. "The Yankees are not for sale. I expect that the Yankees will be in my family for many years to come."

Honestly, at this point I don't really care what happens, especially if they are sold to an owner who is ready to spend money.

Sure, it would be nice to have the team remain in the Steinbrenner family, but unless your goal as a Yankees fan is to see higher ticket prices along with lower payroll I'm not sure how beneficial that would be.

When The Boss owned the team we as fans always knew that he'd do whatever it took to win, but now after a few years of Hal you can now longer say that. Instead the Yankees are in cost-cutting mode and just spent this past offseason ignoring the two best pitchers on the market (Darvish and Wilson), and instead decided to go the less expensive route and I don't think that's something we'd see from George.

What do you think? Does it matter if the team stays in the Steinbrenner's hands?

Heyman: Yanks & Cash Agree on Deal

Cash & Hal Meet

From Bryan Hoch:

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman met with managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner on Monday in New York, and a new contract for the GM is expected to be agreed upon before next Monday.

According to the New York Post, Cashman and Steinbrenner discussed the state of the Yankees in their meeting and not Cashman's expiring deal, which the GM has said is not his top concern at the moment.

"It'll get done between now and Oct. 31st, I'm sure," Cashman said last week. "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."

Cashman chaired the club's professional scouting meetings in New York last week. He was expected to travel to Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday to meet with other members of the team's hierarchy.

This will be done in no time.

Billy Eppler Will Also Interview For Angels GM Job

From Mark Feinsand:

Eppler, the Yankees’ 36-year-old senior director of pro personnel, joined the Yankees in 2004 after a four-year stint with the Rockies. He was promoted to director of pro scouting a year later, then given another promotion to his current position as Cashman’s right-hand man after the 2009 season.

“I am flattered and excited for the opportunity to interview with the Angels and look forward to the process,” Eppler said in a text message Wednesday night.

Marchand: Posada Could Be Gone If He Isn't Hitting By The Break

From Andrew Marchand:

The New York Yankees will reconsider Jorge Posada's future with the team if his numbers don't improve by the All-Star break, according a baseball official with knowledge of the Yankees' thinking.

On Wednesday, Yankees manager Joe Girardi left Posada out of the lineup for the third straight time against a left-handed starter.

This sets the stage for what could be an inglorious end to Posada's career with the Yankees. With Posada appearing to be demoted to part-time designated hitter, he must begin to hit consistently to remain on the team.

...

The official said there has been "zero discussion" about releasing Posada since the resolution of this weekend's dispute, when Posada refused to play against the Red Sox on Saturday after Girardi put him at the No. 9 spot in the order. The subject had been broached on Saturday night.

...

Posada is making $13 million this season. If the Yankees release him after the All-Star break, they would lose around $6 million.

If the Yankees were to release Posada, then Jesus Montero would be the likely internal alternative as the DH.

I don't suspect things will actually go down this way, and I certainly hope they don't. To do something like that to Posada, mid season, would just be a terrible move and it has nothing to do with his performance on the field. One thing I think the Yankees owe Posada is to allow him to play out his contract, unless he doesn't want to. Embarrassing Posada with a midseason release would not only alienate one of the best catchers in team history, but several players on the team (including and especially Jeter) and most of the fan base as well.

Olney Talks About the Yankees Front Office

We already heard what Tim Kurkjian had to say, now Buster Olney add his 2 cents.

Heyman: Yankees Plan on Bringing Girardi Back

From Jon Heyman:

The Yankees plan to bring back manager Joe Girardi at a raise, no matter what some fans may say about his reliance on his ever-present binder. He is well-liked by Yankees honchos Hal Steinbrenner, Randy Levine and Brian Cashman.

This just backs up what most of us already assumed.

Damon Oppenheimer a candidate for Dbacks GM Job

Ken Rosenthal and John Paul Morosi are reporting that Yankees vice president of amateur scouting Damon Oppenheimer is one of the six leading candidates to become the Diamondbacks next GM. The DBacks will begin interviewing these candidates over the next two weeks.

Kevin Towers, the former Padres GM and current Yankees adviser, is also one of the top six.

As Mike at RAB points out, Oppenheimer, director pro scouting Billy Eppler are going to eventually leave the Yankees a for "bigger and better things". I just selfishly hope it's not now.

Hank Talks About The Playoffs

From Matt Ehalt (hat-tip to Was Watching):

Speaking Thursday at Yankee Stadium, the part-owner of the Yankees said he believes the Yankees will be defending their World Series championship come October.

"I think were doing great considering Andy's (Pettitte) out and a couple of other problems," Steinbrenner said. "Obviously, were in the toughest division by far in baseball. So its going to be a struggle down to the wire. We'd like to win the division, but I think we can be rest assured were going to get the playoffs, then its a matter of what we do from there."

...

In addition to his playoff prediction, Steinbrenner reassured fans that the Yankees will continue to operate as they always have in the future and talked about the loss of his father, the late George Steinbrenner, before the First Annual Boss Cup at Yankee Stadium yesterday afternoon.

...

"It's not difficult for all of us getting back in the business of baseball because again we still just want to win every year if we can, no different than he did," Steinbrenner said. "Business is usual, as far as that goes."

He also spoke about how great the support has been from Yankees fans regarding his father's death.

“Obviously the fans have been great,” Steinbrenner told the Daily News. “We got a lot of letters, condolence cards, sympathy cards from fans, probably more than anyone else.”

Hank did a lot to make himself look like an ass when he originally stormed onto the scene back in 2007, but since taking a step back he seems to have learned how to deal with the media. However, I don't think his father would ever have been satisfied with the Wild Card.

The Original Boss: Jacob Ruppert

From Richard Sandomir:

Keith Olbermann, the MSNBC anchor and baseball historian, said at Old-Timers’ Day last Saturday that Steinbrenner is so deserving that veterans committee voters should convene this winter rather than wait until the next scheduled election in late 2011.

But if Steinbrenner is deserving, what about Jacob Ruppert, his most important predecessor?

First with his co-owner Tillinghast L. Huston, and then as the sole owner, Ruppert established the Yankees as a dominant franchise and the sort of business that, when it thrived, was compared for its power to U.S. Steel.

If he were alive, Ruppert would be talking about the power of branding and would have understood the value of a owning a cable channel, as Steinbrenner did when he launched the YES Network.

In the Ruppert era that started with his purchasing the team in 1915 for less than $500,000 and lasted until his death in 1939, the Yankees truly became the Yankees: Babe Ruth was bought from the Boston Red Sox, Yankee Stadium was built, Lou Gehrig created his own legend, and the Yankees won seven World Series — a better postseason winning percentage over a shorter period time than Steinbrenner’s.

“Ruppert laid the foundation for this remarkable franchise,” said Marty Appel, who is writing a book about the Yankees’ history. “He had an eye for the superstars who would put fannies in the seats, as George did.”

Glenn Stout, author of “Yankees Century,” said by e-mail: “I’ve always, always thought Ruppert should have been a slam-dunk Hall of Famer.” But he said that Ruppert’s battles with the American League president Ban Johnson and anti-German sentiment after World War II might have hurt his chances of induction.

Still, he said: “How else should an owner be measured, rather than by his record and impact on the game? Ruppert qualifies on both counts.”

Ruppert was a fan who loved to see his teams roll up early leads but was savvy enough to have the right people run the franchise. From Boston, he hired Ed Barrow as his business manager (the equivalent of the general manager). Running the farm system was George Weiss, a future general manager. Weiss and Barrow were long ago elected to the Hall, as were Miller Huggins and Joe McCarthy, two of the managers during Ruppert’s reign.

“Back in the day, nobody gave owners credit for making ball clubs successful,” said John Thorn, a baseball historian. “With the Yankees, Ed Barrow got the credit.”

...

Memories of Ruppert have faded since his death. He had no children and never married. His heirs sold the Yankees in 1945 to Del Webb and Dan Topping, who had great October successes with Weiss as their general manager; Webb and Topping sold the team to CBS, which sold it to Steinbrenner.

Ruppert never made it to the veterans committee ballot until 2009, when he fell two votes short of the nine needed to be elected.

“When I was in high school and college, I thought it was remarkable that he wasn’t in the hall,” said K. Jacob Ruppert, Ruppert’s great-grandnephew. “Surely, I felt he would’ve been elected in the 1950s.”

Personally, I feel that both Steinbrenner and Ruppert should be in the Hall. It's a shame that neither man will be alive if and when that day comes.

Lupica: This Ain't George's Yankees Anymore

From Mike Lupica:

They're not your old man's Yankees anymore, and won't ever be again.

If you saw the whole movie with the old man, not just the second act, you know that is not entirely a bad thing.

For now, the people in charge of the Yankees, starting with the Steinbrenner heirs, are able to spend money and watch the money roll in. It doesn't make anybody a baseball Warren Buffett. Maybe they even watch the Yankees win a second title in a row in the fall. The old man, George Steinbrenner, came in with two straight titles, at the end of the 1970s, and that was another time when people began to assume the Yankees would be on top forever.

The way they were going to be on top forever after they won four World Series in five years through the Subway Series of 2000.

We'll see about that. And we'll see if the team is going to stay in the family forever. We hear that now. It's all over coverage in the media of Hal Steinbrenner especially, coverage that can only be described this way: Please like me best.

But the Yankees, with the old man gone, won't be evaluated, from this point forward, on what anybody says or what anybody tells us. They will be evaluated on what they do.

We will find out in different ways, the way we did this week when no Yankee players, not a single one, past or present, attended Bob Sheppard's funeral. It is not the end of the world, or a sign of one. Just quite revealing, even as the Yankees tried to blame the media. Of course.

In another time, when the old man was around, there would have been more of a Yankee presence than that. The Yankees like to Yankee things up when it suits them, and when it is good for business. Then it all becomes practically a religious ceremony. Just not Bob Sheppard's ceremony.

"George loved being in charge," a baseball team executive from another part of the country told me this week. "But he loved the Yankees more. Now you have people in charge, like Hal, and (Randy) Levine and even Brian (Cashman), who love the power."

It doesn't mean that Hal and Hank Steinbrenner and their sisters are going to decide in a couple of years to sell the team. But just because we are being told that they won't doesn't mean that they won't, even if their father dying when he did was like one last stroke of business genius, saving his kids about half-a-billion in estate taxes because of a hole in the tax laws that will surely be closed by the end of this year.

And if the politicians try to come back at families like the Steinbrenners, and somehow hit them for that tax money retroactively, it still doesn't mean they'll sell.

He goes on to praise Hal for his work on building last year's championship team, but still wonders where the team will go from here. It's a questions that I'm sure is on the minds of most Yankees fans as we officially enter the post-George era.

We'll see if there are big thinkers around now, not just big spenders. We'll see about a lot of things. For now, people say all the right things. The people around Hal try to do what they did with the old man, which means tell him what he wants to hear.

They keep calling this a family business. Only it was never that until the old man started to fade. The family business was him.

Good point. It was the Boss's business and nothing else for a long time, and if you ask me, this is all on one person and not the family as a whole. And than man is Hal Steinbrenner. He was giving the reigns when Hank proved to be nothing more than an attention grabbing loudmouth, and it will be up to Hal to continue to keep the Yankees right where they're supposed to be: at the top of the baseball world.

Hal: I want 'em all back

From Barry M. Bloom:

Despite his stance that he doesn't want to negotiate new contracts during the season, Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner said this week that captain Derek Jeter, closer Mariano Rivera and manager Joe Girardi aren't going anywhere.

"It wouldn't be my preference or my wish," Steinbrenner told MLB.com about the trio, whose contracts expire at the end of the season. "Of course, I want [Jeter and Rivera] to end their careers here. I'm glad [Jeter] has said he wants to.

"This is just a general policy of mine. I've seen too many things about contract extensions in the past that I didn't like. It's not just a policy for players and managers. It's a policy for everybody. I'm not worried about 2011 contracts right now. I've got enough to worry about. Hopefully people understand that this is just a business policy of mine and don't take it personally."

Hal Steinbrenner said he had a conversation with Girardi about his future with the organization.

"Quite frankly, I had a talk with him," Steinbrenner said. "I said, 'Joe, this is something you can't take personally. It's something I've never done. It's something I don't believe in, and I don't believe in making exceptions. But I can't imagine this team without you. So know that.' And he was fine with it. It is what is.

"I hope everybody is reasonable and we can work it out easily. But there's no doubt I want them here."

Like I said a couple months ago, unless they all have the worst seasons of their lives they're all coming back.

Yanks Finally Doing Business The Right Way

With Joba headed to the pen, many people within the organization have been sharing their opinions on the move. And whether you agree with the move or not, the good thing is at least we're hearing those opinions. Pat Borzi has a little more on this:

The pitching coach Dave Eiland spoke far more definitively than Eppler when he told The Newark Star-Ledger that for the rest of this season, “he’s in the bullpen, and he’s there to stay, period.” However, Eiland said Cashman or Manager Joe Girardi could override him.

Cashman called Eiland’s comment “an individual opinion” that Eiland, too, was entitled to offer.

In the old days, George Steinbrenner might have fired Eppler on the spot, or at least muzzled him. Now, in the paintball-and-pool-hall era, Cashman said Eppler will “absolutely” be allowed to do more interviews.

“But this has been a good growth spurt,” Cashman said. “I might disagree with his opinion, but he makes us better. I don’t want him to shy away from his opinion. Even though maybe I disagree with the variance of what he said, I want him to speak. It’s a big part of what he does.”

I miss George, or at least certain aspects of the old George, but I'm glad the Yankees now have an organization where people can speak their mind without the fear that it will lead to their dismissal. It's better for everyone if opinions can be heard and expressed freely. I'm glad that Cashman admitted that he might disagree with Eppler, but I'm even happier that he defended his right to say what he feels. With this kind of atmosphere better decisions will be made and the team will be better off.

The Boss To Attend Opening Day

From the AP:

Yankees co-chairman Hal Steinbrenner has told The Associated Press that "the plan" is for owner George Steinbrenner to attend opening day in New York on April 13.

His last trip to the stadium was for game 2 of the World Series, opening day should be his next. Number 27 was for him and he deserves to be there.

A Hank Steinbrenner Sighting

Hank Steinbrenner made a rare appearance and spoke with the AP today. He discussed several topics, including this past offseason, the Yankees chances in 2010, and Derek Jeter's future contract negotiations. Here's more from the AP via the NY Post:

Hank Steinbrenner thinks the Yankees are in a strong position to repeat as World Series champion due to the acquisition of pitcher Javier Vazquez and outfielder Curtis Granderson.
...

“The two trades that Brian did I was really pleased with and very proud of,” Steinbrenner. a team co-chairman, said Thursday. “I think that is going to make a big difference for us.” ...

“We needed another top-notch starter and got one,” Steinbrenner said.
...

Derek Jeter, who has started pre-spring training workouts at the team’s minor league complex, spent time Thursday with Hank Steinbrenner and his brother, managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner.

“I asked him his opinion, and he said, ‘It’s all about pitching,’” Hank Steinbrenner said of Jeter.

As far as Jeter's contract goes, Steinbrenner said, "We’ll get into all of that eventually. Jeter’s place in Yankee history is obvious, so I think you can pretty much assume from there.”

Sounds like Hank has no plans to let Jeter play anywhere else, which is exactly the attitude the entire organization should have regarding The Captain. It would be wrong on so many levels if Jeter were to ever play anywhere but with the Yanks.

Luxury Tax Time For Yanks

The Yankees were the only team forced to pay a luxury tax for the 2009 season, and the bill came in at just under $26 million ($25.69). Marc Carig has some more info on the luxury (Yankee) tax:

The Yankees have been billed $174 million of the tax's $190 million total since 2003. The only other teams to pay have been Boston ($13.9 million for 2004-7), Detroit ($1.3 million for 2008) and the Los Angeles Angels ($927,059 for 2004).

So the Yanks 27th championship ends up costing the organization $281.89 million. To me it was well worth it. I'm sure the Steinbrenner's feel the same way.

Hal Says Yanks Ain't Done Yet

From Pete Caldera:

After the press conference to welcome Curtis Granderson to the Bronx, which featured appearances by Alex Rodriguez and CC Sabathia, Yankees co-owner Hal Steinbrenner suggested there’s more to come. “I don’t believe we’re done yet,’’ Steinbrenner said.

I certainly hope they're not done, especially with what Boston has done and it trying to do (Adrian Gonzalez). As I've said many times, the Yankees need a DH/left field, starting pitcher, and maybe a reliever.

Yanks Brass To Meet Next Week

From Ken Davidoff:

Brian Cashman will meet with the Steinbrenners next week in Tampa - likely Thursday, Dec. 3 - to fully discuss the Yankees' offseason budget and plans, Newsday has learned.

...

"Once I get some firm numbers, then I can go ahead and start putting together some ideas," Cashman said.

Brian Cashman, Hank and Hal Steinbrenner, team president Randy Levine and COO Lonn Trost are all expected to be at the meetings. I would assume Joe Girardi will be there too, but I'm not positive about that.

Both Hal and Cashman are set at remaining a championship team while simultaneously lowering payroll.

"I think the big picture is to be real efficient with how we allocate our resources," Cashman said. "Obviously, last year showed examples of, depending who it is, we can step up in a big way. I think we're going to try to be careful. Careful doesn't mean slow. We're trying to spend it wisely, make the right commitments to use for the present and the future.''

Cashman also told Chad Jennings that while the Yankees want to also get younger, "but being younger only with the idea of getting better.”

Joe Girardi and Cashman also told Jennings that the rotation would be the first thing they have to address.

I like the approach the team appears to be taking, you?

A Statement From The Steinbrenners To The Fans

Here's an official release from Hank and Hal Steinbrenner via the Yankees:

"After the overwhelming public response to the historic achievement of our 27th World Championship, I would like to thank our fans for their highly spirited and remarkably steadfast support this season."

"The New York Yankees have long enjoyed the positive effects of the world's greatest fans. It is a real and tangible benefit to our success every day and every game. Each and every fan contributed this season, from the 3.7 million who attended our home games to the millions more who lined the 'Canyon of Heroes' for our victory parade."

"Throughout the season, the team found inspiration in the very essence of New York City and its people. By persevering and never wavering from our goal, the Yankees reflected the true spirit and determination that defines the city of New York."

Another thank you should go out to the Steinbrenners for putting such a great team on the field, and the team, managers, coaches and staff for performing like they did.

Yanks Looking To Win One For The Boss

Here's some quotes from some members of the Yankees family via George A. King III:

The Yankees know the value Steinbrenner places on defeating the Phillies to cop their 27th World Series title.

"It means a lot to him," Derek Jeter said. "He expects us to win."

"It would be a great way to honor him," general manager Brian Cashman said of beating the Phillies. "If we do, you are going to see a lot of attention surround him."

"It would mean a lot to him and it would mean a lot to the boys," [Reggie] Jackson said. "That is a very close-knit family and they understand the timing of winning this championship."

"I think it means a lot to my dad," Hal [Steinbrenner] said. "All these players are doing it for him. We want to win this whole thing for him and I think we feel he's here. He's a big part of it."

Speaking of Hal Steinbrenner, is it just me or is he getting more and more like his father?

Doesn't this sound like George: “This team played like a family all year long, They picked each other up when somebody was down. They’ve got hearts of lions. They never give up. They’ve earned this, every bit of it.”

Or this: “They’re a tough team. They’ve had a couple more days off than us. We’ll see how that plays out. But we’re pretty confident in ourselves. We got a great team. These guys get along. There’s a lot of ability, and we’re going to give them a run for their money.”

Or this: "It's not easy to get here, no matter what your payroll is or who you have on your team. But we're here and we're going to give the Phillies hell, and we expect to win a championship."

If you're not picking up on the similarities Jack Curry breaks it all down here.