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December 4, 2007 »

Day One of the baseball meetings: Nothing new to report on Santana, other notes

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

NASHVILLE -- Notes from the first day of baseball's winter meetings . . .

-- General manager Theo Epstein had nothing new to report on trade talks with the Twins for Johan Santana. When asked if he would set a timetable for Minnesota to accept or reject the Sox' offer, as the Yankees say they've done, Epstein replied: ''We're pretty content where we are. I don't think anything's being held up (by talks with the Twins). If that changes, we wouldn't hesitate putting a timetable on it. But that doesn't apply right now.''

--- Epstein is less busy at these meetings than he's been in the past, and he admits, ''The phone's ringing less -- with the exception of a few players of ours thought to be available -- than in previous years.'' He was seen in the lobby today, a rarity, and said, ''We decided to walk the lobby and try to get something started. It didn't work.

''Obviously, we made some calls and talked to a couple of teams about deals, and to some agents. For us, most of our roles to be filled are reserve roles. That part of the market usually settles later.''

-- When asked if he'd be disappointed if the Red Sox left here without making a deal, he said, ''We don't have to execute transactions to make us feel good. We're satisfied as long as we explore the possibilities.''

-- Reliever Craig Hansen had a surgical procedure to correct sleep apnea. He can't work out in the immediate aftermath of the surgery, but after Jan. 1 he's going to be in California working out daily.

-- Minor-league outfield and baserunning coordinator Lou Frazier has taken a job with the Pirates as first-base coach.

-- All members of the Sox' coaching staff have agreed to new contracts. Not all have signed, but all will return.

-- Terry Francona was named Manager of the Year today by Baseball America. ''That's very well deserved,'' said Epstein. ''Sometimes for teams that are expected to contend, the manager gets overlooked. I'm glad Baseball America didn't overlook Tito. He did a fantastic job, as he has every year, and we're very proud of him.''

Posted by Art Martone  at 7:39 PM | Permalink

Red Sox release statement congratulating Dick Williams on his selection to the Hall of Fame

The Red Sox released the following statement tonight:

''The Boston Red Sox extend their congratulations to Dick Williams on his election today to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

''We are proud that his Hall of Fame managerial career began right here in Boston. It was 40 years ago that a 38-year-old manager in his first major league season guided a club that finished in ninth place in 1966 to the American League pennant and to within one game of a World Championship.

''That 'Impossible Dream' season changed baseball forever in Boston, creating a passion that continues to live four decades later.

''Dick Williams was selected to the Red Sox Hall of Fame a year ago. Today, he has received the ultimate tribute with enshrinement in Cooperstown. And hopefully, he will be joined by another Red Sox great, Jim Rice, when the induction ceremony takes place in July.''

RED SOX HALL OF FAMER CARL YASTRZEMSKI ON DICK WILLIAMS’ ELECTION TO COOPERSTOWN: "I want to congratulate Dick Williams on his election to the Hall of Fame. It was long overdue. He worked hard, and he proved to me and my teammates that 1967 was a year we will never forget. It was an honor to play for him."

Posted by Art Martone  at 7:25 PM | Permalink

Pettitte coming back to Yanks; Steinbrenner says he won't be 'played' by Twins

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Andy Pettitte decided to pitch for the New York Yankees in 2008 and put off retirement.

Pettitte's agent, Randy Hendricks, said Monday that the 35-year-old left-hander had started telling teammates on Sunday. Hendricks then informed Yankees general manager Brian Cashman of the news.

Hendricks said Yankees captain Derek Jeter and catcher Jorge Posada had lobbied Pettitte to return, and the pitcher consulted his wife.

"Players such as Jeter and Posada told him how much they needed him back, as did Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi," Hendricks said. "Andy decided this weekend that he didn't want to keep the Yankees on hold as they sought to determine their team for next year."

The decision came as the Yankees set a Monday deadline for the Minnesota Twins to decide whether they will trade them two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana for pitcher Phil Hughes, center fielder Melky Cabrera and a midlevel prospect.

Pettitte had declined a $16 million option last month, saying he needed more time, and Posada said last week that Pettitte was leaning toward retirement. The pitcher had said late in the season that it had become increasingly difficult to be away from his family during the season.
Pettitte was 15-9 with a 4.05 ERA this year in his return to the Yankees following three seasons with his hometown Houston Astros. He went 11-3 after the All-Star break and was New York's most effective starter during the first-round playoff loss to Cleveland, pitching 6 1-3 scoreless innings in Game 2.

New York had said it could wait until next month for Pettitte to make a decision. Cashman said the $16 million option Pettitte declined was a standing offer.

All of the Yankees' major free agents have now decided to return, with Pettitte following Posada, third baseman Alex Rodriguez and closer Mariano Rivera. The only major change thus far as been replacing manager Joe Torre with Girardi.

New York's projected rotation now includes Pettitte, Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina, Hughes and Joba Chamberlain, with Ian Kennedy in reserve. But Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner said Sunday his preference was to make the deal for Santana, which would give New York a stronger ace as it competes to regain the AL East title from the World Series champion Boston Red Sox.

Still, Steinbrenner said he wasn't going to wait until past Monday for the Twins to decide.
Boston also is competing for Santana. The Red Sox are thought to have offered a package that would include pitcher Jon Lester or center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury but not both. Center fielder Coco Crisp also could be part of a trade.

"I'm not going to be played against the Red Sox. That's not something I'll do. That's not something the Yankees should ever do, and that's I think what they're trying to do now," Steinbrenner said. "So if they want the best offer that has been offered to them, then they need to make up their minds."

Steinbrenner wouldn't set a specific time Monday for pulling out.

"We'll see how it goes, but this is not an act. It's not a bluff. It's just reality," he said. "Because as much as I want Santana, and you can make that clear - for his sake, to know that I do want him - but the fact is that I'm not going to play the game. We've made them the best offer. And at this point, it's not going to get any better. So they can decide. At this point, it's up to them. I don't think they want to lose us in this thing, obviously. Nobody wants to lose the Yankees in a negotiation."

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 11:18 AM | Permalink