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Baseball News from L.A. Times

In an interview with Larry King, the Dodgers manager doesn’t directly address what could be a key issue: Whether his tell-all book about Yankees will affect his relationship with his current players.

Dodgers Manager Joe Torre didn’t directly address whether his controversial new book about the New York Yankees would affect his relationship with his current team during an appearance Friday night on CNN’s “Larry King Live.”  Continue reading on L.A. Times

Not quite sure what Joe was expecting after throwing his old team under the bus, but when you write a book detailing the deficiencies of your former team, you better expect a reaction.

I think most people are flabbergasted at just how Torre has downplayed his former players in the new book.  Ultimately, suggesting that it was the players attitudes and difficulties that left the New York Yankees in shambles this decade.

Former players, including David Wells, suggest just the opposite however… he has been saying that Torre didn’t do crap while he was there.  He basically ignored the “issue” players and generally didn’t manage the team.

Baseball News from L.A. Times

On heels of Sabathia and Burnett signings, New York agrees to an eight-year deal with free-agent first baseman.  The New York Yankees flexed their financial muscles — again — Tuesday, stunning the baseball world by snagging first baseman Mark Teixeira with an eight-year, $180 million deal, outbidding their archrivals, the Boston Red Sox, and the Angels in the process. Continue reading on L.A. Times

Put me on the list of people who think this signing is another reason the New York Yankees are ruining baseball.  They give players the unrealistic expectation that they are worth far more than their real value.  They give the agents a leg up on all negotiations w/ other teams, because they can always fall back on the Yankees if they have a top-name free agent.

In this case, Mark Teixeira is in no way worth the 3rd highest non-pitcher contract in MLB history - behind other Yankees, Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter.  Mark is a journeyman 1st baseman who has been traded more times in the past year and a half than a white elephant gift this Christmas.  Sure, he is an offensive threat and a pretty good 1st baseman, but he is not worth that much money… The Yankees paid him $20 million more than the Boston Red Sox had bid.  That in itself, should tell you how ridiculous this signing is by New York.  WIth their other recent acquisitions, the New York Yankees payroll increased over $400 million for 3 players - 3 freakin’ players.

The signing is no guarantee that the Yankees will win - shoot, it hasn’t worked the past 8 yrs so why would it now.  While I will still root for the Yankees in general, there will be a part of me that hopes they crash & burn again this year.  Only this time, I hope that the organization is somehow affected financially and they are forced to start changing their free-spending ways.

Baseball News from L.A. Times

Magic number for clinching the AL West title remains at two, as Damon homers twice and Rodriguez adds a three-run blast to lead New York.

Johnny Damon homered twice, Alex Rodriguez added a three-run shot and New York defeated the Angels, 7-1, Tuesday night at Angel Stadium, keeping their AL West title celebration on ice.

Continue reading on L.A. Times

Unfortunately for New York, it is too late to stay in the MLB playoff race - they are done. It should be interesting, however, to see how well they play to close out the season. Perhaps it will give hope to Yankees fans for next year, since their beloved team (w/ the highest payroll) will miss the postseason and World Series.

On the other hand, the Angels are rolling and appear to be the favorite in the AL. The Red Sox and maybe the (young) Devil Rays will present a challenge, but it is looking like the Angels will be in the World Series. No guarantees here… there never are, but they certainly have the best chance at this point.

The New York Yankees bolstered their chances of making the playoffs by acquiring Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte from the Pirates. The trade gives the Yankees another outfielder who will improve the batting lineup and a reliever who will be a welcome change to the bullpen.

While the trade is by no means a guarantee that New York will reach the playoffs, it puts them a leg up for the 2nd half of the season. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays are showing signs that they’re just not ready to lead the division and the Boston Red Sox are going through some “Manny” problems, so the Yankees are primed to take over.

Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte were with the Yankees and ready to play against the Boston Red Sox after New York finalized a six-player trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday. The Yankees are sending top outfield prospect Jose Tabata and minor league right-handers Dan McCutchen, Jeff Karstens and Ross Ohlendorf to Pittsburgh.

Continue reading on Yahoo Sports