Well, not a complete overhaul obviously, but he's looking at a few very good starting pitchers and the coaching staff right now:
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Yankees: Boss says Go after Johnson
Vazquez may be lure to get lefty; Pedro also of interest
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
BY DAN GRAZIANO
Star-Ledger Staff
The first day of the Yankees' organizational meetings in Tampa, Fla., dragged into the night, with team executives meeting with owner George Steinbrenner over dinner at Malio's steakhouse. And while Joe Torre's coaching staff is likely to be the first item on the team's off-season agenda, there were some big names kicking around the table.
According to a baseball official with knowledge of the discussion, Steinbrenner asked his front office about rekindling their summer pursuit of Arizona Diamondbacks ace left-hander Randy Johnson, even if it means giving up on Javier Vazquez.
Steinbrenner also asked about the team's chances of signing Boston right-hander Pedro Martinez, who will be a free agent, and about the availability of Oakland aces Tim Hudson and Barry Zito.
Team executives are down on the idea of Martinez, who doesn't throw as hard as he used to throw and is loathed in the Yankees clubhouse. Zito also hasn't pitched up to his 2002 Cy Young standards over the past two seasons, and most people seem to believe the A's will sign Hudson to an extension.
But Johnson is the guy Steinbrenner has coveted all year, and the Yankees' inability to make a trade for the Big Unit in July was one of the big disappointments of the season until the playoffs.
The Diamondbacks scouted the Yankees' minor-league system in July but found nothing they considered worthy of acquiring in exchange for Johnson. That situation hasn't improved, but the Yankees are considering a couple of possible scenarios that could land the big lefty.
First, they could dangle Vazquez, who had a disappointing second half of his first Yankee season. Vazquez has three years and $34.5 million left on his contract, but if Arizona likes Vazquez, the Yankees might not have to pay any. Vazquez's $10.5 million salary next year would be a savings from the $17 million they owe Johnson, and Vazquez, at 28, is 13 years younger.
There are people in the Yankees' front office who believe Vazquez is a good enough pitcher to someday be a No. 1 starter for the Yankees, but Steinbrenner always gets the final say.
Another possibility -- one the Yankees explored back in July when they discussed getting Brad Penny from Florida and flipping him to Arizona for Johnson -- is getting a third team involved.
The Chicago White Sox this week expressed some interest in Johnson, but it's believed they can't afford him and would only be acquiring him in order to deal him elsewhere.
The Yankees also are expected to explore the free-agent pitching market, with David Wells, Carl Pavano, Derek Lowe and Martinez looming as potential targets.
As for the coaching staff, the Yankees continue to wait to see if Willie Randolph gets the Mets' managerial job and creates a bench coach vacancy.
They also continue to wait to see what happens with pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre, who could decide to retire but also might not be asked back. There has been talk of firing bullpen coach Rich Monteleone.
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Yankees: Boss says Go after Johnson
Vazquez may be lure to get lefty; Pedro also of interest
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
BY DAN GRAZIANO
Star-Ledger Staff
The first day of the Yankees' organizational meetings in Tampa, Fla., dragged into the night, with team executives meeting with owner George Steinbrenner over dinner at Malio's steakhouse. And while Joe Torre's coaching staff is likely to be the first item on the team's off-season agenda, there were some big names kicking around the table.
According to a baseball official with knowledge of the discussion, Steinbrenner asked his front office about rekindling their summer pursuit of Arizona Diamondbacks ace left-hander Randy Johnson, even if it means giving up on Javier Vazquez.
Steinbrenner also asked about the team's chances of signing Boston right-hander Pedro Martinez, who will be a free agent, and about the availability of Oakland aces Tim Hudson and Barry Zito.
Team executives are down on the idea of Martinez, who doesn't throw as hard as he used to throw and is loathed in the Yankees clubhouse. Zito also hasn't pitched up to his 2002 Cy Young standards over the past two seasons, and most people seem to believe the A's will sign Hudson to an extension.
But Johnson is the guy Steinbrenner has coveted all year, and the Yankees' inability to make a trade for the Big Unit in July was one of the big disappointments of the season until the playoffs.
The Diamondbacks scouted the Yankees' minor-league system in July but found nothing they considered worthy of acquiring in exchange for Johnson. That situation hasn't improved, but the Yankees are considering a couple of possible scenarios that could land the big lefty.
First, they could dangle Vazquez, who had a disappointing second half of his first Yankee season. Vazquez has three years and $34.5 million left on his contract, but if Arizona likes Vazquez, the Yankees might not have to pay any. Vazquez's $10.5 million salary next year would be a savings from the $17 million they owe Johnson, and Vazquez, at 28, is 13 years younger.
There are people in the Yankees' front office who believe Vazquez is a good enough pitcher to someday be a No. 1 starter for the Yankees, but Steinbrenner always gets the final say.
Another possibility -- one the Yankees explored back in July when they discussed getting Brad Penny from Florida and flipping him to Arizona for Johnson -- is getting a third team involved.
The Chicago White Sox this week expressed some interest in Johnson, but it's believed they can't afford him and would only be acquiring him in order to deal him elsewhere.
The Yankees also are expected to explore the free-agent pitching market, with David Wells, Carl Pavano, Derek Lowe and Martinez looming as potential targets.
As for the coaching staff, the Yankees continue to wait to see if Willie Randolph gets the Mets' managerial job and creates a bench coach vacancy.
They also continue to wait to see what happens with pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre, who could decide to retire but also might not be asked back. There has been talk of firing bullpen coach Rich Monteleone.
I know he had a bad year, but he pitched well in the first half. I don't know if it's the pressure, or just all mechanical problems that can be worked out, but you have to give him more than one season.l
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