The Soriano Saga
So, it sounds like the truth is that Hank, Hal and Randy Levine decided that they wanted Soriano and overruled Brian Cashman. I have no problem with that for a number of reasons.
1- I think Cashman was wrong about this decision. Yes, losing the draft pick is a downer, but this Yankee team is built for winning right now. Jeter, A-Rod, Mo, none of them are getting any younger. If the plan was to rebuild in 2011, Jeter and Rivera should not have been brought back. Since they were, I assume the plan is to go for a championship and Soriano helps them in that regard.
2- I think the Yankees structured this move brilliantly. People keep complaining about the opt-outs Soriano has because they make this a one-sided risk for the Yankees, but when is a free agent signing anything but a one-sided risk? What the Yankees have done is bet that Soriano will have a good 2011 and given him a way to cash in on that by opting out. Then the Yankees can offer arbitration and recoup the draft pick if Soriano signs elsewhere and would you expect a Scott Boras client not to opt-out if he could? Now, if Soriano gets hurt or sucks, the Yankees are stuck with him for at least another year, but that's the risk with any free agent signing. (Not to open a different can of worms, but I am sort of plagiarizing myself here because I felt the same way in 2008)
3- Ultimately, this is their team. Cashman works for the Steinbrenners, not the other way around. I think people tend to see "Steinbrenner" and "overrule the GM" in the same sentence and think back to the reign of George. But these cats are different. Hal is not his father and he runs the ship. I see this as an anomaly instead of the start of a new (or old) way of doing business.
4- Jon Heyman pointed out in one of his stories that even with the signing of Soriano, the Yankees have $20 million left in their 2011 budget. Even if Andy Pettitte comes back, you have to figure they have money to spend. Now, just because they have money to spend, doesn't mean they should spend it, but go back to point #1. This move made them better and they can afford it.
Comments
Peter, aren't those rose colored glasses you are looking through?
If you owned a business, wouldn't it make sense to pick a general manager and stick with his decisions?
I have no problem with your arguments on 1 and 2, but # 3 I take issue with. Sure it is the Steinbrenner's team, but like any owner, what does Hal know about baseball? Sure he has watched a bunch of games, but is he a scout? Has he spent years driving from town to town working with other scouts while watching amateur baseball talent? Has he been a minor league scout?
I'm sure Hal is a smart dude, but when I think of owner interference, I think of Al Davis. That's not a good thing...at least it isn't now.
Posted by: Andy![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 16, 2011 11:44 PM
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Andy
If you owned a business and you thought your hand-picked GM was making a big mistake, what would you do?
If they keep overruling him, then there is a problem. But, I can't get too worked up over 1 decision in the six years they have run the team.
(BTW- Al Davis was a scout and is also in the HOF, but I get your point)
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 17, 2011 12:47 AM
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I was initially excited about these deal, but am starting to feel a bit dubious. The opt out after one year is a crock. That, and Soriano's attitude problems in Tampa Bay, tell me that he is not fully committed to the concept of team.
Hopefully, guys like Posada, Rivera, Jeter, Sabathia, and Texeira can beat him (or shame him) into shape.
Posted by: Corey | January 17, 2011 10:48 PM |