Fastball Fans

Mariano Rivera: He’s pissed according to CNNsi’s John Heyman. Mariano is not happy at how the Yankees have handled the Bernie Williams situation.

Responding to a question about whether he’s surprised that Williams didn’t receive a guaranteed deal from the Yankees, Rivera responded, “Surprised? Yes … I think Bernie shouldn’t be treated that way. But who am I to say?” … “”Bernie should be here with his bat,” Rivera said, emphatically.â€?He had a great year last year, and he helped us a lot. I guess that’s the business side of baseball.” (CNNsi.com)

Wow. He said a whole lot right there.

The mentality of the Yankees is changing, and it sure isn’t based on sentimentalism. The team is looking to turn over a new leaf, and Bernie obviously is not in the plan. Cashman wants to get the team to get younger, and that’s ruffling a few feather in Yankee-land.

For all you Yankee fans, what do you think?

Carlos Wants to be Paid: Carlos wants a deal before the season or he’s done with the Cubs.

This is what he says:

“Whatever happens, I don’t want to know [anything] about a contract during the season. I want to sign with the Cubs before the season starts,” the Cubs’ pitching ace said in an interview on WGN-TV. “If they don’t sign me, sorry, but I must go. That’s what Carlos Zambrano thinks.”

Geez. The Cubs should just lock him up now. Then again, after you spent $300 million on contracts, and not even assured of a World Series, I’d be hesitant too.

Nevertheless, sign him or the Cubs will pay big time later, and I mean in the win-loss column.

Padres sign a Veteran Marine: I think this story is cool. The San Diego Padres signed Cooper Brannan, a veteran of the War in Iraq who lost a finger (his pinky) in the conflict.

Stieren said Padres general manager Kevin Towers “was adamant that we were doing this because of his potential, not because it was a great story. (CNNsi.com)

I say, if he’s got potential, sign him. In an era of spoiled athletes who commit crimes and lack humility, you only have to root hard for a guy like Cooper Brannan to make the big leagues.

Ron Villone: Ron Villone has agreed to a minor-league deal with the Yankees. He stands to make $2.5 million if he makes the club, which is likely, and an additional $300,000 in incentives based on games pitched.

Goeff Geary: Right-handed pitcher Geoff Geary agreed to a one-year contract worth $837,500 with the Phillies on Tuesday, thus avoiding arbitration.

More Drama in Yankee-Land: This is what CNNsi.com’s Truth and Rumors has in their section about the Yankees.

Mariano Rivera a Red Sox? It could happen. Sitting in his car outside Legends Field yesterday, Rivera was asked by The Post if he could be Boston’s closer next year. You never know,” said Rivera, who is determined to become a free agent.
– New York Post

Yankees GM Brian Cashman has nothing but respect for Mariano Rivera, but that doesn’t mean he’s planning to give the future Hall of Famer a contract extension before the end of the season.
– New York Daily News

It’s interesting what’s going on in NYC and I don’t know the picture of dysfunction and disappointment is being painted by the media, or if it’s true, but if the Yankees don’t change the outward appearance, the Red Sox will use it to their advantage in the Hundred Years’ Plus War. It looks like Cashman is doing things his way now, and it may not be all that good with some of the Yankee brass.

Dmitri Young and Tony Batista Back in the Majors? Well, the Nationals have reached and once again have gone into the bargain bin, this time getting two more veterans looking for a second chance. According to the Washington Post’s Dave Shenin, the team has signed veterans Tony Batista and Dmitri Young to minor league deals. If both men make the Nats’s squad, they will possibly make for a much deeper bench than envisioned initially for the team.