Report: Girardi & Mattingly Dead Even

ESPN isn't just preaching style over substance in Bristol, now they're stressing unprofessionalism:

The Yankees have barred ESPN from news media conference calls with their managerial candidates this week. The move was in retaliation for the network violating rules covering last week’s call on which it was announced Joe Torre had turned down a contract offer.

Jon Heyman dissed Torre in his last piece, this one judges the Yankees managerial race as a dead heat, "50-50" draw.

One person familiar with the high-level Yankees’ discussions recently called the managerial decision at “50-50,’’ and while that shouldn’t be taken literally, there are signs that they have strong feelings about both Mattingly and Girardi.

Ten of the Yankees’ baseball operations people have been meeting and providing their personal input to general manager Brian Cashman, who will compile the votes and make a recommendation to the trio of Steinbrenners and other Yankees bosses, possibly as early as Thursday.

The word Wednesday was that Cashman’s recommendation will likely be accepted as the new manager, and if Cashman’s recommendation will indeed carry the day, Girardi’s chances to upset the favored Mattingly may be real. The “baseball ops’’ people, presumably including Cashman, were actually said to have favored Girardi if a change were made early in the season when the Yankees got off to a dreadful start.

And Buster Olney believes the next Yankee manager should and will be Joe Girardi.

(source)

Heyman: Torre Not That Innocent

In a trigger-happy column, SI.com's Jon Heyman reports the Yankees offered Joe Torre a $4.5 million contract during Spring training.

Japanese FAs May Be Bullpen Options

Masahide Kobayashi is a 33 year-old closer in Japan. He has a plus fastball that can touch 96 mph, a good splitter and an average slider. He is no spring chicken, but every bullpen in baseball could use a helping hand, especially the one rotting in the Bronx this Winter. Here's a report from Fantasy Baseball Cafe:

Masahide Kobayashi, record-setting, 6' 0", 172 lb., 33-year-old, righty closer will be a free agent after the 2007 season. After Iwase, and with Ishii on the mend, Kobayashi is likely the best readily available relief pitcher. A converted starter, Kobayashi was the first Japanese closer to achieve 20 saves in 6 consecutive seasons. He also had 33 consecutive saves in 2002, and has 200 career saves in seven years as the closer of the Chiba Lotte Marines. The fact that he will not need to be posted makes him even more attractive. Kobayashi has stated in the past that he deos not really enjoy America but that could easily change with the right contract and team. He has good control and is armed with a prototypical closer's arsenal containing a 95 mph fastball and slider. Kobayashi also has a split-finger fastball which he uses to keep left-handers off balance.

If signed as a free agent, Kobayashi could earn around $5 - 7 million dollars a year.

Kobayashi's 2007 showed potential for decline, but his raw stuff may still translate. He is far from a sure thing, but certainly worth a second look considering the dearth of middle relief available this year and year's past.

As is the case with Kobayashi, Yomiuri Giants veteran Koji Uehara is a free agent this offseason. Uehara was the Japanese version of Greg Maddux. Cunning, talented, poised and exhibiting tremendous control. He does not throw hard, 89-92 mph, but may command a respectable deal from a major league club, especially considering he was converted to closer in 2007 due to a nagging hamstring injury. He responded well, to say the least. Uehara struck out 66 batters in 62 total innings and walked only four, earned 32 saves, a 1.74 ERA and BAA of .204 in 55 games. At 32 years old, he isn't very young either, but he's been on MLB's radar for years now as a reliable professional pitcher.

Because I do not believe Kosuke Fukudome to be anything other than a more athletic outfield version of Akinori Iwamura. He will not hit 50 homers in the States and may not notch 20 his rookie season. Another pitcher available (via posting) this offseason is Hiroki Kuroda, who throws a fastball between 91-93mph along with a slider, shuto, forkball and splitter. He doesn't strike out many per nine innings, but is a reliable arm in Japanese competition.

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My #1 addition to the 2008 bullpen would be a healthy Mark Melancon, with JB Cox serving as a distant #2. Humberto Sanchez will not return from elbow surgery for some time, though there are several other potential bullpen powerarms in the minors. Guys like Kevin Whelan - when throwing strikes - would apply.

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Wedge, Shapiro Looking Alike

Usually lookalike collages are corny. Often times they're inaccurate with one looking nothing like the other. However, on occasion there is an uncanny resemblance. While changing channels between the Steelers-Broncos game and Indians-Red Sox game, a few of these doppelgangers came to mind. Below are Cleveland Indians GM Mark Shapiro with NFL twin Jeff Garcia; and Indians skipper Eric Wedge with NFL counterpart Jeff Fassel.

Let me know what you think. Carbon-copy? or delusional comparison?

Pipe Down Lil' Stein

Congratulations to Hank and Hal Steinbrenner for being handed the keys to the one of the most successful sports franchises in history. Along with the clout comes a boost in ego, a leap in confidence, and an opportunity for excess beyond Jim Morrison's wildest dreams.

Unfortunately, tact and self-awareness do not come with the gig. As Hank Steinbrenner illustrates after a week on the job, it's never too early to exercise these new privileges. After Joe Torre's farewell press conference alluded to a sense of disrespect for the four-time World Series champion, Hank did his best Randy Levine impression, pretending he's earned any right to undermine personnel in place for the last decade plus.

"Where was Joe's career in '95 when my dad hired him?" said the new Boss. "My dad was crucified for hiring him.

"Let's not forget what my dad did in giving him that opportunity - and the great team he was handed," Steinbrenner told The Post by phone from Tampa, Fla.

Come on now. Where were you in '95 Hank? Oh that's right, heaving hay to horses down in Florida. Looks like the Yankees may not lose much ground once George fully relinquishes the Yankee kingdom. Hank already displays the type of blind entitlement his father became famous for as the Bronx burned.

Had Torre been an excellent manager before joining the Yankees in 1996? No, in all honesty, Torre was a horrific manager with the Mets, satisfactory with St. Louis and above average in Atlanta. However, his style fit in perfectly with the 1990's dynasty and consequently pronounced Torre untouchable from baseball foreigners like Hanky.

Like him or not, George established himself as "The Boss" and oversaw six world championships during the journey. Now he wants Donnie Baseball managing in 2008, but even Big Stein would remind Hank he'll have to do more than saddle Bellamy Road before trying to saddlebag a Hall of Famer like Joe Torre.

Mattingly Southbound

From Yankees.com comes a statement from The Hitman's agent:

Don Mattingly will travel to New York next week to interview for the Yankees' managerial vacancy, his agent has confirmed.

"Don confirmed his interest and will travel to Tampa early next week to meet with Yankee ownership. No other details are available tonight." said Ray Schulte.

"I think there are some people that can step in and make the transition easier for some guys," Johnny Damon told the New York Daily News. "I know Don Mattingly is a guy that everybody on the team has great respect for, and I think if it's not going to be Joe, a lot of players are probably hoping it's Donnie. He's learned a lot from Joe, he works hard -- I think Donnie's ready."

Steinbrenner told the AP that the Yankees did not expect to make a final decision until after the World Series.

Further, Cashman announced he reached out to two other potential candidates for the job in Joe Girardi and Tony Pena. Pete Abraham believes Mattingly to be the most plausible choice. Regardless of how many years Donnie spent away from his Indiana horse farm and how much currency he has with Yankee fans, it still seems that Girardi is the best candidate for the job.

Going on the brief quotes Cashman offered the media, it appears he will waste zero time in finding Joe Torre's replacement. Torre's appearance on WFAN offered an even more succinct and revealing report from Joe, in which he alluded to Randy Levine's cowardly, weasel-like existence.

Yankees Managerial Candidate Lost

Trey Hillman, former Yankees minor league manager, Texas farm director and world champion Japanese baseball manager, will become the manager of the Kansas City Royals next season. Although a darkhorse, Hillman was a trendy pick to become the next Yankees manager.

From MLB.com:

The Kansas City Royals today announced they have reached an agreement on a multi-year contract with Trey Hillman as manager. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Hillman, 44, is currently managing the Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan’s Pacific League and will be introduced to the Kansas City media in a 2:00 p.m. press conference on Monday afternoon in the interview room at Kauffman Stadium.

Hillman may become a plausible candidate down the line, but to me, it's still a two horse race between Girardi and the Hitman.

Torre 2PM Press Conference

Joe Torre's press conference announcing his farewell from the Yankees organization has several significant pieces of information. Here are a few tidbits I found to be interesting.

• Like myself and most Yankee fans, Torre does not like Randy Levine. When asked about his relationship with Levine, Torre explained that he doesn't deal with him, he deals with the general manager.

• Over these past couple weeks, Brian Cashman seemed to be of the few and maybe only voice which stood up in Torre's defense. That's something which shouldn't go unnoticed.

• Torre felt George Steinbrenner was "nudged" into this consensus decision. He probably could have stated that The Boss is not in his best health, but as he always has, Torre took the high road on that topic.

• Joe may be somewhat resentful toward the organization, but you would never know it considering how engaging and humorous he continued to be. Several times Torre got choked up, but refused to break down when talking about his players and family.

Holy $@!%, He Turned It Down

Joe Torre turned down the one-year offer made to him today. The contract included a club option for 2009, but included a paycut from $7 million to $5million in base salary. There were, however, incentives which would have paid Torre $1 million for making the playoffs, another million for getting into the ALCS and a final million for getting to the World Series. Meaning, the contract offer was potentially worth $8 million for next year.

It will be interesting to see what Torre says, if anything, about his decision. Though it's not out of the realm of possibility that New York modifies its offer to a guaranteed $7 million contract, it appears from what Brian Cashman and others said that the Yankees are already moving toward Torre's replacement.

Shocking development.

TOUCHDOWN !

Manny Ramirez likes to physically celebrate homeruns that move his team within four runs of an opponent who's on the verge of a 3-1 lead in a playoff series. He likes to celebrate them as if he just had a Joe Carter World Series walk-off moment.

Manny Ramirez likes to discuss the postseason brink by expressing an ALCS failure is not the end of the world. Not sure this is what Red Sox fans would like to hear on the eve of an elimination game.

Manny Ramirez is not the sharpest tool in the shed. The guy carried a Poland Spring bottle in his back pocket... while patrolling leftfield... while a game was going on. You just can't take him seriously.

As Bronx Banter expertly relayed, the guy is an idiot savant when it comes to hitting. His god-given ability is off the charts. He will go down in history as one of the greatest RBI men. One who can hit for a .325 average, crank 40 homers or take an outside pitch to the opposite field. There is absolutely no denying his greatness at the plate. But, one of his greatest strengths is his dubious mentality. As Banter notes, pitchers have problems getting into Manny's head because, "You can't outsmart a dumb guy."

Similarly, he's attained the mindset of an prepubescent boy. And with this immaturity, Ramirez expects certain privileges. Like immunity from criticism. For example, if your 11 year-old son, brother or nephew jumped up and down after slugging a walk-off whiffle ball homer, would you scold him? Of course not. The same applies for Manny. If your 10 year-old second cousin decided Pizza Hut was more important than little league, you'd have to acknowledge his disinterest.

Unfortunately, the rest of his teammates have never and never will enjoy his antics as much as Manny does. The frustration of Boston beat-reporters who've grown accustomed to Ramirez avoiding critical media attention has boiled over into the player-personnel department. Mike Lowell is one of them:

“I’ve got to ask him about the hands up (watching at the plate) in a 7-2 (game). I don’t really understand that one, but that’s him.”

Lowell will probably ask Manny about it because he doesn't want to take a two-out fastball to the earhole of his batting helmet tonight.

In the meantime, the Indians passive-aggressively delivered a below-the-belt shot of their own. Before tonight's game, God Bless America will be sung by country music singer Danielle Peck, who previously dated Josh Beckett. The Indians claim Peck's appearance is a coincidence. Right, just like having an expert entymologist inform Cleveland's coaching staff that the swarming midges which derailed Joba Chamberlain are attracted to bugspray... is coincidental.

From Tom Verducci's piece:

You've probably heard too much already about those infamous sacrifice flies of Cleveland, the mighty midges that, unlike almost all AL hitters, knocked Yankees phenom Joba Chamberlain off his game. But this is too good not to pass on: When the bugs started swarming Chamberlain, a local insect expert in Cleveland telephoned the Indians with an urgent message -- those bugs are called midges, and whatever you do, do NOT use insect repellent; midges are attracted to the stuff. The Yankees practically bathed in bug spray; the more Chamberlain put on, the more the bugs swarmed him. So there you go. The Yankees can spend $190 million on payroll and still leave a blatant weakness: no, not their middle relief -- their lack of an entymology expert.

Tough pill to swallow. Not to say that New York would have won the series had Chamberlain made it through the 8th inning unscathed, but it would have been dead even going back to the Bronx. Have to like their chances within that scenario, but Cleveland deserves much credit as they simply outplayed the Bombers when it counted.
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Torre Will Return

UPDATE 3:55 pm

Torre will receive a one-year contract with a club option for a second year. It is being reported that he will also take a pay cut from the $7 million annual salary of year's past.

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Updating the last post, Joe Torre arrived in Tampa and entered Legends Field in what is expected to be a meeting discussing a contract extension. The conversation will likely revolve around the length of the deal, either one or two years.

Torre just landed here, in what could be the surest sign that a new deal with the Yankees brass is imminent.

Torre, wearing a dress shirt with sleeves rolled up, departed from Westchester this morning and landed here in a private jet at the Hawker Beechcraft Services airport at 1:26 p.m. He was accompanied by GM Brian Cashman and Yankees COO Lonn Trost.

As WFAN opined, another topic the Yankees could discuss pertains to the 2008 assistant coaching staff, particularly Ron Guidry as pitching coach.

In conjunction with a Torre return, George S. Steinbrenner III will officially recede into the shadows, abdicating his throne in Yankeeland and signaling the forward march of his sons.

Torre May Return

The Mike and The Mad Dog show on WFAN radio is insinuating that close sources to the Yankees believe Joe Torre may very well be locked in talks to return for his thirteenth season in pinstripes. Nothing specific was reported, but John Filippelli, the president of the YES Network, was mentioned several times. Nothing's been done yet, but it would appear Don Mattingly will remain the "manager in waiting" as Joe Girardi remains the odd man out.

Forget Joe, It's Clueless John

On Sunday, Mike Francesa of WFAN radio fame, presented a panel discussion on his tv show Mike'd Up. The topic of course revolved around Joe Torre's future. The three guests comprising the panel included Mark Feinsand of The Daily News, Sweeny Murti of FAN and "the voice" of the New York Yankees, John Sterling.

I will preface my remarks by understanding Sterling is reported to be a kind individual whose forged a friendship with Torre. Supporting a friend during hard times is to be commended. However, some comprehension of the Yankees current situation is expected, especially when you've broadcast in the Bronx since 1989. One would think with such longevity comes an inside perspective which even the best beat writers cannot attain.

Unfortunately, Sterling's homerism seems to have given way to blissful ignorance. Some of his comments made in the Mike'd Up video clip are absurd, even reminiscent of Chip Caray's cluelessness. Here are some of Sterling's responses.

When asked if Torre had any Yankees upper-management figures capable of persuading decision makers into bringing the skipper back, Sterling had this to say:

"Well I think that George would be his ally."

To which, Francesa responded, "But George is the guy who said he's gone!"

Guess Sterling missed this whole mess.

Then, when asked if he felt Alex Rodriguez would be a Yankee in 2008, Sterling actually believed the Yankees could sign him to $25 million a season for five years. John, please, come back to us. Rodriguez would get $25million a year for fifthteen years before he signs a five-year deal. How can he be that lost?

Is This Bush League Too?

(NoMaas.org)

That's what everybody called it when Alex Rodriguez slapped the ball out of Bronson Arroyo's glove during Game 6 of the 2004 ALCS. Guess when a 5-foot rookie making $25 million less does the exact same thing it's just gritty play.

Even Red Sox fans agree. Right Mikey?

What A Circus

In the photo above, Yankees beat reporters dubiously wait outside of Legends Field. Unbeknownst to the New York inkblotches, the (second) meeting took place at George Steinbrenner's Tampa residence, forcing sportswriters to join in on the Yankees rendition of the Keystone Cops.

Hal and Hank Steinbrenner were in attendence. As were son-in-law Felix Lopez, scout extroidinaire Stick Michael, GM Brian Cashman and obviously The Boss himself.

Once the afternoon worked its way near the early bird special, the meeting adjourned. Was the status of 12-year manager Joe Torre decided? Nope. Had a replacement skipper found his way to the forefront? Of course not. In fact, the conclusion to the meeting had Steinbrenner's mouthpiece, Howard Rubenstein, inform the media that they had no new information.

In the meantime, Torre can look forward to Day 9 of twisting in the wind. The Geneva Convention was brief compared to this trumped up version of baseball egomania. From denied comments stemming from Don Mattingly's "close friend" to the availability of Leo Mazzone. From the impending free agency of Posada, Rivera, Rodriguez and Pettitte, to what capacity Joba Chamberlain pitches, the 2008 offseason promises to be active.

From these actions, the next decade of New York Yankees successes or failures may well commence. Unfortunately for Randy Levine and his collection of nitwits, the first steps toward the future appear rickety, blind and in all honesty, clueless.

Mazzone Could Replace Guidry

Leo Mazzone is the Mick Jagger of pitching coaches. Spit out the word "Mazzone," and the image of a figgety mustached Atlanta Braves uniform sitting in a dugout quickly comes to mind. Then names like Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz and Avery inevitably follow.

However, the real accomplishments involve names like Jaret Wright or Jorge Sosa, who had career years under Mazzone but returned to mediocrity after moving on to another team. Such pitching acumen would undoubtedly become a valuable resource for the growing stable of young, talented pitchers in the Yankees system.

Unfortunately for Ron Guidry, the current Yankees pitching coach, Mazzone reacted to his firing from the Baltimore Orioles by expressing an interest to join a winning organization's coaching staff. He explained that he still holds a burning competitive desire and revealed interest in the team he followed as a boy.

Mazzone, who turns 59 on Tuesday, will begin looking for a new job, said Brad Steele, Mazzone's business manager, who answered Mazzone's cell phone yesterday.

"His mind-set is that he wants another shot, and he wants to be part of an organization that is going to be committed to winning," Steele said. "He still has the fire in his belly." Unless Mazzone signs with another organization, the Orioles will have to pay his remaining salary - approximately $500,000.

One possibility is for him to stay in the American League East and join the New York Yankees, who would have an opening if Joe Torre's staff is fired. Mazzone rooted for the Yankees as a kid and considered going to New York in 2005 before signing with the Orioles.

"Yes, I think that is a team we are interested in," Steele said. "He grew up being a Yankees fan, and it is the type of organization he would be happy to be a part of."

Not that Gator didn't do the job, but Leo would be an enticing possibility for Yankees management. He would also serve as a safety valve should the organizational heads decide for a change and acquire Joe Girardi, who is already labeled as an abuser of starting pitchers.

Mattingly Turns Down Manager Job?

As the Yankees universe impatiently awaits the snail-like developments regarding Joe Torre and his future with the New York Yankees, Ed Price of the Newark Star Ledger breaks a big story. Contrary to a widespread belief that Don Mattingly would replace Torre next season, Price reports that Donnie Baseball feels he is not yet ready to take the helm.

Yankees bench coach Don Mattingly has told a member of the Steinbrenner family he does not feel ready for the manager's job and is uncomfortable with replacing Joe Torre, according to a friend of Mattingly.

The friend, who requested anonymity because the situation is unresolved, said he spoke directly with the former Yankees great in recent days. Mattingly's stance could open the door for the Yankees to bring back Torre for a 13th season because he was the leading candidate for the job.

Should the unnamed source's statements hold water, this would inject a fascinating twist into an already juicy subplot. Though Mattingly is renowned as an extremely sharp baseball mind and meticulously prepared, it is not unreasonable that he's simply unready for the leap. Mattingly spent one year as bench coach after three years as New York's hitting coach.

Perhaps another season under Torre's tutelage would best serve the franchise. Regardless of what decision the Yankee summit arrives at, Mattingly's reluctance and reported refusal to step over the body of Torre's Bomber legacy speaks volumes about the type of human-being he is. Such honor, respect and selflessness is rare in the world today, and nearly extinct in the sports arena.

Mattingly deciding to put the managerial job on the back-burner must also stem from the undeniable fact that following Joe Torre as Yankee skipper is an unenviable task. As Mattingly put it last week, "It's like following John Wooden."

There is also the possibility that a Yankees source leaked such a notion to protect the integrity of George Steinbrenner, who responded to an 0-2 ALDS hole by putting Joe Torre under fire. Should the Yankees essentially retract Big Stein's proclamation that an ALDS loss meant an end to the Torre era, it would also signal a drastic change in the Yankees power structure.

The NY Post story which painted Hank and Hal Steinbrenner as the successors to their father's throne is significant. However, the article never implied George was incapacitated or no longer an intricate part of the Yankees decision-making.

Having Torre come back as manager after Steinbrenner declared his body would lead outsiders to believe he no longer wields the power baseball fans have grown accustomed to. This, of course, would give credence to my conspiracy theory, with Mattingly's sensitivity being the scapegoat. Then again, Steinbrenner could reestablish himself as the turtleneck-toting, collusion-conspiring owner we all know and love by uttering two words: Call Girardi.

Hat tip to Ben K.

Why the Yankees Lost

The Hardball Times explains Why the Yankees Lost in the ALDS. I don't know if everything HBT decrees to be indisputable is accurate, but it's hard not to agree with this specific criticism of Joe Torre's management:

In game one, he was too slow with the hook on Wang—it wasn’t a case of a guy getting unlucky that night, Wang was throwing bad pitches and getting properly punished for it. Torre should have lifted him after it was 4-1, brought in Hughes instead of Ohlendorf, and maybe given the team a chance. Instead, Ohlendorf turned a decent lead into a huge lead, and the game was over halfway through. Then Torre inexplicably brought Hughes in for mopup duty.

The article then goes on to criticize Torre for not pulling Joba Chamberlain during the 8th inning of game two. The author believes Mariano Rivera should have been inserted, and although a winning result was not guaranteed, it was the smart move. I think this is more hindsight is 20/20 than an obvious first-guess scenario.

Chamberlain dominated the first two batters he faced in the seventh, and although wild in the eighth, history would imply Joba capable of eventually recovering. The inexplicable presence of 1,000 swarming mosquitoes defecting from Lake Eerie's windy conditions also pokes a noticeable hole within the heart of the author's argument.

The perspective on Jorge Posada's future seems skewed as well:

Posada’s strikeout to end the season was possibly his [last] at-bat as a Yankee. After his spectacular regular season, Posada will be an attractive free agent to most teams, and the Yankees—despite not having any apparent replacement for him arriving any time soon—might be willing to let him leave. Posada might not be keen on returning anyway, with Joe Torre likely out the door.

After spending the entire regular season with a batting average hovering around the .335 mark, there's no doubt that Posada's postseason line of .133/.235/.200 is wretched. However, "not having any apparent replacement" provides all the reasoning New York needs in refusing to allow a Jorge adieu.

The idea that "Posada might not be keen on returning" is an exercise in futility when you consider that the birth, maturation and ultimate success of his career all came within the Yankees organization. His family grew accustomed to life in the Big Apple, and in turn, the city grew accustomed to chants of "Hip Hip Jorge!" As much as Posada admires Torre, when words like 35 million are preceded by a nice fat dollar sign, blind loyalty takes a back seat.

Prediction: Alex Rodriguez, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada will all be playing baseball in pinstripes come 2008. However, the man deciding on where they hit in the lineup or pitch in the rotation will be Don Mattingly.

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Linkage: Roids & Results

Looks like this Mitchell report is not just a publicity stunt drowned by inconclusiveness after all. Unnamed sources have already begun prophesizing the report as "enormous," and "salacious." Don't take my word for it, check out Buster Olney's piece. Nice lead as well:

Some officials came away from a 30-team Major League Baseball conference call held mid-day Friday with the understanding that the forthcoming Mitchell report would include many names; names which have so far not been disclosed publicly; and the names of well-known players.

If this report is as credible and groundbreaking as Olney implies, it appears Major League Baseball will again be on the hook as the foremost culprits for doping in American athletics. Fair or unfair, the National Football League and international sports like track or cycling are either too important or too obscure to warrant equal time.

If Olney's sources prove reliable, the elusive report could make it's debut as early as the conclusion of the World Series and as late as January of 2008.

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Farm System Piles Up Hardware

With their postseason brought to an abrupt and disappointing end, the rising juggernaut of Yankees young arms were recently rewarded for a dominant 2007. The Pitcher of the Year award for all of Minor League Baseball went to Ian Patrick Kennedy. Also worthy of recognition, Edwar Ramirez was named the Minor League Baseball Reliever of the Year after an absurd compilation of dominating statistics. Not to be outdone, Alan Horne was named the Pitcher of the Year in the Eastern League. An excerpt depicting each pitchers' domination appears below.

Ian Kennedy:

The California native was named MiLB.com's Pitcher of the Year, leaving Kevin Slowey in the unenviable position of bridesmaid for a second consecutive season. Kennedy finished the Minor League season with a 12-3 mark... [He] dominated at three different levels by posting a 1.91 ERA, a .182 opponents batting average and striking out 163 while walking only 50 over 146.1 innings pitched.

Alan Horne:

The 24-year old has been the ace of the Northern Division leading Trenton pitching staff, compiling a record of 12-4 with a 2.97 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP while striking out 158 batters and walking 51 in 142.1 innings of work this season. The 6’4”, 195 lb. hurler has been dominant for the Thunder all season, giving up one earned run or less in 13 of his 25 appearances and striking out at least seven batters in a game 13 different times.

Edwar Ramirez:

The 26-year-old's stats were indeed eye-popping. Between Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Ramirez pitched 56 2/3 innings, allowing 26 hits and 22 walks while striking out 102. Five runs were charged to him all season in the Minors, resulting in a ridiculous 0.79 ERA. Hitters managed a .135 batting average against the reliever at both levels.

People tend to forget that Horne was a first-round draft pick back in 2001, but decided to attend Florida University instead of turning pro. Since that time, Horne was injured, required Tommy John surgery and has recovered. His 2006 season may seem a disappointment regarding numbers, but several mechanical and delivery tweaks certainly had something to do with it. This year's seen a more comfortable Horne take the mound, and the result was domination of AA hitters. Next year, he will likely join AAA-Scranton's rotation and compete for the first major league promotion of 2008.

Kennedy's and Edwar's rise was much more publicized, and for good reason. Though Kennedy's season was cut short by supposed back issues, the 165 aggregate innings thrown between the minors and majors probably forced Yankees management to shut him down due to an innings cap. While Edwar burst upon the major league scene by striking out a side o' Twinkies, he fell back to Earth once hitters adjusted to his changeup. Next year will determine if he can adjust back, hinging on an improved command of his fastball as well as the development of his slider.

Mark Newman and Damon Oppenheimer hope that next season will bare the same fruit, with potentially dominant relievers Mark Melancon and JB Cox each returning from arm surgeries.

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During a golf tournament he co-hosted along side Johnny Bench, Roger Clemens told reporters that he hasn't ruled out another comeback for 2008. The Yankees will not want or require his services on the field, but Clemens intimated that he would enjoy working with the numerous young pitchers off the field. And, like every other member of the team, the Rocket said he thinks Joe Torre should return next season.