Core Four Could Be Sliced In Half

No one wants to think about it. No one wants to talk about it. But today could be the last time Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte set foot in Yankee Stadium as active players. Yes, Derek Jeter is also a free agent, but that situation will be worked out one way or another. But the two elder statesman of the Yankees have pondered retirement this year and it is an all too real possibility.

Both have openly discussed that it's crossed their minds. Obviously neither will let on at the conclusion of the Yankees season, whether that be today or tomorrow. But the sad fact is it could happen.

Watching last night's game, I thought back to the 2001 and 2003 teams when the Yankees starting looking old. That '01 team was this close to winning it all, but so fortunate to be in that position. It was a team full of aging stars that were on their last leg or getting close to it.

The current squad is a mix, but many of the key players on the team have had more years behind them then they have ahead of them. Andy Pettitte may have had his swan song with his magnificent seven inning performance in game three. Whether up 10-1 or down 10-1 today, Mariano Rivera better be called in from the pen to ensure "Enter Sandman" is heard at least one more time.

Savor the memories, savor these men. Because you just never know.

The Sore Four

Let's get one things straight right from the start. There is no Sports Illustrated jinx. People would like you to believe there is. Especially those that work for SI. It means more circulation in a medium that has been losing circulation faster than an octogenarian.

That 3 of the 4 "Core Four" Yankees are now sitting out with ailments, just a short time after appearing on the SI cover, is a mere coincidence (Yes, there are too coincidences, Leroy Jethro Gibbs.).

No offense to Jorge Posada, but any length of time that Mariano Rivera and/or Andy Pettitte miss is much more crucial to the Yankees chances of repeating in 2010. It's hard enough to repeat with a healthy team.

We haven't gotten much information on the Yankees closer. Stiffness in his side. Could they be more vague?

Mild inflammation doesn't sound too worrysome until you realize that's the elbow issue that Pettitte was diagnosed with after his Wednesday start. Pettitte's past includes an elbow injury and, unfortunately, by some HGH usage. The Yankees need to be real worried (no, I am not implying he would use PED again).

Right now Pettitte is going to miss just one start. So far. Elbow willing. In the meantime, Sergio Mitre is the likely candidate to step in so that Al Aceves can remain in the bullpen. Pettitte's injury also means the Yankees really need Javier Vazquez to get his act together.

Pettitte struggled with his stuff on Wednesday, but allowed just one run in five innings, before departing after 77 pitches. He immediately was sent for an MRI, which brought up the inflammatory findings.

Here's to hoping Derek Jeter gets nothing more than the bad cold he had.

The Definition of Awesomeness

Saw a tweet from Sports Illustrated about this morning. On the "to buy" list for sure. And yes, I still hate the phrase "Core Four".

Jeter is SI's Top Sportsman

Written for Baseball Digest Online

Derek Jeter had already enjoyed a phenomenal year, but now he has one more prize to add to it. Jeter has been named Sports Illustrated’s “Sportsman of the Year”. In winning, Jeter became the first Yankee to pick up the magazine’s award.

In addition to winning his 5th World Series ring, Jeter passed Lou Gehrig as the Yankees’ all-time hitter leader, won the Roberto Clemente Award for his off the field work, the Henry Aaron Award for his offensive exploits, and Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards.

It was that combination of on- and off-field achievement that helped make Jeter this year’s Sportsman. Said Sports Illustrated Group Editor Terry McDonell, “Derek Jeter has always presented himself with class; he does numerous good works for the community with his Turn 2 Foundation, which is one of the most efficient, effective foundations of its kind; and he’s extremely generous with not just his money but with his time, which in many cases is more valuable. He also had another signature year on the field.” Source: SI.com

Derek Jeter: "It's Old"

Derek Jeter may not feel all warm and fuzzy about Alex Rodriguez, but he still respects his teammate and told SI.com's Jimmy Traina that the issue brought up by Joe Torre's book were like beating a dead horse.

"I'm just curious as to why people keep asking the same questions over and over. We've been down this road before. Alex is a teammate. I support him. Our whole team is behind him. We all support him. And we're looking forward to a new season. To be quite honest with you, it's old hearing the same questions. It's something that's been addressed before in the past. Everyone's moved beyond it. And it doesn't really need to be addressed again."

SI will have the full interview Traina did with Jeter on Wednesday in Hot Clicks.


photo courtesy of SI.com

We Ain't Digging It

We were already pissed off about the David Ortiz All-Star stunt, so we forgot about this item we saw the other day. The new cover of Sports Illustrated showing Carl Crawford, with an Incredible Hulk like body, doing a one handed lift of a petrified looking Derek Jeter. Meanwhile Bizarro Superman looks quite perplexed in the background.

This was obviously to talk about how the AL East is upset down with the perennial cellar dwelling Rays at the top and the perennial contending Yankees at the bottom.

BUT WE DON'T LIKE IT.

We Ain't Digging It

We were already pissed off about the David Ortiz All-Star stunt, so we forgot about this item we saw the other day. The new cover of Sports Illustrated showing Carl Crawford, with an Incredible Hulk like body, doing a one handed lift of a petrified looking Derek Jeter. Meanwhile Bizarro Superman looks quite perplexed in the background.

This was obviously to talk about how the AL East is upset down with the perennial cellar dwelling Rays at the top and the perennial contending Yankees at the bottom.

BUT WE DON'T LIKE IT.

No Jinx After the Fact

No Jinx After the Fact

Yankees Set Monday Deadline

According to SI's Jon Heyman, the Yankees have told the Minnesota Twins that want some resolution to the Johan Santana talks on Monday. To be more precise, the Yankees want to know if Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera, and a prospect (from the non-hands off list) will get the job done. We're not sure this is the smartest move since the Twins don't have to trade their ace any time soon.

The Red Sox decided to include Jacoby Ellsbury in their package, but took Jon Lester out in the process. This woudn't make the offer better than the Yankees offer, but who knows what Twins GM Terry Ryan is thinking. Source

Yankees Set Monday Deadline

According to SI's Jon Heyman, the Yankees have told the Minnesota Twins that want some resolution to the Johan Santana talks on Monday. To be more precise, the Yankees want to know if Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera, and a prospect (from the non-hands off list) will get the job done. We're not sure this is the smartest move since the Twins don't have to trade their ace any time soon.

The Red Sox decided to include Jacoby Ellsbury in their package, but took Jon Lester out in the process. This woudn't make the offer better than the Yankees offer, but who knows what Twins GM Terry Ryan is thinking. Source

SI Report: Yankees Willing to Talk Extension w/ A-Rod

SAN FRANCISCO -- George Steinbrenner and other top Yankee decision makers are in agreement: They like Alex Rodriguez very much and now plan to try to do what they can to keep him in pinstripes. And if that has to mean an extension for A-Rod, so be it.

It has been suggested in many circles that Rodriguez is very likely to opt out of the remaining three years and $81 million on his record $252-million contract, and he may still do so. However, the Yankees will still have first crack at keeping A-Rod, and despite a previously stated intention not to extend him, word now is that they will be willing to negotiate if that's what it takes to keep him -- which shouldn't be such a surprise, considering his monstrous first half.

Click here to read more from Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman.

SI Report: Yankees Willing to Talk Extension w/ A-Rod

SAN FRANCISCO -- George Steinbrenner and other top Yankee decision makers are in agreement: They like Alex Rodriguez very much and now plan to try to do what they can to keep him in pinstripes. And if that has to mean an extension for A-Rod, so be it.

It has been suggested in many circles that Rodriguez is very likely to opt out of the remaining three years and $81 million on his record $252-million contract, and he may still do so. However, the Yankees will still have first crack at keeping A-Rod, and despite a previously stated intention not to extend him, word now is that they will be willing to negotiate if that's what it takes to keep him -- which shouldn't be such a surprise, considering his monstrous first half.

Click here to read more from Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman.