Good Strike News, Plethora of Pain

[cubfan33]

I'll start with the good news: a "well-placed" union official spoke
off the record with us. I had to get his/her approval to run this
section of the piece, despite the fact that portions of it were run
in other media outlets. At the next "real" negotiation between the
players and the union, the union will offer some concessions in
revenue sharing in return for relocation of two teams (which are
figured to be Minnesota or Florida and Montreal.) One team would
relocate in 2003 to Washington while the other would be allowed to
essentially take bids on a new home (mentioned were Portland,
Charlotte, Nashville, Orlando, and the most interesting name - New
York). The union would also ask for a salary FLOOR with what was
called a trapdoor based on revenue. Teams that were losing money
would be allowed to go beneath the floor in some proportion to
losses.

In other news of this type, there was a great piece today in the
Washington Post. Check it out at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-
dyn/articles/A47714-2002May20.html.

Finally, when the website is launched sometime next month, all this
talk can stop in this forum. I want UTK to be about injuries and
sports medicine, so I'll have a seperate forum for the asides I find
in my quests to provide you with the "Best Source of Injury Info."

Injury news ...

RICH AURILIA admitted that he had been playing through pain and will
undergo surgery later this week for bone chips in his elbow. Not
just one or two chips, but FOUR. Aurilia should be out about six
weeks, depending on what the surgery finds (adhesions, etc). Anyone
expecting Aurilia's A-Rod impression of 2001 to continue can exhale.

DAVID WELLS will not only be pushed back in the rotation, he will
likely miss at least one start with back pain. An MRI indicates the
problem is not serious, but with EL DUQUE hurting, the Yankees will
juggle. While some suggested Andy Pettitte would be rushed,
indications from the Bronx point more to ADRIAN HERNANDEZ getting a
start or two. It's not the big contracts that make the Yankees
different - it's the depth.

MATT ANDERSON is back on the DL with shoulder pain. This time, the
pain is in a different spot and may be a compensation injury - one
where one part of the body adjusts for the weakness in another and
manages to throw off the biomechanics just enough to injure itself.
The Tigers are saying they will be extra cautious this time. Say it
with me: a closer on a losing team is folly.

DARRIN FLETCHER was activated by the Blue Jays and started Tuesday,
going 0-4. Fletcher has JOSH PHELPS breathing down his neck pretty
fiercely and the Jays are reaching the point where they'll need to
make tough decisions. If you'd like to know how Phelps is doing, you
should be reading Kevin Goldstein's Prospect Report. Get it from
http://www.nextstopsix.com/prospectreport/.

BRAD PENNY was placed on the DL with what is being called "right
biceps inflammation." Doesn't really say much, but all reports
indicate that the concern is in his pitching elbow, but is not
structural. Penny is reportedly seeking a second opinion as soon as
it can be scheduled.

KAZUHISA ISHII has pain in his hip flexor that will hold him back a
few days. The pain is said to be the result of him running into a
doorknob. Ouchy.

DUSTIN HERMANSON pitched a bullpen session and was stopped part-way
through, not by a coach or doctor, but by a physical therapist. A
P.T. running a bullpen session? Either the team knew Hermanson
wasn't going to make it or be VERY worried about the status of the
Red Sox health going forward.

MILTON BRADLEY was reported to have reported to Extended Spring
Training by the Cleveland Plain Dealer (thanks, loyal reader!) but
the Indians would not confirm that he had been sent down to start
his rehab. It is a positive sign and our best reports indicate he's
still two to three weeks away. With BRADY ANDERSON becoming a sunk
cost, his return is important to the struggling Indians.

ROBERT PERSON had a positive rehab start in Scranton, throwing 3
innings plus with no pain afterwards. He will probably make one more
start and be back in Philly by the end of May - looking at their
rotation and schedule, I'll guess May 30. The reports of a ligament
tear we recieved appear to have been false.

JAY POWELL is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment any day. The
Rangers have righted their bullpen, but Powell would be a major
addition if healthy.

MATT MANTEI made his first rehab start at Tucson (AAA) and had some
control problems while pitching a scoreless inning. The clock is
ticking on this rehab assignment and he may only get one or two more
sessions of game action in before returning to the D-Backs fold.
Sure, Mantei could help especially if he can be healthy and become
trade bait.

Dr. Tim Kremchek of the Reds took some childish pot shots today at
media that called him on his right, left and center flailing on KEN
GRIFFEY JR. Instead of falling back on "educated guesses" Kremchek
should try doing what good doctors do - relay honest medical
evidence and use solid, objective guidelines for recuperation time.
Kremchek was clearly trying to look like a miracle worker once he
thought Griffey's knee wasn't as bad as it initially looked. The
problem was ... it was.

ERIC CHAVEZ doesn't get wimpy "flu like symptoms." Heck no. Chavez
gets full on flu! He'll miss a couple days. It's bad timing since
the A's sent down touted rookie CARLOS PENA today, but nothing worse.

Next report tomorrow.

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Commissioner of Baseball.
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[Slippery Pedro]

Betcha the 3rd NY site is Buffalo - - just a feeling. Too bad NJ doesn't have a stadium ready.

[cubfan33]

I should have been more clear ... I meant a third New York CITY site.

[KCBOOMER]

Originally posted by cubfan33
It's not the big contracts that make the Yankees different - it's the depth.

Surely you meant "It's not JUST the big contracts...".

[cubfan33]

No, I actually think its not even the money. I think they overpaid for Jeter and Posada, but those are the only deals I see as over market value. There are other teams that could afford their payroll so I dont consider them the massive outlier that most do. The Yanks - and I guess a lot of credit goes to Cashman - haven't made a really bad baseball decision in ... well, I cant even think of one. Rondell White is playing as advertised. Ventura is playing better than I could have ever thought. About the last bust I can remember is Irabu and that may be more off-field than on. Letting Jeff Nelson go wasn't a great idea, but I can see why they did it.

[KCBOOMER]

Surely, you jest. How many teams can afford to lay out the dough (whether it is fair market it or not) for Jeter, Posada, Williams, Giambi, Mussina, Clemens, Rivera, Mendoza, Pettitte, Wells, Hernandez etc.

If anyone of these guys hit the free agent market and the Yanks announced they weren't going to bid the "market value" would drop 10-20%. There is a difference in what the Yankees will pay and the other teams and this drives the arithmetic "market value" up.

You are right about the Yanks being well run and they have their farm system working very well.

[WiredTiger]

The Yankees do have a higher payroll than most but they have been fairly good at spending the money wisely. It would be very interestin to see if a third team would do well in NYC. Could we call them the Brooklyn/NY Giant Dodgers?

[cubfan33]

I'd have to compare the Yanks payroll with other teams and there are people that have done this better than I. Clearly there ARE teams (Rangers, Dodgers) that have payrolls very similar to the Yanks and teams with the capability to do so (Cubs, Angels, M's?). One needs only look at the Rangers and Dodgers to know that payroll alone doesn't make a team. Is there a difference between the Yanks and Royals? Yes, clearly, but as lots of people have pointed out, its better to pay dearly for superstars and not pay stupid amounts for replacement level players.

[moose]

Originally posted by cubfan33
Yes, clearly, but as lots of people have pointed out, its better to pay dearly for superstars and not pay stupid amounts for replacement level players.

[in my best darren dreifort voice:]
"huh?"


[i agree]

[Slippery Pedro]

No way in spades will the Yankees and Mets allow a 3rd team in NYC or even NJ for that matter. Sounds like Bud floating a rumor to get some leverage.

<Bud whine> OK, so the New York teams are against the proposed revenue sharing plan, luxury tax hike and a salary cap. Are you sure? Did I mention we're considering a third team in your market if this is not passed? Would that make you consider changing your vote? </Bud whine>