there were other teams that wanted him, if his passion for the Yankees was as strong as he claimed then he wouldnt have gone there. Majority of Yankees and former Yankees are pretty loyal, you dont see too many former Yanks going over there...recent years its Mendoza (which was a heartbreak to see him in that jersey), Wells, and Olerud (who I dont really consider a Yankee, he was with us for 2 freakin months). But you got guys who were loved there like Clemens, Boggs, Bellhorn, Embree, etc.. coming here...even Nomar said he was willing to come here in the offseason.
He obviously preferred to come here in the offseason, but anywhere but Boston would have been fine. We dont deserve the "f*** you" from him, we're not the ones who didnt entertain the possibility of bringing him back, that was Cashman. He was a headache to everyone related to the Yankees except George and the fans (despite the ups and downs George loved Boomer).