a700hitter

Common ground! It is fun to see the two camps of Yankee fans on this. Those who realize that he betrayed his players and broke the clubhouse code which he lived by, and those who are so crushed by this hypocritical and selfish act that they have rushed to his defense and tried to focus their attention on Torre's alleged mistreatment by the FO. Legends die hard in the minds of those who believe them. I am enjoying every minute of it.

I am just commenting on the information in the several articles written about the book. None of the articles paint Torre in a good light. Are you saying that the information in this article is wholly inaccurate or that each of the writers has an axe to grind with Torre?

The first fact is that the Padres gave up on a 23 yr old catcher for 1 month of a 42 year old fat David Wells. That should tell you the high regard in which he was held. His minor league stats are comparable to Tek's at the same age, but it took Tek until age 27 to develop as a major leaguer, and he was a huge prospect from Georgia Tech. Kottaras is not ready to take the reins in 2009. He should be Tek's caddie in 2009. http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=7902

No, because he has no talent.

How well did Leo Mazzone do with the Oriloles staff? Their worth is greatly inflated. Where is Joe Kerrigan? He was another highly proclaimed pitching coach.

You asked me to give you my rationale for valuing Varitek more than Farrell. I never stated that no other catcher could get the same production from the pitching staff. I just don't think there are any such catchers in the organization who are ready to take the helm in 2009. First of all, I am not aware of any offer from the Sox of $10 million guaranteed for 2009. Second, if they already offered him $10 million guaranteed, why wouldn't they be willing to offer him $5 million guaranteed with contingencies that would allow him to earn $10 million. Your argument makes no sense. Let me get this straight. According to you, they offered him $10 million guaranteed and he turned it down. Now, they offer $5 million take it or leave it. I suggest that they close the deal by offering attainable incentives that will let him get back to $10 million and your response is: "Why would they do that when Varitek already rejected $10+ million guaranteed?" The logic of your statement escapes me. Are you saying that they wouldn't have a better chance offering him $5 million guaranteed with incentives bringing it to $10 million than just offering a guaranteed $5 million? I don't know what point you are trying to make.

I don't have a very high opinion of pitching coaches. I have had dinner with Tom Seaver a few times, and one time I asked him about the way all the 60's Met pitchers relied on their legs-- him, Koosman and Ryan. I asked him if the organization stressed and taught the "drop and drive" delivery. He told me that the coaches didn't teach them anything, and that they learned from each other.

I recollect that he was big on handling matters behind closed doors in a private manner, which is why this is a betrayal to his players. He betrayed his own philosophy regarding the clubhouse.

Varitek is not good at throwing out base runners, but he is a good receiver and game-caller. Your question was premised on there being no other offers. My response is that if he signs elsewhere there had to be at least one other offer. It's only a genius offer if he accepts the Sox offer.

Some people think there is nothing wrong with kiss and tell books and they sell plenty of books. Selling plenty of books is not a justification for classless behavior.

Neither of those guys are good catchers.

... and they will be stuck with three unaccomplished talentless bums to handle the catching chores in '09. Genius....?

...and once Tek signs elsewhere, the price of another catcher will go up, because the Sox will have lost significant negotiating leverage.