As Sox wait, Yankees worry

As a sox fan, I actually hope they land CC. Not because I think CC will be a bust but becasue if they don't sign CC, I think they will focus on Texiera and they will certainly outbid the Sox. SO if you really want Texiera, you better hope CC takes the Yankees money!

Of course New York has lost its luster. The city, what with the irrevocable destruction of Wall Street, portends that the Big Apple, and lamentably the U.S., is in a terminal state of decline.

"But at a time when most every franchise in baseball seems to be waiting for the prices to come down, the Yankees are spending wildly out of necessity more than free will..."
Tony, do you even follow baseball? Did you happen to notice the arbitration offerings or lack there of by the Yankees?

"Isn’t it astonishing to note how much the perception of the Red Sox and Yankees has changed?" Now their own sports writers can't even write about them....

Thank God for the Yankees!

That comment about squeezing shekels out of the Steinbrenner Misers has some pretty antisemitic overtones. I mean, the Steinbrenners aren't Jewish, even though their name sounds like it. Shekels, for those who don't know, are the Israeli currency, so using that word in this context (in other words, "CC may just want to squeeze a few more Jewish dollars out of these miserly owners") is a bit alerting.
(Tony Massarotti: Mike, you'll just have to trust me on this one. The Heat Miser/Snow Miser reference was made in the holiday spirit. Was the Winthorpe reference a remark against WASPs? The wealthy? Good heavens. Next time I'll use drachma. Or will you accuse me of being anti-Greek?)

Are you on the Sox payroll? Oh yeah, I forgot, the Globe is the media arm of the Boston Red Sox. No conflict of interest there

Foolish article.

The Sox finished behind a team that spent $90 million less on their players.

The last 5 years have seen almost across the board disappointments/failures of big ticket FA's.

Mazz, try putting the pieces together to figure out the logical conclusion that MLB owners have realized.

Oh and by the way, no one significant has signed with any team. Despite your continued fascination/obsession with NYY, this is not exclusive to the Yankees.

Tony ... pisan....CC was not offered the richest contract in baseball history...Wouldn't that be Afraud?

Kuddos on the reference to Louis Winthorpe...shows you have great tastes....A classic movie for Eddie lovers!!!

Go Sox....We want Tex, Teck, and Teagarden THE THREE T's
(Tony Massarotti: Was meant to rtead the richest PITCHING contract in history. The change has been made.)

Tony......if you didn't feel defensive about the anti-semitism post, why did you bring attention to it by trying to explain yourself to the guy ?

By the way, I saw nothing offensive about what you wrote and it never even came to mind until I read his post, a post where he was reaching at best.

In my mind, you didn't have to explain anything, his post didn't even deserve a response, in my opinion.
(Tony Massarotti: Given some of the trends in our industry, I think we're all sensitive to this sort of thing. As a result, I felt the need to respond, but you're right.)

Here I was thinking that the Heat Miser and Snow Miser reference was to a movie about Santa Claus, but I guess that just makes me anti-semitic too. Give me a break.

Great stat on Varitek, Tony. Another of the many reasons why the Sox absolutely need to move on and get another catcher. At this point, a used fungo bat has more value than Varitek.

Jalowitz, relax man. If you ever saw the holiday show with Heat Miser and Snow Miser, you'd know that their names have nothing to do with being miserly. In fact, the whole article talks about the Steinbrenners spending like drunken sailors. Oh shoot, I hope you're not also a sailor, or you'll take offense again. Anyway, if the Steinbrenners aren't Jewish then what's the problem? Lighten up, francis. Nice article, Mazz.

CC will sign with NY. no one else is close to $140, & the yanks will pobably end up getting in a bidding war - with themselves. another year, another mil/year.

billion dollar stadium restores a lot of luchre - I mean luster

love the Trading Places reference!

Tony,

Shame. Get out a calendar. Moose signed in 2000 after the Yankees had been to 4 WS in 5 years. Moose's first year they went to their 5th WS in 6 years and lost in 7 games.
(Tony Massarotti: You are correct. We made the change.)

Good article. With the offseason activity being as slow as it is I'm sure it's difficult to find something everyday to write about. But if you think about it this really is the big story of the offseason. For the Yankees to offer this big of a contract to CC and to have him seemingly shun them is incredible.

Mazz don't you think Theo should have visited Jake Peavy for Thanksgiving dinner this year? I mean I got to believe with the San Diego connections that the Sox have and with the young players they have to trade this would be the biggest splash they could make in the offseason. I would think they could convince him to come here and I believe the Sox would still have enough money available to make a run at Texiera.

Mazz, great article!

I love the subtle reference of shooting oneself in the thigh to Mr. Plaxico Burress by the way.

Hey Tony go fish!

I expect the general public to misspell Dan Aykroyd's name. Journalists should not.

Good article and it's right on target. Jalowitz must be a bitter Yankee fan.

Re #10: "Great stat on Varitek, Tony. " What Varitek stat? I missed it.

CC will sign with NY. no one else is close to $140, & the yanks will pobably end up getting in a bidding war - with themselves. another year, another mil/year.

billion dollar stadium restores a lot of luchre - I mean luster

While not as sensitve as Mike Jalowitz , I enjoy the warm weather and found your reference to the Heat Miser offensive but your reference to shekels was a brilliant nod to Shakespearean theatre. Mike, go look through other website to find imaginary offenses.

Tony, are you so insecure that you have to continue to blast your oversized mug shot and green monster-like mazz sign at us - to the point where we have to scroll down to read the first paragraph of your story? What's next - flashing LED's?

That said, let's also understand that your stories are based on opinion, not fact - and reflect your biased view. Which is your perogative, as it is your column, but you shouldn't pass off opinion as fact.

That the Yankees have needs to be filled is clear (so do the Sox and lots of other teams). Does this render them 'desperate'? If they are left 'with their hats in their hands' why would this be a point of embarrassment, as you imply? If this happens, good for them for holding the line - aren't salaries out of control enough?

And that we can no longer assume that the Yankees are a lock for the division title (or more) means that there are other teams that are competitive. Isn't this a good thing for baseball?

And if Sabathia chooses to snub the offer for whatever reason - greed, arrogance, or maybe just a preference to play somewhere else (we can only guess) - then perhaps the salary insanity line will have been held. And given the current economic conditions, it's not far fetched to be concerned that some teams that overspend on salaries now will have to fold later, unable to meet their commitments.

Your article does little more than feed into the us-vs-them frenzy, and in so doing your writing is sorely lacking in insight and vision.

Mazz,

I think it's cool that you defended yourself against accusations of anti-semitism. I didn't think you meant it that way, but I think things seep into our culture that are common idioms and colorful phrases that do have anti-semetic or myosgynistic overtones that we don't even realize....phrases such as "jewed me out of a few bucks" have gone the way of the dodo, but people still say "i was gyped", which is derogatory to Slavic Gypsy people. Not that using shekels is anywhere close to that in nature, but people are still sensitive. Anyhow, I appreciate your insights, it's going to be a very interesting Hot Stove season, if it ever gets going...!

Hey Mike Jalowitz... you are an idiot. Shut up with your stupid finger pointing... we are all sick of hearing the whining and victim talk.

Mazz, Ok article, but how about focussing on the MLBPA and what roll they do or may play in the CC contract signing? I would like to learn more about that. It seems your readers are blaming the slow signing period on economic worries of our own, that hardly impact the MLB. It is common knowledge the CC will set the market for almost every other signing this offseason. So how important is that contract to Donald Fehr and MLBPA.... Lets do some digging

Mazz, Ok article, but how about focussing on the MLBPA and what roll they do or may play in the CC contract signing? I would like to learn more about that. It seems your readers are blaming the slow signing period on economic worries of our own, that hardly impact the MLB. It is common knowledge the CC will set the market for almost every other signing this offseason. So how important is that contract to Donald Fehr and MLBPA.... Lets do some digging

Ok, so it was Theo's Thanksgiving charm that lured Schilling to Boston?

Of course it had nothing to do with a petty owner in Arizona who was willing to take pennies on the dollar from Boston for Schilling because he was mad at the Yankees for signing Wells the year before. Nope. Had nothing to do with that, just good old Boston charm.

Keep re-writing history, Mazz.

Baloney. Yankees have built a state-of-the-art facility and players love to play for player-coach Girardi. If anything, they wouldn't want to come to Boston with the lack of privacy. Just ask David Wells, Manny, Boggs, etc. This article is just trying to stir things up.

S

This is rubbish. The fact of the matter is that Sabathia has indicated that he would like to pitch on the west coast. The Yankees are not acting out of despair so much as a desire to make a big splash and rejuvenate the fan base who saw a disappointing season last year. Lets not forget that the Yanks were without Chien Ming Wang last year (coming off of a 19 win season), so their pitching is going to improve. It is humorous to hear the arrogance projected by Sox fans because of two World Series wins in the past 90 years.

I Love you guys---Sox Fans:

You 'd think we'd get a life---.

I guess we do ---Sox.

With all the clutter (Ginormous font M-A-Z-Z, extreme close-up of Mazz's double chin, Mazz's yearbook bio, Mazz Top 5, etc.) on the page, it's hard to focus on content.

Varitek stat is on the side under the free pedometer ad:

"14: According to The Hardball Times Baseball Annual, percentage of the time this season that Jason Varitek hit a line drive, the lowest percentage among all qualifying players."

In other words, Varitek calls a decent game, but swings toothpickian lumber in the batter's box.

As a newer baseball fan, I am fascinated by our fascination with the Yankees. I mean as a team that would have won most of the other divisions in baseball but came in third in ours and it is quite known that the Rays have a young and hungry team, the Blue Jays are just a step away from everything clicking at once, the fact that the Orioles need to find pitching but otherwise have one of the highest batting averages as a team in baseball and the Red Sox having one of the most deep farm systems, and that the members of the New York Yankees don't seem to like each other and our division and teams like the Twins are playing team baseball versus relying on individual superstars, I am not really worried about them. So, I hope they don't get Texieria because he does seem like a guy who might be the nucleus of a team, go ahead, Yankees spend all your money on the divas, it seems likely you will be holding your hats again next year.

to mike jalowitz: as a jew , may i just say "get over it" maybe because i am 56, i have thicker skin than today's whining general public. everyone is so hypersensitive these days. they are always trying to make race or ethnicity an issue when anyone says anything. i am certain that the remark was totally innocent and that mr. mazz knows full well that the steinbrenners are not jewish, as he's been covering baseball for a long time. i went to summer camp as a kid and prep school, so i was always used to hearing remarks that i either did not agree with or found vulgar, but i was always able to put it aside after seeing who it was making the remarks. enjoy life, sir. it's a beautiful thing.

Jalowitz - get a life and don't be so insecure. Mazz didn't even have to post your comment if he didn't want to...... There is no doubt the yankees have lost some of it's panache as THE team to play for in MLB. Money aside, players want to win a championship and the Yankees of old, with Daddy Steinbrenner, Torre, et al were the best bet to accomplish that goal but that’s no longer the case. Also, if Detroit has taught us anything it is the best group of players (on paper) doesn’t necessarily translate into a ring. CC is a Cali guy and I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up on the west coast. He’s also stated that he really enjoyed playing in Milwaukee because it’s a small market team so I think NY is the last place he’d go if a WC team comes close to the yankee offer.

Billy Ray...can you read? The quote is "richest pitching contract" - operative word here is 'pitching'...

Mike Jalowitz is stupid

The Elite Sox finished with a mighty six more wins in 08. With Manny in the lineup a majority of the season. Yanks had extended injuries to their two best starting pitchers and their star catcher. Everyone knows sports teams run a cyclical pattern. Yanks missed the playoffs for the first time in 14 years! Yanks will be back on top in 09 as the Sox begin there decline with the loss of Manny, the decline of the aging Papi,Lowell, and Tek, and the inconsistency of Elsbury and Lowery.

It's not about the money. For the first time, it's not about the money! Sabathia won't be as successful in the AL as he will be in the NL.

This might be the first shock to the baseball system that the highest bidder may not always win!

great article! rife with seasonal allusions etc...relevent and comprehensive

Mazz- you are certifiably nuts.

A bit early to start gloating over the Yankees. They may sign Tex and CC. They are moving into a (probably) amazing new ballpark. Manny Ramirez is only damaged in the eyes of New Englanders (nobody else cares).
But this certainly has a point. the contrasting styles of the Sox and Yanks are paying dividends. None could highlight this more than the choice of AL MVP. We are the team that has money and is going places. We have the fans, the management and some great young ball players. The Yanks do not.
But Tampa does. They will win again. They are the best run organisation in baseball.

Hey Jalowitz - stereotypes exist for a reason, so if the shoe fits ...

You are certainly proof of the Whiny stereotype.

Economist: "The Sox finished behind a team that spent $90 million less on their players."

I love that as soon as money gets brought up people make it seem like teams that have low payrolls and do well are super business savvy and imply that you don't have to spend money to be a good team. Look at the ages of all the guys on Tampa Bay - they're all a bunch of kids who gelled as a team and put together a fantastic season.

Tampa's farm system is loaded with quality young players due to the team's futility over the last ten years so it really shouldn't be much of a surprise that they finally had a very good season. Do you think their payroll is going to stay that low once guys like Longoria, Sheilds, Garza, etc. all file for free agency or sign new long-term deals?

The Sox spend money but are a winning organization that players want to play for. Tampa may become that way too - and when they do, they'll have to shell out the big bucks as well.

"That said, let's also understand that your stories are based on opinion, not fact - and reflect your biased view. Which is your perogative, as it is your column, but you shouldn't pass off opinion as fact. "

Kat, he writes for a Boston based newspaper and he's a Sox fan, OF COURSE he's biased ( rolling eyes, what an idiot), and Yes, HIS stories are based on HIS opinion. So ? YOUR letter is based upon YOUR opinion as well. Now, show me where he's passed off opinion as FACT !.Don't write into Mazz JUST to see YOUR name in print ( of course he could put flashing LEDs framing your letter ).
As for the whole Jewish,Gypsy crap, give us a break. One decade, it's Negroes, then next it's Colored folk, then next it's Black, then next it's African-Americans, then next it's People of Color. Folks need to chill and not be as sensitive.Sentistivity is what causes racial discord.

"the decline of the aging Papi,Lowell, and Tek, and the inconsistency of Elsbury and Lowery"??? Huh 26rings??? What about decline of the aging Jeter, Mo, Posada, Damon, and inconsistency of Cano, any CF (GARNER or Cebrera), Hughes, Kennedy, Joba, etc???

Get loss...you are just not making any sense here!! Stay on the Yankees board!!

Go Sox

Of course the Yankee luster in gone. They are under such immense pressure from the ownership to win it all every year, that anything less is an embarrassment. No matter how much money they pay their athletes, there still has to be an element of fun on the field and in the locker room. The Steinbrenners have become so full of themselves that they will drive that team into the ground.

Kate, It's called a rivalry. Do Sox fans have a fascination over what the Yankees do well I guess we do but they have been, for quite some time, the most powerful team in baseball. They've won more championships, by far, than any other team and they spend more money, by far, than any other team. Oh and they happen to be in our division. Most seasons the road to the world series goes through New York. But with their off year last year and with the apparent snub by CC Mazz is just saying that the landscape might be changing a little. The Yankees are in desperate need of starting pitching. With Petite and Mussina both seemingly gone the need is even bigger.

What is it with you anti-Sox fans feeling the need to rip any type of journalistic article that even mentions views on other teams? Yes, the Yankees are desperate to land any player that will pull them out of their shameful showing in 08. Do you really believe that if the Yankees do not try any avenue possible to bring them back into contention that there won't be a revolt by Yankee fans and media?

Kevin how is there "arrogance" on the part of Sox fans for actually being proud of a team that contends each year now? And I am sure as a Yankee fan you never have brought up any of the Yankees ttitles right

To Mark Shiro:

Bless you for putting things in proper perspective. While I don't wish to perpetuate this whole anti-semetic debate, I do wish to point out that as one who is of Irish descent, I am not offended by the Notre Dame "Fighting Irish" (despite the fact I can't stand the school) nor do I call talk radio and complain that police transport vehicles are still referred to as "Paddy Wagons".

Let's stick to the topic at hand, the "Evil Empire" is presently a ship without a rudder and they are trying to throw money at a problem that will not simply go away unless so underlying issues are corrected....which is exactly what Theo Epstein and Co. have done since taking over Red Sox Nation.

Maybe CC just doesn't want to have to play in front of that repulsive, disloyal, front running fan base the yankees have, cant say that I blame him...

I'm still MUCH more worried about TB than NYY.

and YES, I'm tired of trying to be Politically Correct in a world that looks for Politically INcorrectness.

Tony,
Exactly how I feel. It seems maybe players are starting to wonder if New York is really where they want to play their baseball. It used to be a place for guys to play their last season and get a ring. Now it's a joke. The only things a player can be sure of heading to New York now is 1.) For the next decade basically, A-Rod is going to be there, and his drama will always take from the team, and 2.) Instead of one Steinbrenner, now there are two. Of course the Yankees are going to contend, but at what cost? When you make the kind of money these guys do, is 5 mil really a big deal? Also, to Brock who criticized you for basically being a "Homer", he may be happy to know that the owner of the Globe is none other than the New York Times, correct? And if he doesn't believe me, check out wikipedia. Honestly, what else does he expect? An article praising the Yanks on the Globe's Sports page, maybe that's it. Keep writing Tony.

Lets be honest here. CC not jumping at the Yankees contract has much more to do with the fact that he and his wife are from Cali, and that he prefers the weaker NL, than it does with the fact that Mazz thinks Boston is so awesome, and New York City is so horrible. Or that Larry Luccino is just such a fun guy, but the Stein brothers are too mean and scary for CC. Get real. CC will talk to his wife and figure out whats best for them. East Coast/West coast, AL/NL. and $$$$$

Please Sign CC Hank! I would love to see him become another bust for you. This guy has lost his edge over the last year. It was a joke that he won the Cy Young in Place of Becket last year! AJ Burnett is the real deal here!

Kramer wrote: "No matter how much money they pay their athletes, there still has to be an element of fun on the field and in the locker room"

Ah yes, the mythical fun-loving-blue-collar-sox vs. the white-collar-coprorate-no-fun-Yankees. What's next, another fake recounting of how the ARod-Varitek fight "motivated" the 2004 sox to victory?

Funny, I don't recall any Yankee players punching another teammate in the head during a game this year.

A lot of you have hate issues that you should look into getting resolved. I know it's the holidays, but give it a rest already! I seriously doubt any of you could do any better than Mazz--think about that before you dissect every sentence and subsequently bash him.

Anonymously, no less.

"In order to sharpen the pinstripes on those fading and tarnished suits, they have to." What a wonderful line! Where will all the great writers go when newspapers fade away?

Tony - Where is the "information, insight, and analysis" you put at the top of this section? This is a true fanboy entry, one that is purely wishful thinking by fans that are desperate for something to feel good about after losing to the Rays a few months ago. Please list for me the sought after free agents that have gone to the Red Sox for millions less: I assume Drew, Lugo and Dice K will not be on it. Oh, and I like the reference to the Giants' Burress situation - again another pathetic attempt to feel better about the Super Bowl Champs' defeat of the 18-1 Pats. I do enjoy the pure fictional aspect of the entry though for entertainment purposes, thanks.

What is the point of this article? I guess when there's nothing to write about, articles still need to be published.

Good premise, paisano. People might finally be seeing that the emperor may be butt naked. tony m (not masarrotti), don't be so sure about CC signing in NY. All reports indicate that both he and the wife want to be on the West Coast - especially in the N.L. She's from San Fran and he likes to hit - plus in the N.L., he would be more dominant, and likely pitch longer. If someone out there offers him say $120 million, he could conceivably take it. A difference of 20 million sounds like a lot, bit when you factor in state and federal taxes (and that's before Obama does God only knows what), it's really 10 million. On top of that, NYC (today) takes an additional 8% (1.6 million on 20 million), so the differences is down to 8.4 million. Factor in cost of living, and maybe you're down to 5-6 million. It just might not be worth it for him, especially if it ticks off the wife.

Jesus Christ, Mazz, can you just shut the hell up for like 5 friggen minutes?

You are a hack. Let's see, would you rather continue being a hack, or work for the New York Times? A hypothetical, of course, because you'd need talent.

To Jason:

The point is that building from within is the direction baseball has been heading for the last 5 years. This winter will be the apex of such a movement. Teams do not want to drop giant contracts on free agents AND have to part with compensation draft picks.

The combination of terrible results from the wide majority of the big ticket FA's over the last 5 years and the success of teams with focus on drafting/player development (i.e. Minnesota, TB, etc.), marks the end of the offseason, hot stove wild shopping sprees and bidding wars. The FA's will still get their money, but not like it was in recent history. The tide has turned.

I apologize for introducing financial considerations, economics, payroll, and statistics into the discussion and confusing you.

Isn't technology wonderful? You work at a newspaper and write sports pieces for a living, you publish them to your website, and then you get to kick back and absorb 100 posts from amateur linguists who pick apart every semantic foible, every slightly askew stat, disagree with anything that is even remotely opinion, and then the subsequent arguments between bloggers who squabble amongst each other over whose criticisms were more cogent. Can you people please just know that you are reading words written by a human being before going into it, so that at the end you are not so disappointed? And when you disagree, can you keep your stupid comments to yourself? The blogs are at the end of these so that we can discuss the topic at hand, not debate the quality of the work done. Let's leave that to the professional editors who are employed by the paper who control what is put out there? Until you people stop thinking you're such perfectly eloquent English teachers, I will be avoiding all blogs at the bottom of articles. There is a reason why you people are not columnists yourself.

Tony:

Re-read this and tell me what it says:

Postseason spectators for the first time since 1993 – the first year of Bill Clinton’s first term – the Yankees began this offseason by dropping a six-year, $140 million deal on the lap of free agent pitcher CC Sabathia. Weeks later, like the rest of the baseball world, the Yanks are still waiting.

Hello, the Sox ARE the Yankees. It's money-ball. Officially licensing Red Sox caskets? Sox branded Volvos? No increase in ticket prices this year because the Sox brass are sensitive to the recession? Give me a break. I'd rather be a Pittsburgh fan.

ahhh, but in the end Winthorpegot the spoils, a rather curvy Jamie Lee...

The title should read, "As the Yankees spend, others worry.' What this joke of a journalist isn't seeing is that what the Yanks spend and who they sign will impact everyone, yes, even the Sox. I've been reading that Boston is interested in Tex and maybe Burnett, well, whatever the Yankees spend on their own free agents is going to impact where and how much others sign for. If Sabathia gets his 140 mil. from NY, this will impact how much Burnett, Lowe et al asks for and could very well put them out of price range for everyone EXCEPT for NY.

People will play ball in Alaska if the price is right - and the chance to bring the Yankees back to greatness in their new stadium's inaugural year only ADDS to the luster. This article is laughable at best.

"The Red Sox are now looked upon as being the elite franchise in baseball. "
maybe by their fans - or not even - you guys couldn't even keep manny happy - how did that work out in the post season?

i guess the red-sox tradition indicates that finishing number 2 in the division makes red sox "the elite franchise"

What's the point of the article?

That a once signifigant rival is now irrelevant. It's as valid a conversation as any other you see here.

OMG - Tony - Sorry I have to put up with some of this. I like your basic premise that the Yanks aren't the same. They just aren't.

For those of you who take this as a personal attack ... I suggest that you guys ask for one of those "Get a Life-Cycle's" for Christmas -- oops sorry the "Holidays."

Wow!

Billy Ray Valentine... brush up on your reading skills.

"Sabathia already has been offered the richest pitching contract in baseball history"

The yankees....overpaid clowns...go sox....ps. go tony....

Interesting article, especially fun to read as a Sox fan. I'm not sure if you're right but it is definitely something to ponder that CC hasn't accepted the offer of the Yanks. Now the Sox are the premier team with two recent championships under their belt. That being said, I am not counting the Yankees out; they are always a force to be reckoned with to some extent.

While I didn't see anything offensive about your article's references to shekels and misers (I actually laughed out loud at the shekels comment), I did find some of the following comments to be unnecessarily rude. He "fits the stereotype"? Thank you for implying here that Jews are whiny, we really appreciate it. While he may have been overly sensitive, sometimes people of minority cultures can be irrational about these things to do a history of being hated. Give the guy a break.

What is the point of the article?

That a once signifigant rival is now irrelevant. It's as valid a conversation as any other you see here.

Tony stop dreaming !!!
Yankees worry the Red Sox will have to teach the Yankees how to do that.
They had 86 years of that experience before.

You guys really need to get over your inferiority complex with NY.....focus on your own problems......Hey no denying your recent successes.....well earned.....good job.....but look under your own hood......all is not golden in Boston.
The Yankees pre-emptive move on CC was correct.......he is going to command that $$ at the end of the day......so put it out there, see what happens and adjust accordingly. Do you really doubt that the Yankees will reload with talent this offseason? I'm surprised Theo let you sign your own name to "his column"

Sorry, Denver, there's a difference between fanboyism and stuff that's blantantly made up.

He deserves to be called out on this stuff.

Your writing is hardly "major league" and your intellect falls into "low minors"... Makes reading you like watching 'Tek" try to hit a lefty curve!

Tony;

I have not laughed at a line so hard in many years. Your "Heat Miser / Snow Miser" reference would have had milk coming out of my nose - that is if I had been drinking milk! Come on folks, that was a classic reference to a 70's cartoon/movie. You remember the 70's don't ya? And as to shekel, unless my Bible is incorrect, it is an ANCIENT coin - which I think is a perfect reference to where the Yankees are heading history. (By the way, Israeli currency is called Israel New Shekels, so even the Israeli's know to give it a specific name.) Great Article.

I can't say I am a fan of George Steinbrenner. He reminds me of a child that pouts when he can't have what he wants. George spreads out the money to get the best in an extended effort to be the champion. It is hard for other teams to compete financially with him. That's why I have always favored the "salary cap." Without it, the haves continue to get what they want and the havenots are left out.

Hmmmm I don't agree with some of the comments here. Mazz is on to something really really important: that in the standings of baseball political capital, the Yankees are a lot farther south than 3rd place. The disfunction there in the Bronx is showing itself not only in poor organization decisions, but in not really understanding what is happening or how to affect it. Moreover, since the ownership leadership shapes the organization personality, one might argue that the Yankees are in kind of a death spiral, where even tons of money can't save them. We are witnessing a really important time in baseball.... nice guys finish first.

"Folks need to chill and not be as sensitive.Sentistivity is what causes racial discord.”

Hatred and social rejection cause racial discord. People belonging to minorities are sensitive BECAUSE of the longstanding hatred BEHIND the, yes, changing names of the day for blacks, jews, gypsies, etc. It’s not the names themselves, it’s the hating and ostracizing punch behind the names, so to speak.

It’s ludicrous to compare the feelings of WASPs and other groups who have never been traditionally ostracized and hated down through the generations to those that have been. Look under the covers, folks. The name is a symbol for what comes at people, it’s not the names themselves causing sensitivity.

PC is an attempt to acknowledge the fact of traditionally ostracized group members’ sensitivity, that that sensitivity is real and comes from somewhere. Some of you folks dissing this have obviously never been a part of those groups and can’t relate to the sensitivity, even blaming their sensitivity as the cause of being hated…that’s twisted.

Maybe I am looking at this with a biased eye, but I think this article has some real valid points. In this case with C.C. Sabathia, it seems as if things have changed with the Yankees lure. A few years back players jumped at the big bucks to play in New York, but I think recent history is playing a role in deterring players from doing that.

Recently, big name players have come to New York and either failed or not lived completely up to the hype. Not only that, they haven't got the fandom and notoriety they anticipated.

Look at AROD, the guy has averaged 42 HR, 123 RBI, and hit at a .303 clip since coming to NY and he still gets booed and ripped on by fans. Plus he won an MVP!

Then you look at the under-performers like Jason Giambi, Mike Mussina, Carl Pavano, Randy Johnson, Johnny Damon, and Javier Vazquez among others who just fizzled while they were here. New York has not been friendly to the big names.

On the other hand you look at the Sox, who haven't had perfect success with big names players (see Renteria, Clement, Drew, and Gagne), but who have had huge success with some. Fans fell in love with Pedro, Manny, Papi (not big name at the time of signing), and Schilling. These guys won World Series and became household names with everyone from Northeastern freshmen girls to retired GE workers. Manny and Pedro could act like idiots and still get a free pass with the fans.

If any Yankee acts out in anyway or goes hitless in three consecutive games, they are booed like they play left field for the Sox.

Add in the fact the Sox have a manager everyone seems to like to play for and the Yankees no longer have the legendary Torre, that works in Boston's favor as well. You can also look at a guy like Sabathia seeing that Jeter, Posada, and Rivera will be either retiring or retired by the fourth year of his deal. That could be motivation to not sign there.

I think Mazz is right on when saying there isn't that same feel with the Yankees. That's not say CC won't come to his senses and just chase the money to the Bronx and it's not to say that in two years the Yankees will be back in the World Series. It's just that recently the Sox are the idolized team. The Sox are the ones winning World Series. They are the ones who are developing stars in their system like the Yankees did in the early to mid 90s. It's just the reality today not to say its going to be the reality for 86 years.

Live with it Yankee fans. You are the ones with 2 hobbling left fielders, an overrated center fielder, an under-performing second baseman, no first baseman, an overpriced DH/C, a questionable pitching staff, a hot headed manager, and two know-nothing owners (thank god their father was born before them).

So, a free agent didn't jump at the first contract offered in hope of an even bigger contract. Shocking. How many FAs have signed so far this offseason? This article was a waste of 50 seconds, I want that 50 seconds back.

Mazz, you must be flattered to know that whenever you post a column you're going to get dozens and dozens of comments from readers, kind of like Roch Kubatko in Baltimore, where I'm from. It's amazing to see so much interest in baseball in December. I love it.

Tony; Next time when referring to money, use Euros, you Schmuck. Whoops, sorry, I mean, you rascal.

Tony; Next time when referring to money, use Euros, you Schmuck. Whoops, sorry, I mean, you rascal.

It doesn't matter what the Yankees do. The Sox have turned the corner on history already! The Yankees will always spend more than anyone else, who cares? Boston needs to focus on building. We will be playing in October again in 09, the Yankees will not, bottom line.

My guess is CC will sign with NY and get absolutely hammered by the Sox anyways. Hey, let them spend upwards of 150 million, we shouldn't care. Burnett on the other hand dominates the Sox, he would matter more in NY IMO...Derek Lowe? Let the Yankees overpay for him too, doesn't matter.

Reading how Massarotti and Sox fans are patting themselves on the back and gushing about how wonderful things are in Soxland, uh, correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the Red Sox just lose in game 7 against the Rays and blow a great chance to make it 3 titles in 5 years? Not as impressive as the Yanks 4 out of 5 from '96-2000, but still pretty good. Oh, the Yanks missed the playoffs for the 1st time in 14 years? Well the Red Sox missed the playoffs 6 times in that same period of time. Thank God the Sox didn't win it all again last year because you guys would be unbearable. This is simply a biased article by a guy from Boston who wants to do his best to paint a totally negative picture of the Yankees and a rosey picture of the Red Sox, just to make himself and the Yankee haters who read his shallow, illogical articles feel good.

Mazz,
I think it undermines your role as a journalist to respond to these morons who comment on your articles. What is with this trend of blog responses and how it somehow makes the whole exchange populist or interesting? I mean theres a reason why you work for the Globe and I don't. By honoring the poorly written and often uninformed musings of your readers you cheapen your position as a paid insider. Call me old fashioned but this is ridiculous and another sign of the lurking apocalypse facing newspapers.

Look at all the whiny Yankee fans stalking you columns Massaratti.lol Isn't it wonderful:)

I like the Winthorpe analogy.He ends up burying the guys that cheated him.Kind of a look into what will happen to Boston.Also brings back fond memories of the 5 game slaughter in 06,Put Ortiz in the hospital with a heart problem . Sent Manny hiding for 1/3 of the season to parts unknown.Screamin in to the night.

Remember the Harry Potter movie where the cousin,I believe,has a birthday,and he only receives something like 30 presents.He throws a fit......while seeing that movie,Idon't know why,but all I could think of was George Steinbrenner.I often wondered what it was like for him to be a kid.No malintent here,I hope.But,it's the same way in buying BB Players to me......We fail to realize,that we,as the fan support this sport by entering thru the turnstiles and buying into the packages that are offered on TV.........Look at the team salaries AROD gets more money than the whole of the Marlins.....Baseball needs a Salary Cap and pronto

Just a quick thing. It has been well known that Sabathia prefers the West Coast, and isn't particularly fond of the idea of a really big city. I don't think CC's case is much of a commentary on the state of the Yankees at all. There just aren't any other East Coast teams in the bidding. And even if Sabathia doesn't want to play for the Yankees, that's just one guy. And one, by the way, that seems to have priorities contradictory to those of most players. Attempting to turn Sabathia's hesitation into a bigger problem for the Yankees is a rather large extrapolation.

Ross you're an idiot. The US is still where most everyone in this World would want to live and if you live here, you should thank God every day of your life.

The reality is Yankee fans are clinging to the past. They know the lay of the land has changed. George is gone, his son's???? Hope there is no sibling rival there, (HA!). It is true that NONE of the so called young players has panned out, even remotely. Hughes, Kennedy, Duncan, Cano, Melky, Igawa. All the hype added up to one big zip.

A-Rod did show some considerable consistence by, - 1. Still not winning the big one, 2. Alienating his team mates, & 3. Making sure that everything really is all about him. Damon, and Jeter are older along Mariano. Matzui is not a day to day player. Posada is never going to really catch or throw like Posada use to. The team is still old and not getting younger. They must obtain at least 2 starters just to be taken serious not to mention a second baseman and centerfielder. And they have lost significant MLB experience to Free Agency. Did I mention they have literally dumped billions of dollars in this millennium just to come up short.

Who's better? Who knows, but things are trending just as Mr. Mazz put forth. I do love the way every one slaps and kicks him as if they could actually produce, and maintain themselves as a writer for more then 3-4 days too.

Lastly, to all the individuals who were racially, ethnically and social offended by the harmless, non offensive comments put forth in the article. I sincerely urge you to reflect. Understand that your conviction is, in a word, neurotic. I know you think it was offensive but the real offense is the disservice you do to yourself. Crying foul only perpetuates the perception you have of yourself, an individual who once again has been victimized. Your comments only serve to draw attention to you in particular and your insecurities, not the innocuous actions of others. This is not a position of strength.
Get out some. Smell the air. Lighten up, and learn to enjoy the exchange of human opinion. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

Family succession in the ownership of a business is at best, I think, a questionable way of doing things. How exactly are the Steinbrenner brothers qualified to own and run the Yankees? If I were a Yankee fan, that's what would worry me the most.

Looking back, it's now seems clear to me that the Red Sox organization was a bit of a rudderless ship under the post-Tom Yawkey succession from 1976 until new ownership came in and took over in 2002. I know some people don't care for the current Sox owners, but their arrival and the end of the Yawkey era was a huge turning point.

I think I've got it! The pro Mazz guys are Globers, and the anti-Mazz guys are POd Heralders dropping by to eavesdrop on their old buddy's insights! Did I get it? Did I get it?

plain and simple--mazzzarotti is a DONKEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Isn't it great that you Red Sox fans have nothing to talk about except the Yankees? I love it. When the Yankees become irrelevant to you then you'll know you're rooting for dominant team. Sadly for you, that's no where in site.

Boston is the best team. They carry themselves well on and off the field and have a lot of homegrown talent. Manny wanted to leave and we sent him, A-rod though --- Yankees had no clue what they were doing.

Bosox are the Manchester uniteds & Barcelonas of Baseball. Yankees - hmm Chelski (Chelsea) hehehe

Once again, I completely recognize the bitterness from the Yankee fans on this blog. We as Sox fans were ten times more bitter throughout the nineties and I am sure our fathers and grandfathers were filled with some bitterness in the old days. For Joey from the Bronx on this blog to say the 08 Sox were failures because they lost the Rays in the seventh game of the ALCS is ridiculous. The Red Sox have a good year, not a great year. Granted the Yankees had a great, healthy run in the mid to late 90s. The Red Sox of today probably won't exactly duplicate that success, but as far as supremacy today, the Red Sox are it. You can only compare to the present not the past. Also keep in mind, the best may have been yet to come:
Pedroia: 25
Youkilis: 29
Papelbon: 27
Beckett: 28
Dice K: 28
Lester: 24
Ellsbury: 24
Masterson: 23
Delcarmen: 26
Buccholz: 24
Bowden: 22

tony maserati...another "schill" employed by the red sox(see peter gammons,shaun mc adam).so why didnt brian giles or jake peavy want to come to boston? keep up the good "work" tony, maybe someday youll go to the (red sox) hall of fame.

In response to Remdawgy, your name alone makes you seem like a pink hat fan. I think the Yankees have been terribly run as an organization for the past 5-8 years. Its very clear that George Steinbrenner was incapable of managing a business objectively, and to his credit, that has been Epstein‘s greatest asset. With regards to management styles, the Yankees has definitely shifted, with Cashman having more sway in baseball operations than at any time in recent memory, similar to what Michaels had in the nineties when the great Yankee teams of 96-00 were engineered. He has indicated through his ideology and his actions that he wants to go younger and lighten the burden of long contracts on his books, EXCEPT when he can land a younger pitcher who seems to be an ace who can eat innings.
My larger criticism of Massarotti in this piece is the idea that the Yankees are going to act in a manner that is reactionary. The Yankees have set the market for free agency for decades, not because of a fear for any team but because of the enormous marketability of the Yankees and the implications that has on the budget. Admittedly, there are a number of issues that kept the Yankees home in October, but there must be some soul searching in the Sox front office as well right now; after Ramirez left, Ortiz was useless. I see a glaring hole in the middle of your lineup, and Ortiz’s pitch selection is not strong enough to pull your entire team without a stud to shield him (and this is why the Sox were knocked out of the playoffs). So yes, the Yankees have issues, but so do the Red Sox. So just as the Yankees have decided that pitching was their major short-coming last year, the Red Sox must address the vacuum in their lineup if they intend on winning anything this year, and they would be sage to invest some money into a free agent like Texiera, not because the Yankees are interested, but because it would be good for their team. Finally, the fact that the Sox, even in winning the World Series twice in recent memory, have not won a divisional crown in the past decade underscores that they have been far from a dominating team. Neither team won anything last year, no division or World Series, so lets not talk like one did and the other is in panic mode.