The Curse WILL continue.... http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/6876465 Nov. 29, 2003 SportsLine.com staff and wire reports Now that their hated rivals from Boston have traded for Curt Schilling, it might not be long before the Yankees strike back in a big way. Free agent Gary Sheffield will be in pinstripes soon, Newsday and the Record (Bergen County, N.J.) reported in their Saturday editions. According to the newspapers, the Yankees have reached an agreement in principle with the seven-time All-Star rightfielder. Sources told Newsday the three-year agreement will pay Sheffieled between $38 million and $40 million and features a team option for a fourth year. Sheffield, who turned 35 two weeks ago, hit .330 with 39 homers, 132 RBI and 18 stolen bases this season with the Braves. The Yankees are also hoping to re-sign free agent Andy Pettitte. Free agent right-hander Bartolo Colon and the Expos' Javier Vazquez are on their wish list as well.
yawn... what a boring off-season unless your a Boston or Yankee fan. Just get the season started so the next Florida or Angel team can come out of no where
That is hardly earth-shattering news. Maybe a month ago, it would have been, but it is hardly a surprise. I would be surprised if the Empire doesn't get Sheffield AND Colon.
Yeah, but the Red Sox didn't pack their teams with stars and spend like 40 mil more than the next team. If the Yankees win it all, I won't be impressed. But if they lose, that means they REALLY suck.
Yeah, but the Red Sox didn't pack their teams with stars and spend like 40 mil more than the next team. If the Yankees win it all, I won't be impressed. But if they lose, that means they REALLY suck. Boston's opening day salaries the last two years were about $110M each year. NY's were $125M and $110M. So NY spent $15M more (opening day) to win 2 division titles and gain 1 world series appearance. Boston, meanwhile, spent more than the other 28 teams to achieve one wild card berth and one playoff series win. Boston plays the same money game the Yankees do - they just aren't good at it.
There is only 1 year in major league history where that is the case(last year). ANY baseball team can be beaten on ANY given day. They may "suck" if they lose, but they still got further than 26 other teams including Boston.
Give Theo a chance, Major. There were many blunders made under the previous GM, Dan Duquette, that skews things a little bit, including overpaying my namesake.
This is really incomplete analysis. The Yankees typically pick up players during the season which adds significantly to their payroll. You should be looking at the end of the year payroll or at least the average payroll over the course of the season, as this is more reflective of what is spent. Some estimates had the Yankees at $180mm at the end of the season. There is a very big difference between the two teams.
Well, it looks like Sheffield's imminent signing has been grossly exaggerated by all of people, the New York media, lol... Contrary to published reports, the Yankees are not close to signing free agent slugger Gary Sheffield. Despite the urge to respond to Boston's acquisition of Curt Schilling, the Yankees are holding firm in their negotiations with Sheffield, ESPN.com's Buster Olney has learned. The Yankees are offering the free-agent outfielder a three-year deal with an annual salary of $11 million, the amount Sheffield earned with the Braves in 2003. Published reports indicated the potential deal includes a fourth-year option and is worth between $38 million and $40 million. "Sheffield is still talking in the clouds," a source told ESPN.com, adding that Sheffield talked as recently as last week about a desire to re-sign with Atlanta. Newsday reported Saturday that the Yankees and Sheffield had all but agreed to a deal. The New York Daily News reported that the signing was a formality, but the two sides would wait until after Dec. 7, the last day the Braves can offer Sheffield arbitration. If they do, and Sheffield turns them down, then Atlanta cannoy negotiate with him any longer. That would leave the Yankees as the only serious contender to sign Sheffield, even though they would still have to send a draft pick to the Braves. Sheffield, 35, has played for the Brewers, Padres, Marlins, Dodgers and Braves during a productive, albeit sometimes stormy career. With the Braves last season, he hit .330 with 39 homers, 132 RBI and 18 stolen bases. Dwight Gooden, Sheffield's uncle and a former Yankees pitcher, helped convince the All-Star to seriously consider New York. The Yankees are looking for a corner outfielder to go with regulars Hideki Matsui and Bernie Williams. Last season, after they traded Raul Mondesi, the Yankees used Karim Garcia, Juan Rivera, David Dellucci and Ruben Sierra in right field, with mixed results. Acquiring Schilling was a high priority for the Yankees. However, the team reportedly could not match the group of minor leaguers that the Red Sox eventually gave up for right-hander. The Yankees also have their sights set on keeping free agent Andy Pettitte in the Bronx. Free agents Bartolo Colon and Montreal's Javier Vazquez are also on their wish list. I will say that I still expect Sheffield with the Yankees, but if he re-signs with Atlanta, man oh man, will that be hilarious!
It was actually just over $150 million, the first time EVER they have spent anywhere near the $40 million mentioned earlier. The biggest discrepancy previous to last year was exactly within the range major stated.
Sometimes it is good to know the facts before trying to contradict people. RocketsPimp and Major, let this be your lesson. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/news/2003/07/21/luxury_tax_ap/ Your argument is destroyed. GAME OVER
But as I noted, the conventional method is severely flawed, as it does not account for moves made during the season. The Yankees have a history of bulking up their payroll during the year. This is why it is important to use the average payroll, which is used in the luxury tax calculation. The bottom line is that the Yankees payroll was a whopping $180mm, while the Red Sox was only $104mm. Big difference.
Good as gone? Gary Sheffield has decided to accept the Yankees' three-year contract offer for between $36 million and $38 million, sources close to the free-agent outfielder have told ESPN's Peter Gammons. Sheffield did not finalize details of the deal with George Steinbrenner on Saturday; the Yankees principal owner was at a Tampa, Fla., hospital with longtime Yankee assistant Billy Connors, who suffered a heart attack Friday and underwent quadruple bypass surgery. But Sheffield has told friends the deal is done, Gammons reports. It was initially reported that Sheffield wanted more money from the Yankees and that he was even considering re-signing with the Braves. The Yankees moved quickly in the wake of Curt Schilling agreeing to accept a trade to Boston. They're also active in the market on other fronts: The Yankees are close to a two year, $7 million deal with reliever Tom Gordon that is expected to be announced soon, a source told Gammons. The club also is interested in free-agent outfielder Kenny Lofton, although sources have told Gammons that no formal offer has been made to Lofton's agent, Casey Close. Yankees officials declined comment on the Sheffield deal, but weekend discussions between the club and agent Rick Thurman were described to ESPN as "intense." Meanwhile, it was believed that Gordon would wait until free-agent reliever Keith Foulke decides between the Athletics and Red Sox to make a decision, since Gordon and Eddie Guardado are Boston's backup plan. Sheffield, 35, has played for the Brewers, Padres, Marlins, Dodgers and Braves during a productive, albeit sometimes stormy career. With the Braves last season, he hit .330 with 39 homers, 132 RBI and 18 stolen bases. Dwight Gooden, Sheffield's uncle and a former Yankees pitcher, helped convince the All-Star to seriously consider the Yankees. The Yankees are looking for a corner outfielder to go with regulars Hideki Matsui and Bernie Williams. Last season, after they traded Raul Mondesi to Arizona, the Yankees used Karim Garcia, Juan Rivera, David Dellucci and Ruben Sierra in right field, with mixed results.
