Caught this New York Post story Tuesday morning about New York Yankees setup man Rafael Soriano and his aversion to cold weather, which makes him just like every other baseball player in the history of the sport.
What caught my eye in this story was this line from Brian Costello: “The Yankees cannot afford for this partnership to fail. Soriano is armed with a three-year deal. He can opt out after each of the first two seasons…”
REALLY??? THIS is the deal the Yankees cannot afford to have go bad???
Ridiculous!
New York has already received more in return for the $36 million they, potentially, have invested in Soriano than they EVER got for the $39 million they wasted on Carl Pavano. By the way, in case you don’t pay attention to the news, the dollar bills the Yankees pay Soriano aren’t worth NEARLY as much as those they handed over several years ago to Pavano.
Moreover, if this Soriano deal has the potential to be a back-breaker for the Yankees, imagine the damage that will be done by the Derek Jeter contract. New York owes Jeter at least $15 million MORE than they owe Soriano, and over the same time frame.
The Yankees only WISH Jeter had opt-out clauses in his deal. Preferably one that kicks in the day after he finally limps past the 3,000-hit mark. At least Soriano is still a quality baseball player, one who is more than capable of performing at an All-Star level. Jeter could not be more done. He can’t hit mediocre fastballs and his range is nonexistent.
The reality, of course, is that NEITHER deal will significantly harm the Yankees baseball operation, at least not from a financial aspect. If Jeter and Soriano never play another inning, the Yankees can write those checks and never miss the money.
The only real issue is having to cater to Jeter’s ego and managing team morale and the temperature of the clubhouse. Only because Jeter is Jeter, the Yankees have to continue to start him at shortstop every day and bat him at the top of the order, neither of which is merited by his current level of play.
If Soriano completely flames out, at least the Yankees can, without the slightest hesitation, do what’s best for the team and toss him out with the next load of trash. No such luck with Jeter.
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