Kuzul

There is not much to report on today thanks to the off-day yesterday. Obviously the Yankees start a three game series against the Orioles tonight. A.J. Burnett starts tonight, CC Sabathia goes tomorrow and Sunday is the triumphant return of Andy Pettitte. Also, don’t miss our pieces on Derek Jeter, everybody is overreacting about a play that spurred Jess to write an article on instant replay.

Here are some notes—

• The Yankees have announced details for the George Steinbrenner monument ceremony scheduled to take place September 20th.
• Over the last two days we’ve heard that the Marlins are interested in Tony Pena for their manager and Double-A Trenton Thunder manager Tony Franklin is looking for a major league job. Now we get a rumor that the Blue Jays may be interested in third base coach Rob Thompson to be their manager.
• Speaking of the Thunder, they continue their playoff series tonight. They are tied at one game apiece with Altoona in a best of five series for the Eastern League title. Adam Warren starts tonight, then Manny Banuelos and Andrew Brackman are scheduled to go in games four and five if necessary.
• Adam Jones, the Orioles outfielder, is encouraging O’s fans to make it to the park this weekend. They are hoping to play spoiler in the AL East.
• Finally, Joel Sherman thinks the Yankees are going to go with Sabathia and Pettitte and then tag-team everybody else in the playoffs, keeping a short leash on starters and relying on the bullpen. I bet he’s right.

No injury updates for now on Brett Gardner or Nick Swisher. It’s possible one or both could be playing tonight, but somehow I doubt it. Gardner is supposed to be closer to rejoining the lineup. I’ll have an update on that later in the day so be sure to check back for that.

Related Stories

• September 13, 2010 — Mapping the Pitching Staff for Remaining Games and 1st Round
• September 7, 2010 — Yankees Notes: Sabathia, Pettitte, Kearns, Swisher, Curtis
• August 30, 2010 — Yankees: Worst Rotation, Best Bullpen Last 30 Days
• August 29, 2010 — Yankees Notes: Recap, Nova, and Injury Updates

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

Via MLB.com:

“Having previous big league managing experience will be a plus for those under consideration to manage the Marlins in 2011.

“Meeting the criteria is Tony Pena.

“Currently the Yankees bench coach, Pena spent parts of four seasons (2002-05) managing the Royals. In 2003, he was named the American League Manager of the Year.

“Internally, the Marlins see Pena as a serious candidate.

[snip]

“Most likely, the team will explore several possibilities, including Bobby Valentine. With Pena expected to be in the mix, the search could last throughout the playoffs.

“The Yankees are primed to be in the postseason. So if the Marlins plan on interviewing Pena, they may have to wait until an opportune time arises in October or perhaps early November.”

When you win, other teams begin to pick off your coaches/personnel.

The 2009 Yankees won the World Series, and they have a decent shot at repeating in 2010.

Kevin Towers, in the Yankees’ front office, may be the first guy picked off if he gets the Diamondbacks’ GM job.

Tony Pena could follow him; after that there could be more—it’s one of the drawbacks of success.

Pena, of course, managed the Royals from 2002-2005. He was the Manager of the Year in 2003 before his team lost 104 games in 2004.

Here are the Royals’ standings under his leadership:

(H/T to Hardball Talk).

Related Stories

• March 14, 2010 — Montero Follow-Up

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