Welcome to the most important week of George Steinbrenner’s 34 years of owning the Yankees.
Even if only Joe Torre’s future was on the line this week in Tampa, Fla., where The Boss has called for a sit-down beginning Tuesday featuring members of the Tampa and New York families, it would be as big as it gets because Torre represents the known, his possible replacement the unknown. In the Yankees’ universe, which isn’t as dysfunctional since GM Brian Cashman gained control, it’s always a better play to go with the known.
Torre’s fate likely will be decided by the time the New York family splits Tampa on Tuesday or Wednesday, and the groundwork about what to do about Alex Rodriguez, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera and Bobby Abreu also will be put in place.
Club president Randy Levine, the highest-ranking member of the New York arm, insisted this week that no decision on Torre has been made. That means Torre’s fate will be decided at a table that will include the Boss, his sons Hank and Hal, Levine and Cashman. Though Felix Lopez, Steinbrenner’s son-in-law, will be in the room, it’s doubtful his opinion will be solicited since his knowledge of baseball and the Yankees could be fit into a syringe.
Hal, 38 and a recluse, has the title of chairman of the board of Yankee Global Enterprises, but 50-year-old Hank’s larger personality may carry more weight with his father. Depending on whom you talk to, Torre is going to Tampa or staying home. He was spotted at Keeneland Racecourse in Kentucky yesterday. COO Lonn Trost and assistant GM Jean Afterman also are expected to be in Florida.
Though the Boss will accept input from his inner circle, he will make the final call on Torre, who has managed the Yankees for the past 12 years, winning four World Series, six AL titles and, before this season, nine consecutive AL East titles. Under Torre, the Yankees never have missed the postseason.
How to read George Steinbrenner’s zipped lips since issuing an edict last weekend that the Yankees had to beat the Indians in the ALDS – they didn’t – for Torre to keep his job is difficult. One theory is that the longer the process goes, the better it will be for Torre. However, Torre hasn’t received a vote of confidence from anybody who will have a say in Tampa.
“[George Steinbrenner] always has picked the manager,” said Cashman, who saved Torre’s job a year ago by going to the canvas with the Boss, who wanted Torre fired after losing to the Tigers. “It’s a process. We will see. You can’t get ahead of the process.”
Because minor-league head Mark Newman, amateur scouting director Damon Oppenheimer (who has impressed Hank Steinbrenner with the drafting of Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain and Ian Kennedy) and others from the organization will be on hand for meetings Wednesday, they aren’t likely to have a say in Torre’s decision.
Even if Torre survives Tuesday’s sit-down, there are issues. How much will the Yankees pay him after he made $7 million this past season? Steinbrenner never liked the $19.2 million, three-year deal Torre negotiated with the Boss’ former son-in-law, Steve Swindal. And for how long would the Yankees want Torre? He wants to manage the club when the new Yankee Stadium opens in 2009, but at what price? And a one-year deal, even with an option, leaves him vulnerable to be fired if the Yankees get off to a slow start again next season.