Yesterday afternoon, we examined the news that the Yanks plan to watch Pedro pitch today. The team could always use another arm, and I said yesterday, it doesn’t hurt to kick the tires.
Ken Davidoff and Steve Zipay have a little bit more info on the Yanks’ interesting the former Met hurler. While Pedro wants a prorated $5-million deal, the team would sign Pedro only to a Minor League contract. Odds are slim that the Yanks’ one-time arch-nemesis — and prodigal son — lands in the Bronx.
In other rumor news that’s making its way across the Yankees’ corner of the Internet, when asked about being a free agent, Jonathan Papelbon, a shrewd businessman, did not rule out the Yanks. Speaking on Sirius XM’s MLB Home Plate channel, he expounded on his thoughts on pitching in pinstripes:
“Oh, of course. I mean, I think if we can’t come to an agreement on terms here in a Red Sox uniform, I mean, I think that’s pretty much the writing on the wall. If they can’t come to terms with you they’re letting you know that, ‘Hey you know what? We can go somewhere else.’ And I think it’s the same way on the other side, ‘Hey if ya’ll can’t come to an agreement with me then I can go somewhere else.’ Not only in the Bronx, but anywhere. I think anywhere is a possibility.You always have to keep that in the back of your mind because you can’t just be one-sided and think that, ‘Oh I’m going to be in a Red Sox uniform my entire career.’ Because nowadays that is very, very rare and hopefully we can because there’s no question I would love to stay in a Boston Red Sox uniform but I have to do what’s best for me and play in an atmosphere where I’m wanted and play on a team where I’m wanted and that’s all I can really say about that, you know?”
For Papelbon, as it is with hundreds of other MLB players, it’s all about the money. For him to say he would never pitch in the Bronx is to give up a prime bargaining chip. I doubt though that Yankee fans would ever have to stomach the sight of Papelbon dancing some dumb jig in his Yankee skivvies.
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