Tom Verducci, Sports Illustrated - MLB

Let's be honest in this day and age in Major League Baseball there is the pre season there's the regular season. There's the post season. And then there's -- hot stove season which takes you right back to the pre season and we are smack dab in the middle of the hot stove season joining us on the line as he has on many occasions in the past. From Sports Illustrated and SI dot com is their -- baseball writer numbered UTA Tom -- Michael how aria. I don't -- Top dog leg at the top yeah.

Yeah does that seem like there is no -- and -- made it day aircrew between christmas and new year's baseball kind of shut down.

Let me ask you a question about the Alex Rodriguez return to the New York Yankees. Could a cynic and all right me could cynics say he rushed back to get a deal and his name on a piece of paper. He says he knows that worries about what names are in the Mitchell report that's coming out

sure yes that I can find all sorts of conspiracies around -- baseball for good rated. I mean it doesn't take a wild imagination because of faith that now there were hundreds of players who use steroids -- that -- and probably for the day you know that's not steroids is based DH or something -- that point here though. You know we all have the right to be special I will argued that I have not heard anything as it relates to Alex Rodriguez especially. In the Mitchell report and I think right now. And I would suspect we would have heard something because the player who are going to be in that report have been notified by -- People that hey here's your opportunity. For you to present -- case to rebut the evidence that we have you know obviously that -- up public but those people -- up. About the fact that it will -- could be mentioned and and that report and I have not heard one word about Alex Rodriguez being part of that. Better question all of us should be suspicious that the academic anybody -- throwing anybody ever bought Airbus this is -- to -- it now we've -- is suspect those kind of things.

You know Tom the only thing about -- that makes me suspicious. Is -- then on his return to New York it all seems so convenient or polished for me what really happened there.

Well I think what happens lies deep down Alex did want to BA Yankees and his agent Scott Boras did want him to go out there. And played the role of the greatest free agent era ever in an era where there's more money than ever floating around Major League Baseball I think. You know Scott -- for these kind of deal I think he wanted it ground breaking and innovative deal I just the expensive one but I had they have one. And I thought all -- take about. And opt out put a lot of market for that reason -- You know but -- by the court but these I think he grew comfortable you are an especially with -- and they can't putting down -- NY and now I'm not sure he was totally -- board would opting out during game four the World Series from what I heard you actually upset about that. And it -- and he might have believed that the Yankees would have gave them their position that he's created they are not going to pursue have a -- that became apparent based thank. I couldn't comment that they were holding that position let that guy like that it was second air you know this is starting get away from may -- David guys I'd give him credit for that too because go back seven years ago he wanted to get back. And very similar thing happened -- Scotland and there that he'll blow up the Mets walked away at the caddie here we don't want point or want that arrangement and our club out. And Alex. The money Texas. And we all know -- that that aren't at Texas ranger but about seven years later he's merit in the second child on the way does have roots with this team of the city of New York. And -- that kind is that -- effect -- blew up with my agent but let me see what I can do to make sure -- becoming yank it stays at. And I give him credit for that because a lot we've criticized that the chase the money but. That was the case I think he above -- got a place where he wanted to play and it got a contract with the guys know we have to apologize for -- contract and -- they were trading week. He came crawling back and pat and but. Ethnic rebel contract that he got a credit for them.

Tom I remember you wrote a very insightful story in Sports Illustrated last year. He really explore the relationship between what actions explored a but it really got the relationship between Joe -- an A-Rod. And how I'm wondering what that relationship is like today because when when he wasn't back with the Yankees there was speculation or maybe you got the Dodgers put toward what's -- relationship like.

I get a lot better than I was I think I'd I'd say that Ichiro all the Yankees. And Alex I think -- the best thing he did was -- showed up at spring training this year. Not pretend that. You know certain things -- the Yankee world network throws such as the fact that he really has not back close with Derek Jeter Andy had been attending for three years that that was indeed paid an activity that -- that would have closes we used to be. That that has stopped like you guys. I thought that was of great big step route taken it sort of -- that count for his season. Well I think it's more -- themselves more the situation around and that includes the relationship that the manner I think everything got better for that reason. -- I think people around them picked up abide doubt was being I mean -- whereas ever quest this guy's work -- you know. I think he worked as hard as anybody in the game. His dedication both aggregate deep sense -- they're right up there aren't any played against teammates thought that but -- our -- now this year it was more relaxed and comfortable Bjork and and that includes the -- I think less -- that there we go to the doctors yeah I think -- got anywhere at that point. What the deal with the best Dodgers about Serb they would have been the highest bidder they definitely would have been and I and I think that was he. It was a look at. I think all all -- that -- for years he preferred the American league how much of what the reasons are that I think he his preference was to stay the American lakeside that wasn't the Yankees it was going to be thought that the angels at -- that great fit for them.

from Sports Illustrated -- SI dot com is on the line with us the New York Yankees and I've got a quote here from Yankee senior Vice President hank Steinbrenner who said we've got everybody back it's good to have both Georgie. And Mariano back. Mariano Rivera turns 38 next week. Gets an average salary of 15 million a year for three years Jorge Posada gets a four year deal. As a catcher worth 52 point four Alex Rodriguez gets a ten year deal for 275 million dollars that'll take him to the age of 42. Should they wanted to bring every.

well I look at this -- guys they didn't get any bargain here they got the players that they need to keep I believe that they posada Rivera and now. Two important. Part of the game but I have to walk away from those kind of players over contractual issues that should not -- as a Yankee of them case that was again not a four year as a probably going to get to would have figured that. You know prepare three years that the ridiculous the amount of money with other clothes they're making even with a one million dollars and that -- year at age 38 -- lot of value by at all. But the Yankees have to be about value -- that. Kinda just the team next year in that -- got three starting pitchers young starting pitchers used Chamberlain Kennedy. Not Omar really prepare the threat 200 -- next year they're going to be really careful have to be careful about how -- advantage the workload of those guys remember the they've built like seven months I just six months of really they're innings should be about 220 to 30 but got it up physically able to get that they've got a bad back at. At the same time. They have a court nine players took it -- 33 -- older next year that's what you start wondering about either declined and or injury when you look at the older group of of course player though. You know they don't have many players smack in the prime of their career I think after they outfielder based on the beat me at. Certainly not. Suggesting he's on the outside but effective -- you have to agents generally you're gonna happen. The look at how those kind of players hold up physically I look at guys like David about there. Gala that the -- serious problem they've declined about those players they've got back. Or they got to the point it further this year I think that the acute Circuit -- that between attempt at the young pitchers in the old record player a whole lot in the --

Tom the Red Sox are playing games with us right now they haven't announced officially. The re signing of Michael what we know we've come back to Boston -- wondering what the market was four Michael before retirement Boston.

I thought it came like Phillies really stepped up upper -- for -- I. Yet going into the put it to the creative period -- I really did they came -- what Mike Lowell wanted if you want the fourth year of I have to leave Boston. You know I'd take -- mine -- and try to went somewhere else if you really like what you got going out of Boston there you'll settle for a look at those three years but knowing what you have. And he -- when he goes with the organization gamble like you're going to like it more at least they have that it could blow up -- And I think this this this Schilling contract may be the workers speak to what the Red Sox have established that they don't have much of -- winning culture there that players want to be a part of but there's something about them by the neck clubhouse now that is very attractive. He's got the guys who were on the inside you're don't want to leave it and I think that speaks volumes for the organization in the ownership fans that dedication that's gone on in an outside the ballpark their -- that they've got a good thing going had a big effect both of those guys wanted to come back and took below market contract idea that they want to be a part of it -- you -- you don't have to go far back. Too far back to realize there was a time a player wanted to get out of that they felt a little too confining and I think I think they've got a wedding. Cultured gone on to happen again not just about went August I think that these guys to rebel like the way they go about playing baseball it like playing for the better -- it like playing for our ship after real Bible but that act on -- very very attractive destination people who are part of the game or wanna be apart.

Outside of either organization making a blockbuster deal for Johan Santana and no one would blame either of them for doing that on November 20 both of these teams are basically done I mean other than some tweaking a back up catcher -- up fourth outfielder there I mean they're basically done.

Right I think you look at the course of the game that they they are basically not eligible both get and it present that because they are the Yankees. Because they are the Red Sox because that tactic that had to be can't let a guy like battle. Get on the market and not put a package together he's that good and he will force you to reconsider what you're. With their planet but that the twins today. But papering we're taking offer you know the Yankees Red Sox are going to be there I have to be. You know I think the key for the Yankees here is the favorite that trading these young pitchers that -- and I think that they well. It would that there have permit -- Cabrera when they haven't thought about it what Alex was looked like he was going to lead by the -- different with that and I guys 28 turning 29 you know. -- you had his best days ever going to turn it go on that and it stemming that you beside the guy which I think both Boston and NY have to feel confident that it reached source. Do something like that you have to look at a guy and take what really is an established established superstar player in his prime though it will make the Yankees crept back rethink what -- what the planet while I think he's that good I think happened is -- look at them. You know probably it seemed like the Dodgers that they don't pick. Miguel Cabrera may be epithet has well with the we although a lot of teams are going to be after that kind of pitcher but I Rick I think it creates space at -- early in the in the off season -- out of -- and I dimensions -- periphery positions open positions maybe Coca Chris is straight at some point that pretty well that is very unusual.

I'm all over when we're talking about this earlier and a lot to get your take on it. What did you think of -- not being the unanimous AL MVP. And I guess part of that is is to Detroit writers what did you think of them voting for Magglio Ordonez.

Yeah that's a great question and I had. It may have come up a lot more at peace in. In years that -- war and I can play at that that the better thank god that he was not a unanimous pick that there were two people didn't vote from I had read the door the old story -- and I got cut at the first -- it in my mind. It probably was that the -- and that's not to cast any kind of the burden of those writers are what their motivations are but the fact is if you look back -- read history have voting pattern. If there are. Vote that are sort of outside the expected -- armor bit you know expect big guy that wins greater Seattle Lackey third place vote but there. I'd I can can hit 75 to 90% of the time it's going to be -- about where all -- and I picked -- the real problem you know I don't know what to do about it I understand the pressures on upbeat guy who comes back the club about the next season. It -- back there's also -- natural bias. Do cover the game everyday get to those people personally I don't know people want visiting team but for some reason it to me the fire at the showing up. -- the voting in recent years and the past I don't know why that is why maybe it's because the -- think debate or public companies is well advocate the good thing. You have to be accountable here or have no problem with that but agri I think in general it make fans look at writers but that they have looked gone on here. -- these guys all homers and obviously it's not look at -- much ideas he had to try to guys with that. Let's eating for a fan to get that impression I don't know if you've gotten called on this what aspect about -- but I was -- the people outside of the strike a look at this thing are these guys -- a football player.

Maybe people in Detroit I got it. I wonder what what yeah usual from what you heard and I'm from what you've done what's the usual process that guys today. When they're voting for for these awards in other words today. To study the stats than their all they talked -- managers general manager of the players what their what their usual process your experience.

Like it diet most writers really take that. Serious they have been -- with an MVP voter myself busier American league MVP yet but whatever it was obvious I've really did think it was going to be at a but still ought meeting -- Picking those ten guys -- every single that -- that is like and you know third. He's clearly the talked baseball people anyway my feeling is that over the years after the coaches don't know why. About one MVP is I mean it's -- to say that their grip as much better judges of individual talent. That we as writers are but it -- the what he awarded I don't think they get it quite as much that the writers do so.

Over what they look of 40 thing.

Long it's like when you look at how they vote on gold glove awards you know -- reputation or they thought guy on the -- the only thing in American -- maybe -- but nine times -- could play -- you're ready to play well against -- your opinion might -- you know little bit. Mark of the very narrow vision of what they have that what's out there I -- hate stated I don't think. It's currently history at numbers of where these players ranked -- the -- bloggers writers again that much better -- the talent that would draft the better team that I could buy today and get MVP of the a little bit different there are some qualifications here that has been very writer director packets thank god they take it serious that they've put -- a lot of time. I like to ask other writers whether what they're thinking about why they like their -- but. Especially you know this year they the national league the book coming out today. But the very close vote premier power voter I'd like to talk to guys were voted for holiday guys who are -- turn your both sides of the argument so. I think I'll think guys just take out that now after the season is over it till about five minutes but it but it's a lot it.

Final question before we let you go how explosive do you expect the Mitchell report to beat. And how nervous as Major League Baseball about it.

Why is going to be a lot more explosive directly not were originally thought it would be whitewashed with the basically -- get back -- job I in the -- And activate the big break with the -- not about the fact that he was going to cooperate with major league officials not to federal -- you know we know that they are sitting on anywhere from about Barry think that that became just -- about itself Paul a lot of those names are basically about her before is that you know in the arena of performance enhancing drug if battle while I expect is going to cause. I think -- Because you're going to face some big -- that that group -- believe some of them might be retired from the might be active but I do you think you're going to get in one shot you know maybe it doesn't two dozen names that we haven't heard before at best that day and it and the other thing is going to be what happened next. -- all we all are anticipating this report but I have to be some sort of follow up obviously that is it's going to wind up but it would effect. He's going to have to decide -- do about this era at -- you know. I and power a bit static in your report what happens there right -- telling me that players AV CD EF embassy used steroids now what I do about. And I don't pleasure really thought that through what the end game was going to be -- but. That's going to be the next phase of that I think will actually get over that initial shock in our -- well. Question then becomes whether commissioner baseball do about this to really put up behind an amateur what they expected back at some point there will be some fine some suspension that implement the play here about how much are what his burden of -- says.

I'm Todd you know every general manager in baseball sit there now anxiously thinking. Please don't let it be my guy don't let it be my god don't let it be any of my guys actually

no doubt about that Michael has a lot of people are band aid I think the plaza that play pretty much know what's going on because Mitchell's people. That's of people haven't formed eight in the parity is the players themselves -- What we want to talk to use that method that -- obviously that. You know what the lottery but felt pain like that dot the is the I think they have an idea that that would come about the -- but from what I've heard that general managers team president they don't know that's going to be -- a lot -- you know. I think he talked about just that it got recently so long term deal. A lot of people are keep the bigger crowds that they're actually getting what they paid.

Or Tom it was a real pleasure talking some hot -- baseball would you thank you so much for taking the time. Our particular take -- bombardier chief from Sports Illustrated in SI dot com joining us. Quick break -- final what's in store for the big show coming up next Sports Radio WE