LAS VEGAS – It’s not all that uncommon for one to wake up in the morning here in the capital of excess and phoniness with the feeling that one of those big tractor trailers hauling pigs, septic waste and all the ancillary by-products just drove over one’s legs. It happens all the time. In fact, it’s the main reason why a lot of people purchase plane tickets and spend money on themed hotel rooms* and travel to the edge of the desert.
Yet at the same time it’s not all that uncommon for folks to come to Vegas and contently head down a particular path – maybe lined with primroses, gilly flowers and lilacs – before suddenly and inexplicably changing course.
Hey, Vegas will do that to you. Those sirens have sweet voices and they make those free comps look a lot more valuable than they really are. It’s with that in mind when we consider the developments of the latest CC Sabathia developments.
Though Dodgers’ general manager (and Philly guy) Ned Colletti said that CC said that he wanted to play for LA, and despite the fact that the burly lefty was building his new home in Southern California to be close to his family, those sweet-sounding sirens got to him. CC just couldn’t get those voices out of his head. They taunted him, challenged his manhood even. They told him that everything would be OK. They would pat him on the back and lift him up and dust him off if he fell. They’d whisper sweet lullabies in his ear when he had second doubts about every decision to make. It’s always sunny in Los Angeles, but not the South Bronx.
Still, the song remains the same…
If you can make it there, you’ll make it anywhere…
So last night as the gang congregated at the Baccarat Bar just off the main lobby at The Bellagio last night to pass around information and stories as if they were flakes of confetti, Sabathia and the Yankees brass were somewhere ironing out the details of a seven-year deal worth $160 million.
So much for a tough economy (which is a topic we’ll delve into this week). Nevertheless, the details of the pact will be announced after Sabathia passes a physical.
Never has the phrase, “turn your head and cough” sounded sweeter to New Yorkers.
But as they say, sometimes the tidal wave is caused by the tiniest of ripples, and vice versa (or vise-a versa as Jim Thome and my uncles used to say). This time the waves could be felt down the Delaware River tributaries to Philadelphia where the team’s pitching staff might come into clearer focus.
You see, with Sabathia getting all the money in New York, right-hander Derek Lowe likely will no longer be an option for the Yankees. That means the Phillies could be in good position to sign Lowe up for the next couple of years.
According to a few of the friendly people we spoke to at The Bellagio this week, the Phillies and the Yankees were the two teams working the hardest to woo Lowe. But unlike the Yankees, the Phillies might not have the years or the cash to properly entice Lowe to bring his sinker to cozy CBP. That’s because Lowe is reported to be seeking a five-year deal worth $80 million and the Phillies rarely offer more than three years to pitchers. Sure, they can make an exception here or there, but will they for Derek Lowe? More importantly, if Jamie Moyer and the Phillies can reach a compromise on contract talks(Moyer is asking for two-years and $18 million and the Phillies have offered two- years and $14 million), where does that leave Lowe?
But, if the Phillies are able to get Lowe, don't count on the team also trying to re-sign Moyer. At the same time, if Moyer re-signs, the pursuit of Lowe likely will end, too.
“If we were to get a pitcher of that ilk, we would probably allow one of our kids battle it out for the last spot on the rotation,” Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. told us kids from Comcast SportsNet last night. “But at this point we're not sure how big that possibility is. We’re trying to do a variety of things.”
But most of those involve hanging out in a hospitality suite on the 31st floor of The Bellagio where Ruben and his Vegas crew gather around a dry erase board (always turned away from prying eyes when folks like us stop by for a visit) with a fresh supply of fruit, diet cokes and Odwalla Bars.
Meanwhile, here come the rumors
Apparently the Indians have agreed to a two-year deal with closer Kerry Wood. OK, I’ll say it… the Indians have Wood. … oh yeah, that three-way deal with Jake Peavy, Mark DeRosa, the Padres, the Cubs, the Orioles, the Phillies and maybe even the Council of Cardinals at the Vatican – still very much alive. The Phillies are working hard at it, which means they will likely exhaust the supply of Odwalla Bars by noon today.
On the docket
Today is the annual manager’s luncheon where folks like us media types have a couple of gin-rickies, maybe a salad, sandwich and a broth soup and talk ball. Should be a good time.
Speaking of a good time, Charlie Manuel will hold court this afternoon. He was supposed to do it yesterday, but spent the day in his room recovering from the flu.
More updates coming… check back.
----- * How about this for a new Vegas hotel theme... Vegas! Why not? Isn’t the entire city a parody of itself anyway?