At the time, they were coming off a disappointing loss to the Florida Marlins in the Fall Classic and needed a public relations boost. Trading for one of the top young arms in the game – who was winning despite playing for a weak team in limbo – was mostly lauded and although the Yankees had to give up a few good young players, they appeared to have gotten the best of the deal.

Going north of the border were first baseman Nick Johnson, outfielder Juan Rivera and lefty reliever Randy Choate. Johnson was the big name in the trade, but was expendable with Jason Giambi in the fold.

A hot first half resulted in Vazquez being named to the American League All-Star team, but he faltered as the season wore on. Most Bomber fans will not recall his 14 wins, but rather an abysmal early relief appearance in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series to cap off a monumental collapse to the Boston Red Sox, who went on to break the Curse of the Bambino and win it all that year.

Although he did not know it at the time, Vazquez’s days in the Bronx were numbered. By the time January rolled around, he found himself on the move again, this time to Arizona as part of the Randy Johnson deal. He then went on to pitch for the White Sox (2006-08) and Braves (2009).

Last summer, Vazquez finished fourth in the Cy Young Award voting after going 15-10 with a 2.87 ERA in Atlanta. He pitched over 219 innings and finished second in the league with 238 strikeouts.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman felt that the time was right to bring Vazquez back and he certainly will be coming in under much different circumstances. For one, the team is coming off a dominating season and a World Series win. Secondly, there will be a lot less pressure and expectations from him as the number four starter. With CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte ahead of him, Vazquez can be the best back end of the rotation starter in the game and is still only 33 years of age. With Vazquez earning at least 10 wins each year this past decade, he became just the 10th pitcher in major league history to do so. That becomes even more special when you consider that eight of the other nine are enshrined in Cooperstown.

Sent to Atlanta was a package that included three players and cash. Outfielder Melky Cabrera, lefthander Michael Dunn and righthander Arodys Vizcaino were moved with lefthander Boone Logan also coming to New York.

Cabrera was well-liked in the clubhouse and played with spirit but with the earlier offseason acquisition of Curtis Granderson, he was slated to slide over to left field and battle it out with Brett Gardner and even possibly Xavier Nady, who is a free agent that the Yankees have expressed interest in bringing back.

If Vazquez can just do what he needs to and not put any pressure on himself, he will be just fine. An innings eater and strikeout artist is not easy to find these days, especially as a luxury instead of a necessity. And that is what he is on a team like the defending champions.

Lefthander pitcher Michael Dunn, the promising prospect who was in the Yankees bullpen plans was also shipped to Atlanta along with right hand pitching prospect Arodys Vizcain, along with that always other part in a deal, $500,000 of Yankees money that never seems to be an issue

So Yankee fans may be critical of the deal. They lose Cabrera who seemed to come along during their championship season of 2009.  And they regain Vasquez who finished fourth in the NL CY Young Award balloting with a 15-10 record and 2.87 ERA in 2009. The 33-year old came to the Yankees the first time in 2003 and finished with a 10-5 record in 2004 pitching with an ailing sore shoulder.

Not a very good first stint in New York for Vasquez, and General Manager Brian Cashman believes Vasquez is a different pitcher that will help the backend of a Yankees rotation. “The second half of 2004,” commented Cashman in a conference call, “which was poor cannot erase the long success that he’s had in both the American and National League.”

Most of the problems for Vasquez when he previously wore pinstripes came in the second half of that 2004 season.  He does rank second to Livan Hernandez in starts with 327 and innings with 2,163 among active big league pitchers since 2000.  And his 2,001 strikeouts are second to Randy Johnson since the 2000 season.

Cabrera will get the start for the Braves. The Yankees lose a good arm in the outfield and for the moment will find a way to deal without his career highs in doubles, 28 and the 13 home runs he hit in 2009.  The Braves wanted Cabrera and more so, the youngster Vizcaino in the deal.

“We had to have him in the deal,” said Braves GM Frank Wren about Vizcaino, the 19-year old who was 2-4 with a 2.13 ERA in Single-A. “He is a special young pitcher,” added Wren who acquired veteran relief pitchers Billy Wagner and Takashi Saito earlier this month.

Cashman continues to pull the strings, though the Yankees appear to have less punch int heir lineup with the departures of Hideki Matsui to the Angels. The future of Johnny Damon is uncertain and it appears the Yankees have no interest in bringing the outfielder back

Be certain that Vasquez is not the last move.  Dunn is gone, so is pitcher Phil Coke who went to Arizona in the three team trade that brought outfielder Curtis Granderson to the Bronx.  Where will Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain be before the winter is over?

That is something that Cashman may still need to address. And something Yankees fans await before the start of the 2010 campaign,

Naturally the assembled baseball media was more interested in getting a perspective of roster moves Cashman was looking at in a short off-season. It is barley three weeks since the Yankees won their 27^th world championship and there are some issues to address before spring training commences down in Tampa Florida in mid February.

“We haven’t game planned yet,” said Cashman dressed in casual attire, not typical for a Red Carpet type of affair. He recently completed organizational structural meetings with team brass and it may be too early as to making major decisions. What to do with the contracts of Johnny Damon, World Series MVP Hideki Matsui and pitcher Andy Pettitte?

And do the Yankees go after some of the high powered free agents that ate available, such as pitcher John Lackey, or trade for an outfielder, or acquire the highly sought Matt Holliday off the free agent market? “We’re going through everything that transpired in the meetings,” said Cashman. “Once I get some firm numbers, I can go ahead and start putting together some ideas,” he said.

Those ideas become interesting, because the Yankees seem to be solid at every position, with the exception of course in the outfield when it comes to the futures of Damon and Matsui. Then there is the obstacle of finding a viable fourth starter as Chien-Ming Wang  continues to rehab from right shoulder surgery.

“I had a couple of agents call me,” said the GM with a smile. There is reason to smile. Players on the market know coming to New York increases their chances of getting a ring, because the Yankees are willing to spend. But how much will it take after Cashman and company spent about a half billion in payroll, last off- season to get pitchers CC Sabathia, A.J, Burnett and first baseman Mark Teixeira?

Cashman alluded to making the right decisions when it came to the financial aspect of getting the top three, players that no doubt were a vital contribution to the Yankees success. “I am real pleased at the financial aspect of last winter,” he said. “It puts us in a much better position than before.”

So the Yankees will shed more salary without Matsui, leaving them the ability to re-sign Damon Their six years of futility to get back on top was done with their core of veterans, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and of course, Pettitte, who became the all-time post season pitcher with most wins after the game 6 clincher against the Phillies.

There was also the mix of players that came together, with some new and returning players that stayed healthy.  To that Cashman said, “Truthfully we won with older guys and stayed healthy.” In particular he mentioned the healthy year that came from Posada and Matsui..

“With the exception of Wang and Nady (Xavier) that’s why we are here today,” he said about the Yankees overall staying free of injuries and getting the contributions they needed.  Nady is one of the options the Yankees have for the outfield, if indeed they decide to tender him a new contract.

So getting younger and reducing payroll also can enable the Yankees to obtain another high caliber type of player off the free agent market. In particular Cashman will take a look at outfield prospect Austin Jackson, and maybe take someone out of the bullpen and make the conversion to starter.

“Do we promote Austin Jackson and way do we do at DH,” said Cashman who was anxious to see the 80 minute DVD that captures the Yankees run to another championship and their post season success.  “Do we get younger, that remains to be seen,” he concluded.

And as Cashman and Girardi posed in front of their new World Series trophy they know the task is ahead to defend the title and get number 28.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

Yes the Yankees deserve the right to cherish and enjoy their nine year futility to get there again, the right to call them world champions of baseball, number 27 the most for any professional sports franchise. But in baseball, as we all know, it is getting harder to build a dynasty and win consecutive championships.

As they received their Keys to the City of New York on the steps of City Hall Friday, the owner Hal Steinbrenner and manager Joe Girardi made their commitment to the fans that they will be in the same place next year Easier to say than done, and they are well aware that the economics of baseball will keep them competitive, but for how long?

Matsui, the World Series MVP has been regulated to a designated hotter role playing with two wobbly knees that presents an issue.  Damon, who had a season for the ages in the Bronx gets a year older   The issue is will the Yankees be willing to give multi million dollar contracts to a team that looks to get younger and not older?

Matsui and Damon become the speculation as a short off-season begins. Spring training convenes down in Tampa Florida in about 94 days.  Sandwiched in between are Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and pitcher Andy Pettitte.  Now with five World Series rings they are the core of four so often discussed and associated with New York Yankees championship history.

Pettitte showed he is valuable as a postseason pitcher, now the all-time leader with 18 wins pitching the clinching games against the Twins in the ALDS, Angels in the ALCS and getting the win in the big one Wednesday over the defending champion Phillies. He becomes another project for Cashman and company. If not the Yankees, with all of their money will find and purchase another starter to work after CC Sabathia and A.J, Burnett.

There is no telling how much longer age will catch up to that core.  Jeter still shows range at shortstop and always has quality at bats as the catalyst leadoff man.  Posada overcame his injury plagued season of 2008, and there was already talk that he could be feeling the pain of a 162 game season and the long postseason.

Does Posada fit in the DH role, assuming Matsui is not re-signed? First base is not an option with Mark Teixiera, one of the half billion dollar acquisitions that Cashman purchased secured there for the long run. Rivera once again put a staple on being the best postseason pitcher of all-time.

Afterwards Rivera revealed he had painful ribs, probably because Girardi had to call on him twice for six-out saves.   “I can go another five years,” said Rivera in the victorious and wild celebration, in that Yankees clubhouse early Thursday morning. Truthfully, how much longer can Rivera be, this dominating at 40 years of age?

As for Pettitte, he deserves the chance to return, that is if Cashman and company make the offer. They took a risk after the disappointing end of 2008 and Pettitte delivered with his one-year deal that included incentives. If Pettitte decides that the fifth ring is enough and returns home to Houston, the Yankees go shopping and become the lead runners to acquire free agent John Lackey of the Angels.

In the equation, again is Joba Chamerlain.  He is much better coming out of the pen and if the Yankees play their cards right he could be groomed to be the successor for Rivera as the closer. And Phillip Hughes becomes the other option to start again, in the event Pettitte does not return, or becomes the set up man for Rivera as the Yankees begin their title defense and try and get number 28.

So the process begins now for Cashman and company in the Bronx. Matsui deserves that chance to be a part of possibly building another Yankees dynasty, as does Damon but for how much and how long?

The Yankees are World Champions again and anything less to them is a failure.  They have to look at getting younger but why break up the nucleus of this 2009 team that may have been as good as the championship 1998 team that won 114 games?

Even with the Yankees it comes down to baseball economics.

Latino pride a part of Yankees world title and celebration: There they were in the victorious New York Yankees clubhouse, in the early hours of Thursday morning, and now world champions for the first time.  A contingent of young Major League Baseball players of Latino decent, also celebrating their heritage with teammates down the Canyon of Heroes the next day.

“It was something special and a moment I will never forget,” said Ramiro Pena the 22-year old native of Monterrey Mexico. He got the call during the season off and on from Triple A and became a valuable contributor to this championship Yankees team. And though he was not a factor much in the Yankees six game World Series win over the Philadelphia Phillies, Pena is one of the elite few.

Getting the ring and calling yourself a world champion only happens to very few. “Yeah” he said in the champagne soaked clubhouse moments after the Yankees clinched their sports best 27^th championship. “This is so special and for my people too it means so much.”

Extra special also for Pena because he celebrated with his mother and father in the clubhouse with the flag of Mexico draped around his body. He boarded the team buses in the Bronx early Friday morning after a long night of celebrating and then waved to the millions gathered along lower Broadway.

The Key to the City was also presented to Pena, along with all of his Yankees teammates on the steps of City Hall. “So awesome,” he said leaving the Yankees clubhouse Saturday morning for the last time. A desolate clubhouse now as players packed their bags earlier, or had their possessions shipped to their respective homes in what now becomes a very short off season.

Spring training will convene in Tampa Florida in a little less than 96 days. Pena is assured to be there and hopes to be a New York Yankee for the long haul. “I hope that can happen,” he said. “They are great teammates and helped me so much.”  He batted .287 with 17 runs, six doubles and 10 runs batted in and filled in at third, second and short in three separate stints this season.

The veterans, Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada, two of the “core of four” now with five World Series titles were used to the moment of a celebratory clubhouse and the victorious parade. Jose Molina, the catcher for pitcher A.J., Burnett had one ring with the Angels 2002 team   But it never gets old, especially after taking the championship back home after nine years of futility for the core..

So there were those many moments the past few days for Pena, Robinson Cano, Melky Cabrera, Alfredo Aceves, Damaso Marte, Sergio Mitre, Francisco Cervilli and Francisco Guzman to cherish the moments. They all represented a diversity of Latino pride from Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Mexico and the Dominican Republic.   All will now have stories to tell and are of the elite few who will proudly wear a ring that signifies the 27^th World Series championship of the New York Yankees.

Perhaps we don’t understand the significance, those moments they will continue to cherish in the months ahead as they head home to celebrate with other family and friends who could not be with them.   And if this is their only chance at championship fame, which is never a rarity when donning the pinstripes, well they represent the Latino population with plenty of pride and accomplishment.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

There were some questions in early May, before Alex Rodriguez returned to the lineup. After that the Yankees proved they were destined to get back to the World Series. They were the best team in baseball from then on, and now four more wins await them this time, before they can be called the best against the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies

And just like the ALCS battle with the Angels, the Yankees know their destiny to get championship number 27 won’t be easy. They don’t know much about the Phillies with the exception of the three games they played against them in June when the Phils came to the Bronx and took two of three games.

And so the mission for Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and the Steinbrenner owned Yankees is almost complete. It was Cashman, last October, after seeing his team fail to make the postseason making a statement. “We are not satisfied and won’t be,” he said, “unless we are in the World Series.”

So they spent money again to make it correct. They had to with a spanking new billion dollar ballpark. And the hope is it will all culminate in the next week with another World Series trophy.  But these Phillies provide just as much power as the Yankees do, and play just as well at their ballpark as the Yankees do in the Bronx.

“Don’t know a thing about them, don’t know much about them,” said the captain Derek Jeter when asked about the Phillies in the new spacious Yankees clubhouse that got another dose of champagne Sunday evening. Jeter is a part of that core of four with Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, and Andy Pettitte who now go to their seventh World Series.

For Rodriquez it is his first time going to the Big Dance. And all of the demons of previous postseasons are history. He could have been ALCS MVP that went to Sabathia, but what is more important is how Rodriquez shut the mouths of critics and finally became a Yankee the past few weeks.

He reached base five times in the ALCS finale, batted .429, hit three home runs, and drove in six against the Angels. After two of the core players embraced after the final out, Posada and the closer Rivera, it was no surprise that Rodriquez was the first Yankee on the field that got hugged by Jeter and the rest of his team.

“I felt really happy and really blessed and all I cared about this year was winning games,” said Rodriquez who had a tense spring training with a steroid controversy and then missing time until May with hip surgery.  But all along the goal was to get where he is now, a World Series with the Yankees.

And for the manager Joe Girardi every thing now has gone to plan. Like his predecessor, Joe Torre, management provided the players and opportunity to get the elusive 27^th championship. The moves made out of the bullpen that may have cost a game three win last week are now in the past.

His mission from the spring was to get where the Yankees are, beginning Wednesday evening in the Bronx. “We’ve had big players do big things,” he said. “That’s why we are going to the World Series.” Sabathia is one of those big players with two wins, one on three days rest against the Angels, Rodriguez the other, and of course Pettitte who got a baseball record 16^th career postseason win getting the clinching win against the Twins also in the ALDS.

Perhaps this will be the last time Pettitte and the core are together for this special moment in late October. Pettitte signed a one-year contract to get there again. Jeter, Posada and Rivera still have some time together.  But for now, the agenda for them and these Yankees are the Phillies, a team that picked up momentum in September and will provide a bigger test than the Angels.

“They outplayed us, that’s’ the bottom line,” said Angels manager Mike Scoscia. His team made errors, and the Yankees like the good team they are will capitalize on that. And the Angels only stole two bases in the six games, so the Yankees had a way of stopping their running game.

With Sabathia pitching Game 1 Wednesday evening, the Yankees quickly have an advantage.  “That’s’ what you play for,” said Rodriguez. “In order to win a World Series you have to get there first.”

Mission accomplished for now. Bring on the Phillies.

e-mail Rich Mancuso:  Ring786@aol.com

That appeared to be the case when Yankees general manager Brian Cashman acquired Nick Swisher and a minor leaguer from the Chicago White Sox last November for back-up infielder Wilson Betemit and a pair of minor leaguers.

The switch-hitting first baseman/outfielder was not promised the job but it seemed that he might be the Bombers best option – at the time. Although he was coming off a less than sub-par season on the South Side of the Windy City (.291, 24, 69), Swisher had a fairly successful tenure in Oakland. His best season came in 2006 when he hit .254 with 35 long balls and 95 runs batted in.

The leading free agent first baseman on the market was Mark Teixeira, who was contemplating offers from Boston, Washington and Baltimore. The Yankees swooped in at the 11^th hour and inked the Maryland native two days before Christmas to an eight-year, $180 million deal.

Relegated to a super-sub role behind not only Teixeira, but also Johnny Damon (left field), Xavier Nady (right field) and Hideki Matsui (designated hitter), the son of former major league catcher Steve Swisher just went about his business the only way he knew how.

He played and produced when called upon and finally got a chance to start when Nady went down for what appears to be the season with an injury. Swisher’s batting average is not where he would like it to be (.238), but he has been a producer with 17 doubles, 14 home runs and 39 RBI.

“I’m having a good year so far,” said Swisher. “[As a team], I don’t think that we have reached our full potential, but it’s still early in the season and we feel good about ourselves.” At press time, the Yankees were 2.5 games behind Boston in the American League East with a 45-43 mark.

Besides playing left and right field, first base and DH, Swisher even threw a scoreless inning during a blowout loss early in the season. He gave up one hit, walked and struck out one apiece.

Swisher had no regrets about being dealt to New York, even after the acquisition of Teixeira. In fact, his feelings are just the opposite. “(It’s) absolutely wonderful,” he said. “It’s a great thing. I’m just honored to be wearing the pinstripes.”

The regal Yankees clubhouse has never been known as a place for a lot of fun and is usually all business. Swisher, known as a free spirit, would seem like an odd match for the ‘Bronx Wall of Silence.’ Has he tried to inject some of his energy into his new teammates?

“I’m not trying to break them down,” he said with a laugh. “I’m just trying to fit in. It’s been great. The team and the fans have really welcomed me into the city of New York.”

If he keeps getting clutch hits and playing good defense, the welcoming committee will continue deep into the summer.

Hughes, specifically, was viewed as an immediate starter for the Yankees.  Making the Opening Day roster in 2007 Hughes made his first start on April 26 against the Toronto Blue Jays.  Hughes lasted just 4.1 innings, giving up 4 runs on 7 hits, absorbing the loss.  Making his second start against the Texas Rangers on May 1 Hughes flashed the brilliance seen by others assessing his talent.  He was throwing a no-hitter until, with one out in the sixth inning; Hughes injured his left hamstring while throwing a 0-2 curveball to Ranger first baseman Mark Teixeira.  Hughes would miss the next three months rehabbing his injured leg.

Hughes returned to the Yankees on August 4, making his next start against the Kansas City Royals.  He went 4.2 innings, earning a no-decision.

2007 also marked the first time Hughes pitched in the post season.  Once again, Hughes took advantage of the spotlight.  In Game 1 of the American League Divisional Series Hughes faced the Cleveland Indians, entering the game in relief of starter Roger Clemens.  Hughes sparked as he shut down the Indians in 3.2 innings of work to earn the victory.  It was the only win the Yankees would produce against the Tribe.

Another bit of trivia, Hughes was the youngest player (21) on the roster and he replaced the oldest player (45) in Clemens who left the game with a hamstring injury of his own.

During the winter Hughes was sought after by many teams, with the most notable being the Twins.  The Twins as a small market club needed to unload their premier pitcher, Santana, because they knew he was going to fetch a huge contract that the Twins could ill afford to meet.  The Yankees contacted the Twins about Santana, but they wanted Hughes and center fielder Melky Cabrera in return.  The Yankees ultimately said NO!

Hughes and Cabrera stayed and Santana signed with the New York Mets.

All-in-all, things were looking up for the young righty.  Hughes and Kennedy both made the starting rotation to start the 2008 season.  Hughes, who wore the number 65 in 2007, switched his number to 34 for the 2008 campaign.  It was the number he wore in high school and at the 2006 All-Star Futures Game.

Coming out of Spring Training everything appeared to be on track for Hughes.  He did well in his first start of the season where he went 6.0 innings against the Toronto Blue Jays on April 3.  Hughes earned a no-decision, as the Yankees nipped the Jays 3-2.  In the game Hughes struck out four, walked one and gave up two earned runs.

After that Hughes season unraveled in a hurry.  In his next 5 starts Hughes’ record dropped to 0-4.  He averaged 3.06 innings of work, and his ERA ballooned to 9.00.  To add to Hughes’ woes he landed on the disabled list on April 30 with a strained oblique and a cracked rib.  On May 2 Hughes visited an optometrist and it was discovered he was nearsighted.  He began wearing glasses on the mound.

After recovering from his injuries Hughes spent the summer in the minors at Scranton/Wilkes-Barrie helping the Yankees Triple-A team win the 2008 International League title.

The Yankees recalled Hughes on September 13 and he made his first start on September 17 against the Chicago White Sox.  Hughes threw 4.0 innings, but showed signs of life again.  He surrendered just one run while striking out 4 and walking two batters to help the Yankees to a 5-1 win.  In his next start Hughes pitched 8.0 innings in Toronto.  His line was very encouraging to the Yankees as he only gave up 2 earned runs on 5 hits, while striking out 6 and walking none.  In that one game Hughes lowered his ERA from 7.96 to 6.62.  It was a tremendous building block for Hughes to carry with him into the off-season, which came early as the Yankees failed to make the playoffs.

Hughes had a marvelous 2009 spring training where in 4 appearances (12.1 innings of work) he only gave up 3 earned runs on 5 hits, and had a terrific ERA of 2.19.  However, when camp broke to start the regular season Hughes returned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

As it has been said many times, “fate is the hunter.”  Fate found Phil Hughes.

No one in their right mind expected the start RHP Chien-Ming Wang has had to start this season.  A two-time 19-game winner, Wang was 8-2 in 2008 before going on the DL after injuring his right foot on June 15, while facing the Houston Astros in an interleague game.  Wang was attempting to score a run when he pulled up lame and was taken out of the game.  It proved to be a season ending injury.

Wang had a pedestrian spring training, but announced himself ready for the start of the season.  Wang was penciled in by manager Joe Girardi as the No. 3 starter behind newly acquired pitchers C.C. Sabathia (Milwaukee Brewers) and A.J. Burnett (Toronto Blue Jays).  In Wang’s first 3 starts he has allowed 23 earned runs on 23 hits in just 6.0 innings of work.  That worked out to an ERA of 34.50.  Wang was pulled from his next start as the team contemplated what it was going to do with him.

“We have some time. We have a day off I think Thursday and we’re going to have to decide what’s best for Chien-Ming Wang and the team,” Girardi said at the time.

What they decided was to put Wang on the disabled list, which opened up the slot for Hughes.

Hughes made the most of the opportunity, and yesterday he was stellar in his start against the Detroit Tigers.   Facing a very formidable lineup Hughes allowed no runs, only 2 hits, while striking out 6 Tigers and walking two.  He also hit a batter.  Hughes mixed his pitches well and kept the Tigers off balance for the most part.  He kept it even, until the Yankees took advantage of an outfield fielding error, and broke the game wide open for an 11-0 win.  The victory snapped a 4-game losing streak.

“It’s a good feeling,” Hughes said to reporters after the game. “I didn’t have one all last year, so to get one in the first start is nice.”

Hughes was just what the Yankees needed.  His performance was the positive, feel good tonic that has been missing from the clubhouse since the Yankees hit the road nearly a week ago.

“That’s the best that I’ve seen him throw,” Joe Girardi said. “It was something we needed. That’s a pretty good hitting lineup and he shut them down.”

Another guy that may be on the hot seat, if Hughes continues to shine, is No. 5 starter Joba Chamberlain.  Chamberlain, who made a splash in 2007 coming out of the bullpen, hasn’t looked as good this season in the starting rotation.

In three starts Chamberlain is 0-0 with a 3.94 ERA.  He has not pitched deep into a game, averaging 5.37 innings per start.  Flashing a near-100 mph fastball in 2007 while coming out of the bullpen Chamberlain has barely reached the mid-90s this year.  He went on the DL in 2008 with a shoulder injury, which was diagnosed as shoulder tendonitis.  He returned to close out the season, but so far this year his performances have been mixed.  Chamberlain has struck out 11, but walked 10.  He is averaging a little over 90 pitches per game.  This is in accordance with the “Joba Rules” imposed upon Chamberlain by the team.  According to Girardi wants Chamberlain limited to 150 innings this year, but at the same time make approximately 30 starts.  Girardi admitted that may necessitate pulling Joba from games after 5 innings.

However, there is no restriction on Hughes, and if he can continue to pitch as he did Tuesday that is going to create some interesting headaches for Girardi.

For one, the bullpen has been a mixed bag of tricks since the season started.  The Yankees have the highest team ERA in baseball and the bullpen has been a large part of that.  Chamberlain has proven he can dish coming out of the ‘pen so that is a great option for Girardi.  RHP Brian Bruney who also went on the DL the same time as Wang had been the one bright spot in the relief corps and once he comes back the Yankees could be looking at a triumvirate much like the Nelson-Stanton-Rivera trio of the 90s.  With both Bruney and Chamberlain in the bullpen with Rivera the Yankees could go a Bruney-Chamberlain-Rivera pairing to shorten the game to six innings.

Secondly, you have to reward effort.  With Wang on the DL for a few more weeks Hughes is going to get the opportunity to show management he belongs in the majors full time.  If he continues to perform like he did against Cleveland sending him back down to the minors would be counterproductive.  It could hurt Hughes psyche as to whether he feels like he’s wanted or not.

The next couple of weeks are going to be very telling for the Yankees and their pitching corps.  If Wang comes back strong and reverts to the pre-injured pitcher he was Girardi is going to have to make some heavy duty decisions (and he won’t be making them alone).  Personally, if Hughes and Wang are pitching at their optimum levels, sending Chamberlain back to the bullpen is the correct move.  He would instantly shore up a leaky group of relievers, and, along with Bruney give them legitimacy.

Decisions, decisions!!  This is why they pay Girardi the big money, because he is the one who is eventually going to have to figure this roadblock out.  It’s a nice problem to have for a while, but ultimately whether or not some personnel like the moves that are going to be made Girardi is going to have to make them for the betterment of the team.

In the meantime, all Phil Hughes can do is take the ball, pitch the best he can, and let the chips fall where they may.

Ever since excerpts from Torre’s new book “The Yankee Years” co-authored by Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated fame hit the media the sports world and the Big Apple in particular has been abuzz talking about the merits or the lack thereof regarding Torre’s exposé.

Joe Torre really spiced up this offseason. (Pete Borriello/NYSD)

The initial reaction to Torre’s book form words was met with general hostility, causing Torre to go on a whirlwind television tour.  He’s appeared on the “the Late Show with David Letterman,” “Larry King Live” and “Live with Regis & Kelly” to name a few to talk about and defend his book.  In every instance Torre told hosts and viewers alike he did not betray clubhouse secrets, and that everything he wrote was already out in the open.  He said all he was doing was chronicling his 12-year association as manager of the New York Yankees.  He admits he was critical of several players, including David Wells, Alex Rodriguez, Kevin Brown and Randy Johnson, but in doing so he said nothing that he felt was betraying a trust.

Torre has stated for the record he doesn’t think he’s burned any bridges with the Yankees, even though he has been critical of principal owner George Steinbrenner, team president Randy Levine and general manager Brian Cashman.  Torre called Steinbrenner a “tyrant,” but felt the Boss would be proud of the way he is described in the book.  He also goes into detail describing Steinbrenner’s failing health, which the Yankees’ organization and the Steinbrenner family has tried to keep as veiled as possible.

Torre believes he won’t have problems with Alex Rodriguez whom he basically describes as a self-absorbed, attention grabbing narcissist who changed the mood of the Yankee clubhouse after his arrival in 2004.  He believes if he and A-Rod meet down the road they’ll greet each other cordially and give each other a hug.

Torre describes other players and incidents as well, but that’s not to say the entire book is a hack piece about the Yankees.  Torre also describes interesting stats and stories in telling about his 12-year history with the most famous franchise in sports.  Even the most critical, diehard, Yankees’ fan will find much of the book exciting to read.

That said, what Torre has said negatively about the players mentioned in his book has now brought media scrutiny toward these players’ former and current teammates; specifically Rodriguez.  A-Rod, because of his larger than life standing in baseball, is a lightning rod for controversy.  With so much being negatively pointed out by Torre Rodriguez’s teammates have had to come to his defense.

Derek Jeter said in reports yesterday, “We’ve been down this road before. Alex is a teammate. I support him. Our whole team is behind him. We all support him.  To be quite honest with you, it’s old hearing the same questions. It’s something that’s been addressed before in the past. Everyone’s moved beyond it. And it doesn’t really need to be addressed again.”  Now does that sound like Jeter and Rodriguez would kiss and hug?  Obviously not, but what it does say is that Jeter is in A-Rod’s corner as a teammate and has no personal issues with him in the clubhouse.  Torre as much said the same thing to CNN’s Larry King last Friday night on his show.

Even Johnny Damon jumped into the fray, defending A-Rod.  “All I know is, A-Rod is such a great teammate,” Damon told reporters last night at the 29^th Annual Thurman Munson Awards in Manhattan.

“A-Rod is just a great guy who works harder than anybody,” Damon added. “Alex is one of the greatest players ever, and I would put my odds on him to win another MVP this year.”

Torre was in New York City on Tuesday and Wednesday doing book signings at various locations in the city.   It has to please him a lot to know he has caused quite a stir in the Yankees’ backyard.  Book sales have been brisk, aided mightily by the huge media splash Torre has gotten over the past week or so.  Fans showing up to see Torre or get their books signed were generally supportive of him and what he did in New York during his 12-year run.  However, if you jump around the media websites or blogs and read the comments not everyone is happy with Mr. Torre and his opinions.

Torre told Letterman he was proud of what he accomplished in his 12 years as manager of the New York Yankees and has no regrets about what is in the book.

“The New York Yankees put me on the map professionally,” Torre said. “You know, I had a career playing, I had a career managing and it wasn’t until I came here that people knew who I was and then the success that I had. There’s no way that I feel that I wanted to write this book in any way to get back at somebody.”

OK, Joe, whatever you say.  Thanks for the memories.  Well, some of them anyway.

Joe Torre now goes on the book tour. (Bill Menzel/NYSD)

No book in recent memory has received as much advanced notice as Joe Torre’s new tell all book, “The Yankee Years,” co-authored by Sport Illustrated’s Tom Verducci, which is getting its official launch in bookstores today.

The book chronicles Torre’s 12-year run as manager of the New York Yankees. The story Torre tells reveals not only things about him personally, but about his opinions of others, as well as what went on behind the closed doors of the Yankees’ clubhouse and board rooms.

Numerous excerpts from the book reveal Torre’s critical views of Yankees principal owner George Steinbrenner, General Manager Brian Cashman, team President Randy Levine, along with former players Alex Rodriguez, David Wells, Kevin Brown, and Carl Pavano. Torre said Steinbrenner was a ‘tyrant,’ and he felt he was abandoned by Cashman in a 2007 meeting in Tampa, Florida when Cashman remained quiet about a possible two-year deal he and Torre discussed the day before the meeting. He also felt Levine had it in for him and tried to get him fired for several seasons after Torre told him to “shut up” during a conference call meeting.

As for the players Torre admitted he and Wells didn’t like each other and that Wells went out of his way to make life miserable for him during their Yankee association. He said Brown had demons and wasn’t a fighter, Rodriguez strained the feeling in the clubhouse after arriving in 2004 by corralling all the attention, and that A-Rod cared more for how he looked in a situation rather than just getting the job done. In describing Carl Pavano’s relationship with teammates Torre said, “The players all hated him. It was no secret.”

Initial reaction to the books has been mixed, although most of the criticism has been negative. Wells came out swinging and said on two sports talk shows in Los Angeles and New York that what Torre did was divulge privileged information that should always stay behind closed doors. He called Torre a “punk” for spilling the beans about what goes on between player and player and players and management.

Another tell all author, former Yankee pitcher Jim Bouton, whose book “Ball Four” told about Mickey Mantle’s night life and other tidbits from the Yankees locker room in the ’60s said there is no sanctity in the clubhouse. He said that books are going to be written, and if someone doesn’t want unkind or negative things written about them don’t be a “jerk.”

After the initial excerpts from Torre’s book were published in print around the country Torre went on ‘Larry King Live’ to defend his exposé. He told King he didn’t think anything he told in his book was out of bounds.

“When I talked about what went on in the clubhouse, I don’t think there was any sensitive material that shouldn’t have been in there. There is nothing in that book that went on in the clubhouse that I would rewrite in any way.”

Torre felt that he didn’t make any enemies, nor did he burn any bridges in New York.

Is Torre serious? How does he think the Steinbrenner family is going to take it when they read Torre’s telling of George Steinbrenner’s failing health or how he felt relieved when he finally knew his time in New York was at an end? How about all the players he criticized? Can you imagine running into some of these guys at an Old Timer’s Day function? Torre told King he didn’t think there would be any animosity between he and A-Rod if they met down the road.

“All I can say, and unless I’m just completely off base, I think there’d be a hug involved,” Torre said at the time. “And I don’t think it would be forced by either one of us. . . . I don’t think there’s anything in this book that’s going to make Alex angry or keep us from being friends.”

Pardon me, but unless I’m completely off base, when you describe someone as having a ’single white female’ syndrome with another player (for those who never saw the movie of the same name, it’s when you act, and dress like someone you envy or worship), you’re a drama queen, changing the atmosphere of a clubhouse and grabbing all the attention I don’t think your relationship with that person is ever going to be on the same level.

Torre does this all under the guise of “honesty.” Well, Joe, there is a time to be honest and there’s a time to be smart. If you were leaning over someone whose leg was just blown off and he asks you, “is it bad,” you’re not going to look at him and say, “yeah Jim, you’re bleeding to death.” What Torre did was violate the trust of many of those he was associated within the Yankee organization.

Torre may have a runaway best seller, as there will be people out there buying the book purely, because they hate the Yankees so much they’ll absorb anything that reflects negatively on the team, and there will be the curious who will buy the book just because they wonder what all the fuss is about. No matter what the reason Torre will sell a lot of books, but there will be a price to pay.

Torre’s legacy in New York is going to take a hit. Good guy Joe is going to come off looking like a vindictive weasel in many corners of the Big Apple. Whether he thinks so or not he has damaged his relationship with the organization that gave him his greatest opportunity for success.

No one who has played for Torre or is playing for Torre right now will look at him and not think ‘is he going to write about me someday?’ No. 6 may be retired in Monument Park someday, but it may not have the name “Joe Torre” etched below it. You might be the most honest man on earth Mr. Torre, but no one is going to give you the time of day if they can’t trust you.

What’s that I smell burning???

After meeting with free agent CC Sabathia twice at the Wynn hotel this past week, general manager Brian Cashman made one last effort by taking the one hour flight from Las Vegas to the lefthander’s home in San Francisco.

And it worked as Sabathia came to an agreement with the Yankees on a seven-year, $160 million dollar contract, bringing the big lefty to New York to be the Yankees ace.

What was supposed to be a slam dunk for the Yankees almost turned into a disaster. After coming on strong with a six-year, $140 million bid on the first weekend of free agency, Sabathia waited to see if a West Coast and possibly a National League team would join the bidding. The former Milwaukee Brewer enjoyed his time in the Senior Circuit and also made it no secret about his desire to play in his native California.

But nothing really materialized, at least not in the Yankees range, but it didn’t mean the Bomber brass was able to land the best pitcher on the market with just money. Cashman needed to convince the 28 year-old that New York was the place to be. Although he looks larger than life, Sabathia seems to be more comfortable in the small town setting, which is why he was interested in returning to the Brewers.

So on Sunday, Cashman reportedly met with Sabathia along with Reggie Jackson, a Yankee advisor and a West Coast player who flourished in New York. And ultimately Cashman had to take the extra step, flying to San Francisco to meet with the Sabathia family. Add to that a seventh year and $20 million more, Sabathia was a Yankee.

The Bombers needed this. Before the Sabathia signing their staff consisted of Chien-Ming Wang, who is coming off an injury, Joba Chamberlain, also coming off injury and unproven as a starter, and Phil Hughes, who the Yankees expected to step up last season, but couldn’t cut it. Also with the Red Sox boasting Josh Beckett and the Rays having Scott Kazmir lead their staff, the Yankees didn’t have someone of that ilk.

So they had to get an ace and Sabathia filled the bill. Last season, the hefty lefty was 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA for the Brewers after the trade with the Cleveland Indians on Jul.7 [He was 6-8 with a 3.83 ERA for the Tribe]. Essentially willing the Brewers into the playoffs, he was the team’s main drive and focus down the stretch.

“All I can say is how great a pitcher he is and we are happy to have him,” said Yankee captain Derek Jeter after a press conference on the World Baseball Classic. “He’s an intimidating factor on the mound.”

And now the Yankees have him. Although it could be argued the Bombers had to overpay Sabathia, he fills their No. 1 hole, much like the Mets did yesterday when they signed K-Rod to a three-year contract.

Of course the Bombers are not done and they have to get another starter and maybe some bullpen help, but as of right now the Yankees can consider this trip to Vegas a successful one, even though it took three tries to win their prize.