So Much Is The Same Because So Much Has Changed

Approximately three months ago, we were all treated to the sight of Alex Rodriguez, red-eyed, sniffling, and lamenting the very fresh Yankee loss to Cleveland in the AL Division Series. The notorious poker player who has never had a poker face, tried to hold back tears as he answered the inevitable 2008 questions with a disheartening (or hopeful, depending on your views on overpaid, limelight-loving athletes who hit like Willie Mays) "I don't know." Presumably unable (or unwilling) to tell us more about his Yankee future at that time, Alex turned away and reporters went to Jorge, Andy, Bobby, Mo. Questions about Yankee futures were again met with "I don't know" or "I need some time to think." Posada, in particular, seemed less-than-optimistic about a new Yankee contract, leading many analysts to predict a National League-shortened career for the scrappy catcher, without the DH role to keep him around. He and Mo had both lobbied for contract extensions during Spring Training, only to be brushed aside by the Brass on a "we'll wait and see" mentality for two cornerstones of their most recent dynasty. Now, the two stalwart Yankees seemed disheartened by both the playoff elimination and their status in the organization . Abreu, too, was unsure of his future, but not for lack of love for the team. He was waiting for a decision by the club on his $16 million option and had expressed, on several occasions, his desire to stay.

With Joe Torre's job uncertain at best, the team looked to be on the precipice of significant turnover, the likes of which they hadn't seen since the Mass Exodus after the 2001 season.

Fast-forward to October 18th. Torre, the beloved Yankee manager who gave us untold moments of glory and tears of joy (as well as countless hours of nose-picking, glowering, and slouching for B-roll footage) turned down a controversial Yankees contract extension, essentially resigning-but-not-resigning. The Yankee Nation mourned (audibly, of course, because the Yankee Nation knows no other way) and analysts (that elusive group) immediately began labeling the Yankees as unstable. An uncomfortable and stressful off-season had, it seemed, only just begun.

Fast-forward (once again) to October 29th, when the omni-present and elfish Ken Rosenthal informed the world that Alex Rodriguez had opted out of his contract. But, oh wait! This announcement came about an inning and a half before the Red Sox won the World Series. Oooh, burn. I'm not sure who it was a burn ON but baseball was collectively and monumentally offended.

The 2007 lineup looked to be a distant memory, with most of the team projected to be gone by 2008 due to free agency or trades to replace FA players. Melky Cabrera, Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, and even Robinson Cano were said to be potential trade bait. Yankee fans braced themselves.

Then, on November 2nd, the Yankees picked up Bobby "line drive" Abreu's 2008 option, solidifying right field (did the option come with a sudden ability to hustle for fly balls?). There was a small, dim, light in all the dark off-season news. A familiar face would be back.

The window for teams to have exclusive negotiating rights with their own free agents was quickly closing. Many analysts had Posada going to the Mets, while Mariano could possibly be a Philly within the month. But hark! Before the clock ticked to midnight and Cinderella's bat melted in a pool of pine tar, Posada agreed to a 4-year, $52.4 mil deal. That's right. With the Yankees. A nation of fans audibly wept in relief. The New York papers lauded Posada as the rock of the team (deservedly) and celebrated his return (does it count as a return if you never went anywhere?).

Strangely, although the baseball world had been burning up with Alex Rodriguez rumors (one even had him as partial owner of the Cubs) and odds (Angels 3:1) since he opted out, there had been nary a word for five or so days before Posada's agreement. We were all about to find out why:

On the morning of November 15th, New Yorkers woke up to a relatively innocuous Mike Lupica column. He was detailing what Alex would have to do to make amends for his opt-out if he wanted to return to the Yankees (as Big Apple whispers said he did). That was at 4am. By 1pm, Mark Feinsand of the Daily News broke the news that Alex and the Yankee Brass had been talking on the Yankees terms and without Scott Boras. He reported on Mike and the Mad Dog that he'd be very surprised if Alex started 2008 with any other team. By 4pm, John Sterling had confirmed the story through his "super secret source that's probably Hank Steinbrenner" and by 8pm, SI.com had word of contract parameters. The rest, as they (who is this they? Is it baseball analysts?) say, is history. History and Alex's New Best Friend Warren Buffett.

Suddenly, the off-season looked to be over. The outfield was locked up. The infield was locked up. Posada and Molina were back behind the plate. The Baby Pitchers were safe. Mariano signed shortly after. The only caveat to a sentimentally-sound 2008 was Andy Pettitte's supposed desire to retire. Torre claimed he was leaning that way. Posada claimed he was leaning that way. All his Yankee buddies vowed to change his mind. Apparently, they did something (voo doo spells? Candy? Threat of the Mitchell Report becoming his career-ending legacy?--Oops! Did I spoil the ending?) because he announced his intent to return in early December. Welcome back, lefty.

Now, the 2008 Yankees look to be locked in for a season in which they will again be contenders. This is the core team that battled back and posted the best record in MLB over the final 100+ games. Barring a Santana deal the roster looks to be set. The winners? The players who managed to squeeze a few extra mil out of the Yankees with some crafty "will they or won't they" footwork. The agents who take a cut of those deals. The Yankees organization who will now have a justification for the massive rise in ticket prices, despite a taking a small loss in player salary and a significant hit to their street cred (although I don't know how much they had to begin with. Hi, Billy Martin). The fans, who got our beloved players back, because, as any Yankee fan can tell you, in New York it's all about sentiment. How do you think Mattingly got the hitting coach job? Surely not because he's a good hitting coach (for the record: he's not). The losers? Well, the fans, really. Even though we were treated to the joy of each player choosing to return after all, the off-season was much more stressful than it needed to be.

Off-season 2007-08: Brought to you by Pepto Bismol.