An MLB executive tells 1050 ESPN New York's Andrew Marchand that the top pitching free agent on the market, John Lackey, could be "lucky" to get A.J. Burnett money ($82.5 million for five years). The executive says there are not that many buyers this winter. This could mean Lackey could end up in a New York-New York bidding war between the Yankees and Mets.
Jeff Hanisch/US Presswire
Casey Close, the agent for Ben Sheet's, told me that Sheets will be 100 percent for the start of spring training. Sheets missed all of last year after having surgery on the tendon in his forearm. The Mets and Yankees both could be interested in Sheets. The Mets' possible interest was first reported by the NY Post.
Also:
Close is Derek Jeter's agent: He declined to comment when I asked if he would approach the Yankees about doing an extension now instead of waiting until next year. The Yankees traditionally wait unitl after player's final season before talking about a new contract.Jeter will likely not be different.
Donnie Walsh says the decision not to sign Allen Iverson is not about Allen Iverson. Of course, Donnie is just saying nice things about him because he doesn't want him here.
Mike D'Antoni says the decision not to sign Iverson had something to do with how Eddy Curry looked the other night. Of course, D'Antoni is just saying nice things about Curry because he doesn't want him here.
The goal now for the Knicks is to trade Curry. They know what he is. They are not fooled that he suddenly looks chiseled. They want him to increase his trade value and then they want to deal him.
Iverson, playing 40 minutes a game, dominating the ball, doesn't help them do that. He helps them be a little more exciting this year, but he doesn't help the future. We all know that this year is about next year. This year, now, is about Curry.
Noah Graham/NBAE/Getty Images
Feeling as if Allen Iverson's talent isn't worth the trouble, the Knicks have decided to pass on the future Hall of Famer. 1050 has confirmed.
The Knick's decision was first reported New York Times and Newsday.
In the 1050ESPN.com's latest feature, Andrew Marchand talks to the biggest names in New York sports, asking the questions that are not normally asked. It is called Five Questions, but sometimes (actually, most of the time), there will be more.
ANDREW: Darryl, you are most known as a Met, what are you doing living in St. Louis?
DARRYL: [Laugh] I know. I know. I get that all the time. New York is really where my roots and where my success was and where my fan base was. As you can see, they come and support me and we have a good time.
ANDREW: What is the hardest part of being Darryl Strawberry, either now or through the years?
DARRYL: I think the hardest part was living up to the expectations more than anything. How well would I do in the New York area because of the fans and the pressure here? They expect great things out of you. I think that was the hardest thing and dealing with the media more than anything. I'm glad that is all over. It is not hard anymore. It makes a life a lot easier. It makes me understand life a little better and there is no pressure.
ANDREW: If I could give you one do-over, what would it be?
DARRYL: I probably would have never left New York. I probably would have stayed my whole career here and played here because this is where I belong.
ANDREW: Take us back to that, why did you go to LA over New York?
DARRYL: Young. Dumb. We all do dumb things. I did a lot of dumb things in life that you regret and you wish you had done something different.
ANDREW: What is greatest moment of your career?
DARRYL: Winning in New York. Greatest moments in my career. All of the times I got to win here were my greatest moments.
ANDREW: How about personally?
DARRYL: I think achieving things in the game of baseball. Goals. 30-30 was a huge goal for me. Being the home run leader one time in the league. Those things are always great things that you remember.
Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images
ANDREW: What makes Joe Torre special for a player?
DARRYL: He just understands players. He understands personalities. He knows how to handle. He knows everything that it takes to motivates guys and gets them going. I say motivates because he doesn't bother you. He lets you be and lets you be a player. When you have a manager like that there is no pressure. He don't put pressure on you. One thing that I loved about Joe Torre is that he never said anything critical about you in the press.
ANDREW: Why is that so important to players?
DARRYL: It is very important because if a player looks up and their comments coming from the manager, it makes players very agitated and disturbed inside. We are very sensitive. Plus, players are driven with egos. When you have a man who knows how to control egos, that's awesome.
ANDREW: Who are the players now whom you like to watch?
DARRYL: Albert Pujols. He is the greatest player in the game to me today.
Jared Wickerham/Getty Images
ANDREW: From a player's point of view, why is he the greatest?
DARRYL: Because of what he does it year in and year out. He does it consistently. He is a great family man. He honors the game of baseball the way it should be. And Derek Jeter. He honors the game of baseball the way it should be. The way he plays.
I have had a chance to have a relationship and a friendship with Jeter. He is awesome person. The way he treats people and the character he brings in New York.
ANDREW: Who is the player who reminds you of you?
DARRYL: I haven't really seen any players who remind me of me. I was 6-6. I was long and lanky. I was a different type of breed of player. Most of the guys are a little shorter than me.
ANDREW: Darryl Strawberry, congratulations on all your work you are doing with your foundation for autism and thanks for joining us on 1050 ESPN New York.
DARRYL: All right. Thanks for having me. I appreciate it.
