January 7, 200719 yr NEW YORK -- It appears the New York Yankees might not have room for Bernie Williams anymore. The Yankees finalized their $1.5 million, one-year contract with Doug Mientkiewicz on Friday, and general manager Brian Cashman said he will be part of a platoon at first base with Andy Phillips or Josh Phelps. With Jason Giambi shifting to designated hitter and the Yankees planning to keep 12 pitchers, that leaves them with no spots open for Williams -- unless they trade Melky Cabrera. "I've had conversations with Bernie directly as well as Scott Boras throughout the winter about what opportunity may or may not be here in '07," Cashman said, referring to Williams' agent. "We're still filling our club out and I'd rather not really say more than that, but we've had an open and honest dialogue with Bernie and Scott Boras throughout the process, and that will continue. I really can't say much more than that right now. But clearly the plan is to have a right-handed and left-handed bat at first base and Giambi at DH." Bernie Williams might be the odd man out in the Yankees lineup. (Getty Images) Williams signed with the Yankees in 1985 and joined the major league team six years later. He helped New York win six AL pennants and four World Series titles, becoming a five-time All-Star and the 1998 AL batting champion. He lost his starting job in center field when the Yankees signed Johnny Damon before last season. Kept as a backup, Williams wound up getting 420 at-bats because Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui got hurt. Williams hit .281 with 12 homers and 61 RBI. "We're going to probably talk around the middle of the month, when they have more definition," Boras said. Williams, who is 38, hasn't decided whether he would retire if the Yankees don't offer a contract. "After the first of the year, I've had a couple of teams contact me about Bernie, and I've told them that I've got to talk with Bernie and I've also got to speak to Brian about what their deliberation is going to be on his future with the Yankees," Boras said. "He obviously will respond to what the Yankees' decision is, and we'll go from there." Cashman, knowing that Williams is a fan favorite, chose his words carefully. "Obviously, he's meant a lot to the franchise and been a big piece for quite some time. It's been a great marriage," Cashman said. "I'll have another conversation with Scott, and I'm sure I'll talk to Bernie, too." Mientkiewicz is familiar with New York, having spent 2005 with the Mets. At Shea Stadium, he occasionally had a sign hanging in his locker. "There will be no more 'No loitering' sign. We'll put that to rest," Mientkiewicz said, knowing that the Yankees usually are covered by more media than any other major league team. In 2004, Mientkiewicz helped Boston win its first World Series title since 1918, catching the throw for the final out and keeping the ball. That sparked a furor that didn't end until he donated the ball to the Hall of Fame. ............................................................. He would be our best option no matter what anyone says and wouldn't have to play everyday. Think the Marlins were one of the teams to contact Boras?
January 7, 200719 yr If the Yankees won't resign him, he will most likely retire. If he was going to finish his career, there is no doubt in my mind it would be a Yankee.
January 7, 200719 yr Didnt his defense go waaaaaaaaaaaay south? Can't imagine a 38 y/o Berie Williams playing CF in this stadium.. and I really don't want to. I'd rather have Erstad.. if healthy.
January 7, 200719 yr Author Didnt his defense go waaaaaaaaaaaay south? Can't imagine a 38 y/o Berie Williams playing CF in this stadium.. and I really don't want to. I'd rather have Erstad.. if healthy. No way....I'll take Bernie as a part time player.
January 7, 200719 yr and where are we playing Bernie? CF? Probably. All kidding aside though, if we signed him which is not likely, I'd start someone else over him.
January 7, 200719 yr Author and where are we playing Bernie? CF? Sure, I think he can handle it part time. If Amezaga can, then a 4-time gold glove CFer can handle it. Why not?
January 7, 200719 yr Author and where are we playing Bernie? CF? Probably. All kidding aside though, if we signed him which is not likely, I'd start someone else over him. Bernie would put people in the stands, add to our bench with Aaron Boone. Please, he's a better option than anyone we have. He doesn't K much, hit .323 vs. lefties with a .549 SLG %! He also batted .309 away from Yankee Stadium. BTW, he hit .500 (5-10) vs. Philly last year and .467 (7-15) vs. the Mets last year. I'm guessing .281, 12 HR, 61 RBI (29 doubles) isn't good enough. I think he'd fit great! LOL No way. He would be worse then Abercrombie Based on what? You are telling me Bernie Williams is not a MLB player anymore? HAHAHAHA!
January 7, 200719 yr If Amezaga can, then a 4-time gold glove CFer can handle it. Why not? Nice logic Might as well go get Marquis Grissom too.. they can platoon.
January 7, 200719 yr Guarantee Bernie would play a better LF than Willingham and a better RF than Hermierda. Likely a pretty expensive pickup though.
January 7, 200719 yr Author If Amezaga can, then a 4-time gold glove CFer can handle it. Why not? Nice logic Might as well go get Marquis Grissom too.. they can platoon. It is nice logic....if a 2nd baseman can play CF with our dimensions than a 4-time gold glover can't play every other game there? I must be crazy right Iowa? Bernie still has something in the tank and if the Yanks don't invite him back then Im sure Beinfest will be talking to him. Guarantee Bernie would play a better LF than Willingham and a better RF than Hermierda. Likely a pretty expensive pickup though. He made 1.5 million last year so I think we could get him for a 1 million incentive laden deal.
January 7, 200719 yr Bernie is 100% Yankee. If he's not with them next year, he'll know it's time to hang em up.
January 7, 200719 yr NEW YORK -- It appears the New York Yankees might not have room for Bernie Williams anymore. The Yankees finalized their $1.5 million, one-year contract with Doug Mientkiewicz on Friday, and general manager Brian Cashman said he will be part of a platoon at first base with Andy Phillips or Josh Phelps. With Jason Giambi shifting to designated hitter and the Yankees planning to keep 12 pitchers, that leaves them with no spots open for Williams -- unless they trade Melky Cabrera. "I've had conversations with Bernie directly as well as Scott Boras throughout the winter about what opportunity may or may not be here in '07," Cashman said, referring to Williams' agent. "We're still filling our club out and I'd rather not really say more than that, but we've had an open and honest dialogue with Bernie and Scott Boras throughout the process, and that will continue. I really can't say much more than that right now. But clearly the plan is to have a right-handed and left-handed bat at first base and Giambi at DH." Bernie Williams might be the odd man out in the Yankees lineup. (Getty Images) Williams signed with the Yankees in 1985 and joined the major league team six years later. He helped New York win six AL pennants and four World Series titles, becoming a five-time All-Star and the 1998 AL batting champion. He lost his starting job in center field when the Yankees signed Johnny Damon before last season. Kept as a backup, Williams wound up getting 420 at-bats because Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui got hurt. Williams hit .281 with 12 homers and 61 RBI. "We're going to probably talk around the middle of the month, when they have more definition," Boras said. Williams, who is 38, hasn't decided whether he would retire if the Yankees don't offer a contract. "After the first of the year, I've had a couple of teams contact me about Bernie, and I've told them that I've got to talk with Bernie and I've also got to speak to Brian about what their deliberation is going to be on his future with the Yankees," Boras said. "He obviously will respond to what the Yankees' decision is, and we'll go from there." Cashman, knowing that Williams is a fan favorite, chose his words carefully. "Obviously, he's meant a lot to the franchise and been a big piece for quite some time. It's been a great marriage," Cashman said. "I'll have another conversation with Scott, and I'm sure I'll talk to Bernie, too." Mientkiewicz is familiar with New York, having spent 2005 with the Mets. At Shea Stadium, he occasionally had a sign hanging in his locker. "There will be no more 'No loitering' sign. We'll put that to rest," Mientkiewicz said, knowing that the Yankees usually are covered by more media than any other major league team. In 2004, Mientkiewicz helped Boston win its first World Series title since 1918, catching the throw for the final out and keeping the ball. That sparked a furor that didn't end until he donated the ball to the Hall of Fame. ............................................................. He would be our best option no matter what anyone says and wouldn't have to play everyday. Think the Marlins were one of the teams to contact Boras? As much as I am a fan of Bernie Williams he no longer can play CF, since we don't need a DH he doesn't fit our team
January 7, 200719 yr As you all sit here and compare Amezaga to Bernie Williams to explain why Bernie would be fine in CF, remind yourself that we are talking about a 10-year age difference, not to mention the difference in the physical wear & tear on the body of a guy who has spent the bulk of those years playing a lot as a starter. That said it's not happening and I wouldn't bother pursuing it. I doubt Bernie would be interested unless he thinks all that closer-revival magic will work for him in CF. But he's as much a Yankee as we all want Cabrera to be a Marlin - forever. And if we were going to pay what he would cost us, we could probably spend it better.
January 7, 200719 yr Here's all you need to know about Bernie Williams: My Grandma has a stronger arm than Bernie Williams. And she's dead.
January 7, 200719 yr If you factor in his expected decline considering his age, his subpar production last year and his lack of ability defensively; he doesn't seem like a good fit for the Marlins at all. Regardless, I doubt he would want to come here.
January 7, 200719 yr In a word: no. In two words: no way. In four words: no way in hell. AMEN! :notworthy
January 7, 200719 yr I'm not sure he could throw it halfway back to the infield from the Triangle. Plus there's no doubt he would be expensive given the Marlins' limited payroll, and he doesn't fit into the team's future plans at all, so um...how about no.
January 7, 200719 yr Guarantee Bernie would play a better LF than Willingham and a better RF than Hermierda. Likely a pretty expensive pickup though. I heard that Dave Parker, Andre Dawson, and Cesar Geronimo are all available too.
January 7, 200719 yr Guarantee Bernie would play a better LF than Willingham and a better RF than Hermierda. Likely a pretty expensive pickup though. I heard that Dave Parker, Andre Dawson, and Cesar Geronimo are all available too. I hadn't seen Cesar Geronimo's name in awhile...I thought he was great! lol Lets bring in Willie Mays while he is still breathing to play CF
January 7, 200719 yr Joe DiMaggio was always very fond of the Marlins. We might be able to lean his body up against the wall in the outfield. We'd get a better offensive production out of him than we did from Reggie last year.
January 7, 200719 yr Author Guarantee Bernie would play a better LF than Willingham and a better RF than Hermierda. Likely a pretty expensive pickup though. I heard that Dave Parker, Andre Dawson, and Cesar Geronimo are all available too. They can't hit .323 with a .529 SLG % against lefties anymore.
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