Al Leiter close to returning to the Bronx... [Archive]

flymick24

01-06-06, 01:46 AM

The Yankees are close to signing Leiter to a minor league contract to compete for a bullpen job in spring training. Leiter, 40, had indicated that last season would be his final one in the majors. But he enjoyed his time with the Yankees and the organization felt he had sufficient spark in his arm to attempt one more reunion.

http://www.nypost.com/sports/yankees/59968.htm

this might also open up the possibility of trading a starting pitcher currently on the 40-man (either pavano or wright)

Yankeeah

01-06-06, 01:51 AM

My god. Adding Leiter that gives us what, 14 pitchers? Even though it may be a minor league deal, you really have to wonder whose gonna go and when.

ryanthe13th

01-06-06, 02:04 AM

WHY? It gives us the option of trading a starting pitcher? We already have room to trade a starting pitcher!

NYDCYankee

01-06-06, 02:06 AM

My god. Adding Leiter that gives us what, 14 pitchers? Even though it may be a minor league deal, you really have to wonder whose gonna go and when.

Don't forget Ramiro Mendoza

scull567

01-06-06, 02:34 AM

Rotoworld

The Yankees and free agent Al Leiter are close to finalizing a minor league contract.
Even if one of the guys ahead of him needs to open the year on the DL, Leiter shouldn't have a spot on the Yankees. Maybe he'll retire if he doesn't make the team or maybe he'll seek to go elsewhere. The Post suggests that he could join the YES broadcast booth. It's the one spot at which he'd clearly be an upgrade

:lol:

flymick24

01-06-06, 03:15 AM

Rotoworld

:lol:

he'll be able to pronounce alex rodriguez's name correctly at least, unlike big head

shutout

01-06-06, 03:38 AM

This is great for Leiter. He did quite well, imho of course, last season for us. It's a minor league deal; so no biggie. Maybe he could do some great work in the bullpen.

destro

01-06-06, 06:21 AM

this is no different then when girardi got his spring training invite, it's basically to give him a chance to see if he still can do it. if he can't, he'll retire and become a YES broadcaster, kinda like joe :)

yankeebot

01-06-06, 06:24 AM

This works for me. A little insurance if we need it otherwise Al will be good in the booth.

ring403

01-06-06, 06:46 AM

My god. Adding Leiter that gives us what, 14 pitchers? Even though it may be a minor league deal, you really have to wonder whose gonna go and when.The Yankees, like everyone else, are going to be giving out minor league deals and ST invites to any and all veteran players who they think might have a chance to help. The team has indicated all along that they'd be interested in inviting Leiter back, so I wouldn't go reading anything more into it than that.

jnewmark

01-06-06, 06:48 AM

Wow. Bernie is one thing, but Al Leiter? I bet he's in the booth before the season starts.

destro

01-06-06, 06:48 AM

The Yankees, like everyone else, are going to be giving out minor league deals and ST invites to any and all veteran players who they think might have a chance to help. The team has indicated all along that they'd be interested in inviting Leiter back, so I wouldn't go reading anything more into it than that.

yeah i dont know why anyone would see this as a big surprise

i think joe was really impressed by what Al brought to the the table as a situational pitcher.

PoughVirginiaYankee

01-06-06, 06:56 AM

With the Jeff Nelson rumors, it leads to this question....Nelson or Leiter to fill this position?

Seamonk

01-06-06, 07:00 AM

It sounds like a good way for Al to keep his arm in shape for Old Timer's Day.

I can't wait to see him mow down Rick Burleson...

:P

destro

01-06-06, 07:01 AM

With the Jeff Nelson rumors, it leads to this question....Nelson or Leiter to fill this position?

who knows, i think nelson would be great to stick around AAA, i dont think him coming into the fold as a regular reliever is a good move. i doubt he has really all that much in the tank. if he proves himself during the season in columbus, a roster expansion slot would be a good reward.

I think the invite to Al is more of a show of good faith, "if you can do it, we want you... if you can't do it, we want you in other ways." he could be a great addition to the YES broadcast team as he and Kay are already buddies, they could lead to some great banter along with Ken Singleton or Kaat/Murcer

I think the David Justice thing wasn't working... and Paul just doesn't sound very comfortable, but Al would definetely add a lot of personality to the broadcast team. So what is this invite about, just giving the guy a shot... giving him a chance to see if he can still do it.

njommer

01-06-06, 07:07 AM

he'll be able to pronounce alex rodriguez's name correctly at least, unlike big head

AMEN!! That's been driving me absolutely nuts!

RoD-Driguez. What a moron.

DJ27

01-06-06, 07:28 AM

It sounds like a good way for Al to keep his arm in shape for Old Timer's Day.

I can't wait to see him mow down Rick Burleson...

:P

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

silverdsl

01-06-06, 07:43 AM

I'm happy to hear that Leiter might be back. I've always been fond of him. I doubt that he has much left as a pitcher but I don't think it hurts to give him a ST invite just to see. Maybe he'll surprise everyone. If that doesn't work out I'd love to see him work for YES.

-Deborah

shcabot

01-06-06, 08:00 AM

effdamets

01-06-06, 08:09 AM

I think the David Justice thing wasn't working... and Paul just doesn't sound very comfortable, but Al would definetely add a lot of personality to the broadcast team. So what is this invite about, just giving the guy a shot... giving him a chance to see if he can still do it.
I kinda like Justice as a post game analyst. And although Paul doesn't seem comfortable, I enjoy his input during games. I like when broadcasters can provide information pertaining to what a ball player is thinking in a certain situation. It is more believable because he has been there....

However, Leiter has GOT to be better than pompous Kay. I am so tired of his "look everyone, I memorized the dictionary" commentary....

Ghost of Dan Pasqua

01-06-06, 08:24 AM

I think that the Yankees are just doing for Al what they did for Leyritz and Girardi a few years back, give them a minor league contract, let him work out with the team, see if they can offer some leadership to the kids who will be in Spring Training with the team (more a player-coach than anything) and at the end of the day, they hang 'em up and join the YES team. Also, I think Leiter wants to pitch in that World championship thing and this will let him get some work in. I give Leiter a .01% chance of making the club but teams give out minor league invites to veterans who will take them like internet stocks in the late 90s.

Irabu's Son

01-06-06, 09:48 AM

I like Al. So I'll feel bad when he gets cut.

Ghost of Dan Pasqua

01-06-06, 09:51 AM

I like Al. So I'll feel bad when he gets cut.

Al's got a couple of championship rings and more money than you and I will ever see in our lifetimes not to mention a long career behind him and a long career in broadcasting ahead of him...don't feel so bad, cause I doubt he will.

Irabu's Son

01-06-06, 09:53 AM

Al's got a couple of championship rings and more money than you and I will ever see in our lifetimes not to mention a long career behind him and a long career in broadcasting ahead of him...don't feel so bad, cause I doubt he will.

That's a true story.

He does make some funny faces on the mound though.

hardrain

01-06-06, 09:55 AM

Let the pitching parade begin. I also think Al might do well in a linited role, but there is no room whatsoever and he has to know that.

RobRiv

01-06-06, 09:55 AM

I like Leiter, too, and am happy to see him getting a shot -- but I hope the Yanks don't need him next season, because if they do, that means the bullpen is in deep trouble again.
I'd be happier to see him in Yankees TV booth where he'd offer insightful and even entertaining game analysis.

destelle

01-06-06, 10:14 AM

However, Leiter has GOT to be better than pompous Kay. I am so tired of his "look everyone, I memorized the dictionary" commentary....

so true - we would always come in the next day and talk (okay, make fun) about all the 'big words' that MK used in last night's broadcast ... :roflmao:

BronxBombers2005

01-06-06, 10:56 AM

http://www.nypost.com/sports/yankees/59968.htm

this might also open up the possibility of trading a starting pitcher currently on the 40-man (either pavano or wright)

I think this could be a good thing, even if he goes down to the minors, that would bring leadership to them also, and we would always have that other lefty come october. And then if we do in fact trade pavano or wright, whitch would be a good thing to do that could open the doors to other possibilites.

English Yankee

01-06-06, 11:06 AM

It can't hurt to have insurance, so what the hell, you never know. I was sure I'd read that he'd retired. Anybody else remember reading that ?

drjeckyl

01-06-06, 11:14 AM

It can't hurt to have insurance, so what the hell, you never know. I was sure I'd read that he'd retired. Anybody else remember reading that ?

I think I remember reading that too... But, I also read the same thing about Clemmens too.. I suppose it's much easier to say than do..

Also, it's a nice way to audition if you're still looking to pitch somewhere next year.

keithf1

01-06-06, 11:18 AM

There is nothing wrong with this move. Stop complaining.

JeffWeaverFan

01-06-06, 11:27 AM

A minor league deal means nothing. It's just insurance and the more insurance, the better. We all know 2 things. 1. Leiter will not make the roster. 2. Leiter won't pitch in the minor leagues. Meaning, this move only matters unless Leiter shows brilliance in ST and we have a ton of pitching injuries.

I think we will see him in the YES booth and I would love that. Hopefully, he'll replace David Justice, who I think was the worst announcer in the history of television.

YankClipper5

01-06-06, 11:32 AM

JeffWeaverFan

01-06-06, 11:41 AM

Just as WeaverFan said, this is just to see what he has in the tank in ST, if he is remarkable and pitches great, maybe they use it as a way to trade another pitcher, even in that situation he probably still doesn't make the roster and I don't see him hurling for Columbus so this was essentially a way to keep him in the Yankee system, be it with YES or making copies for Cashman...
Honestly, even if he pitches great, I still don't think we would trade away a pitcher because of that. I think that if he pitches great AND a few guys got injured, we will use him until the other guys get healthy. And, he would also have to be pitching much better than Henn and Matt Smith or they would have to be injured for him to make the team. What it tells me that if needed, he wouldn't mind pitching for the Yankees again, so we said what the hell. Plus, if worst comes to worst, he'll get a job as a broadcaster.

ZIM 2002

01-06-06, 11:56 AM

Didn't we already sign a situational lefty in Myers? Since that would be Leiter's only role, I would agree that the only purpose of the signing is being at spring training and also being able to prepare for the world baseball thing. But I like Al, and would love him to stay in the Yankees orgainization in some way or YES.

BroadwayBomber55

01-06-06, 12:06 PM

PittsburghYankeeFan

01-06-06, 12:31 PM

A couple of random comments:

(1) Will Leiter make the team as another lefty specialist? Who knows? A neat idea would to keep him on the minor league roster but have him help out as an assistant pitching coach. I think the fact he even wants to give it another try with all of the future career opportunities available to him is pretty neat, and says a lot about what he thinks the Yankees chances of making the WS next year are.

(2) Would Leiter broadcast for YES? An interesting thought. He may go to MSG since he was a Met for so long. I may be in the minority, but I like David Justice--I thought he had some pretty good insights at times during the year. Kay (with the "interlocking NY") is better on the radio, but his ego won't let him go back. What about Al Trautwig?

ryanthe13th

01-06-06, 12:56 PM

Man, I didn't know so many people liked Leiter. Last year he got torn a new one by more than a couple of people on here.

Anyway, I hope that even signing Leiter to a minor league deal is a real inexpensive move. Leiter is very on and off, however. He'll pitch maybe two or three good games in a row, but then he'll have a string of two or three awful games. Plus, someone needs to work with him on that walk total, oh my god. Also, I don't trust Spring Training numbers in Leiters case. Jaret Wright had fantastic ST numbers last year, and look at the disaster he turned out to be. Lot's of pitchers dazzle in ST and fall flat on their faces in the regular season.

NewEraYanks2527

01-06-06, 01:13 PM

ryanthe13th

01-06-06, 01:24 PM

Leiter as a LOOGY doesn't excite me. He has problems with his control, so why would he come out of the bullpen? Al didn't do an overwhelmingly good job at that in the postseason, and if that is just a small sample of what we have to put up with for a 162 game stretch, I don't want to deal with it. Torre will NOT learn that against RHB, Leiter is a batting tee.

Irabu's Son

01-06-06, 01:49 PM

I like to see Al Leiter in the YES booth as well.

I like him doing color commentary with a Bobby Murcer, Jim Kaat, or Ken Singleton.

If Leiter joins YES, I like to see Michael Kay back to radio with John Sterling.

I'd like to see Leiter do color commentary for the first 6 innings of a game, then rush downstairs, get in uniform, and pitch to a lefty in the 8th.

mycroft

01-06-06, 02:16 PM

South Facing Epitaph

01-06-06, 02:31 PM

This is a good signing and one I think can help this team. By signing him to a minor league deal it frees up a spot on the staff. I really think Al has game left and his only problem is location which comes down to mechanics. You can never have too much pitching.

For most pitchers, missing the strike zone is due to poor mechanics, but Al Leiter simply refuses to throw strikes and is content with biting the corners all the time.

YankClipper5

01-06-06, 03:06 PM

I like Leiter, of course we have a LOOGY now and he walks the park but you can never have enough starting pitching. But here is the question, if the Yankees are looking to have an excess of SP in order to move someone what are they trying to get for the SP they deal?

A high end RF, someone with an awesome glove who can hold it down at the plate? That would be my best guess, definitely would round the team off to allow Sheff to act as primary DH/part time RF and as long as the bat is about as good as Bernies probably would turn quite a few runs around in the defensive upgrade...

fredgmuggs

01-06-06, 03:07 PM

I believe I have read that Leiter dearly wants to pitch for team USA in the upcoming WBC. I see this as nothing more than the Yankees doing a favor for Leiter by letting him get into pitching shape during spring traing in his quest to make the USA squad. If he doesn't make the USA team then he'll probably join the YES broadcast booth. No matter what happens, I wish him luck... he seems like a good guy.

38Special

01-06-06, 03:14 PM

It's been rumored before that he wanted a minor league contract in the hopes that he'd get a chance to play for the US in the WBC. Anything beyond that is gravy.

hellonewman

01-06-06, 03:25 PM

Rotoworld

:lol:

Sometimes I swear other sites/papers get their material here:

http://forums.nyyfans.com/showthread.php?p=2959287&highlight=Leiter+Justice#post2959287

Mr. Mxylsplk

01-06-06, 03:44 PM

Like many others in this thread, I assume this is a whole lot of nothing. The guy had a couple good outings for us, in return we throw him a bone and give him a shot to surprise in ST. I will however be very very disappointed if somehow he finds his way into the lockeroom in the bronx for anything other than conducting interviews.

Kulish29

01-06-06, 04:25 PM

Please god, do not let Torre use him as a reliever. If he does, I can see Al facing a RHB in a crucial late inning situation.

Don Mack

01-06-06, 04:47 PM

Please god, do not let Torre use him as a reliever. If he does, I can see Al facing a RHB in a crucial late inning situation.
-------------------------------------------------------------
That's what I'm fearful of too. Early in the offseason, a lot of us talked about making the team Torre-proof so that he couldn't play guys he liked over better players. Already I don't like the signing of Bernie Williams because I don't want to see him hit .231 as the DH. And I'd hate to see Villone or Myers put on hold so that Joe can reserve a roster spot for Al.

Sometimes I get the feeling Torre cares more about having players he likes on the team than winning.

DontHateOnNumber2

01-06-06, 04:53 PM

Leiter got us out of a few tough spots in relief. God forbid injuries take their toll we might need him. Even if that isn't the case it'd be nice for him to pitch for the USA in the WBC or join the YES commentators. Could it be possible that he may get a consulting job within the organization to work with younger pitchers?

Davios

01-06-06, 04:55 PM

It's sort of amazing that a guy can be given a million dollar contract after striking out Darin Erstad a few times in the playoffs.

Jasbro

01-06-06, 05:02 PM

It's sort of amazing that a guy can be given a million dollar contract after striking out Darin Erstad a few times in the playoffs.

Where in the link does it say that Leiter got a million dollar contract?

Davios

01-06-06, 05:04 PM

Where in the link does it say that Leiter got a million dollar contract?

According to rotoworld he'll make 1.5 million if he makes the roster plus 500 grand in incentives.

genius-24

01-06-06, 05:36 PM

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20060106&content_id=1292276&vkey=pr_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy

Happy to see him back. :)

NewEraYanks2527

01-06-06, 05:42 PM

A high end RF, someone with an awesome glove who can hold it down at the plate? That would be my best guess, definitely would round the team off to allow Sheff to act as primary DH/part time RF and as long as the bat is about as good as Bernies probably would turn quite a few runs around in the defensive upgrade... Thats what I was thinking. Wouldn't it be amazing if somehow Cashman talked someone into taking Wright and giving up a solid RFer for him? I would be in awe of the man if that happened.

Jersey Yankee

01-06-06, 06:54 PM

Shouldn't this be moved to ITF now, since he's signed?

RIYankeeFan

01-06-06, 07:20 PM

Well if he's in the booth, does that mean no more Justice and his "get the meat of the bat on the ball" crap?

27IsNext

01-06-06, 07:43 PM

Oh wow. A minor-league deal. The Yankees are incompetent.

SheffRocks11

01-06-06, 07:56 PM

Al Leiter is hilarious... but that doesn't mean I want him pitching for us.

JavyVazquezIsSick

01-06-06, 08:18 PM

Cashman please stop messing with Torre's mind...

AMYanks

01-06-06, 08:23 PM

Put him in the YES booth, damnit.

Jasbro

01-06-06, 10:01 PM

According to rotoworld he'll make 1.5 million if he makes the roster plus 500 grand in incentives.

Got it, thanks.

Sam18

01-06-06, 11:44 PM

Looking forward to hearing Al in the booth.

CommerceComet

01-09-06, 05:18 PM

Meaning, this move only matters unless Leiter shows brilliance in ST and we have a ton of pitching injuries.I doubt anything will come of signing Leiter but it costs the Yankees little. In the unlikely event that Leiter regains something resembling his past form, this would be a great signing. Others have mentioned that Leiter may open some trading possibilities but it would be more likely that if Leiter shows ST promise, they trade him to some team desperate for LH pitching. (I think the Yankees could trade him without restriction but I might be wrong on that.) Anyway, at worst, Leiter has a bad ST and retires to the broadcasting booth.

longtimeyankeefan

01-09-06, 06:53 PM

I doubt anything will come of signing Leiter but it costs the Yankees little. In the unlikely event that Leiter regains something resembling his past form, this would be a great signing. Others have mentioned that Leiter may open some trading possibilities but it would be more likely that if Leiter shows ST promise, they trade him to some team desperate for LH pitching. (I think the Yankees could trade him without restriction but I might be wrong on that.) Anyway, at worst, Leiter has a bad ST and retires to the broadcasting booth.

I doubt seriously that Leiter would report to a new team if traded. He would instead retire to the YES booth.

ryanthe13th

01-09-06, 07:50 PM

Leiter is not going to be traded. There's no way any team would take him onto their staff.

CommerceComet

01-10-06, 12:24 PM

Leiter is not going to be traded. There's no way any team would take him onto their staff.If Leiter shows promise in ST and agrees to the major league minimum (with some incentive bonuses perhaps), a lot of teams would be willing to take a chance. Leiter wouldn't net much in return but then the Yankees haven't risked much either. That said, I fully expect Leiter to be in the broadcast booth on opening day.

ring403

01-11-06, 06:37 AM

http://www.nypost.com/sports/yankees/yankees.htm
The Yankees are close to signing Leiter to a minor league contract to compete for a bullpen job in spring training. Leiter, 40, had indicated that last season would be his final one in the majors. But he enjoyed his time with the Yankees and the organization felt he had sufficient spark in his arm to attempt one more reunion.

"He'd be an insurance policy," GM Brian Cashman said. "He would come in to compete for the bullpen to get lefties out like he was doing in the playoffs. That is what we are talking to him about."
The Yanks already have two lefties earmarked for the bullpen, in recent acquisitions Mike Myers and Ron Villone. Cashman said he envisioned Leiter as an alternative to rushing Sean Henn or Matt Smith, should the Yanks decide to go with three lefty relievers, or as a replacement should they suffer an injury.

Leiter also could slot in if the Yanks remove a guaranteed contract for a veteran pitcher by trading somebody such as Jaret Wright or Carl Pavano in spring training. Leiter, Villone, Aaron Small and Tanyon Sturtze, also would give the Yanks more candidates to make an emergency start than they had during desperate times early last season.

It is also possible that Leiter — as Joe Girardi did in spring 2004 — will go through the exhibition season, see there is no role for him and simply move into the YES broadcast booth for the regular season.

TheScooter

02-26-06, 07:16 PM

brosiusbuddy

02-26-06, 11:04 PM

http://www.nypost.com/sports/yankees/59968.htm

this might also open up the possibility of trading a starting pitcher currently on the 40-man (either pavano or wright)

if the yanks were thinking of trading a starter, i dont think they were waiting for al leiter to do so.

BobbyMurcerFan

02-27-06, 05:54 AM

Don't forget Ramiro MendozaHow could anyone?

ryanthe13th

02-27-06, 03:00 PM

Torre has been impressed with left-hander Al Leiter, who opted not to retire during the offseason and is in camp as a non-roster player.

"What I've seen so far, I like him," Torre said. "When you look at it, there's no room. But if somebody makes a case, you've got to figure something out. That's the way I look at it."

http://www.msgnetwork.com/content_news.jsp?articleID=v736002-26-06-1628EST&newsgroup=ap.sportsml.baseball.mlb.news/Yankees&sports=baseball&team=Yankees&league=mlb

I think Leiter is going to make the club because of how injury plagued Pavano is. Our rotation looks to be Johnson, Mussina, Chacon, Wang, and Wright. Leiter and Small will be the back up's in the event that someone else goes down. It isn't a bad plan when you think about it, but then when Pavano gets healthy who gets sent down?

scooterfan

02-27-06, 03:45 PM

I think Leiter is going to make the club because of how injury plagued Pavano is. Our rotation looks to be Johnson, Mussina, Chacon, Wang, and Wright. Leiter and Small will be the back up's in the event that someone else goes down. It isn't a bad plan when you think about it, but then when Pavano gets healthy who gets sent down?

Cross that bridge when we get there.

Say Pavano returns by April 15th (that's pretty conservative, and it's about the first time the Yankees need a 5th starter)

Maybe we have other pitching injuries (Moose, RJ, Wright?)

There might be other teams short on pitching due to spring training injuries. Maybe Wright shows he's healthy, and we can send Wright + $$$ for a backup outfielder.

Maybe there's a team that needs a lefty specialist, and we get a decent prospect back for Villone.

Or we just release Al.

Cashman is playing all this really smart by collecting depth at pitching. Pitching becomes more valuable once the season starts, and maybe we can deal some excess in exchange for bench/outfield help

Don't forget - in Columbus there's DeSalvo, Rasner and Henn as starters, and Mendoza in the pen. (Not sure if Proctor will be in the rotation or in the pen)