cheaptrick77 Posted December 3, 2005 Share Posted December 3, 2005 (by RONALD BLUM, AP Baseball Writer) NEW YORK (AP) -- For Kyle Farnsworth, a telephone call from Joe Torre was the big reason why he'll set up for Mariano Rivera with the New York Yankees rather than close for the Atlanta Braves or Texas Rangers [he would have closed for the Rangers ???] :ermm:. Torre called the right-hander reliever early in the free-agent process, and they spoke for about 5 minutes as the manager conveyed that the Yankees were interested in signing him. "He just wanted to make it clear it just wasn't hearsay. Coming from Joe Torre, you know it's really true," Farnsworth said Friday after agreeing to a $17 million, three-year contract. Less than 24 hours after Tom Gordon left for an $18 million, three-year deal with Philadelphia, New York locked up his replacement. Farnsworth took a physical Thursday for the Yankees in Tampa, Fla., but his agent kept the Texas Rangers in the mix until Friday. Texas offered a three-year deal that included a 2009 option. Farnsworth said of the Rangers, "I didn't hear anything about them until yesterday." And he said the Braves "kind of drug their feet a little bit." "So I went where I felt most comfortable," he said. New York gave him a $1.25 million signing bonus and yearly salaries of $5 million, $5.25 million and $5.5 million. If Farnsworth leads the Yankees in Rolaids Relief points, which would happen only if Rivera gets hurt, Farnsworth's salary would rise $500,000 in each remaining year of the contract. He doesn't view himself as auditioning for the Yankees' closer job when Rivera retires. "My job is to go up and set up in the eighth inning to get to him in the ninth inning. That's what my job is going to be for the next three years," he said. "Whatever happens after that will happen." The hard-throwing righty, who will be 30 in April, split last season between the Detroit Tigers and Atlanta Braves, who acquired him at the July 31 trade deadline. He combined to go 1-1 with a 2.19 ERA in 72 games, striking out 87 in 70 innings and walking 27. Farnsworth allowed only five home runs during the regular season, but had a meltdown in Game 4 of the playoffs, when Atlanta wasted a 6-1 lead. He gave up an eighth-inning grand slam to Lance Berkman and a tying homer to Brad Ausmus with two outs in the ninth, and Houston went on to win in 18 innings and earn a spot in the NL championship series. New York had hoped to sign both Farnsworth and the 38-year-old Gordon, who spent the last two seasons as Rivera's main setup man. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said New York offered only a two-year deal to Gordon, whose agent insisted on a three-year contract. Prices for relievers have escalated this offseason, with B.J. Ryan getting a $47 million, five-year contract from Toronto and Billy Wagner accepting a $43 million, four-year offer from the New York Mets. "Obviously this winter, where it's such a thin market, the reason the money has gotten so high is because there's very little choices," Cashman said. The Yankees also are looking at left-handers Mike Myers, Joey Eischen and Ricardo Rincon along with right-hander Julian Tavarez. Al Leiter, a 40-year-old left-hander acquired by the Yankees during the season, may decide to return instead of to retire. "We've got to surround Kyle with a lot more in the bullpen," Cashman said. Nothing has developed yet in his quest to find a center fielder. If no one else is found, Bubba Crosby would be the likely starter. Johnny Damon's agent, Scott Boras, is said to be asking for a seven-year deal, a contract length the Yankees won't consider. "I don't think it's in my best interest to say I have a No. 1 priority and here it is," Cashman said. "We'll get very aggressive when we feel the prices come within something that makes sense." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sppunk Posted December 3, 2005 Share Posted December 3, 2005 He's such a headcase ... it'll be interesting to see how he'll throw under the NY scrutiny. I'm just glad Flash is gone ... now I can cheer for him again as a Philly. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodgie07 Posted December 3, 2005 Share Posted December 3, 2005 Farnsworth did a pretty good job filling the closer's role last year...well, compared to everyone else on the team I mean. His temper problems seemed to be under control in Atlanta. I hate to see what happens to him with the stress of New York and the Red Sox rivalry... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoelessjoelives Posted December 3, 2005 Share Posted December 3, 2005 Yankee offense can help bail most people out most of the time. He will really have to learn that New York crowd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cubs37 Posted December 4, 2005 Share Posted December 4, 2005 I'm glad he's in NY with the Yankees. Now he can blow games for them and either keep them out or escort them out of the playoffs. I can't tell how many times the Cubs gave him a chance to be the closer and he blew it every time. I cringed every time they brought him in. Don't forget who was on the mound when the Astros came back to win the 18 inning game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Detrainexpress07 Posted December 5, 2005 Share Posted December 5, 2005 ....so who is Atlanta gonna have to close now???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodgie07 Posted December 5, 2005 Share Posted December 5, 2005 My guess is that they go after Trevor Hoffman. If he proves to be too expensive, Joey Devine may have to get ready...and fast. I'm really hoping Hoffman will sign with the Braves, though. He will be a great role model for Devine to follow, being the second most successful closer in baseball history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulldog7 Posted December 5, 2005 Share Posted December 5, 2005 Ive thought all off season that Hoffman would be a perfect fit in Atlanta. I love Hoffman and he could be huge for Atl if he does sign. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest CNOrtega Posted December 5, 2005 Share Posted December 5, 2005 Rangers got in the race too late, I think. Rather have Cordero (despite the walks) closing than Farnsworth anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWMustang Posted December 6, 2005 Share Posted December 6, 2005 For someone who hates the yankees, this is a GREAT story. I've been watching The astros wear him out for years - hell, I was at all 18 innings of the playoff game where he gave up the homer to light hitting Brad Ausmus to send the game into extra innings. Way to go Yankees!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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