According to CNBC’s Darren Rovell (via Twitter):
@darrenrovell: One of the original Internet columnists, Rob Neyer, has confirmed he’s leaving ESPN.com after 15 years for SB Nation.
Big win for SB Nation, notes Eric Fisher from SBJ (via Twitter):
@EricFisherSBJ: SB Nation CEO Jim Bankoff on Neyer: one of the best pure Internet talents anywhere, someone who really gets how to engage audiences online
And here’s a bit from Neyer’s first article:
There are a lot of things to love about SB Nation, which is why I’m here. But among them is that they — excuse me, we — don’t see us as us and you as them. We’ve got bloggers who most professional writers probably consider them … but we know better. We know that some of our writers are every bit as talented and knowledgeable as anyone you’ll find working for newspapers or the Big Boy websites. We also know that today’s readers are tomorrow’s writers, and that often the only difference is opportunity (one fantastic thing about the Web is that opportunity is everywhere).
This is a rough time of year. We just crossed the half way point between the end of the World Series and pitchers and catchers reporting, but let’s be honest, there’s nothing much to that outside of the hope that spring is nearly here. There’s really nothing new to cover/talk about now at least until the first spring training games start in March. Let’s face it, we were debating whether Brian Cashman is trying to get himself fired last week. This time of year is basically purgatory for the baseball fan.
So having no ideas for anything to write about I decided to go read through my Google Reader to see if any ideas sparked and, well, I just realized that I needed to do some heavy duty maintenance on that. So I’m crowd sourcing this to you guys; throw out some blogs, if any, you think I ought to be reading. Your favorite Yankee blogs, general baseball blogs, or blogs devoted to other teams. If enough of us bounce some sites around, hopefully we’ll all find something new and that will go a little ways towards getting us through this awful, awful month.
And if you’re a regular reader with your own blog, by all means let me know and I will definitely make sure that finds its way into my regular browsing.
WFAN’s Sweeny Murti tweeted this after I posted the Freddy Garcia news:
@YankeesWFAN: Just curious–between Prior, Colon, and Garcia…wonder which one Yankee fans expect most from. And how much is that?
…and it got me wondering. So, please help me set the line here…
COMBINED starts for Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon FOR the Yankees in 2011?
How’s 15 sound? Maybe 20? An optimistic 25? Or 10? Or is a large number starts the sign of much bigger problems, not a solution?
Then again, I remain convinced that Andy Pettitte will indeed return (prediction: $13.5m for 1 year)
Looks like our trip in the way-back machine is going to be a crowded one:
[Freddy] Garcia will receive a $1.5 million base salary, if he makes the big-league club. He can also earn $3.6 million in possible incentives, topping out at 30 starts, according to a source. It also lets Garcia opt out by March 29, according to a report.
Late last week, Garcia professed his desire to join the Yanks, (via MLBTR):
“My preference is to be with the New York Yankees, and it’s not unreasonable to have that in mind, because I’ve demonstrated that I can be useful. A team like New York would be ideal for my age, [as would ] playing in a successful, media-heavy, demanding division. Without doubt it would be an inspiration.”
With his low K-rate and high HR-rate, he doesn’t profile into exactly what might be successful in Yankee Stadium, but for the cost, it’s worth a shot.
(click “view full post” to read more)
