Make a decision already!

The Yankee brain trust met in Tampa for the second time this week, but the status of Joe Torre remained unknown.  That still hasn't stopped the rumor mill (or maybe I should call it the gossip columns since reporters are staking out George Steinbrenner's compound like paparazzi) from churning.  The latest "news" has Ron Guidry getting the boot as Yankees pitching coach.  At first, it was speculated that the recently fired Leo Mazzone could be a candidate for the position, but the former Baltimore Orioles and Atlanta Braves pitching coach has a reputation for not meshing well with young pitchers.  That doesn't sound like an avenue the Yanks want to go down considering the possibility of having three Baby Bombers in the starting rotation for 2008 (Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy and Joba Chamberlain).

The grapevine now says Yankees Triple-A pitching coach Dave Eiland may have the inside track.  Eiland coached the Yankees' Three Amigos in Scranton and was also with the big club during the final month of the season.  I can see the logic in inserting Eiland since he's helped guide the kids to the Majors.  Stay tuned.

There was also the story of Don Mattingly saying he wasn't ready to become the next manager of the New York Yankees, should the opportunity arise.  That report was then quickly refuted by Mattingly's agent.  Honestly, Mattingly has to be the unluckiest person ever to don the pinstripes.  He arrived with the Yanks too late to enjoy the championships of the late 70s, had a Hall of Fame career short-circuited by injuries and retired just as the Yanks started their dynasty in 1996.  Then he comes aboard as the Yanks hitting coach in 2004 and watched the Bombers suffer their worst series defeat ever against the Red Sox.  Now he's thrust into the unenviable position of possibly succeeding a Hall of Fame manager in Joe Torre.

I tells ya, if it weren't for bad luck, he'd have no luck at all.

Also in Yankee Land, it was revealed that The Boss will now "share" leadership with this sons Hank and Hal.  Seems like Hank is more like his pop and will be more involved with the baseball side of the empire and Hal will focus more on the business side of the team.  Hank also made his first executive decision by stating that "he'll insist" that Joba Chamberlain be inserted into the starting rotation.  We'll see how that turns out.

Vinny in Kearny created a nice breakdown of the Yankees power structure with a Godfather themed family tree, but it's too wide to insert here.  Sorry, Vin.  But, if anyone wants to see it, shoot me an e-mail and I'll send it to you.

In the meantime we'll have to wait and see if Torre remains the Yankees Capo.