I'd settle for courtesy you'd show a dog in the street.

From Tyler Kepner's NY Times article today, speaking of irreplaceable players:

• "The same could be said of Rivera, whose strong words about his future have inspired little fear in the front office. If the Yankees wanted to get tough with Rivera, they could have floated the idea that, in Chamberlain, they have a closer-in-waiting who makes close to the minimum salary.

But Steinbrenner's son Hank has already said he endorses Cashman's plan to shift Chamberlain back to starting. After staying healthy all season, Rivera, 37, answered any durability questions the Yankees had, and he is likely to return."

• I'm hoping Rivera does not return to the Yankees, that he strings them out til the last minute. After not even giving him the courtesy of a phone call he asked for last off-season, they publicly humiliate him, and now this. They act like he does not exist, this most valuable Yankee of the past 12 seasons and 12 post seasons (per Lupica and Sherman). Literally treat him like he doesn't exist. (sm)

Tyler Kepner: "Bolstering his setup crew will be a topic at the meetings, especially with Chamberlain as a starter, Vizcaíno a free agent and Kyle Farnsworth coming off another disappointing season.

The Yankees like their internal choices, like Ross Ohlendorf and José Veras, and, as usual, the free-agent market offers several relievers. Left-handers include Jeremy Affeldt of Colorado and J. C. Romero of Philadelphia, and right-handers include Scott Linebrink of Milwaukee."

• From NY Times article by Tyler Kepner, "For Yanks, Questions Only Start with Torre," 10/14/07

P.S. Dan Graziano, Kyle Farnsworth himself--not the Yankees--refuses to work back to back days or multiple innings. When Rivera is not there, who's going to do the 2 jobs he's been doing? JC Romero? Hey, of course Jose Veras.

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