Torre's future uncertain after Yankees' playoff ouster

NEW YORK: General manager Brian Cashman on Tuesday described Joe Torre's reign as Yankees manager as "magical, incredible" yet he could not say whether the skipper would see a 13th season.

Club owner George Steinbrenner issued a win-or-else ultimatum aimed at Torre in an interview published on Sunday, providing the air of a death watch at Yankee Stadium.

The ax did not fall on Torre by the afternoon following Monday night's 6-4 loss to the Cleveland Indians, which eliminated New York in the first round of the playoffs.

Cashman, facing reporters in the middle of a clubhouse crowded with cardboard moving boxes for players to pack their gear, said the decision-making process had yet to begin in what could be a tumultuous Yankee off-season.

"No heavy lifting today," Cashman said.

"There will be a process. Ownership is going to take some time. I'll sit down with ownership. We're going to discuss the future, the manager as well as the roster.

"I'm not going to map out what the time frame is. I'll be honest, we're making it up as we go along. We were hoping to be on a flight today for a Game 5 in Cleveland but we're not."

Cashman lobbied hard for Torre to return for the final year of his contract after the Yankees fell to the Detroit Tigers in the first round of last season's playoffs.

Torre has steered the Yanks into the postseason in each of his 12 seasons in charge, advancing to six World Series and winning four Fall Classic crowns.

Bombers bounced

The Bronx Bombers, however, have not won the title since 2000 and have been bounced in the first round three years in a row despite a payroll topping $200 million - highest by far in the majors.

"Joe's had a tremendous run so far," Cashman said. "Now his contract is expiring. Now the discussion is about what's best going forward, regarding the managerial situation and obviously the roster.

"His reign so far has been terrific. You'd sign up for it right now if you could find that. It's been magical, incredible."

Cashman said Steinbrenner would have the last word. "He has always picked the manager here," Cashman said. "Obviously I had a great deal of input in last year's process, so we'll see. I can't get ahead of the process."

The Yankees face other crucial questions.

Slugger Alex Rodriguez, who hit 54 homers and drove in 156 runs and is expected to win his third American League MVP award, can exercise an escape clause in the contract that has made him baseball's highest paid player at $25 million a year.

Relief ace Mariano Rivera, who turns 38 next month, outfielder Bobby Abreu and 36-year-old catcher Jorge Posada, who batted a career-high .338 with 20 homers and 90 RBI this season, can all become free agents.

"There's no guarantee how things will play out," Cashman said. "It will make for an interesting winter."

Agencies

(China Daily 10/11/2007 page23)