Yankees mull scenarios for manager's possible return

It's been almost exactly seven years since The Boss was truly pleased with Joe Torre. AP

By Jon Heyman, SI.com

NEW YORK -- Top Yankees decision-makers are believed to have discussed different scenarios under which Joe Torre could possibly return for a 13th season when they gathered again Wednesday in Tampa, Fla., perhaps signaling a softening in the tough stance club owner George Steinbrenner enunciated regarding Torre in his rare interview 11 days ago.

While Torre was declared to be "probably" a goner by Steinbrenner in that interview with the Bergen Record, it is believed Torre has a chance to return now, especially if he agrees to certain conditions. It is unclear what those conditions may be, but presumably they could include the length and dollar amount of a new contract. It is also unknown what Torre's appetite for a diminished or constricted deal may be.

Yankees higher-ups involved in meetings regarding Torre over the last two days declined to divulge specifics of their discussion. But one person familiar with what went on termed a return to the Yankees "50-50'' for Torre. Torre's status may, of course, also depend on what conditions he'd agree to, and that wasn't even believed known by Yankees people yet. Torre made $7 million in 2007 in the final year of a three-year contract, about double what the next highest-paid manager was paid.

While Yankees general Brian Cashman told reporters that the Yankees weren't currently talking to Torre, it was believed that third-party discussions may take place soon, if they haven't begun already. Depending on Torre's signals, the Yankees might eschew Steinbrenner's original stance and embrace Torre.

Steinbrenner told the Record on Oct. 6 that Torre would "probably'' be let go if he didn't get past the Indians in the Division Series, and it is believed those comments reflected Steinbrenner's true thinking at the time, as well as the belief of some other Yankees officials. So when the Yankees made it three straight first-round exits the next day, it was generally presumed that he had just managed his final game in pinstripes, and even Torre sounded like he knew he was a goner at the Game 4 postgame press conference.

Nothing's been decided yet, but it's a positive sign for Torre that the discussions over the two days in Tampa were said to have centered on him, not on potential replacements. People close to the situation said the it could still take another "two to three days'' to resolve itself, which could also be plus for Torre, as a delay makes sense if back-channel negotiations are needed. Cashman did not return calls, but on his way out of Tampa he noted that it takes a while to decide to bring someone back and a while to negotiate a return as well. It isn't know whether that comment was meant as an exact reflection of what was going on.

As laid out by one person familiar with the discussions, the three possibilities for Torre are 1.) Torre being let go; 2.) Torre being brought back under a business-as-usual arrangement; and 3.) Torre being brought back only under certain conditions.

It isn't known how Torre would respond to less favorable contract terms. But it is believed that he loves his job. He hinted a few times during the season that he'd like to return, and it's hard to imagine him walking away unless the team makes the conditions oppressive and/or unreasonable.

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