The New York Yankees and the Chinese Baseball Association held a press conference today in Beijing, China to announce a landmark Memorandum of Understanding that for the first time formalizes a strategic alliance between a Major League Baseball Club and the Chinese Baseball Association.
"'I'm feeling great. Everything is going along fine with no repercussions or setbacks,' Murcer said. 'It was great having Andy come over, although I'm sure one of the reasons was because Roger is out of town and he didn't have anybody to work out with.'"
"It is interesting how these things work out sometimes. Joe Torre's fate and A-Rod's fate are suddenly intertwined. "
A contingent of executives from the New York Yankees will fly to China next week with the hope of concluding ongoing negotiations on a working agreement with the China Baseball Association. This could lead to the Yankees dispatching coaches and trainers to work with players in China, and perhaps, in years to come, beginning a baseball academy.
According to a major league executive who has been briefed on the organization's intentions, the Yankees -- operating in consultation with Major League Baseball -- have been in negotiations for seven months on this deal. The Yankees' goal is to get their brand into the world's most populated nation, and put themselves in position, down the road, to scout talent, while working with members of the CBA to improve the state of baseball in China.
The Yankees have gone six seasons without winning the World Series, a baseball eternity for a team of their stature. But Kevin Towers cannot remember a time when Brian Cashman has been happier.
'He had gotten to a point where he was beyond frustrated,' said Towers, the general manager of the San Diego Padres and one of Cashman's closest friends in the game. 'He was taking the heat, but it was for things that were beyond his control.
'But when I talk to him now, he's a different man. Brian is doing what he wants to do, and I have to say, it's not good for the rest of us.'
