Yankees president Randy Levine yesterday called negative comments by Brewers owner Mark Attanasio about the Yankees' bottomless pit of cash and willingness to use it "sour grapes."
It may have been lost on Levine that he made these remarks at the news conference to announce the signing of Mark Teixeira to an eight-year, $180-million contract, capping (we think) the Yankees' orgy of offseason spending in which they committed $423.5 million to three players. "The New York Yankees purchase and operate the New York Yankees," Levine said. "It's a lot more expensive than to purchase and operate the Milwaukee Brewers. We provide an awful lot - hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue-sharing to these teams ... When the rules change, everybody can adjust. Otherwise, it's sour grapes."
Attanasio, on Dec. 23, the day the Yankees agreed to terms with Teixeira, said: "At the rate the Yankees are going, I'm not sure anyone can compete with them. Frankly, the sport might need a salary cap."
The Yankees bid $61 million more than the Brewers for CC Sabathia, signing him for $161 million over seven years.
Boras, Mets to huddle
Agent Scott Boras, in New York yesterday for the Teixeira news conference, will meet with the Mets today.
Boras represents free-agent starters Derek Lowe and Oliver Perez, both of whom interest the Mets as they look to fill the void in their starting rotation.
The meeting is a matter of circumstance; as long as Boras is in town, and as long as the Mets like his clients, they'll get together. An agreement on a deal doesn't appear likely, although anything is possible.
The Mets offered Lowe a three-year, $36-million deal, which he rejected. For now, the Mets are inclined to keep that package, since they don't believe Lowe has a better offer.
Duncan cut
Shelley Duncan was designated for assignment to make room on the roster for Teixeira ... Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi said Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner will compete for the centerfield job.
