Looks like the Red Sox are threatening to hold out

I'd love to see them try to pull this off, starting the season at 0-2 would be nice for the Yankess.

The Yankees are not the team I would be worrying about in the East... Their offense is still decent, but their pitching staff is very shaky.

As to the issue here, I like that the players are standing up for the rest of the team. Good for them.

As to playing any games overseas, I think its just stupid anyway. Its nearly as dumb as the NFL doing so. And what are they trying to accomplish by playing in a country where baseball is already immensely popular? And with Japanese players continuing to come over to play in the states, isn't MLB already gaining popularity there? What is the goal here?

Your nutz to think NY won't be in it to the very end. It's the same team as least year that won 94 games, only 2 behind BOS. That's basically dead even. Their offense is far more than decent, it's one the most potent we've ever seen. Their projected lineup has a .300+ /20HR guy hitting 8th (Cano). That's just sick.
I hope your not insinuating there is another team they should be worried about? The Jays will finish their typical 2-4 games over .500 and around 10 behind NY and BOS. Then you have two of the worst teams in baseball bringing up the rear.

As for the Japan thing, the players stood up for them because they probably didn't want to go. I don't blame them for not wanting to go, it is stupid like you said.
But threating not to go is ridiculous. Instead of crying about it, they went with the "Team spirit/hero" card. Just a politically correct gesture to try to get out of doing something they didn't want to do.
Since when did players get the right to vote on where/when they play based on coaches salaries anyways?

We'll just have to see how things play out. The Yankees have the offense to win 90 games again, but I don't see them keeping up with Boston. If they do reach the post-season, that pitching staff will probably find them getting a quick exit.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I expect Pettitte's number to suffer, Mussina to struggle with his health, and Hughes not to live quite up to expectations. Wang is the only guy I'd rely on in that rotation and while he will win 20 games in that line-up, it is hard to be intimidated by the rest of the staff.

quote:

Originally posted by Sportz Genius:
Since when did players get the right to vote on where/when they play based on coaches salaries anyways?

As far as what is being reported, that was part of the agreement. Seems like if MLB is going to obligate them to play in Japan then they should expect the league to live up to its promises. Contractually, the players work for the team not the league - so I give them kudos for standing up for other employees of the organization.