That’s what Jon Heyman at Sports Illustrated is saying:
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.
My guess is that if Torre does come back it will be under a limited-term contract where he will basically be training his replacement. Whether he’d want to do that for any amount of money is another question.
