Bring Back Bernie

Bernie Williams joins the list of Yankees that have filed for free agency. No surprise there. It would surprise me would be if Bernie ever suits up for a team other than the Yankees. Bernie proved last year that he can still be of some value to a team. I think Brian Cashman should do every thing he can to keep Bernie in Pinstripes for the rest of his career, assuming of course that Bernie wants to continue playing.
Bernie has a lot of pluses in his favor. He's obviously not going to come at a high price. He can fill in as the 5th outfielder. He can probably play first base as needed. He hits from both sides of the plate and would be a great option to pinch hit. And the most important thing he'd bring to the table is his veteran leadership. The Yankees have had that role filled for quite some time. Paul O'Neill. Ruben Sierra. Bernie Williams. The clubhouse needs the veteran that's been around the block. Bernie's been there, and he's always done it as a Yankee. No reason to let him do it somewhere else.
The only downsides I can think of when it comes to Bernie is his age, his arm, and his declining, but still average speed. Bernie is no spring chicken, but the positives far outweigh the negatives in my opinion. Bernie had a pretty solid 2006 campaign. He improved on his 2005 numbers. Maybe Bernie thinks he still has it in him to play every day. He knows he won't get that as a Yankee. I hope like in 2006, he decides to stay. It's tough to imagine him wearing any other ball cap than a navy one with the interlocking NY that we all know and love.
Moving on to the anti-Bernie, Gary Sheffield. They were talking on the XM shows today that there are "reports" that the Yankees already have deals in place for Gary Sheffield. Likely destinations are rumored to be the Phillies, Cubs, and some other teams I'm forgetting. According to MLBtraderumors.com, other interested teams are the Indians, Padres, Astros, Braves, Rangers and the Giants. The only name I've heard mentioned is Jacque Jones. That puzzles me because I'm not sure what need the Yankees have for another OF. The Yankees have Damon, Matsui and Abreu. How would Jones fit into the mix? It's failing to hit me. I don't see it. If in fact Cashman is interested in him, it's for a reason. The man no doubt has a plan. He's no doubt building another contender. I can't wait to see how this plays out over the next few days as the deadline to exercise Sheff's option is rapidly approaching.
The Hot Stove is heating up. Can you feel its warmth? It feels good.
J-Boogie