In Boston, John Tomase writes while the "euphoria of this latest championship will carry him through much of the winter," Red Sox Owner John Henry "recognizes there’s new work to do." With new TV contracts "fattening up teams' bottom lines" by at least $25M each, Henry "expects the free agent market to be costly." The Red Sox last year "moved away from the big-contract model" and Henry "hopes never to go back." He said, "We had a long history of overpaying and going too long in contracts. ... We moved away from that (approach) for the first time I think in 2012. You saw that and you’ll see that now continuing" (BOSTON HERALD, 11/14).
BYRD BRAINS: In Philadelphia, Ryan Lawrence notes Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. is "well aware" that signing RF Marlon Byrd to a two-year, $16M contract earlier this week will "generate a different kind of buzz" locally than the Cliff Lee signing three years ago. But he and his team are "at a different time and place." A "great deal of money has already been spent," and after failing to finish above .500 two straight seasons, both the Phillies and Amaro "have to get things right this winter." Amaro said, "I have to be cognizant of what the fans think -- but we have to do what we can to improve the club, and this move I believe will improve our club" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 11/14).
SHOW ME THE MONEY: In N.Y., Tim Rohan writes if the Mets do not sign free agent SS Jhonny Peralta or someone else within the next few weeks, their fans "could get restless." Mets GM Sandy Alderson said of the fans' anxiety, "Do I sense it? Yeah, to some extent. Do I tune it out? Yes, to the largest extent possible. Because for us this is a day-to-day proposition, and it’s not that predictable. So I just sort of have to take it out of the equation to some extent but be aware of the overall environment as well" (N.Y. TIMES, 11/14). On Long Island, David Lennon writes under the header, "No One Will Take Mets Seriously Until They Spend Money And Sign A Free Agent" (NEWSDAY, 11/14).
WIN AT ALL COSTS? In N.Y., Joel Sherman notes Yankees Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner since taking over for his late father George has "tended to stay in the background," letting GM Brian Cashman and President Randy Levine be the "main faces and voices for the organization in personnel and business matters." But with the Yankees not making the playoffs this past season and "questions abounding about the direction of the franchise, Hal apparently wants to be more present in showing leadership and re-confirming his family’s mantra of going for championships has not changed." He also has "clearly become more comfortable in the role after several years in charge" (N.Y. POST, 11/14).
