Torre: That's 'An Insult'!

Admits $5 million is 'nothing to sneeze at,' but says 1-year offer offended him
By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 19, 2007 8:14 PM CDT
Torre: That's 'An Insult'!
Former New York Yankees manager Joe Torre leaves the riser after a press conference in which he talked about his rejection of a contract offer from the Yankees Friday, Oct. 19, 2007 Rye Brook, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)   (Associated Press)

An emotional Joe Torre called the Yankees' one-year, $5 million offer "an insult" today. Three million dollars in incentives didn't help, he said: “I’d been there 12 years and did not feel motivation was needed." The offer was still sizable, despite a $2.5 million pay cut—"nothing to sneeze at," he admitted—"but the fact that somebody is reducing your salary just tells me they are not satisfied."

Torre spoke to media in a New York hotel ballroom, his emotions ranging from teary-eyed to self-deprecating, Newsday reports. He said the Yankees refused to negotiate, dismissing his counter-offer "real quickly." Asked if the deal was meant to send him packing, Torre said, "That's for you guys to decide." (More Joe Torre stories.)

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