Cashman issues challenge to Valentine

STAMFORD, Conn. -- It didn't take long for Brian Cashman to verbally confront the new Red Sox manager.

"I publicly challenge Bobby Valentine to join me on the building," Cashman said with a smile Friday morning. "Landmark Square, first week of December, 2012. Be there."

Cashman spoke on the roof of the 22-story Landmark Building in downtown Stamford -- near his home in Darien -- where for the second straight season, he will rappel during the Heights and Lights Holiday Tree Lighting event early Sunday.

And the Yankees' general manager would like Stamford's most public of figures -- and, though for not too much longer, the city's public safety director -- to join him next December.

"Be there, Bobby," Cashman said. "Add another job to your resume -- the Stamford rappelling team."

Cashman, who said Wednesday that Valentine's addition to baseball's best rivalry might not make it bigger but certainly could make it "louder," watched Valentine's introductory news conference Thursday.

"I thought he did an excellent job," said Cashman, a friend and admirer of Valentine's. "I thought it was a great introduction. I know Bobby. I know he's fully qualified to handle everything and anything that's going to come his way up there in Boston. I didn't like seeing Terry Francona in that dugout because Terry was outstanding at what he did, and at the same time, I don't like seeing Bobby Valentine in that dugout either, because I know what Bobby is and what he will do and can do."

After Sunday's event, Cashman won't immediately fly to Dallas for baseball's winter meetings, which start Monday. And he won't be flying first thing Monday morning, instead choosing an early afternoon flight. "That's the great thing about cell phones," he said.

Cashman isn't in a big rush to get there. While plenty of groundwork has been done this offseason on his primary goal -- adding rotation depth -- nothing's close to happening.

Cashman said the asking prices for free agents and players available via trade currently are too high.

"Right now, if you're asking me, do I expect to do something in the next week? No," he said. "But I've had enough conversations that I could end up doing something today. A lot of work has been done, a lot of conversations have been had. If somebody bends or adjusts, then I'm ready to make a recommendation for us to make a move."

Rivera has surgeryMariano Rivera had polyps removed from his vocal cords Friday morning at New York-Presbyterian Hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. Rivera said Thursday that recovery should take two weeks, including not speaking for the first week.