Here's What the Yankees Need to Do...
>> Wednesday
During the off-season there are a few key moves the New York Yankees need to make in order to get back on top of the baseball world.
#1- Keep Joe Torre
He has managed the f$%ck out of that team this year. With Sheff and Matsui going down for the majority of the season, robinson Cano going down for a good amount of time, being able to fill those holes and not lose a beat is pretty impressive. Look at the Red Sox on the other hand, they lose some key players and they panic and fall out of the playoff race. Finally, I dont know how anyone else could manage all those big money egos in that clubhouse, but somehow Torre has done it and done it effectively. If not for anything else, he did win 4 World Series for the club, let him go out on his own terms or when his contract expires not in a George Steinbrener fit of firing rage.
#2- Trade Alex Rodriguez
I hate to see a player of his caliber go, but it really is not working out. His numbers this season were stil pretty good, but I guss the NY media expects more for their dollar (which we arent even paying full price for A-Rod anyway). It would be best for him and maybe best for the club. Here is a rumor that I have heard that would not be so bad to get in return for A-rod:
Ervin Santana- SP 23 yrs old, 4.28 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 141 SO
Scot Sheilds - MR 30 yrs old, 2.87 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 84 SO (reliver that could close if needed)
Dallas McPhereson - 3B 25 yrs old, .261, 7 HR, .776 OPS (was a top prospect and is still young and can salvage his career)
Minor League Prospect.
You have to sell now, if not A-rod really MIGHT fall off, and not be worth the mone,y then you wont get anything in return.
#3- Help the Starting pitching!
DO NOT pick up Mussina's 17 million dollar option. He was one of the best things we had going for us but he wasnt 17 million good (A-Rod doesnt even get that much from the NYY). Then, try to trade Randy Johnson for something of equal value, but if not possible then move him down in the rotation. Then, sign Barry Zito and/or Jason Schmidt. As for Pavano, Wright and Lidle, I have no idea what to do with them, stick them in the pen or something.
Ideal Rotation
1) Jason Schmidt
2) Chien Ming Wang
3) Barry Zito
4) Randy Johnson
5) Ervin Santana
#4- Keep Sheff
He's a great player, you just have to pick up his option. Hell he may be able to play his original position of 3rd base.
That is all...
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4 comments:
In response to Pat...How can you trade a guy like A-Rod? Simple--you're lineup is a friggin' All-Star team. I would love to see him traded for his own sake. If the boos have affected his play, I hope to hell that he gets traded because I can't stand watching great players in any sport getting held back. And that rumored trade would be EXCELLENT for them.
As for Jason Schmidt, he's excelled with old man game already. By which I mean his strengths (i.e. his changeup, pitch location) are skills that decline more slowly with age. He's bounced back from injuries enough for me to believe he's just one of those guys that'll stick around forever, a la Jamie Moyer, Tom Glavine, God (or Greg Maddux if you prefer).
Oh, and as for Zito, I'll say what I said before in regard to speculation that the Cubs would sign him--I think he might have a spook-able personality when it comes to big market pressure. I could be totally wrong, but it's a hunch.
Here's what the Yankees need to do...cut their budget in half, bring in a few of the Brady Clarks and Brandon Inges of the league and sneak into the playoffs as a wildcard.
As long as they are putting these ridiculous All-Star lineups on the field, there is always going to be too much pressure for them to win 11 postseason games. They haven't won a World Series in six years and yet, come October, they still have the biggest target on their back. Everyone wants to beat the Yankees, and it wouldn't surprise me if everyone keeps on doing it.
They certainly demonstrated this year that an All-Star team won't necessarily win over five games against another good team. Whether fielding a veteran All-Star team over a cohesive team of fresher, homegrown talent actually diminishes their chances to win, I personally wouldn't go so far to conclude that. However, long term success (and fiscal responsibility of course) does depend on maintaining a healthy stream of homegrown talent.
But in response to Nate, I'm not convinced that simply bringing in lower-profile guys can ever actually improve a team. I think that's the Brosius-over-ARod fallacy. Guys like Clark and Inge can be serviceable pieces on an overall talented roster, but take them out of that situation, and I believe they become just another average ballplayer. (Cubs fans, for instance, remember Jeff Blauser.)
However, I won't deny the psychological effect of expectations and pressure. It's very real, and I could buy the idea that it's effect over a short series could be tremendous. Still, I think short series are mostly a matter of luck.
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