Ok, my last Yankee Blog for a while I promise!
It’s just that a team that struggles to play .500 ball for most of 2008 and yet has a payroll close to 200 million is bound to leave thousands and thousands of Yankee fans asking why? 2008 will mark the first post season that doesn’t include the New York Yankees in thirteen years.
So as an avid Yankee fan and a sports blogger I recently conducted an open forum with my three favorite Yankee allies in the Bronx. My allies are as follows, my sister B.L. she is a huge Yankees fan and an eternal optimist. My uncle Gary also a huge Yankees fan and an eternal pessimist. And lastly my father, THE OLD MAN, enough said.
Here are the questions asked, in chronological order.
1) What just happened?
B.L.- Our wonderful boys in blue missed the playoffs, but they are still wonderful.
G.T.- The exact same thing that happened to the Detroit Tigers, a team with a veteran roster got real old real fast. Injuries, age, and declining performance were the result.
OLD MAN- The Pope came to the Bronx this year! But Robinson Cano underachieved, and too many pitching injuries resulted in a poor season.
2) Who is most to blame?
B.L.- I blame myself! I just haven’t been a big enough Yankee fan this year.
G.T.- Brain Cashman. The misuse of money on player contracts is disgraceful.
OLD MAN- Chin Ming Wang is to blame. By no fault of his own, his injury destroyed the seaon.
3) Does Brian Cashman come back next season?
B.L.- I wouldn’t be surprised to see him.
G.T.- I hope not, but a more qualified replacement must be found first.
OLD MAN- Yes Cashman will be back, but Yankee executive power will return to Tampa. And Hank will assume a more active roll.
4) Does Joe Girardi and his coaching staff come back?
B.L.- Joe will return, but there will be staff changes.
G.T.- Yes, Hank has already given Joe his blessing. But staff changes will take place, as someone will have to take the blame.
OLD MAN- Yes Joe will be back and yes he will make changes.
5) Would a Joe Torre Yankees team fall this badly this season?
B.L.- Not sure. Torre was a great Yankees manager but there were so many issues this season.
G.T.- Joe’s Yankee team would have been better, but still would have missed the post season.
OLD MAN- Torre’s team would have made the first round, but would have been eliminated yet again in the first round.
6) Free Agents… Who stays and who goes?
B.L.- Pettite and Mussina will be back, but not sure about the rest.
G.T.- Andy Pettite will retire. Jason Giambi is surely gone. Mike Mussina and Bobby Abreu will be back.
OLD MAN- Jason Giambi needs to go away!
7) If you were Hank Steinbrenner who is the one player that you would bring in?
B.L.- C.C. Sabathia
G.T.- Mark Teixeira
OLD MAN- C.C. Sabathia
8) If you were Hank Steinbrenner, who is the one player that you would get rid of?
B.L.- Undecided
G.T.- Alex Rodriguez
OLD MAN- Jason Giambi
Now in conclusion, since this is my blog I will get the final word.
What concerns me most about the New York Yankees past, present, and future is their offensive offense! Hitting with runners in scoring position, or runners on base in general is not something the Yankees have done with any sort of success this season. They are third in the American league in hitting into double plays, and rank second strikeouts (behind on the dreadful Seattle Mariners). I would love to put together a highlight tape of the all their double plays and strike outs, but I don't think there would be enough videotape. Their overall offensive numbers rank pretty high in the league, but numbers don't translate directly to wins, and that more then anything that is why the Yankees will be home this October.
As for the off-season changes, all we can do is speculate. As fans seeking answers these questions at least gives us some comfort. But this current Yankee organization has a lot of work to do before 2009 rolls around.
