Okay, people. I just want to apologize for being so out of control yesterday. After a night to sleep on it, I know I acted like the clown I was calling others. That said, I want to be serious about the Yankees again. The first thing to be changed is Torre. The number one thing all along with him has been his supposed ability to motivate this team. Well, over the past three post-seasons, he has proven he cannot do that. Something interesting I noticed yesterday, I think it was in the 7th or 8th, he was standing with the coaches and he walked over and grabbed Jeter's bat. Traditionally, he holds that bat all game long. It really looked like he was just desperate to make some "magic" happen at that point. Sorry, but what he should have done was say something to the team. Tell them to leave it all on the field or something, anything. This era is over. We do need to let Cashman do this his way now. He has proven he can bring in the talent, let him do so, and let a good coach mold that talent into a champion. My choice is still Girardi. Trading ARod is a forgone conclusion at this point. Yeah Alex, they are DYING to get rid of you, face it. It think Florida is where he winds up. I was a big fan of the idea of getting Willis for him, but I'm not so sure anymore. Really, at this point, I'm willing to take anything for him, since he is just draining the cash, and giving us no value in return. I want to keep Giambi. Let him have his surgery, and let's see what happens. Sheffield is done here. He had some really great moments here, but age has caught up to him, and the lack of steroid use is starting to show. Matsui can stay, but only as a DH. Cabrera has earned the job in left. Back to the basics that earned us titles in the late 90s. Defense, and players who get on base. Pitching. I know people are very against Zito, but I am in favor of picking him up. There are only two teams in the AL that own Zito. One of them is us, and the other is Boston. Sure, it would be scary when he pitches against them for us, but he would still pull off 15-20 wins here. Unfortunately, Randy will be probably be back. How long is he under contract for? I still want Moose here. He didn't pitch terribly game 2, we just didn't score. Obviously, Wang is our new Pettite. The young guy to build the staff around. So right now, this is how I see our staff: Wang <player X> (Who we should get in a trade involving ARod) Zito Moose Randy Lidle I know, that's six. Something has to fall into place. I wouldn't mind dumping RJ, but I just don't know how feasable that would be. Besides, with all of our injury problems in our rotation every year, we need a backup. Wright either needs to learn to be a middle reliever, or he needs to go. We can't use the bullpen for 4 inning every 5 days. Otherwise, everyone else stays. Damon CF Jeter SS Abreu RF Giambi 1B Posada C Cano 2B Matsui/Williams DH <player Y> To replace Arod at 3rd Cabrera LF
I can't even begin to care about next year right now other than the fact I want the following off the team: ARod Johnson Mussina Sheff Matsui Giambi and I love Joe but it's time for a change at Manager.
But the Yankees would still have to pay him for doing nothing. Hey, I want to move him too, but who would pick up his salary, especially now? He has been toxic for this team. In 20/20 hindsight, I wish we had passed on him and kept Soriano. Is it football season yet?
Soriano sucked in the playoffs too but he cost alot less. That move paved the way for cano and while Cano wasn't good he is a much better defensive 2B than Soriano was.
Cano >>> Soriano. Cano is a kid who continues to improve every game. Soriano is good, but Cano still has yet to come near his full potential. And yeah, Cano is a far superior 2B.
Soriano could have moved to the outfield for the Yankees, too. And instead of Lou, what about Joe Girardi? He's much younger, a peer of some of these players and a very smart baseball guy. The Yankees need to go young. We may miss the playoffs for a couple of years, but we'll be better off in the long run. With any luck, George will drop dead by then.
I agree we need more Starting Pitching. We should call up Phillip Hughes if hes ready and sign a big free agent pitcher or trade for one. As much as I have loved A-Rod New York is just isnt for him. Our bullpen is fine I think I didnt see much wrong with it this year.
I think with the current team, Girardi would have us in the playoffs once again next year. Lou will force us into rebuilding mode. I still love George. As much as people want to hate him, he has delivered champions to us many times. He doesn't even care if he loses money, as long as he gets players that should contribute to titles.
This team needs players who give a s**t about winning. We need the Paul O'Neills, Tino Martinez and Scott Brosius types of players who refused to lose. David Cone in game 3 of the '96 world series. That's the type of winners we need. Not this duck and cover bunch we've got going now. If Sheffield is on this team next year, I'm giving up my allegiance. Randy Johnson -- get the f' off the team, you overpaid piece of s**t.
We don't have that hunger anymore, we have a bunch of check collectors(outside of guys like jeter, mariano, bernie, Posada, etc...). We need some hungry veterans not guys who just want that long term security.
Besides the pitching, we need a more balanced everyday lineup which has a history of coming through in the postseason.
I don't like Girardi in the situation with all these veterans. He was a good manager when he was with a bunch of kids, but other than that I'd be wary.
We need to make starting pitching a strength again. RJ needs to go...and weneed to take a shot at Zito. Zito maybe overrated..but he'd bring stability and consistency to our line-up and signing him would keep him out of Boston and Queens...which look like attractive destinations for him. I'd also like to see Phil Hughes get a shot as a #5 starter next year.
Kurt, i don't want to rush Hughes up and possibly destory his confidence. I would LOVE to see him and Tyler Clippard come up around the All-Star Break, but not at the beginning of the season. However, if he has an amazing Spring Training, and the coaching staff thinks he's ready; then let him be part of the rotation
Zito is a bad idea for Boston AND New York. I think he's better off on the west coast where no one cares. Also, he's been horrible against both teams in his career, and at both Fenway and Yankee Stadium. This isn't a shot at your idea really, more at Zito who is one of the more overrated players in a long time.
I am not a Zito lover but while he has had trouble w/ us in the reg season in 2 postseason starts against us he's given up just 2 ER in almsot 14 IP.
I agree 100%. For anybody keeping score at home, Zito's ERA against the Yankees since 2003 is something around 7.60--in other words, Barry in Boston would be my dream come true. I suspect that the Sox are thinking the same thing about Zito in the Bronx.
If the Sox sign Zito, I'm throwing a party, and every Yankee fan is invited. Bring me Matsuzaka, and either Billingsley or Ervin Santana in a trade for A-Rod. Imagine the 2008 rotation: Hughes Matsuzaka Wang Billingsley/Santana Clippard Disgustingly beautiful.
