Yankees Face Long Winter

(Photo by Newsday.com)

The media in New York is in a frenzy, spouting off speculation after speculation about the future of the Yankees.

Let's filter out the hype and get realistic.

1. Sheffield won't be back. That saves 13 million.

2. Mike Mussina won't be back, at least not for 19 million. Assuming that the Yankees bring him back or sign a quality pitcher as his replacement for 10 million, that saves 9 million.

3. Unless they get very lucky, the Yankees won't be able to get quality young arms for A-Rod. So as unfortunate as it is, the reality is that all things considered, the best move is to keep A-Rod and hope that he finds a way to turn things around.

4. If Torre is released, the best bet is not Lou Pinella, but a less expensive and equally capable coach such as Joe Girardi or Don Mattingly.

5. The Yankees have to find a way to get strong pitching. Count on Wang and Phil Hughes to be two reliable starters for next season. Randy Johnson will be an acceptable fourth or fifth man for the rotation, only because he is locked in for 16 million and there is no way that he will do the right thing and retire before he collects every penny. If Pavano makes it back and proves to be reliable, we need one more strong arm. If Pavano tanks again, we'll need two strong arms.

6. If the Yankees do the sensible thing and keep A-Rod, Jeter has got to get over A-Rod's Esquire interview from 2002 and embrace him. Yeah, Jeter, we know that he was jealous of you when he spouted off about you being a 2-man and not hitting for power. But holding a grudge for as long as you have isn't bringing out the best in A-Rod. And ultimately, this is hurting the team.

Remember the sense of comraderie on the teams that were led by Tino Martinez, Paul O'Neill, and Scott Brosius? You just felt that those guys cared about one another. Jeter has got to get over his grudge and use his clout and reputation to bring this team together.

7. If possible, I think it makes a lot of sense for Brian Cashman to get quality pitchers for Bobby Abreu. Many teams would love to have him. We have Cabrera who needs a spot in the outfield. Cabrera has potential to be another Bobby Abreu, and he is about 16 and half million dollars less expensive. No one will take Johnny Damon's contract off of us, Hideki Matsui is untradeable, that leaves Bobby Abreu as the best trade bait for good pitchers.

More soon...

- Joshua