The State of the Yankees as of August 4, 2007
As a life-long Yankees fan, I'm excited about the Yankees. I'm excited about the remainder of this season, and about their potential over the next several years. The Yankees have a deep pool of young talent that competitive personalities that should keep them at an elite level when they take the field in the new Yankee stadium in 2009.
Still, there are a few points that I believe that Yankees management has to take heed of if they are to stand a chance of being the championship-caliber team that they were in the 90s.
1. Be wary of signing aging pitchers to extensions. Did we really need to sign Mike Mussina and Roger Clemens? They've had amazing careers and deserve tremendous respect for everything that they have accomplished over the past two decades, but what sounds better: paying them 11 million plus per season for average performances or giving their slots to talents like Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, Steve Karstens, Ian Kennedy, and other up and coming stars in the farm system?
2. Trade A-Rod while we can. A-Rod is probably the most talented player in all of baseball. He has tremendous hitting power and is a great athlete. The problem is that his track record tells us that he doesn't contribute to good team chemistry. This is not a commentary on his character; it's an objective observation of current and past teammates' opinions on him, and the performances of all of the teams that he has played on. He's a great player. It may be accurate to say that he is not a great TEAM player. Maybe someday he will be on a team that wins a championship, and if that happens, good for him. But it's my opinion that the Yankees are better off getting young talent for him than keeping him and his presence.
3. Move Derek Jeter to center field once we find a suitable replacement for him at short stop. Omar and Orlando are amazing shortstops who have the range to play this position into their 30s. Derek Jeter has amazing baseball instincts and is a good athlete, but he doesn't have great range, and he either doesn't have an accurate throwing arm, or he loses concentration when he throws the ball. His ability to track fly balls is as good as anyone's in the game - combine this with his speed and strong throwing arm, and he makes an excellent candidate for center field. Matsui in left, Derek in center, and Melky in right - how does this sound for a solid outfield for the next few years? If Robin Yount could do it, Derek can, too.
4. Consider letting Joe Torre go with a well-deserved parting gift, and hire Joe Girardi as the next manager. Girardi can bring passion that the Yankees need right now. Torre is great with most people, but not great as a motivator. Torre has had a great run - it's time for a change.
- Joshua
Still, there are a few points that I believe that Yankees management has to take heed of if they are to stand a chance of being the championship-caliber team that they were in the 90s.
1. Be wary of signing aging pitchers to extensions. Did we really need to sign Mike Mussina and Roger Clemens? They've had amazing careers and deserve tremendous respect for everything that they have accomplished over the past two decades, but what sounds better: paying them 11 million plus per season for average performances or giving their slots to talents like Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, Steve Karstens, Ian Kennedy, and other up and coming stars in the farm system?
2. Trade A-Rod while we can. A-Rod is probably the most talented player in all of baseball. He has tremendous hitting power and is a great athlete. The problem is that his track record tells us that he doesn't contribute to good team chemistry. This is not a commentary on his character; it's an objective observation of current and past teammates' opinions on him, and the performances of all of the teams that he has played on. He's a great player. It may be accurate to say that he is not a great TEAM player. Maybe someday he will be on a team that wins a championship, and if that happens, good for him. But it's my opinion that the Yankees are better off getting young talent for him than keeping him and his presence.
3. Move Derek Jeter to center field once we find a suitable replacement for him at short stop. Omar and Orlando are amazing shortstops who have the range to play this position into their 30s. Derek Jeter has amazing baseball instincts and is a good athlete, but he doesn't have great range, and he either doesn't have an accurate throwing arm, or he loses concentration when he throws the ball. His ability to track fly balls is as good as anyone's in the game - combine this with his speed and strong throwing arm, and he makes an excellent candidate for center field. Matsui in left, Derek in center, and Melky in right - how does this sound for a solid outfield for the next few years? If Robin Yount could do it, Derek can, too.
4. Consider letting Joe Torre go with a well-deserved parting gift, and hire Joe Girardi as the next manager. Girardi can bring passion that the Yankees need right now. Torre is great with most people, but not great as a motivator. Torre has had a great run - it's time for a change.
- Joshua
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