And Now the 2008 Yankees
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by user Aprisco
The season is officially over for the Yankees, the fat lady sang. This should have been the time for the Yanks to make a move. They went on the road to Colorado, San Francisco and Baltimore, three teams well out of contention and won only one game. Then they played the A's, a team that had lost 7 of 8 on their current road trip, and lost two out of three. In the meantime, the Red Sox have faltered getting swept by the Mariners and losing two out of three to the Rangers. The Yankees should have demolished their schedule and moved within 6 or 7 of Boston. It didn't happen because the Yankees are actually not good. But all is not as bad as it might sound Yankee fans. This season is over, but next season can be fixed quickly. Here's how:
1) Phil Hughes, this guy looks like a young Roger Clemens, put him with Wang at the top of the rotation, push Pettitte and Mussina down a notch. Get either Karstans or Rasner healthy and your rotation for next year is good.
2) Bobby Abreu is a free agent. Perhaps the best news of all. That will free up 16.5 million dollars and Andruw Jones and Torii Hunter are in their walk years. Take one of them and you solve your outfield and need for another right handed hitter problem. Then either Melky or Damon must move to rightfield, most likely Melky because he has a good arm.
3) A-Rod is staying. Heck, he's looking to buy a penthouse on the upper east side. He's having a great year, and the Yankees know that if there are lean years ahead, they need a box office draw. They will open the vault for Alex.
4) Resign Jorge Posada and play him more at first base. This guy has really become a complete hitter as he has aged. Keep him healthy by starting to play him a lot at first base next year. Then scan the free agent wire for a good defensive catcher who can hit above .200. It has to be possible to do this even though the Yankees fail every year. But if you get an above average defensive catcher with an arm, you have improved your defense up the middle with a new catcher and a new centerfielder.
5) Unload Kyle Fahrnsworth and Scot Proctor at the trading deadline. Enough with these hotheads who can't ever seem to get a big out. When real playoff contenders are looking to fine tune their teams for a post season run, they will look to improve their bullpens. It will be hard to turn down these hard throwers. The Yankees will be fine with Bruney and Vizcaino and there are always relief pitchers available in the free agent market. Plus maybe you can add a quality prospect or two.
6) Inquire about Mark Texiera. It cannot hurt to see what the Rangers want. Guess here is they want pitching prospects. The Yanks have plenty of live arms but they are at least two years away from making an impact. Texeira is a great first basemen. If you land him perhaps Posada can start to DH a little more.
7) Gotta go to Mo. One good thing about the Yankees bottoming out is that Mariano's arm won't be taxed at all this year. He's looked like the old Mo of late..resign him and make a run at Eric Gagne as well. The Yankees have been looking for that 8th inning setup man since Mike Stanton and Jeff Nelson were in their prime. Plus Gagne can take over for Mariano when the great one decides to hang it up.
8) It's time for a new Joe. Sorry Mr. Torre, all good things come to an end. This team's lackluster play unfortunately will be the end for Joe Torre. The Yankees better not be stupid and make Don Mattingly their next manager, everyone knows that the next star manager is Joe Girardi. Lock him up, let him do whatever he wants with the coaching staff, this guy can manage.
Yes you will be stuck with Jason Giambi and Johnny Damon, there's not much to do there. But you improve your defense with Jones/Hunter in center, a better defensive catcher, Melky in right and possibly Texeira at first. Perhaps Giambi can just stay injured. Damon can DH and play some outfield part time, there's not much else you can do. Perhaps if Damon decided to come to spring taining in shape, he might still have something left and contribute or be unloaded with cash for some prospects. Your lineup will be more balanced and the pitching staff, with potential 20 game winners in Wang and Hughes should be improved. Better pitching and defense is how to win, and is also the Joe Girardi style of play. These moves will make the Yanks rise in 2008!
Really now, I don't believe my eyes. Yankees fans are throwing in the towel, and it is only the second of July.
WOW!