Epstein takes Cashman's place
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by Munsoned
New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman has been on the hot-seat all season. A long list of critics (including yours truly) have wondered how so much money could be spent on an unbalanced roster. 200+ million produced a team with: no backup catcher, the usual suspects at first base and an ebarrassingly thin bench. From Carl Pavano's opening day start to the abject failure of Kei Igawa, it's been, "A long strange trip."
Fortunately, for the sanity of the Yankee faithful, Brian has broken his slump with an Abreuesq hot streak. The roster now boasts: quality depth, youthful exhuberance, live arms and yes a backup catcher. I'd like to believe this was the plan all along, but nobody's imagination is that good.
While Brian Cashman has momentarily gotten off the owner's ,"Big hook," his rival, Boston Red Sox GM Theo Epstein has assumed Brian's position in the pressure cooker. Theo, Boston's genius savant, the year the curse was broken hit a rough stretch last year--missing the playoffs is unacceptable. Ownership responded by spending money in a way that would make the Evil Emipre cringe. 200 million for Dice-K, ironman J.D. Drew and iron-glove Julio Lugo. Fortunately, for Theo the Sox have had an impressive season, due in no small measure to the under-the-radar guys: Lowell, Youkilis, and Pedroia.
The spotlight has shifted back to Theo as Boston's huge 14-1/2 game lead has dwindled to a paltry 5. Should the team that Theo built lose the biggest lead in American League history, he may want to consider retiring--again.
