At almost a third of the way through the season, the Yankees are definitely in a emergency.
Fans, players, the manager, the general manager, and ownership are not happy with the situation. The "performance enhancement" coach was already fired after a rash of injuries. Who is next? Is it manager Joe Torre or the general manager Brian Cashman?
It's hard to tell because of conflicting signals. Joe Torre was booed after Sunday's loss and Mr. Steinbrenner is always attentive to the needs of the fans. Joe held a one hour closed meeting before Monday's game in Toronto which didn't yield positive results in a 7-2 loss.
Mr. Steinbrenner has Brian Cashman on a even shorter leash. I think Cashman has done a good job rebuilding the pitching staff with young and home grown talent like Philip Hughes, Ching-Ming Wang, Darrell Karstens. Granted, Hughes was injured on a weak hamstring possibly caused by stretches from the "Performance Enhancement" Coach who is now gone. Karstens is injured because of a freak liner up the middle from Endy Chavez that I witnessed firsthand at Shea Stadium on Saturday, May 19. However, the young pitchers are a season or too from coming into their own. With Mr. Steinbrenner's health, he doesn't want to wait another year or two to rebuild.
As for Steve's suggestion of getting Yankee payroll down to $70 to 80 million. It's unrealistic because of salaries like Jeter's, A-Rod's, etc. A more realistic number is about $140 to 150 million, still ahead of the Mets $116 and the Red Sox $125 million, respectively.
Since Jason Giambi can't keep his mouth shut, he maybe traded soon or his contract voided at the end of the season so there is $20 million in savings right there. A-Rod maybe reunited with Lou Pinella next season so there is $27 million more saved. Matsui isn't paid as much as the others but there is some savings there too.
Many have suggested "blowing up" the team and starting over. I disagree. I think it can be done surgically. Trade what you can (A-Rod), void contracts where you can (Pavano and Giambi), and let expiring contracts go unsigned (Matsui).
Preserving the young (Cano, Cabrera) and experienced (Jeter, Posada) core is enough talent to contend. Granted, this year is getting late quickly. Other young prospects like Sanchez acquired for an unhappy Gary Sheffield should bear fruit in a year or two.
ESPN 1050's Jim Leyritz made a good Tuesday about the Yankees playing in Chicago. After the first loss of the split game doubleheader, the Yankees were playing dominoes and joking. I remembered back a few years ago to Paul O'Neil. He would have broken the dominoes board and thrown dominoes like missiles. If Lou Pinella were the manager, he would have broken even more stuff and maybe even burned the opposing stadium down. OK, a slight exaggeration on the latter but the players would have gotten the message. I hate to say it but it is time for Joe to go. (I would prefer at the end of the season.). He is a lame duck manager as his contract is not renewed anyway. The question is do you bring Don Mattingly, Joe Girardi, or someone else in mid season. The Yankees better improve quickly or Mr. Steinbrenner will be back to his old firing ways soon.
Posted by a panicked Tank in NY.