 Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Yankees Problems Continue
Yankee owner George Steinbrenner went on a rampage last weekend about how the team is not winning, nor how the GM Brian Cashman seems to have a solution to the problem. The problem got worse with the Yankees dropping four in a row this weekend.
In the past Steinbrenner would micro-manage baseball decisions. A few years ago, Steinbrenner gave freedom to Cashman and has yet to see any results. Just because Cashman has not produced a World Series in the last few years, the Yankees have been in the post season for as long as I can remember.
The problem with Cashman is his buying talent. It started with Jason Giambi in 2002 and A-Rod in 2004. If you look at the Yankees success in the late 90s, most of it was with home grown talent. Bring back Roger Clemens for over $1 million a start is not the answer either. (Watch for a future post on how the Yankees should be mad at Clemens for holding them hostage.)
As I advocated with the Mets in 2002 (after mistakes like Mo Vaughn) it is time to accept that the Yankees are not as competitive as they can be and accept a few rebuilding years-two maximum. Shed some salary and build some home grown talent. When I talk to Yankees fans, their concern is not winning games, but having a 200 million salary and not winning games. Bring that down to 75 or 80 million, trade away some of the rock stars for minor leaguers and you will still be competitive in 2008 and 2009, but are really gearing for 2010 and beyond.
The Yankees are old. In 2009 when the new stadiums in New York open, Jose Reyes and David Wright will still be in their 20s when Jeter and A-Rod and company will be closer to 40 than 30. The Mets rebuilt from 2003-2004 and 2005 and 2006 were exciting years. Let’s hope the Yankees can do the same.
|
| January, 2009 (7) |
| December, 2008 (34) |
| November, 2008 (30) |
| October, 2008 (31) |
| September, 2008 (29) |
| August, 2008 (30) |
| July, 2008 (30) |
| June, 2008 (30) |
| May, 2008 (31) |
| April, 2008 (30) |
| March, 2008 (31) |
| February, 2008 (29) |
| January, 2008 (30) |
| December, 2007 (32) |
| November, 2007 (32) |
| October, 2007 (33) |
| September, 2007 (33) |
| August, 2007 (31) |
| July, 2007 (33) |
| June, 2007 (30) |
| May, 2007 (32) |
| April, 2007 (33) |
| March, 2007 (31) |
| February, 2007 (29) |
| January, 2007 (32) |
| December, 2006 (30) |
| November, 2006 (26) |
| October, 2006 (32) |
| September, 2006 (28) |
| August, 2006 (23) |
 |