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KEYS TO A SUCCESSFUL YANKEE POSTSEASON
Well, first off, congratulations to the 2009 American League Eastern Division Champions, our New York Yankees. While many think winning the division is nothing special, I don't agree. The Yankees have proved to be the best team in the division over 162 games, and I think that accomplishment should always be celebrated and appreciated. Consider the fact that the Yankees won their 10th divisional title in the last 12 years, while posting the major league's best record, makes this year's first place finish really special. So now it's on to the post-season where the Yankees will try to capture their 27th World Championship.
Before the post-season starts, I thought I'd share with you what I believe the keys will be for the Yankees to vie for the 2009 World Championship. Getting through three rounds is never easy, but the Yankees do have the talent to be celebrating come this November. Let's take a closer look at the keys to bringing New York another world championship.
If you read my preseason forecast, I said it's all about pitching. Simply stated, the Yankees success in the postseason will depend on how effective C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett will be on the mound. Potentially, the Yankees will have two aces going for them throughout the postseason, and that bodes well for some wild celebrations in the coming weeks.
Every Yankee fan should have confidence in Sabathia. The guy has been everything the Yankees ever hoped for when they signed him last winter. Burnett has been a different story. At times, A.J. has looked un-hittable. Then there are his other outings where hitters just tee off on him. Burnett loses focus very quickly, and he can't let this happen in the playoffs. At this point, I can't predict how Burnett will fare. I just hope that if he struggles, Joe Girardi has a quick hook. If A.J. bring his "un-hittable" stuff into the post-season, the Yankees will be a lock to win it all.
Phil Hughes is going to have to continue to be a dominate "bridge man" to closer Mariano Rivera. The Yankees made many key acquisitions during the off-season, but arguably, moving Hughes to the pen may have been the Yankees best move this season. A solid pen is crucial in the playoffs, and the Yankees are well-armed in that department. If Joba Chamberlain is added to the mix in the first round, the Yankees could turn each game into a six inning contest with Joba, Hughes, and Mariano closing out the last three innings. During the post-season you always want to have quality lefties in your pen, and the Yankees have just that in Phil Coke and Damaso Marte.
One facet of the Yankee game that worries me in a short series, is their outfield defense. All season long, I've watched Johnny Damon and Nick Swisher botch balls in the outfield. Giving quality teams extra outs ALWAYS kills you in a short series. If the Yankees have a lead in the late innings, Girardi must replace Damon or Swisher with Bret Gardner. If Gardner starts a game, then Melky Cabrera has to come off the bench to either help out in right or left.
There is nothing new I can tell you about the Yankee offense. This year's team was one of the best offensive Yankee teams I have ever witnessed. The stats speak for themselves. How these hitters will fare against top-notch pitchers day-after-day, is anyone's guess. The Yankee offense is great, but all you have to do is look back to the late 90's and see how the stellar Yankee pitching shut down the explosive Texas Ranger offense time-after-time.
There is one key for the Yankee offense. Alex Rodriguez must get off to a good start so he can take the pressure off himself. You don't want to see Alex have a bad first game or two, for then he will press and then become a liability in this lineup. One "dark horse" factor will be the speed of Bret Gardner. Just remember the Yankees won two games from the Angels this year thanks to Brett's speed.
The post-season is always exciting ,and hopefully, for the first time since 2000, the Yankees will win the world series. In summary, the way they will do this is with pitching. Nothing has changed since my pre-season preview. Pitching wins championships, and hopefully the Yankees will prove that in the coming weeks.
IT'S 1923 ALL OVER AGAIN;
YANKEES TO CHRISTEN NEW STADIUM WITH A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
After a very disappointing 2008 season, Yankee General Manager Brian Cashman went on an off-season mission to rebuild his team's starting rotation. Brian knew that in order for the Yankees to have a chance to win their 27th world championship in the upcoming campaign, he would have to put together a starting five that would rival the ones the Yanks had in the late 90's and early 2000's. Well, with two big signings, and a healthy return of an ace, the Yankee General Manager not only rebuilt his starting staff, but he may have put together arguably the best rotation in baseball.
Entering the 2009 season, the Yankees starting five will consist of CC Sabathia (17-10, 2.70), Chien-Ming Wang (8-2, 4.07), A.J. Burnett (18-10, 4.07), Andy Pettitte (14-14, 4.54), and Joba Chamberlain (4-3, 2.60). By far, this is the best starting rotation the Yankees have had in years. In Sabathia, Wang, and Burnett, you have three aces. CC (251) and A.J.(231) are both strikeout pitchers who eat up lots of innings. Wang is a ground ball pitcher, who, if he didn't get hurt last season, might have notched his third straight 19 win season with the "Bombers". These three starters are proven winners, and when pitching for the Yankees in a three game series, you've got to like the Yanks chances of winning at least 2 of 3.
While the starting three in this rotation are aces, the backend of this starting five is not too shabby either. Andy Pettitte struggled through the second part of the season last year with a sore shoulder. With the loss of Wang and Chamberlain, and the failures of Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy, Andy felt he had to pitch with pain for the good of the team. His performances were subpar, and everyone knew the gusty lefty was pitching in pain. Pettitte got healthy during the off-season, and has pitched very well this spring. Basically, the Yankees could have a 16-17 game winner in the fourth slot of the rotation.
Joba Chamberlain will be the wildcard in the Yankees 2009 starting rotation. If Joba struggles, the rotation will still be strong (as most team's fifth starter struggles). But if Chamberlain excels, as most believe, the Yankees will have the best starting five in baseball. The key point to watch for in Chamberlain is, Joba must be efficient in the way he gets hitters out. Many times last year, Chamberlain would throw too many pitches early on, and thus, would have early exits in games he was pitching very well. Unlike when he would come out of the bullpen and just blow hitters away with a fastball, Chamberlain uses four pitches as a starter. Joba must gain a better control of all his pitches to become the top of the rotation starter many project for him. If he succeeds, he could become a real big winner out of the five slot in the rotation.
Earlier this spring, Manager Joe Girardi set his rotation as follows:
1) Sabathia (L)
2) Wang (R)
3) Burnett (R)
4) Pettitte (L)
5) Chamberlain (R)
The Bullpen:
If your team sets a goal of winning a world championship, it better have a strong bullpen. The Yankees have such a pen.
Before we get into the names, the bullpen will be improved because the Yankees added two starters (Sabathia 7.2 innings, Burnett 6.5 innings) who go deep into games. When you don't over-use your relievers, your pen becomes much more effective.
Once again, Mariano Rivera will be the Yankees closer. At age 39 he shows no sign of slowing down. Yes, many have been waiting for the day to come where he can't do it anymore, but not me. Look, when the guy can't succeed at his high level, we all will know it. Until it starts happening, I have no reason to doubt that "Mo" can continue to effectively close out games. Mariano had a great season last year, and he has looked very strong this spring. In short, once again the Yankees have one of the best closers in baseball.
Brian Bruney will probably the "bridge" to Mariano. Bruney, despite a foot injury which kept him out for a good part of the year, pitched very effectively for the Yankees when called upon. This spring, Brian showed up in great shape, and in his "walk" year, is determined to show all of baseball how valuable he is.
While some teams look long and hard for an effective lefty for their pen, the 2009 Yankees have two. Damaso Marte (though Girardi over-used him last year) should be the Yankees lefty specialist and Phil Coke can be a lefty you can bring in to pitch a full inning. Billy Martin always said don't believe what you see in September and March, but I honestly feel the Yankees have a very good pitcher in Coke. It wouldn't surprise me one bit if Phil Coke becomes the Yankees second most valuable arm in the bullpen.
Another "sleeper" in the Yankee pen could be Jonathan Albaladejo. Jonathan, who was out for most of last season with a strained right elbow, wowed the Yankees in camp this spring with a 94 mph fastball. The 26-year old right hander turned in a 0.93 ERA this spring.
Rounding out the Yankee pen will be Edwar Ramirez and Jose Veras.
So in summary, here is what Joe Girardi has to chose from in the Yankee Bullpen:
Mariano Rivera - Closer
Brian Burney - Bridge Man
Damaso Marte -Lefty Specialist
Phil Coke - Lefty
Jonathan Albaladejo - Long Man
Edwar Ramirez - Righty
Jose Veras - Righty
The 2009 Yankee Offense
Whey you look at the projected Yankee lineup for 2009, you can assume this team will put up a sufficient number of runs.
Derek Jeter SS
Jonhnny Damon LF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Hideki Matsui DH
Xavier Nady RF
Jorge Posada C
Robinson Cano 2B
Brett Gardner CF
When the Yankees signed Johnny Damon three years ago, I felt he would be a better fit on this team as the second place hitter. Well, it took the Yankees three years, but they finally got it right. Derek Jeter is a better leadoff hitter than Damon, and Johnny can be a more effective number two hitter than Derek. Jeter has a better on base percentage than Damon, and Johnny strikes out less than Jeter. You want someone who can put his bat on the ball batting second, and Damon does just that. Johnny has more "pop" in his bat than Jeter so there will be many situations where the Yankees may have runners on second and third with less than two outs, with Teixeira and Rodriguez coming to bat.
Speaking of Teixeira and Rodriguez, with these two hitters back-to-back, the Yankees arguably have the finest 3-4 hitting combination in the game. Adding to the strength of the lineup, is the fact that Teixeira is a switch hitter and really balances the Yankee attack.
This Yankee lineup could be an extremely explosive one if Jorge Posada and Hideki Matsui bounce back from their 2008 injuries. Both players have had a terrific spring, and if it carries over to the regular season and playoffs, this lineup may average 6-runs per game.
For the past few years in my previews, I have touted Robinson Cano as being the best pure hitter on this team. I still feel this way, BUT, Cano must learn how to play hard, so he can reach his potential as a player. Cano has the ability to bat .300, hit 25 homers, and drive in 100 runs. That said, ability is just part of the equation. Robinson must show the drive and determination needed for a player's true ability to come out.
There are lots of big names in the Yankee lineup, but please, don't overlook Brett Gardner. Gardner has had a fabulous spring, but as everyone knows, once the regular season starts, that's when the real test comes. If Brett can hit .260-.275, he will become an offensive force because of his ability to steal bases almost at will.
Team Defense
One of the weak points of the 2009 Yankee ball club is their defense. We all saw Derek Jeter slow up a bit at short. Jorge Posada is coming off shoulder surgery, and we really don't know how well he will be throwing once the season begins. Damon's weak arm can be hidden in left, and so far, Brett Gardner has looked pretty good in center. As with his hitting, Cano, who has the ability to play a great second base, has to put in a better effort in the field. He must stop waving at balls, and instead, try to knock them down. The Yankees are going to remarkably improved at first base defense with Teixeira guarding the bag. For the first time since Tino Martinez was let go after the 2001 season, the Yankees will have a full-time first baseman that can actually turn the 3-6-3 double play. Again, the thing to watch for here is Jeter's range and Posada's arm.
Bench :
Nick Swisher is going to be a great bench addition to the Yankees. Nick could spell Teixeira at first, and could also give one of the outfielders a rest when need. Look for Melky Cabrera to be a late inning defensive replacement for Johnny Damon. Melky will also spell Garnder in center when needed. Once again, Jose Molina will backup Jorge Posada. When Alex Rodriguez comes back, Cody Ransom will be the Yankees infield utility man. It's not the best bench in baseball, but when you look at the starting lineup, there really is no need to pinch hit for anyone except Gardner. All this bench needs to do is give selected players a blow every once in awhile.
Down On The Farm:
During the course of a baseball season, one or two pitchers always get hurt. If this happens to the Yankees, the "Bombers" will tab one of their three top starters in Scranton to fill the void. Phil Hughes, Alfredo Aceves, and Brett Tomko will be at the ready if one of the Yankees aces goes down to injury.
Putting It All Together
I'm a firm believer in the saying, "pitching wins championships". A solid starting rotation helps a team avoid long losing streaks. When you have a team with a strong starting five, coupled with a lineup that can score six runs per game, long winning streaks will occur throughout the season. While Tampa and Boston both have fine starting staffs, I believe the Yankees have a better 1 through 5 than both teams. I also believe the Yankee offense is superior to both the Rays and the Sox. Thus, I'm picking the Yankees to win the 2009 Eastern Division title. Because I feel the Yankees have three aces in Sabathia, Wang, and Burnett, I'm also picking the Yankees to win the American League Pennant, and the 2009 World Championship. Pitching wins championships, and the Yankees will win #27 this year because of their superior pitching.
American League East Projected Order of Finish
New York Yankees
Boston Red Sox
Tampa Bay Rays
Toronto Blue Jays
Baltimore Orioles
Why I Will Cheer Alex Rodriguez On Opening Day
On Sunday, the day after the baseball world found out that Alex Rodriguez tested positive for steroids in 2003, I was asked by a reporter if I was shocked at this revelation. I told the reporter that I was not. For you see, I was one of the few people who actually believed Jose Cancesco when he said over half the players in the major leagues were taking some kind of performance enhancing drugs. My belief wasn't based on scientific fact, inside information, or the explosion homers that started leaving the ballparks in 1998. No, instead, I drew my conclusion from a treasured video I have from the 1978 playoff game between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.
Every so often, I pop that complete game tape in the VCR and shake my head at what I see. The difference in the size of players from 1978 to now is stunning. You can look at any player in that game and see the difference in size. The player from that game that I love to use to prove my point is Boston's left fielder at the time, Jim Rice.
For those of you who followed either New York or Boston in 1978, you often heard the eventual MVP of that season referred to as "Big Jim Ed Rice". Going off memory, I picture Rice as this muscular, powerful hitter, who actually once broke his bat while checking his swing. During that year, almost everyone marveled how strong Rice looked. Yes, in 1978, he was "Big Jim Ed Rice", but compared to the players today, Rice looks like that 98-pound weakling that "muscle men" kick sand on. If you don't believe me, just get a copy of that 1978 tape and you will see why I have always believed Canseco, and why I was not shocked upon hearing the A-Rod news on Saturday.
Because I wasn't surprised about Rodriguez testing positive for steroids while playing for the Rangers in 2003, doesn't mean I wasn't disappointed in A-Rod. Look, I'm a Yankee diehard. No one in the Yankee universe wants them to win more than I do. I have never booed Alex Rodriguez -- for that matter-- I have never booed a New York Yankee. Recently, after excerpts of Joe Torre's book came out, I thought to myself how tired I was of the piling on A-Rod. I was angry at the fact that every time spring training rolls around, someone takes a cheap shot this guy. Well Saturday, the biggest "shot" was fired at Rodriguez, but this time no one was to blame but A-Rod himself. For that, I was very disappointed.
Like many, I watched the ESPN interview this evening, and for the most part, I thought Alex was genuine. Though he danced around a few of Peter Gammon's questions, the main point was that Alex Rodriguez admitted he took steroids for three years, and that he was sorry he did. While some journalists will question his sincerity, and while A-Rod haters will crucify him all year long, I, as a New York Yankee fan, will support him this year and throughout the rest of his Yankee tenure.
My reason for supporting Alex Rodriguez is based on what this guy has done since becoming a New York Yankee in 2004. Yes, I know about the zero world championships, his poor performances in recent playoffs, and some of his off-the-field sideshows. That said, during his Yankee tenure, this guy has tried as hard as any player I have ever seen don the pinstripes. He has played some incredible baseball in New York, as his 2 MVP awards prove. He never wants to take a day off, and you can see how bad he wants to win. As a fan and as a paying customer, I can't ask him to do any more while he is on the field.
To my fellow Yankee fans, I can't tell you what to do when A-Rod comes to bat on April 3rd (exhibition game) or on Opening Day, but what I can tell you is, I will be standing and applauding him. We gave Jason Giambi and Andy Pettitte our support, and Alex deserves the same. A-Rod will have a tough enough time on the road this year, so it is up to us to really support him at home. We all want that 27th world championship this year and Alex Rodriguez will be a key player in helping us attain that goal.
For three years Alex Rodriguez felt he needed steroids to "bring him to the next level". Well, let's all hope a "clean" A-Rod gets to the next level and gets his world championship, with a "boost" of support--not from drugs-- but from the greatest fans of the world, you!
Twas two days before Christmas and all through "Red Sox Nation"
Fans and media alike were getting giddy with Mark Teixeira anticipation.
So today, Sox fans were busy making room under their tree with care,
Certain that come Christmas morning, slugger Teixeira would soon be there.
But something happened while Theo Epstein was snuggled in his bed
Our own GM, Brian Cashman, was planning a big surprise to put in his pinstriped sled.
Unlike Santa's arrival, Cashman made no noise, nor clatter.
The Yankee GM acted quietly in making Boston's dream of acquiring Teixeira shatter.
With young Boss Steinbrenner so lively and quick
He gave Cashman the go ahead to pull a deal that was so slick.
Hank yelled, "Now Cashman, now Trost, now Randy Levine"
Go ahead and sign Teixeira so our Yankees will reign supreme.
The Yankee trio sprang into action like only they can
They wanted to put a Christmas smile on the face of every Yankee fan.
After lots of talk and contract negotiation
It was Yankee fans -- not Boston, that experienced the Teixeira elation.
For this afternoon Yankee Universe got the word
Teixeira was a Yankee, as Boras flipped Boston the bird.
Oh yes, in "Red Sox Nation" they consider this a big kick in the fanny
But can you imagine how they will feel when they Yankees also sign Manny?
Thank you, Yankees for it's such a nice feeling beating Boston in a fight
Merry Christmas, Yankee fans, and to all a good night!
A CASE WHY THE YANKEES SHOULD BRING MANNY HOME TO THE BRONX
Okay, now before all of you write in and ask me if I made an early hit on the spiked Holiday Egg Nog, or that I had too many Heinekens at the Ball Park Lanes in the Bronx, I can assure you I'm writing this piece in sound mind, body, and sober! So please read on knowing I have put much thought in to what you are about to read.
First, let me start out by saying, I saw first hand what Manny Ramirez did to the Boston Red Sox franchise last year. I was at Yankee Stadium when Manny just stood at home plate and took three straight strikes from Mariano Rivera without taking the bat off his shoulder. I saw numerous games on NESN watching Ramirez not hustle game after game. Simply put, I, along with the rest of the baseball world, saw Manny Ramirez quit on the Boston Red Sox and force the defending world champions to trade him away to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Once with the Dodgers, Ramirez suddenly turned it on and became arguably the most productive hitter in baseball during the second half of the season.
In a recent piece (below) in which I wrote about the failures of the 2008 Yankees, I chastised Robinson Cano for not hustling. Nothing irks me more than when a talented ballplayer dogs it. In the same article, I also wrote about how the Yankees failed miserably in hitting with runners in scoring position. Both of these problems impacted the Yankees, and were major reasons why the team did not make the playoffs for the first time since 1994. Now if you asked any Yankee fan what was the bigger problem, Cano's lack of hustle, or the inability of the Yankees to drive home runners, most would pick the latter. It's that choice which is prompting me to now urge the Yankees to sign Manny Ramirez.
Consider this, diehard Yankee fans. If the Yankees had the bases loaded with one out and trailed by one run, which of the following players would you want up in that situation. Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Hideki Matsui, Jorge Posada, Robinson Cano, or Manny Ramirez? Putting all sentiments aside, and remembering all the missed scoring opportunities last year, you have to go with Ramirez. With this one acquisition, the Yankees could now correct a serious problem that "dogged" them all season long in 2008. Manny is that good. We all saw it during his tenure with Cleveland and Boston, and with the Dodgers late last season. Ramirez carried a previously offensive-challenged Dodger team right into the post season.
Besides acquiring a much needed clutch hitter, the Yankees will become a much better offensive team with Ramirez because the "zany" Manny will suddenly deflect all the pressure off Alex Rodriguez. With Ramirez hitting ahead or behind A-Rod, the Yankee third baseman could finally relax and just let his enormous natural talent unfold without pressing. Mark it down. Alex Rodriguez would put up historic offensive numbers with Manny Ramirez on this Yankee team. Come playoff time, Manny will shoulder the load and A-Rod could just play his usual solid all-around game.
Now I do understand Ramirez in pinstripes will cause some concern in Yankee Universe. If Manny plays left field, Johnny Damon would have to move to center, and the two of them out there can hurt a team defensively. If the Yankees elected to DH Ramirez, Hideki Matsui (who is coming off knee surgery) would have to play either left or right field which also weakens the team defensively. Also, you just don't know when Ramirez will fall into his "Manny-being-Manny" routine. Make no mistakes about it, like any free agent signing, there are risks here. The Yankees know this, but they also know they are getting one of the best productive hitters in the game.
For Yankee fans that are saying "just say no to Manny", consider this 2009 Yankee lineup:
Damon CF
Jeter SS
Rodriguez 3B
Ramirez LF
Posada C
Cano 2B
Matsui DH
Nady RF
Swisher 1B
If that doesn't sway you, think of how much fun it would be to see Manny Ramirez in a Yankee uniform hitting homeruns into the Monster seats at Fenway Park against the Red Sox. See, I knew you'd see it my way.
Cashman Needs To Get Ballplayers, Not Stat Compilers
Hi folks, and welcome back!
It took me a few months to get over a very emotional season, with the Yankees missing the playoffs for the first time since 1994, and more importantly, the closing of Yankee Stadium. I'm telling you, walking out of that place for the last time on September 21'st, hit me hard, as I knew I was leaving something very special ---something that will never be recreated---and something that will be sorely missed by every Yankee diehard worldwide.
So now, with my emotions in check, it's time to look back at what went wrong during the 2008 season, and to look ahead to how Brian Cashman and the Yankee management team can ready this club to win its 27th world championship. With a new Stadium ready to open in April, a disappointed fan base that was rocked by not making the post-season, and over $80-million dollars of freed up money to spend, this will become one of the most important off-seasons in New York Yankee history.
When looking back at the 2008 season, I felt there were four major factors why the Yankees did not return to the post season.
1. The loss of Chien-Ming Wang for most of the season, and the loss of Joba Chamberlain late in the season
2. The inability of the Yankee offense to hit with runners in scoring position. (Feeling the loss of Jorge Posada and Hideki Matsui)
3. The lack of hustle displayed by Robinson Cano
4. Joe Girardi seemingly being "afraid" to manage they way he told the Yankees he would during his job interview
When the Yankees lost their ace starter (Wang) on June 15th for the season, their hopes for making the post season were essentially gone. With both Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy flopping, there was no way the Yankees could recover from the loss of a starting pitcher who won 19 games in each of the last two seasons. Just think where the Yankees would have finished if Wang turned in another 19 win season.
The thin starting staff suffered a season-ending blow, when Joba Chamberlain went on the DL in early August with a sore shoulder. With Wang and Joba both out, and Andy Pettitte struggling (with a sore shoulder) the Yankee post-season hopes were over in early August.
If you followed the Yankees closely this year, you had to be frustrated by the inability of this team to drive in runs with runners in scoring position. Consider what this offense did individually:
4- Hitters in the starting lineup batted close to, or over .300 (Damon .303, Jeter .300, Rodriguez .302, and Abreu .296).
7- Hitters in the lineup had double figures in homers, with A-Rod (35) and Jason Giambi (32) leading the way.
5- Hitters in the lineup had On Base Percentages over .370
Now while losing Jorge Posada for two-thirds of the season, and having a "gimpy" Hideki Matsui for a little more than half a season didn't help, this offense had more than enough chances to score loads of runs. The problem was the Yankee lineup had too many hitters who just couldn't hit the opposite way, nor had the type of player who could alter his game so he could just get a run in from third.
While the lack of starting pitching and clutch hitting are death sentences in baseball, something angered me more this past season. For the first time in a long time, the New York Yankees were out-hustled by opposing teams. So many times this year I saw certain Yankees jogging to first and not going all out, while opposing players were "busting it" for all nine innings.
Robinson Cano was the main offender here. For the past two pre-season write ups, I stated Cano was the best pure hitter on this Yankee team. I believed this guy could become a superstar hitting in the third slot in the lineup, while playing a solid second base. After watching him very closely last year, I'm wavering from my glowing outlook for Cano.
Simply put, Cano dogged it last year. I'm not buying the Yankee line that he's just "nonchalant" . On numerous occasions, Cano looked disinterested, and it showed in his play. In a late season game against the Anaheim, Cano didn't try to stop a slow roller through the right side which won the game for the Angels. I couldn't believe how many hops the ball took to leave the infield, while Cano just waved at it without diving. If I were Joe Girardi, Cano would have been benched after that play, for this lack of going all out, is something Cano was doing all year long.
The Yankees have recently said that Cano has dedicated himself to performing better in 2009, as he has gotten into "super" shape to prepare for the upcoming season. While working out, losing weight, and getting stronger are a start, the Yankees need to make sure Robinson Cano does something else this off-season, and that is to learn something from this year's American League Most Valuable Player.
What the Yankees should do is put a video of every game Boston's Dustin Pedroia played last year into a barrel and let Cano pick out one and watch it. No matter what tape Cano picks out, he will see how this game should be played. He will see a guy "busting it" for all nine innings, and he will notice that not one ball goes through the right side without Pedroia diving for it. If Cano puts in the effort that Pedroia does, Robinson will reach the superstar status I thought he would have attained by now.
Cano's lack of hard play leads right into my final reason why the Yankees failed last year, which was the poor managerial job Joe Girardi turned in. Yes, we can cut Joe some slack due to all the key injuries, but it just seemed like the freshman Yankee skipper was afraid to manage the club in his own way.
When Girardi was hired to replace Joe Torre, he was advertised as a manager who would make things happen. We were told the Yankees would play more "small ball" and not just wait for someone to hit a homer. We assumed if a player wasn't hustling, Girardi would get in that player's face and let him know that wasn't the way the game is supposed to be played. None of this happened last year.
Girardi didn't make things happen. Very rarely did he have his team play "small ball", and he waited much too long to discipline the non-hustling Cano. Young players like Cano, Cabrera, and Hughes regressed during Joe's first year at the helm. In short, to me, Girardi acted like a guy who has driven a car for years, but when handed a "Ferrari", he suddenly forgot how. Hopefully Joe's first year jitters are over and we will see the type of manager that was promised to us come the 2009 season.
What Cashman And The Yankee Management Must Now Do
Knowing what went wrong in 2008, Brian Cashman and the New York Yankees must now make many off-season moves that will improve this club, and return them to a championship caliber team. While doing this, I hope Brian and the Yankee management keep in mind that championship teams need baseball players, not just "stat compliers".
As mentioned earlier, despite "good stats", the Yankee offense struggled to score runs throughout the season. During this off-season, the Yankee GM should look for complete ballplayers to compliment this lineup. Having guys who know how to hit to the opposite field, or being able to shoot a ball into the outfield with a man on third and less than two outs, wins you baseball games. The "stats" are not that glowing, but the results are. Roy White, Lou Piniella, Scott Brosius, and Paul O'Neill were not superstars, nor "stat compliers". Instead, they were players who did the little things that made the team so much better.
Of course, Cashman's first order of business this off-season is to improve the Yankee starting rotation. Look, we all know the names that are out there. CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Derek Lowe are the top three on the Yankee list. Again, Brian has to step back here and really think this through. While an offer of $140-million is on the table for Sabathia, do you actually think this guy can shut a team like the Red Sox down in Game 1 or Game 7 of a playoff series? Yes, during the season he will make the Yankees a much better team, but this guy is not Ron Guidry or Pedro Martinez in their prime. We have seen it before, he's not automatic in the post season and thus, because he really doesn't want to be a Yankee, I'd be very leery of signing this guy for all that money.
A.J. Burnett is a very effective pitcher when he's not injured. Signing him to a five year deal scares me. If the price and years were right, I could live with Derek Lowe as my number three or four starter. If I were Cashman, I'd really try to swing a trade for Padre pitcher, Jake Peavy. Peavy's 2009 ($11-million) and 2010 ($15-million) salary is reasonable in today's market. His salary really goes up in 2011 and 2012, but I feel he's the best value over the three free agent hurlers the Yankees are looking at.
Basically, I'm hoping the Yankees don't just fling money at some of these guys because they feel they are the only pitchers out there that can help. The Yankees must remember they are getting a 19 game winner back next year, and Phil Hughes has just completed a very good Arizona Fall League stint. Those two, coupled with Joba Chamberlain, form a pretty good young starting staff.
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A Tribute To George Steinbrenner
Yankee Tradition History Facts
Little Rudy Visits The New Yankee Stadium-2005
Someone Is Missing From Monument Park
Yankeetradition.com is site for Yankee diehards that embrace the past with the present. It is in no way affiliated with the New York Yankee Baseball Club. All comments or suggestions may be sent to ldilullo@aol.com. Yes that's me, a Yankee fan since 1967 who has seen the likes of Celerino Sanchez, Charlie Spikes, Jimmy Lyttle, and Walt "NoNeck"Williams. Yes, thank God for the George Steinbrenner era!
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