Keyboard Quarterbacks

When we made the trade with Texas, did we get Alex Rodriguez or Aurelio Rodriguez?

Yes, it is very disappointing and the paralells with the Braves of the last 15 years are quite real. When my friends and I debate about the Yanks we recall the Yankee teams of the 90s which were built on pitching, defense, and chemistry; oh, did I mention pitching? The teams of the 2000s have been lacking in all three. I don't know where to begin. If I had my way and I could run the Yankees for the next several months here is what I would do: (1)Change the philosophy from win now with overpriced and undermotivated veterans and begin the process of getting younger, faster, and hungrier. Look at the Tigers pitching - all young, nasty guys. Bring up Phil Hughes next year and every other promising young pitcher in the organization. Even if we do not win right away, we are building for the near future. This also means Mussina, Wright, and Randy are history. Sounds radical? well, tough. (2) Improve the lineup by creating balance between the bangers and the types of guys that flourish in all types of situations. This means Melky gets a shot playing every day, and Sheffield gets the door. I do not think it wise to re-up Sheffield at what, 13 million? Either release him or do a sign and trade, if you dare. Still need to finda buyer. Remember? younger, faster? (3) The piece de resistance: Alex is traded for the best deal involving young players, hopefully very highly regarded pitchers. I only hope that since everyone now knows we want to move him that they do not attempt to lowball us with secondary talent. I do not believe Cashman will allow that to happen. He'll keep Alex rather than make a bad deal. I would not be sad to see Matsui and Giambi both gone as they are one-dimensional players. Neither can run, neither can field, although Matsui does not play a bad left field, but he is still not a defensive asset at all (more speed, please). The big issue is what can we get for them that will help the ballclub. Yankee fans will understand and appreciate an intelligent approach to retooling the club even if it is major surgery. If we do not win right away, with the new stadium being built they will not bail out. The danger of not making major moves now is that the whole club will get old together (see Yankees circa 1965). Anyway that's about it. If we did what I layed out, we'll need an everyday 3d baseman, and a proper first baseman. This is giving me ajita.

Thanks, Pickett

Let Musina nad Sheffield go.Get a pitcher and platumat first base getting a lefty hitter. Giambi is good only to DH. We don't need too much to get back where we belong. Go for 27 next year Yanks.

The Yankees need pitching. Why do people who are not Yankee fans think the Yankees are supposed to win every year? Yankee fans root for their team whether they win or lose. Met fans like to claim that they are the only true fans. Baloney!

Yankee fans, Remember! There's no crying in Baseball. Wait till next year. Lets go METS!!!!

Joe Torre has been manager during the two most devistating defeats in Yankee history 2004 and now 2006, it's time for him to go. When a manager sits in the dugout while his player is arguing a call(game 1 at third base)it tells me alot about him. Goodbye Joe.

Unfortunately, the Yankees have become symbolic of all that is wrong with America. They have taken what was once done with talent, hard work, discipline, effort, and a bit of luck into bloated, overrated, arrogant, excessive, impatient, spoiled, instant gratification seeking behemoths that can’t get the job done anymore They have turned on the very organization that created them, MLB. And over the last 10 years were coddled by their corporate fans (I mean all the companies that have all the good tickets not the real fans) and the New York media. While most true fans have seen and recognized their demise since 2002, the media and the rest of the world are finally caught up four years later. They remind me of a NBA team. It needs to be ripped down and rebuilt.

The New York Braves article by Mark Lomonica that compares the playoff losing streak of the Yankees and Braves fails to emphasize that in both situations there were the same managers at the helm throughout. While many observers feel that Joe Torre has not had the pitching to win the whole thing the past few years, the Braves manager did, and still could not win. The manager's style is the reason for the failure. Both managers managed a "country club" enviornment that is not conducive to playing inspired baseball, pure and simple!

Get rid of Cashman

What I don't understand is how so many lifelong baseball people like Cashman, Mark Connor, Torre etc. fail to realize that it is unrealistic to slug your way to a WS victory. This happens every year and Torre is the only one who ever says "we'll go as far as our pitching will take us" and everyone else seems to say "nah, we have all these hitters who take so many pitches". If Lou Piniella can pitch, then by all means bring him on. Otherwise, it's time to get a true number one starter some how. I am not talking about Wang or Mussina either as Mussina is maybe a # 3 at best and is probably a better # 4 w/ Wang the # 3. I guess Zito would be a decent # 2. Realistically, was anyone really that confident about this series when Johnson is pitching game 3 w/ a bad back and Wright is pitching game 4? Pitching will be the only cure for what ails this team and that's it. So bring in new managers, coaches, sluggers, etc. but if you don't pitch, you don't win. I'd let Sheffield go to, his throwing Torre under the bus was classic Sheffield, what a jackass.

Hiring lou pinella won't change a thing. Trade Alex for young pitching.
Get rid of Giambi at all costs. Make Matsui a permanent DH. He can't throw or field. Melky Cabrera has the arm and speed for center field. Move Damon to left. Move Randy Johnson to the bullpen, permanently. Trade Abreu for more young pitching. Abreu won't go to the wall and is a lazy right fielder. Put Bubba Crosby or Gueil in right field. Their defense more than compensates lack of offense.

Thanks.

The top priority to the Yankees is not firing Torre. Torre brought the Yanks to 6 World Series in 11 years (7 WS if they got Ortiz out in the 9th inning of game 4). Division Titles through out his span as manager. 4 world championships, (5 titles if they got that final out in the 9th). He brought them back from the dead numerous times before. Not all the time but mind you, this year more then once.
So, if they fire Torre and bring in Pinella or whomever for next year after they made their upgrades what are they going to say? "He did what Torre couldn't do". Yeah but with an improved ball club! This team went into the playoffs knowing the hitting had to pick up the slack for the pitching. and I feel that the hitters knew that themselves- they're not stupid. I think they pushed themselves and got off their game alil bit trying to do too much. Torre didn't have a good postseason managing this year, but he's human, and he also was trying to compensate for the glaring weaknesses this team already has. This game is about relieving pressure on your team mate. Making the next guys job easier. The hitting gives a buffer to the pitching, and lets the pitchers attack the plate more, give them more choices. The pitching allows the hitters to sit back alil bit more and take chances at the plate. The shaky bullpen makes the starting pitchers try to do too much with their pitches that brings them out of their game cause they feel they have to eat up innings. Torre is human, he made mistakes this offseason, he made very questionable decisions scrambling cause of the pitching weaknesses, but he also mind you is one of the candidates for manager of the year for a reason.
Why dont the Yankees give Torre something other then more sluggers and Rivera to work with.

Jim A is the man!

Pitching and defense wins championships!!!

We can't keep throwing money and think that this will fix the problem. It won't! The Baseball Tonight guys said it best. This is not the blue collar teams that won championships in the past. These guys are mercenaries! They don't have Yankee Pride. I say build around the True Yankees, Jeter, Posada (who hit well against the Tigers), Mo, Melky, Cano and Wang. If we pick up Sheffield's option, then use him for trade bait and get some pitching. People keep mentioning Zito, but he doesn't want to come here. He'll stay with Oakland if they win it all and probably give them a home town discount, or sign with the Dodgers. There's only two ways that we can beef up the pitching and that's either home grown talent ot trades.
NOTHING ELSE WILL WORK!!!!!

To all of the Sals, Carmines and Vitos,

Way to go Yankees!!!!

im sick of all the a-rod bashing. last time i checked a team was made up of 27 players and on this yankee team they all are underachivers. torre is not the man for the job his relaxed look and none agressive aproach isnt working and because of this the yankees fell short. all the stuff of a-rod not doing his part is rediculous what did any yankee do outside of game 1 nothing. the team needs to get rid of johnson and sheifield 2 players that dont know what team means. a-rod is the best shortstop in the game playing 3rd.and yeah he hasnt dont nothing in the post season for us yet. but think about it what yankee has. we lost this year because of lack of pitching good pitching beats good hitting everyday. and the yankees havent had good pitching in along time. wang is the only pitcher worthy on this staff. johnson mussina wright are all either past thier prime or over rated in this case both for johnson and moose. we have yet to see pravano and shouldnt expect anything from him ever. so bring up the young guns from the minors i bet hughs can win 17 games with the run support johnson got. get zito a proven american league pitcher not a national league guy who can hide from weaker line ups and division opponents. but i might be wrong...what do i know im not a GM or scout..

You would think after all these years of playoff success that the Yankees,
I.E George Stienbrenner,would have the wisdom to realize that
letting go one of the most successful managers in modern history ,is not going to solve the problem with this team.A team with fools gold starting pitching that are either too old or just not that good. A bullpen that had been over worked because of
the lack of starting pitching.A future first ballot hall of famer that
meltsdown in the clutch,
in the New York spot light.Remember,people were praising Torre when 2/3
of his starting outfield went down this year,and he still seemed to will this team to the playoffs.
This team has some glaring flaws,the least of which
is its manager.
P.S.Hey Yankee fans,
If someone said to you back in 1995 that in the next eleven years,your team would be in the playoffs 12 strait years with
11 divisional titles
6 A.L pennants and
4 World Series championships,Would you sign up for that?

Joe Torre is the most overrated baseball manager ever. Hey, even the Braves realized that and fired him; open door, welcome Bobby Cox. Joe could not have done anything close to what Bobby did for the Braves in 2005 with all those rookies and injuries and still win their 14th consecutive division title! Also in the 90's the Braves were advancing to the Worlds Series from the best of 7 series’ (division and league) not this hokey 5 game series. The Braves made it to the Series 5 times and gave it a real go at winning! Not this lip service show the Yankees are putting on in the 2000's. Buying a championship...it is not working! Go out and develop some of your own talent. Over paid, over hyped, over and OUT just like the Yankees season.

While I was quite upset with the Yankees loss, I'm more disgusted with the hateful critics who relish nothing more than such a defeat. They all pretend to be experts while judging the players & coaches and debasing the fans. Their gloating will backfire, sure as hell, just as quickly as their jealousy over the years has turned them into the mean-spirited haters that they are. Oh, rest assured, the Yankees will be back stronger than ever -- because winning is ingrained in the franchise's soul and spirit -- forcing the critics to eat their fear-driven, nasty words in utter embarrassment, and I for sure will relish that very day. Number 27 is not as far away as these haters wish because the Yankees' revenge and redemption is INEVITABLE!!!

Yankee fans are insane if they think that trading Rodriguez is some kind of layup! If they want a team to eat all his salary they are going to have to give up Hughes if they want any kind of return. If they plan to eat the greater share of his salary, they get nothing in return. Please remember, the only reason they got Abreu for nothing was because they took his whole salary.

The Yankees were not the dynasty that Mr. Steinbrenner wanted them to be when he first hired Joe Torre. Joe led them to 11 straight post seasons. The four world series wins were not bad either. Who else has a record like that recently? You can only manage what the front office gives you. And Joe did a great job with the team that he had. How many teams finished the season with a better win-loss record than the Yankees? They won game one of the playoffs, and came close to winning game two. Then they lost the next two games. Things happen. They still finished 10 games ahead of the Blue Jays and 11 games ahead of the Red Sox. So...they choked up in games 3 and 4. That is still only two games. You think that Joe should be fired because his team lost the last two games? I think a lot of Lou Pinella. However, Lou was and is a HOTHEAD! Joe is dignified and reserved. He is supportive of his players. I say let him manage for the last year of his contract. What if you put Lou in there, and the Yankees do not even get into the playoffs? Then what? Joe is one of the best at what he does. The Twins were coming on like a house on fire at the end of the regular season. They also petered out in the playoffs. The Dodgers and Padres also lost. It is not the end of the world. Mr. Steinbrenner should take the advice of Tommy Lasorda in those TV commercials, and watch the playoffs on FOX. Joe will do his best to get the most out of the Yankees next year. What more can you ask?

I think it is ridicuous to fire Joe Torre. He is the most successful Manager since Casey Stengel. All of these sports writers from Newsday & the Daily News should themselves this questions Are You a Major League ballplayer or have had experience in baseball? Bet all of you have never play a professional sport at all.I am a big Yankee Fan I hate the fact we have the largest payroll in Baseball History however I do not blame Joe Torre for the players on the field. Its a thing called talent. The Yankees went out & got the best talent around however it is the players themselves that should take the blame for the six year dought. Mike Mussina, his post season record is terrible & Randy Johnson, post season is subpar. As for the hitter like Derek Jeter, Hideki Matusi, Jason Giambi, and the rest you are to blame the terrible hitting performance. As for Alex Rodriguez He just needs to relax. I seen him play with Seattle & he just have tune out this fans who think they know it all. As a whole I blame the players they are one who goes out on the field for the 162 games. Whay George should do is just tell the players " If you don't what to win I can find a team I can trade you & find player wha wants to be a Yankee & who wants to win

I love this. King George and his mighty, check that, murderers row II. George wanted Sheff so he went out and bought him. George wanted A-Rod so he went out and bought him. George wanted Randy Johnson so he went out and bought him. George wanted Matsui, Damon, Wright, Mussina, Pavano and Giambi so he went out and bought them. George wants the Word Series title so he went out and ......hey, wait a minute...did george finally find something he couldn't buy? The only player that deserves to be left alone in all this is Posada. He is the only Yankee that actually puts fear in this Mets fan. Not even the prince Jeter himself makes me worry like Posada does. You could take the worst hitting team in baseball and put them in Yankee staduim and they would look like Ruth and Aaron. Those dimensions are pathetic. My high school lines were further than Yankee Stadium. True, YS is deep in center, the biggest out there, but look at the charts. The Yankees hit their homers to left and right field almost exclusively. I could hit a homer to right field at YS. Murders row....ha. If only because they were so out of whack with each other that they were killing each other. This is not a team. It is 25 super star wannabe's that have no idea what the team concept is all about. Now you know why we passed on guys like Johnson and Sheffield. Spoiled brats the whole lot of them. I am disappointed, because I wanted to watch my Mets kick the crud out of those bums

I wish we can go back to the good old days when a team won a pennant they went to the worlds series.After sitting through all these playoff games makes the world series anti-climatic. We can go back to the days when the pennant meant something by getting rid of all these low budget teams. Come on baseball fans wise up and protest against having so many boring teams with minor league players. Which bring to mind the Devil Rays and Kansas City etc.

Has anyone noticed that the Yankees haven't gone 14 YEARS without a win like the Braves? It's six years to be exact, which is not a long time by typical baseball standards. At least the Yankees and Braves make the post-season consistently, unlike other teams that don't see a post-season for 30 years.

It appears Yankees critics are pathetically working overtime trying to destroy the Dynasty with suggestions of "curses," "supernatural destructive forces," "bad luck," "a new millenium-uh-whatever," and as evidenced in this blog, the so-called New York Braves phenomenon. I was actually depressed a couple of days ago, but now I'm laughing at how obsessed other teams are with the Yankees' loss, as though these other teams are somehow redeemed and exhalted by it. The gloating and hateful remarks are sure to fire up the Yankees; and if you believe in Divine Retribution and supernature laws, all the bad luck you wish on the Yankees will surely backfire and affect your own team. It's called the Law of Karma.

Keep up the good work of inciting our Yankees for next year, while wishing bad luck, curses and losses on your own teams. The Yankees look forward to the challenge of showing the world what they are truly made of and why the Yankees have been a winning team for over a century. It's all in the attitude, people: A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS A WINNING GOAL THAT WILL EVENTUALLY COME TO REALIZATION GIVEN THE RIGHT TIMING (even if it does take 15 years to 20 years), as future wins are INEVITABLE. Then all you naysayers can stick your faces in the sand in utter embarrassment while eating your nasty, vile, defeatist words.

ill give everyone a prime example why joe isnt right for the yankees anymore... in the 3rd game bobby threw a bullet down to 3rd base a-rod placed a tag the player was out and the umpire called him safe... what did torre do stayed on the bench with the look of defeat in his eye even the broadcasters didnt understand why torre didnt run out... the reason was because a-rod made the play and torre doesnt care much for him.. he thought batting a-rod 8th was going to take off pressure all it did was add fuel to the fire.. now instead of baseball the players have to answer questions about what they think of a-rod at 8th do u trust him does joe trust him.. good job torre great pressure relief valve. it just seems joe doesnt have his heart into it... he says we need to eat up innings with the starters.. and then starts wright who averges 5 innings.. excuse me but eating innings means 7th and 8th not 5.. joe set this team up for failure from the start and now all yankee fans must sit and watch. thanks joe

Tha Yankees have won world series titles and have lost many series. The one consistent factor is they have won and lost due to terrific pitching and fabulous defense.

Yankees simply did not have good enough pitching. Defense was questionable as well. Everyone can continue to blame Cashman, Torre, A-Rod but this problem will never change until they get young, hungry and aggressive arms on the mound. Randy is done, Pavano is a joke, Wright has nothing left, Mussina is a #3 or #4 starter at best. Wang is a #2, Kyle is a head case, we can't throw Proctor as much-he clearly looked tired, Villone is/was no Stanton and Mariano, as much as I love him, is at the twilight of his career. Take a look at the three Detroit starters and the various relievers that beat us. Balls to the wall, aggressive and THROWING STRIKES. Before you knew it the count was 0-2 on just about every batter. I don't care if its A-Rod, Ortiz or Mickey Mantle, if you're at the plate with an 0-2 count and protecting; 9 times out of 10 you'll make an out. Baseball 101.

Get back to what won the championships...PITCHING!!!!

Zito, Dontrell, Schmidt...Cashman needs to explore the possibilities and bring up some of our youngsters like Phillip Hughes.

SD

I say Joe Torre earned the right to finish out the last year of his contract. There is NO guarantee that any other manager can take ANY YANKEE team and bring home the World Series Victory. If Mr. Steinbrenner could have found such a manager, he would have bought him already.

In response to Fran C. and his feeling that the Yankee bashing and hatred will actually help them next year. Well, let me tell ya. It hasnt helped in the last 6 years so why should it help next year. He goes on to say that "Attitude" is what matters. He is absolutely right. And that is the reason the Yankees keep getting dissed. They have the worst attitude in all of baseball. They feel that the World Series is their divine right in life. They openly dissed Detroit when they made the playoffs because of the bad few weeks they had. They acted like "How dare those Tigers think they can compete with us". They do it all the time. And I think captain Jeter is the worst offender. Jeter should have switched positions when A-Rod was brought on board. A-Rod is by far the better SS. But no, he cant fess up to his diminished abilities and move to 1st or 3rd. But truly, what Yankee player would ever admit to being done. The only reason Bernie Williams is still around is because of the DH. Same goes for Giambi. Neither one could play 6 games a week if the tried. And I mean out on the field, not just batting. Its tired retreads like these that cause so much turmoil on a team. I have nothing but respect for the Yankees 26 World Series wins. They have had some of the greatest teams in history. But this is not one of them. Ever since King George took over the Bronx Bombers they have been becoming more and more the Bronx Bums. I don't think Dimaggio or Ruth or Mantle would ever have played for him. He bought the team in 1973 and won it all in 76 and 78. But then it was almost 20 years before his teams got back to the October Classic. And why was that. Becuase he was a micromanaging moron who was almost pushed out of baseball several times by other owners. It was not until the leagues were restructured that the Yankees returned to the top. And it was not by accident that the weakest teams at the time were put in their division. The Yankees played 8 years as the kings of the hill in the AL east. But then something happened. The division got tighter. The other teams in their division were getting better. The other teams in the other divisions were also getting better. That is why the Yankees have been without a WS title since 2000. And yes, they beat my Mets that year. Which brings me to my last point. The 2000 Mets and the 2006 Yankees have something in common. They were both dead on the field. They showed no emotions, no life. And that is why they fail. The lost the fire in their bellies. They are content because they all make more than anyone can even dream of spending. They know that if they get hurt they will still get paid. They know that even if they are benched they will still get paid. They are lazy overpaid bums that should return the money they made this year to their fans.

Sorry, that was actually in response to LAS. Not Frank C.

Steve, show me one quote where the Yankees dissed the Tigers. You are confusing media comments with Yankees comments. I'm not surprised to see you're a Mets fan with the comment: "It hasnt helped in the last 6 years so why should it help next year." This is typical "loser" mentality which you can only transfer to your beloved team. Like fans, like teams.

You made nothing but false, nasty accusations and foundless assumptions in your reply, rather than stating facts. You say the Yankees maniuplated the divisions to play against the weaker teams? Wow!!! Since when are the Yankees in charge and not MLB? You called Steinbrenner & Jeter names they don't deserve -- this is your nasty opinion which is really not worth squat.

I can only ask you, if you're such a big Mets fan, why are you wasting precious time and energy in a Yankees forum trying to belittle a Dynasty (something you can't change) rather than spend precious time and energy in the Mets forums during playoff season? I know why, actually, but maybe you should examine your conscience and motives a bit further.

My conscience and motives are just fine. Actually, right where they are supposed to be. Actually, I will show proof of the Yankees dissing the Tigers....It's called their blase` attitude when they had when they played them. They clearly felt that the Tigers were no match for them. Even the "Great" Joe Torre showed disdain when interviewed after the first loss. It was clear in his attitude and body language that Torre felt that the win was a fluke for Detroit and that the Yankees would set things "right" the next game. The Yankees, when interviewed, rarely ever compliment the other team. And when they do, it is clear they are only doing it to be PC.

Also, I didn't say the Yankees manipulated their divisions. I merely stated that their resurgence coincided with baseballs much maligned restructuring of the divisions and the creation of the wild card. The Yankees had a division that was weak at best, minor league at worst. They rolled over the compretition as if it wasnt even there. And now that the tides have turned, meaning that the Mets are finally in a weak division and the Yankees were in a tight division, the Yankees have no respect. They made comments (actually, Randy Johnson was quoted in Newsday) that indicated that the only reason the Mets were on top was because of the weak division. Seems like they are cry babies when the benefit is not theirs. And lastly, I was not trolling the Yankee forums while my Mets are in the Playoffs. I was reading Newsday's sports section online and noted several comments by Yankee fans on the side bar and thought I would add my 2 cents worth.

But, clearly, you are a true Yankee fan and anything that goes against your divine right to the World Championship is foul play. But you must still be tired because of that hectic period when your game was rained out and your Yankees had to play a game and then, oh my gosh, travel to Detroit to play another game. Or is it because Mariano's shoulder is sore? Or was it the fact that your team has so many injuries.

And lastly, I did not belittle the Dynasty. If you read my comments you will note that I actually praised them. But I also make the distinction that THIS Yankee team is not a dynasty. They were merely good teams in a poor division. This Yankee team has nothing in common with the great Yankees teams of the past. And any Yankee fan who thinks so is 1. fooling themselves and 2. making the Babe roll over in his grave. These Yankees are not even in the same class of the historic Yankee teams. They are over payed babies with a sense of entitlement that they don't deserve. While I will admit that Jeter and Clemens will likely wind up as a plaque in the center field "Monument Park", I challenge you to name another that deserves the honor. And please, don't make me laugh by saying Bernie Williams.

So, Steve, now you're reading body language and reading minds to determine the Yankees' thoughts and feelings. Sorry to say I'm not the least bit impressed (amused maybe, but not impressed.)

For your information, the Yankees ALWAYS compliment other teams on their post-game shows, but since you are also capable of "reading" the "true meaning" of a person's words, I guess you'd know better. That's pretty amazing.

The meaning and intent behind your comment about the Yankees being too "tired" to go to Detroit -- or something about Mariano's injury??? -- totally escapes me, but I guess you are capable of "reading" a person's true moods by looking into their inner psyche and interpreting their state of mind. Once again, your response is totally devoid of FACTS and merely consists of your questionable psychic abilities.

Lastly, the Yankees Dynasty is inherent in its century-long history. No specific team per se is considered a dynasty; it's the cummulative achievements of all the teams from its inception; it's the complete work of the organization as a whole; it's the consistently winning formula, the pinstripes, the exceptionally high standards.

As far as whether the present team deserves to lay claim to dynastic status, it consists of many members who have brought the organization 4 World Series wins and a great number of ALDS & ALCS penants. There's Jeter, Bernie, Mariano, Posada, in addition to Torre, Steinbrenner, Cashman. In a sport where teams typically win championships once every 20, 30 years (and sometimes 86 years), the Yankees' lack of a World Series championship in 6 years hardly deprives them of enjoying the inherited dynastic status. Talk to me when the Yankeees haven't won anything in 50 years. Possibly then you can claim that the Dynasty has collapsed. Even under those circumstances, you will NEVER, ever be able to deprive the Yankees of their Storied History, which is eternal. Even if the consistently winning pattern disappears over the next century, other teams will have one hell of a difficult time trying to duplicate the phonomenal success of the New York Yankees.

Until the Yanks get a GM who can make better deals than Cashman, you are all spining your wheels...No one is luckier than BC. How many GMs can you name who have had their job for about a decade, who have never had to get a starting SS, a starting CATCHER, or a CLOSER?.....This season, under Cashman's,"throw enough against the wall & some of it will stick" policy, Yanks used 23 RELIEVERS.Previous seasons have been almost as bad!...As soon as you figure out what the following players have in common, you will start to understand how inept he really is: Joe Oliver, Henry Rodriguez,Boehringer, Witasik, Wohlers....Having set a 100+ year Yankee record for players at 51 during the 2005 season should also give you thoughts for concern, as well as obtaining Vanderwal to take O'Neills place when he retired......Gehrig said he was "the luckiest man alive" when he left Yanks. Cashman has taken his place.

re: the yanks biggest problem
it ain't a-rod or torre.
it is the owner. he is now enfeebled. living in st.louis we saw this with augie busch. the business men'll interfere with the bosses love of the team and quality will decline. wasted years ensue, false restarts. more lost years. THEN the owner will die. a few more lost years. who will own the yanks when the boss goes away. if he loved the franchise as much as it seems he would be setting up an outside the family, new owner as we speak.

as always good money after bad. everyone in the NL coulda told you RJ was past his prime...but you gotta have marquee names. and this is the crux of it all:marquee names over quality.

When it comes to evaluating the Yankees (win or lose), it appears hoardes of wanna-be psychics, coaches, and self-proclaimed baseball "experts" come crawling out of the woodwork, like a contageous vile infestation. Fact-finding, objectivity, and impartiality hold no place in the minds of critics who seek to defile the Yankees, evidently out of fear, envy and jealousy. This whole "I know it all" mentality is old and boring. I long to read some posts, for a change, dealing with FACTS -- JUST THE FACTS, PLEASE!!!!!

Lets get off of A-Rods back. He may have had a subpar season, but it still was better than most. Adverse comments about other players including Jeter, Abreu, Damon and Matsui will not help the team win. Dump the dead weight like Sheffield, Giambi and Johnson as well as most of the bullpen. The $50+ million saved will get us a couple of good pitchers that will help the team win it all in 2007. Cashman, please don't go after old washed-up players. I'd rather see some young ones come along.

I Love the Yankees and yes, get rid of the old and bring in some hungry, young pitchers. Please!!