On the Yankees beat

KAT-
Your generally just saying "stay the course" when it comes to the "main players". 3 straight "One and Done's" are acceptable and applauded with the Texas team you previously covered. You are now covering a team with both "history" and "high standards". Yours are currently far too low for this "storied franchise".

I don’t understand the infatuation of getting an “ace” in the rotation when the guy only pitches once every five days, or a maximum of twice in the ALDS.

What happens if your “ace” pitches poorly and loses Game 1 like Santana did against Oakland last season? Keep in mind that Sabathia was the best pitcher in the AL this season and hasn’t pitched well at all in the postseason.

Cashman would not be wise to throw everything at MIN in order to get a one-year rental in Santana when they can sign him outright next season without parting with any of their young talent.

What this team needs is depth in the rotation, not an ace. The Yanks won during their last dynasty because they had four pitchers in the rotation that could throw 7 IP on any given night and an elite closer in Mo who always slammed the door.

That was a clear advantage they exploited nightly during the regular season and in the postseason, an advantage which no team could match. It didn’t matter if the Yanks lost Game 1 of a playoff series because their #2 thru #4 starters were almost always far better than the opposition. The only exception might have been the Braves with Smoltz, Maddux, and Glavine.

Santana will not be traded to the Yankees this offseason. It would take at least two high ceiling talents to pry him away from MIN and there is no chance Cashman is going to do that for a one-year rental.

It’s best to build depth in the rotation with the young arms (Chamberlain, Hughes, and Kennedy) and assess their progress in another year when Santana is on the FA market.

Roy

Totally agree with you. This team needs a change.We cant just sit back and be content to make the playoffs. Joe must go. We are headed in a new direction with the young kids and I think we need to build on that.

FROM YANKEES.COM
Chamberlain to return to familiar role
Rookie hurler will be starter when Spring Training opens
By Bryan Hoch

Joba Chamberlain has the information he asked for, and the Yankees hope that he'll answer a question at the front of the 2008 rotation.

Chamberlain, who made a splash as a dominant setup man down the stretch of the 2007 season, will open Spring Training as a starter, club senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner has confirmed.

Speaking with the Associated Press outside Legends Field late on Friday, Steinbrenner said that no decisions have yet been made regarding manager Joe Torre's status for 2008, with organizational meetings scheduled for Tuesday in Tampa, Fla.

"The only thing that's been decided, [the one thing] that we all agree on, is that Chamberlain and [Phillip] Hughes start out Spring Training as starters," Steinbrenner said.

Chamberlain, 22, provided a needed spark after being converted from a starter in the Minors into a big league-ready reliever. Jumping all the way from Class A Tampa in his first full professional season, Chamberlain was 2-0 with a 0.38 ERA and one save in 19 relief appearances with New York.

Speaking this week as he cleaned out his Yankee Stadium locker, Chamberlain said he would prefer to know his future assignment as soon as possible.

"The earlier the better, just because of the mindset," Chamberlain said. "It's a big part of this game, so I can have an idea of what's going to happen when I get there. Physically, I'm not going to prepare any different, but mentally, I can prepare for what's going to happen and how I'm going to approach everything."

What we need is a manager that will set the expectations bar back up where it belongs. One who will discard his tea cup, get up off his COMFORTABLE seat on the bench, and evaluate his players OBJECTIVELY.

One that will hold his players accountable for their play and take them to task when they repeatedly UNDERACHIEVE. And finally, one who will properly and objectively UTILIZE the players at his disposal instead of playing his loyalty cards.

The roster is the best in baseball! It is an All-Star team. The problem is the way they are utilized (or mis-utilized) and coddled like a bunch of babies. This team needs a task master, not some tea sipping, lovable old grandpa figure running it.

Ken and KO ignore the obvious:
1-JT manages the media better than his team. Year after year this team continues to underachieve and JT gets a pass.
2-The same people in the media who want to sign Mo for 3yrs. are the same reporters who always rip the team for signing players past their prime.
3-The Yanks can do a lot better on the FA market than Bobby A for 16mil.
4-Posada will not come close to the numbers he put up this year plus he can't catch and is 36. Does it make sense to sign him for four years.

BBB CHAMP ,

You are exactly correct!

1) Bring back Torre
2) Trade cano and another pitching prospect for Santana. I wouldnt throw in wang for the simple fact that he indeed isnt our ace however he does win games for us.
3) Keep vizcano, doug and molina. They are quality back ups.
4) Bring back Rivera & Posada. Those are no-brainers. For the simple fact that there arent many good hitting catchers out there and the possibility of us signing k-rod or nathan next off season isnt that high.
4*) come to think about it, if we can some how pursue the twins to give up santana for cano and a pitching prospect maybe we can throw in another player (maybe melky) for nathan???
5) Fire Guidry
6) Keep Abreu, there isnt a quality RF this off-season.
6*) Fransisco Cordero is a FA, I know he didnt put up good numbers as a closer in the AL but he turn it around with the Brewers. I know its a stretch but maybe we can ask him to be a setup guy for us.
7) Some how get a quality left-hander in the bullpen at this point there isnt any good ones in FA other than Joe Kennedy.
8) I might catch some flack for this but Bartolo Colon and Kerry Wood are FA's maybe we can take a look at them?

Off topic, I know, but was anyone else listening when Joe Buck said last night as things started heating up that it was starting to feel like a Yankees game?

Even a blind hog finds an acorn once in a while.

I fell asleep before it was over but was happy to discover this morning that the Indians had won. Whoever beats the Yankees is supposed to win it all.

Rockies on the other side, okay.

Things going not too badly for a post-season from which my team is now absent.

Report: Steinbrenner giving up control of Yankees
October 14, 2007

NEW YORK (Ticker) - The George Steinbrenner era is apparently all but over.

According to a report in the New York Post, the "Boss" has handed over control of the New York Yankees to his sons Hank and Hal Steinbrenner as he faces up to declining health.

George Steinbrenner, 77, was seldom seen at Yankee Stadium this season, attending only three games as his health kept him away.

The Post reported that the final details of the new arrangement are yet to be determined - something that will happen in meetings scheduled for Tampa, Florida next week - but Hank and Hal Steinbrenner are to take over the day-to-day running of the team.

"George has taken on a role like the chairman of a major corporation," team president Randy Levine told the Post. "He's been saying for years he's wanted to get his sons involved in the family business. Both of them have stepped up and are taking on the day-to-day duties of what's required to run the Yankees."

"There's always been a succession - and that's myself and my brother," Hank Steinbrenner added.

George Steinbrenner bought the Yankees in 1973 for $8.7 million. His hands-on approach to running the team, while often controversial, was undoubtedly successful, and he has brought 10 division pennants and six World Series titles to the Bronx while building the franchise into an empire valued at $1.2 billion.

The brothers will take on control not only of the Yankees but also the YES Network and the construction of the new Yankee Stadium.

"I'll pay more attention to the baseball part," Hank Steinbrenner said. "The stadium, that's more Hal. But basically everything will be decided jointly."

Hal Steinbrenner was named chairman of the board of Yankee Global Enterprises last month, and a new title is expected for Hank Steinbrenner soon.

However, the top item on the agenda for the new-look Yankees leadership is the future of manager Joe Torre. That will be discussed this week.

"We'll be bringing everyone together ... to discuss those things. For the first couple of meetings, it will just be me, Hal, my dad and the usual cast," Hank Steinbrenner said.

George hasn't completely relinquished control - at least, not yet.

"What's nice is the Boss is there," Levine said. "He's an office door away."

Updated on Sunday, Oct 14, 2007 9:58 am, EDT

BBB-You left out a non media suck up and serial nose picker.

CHRIS-The Yankees have a quality RF by the name of Melky. Lets sign a quality CF by the name of Hunter.

I find it hard to believe that Hank and Hal are going to "run" the Yanks with the "zeal" and "unlimited" financial resources that their Dad did. Why did George have everything lined up for the "son-in-law" to take over, if his own "flesh and blood" really wanted to take the reins. Either "The Boys" weren't interested, and or George felt they weren't up to the job. Hank and Hal have realized they need to "mind the store", so as to at least maintain it's value. Once George is no longer "on the scene", Hank and Hal are gonna put the Yanks on the market, and see just exactly what it's worth. The "Steinbrenner Boys" will prove to be no "chip off the old block".

your overuse of the quotation's does not only render them meaningless it makes reading your posts as enjoyable as having herpes

BBB Champ- looks like all the nuts on this site agree with you, that must make you feel really good. Stick to your stupid fantasy leagues.

It's a waste to post whole articles, especially to multiple threads, just give the link and if anyone is interested they can go there.

Yea dude, enough with the quotes already. As much as I enjoy mimicking the overuse in my posts, it gets old. It's even more annoying than someone who puts exclamation points at the end of every sentence! (I did that on purpose)

I actually enjoy reading the articles in the message board as long as they are not overly long

The quotation marks are distracting, they're annoying because they make the reader pause and it slows them down and that's why most people hate those excessively overused quotes. I almost want to skip Roy's posts for that reason. The quotes are unnecessary.

Roy, these $ssholes are jealous of your baseball knowledge. At least you don't post something that was in the papers or on TV and pretend your an expert.

i am not pretending

i know i am the best copy and paster that posts on this blog...i will copy and paste your face into the ground you penis jerking donkey raper

McCarthy, you have "HERPES" will you know what they say "YOU ARE WHAT YOU ATE"

Torre is back! That is exactly what the above article says IF you have the uncanny ability to read between the lines like I do. That's just another one of the superior skills that I have over the rest of the human race.

By coming out with the news that the sons are now running the team, it gives the Boss a face saving out for not carrying through with his threat he made several days ago to can Torre.

So, now the next step will be the meeting on Tuesday and then the announcement that JT will be back (at a reduced salary of course). What a bunch of crap! Without The Boss, this team will never be the same. We are now just another bottom line corporate entertainment business. I'll certainly miss and remember the days that we were the GREATEST Franchise in the History of Sports!

hahaha

i knew some $hit eating penis tickler would respond with something like that

Have a little respect for yourself and post under something other than anonymous. Its a blog, its not like I can come find you and make fun of your mom for giving me the herp.

Hi Marianne

Just a heads up...I have no affiliations with "Diaper, not Viper"

In the last blog about Joba and trading for Santana I stated my case, for which Viper just on my back about.
No big deal, I am a big boy and can take it.

In the future, I would appreciate it if you didn't group me with those you don't like

Rick,
Did you think George Steinbrenner was the best owner in the world when he was Yanking Billy Martin like a puppet all the time?

I have long been worried about the post-George era, mainly because if someone wanted to come in and treat the Yankees as a business and worry too much about the bottom line the way most owners do. George is that special blend of fan/owner who you know would put the best team possible on the field, but I trust his sons to carry on his legacy, after all, they've been spoiled by success on the field like the rest of us.
The Yanks will be just fine, at least that's what I keep telling myself.

yanksfanmc is not me nor anon or smarter than diaper.........geez so many think he is an a@sshole.....

Marianne , get a clue or at least bake one.

The Yanks should get Mazzone! Let's see that bag of tricks in the Bronx.
As, for Wang for Santana I'm all for it.

I hope you are right Jim A, but I just don't see it.

How to fix the team ...

Guidry out, Mazzone in. If the Mets fire Petersen grab that guy.

Look for bargain pickups: Jeremy Sowers or guys hurt or falling apart that we can reclaim and develop. (Who can say who is out there?)

Torre out, Girardi in.

Abreu out, Josh Hamilton in.

Matsui out, Ludwick or Colby Rasmus in. (Cards have 7 good outfielders and only need 4.)

Keep Melky, Andy Phillips, Be-a-Mitt, Molina (excellent backup, if he won't stay get Ramon Castro from the Mets) and Menky.

Menky will hit if he is given time to sharpen his eye. He roped with Minny in a previous lifetime.

Sign the following for another year ...

Pettitte
Mo
Jorge
A-Rod

Clear out the following ...

Moose
Clemens
Farnsworth
Damon
Matsui
Abreu (bad first half)

If A-Rod leaves, put Cano at 3B. Didn't the 2B on the Reds hit 30 homers this year? Get him if you can or need to.

Raid all the lower echelon teams and their farm systems ... use the Almighty Dollar where you can. Why not?

Keep Joba in the pen if you can, but he will be a plus in the rotation, as a setup man or as a closer.
But as a setup man he can pitch in more games! What are the most critical outs and at bats of any one game? In which inning(s)?

Joba is a great and a nice role model for American- Indian kids. Excellent story.

If you can get Santana for Wang and Co. do it. Why not? Can we trust Wang in the Playoffs? He is the Pavano of the Playoffs.

Find another Wang in Korea or Taiwan or Japan if you can. If you can't find a Wang, find a Wing. If there are no Wings, find a Wing Wang Wu. Just find the best talent!

Sort through the top ten pitching prospects. Ohlendorf, Sanchez ... Horne ... who is going to stay? There is a long list of prospects to say the least.

What about Brackman? Why draft him if he needed surgery right away? What's the story there?

Fire all the retarded scouts who signed Igawa and made other nutty moves.

Keep Will Nieves in the minors, he is a good kid.

Find real lefty relievers!

Find a leadoff hitter like Knoblauch.

Loose the East Asia and Dominican mania as the quasi raison detre' of the team. Just find the best players, period ... again, to have chosen Igawa over Lilly has to rank as the most insane most of the entire off season by ANY team.

Lose all of the players who are mean to the media: ie. Clemens, Farnsworth.

Please trade Igawa and Henn.

Keep DeSalvo and C. Wright and Karstens for a rainy day. Villone appears to be a really good guy, maybe a future coach? Keep him around.

Lose the F bomb tank top and the whores at the Strip Club low life thingy. Try to be family friendly.

Be careful with the new baseball business with the animals in Beijing. "We don't speak to evil."

Otherwise keep doing what is going on ... a transition to youth.

If Mo goes, put Joba there.

If Jorge goes, sign Piazza, LoDuca, Bard or whomever, or let Molina start. Do you want offense or defense there?

Kennedy, Hughes, Horne, Joba ... that will be the core.

Sign Joe Nathan if need be. He went to Stony Brook.

Find a young catcher and shortstop in the draft.

Grab anyone Omar Minaya tries to purge: Kazmir, Bannister, Mike Jacobs ...

Be prepared for a new dynasty!

Colony,

Mazzone vs. Guidry I would stick with Guidry. The orioles has one of the worst ERA's in baseball and I do not think he was doing well with their young pitchers (Bedard, Cabrera, Guthrie). Guidry is a Yankee and has been working hard with our young talent.

I also sign Torre to a 2 year deal. This team had a great year despite their awful playoff performance. Torre deserves to close and open the new Yankee Stadium.

Getting Josh Hamilton off the Reds would take a lot and do not see them getting rid of such a talented player for anything less then Abreu and either Kennedy, Hughes, or Joba.

I do not get rid of Matsui. He is a very reliable/clutch player who also expands the Yankee's into Japan.

We definitely need Pettitte, Jorge, Mo, and Arod. This is the most crucial part of putting the 2008 Yankees together.

Unless we can use Damon to score someone big in the off season I keep him solely on the fact we know he will be there when we reach the playoffs. If he stays healthy we can be a great lead off hitter still and have more range in left field then Matsui.

Joba starts spring training as a starter and we see where our pitching stands week by week and determine where he will be more needed.

But like I said this whole thing can come together rather easily if we be sure to bring Arod, Posada, Mo,and Pettitte back.

How has Guidry been working hard with our young talent? Eiland had to come up to work with them for the last month or so.

The only one Gator has any success with is Wang -- and even that's sprinkled with things like Mussina having to fix his mechanics because Gator couldn't see it.

1. Mattingly over Giradi as mgr. He 'll get better with dealing with the media. Who cares as long as the team wins. Let the media worry about their relationship with the mgr. get him a good pitching coach. he'll take care of the rest.
Joe has just made to many decisions based on his feelings for his players as opposed to the teams well being.
2. Sign Arod, Posada and Mariano. Hopefully, they'll be induced to sign shorter contracts with higher premium on pay.
3. Joba is a starter. Go the trade route for relievers. Dump Vizcaino. Sign Molina. With trades in mind Matsui, Giambi and Damon have a difficult time playing wise to exist on the team at least explore.
4. Find spots for Duncan to achieve 350-400 AB's thus keeping him fresh to bat against lefty pitching.Team must get away from dominant lefty hitters lineup. Sign Rowand to play CF. Trade Damon with this occurrence.
5. Either run with our young guys in the bullpen or trade for some more accomplished relievers. Forget Bruney, Britton, Karstens and Rasner.
6. Package a deal with Devil Rays for Kazmir. They need more help than us in the bullpen and the infield.
7. I know this is lacking some foundation with the trades but their is so much info about teams and trades which is not in the fans scope of knowledge. I'm sure most of you realize that Damon, Giambi and Matsui are a difficult trio to manipulate during the season.
8. Dont be afraid to go with youth or a young mgr.

Do not resign A-Rod. This guy can not perform in the post season. I could care less what he does in the regular season. I would rather not get to the playoff’s then watch this loser A-Clod bite it again in the playoff's. If you are going to have the balls to ask for 35 million a year then you better have the balls to play like a 35 million dollar player when it really counts. Do not resign A-Rod! He is a curse to the Yankees. Send him off to the Red Sox so they can start another curse!

I'd love to have Scott Kazmir too but I don't see the Rays giving him up.

In some ways, he's more appealing than Santana because he's a few years younger, his salary is dirt cheap by MLB standards, and he's not eligible for FA for another couple of years.

He's also a great weapon against the Red Sox because he has always given them fits.

However, the Yanks would have to give up Joba and/or Hughes to get him and Cashman isn't going to part with them, especially to a team in their own division.

We can all dream, but there's no way TB is going to give Kazmir up without the Yanks' best young arm(s) in return.

Ant,
It's real easy to just throw names out there and say "go get them" or "sign him", that's great in a fantasy league but it can't work here. First of all, Joe Nathan isn't a free agent until after '08 so we can't just sign him. Second, Josh Hamilton had a great rookie year so what makes you think Cincy is going to trade him? Contrary to popular belief, teams aren't lining up to help the Yankees. Nobody feels bad for the Yanks at all so they are not going to just give them their young talent. Also, Josh Hamilton, with his history of trouble would probably be better off not playing in New York, don't you think?

Ahh don't give me the troubled history story , we had two guys with problems on the same team and guess what we won the WS , Josh would come here and be hungry.

A-Rod sucks! He is a loser and always will be a loser. Go ahead and hit 800 no pressure home runs A-Rod. You will be one of the best of all time......but you will always be a loser when it counts. Do not sign that loser A-Rod!

Anon,
Look where the guys with troubled history's are now:
Straw: Has lapsed more times than you can count.
Gooden: Is he still in jail?
Steve Howe: Dead.

yeah, that's the route we want to take.

I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod!
I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod!
I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod!
I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod!
I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod!
I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod!
I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod!
I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod!
I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod!
I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod!
I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod! I hate A-Rod!

DO NOT RESIGN THIS LOSER!

A-Rod I hope you read this because I want you to know how much Yankee fans hate you and don't want you to resign with us. I can't handle your frail little girl bulls@%t anymore. Go back to Texas where you won't have any pressure.

You cannot think a trade is a no go unless you explore it. Kazmir may come cheaper than our beloved rookies of Joba and Phil.

Tampa does not deal with youngsters like other small to medium markets. They shudder when a player reaches 4-5 million in salary. There whole payroll last year was 23 million.

Yankees reside in tampa all winter. it could happen.

anon, speak for yourself. say it once and thats enough. then take a damn hike.

Come on I know you all agree with me. This guy will never come through in the playoffs. You and I both know it. We need a clutch hitter. I know that Jeter and Posoda also sucked but they have proven themselves already. A-Rod will never prove himself in the playoffs, and because of that we will never win another WS with him on the team. I keep hearing about how A-Rod hit better then Jeter and Posoda. Who cares? He should be able to carry a team by himself. Maybe he should talk to Reggie Jackson about coming through in October. Oh wow, A-Rod hit a homerun in the fourth game.....big deal, a solo home run. What did he do in the 1st and 4th inning when he had men on base? He struck out....just like he does in the playoff's when the real pressure is on. Mark my words: You will never win a WS with A-Rod on this team!

Anon,

Dont agree with you.We should make a run at ARod.

Why? You tell me what he had done for us that he deserves 35 mill a year. Make sure you include the palyoffs in your arguments.

Kazmir only made $424K in 2007 and they won't have to pay him squat for another couple of years.

He's a 23 year old power lefty and is already one of the best young pitchers in the game.

Talents like him are premium GOLD in the game of baseball and there is no way TB is going to give him up without Joba and/or Hughes in return.

Like I said, I think he's actually more appealing than Santana in many ways and I would love to have him.

But let's be realistic. It is never going to happen because Cashman will not part with Hughes or Joba.

Viper,

Come on. I know you agree with me about A-Rod. Tell these other guys what a loser A-Rod is.

how would you feel if Mark Cuban was the owner of the Yankees? its doubtful he will be able to buy the Cubs (another potential owner has ties with Selig). Could Cuban be the next Steinbrenner?

Without ARod, there is no post season the last 3 years. There is so much blame to go around on why we have not made it out of the first round. You hit under 200 against anyone you are not going to win, with ARod Reggie,Babe or Ted Williams

I would love it. Cuban would never sign A-Rod becaue he only signs winners!

He also trades winners Steve Nash

Doug,

I agree, but when you demand to make 25-35 million dollars a year then you better live up to that demand. I would rather not make it to the playoff then watch A-Rod lay down like a little girl. Also it is sacrilege that you would bring up Reggie, Babe or Ted in the same breath as A-Rod. Look at their playoff stats. I am sure they blow A-Rods away. They never wet the bed like A-Rod does. Babe Ruth and Reggie carried their teams in the playoffs. That is what the greats do. A-Rod is not one of the greats and should not be paid like one!

Enough, Anon.

I don't agree with you at all. The Yanks should do whatever they can to keep A-Rod.

They wouldn't have sniffed the postseason this year without him.

All I am saying is, If you have a chance to keep a player like ARod, you make a push if he want 30-40 mil a year and you have it pay him. If you only have 25 mil, offer it, he says no, let him walk. You have to make a play for him

I diagree. I stand by my words. You will never win a WS with A-Rod! That is all I will say about this again, but remeber what I said because in 8 years when the Yanks have not won another WS you all will be crying in your beers!

the last 3 seasons the Yankees as a team have been beaten in the postseason. Its a team effort when they win and when they loose.

Anon,

Our Yanks have a 200 mil payroll. Why should one man have to carry then anywhere?

If one player is expected to carry a team he doesn't belong with the Yankees. The Yankees are a team not a one man freak show.

The Yanks lost in the postseason because of their pitching - not because of A-Rod.

Just read Kat and Ken's articles & here is my take:

1. Torre gets 2 years $8 mil total and the understanding that there might be an advisory position in it for him at the end, but no extension.

2. Gator out, Eiland or Nardi Contreras in. I agree with Ken that Gator is a great guy, but with the young crop the team needs a pitching coach with more experience working with young arms. Let Gator be a roving instructor of some kind.

3. Make a reasonable offer to Alex. But if he opts out move on to plan B and don't look back. The Yankees have too many issues to allow this to drag into January. If plan B is a trade for Cabrera or a contract to Lowell or Crede - get it done at the Winter Meetings in December.

4. Bring back Doug and Molina on 1 year deals

5. Bring back Posada and Rivera if they will accept 2 or 3 year deals - but nothing longer. Cost doesn't matter to me, but don't get stuck with long term deals.

6. Pick up Bobby's contract option then deal him (St. Louis for Anthony Reyes and Chris Duncan?)

7. Deal Igawa, Farnsworth, Moose, and either Giambi or Matsui - won't get much for any of the above, but not getting much from them anyway and Giambi and Matsui are both DH's, but only one can play.

8. Let Viz go - go with the kids and see if in the trades above you can get another relief pitcher.

9. If Alex leaves and Abreu is moved, try to sign Andruw Jones. Move Melky to RF, Damon in LF and Jones in CF. Terrific defensive OF and Jones offers some RH pop.

10. Joba in the rotation with Hughes, Andy, Wang, Kennedy.

About Torre: is he a great manager that brought an unlikely team with limited talented to the playoffs all these years? Or were these teams filled with talent that they should have made it to the playoffs because of their great talent? could bad managerial moves or a manager who lacks enthusiasm and confidence prevent a talented from making it to the playoffs? Is it possible Torre lacks confidence after 2004 and lacks enthusiasm after 12 years?

That is not my point. I don't care how many other good players are on this team. If you are going to say that A-Rod is one of the best 5 players ever, then he better play like one and carry a team, (if needed) regardless of the talent that surrounds him. Jeter has come through many times in the playoffs and he wouldn't even be considered in the top 50 of the best players of all time. Great players can carry a team. He is not a great player!

KAT-
I wonder if you call C.C. Sabethia no ace after he gave up 8 runs in 4.1 IP. When you look at a guy , you see in a long period of time, not just two games.If you call Wang no ace,you should also say C.C. Sabethia is no ace.
I think Sabethia is pretty good and is the top three this year,
but he was just as bad as Wang in ALCS game 1.Wang was bad in game 1, but he pitched on a three day rest in game4 with no time to correct his problem and he pitched on three day rest becase all the yankees starting pitcher sucks except for Andy.I don't think you can judge a guy in two games.In 2005 wang gave up only 1 earned run in game2, and last year three runs in game 1,I think you can only say that after one more year playoff failure of Wang. You think Josh Beckett can pitch like what he is last year?No way! His era is 5.+ and had most home runs among american league starting pitchers, but he pitched like a god this year,how do you say about that?

Anon,

You are so so wrong. Alex Rodriguez is one of the 50 best players of all time and the best player of this generation. There are better pure hitters, sure, but Alex is the best when it comes to the total package.

As for post season success and failure - that does not dictate 'greatness' and even if it did, you can't write that chapter until his career is over. Peyton Manning is a perfect example. Great player, undoubtedly one of the best QB's in NFL history, but was viewed, like Alex, as a poor post season performer. One year changed that.

BTW - Jeter, who is fantastic, came up very small in these playoffs. Which weighs even more because, championships aside, this post season should/could have meant more to him because of how it was linked directly to Torre's fate.

Chip,

Reread what I wrote. I said that Jeter was not in the top 50 best of all time, not A-RRod. Also, I addressed that Jeter was also terrible in this years playoffs but has performed very well in past playoffs. Alex has never performed in the playoffs for the Yankees. I hope that A-Rod does finally show me something in the playoffs, but I don't think it is going to happen. In my opinion, if you are regarded as one of the top 5 players of all time, then you should perform like that all the time! Enough said!

Anon, you're still wrong.

Alex has performed in the playoffs for the Yankees. Check out his numbers in 2004 in the ALDS and ALCS.

Let me ask you this: Is Alex Rodriguez the reason Mariano couldn't close out the Red Sox in Game 4 of the ALCS in 2004?

Is Alex Rodriguez the reason the Yankees had to start Kevin Brown in Game 7 of that same series?

Was Alex Rodriguez the reason Randy Johnson's back tightened up against the Angels in 2005?

Was Alex Rodriguez the only Yankee who did not hit in that series?

Was Alex Rodriguez the reason Bubba Crosby and Gary Sheffield crashed in the outfield?

Was Alex Rodriguez the reason Mike Mussina gave up the lead in Game 2 of last year's ALDS?

Was Alex Rodriguez the reason Jaret Wright had to take the mound in an elimination game in that series?

Was Alex Rodriguez the reason CM Wang got hammered this year?

Was Alex Rodriguez the only Yankee who failed to come through against Paul Byrd?

In baseball the only single player who can dictate a game's outcome is the pitcher.

Anon.

You say A-Rod has never come up big in the playoffs? I say you’re completely wrong.

2000: A-Rod batted 0.371 in 35 ABs (his last year in Seattle). Jeter batted 0.317 in 63; Posada 0.204 in 54. So, you’ve got no argument there. And don’t say that the number of at bats is relevant.

2004: A-Rod batted 0.320 in 50 Abs. Jeter batted 0.245 in 49 ABs. Berni batted 0.296 in 54 and Sheff 0.292 in 48. (First year of A-Rod in pinstripes)

Granted his last years have been awful, but he has performed in the past.

"IF" Kazmir becomes available, it will take a "package" of young Yankee players to get him, akin to what the R\Sox gave up to get Beckett. Cashman has shown he has no desire to trade top young Yankee talent, so forget the "pipe dream". Before the Yanks can look at acquiring pitching or offensive players, they need to know where they stand at 3rd Base. It makes no sence to trade valuable "chips", and then realize you could have used those same "chips" to plug either the hole at 3rd or 2nd base (moving Cano to 3rd base). The Yanks also need to trade Giambi. They will have to "eat" a lot of his salary, but he is "clogging" the DH slot, which hamstrings the Yankees currently, and any future moves they might contemplate. The "offensive" free agent the Yanks should "key" on is Rowand. Trading Giambi, and signing Rowand would give the Yanks a lot of options. They could sign Abreu and trade him, this would give them an outfield\DH rotation of Rowand\Melky\Damon\and Matsui. They could sign and keep Abreu, and trade Melky. Atlanta loves Melky, and Escobar would fit nicely at 3B if A-OPT walks. The Braves have a "problem" fitting both Escobar and Kelly Johnson into their current lineup, and have a "hole" in CF. The Yanks would have many, many options to "explore" if they move Giambi. A-OPT has a maximum 10 days after the World Series ends, to declare if he is gonna "opt-out". Speculation is it will take an avg. of $30 million a year to sign him. When you perform in the post season as A-OPT has the last 4 yrs., you don't get a "raise", you get the "door".

I mostly agree with Chip

1. Torre gets 2 years $8 mil total and the understanding that there might be an advisory position in it for him at the end, but no extension.

I can live with this if we can get rid of the older players and relief pitchers he overuses.

2. Gator out, Eiland or Nardi Contreras in. I agree with Ken that Gator is a great guy, but with the young crop the team needs a pitching coach with more experience working with young arms. Let Gator be a roving instructor of some kind.

agree

3. Make a reasonable offer to Alex. But if he opts out move on to plan B and don't look back. The Yankees have too many issues to allow this to drag into January. If plan B is a trade for Cabrera or a contract to Lowell or Crede - get it done at the Winter Meetings in December.

agree unless he goes to the Red Sox

4. Bring back Doug and Molina on 1 year deals

agree

5. Bring back Posada and Rivera if they will accept 2 or 3 year deals - but nothing longer. Cost doesn't matter to me, but don't get stuck with long term deals.

agree

6. Pick up Bobby's contract option then deal him (St. Louis for Anthony Reyes and Chris Duncan?)

agree

7. Deal Igawa, Farnsworth, Moose, and either Giambi or Matsui - won't get much for any of the above, but not getting much from them anyway and Giambi and Matsui are both DH's, but only one can play.

agree - although I would not give Mussina away for nothing - we may need a 6th starter - and would prefer to keep M over G. Also would consider trading Damon for right deal.

8. Let Viz go - go with the kids and see if in the trades above you can get another relief pitcher.

agree

9. If Alex leaves and Abreu is moved, try to sign Andruw Jones. Move Melky to RF, Damon in LF and Jones in CF. Terrific defensive OF and Jones offers some RH pop.

agree

10. Joba in the rotation with Hughes, Andy, Wang, Kennedy.

Agree!

Ant Hill,
Unrealistic, childish rubbish. Kazmir isn't going to be traded. That is just like wishing for Tom Seaver, or Bob Gibson. Ain't gonna happen, unless you play that Fantasy crap.
Now, in the real world:
Eiland should absolutely take over as pitching coach. Leave your sentiment at the door, Eiland has nurtured all of the young arms in the minors successfully:Clippard, Wright,Rasner,DeSalvo, Veras, etc. Some of these guys would not have even smelled the major league roster without his guidance. He is ready to take it to the next level. Mattingly probably will get the nod over Girardi, even though Girardi is what these Yankees need right now (although, Mattingly might be tougher than everyone is assuming). Mazzone would be a good pick-up, but Eiland deserves the chance to continue to work with his young guns. Guidry has to go. Bowa, Pena should stay and we need to find another bullpen coach (Gossage?) since Kerrigan will probably leave. Abreu for 1 year until Tabata is ready. Matsui DH, Damon in left, Melky in center. Giambi traded to Angels for prospects (they will do it). Resign ARod. Pitching is the reason for our 1 and done, not hitting. We need to shut down teams, that is why Joba needs to be in the rotation. We have many options for the bullpen among our young up and comers. This is where you build your pen, not from free agency. Resign Jorge to 3 plus club option, and Mo to 2 plus club option. Molina needs to be resigned as well, in case of injury. Castro is garbage, overrated. Let the Mutts keep their trash. Peterson is also garbage, overrated and a bit loony. Won't get a haircut. Let Willie deal with this misfit. I think the Torre era is done, mainly because of the way he handles pitchers. Yankees know they have some special arms and can not risk the future on a manager who historically has not handled a pitching staff well. Stottlemyre has to be given even more credit then before on the job he did when he was our pitching coach. I, for one, owe him an apology!

The one question I have about Chip's plan is why would the Yankees want Chris Duncan? Isn't he another all hit, no field type of guy? I saw him in right field twice and he was a disaster out there.
Otherwise, the main portion I have to agree on is installing Dave Eiland as the pitching coach. I love Gator, he was a hero when I was a kid, but some people just have a knack for teaching and I hear Eiland has that knack. I'm surprised that the Yankees have this sort of issue considering the fact that they basically employ two pitching coaches- Gator and Joe Kerrigan.

No thanks to Andruw Jones. He's going to cost too much money and a long term deal.

I think Cashman has learned from giving long term deals to these kinds of players.

I'm not Abreu's biggest fan but they will pick up his option and keep him. It's better to sign someone for a one-year deal and see what's on the market next season.

You can bank on it. Cashman will not sign Hunter, Jones, or Rowand (whom I would prefer) to long-term deals.

Moose, Farnsworth, and Giambi are going nowhere. This isn't fantasy baseball where you can just add or drop these guys without consequences.

They make too much money and there is no market for any of them. The Yanks will have to make due and stick it out for one more season until their contracts are off the books.

Well said, Viper.
I do not like Andruw Jones either. He had a terrible year and is getting pretty heavy so I just don't see him as an option for the Yanks. I think Abreu earned the right to come back with a strong second half and I also agree that saying "trade Giambi and Moose" will be easier said than done. I think there may be a market for Farnsworth as people will always look at that velocity and think they can be the team that fixes him (He's baseball's version of Jeff George) but Giambi has a ludicrous contract and Moose is not very productive these days, unless he gets plenty of rest.

How long do you think Eiland actually work with Joba,Hughes and Kennedy?

Hughes actually stayed in Tampa mostly when he was doing the rehab,Joba was promoted to AAA in late July the same as Kennedy, and Joba only stayed in AAA for a few weeks before he was called up.I don't think you can give Eiland credit for all 3 kids' success .

Eiland was Hughes' pitching coach last year in AA too. It wasn't a coincidence he got "fixed" when Dave got called up in early September, after pretty much drowning for month under Guidry's supposed watch.

He worked with Kennedy for pretty much of all of August and September this year.

WHY ARE THEY PUTTING THE BLAME ON JOE TORRE FOR THE YANKEES NOT GOING TO THE WORLD SERIES??? WHY IS IT ALL ON JOE'S SHOULDER'S. I READ THAT DEREK JETER WILL LEAVE IF JOE DOES.