On the Yankees beat

Time to plan for 2009.

I’ve said this numerous times over the last few months but it bears repeating; it would not be the worst thing in the world for this team to miss the postseason.

The Yankees are the only team in MLB since 2000 not to take a step back and take a breather and really make the necessary changes for the long term benefit of the organization.

Instead, because of the team’s demanding fanbase and owner - they’ve elected to fix their problems with spackle or Bondo instead of tearing down an entire wall and replacing it.

Call it a cliché, but I call it the truth - sometimes you have to take a step back before you can take two steps forward. Just ask Theo and the Red Sox in 2006.

The key to this whole process this offseason has to be Sabathia. They need to sign him and plug him into the rotation because that move will dictate a lot of other impending changes throughout the roster.

Signing Sabathia would make some of their young arms expendable in the minors. They could use those arms to find younger offensive replacements who are more versatile.

I’m not suggesting a wild spending spree because that’s part of the reason why this team is in this mess in the first place. Signing free agents to fill holes is not always the answer.

However, this team cannot go into 2009 with 6-7 players in their everyday lineup who are 34 and up. To do so would be moronic and a sure sign that we’ll see more of the same from this offense next season.

They have to let Abreu walk and Giambi walk. After 2009, they have to let Damon walk and Matsui walk.

By 2010, this team is guaranteed to have three everyday players 35 and up (A-Rod, Jeter, and Posada), so they have to balance out the rest of the lineup with young talent and players much, much closer to their 30th birthday.

MLB has become a young man’s game very quickly and a lot of that has to do with the banishment of greenies. Five years ago, a lot of 35 year olds were playing like they were 30.

Now, 35 year olds are playing like 35 year olds and it really stands out on a day-to-day grind when your lineup is loaded with them.

Cashman didn’t set his sights on rebuilding the farm and promoting from within because it was the hip thing to do. He did it out of necessity.

I’m also one who would favor a Cano deal, although I certainly wouldn’t give him away.

Yes, Cano has huge talent - but I’m afraid we may never see his ceiling. Players who often have so many problems with their everyday focus rarely seem to hit their peak. And if they do hit their peak, it doesn’t last very long.

Just take a look at Jose Reyes for a prime example.

The culture of this team really needs to change for next season. And that change starts with signing Sabathia.

Let's not over-react to a bad season made worse due to untimely injuries... Wang, Jeter, A-Rod, Posada, Matsui, Damon, Bruney, Hughes and Kennedy all injured or not having met expectations.

Everything will be OK in Yankee land... if not this year... certainly next.

DOC

several comments - get ready to pounce...

i'm sure i'll be branded as overreacting, and yet...

1) i agree it's ok to miss the playoffs occasionally, if it is used for growth (like the sox in 2006), and the yanks have been hit hard by injuries. but - how many players improved / showed great potential this year? cano, melky, jeter, posada, a-rod have all regressed. moose & damon have been great - but they are hardly "the future" of the franchise. joba is the greatest upside of the season, the bullpen showed some flashes. the so called "depth" of the farm system has also gone backwards.

2) kevin long - when your entire team can't hit with RISP, strands runners on 3rd like it's going out of style, shows zero understanding of situational hitting, you've gotta ask what's going on. it's not a player slumping, it's all season long all team wide. the yanks have no plan in most of their AB's, no discipline, they look at fat fastballs down the middle and flail at breaking balls off the plate.
we keep forgetting this is a 200 mil. team, there's no excuse for such poor hitting. i would like to see a fresh approach from a new hitting coach.

3) cano - last night's pathetic defense notwithstanding, i think he's great trade bait. he is disinterested on defense, his range to his left is non-existant (sadly even the angels' play-by-play guy, who sees the yanks maybe 6-7 times a year, noticed it). if he gets us matt holliday (packaged with melky and kennedy), i'll be elated!!

In spite of the recent slump, the Yankees really showed a lot of heart this year. Yes their record was augmented by the easy Inter-League schedule ... but they played Tampa and Boston tough.

Guys like Giambi, Mussina and even Farnsworth really played well. Far better than any of us would have predicted. Joba made a nice transition. Pettitte had some pretty good games for a stretch. Mo was great. Molina trys his best and throws well ... Posada wanted to play so bad that when he got hurt he cried ... there is a lot to look upon in a positive way.

That said, the over-long contracts for Posada and Matsui, the signing of Igawa, lack of LHP's, uneven production from Cano and Melky really hurt the team. This is not a US$ 200 million dollar product. There's still a lot of fat to be trimmed.

Clearly we are a few players short. But if you look at the over all talent, there is the possibility the team will contend for years to come. Even discards like Karstens have talent. Nady will be a good addition when Abreu is finally let go.

With Hughes, Wang, Joba, Veras, Edwar and others (Horne, Brackman, Chris Garcia, Melancon) the team should improve next year.

We should think about moving Jeter to 2B. His throws to first base lack zip and he is losing range. We can't live in the past. For the good of the team he should consider moving to a new position.

On another note, didn't Tampa draft Josh Hamilton with the first over all pick? Imagine if he had worked out for them and was still on that team?

In the end we are saddled with more than a few of Cashman's horrible moves (Marte has a 9 ERA, has blown several games, then Igawa over Lilly, Pavano instead of Beckett, no LHP's in the minors, bad defense at 1B) and horrendous contracts for brittle vets. (Matsui, Posada, Damon). In spite of that, the Yanks did pretty well this year.

And aside from A-Rod and Madonna (imagine how hard it will be for A-Rod's daugther to grow up and have to find out about all of this), the team did not do anything wrong OFF the field this season.

And that was also refreshing.

It was a decent year. In a way, better than last year. At least now the youth craze with guys like Robertson and others is in full swing.

Last time I looked Cano is a .304 lifetime hitter .You don't trade a 25 yr old because he hit a couple of bumps in the road.If you add 10 seeing eye base hits to his miserable April Cano's ave. would be up around .290 and everyone would be talking about how great a hitter Cano is.His numbers match up favorably to Jeter's who in MHO hasn't been that much better in the field or at the plate.

NY has been overwhelmed by to many injuries,lack of clutch hitting and pitching.Starting pitching has plagued NY since 2003.

It may be time to admit that Jeter is in a slow decline.

Nady could end up as the 1B next year if NY doesn't sign Tex.

I'm on the fence about Abreu.He's got at least 2 more productive yrs left maybe sign him to a 2 yr 24 mil contract ?

Good Morning all....or should I say good night. The party is over. It is time to look to next year and hope that Kennedy and Hughes actually pitch to their so called potential. Also we need to sign some gritty, get it done free agents (I don't know who that would be. I'll just let Chip deal with that one LOL). I know we have lost half of our team, but if the other 2/3 of the trifecta actually pitched to their potential we wouldn't be in this mess. Alright so Chip who is out there that is a gritty, get it done player that we can get for next season? On another note, everybody has bashed Mariano on non save opportunities (and he deserves it), but yesterday’s hit was a weak ground ball through the right side that either Betimit or Cano should have had. If you watch the replay, Cano actually stopped when he thought Betimit was going to get it. This guy has to go just for plays like that alone. He has to be some good trade bait. Please Chip let us know who is available and who you think will be a great fit with the Yanks. All I want is young, talented and gritty players.......is that too much to ask for? Haha

Just look at the Angels in total, their makeup is one that can play in any stadium in either league. This bodes well for WS play and the playoffs. They are not a one specific team for one one specifc stadium, just look at the Yankees. This has got to go. The aged players must go, Giambi on the fence with Abreu but nothing more than two years. The pitching was a disaster bring up young kids, expose and learn about their makeup for pitching.

Cano is a flaming issue and problem. He is not the total package. Physically he can play this game. Mentally, he's brain dead. He and Melky suffer from the same disease brain dead on the field. I suggest a concerted effort if one has not be tried. Of getting on him to play smarter or suggest constand education on the game. He should have gotten to that roller in the hole. He doged it. I'd be happy with a Brian Roberts on second base, speed,fielding and a pitcher from the O's but interdivision trades don't happen.

A couple of thoughts:

1. Whether the Yankees make or miss the playoffs expect this team to get a serious facelift. I said it a week ago I think, with the new stadium the Yankees won't have to worry about fans not showing up, but with the new park and the raised ticket prices fans are going to be screaming if the team is coming off a non-playoff year. The Yankees, from a PR standpoint if nothing else, will have to make tangible, big moves, to show the fans that better days lay ahead. It's fine for some of us if Cashman says "there's a long term plan" but the bottom line is that won't fly with the majority of the fans or the media - or Hank. I think if the Yankees miss the playoffs you can expect him to spend like a drunken sailor on shore leave. Don't be shocked if that includes Manny and Sabathia.

2. I like Robbie Cano, but I am getting frustrated by the fact that we only get half a season out of him. Here are a couple of potential trades for him:

Cano to the Dodgers for Clayton Kershaw - this is akin to the Hamilton/Volquez deal - a trade that helps both teams and is an exchange of young players. Torre, Bowa and Mattingly know, and love, Robbie - Jeff Kent is retiring so they'll need a second baseman.

Cano, Melky and Kennedy to Milwaukee for Prince Fielder and Rickie Weekes - Prince has told the Brewers that he has no intention of signing a long term deal out there. The Brewers are also likely losing both Sabathia and Sheets and don't have a great deal of pitching in their system.

3: I'm not a believer in firing the hitting coach - especially not on a veteran laden team. These guys have won MVP's and batting titles, they know how to hit - they just aren't situationally hitting - that's a reflection of the player not the coach.

4: Ruse suggested it a few weeks ago and I'm on board, I would like to see the Yankees pick up Marte's option and also sign Fuentes.

5: If this latest demotion doesn't show Kennedy that he needs to get his ego in check, nothing will. This demotion is not about his performance, it is about his reaction after the game. I'm shocked how fast the stock of Melky, Kennedy, and Tabata dropped this season.

Btw - has anyone noticed that Johnny Damon (.322) leads the league in hitting?

And he took the lead from A-Rod, the guy who is supposedly having a miserable year.

saw that Andy pulled Kennedy aside and explained to him that his attitude after Friday's game was inapprorpiate. Good for him. Problem is that I don't think Kennedy understands he did anything wrong. His comments yesterday upon being sent down were that his intentions were right on, he just phrased it badly. Some guys get it and some guys don't I guess.

In part I think Cashman could be to blame for the ego that Kennedy is showing. Not intentionally, it's just a natural result of last off-season. I mean you're a 23 year old kid who reads in the paper that your GM refuses to trade you for the best pitcher in the game, you're handed a spot in the Yankees rotation 2 years out of college - the natural reaction is for your ego to get inflated. You get lit up in the majors and wind up back in AAA where you dominate and you start thinking, "yeah there's nothing wrong with me, I'm just having some bad luck." I can see where it would be tough for reality to crack through the walls your mind has built up.

This season has been rough but there are a couple of things to consider: The Playoffs are still within reach and the Yankees are within reach of the playoffs without having any luck with injuries or hitting at all with RISP.

Jim A: I like Arod as a player the Yankees need on their team. He can flat out play this game both offensively and defensively. Plus he puts max effort into achieving whether its for the team or himself. It all helps. But, he gets so many opportunities with this club with RISP that aside from his numbers, he is in fact having a down year when you are hitting .239 with RISP. He should hit his average at least with RISP. So, yes he's having a bad year but He plays hard and I like him for his talent and his desire to win. I love to see him get mad and wreck the league for the next two months.

I hope concentrating on quality players who perform such as the Angels do is my goal plus pitching to the N power.

I'd say jeter hasn't been right since Daniel Cabrera plunked him on the wrist earlier in the year. I mean, how many double plays has Jeter hit into this year, especially with no outs or during some sort of small rally.

I was elated when Girardi put Melky on the bench for all 4 games in Tex. Now, he should put Cano on the bench for all 3 games in Minn. Those 2 guys need a major reality check. They act and play like seasoned vets as opposed to guys just getting into the league.

You want the Yankee season in a nut shell? 1st inning, no outs, 2-0....men on 2nd and third. Pop fly. Double play.

Yanks will have the same problems next year. If you let abreu, moose, giambi et al. go, who replaces them?

I saw a Bernie Williams commercial last night, To think we replaced him with Melky still boggles my mind. And not to mention, but Bernie still looked in shape.

Not ready to give up just yet, but I am ready for guys like Christianson and Betemit to get in there more often and make up for other guys lack of heart.

Viper,

Don't lump Jose Reyes in your rants about the Yankee failures. As far as NL rankings, he is 14th in hitting (just fell out of the top 10 over the weekend), 4th in Runs, 1st in Hits, 7th in Doubles, 1st in Triples, 2nd in Steals. He's also got 12 HRs and 50 RBIs and even 49 walks which goes up every season for him. He's also in the top 30 in OBP, SLG, and OPS. So, while he may have had one below average season last year, don't say he peaked already. The guy is 25 years old and only getting better.

I agree with Viper, not making the playoffs wouldn't be the worst thing for The Yanks.

We have been blessed with the post season since 1995 (1994 too if not for the strike), that is an incredible run! Take it from a fan who lived through dismal times in the early 70's, most of the 80's and the early 90's...we have been fortunate.

That said, some humble pie may be exactly what pushes this team into a new and improved era.

Pitching, pitching and pitching...top priority!

Getting younger...second.

Reality checks for some of our heros who aren't able to field their positions anymore and should accept moving to strengthen the defense.

Lastly and possible the most important? A baseball 101 course, as the current team is not fundamentaly(sp?) sound.

For the Yanks to even think about the post season, they'll have to win at least 30 of their last 44 games.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
Yeah, right!!
Oh-for-10 with RISP after they lead the game yesterday. It's the same stinking pattern all year with this team. Giese pitches a good game on Saturday and the pen torches it for him. Pettitte grits one out yesterday and these "all stars" can't get 1 lousy guy in with less than 2 outs. Cano does a brain freeze not going after the ball.
Pitiful.

Cabrera & Ian (I AIN'T NUTTIN) Kennedy) in a trade for Prince Fielder? Gimme a break! Those two have ZERO worth to any other competent GM. (note for Crashman-see Competent")

Gene - and if it was JUST Cabrera and Ian for Fielder you would be right. Seeing as how it's CANO, Cabrera and Ian for Fielder that's a little more reasonable. Especially since Cano is signed for a nice price long term whereas Prince is not.

As for Cashman's competence - I would say getting EXACTLY what the Yankees needed at the trade deadline (RH power, LH reliever, Catcher to replace Jorge) while giving up only Kyle Farnsworth off the ML roster is pretty darn competent.

Spirit has not yet noticed that his posts get deleted. And "less spending in baseball" only has a million fans because Spirit keeps listening to the voices in his head.