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Yankees Need Answer for 2008
Things aren’t right in the Bronx. That comes as no surprise. What does, is the lack of offense coming from the Yankees.
The Yankees lost another game and another series. This loss might be cause for some action. The powers that be, Hank Steinbrenner and Brian Cashman might need to find something to boost this ballclub. In recent years the Yanks have made additions to the ballclub when they felt it was necessary. We’ve seen them get guys off the free agent market (Aaron Small, Roger Clemens), make in-season deals (Shawn Chacon,Wilson Betemit ) and we’ve seen them promote within the organization (Chien Ming Wang, Robinson Cano, Melky Cabrera, and Joba Chamberlain).
Each of those moves have proved to be vital in terms of injecting life to a team that lacks the energy a $200 million ballclub should have. Granted, these moves have not led the Yanks to the World Series, but it has led them to the postseason. October baseball is a long way from now but it seems like years away with the way the Yankees have been playing.
12 runs scored in the last 6 games?? Horrid. Losing 8 of 11? Terrible. 20-24? Disappointing. Last place? Embarassing. I think the point was put across. I have said time and time again that the Yanks have been in worse situations (’05 and ‘07) but those were under different situations. Those were under the calm, cool, and collected Joe Torre. Those teams seemed to have an answer for the slow start. This season is under Joe Girardi, a much more emotional guy. Also, the Yanks had to go on incredible runs to make the playoffs in those years. Robinson Cano had a monster second half. Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada had career years last season and ironically both are out now with injuries.
“It doesn’t matter if people are out. You can bring back Ruth, Gehrig and DiMaggio, other guys have to step up. Every team deals with injuries over the course of the year” said Derek Jeter after Sunday night’s 11-2 loss to the Mets.
A-Rod is expected back on Tuesday which will help the offense but he can’t do it alone. The Yanks need to find a way to get things going. Darrell Rasner so far has been a nice addition to the team but he’s only had 2 starts. The bench has been awful, the bullpen has come back to earth after having a nice stretch and the top guys in the roation Wang and Andy Pettitte are expected to win every game they pitch..that’s not possible. Mike Mussina has stepped up nicely recently, let’s hope that continues.
So what excatly is the answer for the 2008 Yankees? I wish I knew. I hope Cashman and his crew have a plan or else it’s going to be a long and ugly summer.
Chacon wasn’t a free agent. He was a mid-season trade.
I stand corrected, i did forget to mention him as an in-season trade.
I think Mr. Cashman will soon be looking for a Job and probably land in Philly. I think putting the weight of a New York type enviornment on Ian Kennedy was a huge mistake if we could have traded him and gotten Santana minus Melky It should have happened. Pitching is a problem but not the problem. Let yankee fans phathom this for a moment………A-Rod was gone and done with the Yankees, maybe we should forget what he does in his private life and appreciate what he brings to this team. Derek Jeter as much as a great ball player he is, unpretected he is useless. With the exception of Matsui the Yankees aren’t hitting with runners in scoring position and in general. We need a strong right handed bat off the bench and for Cleveland to fall out of playoff contention fast so C.C. can sign with us mid-season. Next year should be good…..Bye bye golden thong boy, no more $$$$ for Pavano….and Mussina who has somewhat been a joy to watch these days is gone as well as a few others. MONEY TO SPEND !!!!! C’mon Baby boss buy us a championship already Yankee fans are tired of one round and out !!!!!
Jeter will always prove to useful.
Matsui is as always a strong depenable bat in the lineup…as long as he’s healthy.
The money we have freed up will def give us a shot at Sabathia, who will fit nicely in pinstripes next season and will complement Wang nicely.
A-Rod is always going to produce so Im not worried about him.
Kennedy needs more expirence, thats all.
They will more than likely will make a few moves to improve the ballclub. pitching and the bench are a necessity right now
Derek Jeter is useless if unprotected. Really?
Look I am not Hateing Jeter…..I love the guy !! 340 OB% and 2 home runs 1/4 of the way in…..he’s only stole one base and he’s been caught once. Put the line up back where they have to picth to him because Abreu & A-Rod are lerking and it becomes a different story. Right now they can basically pitch around him and if he does hurt you nobody behind him is producing anyway so it doen’t matter. The Yankees have to focus on fixing this rotation and possibly adding a legitimate first baseman. If I wanted to see minor league players I would go watch the S.I. Yankees for a hell of alot less. Believe me I absolutly love Jeter & the Yankees but …………It’s time to seperate the men from the boys. And one last note is anyone else sick of seeing the Redsux celebrate !!! I guess it’s just me being me !!!
Perhaps you were a little overzealous, but point taken.