One of the most disastrous off season in recent Yankee history will reach its mindboggling conclusion.
The Yankees, in desperate need for pitching depth and starters who can eat innings, are going to enter spring training with a worse rotation than the one they had last year and a pitcher in Bartolo Colon who can evidently eat everything EXCEPT innings.
And who can blame him? He doesn't have a lot to play for. He has his rings, his fortune, his adoration of New York fans and his integrity for actually saying "Yeah, I used the stuff."
And that admission will probably end whatever slim Hall of Fame hopes he had so why not stay home and retire the way Mike Mussina did? Still a good pitcher and not embarrassing himself.
But Cashman and company can not POSSIBLY spin this into a good winter.
With the Yankees you ASSUME your own stars will come back.
Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter returning doesn't make this a positive winter.
And now one of the key parts and links to the championship years are gone.
Pettitte was the middle square on the bingo card for the rotation. You ASSUMED he was going to be there. Add in Cliff Lee and you have CC Sabathia, Pettitte and Lee... BOOM! The A.L. Pennant is won.
Now, the Yankees will have A. J. Burnett as the #3 starter. Ivan Nova at #4. And the "Hey we were good in 2005" bunch for #5.
Plus a bullpen with Rivera, Rafael Soriano (with 2 elbow surgeries in the last few years) and the artist formerly known as Joba Chamberlain.
How the Yankees with their budget and prestige and near lock on a post season berth whiffed so badly in building up their rotation is nothing short of amazing.
And, as Subway Squawker Lisa Swan pointed out, Hal Steinbrenner has offered Brian Cashman a vote of confidence, which must be as reassuring as Michael's kiss of Fredo.
At this point I am not even sure a World Series victory will save Brian Cashman's job.
They don't have the prospects to trade for a big pitcher.
And there is nobody left on the market.
The music stopped and the Yankees are left without a seat.
Not that I am gloating.
How the Yankees with their budget and prestige and near lock on a post season berth whiffed so badly in building up their rotation is nothing short of amazing.
And, as Subway Squawker Lisa Swan pointed out, Hal Steinbrenner has offered Brian Cashman a vote of confidence, which must be as reassuring as Michael's kiss of Fredo.
At this point I am not even sure a World Series victory will save Brian Cashman's job.
They don't have the prospects to trade for a big pitcher.
And there is nobody left on the market.
The music stopped and the Yankees are left without a seat.
Not that I am gloating.
I don't think it's quite fair or accurate to say the Yankees don't have the prospects to trade for a big pitcher.
ReplyDeleteCheck it out, they have 5 of the Top 100 prospects in baseball, according to Frankie Pilieres:
http://itsaboutthemoney.net/archives/2011/02/09/frankie-pilieres-top-100-prospects/
Now the Yankees wouldn't overrate any of their prospects would they?
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