Wednesday, October 31, 2007

The Yankees 2007 Offseason


Since the start of the World Series the Yankees have been begun the re transformation process so that they can get out of the this funk that they are in the past 5 seasons. Most teams would give anything to be in the kind of funk that the Yanks are in but these are the wealthy New York Yankees that winning now is the only thing that matters. This is the first season that I have witnessed from the Yankees since their championship of 1996, a combination of experienced players and youth. The Yankees have brought up a some new young components to the major league roster that all could bring a title back to the city of New York. My father who is an avid reader of Baseball America says that the New York organization are flourishing talent in the minor leagues that are ready to make an impact at the professional level. With that being said the Yankees decided to let their long time manager, Joe Torre, go with a new type of style waiting in the horizon. That new style's name is Joe Girardi, in my opinion a perfect new addition with a style that is going to shake around the egos that are in the clubhouse. Though Girardi doesn't have much experience, that is usually key to manage a clubhouse with as many high priced players, he brings an intensity that might be good for especially the young players in the locker room. It'll be interesting to see how he gets along with the media during the season, but I am pretty sure that we will see a guy that won't shy away from questions...something that might irritate "the boss".

Scott Boras made an announcement during game 4 of the World Series that Alex Rodriguez, the probable American League MVP..again, will opt out of his contract with the Yankees and look elsewhere for work. This brought the boss' son, Hank Steinbrenner, so say that he doesn't want to resign someone that doesn't want to be a Yankee. So with this, the New York organization decided that they will not pursue the soon to be even richer A-Rod. This brought a chuckle to me, I really find it hard to believe that the Yankees will let Rodriguez go that easily. If you really think that I believe the Yankees are not and will not pursue this guy your out of your mind. The only way I can see this is if the Yanks swipe Mike Lowell from the Red Sox because Lowell is going to want a long-term deal, and who better to give it then the Yankees. Lowell who started his career in the minors with the Yankees will probably be asking for a 5 year contract something that the Red Sox might not go for and offer him a 3 year deal. If that happens, something that happened before with a man named Damon, I think that the Yankees will steal the World Series MVP and give the man what he wants.

With Torre out of the picture after making it to the postseason in every year of his career as a Yankee manager the outlook of the others free agent players to return doesn't look good. Among them are Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, Roger Clemens, and the return of Andy Petitte who is talking retirement since the departure of their coach. When it comes down to it, Girardi was a former teammate and money ultimately talks in my book. I really believe that Clemens and Pettite will be gone, but I am sure that captain Derek Jeter will talk some sense into the other two Hall of Fame candidates. The Yanks are going to have to face some hard decisions with what they are going to do with Johnny Damon with the emergence of Melky Cabrera in center field. I really don't think this is that hard of a decision though, Cabrera plays...Damon sits. The starting pitching is going to need some work this off-season as well. Mike Mussina is done, so either it's time to bring up some of the young new talent in waiting or go out and get someone. My guess is that they'll do the latter but it'll be hard since there are not as many free agent pitchers are on the market this season that the Yankees are going to take a liking to.

With all this being said, the New York Yankees have started this very important off-season with a coaching change and a probable AL MVP opting to go elsewhere. Not a course that most teams would want to go, but change will be good for the Yankees, but keeping some guys around won't be that bad of an idea either. I am sure with the Red Sox already winning two championships this century is keeping the Yankees on edge. But, what they need to do is stay patient and bring in the type of players that brought them success in the past...pitching, role players, and youth. I figured I would blog about this today since the Yankees rumor mill will go on for months and I really won't want to hear about it all the time. So I'll write about it now instead of later, because knowing the Yankees, there will be a change everyday...they better hope so!

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