It's All Over
I just watched Joe Torre's postgame press conference and hearing him refer to the Yankees future as "their future" and not "our future" made me sick. Great job by the fans chanting his name in the 8th when he came out and made the pitching change and he deserves better than this ending.
But, this is the way it will end. In the next few days, I fully expect the Yankees to let him go. After that, who knows what happens. Will Posada and Mo want to play in New York without Joe? Will Pettitte stay if he has to play under a new manager? What's going to happen with A-Rod?
All of those quesions are going to be vital to the 2008 Yankees and while we don't know a lot of the answers right now, I think we can all agree on the overall need. This team has to get younger and has to find a way to get players who are on the way up and not the way down joining the organization. Getting rid of Torre and all of the questions with the roster offer uncertainty but also opportunity. Heading into 2008 we know the Yankees have the biggest resources in the game and they finally have some young pitchers who should anchor the rotation going forward. This is a moment for sadness, but it can also be a moment to cement the foundations of the next dynasty. That is what I will address over the next few days, after I am done mourning.
Comments
Tough way to end the season. The Yanks could certainly have hit better, but the real problem was pitching. They got one quality start, and their ace was shelled in two games; can't win a 5 game series with that kind of line.
One could make a bloodlessly calculated and justified decision to move on from Torre. But to fire him in this fashion -- in the worst traditions of Steinbrenner --is shabby and will cost players.
There are some good signs with all the new young pitchers. But a sudden loss of Rivera, Posada, A Rod? You can't survive that kind of bloodletting.
Lets hope they can hold on to A Rod at least; that Wang goes back to being Wang; and that they start developing position players.
Posted by: Corey | October 9, 2007 09:26 AM |
Doesn't this seem to get harder every year?
Its almost as if this series was played in a different dimension. Cleveland played with a fire and swagger that made us look a little old, a little slow and a little overmatched. I doubt I'll watch the ALCS but I'll bet its going to be a good one.
The cold treatment Joe receives may impact the decisions Mariano, Jorge and Andy make. And rightfully so.
It might be too soon to bring this up, but this off-season, I would absolutely love the Yankees to finally address the bullpen. How many years has it been since it was anything but a detriment? Having a solid bullpen would make watching Yankees baseball a much better experience imo.
Posted by: Ian | October 9, 2007 10:03 AM |
Its a shame what GS said about Torre after Game 2. He should have been able to step down with dignity. I don't think Torre for Girardi is going to be detriment to re-signing players.
Posada, Rivera, and Pettitte all played with Girardi. A-rod isn't NOT going to play in NY b/c Joe [I'm batting you 8th] Torre leaves.
As for the starters, Pettitte, Wang, Hughes, Joba, Kennedy, Moose are better options than we've ever had. I do worry about tiring out the young arms by year end but I read an interesting 6 man rotation idea.
Line-up wise, assuming A-rod, Abreu, and Posada come back. We are good defensively and offensively. The only question that raises is where does Giambi, Matsui, Damon fit in the 1B, DH, LF spots. Personally, Damon has proven to be an excellent LF. Giambi is untradable and unplayable at 1B. Matsui is a DH with trade value. IMO, tarding Matsui for bullpen help and prospects is the best move. It allows Betemit & Duncan to platoon at 1B and allows for a VERY good defensive OF.
Ian, as for the pen. Cashman has been trying to fix it for years. We've tried signing the Hammonds, Karsays, Gordons, Farnsworths. Now it seems Cashman has decided to get arms from within. Edwar, Olhendorf don't look too promising but I don't think Linebrink is going to be too helpful either. I think Girardi might be the best improvement we can make to the pen.
Posted by: tim | October 9, 2007 08:11 PM |
Pens vary from year to year. One year a team leads the league in bullpen ERA the next they are 8th. It's a gamble to sign free agent bullpen pitchers. I'd rather see them just keep trying out minor leaguers until they find a good combination. Maybe trade for a guy if they are young and already proven.
Posted by: Tripp | October 10, 2007 07:43 AM |
Tripp, I agree. A complete crap shoot. Look at Gonzalez on Atlanta. TJ'd. Then they get Dotel and he got shut down for the year. Gagne was solid in Texas, couldn't get an out in Boston. It's almost impossible to handicap. The best you can do is throw tons of crap against the wall and hope something sticks.
Posted by: tim | October 11, 2007 05:47 AM |