The Yankees disappointed themselves, their fans, and baseball fans in general this year.
In closing Yankee Stadium, the Bombers were closing history, and how nice would it have been to go out of "the House That Ruth Built" with a blast? (It is called a playoff appearance, people.) However, the Yankees succeeded to disappoint, and they will finish the season third in the American League East.
Among other things, the Yankees' offseason buzz was largely caused by the departure of Yankee hero, ex-manager Joe Torre, and the arrival of current manager Joe Girardi. Now, it is unfair to say that Girardi did a bad job, as he was hurt by plenty of injuries and unfocused players, but he did not bring the desired intensity that the Yankees had marketed him for.
And hey, guess what? Joe Torre flew out west into Los Angeles, and alas he got his team to the playoffs. The Dodgers have officially clinched and have been playing solid baseball of late.
For the Yankees not to make a splash this offseason would be disheartening to their fanbase and this scenario likely will not happen. They are almost certainly going to go out and sign a big-name, free-agent hurler (CC Sabathia, Ben Sheets, A.J. Burnett are notable mentions) and will likely make a play for a big bat in the lineup. Mark Teixeira is a possibility there.
If the Yankees go into next season the way they are today, it will be a horrible way to market their new ballpark (not that the team will have any attendance woes). The Yankees should go into next season with a new look, and they should try to give the Yankee fans something to really look forward to in 2009.
Well, what do they need? They need a new look. They need role players—smart signings. If I see any Ian Kennedy action next year, well, let me just say this much...I wont be happy.
I do expect Mike Mussina to be back next year, likely a one or two-year deal. If I am the Yankees, I respectfully decline any of Andy Pettitte's requests to come back...He is done. Obviously, you have Joba Chamberlain thrown in the mix and another big-name pitcher plus Chien-Ming Wang. That would be terrific.
For conversations sake, let's say the Yankees sign the best-possible option: CC Sabathia. If this were to happen, the rotation would likely look like this ideally:
1. CC Sabathia
2. Chien-Ming Wang
3. Joba Chamberlain
4. Mike Mussina
5. Phil Hughes
Wow, huh? That would be up there with one of the best rotations in baseball and four of the five players are in their 20s—Mussina being the exception.
Now for the bullpen. Mariano Rivera obviously stays. Damaso Marte stays. Phil Coke is officially a fixture. Brian Bruney. Jose Veras. And, insert a free-agent lefty here. Edwar Ramirez wont cut it. As Kevin Millar one said..."He's too cute."
Now the offense. I'll go by position.
1. Catcher
Jorge Posada
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3 months ago
The yankees have to trade away both damon and matsui if possible for prospects before they get really useless. Then they can be more flexible. They should move Xavier Nady to his original position in right field. They should maybe sign either Manny ramirez or milton bradley to play left and dh with jorge posada. Then in center fielder use one of thier prospects(melky, austin jackson, and bret gardner). Then they need to sign Mark Texiera for first base he brings the power to the lineup that will be lost with Giambi gone.
Yankees 2009 Roster:
1. Austin Jackson or Bret Gardner
2. Derek Jeter ss
3. Manny Ramirez LF
4. AROD 3B
5. mark texiera 1B
6. xavier nady rf
7. Jorge Posada dh
8. Robinson Cano 2b
9. Jose Molina c
Yankees 2009 Starting Rotation:
1.C.C. Sabathia
2. Wang
3. Joba
4. Mussina (1 or 2 year deal) or aj burnett
5. Ryan dempster or phil hughes
Yankees Bullpen:
Phil Hughes(if not in rotation)
edwar ramirez
damaso marte
JOse Vera
Brian Bruney
Set up man:
Brian Fuentes
Closer:
Mariano Rivera(later fuentes could take over this role)
from 3 months ago
Manny, Teixiera, CC AND Dempster? That's a stretch.
3 months ago
whoever posted in front of me is off his rocker. I'm a Yankee fan and I know that's no way possible.
Texeira is a possibility, but if you get him, you don't get manny. It's one or the other. The Dodgers will likely grab manny as he's been terrific for them. I think the Angels will make a strong push at Tex, and with Sabathia likely being the Yankees #1 target, they could miss out.
The Cubs won't let dempster walk, he's been too great. And Fuentes? C'mon, he struggled this year but Marte could be the best set up guy in the league next year.
As for you, Ethan- Good article. Hopefully Posada can bounce back like you said. Let's hope the push for Tex works. Cano can get traded for all I care, he's lazy with no discipline. Who doesn't love Jeter, but lets face it... he aint what he used to be. I couldn't agree more with A-Rod. Outfield is iffy. Matsui used to be grossly overrated like you said... not sure he still is. I think Damon plays more left than you think. I like the Nady in center idea, but who knows with Girardi. I'd like to see someone other than Abreu, but you're right that he's a solid producer.
As far as your rotation goes... Pettitte done? C'mon! While I think he's likely not coming back because he'll retire, he's by no means done. He's been the stopper the last two years. Anyway, I think Sabathia is in the Bronx unless he decides he likes California more than money. He and Wang is a great 1-2 punch. The Yankees said Joba won't start next year, so you might want to rethink that. I also think Mussina will be back, at a greatly discounted price. I think Hughes is likely to get a spot. But the idiot above me mentioned Burnett, that's a possibility. If not him maybe a name like Garland. I also agree that Coke is a mainstay and we need a free agent lefty.
Nice article.
from 3 months ago
**underrated on Matsui
from 3 months ago
Well first off you have some good points. But if you really think about it the roster i have just posted doesnt have any old yankees coming back except for mussina.
Salaries being dropped:($)
Giambi: 23,000,000( more than enough to get texiera)
Pettitte: 16,000,000
Abreu: 16,000,000
Pudge: 12,000,000
Pavano: 11,000,000
that all equals about 78 million dollars in salaries being dropped. That is enough to get Texiera, Ramirez and Sabathia. Maybe the Dodgers or other teams will go for manny ramirez, sabathia and texiera but i am just saying its a possibility. The Yankees are dropping a lot of payroll, texiera and Ramirez have a reason to come to New York. Sabathia probably wont turn down twenty million dollars a year and the fuentes thing was just something that i heard about and thought would be nice.
3 months ago
this is the most unintellegent and uninformed article i have ever seen... opinions are opinions, but facts are facts.. Bobby Abreu most likely will not be back in 09', Brett Gardner will most likely be starting in Center field. You won't see Hideki Matsui in the outfield.. maybe at first base for a few games... Johnny Damon plays left field, if you haven't watched the Yankees in the last two years you would know this by now.. and i guess you didn't see Phil hughes' last start. Yankees will pick up one FA starter, and MAYBE, just maybe a position Player, but that may be a long shot as the FA position players are a bit slim this year. The best thing you can hope for is for them to trade Robinson Cano (for a good pitcher, or a few good young pitchers) and sign Orlando Hudson. That would make more sense than this fantasy posting.
from 3 months ago
Thanks for the support.
3 months ago
this is my line up.
Batting order
1. Johny Damon CF
2. Derek Jeter SS
3. Vladimir Guerro if he opts out RF
4. A Rod 3B
5. Manny Ramirez DH
6. Mark Teixiera 1B
7. Xavier Nady LF
8. Jorge Posada C
9. Robinson Cano
Starting Rotation
1. CC Sabathia
2. Ben Sheets
3. Cheing Ming Wang
4. Aj Burnett (if he opts out, which he probaly will if he wants to win)
5. Joba Chamberlain
Bullpen
Phil Hughes
Damaso Marte
Edwar Ramirez
Jose Veras
Brian Bruney
Setup man
Mariano Rivera
Closer
K Rod
from 3 months ago
Are you kidding me? I was being a little unrealistic, but this?
3 months ago
WOW is like going off on a lineup where all they need is speed and another power bat in it...
I will have talks with detroit on trading for granderson he would be a boost if taken, I kno is a long shot but the kid could hit,field,and run and in the past few years we have witness how slow the yankees have gotten, they are old and dnt hit in clutch situation, ill go for granderson sign c.c, give manny ramirez a free discount on any baber shop in new yor city.
My lineup for 2009..
1.granderson, cf
2.derek jeter, ss
3.xnady, rf
4.alex rodriguez, 3b
5. Mark tex. 1b
6. Manny ramirez. Lf
7. Posada, c
8. Matsui.dh
9.anyone for second base because robinson cano was traded for granderson. Anyone that could field forget the hitting....
Starting rotation
Cc sabatia
C.wang
M. Mussina
P.huge
andy p.
Bullpen
Closer.. Mariano rivera
Set up man...joba
Middle man. Ramirez
Middle man. Marte
Middle man.. Brain bruny
Long rel...I.kennedy
And in any situation give ither barry bonds or ken griff.. A chance to be part it will be crazy to see one of them play at yankees stadium next year oppz the new yankees stadium
3 months ago
Alberto gonzalez who played some games when derek jeter was out would be a great person to play second base if cano was traded
3 months ago
Here's my projected 09' line up
1B- Hideki Matsui/Jorge Posada/ Juan Miranda OR Mark Tiexiera
2B- Robinson Cano (or Orlando Hudson if Cano is traded)
3B- A-Rod
SS- Jeter
LF- Damon/ Christian/ late season A-Jax
RF- Nady
CF- Gardner
C- Rodriguez/Posada/ Molina
SP- CMW
SP- Pettitte
SP- Hughes
SP- Jon Garland or Ben Sheets
SP- Alfredo Aceves/ Joba
CL- Mo Rivera
SU- Marte
SU- Robertson
MR- Veras
MR- Coke
MR- Ramirez
Joba belongs in the starting rotation, how will he ever get stretched out if he doesn't get the experience. This team doesn't need alot of change, it just needs to stay healthy.
from 3 months ago
minus ramirez + Bruney.. oops i forgot he came back...
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