Yankees transition to nowhere

What a difference a year makes. The 2007 New York Yankees were riddled with injuries, stumbled from the gate and were revived with an influx of youthful enthusiasm. Joba, Duncan, Melky and Cano brought smiles to the face of a morose, rickety roster. Joe Torre calmly rode the wave of fresh talent to a playoff spot. Surf was up on the Yankees future.

The Bombers' Brass did what they do best, outspending their rivals and getting a competitive advantage with their financial clout. Yankee tradition was upheld. The perceived mastermind of the new order was long-time GM Brian Cashman. Set free from the shackles of the infamous Boss, who allegedly forced him to acquire a long list of overrated marquee names, Cash was free to follow his secret plan. The first eight years collecting pay checks as GM didn't count. Cash was king. Slot defying bonuses flew as Brian's philosophy of acquiring high ceiling talent with dubious medical histories took hold. The pitching crop was emphasized, position players could always be traded for.

There was one fly in the ointment, Gentleman Joe Torre, the man with four rings was old news. He couldn't be trusted to develop the new crop. Torre's flaw--bullpen mangling--was emphasized. His strengths-people skills and offensive acumen--taken for granted.

That was than, this is now. The 2008 Yankees were built with a mix of too old and too young. Injuries followed on cue. Parity kept the team on the periphery of the pennant race. Let the stretch drive commence. Problem is that the tightly wrapped new Joe couldn't find the magic wand to override the flaws. The offense a potent six run per game machine under Torre parlayed into a perplexing puzzle. "We need to score more runs,"--(Girardi) became the battle cry. Young players who thrived under Torre--Cano and Cabrera--had the smiles wiped off their faces when their games disintegrated. The self-serving hype that the Bombers' Brass hoisted on the brittle young pitchers proved too much. (IE--Kennedy went from the next Mussina to the next Whitson.) When fortification was needed from the vaunted farm, names like Igawa would circulate. The bountiful crop was barren. Last season's top position prospect Tabata was packaged with the next-big-bullpen-thing Ohlendorf to Pittsburg for veterans. Back to the future.

Joe Torre wasn't perfect but was taken for granted. The bullpen is better; The team is worse. The future isn't bright, it's daunting. Cash is king.

Photo/NY Daily News