Yankees Reward Productive Prospects

September dawns, the MLB rosters expand, help is on the way. Time for the New York Yankees to stock the pine with fresh faces, brimming with high-ceiling talent. The organization's rebuilt farm system gets to strut their stuff.

Joe Girardi mentions that only prospects "earning their way to the big leagues will be called up."--(YES/Paraphrased) This signals a new direction as entitlement based on hyped potential was the former measuring stick. Apparently, the failures of the 2008 season have taught a lesson.

Today's paper reports the list of luminaries who earned their way to the show. "NY plans to call up C Chad Moeller and LHP Phil Coke when rosters expand today."-- (A.P.) Is that all there is? Say it ain't so Joe. A journeyman catcher and one pitcher represent the cream of the productive crop. They must have missed some one, I whip out the recent issue of Baseball America-- International League, Individual Pitching Leaders- A HA --Igawa, Kei (12-5/3.42), file this under be careful what you wish for.

Here's some information on Phil Coke from SWB--"Hard to argue against Coke. With a low-90s fastball and a much-improved slider, the lefty forced the Yankees hand in a season when he was left exposed to the Rule 5 draft and went unselected. Although he's been a starter through most of his career, he may have found his calling out of the bullpen."

The end of the disappointing, actually disastrous, 2008 season comes to a close with a whimper. After witnessing the fruits of the rebuilt farm, ownership is set to travel the beaten path of high-priced free agents in an effort to regain credibility. Back where it all began.

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