The Yanks' newest plan can't be categorized as subtle: "The Yankees' first, second and third focuses are pitching." After blowing MLB away with an historic 6 year 140 million-dollar deal to CC Sabathia, the Bombers have followed with offers to brittle A.J. Burnett and 35 year-old Derek Lowe. "We can't get to where we want to go without pitching."--(Team architect Brian Cashman.) Put these remarks into the context of last year's plan--a neophyte starting rotation, with no track record--and it's clear Brian has had a revelation.While the Bombers Brass are fixated on the mound, first baseman Albert Pujols wins his second NL MVP, beating out first baseman and former winner Ryan Howard of the World Champion Phillies. There is an elite first baseman with a for sale sign dangling around his neck, Mark Teixiera would provide support to a porous defense and fortification to a floundering offense. It is a matter of fact that the front office has been incapable of filling the festering hole left by Tino's initial departure. Rather than send some love Teixiera's way, ambivalence is in the air. Local press reports suggest that the Yanks can't afford both Sabathia and Teixiera, besides where will Posada go for the next three years? (DH comes to mind.)
Last week the Bombers dealt for Nick Swisher, a potentially productive piece, garnered for a paltry price. The modest transaction has morphed to a blockbuster:"Yankees officials saw Swisher as a cheaper alternative to Teixeira, with considerable power and on-base prowess of his own." A viable alternative for Teixiera was acquired for Betemit and two modest minor leaguers? There is more to the story: " the White Sox were looking less for value than to unload a player they didn't want to deal with any more." It gets worse:"One could make an argument that Swisher, the first-baseman/outfielder for the White Sox in 2008, caused his team more damage than anyone else in the sport. After all, he wasn’t just bad; he was bad a lot."--(Will Leitch/New York.)
The New York Yankees have issues: an evacuated starting rotation, poor defense, anemic bench and regressing offense. The cure is more complex than throwing a mountain of money on the mound. It will take a balanced, coherent, long-term plan. The alternative, "The thought of 365-pound CC Sabathia laboring through a 98° game at Yankee Stadium in 2012 with four more years and $105 million remaining on his contract" is too scary to think about.
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That was the one thigjn I was afraid of when pursuing CC, that they would give him an outrageous contract and be stuck with it after his useful years are done, kind of like the Giambi, Kevin Brown, and Carl Pavano contracts.
If they wouldn't break the bank for Santana, why do it fo Sabathia (a good pitcher but he's not on Johan's level)? I think Burnett is a good pickup at the right price, I don't think Derek Lowe is worth even looking at. The last time they panicked and tried to sign every big name in sight (2005) we ended up with Pavano, Johnson, Jaret Wright, and I think Johnny Damon (not sure). Let's hope they some restraint.
I was going to write about this today, and how they Yanks got into this mess in the first place.
Good post man.
I'm starting to wonder if the Yankees' "three-pronged" approach to CC/Burnett/Lowe is an overreaction to last year when it was all about the kids. What about Hughes? Maybe he needs another year of seasoning in AAA, but why do we need all three FAs?
Jane and Rad use appropriate words like"panic" and "overreaction". Unfortunately, high priced/risk free agency is the only short term fix available. I have a farm report coming tomorrow that sugggests there's reason to panic.
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