The Yankees' latest plan twists in the wind as the marquee free agents ponder a myriad of options. The Bombers believed their big bucks would form a line of hungry job applicants. Think again. CC, A.J. and the other Derek hold all the cards as the Yanks lack of leverage puts them in a familiar place. Any competent agent would advise their client to put the Yanks on hold and play the field. The Yankees don't have a plan B, it's all or nothing. The front office failures have the richest franchise in sports history all dressed up with no where to go.Yankees' followers are salivating over a possible rotation of: Sabathia, Wang, Burnett/Lowe, Chamberlain and Pettitte. Let's travel to the dark side: Wang--returning from a season lost to injury, Chamberlain-- returning from an injury riddled 100IP 2008 with a limit of 130IP for 2009, Pettitte--a high mileage veteran coming off a poor year, Aceves--a 26 year-old rookie who needs the support of quality defense and whoever. What about the farm? Don't ask.
The Yankees' predicament is no secret, start spreading the news:
- "The Yankees can't really believe they are the same power they once were.."
- "Hal Steinbrenner is now stepping up the pressure."
- "Imagine the horror...That would be the ultimate low blow to the Yankees' self-esteem."
- "Yankees money-whip somebody like this they're always supposed to get their man.
- " desire for a five-year contract has bogged down the Bombers'
- "biggest concern with Burnett is his health history, considering he's landed on the disabled list 10 times in 10 years due to various arm issues.
- "Would it be worth a five-year investment to get, say, 31/2 years of Burnett's excellence?
Perhaps, I'm being too harsh, after all there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Let's dust off one of last year's plans: "More than three years after the Orioles released and terminated the contract of Sidney Ponson after his third arrest in a nine-month span, a grievance arbitrator will finally decide how much money - if any - the organization owes the pitcher" Yeah, that's the ticket, a burly Bomber who was popular with his teammates and cost less than Sabathia. Keep hope alive.
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7 comments:
Too harsh, indeed. I predict CC will enjoy his Thanksgiving, spend a little time with LeBron, take another call from Jeter, and accept the Yankees' offer. And once he signs, the Bronx will be the place to be and Teixeira will beg Boras to let him be a Yankee. (O.K. I can dream, can't I?)
Jane, I hope you're right but my crystal ball says CC is a Dodger and Teix. is an Angel.Cali is tough to beat.
Well, then I need to get them on the phone and remind them about the wildfires and mudslides and earthquakes here in SoCal.
I think you're mostly right, but there are other options out there so the Yankees do have some leverage. They can play the three of them off of each other by if they can convince them that they aren't interested in signing all three. That might not work though because it's basically a lie.
Otherwise there are other free agent options that are legit. They're is still Brad Penny, Ben Sheets and others. I mean really, Burnett isn't that much of a higher quality pitcher than Sheets. Jon Garland is another slightly less appealing option.
The Yanks might not nessessarily prefer these guys, but if they start to show an interest in them Burnett or Lowe could panic and show more interest in the bombers.
"Burnett or Lowe could panic and show more interest in the bombers." I think their best option at this point--they laid all their cards on the table early-- is Jane working the phones.
Hey, I thought I was supposed to be the pessimist commentor on this blog lol
This is what I was afraid of, that ever free agent would use the Yankees to get the money they wanted from the team they really wanted to go to. I think CC goes to the Dodgers and Tex goes to Boston. I think Boston is doing it right (my fingers are burning as I type that), they are negotiating behind the scenes while the Yankees have made it clear who they want and how much their willing to pay.
If we are left out in the cold it's going to be a scary season. I still think we have an outside shot at CC, but Tex has shown no interest in joining Team Hal from what I've read.
LOL.
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