Mike Mussina won his 20th game on Sunday. It was the first time in his career he got 20 wins. Most of us had him penciled in for about 10-12 wins this year, so you've got to give the man tons of credit for making adjustments and continuing to battle. Congrats to Moose. Also note this: The Yanks finished the season with 89 wins, about the same number of wins, if not more, than playoff contenders such as the Dodgers, Brewers, White Sox and Twins. In fact, the last Yankee team to win a World Championship, the 2000 team, won only 87 games. Hey, there's no doubt that over the course of the season, the injuries to Wang, Posada, Hughes, A-Rod, Matsui, Damon, ect. could have been the difference in the lousy six games they missed the playoffs by, and the clutch-hitting sucked for most of the year. But the fact is that although 89 wins isn't that bad, this year, the competition in the AL was simply much better, and that's not going to change. There's a lot of work to be done.
6 comments:
The 2000 World Championship team only won 87 games? Interesting.
Maybe all they need is two quality starters and to stay healthy. Maybe the team doesn't need to be totally reshaped.
Who would you keep?
Who would you trade?
What free agents would you target?
I'd let both Mussina and Pettitte walk/retire, though it does look like Pettitte will be back. Michael Kay made a good point a few weeks back - if you bring them both back, then you're really not getting any better. If I had to choose, of the two, I'd opt to bring Mussina back, simply based on the year he had, especially after he figured it all out. He looks like a new pitcher now. Andy also looked like a new pitcher down the stretch..a new and BAD pitcher...
I like a lot of the new guys - Aceves (sp?), Coke, and the apparently improved Hughes. Maybe even IFK will make a rebound (that's Ian F&*king Kennedy, as me and my buddy call him).
Though I though differently a month ago, I'd keep Cano..the benching seems to have done the trick..and should have been done much sooner.
I'd trade Melky..if you can even get anything for him now. I like Gardner in center and at leadoff..his speed really makes things happen. If he can hit .275, it's a no brainer. Every guy in the lineup doesn't have to hit 30 HRs. I'd also trade IFK...again..if it's even possible after a ZERO win season.
I'd let Abreau and Giambi walk..I like them both, but it just ain't working. Sign Nady for life, put him in right (his real position), Gardner in center, and Damon in left.
For new blood, I'd go after Texiera for first base, AJ Burnett and of course CC, who is poised to sign a contract for about 900 million dollars after the Yanks, Mets and probably Boston get done fighting over him (if he goes to Boston..we are screwed). Of course, in true Yankee fashion, we'll probably get him and he'll either suck or pitch 12 games over 6 injury-riddled years..
Bottom line - some of the problems can be solved from the inside..but not all of them. You need that perfect blend of wisely spent money, GOOD arms, veterans and young blood to make it work.
One thing is for sure - if we have Posada, Wang and Joba for the whole season, we'll be 10 times better off than we were this year.
Plus..LaTroy Hawkins isn't here anymore! :)
Facts:
The 2007 Yankees led the league in runs with 968.
The 2008 Yankees were 7th in the league in runs with 789.
That's down 179 runs!
Yes, the injuries to the pitching staff killed them this year, but so did the offense. They missed the playoffs by six games. Think 179 more runs, spread out over the course of the season, could have also made a difference?
That's more than a run per game. Wow.
People keep talking about how the Yanks need to get more "athletic."
Yeah, they can look old sometimes, but was the '98 team that "athletic" with guys like Tino, O'Neill, Chili Davis, Tim Rains, Scott Brosias and Daryl Strawberry on the roster? They had old slow guys, too, but they HIT.
They need to get more HITS. It's that simple.
Keep Moose. I have a soft spot for crafty veteran righthanders. Don't depend on him to win 20. Sign CC. sign Burnett. Trade Melky and Kennedy for Bedard. Sign CC. and SIGN CC!!! Staff would look like this:
CC
Burnett
Wang
Moose
Bedard
Nice! Plus you have Hughes for spot starts or injury backup. I love Gardner in center. Keep Damon at leadoff, and just let Gardner hit 9th if he works out then you have a leadoff guy for the future. I think we can all agree on Nady.
Texiera would be nice.
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