HOW TO FIX THE YANKS
Gotta go with Joe!
1 BRING BACK JOE TORRE.
It's true, the Yankees haven't won the World Series since 2000, but as numerous players have said, that's on them. Was Torre, a long-ago batting champion, supposed to grab a bat when his team hit a collective .228 in the Division Series? Was he supposed to give pitching coach Ron Guidry the ball as the staff compiled a 5.89 ERA in the playoffs?
Anything can happen once a team gets to October. But you have to make it there to have a chance to win the World Series. Torre's teams have done that, without fail. How many other managers can say the same? That's right, zero. Even Bobby Cox's Braves failed to reach the playoffs the past two seasons.
Nobody is better than Torre at handling the collection of stars the Yankees have, even winning over Alex Rodriguez this season, but up-and-comers such as Melky Cabrera and Shelley Duncan adore him too. He's terrific at dealing with the spotlight in New York as well as the whims of owner George Steinbrenner.
Replacing Torre with Don Mattingly or Joe Girardi is no surefire success, unlike Torre himself. Even general manager Brian Cashman said Tuesday: "Joe's had a tremendous run here as manager. His contract's expiring, and now the discussion is about how best to go forward. His reign so far has been terrific. You'd sign up for it right now if you could find it."
Hello! You already have it. And you can keep it if you bring back Torre. Of all the recent seasons the Yankees haven't won the World Series, this one gives the least cause to change managers. He did a superb job this season in guiding the team to the playoffs after a poor start fueled by a slew of injuries. Bringing him back could help hang on to Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and Andy Pettitte, too. Torre should be given a new contract that allows him to open the new Yankee Stadium in 2009.
2 FIND AN ACE.
Lose the hopes that Chien-Ming Wang might be developing into an ace. Wang is a very good pitcher who has won 38 games the past two seasons. He is not an ace, though. Wang is the biggest reason we're even talking about Torre's job status instead of watching the Yankees play the Red Sox in the ALCS. In 5 2/3 innings, he gave up fully half (12) of the runs the team allowed in the Division Series, with a 19.06 ERA in two starts.
Here are two thoughts on getting an ace: Put Joba Chamberlain in the starting rotation. What he showed in two months in the majors had scouts drooling. Chamberlain, who just turned 22, allowed one earned run in 19 games and 24 innings in relief. He gave up 12 hits and six walks, striking out 34. That's dominance.
The other option: Give up whatever is necessary to get Johan Santana. He'll be a free agent after the 2008 season, so the small-market Twins likely will listen to offers. Then throw enough money at Santana (who's a 28-year-old lefty and a two-time Cy Young winner) to keep him in pinstripes.
3 TRY TO KEEP A-ROD, BUT HAVE A BACKUP PLAN.
Alex Rodriguez is the best player in the game. He had a historic season, with 54 homers and 156 RBIs, and he's 32 with an incredible work ethic. You want that, of course. Offer him a six-year extension at an average annual value of $31 million, making the total commitment $267 million through 2016. That's bigger than his last megadeal, which is sure to be a requirement, and should have him set the career home run record in a Yankees uniform.
But if Scott Boras insists on taking him to free agency and seeks a contract that goes well into Rodriguez's 40s, then say thanks for the past four years. Go get Mike Lowell, an excellent third baseman who, if not in A-Rod's league as a hitter, is at least much cheaper.
4 KEEP MARIANO RIVERA, JORGE POSADA, BOBBY ABREU, JOSE MOLINA, LUIS VIZCAINO AND DOUG MIENTKIEWICZ.
Keeping Molina, Vizcaino and Mientkiewicz is easy and makes sense. All have said they want to be Yankees. Having Molina helped keep Posada fresh. Vizcaino is a solid reliever. Mientkiewicz's defense is stellar.
Abreu was good for 101 RBIs and 123 runs scored in a down year. Pick up the $16-million option and see what he produces in a contract year.
There are no appealing alternatives to Posada on the free-agent market. None. You simply have to keep him. The Tigers are paying Ivan Rodriguez $13 million, so your starting point is above that. Give him a three-year, $45-million contract with a vesting option for a fourth year.
Wrap up Rivera for the final years of his career. Give him a three-year contract worth $36 million to $39 million and keep the best closer in history.
5 LOSE KYLE FARNSWORTH, CARL PAVANO AND ROGER CLEMENS.
Farnsworth and Pavano bring bad karma. Just check the fan reaction when they come on the field (oh, wait, Pavano's never on the field). Don't worry about return trade value; just say sayonara.
Clemens is one of the greatest pitchers in history. But age and injuries have caught up to him. Begin the countdown to his Hall of Fame induction.
GREAT ARTICLE!!!!!!!!!
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