The scapegoat du jour for the Yankee dry spell in championships is .
And they have been plagued with what seem to be avoidable injuries early this season: mainly hamstrings, calf and back stiffness. But if you listen to disgruntled fans or the New York Post, the past couple seasons had to be Randy Johnson's or A-Rod's fault. The reality that New Yorkers don't want to face is that the culprit still wears pinstripes - or $2,000 suits.
When King George looks down from his throne, he sees the highest payroll in baseball every season, and a team of all-stars. With the purse wide open every season, marquee players signed every winter, and blockbuster trades made every July, why don't these guys get fitted for new rings every October? In my mind it comes down to one of two things: either they are hiring the wrong talent, or the players aren't being managed properly.
Meaning, Brian Cashman or Joe Torre is accountable for the drought.
In the six seasons since the last Yankee championship - an eternity in Yankee time - there are several player moves that can easily be called into question. Going back to '02, the Ted Lilly for Jeff Weaver deal and the attempt to replace Scott Brossius with the likes of Ron Coomer and Robin "I got my butt kicked by Nolan Ryan" Ventura stick out as poor decisions.
In 2003 and 2004, names like Jon Lieber, Kevin Brown, Kenny Lofton and Esteban Loaiza came and went with little positive impact to the club. Perhaps the most negligent moves came in the panic resulting from seeing arch-rival Boston steal the ALCS and go on to win the whole thing in 2004.
In December of '04, the Yankees acquired Carl Pavano and Jared Wright, arguably two of the worst signings in recent memory.
Both starters are notoriously injury-prone, and unproven in the "big game." Hideo Nomo joined in 2005 as did Al Leiter, Octavio Dotel and Mike Myers. Myers was brought in exclusively to mitigate the threat David Ortiz posed in the late innings.
Ortiz homered in his first at-bat off Myers. 2006 saw the washed-up Scott Erickson become a Yankee as well as seeing Shawn Chacon traded for Craig Wilson. Pretty tough to defend any of these moves, particularly Wright and Pavano.
On the other hand, it was rumored that if the Red Sox swept the Yankees in their second April series last weekend, Joe Torre would likely be fired. The Yankees avoided the sweep and Torre remains in the dugout. But should he?
The on-field decisions made in recent years, most notably in his use of the bullpen, bear scrutiny. Torre has a reputation - that continues to this year - for overworking bullpen arms. This season has been a glaring example.
The Yankees have played 24 games, take a look at the bullpen appearances:
Viscaino - 16
Proctor - 15
Myers - 15
Bruney - 14
Henn - 12
Farnsworth - 10
Rivera - 9
Hardly a recipe for long-term success. Is Torre doing this out of necessity, or just making poor decisions
Fanhouse Nation, I rest my case and leave the verdict in your capable hands. Who is to blame for the lack of a 27th ring - Cashman or Torre?
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
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2. A vote for the players is a vote for (or is that "against"?) Cashman, in my book.
And I say Cashman, as well.
3. $200 mil + Cashman = No Starting Pitching?
4. Good Afternoon!,
The Yanks became 'cursed' when they traded Alfonso Soriano which was only deepened when they refused to convince Stottlemyre, the pitching coach.
I
6. Signing Mussina after he blew the lead against Detroit in the playoffs last year said it all, he didn't even catch any heat except from Michael Kay on the radio.
7.
Signing Mussina after he blew the lead against Detroit in the playoffs last year said it all, he didn't even catch any heat except from Michael Kay on the radio.
8. cashman got no balls big george say s jump he jumps he afraid of his own shadow george needs to get back into it big has been out of the mix on free agents and trades because of his health we need to get rid of cashman now not torre
9.
How can you win games with some old, overpriced pitchers who right now who can't seem to pitch more than 3 or 4 innings without pulling, tearing and over stretching something and going on the DL. The young pitchers..
.ovayyyyyy..
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don't they drink their milk like all good boys are supposed to do and their bones stay strong? LOL. Bad beginning for Joe and Cashman.
Cashman put this team together...
shouldn't he get more of the blame? The relief pitchers got worked so much because of the starters. That isn't Joes' fault.
Other teams have similar starts and no one is talking about firing those managers. It is because this is New York and the salary issue? Joe doesan't sign those pay checks.
Most of the guys with the really high paychecks are Steinbrenners fault! Let Joe bow out gracefully at the end of the season..
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POST SEASON. After the Yanks stage the greatest comeback in baseball lore and legends and WIN the World Series! LETS GO YANKEES !
!!!
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