Want to talk about the Yankees' likely near-future? Or just want to talk about anything other than Manny Ramirez? You've come to the right place.
As for the Yankees: this year has felt to many YFs like a transition year - one in which young talent would be preserved, cultivated, and given a shot to come up rather than traded for the latest aging superstar in a win-now-at-all-costs maneuver and therefore one in which the October prospects might not be so great. In a gratifying way, the Yankees seem to have held true to this strategy even while making significant mid-season moves that undoubtedly improve their prospects for playing in October, even if only marginally.
It is inarguable that Xavier Nady and Pudge provide better offensive punch than Brett Gardner and Jose Molina while not hurting the team defensively. And Damaso Marte addresses the need for a left-handed reliever while filling (if not improving) the hole left by the departure of Kyle Farnsworth - a guy who Cashman dealt at what is by far the highest-value-point he has reached since he donned pinstripes. Thanks to Girardi's/Eiland's disbursement of the bullpen workload and the results it has produced, the pressure for Marte to step up will be eased by the strong seasons being had by Veras, Ramirez, Robertson, and the expected return of Bruney.
At the same time, the Yankees have not let go of a single talent that seemed likely to be part of the Yankees' plans in the coming 2-3 years. Kennedy and Hughes are still here, Cano is going nowhere, and additional arms like Melancon are on their way up. Tabata had become a disappointment and, even if he is to develop into a major league talent, this would appear at least 3-5 years away at best. Karstens was a nice spot-starter but nothing special. LaTroy was a flat-out disappointment and journeyman in any case. And no one would call Kyle a young talent, despite the fact that Girardi and Eiland had gotten more out of him than he had ever given to the Yankees before.
So why is it only a marginal improvement in the prospect of October-baseball in the Cathedral?
Recent Comments