I was referring to Yankees players to Rays players. Alex Rodriguez vs. Evan Longoria Derek Jeter vs. Jason Bartlett or whoever the Rays SS is CC Sabathia vs Scott Kazmir Etc. Etc. But I will address your statement anyway... They just haven't been getting it done in the playoffs. Plain and simple. It's only been 8 years since they have won a World Series championship. It's not the end of the world. They have still made it to the WS twice. And a prime example in the 2003 World Series. Marlins, a team no one really expected to be as good as they were, make the World Series and beat the Yankees. Next year, they don't even make the playoffs.
Match up players all you want, balls. When it comes to baseball, comparing every single player and matching them up to other players only matters when you match up pitcher v pitcher.
One thing that could really play a role next year for the Yankees is injuries and lack of depth. When you build a team with older players they tend to get hurt more than the younger players because younger players can bounce back faster. Derek Jeter, Arod, Jorge Posada, Matsui, Damon are all getting up there in age and if one or two of them misses significant time next year, the yankees could end up having a sub par year (like the tigers last year but still make the playoffs). The yankees just dont have the depth if one of the star players goes down because they really have neglected their farm system and have had very subpar drafts. They thought Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy were the cream of the crop of the farm system and they struggled mightly in their rookie campagins. The Rays have too many pitchers, and a few good position players that can play in the mlb, and the Red Soxs have a good all around farm system but still doesnt have the superstars like the Rays (Price and Beckham) because they havent had high draft picks.
I actually think the Yankees have gotten significantly better with their spending spree this offseason. By bringing in Teix, they boosted an offense that was ranked 10th in the AL in runs scored last year. They also got some protection for ARod in the lineup, something they were lacking last year. The CC and AJ acquisitions might have given them the best rotation in baseball too. They have 3 very, very good pitchers at the top of their lineup now, plus there is still the potential of bringing back Pettitte, and then you'd have Joba at the end of the rotation. That's a damn good rotation if you ask me. Plus, a good point was brought up earlier. The Yanks struggled with injuries all last year. Posada missed time, Matsui missed time, Wang missed over half the season....that's not something that's going to happen on a yearly basis. Despite the age of some of their players, I can't imagine the Yankees having that many injury issues again this year. If they stay healthy, they could easily be the team to beat in the AL East. They've alread improved their offense and pitching this offseason, and they may not even be done spending.
because the draft is so reliable GM's estimated that 30% of top round picks are able to crack a ML lineup which doesn't mean he will play or play good, the draft is a crapshoot plain and simple and you can't tell me Beckham is the next great SS
MLB.com said after his first minor league season about Beckham who is rated the 22nd best prospect in the MLB: "A premium player at a premium position; an All-Star shortstop for a long time" http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/minorleagues/prospects/y2009/profile.jsp?t=p_top&pid=542921 8/10 last first overall picks (from 98-07) are making big contributions in the MLB, and Bullington may still have a good year with the Blue Jays this year. The 2006 Draft top 10 1. Luke Hochevar- struggled in his first MLB season going 6-12 but will improve 2. Greg Reynolds- struggled in his first MLB season but still started 13 games 3. Evan Longoria- Rookie of the year, .272 27 HRs 85 RBIs, great defense and another 6 HRs in the postseason 4. Brad Lincoln- 5-5 4.65 A ball 5. Brandon Morrow- likely closer for Seattle, 3-4 3.34 ERA from the bullpen 10.5 K/9 6. Andrew Miller- Moving to the rotation next year, lots of potential 11-16 5.80 ERA 7. Clayton Kershaw- future #1 or #2 of the dodgers, 5-5 4.26 ERA 8. Robert Stubbs- .785 OPS in A ball, .421 slugging 9. William Rowell- 20 years old .683 OPS in A ball 10. Tim Lincecum- NL Cy Young 2005 draft top 10 1. Justin Upton- Future star, .250 15 HRs 42 RBIs last season 2. Alex Gordon- starting 3B, .253 avg 31 HR 119 RBIs in two years 3. Jeffery Clement- Seattles starting catcher next season hitting a career .237 4. Ryan Zimmerman- 58 HRs 258 RBI 5. Ryan Braun- 2 season 71 HRs 203 RBIs 6. Ricardo Romero- on 40 man roster and likely call up in the middle of the year 7. Clayton Kershaw- future ace of the dodgers 8. Wade Townsend- has been hurt the past two seasons 9. Mike Pelfrey- 13-11 3.72 ERA last year 10. Cameron Maybin- Hit .500 last year in 32 ABs, 4 SB in 8 games Honorable mention: 12. Jay Bruce- .254 21 HRs 54 RBIs in 108 Games You couldnt go wrong with anyone (except Townsend due to injuries) from the 2005 draft and the 2006 draft is starting to produce some really good players with some players too young for the MLB and developing. Brad Lincoln is likely a bust though, but 7/10 already in the MLB, one young prospect, one guy is borderline and one bust. A little better than 30% for the top of the draft.
That is why they splashed for Tex. The best FA next year will be Matt Holiday. They learned when they passed up Beltran, whom was willing to take a year less, and less money over his contract... only to have to sign Damon the following year. -Petey
We were only talking about the top picks in the draft, that is why i only posted the top 10 of the 06 and 05 drafts. I was saying that the Rays farm system has potential superstars like Price and Beckham because they have drafted high in the past, the Red Soxs have a lot of good players but no one amazing coming up soon because they were at the end of the draft. Rays top first round picks were Josh Hamilton, BJ Upton, Delmon Young, Evan Longoria, Tim Beckham, David Price, Rocco Baldelli, Jeff Niemann (playing in the majors next year), Wade Townsend (8th overall twice by the Rays and Orioles, injured so maybe a bust), and Dewon brazelton (bust).
