Lets face it. This season went down the drain when the explosion of injuries started. At one point there was such a ridiculous amount of offense missing from the lineup it's a miracle they were playing as well as they were. I can't get on the organization for what started with Tex going down while getting ready of the classic. Actually, it started with Jeter breaking his ankle in the ALCS and swept right through this season. The biggest indictment of Cashman and this organization is the lack of a farm system and the fact that they have ZERO players ready to come up and make any kind of contribution. This is why several times they basically grabbed sub .200 hitters off the waiver wire. The only legit guy they have Sanchez is 20 years old and still needs at least two years in the minors before he's ready for MLB action. How is that possible? I understand they have been in the playoffs for years and draft low. That's no excuse with the resources this organization has at its disposal. They should be at the forefront in scouting and player development. This is why their $189 million number while fielding a competitive team is such a joke. Where are the young cost efficient yet effective on the field players coming from? You can let Granderson go but who are you signing to replace his usual production? They're still going to have to resign Cano, remedy the catcher situation, see what happens on the 30th with Arod as it relates to next season and decide on Granderson or who is going to replace him. We aren't even talking about the pitching situation where they're clearly going to need arms. The bottom line is that you could take this organization and their mandates more seriously if there was someone in their system to be excited about. The managing of this farm system has been a complete disgrace and for that Cashman and whomever he has working with him (scouts, assistants, etc) need to be fired. Bring in somebody committed not only to putting a winning product on the field but with an eye to the future. Look at the Dodgers. They spend the cash now and have exciting young players to boot.
So show us the team getting good production from the farm with rookies at 3-4 positions on the field in the same year? The bottom line is the Yankees are guilty for not infusing young players every season, and allowing them to stink for a while until they learn, but fans are just as guilty as they are, we see it time and again how this guy is a bust after 50 AB's or 20 IP, so until I see a fan come on the boards and say give him time after an entire season of stinking, I'll say the fans are no better than the team with this issue, they want nothing less than 10 Mike Trouts and that's a fact.
But those other teams aren't telling their fans with a straight face that they're looking to get to a certain payroll total and still win. I'm all for not spending ridiculously but this team put themselves in the spot they're in salary wise. Without young players who can positively contribute while making a low salary the Yankees can't possibly do what they're telling us. Granted they can't come out and tell us what the reality which is they need to get out from under these high low performing contracts. At the same time the team might be facing a couple of tough years.
Excuses, Rusty. The yankee farm system is a disaster. And its not because the fans are impatient. The talent they have is either a bust, hurt, or improperly developed. Their drafts have been suspect. They are not producing out of the farm. And yes, on top of that they normally give no one a real chance. But we saw several get them this year and they all sucked. Find me ONE fan, who would rather the yankees sign more of these 35 year old hacks like Youk, Hafner, Overbay etc etc vs seeing youth come up from the farm. You wont find any. But of course if the guys they call up end up like Nunez or Hughes, people wont be happy. Instead of pointing fingers at the fan base, point them where it counts. Ownership, The GM and his failed player development program.
I'm choosing to get on Cashman about letting this team go into the season with Cervelli/Stewart as the tandem behind the plate. The winner in this season is Cervelli because we ended up clamoring for him after being forced to watch Stewart bat his weight and pass balls.
this doesnt make sense the yankees dont base decisions on what a fan thinks. the minor league players arent coming up because they arent good.
And guys it's because of poor recruiting & a bad farm system that I say, don't be surprised if these intellects resign Kuroda, Pettitte or both. Remember..............you heard it here first.
Kuroda will retire or go back to Japan. If Andy wants to return I'm sure the Yankees will give him another year.
Baseball has changed, Free Agency is no longer the quick fix. If you don't have a farm system producing in the future, you will be a bad baseball team with a high payroll. It no longer works
The Mike Zagurskis, Ben Franciscos, Reid Brigniacs, Luis Cruz, Chris Stewars, Lyle Overbays, Travis Hafners, etc. of the world will always be able to extend their careers as long the Yankees minor league system continues to flounder. With Cashman as GM - the New York Yankees have become the New York Retreads.
