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Season Wrap Up
The Yankees failed to make the playoffs for the first time since the 90’s due to injuries, age and the less than expected performance out of some of their up and coming pitchers Kennedy and Hughes, not to mention CF Cabrera. They finished in third place just 3 games ahead of the Blue Jays. Need I say more? If Mr. Steinbrenner (as in George Steinbrenner) were in better health, that might have spelled the end of either manger Joe Girardi or GM Brian Cashman if not both! Hal must be more patient than his father. This was not the senario they had for the final season in historic Yankee Stadium, “the House that Ruth Built”.
Holes to Fill
They desperately need a legitimate #1 starter as Wang is no better than a solid #2. They may also be in the market for another non-ace with the retirement of Mussina and the possible departure of Pettitte. Then there’s the CF decision and depending on if they resign Abreu, RF as well. There’s also the backup catcher position with the uncertainty of Posada’s ability to catch moving forward and everyone is looking for stronger bullpens, except for maybe Philly.
Free Agents
The Yankees are looking at eight free agents in Bobby Abreu, RF; Jason Giambi, 1B; Chad Moeller, C; Mike Mussina, SP; Carl Pavano, SP; Andy Pettitte, SP; Sidney Ponson, SP; Ivan Rodriguez, C. So far, SP Mike Mussina has officially retired after his first 20 win season (going out on top). I don’t see them going after C Ivan Rodriguez, SP Sidney Ponson, 1B/DH Jason Giambi nor SP Carl Pavano. They might even pay Pavano to go elsewhere. With the arm problems of Jorge Posada, they might just resign Mussina and I’m sure they’d love to have Pettitte back but recent rumors have said that he may reunite with Joe Torre in LA. That leaves RF Bobby Abreu and if they don’t find a quick replacement, they might bring him back at a lower cost, too.
As usual, the Yankees will try to make a big splash in the free agent market as they go after 1B Mark Teixeira and pitchers CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, but I don’t think they’ll stop there either, not after the dissapointment they had this year.
The Outlook
As the Yankees move into their new Stadium, I forsee the Yankees trying too hard to improve, hence making a forced move or two in an attempt to overcompensate as is their history. It will be hard for them to beat the Sox and the Rays in ’09 with all of the holes they will need to fill in the rotation and if the Jays resign Burnett, they face the possibility of finishing even lower next year. If that happens, heads will roll!
Off Season Moves Made So Far
The addition of 1B/OF Nick Swisher will help as I see his less than average 2008 performance as a bad year that he will easily bounce back from.
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