With all the injuries and under-performers, the New York Yankees had a chance to get in the postseason, yet again. They had a chance to get in that one-game wild card. But, the combination of injuries, key players not achieving what was capable and a tough September schedule, the Yankees fell short.
It was also, teams that weren't expected to have winning seasons, screwed it up for the bombers. One thought the Boston Red Sox would have this type of season, and the Cleveland Indians weren't even suppose to be in this postseason chase. Because of those two teams, the Yankees missed their chance.
No one is going to feel sorry for us Yankee fans. You think Pittsburgh Pirates fans -- who haven't seen October baseball since Kurt Cobain was alive -- are gonna feel sorry for us? Us Yankee fans have to be grateful. The postseason for us is like a holiday -- it's every year.
We're just missing the postseason for one year... Well...we hope..
Joe Girardi: Even his contract is up, like the rest of the big names who are on this team. But I think Girardi is going anywhere.
Other teams who are looking for managers will be interested in Girardi; no question about it. Though, I can't see Girardi going elsewhere. Unless, Girardi feels that the organization is going toward a different direction. And if he does go the opposite direction because he feels the Yankees are changing, that's not a good sign for us Yankee fans.
But again, I'll be shocked if Girardi leaves.
Though, things happen, as we all know. And if Girardi does leave, who would be the next manager of the Yankees? I got two names.
-Second name -- how about Jorge Posada? He's mentioned before that he'd like to manage a MLB team, one day. I think Posada would be perfect. He's a former catcher, part of the core-four championship team and he's tough. Posada would have a presence in that clubhouse, for sure.
If Girardi, Posada could be the Yankees next manager.
Brett Gardner: Is he going? And no, he's not a free agent, but the Yankees might be looking into exploring a bevy of trade proposals this offseason.Gardner had a pretty good season. Though his season stopped in early September, due to an oblique strain.
Teams would love to have Gardner as their center fielder. Maybe a team like the Philadelphia Phillies would like to acquire him to free up one of those big priced starting pitchers.
Re-Sign Granderson?: If Curtis Granderson is getting 4-year deals, he's not coming back to the Bronx. I don't think the Yankees are going 4-years to bring back Granderson. If B.J Upton got 5-years, $75 million....what you think Granderson is worth? Whose always healthy and hits 35-40 homers a year. Now, Upton is younger than Granderson, but Granderson is better than Upton.
You can find offense anywhere, at anytime. Pitching is tough to find. And if they don't want to miss the postseason for the second straight year, they must acquire a front of the rotation pitcher.
The first pitcher that pops in my head for the Yankees, is Cliff Lee. Now, I don't know if Lee would want to come here. He is good friends with Sabathia -- if that counts.
Yankees are gonna have to acquire Lee. I know he'll be making $26 million for two years, and they'll have to eat a big chunk of that contract, but why the hell not? We have Vernon Wells making a ton of millions and not hitting homeruns for four months. Also, Andy Pettitte, Hiroki Kuroda, Mariano Rivera are all coming off the books. Kuroda may or may not return.
If they acquire Lee, with Sabathia on the side, you can fill the rotation with prospects behind the two. It won't matter. Even though, the Yankees could have Ivan Nova and Michael Pineda behind those two in the rotation.
GM Brian Cashman and the Steinbrenners need to acquire Lee; if he's available.
Tim Lincecum: He's a pitcher that could replace Kuroda. Lincecum can still pitch; no, he doesn't have the high velocity he use to, but he go out there and pitch a big game, still.
A rotation of Sabathia, Lee and Lincecum can win a World Series.
