The Aging Lion's Report: Guarantee Yankees 2010 Championship

I'm an older lifelong Yankee guy, heck I even saw (live) Yogi leap into Larson's arms, and watched The Team on B/W TV.  So while still having sight to see and lungs to cheer, lets have another Yankee year.  And a ring, not the watch or pin given out by those other teams in the 20's.  So with the perspectives of:  lets not make too many 'other' people too mad, not expand the payroll too much, still support the weaker financial teams in the league (by tax and attendance), keep all our wonderful , dedicated fans, not destroy the chemistry in the clubhouse (like we did too much in the last decade), and actually get 'better' , not just for 2010, but for ensuring the future,  the following "plans" are offered.

The EASY ONES.  Andy Pettite, A+ a big raise from the 5.5m last year and an option (player & team) for another.  Andy, 2nd year, can be spot starter, saved for the playoffs, and a much needed teacher.  R., Cano.  Can we stop this stuff about trading.  The guy bats 300 + has very good defensive skills, and is under an economical contract.  Yes he seems like he does not care (like in the playoffs), but really a bargain and mainstay.  Swisher, are you kidding me, trade him?  2 years left, a good arm in the playoffs.  Ok, he is a streak hitter and should sit from time to time (as in the Series, good call Joe), so get someone else to spell him (like X. Nady was supposed to do--by the way say goodbye to Nady).

OUTFIELD LEFT.  Johnny Damon has Boras as an agent who wants 4 years (not happening) and not a pay cut.  Damon has lost a step + and has a weak arm,  and well anybody can steal 3rd base if no one is covering the bag.  How about Bay, good in the clubhouse , 28 not 36+ yrs. old, a much bigger power hitter (for #5 behind A-Rod, so no 'pitching around' him), and a definite upgrade defensively.  An everyday player, not like Damon.  The Red Sox offered 60m for 4 years, the Yankees can beat that, still be a bargain, and the Red Sox are giddy about the H&H acquisitions  (Holliday and Halladay).

OUTFIELD CENTER.  Cashman had a talk with the GM of Detroit at the Meetings in November, probably about Ganderson.  He has 2 years left on his contract, is mid 20s, an upgrade with the bat and the glove, and great personality in the clubhouse.  Trade Cabrera, not the most personable, and no bat, keep Gardner for speed and fill in, and add a minor leaguer,  (not Monetero, ranked 24, or Jackson, ranked 37, out of the Top 50 prospects), to the trade.

CATCHER.  A concern, if not a problem.  Jorge Posada (Yankee home grown star like Jeter, Pettite, Cano and over 50% of the roster, certainly not like the revolving turnstile of Boston, take that Sox fans), should only catch about 80 games.  He's 36 and Cervelli can start to play.  Also Montero is young and powerful, but may be too big for catcher 6'4", 230+lbs.  Get guys at spring training and keep looking.  Molina is gone.

DH.  Keep Matsui, his 97 rbis HRs, and timely hitting in the #5 is all there is.  Posada, Damon, Jeter can not provide the big bat for #5 in the lineup.  If the Yankees get Bay for #5 maybe he should be let go, but only then.  Many think Matsui will be cheaper and more valuable than Damon, and great in the clubhouse.

UTILITY.  I like Harriston, economical $s, good clubhouse, he hustles always, some timely hitting, and can play 4 positions.  Get rid of Pena and Guzman, they bobble balls are a bit older, not as fast or as savvy as Gardner (a 300 hitter till hurt in June).  Bring up a minor leaguer to show all of them the Yankees 'develop', and invite many to spring training.

RELIEF PITCHING.  Well goodbye to Albaladej, Bruney (no matter his record), S. Mitre (same as Bruney).  Ok keep Gaudin for long relief, and manager Joe's favorite the old D. Marte (did well in the playoffs).  Robertson, 24 and a 12.98K/9 SO ratio is a future star from the farm system.  P. Coke is 'on again and off again' but real good when 'on', and against left handed batters.  Aceves is way too valuable to release or trade, can be used in a variety of circumstances, and cheap like all these guys above.  Now its Hughes or Joba,  I like Hughes, a potential closer, with Joba to start.  Does not matter, one will be in the bullpen,  and get another quality set-up guy.

STARTING PITCHING.  Well Lackey (a Manager Joe's favorite) will be very expensive (see perspectives at the beginning of article),  is not so young anymore and has a lot of injury problems.  Besides the Angels want to keep him, and they have money too.  How about Wolf?  He's steady, off an injury and has proven himself with an lower tier team.  Very economical for 2 yrs. with option for 3rd, and a very grateful player in the clubhouse.

THE H &H SYNDROME.  Can you imagine if Holliday made that 9th inning blunder (yes worse than an error) in NY that cost the game and series?  His stats are inflated by Colorado thin air, like his 'Boras' pricetag', let Boston have him,. get J. Bay.  Halladay will be a free agent in 2011.  Ok, get a deal that he will restructure his contract in 2010, give up Cabrera and Joba (keep Hughes), and give up even Jackson (who strikes out too often, in the minors).  Boston will offer Buckholtz and a bunch of minor league players.  Keep the Red Sox honest.  Halladay, with a 2.29 era for Toronto, is a great pitcher, in his prime, and a Yankee 'killer', but, concentrate on 2010, not 2011 and beyond.  Yes, think about the 'out' years, but win the second consecutive Championships first, that is what you will be judged by in baseball history).

Well, its time for this aging and aching lion to go back to his den. Thanks for your read, and please lets 'Roar' again by having the Yankees be the best athletically, and the smartest in management.  The Yankees, like it or not, make the wheels of baseball go around, and have since the 1920's, let's make sure they go faster than anyone else.