The Yankees Continue to Live in the Past
One headline on ESPN.com: “Yankees Strike Again.” Yes, they may have struck out.
A.J. Burnett for $82 million. C.C. Sabathia, apparently reluctant to even play in New York, for $161 million. These two guys to replace Mike Mussina. This, on the heels of an 89-73 season.
Somehow, the logic of the last few World Series champs has failed to take root in the minds of any Steinbrenner or poor Brian Cashman. Speaking of Cashman, will we ever know if this guy is a good general manager, or will we base all of his success on Steinbrenner’s money? Billy Beane achieved greatness through success in difficult circumstances. Cashman and the Yankees organization haven’t had a World Series title in a decade (though Beane has never won even one) despite the vast resources of the organization.
Let’s take a look at the last few World Series winners
2008 – Philadelphia Phillies
2007 – Boston Red Sox
2006 – St. Louis Cardinals
2005 – Chicago White Sox
2004 – Boston Red Sox
2003 – Florida Marlins
Except for the Marlins, perhaps, these teams all what the Yankees lack and can’t necessarily buy through free agency – a young-ish nucleus of homegrown players. The Phillies have Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Cole Hamels and (had) Burrell, among others. Their opponents, the Tampa Bay Rays, had plenty of well-publicized homegrown talent. The Red Sox, of course, had Ellsbury, Pedroia and Youkilis. The Cardinals had Pujols. The White Sox had several players and supplemented through trades. The Red Sox and Marlins thrived more off of free agents. But with the way the free agent market goes, very few teams can afford these high-priced free agents, and especially several of them.
The Yankees have failed to develop a key offensive player in the last several years. Is Robinson Cano anywhere near the new Derek Jeter? No. Was Melky Cabrera, soon to be traded for Mike Cameron, the next Bernie Williams? No. It’s difficult to say that the Yankees’ model is broken, because they consistently finish above .500 even if they flail in the playoffs, but it’s worth considering that Sabathia’s signing met with mostly eye rolls, at least around invested fans who don’t (like the ESPN talking heads) make their money off dramatizing every sports event or non-event. Here’s hoping that Burnett becomes the $16 million version of Carl Pavano.
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