Bullpen Choices

The Yankees need an upgrade to their bullpen --not because they had bad players or that they performed badly--when they were needed during the regular season --the bullpen came through ok. In some instances, they were dominant for stretches during the season of five to ten games at a pop--problem was always overwork. Proctor in particular was overworked. The Yanks expected Dotel in the second half and he didn't get back in time to help. The plan was a good one- Rivera, Farnsworth, and Dotel would give you a dominant 8th-9th combo with three arms to cover the setup and closer innings. The problem was the 6th and 7th--so many games where the starter was gone or ineffective put the bullpen in the 6th inning of a majority of the games. Brian Bruney came in and really helped so he and Proctor look like the 7th inning guys for next year with Farnsworth and Rivera in the 8th and 9th. That leaves the Yankees wanting for two more solid arms --a lefty and a righty to handle the 6th inning needs- Villone had a few great efforts -he is a possibility- AAA has Henn and Karstens they could get the nod at least to start the season- Dotel could end the whole discussion- resign him and work him in the early innings until the 2nd half and as his arm strength and control return he can move to the back of the Pen as the ultimate 8th inning warrior- like Tom Gordon. I would sign Dotel and stay on plan --it was a very good plan and it could help them have a very good year.

ARod or Not ARod

That is the question on the minds of Yankee fans and it really doesn't matter as much as one might think--oh sure ARod is a fabulous ball player and even his poor seasons are full of highlights and amazing performances--unfortunately for ARod playing in NY means playing in front of some of the most spoiled fans( I am certainly one of them so I know of what I speak) in all of creation--and some of the most savvy. Yankee fans know a big moment and they remember the guys who deliver something at the big moments-- those "refuse to lose" moments-- those "big momentum" moments-- Jeter diving into the stands face first-- Bernie hitting a rbi hit in the late innings to bring us back to within striking range-- Posada turning on a fastball in the World Series- Strawberry's power, Tino's steady play, Rivera, Paul O'Neil.. a long list of clutch players. Arod is different he will amaze you with a 3 homer, 10 rbi game and then drive you mad leaving the runner at first with nobody out late in a game-- if he has a fault to his game-- he doesn't give in to the situation and this violates the team concept that the Yankees use as a rule-- rules are broken and I have seen Jeter and Posada and Bernie swing for thye fences when a ground ball to the right side is needed-- the Yankees pick each other up and work as a team when they play well. If ARod were traded the Yankees would still have a fabulous offense without adding another player--they could promote from the minors or sign a cast off and keep on truckin'-- but with ARod they Yankees give their fans another thought of greatness- the expectation of seeing something truly memorable- 160 rbis, 70 homers, a 4 homer game, a season long exhibition of excellence and hard-nosed play, like Jeter did last year, like Cano can do next year, and like some future unknown young kid from the minors in some future season.

TIGERS ARE A FORCE, FEEL BETTER?

NO- heck NO! Yankee fans feel cheated this season by the Motown Mow Down but they know that they were badly outpitched--there is something else there too-- the meltdown by Detroit against KC--KC beat them five in arow before the playoffs and it cost them a division title --now long forgotten in Detroit- bu-u-u-t in the process the Tigers gained the advantage of zero expectations- a lighter yoke to bear than "George expects his team to win the World Series"--but the radar guns tell a more important tale in the run up to the playoffs the Tiger starters and Zumaya in relief turned into breaking ball pitchers- if you scouted the last 10 Tiger games you saw starters throwing a lot of change ups and breaking balls many of whom left KC bats and found the outfield turf. In the playoffs they turned it around and added 5 mph to the fast pitches and you could throw out those scouting reports- if it had been a horse race they would have been testing saliva- Kenny Rogers at 94-95mph wow he couldn't have done that when he was in his 30's. So the Yanks were caught by surprise but they were beaten by a better pitching staff than they have had for the last four seasons.

It Got Late Early this Season

Yogi must be as shocked as most casual Yankee fans at how their season ended in Detroit--but truth is the Tigers had more talent where it mattered most- STARTING PITCHING AND MIDDLE RELIEF. Joe Torre won four titles with arms like Cone, Pettitte, Wells, Clemens, Rivera, Stanton, Nelson and Mendoza among many others. That was good starting pitching, good middle relief and a great closer. They lost to Arizona with a pretty good pitching staff because Arizona got lucky in a close game 7. They were dominated by Florida in the Series- young arms, upper 90's, and great defense. Jim Leyland has been there before and his teams know how to win. The Tigers are just starting to get some respect from fans and media but the OWNERS NEED TO HAVE THE NATIONAL LEAGUE WIN THE WORLD SERIES because the growing belief that their league is inferior might begin to hurt them at the gate-- Tigers go to the Series but the Mets would be favored to win if they are the opponent. It will depend on the health of the Tiger relievers because they are having some problems now with Zumaya... Yankee fans can look forward to an off season where some big needs get looked at with much more urgency--look for some big efforts to trade for young power arms.