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Enough with the Yankee-panky

Sporting News, The, Oct 28, 2005 by Ken Rosenthal

Start the drumbeat. Another desperate Yankees offseason is under way, and a dizzying list of free-agent and trade possibilities is making the rounds.

Right fielder Gary Sheffield and catcher Jorge Posada might be dealt. Second baseman Robinson Cano could be bait for Twins center fielder Torii Hunter. Red Sox center fielder Johnny Damon, Orioles closer B.J. Ryan and Padres catcher Ramon Hernandez are among the potential free-agent targets.

So?

The Yankees haven't won the World Series since 2000 and might not win again before 2010, no matter how much money they spend and no matter how many more mercenaries they acquire.

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They're too old, too unathletic and too reliant on unheralded performers such as pitchers Aaron Small and Shawn Chacon.

What the Yankees need is an infusion of young talent, similar to what arrived in the mid-1990s--back in the days before owner George Steinbrenner formed the YES Network and started pursuing television stars first, baseball players second.

But unlike the Braves, who advanced as far as the Yankees this season while blending in an impressive array of youngsters, the Yankees possess neither the patience nor the scouting and development savvy to replenish from within.

Cano and righthander Chien-Ming Wang represent a start. But Cano is half a player, invigorating on offense but indifferent on defense, an Alfonso Soriano without the power. Other than Class AA third baseman Eric Duncan and Class A righthander Philip Hughes, the Yankees' system is short on top prospects.

From a business perspective, the Yankees' star-driven formula is a proven success--this season, for the first time in its storied history, the team drew four million fans. Alas, aging, overpaid stars make for good box office but not good baseball.

The Yankees would be truly dangerous if they used their vast resources in a different way--trading expensive veterans and the majority of their salaries for premium young talent. Let's say New York could send Sheffield to the Blue Jays for righthander Brandon League, Posada to the Diamondbacks for first baseman Conor Jackson and righthander Carl Pavano to the Tigers for center fielder Curtis Granderson. Such deals would make the Yankees a better, more interesting team, and their trading partners would get established veterans at a discount.

Problem is, the Yankees don't think that way. Steinbrenner, 75, isn't interested in building for the future, and many Yankees fans have adopted his mind-set, setting unrealistic expectations and demanding new stars.

Thus, the Yankees have fallen into a trap: By trying to win the World Series every year, they don't win it any year, digging themselves a deeper and deeper hole. They've already committed more than $100 million for '06, and that's not including contracts for left fielder Hideki Matsui and setup man Tom Gordon, potential free agents who must either be signed or replaced.

This is not the profile of a team in a rebuilding mode. And even if the Yankees could get younger by trading say, Sheffield and Posada, they would create other problems. Imagine third baseman Alex Rodriguez hitting in the middle of the lineup without Sheffield to protect him. Imagine a new catcher and a new pitching coach trying to handle a staff in decay.

The Yankees drumbeat is building, only once again it has no rhythm. Cue up the same tired refrain.

Interact with TSN's baseball experts online--check out their weblogs at experts.sportingnews.com.

speed read

Baseball doesn't instant replay; the games already are too long. Umpires get the majority of calls right, and many replays--including the "dropped" third strike in the ALCS--are inconclusive. Even limiting replays to home run calls would be a mistake. Proponents would press for more.

INSIDE DISH

The Padres' Brian Giles could be the Cardinals' next right fielder. Giles, a potential free agent, wants to stay in San Diego, but if no deal can be worked out, the Cardinals likely will be his No. 1 choice. * The Reds, expected to be open to trading LF Adam Dunn, want top young pitching in return. The Astros, Dodgers and Red Sox could be among the suitors, along with two low-revenue clubs that plan to spend more--the Royals and Blue Jays. * Don't be surprised if the Red Sox entertain offers for RHP Matt Clement, with the idea of moving RHP Jonathan Papelbon into their rotation. Clement, 31, will make $9.5 million both in 2006 and '07, but given the shortage of quality free-agent pitchers, teams might find him attractive. * One reason new Padres CEO Sandy Alderson might not be sorry if G.M. Kevin Towers leaves for the Diamondbacks: The Padres have almost $30 million committed next season to four players who should be making far less money--LF Ryan Klesko and RHPs Chan Ho Park, Woody Williams and Brian Lawrence. * Angels Class A SS Brandon Wood hit nine home runs in his first 10 games in the Arizona Fall League, including four in one game. One scout, comparing Wood to a young Travis Fryman, says Wood has the ability to handle shortstop and will hit for enough power to play third base. * Speaking of youngsters with promise, the impressive debut of Astros Class A 3B Koby Clemens could persuade his father, RHP Roger Clemens, to return for at least one more season. Koby, 18, isn't close to the majors, but he could join the Astros in spring training-or as a September call-up-in the next season or two.

Enough with the Yankee-panky

Sporting News, The, Oct 28, 2005 by Ken Rosenthal

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