I was extremely tempted to start drafting up my first official Yankees blog post before the six-game losing streak came to an end. I'm glad I did not, for a tendency towards putting a positive twist on the game of baseball is simply easier. Truthfully speaking, the Yankees presently exhibit many negatives, and New Yorkers, albeit naturally arrogant, are beginning to realize that the "three core" (i.e. Jeter, Rivera, Posada) era may be swiftly coming to an end.
Yes, the infamous, history-setting interval is over - the Yankees have not stooped so low in Girardi's 3+ seasons as manager (more on him to come...) - but the problems are not far and few between. Here's an aggravating list:
1) Step up to the plate, it's Pie Time -- When A.J. Burnett can be called the ace of your pitching staff, you've got problems. Not to say he cannot be the ace, but quite the contrary: Who can be the ace? Who will step up to the pitching mound in all his glory? Who's the pitching glue to the team, the one consistent element? It's too hard to tell. Freddy [Garcia] has a 3.22 ERA and a moderate 1.35 WHIP. But Bartolo Colon, the sleeper pick, stands tall with an ERA of 3.74 and a WHIP of 1.25. And I didn't even hint at Nova or Sabathia! I'm confused, I don't know who to pick.
It seems fitting, then, to move on to the next topic of interest. This self-proclaimed argument brings up an A.J.-related decision from last season: fluke or reality? More like 'who cares' to me. He's had his fair share of ups and downs, exemplifying a roller-coaster ride, if you will. As long as he wins 10+ games, that meets my standards. If he can limit his earned runs and keep his WHIP below a 1.5, a number that no respectable pitcher who pitches a full season's worth should be achieving anyway, that is fine too. Stats should not govern our lives, though.
My suggestion for all pitchers: don't force the situation. Stay true to who you are. And for God's sake, make A.J. want to pie you. More wins, more pies. Yet let's leave CC as the highest commander of the fastball, slider/cutter, and changeup for now.
2) My first name is Joe, but my last name is not Torre -- Who am I, then? Joe Girardi, the manager under a very large magnifying lens. All eyes are on him. He has big shoes to fill, so he should get out there and do it. I'm not saying let's institute a one-and-done rule for the New York manager position, but if you can't perform after four seasons/years, four strikes and you're out. Who knows what the performance levels are, but they are greater than zero, and that has to mean something.
Point blank, Joe, obey your instinct, and rile your team up. Maybe get ejected a few times in the coming weeks...
3) Whatcha talkin bout Administration? -- Poor Jorge, under so much scrutiny for ... (pause + sigh) ... absolutely nothing. After all these years (16) to think that he cannot determine his own fate is plain sad. Here's what he should do: let it slide, demote himself to the lower end of the order as he sees fit, and then pull himself from the lineup when he can't move his feet any more. That's the "Yankees way" to do things, as I like to say: be your own leader, and make your own statements in a time of apparently dire need.
Jeter should determine his destiny as well. The Yankees prodigy child is attractive from a media and fan perspective to do any real harm to society. Let him be, let him make his own decisions; he knows best for himself. Beauty meets brains, and, in this case, it's a tie.
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Indeed this first post is excessive, but I felt somewhat obligated to lay my thoughts on the line. When I get in a funk, I really get in a funk. And when I get in a rhythm, there's nothing more pleasing than endlessly typing away at my computer desk.
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