| Re: Mariano Rivera to test Free Agency
Well...I'm not so sure blowing everything upis really that great an idea, here are a few reasons why:
First off, Bobby Abreu: Abreu is exactly the type of player the Yankees want/need. He takes a million pitches (helping wear down starters and get to most teams weak point: middle relief), he gets on base a ton in front of A-Rod, Matsui and Posada (as evidenced by his 123 runs scored this year), he can bunt if you absolutely need it, he still has pretty good speed (25 SBs, second on the team), he can still hit a handful of homeruns, and he's got a great arm in right field. For a guy who many considered overrated as a member of the Phillies, he's pretty underrated as a member of the Yankees.
After watching Posada play absolutely awfully in the ALDS (2-15...and he should have been able to block at least one of Joba's wild pitches in Game 2), I'm inclined to say "Fuck him, let him go", but catcher is a pretty shallow position, and the Yankees donthave a ready replacement. It's not like when Girardi was catcher and Posada was waiting in the wings. There is literally no replacement for Posada available, unless Molina becomes the full-time catcher. Still, I suspect the Yankees will give him a contract thats a few years too long, and they will regret it in like 2009 or 2010. I dont really know what to think about Posada...he's a 35-year old catcher, after all
Also, I understand that you can get a lot of good players with 30 mill a year, but if you're a team that basically has no budget, who cares? Plus, if there is anybody who deserves it, it's A-Rod. Let's not forget, without A-Rod this year, the Yankees would have been about an 85-win team.
Pettitte has a player option for like a billion dollars, so he'll still be there next year, but he's still effective. Dont know what they'll do after that. He'll be 36 at that time.
Rivera is still a very very good pitcher. Have to resign him for at least one more contract.
Clemens is gone.
After next year, Mussina, Giambi, and Farnsworth are gone. I would also assume Mientkiewicz won't be around past the end of his contract either.
So, basically, yeah...they're gonna start over with all the young guys and Jeter, Rivera, maybe Posada, maybe A-Rod, maybe Pettitte (but probably not)
Wang, Chamberlain, Hughes, Kennedy. Those 4 will anchor the rotation for a long time... |