Kevin Baker's book is here!

Kevin Baker's book is here!
"... an exemplary sports book..." Kirkus Reviews

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Trying to rebuild and win at the same time: It's looking a lot like 1985

The highway's jammed with broken fans, conjuring last-chance Yankee deals. Joel Sherman has listed 10 pitchers who could be "the next Nathan Eovaldi," as if his uniform is ready to be a Steiner Collectible. Nearly every pitcher will require trading Brett Gardner or Andrew Miller - plus one of our top prospects. The word is out that we will trade anybody, anybody, except the ones we wish we could trade, but nobody will take. Thus, we will rebuild while contending - a tough place to be, especially if the owner won't pry open his fanny pack.

It really looks like 1985, Yogi's managerial deja vu... all over again.

A refresher course: Heading into the winter of '84, we were already three years from having made the post-season, and six from our last ring. Toronto was the reigning superpower, the Mets were ascending, and the Yankees planned to both rebuild and win - (and we would accomplish neither.) In fact, we were in the early stages of the 14-year barf.

On Dec. 4, 1984, we traded prospects to the Cubs for Henry Cotto, an OF claimed to be on the verge of a breakout. (He's now most famous for breaking his ear-hole with a Q-tip.) The next day, we wowed the world by trading five more kids, including Jose Rios, for Rickie Henderson. Two weeks later, we brought in Dale Berra (Yogi was manager; he'd last 16 games), and two days after Christmas, we signed a man whose name still inspires, along with enormous pain, an IT IS HIGH Yankeeography: Ed Whitson. (See upper left) That year, we would finish second, going nowhere.

Today, the Yankee brain trust claims we can trade our way to a 2016 pennant. We won't miss Miller, the best closer in baseball (whose trade would raise a flag to all potential free-agents that the Yankees will show no loyalty to their players), or Gardner, the grittiest player on the roster... and prospects? Bah! We're back to not caring about them, right? The fact is, we were blessed last year in the deals for Didi and Eovaldi. But if you keep trading and trading, the balance sheet has a way of balancing out.

Every other team in baseball goes through a rebuilding process. The Yankees think they are different. Hal "I'm Not Cheap" Steinbrenner says there is no reason why a guy like him should have to shell out $200 million just to win a World Series. He will win it without spending his precious money. He'll outsmart everybody else. Just watch.

It's called hubris, folks. It's how regimes fall, it's how nations collapse, it's how supermodels get fat and it's why the sparrow will outlive us all Sometimes, I guess you have to relive history in order to respect it. Maybe every son must walk his father's lost trail before he really learns anything.

We're three years out of the playoffs, six from a ring, and our Peerless Boiler leader - ("put that money where it belongs, back in your pocket") - says we will win now and rebuild.

The question is, next November, will we be staring into 1986? Because that's when it really gets hairy.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

IF WE TRADE ANDREW MILLER FOR ANY ONE OF THESE GUYS (EXCEPT FOR CARLOS CARRASCO), I AM GOING TO GO BALLISTIC!!!!!

Blind Robin! said...

Anonymous, will we know BALLISTIC when we see it?????

Alphonso said...

Are there any reasoning people in the Yankee administration? All I want is sanity. Stop with the lies.

Here is the chief lie: " We can win and re-tool ( not re-build) at the same time."

El Duque has made the case with his editorial. NO YOU CANNOT ! Those who cannot accept or learn from history, are doomed to repeat it.

Yankee fans will 100% accept a commitment to re-building. Dump old guys and their contracts; play young kids, trade only for prospects. Learn with every game. Okay, so you lose. There are benefits.

Players develop and draft picks accumulate. Games are worth watching. They are fun and exciting.

One day, you wake up and you have a tremendous team and bench.

Depth of talent, and more on the way.

But Cashman and the deadheads in Tampa think, " Yankee fans demand a winner, every year." No we don't. We did when we had won 4 in a row. When we had great, homegrown talent, and unlimited money to spend via George.

But now, we just want a reason to hope.

And the people making these, " politically correct" ( actually, incorrect ) statements as to what we ( Yankee fans ) want are as dumb an approach as Trump and his wall.

Someone, please, say something intelligent, rationale and reasonable.

And more than that; stick to the plan.

ceeja said...

This is defeatism. Do good companies rip themselves up and not compete while they rebuild? No, they do have long term plans and do sometimes sacrifice short term gain for long term results. But, they always compete and improve each year.

I don't want to be the Red Sox, who have somehow convinced their fans it's ok to finish last 2 years in a row. No reason why they can't compete in the short run while planning for the long run.

This means:

1 Got to eat some contracts. No reason why Beltran and Headley and A Rod and Teix have to play every inning or even have to play at all.

2 You've got to be adding a good twenty-something via free agency every year. This year it should be Heyward. He's the best young talent available and you've got to find room for him even if it means trading Gardner.

3 If a guy like Bird comes up from Triple A and posts a .800+ OPS, he plays in the majors next year. Make room for him

4 If guys like Refsnyder and Judge have done all they can to improve in Triple A, you have to promote them and give them a shot. Ref starts at second; and Judge gets a shot by the All Star break if he can perform in Triple A.

5 You've got to overspend on some pitching. Price is still pretty young. don't give him an opt out like Sabathia but make him a decent offer.

Alphonso said...

But you are rationale. The Yankee management ( and ownership ) thinks like this:

1. " We paid all that money for Beltran ( Ellsbury, Tex, McCann, Headley ,etc) and, by damn, we are going to get our money's worth."

2. " Can't get your money"s worth unless those guys are playing. I am not eating any contracts. It would make me look like a fool."

3. " Young players can't be trusted. Do any of them look like Jeter to you? Get me some more guys who were once top draft picks or all stars. Then, the "know it alls" can't criticize our line-up."

4. "Joe is better managing veterans, anyway. Those young guys be better off playing every day in Scranton."

5. " I am not going to spend more than I already am. And when some of those big contracts come off the books, I will make even more money.

6. We already have 6 starters. I hear Adam Warren will be made a starter again. so who needs Price?"

7. " I really like that Hendricks guy."

It isn't so much defeatism ( though I feel that immensely ) as it is, " an unfortunate reality."

Happy Turkey Day

Anonymous said...

Wouldn't mind ballistic, if it would just shut you up. Yanks are in need of an ace. Trade Gardner, add a piece or two, play Heathcott. A deal could be made with the Nats, who would like to deal Strasberg and Storen.

Happy Thanksgiving.......

Anonymous said...

HEY "NO CAPS" Anonymous,.....YOUR AN ASSHOLE IF YOU THINK THE YANKS ARE GOING TO GET STRASBERG IN ANY TRADE (GARDNER OR NOT).....YOU'RE ALSO AN ASSHOLE IF YOU THINK THE YANKS ARE GOING TO PLAY HEATHCOTT REGULARLY......ONCE AGAIN, PAY ATTENTION!!!....OR DON'T POST HERE!!!!!...... OF COURSE WE NEED AN ACE ASSHOLE!!!....PROBLEM IS, I DON'T SEE HOW WE CAN GET ONE, IF WE DON'T BUY A FREE AGENT!!!

Isiyku Abdulahi said...

I really want the world to know about this great man who brought back happiness into my life again after my husband left me and the kids 3 years ago for another women online when i contacted Dr Believe he cast a love spell for me within 48 hours my ex husband start calling me and begging for forgiveness for everything that have happened between us. I was so happy to have my family back together with love again here is the email of Dr Believe via believelovespelltemple@gmail.com a man with the great powers you can also call him or add him on Whats-app: +2348156148821
God bless you
I am very grateful for your help in my marriage.