Tom Verducci, at SI.com, has a feature running on the high flyin’ Tampa Bay Rays – it’s entitled “The Bizarro Supermen.” Now, I’m all for giving the Rays props. Back on February 19th of this year, I was doing it – way before it became the popular thing to do. But, seeing this in the Verducci piece bothered me today:
The Rays and the Marlins in first place in mid-May? Looking at the standings too long these days can induce vertigo. The American League East particularly seems to have confused down with up. Not only did the Yankees bottom out in last place this deep into a season for the first time since 1990, but they were also exhorted by the boss’s son, team cochairman Hank Steinbrenner, to play more like… well, like the Rays, owners of nine last-place finishes in their 10-year history.
The shift toward emphasizing younger players was dramatically evident during last week’s Yankees-Rays series. New York features seven regulars who are 32 or older. Two of them (third baseman Alex Rodriguez and catcher Jorge Posada) were on the disabled list, and four others were hitting below their career averages (outfielders Johnny Damon and Bobby Abreu, shortstop Derek Jeter and first baseman Jason Giambi). The Yankees scored only six runs in the four games, hit only one home run and stole no bases (they ranked last in the league at week’s end) and showed little range defensively.
The Rays, meanwhile, ran the bases aggressively, chased down just about anything airborne in the outfield, turned key double plays and shackled New York hitters with power pitching.
Seems like Tom is using his pro-Rays piece as a chance to take some shots at the Yankees too, no? Then again, I suppose, what he’s saying is true…so…
…I guess we, as Yankees fans, better get used to this – with teams like the Rays and Red Sox going well and things in Yankeeland being the way they are – as New York has become the model of “what not to do” in terms of having a team that wins today.
7 Responses to “It’s Not The ’90’s Anymore”
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May 20th, 2008 at 9:37 am
I honestly don’t think its a case of “what not to do” – I think the Red Sox biggest advantage is that they started the process of becoming a “player development machine” earlier than the Yankees did, and are reaping the benefits earlier, too.
The Yanks have impressive young pitchers but they still have to reach their level. They’ve developed good young players at 2B and CF, but it seems like the Red Sox have impact players who are closer or have begun to have impact already.
Remember that the Sox had to suffer a horrific 2006 before coming through in 2007. Its quite possible the Yanks will do the same in 2008.
Going forward, the one concern I’d have is the number of core players that are going to be beyond 35, or who are signed beyond 35. Jeter, Posada, A-Rod, even Mo are going to start declining sooner or later. The good news is that the Yanks can say goodbye to Damon, Giambi and Abreu soon. If the position talent makes it at The Show, people like Verducci will find a different team to label “old” and then praise the Yanks for their mix of vets and youngsters.
If on the other hand those four decline precipitously or begin to get hurt regularly, then the Yanks could have hard-to-fix problems. But I never count them out. At worst, this will be the Yankee version of 2006, and they’ll be stronger for it in 2009.
May 20th, 2008 at 9:38 am
It doesn’t matter if the Yanks are in first or last, winning the WS or losing in the ALDS…no matter what, everyone takes shots at the Yanks. It’s just an accepted thing to do, regardless of whether or not the criticism is valid or just some deadline-hour garbage when a newspaper/website needs copy.
The only crummy thing about it is that ESPN has made Yankee-hating more mainstream.
(I’ll add that it doesn’t help to keep the Yanks off the headlines when they’re owned by a megalomaniac idiot who loves the sound of his own voice).
May 20th, 2008 at 10:39 am
as New York has become the model of “what not to do” in terms of having a team that wins today.
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That’s an assessment that needs to be made after the season.
May 20th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Verducci lost his job on YES. That may or may not affect his p.o.v.
May 20th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
The bottom line is that the best 1-5 in the divison is in Toronto,not NY.Litsch their number 5 is what 5-1?!!The Rays are no longer your Dad’s Rays any more,they are a competitive team.And the Red Sox are the Red Sox,they are the most dominant team in baseball.The Os are playing decently now,but are still in a rebuilding mode with some decent potential starters.Look at the payrolls:Toronto:100 mill,Rays:43 mill,Boston:133 mill,NYY:209 mill(340 mill pro-rated).What teams have spent and chosen players more intelligently?The Yankees don’t even have a strong 1-5 and where are the lefties in the bullpen?All this for 340 mill?In essence,the Yankees have outspent these teams ,by leaps and bounds before luxury tax and spending 340 mill has not brought them a championship for 7 years.This business model of getting the superstars and picking the wrong pitchers like Igawa and Jared Wright(I’m leaving out Pavano because every team wanted him) Yes Cashman was not in control 100% and he wants to spend less money,but this 200 mill model is not working.
I also sense a little Red Sox envy here.How did the Red Sox fans feel when the Yankees kept on winning and the Red Sox were the lovable losers?Get used to it and the only way this changes if the Yankees get on top again,which is highly possible with the move with Girardi and building from within.Don’t cry if the Jays or the Sox win the division this year and take another championship BECAUSE the Yankees are going in the right direction:building from within and going cheaper.There is residual hatred towards the Yankees because of their historic success and their gluttonous payroll :what 340 mill prorated!But that will end,when the payroll comes down and more intelligent choices are made.
May 20th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
I was doing it – way before it became the popular thing to do.
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No offense to you or Verducci — both smart baseball minds — but I think the bangwagon for the Rays started loading up a few years ago. They’ve always been “a good young team,” but now they have good pitching and it was only a matter of time before they figured out how to acquire/develop it. This was something building for a long time and now it’s finally here. If you’re smart, being a loser franchise can help — by building through the draft. Now they’re also spending a little money, too, and what you have is probably the most respectable Rays team in their history. But anyone who didn’t see this coming (like, say, King George III, who dismissed them before the season started) hasn’t been paying attention.
May 20th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Sure, keep drafting in the top ten, even top six, every year, you eventually get some very good players. But what an effort it took for the Rays to get there!