A Fresh Start For The Evil Empire?

Another year in the books, and another Boston Red Sox World Series victory. But more importantly to some, another first round exit for the New York Yankees, marking the third straight year they've managed to accomplish such a feat. Its been less then a month since the world series has ended, and the Yankees front office has been yet again very busy. First came the exit of long time manager Joe Torre and the entrance of new manager Joe Girardi. Then we were all embraced with the saga of Alex Rodriguez along with his agent Scott Boras as they test the free agent market for a deal worth enough to buy a mid-sized country, only to see him come back to the Yankees. In addition to the circus that was the opting-out, then resigning of A-Rod, to yet another record deal, they have also resigned Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada as well as picking up a $16 million option on outfielder Bobby Abreu.

Millions of dollars later it is time to ask yourself what the state of the Yankees is now. The answer is, exactly in the same spot they were last year, if not worse. As the off season stands right now all this money has been spent to put the same product on the field we have seen in these past few unsucessful years(don't get me wrong I am more then happy to see the resigning of Rivera and Posada), and once again few measures have been taken to adress the number one problem area that has plagued them of recent. Pitching. It's no question that good pitching can carry you through the playoffs and that has been the Yankees problem in recent years. Sure the offense has been putting up record numbers in the regular season but when it comes to the playoffs they have been less then clutch. It's very dfficult to win in the post season when you have to ask your offense to score 7 or 8 runs a game, especially when the pressure is on and you're no longer facing the Devil Rays.

With Andy Pettittes future hanging in the ballance, the yankees starting rotation as of now looks like: Wang, Hughes, Chamberlain, Kennedy and Mussina. Thats not exactly a rotation I would bank my season on as only two, Wang and Mussina, have establsihed themselves as reliable starting pitchers in the MLB. Currently the Yankees are in talks with the Twins about a possible trade for Johan Santana. It is obvious that he is the best starting pitcher available but at what cost is he worth. The Yankees have gone after big named pitchers before, mostly ending in failure. Names like Carl Pavano, Kevin Brown and even Randy Johnson come to mind. The issue here is not the amount of money needed to sign him, as that is never an issue for the Yankees, but rather the value needed to be given up in young prospects. As a Yankee fan, I would love to see Santana in pinstripes but i really think it is time for the Yankees to keep and develop their prospects. The three names that have been thrown around in terms of trades are pitching prospects Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain and Ian Kennedy. Hughes and Chamberlain showed great potential last year. There has also been talk of second basemen Robinson Cano and outfielder Melky Cabrerra used in the trade. Both of whom are sure to play huge roles in the future of the organization. In my mind the only way i would take Santana is if it meant NOT GIVING up Phil Hughes or Jaba Chamberlain who could potentially turn into something great. I would also be very reluctant to give up Robinson Cano who has played exceptionally well as the starting second basemen these past couple years. If something could be worked out with Cabrerra and Kennedy i would probably take it. Now it probably won't be possible to get Santana without giving up at least one of those players so maybe they should stay away and look elsewhere as in Oaklands Dan Haren. Clearly not as established of a pitcher but it would also take a lot less to get him.

Now if we have the same thinking Yankees we've seen these past few years, Santana will be on the starting rotation and the Yankees will be playing golf in Florida instead of the World Series in the Bronx.