It's Time

Since we're looking ahead now to the 2012 season, I think I need to say what a lot of us have been thinking for a long time now. I realize it's going to be controversial, that some Yankee fans will believe me to be a bad person for saying so, but it's something I can't avoid saying any longer.

It's time to put "God Bless America" and Kate Smith in the rear view mirror during the seventh-inning stretch.

Yes, I realize it is meant to focus our attention on the horrors of the 9/11 attacks, and to remember those who serve the country at home and abroad. I get that, and I appreciate the sentiment. I was here in 2001, and I knew people whose lives were affected horribly. I lost at least one friend, depending on how you view the scope of the attacks. It is an awful thing, and like the horrors of the Holocaust, something that must never be forgotten. I'm with you on all of that.

What it has to do with going to a baseball game completely eludes me.

The seventh-inning stretch used to be a fun time. The proper song sung was "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," which was only strange because we were already AT the ballgame, but it was a celebration of the event and the game and our love for it. Later on, the Yankee Stadium people added nonsense like "Cotton Eyed Joe," but at least the idea was to have fun and be happy we were at the ballpark.

Kate Smith, who died 15 years BEFORE the 9/11 attacks, and "God Bless America" are just a plain downer. They remind us of sad things and scary things and evil things when we were hoping to escape that for just a few hours by taking in our National Pastime. It's like someone decided to halt Star Wars just after Luke, Han, and Leia escape the Death Star to remind us that someday we're all going to die.

And the reaction of the Yankees, the players, the management, the whole Stadium staff, is beyond over-the-top. When a guy decided to go to the men's room during Kate's belting a couple of years ago, a Stadium cop decided he was being sacrilegious or unAmerican or something and threw him out of the ballpark. The idea of taking off your hat and standing for a moment of silence during an Irving Berlin song is just bizarre.

It's been 10 years, guys. Enough is enough. Let us have our fun seventh-inning stretch again, and trot out Kate and the eagle and all that stuff on September 11, if you must. The other 181 games of the year, let's just play baseball, okay?

How is it the World Series if no one from Thailand is Playing?

Okay, we're Yankee fans. So we're not bothering with this trivial clash between teams from the middle of the country. Let's move on.

So it's time to look ahead to 2012. And the first order of business--which everyone on the planet expects will be taken care of quickly and easily--is retaining General Manager Brian Cashman, possibly on another three-year deal. That's the easy part.

After that, things get a little tricky. CC Sabathia is universally expected to exercise (CC? Exercise? Do those words work together?) his contract's opt-out clause, which was supposedly inserted into his mega-bazillion-dollar pact in case the West Coast native didn't care for New York. By his own admissions and the observations of everyone who has observed him for the past three years, Sabathia loves it here, has put down roots, built a tremendous home and has no reservations about staying a Yankee for the rest of his career. 

So this is clearly about money. A lot of money. When a guy has a $92-million deal for the next four years and chooses to forego that, he's looking at a lot of years or a lot of money, or more likely both. The question is whether that's the best idea for the Yankees and Sabathia.

Don't get me wrong--I shudder at the very thought of a 2012 Yankee rotation headed up by Ivan Nova, Phil Hughes, or lord help us, A.J. Burnett. While there's been talk of C.J. Wilson of the Texas Rangers, bringing his 8.04 postseason ERA into the World Series tonight, coming to the Bronx next year, somehow that wouldn't make up for the loss of a guy who can be as dominant as any pitcher in the game for long stretches of time.

The Yankees need to talk long and hard to Sabathia before the end of the World Series, when his opt-out would be looming and other teams could get involved. They need to find a way perhaps to increase the take-home and add a year or two, but no more. You don't want a 300-lb. pitcher in his late thirties on your team no matter what he looks like at 31.

Beyond that, there's little that can happen. The Yankees are tied to a lot of major contracts that aren't going anywhere. The only positions that could see some play are DH (where Jesus Montero appears to have proven he can hit lefties, at least, and members of the aging infield can fill in at other times) and possibly right field, where Nick Swisher has been a nice fit, but a dud in the postseason for three straight years.

Personally, I think the Yankees should keep Swisher for another year. You have to play the first 162 to get to the last 11-to-19, and Swisher is a good clubhouse presence, a nice on-base guy, and a steady if somewhat adventuresome fielder. Pick up the option on him and worry about this again before the 2013 season. Carlos Beltran? Yeah, I'm sure Scott Boras would love to add a long-term, big-money contract for him, if Beltran's even willing to set foot back in the five boroughs. Pass.

Among the free agents available after the next week's formalities are concluded will be Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder. No, the Yankees aren't going to be interested enough to dive in. They have a pretty good first baseman, and he's tied up for a number of years for a lot of money. Sorry, fellas.

Everywhere else, from the infield to the outfield, the Yankees are pretty set. The bullpen (which expects to see Joba Chamberlain back around June or so) should continue to be a strength. Hell yes, a boost to the rotation would be nice, but that means someone has to be willing to trade, because this year's free agent class is uninspiring. Or one of the Killer B's (or two) might make a huge leap and a big impression in Tampa next February and March. Stranger things have happened.

Do not expect sweeping changes. We'll spend the winter watching those in Boston.

Post(season) Mordem

All right, so some teams are still playing baseball and the Yankees are not. That's the bad news.

The good news is that for 166 games, this was an entertaining, enjoyable season to watch. That's not a bad thing. We've seen the emergence of Curtis Granderson as a legitimate 4-tool player (he still can't throw that much); we saw Brett Gardner become a terrific left fielder who can hit some, although he's streaky; we saw Ivan Nova become a major league pitcher.

And we saw Derek Jeter return from the dead not only to record his 3,000th hit (which frankly I'm already tired of watching; thanks, YES Network) in dramatic fashion, but to regain his form in the field and at the plate, the latter in the second half of the season. Maybe the grizzled old veteran (who was a fresh-faced kid about a half hour ago) isn't all washed up just yet.

Then there was Mariano Rivera, who is a force of nature and a great artist. Age? Who cares, says Mo. Lost a couple MPH on the fastball? No big deal. Call me when you have a lead, he says. I'll take care of it for you. How we will miss that man when he really does reach the end of the line. Assuming it ever happens. Rivera defies all logic, and a few laws of nature.

Baseball is a game of long story lines, so the continued maturation of Robinson Cano into a truly scary hitter and a fielder who only LOOKS like he's not that good because he's so good he doesn't have to look like he's trying was a treat. It's the payoff to a story we've seen develop for years now, and it doesn't look like it's going to end anytime soon. We thought Alfonso Soriano was going to be a big deal? Meet Mr. Cano. And get used to him--he'll be around quite some time.

Yes, there is the frightening thought that this is the Alex Rodriguez we're going to have for the next--gasp!--six years. True, Mark Teixiera's batting average the past couple of seasons has not been encouraging, but his production is steady. I know, Nick Swisher is still waiting to have a good postseason, and he looks like he's squeezing sawdust out of the bat handle in every October game.

And yes, it's very likely CC Sabathia will opt out of his contract in search of another one, which could but probably won't come from a team other than the Yankees. With or without him, there are holes a mile wide in the starting rotation for next year. Without him, though, the holes are a mile and a half wide. But I bet it won't happen.

All that is true. But before the hot stove lunacy ("Do you think the Yankees will try for Albert Pujols?") begins, let's take a moment and say, nice job in 2011, boys. No, you didn't get as far as we'd hoped you would, but you gave us some very good times. In the final analysis, there are worse epitaphs one could write.

Okay, That Pretty Much Sucked

Congratulations to the Detroit Tigers, who for the second time in six years bounced the Yankees out of the playoffs when they were favored not to. They played well, pitched well, and got timely hits the Yankees did not. It's going to be a longer offseason than any of us hoped for, but that's the way it goes.

There will be time to evaluate this whole season, but let's take a quick look, while the wound is still fresh, at this Division Series. Let's face it--once the rain started falling Friday night, you could see this scenario unfold: The Yankees get only one start out of Sabathia. He's not sharp because he's starting on essentially 2 days rest. He's up against Verlander. 

The real surprise this series was that it didn't end Tuesday night with A.J. Burnett pitching. You had to figure he'd give up about 17 runs and we'd never have had the agita-producing game 5 that we just witnessed tonight.

The Yankees left about 106 men on base, kept loading the bases and then not doing anything about it, getting close but not close enough. Jeter's warning track shot with Gardner on in the 8th pretty much sums up this game--they should have won, but didn't.

Everybody will jump up and down about A-Rod striking out in the 9th again. Like the 26 outs that came before that didn't matter. 

Here's what the offseason is going to look like: There will be a scramble for a yet-to-be-named free agent starter. It won't be somebody great; it'll be somebody good. Cashman, who will come back with a new contract, will be distracted by his negotiations with Sabathia, who will opt out of his contract and want an extension to set his children up for another 48 lifetimes, because apparently he doesn't have enough money yet. Cashman will then do one of two things: 1. Overpay for a 3rd or 4th starter and give him too many years; 2. Not close a deal for any pitching and overpay for Sabathia. Or both.

Jorge Posada will not be back. Whether or not he has the sense of history to hang them up remains to be seen. It would be a real shame to see him come back as a DH with the Seattle Mariners or somebody. Start your managerial career now, Jorge. Talk to the front office. They'll find a place for you.

Who will be back next year: Essentially the whole lineup. Jeter, Granderson, Teixiera, Mr. Rod, Cano, Swisher, Martin, Gardner. DH: Maybe Montero. Bench: Who knows? 

Starting pitching: Sabatha. Nova. Burnett (heaven help us). Hughes. Maybe one of the Killer B's. Maybe not. Maybe that overpaid #3 starter suggested above.

Bullpen: Soriano, if he doesn't opt out, which he won't, for that money. Robertson. Mo, possibly for the last time (and possibly not). Joba's supposed to be back. Feliciano's not. The bullpen is not the problem.

2012? Without some better starting pitching, it's very possible we won't get far enough next year to complain about how quickly the Yankees were bounced out of the playoffs in October.

In a few days, we'll discuss the past season. It was, actually, a pretty good one.

To Those Who Say...

"I had confidence in A.J. Burnett all along..." No, you didn't. I sure didn't. Nobody did. A.J. Burnett didn't have confidence in A.J. Burnett. And if Curtis Granderson didn't make a really quick course correction, today you'd have no confidence in A.J. Burnett. But he did, and the Yankees won, and that's what matters. Today.

Hopefully, Thursday night Ivan Nova pitches the way he's capable of pitching on regular rest, and the Texas Rangers, no slouches they, will be in Yankee Stadium trying for a repeat of last year's ALCS. But that's for another day.

The real question is: What about 2012 (and I don't mean the election, although I'll give you my prediction if you ask)? Assuming the Yankees and CC make a deal after he opts out--and he will-- we'll have Sabathia, Nova, Phil Hughes (and everybody hold your breath that he can come back), and then... who? It's unrealistic to expect Bartolo Colon to have even a first half like he had this year again, and Freddy Garcia was serviceable, but not really impressive. We got by on luck and surprises this year, and to expect that again would be considerably more optimistic than I can muster.

Dellin Betances? Manny Banuelos? Best guess is they're another year away yet, but you never know. Who's on the free agent market? Nobody who's going to knock your socks off, starting-pitching-wise. Mark Buerhle? Rich Harden? Edwin Jackson? Not really inspiring, and unlikely.

That leaves us with A.J. Burnett and his $13-billion contract for another two years. So somebody has to figure that guy out. And that's something we said last winter, and the winter before that.

Larry Rothschild has tried. Maybe he can help again, given the time. Maybe a sport psychologist can be enlisted, if one hasn't already been consulted. Because the problem is between Burnett's ears, and not in his incredibly tattooed arm.

Maybe not the right day for this argument, but the question is coming, and it's coming soon. Stay tuned.

This is No Time To... Nah, Go Ahead: Panic!

The Yankees' season is in the hands of A.J. Burnett.

Oddly, when Burnett was signed to a Yankee contract before the 2009 season, that would have seemed like a good scenario. Don't let us forget that we were happy when Burnett joined CC Sabathia in the Yankee rotation. He was going to solidify things for years to come.

That worked for the better part of one season.

Burnett's failings are well documented, so I won't reiterate it all here. Let's look at the current situation: Because MLB was taken by surprise when rain fell in the Bronx (What? Rain? Who would have seen THAT coming???), the start where Sabathia looked like he really had it all going was limited to two innings, which Ivan Nova picked up on the next night. Nova ran with them, the Yankees won, and this was going to be easy, right?

Not so much. Freddy Garcia had a Freddy Garcia start--he was okay, he kept them in the game, but he didn't really look like he was going to win anything. And the Yankee offense, which any broadcaster near a microphone will tell you (over and over again) is among the best in baseball, came up short. It could be argued that rain was a factor here again, but then we'd have to acknowledge that without the rain, Curtis Granderson's foul popup would have been caught, and Robinson Cano would never have gotten a chance to bat as the potential winning run. And ground out.

Then came the Clash of the Titans, the anticipated meeting of Great Aces and as usual with such things, it didn't live up to the hype. Sabathia and Justin Verlander had each pitched a little Friday night, so on Monday, as Jon Smoltz wouldn't shut up about, they had not prepared as they normally would, and each game up four runs.

Enter Rafael Soriano, the $35-million man, who took what Brett Gardner had given him--a tie game--and untied it with one pitch to Delmon Young. Perhaps someone should listen to Brian Cashman once in a while when he says, "Maybe we don't need this guy."

And so here we are, one game from elimination, with the baseball in the hand of M. Burnett.

Keep this in mind, Yankee fans: He'll be pitching against the #4 guy for the Tigers, Rick Porcello, the Morristown, NJ native with a career ERA of 4.50. In short, the kind of pitcher the Yankees generally have for breakfast. And you can bet A.J., in an elimination game, will be on a leash so short it'll be more like a strap.

And he has shown signs that he can be dominant for three or four innings. But Joe Girardi, famous for his quick hook in the playoffs, has to be really jumpy with Burnett tonight. He shows one sign of weakness, and Phil Hughes is up in the bullpen. There can't be any hesitation. Things around A.J. tend to deteriorate much too fast.

All I'm saying is, it could be worse. But not much. See you all at the TV tonight.