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.