Looking To Next Year

I have said so many times that Brian Cashman needs to be fired, and the humble Fu2rman needs to take the helm as GM of The Yankees.


Well, it's time.


Cashman's contract is up, and it just so happens, I am available.

Here's my plan.

First of all, Cashman has taken his unlimited budget and squandered it. And finally some of his mistakes are fixable.

I do not resign Bernie Williams, Kevin Brown, Tino Martinez, Tom Gordon, Alan Embree, or Ruben Sierra. That just cut $39 million out of the payroll.

I do make sure to sign Hideki Matsui and Robinson Cano to new contracts, I want both of those guys around, even though Matsui was basically a no-show in the playoffs this year. He's too good to let go.

I would look to deal Gary Sheffield, but there is not a better right fielder out there at the moment, and not many teams could afford him anyway. So he stays.

The Yankees need a Center Fielder, a set up pitcher/heir to Mariano Rivera's throne as a fu2r Closer, a younger Catcher, that doesn't cost $11 million per year, and starting pitching.

I would also like to trade Mike Mussina, Randy Johnson, and Carl Pavano, but nobody would be able to afford them.

Under my reign, it goes like this...

Let's talk free agents.

I would sign Chicago White Sox First Baseman Paul Konerko. Great power, and a great glove, and only 29 years old.

Then I pick up the Orioles Closer BJ Ryan, he is less interested in a closers job, and more interested in winning a World Series. Ryan would be the set-up man, but in '07 he would have the closer job, on the most celebrated team in sports history.

Next you gotta get The Marlins AJ Burnett. Other potential choices would be Jarrod Washburn, (which would give you a Lefty) and Kevin Millwood, all three will go for about the same money, but I go with Burnett just based on age. Burnett and Millwood are a little bit of an injury risk. I considered Millwood and Washburn due to their success in the American League, (Burnett is a National Leaguer, and it seems to be hard for them to make the transition). I'd still go for Burnett, his strikeout count, WHIP, and ERA are all solid, even adjusted against the DH.

Last, I go after Angel Catcher Bengie Molina.

Now with an extra 1st baseman, and cather...

Deal Jorge Posada to a team that could use a big name to help fill seats, The KC Royals come to mind.

Trade Posada for Catcher John Buck (he'll be the backup Catcher), and pitcher Zack Greinke. Greinke is a 22 year old pitcher that has had little success in KC, but he gets zero run support, but has so much potential. He would be a work in progress, but I think the risk is worth it. If Greinke could study under the Veterans in NY, and have some of the best coaching, he would become a great pitcher.

The most predictable move, and the one I can see Cashman trying to make, is getting Johnny Damon to play Center Field. He would be a great pick-up, but he dissed the Yanks by saying he didn't want to play for them. But as we all know, money talks, and bullshit walks. Well, let bullshit walk, Damon can go elsewhere. Plus, he throws like a girl.

Deal Jason Giambi to Anaheim, sorry, LA of Anaheim, in exchange for Darin Erstad (who will play Center Field) and Dallas McPherson. Money-wise, it is a wash.

I would take the risk of injury prone McPherson and make him a DH. He could then be the backup 3rd baseman, and if you need to sit Derek Jeter, A-Rod would play Short-Stop and McPherson plays 3rd.

Of course the Angels may not go for that.

No worries, deal Giambi and either Chien-Ming Wang, Shawn Chacon, or Jaret Wright to the Twins for Starting Pitcher Johan Santana. The Twins need an big bat in the lineup. They would need a solid pitcher in return, Wang or Chacon would be the best choice, since money is a concern. And since Ruben Sierra is a cheap DH, he'll be a Yankee for one more year.

Here's my Yankee starting lineup...

Rotation

Mike Mussina
Randy Johnson
AJ Burnett
Carl Pavano
Jaret Wright

Bullpen

Mariano Rivera-Closer
BJ Ryan-Set-Up
Aaron Small
Chein-Ming Wang/Shawn Chacon
Al Lieter
Tanyon Sturtze

1st Base

Paul Konerko

2nd Base

Robinson Cano

3rd Base

Alex Rodriguez

SS

Derek Jeter

LF

Hideki Matsui

CF

Darin Erstad

RF

Gary Sheffield

DH

Dallas McPherson

I just saved the Yankees almost $34 million.

What so you do with that money?

Rebuild the farm system that has been raped by Cashman to try to win a title over the last 5 years!

The most important thing to note is...

You cannot simply buy a ring, you have to build a team, work the chemistry, develop players.

Look at the late 90's Yankees, they were mostly out of the Yankee farm system, with big contracts to fill the holes.

Seriously, the only player that impressed me in this post-season was rookie Robinson Cano.

See what I mean?