Yankees Stadium

So, the last game has been played at the house that Ruth built, and the Bronx Bombers do not make the playoffs for the first time in thirteen years. Not a good year for the New York Yankees. The incompetence of Cashman and the front office turned the legendary franchise from the powerhouse of the nineties to the home of overpaid, overrated hitters and pitchers such as Randy Johnson, Johnny Damon, the former greatest closer alive, Mariano Rivera, Roger Clemens, Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez, and Hideki Matsui. All of these players are shadows of their former glory, performing inconsistently and poorly. The Yankee management has failed to maintain anything other than a lineup.

The young pitchers that they did not trade for Santana, whom they needed desperately,
were a fantastic disappointment. Hughes and Kennedy were unable to perform as is expected in New York, and when Chamberlain went down because his innings were poorly managed, the season was over. When the pressure was on to make the playoffs,
Alex Rodriguez collapsed, becoming "Double-Play-Rod" instead of the most feared hitter in baseball.

Cashman and the Yankees have their work cut out for them this offseason. They, like the Red Sox, need to add better middle relief, to replace the likes of Bruney and Britton, who have no place on a team with such a payroll. They need to add an outfielder who can produce more consistently than Matsui or Damon, such as, unfortunately, Manny Ramirez, who has expressed interest in wearing the pinstripes.

Free agent pitchers such as Burnett or Sabathia could turn the team around, and perhaps put the Yankees back on top, as much as I would hate to see that happen, they certainly have the means, the only question is, does Cashman have the initiative to make such big pitching acquisitions?

Photosource 1:wallyg's photostream
Photosource 2:Random Factor's photostream

Red Sox

The reason the Sox can't seem to win close games is simply because other than Masterson, opponents have figured out how to hit the once unhittable Sox bullpen. Hit Papelbon early in counts, and sit on Okajima's fastball. The rest of the bullpen is fairly ineffective, the perfect example of which is Mike Timlin.

  Tony Mazzerotti is over analyzing it. Plain and simple, when the game comes down to the wire, Boston needs to hope that Papelbon uses his splitter and LOCATES it. Otherwise the game is over, as then we have to rely on sub par middle relievers to close out the game. Under the pressure of late and extra innings, the bullpen implodes. 

This off season, the Sox need to acquire a strong middle reliever to remedy the situation, such as Rafael Betancourt or Duaner Sanchez. Then maybe they could hold the game long enough to win it.

   

Duaner Sanchez: Maybe the Red Sox can get an effective wearer of #50

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Play Ball

Ok, If you're reading this you obviously like baseball. So first of all, if I seem biased against New York, its because I am. I am a Red Sox fan, but more importantly I am a baseball fan, and most of my commentary will concern the game, and I will save my Yankee bashing for a Sox/Yankees matchup. Other than that, my opinions are created from my own mind, and will reflect my thoughts on the game. Everyone loves baseball, c'mon.


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daviddesign's photostream