First Chapman. Then Miller. Then Beltran. Then Nova. Gonzo.
The Yankees turned the page for real today at the trade deadline. Cashman acknowledged that the team’s inconsistency – or, as he admitted, the team’s losses in Tampa – put an exclamation point on the disappointing season. We are now officially in rebuilding mode, and I don’t consider that a bad thing. I think the kids will be exciting to watch as they make their mark at the major league level. Sanchez. Judge. Severino. Green. Plus the new prospects we just got in trades.
Chapman, Miller and Beltran will be huge assets to their new teams. Nova? I have no idea how he’ll do with the Pirates. I wish him well.
Is A-Rod on his way out? There doesn’t seem to be a place for him. He’s taking up a roster spot, blocking a kid from coming up. The Yanks are going to have to decide what to do with him. If I were A-Rod, I’d pack my bags.
Meanwhile, the Yanks beat the Mets tonight in extra innings so that was something. As for the rest of the season and beyond? We’re off to the great unknown.
Gardner blowing the triple when he tried to make it an inside-the-park home run was horrible. I realize they were trying to score first and get ahead but a triple with no outs in the 1st inning would have been fine. I went to bed after the 9th inning so I didn’t see how they won but I’ll take ANY win. Can they sweep The Mets?! That would be great. GO YANKEES!!! I think all the trades were good – we’ll miss Miller for sure but it looks like the team got a lot for each deal. Now…could A-Rod please retire? I know he likes the money, but you’d think that his ego would make him want to stop playing when he’s been so terrible at bat. Anyway, let’s hope they close out the season on a positive note and let’s hope for a really big season next year.
That’s the spirit, Diane. Look to the future. Whether it’s next season or the one after, the point is we’re no longer clinging to the remote possibility of a wild card spot but to set up for a bona fide championship.
I’m doing my best to embrace this rebuilding thing. I am confident I will come around. If the team wins a championship in the next three or four years it will be worth. In the meantime though, watching the games have changed for me. If there is no chance of making the playoffs, what am I watching? A good ball game? Being grateful for the occasional wins that come our way? Am I going to spend money on tickets and $12 a beer to watch a bunch of minor leaguers flail around the field? Like I said, I am sure I will come around, the Yankees are embedded into the very essence of who I am, but these are truly strange times.
Strange times for Yankee fans, yes, Darren. But we can no longer buy marquee players past their primes to win championships. This team will still compete and, perhaps, play spoilers for the real contenders. I’m sure ownership gets that attendance will be down but at the same time Hal seems eager to see what we’ve got down on the farm.
i am having trouble adjusting to being sellers. mostly losing miller was hard. i get the others but miller we could have used in the future when we got good again, he seemed like a great guy and was a great pitcher on a reasonable contract. i miss the yankees being good and having hitters who can hit with runners in scoring position. it was fun to have a great bullpen. good prospects doesn’t mean they will be great major leaguers. i am curious who is taking nova’s spot in the rotation.
jane, congratulations on your book being released. i can’t wait to read it. i love your books and have a thing for reading books that involve cooking which is weird since i don’t like to cook.
Losing Miller was rough, Barbara. No doubt about it. I guess the Yankees liked the prospects we got in return – a lot! You’re right about the kids though. There’s never a guarantee that they’ll be good. But we have to hope they will be, just like Derek, Mo, Andy, Jorge and Bernie were. Thanks for the congrats on my new novel. Today was indeed pub day, so I hope you’ll read Three Blonde Mice and have fun with all the foodie elements!