Mission 27 in 2009.

"We could be talking fugettaboutit for the next year and 2009, too, when the Yankees move into their new stadium across the street. We're looking at a 1965-type overall decay here, reaching all the way down through the farm system where, thanks to 13 years of fruitless drafts, there is nothing coming in the near future to replenish the lineup."

One of the reasons it has been difficult for the Yankees to draft well is because they've always been drafting last.


"The entire outfield of Hideki Matsui, Johnny Damon and Bobby Abreu is clearly past its prime and in need of being replaced."

For one thing, I disagree that Matsui and Abreu are clearly past their prime. Damon may be irretrievably injured. Matsui and Abreu are slumping.

Besides, you want to replace them all? No sweat.

The 2009 Yankee starting outfield will be Kevin Thompson, Melky Cabrera, and Ichiro Suzuki.


"There is no first baseman."

No DH, either.

Even easier to replace than outfielders.


"Nobody wants to talk about the fact that Derek Jeter will be 35 when the Yankees are in the new ballpark in '09 ... "

"Nobody wants to talk about the fact that Derek Jeter will be 35 ... "

Nobody who? I'll bet I could wave a microphone in front of about 100 million American citizens and they would gladly talk about Jeter's age

Besides, Jeter is playing the best baseball in his career. Look around MLB, Bill Madden. Thirty-five is the new twenty-five.


" ... and the silence has been deafening regarding that opt-out clause in Alex Rodriguez's contract. Whereas a couple of months ago the Yankees could smugly say they would not allow themselves to be held hostage by A-Rod, now it may not even be their choice."

I don't even know what to say about this comment.

I hear about the opt-out every day.

The silence you hear is probably the accumulation of endless white noise.

I have a solution, which should be fairly obvious. Sign Prime ARod to an extension.
In 2009, possess the best left side of the infield in the history of baseball.


"Why, after all, would A-Rod want to stay here as a centerpiece of a team in patchwork decay when he could go to a genuine contender in Anaheim and (at least initially) find love?"

Money is why.


"But while good organizations are built around pitching, it takes time (and these days it seems at least one arm operation) before young pitchers start having an impact at the major league level. Top prospect Phil Hughes is a prime example. Good as he may be, the Yankees can't seem to get him on the mound this year. And right now, Joba Chamberlain, Alan Horne and Ian Kennedy are just guys putting up impressive numbers in Double-A - as did Tyler Clippard and Chase Wright in the lower minors last year."

Good. Wang, Hughes, a couple of free agents, and one more minor leaguer. We're set for 2009.


"Ironically, the Yankees don't even have a suitable replacement for Torre, unless you believe Don Mattingly, with no managing experience, is the man to preside over what surely is going to be a difficult next couple of rebuilding years."

What is ironic about that statement?

Besides, the next Yankee manager will be Joe Girardi -- ironically, starting Monday. Hiring Girardi is like rain on your wedding day, a green light when you're already late.