Will the Yankees drop to the bottom of the league because they aren't young? I don't think so. They may get old, but it usually never keeps them out of the playoffs. The Yankees will be spending money year after year, and I don't see it stopping in the near future. The Yankees way of bringing up the young players is striking lightning in a bottle for the most part. They call up these really hot players in the minors and they shine at the big league level. They called up Wang, Cano, and Joba and they performed as soon as they got here. Do you really think they thought that highly of them before? The answer is no. Every once in a while they will come across some shining star in the minors, and he becomes the next big star. The Yankees will never have the #1 draft pick because they are always finishing at the top of the league. People complain that we don't have a guy like David Price. Well, if your willing to come in last place one year, than you can get that #1 pick. This organization doesn't plan on giving up on a season, so that won't happen.
Everyone always complains about how old the Yankees players are, meanwhile they make the playoffs..and FOR THE MOST PART..the young teams miss the postseason. The people who run this organization don't plan on giving up for a few years in order to build a dynasty. The philosophy is win now at all costs. So don't count on having a home grown team instantly. A championship team could have a mix of veterans and a few rookies on the team. The centerpiece of the next dynasty could include guys like Joba, Cano, Wang, Hughes, Melancon, Montero, Romine..etc.
This is what the Yankees are all about. You either love them or hate them. Even if you don't like them, you still care what headlines they make. Thats why the Yankees are so big nowadays. It's nice to have the good 'ole Yankees back. Isn't it? haha. For those who think that teams need to have youth to win a world series:
Here is a list of the average age of players on the Yankees most recent championship teams. (I only included players who had at least 15IP+ and 50AB+)
1996- Avg Age Lineup= 30.33 Avg Age SP&RP= 29.27
1998- Avg Age Lineup= 30.58 Avg Age SP&RP= 30.25
1999- Avg Age Lineup= 31.07 Avg Age SP&RP= 30.23
2000- Avg Age Lineup= 31.65 Avg Age SP&RP=31.21
Last year… the lineup had an average age of: 30.83. The rotation and bullpen had an average age of: 28.86 So what about 2009?
I figure the lineup will be:
Damon, Jeter, Nady, Rodriguez, Matsui, Posada, Cameron, Cano, Swisher
the rotation & bullpen will be:
Sabathia, Wang, Burnett, Chamberlain, Pettitte/Hughes, Ramirez, Veras, Bruney, Robertson, Aceves, Marte, Coke, Albaladejo, Rivera
'09: Avg Age Lineup= 31.88 Avg Age SP&RP w/Pettitte= 28.21 Avg Age SP&RP w/Hughes= 27.21
So as you can see..it's not like the Yankees World Series teams were a lot younger than the guys today. Age isn't as big of a matter as you guys think. Sure..players who are older are more injury prone and start to break down, but as long as they can perform at a high level, who cares how old they are. I'm sick and tired of fans saying there old and they can't win.
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Jake Peavy's agent Barry Axelrod explains his client's preferences:
"Jake has a strong preference to stay in the National League. If Jake's ever going to accept anything to the American League – and I don't want this to be taken wrong – I can safely say that it's going to be the Yankees or Red Sox or maybe the Angels. Those teams are going to be in contention and are going to spend money. If there were circumstances where he would be asked to go to the AL, kicking and screaming, those are the three places."
Original Story:
http://zellspinstripeblog.com/2008/12...
