Carl Pavano Edges Cliff Lee for Cy Young Award
Just kidding. But did anyone expect Pavano to be 4-1 and (besides Mussina) the Yankees’ most reliable starter lately? I’m laughing as I write the words. Still, he wasn’t bad tonight, getting out of jams (thank you, Brett Gardner) and pitching with some efficiency. For me, the big moment of the game was Mo coming in for the 9th, escaping trouble (thank you, Derek Jeter) and giving the fans another save at the Stadium to remember. Loved all those flashbulbs.
Like all Yankee fans I’ve been thinking ahead to next season and wondering whether Cashman will stay, whether Hank and Hal will go free-agent crazy, etc. And then I came upon an article in New York Magazine that really made me worry. It was in an issue from a couple of weeks ago so maybe everybody’s read it by now. But it left me wishing George was still running the show. See what you think.
Confessions of a She-Fan 
Making it out to the mound and not getting hurt is Pavano’s version of coming up “big” in his walk year.
I have to repeat how impressed I am that you’re still watching the games. The Mets are back in first place and I can barely stand watching them, but that’s due to concerns of mental and physical health I think.
http://paullebowitz.mlblogs.com/
I’ll be watching to the bitter end (except for being blacked out by Fox tomorrow, which really bites; guess I’ll be hunched over this computer glued to MLB.TV). Tomorrow at 10 am PCT, tix for the Dodgers postseason games go on sale and I’m hoping to score some. There’s no way I’m done with baseball on Sept 28th!
– Jane
I agree with Paul. Pavano now feels like he has contributed lol.
I gotta say.. as crazy as the guy was, Steinbrenner did what he had to… and it worked. When I heard his sons would be taking over I didn’t think his offspring would be so… steinbrenner [yeah, that’s now officially an adjective].
V – http://flairforthedramatic.mlblogs.com
I don’t think there is anything wrong with going ‘free agent crazy’ or trading for future free agents. The Yankees have been in the playoffs 13 straight seasons and those high profiles guys are part of what got you there. This year, a lot of those guys have not worked out, but I wouldn’t be concerned about that. If I were a Yankee fan, I’d be more concern about some of the ‘core guys’ showing their age at this point (i.e. Jeter, Rivera, Posada, Petitte, Mussina, Giambi, Matsui). You can see a line of injury problems and numbers deflation in all of these guys (with the exception of Mussina this season and a couple others).
As for your earlier question about the Jays. The Jays have a 100 million dollar payroll and with backloaded contracts to Rolen, Wells, Rios and B.J. Ryan we are at 97 mill for next season, even if A.J. Burnett opt-out of his contract. The Jays don’t want to get into a bidding war for him, so they are trying to offer him a contract extension effective, well right now. If we were to extend Burnett, it would not leave much room for us to pick up some valueable offense. We have to rely on guys like Travis Snider, Adam Lind other possible young bats to emerge and guys like Wells, Rios to stay injury free. News today that Shaun Marcum will be out till 2010 really hurts this team and makes the possible loss of Burnett that much more impactful.
V- I think my concern about Hank and Hal is that they’re not “Steinbrenner” enough. (Yeah, it’s an adjective now.) I’m just not sure who’s running the show and with George we always knew the answer to that question. Somebody needs to have a vision for the team and then do whatever it takes to execute it.
– Jane
As far as going “free-agent crazy,” I mean spending money on aging players who could help in the short run but not in the long run. Sort of a Band-aid approach. I agree that SOME of the core guys (Posada due to injury and Pettitte due to possibly shoulder issues) have shown their age. But Mo? He had his best year yet. Jeter? Just broke Gehrig’s record. Mussina? Had a great comeback. Giambi and Matsui? Giambi will be gone in ’09 and who knows about Matsui after the surgery. So I’d like to see us get Sabathia and Teixiera (since we’ll need a first baseman).
On your end, I just read about Marcum. Sorry. That does hurt. So maybe you’re right and re-signing Burnett will be a priority. Travis Snyder looks like he could be a star for sure.
– Jane
Hey, Jane …
Excellent article from New York Magazine … [but, the article brings up many interesting questions] …
It makes all Yankee fans wonder, “who is really running the Yankees” … But, at any rate, without the “Great” George M. Steinbrenner, III, totally in charge, making all the decisions, there are “too many” uncertainties, and the whole Yankees Organization has gone way too “corporate” !!! … Jimmy [27NYY] …
http://baseballtheyankeesandlife.mlblogs.com/
I agree, Jimmy. That’s what’s worrying me – that while, by all accounts, George could be a tyrant, he had a vision. Who has a vision now? Is it Hal? Hank? Cashman (if he’s even staying)? Randy Levine? Just seems like too much of a committee. George put his stamp on everything, and it’s not the same without him. When I was researching my book, George King of the NY Post told me that when Steinbrenner was in charge, he would call the newspaper and scream, “Don’t call me! I’m never talking to you again!” And King would say, “So you’re calling me to say not to call you?” It was hilarious. But another reporter said that he could tell Steinbrenner was no longer in charge, just by walking around the building in Tampa and seeing dirty coffee cups lying around. George would have fired the person in charge of maintenance. So it’s the changing of the guard. We’ll see what happens!
– Jane
Gardner’s catch was amazing . . . he’s clearly making a case to be the regular centerfielder next year for the Yankees.
http://26andcounting.mlblogs.com/
Yeah, I’m liking Gardner a lot. I just hope he doesn’t disappoint, like Shelley Duncan and Melky did. If he can hit with any consistency, it would be great. His speed is unbelievable.
– Jane