FanPost

Back To Old Ways

When I think of the Yankees I think of the team I grew up watching with Bernie Williams, Tino Martinez, and Paul O'Neill. A very talented team but none of them were really power hitters (with the exception of Tino's 1997 season none of them hit over 35 homers in a season) and there were no contracts big enough to swat a 747 out of the sky. Together they took home four World Series rings and O'Neill was originally signed to a 4 year $19 million contract. That's less in four years than Alex Rodriguez will make this year in whichever role he ends up playing.

Some may say those were simpler times, others may say that the "simpler times" perspective is mearly a bi-product of nostolgia, and others yet may comment on inflation. None of this matters to me. I'm a Yankees fan and like most other Yankees fans I want another World Series title, unlike some Yankees owners (I'm not naming any names here, but you know who you are) I realize the need to groom the farm system and let the minor leaguers develop into something greater instead of throwing money at washed up former greats who hit their prime two or more teams ago. That's why this off season has me excited. With the signing of Gegorious, Drew, and Headly it looks like the Yankees are straying away from proven powers for more consistent hitters with solid defensive abilities. Now I realize these players aren't cheap and have signed deals for an extended period of time but this feels like a step in the right direction. I realize they still have some headaches named Sabathia (whom I've given up on) and Rodriguez (who I'm hoping finds peace as the DH) but the return of a (hopefully) healthy Texiera along with Beltran and McCann I think this lineup will prove itself to be feared throughout the MLB. Going back to the farm system, I really feel they are utilizing it with their pitching staff which will have plenty of time to develop some talent.

Now I'm not saying they're going to win the World Series this year, especially with the division they are playing in, but given the approach they are taking this off season I think it's safe to say the next few years of Yankees baseball will be very exciting.

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