This season has been Murphy’s Law on Roids for the Yanks. When they hit – they don’t pitch. When they pitch – they can’t hit. Guys fall like flies. Where there’s hope – Phil Hughes flirting with a no-no – instead there’s despair – Phil Hughes out another two months.

I don’t think Cash or Torre is the problem. It’s just been a string of bad luck. You make the playoffs for 12 years running – you need breaks – this year luck has run out.

Cash needs to do the right thing here. Look big picture.

The following can be accomplished and can perhaps add some position players in the farm system.

1. Trade Farnsworth – some team (PHI?) can use a hard-throwing reliever with his stuff. Remember Pittsburgh once got Brian Giles from Cleveland for Ricardo Rincon.

2. Dump Abreu – Eat half of his contract. He’s in a walk year, his value is way down. I’d eat half and get a prospect or two back. Some team out there may think he can do for them what he did with the Yanks last year.

3. Trade Clemens before July 31st. It sounds ridiculous. But let him go to a pennant contender. Heck I’d send him to Boston for Lester and Hanssen. Remember when the Yanks got Mike Stanley from Boston years back – the Sox got Tony Armas back – who they then traded (with Carl Pavano) for Pedro in the winter of ‘97.

4. Trade Moose. He’s got a year left on his deal but is a reasonable bargain. Send him to an NL team. Atlanta? Philly? I’d take Saltamacchia or McCann off of the Braves hands. Some team will bank on a battle tested vet for the stretch run.

5. Promote Tabata to AA. He’s doing well in A ball… move up him. Put him on the fast track – so he can help mid 2008.

… In the off-season…. I’d give Posada and Rivera two years. No more. Maybe team option with a buyout for the third. Jorge’s got something left. He’s aging like Benito Santiago – he’ll be servicable till he’s 40 and probably has 1-2 years left as a starter. Mo’s not the same – but he’s not done. Plus it’s sentimental. I can’t/don’t want to see him wear another uni.

Take care of Arod – make sure he doesn’t bolt. If that’s extending his current deal – Do it.

Explore voiding/trading Giambi. He’ll be in the last year of his deal. See if there’s a market for him? Yes, he has the blanket no-trade clause – see if he’ll waive it. Otherwise – we’re stuck with him.

Hand RF over to Melky… he keeps the seat warm until Tabata’s ready.

Unfortunately your stuck with Damon and Matsui.

… if the Yanks dump some guys this year – the one’s mentioned above… they’ll have stockpiled more players.

Look into dealing for Santana and Texiera. Both may not be resigned and both clubs may want something in return. Do not include Hughes in any deal. Texiera is more likely.

Next year’s starting five:
1. Wang
2. Hughes
3. Pettite
4. FA pitcher?
5. Clippard

… with the AA studs and Ohlendorf waiting in the wings… oh and that Igawa guy too – JK!

Offense
1B – Teixiera
2B – Cano
SS – Jeter
3B – Arod
RF – Cabrera
CF – Damon
LF – Matsui
DH – Giambi?

… it’s a little better… but that’s what we’re reduced to at this point.

“Wait till next year”

you are correct.

So Andy Phillips isnt on the 40 Man Roster.Not a big deal.
Ill admit my mistake and make no excuses.I had forgotten that he was outrighted on 3-30-07
after his late start in ST.As for Shelley Duncan…although he is a great guy to the fans,and resembles Gary Busey alot,
he unfortuneatly might be another Mitch Jones or Michael Cervenak.

Go and look at the rotations in the International League. Its littered with former major league pitchers hoping to get back to The Show.

Its not loaded with teams best prospects.

All you have to do is look at the rosters. Look at teams AA and AAA rosters, then look at who their best pitching prospects are. You will find more of them are in AA than AAA.

The one’s that are in AAA are either guys who are there for a short time (Hughes and Lincecum) before being promoted or guys who are just about ready.

Very few teams leave their best pitching prospects in AAA for a full season. Its not how teams do it anymore.

Too much pressure to move guys quickly through the system because of the amount of bonus money being paid.

Its changed the way many teams run their farm systems.