Robbie, Melky, and Betemit.. all in their 20’s but they’re playing like they are as old as the vets.. not hustling, bad fielding, and SO MANY MENTAL ERRORS. It is unacceptable for the NYY to be playing this way, but realistically the problem is easy to see.

1. Lack of managerial leadership- Giradi doesn’t have the respect of the players. In one ear and out the other..

2. Lack of player leadership- Jeter can only do so much… And with Jorge out nobody has stepped up as the vocal leader

3. Lack of team concept- Bad fundamentals, not hitting with RISP, no hustle in the field.

4. Bad influences on the younger players- A-rod and Giambi swinging for the fences padding their stats, Abreu not giving full effort in the field.. I’m not surprised Cano and Melky have regressed, they see our 3,4,5 hitters the “heart” of our order doing these things of course it’s going to rub off on the younger guys.

Time to bring up Gardner, Jackson, Melancon, Miranda anyone who plays the game with some fire.

We CANNOT open the 09 season with Melky in CF.

What is your definition of a troll?

Just based on this trade alone, Aybar plays third next year (he now backs up Figgins at 3rd for LAA along with Izturis, and he backs up Kendrick at 2nd) PLUS he is the SS in waiting for Jeter. Freeing up A-Rod’s cash will make other moves possible too, so if another third baseman suits, you can go for him.

Again, the original point I was making was that A-Rod is THE chip (among position players) that will get the Yanks’ going in the right direction youth/talent-wise. Joba stays, of course, along with Hughes. I know A-Rod is an insane talent, but if he can’t hack it in NY, then the FO should consider getting rid of him NOW for young, cheap(er) talent. And, of course, for the S&G’s from those d*bags going crosseyed at Goldman

One question: if the players don’t seem to care, why should we?

I truly don’t believe the players are going out their and mailing it in, but even if you accept this as a flawed team (every team is, anyway), they shouldn’t be playing like this. It’s getting to a point where I expect them to lose and where a 2 run deficit is like 10 runs. This horse needs to be put out of it’s misery; the sooner the season ends, the better.

I love Joe, but it is somewhat disturbing that the team has not responded to him in any way. I’m just not sure what this means for the future.

As to Hank, I normally abhor him and his blabbering ways, but this time I have to defend him. I didn’t see anything wrong with what he said – to me, this time, it was just no big deal.

Have you ever not agreed with SJ44???

Interesting….

Sad that you got to be like that.