Forget Manny, he’s not coming to NY. We already have two LF/ DH types in Matsui & Damon under contract for next year. Plus Jorge will most likely see alot of time at DH. Add to that Manny’s horrible attitude. We already have teo primadonna’s in Jeter & Arod, we don’t need Manny being Manny. Hughes will be traded before going to the pen. Betemit is playing his way to being a non-Yankee next year. I can see Pudge re-upping for a one year deal, while Jorge re-habs. The bench will need major reinforcements this off-season. The pen will remain relatively the same, with Marte’s option most likely being picked up. Moose could get a two year deal, but if that second year is guaranteed and not a team option that Yankee brass are stupid. I can also see Andy coming back for one year, but if he wants 16M, they should say nice knowing you. He should make no more than 12M, and that’s what I would offer Moose. Take it or leave it.

The Yanks must make a solid offer for CC though, at least in the 120M range. He’s the best FA pitcher out there, is young, and can pitch in the AL. There are no excuses with payroll coming off this year.

Secondly, Prince Fielder is a decent option but thats not going to happen, at least not next year. I believe we will say good bye to Giambi and welcome in Manny Rameriz as the full time DH and batting clean up. Hes already said he wants to be a Yankee just to stick it to Boston, and we all know that people say that stuff just to drive up their price for other potential teams but I dont believe thats the case this time. Having Manny batting 4th will protect Arod far better then Giambi can and it might instill a little confidence in the guy so he hits with RISP.

I love your Matsui for Ichiro deal, and being that Seattle is owned by a Japanese business man, its a good chance that it could happen. I believe the trade would be straight up though. However, I dont think it will happen next year with the Yanks still having Damon on the books and he being the one of the very few who are producing.

I figure Melky will be packaged with someone in a trade deal. Possibly Ian Kennedy, possibly Robby Cano. Either way, look for the Yanks to trade him and get a very good CATCHING prospect in return. One that will mature for the MLB level in a season or two.

With Giambi gone and Manny being no 1st baseman, who mans first? Sorry Pat but Mark Texiera is going to be an Angel, probably for the rest of his career. Especially when they win the World Series this year (who can beat them?). Jorge Posada will play first. But who will catch? Pudge will be resigned for a 2 year deal with Molina to be his back up. Allowing time for the new catching prospect to get ready for the majors. Sorry Jorge. I think Joe and the Yankees in general have seen what Molina has gotten out of his pitching staff this year in Jorge’s absence. Maybe its not the pitchers but the catcher that has been a problem in recent years.

I dont like the Yanks burning the bank account up for more allstars to flounder around in the new Yankee stadium, but I seriously believe they will nail down CC Sabathia simply because Hank sees the loss of signing Santana in favor for Ian and Hughes didnt work at all. I also figure CC will be mediocre and hurt half of his first season in pinstripes. Isnt that what ALWAYS happens to teams who sign guys like him? At least in NY it does (Mets included).

So here’s MY starting line for opening day.

CF Damon
SS Jeter
3B Arod
DH Manny
1B Jorge
LF Matsui
RF Nady
C Pudge
2B Cano/Prospect

Bench
Molina
Betemet
Gardner
Christian

Starters
Wang
Moose (Resigns for 2 years chasing 300 wins)
Chamberlain
Pettite (resigns for 1 year to play in the new park)
Hughes/CC Sabathia (if hes signed)

Long relief
Rasner
Geise
(Neither will be effective next year)

Short relief
Robertson
Veras
Marte (lefty specialist)

Setup
Edwar Rameriz

Closer
Rivera

Note:
Hughes could be moved to the bullpen if Sabathia is signed. He could be seen as long relief/back up starter or possibly be fit into a role as set up man. His nasty curve may work well as a late inning reliever if he can work on getting some more speed on his fastball. Especially with his tendency to get injured, a less demanding role could be in his future and I believe he will prosper in such a position.

Either way the 2008 season officially ended when Joba went on the DL. I called it immediately. Since he went down the Yanks have won 4 games and lost 6. The 2008 Yankees will be remembered for being the most expensive team of glass jaw allstars that anyone has ever seen. In every game they do exactly what is expected to do. Arod will not drive that run in, Jeter will try but fail to carry the team by himself, Giambi will appear useless, Abreu in another world all of his own, Damon wishing he resigned with Boston, Cano loafing around like hes just dont care, RISP means its time to jump on the first pitch to end the threat, Mo will be brought into a tie game and give up a run and pitchers will pitch well but lose or not be factored into the decision because the team’s offense is atrocious.

Happy 2009! Ive been looking forward to it since May!

But there are 41 games left, not 14. Mark my words, at some point in the next six weeks they will get within a few games of the wild card and everybody will have hope. This team is inconsistent; they’re not terrible.”

As for Girardi, he’ll get a pass for this year because of injuries. But I would suspect a shakeup in the coaching staff as a warning shot going into next season.

Girardi is a horrible manager and was a big mistake.

How do you keep Giambi in the lineup at the 5 spot when he’s batting .250, which I’m not sure is more than his weight.

7 gazillion lineup changes, not one of them has been effective.

FIRE GIRARDI!

This isn’t fantasy baseball my friend. What are the Yankees giving up for Fielder? You don’t address that at all. Ichiro is the ONLY thing the Mariners have in the every day lineup, he’s not getting traded. K-Rod is not going to go form setting the single season record for saves to being a set up guy, that’s just inane.

And you’re willing to give an every day to Brett Gardner? Have you seen him play? Or oyu’ll have Ichiro or Damon hitting ninth? Amazing!