That’s a specious argument because teams it’s not true that keeping the core together was the big trick. Developing the core in the first place was the hardest part. Since the rule 4 draft was started teams rarely if ever have 5 hall of fame caliber players developed internally. It doesn’t happen so the issue of money keeping them together is secondary. That was the only point I was trying to make there. That may not have been the argument in this thread, however.

Conversely, if it is so historically uncommon to have a core of internally developed players of that caliber, it argues that trying to repeat that pathway actually isn’t a good strategy because you are trying to recreate a black swan of sorts. It’s turning a historical aberration into a model but it’s not a model that is necessarily reproducible.

Pragmatically blending internally developed talent with outside talent is likely the best pathway forward and I think that’s the one they are taking. The key part of this strategy is of course talent evaluation as knowing which young players to keep and which to get trade is fundamental to success.

Anyway, infield and bullpen haven’t been addressed yet, if they in fact are going to be. Sad to see Melancon go, but that’s life. Can’t hold on to everyone, and you have to give to get.

Have you looked at how this team has changed in the last four years?

They have three OF’s now all under 30 years old and all are making less than what the
Red Sox are paying Cameron and JD Drew this year.

They have a 24 year old kid in their rotation they are developing to be a top end starting pitcher. He made the AS team in his first full year as a starter. They have to be doing something right.

Tex, Cano, and CC are cornerstone guys for the next five years. Name me another team that has three guys of that pedigree and talent locked up for the next 4-5 years.

We aren’t even talking about Arod and Jeter and neither one of those guys are done.

You seem fixated by the belief the only way the Yankees can stay competitive is to develop a homegrown core.

I’m saying the way they stay competitive is balance. Use free agency intelligently. Accumulate enough minor league assets to trade AND bring to NY, achieves that balance.

The last thing they should do is try and become the Rays. That’s a foolish allocation of resources because the fail rate with young players is much, much larger than the fail rate with free agents (especially if you sign the right one’s) and trading for younger talent.

Ha!!!!!!!!!!”

Hello voice of reason! Hope things are going well for you. I’d love to see a picture of Wills and his sister. I’m sure she’s gorgeous. My email address changed but when I emailed you I got a bounceback, so so has yours since we last emailed. If you’re still on Yuku, post some there! If not and you don’t mind doing it, email Chad and ask him to pass on my email address to you. I no longer post it anywhere. If you don’t know the reason I’ll explain it when I hear from you.

XOX

In the meantime, keep the troops calm regarding where Berkman will bat in the lineup. As for me, I have some shopping to do.

We got Soria?

Laird and Nunez have a lot to prove to be at that level.