State of the Yankees

The 2013 Yankees: Why A-Rod, Teixeira, and Granderson Need to Stay Away

 

 

 

Before the 2013 season started Yankee fans were up in arms over some of the signings made by the team. Vernon Wells? What the hell do we need him for? Travis Hafner? Don’t we have enough injuries? Kevin Youkilis???? This is a joke right? Is this really happening? He’s the enemy!!!! Then the season started and the Yankees lost 2 of 3 to the hated Red Sox. That’s all the vindication the fans needed. End the season now, there’s no reason to play another 160 games, this team is pathetic and dead in the water. Since that point though the team has gone 8-3 and is showing signs of a team that is in it for the long haul. The fans? They’re back on the bandwagon in full force ready to cheer this team into the World Series. Funny, who would have thought a New York fan base would overreact? No one saw that coming.

These 2013 Yankees aren’t your Daddy’s Yankees, hell, they aren’t even your little brother’s 2012 Yankees, and that is a very, very good thing. These new additions are playing with a chip on their shoulder, eager to prove they still have what it takes to perform at the big league level on an everyday basis. Same goes for Francisco Cervelli, a Yankee veteran but a guy trying to prove he can be a starter in this league despite the fact that he isn’t going to put up huge numbers. He’s been around this team, he knows the pitchers, and all he needed was a chance. This effect of trying to prove something and grinding out at bats is rubbing off on the rest of the team and is making this group a fun one to watch.

Another big difference between this team and ones of years past is the home run dependency. Sure, the ability to hit the long ball isn’t lost on this group but they can put crooked numbers up on the board by stealing bases, playing small ball, and driving pitches into the gap as opposed to the upper deck. And therein lies the rub. When Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, and Curtis Granderson return it completely changes the dynamic and makeup of this team.

Alex Rodriguez at this point, to Yankee fans, doesn’t even exist. This is pure speculation (wink wink) but he’s breaking down with injuries and not putting up typical Alex Rodriguez numbers because he stopped juicing and using performance enhancers. Besides all that and despite the fact that he was a big part of the 2009 World Series win he can’t escape Derek Jeter’s shadow and will never live up to his standards despite superior numbers, and even though he would never admit it, it eats him alive and he made a mistake staying here as long as he has. Rodriguez has a reputation of not being comfortable in his own skin and trying desperately to have everyone like him, and here in New York, even if you help win us a World Series, you’re not going to get a pass forever.

Mark Teixeira is a wizard defensively at first base there’s no denying that. There’s also no denying that he can hit monster home runs to sections of seats other wish they could hit, but on offense his at bats result in walks, home runs, or strikeouts. He’s Adam Dunn with a glove. He is a switch hitter but most at bats come from the left side and at Yankee Stadium all that means is eyes bulging out his head staring down that short porch in right field. He fell in love with the long ball and his game has suffered because of it. Same goes for Curtis Granderson, the same guy who in 2007 became only the 7^th player ever to hit 20 doubles, 20 triples, and 20 home runs in the same season (Jimmy Rollins also achieved this feat the same season). Yes there’s a big difference between Comerica Park and Yankee Stadium but Granderson too fell in love with the long ball. Although unlike Teixeira his at bats usually don’t result in the occasional walk, only home runs or strikeouts.

Adding these players, despite the money they are being paid, to a lineup that excels at what they fail at is a recipe for disaster. If the Yankees were smart they would look to trade Granderson yesterday. He can bring back some value and a change of scenery will do wonders for him. He is a classy guy who says and does all the right things, that can’t be taken away from him, but in order for him to be great once again, he needs to go. Getting rid of Teixeira and Rodriguez is a pipe dream. They’re stuck here and will eat up at bats this season and in future seasons from guys who deserve them more and would be better suited to help this team win but so is the life of a Yankee fan nowadays. Too much money doled out for too little in return.