Why Is This Guy In Triple A?

The Yanks roster is mostly set. While “fans”, and I use the term loosely, are calling into sports talk radio clamoring for radical change the truth is radical change is impossible. The Yankees have fallen into the same trap year in and year out and have locked themselves into a very inflexible roster. I was worried about the path the Yankees would take this off-season and 70 games into the season it appears almost everyone of my premonitions came true.

The Yankees locked themselves into an overpriced rotation that keeps deserving players (Aceves, Hughes) stuck in the bullpen. They inexplicably gave Damatso Marte a sizable extension. They didn’t add any organizational depth at 3rd base and were stuck with Cody Ransom as an everyday starter for a good portion of the season. Really? You couldn’t have taken a flier on Dallas McPherson? Why is Brett Tomko on the team? Why was Jose Veras on the team for so long? What purpose does Angel Berrora serve?  Why does Melky continue to start when Brett Gardner is clearly a better player?  Why hasn’t Mo pitched since June 16th?

It may seem like little nitpicks but they start to add up. Compare the Yankees and Red Sox off-seasons.

C.C and Tex aside, the Yanks spent 82.5 million Burnett (16.5 million this season) and $12 million on Marte (3.75 million this season.) The Red Sox spent a combined 13.5 million on Smoltz, Penny, Saito and Roco Badelli.

That’s 16.5 million on a classic “stuff always looks better than stats” injury prone pitcher (he’s like the pitchers J.D Drew) or save three million and get Smoltz, Penny, Saito and Badelli and don’t lose a draft for signing any of them.

Yikes.

Meanwhile the Yanks continue to befuddle. Why is Brett Tomko on the roster over Mark Melancon? Shouldn’t Shelly Duncan at least get a chance to prove he’s a viable bat off the bench?  Why are we bunting our number five hitter in the 3rd inning?  Are we really playing for one run with Wang on the mound?

The Yankees continue to be light years behind the Red Sox in terms of player evaluation and development.  Unless they undergo a major organzational change they are poised to stay there.

Related posts:

1. Hey Boston, How’s Ya Boy Wonder Doing Now?
2. Chad Gaudin Traded To Yankees
3. Yankees Steal Granderson
4. Why I Hate Spoiled Yankee Fans…
5. Weighing In Roy Halladay…