Don't Let the Door Hit Ya, Where the Good Lord Split Ya

Buster Olney wrote a book a few years back called "The Last Night of the Yankees Dynasty." In that book, Olney said that Game 7 of the 2001 World Series was the night the Yankees dynasty of the 90s and early 21st century died. Last night, the Yankees as we know them died. The Yankees were ousted by the Cleveland Indians, their third division series loss in as many years. As was the case in the past, the Yankees were outplayed in every facet of the game.

The bigger aspect of the story is that Joe Torre is probably going to lose his job because of it. Is this rational thinking on George Steinbrenner's part? I think it could be. It's time for Torre to go. Joe Torre, whom I think is a tad overrated, is still a great manager by most standards. However, I think that what this team needs more than anything is change. It's obvious the "old way" of doing business in New York is changing. There have been signs of this in the past year or two with the way general manager Brian Cashman is handling the farm system. In the past year or so we've seen the likes of Robinson Cano, Melky Cabrera, Philip Hughes, Edwar Ramirez, and Joba "the Hut" Chamberlain, all homegrown talent, make big impacts for the Yankees. Those players right there make up a better young nucleus than at least 75% of baseball. There is a youth movement in the Bronx, and I really don't think Joe Torre is the right man for that job. Reports are that the Yanks are hot on Tony LaRussa for Torre's replacement, but I feel the job should be offered to Joe Girardi. Girardi's a Yankee guy who led a Marlins team in 2006 that was nothing more than a "AAAA" team to a very respectable 78-84 record. His work even earned him Manager of the Year honors in the NL. With his history within the Yankees organization and an already creditable history in dealing with young players makes him the perfect fit. Doesn't it?

Not only are the Yankees going to have someone new at the helm next year, there's going to be some bigitme shake-ups on the field too. And it's going to be a chain reaction. Let me start by saying I'd be shocked if Alex Rodriguez doesn't opt out of his contract. For starters, his agent is $cott Bora$. As his agent, he wouldn't be doing his job if he didn't tell A-Rod to opt out. Instead of making $25-27 million he's slated to make, he could make $35-37 million after year he had this year. My instinct tells me he's not only going to opt out, but he'll sign elsewhere too. Next, Jorge Posada's contract is up after this year. He's a Torre guy, and he had a huge year this year. Why wouldn't he test the free agent waters and maybe look for greener pastures. If he goes, this might open up the door for Mariano Rivera to walk as well. Mo's contract is also done. With all the shake-up he might feel that there's just too much change and less chance to win in New York right away (he is getting old) than somewhere else. Roger Clemens' absurd contract is technically up too (money well spent, eh?). He's going to retire most likely. Again. For now. If he goes, you can say good-bye to Andy Pettite, because those two are connected at the hip.

The Yankees are in a good position to be good very fast even with all the change though. They are in the position that the Red Sox have mastered already. They have great young players like the ones I mentioned, plus the money to sign any free agent they want. So the future isn't terrible for the Yankees. But you can put your money on the Yankees looking very different, very soon.

-MC