What Kind of Team Are the Yankees?

The Yankees won two out of three against the Red Sox. Then they lost the first game against the struggling White Sox. Then they won the next two games. They have won only four of their past ten games, and are in last place with a 25-31 record. What does it all mean? They play like a .500 team at best. They can't maintain a high level of success for more than a few days at a time, which is a bad sign. When Clemens starts his latest tour of duty, will he give them that psychological edge that they seem to need? My guess is that unless he pitches consistently and exceptionally well, and for more than five innings a game, the Yankees are going to end up out of the playoffs for the first time in a very long time. If I had to bet, I would say they will be playing golf in October, a week or two earlier than usual.

The Mets will have some interesting roster decisions to make in the next few weeks. When Valentin, Green, and Alou come back, who gets sent down/away? I hate to have to say it, but it looks like Julio Franco's coaching career should start very soon. If I were the Mets, I'd offer him a player/coach job for their Double A or Triple A teams. He just doesn't offer enough on the field at this point to keep him.

The moves I would make are: send down Gomez and Newhan, and release Franco (assuming he passes through waivers, he can choose whether to become a free agent or accept a job in the Mets organization). I would keep Ben Johnson and Ruben Gotay, to give them a more athletic and powerful bench. Endy Chavez's injury might open the door to the next move: recall Lastings Milledge as soon as he is ready to play. He becomes an important player, especially if Alou doesn't start healing fast.


© Judy Kamilhor 2007