The first week of December was one of the craziest weeks ever in recent New York Yankees, and baseball in New York in general, history. First, the Yankees signed Jacoby Ellsbury, leaving many pinstripes fans on cloud-nine with optimism. With Ellsbury, Mccan, Texeira, Granderson, Cano and Jeter there would be no stopping the Yankees.
I had read the rumours of Robinson Cano signing with Seattle but I did not see them amounting to anything. It made no sense (I will explain this later). Then the craziness of Friday happened. Cano went to Seattle, and then even worse news, Curtis Granderson went to the Mets of all teams.
Initially I was upset at Yankee ownership, however, upon reading articles and seeing interviews with Cashman I got perspective, felt better and am more optimistic. He said basically the Yankees are open to signing anyone who wants to play here and, as if he already knew, they signed Carlos Beltran – Bang! The Yankees now have Mark Texeira, Jacoby Ellsbury, Derek Jeter, Brian McCann, Carlos Beltran, Brett Gardner and Ichiro Suzuki. I still feel Ichiro is not the answer and I have a feeling more moves are coming. Pitching still needs to be solved, too.
It is sad to see Cano and Granderson go to other teams, but at least they did not go to Boston. I blame A-Rod and Yankee ownership for these departures. When the Yankees signed A-Rod to his ridiculous second contract, I think all the Yankees noticed and licked their chops. Cano did leave the Yankees for the extra $50 Million Seattle was offering and I can’t knock him for that, however, Seattle? They have no line-up whatsoever and I think Cano likes to win. In NY Cano could have become a legend. I just don’t see that in Seattle. Can he be the next Griffey for the M’s? Who knows.
The Granderson move to a rebuilding Mets team confuses me too. He has over 80 hrs in the last 2 years, however, he hits with a low average. He was a great team player and role model. Who knows, maybe he wants to stay in NY and help the Mets rebuild.
The Yankees now have McCann, who had an off year last year but was hurt. Say hello to the righties porch! And Ellsbury is now a Yankee – it’s always a good day when the Yankees get one of the best Boston players. Beltran was a smart deal too. He has consistent power numbers and has some of the best post-season stats in baseball, take note Alex.
While it is sad to see Cano and Grandy go, it’s great to see Ellsbury, McCann and Beltran come to the concrete jungle we call NY. Change is good considering last year’s nightmare. The Yankees had injury after injury, and the players they had to take their spots were little more than a Band-Aid. The Yankees got old quick, and as they say “out with the old and in with new”.
My message to the Yankees who have left: Thanks for the hard work and memories.
My message to the new Yankees: Welcome to NY City’s team. Let’s win some titles, men.
My message to the Yankees GM Cashman: You have done great so far this off-season with your signings, but your work is not finished. We need pitching and have to strengthen our bench!
Let’s start another dynasty in 2014 !
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