ALDS Yankees vs. Tigers: Why Big Contracts Block Sound Baseball Decisions
October 7, 2011 · David Young · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
Well, like most Yankees fans last night I stared at the television for a good 20 to 30 minutes after Jose Valverde struck out Alex Rodriguez to advance the Tigers into the ALCS. But unlike many of my Yankee fan brethren, I wasn’t looking for that one scapegoat to blame the ALDS five-game series loss on.
The thought of blaming Freddy Garcia for his Game 2 performance never crossed my mind. The thought of blaming Rafael Soriano for giving up the Delmon Young home run in the Game 3 loss never crossed my mind. The images of Russell Martin, Brett Gardner, Rodriguez, and Nick Swisher not coming through with the bases loaded in Game 5 never crossed my mind.
Seriously, they didn’t.
What I thought about was how, in my opinion, the Yankees decisions, both managerial and above, seem to be driven by the amount of a guy’s contract. Yeah, I know, it sounds kind of crazy, but look at some of the evidence.
Evidence Point No. 1:
After splitting the first two games in the Bronx, the teams went to Detroit for Game 3. CC Sabathia was virtually ineffective, and to his credit he battled through 5 1/3 innings, but really, he probably should have come out earlier.
The only reason Sabathia stayed in longer was because he can opt out of his contract after this year and the Yankees don’t want to do anything that would get him upset with them to where he’ll possibly sign elsewhere.
Evidence Point No. 2:
Looking again at Game 3 after Sabathia exits and in comes Rafael Soriano, of the high value contract. It’s curious that Soriano would come in the game in the 6th inning as he is usually a late inning guy (most recently the 7th). But, Soriano does his job in the 6th and gets out of a one out, man-on-third situation unscathed by not allowing any runs.
It’s the 7th inning that becomes really curious. Right after the Yankees tie the score at 4 in the top of the inning, Soriano is allowed to come back out. Don’t forget Soriano has been a one inning pitcher for the last two years or so. And don’t forget Cory Wade has been more effective this year than Soriano. But still, the call is to have Soriano come back out. Gotta rationalize that contract.
Evidence Point No. 3:
Although it worked out, AJ Burnett had no reason making the ALDS playoff roster over the likes of Bartolo Colon, Aaron Laffey, or even Raul Valdes. Both Laffey and Valdes are left-handed relievers of which the Yankees had a grand total of ONE on their playoff roster.
And the way Burnett pitched down the stretch, it’s unexplainable why he was chosen over Colon. Unless, of course, you look at Burnett’s contract.
Evidence Point No. 4:
Move ahead to Game 5 and I’ll again look at Sabathia. After being less than effective the whole series, he’s brought into the deciding Game 5 to start the 5th inning. Even though Boone Logan looked good (the Alex Avila hit was not hit hard) and just got done overpowering and striking out Ramon Santiago, the call is to Sabathia.
Logan has been used in multiple inning situations before, while Sabathia has not relieved in, well…ever?? This again is a case of Sabathia having the opt out clause this year and the Yankees not wanting to anger him.
Evidence Point No. 5:
I don’t’ have the exact stats here, but when Rodriguez was on the DL the Yankees played better than when he was active. Coincidence? Perhaps, but I don’t think so. Rodriguez is no longer feared by pitchers, and although still a good player, he is SO one dimensional he hurts the Yankees.
With Rodriguez’ big contract, he is paid to hit home runs and drive in runs, period. With Rodriguez in the lineup, the Yankees can’t bunt, they can’t hit and run, they can’t steal, and most of all they can’t score.
The Yankees have better options at 3B in Eric Chavez, young Brandon Laird, and Eduardo Nunez (yes, I know his natural position is SS). But, the Yankees will be stuck with Rodriguez until he’s 43 because of his contract.
Evidence Point No. 6:
This one is hard for me to write because I love and grew up with these guys. However, the Yankees have handed big contracts to aging vets like Jorge Posada, Derek Jeter, Colon, Garcia, Martin, Chavez, and Andrew Jones, which have effectively blocking the path of younger players.
The key to winning consistently is being able to replace aging vets with younger players. The timing here is critical and the Yankees are almost loyal to a fault in re-signing guys they should let retire and replace with younger players.
OK, like I said, this may be a reach and is one man’s opinion, but in the end it seems that younger more productive players, and just sound baseball decisions in general, are getting blocked by the attempt to justify the big contract players.
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