Pre-Season Blasts & Pay Rolls That Provide Clash

Overall, it is hard for me to fathom the Yankee's letting go of Matsui. I am not just saying this in favor of him but to make a statement that backs a great player. Despite nagging injuries that he has faced within the past couple of years, he steps up to the plate and lifts the rest of the hitting lineup when they lack. His age may have been a factor; this is a question that may be left unanswered. Are the Yankee's taking a year off because they feel accomplished? They signed Randy Winn who is obviously, as the stats don't lie, on the decline and latter parts of his career. Gardner may be the favorite and his defense is one to respect. However, when Gardener's offense lacked and Damon needed a rest, Melky Cabrera was the go-to guy. He was clutch and every time I turned around he was hitting walk-off after walk-off that helped contribute to the Yankee's Championship season. So how do you let go young talent and bring in a player whose numbers have been declining since 2007. Don't get me wrong, Winn wasn't a "bad pickup" but it was by far not the greatest. It confuses me how they planned to let Cabrera go and picked up a questionable guy. The LoHud Yankees Blog is surely right about Winn because, as the stats do not lie, recent hitting numbers have shown that Winn exploits a declining status as a player. In my opinion, I thought they should have spent the extra money to keep a clutch Damon and left Winn to the wind.

We all know that THE toughest division in all of baseball is the American League East. New York is definitely among the toughest towns if not the toughest town to play in. This could account for the amount of off season transactions they have made despite their championship run this past season. Is there really any room to complain? I will take a step back and discuss the remainder of this paragraph fair-weathered. The Yankee's do have the highest payroll in the entire Major League. Does this account for them winning a championship? The answer in my opinion is more a yes than no. That’s right Yankee fans in this situation I do sometimes agree with the other population--i.e. "non-Yankee fans." Having a high payroll would help any team out in a sense of generating trades for the big-name athletes entering/ floating throughout the league. For example, if the Rays could help themselves get past the biggest wall in baseball (Yankee's and Red Sox), they would use a high pay roll to get players such as an Alex Rodriguez or a John Lackey. The question is can they really afford it? Or are they still holding back their budget over the new stadium rumors? The city of New York is never happy unless they get what they want. Let’s face it, the people want a championship year in and year out. Even when they finish off a great season, without a championship, they look to land the big name that will get them over the hump.

The previous paragraph I used in the form of an example. It is tough to hear "non-Yankee's-fans" say we buy championships when in my opinion; every team puts on the pants the same way the Yankee's do. It is every team’s job to play as a team and be dedicated throughout the duration of every long season to make that climb to the top. I personally believe that winning is such a tradition with the Yankee organization that it pushes players, both in the farm systems and the unsigned free agents amongst the MLB, to make themselves known in order to land a spot in the Yankee pinstripes. However, no one is ever guaranteed their spot in the Bronx. That place is a jungle and will eat you inside out if you don't produce.

Overall, this first blog post was designed to discuss big name dismissals from the 2009 roster as we enter a much anticipated upcoming season. Also, I wanted to use the Yankee pay roll as an example and that the criticism we face as fans is unfair. As mentioned, the Red Sox followed by all other clubs throughout the league, bring in the same skill of players the Yankee's do but it’s just something about the Bronx that keeps the winning ways rolling.

A passion for America's past time

"Baseball was, is, and always will be to me the best game in the world." - Babe Ruth

We all know the sport of baseball can be and is very controversial at times. Given the fact that I chose to write about my favorite New York Yankee's comes with a vast amount of criticism. Are you a band wagon? You live in Florida, aren't they in New York? The answer is yes.

Baseball was a sport I followed growing up and also participated in. The strategy for the game is like a chess match. Do I steal on a 1 ball, 2 strike, 1 out situation? The strategy and layout of my blog is going to come from news within the Yankee blogs I follow. Also, I plan to attend frequent spring training games to give live in-game feedback throughout my blogging experience this semester.

Yankeeography will not only be discussing just Yankee news but will also take a further look into the American league divisions. I will be watching closely as all teams are out to defeat the defending World Series Champs this upcoming season 2010.

Hope to keep all blog visitors interested and if you have any questions I will be open to interaction with all fellow bloggers.

P.S.- The top quote was inspiration from ex-Yankee player and legend, Babe Ruth.