WasWatching.com

I still feel Torre will be gone despite the wavering that is being reported. And I'm fine with that. I feel the argument for firing him this year, though, is much weaker than it was last year and in 2004. Blaming him for "the first half of 2007" is ludicrous -- do the playera snd Cashman get a pass for how piss poor the pitching and the hitting was?

The starting pitching in 2007, in particular, was the worst I've seen for the Yankees in many, many years...combined with a painfully thin bullpen, it's amazing the Yankees weren't even further below .500 at the All-Star break. When you're celebrating a start of seven innings (or a one run win) two thirds of the way into the season because of its rarity, it speaks to how poor the pitching was all year.

Even a couple of friends of mine who are strident Torre detractors (much to my surprise) have told me that given the hand Torre was dealt last year, it was one of his best managing jobs. But culturally, I suspect the organization wants to turn the page and start fresh.

I can't wait to see who the bashers target next, though, when we flirt with not making the playoffs next year.

This is what its come to with Joe. We're down to picking apart specific managerial decisions over the last 5 years in an attempt to replace him. (You know I never really liked the Wayne Franklin move in Texas in July 2005, either.)

Nearly 500 wins and 5 trips to the post-season in an increasingly competetive league. And the only team of the 2006 playoff qualifiers to make it in 2007.

But lets not worry because we're going to entrust $220 million worth of egos and the handling of the crazed New York media to Miller Huggins Mattingly, with his extensive managerial record and broad media backgorund.

Or better yet, Buck Showalter Girardi. A Don Zimmer disciple who couldn't get along with ownership in Miami, that super high-pressure baseball town. I can't wait for Girardi on the YES Post-Game after the Yanks get swept in Tampa, facing Kim Jones, full of second-guess questions planted by Steinbrenner cronies. And then, the inevitable Steinbrenner tirade to Bill Madden.

Can you say trainwreck?

Some bugs here and a Jeter base-hit there and we're not even having this discussion. This team needs to be tweaked, not broken-up from the top down.

I'm not trying to change your mind on not rehiring Torre but I thought you'd get a chuckle out of what my friend told me:

He's a fan of the Angels (regardless of whatever their name is at any time) and he was telling me how the few passionate fans out there want Scioscia out because of poor finishes, questionable pen decisions, and playing lousy players when better guys are available.

He cited the finishes since 2001:

2002 World Series
2003 finished 3rd
2004 Won division, swept by Boston in ALDS
2005 Won division, beat NY in ALDS, lost to CWS in ALCS

2006 finished 2nd
2007 Won division, swept by Boston in ALDS

Sound familiar? He thought this was the year he'd finally get past Boston.

Steve:

I want to know whom you would like to replace Torre. Make a case for your candidate. I remember you seem to like Girardi. Make a case for him, based on evidence (e.g. his season with the Marlins), not just on your impressions(which can be deceiving).

chris -

I've made my case for Girardi already:

http://www.waswatching.com/archives/2007/09/joe_girardis_ne.html

His record with the Marlins, turned in on a season where most predicted them to lose 90 games, stands for itself.

~~~Some bugs here and a Jeter base-hit there and we're not even having this discussion. This team needs to be tweaked, not broken-up from the top down.~~~

Tweak what? The pitching staff should be Wang, Pettitte, Hughes, Chamberlain, and Mussina as starters. Cano, Jeter, Giambi, Damon, Melky, Abreu, and Matsui should all be back. Hopefully, Mo and Posada come back. The team in 2008 should just about be the team in 2007 - assuming that A-Rod stays...

The only major change you can make to this team, outside of the A-Rod issue, is with the manager. If you're looking to tweak, that's where you have the room to tweak.

I don't think they should get rid of Torre unless Giradi is going to replace him. I don't want to see Larussa, I think that would be horrible.

I think Giradi is the best choice because he has managing experience and he has either played with or coached alot of the veteran players on the Yankees. I think if you bring an outside person in to manage the Yankees, some of the veteran Yankees might be skepitcal or him. He also seems to have good baseball knowledge. His problems with Florida were due to player personel. With the Yankees, I don't think there will be much discussion of who does and doesn't make the team, it's pretty clear cut, except for a few bullpen guys and bench players.

Most of my problems with Torre were during the regular season. As far as the playoffs go, I don't think he could have done much managing wise to help the Yankees beat the Indians this season. Wang sucked and they didn't get enough hits when they needed them. The only move I really second guess is that maybe Joe should have brought in Rivera for Joba when he got in trouble in the 8th inning of the bug game.

Steve--First of all, a "major change" is not a "tweak." And when I say tweak I'm talking about another attempt at an 8th inning guy to replace Joba, or something else to beef up the bullpen. Replacing any manager (especially a manager of Joe's stature) is definitely NOT a tweak.

Steve,
Heyman is usually wrong about anything regarding baseball.
The manager's job is to get the players to give their best effort in spite of the travel, pressure and money. Picking apart game decisions is talk show nonsense.