Maybe He Really Is An Idiot
"The biggest thing that enticed me about the Yankees is knowing that Derek Jeter is going to be here five more years, [Alex Rodriguez] is going to be here five more years, Jorge Posada's going to be here. Bernie Williams is going to be here as long as he wants. I believe they're going to make a big effort to sign Gary Sheffield. Jason Giambi is here three more years. That core is something that enticed me a lot. The core in Boston, unfortunately, is coming to an end."
-- former Jesus Christ lookalike and new Yankee center fielder Johnny Damon
In five years Johnny Damon will be 37. Derek Jeter will be 37. Alex Rodriguez will be 35. Jorge Posada will be a 39 year old catcher. Bernie Williams is 37 now and slugged .367 last year. Gary Sheffield is a month younger than Williams; both will be 42 during the 2011 season. Jason Giambi, noted fitness guru, will be 38 when his contract expires in three years.
That's a core that certainly entices me, too. Because I'm not a Yankees fan. If you're looking short term, sure, that's a terrific core, and the 2006 Yankees have as good a chance at winning the World Series as anyone else. Except for having a terrible pitching staff, that is. But in five years? If this is really the core of the 2010 Yankees, they are going to need a pitching staff that strikes out 97% of opposing batters, and rest stops along the basepaths.
Damon is confusing a core that is coming to an end with a core that is fluid. Where the Yankees love to lock down big stars with long term, expensive contracts, the Red Sox understand that assets depreciate, and that signing replaceable parts like Kevin Millar to a five year deal is not a desirable investment.
His frustration is understandable. When you have a bunch of friends in your workplace, you don't want to see them broken up. But professional sports aren't like other organizations. Athletes have a short window of excellence; when the window starts closing a team needs to replace them or risk falling behind its competitors. That's why, of the regulars on the 2004 world champion Red Sox, only Manny Ramirez, Jason Varitek, and Trot Nixon remain. Damon himself has been replaced by Coco Crisp, essentially the same player, but six years younger and cheaper as well.
Sometimes these moves work out, and sometimes they don't. But teams have to make them.
-- former Jesus Christ lookalike and new Yankee center fielder Johnny Damon
In five years Johnny Damon will be 37. Derek Jeter will be 37. Alex Rodriguez will be 35. Jorge Posada will be a 39 year old catcher. Bernie Williams is 37 now and slugged .367 last year. Gary Sheffield is a month younger than Williams; both will be 42 during the 2011 season. Jason Giambi, noted fitness guru, will be 38 when his contract expires in three years.
That's a core that certainly entices me, too. Because I'm not a Yankees fan. If you're looking short term, sure, that's a terrific core, and the 2006 Yankees have as good a chance at winning the World Series as anyone else. Except for having a terrible pitching staff, that is. But in five years? If this is really the core of the 2010 Yankees, they are going to need a pitching staff that strikes out 97% of opposing batters, and rest stops along the basepaths.
Damon is confusing a core that is coming to an end with a core that is fluid. Where the Yankees love to lock down big stars with long term, expensive contracts, the Red Sox understand that assets depreciate, and that signing replaceable parts like Kevin Millar to a five year deal is not a desirable investment.
His frustration is understandable. When you have a bunch of friends in your workplace, you don't want to see them broken up. But professional sports aren't like other organizations. Athletes have a short window of excellence; when the window starts closing a team needs to replace them or risk falling behind its competitors. That's why, of the regulars on the 2004 world champion Red Sox, only Manny Ramirez, Jason Varitek, and Trot Nixon remain. Damon himself has been replaced by Coco Crisp, essentially the same player, but six years younger and cheaper as well.
Sometimes these moves work out, and sometimes they don't. But teams have to make them.
posted by Jim at
9:37 AM
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