What would you do with Alex and Derek?   Alex is owed 141 million on his contract but his skills are definitely in decline?  Now Derek with his broken ankle, what do you think about him coming back at his age and playing at the 15million a year mark?

NY Yankees are clearly in a state of decline..rag tag pitching..no hitting..money cannot buy you a world.s championship..

Yes, having a 200 million dollar payroll does not guarantee you a World Championship (as the Yankees have only one once in the last 12 years). However, it is clear that having a huge payroll allows the Yankees to compete every single year for a playoff spot. Once you qualify for the post season, anything can (and will) happen. The best teams often do not win...many times its that 85 win team who barely made it in who goes on to be World Champions. But as they say, you have to be in it to win it and clearly the Yankees year after year are in it.

I think the Yankees have missed the playoffs once in the last 17 years. Come on, its ridiculous. Any fan of any sports team would die and go to the Heaven if their team had that kind of track record. That's where the Yankees payroll is a HUGE advantage. They will always be in the playoff race.

In terms of A-Rod what can the Yankees do? No Team (not even the suddenly free spending Dodgers) are going to take Alex Rodriguez off the Yankees hands unless the Yanks paid 90-95% of his contract. (not happening). The Yankees overpaid for A-Rod because they thought he would be the all time home-run king and they wanted him to do it in Pinstripes. They figured he was the perfect fit as they entered into the new stadium. Well now he is just a broken down, ex-steroid user, with no baseball credibility left. He will always be deemed a cheater. The Yankees are stuck with him for the duration of his contract. Jeter is a different animal. He is an all time Yankee legend and first ballot hall of famer. He is the face of the franchise. Really 15 million a year for what he means to the Yankees (not to any other team) is immeasurable.

It's very accurate to say that money has kept the Yankees in contention for a playoff spot year after year. It's also a little less obvious, but just as true, that anybody can beat anybody on any given day. The worst team to ever suit up won 40 games, and the best team ever (modern era) lost 36. The winner of the world series is the team that plays the best over one short series at the end of the season, and doesn't have much meaning outside that, yet it's the only thing we care about in the end.

Similarly, Billy Beane found a formula to get his team to the playoffs WITHOUT spending all that money, but his method had no more effect on the World Series than the Steinbrenner plan.

He is ower 114 million (yeah that is still a lot of fucking money) plus bonus money.

He also has a no trade clause in his contract so he actually has all the cards.

Rumors are rumors sometimes started by an unknown  looking to make a name for himself or his 15 min. In any case I'm not taking anything serious until it is a sure thing.

The way Jeter (the old man )was playing this year I think he will come back just fine and have a real good2013 season.

Pitchers and catchers in 4 months until then

Thank you
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-- Modified on 10/18/2012 10:38:51 PM