Bye bye Randy
I know it is not official but the Big Unit looks to be heading back to the desert.
I have read a lot of debate among Yankee fans about this deal.
Personally, I really like the deal. I never liked Johnson. I thought he was bad for the clubhouse and NYC (remember his first experience in NY was shoving a camera). He is 43, coming off back surgery and was due 16 million. The Yankees got 1 proven relief pitcher which will allow them to either move Proctor in a trade (maybe Gonzalez?) or move Proctor to a starting role. They also got 2 pitching prospects that if anything are wanted by other teams. They also got a middle infield prospect which they do not have much of at AAA or AA. Plus they get to save 14 million.
Cashman has been trying to redefine this team and get rid of the me personalities on the team (i.e. Sheffield and Johnson). Cashman has restocked the farm system to be one of the best in baseball, saved a lot of money and got younger. I think he has done a very good job this offseason. Yeah, the rotation is a little more open and questionable now but after watching Randy the last 2 years I do not think he would have won more than 12-15 games this year in NY.
The Yankees I think are just about done this offseason. Deciding what to do with Bernie, a utility infielder and a backup catcher are still on the list. The Yankees are in good shape, they do not have any gapping holes and have some flexibility. No more Aaron Smalls or Kris Wilson’s when a guy gets hurt but good power arms that may develop into very good pitchers.
I am very excited about next year and how the Yankees are not trying to put an all star in each position and try to win world series based on paper stats. They are BUILDING a team that wants to win, not just cash in a pay check.
Stevereno