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willowz · 06-19-2006, 10:01 PM

So after a weekend of battling with a powerful hangover, I finally got the 2006 recap together in preparation for the 2007 season. It should be of note of course that I'm not simply going to do season recaps, that the plan was to sim the 2006 season all along – I, I mean, Matthew Brown, is taking over the team at the start of the 2007 year. 'Twas always the plan.

Mussina Worth the Trouble in '07?

February 9th, 2007

Matthew Brown sat in his office at Yankee Stadium and crunched the numbers. Mike Mussina had finally reached the big 20 benchmark – but it was 20 losses, not 20 wins, and that is strikingly concerning for the Yankee organization because they could certainly use one more solid season out of him.

It's going to be tough enough getting this team under the $140 Million Dollar Payroll mark, but even tougher knowing the Red Sox are in the same division, the 2006 World Champion Red Sox, who are certainly no assistance on the worried impatience of George Steinbrenner.

Mike Mussina will be pitching as a 38 year old in 2007, and that 16.5 million dollars he is owed weighs a hell of a lot more now. Matthew had a bittersweet phone call today, because Randy Johnson is putting the 07 season aside for retirement. While it was nice to have him around, Johnson was never the real Big Unit in the Bronx, and the lack of his hefty contract is a big blessing as the team makes some major cuts.

The funny thing is Brown's rotation currently is Mussina, Chacon, Wang, Wright and Pavano. Only Pavano is signed beyond 2007, and he has not throw but a few balls in the last two seasons.

Was nice knowing you, Jorge

Even Brian Cashman knew that Jorge Posada was two expensive, because we don't have the trouble of dealing with him anymore. He wasn't resigned, and Matthew Brown wouldn't have, had he the option. Gary Sheffield is a 38 year old now free agent also, not tendered a contract. Other than that, Brown and company were dealing with all the usual suspects. Mariano would most likely return as the team's closer. Free Agency would only tell what help he'll have.

148 Million

That's the current number, which means the first and foremost maneuver that you can expect to be made on this club is to try and rid themselves of the vacuum that is an old Mike Mussina. Jason Giambi might not be all that safe either.

Storytime, at last

Brown continued to crunch the numbers. As a fan of the Yankees in his childhood and throughout his college years, it truly was a startling yet welcome dream that he was now fiddling with the real Yankee roster – not a fantasy one. There were some distinct things Brown remembered from all the hours spent watching Yankee games, a couple of predictable two strike outs. One was Jorge Posada and his on-again off-again love affair with the 2-strike split finger. Low, inside. Couldn't lay off them, couldn't touch them. He didn't have to worry about that anymore. Another item of Brown's fan frustration was Giambi's affection with the high fastball with two strikes. Jason Giambi and Jorge Posada, two professional hitters, seemed to be two people who for all that they could do, could simply not lay off two very recognizable pitches.

But did Brown really want to part with Giambi? He has had a lot of clutch Yankee moments, believe it or not. Giambi faired well in the 05 post-season, the last time the Yankees made it. There was the 2002 grand slam against Minnesota, and each season there seems to be about a 3 week stretch in which he comes up in crucial situations and simply doesn't miss. That is the deceiving thing about Giambi though: the numbers don't tell the whole story. His clutchness, his talent even, come and go. For a month of a season he may be the worst thing that ever happened to you, and if that comes at the wrong time, your season's over.

06-19-2006, 10:01 PM	#7
willowz Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 38	So after a weekend of battling with a powerful hangover, I finally got the 2006 recap together in preparation for the 2007 season. It should be of note of course that I'm not simply going to do season recaps, that the plan was to sim the 2006 season all along – I, I mean, Matthew Brown, is taking over the team at the start of the 2007 year. 'Twas always the plan. Mussina Worth the Trouble in '07? February 9th, 2007 Matthew Brown sat in his office at Yankee Stadium and crunched the numbers. Mike Mussina had finally reached the big 20 benchmark – but it was 20 losses, not 20 wins, and that is strikingly concerning for the Yankee organization because they could certainly use one more solid season out of him. It's going to be tough enough getting this team under the $140 Million Dollar Payroll mark, but even tougher knowing the Red Sox are in the same division, the 2006 World Champion Red Sox, who are certainly no assistance on the worried impatience of George Steinbrenner. Mike Mussina will be pitching as a 38 year old in 2007, and that 16.5 million dollars he is owed weighs a hell of a lot more now. Matthew had a bittersweet phone call today, because Randy Johnson is putting the 07 season aside for retirement. While it was nice to have him around, Johnson was never the real Big Unit in the Bronx, and the lack of his hefty contract is a big blessing as the team makes some major cuts. The funny thing is Brown's rotation currently is Mussina, Chacon, Wang, Wright and Pavano. Only Pavano is signed beyond 2007, and he has not throw but a few balls in the last two seasons. Was nice knowing you, Jorge Even Brian Cashman knew that Jorge Posada was two expensive, because we don't have the trouble of dealing with him anymore. He wasn't resigned, and Matthew Brown wouldn't have, had he the option. Gary Sheffield is a 38 year old now free agent also, not tendered a contract. Other than that, Brown and company were dealing with all the usual suspects. Mariano would most likely return as the team's closer. Free Agency would only tell what help he'll have. 148 Million That's the current number, which means the first and foremost maneuver that you can expect to be made on this club is to try and rid themselves of the vacuum that is an old Mike Mussina. Jason Giambi might not be all that safe either. Storytime, at last Brown continued to crunch the numbers. As a fan of the Yankees in his childhood and throughout his college years, it truly was a startling yet welcome dream that he was now fiddling with the real Yankee roster – not a fantasy one. There were some distinct things Brown remembered from all the hours spent watching Yankee games, a couple of predictable two strike outs. One was Jorge Posada and his on-again off-again love affair with the 2-strike split finger. Low, inside. Couldn't lay off them, couldn't touch them. He didn't have to worry about that anymore. Another item of Brown's fan frustration was Giambi's affection with the high fastball with two strikes. Jason Giambi and Jorge Posada, two professional hitters, seemed to be two people who for all that they could do, could simply not lay off two very recognizable pitches. But did Brown really want to part with Giambi? He has had a lot of clutch Yankee moments, believe it or not. Giambi faired well in the 05 post-season, the last time the Yankees made it. There was the 2002 grand slam against Minnesota, and each season there seems to be about a 3 week stretch in which he comes up in crucial situations and simply doesn't miss. That is the deceiving thing about Giambi though: the numbers don't tell the whole story. His clutchness, his talent even, come and go. For a month of a season he may be the worst thing that ever happened to you, and if that comes at the wrong time, your season's over.