I've been doing a lot of work this summer. I feel that now, since I'm going to be 18 and am college-bound, I should be productive with my time. A little babysitting here, some petsitting there, networking around at my college trying to get my name out there, all good stuff. Isn't it ironic: I finally have money, but now that I do, I'm not as fast to spend it as I was when I didn't have it. I've been told that even if I have the money, that doesn't mean I have to buy things just to buy them. Even in the most tantalizing situations, such as eyeing an extremely cute dress at the mall, I am proud to say that I haven't given in to the temptation to spend (for the most part).
Sometimes I get close, though...I find that the dress is in my size, and then that it looks better on me than it does on the mannequin (not to sound arrogant or anything). I'm close to giving in. But then, knowing that it's my money I would be spending, I think: sure, it's adorable. But do I really need it? I've made it almost all the way through the summer without it anyways, it won't be in style soon, so what would it do for me at this point?
Being an almost-typical almost-18 year old, clothes are very important to me. But not as important as my Yankees. The state of the Yankees matters more to me than all the cute dresses combined. Naturally, some people are scratching their heads over why the Yankees didn't make a big move - or any moves, for that matter - before the trade deadline. I understand why they didn't, and I support that decision wholeheartedly.
Obviously, my refusal to buy isn't quite the same as Cashman's refusal to buy, but you get the idea. Currently, the Yankees are 64-42, and they are 2 games behind that team in Baahston. They have done what they have done despite having more players on the DL than any other team in baseball. With each game that passes, key guys are getting closer to their returns. Some guys, such as Eric Chavez and Rafael Soriano, already have come back. Some guys, like Joba Chamberlain and his Tommy-John elbow, will not be back this year, but other guys like All-Star David Robertson have really stepped up.
I understand why some Yankees fans are disappointed, but I think they need to stop thinking hypothetically about the future. They should be taking things a game at a time. Part of me sees why more pitching would’ve been nice to acquire, but I don’t fully understand all the doubts about Bartolo Colon. When people say “Ohh, the Yankees don’t have a #2 that matches up with any other #2 starters in baseball,” I think, “Umm…Bartolo Colon, maybe?”
I know he has not pitched this well or this often since his Cy Young year back in ’05. But does that mean we should just discount him? Newsflash: the guy has had a short DL stint of 15 days with a hamstring injury. He has had plenty of opportunities to re-injure it by making that same play where he covers the bag, and newsflash: he hasn’t gotten hurt again. He said he would be healthy when he got off the DL, and so far he has been.
Why must Yankees fans be so worrisome and negative? Maybe that little DL stint was it for the year for him. There is no question about Colon’s stuff this year: when he pitches, he doesn’t just win – he overpowers. It’s just his health people are worried about. But if he’s healthy, there is no doubt in my mind that he matches up just fine with another contender’s #2 starter. And I believe he will be healthy.
Back in 2009, the Yankees won the World Series with just three starters: CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Andy Pettitte. CC is having the best season of his career, so he is a stronger ace now than he was then. I think Bartolo Colon is a better #2 now than Burnett was in ’09. The numbers don’t lie, and neither do my eyes when I watch the guy pitch. Andy Pettitte is irreplaceable. Still, Freddy Garcia has greatly exceeded my expectations this season. Why does everyone doubt him? He’s a veteran who knows how to pitch. Even if his “stuff” isn’t as great as it once was, he knows how to win. Burnett is Burnett – he can throw a no-hitter on any given night, but hit every batter and lose on the same night. The stuff is there, he’s a hit and a miss.
I truly believe that Ivan Nova can really help these Yankees down the road. He has grown so much as a pitcher this year, and from watching him every night out, I can see that he is improving every time he toes the rubber. I’m happy the Yankees didn’t make any moves at the deadline, because I knew that if they did, Nova was likely to be gone.
Ubaldo Jimenez…whatever. Let the Indians have him. He’s really not that great. It’s a relief to me that the Yankees didn’t kill the farm on a guy who is going downhill – a guy who the Rockies were so eager to trade. Hiroki Kuroda, Wandy Rodriguez…don’t care. Again, the Yankees have made it this far without them, they aren’t essential. I believe the Yankees do have more depth in their system now than they had at this point last season, which is why last year at this time I wanted them to acquire someone. I recently found out that Manny Banuelos, one of the Killer B pitching prospects, has been promoted to Triple-A for the Yanks. If needed, he may be able to pitch in the Bigs this year.
I’m glad the Yankees didn’t buy for the sake of buying. Just because other contenders made moves doesn’t mean the Yankees should have. They are a strong team now, only waiting for guys to come back and help them become stronger down the road.
As for the rotation and Bartolo Colon’s health, I do believe he will remain healthy. But if he gets hurt and is out, then okay – #28 just wasn’t meant to be this year. I don’t think any of the pitchers that were available would have helped the Yankees anyway. I am proud of this Yankees team. But even if they don’t win, I won’t complain about this. I won’t write a long ranting blog post directed to Brian Cashman that he should’ve made moves at the deadline.
Because nothing was done, I know for a fact that I have a lot to smile about regarding the future of the Yankees, as in Jesus Montero, Manny Banuelos, Dellin Betances, Ivan Nova, etc.
And I wouldn’t be able to say that if they had done something.
by Virginia Califano
pinstripepartisan@fanvsfan.com
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