Retool, you Tools

A lot of Yankees fans are looking to the future these days for obvious reasons. Some want to sell off the entire team for scrap. Others are already planning the 2008 version of the Bronx Bombers. To get through this season though - and there is still half a season to go - some major changes to need to be done.

Let's take a look at the current roster and see who goes, who stays, and where some good fits might be.

The Infield

1st Base has been a disaster. Brian Cashman screwed up a big time here in bringing in Doug Mientkiewicz and Josh Phelps to compete with holdover Andy Phillips.

Solution for '07 - Bring Shelley Duncan up from Scranton and give him 81 games to show if he has any major league potential. His brother Chris has been a HR machine for the Cardinals and he really can't play any position. Duncan strikes out a lot - 71 Ks in 276 at-bats, but the 27-yr old is hitting .293 with 20 HR and 61 RBI. He also has 15 doubles and a .950 OPS.

2nd Base - Robinson Cano is having a down year after batting .342 in '06. Larry Bowa has spent countless hours turning Cano into a very good glove man in the field. Now it's time for Kevin Long to work with Cano on showing more patience at the plate, especially in situations where it calls for it.

Solution for '07 - Cano needs to get consistency in his swing to help build his confidence. The fans that claim he's lazy or upset because he's always smiling, have no clue what they're talking about. The Yankees have a genuine talent here that is still somewhat raw.

Shortstop, Third Base - Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez. 'nuf said.


The Outfield

I love Hideki Matsui. He's a great teammate and he's been a clutch hitter, but the Yankees should move him before his offensive skills diminish further. He's a competitor and that's his biggest advantage. But he's never been a very good outfielder, and there are times where he looks clueless out there.

Solution for '07 - Status Quo. Move Hideki in the off-season.

Johnny Damon seemed to age overnight. After an excellent debut season in New York, he's been a physical wreck this season. Name a body part, his is hurting. Damon still has 2 years left on a big contract and will be hard to move.

Solution for '07- is more like a solution for '08. Move Damon to left field and get a center fielder who still has life in his legs.

Bobby Abreu looked like Mickey Mantle last season and Mickey Klutts this season. His offense showed up for about a 2-3 week period, but before and after he's been horrendous. Watching him in the outfield makes you wonder how he ever won a gold glove. He's fearful near the wall and doesn't really move that well laterally.

Solution for '07 - the Yankees should try to move him to a pennant contender and get some good young talent in return. If he stays a Yankee, his $16 million option should definitely NOT be picked up.

Melky Cabrera should remain on the team in '08 as a 4th outfielder. While he has shown he can handle every day duties in the field, his bat is still not up to snuff.

Catchers

The Yankees have really done a poor job here in preparing for the future. While they have taken steps more recently with the addition of Jesus Montero, there is no one in the immediate future that could step in as an ever day catcher.

Jorge Posada is having a big season in the Bronx, his best in hitting for average. It's also his walk year, which means the Yankees could be in dire straits next year without him. The Yankees must re-sign him.

Backup Catcher - Another horrible job by Cashman here with Wil Nieves, Todd Pratt, Raul Chavez, and Ben Davis competing in Spring Training for the back up role. Nieves can't hit and his throws can't reach 2nd base on the fly.

Solution for '07 - Release Nieves and bring up soon-to-be 26-yr old Omir Santos from Scranton for the remainder of the season. And if Mike Mussina doesn't like throwing to him, tough shit.


Starting Pitching

Not much is going to be done here. Chien-Ming Wang is the ace of the staff. Andy Pettitte has been roughed up lately, but is still a reliable starter..his record should be better than it is.

Roger Clemens is a $28 million bust. Clemens will pitch the rest of the year in meaningless games. This move looked good at first, but now looks like a complete waste of money.

Kei Igawa - Barring a rain out, we're stuck seeing him when we finally get to a game this Thursday. Overpaid, underachieving - the credo for this team. Might as well see what he can do the rest of the year.

Mike Mussina - This is the one guy that can and should be moved. With a fastball that is no longer coming close to reaching 90, re-signing him was a huge mistake. The Yankees should move him to a contender and get some young talent in return. If he stays throughout the year, he must be moved in the off-season. Now is the time though, before he looks even worse.

The Pen

This has been a disaster, even effecting Mariano Rivera. But Mo has bounced back and better be re-signed after this season.

We've said it before, but it can't be said enough. Kyle Farnsworth and Mike Myers must go...NOW. Farnsworth still has 1 year remaining on his "ripping the team off" contract. He will have value though with so many teams in the playoff hunt. Get him out.

Myers just needs to be released. The so-called lefty specialist is getting righties out, but not lefties. They're hitting a mere .321 against him. This guy just plain stinks. Sean Henn should have his spot right now.

Luis Vizcaino has been much better of late, thanks to some work with Mariano. But if you can move the 34-year old do it.

Ron Villone is a serviceable innings eater, that is rarely ever used by Torre. Unless its 2006 when Torre used him every day until he couldn't throw an effective pitch any more.

Brian Bruney - A hard thrower, but very inconsistent. If you can't throw strikes, you don't belong in the big leagues. Ron Guidry needs to earn his money and get this guy straightened out.

Scott Proctor - the towering inferno. Is good when used correctly. Is horrible when overworked, which is most of the time.

Mariano and Proctor are really the only two who should be back next year.

Solution for '07 - Bring up some kids. Edwar Ramirez got the call yesterday, but it remains to be seen how much Torre will use him. He didn't even use him in a blow out loss yesterday. Ramirez is an interesting story. Was horrible as a starter in the Angel's system, then was lights out in the independent United League. The Yankees brought him in last year as a reliever and he's been phenomenal. He averages a couple of strikeouts an inning, with a tremendous fastball despite a 6'3", 150 lb frame.

Chris Britton - what does this guy have to do to get back up here? He had a nice rookie season with the O's last season, who mistakenly gave him up for Jaret Wrong Wright. He's been nearly lights out for Scranton, but has only had a couple of very brief stints in the Bronx.

Jim Brower should be given a look also, even though he's a long time veteran and not a kid.