Yankees/Team Chemistry

[Taker Fan]

Does anyone else think that since the beginning of last year, by gaining Sheffield and A-Rod, that it lowered the team's chemistry? I mean, it seemed like the Yankees of 2003 were very comfortable around each other (Soriano, Bernie, Jeter, Posada) but since the 2 new big stars came over, a lot of them started to turn into individual players and there seemed to be no more of those "team handshakes". I mean, sure, A-Rod and Sheff helped the Yanks get to where they were last year, and they were just ONE win away from the World Series, but my point is that do you think that the Yankees are turning into a bunch of individual players who just want to join an empire for a ring to get into the Hall of Fame? Rather than a team of few stars that is carried by the attitude and friendship of 9 players? IMO, the only thing the Yankees lack now (now that they've got better pitching), is Team Chemistry.

[BCWWF]

I made a similar post last year, about what I considered "True Yankee's" and how they just didn't seem like their players are the same as they were during the end of the century. The players they have now are probably better individual players, but they don't have the same mentality that the guys did in the past. In the past, the Yankee's to me were build kind of like the Patriots now. They were a complete team that didn't rely on a major superstar, but when it all came down to it all of the individuals were really good. You have guys like Scott Brosius, Chuck Knoblauch, Tino Martinez, and Alphonso Soriano. None of those guys were really superstars, but they were all very good players who played more as a team. I compare them to like Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, etc.

The Yankee's now are completely different. They still have some of the guys from when they were a winning team: Posada, Bernie, Jeter, and now Tino again. Except now instead of being the foundation of a completely solid team, they are the low end of a team based around superstars. I like the idea of A-Rod being on the Yankees, because he is the most high profile player playing in the most high profile team, but he just doesn't fit for them. To become a team that can win multiple World Series again, they have half the team.

They need to get rid of Posada, first and foremost. He isn't good enough to play his role on a team like this. Who they need now is a guy like Johnny Estrada or Victor Martinez, a young guy who can sit in the hole and make things happen. Then they need to rebuild their pitching staff completely. They stole Mussina from the O's so why not go get Ben Sheets now. They need to go younger as a whole, they keep adding older players to an old lineup. Randy Johnson might be good for a year, but that doesn't address the real future of their team. If they want to win they have to add the young players. Right now they are completely relying on free agency, and that has killed their farm system. As much as people hate to believe it, their farm system produced some very good players and guys that were very important to their long string of world series wins.

The Yankees will win games this year no doubt, but the make up of their team is nothing like it was a few years ago, and until they stop relying completely on free agency and superstars, they won't have the same results.

[DaveWadding]

I think that Matty needs a better favorite team. :)

[Taker Fan]

I have found the Marlins! :cool: (Juan Pierre is the man)

[Loose Cannon]

Avatar says it all baby.

[Loose Cannon]

seriously, I totally agree. The 1998 team was the greatest as they worked as an individual unit and played some smart baseball. 2001 Mariners, 2002 Angels, 2004 Marlins are examples of these teams. Not really one shining player, but played as a collective unit. But still, you teams like the Yankees, Sox, etc... who are built with a ton of star players will and can win, so it's not like you can't win a World Series with just a bunch of "money" players on your team. Look at the '97 Marlins and need I say more.

[BCWWF]

Agreed, but my standpoint is that while they will be a good team and possibly win a World Series, the consistancy isn't. The Yankees could very well win the big one this year, but they could very easily lose games 4, 5, 6, and 7 in the ALCS. I don't think the Yankees like they were built in the past had that possibility of being that streaky. The Yankee's now, nothing is guaranteed.

[Loose Cannon]

BTW, how great of a story was that Marlin team 0f '03

I mean the Marlins are barely alive midway through the season.

Some key guys get hurt

Jack McKeon, 105 years old and all, comes in straightens that young team out

Dontelle Willis comes in like the fucking Messiah and just mows down everyone

Beckett goes Christy Matthewson_style in the playoffs and shells everyone.

I-ROD goes from one of the worst teams ever to World Champion.

I mean, what a story.

[McLegend]

If it wasn't for Jeff Conine the Marlins would not of gotten into the playoffs.

[Taker Fan]

I just hope Pierre doesn't go to the Yankees next year :(

[BCWWF]

The Yankees worry me, because the Twins have a few guys that would make for very good Yankees, and we all know the difference in team budget. A few years ago it was Torii Hunter, I still wouldn't count that out, but now I could definately see the Yankees pushing a hard bet on Joe Mauer or Justin Morneau or Johan Santana or Joe Nathan. Those are all guys that would fit the Yankees winning ways, and all guys that at some point Minnesota probably won't be able to afford anymore.

[John la Rock]

it's all about the $$$ and I bet any player (given the opportuniy) would join the Yanks in a heartbeat

[BCWWF]

Not Vlad Guerrero

[VonErich Lives]

Schilling chose the Sox.

[The Outlaw]

Taker Fan is so adorable :love:

[House of Pancakes]

sheffield's fine. i think what fucked up the team chemistry was a-rod coming in, and clemens and pettitte leaving.