Is The New York Media Waking Up?

For months I have been calling out the New York media for not getting after the New York Yankee organization for its inability to develop talent and to a strategy of signing past their prime free agents.  In fact, I have been complaining about the lack of a farm system for the last three years.  The typical Yankee media hacks like Mark Feinsand, Sweeney Murti and Michael Kay have made plenty of excuses throughout the season.  I remember distinctly during a telecast in July how Kay was extolling the fact that in spite of the Yankees terrible run differential they were still a playoff contender.  Really Michael?  How are they making out now?

Well, Thursday morning I was pleasantly surprised by two articles: one in the Daily News by Bill Madden and the other in the Post by Kevin Kernan.

http://nypost.com/2014/09/11/troubling-new-reality-for-old-bombers/

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/madden-chasing-wild-card-yankees-answers-injuries-article-1.1935750

Madden's article slams home the point that the Yankee farm system is bereft of talent. They don't have a shortstop, third baseman or any outfield prospects who will be ready to step in next year. The only position player who may be major league ready is second base prospect Robert Refsnyder. It's a total joke that the richest sports team in the world cannot scout and develop talent.  As Madden states,  "When is Hal Steinbrenner going to hold someone accountable for a team with a payroll of over $200 million, clogged with grossly overpaid, fading veterans, that likely will finish out of the postseason money for the second straight season — an organization that hasn’t drafted and developed a single All-Star-caliber position player since Derek Jeter in 1992?

Is no one responsible for this?

Kernan accurately identifies that we have reached the beginning of a period of terrible baseball in the Bronx. This will mark two years of not making the playoffs, the first time since the 1991-1992 seasons.  Kernan pounds away at the point that the team is old and desperately need the infusion of youth.  In the article, here's what Joe Maddon of Tampa Bay had to say, " “Money can’t buy you happiness anymore,’’ Rays manager Joe Maddon told The Post. “Now it is about playing better baseball and not about spending all the money. There’s a lot of talk about organizations overvaluing prospects, but you can see why in a sense. You can’t go out and buy 40 home runs anymore, they’re not there. It’s hard to buy 20 victories anymore, it’s not there.’’

Maddon said the secret to success is the middle ground, not the totally inexpensive route and not the really expensive route.

I give credit to both writers for calling it like I have been seeing it for months. However, there are still morons like Joel Sherman who in an article says the Yankees should go after Victor Martinez in 2015.  Just what they need: another over-35 year old DH/first baseman.

Yankee fans need to come to the realization that this team is in BIG trouble for the next 4-5 years unless there is a change in philosophy. Joe Maddon is right. You are not going to buy your way out of this. The Jeter teams from 1996-2001 were built around home grown players. They added players through trade or free agency, like Chili Davis and David Justice. But the key guys were Williams, Jeter, Rivera, Posada and Pettitte.

It's being reported that Mark Newman, the man in charge of the Yankees' farm system is retiring at the end of the season.  He headed a system that did not see one of the Yankees minor league teams make the playoffs. Maybe Newman saw the handwriting on the wall. The whole farm system needs to be examined including various instructors and coaches. Newman leaving is the first step but more needs to be done including a decision on whether or not Brian Cashman remains as general manager. The question is whether or not Hal Steinbrenner has the ability to make the tough decisions. I'm betting he doesn't