What went wrong?

 2010 American League Championship pennants sit unused in the bowels of Yankee Stadium

Alright, so now that we got the first post out of the way, it's time to look a just what went wrong for the Yankees this season. There was a lot that contributed to the Yanks downfall this year, from the front office down to the coaching staff. Let's start at the top:

GM Brian Cashman:
A series of bone-headed off season moves, including signing Nick Johnson, trading for the most hated man in New York, and allowing the World Sereis MVP to walk, Cashman's bad season culminated in allowing a no-name prospect to prevent Cliff Lee from coming to New York on July 9th, a move that more than likely cost the Yankees the Pennant. Cash, you're lucky Big Stein isn't here anymore, 'cause you'd be looking for a Job with the Nationals. Speaking of which...

 Javier Vazquez:
Javy had a less-than steller first stint in New York (The picture at right is from the 2004 series that we don't talk about), and clearly couldn't handle the pressure of pitching in New York. Somehow this made Cashman think that bringing him back after a very good season in the Minors National League for a non-contender that he could handle the pressure of the Bronx. Long story short, he couldn't. In fact, his season was so bad that he was left of the playoff roster all together. It's not at all surprising that Javy has been linked to the perennial also-ran Washington Nationals even before the end of the World Series.




 

Nick Johnson:
Cashman has admitted that Nick Johnson was his Plan C this off season, behind Damon and Matsui. Regardless however, Nick Johnson was not the Yankees DH answer this year, and Cashman of all people should have been aware of Johnson's history with injuries and his inability to perform in New York. Johnson's 1-year $5.5 million contract amounts to a little more than half of Damon's $8 million 1-year contract with Detriot, however Damon produced much better numbers than Johnson, who even with the shortened season only batted .167 on the year. Bottom line, Damon would have been worth the extra $2.5 million, and would have contributed way more to the club than Johnson, especially considering how Damon thrived off the short porch in 2009.

Joba Chamberlain:
If you had told me three years ago that Joba would have been so ineffective in 2010 I would have said you were crazy. After all, he allowed one (1!) earned run in all of 2007. Since then however, the constant back and forth between the rotation and the bullpen has taken it's toll on the once star prospect. Maybe he should focus on baseball more, and try to avoid the DUI's.






Alex Rodrigez, Derek  Jeter, Jorge Posada:
All three had off years. A-Rod spent time on the DL (but still got 30 HRs and 125 RBIs). Jeter's defense continued to fall, showing almost no range to the left side, although both myself and the skipper think Jeter's still got some gas in the tank. And Jorge...well lets just say hopefully Jesus Montero is good to go in 2011, because right now a block of wood would offer more defense behind the dish.


Joe Girardi's Bullpen Management:
Joe Torre took a lot of flack in his later years in New York for his bullpen management (just ask Scott Proctor), but Girardi seemed to be different...until 2010. If I see him take a pitcher who is on a roll out one more time for a match up or to go lefty-lefty, and then have that relief pitcher promptly give up a home run, I'm not gonna be a happy camper. Just saying.





Last but not least - A.J. Burnett:
I'm gonna keep this one short and sweet - The man lost more games than any Yankee in the last 20 years...yet somehow earned the right to be the only pitcher on the staff to get his own catcher. He blew a game in the ALCS that the Yankees should have had, and throughout the season suffered multiple self-inflicted injuries. I think Tony Soprano put it best:

"Tony Soprano: Jesus Christ, A.J. I mean, you make me wanna cry....Ya gotta grow up. You're not a kid anymore. You hear me, you...you...you gotta grow up."

Thanks Tony