Joe Torre was suppised to had met the media today...

[Zech Marquis]

but he hasn't ben seen snce the end of the Game 5 post game interviews...which is very unusual for him. The poor man is probably thinking he's had enough. And I don't blame him, this season has been very, very difficult at best :-( In fact, I think the Yankees are due for some hartache--they simply don't have the homegrown talent anymore (no one anywhere close to becoming the next Jeter-like face of the team). So I'm very sad about this--no thanks to Furious George, the Yankees have fallen and they can't get up. The AL powerbase is now out west--Anaheim, Chicago in particular. and the Angels are young, fast, and have alot of years in front of them to keep winning. So I'll be proud to support them (but saying Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, too damn wordy LOL) Any other Yankees fans feel the same?

[jobycom]

1. Not a Yankee fan, but it's silly to trash Steinbrenner after the run

he's had. This is from a Ranger's fan. George knows something that the others don't.

As for Torre, I was watching him during the final game, and at one point the camera zoomed in on him, and my first thought was that it was his last game. He looked a little sad, kind of resigned, but almost peaceful. Yeah, he always looks a little like that, but... I don't know, that was just my first read. But as I said, I'm not a Yankee watcher, so I don't know him that well.

[northzax]

8. good point, everyone rebuilds

only the Yankees complain about a rebuilding period after four titles in six years. It's not perpetual, you know, homegrown talent is a remarkable thing, do people think that a Derek Jeter comes around every five years, like clockwork? Even Steinbrenner (who is undeniably an ass) doesn't have unlimited funds, or unlimited spots on rosters for young talent. the Yankees had a great run, much to my chagrin, but the cyclical nature of all sport makes a downturn inevitable.

[SammyBlue]

2. I'm a Mets fans, but I agree

The Yankees core talent is starting to age. Jeter is 31, ARod is 30, Posada is 34, Rivera is 35. Williams is 37. Pettite's gone. And their pitching staff needs AARP membership.

They need some home grown talent. Their farm is THIN. Personally. . .they Yankees run to the World Series is over. They have the talent to get to the post-season, but not the youth to make that push. They look old, tired and worn down.

Personally, if they want something to help them, they need younger pitchers, a speed stealing centerfielder and an upgrade at catcher.

Now, down in Queens, the Mets are young and posted their first over .500 season in 5 years. I wanted 85 wins, they got 83.

Reyes, Jacobs, Castro, Wright, Seo, Heilman, Benson, Beltran and a few proven veterans like Cameron, Floyd, Martinez, Glavine and Hernandez are a good start. Coupled with a good bench and a hungry manager and it's an up and coming team.

We also have a good farm system in prospects like Lastings Millege, Yusimero Petit, Aarom Baldiris, Jeff Duncan and Anderson Hernandez.

All the Mets need are upgrades at second base, another money pitcher and an upgraded bullpen (including a new closer) and I see 90 - 95 wins next year in Queens.

[Captain Hilts]

10. It's the Curse of A-Rod. I really liked Paul o'Neil.

Williams too.

I hate the Yankees as a team, but not as individuals.

Except for A-Rod and Giambi.

[baby_bear]

3. Well, I don't consider Chicago "out west"

...but then again I'm in Seattle in the AL basement with the Mariners.

I was routing for the Yankees - I still like Randy and even Ruben Sierra - but I don't have much sympathy for A-Rod. He should have stayed here.

Torre is a class act. There is speculation that Lou Piniella will replace him. What do you think of that?

b_b

[SammyBlue]

4. Won't happen

Pinella and Stienbrenner hate each other

[Zech Marquis]

5. arod shoud have kept his ass in Seattle

Can you imagine if he had been with Ichiro ? I can't stand A-rod, he only wanted the big money, and each team snce he's left Seattle (Rangers and now Yankees) have had terrible seasons--Texas wasn't competitive asie from slug outs, and now the Yankees are simply too old and too thin in their farm system.

Sweet Lou in pinstripes...I can see that, but the Yankees will need some serious rebuilding, Poor Joe Torre must be burnt out, 10 years managing the Yankees with his results is a long long time... not just replacing a fw guys here and there. Bernie's gone. Me the pitching coach left today(and he lives in Seattle, hmm could be great for the Mariners). Tom Gordon and that ass Kevin Brown are gone. Posada's getting up there in age, 34 I think...so what would I do?

1) BJ Ryan signing, the moment the World Series is over, simply fly him in and have the contract and checkbook ready, he's a stud closer. Real potential with him and Rivera in the bullpen.

2) Torri Hunter, although this will require trading someone and that might be Canu..or to really stick it to the Red Sox, sign Johnny Damon. It was sad to see Bernie struggle out there, and to pass up Carlos Bertrain for...Big Unit was awful.

3) try to trade Mike Mussina, for either a younger pitcher or good yougn prospects. Wang, Chacon and Small were great, proving that you don't always have to spend mega millions for great results.

I'll look some more tonight to see who else will be free agents and update..

[erpowers]

7. Beltran Bad Move

I think you are talking about Carlos Beltran. If so you are completely right. Steinbrenner should have went with Beltran instead of Johnson. Beltran may have been able to help them beat the angels and win the World Series. I would like to point out that also am not a big Yankees fan. I like the Braves. I think they need to get themselves some new pitchers and maybe a few hitters.

[DaveinMD]

13. Trading cano for Hunter

would be assanine. Cano is going to be a great player and he's young and cheap. Hunter is overrated. A creation of espn and he's started to break down. They can sign someone like Jay Payton to play center. I agree on bj ryan. Mussina is a good pitcher who was hurt. They'll keep him.

[Nightjock]

6. I hope Pinella sits out next year

and my Mets fire Randolph and hire him.*

*Assuming Randolph does another sub par managing performance. I like Willie. I just think he cost us 6 to 12 wins this year.

[baby_bear]

9. You may be right

I have a feeling that Sweet Lou will be in NYC one way or another next year.

It's cool watching him announce the Chicago-Angels series.

I'm a Lou fan, but he's far from perfect. He tends to dismiss the young guys. I hope he wasn't responsible for letting go Scott Podsednik. That was awful.

b_b

[OneBlueSky]

11. two reasons Torre may leave . . . and one reason he may not . . .

the two reasons Torre may indeed leave are Mel Stottlemeyer and Brian Cashman . . . Mel was the one guy in the dugout of Torre's generation, a guy he could talk to as a peer . . . and Cashman was the guy who ran interference for Torre with Steinbrenner and the Tampa mafia . . . Mel said today that he won't be back, and Cashman will likely leave as well . . . that leaves Torre pretty much stranded without his support and without his buffer . . .

on the other hand, it's not easy to walk away from $13 million . . . though he's probably set for life, and could likely make plenty of money through speeches, tv work, and writing a book . . . and without the headaches . . .

[Loge23]

12. Joe's no saint

Before we get all misty eyed about Torre, Yankee fans (I'm not one) should be second-guessing Torre's effectiveness as a manager for this team.
I'm reading plenty of accounts of how this ihas been Torre's "most challenging year". What??? With a $200+ million payroll?? His only real challenge was to be able to motivate this collection of stiffs into an exciting, cohesive unit - and on that account he has failed.
He'll probably be back, but the Yankees would be better served with a different, hungrier, manager.