Next year they will be ok losing both Giambi and Abreu, even without Tex coming over, as Posada wil need a place to play and thus will likely be at 1B most of the time with his rehab ongoing, and Nady will take over for Abreu and be an adequate replacement. This is not preferred, but I would rather have Posada at 1B for 2009 ( and maybe 70% of the time in 2010 ) with his money locked up than bring back Giambi for an expensive cameo.

Matsui and Damon will be rotating the DH/LF, and perhaps a little CF for Damon if he feels good.

Personally , bring Manny to NY – stick him in LF, and Damon in CF, with Matsui spelling Manny sometimes and Christian/Gardner/Edny Chavez type on the bench to play for damon sometimes and run for Matsui/Manny/Posada if needed.

If CF will be too hard on Damon, have him play with Matsui in RF and put Nady in CF – yes the outfield D will be poor, and noodle-arms will be abound, but maybe the short RF will be ok for Damon/Matsui.

This will bridge 2009, and then the Yanks could chose between Nady, Damon and Matsui for 2010 ( and beyond), leaving CF open for Ajax or whomever is available FA – or take Matsui and put him at 1B when Posada goes back behind the plate in 2010

Still think the Captain should be in CF next year……………

Well, granted they didn’t win a championship, but Carlton Fisk did have an OPS+ of 134 as a catcher for the White Sox at age 42.

(Not comparing Posada to Fisk; just pointing out that it’s been done.)

This is a transitional year for the Yankees, the year of our discontent if you will. The team is getting older and obviously this is becoming a bigger and bigger issue. Jeter will be starting his 14th year at short next year and signs of decline we have seen this year will only get worse. The starting catcher (Posada) will be 38 years old next year. How many teams have won a championship with a 38 year old catcher behind the plate. I don’t care what anyone says, Giambi has got to go as does Abreu leaving two huge holes to fill. A centerfielder has to be found, Melky has played himself out of the starting line up.

Look at the pitching, Andy, Mo, Moose age, age, age. Joba is the hope but Hughes has to be a real concern his breakdown this year marks the third major DL stay in his career. Kennedy has issues, his professional make up is troublesome to say the least.

The bottom line, making the post season is the least of our concerns. This club would be easy pickings for our likely 1st round opponent (Angels). The retooling job that needs to be done to get this team back to a competitive level will be a major undertaking and I’m not sure Cashman is the man for the job.