All Things Bubba

Well, the Yanks made their move yesterday, and Andy Phillips did not get the call. Instead, they called up Chris Basak.

Basak is not hitting anywhere near as well as Andy. And no, it's not a matter of giving a young player with more upside a chance. Basak is 28, only a year younger than Andy. He was drafted at the same time, but has never been called up until now. This guy is not a prospect.

I suspect Basak got the call instead of Andy because he has options left, and Andy does not. Basak is probably going to be the "break glass in case of emergency" backup, perhaps riding the Scranton shuttle periodically. Miguel Cairo will probably be getting most of the starts at 1B.

I like Miggy. He's a good clutch hitter, can bunt well, and is solid on defense. Bowa said he was the best baserunner on the team. And he's content to be a backup, and to play any position they ask. Infield, outfield, catcher - he's game.

But a little Cairo goes a long way. He's best as a utility guy. I'm fine with him spot-starting, but Minky is going to be out two months or more. In this situation, they should call up a player and use him every day, and keep Cairo as the backup. This was one reason I wanted Andy called up. I think Joe trusted him enough to use him every day, ahead of Miggy.

The Yankees also made other moves. Matt DeSalvo was sent back to Scranton. Sean Henn was recalled. Kevin Thompson was sent down to make room for him. And Carl Pavano was moved from the 15-day to the 60-day DL to clear space on the 40-main roster for Basak.

This is just maddening. Kevin Thompson got all of one start in the month he was in the big leagues. DeSalvo and Henn deserve longer leashes than they've gotten.

It's classic Torre, really. Sit the kid on the bench until he's cold as ice and covered with rust, then throw him out there. When he fails, decide he'll never make it, and bury him at the back of the bench.

The jump from AAA to the big leagues is huge, much greater than any of the minor league jumps. Players need time to adjust if they hope to succeed. The Yankees have been notoriously impatient with young players, and I think Torre is a big reason why. He never gives the kids a chance, unless he's forced to, or they are heralded as the next superstar.

Maybe players like Andy Phillips and Bubba Crosby were never going to be hall of famers, but they could have solid big league careers, and be very useful. But not with Torre in charge.

I have been on the fence about Torre. I don't hate him, and I haven't bashed him like many other fans. I recognize and appreciate his strengths (dealing with player egos and the rats-on-crack New York media). I didn't really want him fired.

I've changed my mind. Joe must go. Not because he can't seem to get along with A-Rod. Not because of his push-button game managing and terrible bullpen use. I want him gone, because of what his "veterans only" bias is doing to the careers of young players - and to the future of the Yankees. Enough, already.

Labels: Yankees