Big Stein

Across the NY papers is the news that the Big Stein has called a powwow in Tampa to address the mess that is the 2005 Yankees.

The very fact that he is bringing in three factions - Levine, Cashman and the Tampa Yesmen - illustrates the main problem - too many voices. To resolve this problem is easier written than done. He must unite the management of the team.

As these are the New York Yankees, the team should be run from New York. If Big Stein can't do that, then this plunge to irrespectability will continue. The team will not be respectable until the sycophants surrounding Sir Bluster-lot in Tampa are made to face those they undercut in New York.

And if this doesn't happen, then there is no solution. Given Big Stein has allowed this to happen, I do not believe there is any way to fix the Yankees. How doesl Stein loose himself from the sychophancy that he has encourgaed? Is he even capable of recognizing it after decades of aggrandizement?

And if I am wrong, exactly what can be done with a team full of 10-figure players who can't play defense?

My suggestion would be to pursue a blockbuster with a player who other teams consider valuable. This precludes dealing Tony Womack, Bernie Williams, and Jason Giambi.

It does mean dealing Arod or Sheffield, and after watching Sheffield stink in the OF, it really means ARod. With Texas pick-up a third of his salary, the Yanks would only have to kick in enough to get him down to $12 million or so. At that level, he is will have a good contract.

Which is all well and good, but the question is whether the rest of baseball even wants to deal with the Yankees.

And if that is the case, then this Tampa powwow will be meaningless. it will be another example of fawning sychophancy which only exacerbates the current problems.