Sports With Balls  

Part of me thinks the Yankees should bid adieu to the Joe Torre era, after three straight seasons of first round playoff exits. I don't think they should blow the whole team up, but maybe it's time to think to about the future, which should include the likes of Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy, Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera.

But here's the bottom line. Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada are free agents and Alex Rodriguez will most likely become one shortly. Isn't it more likely they'll return to the Yanks if they know Torre will be coming back as well? Okay, okay, so it's possible - actually probable - that they'd come back to the Yankees regardless of what happens with Torre. But is there a better closer on the free agent market better than Rivera? A better catcher than Posada? And anyone in the universe better than A-Rod? The Yankees would save themselves some time and headaches (but not money of course) if they hurry up and decide to bring Torre back. Get that done and then they can get to work on bringing back their big three free agents (not to mention Andy Pettitte, who has a player option).
Torre is essentially a bargaining chip at this point. Mariano Rivera basically already came out and made it clear he'd be more willing to come back if Torre is there.

What are the Yankees waiting for? It's been almost a week since George Steinbrenner said he'd probably get rid of Torre if the Yankees didn't beat the Indians. Well, the Yankees were finished off on Monday night and still there is no word. Maybe they're deciding on a potential replacement, but maybe they are also trying to make sense of the whole situation. And realizing that they might not only be dealing with life after Torre, but the slight chance of life after A-Rod, Rivera, Posada, and Pettitte.