Six Game Tryout

The Yankees led the game 4-0 and then 6-2 but poor defense and inadequate pitching allowed Seattle to go ahead 7-6, which brings us to the bases loaded, two outs situation. Ruben Sierra has not yet returned from an injury so Torre didn't have many options but the Yankees needed a single, not a long ball. Why not John Flaherty or Rey Sanchez?

Because Torre gave his word that Giambi would play? He did play. A team player would recognize that in some situations, a teammate might be more effective. Tino Martinez has realized that since Cecil Fielder and the 1996 World Series. Because Torre wanted Giambi to feel good about himself? How about the other twenty four players?

Flaherty is a decent hitter but nothing special. Sanchez is not an especially attractive option but these are your 2005 Yankees. There is virtually no bench, even with Sierra who cannot play defense or run but who is a clutch hitter. Against a left handed pitcher with the game on the line, you pinch hit for most left handed hitters. If it were the old Giambi for whom the new Giambi apologized, there would be no discussion, but it wasn't.

The Yankees are in lot of trouble. They cannot continue to give games away in the hope of finding a future. The more we see this team, the more we realize that the Yankees future is really the past.

References:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist...

http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/players/pl...

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