Yankees revel, but tough decisions ahead

It also provided a huge relief for baseball's highest-paid player, Alex Rodriguez, who had failed to deliver in postseasons past but produced big hits in these playoffs to win his first World Series ring.

A-Rod had hit rock bottom before the season with an admission he had previously used steroids, and hip surgery sidelined him for the first month of the campaign.

“He doesn't have to be told anymore he can't do it,” Cashman said about the third baseman, whose ability to hit in the clutch had come into question.

While no one can question the quality of a Yankees team that led the majors with 103 regular season wins, the roster of the champions for 2010 will see changes.

The champagne-soaked celebrations could mark the end of the road for some Yankee veterans, including Matsui and Johnny Damon.

With Matsui's injured knees and Damon's weak throwing arm making them liabilities in the outfield, and Posada looking shaky at times behind the plate, there will be an overflow of candidates for the designated hitter spot in the lineup.

Decisions will have to be made about the rotation, and whether young hurlers Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes should be used as starters or in relief.

Cashman, mindful of MLB's general managers meetings that begin Monday, knows the blueprint for next season's campaign for a 28th title must soon be plotted.

“We'll have our meetings,” Cashman said as boisterous players sprayed champagne in the clubhouse. “Now is not the time for that.”

1|2

SharePrintEmail

Write a Comment

Terms

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

Submit

 Receive China Post promos
 Respond to this email