Boss ready to pull plug on Torre?

By Mike McGann
Posted Sunday, October 8, 2006

Fasten those seatbelts, Yankees' fans — it's going to be a bumpy offseason. And Bill Madden of the NY Daily News says the first victim will be manager Joe Torre, who will be replaced by Lou Pinella.

Torre's exit — which seems likely — will be far from the only move, as Alex Rodriguez' days in the Bronx are just about over, too, and expect to see a complete revamp of the pitching staff this winter.

Will those changes be enought to right this $200 million ship? Or are the Yankees facing the end of the dynasty — and is it time to start rebuilding with youth as was done in the early 1990s?

On the Torre story — bet the house that George Steinbrenner is ready to make a move. Madden is tight with Steinbrenner and has sources within the Yankees "Tampa" mafia, so there's little doubt that this is correct. In addition, it may be time for Torre to step aside — as the longest tenured manager ever to serve the boss, he's earned a rest with four titles in 11 seasons.

Unfortunately, hiring Lou Pinella is about as good an answer for the current Yankee situation as would be the GOP hiring Richard Simmons to manage the Mark Foley scandal. Pinella is past his prime as a manager, kills pitching staffs and is too thin skinned to win in New York. If GM Brian Cashman has any influence left, he'll make a push for Joe Girardi, who's shown he can manage, and frankly, has a much better chance of success in New York. Pinella will be a disaster if hired.

As for the departure of A-Rod, despite public pronouncements to the contrary, he's ready to move on. Expect the Angels, who need a righty bat in the middle of the lineup and can absorb the $64 million left on his contract over the next four year, to make a strong bid.

While the Yankees claim not to be interested in Barry Zito, they will likely fight the Mets and Dodgers for his services, knowing how valuable a youngish, star lefty can be in Yankee Stadium. Expect them to let Mike Mussina and Randy Johnson move on and fill out their rotation with younger, less pricey starters, waiting for kids such as Phil Hughes to be ready, likely in 2008.

While a rebuild of sorts is needed, the good news for Yankee fans is that it can happen on the fly and while the team remains a playoff contender. Still, it could take two or three years, not before the new Yankee Stadium is open, before this team can return to dominance.