Posted By:
Jim VBBarry,
Some teams (quite a few actually) have done a much better job than the Yankee front office of using their available resources. The Marlins, the Rays, the Twins, to name a few have managed to be competitive on and off, by using their farm system and young players, but these teams can not stay competitive for years on end. They all have trouble paying competitive salaries as soon as the players become free agents. Twins had to let Santana go, and don't be surprised when they have trouble keeping Maurer.
Flowing from George down, the mood in the Yankees has always been to "win now, not later." As a fan, I love that level of expectation. I know they won't win, or even make the playoffs, every year. But losing will never be accepted like it is in many cities.
And, not to make excuses for this year, (because it's way too early) but they currently have on the DL:
starting 3rd baseman
2nd string 3rd baseman
starting outfielder
starting pitcher
set-up relief pitcher