Almost overnight, the Yankees have gone from one of the oldest teams in the league, to a middle-of-the-road mixture. The average age on the 25-man roster will be a hair over 30 on Saturday when Ian Kennedy is called up to take Mike Mussina's spot in the rotation (I'm assuming either Bruney or Britton will be demoted).
Brian Cashman has taken a ton of flack throughout this season, but he's stuck to his guns and this is the result. The Yankees have 11 players 27 years-old, or younger on their roster, and they aren't just fill-ins. Take a look at these names:
- Phil Hughes - 21
- Joba Chamberlain - 21
- Ian Kennedy - 22
- Melky Cabrera - 23
- Chris Britton - 24
- Robinson Cano - 24
- Brian Bruney - 25
- Edwar Ramirez - 26
- Chien-Ming Wang - 27
- Wilson Betemit - 27
- Shelley Duncan - 27
From this group, the Yankees
could have 4/5 of their starting rotation for the next decade (personally, I think Joba is the successor to Mo, but that's not the company line at this point). They have their starting second baseman, starting center fielder, possibly their starting first baseman (Duncan) and a quality utility guy who could slide in at third or short if need be (Betemit). Out of Britton, Bruney and Edwar there could/should be at least one legitimate set-up guy.
I said it earlier this year, but I'll say it again now. This is a rebuilding team. The distinct advantage the Yankees have over everyone else in the league is that they augment their rebuilding roster with high-priced veterans (signed to short-term deals) to give them that extra boost.
The money paid to the older guys also serves another purpose. Take last night's game for example. Joba Chamberlain spent the first 7 innings of the game sitting next to Mariano Rivera (the greatest reliever in the history of the game) soaking up knowledge. He came in, shut down the Sox, then went to the dugout where he immediately struck up a conversation with Roger Clemens (arguably the greatest starting pitcher in the last 30 years).
The influx of youth has one more potential benefit, as Peter Abraham of the
Yankees' LoHud Blog wrote:
"If the Yankees can field a roster loaded with homegrown kids, they can
spend whatever they wannt to retain A-Rod, chase Johan Santana or do
whatever else they want."
The future of this franchise is very, very bright. If/when they make the playoffs this year, these kids will be getting a taste of that do-or-die atmosphere in their early twenties, just like Jeter did. You can't buy experience like that.
Almost overnight, the Yankees have gone from one of the oldest teams in the league, to a middle-of-the-road mixture. The average age on the 25-man roster will be a hair over 30 on Saturday when Ian Kennedy is called up to take Mike Mussina's spot in the rotation (I'm assuming either Bruney or Britton will be demoted). 
I think you are absolutely right for the most part. The rotation - whether 3/5 or 4/5 - is looking good. We know Wang is the real, and Hughes has shown it, too. Kennedy we'll find out about when he makes his debut. Chamberlain should be the closer of the future, like Papelborn in Boston.
And Melky and Cano will be around for years (especially Cano).
However, I have my doubts about Shelly Duncan. He isn't starting material. He'll go the route of other "older" rookies the Yankees have had recently - guys like Shane Spencer and Andy Philips - and be a bench player for a couple of seasons. The Yankees still need to replace Posada (who is going to get a new contract because there is no replacement); eventually they are going to have to replace Jeter and Giambi (they missed their chance with Texiera).
As it stands, though, I would throw the bank at Johan Santana and re-sign A-Rod. You could get by with that team for a long time with pitching like Santana, Wang, Hughes, Pettite/Clemens, and A-Rod and Jeter holding up the offense (with Cano, Damon, Matsui, and Melky).
Isn't Abreu a free agent at the end of the year? I'm guessing he'll be gone, too?
How many years are left on Damon and Giambi's contracts?
The Yanks hold a $16M option on Abreu. I think they probably pick it up. They can buy out Giambi's contract at the end of the season, I think the buyout is pretty cheap too, and Damon has 1 year left on his deal? No, he has 2 years left. It was a four-year deal.
SML, you're probably right about Shelley, but it is a possibility at this point, albeit a slim one. They shouldn't have to replace Jeter for at least 4 or 5 years, so that's a back burner issue right now. The immediate concern next year (beyond the obvious Posada/A-Rod/Mo resignings) will be 1b. I'd expect some kind of a trade to happen.
Does Texiera have one more year left on his deal,
or is he a free agent next season? In any case, I don't see Atlanta shelling out to keep him so he's got to be a possibility.
He's a FA after next season. Part of me thinks Barry Lamar Bonds might be a 1-year answer at first base.
what part of you? wait, don't answer that.
Pituitary gland.
got any predictions on tonight's contest?
I think Clemens will come up big, He's a gamer!
Yanks 7-2
East down to 6
Prediction: Yanks 8, Sox 5. Clemens cruises after getting a big cushion.