The Yankees and the Andrew Miller Saga

The Andrew Miller saga continues to burn on in New York. Most rumors and inside information has the New York Yankees as the front runners to sign the 29-year-old left-handed free agent pitcher. Many of these same insiders feel that the signing of Miller will officially close the door on the David Robertson era.

Matt Bove of the Yankees blog It’s About the Money recently explored the moves of the recent Yankees past. Bove is quick to point out that this will be the second time in consecutive years that the Yankees will let established, home grown talent walk away. Last season, much to the delight of most Yankees fans (yours truly excluded) the powers that be let Robinson Cano leave town. This year, they seemed poised to let D-Rob leave and sign the power lefty to complete the “super bullpen” they are attempting to build.

He further discusses that in the past they went to all extremes to make sure Bernie Williams, Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera were happy and finished their careers in pinstripes. He is absolutely right. Bove is also right in saying that the Yankees under value their own free agents and seemingly immediately look else where.

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The reasons given by different reporters, including Bove, are everything from they spent too much money last year to the fact that they can get an extra year out of a relatively unproven Miller. The real problem is the Steinbrenners.

This isn’t George’s team. George Steinbrenner had a thirst for winning like a vampire has for blood. Simply put, if you won for George, he would die for you. He would give you dollar on top of dollar to keep you in the Bronx. He was extremely loyal to the people that filled The House that Ruth Built. The only reason Billy Martin got fired is because they butted heads and he stole some of George’s spotlight. But he was always hired back.

The New Steinbrenners care about the dollar. They will come up with every excuse as to why the more economical choice is the smart one, even if it isn’t. Look at last season. Cano was the best second baseman in baseball, and the Yankees offense suffered when he left town. Whether you agree with long-term, back-ended deals it is the way baseball is going. The better player someone is, they either sign an over-priced short-term deal or they go for the Stanton-esque deal. The Steinbrenners thought they could get four quality players for the money Cano wanted. What they brought in was a busted right fielder, a center fielder who had one of his worst statistical seasons, a catcher who looked lost for the first four months of the season, and Tanaka.

I’m not saying it’s right, nor am I’m saying it’s wrong. What I am saying is that this is the New Yankees Way. The Blue Jays and Red Sox are signing every free agent available while the Yankees are sitting here trying to decide on Andrew Miller. It’s a different time, Yankees fans. Be patient, and hope for the best.