Bryan Smith/for New York Daily News
Whatever happens personnel-wise, Joe Girardi thinks the Yankees will have a 'championship-caliber' team in 2013.
With almost a week having passed since the end to the Yankees season, Joe Girardi was asked for his assessment of the Bombers season now that he's had some time to reflect following their embarrassing four-game sweep in the ALCS at the hands of the Tigers.
"It's obviously short of what we set out to accomplish in spring training, but I also think this club did a lot of good things," Girardi said. "I mean, there were a lot of good things that really happened this year. You end up winning more games than anyone in the American League, any club. So I thought we did a lot of good things. But I think we're all disappointed we didn't accomplish what we wanted."
CONCERN FOR CC?
Yanks ace CC Sabathia is scheduled to meet with famed surgeon Dr. James Andrews sometime next week to check on his balky left elbow. And doctor visits, particularly concerning one of his most vital players, are not something Girardi relishes.
"You're always concerned that maybe it's more than you think it is," Girardi said of Sabathia, who was on the DL from Aug. 9-23 with elbow swelling. "I think that's always your biggest concern. But you think about both the games he pitched against Baltimore were pretty good. The start before that was pretty good. September was pretty good. That makes me feel like it's something that we're going to get through and we're going to have him in spring training."
ONE 'MO' SEASON?
Will he or won't he? That's the question of whether Mariano Rivera will return to his closer's role next season.
"I haven't seen Mo since the season ended," Girardi said. "From watching how he rehabbed and everything that he was going through - picked up a baseball sooner than he was supposed to - that would tell me that Mo probably wants to play. But in saying that, it's a decision that I think he'll sit down with his family, evaluate where he is maybe a little bit later in this process and how he feels and how his arm feels. But I don't think that you push a rehab like he pushed it unless you think that you possibly have some interest in coming back. (But) we're all going to find out soon enough."
RETURN OF ANDY?
Girardi said he has no definitive word as to whether Andy Pettitte will return next season.
"There's a lot of hunger and fire in him, I know that," Girardi said. "We saw how he pushed himself to get back (and pitch in the) postseason. I still think the fire is there, but every year as you get a year older, you have to ask yourself and your family, 'am I ready to give up eight months of my life?’ That's something that he's going to have to ask himself."
COMINGS & GOINGS?
Girardi said he thought the 2012 Yankees had the makings of a title-winning club but even though he expects to make another World Series run next season, the 2013 version of the Yankees could have a decidedly different look.
"I believe we could have won a world championship with the players we had this year," Girardi said. "We didn't but I believe we could have. (But) you look at (free agent Hiroki) Kuroda, he has to make a decision. Andy Pettitte (free agent) needs to make a decision. (Rafael) Soriano has an opt-out. (Free agent Nick) Swisher, we have to make a decision on him. (Curtis) Granderson (club option), we have to make a decision on. It just goes on and on and on. (Robinson) Cano is on an option. There are a lot of players that we have to decide what we're going to do, but I believe that when spring training starts next year, we'll be a championship caliber club."
ICHIRO REDUX
Girardi was non-committal as to Ichiro's future in the Bronx, but if this was it for the 39-year old outfielder, it was fun while it lasted for Girardi.
"This is a guy that had a lot of fun playing here," Girardi said. "You see it on a daily basis and seemed very happy here. Was great to be around, came to play every day, played hard and made adjustments in his game to me because we asked him to play left field, asked him to play center field. And he did those things. He was a treat to be around. As far as what we're going to do as an organization, I can't tell you that, but I enjoyed our time with him."
PAGING DR. PHIL
After benching October lightweights Rodriguez, Granderson and Swisher in various points of the postseason due to lack of productivity, Girardi was asked if there was any relationship mending that needs to take place going forward.
"I hope not, but if it's something I (need to) do, I will work on that," Girardi said. "I hope not. I was making moves trying to win ballgames. If it comes to that, I'll work on it. The one thing that I have been, I've been honest with our players. I will continue to do that and I will do my best for this organization to win every game."
GIANTS OR TIGERS?
Don't ask Girardi who he likes in the 2012 Fall Classic as he has no plans on watching the drama unfold.
"It's hard for me to watch the games because I miss that we're not there," Girardi said. "It's something that you work very hard to do. There's only going to be one team left standing when it's over so there's going to be a lot of disappointed teams. It's not easy for me to turn a baseball game on and watch it right now because I feel like if we would have played to our capabilities, one of those teams could have been us. That part is hard for me."
GANG'S ALL HERE
Girardi said as far as he knows, all his coaches will return next season.
"As far as I'm concerned, we plan on having them all back right now," Girardi said."
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NydnRss/~3/jV-lgvo4IqI/story01.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment