The Yankees salvaged a milestone for one of their pitchers on the season's final day, then prepared for the odd and bitter feeling of sitting out the postseason.
They will not be playing in October for the first time after making it for 13 straight seasons, and the sting is as rough as the future is intimidating. Not only did the Yankees fail in the present, they did not quite develop young players, as they had hoped. Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy seemed to take a step back on the mound while also missing large chunks of time because of injuries. Joba Chamberlain missed time as well, and so in 2009 the three young pitchers will face the same challenges with innings limitations that they did this season.
The Yankees were both too young and old all at once in 2008 and will have to work to avoid the same fate next year. The good news is general manager Brian Cashman will return, which means they will at least have some order and a plan. Of course, Cashman still has to prove his plan will work after some questionable decisions the last few years, especially with pitching.
They will chase C.C. Sabathia, but he reportedly would not want to come to New York. They will have to fill several holes in the rotation and also look at a replacement at first base for Jason Giambi, who likely will be allowed to leave as a free agent. And they will have to sort through a crowded corner outfield full of veteran possibilities while also hoping Brett Gardner can hit enough to claim the job in center.
For the first time in a long time, the Yankees enter the offseason with far more questions than answers.
