The Yankees’ culture has changed dramatically since George Steinbrenner gave Brian Cashman authority to operate as a bona fide general manager for the 2006 season and beyond. Nevertheless, as diligently as Cashman and his deputies have worked, one issue remains prominent:
The Yankees are still awfully old for a baseball team.
Andy Pettitte told The Post’s George King yesterday, before the Yankees lost a 3-2, 10-inning decision to the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium, that his injured left ankle “hasn’t healed up as much as (Yankees team physician Dr. Chris Ahmad) thought it would.” Consequently, Pettitte said, “I have to take it easy.”
Cashman insisted all was well with Pettitte, writing in a text message, “He is fine — will see him in (September) — ebb and flow of rehab.” Nevertheless, the 40-year-old Pettitte’s words brought to mind the left-hander’s saga from two years ago, when he was … obviously, two years younger.
Pettitte pitched well enough in 2010 to make the AL All-Star team before injuring his left groin in mid-July, took longer than hoped to heal and, though he pitched capably in the postseason, never regained full health. That contributed to his decision to “retire” prior to the 2011 season.
Everywhere you look around the Yankees, there are old guys. Joining Pettitte on the disabled list is 37-year-old third baseman Alex Rodriguez, who will be out well into September with a non-displaced fracture in his left hand. The 34-year-old Eric Chavez serves as one A-Rod’s stand-ins.
In a related story, the Yankees keep their fingers crossed their 38-year-old shortstop Derek Jeter, 38-year-old newcomer Ichiro Suzuki, the outfield-designated hitter duo of Raul Ibanez (40) and Andruw Jones (35) and last night’s starting pitcher, Hiroki Kuroda (37), stay healthy. Kuroda pitched very well against the Red Sox, drawing a no-decision as he allowed two runs in eight innings.
If the Yankees decide in the next couple of days Pettitte ranks as a more serious concern, they could explore the interesting trade market on starting pitchers. The price is prohibitively high on Miami’s Josh Johnson, and it’s virtually impossible to see Tampa Bay giving James Shields to a divisional rival during the season.
The Cubs have Ryan Dempster, who has no-trade protection and might not even approve of a deal to The Bronx, and Matt Garza, who has been sidelined with a right triceps condition. Philadelphia’s Joe Blanton figures to be available, although he has been a subpar National League pitcher since 2010.
If the Yankees can’t find a fit for their starting rotation, they could look to at least bolster their bullpen beyond the anticipated return of Joba Chamberlain, who made a rehabilitation appearance yesterday for Double-A Trenton. Kansas City’s Jonathan Broxton and Colorado’s Rafael Betancourt are the biggest names. The Yankees also could wait to see how Chamberlain performs and see what’s available during the August waivers period.
The Yankees have held their own during Pettitte’s absence. They’re 14-13 since Pettitte suffered his injury and, by doing so, have expanded their American League East lead from five games over Baltimore to 7 1/2 over Baltimore and Tampa Bay.
So why can’t the Yankees break this cycle of dependence on baseball senior citizens? It’s because, while Cashman has renovated the house, it’s still the same house. The mission remains winning the World Series every year, which means there’s only a modicum of patience for developing young players. There’s also a brand reliance on big names, which explains why ownership extended its original bottom lines to bring back Rodriguez and (less so) Jeter.
And it’s because, while the Yankees’ farm system has produced far more fruit than it did a decade ago, there’s always room for improvement in that department.
So it is what it is with these Yankees. An upgrade from their current group seems unlikely, which is why they’ll keep their fingers crossed that their geezer brigade sustains no more problems.
And they’ll work to change the culture more, so that they’re no longer so reliant on so many older players.