Doc Gooden is seriously competing for the fifth spot in the rotation. And the luxuriously deep bullpen is thinning out. Mediocre Brian Boehringer is being asked to replace Jeff Nelson, one of the most superb set-up men in baseball over the last few seasons. Even during its World Series run, the Yank have had a number of holes. And like spring potholes in midtown Manhattan, they're only growing bigger.
Baseball is a game where teams repeat their own histories.
Fans may complain that this latest run of Yankee dominance is due to the astronomical contracts that make it financially impossible for small market teams to compete. But these Yanks are nowhere near as dominating as the team was during its 1947-1964 run. This Yankee run will end much sooner than that. Yet they finished only four games behind the Yankees. Even the most minimal improvement in pitching should catapult the Jays into contention.