There is only one grade the Yankees can receive as a team and, if given in a regular school, they would have to repeat the class next year or enroll in summer school. What started as a season full of promise is all but over before the All-Star break. For that, the Yankees have earned an “F.” Here are the individual grades:
A 3B, ALEX RODRIGUEZ
Having perhaps the best year of a likely Hall of Fame career at the plate. Should be the Gold Glove winner, too. Next big bit of news is when he opts for free agency in November.
A SS, DEREK JETER
Spent most of the first half hitting around .340 and getting on base about 40 percent of the time. Was hitting well over .400 with runners in scoring position. Early rash of errors have him on pace to surpass career-high 24.
A C, JORGE POSADA
As good as he has been on the field, Posada has set himself up very well for a profitable offseason when he will be a free agent in a market devoid of catchers.
B SP, CHIEN-MING WANG
Opened on the disabled list and got off to a sluggish start. But June (4-0) was exceptional and he is riding a five-game winning streak. Likely won’t repeat 19 wins of a year ago but certainly is a front-of-the-rotation hurler.
B SP, ANDY PETTITE
Brought in as Randy Johnson’s replacement and a chip to get Roger Clemens, Andy II has been about what was expected. The won-loss record would be better if the Yankees provided support.
B RP, MARIANO RIVERA
Starters who didn’t work deep and shaky relievers in front of him resulted in Rivera not pitching as regularly as he or the team would like. Converted 10 of his first 12 save chances and other numbers are in line with his past.
C CF, MELKY CABRERA
Was the fourth outfielder early in the season and didn’t take to not playing regularly for the first time. Thrived when inserted as the starting center fielder.
C IF, MIGUEL CAIRO
Remember, the grade is based on what was expected. Moved to first base when Josh Phelps’ defense cost the Yankees, Cairo was a catalyst for the only hot streak they went on in the first half.
C 2B, ROBINSON CANO
Hit .342 last year when he was an All-Star and looked like a player on the way to elite status. Hasn’t come close to that average this year and almost was demoted to Triple-A in early May.
C LF, HIDEKI MATSUI
Missed two weeks with a hamstring problem and hasn’t looked like the consistent player he had been since arriving from Japan four years ago. A career .312 hitter in the clutch, Matsui was below .270 in that category.
C RP, BRIAN BRUNEY
Won-loss record and ERA indicate a better grade. But 25 walks in the first 35 innings added to 28 hits means too many baserunners.
C SP, ROGER CLEMENS
People screaming for the Yankees to make a major trade for a pitcher forget they got Clemens in May for about $17 million for four months of work. Has been good and bad.
C SP, MIKE MUSSINA
Rocky first two months raised the question if he was finished being an effective big-league pitcher. Has pitched a lot better recently, but not what he used to be.
C RP, LUIS VIZCAINO
Wonderful at the start, awful for a long stretch, has been better the past three weeks. On merit, he should have replaced Kyle Farnsworth as the eighth-inning pitcher.
D SP, SCOTT PROCTOR
Whatever the reason – worn-out is the most popular – Proctor has been a disappointment. Too many walks have been his downfall.
D CF, JOHNNY DAMON
Barking calves surfaced at the beginning of the season. Then the back and hamstrings hurt. Finally, it was a rib-cage problem in June. All of the hurts added up to a miserable first half.
F RF, BOBBY ABREU
Nobody has represented the Yankees’ morbid first half more than the man who is the primary reason the offense has been wildly inconsistent.
F C, WIL NIEVES
Mike Mussina’s success throwing to him probably saved his roster spot. Lately, however, the catcher’s throwing to bases has been erratic, and with a light bat he could be on the move shortly.
F RP, KYLE FARNSWORTH
Not only has he been ineffective in the eighth inning, he had the audacity/stupidity to show up Joe Torre on the mound. Isn’t long for pinstripes.
F SP, KEI IGAWA
No explanation needed for this waste of $46 million.
F RP, MIKE MYERS
Class act, popular in the clubhouse, and durable. However, his job is to get lefties out, and the first 53 he faced collected 17 hits (.321).
C MGR, JOE TORRE
Handed the ball to Chase Wright, Tyler Clippard, Jeff Karstens, Matt DeSalvo, Darrell Rasner and Kei Igawa to start games this season. Bobby Abreu and Johnny Damon have underachieved, and the bullpen has been awful. Showed coolness in early May when many believed he would be axed. Still, he is the manager of a bad team.
D GM, BRIAN CASHMAN
His most used quote this year has been, “If you are going to blame somebody for this, blame me.'” George Steinbrenner put Cashman on a “big hook.” When talk of firing Joe Torre quieted, Cashman was in the crosshairs. Not his fault Bobby Abreu and Johnny Damon haven’t hit, and getting Roger Clemens was a plus. However, Kei Igawa is on the GM’s head; so is Kyle Farnsworth. Not getting more major-league talent than Luis Vizcaino when trading Randy Johnson and Gary Sheffield may prove beneficial later but now it’s not good. Josh Phelps was a bad idea.