The Age Epidemic

A very good article by Howard Megdal from The New York Observer about the Yanks NEED to sign Sabathia, not their desire. The NEED is dire. Megdal lays out how while Burnett isn't a bad Plan B, he's not without plenty of risk and plays right into the Yanks current epidemic:

In this case, Sabathia is a far better bet to be as good or better moving forward than Burnett, whose best bet is a regression. Sabathia is 28, and doesn’t turn 29 until next July, meaning he is right in his prime; Burnett will be 32 in January, likely exiting his prime.

This is truly an epidemic problem for the Yankee roster, with nearly every key player likely pre- or post-prime heading into 2009. Derek Jeter, Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, and Andy Pettitte and Bobby Abreu (should they return) will all be 35 or older during the 2009 season. Even Alex Rodriguez will be 33. Meanwhile, Chamberlain, Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy will all be 24 or younger. Only Robinson Cano and Chien-Ming Wang are Yankees entering what should be their primes. But Wang missed most of 2008 with injury, and following a hugely disappointing 2008, Cano is prominently mentioned in trade talks.

Hard to argue any of that. And seeing it in writing certainly is scary and a huge concern. So what's the cost, practically, you ask?

He’ll cost the Yankees no players, just a pair of draft picks and a boatload of money. But the chances either draft pick will become the player Sabathia is in his prime are virtually nil, and there is no better way for New York to spend that money, whatever it takes.