I read this very telling quote today: "Joe was the perfect manager for a veteran team that needs to be left alone like the Yankees of the late '90s," says sportswriter Pat Jordan, who played minor league ball with Torre in the Braves organization during the early '60s. "His attitude is that the manager is best who manages least. But with some teams like the recent Yankees, who've had strengths and holes, he's needed to manage more, and that's something not in his nature."
The late 90's Yankees were a superb TEAM. There were a few stars and a lot of bit players, but they played as a team. In trying to recapture the glory, Cashman and Steinbrenner believed they could buy that magic through free agent expenditures and it has been a dismal failure. Jeter's lack of leadership ability has had a negative effect in the clubhouse, which has exacerbated the lack of team spirit. The deference to Jeter because of a few playoff heroics long ago has hurt the team defensively since he is only the second best shortstop on the team. That is 100% Torre's fault. My hunch is the Yankees are in for a rough time for the next five years or so. They need to rebuild, but not necessarily with a checkbook. There is no way A-Rod stays in N.Y. now. Rivera is at the end of his rope, as are Posada, Mussina and Clemens.