[jimmytheg]

Jones hit .300 once, in 2000, but every other year he has never hit above .275. He hit 7th in a weak braves lineup this year. That's the same as Bernie Williams. And if they do make the deal and get rid of Brown, that is yet another starting pitcher they need to acquire. There's only so much pitching out there. As it stands now, they only have Mussina and Vasquez, (I'm assuming El Duque isnt coming back) The old Yankees won with dominant pitching and clutch hitting.

Giambi has to be a big question mark...diesregarding all steroid rumors, the guy hit .250 in 2003 before the injuries. He did hit 40 homers that year, but about half the league did too. Even Cashman has said that Giambi's status is uncertain for next year.

I agree that Cashman is a great GM, but Steinbrenner has the ultimate final say, and he's been using it more and more these past couple years.
While I hate to say this, I would trade Pedro in a second if it meant the Sox got Pavano and Radke for just a little more money. Pedro is on the downswing on his career, and I wouldnt mind at all seeing the Yankees over pay him for too many years if we got those two other guys.

Just remember, while Steinbrenner was the owner, the Yankees were terrible from the end of the 70's until 1995. All his money doesnt always translate into great teams. And when the Yankees did become great again, it wasn't because they spent more money than anyone else, it was because they developed great pitching and had clutch team players. Guys like Tino, and Oneil and Brosious and even Joe Giradi....guys like David Wells and pre-big contract Andy Petite and David Cone....these guys werent superstars, but they all were clutch. Not Brown and Vasquez and Giambi and Contreras (another hugely overpaid supposed superstar who amounted to a pile of crap).