Its the end of the line for the New York Yankees in 2012, and maybe the end of one of the most incredable runs in sports history. The Yankees have made the playoffs 16 times out of the last 17 years; winning 5 World Series along the way.

The 2012 Yankees finished the season with 95 wins and the best record in the American League, but its time for drastic changes to the roster. Will they happen? Most likely not. Should they happen? Yes. Below are in my opinon the best movies the Yankees can make to in order to begin rebuilding while still reloading.

Fire Joe Girardi and His Coaching Staff
Its something that has to be done. I’ll start with hitting coach Kevin Long:
The Yankees as a team hit .157 in the 2012 playoffs. No adjustments were made to Alex Rodriguez’s swing or confidence at the plate. Kurtis Granderson (yes, Curtis with a K) hit 43 home runs in the regular season, 1 in the playoffs. He also K’ed 15 times in the playoffs. I can continue, but you all saw how bad the Yankees hitters looked at the plate.
Pitching coach Larry Rothschild:
Not to be funny, but if he was that good of a pitching coach the Chicago Cubs wouldnt have let him get away. Although the Yankees pitching staff has pitched over their heads he still has to go because everyone else needs to go.
Manager Joe Girardi:
Girardi through out his career as the Yankees manager has made a lot of really bad decisions. From continuing to trust AJ Burnett in big games to continuing to stick Granderson in his lineup in these playoffs. The laundry list goes on and on.

Trade Alex Rodriguez
There is no way that Alex Rodriguez can ever put on a Yankees uniform again. He is the highest paid player in baseball history and he was so bad in September and October that Joe Girardi first pinch-hit for him in a huge spot then benched him in favor of an awful and over the hill Eric Chavez. Force A-Rod to accept a trade! Eat most or all of the salary. If they can figure out a way to get young talent and draft picks for A-Rod, get it! Another option is to buy him out, get nothing in return… go it! He can not not ever play for the Yankees again.

David Wright
Call me nuts, but the Yankees have to figure out a way to sign David Wright of the NY Mets. Wright is a free agent with $16MM club option with a $1MM buyout. Thats not to say the Mets will not pick up that option, but thats a lot of money for the Mets to pay. Wright is the complete opposit of A-Rod. People actually like him! He plays hard and goes about his business the right way.

Derek Jeter Becomes A Platoon Player
It pains me to say this but its time to start grooming Jeter’s eventual aire to the short stop position. Eduardo Nunez seems to be the guy who will replace Jeter one day. Nunez can hit for average and power, has a lot of speed, but will need to improve on the field. Although Jeter can still hit, his range at short is completely gone. Let Jeter platoon at short stop and DH, this way his bat is still in the lineup.

Robinson Cano
Sign him to a 5-year deal. No longer, no less. Make sure he’s the highest paid second baseman, not infielder or player, second baseman.

Pitching
CC Sabathia is going to be around for another 4 seasons. After him who do you got? Hiroki Kuroda is a free agent who I think they should try and re-sign, but not to a boat load of money. Phil Hughes showed signs that he is finally figuring things out as a starter. Michael Pineda was the big move the Yanks made last off-season and he hasnt pitched a single inning, but should figure into the Yankees roster next season as their #2 or 3 starter. Rookie David Phelps will fill in the 5th spot in the rotation. In the bullpen, does Mariano Rivera come back or retire? I say he gives the Yankees the best chance at the end of the game. Regardless of age. If he doesnt come back, let current closer Rafael Soriano walk and give the ball to David Robertson.

The Rest of the Team
The rest of the New York Yankees everyday lineup has to be made up of a mix of young and veteran players.
The veterans to keep around:
Robinson Cano
Derek Jeter
Mark Teixeira
Kurtis Granderson
Brett Gardner
Ichiro
Thats it.

The Yankees #1 prospect is catcher Gary Sanchez. Former #1 prospect Jesus Montero became tradeble when Sanchez emerged as a not only a power hitting catcher, but one with defensive ability which Montero was not. If the Yankees decide to bring in another veteran catcher to replace the terrible Russle Martin they have to make room for Sanchez to play on the major league level. So who is the vet the Yankees bring in? A.J. Pierzynski. A.J. is still an everyday catcher and if he is the one they sign Sanchez wont get much play. However A.J. is the kind of player who can not only teach Sanchez, but he’ll be loved in NY because of his style of play.

The Yankees also have an outfielder in the minor leagues by the name of Tyler Austin. Austin hit .322 with 17 homers and 80 RBIs this season. Give him a chance to play in rightfield because Nick Swisher HAS to go. That should complete your outfield (Brett Gardner and Kurtis with a K Granderson in left and center).

God Willing This Should Be Their Starting Lineup In 2013
1. Derek Jeter – SS
2. Tyler Austin – RF
3. David Wright – 3B
4. Robinson Cano – 2B
5. Mark Teixeira – 1B
6. Ichiro – DH
7. A.J. Pierzynski or Gary Sanchez – C
8. Curtis Granderson – CF
9. Brett Gardner – LF

Rotation
1. CC Sabathia
2. Michael Pinada
3. Hiroki Kuroda
4. Phil Hughes
5. David Phelps