Buffalo Boy's Blog

Yes he has had his fueds with players, Ted Lilly and Shea Hillenbrand both come to mind, but Hillenbrand was a hot head to begin with and Lilly was pitching like shit, though I think now we would all like to have that left handed pitcher in the rotation sandwiched between Burnett and Marcum.

John Gibbons despite those two incidences is a players manager. Given a healthy lineup and some improved depth at both catcher and the middle infield with the signings of Rod Barajas and David Eckstein respectively, he needs to show that he can get this team on a roll and keep them rolling through the season.

He has shown he can get them to win through injuries and after last year he has guys in Triple A Syracuse that can come up and fill in and this year with more experience from last year, fill in as adequate starters. Adam Lind and Curtis Thigpen should provide good insurance on the farm for Gibbons to plug holes.

The nicest thing for Gibbons is minus the Red Sox, the Jays have the best pitching in the AL and they have depth in the bullpen and starting rotation with more coming from the farm in the next few years. Its a luxury few managers have.

What JP did for Gibbons this year is provided him with a better offensive shortstop in Eckstein who will be a great upgrade at leadoff and hopefully a healthy Scott Rolen will provide not only the same numbers as a healthy Troy Glaus but a little fire in the clubhouse when this team does get down.

So for me, this year there are no excuses for Gibbons. The last few years this team could afford no injuries because the depth wasn't there, this year, they have room for an injury or two and they should have the personel to fill in adequately. Its going to boil down to how well Gibbons utilizes the talent he has.

If they don't get out to a fast start, which they are going to have to with Boston coming in for the home opener, Gibbons is on a short leash especially with fan favorite Ernie Whitt sitting in the dugout. With winning records the last two years despite injuries to key players Gibbons proved this is a winning team. Now they have to take the next step with him as manager and make the playoffs. It doesn't have to be a division title, the wild card would suffice. Anything less than 90-95 wins would be a failed season in my book this year and realistically with all the question marks the Yankees have, that should be doable.