Why I'm Rooting for the Yankees

I am rooting for the Yankees to win the World Series. That may sound strange coming from a die-hard Red Sox fan but its true. And I'm doing it because its in the best interest of the Red Sox.

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If the Yankees win the World Series they will be less likely to make changes or to sign any major free agents. They are pretty well set at all the positions in the field (maybe 1st base is a bit of a question). For starters - they will have Johnson, Wang, Lidle, Wright and Pavano under contract and should resign Mike Mussina. The only thing they may do is add someone for the bullpen. Not having the Yankees bid for the top free agents is a good thing for the Red Sox because they then become the top dog as far as payroll is concerned.

If the Yankees win it all - that places pressure on the Red Sox front office. In theory the idea of growing the organization from within through the farm system is a solid one. However in reality - prospects you trade away end up throwing no-hitters and the one you keep develops cancer. Red Sox fans will be calling for Theo Epstein's head if no major upgrade is made to the pitching staff this off season. Plus I don't see how signing a major free agent pitcher hurts the idea of growing the farm system (I know you have to give up draft picks but have you looked at how hit-or-miss first round draft picks are in MLB?). Right now the Sox 2007 rotation is Schilling, Beckett and Wakefield. That's it. The Red Sox HAVE to go after a Jason Schmidt hard. I'd be curious what the NESN ratings for the last month have been. I hope the Red Sox are feeling the shortfall of advertising dollars in the pocketbook.

The Red Sox NEED to sign the best free agent starting pitcher available. Having the Yankees win the World Series helps make that happen. Go Yankees!