News-Record.com

This baseball season has, for me, been all about trying to figure out how longtime dynasties now past their prime keep winning. First, the Braves and their underwhelming lineup take charge of the NL East. Uh, Marlins, you might want to wake up soon. Now, the Yankees have reeled off 10 straight wins. Go away, already!

As much as some of us enjoyed the Yanks' 11-19 start (11-23 going back to Game 4 of the ALCS) and Big Stein's latest eruption, we knew it couldn't last. The question is, after falling into a tie for last place in the AL East, is NY now poised to win yet another division title?

That, I'm not sure. Let's face it, they are getting very old, even moreso bringing Tino Martinez back and maybe soon, 42-year-old Roger Clemens (see Lupica's column on that possibility).

Regardless, they are winning. And they're doing it before Steinbrenner jumps the gun on the next Ken Phelps.

It's partly explained by the schedule: All 10 wins have come against the woeful A's and execrable Mariners.

Also, their slumping DH's, Jason Giambi and Bernie Williams, have had huge games of late. Tino has been tearing it up since his return.

They've overcome Kevin Brown's slide into irrelevance, Carl Pavano's surprisingly weak start to the season (and Jaret Wright's not-as-surprising poor start) and their aging bullpen. Clemens would solidify their pitching staff, no doubt.

But would they be willing to give up Robinson Cano, the former Greensboro Bat, to bring Clemens back from Houston? If Big Stein leaves things alone, Cano could prove to be just the remedy the Yanks need at second base. And a product of their own beleaguered farm system, no less. How's this for a major-league debut?: Cano started 11 of 17 from the plate. Read more about him in this New York Times story (subscription required).

Oh, and let's not forget ultimate utility man Tony Womack, the Guilford College alum who has held his own in left field.

These guys know how to win and will win plenty. Probably enough to pass the Orioles and Red Sox, who have serious pitching woes, in the standings. I'm not ready to proclaim the Yanks World Series favorites yet, however. That would have to be the Braves, of course.