Yankees trade away mistakes

The ESPN ticker crawled, "Yankees acquire Ivan Rodriguez from Detroit for Kyle Farnsworth." My initial reaction, "What's the catch." Pudge Rodriquez is at the tail end of a Hall Of Fame career. Everyone knows what happens to 36 year old catchers, (Well, almost everyone.) still IRod is a proven winner and consummate competitor. Wherever Pudge plays winning follows--Texas, Florida and Detroit--his addition fortifies a tough-to-fill weakness. It's all good and gets better.

Detroit's dire need for relief led to desperation. Farnsworth has played MOTOWN before and was successful. Kyle's career stats show that he does his job in contract years (both of them.) Jim Leyland is getting a veteran with a golden arm, who doesn't throw more than one inning per appearance and doesn't do back to back days often, good luck with that.

So ends Farnsworth's not so illustrious career in Pinstripes. He produced impressive radar gun readings and not much else. The Yanks weren't finished flushing out mistakes. LaTroy Hawkins was traded to Houston (seriously)--GM Ed Wade's legacy grows by the day. Reflecting on the stints of Hawkins and Farnsworth in the Bronx brings to mind two words--Good Riddance.

Yankees' notes

Even Yankee bloggers take a vacation, here's a few links to pass the time:

• Baseball Prospectus isn't optimistic about Posada's future: "It's tough to gauge how quickly he'll recover from this, given the lack of comparable injuries and his relative defensive deficiencies; it's his bat, not his glove, that holds the value." Giambi walks in 2009, Jorge plays first for three years, good luck finding quality behind the plate.
• You think the Yanks have issues? "But asfar as all the other stuff is concerned, Manny Ramirez is one opaque human being, spoiled rotten since he could first hit a baseball, and expecting, demanding it to never end. And because there was always the threat of Manny quitting when he didn't get his way, everybody simply enabled him further. But now, there's no more to give, no more reason to roll eyes and chalk instances up to cases of "Manny being Manny." Ramirez's legacy with the Red Sox will certainly be more good than bad, but he'll be leaving on a note that too often defined his stay here, as an unappreciative oaf who was given the world only to have it all not be enough. The quips of him being a child in a man's body are no longer cute, if they ever really were. He's a classic case of Peter Pan syndrome, a brat who always took his toys and went home." The Red Sox made their bed. ESPN broadcast snippets of Manny's agent negotiating the infamous contract. After reaching a verbal agreement, the agent had to call back the Sox Brass and ask for another concession--Manny wanted his batting practice pitcher from Cleveland relocated to Boston. Boston bent over backwards and agreed. Manny is still being Manny.
• The New York Times offers some Hall of Fame flavor: "Ron Guidry, the Yankees’ great left-hander, and his wife, Bonnie, watched as each page of the preserved scrapbook was turned. They were on a tour led by Shieber early Sunday morning before the induction of Guidry’s friend and former Yankees teammate Goose Gossage.
  Before a game in 1979, Guidry recalled that Eleanor Gehrig had visited the Yankees dugout. “She said to me, ‘Oh yeah, you’re the little left-hander,’ ” Guidry recalled her saying. “ ‘You know, I think Lou would have had a challenge hitting off you.’

Lasorda haunted by Yankees

Los Angeles Dodger legend Tommy Lasorda can't shake the Pinstripes:

"When I returned to Yankee Stadium in October 1977, I returned in style. It was my first full season managing the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the two biggest teams in the history of baseball would meet in the Fall Classic. We lost that series, and lost again to the Yankees in 1978. I was heartbroken each time but proud of my guys.For three years when I would go to sleep and pray to God, I would say, "Dear Lord, if you see it in your heart to let the Dodgers play in another World Series, please, let it be against the Yankees." I wanted to beat the Yankees so badly that my hate for the putrid pinstripes was palpable. While they were hoisting trophies and taking champagne showers, we were grimacing with the thought that we were better. While they were getting fitted for rings, we were getting suited for revenge.But while they were partying, we were working hard to get better. While they were on the links, we were in the batting cages taking swing after swing after swing trying to wipe away the pain of Mr. October, Reggie Jackson, hitting three home runs to win the last game of the 1977 Fall Classic. And the pain of watching that same villainous Hall of Famer stick his hip out to obstruct a double play throw in the '78 Classic that would give the Yankees the game."

The excerpt has special meaning for me. I moved from New Jersey to the LA area in 1977. A friend had season tickets to the Dodgers and I attended about 40 games a year in '77 and '78 including playoffs and World Series games. In 1978, I stormed the field in Chavez Ravine following the Bombers mauling of poor Tommy's losing squad.

The baseball world knows Lasorda as a garrulous spokesman (gasbag?) of all things Dodger Blue. Under the paunchy uniform beats the heart of a poor loser. I have a distinct memory of Tommy providing commentary for a local TV highlight show after the Yankees buried his losing squad again. Chambliss hit a rocket off the wall. Objective Tommy said something like #@#@#@# another bloop hit. On and on it went, no excuse left unturned. From that day forward Tommy Lasorda was someone I enjoyed rooting against. Three decades later, nothing has changed.

Editors note: On vacation for a couple of days, will still be posting, responding to comments may be slow.



Hat Tip/ Baseball Think Factory

Marte returns to Yankees

The Yanks deal with the Pirates filled a gaping hole in the bullpen. Damaso Marte should fill a long standing void. The irony of the effusive kudos coming Brian Cashman's way is that he originally traded him away:

"the lack of a remotely competent left-hander has been something of a weakness. When you consider the number of games the Yankees play in a division with David Ortiz and J.D. Drew, with Carlos Pena and Carl Crawford, with Nick Markakis and Matt Stairs, having a quality left-handed reliever approaches necessity. The 33-year-old Marte, a Yankees farmhand seven years ago, has been very good in the specialist role, and is competent enough against right-handers to throw complete innings if needed.
Marte's return may actually put an end to an era in which the Yankees struggled to find effective lefty relievers, one that coincided with New York's trading of Marte. Since being dealt by the Yankees to Pittsburgh in 2001 -- for Enrique Wilson -- Marte has gone on to post a 3.05 ERA in 445 2/3 innings. In that time the Yankees have muddled through with a host of veterans, none of whom has been consistently effective. Felix Heredia, anyone? Buddy Groom? Gabe White? It is possible to have a good bullpen with no left-hander -- the 2004 Angels won the AL West with two innings of left-handed relief all season -- but having a good lefty increases a club's tactical options. Marte is a good one, and a significant piece for the Yankees."

Perhaps, it wasn't Cash's fault. The evil despot owner probably demanded Enrique Wilson be acquired at any cost--Yeah, that's the ticket.

Yankees start new streak

Baseball is a game of streaks. The Yankees' recent eight game surge, featuring taught pitching and productive hitting hoisted them to the pennant race. Just when you think the inconsistencies of the 2008 season are a thing of the past, two consecutive, non-competitive outings lead to blowout losses. "Which is the real Yankees team?"--(YES) Good question.

Notes:

• The announcement prior to the game that Posada would have season ending surgery will have ripple effects on the organization. What are the odds that the 37 year old catcher can come back and play every day in 2009? Slim and none. The system has no internal options. Long standing issues, at easier to fill positions--first base and relief pitcher--have been perpetual puzzles. Other teams will hold the Yanks hostage based on their dire need and lack of attractive options.
• Enough of the gloom and doom, here's some comic relief:
• The Onion offers a second half prediction: "After the Yankees win 20 games in a row in August, all those closet Yankee fans in the office that you didn't know existed for the entire season will resurface." Sounds familiar.
• Sports Hernia links to some Yankees news: "Carl "American Idle" Pavano, out forever..." or until his contract expires.
• Don't you hate when this happens: "To be stuck in a car, forced to listen to the 20-year Voice of the New York Yankees describe a game, is to be a victim of a crime against baseball, broadcasting and the public trust." Been there and done that, the irony is the writer works for the NEW YORK POST.

Time to start a new streak today, Darrell Rasner takes the mound--never mind.

Editors note: On vacation for a couple of days, will still be posting, responding to comments may be slow.

Photo/Newsday

Yankees' trade analysis

Followers of the New York Yankees had become accustomed to a lot of talk but not much action. The method of operation changed this week as the Bombers' Brass shook their slump. The trade with the Pirates featuring four prospects in return for Marte and Nady is garnering praise for the Pinstripes and barbs for the Bucs:

"There's isn't much room for second-guessing here, because this is simple good work and front-office execution. The Yankees needed to do something, but they also needed to address multiple problems. The fact that they've managed to do so with a one-stop shopping trip to Steel City was inspired, to be sure, and the fact that they got two important components without giving anything they'll really regret giving up makes it that much more of an exceptional acquisition."

Are the Yankees shrewd or the the Pirates skewed? "The Yankees are a better team now than they were before the trade. Pittsburgh received four minor-leaguers in the deal. They won't be a big help to the Pirates this season and might never make a positive impact: Yankees top outfield prospect Jose Tabata (.248, 9 doubles, 3 HRs, 36 RBI, 10 stolen bases in 79 games for Double-A Trenton; but he's only 19 years old, giving him lots of time to develop) and pitchers Ross Oehlendorf, Jeff Karstens and Daniel McCutcheon.
The trade said a lot about both organizations. The Yankees want to win — every year. The Pirates appear to be in business to sell some tickets and hot dogs and make a modest profit while finishing below .500."

More applause: "They also made a move Friday that apparently has general managers across baseball shaking their heads. How did the Yankees manage to bring in a coveted corner outfielder having a career year (Xavier Nady) and arguably the best available reliever (Marte) without having to give the Pirates any major league players? Sure, Jose Tabata could become a star, but who knows?
All that's known is this: The Yankees, playing their best baseball of the season, became a better team over the weekend, one with fewer weaknesses, one with a stronger bridge to Mariano Rivera and one that doesn't have to sulk about possibly losing both Hideki Matsui and Jorge Posada for the rest of the season. And now there are reports that Jarrod Washburn of the Mariners could be joining the Yankees. The cost: another minor leaguer. Washburn (5-9, 4.50) is not the ace he was six years ago, but he's a good replacement for Darrell Rasner at the back of the rotation, another little piece of the puzzle that would seem to fit well as the Yankees make a run in the AL East. Not long ago, the Red Sox were rolling and waiting on Ortiz's return. Not long ago, the Yankees were reeling and seeing the injuries pile up — A-Rod, Matsui, Posada, Johnny Damon. But all of a sudden the Yankees have energy and a few more capable guys aboard to help out. And it didn't cost that much."

It's amusing to note what happens to Yankees' farm prospects once they're removed from the Big Apple hype. Boundless potential becomes dubious suspect. Developing stars in the glare of Gotham is a risky proposition. Joba is a rare find, not a normal occurrence. The organization's vast resources and media hype machine allow them to build them up and trade them off. A veteran laden team has a chance to win now, while the farm harvests another crop. The full value of a strong system is realized when you trade the suspects and keep the prospects. This week the Yankees took a big step in optimizing their potential. The talk was backed up with action--it's about time.

Ponson squashes Yankees' streak

The momentum generated by an eight game Yankees' winning streak crashed with a thud in a 9-2 loss to Boston. Sir Sidney Ponson had been trying to fool Mother Nature in a logic defying series of starts, featuring a never ending string of base runners that couldn't find their way to the plate. The Bombers' had buoyed Sid's stats by putting crooked numbers on the board. Reality made an appearance in Fenway last night and Ponson flashed vintage form:

"The last time Ponson pitched at Fenway Park, on Aug. 18, 2006, he allowed six earned runs in three innings. It was the last game of Ponson’s first stint with the Yankees, when he pitched with bone chips in his elbow and had a 10.47 earned run average.
He had been much better this time, with a 2-0 record through his first four starts, all Yankees victories. But Ponson has been helped by terrific run support, and after this performance, his E.R.A. for the Yankees is 6.08.
The Red Sox’ scouting report on Ponson characterized him as an aggressive pitcher who could be handled by attacking his fastball from pitch one. The hitters followed the suggestions and blitzed Ponson in each of his four innings."

Next: "The Yankees are interested in Washburn to supplement the back end of their rotation, which includes right-handers Sidney Ponson and Darrell Rasner. The New York Post reported on Sunday that the Bombers will not part with their better prospects for Washburn, while noting that the Rangers' Vicente Padilla and the Reds' Bronson Arroyo also remain on their radar."

Apparently, Seattle has a pulse: "Talks between the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners regarding a trade for lefthander Jarrod Washburn have cooled, according to an online report.
ESPN.com reported Sunday that the Mariners want a better player in return for Washburn than the Yankees are offering."

The Yankees had a great two weeks. Winning eight of nine games in impressive fashion has garnered the Bombers' pennant race credibility. The front office sprang into action this week and showed they're capable of decisive action. Back to work for the Bombers' Brass.

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Yanks' legend Gossage enters Hall of Fame

Today is a special day in New York Yankees' history. Rich "Goose" Gossage enters the Hall of Fame. The "Goose" personified the domination that is at the root of the Bronx Bomber culture. "Gossage was the yardstick of dominance."--Jay Jaffe, BP. Here's a taste of the good old days:

"As soon as I saw him, I had the same feeling as if I'd seen the final out just recorded. The game was over.
I don't recall any reliever before or since who projected that air of the indomitable the way Rich Gossage did."

"Gossage had pinpoint control with his 100 mph fastball. If Gossage wanted the upper hand on hitters, Allen told him to aim for the left elbow on right-handed batters -- meaning a pitch that could zing awfully close to the inside part of the plate or just below the chin.
''This is something that really isn't being taught anymore,'' Gossage said. ''Everything's away, away, away. Everybody wants to reinvent the wheel. This was the most important lesson that I ever learned, and money couldn't pay for this lesson Dick gave me.
''He said, 'We as hitters see it, but God can't get the barrel on the bat if there's a ball over here. Out over [the outside edge of the plate] you can fight it off. You might hit the ball down the right-field line or you can still get the barrel of the bat to it.' That ball on the inner half up, that's not where I started, this is where I went to bury a guy.''
Accidents will happen
The only apprehension for Gossage was that if his mechanics slipped even a bit, that fastball goes in the hitter's ear.
''I said, 'Dick, I'm afraid one's going to get away, and I'm going to hit them,''' Gossage said. ''He said, 'What's wrong with that?' He said, 'Every guy out there in that dugout is watching you. They don't want any part of you, Goose.' He said, 'All you've got to do is let a couple go in there accidentally.' They always were accidentally.''

I get the distinct impression that Joba may have consulted with "Goose" on how to pitch to Youkilis. Chamberlain learning from the master would be an appropriate passing of the illustrious torch as the Yankees' tradition of, "habitual domination" gains a foothold on the future.

Yankees change tune

The Yankees' eight game winning streak, against winning teams has taken them from the depths of despair to traditional euphoria. When NY wobbled to the break with a whimper, Andy Pettitte summed it up, "We stink,"after yesterdays blowout of the Red Sox, Andy crooned, "We expect to win." What a difference two weeks make.

The surge on the field has ignited a spark in the front office. The play it safe, cover-your-ass mentality of the Cashman regime has been replaced with the win now aggressiveness of yesteryear. (Somewhere George is smiling.) It appears the Steinbrenner competitive gene has made it to the mix. Veterans Marte and Nady plug gaping holes while a list of four hyped, suspected, prospects head to the small market. Before Yankees' fans could wipe the smile off their faces, there was more good news: A) Hawkins release and Igawa's imminent departure illustrate that the new regime isn't scared to acknowledge errors. B) Using the organization's financial clout to exploit an edge is back in vogue as Seattle's salary dump of Washburn could bolster the Bombers' rotation.

The Yankees' Brain Trust recently met in Tampa to plot pennant chase strategy. The actions since the conference are straight out of the George Steinbrenner playbook. The new Boss, same as the old boss?

Yankees ace test

The 2008 season has produced many questions for the New York Yankees. Friday night in Boston, the Bronx Bombers provided some resounding answers.

• Is Joba a top of the rotation starter? Chamberlain shut down the Sox on their vaunted home turf under the glare of the pennant race: seven innings, three hits, one run. Case closed; The transition from bullpen bridge to ace starter is complete. The word potential is no longer part of the mix. The organization can breathe a sigh of relief--this is one plan that has worked.
• Is the Bomber Brass capable of decisive action? Affirmative. The trade of Tabata, Ohlendorf, Coke and Kontos for proven producers Marte and Nady proves years of playing it safe and clinging to every prospect are over. Two holes are filled, the future is now.
• Can the Yanks win it all this year? Parity and a 208 million dollar payroll insure a pennant pulse. Friday nights developments give credence to the notion that #27 is viable--which is all we can ask.
• Is the bridge to the Great Rivera stable under turbulent conditions? Well, nobodies perfect. Joba hands a one run lead to the Farns in the eight, cold sweat producing flashbacks ensue--two hits, one out, Sandman works overtime. When does Marte arrive?
• How formidable are Boston and Tampa? The teams the Yanks are chasing have no shortage of issues. Manny is being Manny, this time it's not so funny as the big bat sits again with another mystery ailment. Boston's road record quantifies weakness. Tampa is a green, talented team that is in uncharted territory. It's time for the Bombers' competition to pass a test.

The Yankees answered some big question Friday in Fenway. The test results put them back at the top of the class.

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Yankees pull trigger on big trade

SI .com is reporting that the Yankees just acquired Damaso Marte and Xavier Nady from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for Ross Ohlendorf, Jose Tabata, Phil Coke and one other minor leaguer. This deal is a big step in the right direction. The front office has put aside the timid, gun shy approach and filled two holes on the roster. Using prospects as barter chips is an effective tool in building a championship roster. Adding an elite left handed reliever, capable of closing and a solid right hand bat goes a long way to returning the Bombers to the top. The Bombers' Brass had a good day.

Yankees' trade strategy

The MLB trade deadline looms and the names just keep on coming. Don't believe the blather--Hank Steinbrenner throwing the media a bone by dropping Bonds name is a ploy. Balco Barry, in the Big Apple, to close out the House That Ruth Built, while brandishing his legendary people skills defies all logic.

The Yankees' organization wants the public to believe that they will do anything possible to provide a champion to the fans paying the elite prices. Let the actions do the talking: "Cashman has not made a truly risky move before the trading deadline since 2004, when he traded a future World Series ace, José Contreras, to the Chicago White Sox for the disappointing Esteban Loaiza.
Since then, Cashman’s boldest July move was in 2006, when he got Bobby Abreu from the Philadelphia Phillies, who had no other takers for his high salary."

The play it safe strategy continues with the acquisitions of Ponson and Sexson. If you're looking for bold and decisive action, disappointment is a guarantee. This is corporate C.Y.A. strategy at it's finest. Should a refugee from the bargain bin produce something, it will be hyped as shrewd action. Should yet another failure ensue-- look we didn't give up anything but money.

It has been suggested that this is all part of some long-term master plan. Stocking the farm with slot bonus busting dollars is a no brainer. It takes years of trial and error to reap the benefits of a strong system. Do Rivera, Jeter, Posada and company have the time to wait? Is it reasonable to expect viable replacements in the foreseeable future? The New York Yankees have the resources to restock the farm and pursue bona fide players for the present. It takes talent and skill to evaluate prospects and decide which ones will bring a greater return in the trade market than the diamond. Deploying a gun shy strategy of risking nothing, isn't good enough.

Yankees don't surprise Red Sox

The preliminary bouts of the 2008 baseball season are finished. Time for the main event: Yankees vs. Red Sox, Fenway Park, Chamberlain and Beckett in the glare of the pennant race. Some people aren't surprised, " One way or another, (the Yankees) know how to figure it out,” Ortiz said in St. Petersburg, Fla., one day before the Sox visited a Yankees team that was 7 games behind first-place Tampa Bay. “Time will tell. It’s a long season. These kids down the street (the Rays) have been playing well, you can’t take that way from them. But things happen. Sometimes experience shows up and takes over." Big Papi the prophet has more, "“Everybody knows that. Look how they’re playing now. I’ve been dealing with this for years. You should know better. These guys, they were in worse shape last year than they were this year, and even then they were in the playoffs (and) fighting for first-place at the end of the season.”
This time last year, the Yankees were in the midst of a similar resurgence, riding a six-game winning streak that put them six games behind the first-place Red Sox. Two months later, they were neck-and-neck with a Sox team most thought couldn’t be caught.
This season, surprise won’t be an option."

The uniforms are the same but the cast has changed. Last season, Clemens was in the rotation and the bullpen was saved by a Double-A kid. Joba Chamberlain left the bullpen bridge to go on to bigger and potentially better things. Tonight, the training wheels come off; the future is now. Joba squares off in hostile Fenway against an established #1 Josh Beckett. He will be supported by a rebuilt pen that has looked very good against modest opposition. Tonight the heat gets turned up and the real tests begin.

Yankees' followers can't ask for more, given the dire circumstances and miscalculations that have riddled the first 101 games. The pennant race is a Yankees' tradition. Tonight, in Boston it will be Deja Vu all over again.

Yankees uphold tradition

The Yankees six game winning streak has them in a familiar place--deja vu all over again. August is on the horizon and the pennant race is on, life is good. If someone had suggested in spring training that Generation Trey would have two wins, Posada would pull up lame, Farnsworth would solidify the bridge to the Great Rivera, Sexson and Ponson would be in Pinstripes, Cano would be MIA for half a season, Jeter and Abreu would slip and the Yanks would be trailing first place juggernaut Tampa by a mere 3 1/2 games it would have elicited guffaws. It is what it is and it has worked. Girardi has evolved from question mark to savant.

The season now gets amped up as Boston hosts New York in Fenway:"Yankees tomorrow. At Fenway. The return of David Ortiz. Maybe the return of Manny Ramírez. Joba Chamberlain and Josh Beckett throwing darts.
Get there early. This could be the beginning of the pennant race in the American League East.
"A Big Bash At Boston Against the Bronx Bombers," The Yankees didn't get to this stage without help. There is a tendency to dwell (OK, obsess) over the flaws of the home team. Fortunately, the other guys have issues as well: "Take away even a few of those miracle finishes and these Sox would look more like their ancestors from 2005 than 2007, the former a group that somehow made the playoffs despite a wretched relief corps.
You see where we’re going with this?
In road games decided by one run this season, the Red Sox are 2-14; only the Atlanta Braves (0-17) are worse. On the road, when scoring four runs or fewer, the Sox are a positively mind-numbing 3-26, a record so convincingly dreadful that only the Pittsburgh Pirates (1-24) are worse."

When times get tough it's good to rely on veteran leadership: "Manny Ramirez [stats] surprised most of the Red Sox [team stats] clubhouse yesterday morning by showing up for work with a sore right knee.
With nobody knowing how or when he hurt it, manager Terry Francona had to take him out of the starting lineup." Manny being Manny? " After removing a large ice pack strapped to his right shin, all the way up to his knee, Ramirez spent much of the time before the game sitting in front of his locker, crooning along with Spanish songs he was selecting from his iPod. He used a rolled-up magazine as a microphone, frequently pointing it towards passers-by, encouraging them to sing along.
Saying he was auditioning for “Dominican Idol,” Can you imagine this act in the Big Apple?

The Yanks and Sox have one thing in common, here's part of a phone conversation between GM Epstein and Manager Francona, "Anything important? Big trade? There was no trade to report; however, some might argue that the Red Sox could use some sort of a jolt to give them a better chance at defending their 2007 World Series championship." Boston's issues could lead to overconfidence so lets get real, here's our team architect at work, "We have an obvious area for someone to fill with our DH spot," Cashman said." Like I said, Girardi is a genius.

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The "Irreplaceable Yankee"

Baseball Prospectus provides a free preview from July 21 to 27. Their in depth coverage is illustrated in an article detailing Jorge Posada's dire injury:

"There continues to be some question about how Posada's situation has been managed. He appears to have tried to play through it, with Joe Girardi—the former Yankees backstop who started ahead of Posada earlier in his career—not 'allowing' Posada to play through pain. Yet Posada told the press that "it hurts to throw, and I can't catch like this" on Monday. He can hit, but if his or the team's insistence on catching has caused an exacerbation, it's clear that this was mismanaged. For a team willing to sign Richie Sexson, playing Posada at first base or designated hitter should have been an option. If Posada elects to have surgery, he should be able to return, though the impact on his throwing will be seen well into 2009, raising these same questions again.
Overall, Posada is truly the irreplaceable Yankee."

Hat tip-- Baseball Think Factory

Yankees' trade rumors

The clock is ticking on MLB's trade deadline and the New York Yankees are always part of the drama. Hype never sleeps and although it is clear there are no miracles on the horizon the Yankees' financial clout keeps hope for improvement alive. The Bombers' Brass has made it clear they won't deal bona fide prospects but teams looking to dump salary and willing to take suspects are still in the mix. Here are a few links on interest:

• The man on the beat gives us a dose of reality: "A few things to keep in mind:
  * Many writers just throw stuff out there with the hope that something sticks and they can claim they had it first. I’d wager than half of what you read, mainstream and otherwise, is either nonsense or old news." A few more caveats: "Try and think a little..." Don't you hate when that happens? Be careful not to overvalue the Yankees just because you like them. That's the GM's job. "Four mediocre players, do not make for one good one. A team that is a seller doesn't need scrubs." Unless, they are selling out their fan base with a salary dump.
• Which leads us to Seattle: "In his third year with the Mariners, Washburn has a 4-9 record and 4.75 ERA, with 32 walks and 65 strikeouts in 110 innings. Washburn is signed through 2009, with a $10.35-million salary, so Seattle is not in a position to ask the Yankees for a strong package of talent. It has been suggested that the Mariners would be willing to take Igawa. Do you believe in miracles?
• More logs on the fire: "Other pitchers the Yankees are monitoring include Bronson Arroyo of the Cincinnati Reds, a starter, and three relievers: Brian Fuentes of the Colorado Rockies, Dámaso Marte of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Josh Grabow, also of the Pirates.
  The Yankees are also exploring hitters who could become available, including Jason Bay and Xavier Nady of the Pirates. But they are not expecting Colorado to trade outfielder Matt Holliday, and they doubt they can land a catcher to improve on the tandem of José Molina and Chad Moeller."

The grass is always greener and there is never a shortage of names. The Yankees' financial resources give them a clear advantage over the competition. Their willingness to exploit that edge will be worth monitoring.

Girardi improves Yankees' chances

The Yankees flashed pennant contending form in last night's 8-2 win over Minnesota. Potent offense and a deep, reliable bullpen supported a satisfactory start by Rasner to get the job done. New York's stock is rising, in a volatile market.

MLB's trade deadline is eight days away, but it is clear that there are no miracle saviors on the horizon. The fate of the 2008 season will be determined by the current roster. Girardi's style of deploying all his troops is paying dividends as the bullpen has evolved from the usual suspects to a reliable mix (3.41 ERA--6TH in MLB/ 1.69 ERA in last 20 games--Joba who?) A lineup featuring Gardner, Molina or Moeller will need support from the dubious bench. The new Joe is capable of mixing and matching to get optimal results.

The Yankees are dealing with a flawed roster, but MLB's parity gives them plenty of company. The Bombers don't have to be great, pretty good will get it done. Joe Girardi puts the team in a position to succeed, which is all you can ask of a manager.

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Yankees win with Ponson's magic

The Yankees 12-4 victory last night over Minnesota was the latest stop on the Sidney Ponson Magical Mystery Tour. Sir Sid has consistently defied the oddsmakers with logic bending statistics, entering last nights start he allowed 90 hits in 72 IP, opponents hit .306 against him and a robust .325 with runners in scoring position, WHIP-1.51 (stats via YES). The song remained the same at the Stadium Monday as the Twins banged out nine hits, walked twice and added a HBP in 5 2/3 innings but managed to score a mere three runs.

Do you believe in miracles? Sidney Ponson is 6-1. How's it possible? Thank his teammates, no pitcher in baseball has received more run support--the 8.3 average went up with last nights 12 run outburst. The good karma was so pronounced that Jose Molina had three hits--How about that?

There is no justice in baseball. Joba Chamberlain's consistent excellence has been plagued by paltry run support. The chosen one has two wins with August on the horizon. Career reject Sidney Ponson continues to dance with Lady Luck. Whoever said, "It's better to be lucky than good" may have had Sir Sidney in mind.

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Yankees' shifting expectations

The Yanks have gone from perennial favorites to one of a long list of playoff hopefuls. The bar has been lowered to the point that making the post season will be considered a success. Forgotten is the fact that the Bronx Bombers have a distinct advantage over the other guys: "The system's not in place to even come close to leveling the playing field...There remains a distinct correlation between your payroll and your club's ability to get to the postseason."--Mark Shapiro, GM Cleveland Indians (Costas Now.) Not an objective observation? The NY Times chimes in, "Rest assured, a $200 million payroll is a formidable buffer against collapse and especially from falling out of wild-card contention."

Why is it that an organization with an industry dwarfing 208 million dollar payroll is flailing about with the middle class? Here's a hint: "This observation from a veteran scout seems to speak volumes about the current state of the Yankees: "What does it say about the Yankees' system that they have to resort to signing a guy who was released by a last-place team in hopes of getting some power? Used to be, the Yankees would come into town and you'd feel you were down 2-0 before you even took the field. Now, you almost welcome them. They only have one guy- A-Rod- who scares you with the longball and you don't have to worry about adjusting your lineup in the late innings because they don't have a lefty in the bullpen."
As for the latter, Cashman could have had a more-than-serviceable lefty reliever on the free agent market last winter in Ron Mahay, who wanted to sign with the Yankees, but also wanted a two-year contract. Cashman had made a decision not to offer more than one year to any reliever. So, instead, he signed LaTroy Hawkins for $3.75 million and gambled that Billy Traber would somehow fill the lefty need in the pen. In the classic case of "you get what you pay for," Hawkins and Traber have both been busts, while Mahay, who got two years and $8 million from the Royals, is 5-0 with a 1.84 ERA and likely will net them a couple of prospects in the next couple of weeks."

In the interests of fairness, lets hear from team architect Brian Cashman: "Right now we aren't one of the four best teams in the league. Our objective is to be one of those teams by the end of the season and hopefully have a team that is capable of producing championship No. 27," Can you imagine Cash giving this update to the old Boss? Wait there's more, "Entering the season, Phil Hughes was expected to be a big part of our starting rotation, but he's been out since April," Brian Cashman would make a great press secretary. Generation Trey is 2-10 with an ERA of 5.15. The numbers don't do the facts justice as Joba's continued excellence lends credibility to the abysmal performances of Hughes and Kennedy. Suggesting that Hughes would have been really good if not hurt and omitting Kennedy's name is duplicitous.

Don't give up hope, apparently Ponson and Sexson could be just the beginning: ""I talk to each of the other 29 teams to see if we can get something done that I think will help our ballclub," said Cashman.
"Check that, make it 28 other teams. I don't think we will be making a deal with the Red Sox," he added with a chuckle.
"Regardless of what we do trade-wise, I would expect us to be better offensively during the remainder of the season. When you look at our lineup I'm surprised that we've had problems scoring as often as we have. I think our hitting will pick up. We have too many proven hitters for it not to improve."
"The Yankees are only sixth in batting and seventh in runs scored in the American League." Let's glance at the lineup that Cash has so much faith in: Molina is the unofficial starting catcher due to Posada's gimpy shoulder--he is a poor offensive player; Sexson and Betemit are sharing first base, is there anything in their history to suggest sustained production? Gardner, who Cashman predicted in the spring would be "an impact player" is fun to watch run but over- matched at the plate, Melky's bat doesn't measure up to his glove, Jeter and Abreu show all the signs of veterans on the decline. Here's some more salt in the wound: "Even though getting back into the playoff mix seems mathematically doable, the Yankees have so many wrongs to right.There's their train wreck of an offense, with so many key players underperforming. There's the back end of their starting rotation, which is leaning on a couple of prayers named Sidney Ponson and Darrell Rasner.And there's Posada, who also has been subpar offensively.

Success in the Bronx was once measured by rings. Times have changed and expectations are so diluted that staying "in the mix" is now the battle cry. "Isn't it a pity; isn't it a shame."--George Harrison.

Yankees prosper in MLB's Parity

The Yankees swept the Oakland A's as strong pitching (five runs allowed in 30 innings) compensated for under-whelming offense. The team's record 53-45 (.541) is a high-water mark in a season marked by stark inconsistency. The standings illustrate that the pennant race is on.

MLB wants us to believe that parity (read mediocrity) is a virtue. After all, any team with a pulse is a bona fide contender (IE. The sub-.500 Dodgers are tied for the NL West Division lead.) In other words, more fans get to pretend that their teams are good, inspiring them to spend more money.

Parity has a ripple effect on the sport's economic health. The A's trade 40% of their starting rotation mid-season and are a mere four games out of the wild card. The Yankees, with a new stadium on the horizon that will boost their gaudy revenue by an estimated 300 million per season, plug holes with discarded retreads from the bargain bin. Lackluster may suffice as the modern mantra, "We hope to make the playoffs where anything can happen," (See 2006 St. Louis Cardinals) has replaced being the best on the goal chart.

Oh well, let's look at the bright side, the Yanks find themselves three games behind the Red Sox-- allegedly one of the best teams in the sport who are currently 11 games under .500 on the road-- in the heralded wild card race as #4 starter Sidney Ponson takes the mound tonight at the Stadium. Enough said.

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Yankees continue transition

The Yanks wobbled to a 4-3 win over the Oakland A's yesterday. The game marked the latest stop in the Bombers' transition from consistent winner to perplexing puzzle. Joba Chamberlain took the mound under scorching conditions at the Stadium and did his new job--six innings, one run, turn a 2-1 lead over to the remodeled pen--mission accomplished.

The bullpen has improved this season, Girardi has mixed and matched repertoire's while putting his players in a position to succeed. Bullpen stats can be misleading, as many appearances are with comfortable leads. As the pennant race heats up, the pressure mounts as preserving close margins is the true test. It didn't workout yesterday as Veras promptly allowed the tying run and the Great Rivera issued the go-ahead run. The pitching staff allowed three runs in 12 innings, a credible performance by any measure.

The irony of the Yankees' 2008 season is that while an evolving pitching staff was the center of attention; the vaunted offense was taken for granted. The computers said they would score six runs a game, there was no reason to think otherwise. Joe Torre's influence wasn't part of the programming. Yesterday's underwhelming performance is another example of how the mighty have fallen. Defying all odds: Cano, Betemit, Cabrera and Gardner produced 10 hits from the bottom of the order. Abreu, A-Rod, Giambi and Posada were 1 for 16. "The only thing we've been consistent at is inconsistency."--Jeter. 13 hits, 11 walks and one vital HBP produced four runs in 12 innings. Go figure.

The good news is that hope is never lost in these mediocrity mired times. An ugly afternoon in the Bronx was salvaged when Jose Molina went to his Ron Hunt playbook and stuck his knee into a pitch with the bases loaded. An appropriate way to end a successful pratfall.

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Yankees' notes and quotes

The Yankees 7-1 win over the dismantled Oakland A's last night is a step in the right direction. The game featured Cano's resurgent bat and A-Rod aggressively charging the plate. The lineup had a new guy at first, DH Posada cleaning up , and Giambi sitting. Girardi is in a position where he must win now and the days of coddling flawed veterans is over. It's about time.

Notes & Quotes:

• "He's pretty much been an automatic out for most of the season."--David Cone on Yanks' newest find Richie Sexson. Apparently, Coney doesn't realize Sexson is due.
• Let's hear from the new guy, "I think this lineup hasn't touched what it can do yet it's exciting to come here and have an opportunity to at least push for a playoff spot down the stretch." The expectations in Seattle are a tad different than the Big Apple.
• "How far back are we? Six games back? We've played well enough to be 6 games back."--Yankee captain Derek Jeter. Somewhere, Paul O'Neill is grimacing.
• Help on the way? A few trade rumors to kick off the day: "They'd love to consider Rockies slugger Matt Holliday or either of two Pirates outfielders, Jason Bay or Xavier Nady, if the asking price comes down. But Holliday, a franchise-type player, would require a package of young players and prospects; just the sort the Yankees have come to value. And Pirates people have told competing executives they'd have to be "absolutely overwhelmed'' to deal Bay or Nady (don't rule out that possibility from someone else; the Diamondbacks have prospects to deal and the Cardinals are now said to be willing to consider a deal for top outfield prospect Colby Rasmus).
  If the Yankees like Reds slugger Adam Dunn slightly more than Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi, they understand his all-or-nothing nature. One advantage to Dunn is that, as a rental player with obvious flaws, the asking price has to be lower." Dunn would fit right in with the shrewdly built roster.
• Peter Abraham, from LoHud issues a warning on Holliday: "Yes, he’s available. But before you ask Brian Cashman to throw a bunch of prospects in a sack, consider these stats:
  Career home splits: .364/.427/.659
  Career road splits: .277/.341/.449
  Unless the new Yankee Stadium is at a much higher altitude than the old one, you might want to rethink calling for that trade." There's always a catch, oh well Gardner sure looks good running to first.
• Fox Sports predicts turbulence:
  "Telling times: Red Sox have 49 of final 59 games in Eastern time zone. Yankees play 24 of first 27 games after break against teams with winning records. The Rays have 12 games in 17 days during September against the Red Sox and Yankees.
  Give the edge to: Boston. Experience counts" Two consecutive Wild Card titles? Be still my heart.

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Yanks add Sexson to the mix

Start spreading the news: the New York Yankees have acquired Richie Sexson for nothing--actually a pro-rated share of $390,000. Long time followers of the organization knew something was bound to happen, it's been months since a one-dimensional first baseman was added--another brick in the wall.

Proponents of the new Bombers' regime will say something like, "They have nothing to lose." How about credibility? The biggest, baddest franchise in history now wallows in the scrap heap looking for bargains. Fans paying elite prices deserve more.

In the good old days, when winning was the priority, the Bronx Bombers would flaunt their financial girth by going over-the-top, to win at any cost. We used to hear, "It sends a signal in the clubhouse when ownership is aggressive." Now we hear, "He's cheap and he used to be good." What kind of signal does that send?

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Yankees' trade rumors

The All-Star exhibition is over, time to focus on the games that count. The MLB trade deadline is on the horizon. The Bombers' brass might almost be somewhat ready to spring into action. Let's hear from team architect Brian Cashman: ""I would say any rampant speculation on us involving a player of that magnitude would be extremely premature," Cashman said. "I would caution everybody to not misunderstand that since I'm not saying no to it, that that means, `Oh my gosh, that that might be happening down the line.' It's not something we're focused on at this point...(Cash was responding to speculation the Bonds could be in the mix. Let me interpret the corporate double speak--there's no way the Yankees will bring in the Balco King, to close out the House That Ruth Built.) Don't give up hope there's always another option, "Richie Sexson, released by Seattle last week, could be another option for the Yankees, short-handed because of injuries to Matsui and Johnny Damon.
"I'm not going to tell you if we're pursuing him or not," Cashman said. Brian plays hard to get. In a rare moment of candor, Cashman sums up his method of operation, " "This is kind of like taking a flyer," Cashman said. "That could be something that becomes interesting or it could be a non-story."

There will be no shortage of names thrown out, here's another from The New York Post: "Rockies will definitely deal is Brian Fuentes, and both the Mets and Yanks remain part of that hunt. But at the moment the Mets (Jonathan Niese) and the Yanks (Ian KennedyIan Kennedy ) are showing no inclination to deal the players desired by Colorado" (Hat tip MLB Trade Rumors)

Most minor league players fail, developing a strong system, hyping the potential and trading the right ones is a significant strength. Clinging to every prospect is not an attribute it's a flaw.

MLB All-Star game notes and quotes

The pageant started with pomp and circumstance and ended with baseball. The American League won again in a pitching dominated marathon featuring 34 strikeouts. Here are a variety of links that tell the story:

• "As a brilliant pregame pageant was coming to a close before last night’s Midsummer Classic at the Stadium, we thought we had seen it all when the last of 49 living Hall of Famers was introduced. But no. An announcement was made that someone special would be arriving with the game ball, and we all wondered who could it be? Yogi Berra and Goose Gossage and Dave Winfield and even Mr. October himself, Reggie Jackson, already were on the field.
  It was George, by George...While you may have hated Steinbrenner over the years, can you not agree that, in the end, you loved to hate him? The man brought a special brand of sizzle to the greatest rivalry in sports, doing everything in his power to put the best possible team on the field. He wanted to win. He was obsessed with winning."--The Boston Herald, tips their cap to the Boss.
• "I think it's awesome, the stage takes precedence over the accumulation of talent," Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones said. "When you're 10 years old in your backyard dreaming about this, you don't dream of playing in Turner Field; you dream of playing in Yankee Stadium." Larry, tells it like it is.
• The stirring pregame ceremony was a distant memory, the overcooked closer-subplot reduced to mere tabloid frivolity. The focus had shifted entirely from the historic setting and the petty squabbles to the astonishing spectacle on the field, as the final all-star game at grand old Yankee Stadium lurched deeper into Wednesday morning -- the innings creeping by without resolution, the bases constantly full of base runners who inevitably were marooned there, the worried managers down to their last available pitchers...On the night the greater baseball nation bade a fond farewell to its most storied and exalted venue, the game itself rose from a vehicle for ceremony to an instant classic, a reminder that even the House That Ruth Built would be just another crumbling building without baseball as its soul."--Dave Sheinin, of the Washington Post, delivers some quality sports writing.
• Bronx Cheer: "Papelbon was angry before the game. He stalked through the clubhouse wearing a T-shirt with a drawing of an obscene gesture. In a four-minute talk with reporters, he used more than a dozen profanities and blamed The Daily News for inviting the abuse he had already received from fans. The Daily News’s back page Tuesday had a picture of Papelbon with the headline, “Papelbum!”
  “I feel like I needed to be in a bulletproof car,” Papelbon said. Welcome to the Big Apple, now go home.
• "On an evening honoring the rich tapestry of Yankee Stadium's history, the American League found another reason to celebrate the Midsummer Classic -- but it'd have to wait. The Cathedral isn't one to let the spotlight go easily." Lets hope there's more reason to celebrate in October.

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MLB's All-Star blockbuster

Hype never sleeps and MLB's All-Star break is the latest victim. My disdain for over-the-top, breathless coverage limits my ability to sit through the hoopla. Here are some links that cover the spectacle:

• "For the annual midseason matchup Tuesday night of American League and National League stars, Fox has gotten record TV ad prices, Major League Baseball (MLB) sponsors have spent millions on promotions and fans are paying $150 to $725 for seats, the highest prices in the game's 79-year history.
  AD TRACK: More coverage of the marketing world
  For more than a year, MLB and Fox have been hyping the event as a historic last All-Star Game in Yankee Stadium, which closes after this season when the team moves across the street. It was home to the first World Series in 1923 and 33 since...."It's about scale, history and tradition," says Tim Brosnan, MLB head of business development." Funny, I thought it was about money.
• "Baseball's Home Run Derby is a fake, manufactured-for-TV event that lasts way too long."
• "In a staggering performance in Monday night's All-Star Home Run Derby, Hamilton banged balls off the back wall in right, deep into the upper deck, and, most impressively, off the Hess sign in center field. He shattered the record for home runs in the first round, with 28, and at one point, he hit 13 out in a row.
  "Obviously, I've never experienced a groove like that before," Wonder if he's ever faced a mound opponent like this: "Hamilton's 71-year-old batting practice pitcher, Clay Counsil, threw 54 pitches in the first round, and in a television interview conducted moments afterward, Counsil asked, "We have to go again?" I tried to watch a replay of the spectacle on ESPN, Berman bellowed 'You talk about...' and my finger hit the mute. I've boycotted Berman and Vitale for years, had hoped for better results.
• Fortunately, some actual baseball coverage can be found:"Baseball is always a wonderful conversation, and what better way to talk about the game than with All-Stars at the All-Star Game?
• "As baseball's elite prepare to play the final All-Star game in the storied stadium that opened in 1923, a look back shows how many key events have occurred there." Nice trip down memory lane, although that last paragraph could have been glossed over.

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Yanks' Jeter dissected

Yankees' captain Derek Jeter is under the microscope, again. Here's a few links of interest:

• "Davey Johnson, the manager in the Futures Game and in the upcoming Olympics, joked Sunday that he taught A's general manager Billy Beane "everything he knows" about statistical analysis. Johnson, who was Beane's manager with the Mets in 1984 and '85, first saw the value in numbers when he was playing for the Orioles and writing out lineups for Earl Weaver. "It's not rocket science," Johnson says ."--FOX Sports. Davey's been out of the game for a while, today's plethora of stats would make a rocket scientist proud.
• "Stat-heads and forward-thinking team executives now have several advanced fielding metrics to parse: fielding win shares, fielding runs, fielding runs above replacement, zone rating, range factor, probabilistic model of range, the Wharton guy's SAFE method (that's "special aggregate fielding evaluation"), and many more. There are so many fielding stats now because the sabermetric community has worked together on the scrivenerlike grunt work of generating useful data. Private-sector companies like Baseball Info Solutions and Stats Inc. have done most of the heavy lifting. They watch every play of every major league game and record the things (trajectory, speed, whether a ball was bobbled or fielded cleanly) that go into defense, then package the numbers and license them to baseball front offices and a few dedicated, independent stat guys. The cost of this proprietary data has not necessarily kept the stat masses from making important contributions to fielding knowledge. It has meant, however, that the best systems are the ones that are most dependent on crunching complicated numbers that don't get updated every day."--Slate (Hat tip Baseball Musings) The bottom line? "There's just one small blot on his résumé: When it comes to playing defense, Jeter sucks." Got it.
• Derek's future is also of interest, "Now fast-forward to October 2010, with the newly signed LeBron James taking his first wind sprints in Knicks camp and fixing to hurdle A-Rod and claim Jeter's vacated place as the market's reigning sports prince. Listen to Cashman and Hank Steinbrenner explain how the Yankees need to get younger and more athletic. Listen to the executives tell the public why the 10-year, $189 million contract ol' No. 2 signed in February 2001 represents the last nickel the Yanks ever will pay him." I saw an interview with Jeter a few years ago, he was asked what he would be doing at 40 his immediate response, "playing shortstop for the New York Yankees." (Somewhere, somebody just dropped a pencil.) Sports Illustrated ran a section titled "A sure sign the apocalypse is upon us." If Brian Cashman, is still making decisions for the Bombers in 2010, apocalypse will be an understatement.

Yankees at crossroads

It wasn't long ago that the New York Yankees' organization was easy to figure out. Quotes like, "The season will only be a success if we win it all," reverberated in the House that Ruth Built. The bar was set impossibly high, but at least you knew where they stood. Today was the priority, there was no tomorrow. Times have changed.

The impulsive, overbearing, deep-pocketed, competitive, individual owner has been replaced by a corporate think tank. Prudent discussions have replaced rash action. We want to believe this is a good thing, but as the clock ticks, doubt and questions creep.

Has maximizing return on investment replaced demands of domination on the priority list? The bluster (see Hank) squawks,"We want to win every year," but monitor the actions for the truth. Santana and Sabathia morp into Ponson and Milton. Is this part of a shrewd plan? Buying time for the farm while lowering payroll is prudent, is it effective? Where do we go from here?

"casting a shadow, literally, over the All-Star Game is the new Yankee Stadium, which is expected to add between $235-million and $250-million (all currency U.S.) annually in ticket and suite revenue to the Yankees beginning next year.
Couple that with Yankees general manager Brian Cashman's serious interest in prospects and add in the possibility that the Yankees could shed $89-million off their payroll in the winter..."

On the surface, the Yanks are playing with a stacked deck. Their heralded youth movement is actually a blatant attempt to buy the farm. The exchange rate is more appealing (IE. one Igawa= ten Brackman's.) In other words, it's harder to screw up and has a nice fuzzy connotation--we're not buying a pennant, we're developing our own. No one can argue that this is smart long-term thinking--it's not exactly rocket science. Tomorrow should be secure, if not it will be a failure of epic proportions.

While the organization looks to the future, the present is slipping away. How much time is left on the championship caliber clocks of Rivera, Posada and Jeter? There are no replacements in sight. Do you give them a chance at another ring in these mediocrity-mired times or are the marquee names being used to deflect attention from ownership's new priorities. "The Steinbrenners will do whatever it takes to help us win."--Jeter. That was then, this is now.

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Yankees' bleak performance

The Yanks had a distinct edge in Toronto today and couldn't exploit it. Andy Pettitte riding a wave of ace level performances matched up against the Blue Jays' enigma A.J. Burnett. The Toronto righty features high-octane stuff and an ERA of 5.23 (6.36 at home.) Peter Abraham of LoHud gave us a preview: "Did you see the Toronto lineup? Eckstein (1 HR) is the DH. Rod Barajas (8 HR, 28 RBI) is hitting cleanup and Mench (.210/.290/.282) is hitting fifth. A.J.Burnett is tough, but you have to win this game."

Nothing is easy for this team, final score Toronto 4 Yanks 1. The game wasn't as close as the score would indicate. Burnett shutdown the anemic order, an occurrence that is becoming routine. An inside perspective from the beat reporter, " The only approach this team seems to have at the plate at times is to get the game over with quickly."

Want more dire straits? "The Yankees are on a pace to score 742 runs. That would be their fewest in a full season since 1992, when they went 80-82. The record eventually caught up to the offense last season. That’s not going to happen this time around unless there is some sort of complete turnaround. The Yankees are a generally listless team that plays with very little consistency. They have a bunch of guys hurt, a bunch of AAAA players on the roster and a manager and coaching staff with little experience.
Today would be the seventh shutout of the season (one fewer than all last season) and the 33rd time they will have scored two or fewer runs. That’s 35 percent of the games.
As the boys like to say, it is what it is. And what it is isn’t very good."--LoHud.

Now that it's no longer a secret, we get to see how the brothers Steinbrenner react to a few lingering questions: Is the plan working? Actually, a better question would be, exactly what is the plan? Are Sidney Ponson and Eric Milton part of the youth movement? There has been a lot of rhetoric about competing for a championship. Talk's cheap. Time to answer some questions with actions.

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Bobby Murcer's legacy

Bobby Murcer's passing at 62 proves life isn't fair. Murcer's attributes have shined a positive light on the New York Yankees for a long time. Reflecting on Bobby's playing career brings back a lot of memories.

Murcer had cups of coffee with the Yanks in '65 and '66 but came up for good in 1969. The glory years had gone, Ralph Houk managed an infamous team that included: Fritz Peterson, Joe Pepitone, Jake Gibbs, Jerry Kenney, Gene "Stick" Michael, Tom Tresh. This time frame in Yankees' lore became known as the "Horace Clarke" era. The team was 80-81 that year which was good for fifth place (in those days mediocrity wasn't rewarded with a free pass to the wild card.)

The organization tried to deflect attention from a crumbled dynasty by hyping young prospects with distorted expectations. Murcer, an outfielder hailing from Oklahoma was quickly dubbed the "next Mantle." Good luck with that. Bobby had a fine playing career, highlighted by five All-Star appearances. He was a better person than player. The kid from Oklahoma wasn't the "next Mantle" he was the only Bobby Murcer.

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Yankees' links, rumors and transactions

Assorted Yankees' links of interest:

• I've been befuddled by the never-ending support Jason Giambi gets in light of his transgressions. The NY Times writes a side of the story you won't read often in Gotham: "As he watches Jason Giambi morph from pariah to hero, being feted with mustache day at Yankee Stadium in support of a failed All-Star candidacy, Bonds has to be thinking, “You mean, all I had to do was say I did it.”
  All Bonds had to do, it seems, was throw himself at the mercy of Commissioner Bud Selig, confess to George J. Mitchell and admit to the national news media, as Giambi did, that he should not have “messed with that stuff.”
  Giambi on at least three occasions all but admitted he cheated, that he used performance-enhancing drugs to get an edge. That admission, coupled with cultivated personal charm, has been enough to earn Giambi — a mediocre power hitter — a Major League Baseball pass.
• The Yanks bolstered their extensive TJ recovery unit by signing Eric Milton: "New York took Milton with its first round pick, 20th overall, in the June 1996 draft. Milton was traded to Minnesota two years later in the deal that sent Chuck Knoblauch to the Yankees.
  Milton, who had elbow surgery last June, will be assigned to Triple-A Scranton and immediately placed on the disabled list, allowing him to continue rehabbing at New York's minor league complex in Tampa, Fla.
  "He's a left-hander, he's a got a pretty big breaking ball," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "Obviously, we'll have to see how he does. It's the beginning stages of him trying to get back to the big leagues."
  The 32-year-old Milton went 0-4 with a 5.17 ERA in six starts with Cincinnati last season." I hate to be paranoid but is it possible Cashman is getting some kind of kick back from the physical therapy industry?--just wondering.
• It's been a while since the Bombers acquired a one-dimensional first baseman. Rumors of a Richie Sexson signing have the All-Star game on the back burner. LoHud gives an interesting perspective, "I have no idea whether Richie Sexson will hit again. But he’d be a far, far better glove late in games than Wilson Betemit." Amazing how last season's shrewd move evolves into this season's issue. Betemit was supposed to be a utility man extraordinaire with some pop. Now, he can't even play first. When's the last time he gave A-Rod or Jeter a breather?
• One of my all-time favorites, Sweet Lou Piniella returns to the Stadium. He takes a trip down memory lane: "I'll remember the championships we won there. I remember [Chris] Chambliss hitting that home run against Kansas City [in 1976] to get us into the World Series, I remember Reggie [Jackson's] three home runs [in Game 6 of the '77 World Series], I remember [Graig] Nettles having that great day [in Game 3 of the '78 World Series]. It was a wonderful place."

Yankees' anemic offense

The Yankees were shutout 5-0 in Toronto, Friday by Roy "Doc" Halladay. No disgrace there, the Blue Jay's ace personifies what Joba Chamberlain hopes to become, someday, a dominant number one starter. The lack of run production is not an isolated incident. The most consistent thing about the 2008 Yanks is their tepid offense.

No one saw this coming, preseason prognosticators assumed the Bombers would continue to put crooked numbers on the board. What happened? It's not hard to figure out. Joe Torre's philosophy left with him when he was insulted out of the dugout. The Torre regime was earmarked by a patient offense that wore opposing pitchers down and exploited the soft-underbelly of middle inning bullpens. Let's compare the on base percentages of the 2007 regulars with the current model: Cano (2007 .353/2008 .286) Jeter (.388/.349) Posada (.426/.362) A-Rod (.422/.395) Cabrera (.327/.305) Abreu (.391/.346) Three players have shown improvement: Matsui (.367/.404) Damon (.351/.387) and Giambi (.356/.393) all played hurt in 2007 and were having bounce-back seasons. Matsui and Damon are currently injured and have been replaced by Brett Gardner whose OBP is lower than his paltry weight.(Note: batting him leadoff is essentially giving the opposition a free out to start the game.) The bottom line is the 2007 team scored a robust 5.98 runs per game; the 2008 model 4.58.

Much has been made of Joe Torre's bullpen mangling, (How did poor Farnsworth survive the torment?) overlooked was his positive influence on the offense. Last season, hitting coach Kevin Long was a savant, this season he is the answer to the proverbial question "Whatever became of that guy?" Many people wanted Torre exiled from Pinstripes so that the talent-laden Bombers could develop to their full potential. Be careful what you wish for.

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MLB's All-Star Hysteria

The MLB All-Star game is on the horizon, let the hyperventilating commence. Want to vote for the most qualified candidate? Good luck with that: "four men sat at computers for 53 consecutive hours, mindlessly clicking “Vote” on Major League Baseball’s Internet ballot to fill the final slot on each league’s roster. Ferraro guessed they had done it 70,000 times.
“Someone has to do it,” The Phillies' fanatics failed: "But his marathon effort was an exercise in futility. After three days of campaigning by teams and fans across the country, after an assortment of corny puns and fake mustaches and strategic alliances, Ferraro discovered that his push for Burrell had fallen short. When the polls closed at 5 p.m. Thursday, Milwaukee’s Corey Hart earned the last slot on the National League roster, and the Tampa Bay Rays rookie Evan Longoria finished first on the American League side. The Mets’ David Wright finished second in the N.L., followed by Burrell, and the Yankees’ Jason Giambi finished third in the A.L."--NY Times.

Now that the roster was settled in a professional, ethical manner it's time to start spreading the news. Hype never sleeps. Some folks in Boston are a tad perturbed, "It’s not going to be a celebration of baseball on Tuesday night, but a celebration of the New York Yankees. How dare anyone invade on that party." At least Varitek, Manny and the army from Boston will have good seats. Perhaps, they'll invite Pedro and Zim who could recreate the old-guy throw-down so that Boston could relive some of it's history.

The All-Star game used to be a fun exhibition game featuring the best the sport had to offer. That was then, this is now.

Yankees' lineup shuffle

Joe Girardi shuffled the Yanks' lineup last night in Pittsburgh against lefty Paul Malholm. The new order featured Jeter leading off followed by Abreu, A-Rod, Posada, Cano, Cabrera, Molina, Christian and Mussina. The Pirate's southpaw stifles lefty hitters so Giambi and Gardner sat. A baseball analyst, relying on logic, would concur with Girardi's strategy. The computer at Baseball Prospectus has a different opinion.

Baseball between the Numbers (BP,2006) in a chapter titled, "Was Billy Martin Crazy?" relies on computer derived stats to postulate that batting order is a cosmetic exercise that is essentially a waste of time. A computer program called "Baseball lineup order optimization" ran a myriad of simulations and concluded that: 1) "The difference between the most optimal lineup and least was 26 runs (2.5 wins in standings)" Logical modifying (IE. Girardi's recent tinkering) "nets at most 10 runs over a whole season, or about one win..minor changes to the lineup for brief periods have no discernible effect on scoring." 2) "OBP is the most important variable, an optimal lineup would be ranked by OBP." Here's the Yanks' best lineup (assumes health of regulars): 1) Matsui (.404) 2) A-Rod (.401) 3) Giambi (.394) 4) Damon (.387) 5) Posada (.365) 6) Jeter (.346) 7) Abreu (.345) 8) Cano (.287) 9) Cabrera (.247) There is a caveat to this methodology, the computer assumes all baserunners are created equal. In other words, a lot of numbers were crunched without all the relevant data. Oh well, back to logic.

The title "Was Billy Martin Crazy" is derived from the 1972 anecdote in which Martin pulled a random lineup out of a hat in order to shake up a slump ridden Tiger's team. (Billy pulled the same stunt with the Yanks.) Martin may have been crazy, but he wasn't dumb.

Girardi's recent attempt to bolster the offense didn't work as the Bombers only put two runs on the board. During the YES broadcast, it was mentioned that Tony La Russa bats his pitcher eight based on computer derived evidence that suggests it is the optimal way to go. Somewhere, Billy Martin is shaking his head and smiling.

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Yankees are alive

The Yankees' walk-off win Wednesday, swept aside the upstart Tampa Rays and revived the 2008 season. A credibility enhancing four game winning streak has them on the brink of a pennant race. Can they compete for a pennant? Anything is possible. The Sidney Ponson magical mystery tour continued in the Bronx yesterday. Sir Sid has found a unique formula that would confound baseball analysts. Here's Ponson's aggregate line in his return to Pinstripes (note: his first tour was highlighted by an ERA of 10+) 17 IP, 14 Hits, 7 BB, 2 HBP,3 HR, have resulted in a mere 8 runs. The numbers don't do him justice as line drives right at people are peppered in the mix. The Yankees have won two of the three starts and continue to prove-- Anything is possible.

Notes:

• The Yankees brought a list of 18 aspiring relief pitchers to camp in hopes of plugging a long-term leak. While the focus was on Ohlendorf, Veras and Ramirez have emerged as viable options. Veras has the heat to fill the 7TH inning role and Girardi continues to put Ramirez and his change-up in a position to succeed.
• Pending free agency has a tendency to spur on some players. Kyle Farnsworth is a case in point. Here's Kyle's lifetime production: ERA 4.4, WHIP 1.39. The last time Farns. was playing for a contract he produced: ERA 2.2, WHIP 1.0 (#s rounded). Farnsworth has improved this season, his ERA is 3.6, WHIP 1.38 compared to last season's disastrous 4.8, WHIP 1.45. Some will suggest Kyle is no longer a victim of Joe Torre's mangling. The facts show that Kyle is actually capable of doing the job when he's playing for a contract.

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Yankees' trade deadline

The trade deadline is traditionally a time of action for the Yankees' organization. Indecision wasn't part of George Steinbrenner's repertoire. Times have changed, the new bosses--the brothers Steinbrenner--didn't inherit Dad's impulsiveness. The new regime has been characterized by conservative, corporate methodology. The official position--communicated via Hank's bluster--has been to win now while rebuilding. They've talked the talk, but haven't done anything to back it up.

If the goal is to win now, there are holes to fill and the clock's ticking. A shopping list would include: A) catcher B) starting pitching C) left-handed relief, capable of giving the Great Rivera a day off. D) outfielder with a bat.

Here's a list of impact trade eligible players, according to Jon Heyman of SI, a few would look good in Pinstripes: Holliday, Street, Fuentes, Bedard, Nady, Byrd. Was Watching has a survey going to see if you would trade Cabrera and Kennedy for Marte and Nady. (I voted yes.)

The bottom line is decisive action is required--Buyers or Sellers--make a decision, don't waffle. The Yanks have been reluctant to part with their prospects, that's understandable to a point, but hording minor leaguers--most of whom will fail--is a flaw not an attribute. The new regime talks fast but acts slow. It's time to pick up the pace; the clock is ticking.

Yankees' flashback

Andy Pettitte and Derek Jeter carried the Yanks to a 5-0, credibility enhancing, win over the impressive Rays at the Stadium Tuesday night. The old school champs showed the next generation "it ain't over till it's over." Pettitte pitched eight shutout innings and reminded us how he has a history of stepping up for big games. His mound opponent Scott Kazmir, had referred to the Bombers as "sort of desperate," they ain't dead yet, kid.

Derek Jeter reminded the army of Yankees' followers who have jumped off his bandwagon why he has four rings. A clutch two out double set the tone in the third putting two runs on the board. The captain put an exclamation point on the night by making a spectacular defensive play in the seventh that aborted a Ray's rally. Actions speak louder than words: "They can criticize me all they want," Jeter said. "I could care less. My job is to try to play defense, be consistent."
But could that play serve as a message to the critics?
"I guess you've got to ask the people who criticize me and maybe they'll write a different story," Jeter said. "Send them a tape."--LoHud

The Yankees played a "statement game" in the Bronx last night and their play put the upstart Rays on notice that the old guys will go down fighting. Three big wins have the Yanks back on their feet. Momentum gets the ultimate challenge today as Sidney Ponson takes the mound for the Bombers. Do you believe in miracles?

Notes:

• "Something worth paying attention to."--John Flaherty (YES.) Flaherty openly discussed a transition that the Yankees' brass is reluctant to acknowledge--Jose Molina is the unofficial starting catcher, routinely replacing a gimpy Jorge Posada. Half a season into a four year guaranteed contract, Posada's shoulder is a major issue that isn't going away. The good news is that Molina's defense, "is a weapon behind the plate...if you throw out 30 percent of runners trying to steal you're an above average catcher, Molina's 48 percent is sick."--Flaherty (paraphrased.) The bad news is that his anemic offense (lifetime: .240/.276/.340) is a major hole. A starting lineup featuring Gardner, Cabrera and Molina won't get it done.
• The Yankees' hype-machine is in overdrive trying to get Jason Giambi elected to the final All-Star spot. Let the ballot stuffing begin. Giambi continues to be a fan favorite despite all odds. Jason had an abysmal April, recovered with a prodigious May and settled into a mediocre June. His clutch numbers are poor. His defense is a liability. Tough lefty on the mound? Betemit at first, the Giambino takes a day off. But the bottom line is popularity is more relevant than production. Let's talk about the moustache.

Photo/NY Daily News, AP

Yankees' Tampa test

Dylan once rasped, "The times they are a changin," but this is ridiculous. The Tampa Ray's juggernaut arrives at the Stadium brimming with confidence. Here's tonight's starter Scott Kazmir on the Bronx Bombers, "Kind of...you know...in desperate mode." What happened to respecting your elders?

Maybe Kazmir read this: " for a variety of reasons - an aging lineup, a lack of depth and a laid-back attitude about their middling results - the Yankees haven't produced the kind of run that usually propels them into playoff position this time of year.
The Yankees are 47-42, the kind of team that doesn't do anything particularly poorly but also isn't doing anything particularly well.
New York ranks in the middle of the American League in just about every important pitching and hitting category, with a lineup dripping with name recognition that hasn't been able to pick up a pitching staff in transition. Lately, it has been even worse than that - it has been the reason the Yankees are losing." See the Yank's aren't desperate just mediocre.

Perhaps Tampa's young lefty meant this: ""We have been decimated by injuries," Steinbrenner said. "I don't remember a year this bad as far as injuries. It's had a huge affect, it really has. Nobody wants to make excuses, but it's reality." The reality is poor Hank only has 207 million of Daddy's money to spend and it isn't enough.

Still not at "desperate mode"? It must be this, "Ponson said he's been working on his mechanics." Now that's desperate.

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Yankees' links

A few noteworthy links for an off day in the schedule:

• Intrepid beat reporter and matchmaker Peter Abraham delivers a list of prospective soul mates for the soon to be single Cynthia Rodriquez. He throws the new guy right into the fire: "Brett Gardner: He needs a place to stay in the city. Plus he delivers in the clutch. That’ll be a nice change for her." Upon further review, intrepid is an understatement.


• MLB's new order: "Tampa Bay has the best record in baseball. Ten teams have a better winning percentage than the Yankees, who are four games out of a playoff spot. The Red Sox and Cubs spent decades fighting over the "lovable loser" label; now they are sending more players to the All-Star Game than any other teams.
  Of the 30 teams, 23 either have a winning record now, or had one in 2007.
  And then there is the Sunday news that Sabathia is a Brewer." I guess I'm old school but I prefer the dynasty days when the Yanks' spent their money on improving themselves, not dishing out corporate welfare.


• Speaking of old school, here's a glimpse of the glory days: "The big deal is that Yankee Stadium I was special; that's what. For people coming of age in the '40s, '50s, and '60s it was baseball. The Yankees were the Yankees, participating in the World Series 18 times between 1941 and 1964. Every true baseball fan in America had the contours of the ballpark firmly fixed in his or her mind."


• Let the comeback begin: "The Yankees are not yet out of magic, or of smoke and mirrors. For them to work a series split after the way they had been browbeaten in the first two games was tantamount to a guy going through rigor mortis one minute and break-dancing the next."


• Remembering Sweet Lou: "Here is the burning question: Would the 2008 Rays be doing the same damage this season under Piniella?
  ''If Lou was here right now, I guess pretty much the same,'' left fielder Carl Crawford told Sun-Times colleague Gordon Wittenmyer. ''Probably be fighting every game, though. He put a little attitude in you.
  ''Instead of two team brawls, we'd probably have five or six already. But [things would be] the same because we got the players, and I think that's what he was kind of upset about -- that he didn't have that when he was here.''

Yankees fight back

The Yankees are down but not out. The Bombers were at the brink but Boston couldn't finish the job. Whoever said, "Only the strong survive," hadn't witnessed the "NFLicazation"--(BP) of MLB, where mediocrity matters--Wild Card fever, catch it.

Let's visit the bright side, a modern day Murders Row lineup card featuring: Gardner (OBP .158) Molina (the unofficial regular catcher, OBP .261) Cano (.287) and Cabrera (.313.) was enough to overcome a 4-2 deficit to the arch-rival Red Sox. Brett Gardner came to the plate in the tenth, wearing a dirt covered uniform and slapped a game winning single to center. Positive vibes are a welcome relief from the frustrating fumes spewing from an old, lackadaisical roster. There was more good news, Joba Chamberlain looked comfortable with his starter's menu, flashing four effective pitches and reminding Kevin Youkilis, with knee buckling wildness, that the Yanks won't roll over to aggression. Field general Girardi vented vein popping venom towards the home plate ump to demonstrate intensity. The Yankees live to fight another day.

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Yankees' humor

The folks at It is High, It is far, It is...caught offer up a mid-season Yankees' report. Beneath the high quality humor writing lies the ugly reality of how far the Bronx Bombers have fallen. Here are a few excerpts:



" Joe Girardi, more and more, reminds me of George Bush. Both are in denial.
Joe thinks the Yankees have a potent line-up. George thinks we have pretty much won in Iraq and Afghanistan, and that there are countries in the world who still respect us and want us as their ally.
7. Jorge Posada is hurt and declining, and everyone but Joe knows it. He has thrown out only 6 of 38 attempted steals against him. And he has lost all pop in his bat.
Jesus ( our planned savior replacement for Jorge ) is 17 ( or 2017 ) and will be
" major league ready " when every star on the current team is sitting in rockers on Memphis hotel porches, sporting white suits, sipping juleps and watching the Mississippi flood all the farmland.
8. If the Yankee brass had any sense of reality, Hideki would now be a SF Giant, sitting on their DL. We could have taken any draft pick SF offered, and been better off.
9. As to the future, Brian has us in a position where we have so little talent in the minors, that there is virtually no chance of him pulling off a trade that can hurt us. We have no Jose Rijo's or Jay Buhners, or Doug Drabek's.
10. We do have Jose Tabata ( formerly the Yankee's top position prospect ) who is no longer even a "top 100" minor league prospect.
Jose, by the way, is reminding me more and more of Sidney Ponson..."

Click the link for much more gallows humor, here's their bottom line:"The bare bones, hard-nosed truth is that there is no one in the Yankee minor league system....let me clarify that...no one.....whom "everyone wants," whom everyone is excited about, who is a " can't miss prospect"

In search of a silver lining? " The only good news is that this is the first year we don't have to worry what stupid move the Yankees will make at the trade deadline." Laughing at grim reality is the best option.

Yanks figure to do nothing

The trade deadline looms; the Yankees' season wanes. Questions linger:

• Buyers or Sellers? "I don't think there's going to be any (major changes)--for most of the teams in baseball, 90 percent of the teams in baseball--there's not going to be anything major that's going to happen."--Hank Steinbrenner (NJ.com) Welcome to the silent majority. "It's up to myself, my staff and my players to figure it out and certainly not count on something from the outside."--Cashman. Brian is setting his trade expectation bar as low as possible, we all know Shaun Chacon is out there, you can't fool us.
• Noteworthy trends? "What the Yankees have is a lineup that shrinks in the clutch. (for more on shrinkage check the Seinfeld reruns.) The Yankees hit .293 with runners in scoring position last season but this year are at .256." "Cashman and Long said the statistic was a fluke."--NY Times. Here's some more flukeage from Was Watching: "Here’s a fun stat. As of this morning, the Yankees have scored 2 runs or less in a game 28 times this season.
  Last year, over the entire season, the Yankees scored 2 runs or less in a game 33 times."
• Does it all start with pitching? 40 percent of the starting rotation is comprised of Rasner and Ponson. You know the drill, assume the position-- a familiar face is putting up pretty stats in the minors (Karstens, Igawa etc.) Pavano, Sanchez, Hughes, Kennedy, Brackman etc. are either: A) rehabbing their special skills B) throwing from a mound. ) C) earning their way back.

" I try not to react to anything..."--Cashman. Please, no redundant Igawa jokes, it's not funny anymore. Actions speak louder than words. Inaction speaks for itself.

Photo/USA Today

Yankees' reality sets in

There were no miracles at Yankee Stadium Friday. Mystique is gone and isn't coming back. The best team won, again, and it wasn't wearing Pinstripes. Reality bites. Red Sox 6 Yankees 4.

The pennant race isn't making a stop in the Bronx this season and if ownership doesn't get busy it will be a distant memory. The brothers Steinbrenner have their hands full, bold pronouncements about championship aspirations are hot air.

The trading deadline is three weeks away. There is no help on the horizon. An old roster, supplemented with over-matched, hyped youth won't be helped by grasping at straws. Bold action is required, time to shift to sellers mode. Giambi, Mussina, Damon, Farnsworth(?) have short-term value to a pennant contender. Is it possible they could bring a return of reasonably talented (non-surgically repaired) position players in return? Let's find out.

Ownership has a rebuild window that begins to close after the inaugural season of the new Yankee Stadium. Once the luster of the new diggs wears off, the on-field product will have to produce or the bountiful returns will diminish. The clock is ticking--get busy.

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Yankees' distractions

New York, New York, a haven for tabloid writers, is thriving. "I don't know, maybe a little less outside distractions and a little more concentration."--Hank Steinbrenner, Yankees' co-owner and wishful thinker. With apologies to some old movie, "Distractions we don't need no stinking distractions." Good luck with that.

Yanks' shaky foundation

The Boston Red Sox systematically took apart the reeling Yankees at the Stadium Thursday, beating the Bombers 7-0. The scoreboard doesn't tell the whole story. "It's embarrassing...Once we got down, it was like there was nothing there."--Damon.



New skipper JoeGirardi has seen enough and held a closed door meeting (second one in nine days.)

"Girardi criticized the players for a lack of heart, for missing signs and for a lackadaisical approach to team rules."--NY Times.



The 2007 season ended with a bug infested collapse in Cleveland. Team architect Brian Cashman said in the off season that the team he built "wasn't mentally tough enough to overcome adversity." (Paraphrased.) The organization responded by insulting Joe Torre out of the dugout. The GM then bolstered the roster with the acquisition of LaTroy Hawkins.

Clearly, more significant changes are in order. Where do they go from here? Here's the first significant step: "The future of general manager Brian Cashman, who is in the final year of his contract, won't be determined until the annual postseason organization meetings at the Tampa complex, Steinbrenner said."--MLB. Hal Steinbrenner, the voice of reason who balances Hank's bluster is taking a wait and see attitude as he appraises what Cashman's reign has wrought. It shouldn't take that long.

Yankees' lose competitive edge

Buster Olney, of ESPN, wrote an article titled, "Yankees lack mystique of dynasty years" that really struck a chord with me. Something's been missing for a while now and Olney put his finger on it:

what will have to be rebuilt, as well, is the competitive hubris that the Yankees once possessed -- as did the Celtics of the '60s, and Vince Lombardi's Packers, and the Steelers of the Chuck Noll years, and the Lakers and Celtics of the '80s. This week, HarperCollins re-released "The Last Night of the Yankee Dynasty," with a 50-page addendum, so that team is at the front of my brain these days. And the differences between the Martinez-Paul O'Neill years and the current Yankees are apparent."

In May 2007, I wrote an article titled, "Missing O'Neill":

"The Yanks haven't been the same since Paul O'Neill retired. The intensity he brought to the game is sorely missed...Recently,former Yankees' champion Tino Martinez was asked what's wrong with this year's team? He replied, "They don't play hard enough." No one ever said that about Paul O'Neill."

The recent Yankees' dynasty was special not for what they did, but how they did it. The joy is in the fight on the way to the victories. I don't see much fight these days and it's not coming back anytime soon.

Yankees' gibberish

"I still hear in my dreams the wild stupid gibberish coming out of that yo-yo's mouth."--Hunter S. Thompson.

"We've got to start hitting. It's getting ridiculous..."--Hank Steinbrenner.
You got that right. The new boss had more to say:
"Even when I was worried about the pitching...Brian would keep telling me 'Yes, but I worried about the hitting' that was Brian's biggest concern."
Huh?
"I don't know, maybe a little less outside distractions and a little more concentration."

Talk the talk. Walk the walk. Enter Sir Sidney Ponson, (the portly, journeyman, malcontent is to distractions what Babe Ruth is to home runs.) Time to concentrate, the latest rehab project (I mean shrewd acquisition) pitched five innings against the Rangers, giving up nine hits, three walks, seven runs and "avoided big time damage,"--(Kay, YES) as the Yanks supported him with three double plays. The offense put 18 runs on the board and mop up man extraordinaire LaTroy Hawkins closed out the game.

Enough about that. Let's get back to the inspired pontificating, "He's right," Cash's response to the new boss brought back memories of his words to the old boss, as the Yanks were on their way to a 4-13 post season mark, "I'm so sorry boss." Words to live by. Brian didn't stop there, "We've got to get it figured out." "Cashman gave a vote of confidence to Kevin Long, saying he was doing a great job as hitting coach." Of course he is, who hired him again?

"Time is not getting young in this season," Cashman said,"We need to start yesterday." Got that?

Quotes/AP/Gannett News service
Photo/Newsday

Yankees' roster issues

Start spreading the news on the Yanks' roster:

"One of the problems for the Yankees – and it’s been a problem for a while – is that American League rules allow only one designated hitter at a time. This is challenging for a team that has Johnny Damon, Jason Giambi, Hideki Matsui and Jorge Posada."--NY Times

"On the field their just a tired old ballclub."--Bill Madden, NY Daily News, from an article titled, "Yankees same old problems."

"This is a crucial month, July. We know what happens at the end of this month. We'd much rather be buyers than sellers."--Johnny Damon. (NY Post)

" It's a hole, yes, but we've got to find a way to fill it."--Girardi. Good luck with that.

Yankees' labor in loss

The Joba express hit some turbulence on the joy ride to the top of the rotation. Chamberlain labored through four innings-- four walks and five hits-- only produced two runs as Melky's gun and a benevolent third-base ump limited the damage. Joba's erratic control led to a bloated pitch count and an early shower. Good pitchers learn to compete on days their best stuff doesn't make it to the mound, Chamberlain's lesson is part of the process.

It's hard to win when you only put two runs on the board. The offense and the manager are struggling.

• "The New York Yankees' lineup playing for one run in the first inning?"--Kay (YES). Damon leads off with a double, Gardner gives away an out by sacrificing him to third.
• Giambi leads off the second with a single, team trails 2-0, Posada squares to bunt--Huh?
• Ninth inning tying run on first, slump-mired Melky at the plate, bunt? no, reverse course , swing away--double play.

The seven game winning streak and corresponding cupcake schedule are a flickering memory. The Bombers try to salvage the series at the Stadium tonight with Sir Sidney Ponson taking the mound. Boston and Tampa are on deck. Do you believe in miracles?

Notes:

• "Melky plays like he's in the park."--Joe Torre. "Not trading for Santana, allowed us to keep one of the fine, young centerfielders in the game."--Cashman (paraphrased.) It will be interesting to monitor how Melky responds to competition. The Yanks can't afford to have Damon, Gardner and Cabrera in the same lineup. Something has to give.
• "Buck (Showalter) could be a good GM for someone. He knows how to evaluate talent."--Kay(YES). Early last season, I suggested the Yanks replace Cashman with Showalter. Buck's track record-- building the Diamondbacks from scratch and nurturing the last Yankees' dynasty-- would be a quality fit for an organization in transition.

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Cashman's trade record

MLB Trade Rumors, took the time to document Yankees' trades since Brian Cashman has held the office of GM. The list of transactions goes back to 1998, but as any Cash supporter will tell you Brian didn't get full and total control until 2005. Prior to that, he was held hostage to the whims of a tyrant owner and his Tampa cronies. I focused on the names acquired since Cash became king:
Randy Johnson
Wil Nieves
Darrell May, Tim Redding and cash
Al Leiter
Shawn Chacon
Joe Thurston
PTBNL
Matt Lawton
Ron Villone
Kevin Howard and Benjamin Himes
Keith McDonald
Jason Conti
Nick Green
Sal Fasano
Bobby Abreu and Cory Lidle
Craig Wilson
Anthony Claggett, Humberto Sanchez and Kevin Whelan
Chris Britton

The facts speak for themselves.

Hat tip/ River Ave. Blues

Yankees' sobering prospects

The Yankees continue to search for answers as the clock ticks on the 2008 season. A revolving door of fresh faces and tired retreads attempt to plug holes, while there are games to be played. Brett Gardner made his debut at the Stadium last night, batting leadoff against the Texas Rangers. He flashed his heralded speed but couldn't provide a spark as the Bombers lost to the Rangers 2-1.

The Yank's record stands at 44-39, a tad better than last years wild card squad. There is a notion that progress has been achieved. The facts beg to differ: Torre's 2007 team finished with 94 wins; Girardi's 2008 squad will have to go 50-29 (.632) the rest of the way to match. Here's what they're up against: "The Rays have the best record in baseball since April 22 (41-21). They're No. 1 in the sport in Baseball Prospectus' Defensive Efficiency rankings. Opponents are hitting .211 against their bullpen -- which is the third-lowest average against any bullpen in the past half-century. And offensively, this team has gone from one of the least-disciplined lineups in baseball to one of the most. In case you hadn't noticed, Rays hitters have walked more times (300) than the Yankees (278), among other teams."--Jason Stark, ESPN. If that's not bad enough, the Ray's talent laden farm provides them quality reinforcement options. The second place Red Sox need no introduction; the injury riddled defending World Champs currently hold a five game lead over the Bombers.

The 2007 season's torrid second half was sparked by the exuberance of Chamberlain, Cano, Cabrera and Duncan. The search continues for this year's miracle.

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