On the Yankees beat

Asian legends

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/asia/flashGallery

Espn didn't mention Igawa. I guess There's no Love for Iron Beaver. Wang's and Matsuzaka were both mention as Legends of the game who came from Asia.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/asia/index

Interesting that First MLB player from China was 1stbaseman named Harry Kingman of New York Yankees.

Well, if Abreu et al are going to miss time, early in spring training is the time to do it.

O geebs...GREAT! So much for a big year from Bobby...if this is long term, then Bobby def is not getting his option picked up. Always excited about spring training, but I sure do not miss the injuries...UHG!!!

Plesae be OK, Abreu and Sanchez!!!

The health and welfare of MLB pitchers is tenuous at best.I sincerely hope Sanchez is OK and doesn't have lingering arm problems.

Welcome Back Bernie. I hope Yankees make a call to Bernie's. Praise the Lord, I thank you..

Bernie is not coming back.

Even if Abreu isn't ready for opening day Bernie is not coming back. The Yankees will use Melky in RF and promote someone from the Kevin Thompson, Bronson Sardhina group to be the back-up outfielder.

Kevin Thompson is a scrub. No thanks.

If the Yanks don't bring in Bernie to be the backup OF, I predict "The Commish" Rick Keyes will head to Florida with his trusty machete to make it happen.
Get 'em Rick!

Jim,

I'm not entirely convinced that Rick didn't have something to do with Abreu's injury. Sort of like Robert DiNiro in The Fan.

Harold,

It was just a name I threw out there. Opening Day is more than a month away. I'm sure the Yankees will come up with something if Abreu isn't ready by then, Bernie Williams will not be it.

And if he is, what happens when Abreu is ready to come back? Is being designated for assignment in April any better of a fate for Bernie than this?

Looks like these guys came in a little out of shape and a little overweight.

Pavano's injury doesn't surprise me, this guy is really pushing it. But at least he didn't hide it.

Jim, do you know who reported over weight?

How's Johnny Damon? I heard he won't be at camp for a while because of family issues.

ugh.

OYF- Damon is back and "ready to go" he says all is well and his mind is clear and ready to focus on baseball.

Chip: I think you're right, Rick- why did you do that to Bobby? We need him too!

The Sanchez injury as describled by Jim B. sounds like something of a serious nature. Abreu, no biggie, though the best cure is to just "shut down" the player for a month. Many times a player thinks he's fine after a couple weeks, plays, and aggravates the injury, making it worse and missing very significant time.

all that sanchez talk , the man is damaged goods the tigers knew this. I would have rather traded for the other pitchers and curtis granderson. now abreau is hurt an what is funny about this is on the video game when this season was simulated Bobby A was hurt at seasons begining.

OYF -

That's what makes the Abreu injury a little confusing. He usually reports a couple of pounds over, but this year reported at weight. I know Damon reported over, but the team chalked that up to him having a crazy winter with the birth of his son and all.

the sanchez injury is described as being similar to what Rivera had at the end of last season, just did a little too much throwing over the winter.

That's two posters who have compared real baseball to Fantasy baseball and video game baseball respectively. You guys do know there is a difference right?

Chip, where did you get the weight info?

The aches and pains of ST are starting to show. This is the best time if an injury should occur. We must remember the players feel ST is too long to begin with an BA's oblique should be given full rest 4/5 weeks is a good estimate depending on the strain. Hopefully, it will progress nicely. Sanchez maybe trying too hard to impress. Its a normal occurrence with young players. It would be nice if its nothing.

OYF -

The Damon thing was in the papers late last week, and the Abreu thing I heard yesterday on ESPN Radio. They had a reporter who was at Yankee camp on the radio for a little bit. I didn't catch the entire interview, just what was on while I was driving.

There are many similarities between "real" baseball, and "fantasy" baseball. Why do you think the Red Sox hired a Fantasy Guru to help them decide how to shape their roster several years ago? You have much to learn, and I will be most happy to teach you.
THE UNABOMBER

The Red Sox hadn't won a world series in 84 years, they were running out of ideas. The Oakland A's have been using the "computer knows best" model for years, what have they won? What did the Dodgers under DePodesta win?

The theory that real baseball and fantasy baseball can be disproven by one perfect example. JD DREW. Two fantasy baseball guru's, first DePodesta and now Theo thought giving big money to JD Drew was a good idea based on how his numbers looked on a computer rather than paying attention to the kind of player he actually is.

To the person commenting on Humberto Sanchez and taking Curtis Granderson. No way was Curtis Granderson ever thought of as being in the trade for Sheffield alone. I doubt the Tigers would trade Curtis Granderson straight up for Sheffield. The only reason the Tigers traded Humberto was because of his injury history, they were trying to trade him much of last year, because his value was at an all time high (he was injury free for the first half of the year).

Mike

The Tigers were willing to trade Sanchez because they have a rotation stocked with young flame throwers. Sanchez didn't have a shot at cracking their rotation this year and they believed that the addition of Sheffield's bat would be enough to win them the world series this year. Personally I have no use for Granderson, way too many strikeouts, and as we've noticed from the whole Bernie Williams thing, this team doesn't really need another outfielder.

Baseball is a physical game and injuries are to be expected, so I don't understand the obsession with the health of the Yankees during spring training. Management could be playing it safe by shutting down even slightly touched up players merely because they can. If a player stubs his toe, the Yankees can take tests and rest him simply because they have that luxury. If this were the regular season, chances are these guys would only sit a day or two. I don't feel there's any need to panic at this stage of the game, especially since the Yankees are know for playing it safe.

Lucy,

Thank you for adding a touch of sanity to the conversation.

Anyone who thinks a guy who hit .260 last yr w/ .335 OBP as a leadoff hitter and whiffed 174 times is someone you trade for when you have Damon in CF needs to have their head examined.I'd take Sanchez,Whelan and the other guy way before I'd take Granderson...

Chip : I can't even type this stuff fast enough and you already have said essentially the same thing in your post.Man.

I pride myself on my speedy responses.

Not really though...as that would be a very lame thing to pride oneself on.

MELKY ! GET IN THERE KID AND SHOW 'EM WHAT YOU CAN DO !

Ruse -

BTW the other guy was RHP Anthony Clagget.

WE HAVE MELKY !

Thanks Chip ! and yes Joe we have Melky ! Although I'm sure Abreu will be in the starting lineup come opening day.

There is absolutely no way a player with an oblique strain, only "sits a day or 2". That's not "sanity" that's "insanity". Sanchez's forearm pain is being compared to the injury that sidelined MO down the stretch last year. Both these injuries are definiely not your garden variety "day to day" boo-boos.

Who said anything about a day or two ? Last time I looked opening day is somewhere around April 1st,give Abreu plenty of time to heal,Rivera had biceps tendinitis last yr which took about a month or so to heal

You're right Roy. We're in big trouble. Trade Hughes today for Ichiro so we can have a right fielder.

In case you are unsure, the above was laden with sarcasm. Take your finger off the panic button, move away from the ledge, and switch to decaf. Spring training games haven't even started. It is a MONTH until opening day and then another four months until the season gets to crunch time.

Damn Ruse...looks like you beat me this time.

Chip :I think your right Roy needs to switch to Decaf.Pull the trigger Roy.High ho Silver....

Injuries come in varying degrees and we have yet to see a medical report dictating the sidelining of any player thus far. Precautions taken during spring training are not the equivalent to medically sanctioned benchings mandated during the regular season. From what I've read about the facts and circumstances surrounding the players' injuries, it appears to me Torre is not taking needless risks with any of the players, and wisely so. I still say there's no evidence anyone should be panicking at this stage of the game.

You guys need to read the "Lucy post" referring to "A day or two". Don't flatter yourself by thinking all my posts are responding to your Laurel and Hardy routine.

i can see rick keyes calling bernie as we speak!! lol!

LoneRanger: Laurel and Hardy ? You got a nerve!

It's still February.

Injury, or no, Abreu isn't a great player anymore. In that lineup, he can still get a nice # of RBI and Runs, but don't expect much else. Does anyone still put him in the top 20 OF's?