On the Yankees beat

Credit is where it is due... the Yanks are winning the games they need to win

Can they keep this up?

Tune in same Bat Time
Same Bat Channel

Unlike most of their recent games, the Yankees actually faced Major League pitching last night and still got the job done.

Oh, by the way, anyone out there still hot on trading Melky for the guy with the abnormally huge cranium from Texas?

Hey Ed; Just remember the Red Sox's got their incredibile first half lead against the same pitching that our Yanks are facing.

Sully, the present lineup is not bullet proof but seemed to be coming together. If, the young guys can continue to add to the offense and the starters give us an oppt. then the Yanks should roll. Last night and tonight are important in that poor performing starters are on the mound. First experiment is over. Now, the real test with Igawa. We'll see how long Joe stays with the lefty.

On another note, you got to love the help Cano, Melky and Phillips are giving. Every night Phillips does some small thing during the game to help us win. Melky our 4th OF has permanently implantd himself in the OF. In the beginning it may have been by default but he's proven that he belongs. Cano is just a warm wearher player.

Ed, I was going to say the same thing about the Yankees facing a Major League pitcher last night. Meche is one of the top pitchers in all MLB. It appears to me when the Yankees are hot, they can beat any team, any pitcher; when they're in a slump, even the worst pitchers look a lot like Nolan Ryan.

Larry,

Have you been able to see Cano in the dugout during games? The guy's a riot, mocking teammates, laughing, etc. He and Melky really seem to be cracking up the rest of the team and keeping them loose.

It's fun to watch.

And I agree about Phillips. Now that he's finally getting consistent playing time he's showing what he's capable of.

Larry, I share your sentiment on Cano, Melky and Phillips. I'm becoming especially fond of The Melky & Cano Duo because of the spark and enthusiasm they add to the team. I love the big hug they give A-Rod when he hits a home run and it appears A-Rod enjoys it also (great camaraderie for his psyche). I'm hoping Torre doesn't take Melky out of the lineup or use him sporadically. I think the tremendous chemistry he adds to the team is invaluable. Pinch hitting Giambi sounds like a great solution.

Melky and Cano being undisciplined having fun in the dugout is great. It's great when a team is loose like that. But when your are undisciplined at bat or in the field that's when they have problems. I want to see them challenged against great pitchers. Let's have them hit against Detroit and Boston and then I will truly be impressed. Any quality major leaguer can hit a fastball when they are ahead in the count 2-0 or 3-1. Let me see them battle back from 1-2 count against Verlander, Bonderman, Schilling, Beckett. The most impressive a bat this season was A-Rod's against Paperback(That's his real name) 1-2 fastball away and he hit it out to right field. I am not asking for that from Cano and Melky but i liked to see them challanged before i can get really excited.

Meche is one of the top pitchers in all of baseball?

Yikes. That's giving him WAY too much credit.

He's solid, but he would only be the ace of roughly 5 teams in the league -- with KC being one of them.

Let's all try to keep in mind that the reason why these guys are so loose and having fun rigt now is because they are winning.

I'm quite sure their body language would be quite different if they were in the middle of a 6-game losing streak -- instead of a long winning streak.

The attitudes and fun they are having right now is a product of winning.

Lucy and Ed; They are a breath of fresh air in the stoic and traditional dugout.

I watch the games on the MLB package which usually accepts feeds from the home team. So, the Yankee dugout is usually not the focus. But, the friendship and competition between Cano and Melky is so evident. I especially remember Melky fouling off a pitch off his leg. It was apparently aching as Torre and trainer talked to Melky in broken English or Spanish but Melky would not come out. But he eventually grounded out and you could see Cano laughing in the dugout and offering him his shin guard for protection. Melky did not take it well but it was just a passing annoyance on his part.

I don't believe Torre could be so foolish to disrupt the chemistry of the team by moving Giambi into the DH spot. Some AB's when the team is out in front by alot would be more appropriate. I was hoping for a trade of Giambi because I prefer the mobility and speed of the team without him in the lineup. I would give up his HR's for the other alternative.

Phil, Cano is hitting .311 against the Red Sox this year, Melky is hitting .321 against the Red Sox this year.

Want to trade for Texeira? He's hitting .286 against Boston.

Larry,

I agree with you on Giambi. Plus, I'd like to see the Yankees drop him on principle given the steroids issue. (Other folks may not want to consider that an issue, but reasonable people can disagree. Jeter backs Giambi.)

Yankees are 33-17 since Giambi went on DL. This includes 1-5 trip to Colorado and SF where he wouldn't have played anyway (No DH). So they are 32-12 in games he would have played in.

I think most Yankee fans are looking at his return with dread, similar to when Sheffield was rehabbing last September.

if igawa has poor showing tonight, do yuo bring hughes up next week?

and if so, does igawa go to SWB for remainder of year? and look to get rid of myers. i like henn and villone.

do you trade duncan (for ANYTHING) or demote him when giambi returns?

however hughes and a healthy giambi will turn out to be good deadline roster improvements.

p.s. i find it disconcerning that giambi is all of a sudden ready to come back. seems like every year the guy comes back to team when things are going good. and because we pay the guy tons of money based on previous steriod numbers, he "has" to play?

if it aint broke, dont fix it!

Alex Rodriguez may have hit his 500th home run last night.

When the Yankees and O's pick up their suspended game, if he (or anyone else) hits a home run it will count retroactively - so lets say he hits one, that won't be number 500, it would be 485 or whatever and last night's dinger would count as 500.

Miguel - after today the Yankees won't need a fifth starter for the next turn through the rotation. They have an off day this coming Monday and another one on Thursday so they could skip Igawa all together and still give Hughes more time in the minors.

I'm not so sure Torre is going to skip the #5 slot in the rotation next time around.

We are approaching the dog days of August and Torre could very well elect to give his starters that extra day of rest because they haven't had many off-days the last month.

Phil: the Yankees spend freely to win championships but dumping Giambi would be a whole lot of principle. Lets hope for a trade but this would be difficult because teams would not have any idea of his physical ability to play. Look at RJ who's career is possibly over because of recurring back isues. His trade was accepted prior to actually pitching if I remember correctly.

I don't buy all of that "chemistry" stuff.

They are beating teams they should be beating and their so-called chemistry is good now because they are winning.

Would anyone be talking about how great their "chemistry" is if they were in the middle of a long losing streak?

Giambi coming back healthy can only help this team. He's not going to be a $20M bench player or pinch hitter.

Joba Chamberlain made his first start for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Triple-A) last night, striking out 10 in five scoreless innings. While the Yankees are toying with bringing the stud right-hander to the big leagues and use him out of the bullpen, Cashman didn't say that was a guarantee.

Also, the NYPost reports that the Detroit Tigers, sensing that they don't have a match with the Rangers for Eric Gagne and Scott Linebrink being traded last night to the Brewers, want to work out a deal for Kyle Farnsworth - what the Yankees would get back depends on how much of Farnsworth's salary the team is willing to eat

If Giambi comes back there is no team that would take him in a trade unless the Yanks paid at least 70% of his salary. He should be put on the bench and used a DH to give Damon/Matsui/Duncan a break. He will probably become the highest paid bench player in history.

Giambi is a member of this team fellas. Get used to it. I agree to keep Melky in there. Why shouldn't Damon take a seat? Everyone ran Bernie out of town because he couldn't throw and wasn't the same threat at the plate as he used to be. Sounds alot like Damon right now to me.

Funny thing about you "roid" cops. You hate the one guy who man's up about it and apologizes, but you're probably the same guys who are rooting for Bonds right now. You probably also cheered when Sosa hit #600. Of all the "roiders", Giambi is the ONLY one that has tried to come clean and feels remorse. The others are still denying it.

Long regarded as one of the top offensive prospects in the game, "Salty" could end up having been the key to the biggest deal of this year's trade deadline. Late last night, the Braves and the Texas Rangers were said to be close to a deal that would send first baseman Mark Teixeira and a relief pitcher (such as C.J. Wilson, Ron Mahay or Joaquin Benoit) to Atlanta for Saltalamacchia, shortstop prospect Elvis Andrus and a minor-league pitcher.

Ed, Good points about Cano and Melky and their numbers against the Red Sox. If we look at "clutch" situation would you want either of them up in a big spot? I wouldn't. In that one moment i would rather have Giambi. That is the quandry that this team is in. The long term they(Cano, Melky) are better for the team. But in that one spot when the game or season is on the line i don't want either guy coming up. Just like i don't want Mussina pitching in a big game. Or Farnsworth to get a big out in the 8th inning. These pressure situations are what makes or brake a players reputation. You become either a money player or an averager guy. Look at the hill that A-Rod has to climb. He could be the best player of this era and he still is not labeled clutch because he did come through during the crucible of postseason play.

Viper: Should we be talking about their losses which may occur or take a page out of the Boston fan playbook and wait for the sky to fall. It is what it is and until the sky falls I recognize a togetherness about the team. Teams do have chemistry when they are not winning thats what a team is all about.

good- i hope tex goes to a NL team, plays until next years FA and then signs with Yanks. that way, yanks dont give away anyone and tex does not go to AL team (in specific, an AL east team).

Viper, with a 3.76 ERA (which was lower before last night's game) and 99 strike-outs, I'd say he's a top pitcher in all MLB. Just take a look at the pitchers who come before and after him on the stats page. The statistical facts do speak for themselves and will clearly show you why I made that statement. Remember, too, that Kansas City is basically a losing team, making it much more difficult for their pitchers to be successful. I feel his stats would be better if he were on a better team (a boost to the morale works wonders).

That is good news. Then we wouldn't have to hear about Tex anymore. Does anyone know how Giambi did in his rehab start last night?

Rick - in the same article in which I found the info about Tex possibly going to Atlanta they also mention that the Yankees have been offering up Damon in a trade - and according to reports out of Atlanta the Braves are interested -IF the Yankees took on some of his salary.

As much as Damon has struggled this year, you can see when he is right he ads the spark to this team. Who would the Yanks get?

Phil

DITTOS again on Giambi's worth.

Chip

Interesting story on Damon. Tell me more.

Mike - the article did not say - mostly because I don't think it is anywhere close to happening. For Atlanta to trade for Johnny I think it would involve the Yankees taking back far more salary than they are comfortable with.

Speaking purely hypothetically though, if Atlanta swung a deal for Tex and then also went ahead and traded for Damon perhaps the Yankees would get back Scott Thorman, the young 1b that they have who is struggling right now but still has lots of potential - more likely it would be a collection of prospects.

Of course if that happens then we do not have a true lead off hitter. Also doesn't Damon have a no trade clause?

Viper, I totally agree with you about the chemistry stuff. I really think that those comments come from people who really don't know sports. Their were so many teams that won that didn't like each other. Hugging and handshakes doesn't translate to victories. Fans look for the simpliest aspects of the game for reasons why a team wins and loses. Examples i have read before on this blog. If the Yankees were more like the Mets and have more Latin players they would be winning. That is a bunch of Horsespit. It's called performing on the field. Things we are seeing now. Good pitching, good hitting and fielding. That does wonders for chemistry. It leads to winning and happiness. If they like each other and play well then all the better.

Mike

As I said, I don't think the Journal Constitution really anticipates it happening

Ok. Thanks.

Here's a thought:

The Devil Rays want Scott Proctor for Ty Wiggington.

The Dodgers want Ty Wiggington

The Yankees want Wilson Betemit from the Dodgers and have offered Scott Proctor for him, so how about a three team deal where:

Yankees get Betemit
Dodgers replace Betemit with Wiggington
D-Rays get Proctor

Phil:

I have no problem watching Melky or Cano hit in the clutch, just as I had no problem watching Brosius hit in the clutch.

Giambi hit a buck-twenty five against Detroit in the playoffs last season. I'm not seeing him as much better in the clutch than the kids.

Chip:

The Yankees are off next Monday, but not next Thursday. So I think that Hughes will be here next weekend.

This weekend at Balt.- Pettite, Clemens, Wang
Next Tues-Thurs vs. CWS- Mussina, Pettite, Clemens.
Next weekend vs KC- Wang, Hughes, Mussina.

Hughes is scheduled to pitch Sunday for SWB, so he would have 5 days before his first start back with Yankees.

Rick, Great minds think a like. Watch out for the Dittos people may think we are getting political!!

Phil,

The problem with Rick's line of thinking is a practical one. Bernie wasn't bought out or released, he was just not re-signed. Damon is under contract - moving him would involve the Yankees absorbing a substantial sum of money. As would moving Giambi - more likely one of them will serve as a very very very expensive bench player.

Ed, Brosius was clutch during the season in 98. It started then and translated throughout his Yankees career. I don't see the body of work from Melky and Cano throughout their short Yankee careers. I know Giambi didn't hit last year in the playoffs but he had 2 homeruns against Pedro in 03 in the ALCS game 7. He does have a track record of being a clutch hitter. Here is my hope. That Melky and Cano get up in big spots through out the season and they excel in those moments. Right now i don't have confidence in them when they are coming up in win or lose situations. I don't feel confident about either one of them coming through.

Take care

Rick,

There's nothing more to tell you. The Atlanta Journal Constitution and New Jersey's Journal News both had similar statements about how the Yankees have shopped Damon and in particular to the Braves who responded, "sure we're interested, but not at that price."

Viper, with a 3.76 ERA (which was lower before last night's game) and 99 strike-outs, I'd say he's a top pitcher in all MLB.

===============================

Lucy,

Stats for this season don't tell the whole story.

Meche is having a solid year and so is Ted Lilly based on his stats.

However, if you look at their careers -- they have always been .500 pitchers.

Gotta prove yourself for more than a few months before you are considered one of the elite.

Take a good look the rosters in both leagues and tell me if you would prefer Meche over the ace of every other team.

You may find 5 staffs in all of baseball in which Meche would be the "ace".

Would you prefer Meche over these guys?

AL East

NYY (Wang) -- No
BOS (Beckett) -- No
TB (Kazmir) -- No
TOR (Halladay) -- No
BAL (Bedard) -- No

AL Central

DET (Verlander) -- No
CLE (Sabathia) -- No
MIN (Santana) -- No
CHI (Buerhle) -- No

AL West

SEA (King Felix) -- No
LAA (Lackey) -- No
OAK (Haren) -- No
TEX (Millwood) -- Yes

I counted two teams (including the Royals) in the entire AL where Meche would be the ace of the staff. I didn’t bother with the NL because I made my point.

Many of these teams have #2 or #3 starters who are also better than Meche.

Meche is not among the best pitchers in baseball if he can’t crack the top 30 in both leagues.

Bottom line, it’s great to see this team winning and playing well. But let’s not forget the level of competition. They are beating teams they should beat.

If they play this kind of ball against the Angels, BoSox, Tigers, and Indians in a couple of weeks -- then we can start getting excited.

I would say when team members don't get along, there is still some chemistry taking place. There is good chemistry and bad chemistry and either can ignite a team (depending on the psychological makeup of the players). But that's merely my humble opinion, since believing in chemistry renders me incapable of knowing anything about sports.

grow up Pedroia

This guy looked like a baby in tonights game vs the tribe. He cant take the chin music. He struck out on a close call mainly because the umpire saw enough of Ped throwing himself around.

Pedroia is a punk. He's only a rookie but he does a lot of complaining. He got mad at Arod for sliding into him -- please Dustin, you're a rookie, play some games first.

I've seen Pedroia get really angry at the umpires for calling strikes.

This guy thinks he's a veteran who has earned the right to complain about strikes.

He's a thug without respect for the game, needs to be humbled by the Iron SHeik or someone.

Arod didn't just slide into him, he threw an elbow AFTER the slide was finished. The next day he said "it's a part of baseball", meaning a veteran probably took him aside and let him know he he's just a rookie. He's been fine since.

The guy got hit and knocked down. get over it. Pedroia had no right to complain about it and the umpire was correct for shutting him up. The little punk is nothing, and like you said you expected Beckett to throw at a Tribe player but he didnt because he knew that this fool was acting out of line. Your own player knew better than you just accept that Pedroia doesnt deserve anything yet.

Phil,

One only has to watch the "Bronx is Burning" to understand that chemistry is often overrated.

Thurman Munson and Billy Martin couldn't stand Reggie Jackson for a long time.

Nobody cn say they had great "chemistry" of you take a step back and look at the turmoil going on in that clubhouse on a daily basis.

That team ended up winning because of their talent and play on the field.

Their "chemistry," attitude, and body language didn't have anything to do with it.

Pedrioa won't last long in this league, let alone on Red Sox. His antics and baby-like attitude stems will get him a 98 m.p.h. fastball to his bald naaaaagan. Just another wannabe stud trying to show off because he's surrounded with good talent. Send him to the Devil Rays. That will teach him to grow up.

Viper, I was referring specifically to last night's game (not historically), so you validate my original point when you say: "Meche is having a solid year." Again, my point is that the Yankees faced a very solid MLB-caliber pitcher last night. Actually, he is the #30 strike-out leader right now, and although he's not one of the top 30 ERA leaders, he's #37 (solid enough considering his numbers).

well talent and performing on the field weren't the only reasons yanks won 4 rings in 5 years. chemistry, attitude and body language played a vital role in those championship years as well.

the same can be said for chi sox and red sox in their championship runs

I am sorry but I have to agree with Miguel. You either have good chemistry or bad chemistry and you can win with both. The reason the Yanks won in 77 was because they did not like each other and they had to prove that they were better then each other. I don't like that type of chemistry but if it drives a player to play above his limits than I guess it works.

well talent and performing on the field weren't the only reasons yanks won 4 rings in 5 years. chemistry, attitude and body language played a vital role in those championship years as well.

==================================

Not really.

The Yanks won because they had quality arms in the rotation pitching every night and they had a great bullpen with the greatest closer of all time.

They also played great defense and great fundamental ball.

Pitching and defense wins championships.

"Chemistry" merely means the way two or more people react to each other. Bad chemistry (anger) can exist and it can ignite a team competitively. Good chemistry can be uplifting and boost their morale.

If pure talent wins games, last year's Murder's Row & Cano Yankees should have made it a lot farther than they did against the Tigers. I think it takes more than pure talent to win -- but whatever...

Lucy and Viper:

Meche's salary says he should be a #1 or #2 pitcher but in reality he is a number 3 or 4 for a solid team and an ace on a bad team.

He is far better than any pitcher the Yankees faced over this hot streak, with the only exceptions being Kazmir and Shields.

You will never win if you have "no chemistry". You could never win with a team full of Abreu type personalities.

Miguel - Chemistry had very little to do with the fact that in the last few years the Yankees have not pitched or hit well in the playoffs.

Mike,

For that matter you could never win with a team full of Bernie Williams personalities (soft spoken like Abreu) or Gary Sheffield's - you need a good mix but players getting along and being friends on and off the field is not necessary. They just have to work together and not get in each other's way.

Look Demoting Melky's Playing time for Giambi is plain STUPID LOCO!!! Decreasing Damon's playing time for Giambi is stupid , retarded . LOCO. ever since the DH/LF experiment for damon his hitting has been better, You sit a melky he may lose his fire and rightfully be upset. Giambi;s numbers is not worthy of one losing playing time. If he cannot accept the bench then approve a trade. F**k politics and favoritism we trying to win NOW. if someone slumps and he (giambi )catches fire then ok but right now the surrent team is the team that went 14-3 since the allstar break.

14-3 since the break!!!!

I'll say it again
14 -3 since the break

He [Meche] is far better than any pitcher the Yankees faced over this hot streak, with the only exceptions being Kazmir and Shields.

=====================

Agreed, Chip.

Although I would argue that Kazmir is better than Meche -- he is just struggling and plays on a really bad team.

Chip,

I totally agree. It is just like you and I at work. We might not like all the people we work with or have personal relationships with them, but we still all work together as team to achieve our goals.

Viper, as far as your comment, "If they play this kind of ball against the Angels, BoSox, Tigers, and Indians..." They already did play this kind of ball against the Angels, BoSox and Indians. We have yet to face the Tigers, so we don't know. We swept Minnesota and they are considered an excellent team.

If the Yankees slump again, last place teams will beat us. Right now, I don't think we have to worry as much about the quality of the teams we are facing as we do the state the Yankees are in when facing these teams. The talent certainly exists.

Sure, we should be beating teams like Tampa Bay and Kansas City, but do you think the Yankees should have scored 70 runs in their last six games against them or is that tremendous overkill? The Yankees performance of late can be considered way above standard.

Obviously, the post about Meche is mine.

To clarify, I don't believe the Yankees are going to score 70 runs in six games against those good teams just mentioned, but I doubt they'll need to in order to win. By "this kind of ball," I meant winning.

Viper

That's what I was saying, Kazmir, Shields and Meche (in that order) are the best pitchers the Yankees have faced lately.

One thing that concerns me is Mussina has a very difficult time getting thru just about any teams lineup twice.
Hughes could prove to be huge come playoff time.

Chemistry (good or bad) builds excitement, energy and enthusiasm. I truly believe it's impossible to win if a team doesn't have energy, enthusiasm and excitement. A very talented team with no desire, no life, and no incentive will not go far.

Chip - I disagree

sometimes chemistry or "rally cry" or even simple communication can help.

Mussina , RJ and others ahd no chemistry so the desire was not in tact . The rocket/pettite o n the staff has far greater results than what RJ did. not necessarily with wins (bullpen) but that get in your face desire, Moose had to step up during this run because then he would stick out. the way this staff of starter has been pitching (quality ) starts they would have won against the tigers.

You do not have to be best of friends but common communication is needed . when your starters is next to each other reviewing reports together that is a far cry from a staff of prima donnas , when your closer takes time to talk to a troubled pitcher that is at least communication , when you rally together more results happen

lets start by saying we took 3 out of 4 from Toronto who at that time was in second place

I like the way Torre is "derailing" Giambi's attempt to "bull-rush" his way back onto the Yankee active roster. No way Torre wants to "upset the apple cart", the way things are currently going. I believe the bat of Duncan, and Phillips timely hitting, are the reason Giambi has had this "miraculous" recovery.

Bomber - they all have a common goal: Win a Title - as long as everything they do on the field and in the clubhouse (or as I call them, business hours) is geared towards that who cares what player is invited to another's wedding or who are buddies off the field.

Now of course there are things that can affect chemistry and either help or hurt a team - dumping RJ and Sheff helped and I think the Padres moving Linebrink will hurt them (as evidenced by Hoffman already spouting off about it) but by and large I think chemistry is a product of winning more than winning being a product of chemistry.

Ruse -

You know my feelings on Mike Mussina - I don't trust him in a big spot anymore. He's still a good pitcher but grossly over-matched in the AL - he should be on an NL team with shorter lineups and no DH.

"Roy"

Torre isn't derailing anything - he's just tempering Jason's optimism by pointing out that it will likely take more than two games for him to get his timing down at the plate.

Once we get to the playoffs, unless the Yanks are up 3 games to 0 or 1, Mussina will not get a start. He will be in the "pen" giving him plenty of time to work those cross word puzzles.

I believe the bat of Duncan, and Phillips timely hitting, are the reason Giambi has had this "miraculous" recovery.

===============================

Not really. Andy Phillips has no effect on Giambi because Torre isn't going to let him play the field anyways.

Secondly, Duncan has exactly 4 games of ML experience against two really bad teams.

Whether you like Giambi or not, he can still rake when he's healthy and there is no way you sit him for an all or nothing rookie like Duncan.

CHIP-
Don't demean yourself by turning into a "homer". Your spouting the "party line". Ya gotta read between the lines.

When your trying to get back on a team, every roster spot is important\Phillips.

Giambi get's paid either way. I don't think he would rush back unless he thought was ready.

Chip, this is a good point: "Chemistry is a product of winning..." However, I think it can actually work both ways. While winning can absolutely create a certain chemistry, many teams start out with that special chemistry (competitive, supportive, inspiring, encouraging, etc.) that can enable them to win.

He's certainly a "competitor", but I find his "declaration" coming at the same time Duncan and Phillips are hitting extremely well, to not be a "coincidence".

Exactly Roy

Torre heard the complaints last year after Sheff came back and who is a better Player than Giambi,

The risk is greater for feelings and play to sour when Giambi comes back who would basically be another shelly duncan and even he is not used everyday ,Flip floppin Matsui and Damon at DH is a better option than Giambi at the positioN ESPECIALLY if he is playing like he was before his injury. Phillips play earned him a spot @ 1b and the DAMON , MATUSI , DUNCAN DH platoon is good as well.

Roy,

The party line has nothing to do with it. If Giambi can hit he's an upgrade to the lineup.

Ideally he'll be able to hit and Joe will try to use him at first (with andy as a defensive replacement) and keep Damon at DH so the lineup would be:

Damon DH
Jeter
Abreu
A-Rod
Matsui
Posada
Giambi - 1B
Cano
Melky - CF

Jeter getting hit last night showed how the new level of CHemistry is working, as soon as he finished his at bat Arod went to the clubhouse to see Jeter Cano followed him down. The new wave of Yankee Chemistry may be one of the deciding factors that may keep Alex in the Bronx, those kids love him on that team

The more I look at that line up the more I like it. That is a very scary lineup. There are not too many opposing pitchers that will want to pitch to that lineup.

The Duncan story was cute but as has already been pointed out he has played less than a handful of games, all against the worst of teams. Not to mention that his skills in the field are admitted to be even worse than Giambi's (I think someone said he makes Giambi look like Mattingly). So if Giambi looks like he's healthy and hitting well there will be no competition whatsoever if rational minds are choosing which of those two to keep on the roster.

It doesn't matter how Phillips is playing right now because he's the First Baseman.

Giambi is a DH -- not a First Baseman anymore, so Phillips' play has no bearing on Giambi one iota.

No manager in his right mind is going to bench a guy like Giambi in favor of someone like Duncan.

As usual, your argument makes no sense, Roy "Know quotes" Storing.