On the Yankees beat

haven't been up to speed- what's giambi's status?

damon has looked considerably weak and frail all season.

tuesday is not only the MLB trade deadline, but also may lead cashman's unoffcial end of Yankee GM era. (see: pavano, igawa, damon, farnsworth).

again, baltimore will figure out who is going to the playoffs.

Miguel

Giambi was 1-5 in Tampa.

If the Yankees can land Gagne, what starting pitcher would you want to see them get as well?

I believe a couple of days ago we were discussing what to do with the lineup once Giambi comes back and I said that Damon should be the guy who gets bumped out of the lineup. As usual, I caught all kinds of flak for that kind of thinking. Gee, now it seems many of the rest of you can see what I've been seeing about Damon.

He was brought here to take over CF from Bernie and bat leadoff. Now, he has been reduced to a DH who can't even hit! Put Giambi back at DH and let Damon be the 4th OF off the bench. He is done.

Sully

His name is Hughes and we already have him.

I'm still waiting for an explanation from a JT lover on why we don't run out batted balls on this team, especially gap shots to the OF?

Hughes has 1 more quality start in the bigs than Winston Churchill

Even if you plop Hughes into the #5 spot, you can't POSSIBLY trust Mussina anymore!

do you trust this man???

the man who brought you:
igawa
farnsworth
myers
the injured h. sanchez
the injured ohlendorf
phelps
pavano

would you let him handle deadline trades???
would you let him handle a-rod, mariano & posada's contracts???

the man who single handedly decimated the yankees is still at the helm. i hope yanks do nothing at the deadline (=zero damage), then adjust head office before negotiations begin with free agents.

Cashman isn't going anywhere, Gil.

Wait until these young guns start helping the team -- Cashman will get much of the credit for these kids because he made it his personal mission to fix the farm system a couple of years ago.

Never fear, fellas. The WildCard is still in their sights because Cleveland is falling apart and Seattle has been a pretender all season.

Can anyone find a teaam that made the playoffs with an under-.500 record on the road? This is not a serious team until they turn it around on the road- they have 10 road games with Cleveland, Detroit and LA- 3-7 won't get it done.

Their road record really conveys a lack of character.

Michael kay stinks

This guy is the worst announcer i've heard on the YES channel. he's got a voice that is dull and he seems to get more excited when the "other" teams score runs. he spends too much time during the inning with his typical smug, sarcastic comments he makes to his partners. he's not up to snuff with his stats and he's too worried about being called a "homer". he should hear the excitement in the voices of the SNY commentors. they aren't afraid to let the audience know where their hearts lie. if he wants to a network clone, let him go work for FOX . i hope the YES network cans this guy. lets get some old time yankee announcers back in the booth who let it hang out and realize where their bread is buttered

Anyone else loathe Michael Kay?

Kay is the worst thing about watching the Yankees this year and that's saying alot. Endless attempts at wit, lame rants about other teams, other ballparks. Constantly interviewing the ex ball player announcer he's doing the game with instead of calling it. So Kenny did you ever swing at a high slider? Constantly mis speaks, his signature call is "check that". Tonight he went on and on about how players sweat? even asking Leiter why pitchers dont wear sweatbands?! Leiter just ignores his quibs half the time. Tonight he was like because its illegal, Kay is like really? Please Michael SHUT UP and do your best to just call the game, PLEASE I HATE YOU!

michael not only knows nothing about baseball, but hes an annoying A-hole. I met him in person and he is a jack a**. Just listen to his radio show. Hes an arrogant pr*ck. All he does is say stupid cliches that we all already know. He gives no insight, and he actually makes me feel dumber as a fan by listening to him.

Shouldn't Kay know that pitchers can hide all sorts of illegal stuff if they were able to wear sweat bands? I was shocked when he asked Al Leiter that question! I actually liked him in the radio booth much mo

I've been saying that Damon shouldnt be hitting leadoff. idk what Torre is thinking batting Damon leadoff.

Damon suck unless it's a game where we're up by like 10 on Tampa...he sure hits well in those games.

Melky belongs in the leadoff spot. He's been killing the ball since mid May. batting like over .325 or something (might be higher but I know it's at least .325)

He's batting over .350 this month....only Torre would bat him 9th, but have trash like Damon leading off

I seriously gotta question Damon's baseball IQ also. I mean 9th inning and no outs with runners at 1st and 3rd...down 3. He should have bunted.

Had he done that it puts Jeter in a position to make it 7-6 with a base hit and takes away the DP.

Looking back...if that was done...if everything else was the same...Jeter's single makes it 7-6 O's. Abreu K's and then it's up to Arod with 2 outs and Jeter on 1st.

Maybe Arod gets out...but you know what with the game on the line....I'll sacrifice Damon's bat anyday especially if it means letting Arod have a chance to win it.

Damon is hitting .215 on the road with an OPS of .599. Dreadful.

In 7 of the games C;emens has pitched, 1 in relief, he has had 4 runs of Yankee support to go 0-4. Poor guy. One run of support for every 9 innings pitched.

Probably gonna lose again or at best a no-decision for 8 of the games he has pitched, 1 in relief, he has had 5 runs of support to go ... probably 0-5 in those games ... he's hoping for 0-4 in them if the Yankees can make this one a no-decision for him.

The Yankees get a guy that is pretty much a second ace in your hands -- behind Wang ... and all because the Yankees pretty much sit back on their batting heals it seems ... when the old guy takes the mound on most occasions ... he's now at 3-5, even though his ERA is about 3.92?

Sad. An ERA under 4.00 on this team as a starter giving good innings -- that is only winning at a rate of .375 ... ... is not acceptable. What is up?

Roger pitched well enough to win, but he's gonna get the loss probably thanks to the yankee's offense.

I've heard many who oppose the fact that he might arguably be one of the greatest pitchers of all time, in comparison to guys like Gibson and Ryan and others from that era. However, you have to take in consideration the differences that are present in baseball today, that weren't present that time. For example, the mound difference, the pitching rotations, and the difference of the hitters. Many may not want to except it (Peter Gammons), but when Roger Clemens pitches, you are looking at one of if not the best.

Yankees hater Like Mike Franseca and Steven A. Smith says Clemens hadn't done his job and He's overpaid .

Please listened to Mike Franseca or Steven A smith on Monday Wfan or 1050 Espn Radio. They will talk about Clemens stinks.

Can somebody tell me why Shelley Duncan was not pinch hitting for Damon in the 9th vs walker? Damon cant hit righties let alone a tough lefty.

And whats worse...

Seeing Joe Torre contiunally use Damon in the leadoff spot

or

Seeing Joe Torre continually using Farnworth in the 8th inning (even though he finally stopped a week ago)

When "The Boss" went on record and said Cashman was "On a big hook", that essentially put him "on notice". If the Yanks do not make the playoffs, Cashman is gone. "George" doesn't care how good the Farm System might be. It's the major league team that "pays the freight", and a $200 million dollar payroll should at least get a team into the playoffs. No playoffs, no Cashman. It's that simple.

Anon, Mike Francesca is a rabid Yankees FAN. FYI

Michael Kaye is an awful announcer but I have to admit, I thought his show on 1050 was funny.

No I don't think Mike Franseca is a Yankee Fan. He's bandwagon fan and fraud. He likes Mickey Mantle that's it.

He praise opposing teams like Redsox , How great Boston is and Fenway Park is best atmosphere to watch baseball.

You can praise another team and still not be a fan of them.

The 1998 Yankees are the best team I ever saw and I LOVE LOVE LOVE going to Yankee Stadium.

I hate hate HATE the 1998 Yankees... but they were great and Yankee Stadium is and always will be an amazing place to watch baseball.

Am I a bandwagon Red Sox fan?

Or is he praising the Red Sox because they have the best record in baseball and Fenway is indeed also a great place to watch a game?

I'll bet anyone who wants to make the wager that Cashman isn't going anywhere -- regardless if the Yanks are in the post-season or not.

Gil,

Do you have a suggestion of who to replace Cashman?

I personally think Cashman will be gone and Torre will be in the YES booth next year (he was an Angels announcer way back when)

It would be interesting to see if Stick Michael goes back to being the GM. Either way Girardi will be manager (why else would he be turning down offers to hang out with Michael Kay?)

Mike Franseca isn't true Yankees Fan, He hates Clemens period. He's either Mets Fan or Redsox Fan.

I think Francesa is a big Yankee fan but a critical one (ring a bell, 99% of the people on this blog?)

He seems to love either home grown Yankees or big gamers more than flashy superstars.

He's said that he wasn't "a Reggie guy" and also seems quick to criticize big Yankee free agents while praising the Munsons, Chamblisses, Randolphs and Gossages of the 70s and the Williams, Riveras, Pettites and Jeters of the 90s.

His anti Steinbrenner rant after Pettite was let go was great radio (although not great TV... watching a fat guy yell while sipping diet Coke isn't the stuff that Emmys are made of)

Cashman ..... gone.....about 4 years too late to save this team.

He has allowed the core of the championship team to erode with bad replacements, chased every name player without an overall plan to build a team, left the team depleted on the bench, provided ZERO help through the "rebuilt" farm system, placed the Yankees on peril of losing Posada and Mariano at the years end, spent the bosses money with abandon and not delivered a ROI!

Francesa is about the biggest Yankee homer there is (with the possible exception of Michael Kay). He is always touting the Yankees, usually right before the fall. Last week he put the ultimate jinx on you by gaurenteeing the wild card.

Anon, he HATES HATES HATES the Red Sox. I'm sure he thinks Clemens is a mercenary, but he had no trouble praising him during his Yankees tenure.

But he also thought he was a phony for doing the whole retirement tour during the 2003 season, only to come back and play in 2004, 2005, 2006 and now 2007.

And he is kind of a phony.
He's the greatest pitcher I've seen with the possible exception of Tom Seaver and Steve Carlton...

But there is no doubt Francesa is a Yankees fan. Just a critical one

Nudge,

What's a ROI?

Return on investment

Sully,

I might throw in Jim Palmer and Gibson too.

Cant forget the steroids stigma hangs heavily over Rogers head also.

Never saw Gibson pitch and Palmer was no longer Palmer the great when i started watching baseball (Flanagan was the ace of the Balt staff when I was a kid)

But Seaver and Carlton (and for a few years Guidry) were the gold standard

I now understand why someone would have an anonymus handle. The idea of being down by 3, having runners on 1st and third and believing this is a bunt situation means you just don't understand baseball. Trading an out while 3 runs down to move a runner is simpy foolish. There is not one baseball mind who would entertain this. The logic that Jeter can knock in two runs is stupid. Outs are VALUABLE. When you are down by three you need a big inning, not small ball. In the Big Leagues the Big Inning starts at the number 3! Small ball is 2 or less. Get a life and maybe buy a book or two about basic baseball, maybe it's the koolaid clouding your thinking. As bad a season as this has been for this team, they are lucky you are not managing. Maybe you are 12 years old or something, that's possible ask you LL MGR what the right play is, he probably wouldn't bunt either.

Since Damon hadn't hit into a DP all season, I can understand Torre letting Damon bat in the 9th. No way I would PH a rookie\Duncan in that situation. The Braves have expressed interest in Damon. Even if the Yanks have to eat better than half the contract, they should trade him. Once Giambi comes back, and DH's, just where is Damon gonna play? Melky is a far superior center fielder. Cashman needs to "get out in front" of this problem, and trade Damon. If Cashman can "blow" close to $50 million on Igawa, surely he can spend money and actually "help" this team by trading Damon.

Some of us Yankee fans need help. Me included.

Watching these games I sit and look at the TV like WTF? but then I remember what I said . " THIS IS A LOSING YEAR" Not losing in terms of the Stats. Yes we are several games over .500 . Sounds good? Nope ! The are over .500 due to streaks over subpar teams. This team need consistancy not only streaks.

This tea m is also old they may be tired.... MENTALLY!!!

The three hole is a joke, I am suprised that Torre don't let Jeter hit #3 for the rest of the year. Jeter is the 3 hole answer.

I'll say it again more youth need to be called up and more vets need to sit.

Is Torre managing for the better of the Team. Or is he thinking lame duck and managing for the better of Himself? along with BC.

I ask this becasue why in a season when the fans is expecting loss don;t the Yankees play some of their youth to see what kind of value the posess. (keepers, offseason trades)

I agree that Jeter is one of those special hitters that can fill any spot in the lineup. I'd let him ride in #3 for a while. Abreu can get on base well and maybe you don't care about his rbi potential right now (since jeter can get them too).

abreu
cabrera
jeter
arod
matsui
giambi
posada
phillips
cano

maybe?

Also, the last few games have erased all the good done during the last few series. I have to say that the consistency of the teams out in front (to not lose when we lose) is disconcerting. It seems like the sox win every night.

so frustrated with this year's team.

Exactly,

Jeter would benefit more with an arod behind him than Abreau but Torre is stuck on this lefty righty order.

jeter and arod 's game erases that theory if batting next to each other.

Abreau should bat second on the days Johnny is not hitting leadoff with Jeter following him. Torre is still trying to envision this Paulie type hitter in Bobby whn the real hitter is batting 2nd

Question for the Vets..

outside of guidry did the 70's yanks have good pitching for more than just a season?

in other words did they have a solid staff from 75 - 81?

Nudge, what is RO?

The most dominant pitchers I have ever seen ...

Seaver
Carlton
Clemens
Randy Johnson
Guidry in 78
Gooden in 86
Matlack (at times)
Josh Beckett in 03 WS

You have to be great for more than a few years.

Clemens is one of the all time greats. Is he better than Seaver? No way. If Seaver had a split finger fastball he would have pitched like 10 no hitters probably.

It is a rainy day here ... and it seems like Baltimore is raining on the Yankees parade.

BTW Yahoo Sports showed Damon making two great catches in left field.

What's that all about?

Go Yankees!

ROI means return on investment.

See posts 11:45 and 11:50 where Sully asks and the Nudge explains what it means

You are all correct about Michael Kaye. He is an obnoxious A-hole who never shuts up and clearly thinks he is great! He is not! I can't stand listening to him anymore. I can't wait until he gets fired so we can all stand and say "seeeeeeeeeyyyyaaaaaaaa". If I were Paul O'neill I'd deck him for his snide remarks about Paul's Announcing ability and experience. Also his clear attempt to sound like he is very smart! If I hear him say "of late" one more time I will vomit! Hey Kaye do you know the word "lately"? Can you shut up once in a while and let your partner actually call the game instead of going off on these tangent stories ofyours that no one cares about. Stop trying to be Mel Allen or Scooter!

As for Cashman, he has got to go! He never should have let either Pettit or Clemens get away in the first place!