On the Yankees beat

I think this is a solid staff.

Girardi has guys he is already comfortable with in Meacham and Harkey.

He has some great experience with Tony Pena.

This will be a huge test for Dave Eiland but I like the move because he is already been working with these young guys at the minor league level.

Kevin Long and A-Rod are really good together and it seems to be working which is the key.

I Agree, I like the staff.

No big names nor anything like that. And those are the guys that usually work harder.

Everything is taking shape now... we just need Pettite back, some pitching help and we'll be set!

I remember when Mike Harkey was supposed to be the next big stud starter when he was with the Cubbies.

He had one decent year and then got leveled by injuries.

A nice cautionary tale for the Jobas, Kennedys and Hughes of the world.

It's interesting that other than Torre the Yankees have brought everyone back (I think Pettite is coming back.. there's too much money to walk away from and I'm sure he trusts Girardi plus Rivera and Posada are coming back)

And with Schilling and Lowell, the Red Sox have essentially brought everyone back (sayonara Gagne, Clement and some other waste)

So the two rivals are going into next year with a familiar cast (save for Torre) and with another year for Cano/Cabrera/Joba/Hughes/Kennedy on one side and Papelbon/Dice K/Okajima/Pedroia/Ellsbury/Lester/DelCarmen on the other.

The Yankees need to get either a solid starter or a solid reliever depending on where Joba goes.

The Red Sox need to find a good deal involving Coco Crisp (hopefully for a reliever) and pick up another arm for the pen (Kerry Wood?)

What I am saying is, I am sorry rest of the baseball world, but Red Sox vs. Yankees in 2008 could be really really awesome

A very solid group.

Eiland is the perfect choice. He's worked with the three kids (not to mention the others who will likely fill out the pen) and doesn't have to waste time trying to learn their tendencies. He knows what they can and can't do and what should and shouldn't be expected of them. In fact, you could see it last year, Phil Hughes was a much different pitcher towards the end of the year when the AAA season ended and Eiland came to NY with the September call ups.

As for pitching help, I know I'm beating a dead horse here but I would sign Freddy Garcia. He's coming off an injury so he won't be terribly expensive but if healthy is a tremendous pitcher and a guy who has won in September and October.

Sully I agree this upcoming season is looking to be really exciting for both teams.

The Yanks will have a chance to see what Joba, Hughes and Kennedy can do with a full season pending any injuries (knock on wood).

I think the Sawwwx also need to look into bulking up their bench a little bit.

List of things Yanks still need to do:

1. Sign Vizciano (He was up and down all year but I think he was overused when he was good which is what hurt him)

2. Sign Dougie M (Need that defense at 1st late in games and when we have sinker ball pitchers on the mound (Ohlendorf and Wang).

3. Convince Pettitte to come back

Sully,

I could see Boston dealing Coco to the Braves for Rafael Soriano or Mike Gonzalez depending on what Atlanta decides to do with Octavio Dotel.

I think it was Mark Shapiro who said that the scariest trend he has seen as a baseball executive is that the Yankees and Red Sox have started using their financial advantages in the draft and international free agency. Not only can they afford the best free agents, but they are now developing the top prospects in the game as well.

I maintain that you basically hold an open audition at first base. Dougie/Duncan/Giambi and invite a few others.

I also think you guys need at least 2 relievers. You think Veras can help or not?

I hope the Red Sox get two solid relievers, a left handed pinch hitter (to replace Hinske), a pinch runner (assuming Crisp is dealt) and an all purpose outfielder (assuming Kietly isn't coming back.)

But those are players the Sox can pick up off the non tendered scrap heap. The same place the Yankees might find their new starting first baseman

Sully -

Phillips needs to be included in that audition. I really feel the kid can play if he is given the chance. With A-Rod back we do not need a huge bat at first, just a consistent one. Duncan could also come out of spring training the everyday 1st baseman.

Veras needs a little tweaking. I like his stuff but i think he can be pretty eratic. He pitched pretty well though besides one really bad outing where he gave up 4 ER's in 2/3 inning. That really bloated his ERA. I do really like Ohlendorf's chances in helping the bullpen. People hate on Britton a lot also but I like watching him pitch and think he can also contribute.

Nick Cafardo- So far, strong showing
Epstein and Red Sox have been in control

[quote]

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2007/11/20/so_far_strong_showing/?page=2

Epstein is also in position to begin tying up his young veterans to longer deals. The arbitration-eligible Youkilis could be first in line, followed by Papelbon.

So far, the Yankees have been keeping their guys - AL MVP Alex Rodriguez, catcher Jorge Posada, and closer Mariano Rivera - and the Sox have kept theirs. The Yankees, though, have paid far more for their aging free agents. But that's a reflection, too, of where the teams are.

Boston is dealing from strength. The Yankees are proceeding from a bit of desperation.

Epstein likes his view better.

Nick Cafardo can be reached at cafardo@globe.com[/quote]

So what The Yankees overpay their own guys and loyal to them?. In that case , Redsox should let go Varitek in 2004 and don't offer him a contract..

If Posada leaves who will replaces him especially three young pitchers coming in The starting rotation?

For crying out loud Redsox gave Lugo a four year and Jd drew a five year deal.

The Boston Media and their fans still have the inferiority complex and obsessed with The Yankees what they're doing even they won 2 world series in last four years. I don't even care about Bostons sports teams Pats and Celtics. I don't give f*ck.

CHIP-
I believe Dotel is a free agent, and Soriano is the Atlanta "closer" so I don't see them trading him. Melky and Coco are pretty much the same player, so any possible trade involving Coco "straight up", could also be done with Melky, though I don't see Boston or NY trading for Gonzalez after the "major" injury he suffered last season.

Varitek's offensive skills have also eroded reasonably quickly and Posada's have not and have arguably improved. there's a difference. 'tek hits .240 at 34. posada hits .340 at 36. i dont know why people constantly make this comparison.

Sully,

You said: "other than Torre the Yankees have brought everyone back" --

Mattingly?
Bowa?

I'm a pretty big fan of Veras. He sort of reminds me of a young Armando Benitez in his size, motion and stuff. Now I know, invoking the name of Armando Benitez doesn't inspire confidence, but I'm not talking about the mental make up - just the physical.

Anonymous- If you listen to the Boston pitchers, they claim that Varitek calls a great game and is a fantastic receiver at the catcher position (except when Wakefield is pitching) so I think that might be the difference between he and Posada. I don't think either team would take anyone but their guy though. Boston fans love Varitek and Yankee fans love Posada so we're cool.

Diane,
I'm guessing Sully was talking about Torre's staff, not just Torre.
Has anyone seen a picture of Donnie baseball in a Dodgers uniform yet? I haven't and will make sure my stomach is empty when I do because I will spew.

Chip,
I have high hopes for Veras as well but surgery doesn't seem to have cured his control problem. Maybe Eiland can fix that, if so I think the Yanks will be lucky to have him.

Eiland's fortunes as a major league pitching coach may depend as much on luck as on skill. If the young guns live up to our most extravagant hopes then he will look like a genius no matter how much or how little of it is due to next year's coaching. If as usually happens only a small percentage of them do well he will look like humdrum average no matter how skillfully he works on their development.

I don't even want to think about what it will be like if most of them disappoint.

That picture would be so gloomy that Eiland's fate would be the last thing on my mind...

...couldn't happen...

Right???

I mean the players... At the beginning of the off season people assumed A-Rod was off to Anaheim, and Posada might be heading to Queens, Abreu might be off to pasture, Mariano to Chavez Ravine with Torre and Pettite was going to be sipping mint juleps on his porch.

And now A-Rod, Abreu, Posada and Rivera all look like they are back and Pettite probably is close behind.

Yeah Torre along with Mattingly, Guidry and Bowa won't be there... but the on field personel are all back and the team (other than Torre) looks similar to the 2007 version.

According to various sources, yesterday's trade of Orlando Cabrera for Jon Garland was done to give the Angels an extra pitcher as they are working on a three way deal with the Orioles and Marlins that could net the Angels both Miguel Tejada and Miguel Cabrera.

This is PURE speculation on my part but the deal could look something like this:

Angels get Cabrera, Tejada and Brian Roberts
Orioles get Willis, Jared Weaver, Jeremy Hermida, Joe Saunders and Dan Uggla
Marlins get Bedard, Brandon Wood, Howie Kendrick, Reggie Willis

According to various sources, yesterday's trade of Orlando Cabrera for Jon Garland was done to give the Angels an extra pitcher as they are working on a three way deal with the Orioles and Marlins that could net the Angels both Miguel Tejada and Miguel Cabrera.

This is PURE speculation on my part but the deal could look something like this:

Angels get Cabrera, Tejada and Brian Roberts
Orioles get Willis, Jared Weaver, Jeremy Hermida, Joe Saunders and Dan Uggla
Marlins get Bedard, Brandon Wood, Howie Kendrick, Reggie Willis

According to ESPN.com's "Rumor Central", Ron Mahay is close to signing w/ the Yanks, which could happen by Monday. He's had success against lefties....but so did Mike Myers before he joined the Yanks. I'm okay with the move though.

Jim A.

I've got no problem with Mahay as long as we're not on this blog in June calling him Ron May-Day.

He pitched pretty well in a good hitter's park (Arlington) before being traded to Atlanta, but he is 36 so who knows how much wear and tear is really going on.

Over the last three years he's thrown 160 innings, walked 80, struck out 140 (so that's not bad) although last year he wasn't, in my opinion, as impressive as his 2.55 ERA would lead you to believe.

67 innings, 52 hits, 37 walks, 55K, .218 BAA

for the sake of comparison, here are Ron Villone's numbers:
42.1 IP, 36 hits, 18 walks, 25 K, .234 BAA

Jim A.,

Thanks for the rumor! I had hoped they may take a run at Mahay! He has had a pretty decent career and hopefully will fill a pressing need for a Lefty in the pen.

I like the coaching staff as Eiland seems to have worked well with Joba , Hughes and Kennedy in the minors. Hopefully this translates to the pro level , though I believe it will. Long's relationship with ARod is well documented and it was wise to retain him. Pena has helped Jorge defensively since he became a coach. Finally Meacham and Harkey seem to be Joe's boys and hopefully the familiarity and comfort transend to better managerial decisions.

Baseball America just completed their Top 20 Prospects list for the Hawaiian Winter League - number 1 was Matt Weiters (c) from Baltimore.

Austin Jackson of the Yankees was number 2 - here is their report on him:
After having a breakout season during which he hit .304/.370/.476 across three levels of the minors, Jackson reported to Honolulu and never slowed down. A premium athlete, Jackson finally grew into his tools in 2007. A line-drive hitter with gap power, Jackson's profile is likely as a No. 2 or No. 3 hitter with the ability to drive in runs. He is an above-average defender in center field, getting good reads and jumps on balls while running quality routes. While he doesn't always get out of the batter's box quickly, he's a graceful runner. "Once he gets underway he's a plus-plus runner," an NL scout said. "He's the best athlete in this league. He doesn't have that first-step explosion, but this guy is a real crowd pleaser on the bases."

In addition to Jackson, Yankee reliever George Kontos made the list (number 7)

The Yankees jumped Kontos to high Class A for his first full season, where he had moderate success. The club sent the 22-year-old to HWB to work on fastball command and further refine his changeup. Kontos' fastball sits in the 89-93 mph range, touching 94 occasionally. His mid-80s slider can be devastating at times, and he's also working on a curveball. Kontos still doesn't have enough separation between his fastball and changeup, though he made strides to improve his arm speed on the latter offering.

Awesome, Thanks Chip!

Chip,

Great news from Hawaii!!!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing this valuable info :-)

We're taping the next Dennis Miller episode in a few minutes and I wrote a great deal of the rant on steroids (plus a lot of the pictures.)

Warren Sapp and Jose Canseco will be the in studio guests.
Warren's dressing room is RIGHT NEXT to my work station in the studio.

Should be interesting.

Craft services brought in brownies.
They are great.

I think I'll have 78 more

McCarthy,

You're welcome.

As I see it the Yankee outfield prospects are a pretty interesting group. There are really 4 (possibly 5 depending how low in the system you want to go)

Tabata we all know about - he's a young stud who is going to hit for a bunch of power and probably be a Raul Mondesi type in RF

Gardner is more like Juan Pierre - lots of speed, zero power, sort of an average arm but can track balls very well.

Colin Curtis, a good player - probably going to be a fourth outfielder on a really good team - but could surprise.

Austin Jackson - I would compare him to Curtis Granderson. He's got that same profile at the plate and in the field, and given what we saw from Granderson this last year that could be a very good thing.

There is also Abe Almonte in low A who is another slasher type - but with more power - he's too far off to project.

I think Jackson starts this season playing CF for AA and Gardner plays CF for AAA but Jackson could easily leapfrog Gardner in the depth chart. Either way, this will likely be Melky's last year in CF as I assume he will head to a corner to make room for one of them next year.

Austin Jackson
Man that is a great baseball name

Then again, so was Willy Mo Pena

To this day I will admit the Yankees screwed up the careers of Wily Mo and Jackson Melian so badly it is unfair. They signed both of them to major league contracts and so both had to be rushed to the majors. In Pena's case he was rushed up and then told to sit, first in Cincy and then with the Red Sox. I'm happy he's going to get a chance to play everyday in Washington - I'm pretty sure he's going to wind up being a right handed Adam Dunn or Ryan Howard.

Q: Drew from Hempstead, NY asks:
Where does Austin Jackson fit in the Yankees plans? How far from the bigs is he? Do the Yankees see enough in him to stick with Melky in center for a couple years, then sport an outfield of Cabrera in left, Jackson in center, and Tabata in right? Or is Jackson far enough from being big league ready that NY may package Cabrera for a pitcher (Johan) and sign a center fielder to 4-5 years?
A:

Chris Kline: I guess I became known for harshing on Tabata in the Yankees' world because I followed that wrist injury for over a year before we broke that, but I'm still not sold on him. And it's not concern with the hamate as much as it is the body and the overall desire to reach his ceiling. That said, with Jackson, I don't think he's too far away. Everyone I've talked to at three different levels loves his athleticism, speed and he's got that little swagger about him that tells you he's going to have success. For me, he's their everyday center fielder in 2009 at the latest.

This coaching staff is gonna be great! Well prepared, progressive staff with new ideas and interactive with their manager. Bowa, Pena and Mattingly deferred out of respect for Torre, which was a BAD idea.
Your coaches should have some input, and their ideas should be considered, with the manager having the final say. This group will push this team to new heights, and Thomson is the next best thing. I can't wait for the season to start. Eiland should do a MUCH better job than Gator and the whole pitching staff will benefit. Meacham will be able to help Jeter find a way to improve to his left and the infield defense should be better.
Harkey has started and relieved, plus suffered through injuries. His wisdom will benefit our pen when times get tough, and he will not just be going through the motions. Kevin Long is the real deal as a hitting coach and with a year to become familiar with his hitters under his belt, he should only improve as a hitting coach.
Gotta get my tickets!

Go Yankees!

It is seriously some great news to know we have so many minor league outfield prospects in our system.

Abreu, Matsui and Damon are going to need to be phased out within 2 years.

One last thing on Austin Jackson - the guy who is doing the chat on the Hawaiian League's Top 20 said that the comparison he heard the most was Mike Cameron. Mike Cameron, Curtis Granderson, either way it is not bad company to be in .

Damon is interesting because he isn't going to play center with Melky but maybe the White Sox, Braves, Dodgers or Phillies could use him in CF if they are without a good option.

An outfield of Matsui, Melky and Abreu with Shelly Duncan playing a bunch of games and another young kid to break in (a la Jacoby Ellsbury with my boys) will do the job.

This might be the LAST year you could get something good (a reliever? A minor league 1b?) for Damon and maybe deal him a year too early than a year too late.

Mussina could still get you something as well

McCarthy,

More than that, it gives the Yankees options. If Jackson is off the charts good this spring, and in AA, who is to say that the Yankees won't be more willing to put Melky in a package for a big time pitcher and then call up Jackson to take CF.

Ideally I would like to see the OF in 2009 being Melky in left, Jackson in center and Tabata in RF - but that's probably a bit of wishful thinking.

Right now I do not have much confidence in Shelley Duncan in the outfield. I have a feeling he is going to start lifting a lot more to bulk up and then only be capable of 1st base and DH.

But carry a bigger stick.

Sully,

Until the Yankees know what Andy is going to do Mussina's not going anywhere. They need at least ONE veteran in that rotation.

As for Damon, I'm not opposed to dealing him on principle, I just don't think that Melky is ready or able to be a leadoff hitter. I suppose the Yankees could bat Jeter first with Cano in the two spot, but that seems unlikely right now. I also like Damon in LF a whole lot better than Matsui in LF. In my opinion, Matsui is the one to trade. He still has plenty of value as a middle of the order hitter and league-average outfielder defensively. A decent trade for both teams might by Matsui to the Cubs for Matt Murton and Ryan Dempster.

Chip the more I read your posts the more i realize your usually in the clouds somewhere dreaming up trades and scenarios 75% of the day.

Not a bad thing. Certainly fun to think about the possibilities.

McCarthy,

My other option is to work and I'm sure not going to waste a day doing that.

In all seriousness though, a Matsui for Dempster/Murton deal does make some sense.

1. With Floyd gone and the trade of Jacques Jones to Detroit, the Cubs need a lefty bat in the lineup to compliment Soriano, Lee and Ramirez.

2. Lou loves him some veteran position players.

3. Murton is not a Pinella guy - he's not a true power hitter, not a veteran and not a burner. He would be a nice fourth outfielder for the Yankees. Depmster is a decent reliever, nothing special, but could help in the back of the pen setting up Rivera.

4. Yankees would free up the DH spot for Giambi, until he gets hurt, and play Betemit/Duncan at 1B

CHIP-
Absolutely no way the Cubs trade their "closer" and a young OF, for the declining Matsui. If I was the Cubs, I wouldn't even trade Dempster "straight up" for Matsui. Supply and demand. Garland shows that pitching in general is "high priced", whether it be a "starter" or "closer". Why not just take another chance on Dotel?

this article on espn holds some truths

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=hill/071119&sportCat=mlb

Basically there is a thousand Melk's in the minors.

That is gweat that thers is a thousands Melky carbreras.

Kweepin him would be totally Ludacris.

Report: Yankees Near Deal With Mahay

[quote]
http://mlb-rumors.blogspot.com/2007/11/report-yankees-near-deal-with-mahay.html

The Yankees and relief pitcher Ron Mahay are closing in on a two year deal worth about five to seven million dollars, according to one AL executive. Mahay, 36, dominated lefties and holding them to a .189 average. He will give the Yankees a lefty specialist in the bullpen who can set up for closer Mariano Rivera. He also gives them an option if Rivera starts to struggle. Mahay was 3-0 with a 2.55 ERA and 55 K and has been pretty consistent in keeping his ERA down throughout his ten year career. Despite struggling with the Cubs in 2002, he is 19-10 with a 3.87 ERA in 359 games. He has experience in the American League playing his first two seasons with the Red Sox. Although he is getting older, it only makes their pitching better by adding a lefty specialist, who is even more confident than he was after putting up solid numbers. If a deal is not reached in the next two days, expect it to be shelved until next week because of the holiday'

[/quote]
As long as they only use him as a lefty specialist not Henn or Villone I'm ok with this .

What do you guys think?

Who the F**k is Scott Patterson??? A supposed righty reliever that the Yanks just signed to a ML contract and added to the 40 man roster according to WFAN. Can someone please enlighten me who this is exactly???

Scott Patterson who's from Indy league like Edwar Ramirez. He pitched last year in trenton thunder. The Yankees have to put him 40thman roster or they will lose him to a free agency.

In Other News
[quote]
http://rotoworld.com/content/home_MLB.aspx

Yankees signed RHP Scott Patterson to a one-year contract; purchased the contracts of C Francisco Cervelli, RHP Jeffrey Marquez and RHP Steven White.
The Yankees aren't going to fall victim to what happened with the Angels and Warner Madrigal. Like the Angels, they missed the original deadline to add Patterson to the 40-man roster before he became a minor league free agent. They announced later that they were adding him, but they still needed to sign him, which they did today. The Angels ended up losing Madrigal to the Rangers.[/quote]

sully is no fan of damon since he came over to the yanks and rips him every chance he gets...hey silly man get over it damon is not going anywhere...have another brownie and chill.

Norton
Really?
I rip every time I can get?

I said he might be expendable and the Yankees could get something in exchange for him. Plus I felt that he has value as a centerfielder as opposed to a left fielder, especially when Torii Hunter, Aaron Rowand and Andruw (sic) Jones find a new home.

I've always been a fan of Damon and I cr@p on Red Sox fans who boo him because he was a great Sox when he was with the team. I wish him well.

I have gotten over his leaving. Watching my team win the World Series helps heal wounds.

Norton, I don't know you that well, so I won't insult you. I just ask for you to think before you type.

As for the brownies... thanks for the suggestion!
I think I will!

(PS Jose Canseco glistens)

Lol @ (PS Jose Canseco glistens)!!!!

I like the Mahay probable signing as a Lefty set up man has been
needed for quite some time. Patterson supposedly has some fine upside , hopefully it rings true.

Mahay would be a decent pick up.
Certainly a step up from Villone.

Patterson put up some great numbers in Trenton this year.

Doh! Getting used to my new laptop and see my last post was chopped up....:-)

yeah, Jose Canseco has a gleam to him.
He's practically a bike reflector

Dennis' interview with him was pretty cool

Not 100% sure how the show went.
It's hard to tell how a show goes when you are on the set, working behind the scnes, having a headset on and spending half the time grinding your teeth that the pictures cue was slower than you want.

But every time I wanted to give up... I would see those brownies

Viper,

I have been doing a bit of research to settle our Ted Lilly question ...

Apparently he ...

Beat up his manager and gave him a bloody nose

The erudite pitching coach of Toronto said he was "uncoachable"

He wants to vote for cross dressing Rudy Julie-Annie.

He was named after Theodore Roosevelt. (Seriously)

Question ...

Can you see Ted Lilly punching Joe Torre in the nose? Lilly looks like a 12 year old newspaper delivery kid.

How can you sign someone who punches his manager after being taken out of a game in which he gives up 7 earned runs in ONE inning ...?

I am hoping the Ted Lilly debate will last into the 2028 season
(which is also when Giambi's contract expires.)

Anthony,

Personally, I don't care which candidate Ted Lilly supports or which political figure he was named after. I wouldn't care if he was a skinhead and supported Hitler.

None of that concerns me because it has nothing to do his ability to throw a baseball to the masked man 60 ft 6 inches away from the pitcher's mound.

I have no idea why any of that non-baseball related stuff concerns some fans, but you always seem to take an interest in people's lives away from the diamond.

The fight Lilly had with his manager was somewhat alarming, but it had no influence on why I didn't want him wearing pinstripes.

My reason for not wanting Lilly last season was simply because he's an average pitcher who had a career .500 record prior to joining the Cubs and he wanted a four year contract to pitch in NY.

Obviously, some people haven't learned that giving long-term contracts to pitchers of his caliber (when the Yanks had several young arms in their system that was near major league ready) is a complete waste and this team doesn't need more dead weight blocking the progression of any of the youngsters (Hughes, Joba, Kennedy, Horne, etc).

For the record, I thought Cashman was insane and off his medication when he signed Igawa. I said it was a stupid signing from Day 1 and it's obvious that was the case when we finally saw him pitch in the bigs.

I hope you've changed your mind about Lilly and put this debate to rest once and for all. Neither Igawa nor Lilly were good long-term options for this team.

Mike Lowell Thoughts on Yankees

[quote]http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071120&content_id=2305481&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos

Yankees weren't first for Lowell: Did Lowell really consider the Yankees as one of the teams he would sign with if things hadn't worked out for the Red Sox? Sure he did. At least until Alex Rodriguez re-upped with New York, eliminating Lowell's chances of playing the hot corner for the organization that originally drafted him.

"Maybe I should preface it by saying that I understand that everyone in New England thinks that if you play for the Red Sox you have to hate the Yankees," said Lowell. "Unfortunately, although every time we play the Yankees, I want to beat them, I came up through their system and there were a lot of people in that organization who were very instrumental to me getting to the big leagues and having the career that I've had.

"Utter hatred for the organization, I just don't have, because they actually helped me in a big way. It was definitely a factor because it was another organization that I was familiar with. Like I said, the parameters of where I weigh a team is: Are they going to be a playoff contender? A team that year in and year out will do what it can to win a world championship. Obviously the Yankees fit that bill. I will say it was somewhat diminished by the fact of moving to first. I think it would have been more of a consideration if it would have been staying at third. Once again, I'm very happy staying here and I look forward to the rivalry between the two teams." [/quote]

The Yankees added Patterson (and Marquez, White, and Cervelli) to the 40 to protect them from the Rule V draft which is coming up soon.

Is it just me or is this new blog format slower and more difficult to navigate?

I certainly do not stay on this blog for the features it has, but seriously has anyone considered updating this blog so it at least allows people to register a name?

An avatar or user picture wouldn't be that bad either.

And to take it a step further....being able to give people "props" or some sort of +/- feedback would also be a great enhancement.

Does anyone know just how "serious" the Yanks are concerning the "free agent" Japanese starting pitchers that are available? The Seattle paper lists the Yanks as being interested, but portray the Mariners as being the "front runners".
This "new" Blog format\look reminds me of the "ground breaking" video game "Pong". Slow and dull looking.

I don't like the slowness that has come along with the new format, but there are two important positives that make me feel it is an improvement overall.

One is that this format forces the poster into individual prominence, all alone out there in the surrounding white space with his or her moniker very visibly attached to the post. The old format not only left the poster's identity unknown until the end of the comments, but separated the moniker from them by a line, and obscured it among closely jammed paragraphs. Our own Yankee hatemongers, politico-religous ranters and outside snipers from other teams' fanbases seemed to be emboldened, and constantly disrupted the flow of baseball discussion. One of the first comments about this format was about how the poster felt alone in the Grand Canyon. Most of the 'shadow people' immediately dropped away, leaving a much more sane and baseball-oriented group of discussants.

The other is that it allows me great ease in being selective about whose comments I give mindspace to. I can run my eye over the left-hand column and skip over those whose comments here have over time demonstrated their craziness or ignorance. And I never read a comment without a moniker, having found that Anonymous is another haven for people who don't have the courage of their convictions.

So, two advantages: some of the crazy people have selected themselves out, and I have an easy time selecting out the few remaining.

So really even with the slowness I'm still saving time and energy.

"Well" "maybe" "the" "Seattle" "paper" "is" "taking " "the" Pro" "Mariner" "point-of-view" "regarding" "the" "Japanese" "pitcher." "Isn't" "it " "amazing" "how" "every" "year" "there" "seems" "to" "be" "a" "pitcher" "from" "Japan" "whose" "name" "is" "That" "pitcher" "from" "Japan" "?"

"Man" "Roy" "," "it" "is" "exhausting" "to" "type" "all" "of" "these" "quotation" "marks" "!"

"haha"

seriously though...

"HAHAHA"

Buster Olney's blog this morning mentions that the A's have decided to try and deal Dan Haren and Joe Blanton.

Now I'm not going to sit here and suggest that the Yankees deal Kei Igawa for Haren, but if the Yankees were willing to take on the contracts of a couple of their oft injured high salary players (Eric Chavez and Huston Street) then maybe the Yankees could get Haren without having to part with Joba or Hughes.

Perhaps a deal of Kennedy, Marquez, Gardner, and Juan Miranda for Chavez, Street, and Haren could work.

The Yankees could play Chavez at 1st where his body wouldn't have to exert as much energy as it would at 3rd, Street could work out of the pen in front of Mo and Haren would be a front line starter ahead of Wang, Joba, Hughes, and Mussina/or Andy if he returns.

Buy with EXTREME CAUTION any player who has played in the SF Bay Area (my home) and whose power production plummets suddenly.

Why not go for Broussard of Seattle?
He could be acquired for a bucket of balls and tickets to "The Lion King."

He's a left handed hitter with some pop and you are not asking him to carry the team

Huston Street makes Carl Pavano look as durable as Cal Ripken

Chip -

If the Yanks could get Chavez, Street and Haren and only give up Kennedy, Marquez, Gardner and Miranda then it would be a no brainer.

But i would think they would be asking for a little more than that. I do not see any need for Chavez but if we could get Haren/Street for a similar package I would say we should do it.

Street enables Joba to stay in the rotation and Haren would be great insurance in case Pettitte does not come back.

But if Pettitte does come back this rotation would be pretty disgusting:

Wang
Pettitte
Haren
Joba
Hughes
Mussina

please sully cut the bs...you have done nothing but rip damon all season or is there another silly man...i can remember you dumping on damon for not having enough power for dh...remember you saying that he was too old...remmember you saying sox were better off with crisp...remember you saying crisp was a better fielder and was hitting better than damon...maybe you have a short memory or is it the late nights in sausalito.

Norton... when I said some bad things about Damon he was hitting .230 and was too hurt to play centerfield and yet wouldn't be put on the DL...

As for him not having enough power for DH... does he? 12 homers and 27 doubles seems kinda sorta low for a DH. Whether or not I am a Sox fan doesn't change that.

Crisp is a better fielder than Damon. That's like saying the Pacific Ocean is wetter than a sand box.

Damon was batting in the .230s in July and was too hurt to play centerfield. Me being a Red Sox fan doesn't make that good.

To Damon's credit, he turned it around big time.

Damon had a terrific second half and was the brightest star in the 4 games against Cleveland.

Damon is a clutch player in the playoffs, but he has more value as a centerfielder than as a left fielder, a first baseman or a DH. Thus I think has trade value.

The late nights were in Santa Barbara by the way

Haren's name keeps popping up in rumors and some poster's scenarios....I like it. As long as one of the young guns (with the exception of Kennedy should it facilitate a larger deal) isn't involved or Jackson or Tabata I would applaud the move. It would strengthen the front of the rotation while taking some of the heat off the young starters.

Damon is a MUCH better hitter than Crisp in big situations and I think Damon has a lot of value especially when Hunter, Jones and Rowand all sign...

But comparing Crisp in 2007 and Damon in 2007 at the plate isn't outrageous.

Damon out hit Crisp... by 2 points. (.270 to .268)
Damon out homered him... by 6. (12 to 6)
Crisp hit more doubles... (28 to 27)
Damon had the better on base but they were in the same range... (.351 to .330)
Damon out slugged him, but again it wasn't a run away (.392 to .382)
Crisp stole more bases (28 to 27)
And Crisp played nearly 100 more games in center field (144 to 48)

I'm not saying Crisp is a better player and not all of those hits were created equal (Damon was a HUGE catalyst in the Yankees come back) but their seasons were very similar in terms of stats and there was no comparison defensively.

I think both players should be traded.
I like Ellsbury in center and Manny in left

And I think Damon has more trade value as a centerfielder than he has value to the team in left field.

I know Norton is going to say I made all of those numbers up... and I guess that's his right

Hey Fellow Bloggers,
I'm not sure how much time I'll have to jump on here in the next day or so but I wanted to take a minute to wish each and every one of you a very HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

I hope everyone eats too much and watches a lot of football with your families and friends....that's what I love about this holiday!

Jim A.,

Happy Turkey day to you as well as all the posters on the blog!

Haren has "Wright" and "Pavano" written ALL OVER him

I am flying from LA to San Francisco tonight to spend Thanksgiving (which is also my wife's birthday) with my family.

Then I have to fly back to LA on Friday to work Friday and Saturday on the show.

The sooner I can move my family down here, the less frazzled this Sully will be

Have a Happy Thanksgiving
I miss November in New York