In the post game show tonight on YES, Joe Girardi admitted that Mariano Rivera's surgically repaired shoulder has been bothering him for a while now. He said it wasn't a major issue, but that it just seems to be a little tired which is affecting his velocity. Say, what? Is he kidding me?

A depressed Rivera said afterwards that his shoulder isn't really hurting him, but that his velocity is down. Is it me or are their stories not quite on the same page? Even if Mo never gets back to 94 mph and he still might, Rivera has good enough stuff, fight and control to be very effective.

I do have a big problem with Girardi. I thought he was going to be more honest to us about injuries? Wasn't that the word after he was criticised for not handling the media well last year? It didn't take him long to break that promise because he misled us when he never mentioned Brian Bruney's elbow was bothering him on a Wednesday right before the Boston series in Fenway. Girardi even kept it quiet when he was interviewed by Mike Francesa I believe on that Friday afternoon before the game. We all realized something was wrong with Bruney, including the YES broadcast team when he wasn't even in the bullpen as the Yankees were trying to nail down a 4-2 victory. Rivera had to come into the eighth inning of that game after Joe told Francesa that it was too early in the season for Mo to pitch two innings up in Boston and then Mo got whacked by Jason Bay, who hit a two run bomb to center to tie the game in the ninth. That led to a loss, and a series sweep for Boston and now they have won five straight against the Yanks.

I wondered why Rivera didn't pitch the tenth inning during Wednesday's game after he dominated Tampa in the ninth until Joe admitted that he was protecting Mariano's shoulder.  I was talking to my friend on the phone right after the Yanks had come back yet again to tie the score late in the game on a red hot Damon two run jack and I saw Carl Crawford standing in the box, I was trying to figure out how they would lose this game, I mean they've lost every which way possible at this point.

I said the to my friend, "the Yanks are so bad right now I bet you Carl reaches first base on a walk, steals second and third and then scores on an infield dribbler," but instead the joke was on me because Crawford hit his first HR in almost three hundred at bats.

And then it was quickly followed up by Longoria's deep bomb to make it an 8-6 game and then another painful loss. It was the first time in Rivera's career that he gave up back to back HR's. Even I couldn't have dreamt that one up.

During his customary interviews with the Yes Network between innings of spring training games, Joe Girardi hinted that Derek Jeter could start the season as the Yankee lead off hitter.  Derek has been penciled in as the #2 hitter in their line up for much of his career, but Jeter was leading off this afternoon and Girardi was asked about it. He said that he was going to tinker around with idea during the last week of the Grapefruit league and he was open to batting Derek first.

The Yankee manager said that Johnny Damon would be an excellent hitter batting second because if Jeter gets on he knows how to pull the ball really well into the hole between first and second base. DJ has been the epitome of a number two hitter, but with A-Rod's injury the Yankee manager may be thinking of new ways to generate more offense until he returns. I don't see much value in the move and I highly doubt he'll stick with that plan, but I would imagine Derek will have a voice in where he bats and If he's comfortable leading off, Girardi might actually go there.

Joba Chamberlain has probably been hearing the idiotic  talk by many sports pundits who have been questioning Joba's performance so far this spring. He's pitched a handful of innings with terrible velocity and bad mechanics, but in their minds, if he doesn't get going fast, he's in trouble. Tonight he ended all that irresponsible speculation by pitching three dominating innings with a fastball that reached 96 MPH on the gun as he snapped off a few nasty sliders and curve balls along the way as well.

You would think that the NY sports media has seen enough spring trainings to understand that a power pitcher like Joba takes at least a handful of starts to get going after the time off he's had over the winter. Apparently not. I watched the silly SNY sports talk shows Tuesday and Chamberlain was a focal point with featured writers from the NY Daily News questioning Chamberlain's start so far. A case can be made that Joba is better suited for the bullpen, but to suggest something is wrong with him this early in the process is ludicrous. He had that swagger back on the mound that has already defined his short Major League career also.

Quick Notes:

Brett Gardner continued his hot streak at the plate, driving in a run with two hits.

Cody Ransom had two hits and an RBI.

Matusi slammed a long double to center field and scored on a base hit which allowed him to test his troubled knee running around the bases.

Austin Jackson's stance reminds me of BJ Upton's, as he slashed an RBI single and made a nice running catch in center.

Juan Miranda showed off his tremendous power by hitting a monster HR to deep right. Shelly Duncan also hit a 3 run HR in his only AB.

Two young pitchers looked really good as well. Phil Coke is a lock to make the roster and pitched two strong innings while Anthony Claggett, a pitcher the Yanks got in the Sheffield trade showed off a mean fastball (91 mph) with terrific movement in his only inning of work.

All in all a good game for the Yanks.

After my article on how important I thought Posada is to the success of the Yankees, I was stunned with his performance yesterday. Jorge made a big splash in his first spring training game by cracking a solo HR on the first pitch he saw that landed deep into the right field bleachers. In his second AB, he scalded a deep drive to center field that the wind caught and knocked down, but it still was a long run scoring double.

Posada went 2-for-2, with a solo homer run and two RBIs. This was with a swing that wasn't there a year ago.

"I couldn't load," said Posada, who underwent right shoulder surgery on July 30. "I had no extension. Righty or lefty, the shoulder was weak and it really messed up my swing. Alex Rodriguez said he has never seen Posada's swing as sweet as it was when he homered and bounced a ball over the center-field fence from the left side. "I told him he must have been playing winter ball in Puerto Rico," Rodriguez said. Girardi said he doesn't know where he will bat Posada, who could fit into the fifth spot behind Rodriguez. All the manager understands is that a healthy Posada would be welcome behind and at the plate.

He still won't attempt to catch a game until the middle of March, but the power he displayed shows a much stronger shoulder than I thought possible at this time.

I do try and watch as many pre-season games as I can as a rule, but too many people get caught up in spring training performance. It's really for the pitchers. Robinson Cano had a monster spring last year and he was so bad that Girardi had to bench him. Spring training is pretty meaningless as it relates to the regular season except for a few players on each team, but one thing that does register is the health of a player.

Was it just adrenaline or a sign of good things to come for Posada? I'm becoming a bit more optimistic...

The more I look at this team and observe some of its shortcomings, the more I see Jorge Posada as being the success key. If he can catch at least 110-125 games effectively and hit around .280 with some pop, the Yanks have a great shot at the pennant. He can slip back into the fifth or sixth spot in the batting order with his switch hitting abilities and really balance out the lineup.

However, if his recently repaired shoulder does not respond then the 5-9 slots in the order could be:

Matsui, Nady (Swisher), Cano, Gardner (Melky) and Molina.

The Yanks will be hard pressed to score more than the 729 runs or 4.5 per game they put up last year and the pitching staff will not have the safety net that a healthy offense provides.

In 2006 the Yanks ranked first in the AL, scoring 930 R's (5.74 per game) as Posada went .277, 23 HR's and 93 RBI's,

In 2007, they ranked first again and scored 968 R's (5.97) as Posada went .338, 20 HR's and 90 RBI's.

In 2008, the Yanks ranked seventh in the AL,  pushing in 789 or around 4.67 runs a game without Jorge for the most part.

And we still don't  know if Matsui is going to show up either with his cranky knee, but with a relatively healthy Posada, it will take some of the pressure off of him also

I'm not too hopeful that Posada will be able to bounce back, but there aren't many options at catcher floating around the major leagues so the Yanks have to hope and pray that a feisty Jorge Posada can return. It's simple, with a decent Posada the Yanks still should be able to mash, without him it's going to be rough unless we get a few surprises.

The A-Rod freak show is about to begin. Are you ready? Will he try to go Gammon's all up on us again? The press pool will  pounce for sure. You know they've been licking their chops ever since Selena's piece came out.

What reporters will ask the stupidest questions? Will A-Rod tell us if he shot up or doesn't remember? Maybe he'll blame it all on Madonna. This will be an interesting presser for sure. And it looks like the Yankees will be by his side.

Joe Girardi confirmed that he would be sitting next to A-Rod under the big tent - the same spot where he sat a year ago when Andy Pettitte made his first public comments about his own performance-enhancing drug scandal.

"I will be there; I support him," Girardi said Sunday. "We understand he's going through a difficult time. I supported Andy last year and I'm here for Alex. That's part of my job. I want to see him get through this, see all of us get through this and get to what we love to do, and that's play."

Jorge Posada has stated his desire to attend the press conference to bolster his teammate as well, while Mariano Rivera said he would also be present. Derek Jeter and Pettitte are also expected to attend, a show of support from the Yankees' veteran core.

I do know that this press conference will not stop the madness that will surround A-Rod all year.  It is in a way "Must See TV" for Sports fans...

Brian Cashman talked to Mike Francesa on WFAN to talk mostly about A-Rod and I'll get to that later, but Mike turned the topic to Torre's book. Cashman says he was "surprised" about the allegations in Torre's book that said he changed as a GM and become a Bill James number cruncher and said he supported Torre every step of the way, including at the end. He called it a Hall of Fame relationship between GM and manager. (Here's the podcast)

When asked if he was hurt over Joe's book, he said that it was...(I hate transcribing)

Francesa: Are you hurt?

"...just best to focus to move forward. I'm going to do what I've always done. I'm going to try to do the best job I can for Joe Girardi and the coaching staff and the players and hopefully maybe we can find a little magic like we've done in the years past and be in a position where somebody else can decide to write a book about the perspective of what just took  place maybe this year if we can find a way to be the last team standing. That's going to be my focus as we move forward. It's what it's gotta be. That's what I'm paid to do....

The one thing it sounds like I'm disappointed in on the book side of it is that all the Yankee years I've lived we're so  transparent. Everybody knows what my failures were, but I've also had a lot of successes here too and it doesn't sound like any of that stuff shows up in any books in stuff like that either. We've had a lot of good and we've had bad.

Cashman is obviously upset at his portrayal in Torre's book and said they haven't spoken since Torre's initial call after the book was made public...And he hinted that if they knew A-Rod had done steroids they would not have brought him back, but he wouldn't say it outright.

OK, his results were supposed to be sealed, but it looks like the cat is out of the bag. I do believe in the right to privacy, but that's history now for A-Rod. Woldn't you like to know the other names on that list? He needs to get back in town, suck it up and give us the truth. No games, no lies, no complaints, only the truth. Torre's book outlines an A-Rod that was more concerned with his place in baseball's stat history rather than winning. If that's true, I'd say that legacy has hit a major road block. He was the guy that had been counted on to pass Barry Bonds and get his name off the books as the all time HR king so it wouldn't be tainted by performance enhancing drugs. Well, now what?

We all know about how hard A-Rod works, that has never been an issue so now is the time that he has to work a little bit harder and get the real deal out in the open. 

The longer he waits, the worse it will get. I think he knows New York pretty well. I don't expect him to call a press conference tomorrow, but I wouldn't take too long. Most people by nature are forgiving, remember that A-Rod. I've always felt that a player should have his contract voided out if he got caught doing roids, but that's just me and not the legal world speaking. Either way, A-Rod needs to talk and talk fast. Don't pull an Andy or a Clemens with the media and the fans. You have one shot with us so please come clean.

Make it count no matter what the truth is.

Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse for A-Rod, they do. SI. publishes an explosive story.

In 2003, when he won the American League home run title and the AL Most Valuable Player award as a shortstop for the Texas Rangers, Alex Rodriguez tested positive for two anabolic steroids, four sources have independently told Sports Illustrated.

Rodriguez's name appears on a list of 104 players who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in Major League Baseball's '03 survey testing, SI's sources say. As part of a joint agreement with the MLB Players Association, the testing was conducted to determine if it was necessary to impose mandatory random drug testing across the major leagues in 2004.

When approached by an SI reporter on Thursday at a gym in Miami, Rodriguez declined to discuss his 2003 test results. "You'll have to talk to the union," said Rodriguez, the Yankees' third baseman since his trade to New York in February 2004. When asked if there was an explanation for his positive test, he said, "I'm not saying anything."

Phone messages left by SI for players' union executive director Donald Fehr were not returned.

Wow, I didn't see this coming. I'm stunned. I wake up late on Saturday and get the phone call.  Just as the pieces were beginning to come together for the 2009 Yankee season, this explodes on  the scene.

PAer jeter2jeter writes:

For a guy that's worried so much about public perception, how badly do you think this is going to end up ruining his confidence. Even if this rumor turns out to be untrue, there will be an untold amount of controversy, innuendo, heckling, and etc. for A-Rod. (I guess the nickname A-Fraud has a different meaning) I bet the Yanks now wish the only media headache they have to deal with is Manny and Joe Torre. Let's see what happens.

And we thought spring training was going to get off to a rocky start for ARod because of Torre's book, but this makes that look like chump change. The Yankee fans will crucify him if he can't defend himself. Is this the straw that breaks the Camel's back?

The NY Times has this:

At various moments, including a December 2007 interview on CBS’s "60 Minutes" with Katie Couric, he flatly denied that he had ever used steroids or human growth hormone.

"For the record, have you ever used steroids, human growth hormone or any other performance-enhancing substance?" Couric asked.

"No," Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said he never felt tempted to use the substances.

"You never felt like, ‘This guy’s doing it, maybe I should look into this, too? He’s getting better numbers, playing better ball,’" Couric asked.

Just a year ago, Rodriguez was forced to confront accusations from José Canseco that he had used steroids. In Canseco’s second book on steroids in baseball, "Vindicated," Canseco wrote that in the late 1990’s he introduced Rodriguez to a trainer he identified as Max who was a "fan of steroids." Canseco said that Max, later told him that Rodriguez had "signed on."

Rodriguez denied Canseco’s assertions.

I watched Mike Francesa interview Mike Mussina yesterday about his participation in Joe Torre's new book, "The Yankee Years." Mussina admitted that he didn't even know that Verducci was writing a book when Francesa asked him about how heavily he was quoted, 

Francesa: And you were prominently displayed and I guess you knew it was going on or knew that Verducci was readying something because you were obviously in the book a lot.,

Mussina: Actually no, I didn't know.

Francesa: Oh, you didn't know,

Mussina: No. I mean Tom's around all the time.

Francesa: Right, so you didn't know when this, so this wasn't like he said, I'm doing this book and let me talk to you about this, this and this?

Mussina: No, not in those terms. I mean we talk all the time about miscellaneous stuff so the stuff that he put together could have been spread out over a season or more. I don't know in particular about specifically. We talked a lot about different things and it ended up, he used quite a bit of it with Joe.

Francesa: Is that OK with you?

Mussina: Well, I'm not upset about it. I mean I've always liked Tom and I loved playing for Joe. I really don't have any problems with I guess.

You can listen to the podcast here.

I've been interviewed for books in the past and was always told by the author that what I was saying was going to be used so I didn't fell like I was being sandbagged, even if what I said was completely appropriate to use. I found this rather appalling behavior by Verducci myself.  And Torre for that matter. I could sense that Mussina wanted to support Joe and when he said "I guess," it was like he was saying " What choice do I have know since it's out there." And if he did go off over it there would be more fireworks following Mussina around.

Tom is a good writer and obviously a well respected journalist or he wouldn't have been granted the unlimited access to the Yankee infrastructure like he was given, but it seems like this was a hidden project.

It doesn't sound like Mussina was all that happy about it either, but he's a pretty straight forward guy and explained his opinions openly and honestly. He wasn't attacking Mariano Rivera when he said that if The Great One had been perfect, the Yanks might have done better in 2001 and 2004. That's just fact. 

When the Yanks have had the opportunity to be in as many playoffs as they were, obviously they were going to fail at times as much as they stung. Mariano isn't a robot. He's still the best ever. For comparison just look back to the great Yankee teams of the 50's and 60's. The lost a few World Series titles that they should have won in that time and they didn't have to go through the extra rounds of games to get to a title.

I'm reading the book now and it is good, but I have a long way to go. I'll let you know how I feel when I finish, but I do think this book has hurt Torre's legacy. He did break the code of the locker room that he so cherished even if he did keep a lot of stuff out of the book. I still love the guy, but feel he betrayed a trust for a few extra dollars--no matter how many times he denies it.

In a surprise move. the Yanks have swooped in and signed Mark Teixiera:

The New York Yankees swooped in Tuesday and nabbed prized free agent Mark Teixeira, reaching agreement with the first baseman on an eight-year contract worth $180 million, two sources involved in the negotiations tell ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.

The Yankees had made an offer to Teixeira weeks ago, but then withdrew it. Their intention all along was to make a deal if it fell within parameters acceptable to the organization. They made their formal offer Tuesday.

The contract will pay Teixeira an average of $22.5 million per season.

 I have to admit that I didn't think the Yanks would pick up Teixiera because the Angels said he was a top priority after they traded Casey Kotchman for him.

When they pulled their offer, I figured it was a negotiating ploy because Boras is, well, Boras. I felt Boston pulled a similar move when John Henry announced that the Red Sox were backing off too.

But  In the blink of an eye today  Cashman struck. Although he isn't worth 180 million in my mind, Mark solidifies the 1B position for many years and takes over the # 3 hole in the lineup that was vacated by Abreu. His stats with the Angels were very impressive:

54 games played:

193 AB's

.358 BA

.449 OBP

14 2B's

13 HR's

43 RBI's

I had wanted them to trade for Mark back when he was on Texas two seasons ago because they could have acquired him  for a couple of their super hyped minor leaguers and he was young enough to warrant giving up premium talent, but they passed back then. Not today. I still think they are another bat short. Will Cashman dip in the well of free agency one more time to acquire you know who?

Travis G hears rumors that the Yanks will be trading someone. I'm no fan of Matsui, but who would be the #5 hitter if he goes? Who would bat lead off if Damon goes? They need to have a "protector" behind A-Rod to make this team work even with all the signings so far.

What a wild Holiday season it has been...

We all know about Milton's volatile personality and he's a little injury prone, but is an incredible talent both offensively and defensively and is still young at 31. I think the Yanks should take a look at him because I doubt he'll be able to demand a lengthy contract with his history and might be worth the risk if he is signed to a short term deal. If Cashman can structure the contract with club options with incentives it might help calm the guy down. (He is seeking a long term deal in Texas.) The Yankees are sorely lacking in the offense department and he'd be a big time bat that would replace Abreu easliy, but he won't be worring about the right field fence when he goes back on a ball and does have a great arm.

Milton's stats: .436 OBP, 80BB's, 22 HR's, 77 RBI's, .321 BA in 127 games and until his injury was having an MVP type season.

If you look at the free agent class of outfielders, it is very weak this year and unless they pull off a major trade I don't see how they can upgrade the power numbers at center or right. They can live with Damon in left, but Austin Jackson isn't ready yet, Melky is Melky and while I love Gardner's speed, he doesn't hit well enough yet to risk him as an opening day player.

I know I'm dreaming here, but I would love for the Yanks to try to take a shot at Ichiro if Seattle would consider moving him. They could include Matsui in the deal to satisfy their huge Japanese following too although his bad knee is not helping his value at all. Ichiro could play center or right with the best of them and would slip right into the # 3 hole.

There are so many trouble spots for this team that we will have a lot to talk about in the coming months that's for sure...

Friday---Yankees lose 10-5...Starting pitcher (IPK) lasts 2 IP.

Saturday---Yankees lose 11-4...Bullpen gives up 8 R's in bottom of the 8th.

Sunday---Yankees lose 4-3...Yanks leave runner on third with less than one out numerous times. That's a kind way of saying that they choked with runners in scoring position as usual.

Three loses in three different ways. It doesn't get much worse.

How many lives do the Yanks have left? I didn't see Pettitte melting down so far in the second half and with Joba's status up in the air the pundits all agree. The Yanks are TOAST.

I wish I made a list of all the Talking Heads that wrote the Yanks off last year when they were down ten games in the wild card hunt and now they feel really  confident this year after back to back losses to Texas in the sweltering heat.

I admit, I'm feeling very nervous about their chances this time around, but then I look up at the wild card standings and guess what? The Yanks are three games out in the loss column. THREE games out. Do you hear the chattering class ever mention the wild card? I was looking for something to break this string of bad play---even the X-Man's incredible start hasn't translated into victories.

But I do have hope now. Chris Russo is formally on the Yankee elimination watch parade that he's been doing the last few years. Thank you, oh lord. I was waiting for him to finally do his anti/Yankee thing and after these two bad losses he finally couldn't contain himself. All he had to do was wait until September and he probably would have been safe, but, no. He couldn't hold back the seething hatred he has of the Yanks. They needed a lift somewhere to offset the funk they are in and I think they found it.

There is hope in Yankee-land after all.

I just wanted to say that. I went to one in the late 60's and saw Joe D. That was a big deal back then.

Bobby Murcer will be missed.

Congratulations to the new HOFer: The Goose!

Mariano can't keep giving up runs in tie games. He's had an incredible year so far, but walking the first batter is certain death for any reliever. He threw four straight balls to Mark T leading off, Vlad went the other way for a hit and a drawn in infield single led to the winning run. I was hoping that Veras would come out in the 9th.

Wasted was a great performance by the guy we like to rag on---Sidney Ponson.  He went seven strong innings--only getting in trouble one time and escaping a bases loaded one out hole.

Wasted was a dynamite 8th inning by Marte. He showed us why he baffles right handed hitters. His slider wraps around the outside corner for a strike and is unhittable.

Wasted was some great defense led by the Melkyman

When Abreu makes a decent catch it seems like it should make ESPN's web gems or something.

Santana was awesome as well. Flashing a 96 mph heater, he used his off speed pitches to put the Yanks away all game long and went eight scoreless innings. He has matured a great deal since being sent down to the minors last year.

Giambi can't hit a high strike anymore. He's really hurting the lineup now. They still do not have a legitimate number 5 hitter.Their situational hitting is a nightmare too. They don't move runners over in tight games.

Why is Betemit starting again? XMan is just starting to swing a hot bat and I don't think he needed a day off. Playing the lefty/righty combination is fine if you actually have a good platoon option. Wilson is not.

KRod was dealing and caught ARod looking for strike three on a 3-2 change-up as he racked up his 45th save. It couldn't have been easier.

I was hoping for a split this series, but now not getting swept is the priority. The Yanks have wasted too many good starts and it's hurting them badly. The Malocchio is stll alive.

That's what I heard Chris Carlin report on WFAN. The Yanks need a starter badly. He's terrible, (5-10, 4.93 ERA)  but I guess better than Ponson if Washburn falls through. Would you rather bring up IPK?

Tyler Kepner checks it out.

If the Yankees trade for starter Jarrod Washburn, it will be the kind of deal they are most comfortable making. They will not sacrifice a major prospect, and their only risk will be financial.

The trade they completed Saturday was different, and unlike any they have made in recent years. To acquire outfielder Xavier Nady and reliever Dámaso Marte from the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Yankees traded solid prospects.

They kept the jewels of their system: reliever Mark Melancon and outfielder Austin Jackson, each at Class AA Trenton.

As of Saturday night, Cashman had not discussed trade parameters with the Mariners. But that could change if the Yankees want Washburn in time to start Sunday night. For now, he is scheduled to start for the Mariners in Toronto on Sunday afternoon.

I'm not a big fan of Washburn's since he left LA, although he has been pitching much better lately after a win today, Jarrod had a .293 ERA in June and has a 3.16 so far in July.

Some fun:

Let's sweeten the pot. We'll take Jarrod's contract off their hand and then we get Ichiro for Abreu, Igawa and Gardner.

You'll notice that Kevin Youkilis wasn't hit by Joba with a pitch last year after two whizzed up high and neither was he hit last night, but if you listened to the Red Sox after the game you would have thought he was carted off the field. Look, throwing up high is not a good thing, but whenever the Sox hit the Yanks like Jeter and Soriano---they end up in the hospital or coming out of the game like ARod did today, but Youk, he just screams a lot.

Beckett looked like he was going to charge the mound last night from the Boston dugout, but he just cursed a lot. Joba was not throwing at him in a 1-0 game in the seventh, but it is weird that it happened. Joba said he was just trying to get a strike. Well, he did because the ball hit Youkman's bat as Joba out pitched Beckett for a 1-0 win.

Raise your hand if you thought ARod was going to get plunked.

Today was just a good thumping. Cano is on fire and hit a ball in the Boston black to tie the score as the Yanks came back from an early 2-0 hole and scored seven straight runs to put the game away.

X-Man got his first start to break the ice and Marte came in and struck out Ortiz with some sort of nasty 89 mph cutter in the seventh. In came Edwar and he ate up Manny to keep his no hit streak alive and that was the ball game.

I was watching NESN's post game last night and they were whining about Joba and the ump as well. Jim Rice said that Lowell got screwed because when he's battling Mariano the ump should only call a strike if it's right down the middle. Right. The Yanks have their in booth homers too, but these guys were ridiculous.

Coco Crisp was asked how good Joba was and he said that at least they got his pitch count up. Huh? 105 pitches in seven innings isn't working the count, but that's Coco. Remember when he got pummeled by the entire Ray's team after he charged the mound?

Damon gave us a scare, but he only cramped up and is fine. I'm sure ARod won't be able to lift his arm tonight, but Youk---he's just a little hot under the collar.

Wahoo! What a great deal by Cashman:

The Yankees agreed Friday evening to a deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates that would give New York left-handed pitcher Damaso Marte and right fielder Xavier Nady.

The Pirates will receive right-handed pitcher Ross Ohlendorf, right-handed pitcher George Kontos, left-handed pitcher Phil Coke and right fielder Jose Tabata in return. The trade is tentative pending physicals.

The Yanks got the right handed bat/outfielder and lefty reliever they needed so badly.

UPDATE by anaconda:

Obviously, this trade really helps the Yanks in the short term with Xavier Nady likely to take over in LF.  Nady is eligible for arbitration after this season, so the odds are good that we're looking at the Yanks' right-fielder next season and they will let Abreu walk.

I'm not the biggest fan of Nady because his numbers this season are far better than his career averages.  I'm afraid he's not even close to the .330 BA, 20 home run pace that he's displayed this season.  But let's hope he tears it up the rest of the season and they can figure out what to do with him during the offseason.

Damaso Marte clearly gives the Yanks a true left-handed set-up guy they really haven't had since Mike Stanton.  Marte will probably split time with Kyle Farnsworth in the 8th inning.  He also has a team option for 2009 that the Yanks will certainly pick up.

Jose Tabata has a ton of raw talent, but has undoubtedly had a rough season with his struggles at the plate and his behavior/attitude and injury problems.  Losing him sucks, but he likely wasn't going to help the big club until 2011, if at all.

I've always been a big fan of Ross Ohlendorf and I'm not thrilled about seeing him go.  I wouldn't be surprised at all to see him emerge as a force in the Pirates bullpen over the next couple of years.

Phil Coke was having a terrific season for the Trenton Thunder, but it's unlikely he would have become much more than a reliever or a fifth starter for the big club.  Coke is also a lefty and is 26 years old still pitching in Double-A, so it's unlikely that he is a diamond in the rough that the Yanks have simply overlooked the last few years.

All in all, this is a good trade for the Yanks.  Again, I'm not sold on Nady being the long-term answer for this team, but he will certainly help them this season.

But adding Marte to the bullpen mix gives them a big weapon from the left side that they haven't had in several years.

I doubt this one would happen as it appears, but what say you about trading Cano?

Dodgers have an interest in Robinson Cano and might be willing to deal Derek Lowe and outfielder Matt Kemp, but the Yankees aren't inclined to part with the red-hot second baseman unless there is a front-of-the-rotation-type starter coming to The Bronx. Lowe, who has the stomach for big games and has AL East experience with the Red Sox, doesn't fit that bill.
Kemp, 23, would be viewed as a replacement for Bobby Abreu in right field next year. Kemp is batting .287 (104-for-362) with 11 homers and 55 RBIs in 94 games this season. His biggest downside is striking out 107 times.

As much as I love Robbie, I would move him in the right deal. It looks like the Yanks have to win the division in order to not play the Angels in the first round and Boston has the home field advantage in their remaining games this season. Tampa has like eleven more games on the road and they are not a good road team.

I love this time of year...

As I was thinking about the surprise names that could be traded before the deadline, Halladay's name did come up and like magic:

Halladay is apparently unhappy in Toronto and has let management know it, and management has apparently responded by doing some quiet surveying of teams (such as St. Louis and the Dodgers) that are far, far away from the AL East in an effort to see what it could get for the 2003 Cy Young Award winner. Apparently, the returns other teams are getting for top-talent pitchers such as C.C. Sabathia, Rich Harden and Erik Bedard has inspired the Blue Jays to at least find out what it could get for one of the best pitchers in the American League. It remains unlikely that they'd deal him, but you never know.

Key Stat: Halladay has pitched 33 complete games since the start of the 2003 season. There are only eight other active major-league pitchers who have more than 33 in their careers.

I think we all know that the idea of Roy being traded to the AL East, let alone the Yanks is remote if not impossible, but being the good Sicilian boy that I am I want to pass along a message to Cashman: Brian, make Ricciardi an offer he can't refuse.

Can you name a network that John Heyman does not appear on?

We're all hearing the same names pop up in trade talks. Nady, Blake, Bay, Fuentes and all the rest, but I have a feeling that if the Yanks make a move in the bullpen or the outfield it will be for someone completely off the radar. I have no idea what they are thinking, but the Royals have a lefty named Ron Mahay, who has a .174 ERA.

I wouldn't mind seeing Jose Guillen dropping in either. Brett Gardner does have a lot of value to a team not in the middle of a pennant race. If he gets on base there is no way to throw him out. Speed Kills.

The A's have six lefties. Let me repeat, the A's have six lefties and I think four are relievers. I know, Embree is Embree.

Jerry Blevins, Alan Embree, Dallas Bradenand Lenny DiNardi.

The Reds have a lefty named Jeremy Affeldt and Bill Bray. The Indians have a very good lefty named Rafael Perez..

Wouldn't it be cool if Toronto or Baltimore would deal with the Yanks?  The Blue Jays do have a few catchers we could use outside of their great pitching. OK, I'm dreaming there.

Talking about catchers:

The Yankees apparently have earmarked a number of possibilities with a list that includes Rangers catcher Gerald Laird, Paul Lo Duca of the Nationals, Kansas City's Miguel Olivo, and Rod Barajas of the Blue Jays, according to a report in the Newark Star-Ledger.

Of the four, Laird has the highest batting average at .306 and the superior on-base percentage at .360, while Olivo leads the group with nine homers and 15 doubles, but Barajas has the edge with 31 RBIs.

One name that has been tossed around as possibly moving -- and one that would certainly satisfy the Yankees' style of making big acquisitions -- is Ivan Rodriguez.

Irod would only be available if the Tigers hit a losing streak right about now,

The Yanks have plenty of prospects to deal (I'm not even talking about all the injured players down below) and I think Cashman has done a fine job of building them up in the press so he can give up less to get more. Where would the Yanks be without Robertson, Veras and Edwar? I won't put in Giese just yet. Well, we'll see in six days or so. They do need to make some moves if they want to keep their playoff streak alive.

And I think Rasner could be used as trade bait if the right situation comes up. How much better would he be in the NL?

Ian Kennedy would have pitched a no hitter if not for an error in the seventh:

Those pitches were a groundout to short, a strikeout of the Richmond No. 3 hitter and a grounder to second that should have been the final out of the no-hitter. Chris Basak, of course, bobbled the ball and the rest was not quite history. Scott Thorman followed with a double that not only broke up the no-hitter, but scored the tying run, meaning Kennedy didn't even leave with a win.

But he was outstanding, and the Yankees have to know that. Coming on the heels of another seven-inning masterpiece Saturday, Kennedy has allowed four hits, one run, one walk and gotten nine strikeouts in his past 14 innings. Is he better than Darrell Rasner? Better than Sidney Ponson? Better than Jarrod Wasburn?

You've got to think the Yankees are asking themselves those questions.

I'd still take Washburn if we could get rid of Igawa.

Pettitte is brilliant again. 8 IP's, 9K's, 1 R and grabbed a 2-1 win. His record stands at 11-7.

We have a Cano sighting...

The Yanks are finally winning at home and are .500 on the road. I believe they are 20-19 against the east. That stat needs to change fast.

They have 23 straight tough games in a row starting at home with Minny and ending on the road at---Minny. Anyway, they need to go 4-2 in their next six before they hit Baltimore.

Bobby Meacham needs to start looking at video tape or something. I like an aggressive 3B coach, but he's sending guys who don't have a chance to score.

Bobby Abreu seems like a really nice guy, but he is the worst right fielder I have seen as an everyday player in my life wearing pinstripes. Have you ever watched a player botch more balls in only a half a season before? His play in the ninth inning was embarrassing. Not only did he drop the fly ball, but his throw sailed over Jeter's head and if ARod didn't back up the play nicely and still get a force at second base, Mo would have been in big trouble. How did he ever win a gold glove? Bobby will cost them a game soon. Outside of the injuries---his play is fueling the Pittsburgh trade rumors.

Hideki Matsui's uncertain status for the rest of the year has caused the Yankees to increase their interest in Pittsburgh outfielders Jason Bay and Xavier Nady.

A major-league official familiar with the Pirates organization, who asked not to be named because trade talks are ongoing, said the Yankees also have interest in lefty relievers Damaso Marte and John Grabow.

If they can get Marte I would be a very happy man.

Molina is a weapon behind the plate.

It's too bad that Posada is hurt. He still looks like he would hit over .300. He has that look in his eyes.

Is there trouble brewing behind closed doors? It's seeping out into the fish wraps.

Posada's not happy with Giraradi:

 Criticizing his manager isn't Jorge Posada's way, even as he spent yet another game away from his familiar spot behind the plate.
Privately, however, Posada has expressed his dissatisfaction with Joe Girardi's decision to start Jose Molina in each of the Yankees' last six games - including Thursday night's makeup game with the Pirates - according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

"I like to catch. Okay?" Posada said. "I'm in the lineup and I'm happy that I'm in the lineup, but I like to catch. I'm a catcher. I'm not a first baseman and I'm not a DH. I like to catch, so I'm looking forward to catching (today)."

Here's Damon:

Johnny Damon couldn't talk his way into today's lineup, even as he made it clear to manager Joe Girardi that he's ready for a return, as the DH.
"There is nothing more I need to do," Damon said before the Yankees' 2-1 victory over the Athletics.
Damon remains on the disabled list, hopeful he'll be activated for tomorrow night's game against Minnesota, but Girardi also said the wait could be longe

This is what I started to write as the bottom of the ninth inning began:

Nice waste of 4 hours

Yanks lose 3-2. Another awful game. Just brutal.

When have you seen a base stealer fall down before?

No run support for Joba again who pitches very well and gets a no decision. Another wasted game by the starters.

Veras, who has been excellent---throws a down the middle two strike pitch that  is hit for a double and blows up the inning. Wild pitches the tying run in. 0-2, 1-2

Yes, Rivera isn't as good in tie situations unless it's a playoff game.

Posada has to be taken out of the catcher spot late in games if they are close. With Betemit playing first, just move him there. Of course, if he was hitting a little bit that wouldn't be bad either. His throws don't even reach second base. Two easy steals in the ninth won't cut it anymore.

Cano is on fire finally and Abreu seems to be getting his eye back.

Jeter's wrist must be bothering him. He hasn't played worst baseball for this long in his career.

Cashman needs to get a good hitting outfielder in here fast. We know he loves the prospects and so do we, but they all aren't going to be winners.

I was going to do a mid season report card but why bother.

Girardi handled the bullpen well, but made some very weird moves. C-

Fist half MVP is a tie: Mussina/Rivera

Who would have thunk that with two outs and nobody on base the Yanks would have tied the score against Street? Cano doubles and Wilson drives him in. Gardner could have won it there, but he popped up to third to send the game into extra innings.

Edwar gets out of trouble in the top of the 10th,

Sexon strikes out with two on and one out in the 10th after working the count to 3-2. Molina makes his usual out. Two more runners left on.

Edwar dominates the 11th.

Cano rips his 4th hit. A diving catch in left robs Melky of a game winner. Gardner makes the third out again.

Gardner makes a fine leaping catch in left to start the inning. Robertson pitches out of a jam afterwards.

Jeter singles to open the inning and the1B ump blows a swinging bunt by Abreu who beat the throw, but was called out.

Intentional walk to ARod, Sexon works a walk to load them up. I was thinking of  a squeeze play because Molina has such a weak stick.

DiNardo hits Molina to win the game! OMG...He actually took one for the team as he didn't move and the ball hit him in the knee.

Well, it wasn't a waste of my time after all. This kind of win can really get a team going.

UPDATE: Boston loses 4-2!

I cant stand seeing Wilson Betemit in the lineup constantly playing 1B anymore. Sure, he'll hit a HR once in a while, but he's a rally killer who can't field the position. Richie Sexon can platoon with Giambi and start against left hand pitchers that have dominated this team.

Sexon is batting .344 against left handers this year:

61AB's, 21 HITS, 5 HR's, 12 RBI's, .423 OBP, .623 SLG

He's awful against right handed pitching so he'd be a lefty specialist/PH. And he's a decent fielder. And he wouldn't cost us a prospect either so if Sexon is available to Cashman---he should pick him up. That is unless Mark Teixeira falls into our laps.

There's something not quite right about the Yankees and it has been like this for a long time. They are missing the "it" factor that the post '96 teams used to have and that thing in which the Red Sox now seem to possess. After losing to Florida in '03, the Bombers seem to have hit a wall and can't break through to get back to the series. We've seen a ton of the Kevin Brown and Flash Gordon type meltdowns for way too long, but after the "Bugs," incident with Joba last year in Cleveland, I'm convinced that the Baseball God's have put the Malocchio on this team.

If it wasn't for an act of nature, the Yanks probably would have faced Boston in the AL finals instead of looking at their cans of pest repellent. Come on, I mean when it takes an act of nature to derail a team, then there's something very freaky this way coming.

Yea, we hear all about the pitching problems and that is certainly a major priority, but I'm worried about the bats most of all because they go inexplicably into the tank for long stretches of time while their sub standard pitching keeps them in games. (Was anything as bad as their offensive collapse against Detroit two years ago in the first round?)

How many times can we look at a man on third with less then two outs and see the Yanks limp back onto the field with no runs to show for it? And it's everybody including Jeter, GIambi, ARod, Abreu and so on.

I say all hands on deck at this point outside of the three starters we have left, plus Jeter , ARod (contract), Posada and Mariano, The Yanks should be willing to move anybody, including some of their top prospects to try and break the malaise that has infected this team and bring another very good hitter into this lineup that has the "it" factor.

Matsui was doing a great job of protecting ARod  for a while when the Yanks went on their big winning streak but as soon as he went down, so did the bats. I never thought he was the answer anyway so even if Godzilla comes back it changes nothing in my eyes since he's been part of the team jinx. They will fall short again and again even when they make dramatic comebacks like they did last year until some sort of spark is brought back to this team.

Are you with me? What should they do?

The Yankeeeees Win! 2-1 OK, enough with the John Sterling crap.

If the Yanks had lost this one, this game would have put the final nail in the coffin for their season. And of all people---Mariano Rivera would have supplied those nails. It's only his unflappable persona that got him by with very erratic stuff; giving up a run---and loading the bases with no outs.

How many times have you ever seen Mariano hit a player ever, let alone two in one inning? After he hit Manny to put two on with no outs, (a record seven HBP in a game) a Lowell single drove in the first run of the game for Boston. Then he hit the Youk Dog on a 1-2 count to load the bases---which put my heart in the back of my throat.

I've been so frustrated lately that it was tough for me to even tune in to FOX, today, but in the end I had to flip the TV on. After watching the ball sit on the top of the left field fence before falling back on the field yesterday that Damon almost caught after crashing into the wall, I figured this was it. But Mo called on the strength that has made him a HOFer and he struck out Crisp, popped Varitek up to first and struck out Lugo to end the game. He breathed a sliver of life into the suffocating carcass of this team.

With Tampa playing so well, their oxygen has just about run out.

Mike Mussina is my Yankee  MVP for the first half of the season. He usually gets pounded by Boston, but was outstanding again going 6 strong innings, 1ER, 4H's, 1BB and 5K's and only came out because of dizziness. He seemed fine in the presser. With any luck he could be 13-4 instead of 11-6. He should be an all star.

Farnsworth and Veras continue to pitch really well. Kyle got his10th hold and Veras his 5th of the year. The bullpen overall has only given up four runs in the last thirty two innings.

Molina continues to gun runners out on the base paths.

Brett Gardner shows incredible poise. He threw out Pedroia trying to leg out a double in the first and drove in the winning run on a sac fly. I wanted to see more of him, but not at the cost of Damon.

His first inning error set the tone for the rest of the game. Getting Manny to hit into a double play to end Boston's first plate appearance would have been a very nice way to get this game going, but Jeter throws it over Wilson's head, a run scores and Andy melts down the rest of the way. Derek usually is solid against Boston.

OK, everyone makes an error, but Jeter has been playing flat out terrible baseball most of the season. He's regarded as one of the best base runners in the league, yet  Derek was  picked off of second base that killed a rally a few weeks ago that really surprised me.  He was a guy you could count on to get that runner home from third base with less than two outs, but even he has struggled at that task of late. His overall is indicative of the team's overall play.

He was on a roll until he got hit on the wrist, but it's been a while now since then and he doesn't seem to be bothered by it so that's not flying..His .342 OBP isn't helping either.

PA pal Joel Sherman got into it with Girardi during the post game. Joe called a 30 minute team meeting as soon as they lost and visibly disgusted in the presser about their play. Sherman kept asking questions about the team meeting that Girardi refused to answer. Sherman almost made it turn confrontational when he said that there are over 4 million fans that want to know what went on in the meeting after Joe said it was private. Smoke came steaming out of Joe's ears and he used Sherman's name to repeat to Joel that it was between himself and the team.

Sherman: I'm sure the 4.5 million people that come to the games would like to know.

Girardi: It's between my team and me. (pause) Team meetings are not for everyone to hear.

Sherman: Sometimes they are?

Girardi: No, they are not.

Sherman: That's your decision.

Girardi: That's your opinion too.

Sherman: I said that's your decision, not your opinion.

That's your opinion.

Sherman: It's not really an example of you wanting to see everyone to do well at their job right to not give us any idea of what happened at your team meeting.

Girardi:

We can dance around this all night Joel. It's between Me and my team

I like it when reporters not suck up to players and whatnot, but Sherman's nagging sounded like he wanted Joe to fly off the handle and cause a controversy. He needs to do a better job too.

Brett Gardner is not in the starting lineup again today...

Melky hasn't had a hit in what seems like weeks and the Yanks have the tying run at first with no outs in the bottom of the ninth so we know what's coming. Melky is a very good bunter so the obvious play is to put the tying run on with Damon and the pinch hitting Jeter coming up.

Wait, he took a strike on the first pitch. Say, what? Am I seeing things?

I got me off the couch and picked up my cigar. You can't let him swing away, right? OK, he'll bunt now. I blinked and it was 0-2.

Come on, you gotta be kidding me. At this point I was hoping he would just hit a weak dribbler down the 3B line or fly out---heck just strike out and pass it on, but no---he hits into a tailor made double play and ends the Yankee threat. Just another awful loss in the Bronx. What is a home field advantage again?

Girardi's excuse that the lefties weren't swinging the bats so he left it up to Melky and hoped he could get a hit to make it first and third was absurd. Damon is hitting .320; who cares if he walks Jeter to get to Abreu. Get men on base and put the pressure on Texas. This on the job training is painful.

It was unwatchable baseball again. Joba couldn't find the strike zone, but because he has great stuff he only gave up two runs after four bad innings.

On the plus side, Giese looks much better in the bullpen---Robertson went two and showed nice stuff and Veras is still on a roll.

The hitters were in a coma with runners in scoring position as usual.

Does Damon have to get five hits a game now?

Abreu used to be automatic at driving in a runner from 3B with one out. Not anymore.

The loss of Matsui has really put the team in an offensive funk.

Posada got a couple of hits, but still seems to be in a fog at the plate. He just looks uncomfortable. Jorge is a defensive liability also since he can't throw anymore. Kinsler took 3B and the game after doubling off Mo to left with no outs.

How about this bold move. Girardi could have PH Jeter for Melky and then moved Brett into center.

Rivera was bound to give up a run. It should have been a save situation instead of a tie game.

In the fourth after finally pushing across a run against Texas, Betemit struck out and Melky popped up to end another threat with two men on base.

Another blown opportunity to gain ground on Boston.

If they win tomorrow it still won't wash out the terrible taste in my mouth,