After watching Joba's pedestrian performance last night, and listening to the National's Rob Dibble express concern for his lack of pop--noting Joba appeared "stiff" and not the "free and easy motion" that he (Dibble) witnessed in past starts, I began to turn the corner.

I've long been a supporter of Joba in the rotation. However, with Wang perhaps returning to some semlance of his former self, and Hughes lights out in the bullpen, I believe the best thing the Yankees could do right now is move Joba to the 8th inning role and move Hughes into the rotation.

I realize Joba is young, and will certainly grow in knowledge on the mound, but he's lacking the aggressiveness that punctuated his appearances as a reliever. Last night he was spinning curveballs to a .190 hitter instead of challenging him and putting him away with his best stuff. The previous start he couldn't seem to get on the same page as Jorge, shaking off fastballs in favor of changeups and curves. Is he hurt? Is he losing confidence in his stuff?

That's why I believe it's time to reinsert him as the 8th inning setup guy and move Phil into the rotation. I think the move would pay off immediately. Joba could return to the dart throwing, pitching psychopath he was--blowing hitters away with speed and movement. Hughes meanwhile would emerge from the pen with an improved demeanor on the mound that I believe will translate into great success.

The Arod fiasco only accelerates what was likely to happen anyway--the trade of Melky Cabrera. As Yankee brass have already announced "they are already looking for a replacement" for Arod. I suggest starting with either the Rangers or the Tigers.

And since I don't believe David Wright or Evan Longoria will end up in pinstripes, there are a number of serviceable--even quality names that I believe can be had...

The Rangers currently have Young slated for third and Blalock kind of floating. Blalock would be a good choice, and considering Andruw Jones is injured (and sucks) Melky might be just the answer. I think we might need to sweeten the pot on any such deal, but the Rangers are weak in pitching--while amazingly we have depth.

Another option might be Brandon Inge--who could also serve as a backup, backup catcher. Inge is unhappy in Detroit and while they might not want Melky, I'm sure we could put something together for Inge.

And then there's Andy Marte ... a talented but frustrating enigma that Cleveland doesn't seem able to unlock. Again, with Sizemore patrolling cf, Melky may not be suitable trade bait, but Marte is certainly someone I would consider.

I recently finished an excellent bio on Lou Gehrig called "The Luckiest Man" by Jonathan Eig. I suppose I'm still basking in the afterglow of this incredible book about this incredibly heroic man whose worldwide popularity today likely rivals the popularity he enjoyed while he was alive. So when I came across a NY Times piece explaining how at least 15 MLB ball parks are planning to raise awareness and money for ALS research during the 70th anniversary of Gehrig's "Luckiest Man" speech, I was compelled to read on.

Raising awareness for this hideous disease is a fabulous idea that should be embraced by every MLB club. I'd really like to see the same commitment given to it as they did with the Susan G. Koman breast cancer awareness campaign. Here's hoping this initiative really takes off and results in a breakthrough.   

I'm purising the the NY Times today, catching up on the latest planes that fell from our wintery skies when I happened upon a piece about the Yankees hiring a top Real Estate Brokerage to help sell a few thousand remaining luxury boxes and suites.

Always looking for a good deal, I read on, and quickly discovered that I am not the targeted customer in this seat-selling scheme.

Prudential's Douglas Elliman expects to accelerate the sales of seats that range in cost from $350 to $2,500 a game. Of the challenge, associate Neil Sroka says, “There’s been a lot of press about how expensive the premium seats are.”

Really? Yah think?

Then Sroka said something that left me dumbfounded, flabbergasted, flummoxed, and, well, in these tough economic times, alittle ticked. He said buyers can still get a 20-game package for $7,000 a seat. “It’s obtainable,” he said. “In this economic time, people are still looking for things to take their children or grandchildren to.”

Yeah, Neil. I'd think nothing of dropping $35,000 to take my family to 20 Yankees games. Of course that doesn't include parking, food, merchandise, and a counselor to help me overcome the feelings that I've been raped!

Obviously, Yankee Stadium has become a destination for the rich and famous. Working stiffs no longer need not apply. That's a shame. Many of my fondest memories took place at Yankee Stadium ... Getting propositioned in the men's room at 13; my first watered-down beer at 14; and of course my personal favorite, having Ken Phelps rear-end me following a game. Good times. Good times.

No thanks, Neil. I'll stay at home in VA and trek up to Baltimore where I don't need to sell a kidney or pimp my wife to watch my favorite team.

I've read so many pieces by writer's trying to capture the essence of Mark Teixeira, and all have left me ... well, unfulfilled as to who he is and what he's all about--until I read Ben Shipgil's piece in the Times.

Don't get me wrong. I think I'm much like anyone else when I sum up the switch-hitting Tex as a solid--but not quite top-tier player. But even more important to me than his expected .290 35 homer 110 rbi was the question "who is Mark Teixeira, and does he have the toughness--not just to play, but to thrive in New York?" The list of those who couldn't is long and impressive--from Ed Whitson to Randy Johnson and dozens in between, we need Tex to thrive here, and until I read Shipgil's piece I had no idea how he might do here.

But having read Shipgil's piece. I believe he understands the "Evil Empire" and what it means to don the pinstripes. Will he thrive? I wasn't so sure before when I knew little about him. But now I think he might. He'll certainly make us forget about Giambi.

This just in ... Yankees appear close to adding Mike Cameron for Melky Cabrera.

Although I'm still abit giddy over the CC deal, adding a soon to be 36 year old right-handed hitting centerfielder who strikes out 140+ times a year, and sports a "robust" .331 OBP over a 23 year old, who had a poor showing last season smacks of a desperate and unnecessary move, in my opinion.

Melky may not be the centerfielder of the future for the Yankees, but it's hard to fathom that Cameron represents much--if any upgrade at all. Melky is demonstratively younger, a switch-hitter who makes more contact, is a base-stealing threat, and has a similar OBP.

I think giving up on Cabrera at 23 will come back to haunt the Yankees ...

According to MLB.com's Mike Scarr, the Yankees seem in better position than ever to land Jake Peavy, a 27 year-old Cy Young winner. According to the report, the Yankees are dangling Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy and Austin Jackson.

If true, I'd do this deal in a heartbeat on the condition that I could ink Peavy to an extension within 48 hours. This is a no-brainer--especially given the lost season's both Hughes and Kennedy endured in 2008. Jackson is the intrigue in this deal as I'm not sure I buy the same Yankee hype that had me seeing 15 wins from Hughes and Kennedy last season. Both washed out and frankly appear to be far less than spectacular. Should I believe Jackson is any different?

Can anyone say Jose Tabata?

We seem light on MLB ready position players, and we need proven starting pitching. Given the Yankees less than upfront approach to promoting their "stars" I have serious concerns and suspect Jackson is less Carl Crawford and more Willie Crawford.

Given the depth of our farm pitching, jettisoning two enigmatic starters to the left coast makes sense, and in fact might be just what the doctor ordered. We'd get a stud starter and the Padres would land two young pitchers with upside--who might thrive in the Southern CA sun.

Thoughts?

From the GM meetings in Florida, it is being reported that Jake Peavy would accept a trade to New York--although he would prefer National League teams first. According to the Star-Ledger, Peavy has identified "at least five National League teams - the Braves, Astros, Dodgers, Cardinals and Cubs," athough he has preference to Atlanta.

What does Peavy's addition of the Yankees mean to us?

Probably nothing other than it's one more blue chip pitcher to go after this winter. The Padres price for Peavy would be steep--perhaps too steep for the Yankees. But with CC, Burnett apparently not interested in the Yankees, Peavy might be the only blue-chip option, and Cashman might have to seriously mull it over.

Several sources are saying that Matt Holliday is available. This is one guy I wouldn't let the Red Sox grab. They have a need for a leftfielder, and whether we need one or not, we should make an effort. He'd be an upgrade over Matsui, Damon, or whomever else we stick out there.

Another move I'd pursue is Scott Olsen and Mike Jacobs. The Miami Sentinel is reporting that the Marlins are actively shopping both. Olsen is somewhat enigmatic, but he's young and has dynamite stuff. Jacobs' numbers are similar to Giambi's save for the salary. I think he made $375K last season. He's 28 has pop to all fields, and might be just coming into his prime.

With only a few games remaining, and big events planned for a final send off, I thought we at Pinstripe Alley should recount and relive some of our fondest, funniest, saddest, moments at the grande old house that Babe built, and King George remodeled.

I'm encouraging everyone to weigh-in and share some memories. I think it will help take the sting out of this season, and really give people who haven't experienced Yankee Stadium a portal that they wouldn't otherwise have...

That said, I'll begin.

I have many great stories from meeting Phil Rizzuto, to trying on Mrs. Berra's World Series ring, stealing a baseball from Wilbur Wood and Vada Pinson to having Ken Phelps back into my car after a game ...

But my biggest moment came way back in 1971 when my dad took me to my very first Yankees game. It was Os vs. Yankees, and Danny Cater singled past Marcelino Lopez to win the game. I must tell you I was hooked from the moment I walked through the tunnel and saw the green grass. All these many years later, I can close my eyes and drift back to that special night--my dad completely blitzed to the heavens by the fourth inning; me at 9, smoking some ganga with a latino friend, Luis.
Good times!

What's your greatest memories. We want to hear them!