On the Yankees beat

I don't know what they could do w/ Phillips if they move Sheffield to first. Crosby could at least pinch-run and play D, though Guiel is a better hitter.

I doubt that Sheff will be anywhere near 1B defensively (at least this season). Nick Green will go once Cano comes back, so they'll need someone who can play 1st and 3rd (and 2nd in an emergency, I guess), which is Phillips.

I know I'm in the minority, but I really like Phillips...I hope they can find a way for him to stay with the club.

If you want a pinch runner, call up Kevin Thompson. He's faster than Bubba, at least as good defensively, and a much better hitter.

It is a toss up. Bubba or Nick, neither can hit a lick, yet both have great gloves. With Wilson in tow it will probably be Green for now considering we still need defensive subs in the outfield and he is one of the few who can run in center. Damon isn't 100% and will need rest before the playoffs. My bet is Green.

I think it will be phillips who will be sent out. They just got wilson so it really is too bad for phillips.

If sheffield does come back this year it will most likely be as dh/1B. If anyone can make that switch he can. I am very happy to hear that he wants to play 1B. I hope he does and does it well. I am a big fan of his and hope he is back next year as the 1b/dh.

Its a problem but a problem manager's would want. Talent in abundance and what to do with it. I believe that Green will go with Cano's return. Now, with Craig Wilson a possibility at OF/1B. You are have either Phillips or Crosby as the next move out because of a move that the Yankees will not make which is replacing Meyers. He does not provide us with much in innings pitched or alternative uses except lefty specialist. Big Papi hits everyone so this situation is out. I would replace Meyers for another pitcher in the bullpen but this won't happen. My other thoughts are Crosby who I like but felt Torre never gave him a chance is out. The outfield has many options and Bernie thou he can not play CF is Joe's guy if Damon needs a rest. Phillips plays a very good first base and has been given Torre's endorsement with playing time. Phillips gives Torre options at second base with Cairo playing SS or 3B. CF will be weaker with Crosby's removal when Damon is not available which maybe more frequent then you might thing. Also, I hope Crosby gets a shot with another club getting the same shot Melky got to show his stuff. I recall Bobby Murcer saying," he could hit 20 homers if given the chance.

Right now, without a doubt Nick Green will get demoted....and when Cano gets back, unless Bubba starts swinging the bat (.207 in 87 AB) he will be next to go. I feel they need to keep Phillips for defense and to face right handed starters and use Wilson for Lefties.

The question I wonder is what are they going to do with Melky once Matsui gets back? Melky is doing a great job at batting near the top of the order when Damon needs rest, and without Bubba they will need his speed late in games.

So the majority seems to favor a slower 4-1B club than a faster 3-1B club...weird

I like both Bubba and Andy, and I hope we keep them both. But when Dotel gets off the DL, I assume one of them will go (unless they DFA Ponson).

I think Bubba would be more useful. He's the best defensive CFer we have. Bernie is no good in the OF any more. Wilson, Abreu, Thompson, Guiel, etc., are solid in the corners, but not in CF. Given Damon's fragility, I'd really like to have a backup better than the Ghost of Bernie Williams.

Bubba's speed as a pinch-runner would be useful, too.

I don't think there is going to be a real issue when Hideki Matsui is available to play again. As far as I am concerned, Melky Cabrera has earned that LF spot for the rest of the season. Don't get me wrong; Matsui is a very good player who I love having on my team. But, as far as I'm concerned, you stick with what has gotten you where you are. And, I'm sorry, but the Yankees would be lost without Melky's play this season. Next year, I am sure he will be the 4th OF for NY - which is not a bad thing because he'll probably be in the lineup more times than not - but he has earned a right to keep playing until this season comes to an end.

I agree that Melky has earned his spot, but so has Bernie. The man is is batting over 280 with close to 50 rbi's. And like Joe Torre said, in big situations there is only one player I would rather have up to bat and that is Derek Jeter.

There is going to be a lot of big situations coming down this stretch against the sox.

I agree with Green going once Cano comes back. If we bring Beam up, then Andy will probably go. You won't need a backup 1B because we have Giambi and Wilson there. We won't need a backup 2B, SS or 3B because Cairo is there. If/when Matsui and/or Sheffield comes back, Bubba will probably go. We'd have Damon, Melky, Abreu, Bernie, Matsui and Sheffield. Bernie can handle part time duty in CF to spell Damon. When all are back, I'd probably keep Melky in LF and DH Matsui against RH and DH Sheffield against LH. We don't know what we'd get from either of them after a long layoff and both with really bad injuries. We're going to need EVERYONE contributing this month cause of who we play. We have 6 with Baltimore, 3 with Chicago, 6 with Anaheim (screw that stupid LA thing), 3 with Seattle, 3 with Detroit and 5 with the enemy!
If Joe does this right, we'll have a well rested and ready team come October.

Personally, I'd rather keep the kids. They've done a fantastic job! But we all know that's not how things are done around here.

Also, we'll see how good the Red Sox are now with overcoming their injuries.

I'm a fan of Andy and in the best interest of his career, I do hope he goes - to another team that will let him play a full season.

Keeping him here on the bench is just downright mean.

Brian Cashman is in the process of structuring the roster for post season play. With a roster so deep somebody is bound to be hurt by being cut but any manager would be thrilled to have such a problem. It seems like Bubba, and Nick Green will be the 1st to feel the knife.

if it were between phillips and bubba, as good a fielder as bubba is his offense is attrocious. but i would nto swap bubba for tj beam, because beam sucks a dill. there has to be some other pitcher in the minors we can give a try, because beam has done absolutely nothing good for the yankees except prove he is not ready for the bigs. it doesnt matter though we could only have moose, wang and rivera and we would still win the al east and sweep the playoffs.