On the Yankees beat

El Duque is a good pitcher when facing NL lineups. Having to face the Yankee lineup, and it's ability to make pitchers throw a lot of pitches, will result in a short night for him. This game should be ours.

Duque wont make it outta the 4th. Mets down 5-1 at the time. Anybody else care to make a prediction prior to start time?

AROY

Some Yankee pitchers are slow to the plate and have been walking the 1st batter up in an inning and neglecting to keep runners close.
Even though Cairo has been hitting well of late he only has 4 RBI for the season.
Sweeney seems to be sending out mixed messages like he won't except a trade.He won't waive his no-trade clause.Is he the answer ? He's not a good 1B but can DH.
Teams weaknesses start to really show at this time of yr if they haven't already done so.Yanks need to add a good RH bat.Soon.Having Damon as DH longterm is not the answer or weak hitting Melky in CF.

Seeing that Torre might give Posada playing time at 1B on this up and coming 6 day road trip to NL parks shows to some degree how much the Yanks lack punch from the 1B position.

Sweeney has sang the "I love KC" song in previous years when his name has come up in trade discussions. He would go to a playoff contender. Barrett should also be a Yankee trade target. I didn't see him anywhere near the action in that "donnybrook" yesterday. That could be a sign that he doesn't feel like he's part of the team. Zambrano should be suspended for that ridiculous "belt" routine. Looked like something out of "West Side Story".

Barrett prefers fighting his own teammates. He's gotten physical with two of them lately. No energy for fighting the opponent.

While it is said that Jorge is not above screaming at a wayward pitcher, he seems to prefer to draw the line at actual assault. Barrett should at least have the advantage of surprise over the likes of Wang, Pettitte, Mussina and Clemens.

Redsox Fans are Classless

http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/ny-spposada0617,0,1259294.story?coll=ny-sports-headlines

The reactions of others put his parents in anguish. Laura recalled one particularly cruel afternoon, when her husband was on deck at Fenway Park and a fan called out that Posada's son 'looked like he was retarded.'"

Yep... those members of RSN sure are classy! I'm wondering if they also have any more Thurman Munson and Cory Lidle plane crash "jokes", too...

Anonymous; you don't have to wonder about players wanting their space with fans. Its not unusual that players shy away from fan interaction with comments of this nature.

Any fan who would make that coment to a father of a child should be beaten within one heart beat of his life. My God any father would not make a comment of such a nature but I know people and prefer dogs for the most part.

I know people and I know dogs and I'm with Larry.

But then I'm lucky with dogs. My last one lived 21 years.

Diane: what breed or mix was your dog that lastd 21 yrs. I love Westies. I lost Chelsea in feb. and now have Wesley. Chelsea use to watch the Yankee games with me til all hrs. of the night. Wesley is a puppy (6 months old) and enjoys 5:30 AM walk. I feel like a new parent (sleep deprived).

Shortcake was a Jack Russell Terrier. Like any JRT she was intelligent, fearless, energetic and extremely willful. She would settle and watch games until all hours only IF she had had her statutory two miles of walking that day. When we lived on West End Avenue she would not walk there -- too tame -- only in Riverside Park or on Broadway. I haven't had the heart for a puppy since, but I can feel a bit of envy over Wesley. May he live long and have many walks and games.

Thank you: I considered a Jack Russell but was talked out of the breed. On a scale of 10, the Jacks are 11 and Westies are not much less if you let them be. Chelsea ran the house. We have learned better with Wesley. He needs plenty of walks but Florida is a tough place for heat isues with the dogs.

This A-Rod guy is pretty good, right?

This Cairo guy is pretty good, right? lol.

Question:

I don't know how many of you caught it, but on Baseball Tonight there was word that White Sox GM Kenny Williams is about ready to start shopping not only his free agents but other players as well - they mentioned Paul Konerko.

Konerko, as I'm sure all of you know, has a terrific bat (his current slump not withstanding) an above average glove and 36 million due to him over the next three years. I know Cairo is playing well right now, but we all know he is not the answer long term. Due to his contract I think Konerko would be easier to get and cost less in terms of prospects, than say Teixiera would = any interest?

Larry, you made the right decision. I only had one JRT in me. Charming but entirely relentless.

Doesn't matter to me Konerko or Tex.Konerko is 31 Tex is 27.Cairo has been supersub of late.Yanks will make a "move to improve" 1B.You gotta think so.Call up Ramirez !!

Happy Father's Day all you dad's out there, I hope the night finishes up with a Yankee victory....looking good so far.

On dogs: I've found the best dog I've ever had, and I've had a lot of them, were mutts. They seem to get the best characteristics of each breed they consist of.
I've had pure-bred dogs, a Samoyed, Siberian Husky and the worst dog of all- a beagle. The beagle was actually belonged to my girlfriend at the time and that was the most stubborn, nasty dog I ever knew. My Samoyed was gorgeous, but could never be trained and my Husky was a little crazy but a lot of fun.
My favorite dog of them all was my Black Lab/Shepherd mix, he was the best dog in the world. He was smart, incredible with kids, protective when he needed to be and probably the best friend I'll ever have. He died of cancer at only 10 years old (almost 10 years ago) and I still think about him or tell a story about him every day. Yeah, I'd take him over most people any day.

Tex or Konerko? Hmmmm...that's a tough call. I'd go w/ Tex at 4 years younger but I love Konerko's attitude and work ethic. I think I'll side w/ Ruse- I'd be happy to have either one.

Jim A. and ruse, I agree they both seem fine choices and much as I love the fine work SuperSub has been doing I wonder how long he can keep up the unaccustomed day-to-day play at this level.

And how about that Wang?

You can see that Guidry loves him like a favorite nephew.

I'll speak for myself and take the hits if any come my way. During the tailspin which was set in motion with injuries to SP and some positional guys. I ranted about Torre sitting on his brain. How he does not give young guys the chance to prove themselves that the coaching staff was watching the games and not making corrections of misplays, etc.

Well, my hat is off to Joe T. and his approach to the early troubles. His coaching demeanor and moves have put us in gear with the improvement of our SP. He has given rookie pitchers oppts. to show themselves. Tie Clip needs some more seasoning but is a good emergency callup. We as fans must remember the Yankee moto win today but everyday is today! There are few auditions on the big stage. You have it or move on.

As far as first base, Konerko or Tex. tough call. Do we want a first baseman with righty pop for about 3 years @12 million forget the money. Roger's signing for 28 million just through the scales out the window or Tx. for a longer period. Tex. has not played in a WS and Konerko would be cheaper in the long run. And Cairo may need a rest soon.

We need another righty bat in the lineup. I say,"get who you can get for the best deal".

The only dog that I see out there is the Mets. Happy to see things going better for our team. I would love to see get a quality number 5 starter. Do we really believe Igawa is going to pitch well this time around. Cashmen is trying to justify his investment in him. To some my point may seem insuccificent but with the every game being so important for the Yankees, they can't afford to lose. And as we know the 5th starter has helped put an extra burden on the bullpen. How about Steve Traschel? Mark Buehrle? I dont think we are going to see Hughes this year. Cashman on a interview on the WFAN stated so much. He said " Hughes will pitch professionally this year." That meaning minor league baseball. Look forward to reading your comments

I'd take Trachsel as a number 5 but I just don't see the Yanks making the move considering the fact that the bullpen is getting some rest with the improved health and performances of Wang, Pettitte and Mussina and the addition of The Mercenary. The #5 guy isn't all that important and Igawa may do okay in that role (I doubt it though) so we'll see what happens.
Buerhle would cost a lot of youngsters and I am not sure the Yanks should do that deal if it costs them prospects. Trachsel may not cost anything but a mid level prospect so that might be a good deal, although I can imagine there being a pretty good market for him considering his contract.
If the Yanks can get by w/o Hughes it would be nice to leave him for a September call up just to let him get his feet wet at the ML level.

Girardi to the O's?

High-ranking sources have told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney that Andy MacPhail has reached an agreement to be the club's chief operating officer, and the Orioles also were arranging a meeting with Joe Girardi, furthering speculation that manager Sam Perlozzo is on his way out.

Jim A.,

I'll pass on Traschel - I think a rotation of Wang, Andy, Moose, Roger, Igawa should be enough to get it done if Igawa really has sorted himself out at AAA. Even if he hasn't, I still pass on Traschel - maybe make a deal with the Reds for Arroyo.

I'm sure the Mattingly contingent would love to see Girardi managing someplace else. But the O's are always going to be a mess until they get a sane ownership established there. Risky for Girardi. But who knows -- he seems not to mind risks.

Chip,
Trachsel is only attractive because he is fairly cheap and will be gone at the end of the year. I think he's a better pitcher than Igawa, I just don't see Igawa ("Ughawa") getting any better but I hope I'm wrong and will be the first to say so if I am.
I don't care about Trachsel so much, I'm just thinking of an able bodied pitcher who can at least give the team 6 innings and I think Trachsel can do it. Arroyo would be nice and I wonder if the Reds would give him up. I bet Cashman has a few tricks up his sleeve to pull out in July. For now, I'm just hoping the Yanks can stay steady and keep making up ground.

Larry M.- It's classy of you to tip your hat to ol' Joe T. Not many people who have run him into the ground would give him an inch of credit.

Happy Father's Day (belated) to all fathers, celebrated my first one this weekend - with a Yankee win, ofcourse. The Konerko idea isn't a bad one - especially if he can be had relatively cheaply, his work ethic and "team first" attitude can make him another Paulie. I would love to have Tex, but if the price is too high.....

Chip,
I agree, pass on Traschel and make a move for Buerhle (maybe included in a Konerko deal?). If not stand with what you got, the starting rotation is getting better and healthier everyday, if any deal costs too much just pass and move on.

The Yankees have thought about making a deal for Shea Hillenbrand, who has been on the verge of being dumped by the Angels, as George King writes.

Chip,
The Yanks need to forget Hillenbrand. I don't like him no matter what the price.

John,

Why is that?

I know Hillenbrand has attitude issues - so have lots of players the Yankees have brought in - bottom line with Hillenbrand is he can play first well, will cost almost nothing to acquire, and has been successful playing in the AL East and is versatile, being able to play first, third or either corner outfield spot.

I have to admit, Shea Hillenbrand does nothing for me either. His attitude might be bad and right now's hitting something like .245/3/18, that's not exactly RH pop.

Jim,

He's not getting at bats is the problem. Casey Kotchman has been phenomenal at 1b so he's playing there and the Angels were using Garrett Anderson and Vlad at times at DH. I'm not saying that he's a great solution, but if the Yankees get him for virtually nothing then I don't see the downside.

He's on a 1 year 6.5 mil contract with a team option for next year or a 500k buyout - if nothing else I think he's a better everyday option than Phelps and can send Cairo back to the bench before he gets overexposed as an everyday player.

then again, Yankees could always go after this guy - jeeze 22 with 6 children - he's going for the Shawn Kemp record.

Chicago Tribune (scroll down) (registration required): "According to sources, the Devil Rays are open to trading troubled outfielder Elijah Dukes. The 22-year-old was back in the news last week with reports that he was facing paternity issues with a sixth child born to a fifth different woman, the latest being a teenager who told police Dukes got her pregnant during consensual sex while she was a 17-year-old foster child at the home of Dukes' step-grandmother."

Hillenbrand is hitting .245 in limited playing time.Angels had no idea Kotchman would have a break out yr,they got Hillenbrand as insurance.Konerko is hitting .238 w/ 32 RBI and he plays everyday.
They both might need a change of scenery.
Buerhle would be 1/2 season rental .Sox want a bunch for him.
Tracshel is pitching well for Baltimore unless they start to dump salary he will stay put plus I don't see Angelos making deals w/ NY.
Have you ever sat thru a game Trachsel has pitched ?Deliberate doesn't even describe how slow he is between pitches.

I think it was back in the day when Steinbrenner was a sucker for a one-on-one with a guy with a hard-luck story that we acquired players because they 'needed a change of scenery'.

It applears that the boys with the plausible tongues are not allowed to meet alone with the Boss any more.

Did the Yankees win last night? I came here to find out and I'm still not sure. but after reading every post it sounds like they lost. Oh, well, can't win them all.

Jim A.
Exactly, if Hillenbrand is the answer the question must be "who would ruin the Yankee lockerroom easier?". Besides, the Yanks need to be VERY cautious about who is added, they need to be the right fit for the team.

Anon,

I guess you missed John's post (10:29 a.m.).

But Larry's remarks about JT still must have given you a clue?

Cashman should forget Hillenbrand, and go after Sweeney. He's better offensively than Hillenbrand, and is an A-1 addition to the clubhouse. If we are looking to "gamble" and bring aboard a possible "cancer", we should be looking at Barrett to backup Posada.

Roy,
Please, please, please, put Sweeney to rest, the last thing the Yanks need is a slow, fat, old, DH who's skills at first are diminished. We already have one and he's on the DL, and I can't wait to be rid of him. Why would the Yanks want to add another one? Don't we have enough DH's?

AROY
Barrett would be definite offensive upgrade over Nieves.Who's going to catch for the Cubs Blanco and Hill ? I don't think so.I like Barrett he could DH and catch.

RUSE-
Your right about Angelos not making any deals with the Yanks. I don't know what "went down", but he hates "The Boss". I do respect Angelos as he refused to use "replacement players" back during that extended strike, due to his previous legal representation of unions during his career as a barrister. Even though he now employs Millar, he obviously has a "code of ethics".

RUSE-
Blanco has serious neck problems, but the Cubs can't have both Barrett and Zambrano and his bolo\belt in the same clubhouse. Somebody has got to go.

Cubs will probably swap catchers with another team.Take what they can get in exchange for Barrett.

Ruse,
But does that really mean that the Yanks could use Barrett? Wasn't Zambrano's problem Barrett's game calling skills? Wouldn't that present problems for the younger pitchers the Yankees have?
Besides, I'd like to see the Yanks have a real shot at signing Zaambrano as an FA, which won't happen if we have Barrett on the payroll.

Roy,
Sweeney is okay, but that bad back would act up quickly, he's long over due for it. Remember we said the same thing about Crede and now he's gone for pretty much the entire season.

JOHN

I'd have to agree w/ you about Barrett's game calling "skills".He's a FA at the end of the year so I don't see that getting in the way of pursuing Big Z in the offseason.Do you think the Yanks want probably the games biggest "Hotdog" pitching for them?

Ruse,
They already have the games biggest jackass pitching for them (Clemens) so why not bring on Big Z?
Actually, I think Z likes hitting so much he'd stay in the NL to do it. He'd be great for the Cardinals.

JIM A-
Sweeney is a free agent at seasons end. That makes his "back" not such a "big gamble". I like guys with "bad backs". Probably due to my own personal experience in that area.

JIM

Hotdogs and jackasses are not the same thing.Wouldn't you agree? Whatever you might say about Clemens (not the young Clemens) he is very professional about how he goes about the game of baseball.I admire him for that.

Our most pressing need is backup catcher because Jorge could be rested or DH. As far as playing first base, we all know Jorge's second base position in the minors. So, first over a six week audition in the spring is a much better solution.

Andy Phillips callup to play 1st base which will allow concentrating on backup catcher or potential starting catcher which is quite hard to come by.

Ruse,
I think we can put to rest Clemens' "jackass" reputation, remember he doesn't HAVE to remain with the team between starts, but where has he been? In the dugout. We do need a cather of the future, if possible, and a 1B. Kenerko could fill the role of 1B for the time being, still prefer Texiera. You mentioned Barajas before, he's a good option mainly due to youth. THis team has MORE than enough DH's so I would hesitate in trading for anyone who would be a DH soon.

Clemens is no longer the guy who has screwed every team he has left because he stayed with the team for a week when he doesn't have to? Please! For the kind of money he is extorting from the Yanks he should be there 24 hours a day and pitch 3x per week. Don't make him out to be a hero because he stayed with the team, there's another reason for it- the flights home would be too long and Phil Garner busted him out about playing golf in Hollywood when he said he would be home with his family.
I'll root for him because he's wearing the pinstripes right now, but I'll never respect the way he has handled his departure from teams and his subsequent "retirements".

Ruse,
Do you know anything about these guys?

"The New York Yankees announced today that they have signed left-handed pitcher Kai Liu and catcher Zhenwang Zhang to minor league contracts, becoming the first Major League team to sign a player from the People's Republic of China with approval from the Chinese Baseball Association."

Sam Perlozzo was just fired as Manager of the O's - Joe Girardi is the front runner.

Makes some sense for Joe from the standpoint that he wouldn't have to move his family to take a job there and there is no guarantee that he would get the Yankee job next year anyway. There is some young talent on the team, and if Andy MacPhail (who just took over as team President) can make some smart moves with guys like Tejada and Mora - it might be a quick turn around.

JOHN

Barajas seems to be the most realistic trade possiblity.He isn't seeing the kind of playing time he expected to when he signed with Philly.He handles pitchers well.Philly could use relief.Barajas could DH and catch once or twice a week to spell Posada.
I like Teixeira longterm and the fact he switchhits. Can you imagine him hitting lefty at Yankee Stadium ?He's also hitting something like .410 vs lefties this yr .

JOHN

I've never heard of them ?Although I find it exciting the universal appeal baseball now has.

You guys keep talking about first base. What about middle relief and maybe a back up plan for Mariano. He didn't look too good in the 9th inning on Saturday!

Chip/Ruse,
I am currently having a debate with a co-worker. Do you think Babe Ruth could dominate if he playe today? I do, due to the mound losing 12 inches in the 60's, center fiels being nearly 50 ft closer than when he played, and longer bigger bats used today. What do you guys think?

Ruse,
I agree about the unversal appeal of baseball, but what is more exciting is that these 2 players appear to be both good and young, both represented China in the WBC and both are just 19, with plenty of room for development. Also, one is a catcher the other a pitcher - just what we needed!!!

Mike -

Closers sometimes have trouble when they are brought in for non-save situations - Saturday was nothing to worry about.

Ruse - you're out in Cali so I'll ask you - Oakland is planning to bring Piazza back as a catcher so they can keep Cust at DH - how about the Yankees making a deal for Kendall - no power but a good defensive catcher and not a hole if Posada sits. I also doubt he would cost the Yankees much given his salary and the fact that he's about to be reduced to a back-up role, while the Yankees can afford to pay 13 mil to a back up catcher, Oakland can't.

Ideally I would expand the deal to include Bobby Crosby - I think if he moved to first it would cut down on his injury issues and allow him to be a productive hitter again.

Not that the Yanks worry about contracts, but doesn't Kendall have a fairly substantial one?

I wonder what Leo Mazzone is thinking, he left Atlanta to be w/ his friend Perlozzo. Hmmm...somewhere I think I hear Bobby Cox laughing.

Girardi has got to be crazy if he walks into that mess in Balt. They have maybe 5 good players. After that, it's a bunch of avg. MLB players competing against the Yanks and R\Sox 19 times every season. With the managerial positions that open up every year, he can afford to be selective. Anybody know where Lee Mazzilli went?

Jim A.,

He is making over $13 mil this year but is a free agent at season's end. If nothing else the Yankees lose him in FA at the end of the season and get back a draft pick for him.

JIM A-
Roger McDowell hasn't had near the results Mazzone had when he was the pitching coach at Atlanta. I don't think Cox is laughing.

Good Oriole players:

Chris Ray
Erik Bedard
Nick Markakis
Daniel Cabrera
Miguel Tejada
Brian Roberts

Injured but good Oriole Players:
Adam Lowen
Ramon Hernandez

Good players that likely will be traded this year:
Miguel Tejada
Melvin Mora

If MacPhail can get a few good young players for the last two - sell off usable players like Kevin Millar, Steve Traschel, Jay Payton, Jamie Walker, and Chad Bradford to contenders they can, at the very least, start building that team up the right way, be reconstructing a farm system that Angelos and a fear of Boras has destroyed.

They're going to sign the catcher they drafted, have a shot at Teixiera - in a couple of years that can be a good team.

CHIPPER-
If you were Girardi would you get involved in the rebuilding program you just described? Not to mention the fact the owner has a "quick hook". If I was rebuilding a team, the guy I would bring into the "front office", and give "carte blanche" to, would be Buck Showalter. Just keep him out of the dugout. He is too "old school" for today's players, even though I like him in that capacity also.

Girardi would be best served by waiting and seeing the multitude of opts. that may come his way. Italian managers have not faired well in Baltimore.

John, in regard to your Ruth question, do you mean as a pitcher or a hitter?

Kendall is not going to be reduced to a backup role.The A's want Suzuki to apprentice w/ Kendall.
Kendall is one of the best handlers of pitchers in the bigs.With the A's competing for a wildcard berth no way they trade him midseason.Piazza is plan B if Suzuki doesn't pan out .1 Note: Cust has struckout 47 times in 113 AB's.
Right ! the A's are going to part w/ their starting SS and the Yanks are going to convert him to 1B in midseason ???? When was Crosby a productive hitter? He batted .239 his rookie yr and won the ROY award by default.

Roy

It's a tough call - any job in the AL East is a tough call. With the Yankees and Sox there is enormous pressure to win each year and with the other teams you know that the best you can realistically hope for is 3rd place - maybe, if everything falls right, 2nd place and a Wild Card shot.

All that being said, the two jobs Joe wants are Yankees or Cubs - well Lou's not going anywhere for a while, he's not a lock to get the Yankee job - he and MacPhail do have a good history together and Baltimore is not a horrible place to live.

The way I am looking at it, beside that job, the jobs that may be opening up soon are: Toronto, Seattle, Texas, St. Louis (when LaRussa decides it is time), Pittsburgh, Cincy. Of those the most attractive teams are Seattle and St. Louis and waiting for either one could mean calling a lot of games for YES in the mean time.

Are the Yankees better team without Giambi's in the lineup? I would say yes and they scored 7.1 runs per game with absence of Giambi.. I hope Giambi never came back and Selig suspend him for fifty games...

Chip,
I was thinking as a hitter, I think things are much easier for hitters now. Between shorter fences in the ballparks, the lower mound, and longer thicker bats I think guys like Ruth and Ted Williams and Gehrig, Mantle would be even better hitters today.

Chip,
You forgot one other job that may open up soon - Plilly. They have unerachieved worse than the Yanks, and Girardi could well turn around a team with that much talent.

Ryan (chico,ca): The Giants get rid of everybody and anybody in order to get younger so they can start rebuilding. This is getting ridiculous.

SportsNation Buster Olney: Ryan: Was up in Fenway over the weekend and there is a lot of thought with the Giants that they may make a very hard run at A-Rod, when/if he opts out of his contract (which is almost a sure thing, considering the monster year he is having... he's going to get a deal for something in the range of 8 years, $200-240 million from somebody...) Giants don't have a lot of good young players in their system, however, according to evaluators with other teams. Remember, that's why the Red Sox found it so tough to talk trade with the Giants about Ramirez during the off-season -- they just didn't find a lot of inspiring stuff in the way of position players...

John,

On Ruth, you're right, but on the flip side there are a lot of pitches that he never saw in his day (splitter for one) and he would face left handed specialists or guys with funky deliveries. Plus, granted I wasn't alive then so I don't know, but I doubt there were people hitting 98 on the radar gun back in the day so that would be another adjustment.

I just think it is too hard to judge how a person would fare across the eras, at least coming forward. If you asked if a guy like Alex could dominate in Ruth's day, I would say the answer would be yes.

NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees signed a pair of Chinese players, saying Monday they were the first players from China signed by major league teams with the approval of the country's baseball association.

Kai Liu, a 19-year-old left-handed pitcher, and Zhenwang Zhang, a 19-year-old catcher, are to be introduced at a Yankee Stadium news conference on July 6 and then will report to the team's minor league complex in Tampa, Fla.

Liu has played for Guangdong Province in China's six-team league and has been chosen for the national team. Zhang played for the Tianjin Lions, winning league titles in 2002, 2005 and 2006, and appeared in one game at last year's World Baseball Classic but did not have any at-bats.

"We have scouts worldwide and we have seen both players in the past," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said.

Yankees executives visited China in January and reached a working agreement with the Chinese Baseball Association.

No player even close to Ruth today or yesterday. If you doubt whether Ruth would dominate offensively today as he did in his time, he could always be a lefthanded starter. He won 94 games as a starter, and pretty much stopped pitching at 25 yrs old. It was a joke when ESPN made Michael Jordan their Greatest Athlete of All Time. Jordan over Ruth is just modern day marketing getting the nod over true athletic achievement\ability. The only athlete that is right there with Ruth is Jim Thorpe.