On the Yankees beat

Hillenbrand is a minimum risk and would cost the Yanks a player to be named later.The Angels just tossed the Yanks a cookie.A decent RH bat who can DH and play 1B.A definite upgrade from what the Yanks have been running out there.This of course doesn't mean the Yankee fortunes will have changed but maybe it's a start.
Next: backup catcher.

I don't see any deal done. Just because the Yankees are interested doesn't mean he is on his way.

Clemens at 1-3. Hilarious. What a jerk. They will be showing that farcical Stadium announcement for years and years to come.

Can't blame Clemens. Giving up 4 runs in the AL is not bad. The offense is a joke. Not Clemens. The offense is beyond putrid at this point, how can you blame the Yankee starters(Clemens included) who actually haven't been half bad lately.

If Shea was such a good pick up, then why will the Yankees be his 4th team in 2 seasons?

Why are the Yankees BUYERS?

"Why are the Yankees BUYERS?"

Because - unlike their fans - the Yankees aren't going to give up on the season.

Hillenbrand is nothing spectacular, but he's a better option than Cairo at this point and he won't cost them much.

Gotta do something to try and right the ship and there's minimal risk involved here.

You guys probably don't want to hear this, but I am a lifelong Red Sox fan who lived in New York from 1990-2005 (now living near San Francisco)

I am an addict of this board for a few reasons.

1. There are some damn knowledgable fans on her with some good solid healthy debate.

2. I hate reading Red Sox boards because they are filled with either intense paranoia (OH MY GOD! THE LEAD IS DOWN TO 9 GAMES! FIRE FRANCONA!) or just a lot of homophobia which I hate.

3. We Red Sox fans are a sad lot who are concentrating too much on Yankee losing than on Red Sox winning.

Anyway, keep it up. I'll try to be a passive observer instead of butting in. But felt obliged to say hello.

Good for you, Sully.

I certainly don't mind Red Sox fans coming in here and chatting it up with us as long as they aren't trolls who are here simply to rub it in.

Knowledgeable fans are always welcome -- no matter which team they root for.

Well,

First, let me say that Clemens performance so far has been what most folks expected. A decent 5-6 innning pitcher who would likely have an era in the mid 4's. Ran into Bedard on one of his good nights....not much you can do about that.

Second, Shea is unquestionably an upgrade at 1B over anyone the Yanks currently have...as far as offense. His defense is nothiong special...but not horrible either. His biggest flaw is his mouth and his attitude. I've watched him since he came into the league, beginning with that wide-eyed slack-jawed innocence that caused him to be dubbed "Cletus" by us Sox fans, who morged into a brainless spoiled brat who did nothing more than whine, complain, and distract. He aint gained much wisdom over the past 6 years of 4 ball clubs. He has been a "problem child" no matter where he has gone....my guess is, he will continue to be such.

Please....dont respond with the "Yankee mystique" crap that will "turn him around"....good lawdy....dont the Yanks already have enough problem children?

Hillenbrand can be had for next to nothing in the scale of NYY resources. Of course there are reasons when a player is available for next to nothing. His makeup is very questionable and he won't be a defensive upgrade. But right now NYY offense is so spectacularly bad that any little incremental gain there could be worth the cost of adding this piece.

Or maybe I just feel relieved that the moves are starting.

It's hard to imagine going on with only three guys who remember how to hit.

Casual: Not having knowledge of Shea as Sox fans do. He appeared to me as a quality hitter and decent infielder. Start him and leave him alone, he should perform to old standards.

I personally would prefer Wigginton from Tampa Bay but their would be a upgrade of talent traded which the Yankees are not inclined to do. Tampa needs relief pitching and Farnsworth would be my offering. But Cashman will hold onto Farnsworth unless absolutely necessay to deal.

Clements wasn't bad last night the HR was 370' flyball that made the first row. He's giving us everything that he said he would.

Observation: not only are Yankees in need of RH hitter. How about #3 hitter. Abreu and Matsui lacking the skills to get it done in the 3 hole. Robbie Cano has lost his way listening too much to his mentor Abreu.

Hitting coach Long appears to be looking pale. Could it be the hitters performance is getting to him.

Long needs to be pastured.

Put that stiff at bench coach back at hitting coach.

Larry,

Cletus has a lethal bat and CAN hit....no question....but the fallout that comes with him makes him highly undesirable....he burns bridges wherever he goes. It isnt as simple as "putting him out there and leaving him alone"...he refuses to fit in...he is a malcontent. It appears you may see this first hand. Good luck with this guy NYY's.

Great ... Hillenbrand. Just what we need on this team -- another head case.

5-6 innings.... 5.0+ERA..... 1-3..... sounds like a borderline #5 starter. What are they fetching these days 17-18 million a year?

Maybe a bunch of idiots can win for us if we keep obtaining them.

Nudge

I agree the money is ridiculous but if youre the yankees would you rather use the checkbook for a decent number 5...Or use Tyler Clippard when your playoff hopes are quickly becoming wishful thinking?

Larry,

I'm not up to laughing out loud, but you definitely brought a smile... ;-)

So far he has been a marginal upgrade from Clippard at best and received the POPE-like reception with the whole Susan Waldman orgasmic introduction. Special treatment for a very un-special performer. They planned the parade through NYC with Roger in ht ebullet proof Pope-mobile waving to the crowd before they realized he was an aging pitcher who the shouldnt expect miracles from. But the main thing was they kept him from Boston! Sounds to me like good old Cashman was had again.

Speaking of "idiots"...I recall all the times that Theo was tabbed an "idiot" for letting Pedro and Damon walk......hmmmm.

How long will it take before the ...At least Cashman is trying to do something...sentiment is replaced with....Oh No! Cashman is trying to do something....sentiment?

Well Nudge,

Can you imagine a chess game between Theo and Cashman? My guess is the match would fairly one-sided.

Just what we need, ANOTHER malcontent clubhouse cancer. Way to go Cashman!!

Diane: Its amazing how full circle the Yankees have come. All because of long term contracts to high profile, 31+ age players. We are recieving our just desserts for borrowing on our equity on the farm for results now. Like any financial undertaking future results are not guaranteed.

What bothers me the most about this years team.The core is still performing well Posada, Jeter, Pettitte, Mariano, Arod but the fringe is killing us. The guys who haven't won before still can't win. I know Arod hasn't won before but his numbers are indicative of an individual who should have won in my eyes.

Only 4 starting pitchers with enough innings to qualify, have a higher ERA than Clemens. 2 pitch for Texas and the other 2 for KC. Perhaps they should have gotten Clemens. He would at least be a #3 on those teams.

in each game he pitched the tea m had a chance to win. Common sense will tell you he will give up a run or two extra shifting back to the AL. the fact remains in most of his starts the game was in reach he held the O's last night to no runs until the 4 spot went up. If he was pitching on the sox and had the same scoring line 4 runs 4 shut out innings etc and the sox manage to score 5 runs , there would be praise.

Hopefully, the days of picking up used material by the wayside and paying high prices is over for the Yankees. There has been no Babe Ruth in the bunch.

Diane

I'm with you Ninja...

Just a month or so ago I think the ("Ruse-Roy-Chip" "Brain Trust Trade Triumverate")had suggested this "Hillenbrand" character and I scoffed and wondered why they would mention such a player of his reputation and mediocre ability.

However in having suffered thru the past 10 days I, like you...Happily welcome the man with bells on!!!

Anything to shake up the 7, 8, and 9 holes that now resemble a last place national league bottom of the order.

It's SHOCKING how bad the bottom of the lineup is.

After Posada the oppositions pitcher can relax for 20 mins and an inning cause he's gonna get Abreu, Cano, Cabrera, Cairo who've become nearly automatic outs.

Long story short...

Welcome to the Bronx Mr. Hillenbrand let me know you need any fresh towels!!

a change is def needed i dont know that hillenbrand is the answer but ill tell you what would look nice if they string some wins together helping out the bullpen, they are awful even when we do hit and pitch still could lose the game cause of those guys in the pen, make a deal for lidge when he gets off the DL he has had his problems the asking price cant be too high and a change of scenery might get him back to dominance, also Torre needs to wake up, proctor in the 9th in a tie game? are you saving rivera for the save oppurtunity that may never come to help his stats, use your head joe he has been awful with decisions this year.

RIck,

Maybe this is what this robotic mess we call a team needs some character maybe shane's tune can put some fire in them. There is no fire in this team none they are listless in watching them play that is why we need to adjust the roster put some hunger in it. The only one with hunger in the eyes somewhat is Cairo he is not doing all that but you can see the hunger. I was listening to a Radio host who was saying this is where communication and language barriers takes effect if you the captain and you want to fire up the troops half your squad probally cannot understand you. Melky needs hungry players around him robbie is cool but not the type to inspire and Bobby A ...forget it.

Just ranting

The bottom of the lineup is so bad because cano swings at balls above his head than K's lookin on a fastball down the middle as he did yesterday, him and melky this year have shown the least knowledge of the strike zone i have ever seen from two major league players coming off good seasons, and its not that big of a deal but if anyone knows what joe is thinking turning matsui loose on a 3-0 count last night wit arod on deck in a 0-0 game after we had not had a runner to second base?

Desperate measures in desperate times rarely produce anything other than deeper desperation.

Clemens has done what he was supposed to do, give us a chance to win, its not his fault or ne of the starters faults they feel they have to go out and throw 9 scoreless to maybe make it to xtra innings, the offense is awful and id take my chances on the lotto before betting on the yankees bullpen holding a lead, between vizcaino and farnsworth come on

SHea - Wake you wasteless meathead,

Abreau - Que?

Shea - Ohh now you can't understand me huh? how about this.. Tu Stupido!

Melky - aye senor Jumps in the dugout with smiley Robby and both hit their heads.

Shane to Cano
"F**K you always smiling for WTF ?? you retarded?

Cano - I don't know I likey to smile

Shane - Well wipe that sh*t off your face and stop swinging at the moon you moron.

Shane to Matsui -
You struggling right now be more agressive.

Matsui gives a blank stare - " I don't understand"

Shane walks away muttering WTF is this the U.N CONVOY

Jeter - Hey shane I'm the captain!!!

Shane - Then act like one!

SHea - Wake you wasteless meathead,

Abreau - Que?

Shea - Ohh now you can't understand me huh? how about this.. Tu Stupido!

Melky - aye senor Jumps in the dugout with smiley Robby and both hit their heads.

Shea to Cano
"F**K you always smiling for WTF ?? you retarded?

Cano - I don't know I likey to smile

Shea - Well wipe that sh*t off your face and stop swinging at the moon you moron.

Shea to Matsui -
You struggling right now be more agressive.

Matsui gives a blank stare - " I don't understand"

Shea walks away muttering WTF is this the U.N CONVOY

Jeter - Hey shea I'm the captain!!!

Shea - Then act like one!

Cas

Agreed. But come on my man...

I know it's tough and but try and put yourself in our shoes if we don't have to give up any lauded prospects and can get somebody basically (money) which to the yankees translates to (Nothing) why not? The guy has to be better than Miguel Cairo godbless the poor man.

MIKE -

Don't speak with Boston People , they do desperate moves as well when they struggled. Yes they can speak on shea but they signed characters as well.

What are they now Latter Day Saints?

BB

LOL

I want to hire you to be the dugout cockswain!!

You can be voice of motivation via insult!!

Anon

Cas is no bible salesman.

As far as I know...He's not from Utah. ;-)

Does anyone other than me feel like making a run at Lidge because of his diminished stats would be a guy with great stuff readily available for much less of an asking price than would be expected?

I am not a "Boston people"...I am a Mainer....and a baseball fan who is a Sox fan. I certainly understand desperate moves...as the Sox have made plenty of them in the past...but, not many since Theo has taken over (well the Bard trade was a boneheaded move....but...other than that)

I'm saying PTRS, we both from the same arena , You don't see that kind of scene happening, I know I played with guys that would have done that. Truth is most of the Latin Players I played with bust their ass's to win games. These guys is Laxed

Cashman has turned into the Trashman. He collects the garbage other teams dispose of. Shea Hillenbrand is another example. The Yankees are trying to stop the huge bleeding with a small bandage. All he is doing is patchwork, hoping for a miracle. He needs to get real baseball players like Torii Hunter, Mike Texeira, etc.. For that, he needs to sacrifice young pitching or else this season is over.

Julio those guys are free agents soon they are the long term plan.

Bomber

I feel you dog.

I'm very disturbed at the lack fire and the continued smiling from Cano-who I believe should recieve a code-red ala "Full Metal Jacket" or a "Few Good Men."

It irritates the $hit out of me too believe me.

No the one positive thing i can say is they have the young pitching now, so keep it texiera will be available soon enough where money will do the trick.

You are right Cano and Melky especially seem way to content with the way this team is playing, and if i was cano i wouldnt be so comfortable batting .250 with a .280 obp if i was looking to get paid

This team simply isnt responding to Joe's coma like coaching, we need Bowa down there throwing tables around maybe these clowns will wake up and not lose 7 of 8 to terrible teams, not to mention Joe's many many many questionable decisions

I'm going on record right now...

If Cashman trades Phil Hughes to save his already lost job I think I'm gonna take a 10yr break from my beloved Yankees.

I don't put to much into what I hear on ESPN but I heard Mike Greenberg mention something particularly disturbing.

He said that Cashman if he's to keep his job must make the playoffs this year. If this is true what keeps Cashman from throwing all of our baby superstars away for 1yr solutions ie Texiera to save his job?

Another Scene.

Jeter walks by Cano's Locker with his head down and then suddenly slaps the crap out of him,

Cano - whats you problem?
Jeter - people get on me for not being a more involved captain so your my first order.

Meanwhile Giambi is walking with Melky in the Air with an apparent Wedgie

Joe will be sent the Burning Bronx DVD,

Ill have a tough time rooting for them if anyone lets cashman involve hughes in a trade for any1 besides johan santana or something unbelievable wit young stars in the deal, hughes has the stuff to be incredible

Observer -

Now is time for Sox fans to crow, but I don't know how 1 sided that chess match would be:

Cashman has made his flubs but so has Theo:

Matt Clement
Coco Crisp
Edgar Renteria
Julio Lugo
DL Drew
Doug Mirabelli
every pitcher in your pen not named Papelbon or Okajima
and don't forget Schilling was Theo's fall back plan after he failed to get Javier Vazquez

No one is perfect.

Chip

What's your thoughts on that Mike Greenberg comment that I posted above?

On another note, there is no reason Shea should not be a Yankee by this weekend. The Angels don't want anything of consequence back for him and the Yankees have a need.

Rick - I hear what you're saying about a malcontent, but everything we're seeing says Shea was a model citizen with the Angles and things just didn't work out with the playing time. If he proves different in NY (which I don't think he will since he'll be the everyday 1st baseman) the team can dump him without worry since they aren't giving up anything to get him.

Ruse - buddy I'm kinda surprised to see your remark considering how anti this move you were a couple of weeks ago when it was first suggested.

Clemens has done what you expected?Low expectation for a 18million dollar man whos signing was heralded as the beginning of the big comeback. Is that hidnsight adjustment of expectations?

shea cant hurt at this point the angels will prob accept a bucket of baseball and Jeters BP bat for him, any change at this pt is good

shea cant hurt at this point the angels will prob accept a bucket of baseballs and Jeters BP bat for him, any change at this pt is good

Two of Clemens losses- Mets and Orioles- Yankees were shut out. 2-0 and 4-0.

If yankees scored 7 runs in each of those games and he was 3-1 with the same era, everyone would be saying how great he is.

It's a team sport.

Nudge,

I think you may be confusing press ballyhoo with the expectations of regulars here. I don't remember any of us 'heralding' RC; mostly I remember people saying that in the circumstances we were in, a major league pitcher we could grab off the shelf for nothing but money (something we have plenty of) without losing any of our good young prospects was a respectable deal.

Still looks that way to me. The man has kept games in reach. Our O has (not) done the rest.

Going all diva-ish on Clemens is sort of beside the point. In fact it sounds more than a little like the press hysteria in the beginning, just pointed the other way.

clemens is in noy way the problem or a problem

Michael - I highly doubt Cashman would make any brainless trades like that this season.

I don't worry about what Greenberg says - this is a guy who jumps on and off so many bandwagons I'm shocked he doesn't break his ankles.

Look, for one thing Hughes is on the DL until August so he's not even available to be traded - not that Cashman would trade him. Brian took control of the organization by saying he would reduce payroll and rebuild the farm system - if he goes back on both of those in a vain attempt to make the playoffs then he would still warrant being fired (or at the very least losing the power he worked so hard to get)

What's funny about all of this is that Cashman could lose his job off of one bad season that sets the Yankees off on the right foot to building another dynasty. My greatest fear is that if Cash is fired, the next GM would be under enormous pressure to win and that person might be the one who turns around and trades guys like Hughes, Joba, Kennedy, Tabata for quick fixes.

If the teams scores 5 runs i neach of his starts he wins easily, Despite the record he and Andy has been the most CONSISTANT

Hillenbrand for Hughes?

I'd do it.

Nudge, why the fixation on Clemens salary? One millionare gave another millionare some of his money. Who cares? Didn't cost me a dime.

This season is lost. The Yanks were swept by Colorado (check back in October, they won't be playing), and have now lost series to SF & Baltimore (too other franchises that have no hopes of making the playoffs). On ESPN last night, they reavealed that if the Yankees won 2 of 3 the rest of the season and won 3 of 4 in the four game series, they would win 91 games. Not only is that not going to happen, but 91 wouldn't get them in the playoffs.

At this point, it's time to write off '07. THe Key is making sure we don't trade away a future to make a playoff run that isn't going to happen this year anyway...

CHIP

Where did you come up w/ that ???
I'm the one who suggested they sign Hillenbrand during the offseason for 2 yrs.
And I was all for getting Hillenbrand 2 weeks ago.You probably misread what I said.
Hillenbrand since being traded to the Giants last year has got nothing but positive endorsements from fellow players and management on both the the Giants and Angels.

Chip,

I dont disagree with you in theory...but I think your list is a bit skewered.

Coco has been playing GG caliber defense, and he is NOW driving the ball and has become one of the most consistent bats in the Sox lineup over the past month

Clement...a sad story...off to a great start his first year....made the AS squad...then got whacked in the head.....that one does not count.

Renteria.....agreed...although I find it somewhat inexplicable...notice how ell he's done since he left Boston.

Drew has played in spurts...but seems to have settled in...June has been far more productive for him...but the contract he got is ludicrious.

Miribelli....a far better back up catcher than the Yanks have...or alot of other teams....not all...but most.

the Sox bp still is one of the best in the AL...and it aint just because of Papelbon and Oki...but they are certainly the most prolific.

Lugo....pfffftttt.

Schilling...a backup plan????...I dont think so Tim.

Chip,

You dont think Cashman would make a 'brainless" trade like sending Hughes off for a bat????....c'mon man...he's been doing JUST THAT for several years. The Yanks have become a parking lot/storage facility for over-aged MLB players with inflated ego's and mind-boggling contracts, BECAUSE of Cashman.

Jimmy - once again I'm thrilled and comforted by the fact that you have no power.

My ideal would be if the Yankees could get the Angels to take back Villone for Shea - offset a little of the money, clear a pen spot for Henn or Ramirez.

Cas -

I'm not going to go back and forth with this on you - but you've got some serious red colored sunglasses on. As you should as a Sux fan.

Possibly lack of intelligence behind the plate by certain players -- e.g. Cano, Cabrera, Abreu -- might be creating some of the hitting problems we're experiencing. The pitchers are adjusting to them figuring out how to strike them out, but they are not adjusting to the pitchers after facing them several times.

It used to be when the Yankees faced a new pitcher, they were handicapped for the first few innings, but after seeing the guy a few times, they adjusted. When a new pitcher practically shut them out one game, they LEARNED how to deal with him next time around. These guys are not adjusting at all and it could be that their level of baseball intelligence is just not sophisticated enough. Maybe it's due to a language barrier, as Bronx Bomber humorously pointed out (many a truth is said in jest), where they're just not capable of understanding directives and advice.

This year is very different from prior years where the Yankees didn't have major problems with specific types of pitchers. This year, most of them can't hit new pitchers, left-handed pitchers, and even mediocre pitchers. I don't seem to remember this being an issue in years past.

LMAO...yes Chip...it's hard to debate against clear and concise statements, eh?

Observer - when was the last time Cashman sent away a prospect who turned into anything for a rental player?

Jake Westbrook for David Justice maybe. And Westbrook hardly had the upside of Hughes.

His other recent trades, Nick Johnson and Juan Rivera for Javier Vazquez - both players he traded have had their careers stalled by injuries

Dioneer Navarro, Brad Halsey and Vazquez for Johnson - Navarro is a part time catcher in Tampa, Halsey is going under the knife with the A's AAA team and Vazquez is in Chicago

Brandon Claussen for Aaron Boone - Claussen was released by the Nationals this spring

Who else?? The majority of the players Cashman has brought in have cost money but not prospects, mostly because the Yankees haven't had prospects to offer, but just the same, the few prospects he has parted with haven't developed into anything of note.

You want to tell me Mike Lowell - fine, can't argue against that except to say that was an entire organizational blunder thinking Drew Henson was going to be the 3b of the future.

Wily Mo Pena was a player they had to trade because he had been signed to a major league contract and had to be on the roster - where they had no room for him.

Alright Cas I'll debate -

pfft on Lugo is not a clear or concise statement - it is you waving a wand over it as if that shouldn't count.

Edgar Renteria was a mistake on three fronts: 1. Signing him; 2. Letting Orlando Cabrera who just helped the team win a World Series go so you could sign him; 3. Pulling the plug on him immediately - getting nothing back for him and paying the Braves to take him.

3. Javier Vazquez was the first choice of both the Yankees and Red Sox due to his age and health - only after the Yankees got Vazquez did the infamous thanksgiving feast occur

4. Clement is no more a sad story than is Pavano who came off a season when he was one of the best pitchers for the World Series champions and couldn't stay healthy.

ruse -

Maybe I'm thinking of someone else, but I thought I remembered you jumping down my throat when I mentioned Shea a couple of weeks back.

Shea - Listen you rejects when the coach advises us to watch videos he MEANT of opposing Pitchers!!!

(he proceeds to walk over to SMILEY ROBBIE)

TURN THIS SH*T off

Robbie smiles,

SHea turns off Tele mundo and places a Bedard video in the slot.

Cano is still smiling

Melky is doing salsa.

Abreau is practicing how to bunt

Someone places an ADA sticker on the now one legged johnny damon who is still boasting about not being on the DL

for your information Chip...."pfffftttt!"....is my version of the "Bronx cheer"...or my way of agreeing with you regarding Lugo

The Yankees need to make some change now, a shakeup of sorts. The value of the player acquired may not be as important as the message it's sending to some of the players: Shape up or you'll be shipped out -- at least benched temporarily. Bench a few players, send someone down to the minors, bring up a prospect or two. We desperately must show this present lineup their position is not written in stone. When a player realizes he is dispensable and can be replaced, that threat might be exactly what's needed to set his butt afire. Status quo and lack of movement suggests all is right and all is good -- and that's clearly not the case.

Yo What up peeps,

Where my dude Nudge at?? what up Baby Boy??

Yo I can add to the Boston Signings, did'nt they sign carl everett as well. Taverez was a piece of junk that caught a bottle of lighning.

Yo was,nt renteria on the championship team? I cannot remember did'nt he go to St Louis before the sox or was he on St louis in 04?

PS

BOSTON SIGNED A WASTED DAVID CONE

Bomber, I think you're confusing results with work ethic. I read and hear repeatedly that Cano and Cabrera, far from slacking off, are among the few who try to follow AR in his very demanding workouts. Their plate discipline is poor but it doesn't seem to be laziness or 'doing salsa' that is to blame.

BOMBER

LMAO

TELEMUNDO!!!

WELL DONE MY FRIEND!! ;-)

Cas - my mistake - I thought you were "pffting" as in - Eh that doesn't count.

And my Mirabelli point wasn't anti him, it was about giving up Bard and Meredith to get him.

Try and Following is two different things, I can almost be sure that the kid in AAA can show more results than cano right now.

even the mets players say cano is not real, he did'nt play on sandlots he is not hungry , Yankees need to sign hungry players like the mets have that look like they need a meal , Melky looks like he had one to many orders from Raul's Cuchifrito's on w167th street

Bronx Bomber, you're making me laugh today. Very funny while probably very true as well.

Trying to heep the blame on Cabrera and Cano is a bit retarded don't you think ?
What was the last time a Yankee Hurler pitched a shutout ?
Or anyone besides AROD hit a HR to give the Yanks a lead late and close ?
Or the Yankee pen consistently issuing walks.

Where is the kid we got from AZ in the Johnson deal the SS

I agree with Ruse -

Blaming this season on Cano and Cabrera is a bit of a stretch - This team has seasoned veterans (some hall of famers) who all of a sudden can't pitch or hit well at the same time for more than a couple of games. A group of relievers who couldn't find the plate with a map, a GPS, and street signs pointing the way.

DOUG

You mean Gonzalez? He's at SWB hitting .235 last time I looked.He is not the answer .

I have been hearing Konerko name come up. Is he on the house cleaning list for the W sox?

Doug - AAA Scranton - Why?

The Bard trade was completely boneheaded...and Theo has admitted as much.

I'm not suggesting that Cashman has made nothing but bad moves..or trades..or signings..but he has established a pattern. I'm also not suggesting that Theo is some sort of mystic or grand master....but all things being equal...Theo's moves are panning out better than Cashmans at this point, this season.

Doug,

He might be - but my question is how much of the future should we be willing to see mortgaged to keep a streak of post season appearances alive? The Yankees are 8 out of the Wild Card and have All-stars at every position other than 1st and CF right now - if a team of that quality can't make it on their own, I don't think one more part will put them over the top. At some point all streaks must end, just as the Braves' did last year. I don't think one down year is that big a disaster - especially if the team is building up for a run that can carry them to another dynasty.

We've all been seriously spoiled by the last ten years - but the 10 before them were miserable - I would rather the team go for 1 bad year and another 10 of greatness headed up by kids like Hughes, Wang, Cano, Joba - than move those guys along for a player who helps the team make the playoffs this year and then leaves us with no young talent to replace the ancient players we have.

neither is cano. who is somehow slipping from carew stats to alvaro espinoza status

now the following would be disgusting to long time fans so VIEWER DISGRETION is Advised

Cano stats are simular to...........

1987 26 NYY AL 77 203 28 55 11 1 5 21 6 5 19 33 .271 .349 .409 102 83 3 1 0 6 2

Bobby Meachem

The addition of Hillenbrand at 1B will help the Yankee offense, but I was looking for something better both on the field and in the clubhouse. I assume this was the best Cashman could do, but I guess it's the old "beggars can't be choosers". As for Clemens last night, 5 shutout innings at this stage of his career, is the best we can expect. The problem last night was the same one that has been "killing" us for the majority of the last 2 months, no offense. Hillenbrand will "marginally" help the Yanks in this area, but acquiring him is like going out to buy a "Porche", and being forced to settle on a "Pinto".

Ruse and Chip

I agree it's not just Cabrera and Cano.

It is the entire bullpen and the 5 left handed hitters who've either sucked or have been injured, overworked, and can't seem to throw strikes or hold a team to less than a 5 ERA from the 6th inning on...

1. Cano
2. Abreu
3. Matsui
4. Damon
5. Giambi

That's 5 pieces that have woefully underperformed and at their best have been horrifyingly inconsistent.

Farns
Proctor
Bruney
Viscaino(of late not bad..)

Not to mention Myers or Villone YICK!!

If Cash can't bring in an 8th inning guy and a right handed bat or 2 I think we're all gonna be pretty bored in August and September.

Cas -

This season I agree with you, but last season you could have said the opposite -

Beckett looked terrible, Varitek and Manny were physical wrecks while the guys Cashman picked up (Abreu, Melky) looked like perfect fits.

Hello Everyone. I think we finally have to give up on this year. Keep all the good young pitching and trade away the high priced old veterans for good young talent. This way in 2-3 years we can start a brand new dynasty. Sometimes you have to make sacrifices to create glory!

BOMBER

Did you ever watch Rod Carew play ?
He was a horrible fielding 2b .He was a slap hitter of the singles variety and a great bunter.Cano has 45 doubles capacity and will hit .300 .It took Robbie Alomar 3 years to put it together.To compare Cano to Meacham who was a SS by the way is just plain silly.

Diane, Bronx Bomber is only joking, but even in jest he doesn't appear to be suggesting they are lazy, just that they lack understanding (watching Telemundo instead of a Bedard video suggested he's not understanding what he was supposed to do with the TV/VCR). Of course, he's not suggesting Melky is literally doing the salsa, but it evokes a funny image of someone ingrained in his own language, again not understanding what needs to be done. Bomber was merely creating humorous visuals, while suggesting a language barrier could be the cause of their problems.

Ruse & Chip, please find a little levity within your troubled souls. No one is suggesting these guys are THE cause of the Yankees' problems, but they are certainly ONE contributing factor being addressed with some much-need humor. Facetiousness and retardation are two different things. Discerning the difference between the two would be nice.

Love this board. Great comments by most. Let me chip in. Hillenbrand is an affordable upgrade if all we have to give up is cash. The season is not lost, but will be if we don't get a decent backup catcher, as Posada's too valuable as a backstop and just as importantly as a very productive switch hitter at the moment.

After getting 1B taken care of, I'd make a trade with Atlanta for their backup catcher. Send back Farnsworthless plus someone else, say Phillips.

The future is the youth, 2007 may be memorable in October, but the writing is on the wall. We need to get younger fast.

LUCY

I'm sorry but I feel some of those comments are racially motivated.Stereotyping latin players as clueless.Who needs it?

Gary,

I agree. Let’s get younger, faster and find some players who have some heart. We have to many guys on this team with no heart (Mussina, Abreu, Matsui etc.) All the guy's like O'Neill, Brosius and Tino would do whatever it took to win. Bring in some guy's who are young and hungry and are not already millionaires! Bring in guy's who have to earn their money by playing hard.

On to another subject. I love Torre but it time for a change. To compliment a young team you need a young Manager who can relate to those players and he needs to have as much heart and fire as the players do. Who that person is I do not know but from what I have seen I think Joe Girardi is the man. Donnie baseball is great but he is to mellow and laid back like Torre. We need an overall to start anew!

GARRY

You're serious ? The Braves are going to trade perhaps the best catching prospect in the bigs who is currently hitting .325 for Atlanta to the Yanks for Farnsworth and Phillips?
WOW I'm sure the Braves will jump at the opportunity! Not !

Ruse, it has absolutely nothing to do with race but everything to do with language. Language barriers come in all colors, races, nationalities, and from all countries. The language barrier wouldn't even be addressed if these players weren't having problems. I suggested lack of baseball intelligence might be the cause (which also comes in all colors & races), but that could very well be due to that language barrier we are casually joking about. When you pinpoint a problem, you can deal with it. Certainly, this type of problem can be fixed. We're lucky if that's all it is. I'm just not sure where your seeing a racist issue. I find that to be more insulting and degrading than anything else.

Ruse.

Cano thinks everything is gravy. there was a time when rookies earned their keep just was'nt allowed to be any ole attitude. Trust me if Paul O'neil was here Cano is not smiling. Carew with all those flaws you state is better than cano. Cano plate style is gross and has no place on this team at this point. An example has to be made simple as that. if that means ripping into him then be it. Melky is of fine talent but who the company he keeps is of issue.

Abreau needs to be out of here. Simple as that.

some order needs to be installed, and it seems that after the oneil's and tino's/ Chad curtis left that the team DISIPLINE method left as well. I know Jeter is who he is and is doing his best but at this angle it is OBVIOUS that more than just play is needed to guide this squad, sending down a Melky (for example setting purposes) may reinstall his hunger benching cano at times amy do the same as well with Abreau and Damon, my other issue is real how can you get into the souls of a squad that cannot understand or may not want to understand. Bobby A may be wounded (mentally ) feeling that the rep he had in Phil may have followed and proove true in NY.

I'm not worried about Hillebrand being a clubhouse cancer. That's just nonsense. I think LOSING is a clubhouse cancer!
Micheal PTRS said the same thing that i did yesterday as far as the pen and our 5 lefty hitters: they aren't doing the job. It's that simple.
None of us, including Cashman and Torre thought that these guys would stop hitting. I know that I didn't.
I thought that cashman did a good job in upgrading the pen in the off season. Who knew that in the beginning of the season we'd lose what? 5 starters to injury, the guys that were called up to replace them couldn't get out of the 3rd inning so the pen got wasted?
Who knew that "Bunting Bobby" Abreu would lose it? That Godzilla would turn into "Geiko-sui"?
Konerko would cost too much to get so he's out in my book.
The Yanks wasted an 8-1 homestand with a 1-7 roadie soon to be 1-8.
Sad; really sad!

Lucy, some people will always be like that. Some realize it and do it intentionally, some do it unintentionally, but good naturedly, and some don't know any better. People forget how they would feel if someone stereotyped their nationality or ethnicity, like when people made Irish, Polish, Jewish, or Black jokes. Only the people who were identified in the joke really took offense, and then maybe they would stop doing the same. But that's not for here. We're supposed to be just 'Fans' (which means fanatics) here, so lets get back to that.

JOHN G.

And here come the A's

if you don't think what I joked about DON"t really happen in some cases you badly fooled. To hear other Latin players say those guys is not hungry enuff.(met