On the Yankees beat

MOOOOOOOOOOOOOSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I cannot believe the way Mike Mussina is pitching. I have been on record on this blog as saying I've never liked him but I must say he has been astounding this season. I have no idea what he's doing differently except it appears as if instead of trying to muscle up the fastball, he slowed down the breaking stuff so there is more of a difference so hitters can't get fooled and still make solid contact.

Way to go Mike, where would this team be without you?

He has been unbelievable !

Jim, I'll own up. I wrote him off emphatically at the beginning of the year. I couldn't of been more wrong. You are right about the speed of his breaking ball. His location is also been better, fewer pitches right down the middle.

Back in ST I wrote that Moose would go 25-3. (Sully remembers that). I was joking but it's possible that Moose can get 20.

Nice pitching today.

Note to Cashman: When Cano gets into a batting funk, bring his Dad in from the Dominican. Since the kid got back from there he's been tearing it up.

Now the Yanks head to Fenway where the Sox forgot how to lose. 11 loses is sic!
Maybe we can give them a refresher course.

I'll admit, I'm impressed with the way Moose is pitching. I just hope it doesn't convince the Yankees that they should offer him another contract. I think his success is coming because right now he's not pitching to his scouting report. He's redefining himself, but as the scouts catch up to him so too will the league. But again, those of you who know me, know I'm not a huge fan of Mussina so take my comments with a grain of salt.

Ken Rosenthal reports that the Yankees are going after Miguel Olivo (KC) and Gerald Laird (Tex). The Rangers want young pitching (assume someone in the Jeff Marquez mold) for Laird who is due off the DL this week. He's under contract at almost no money until 2010 but with Saltalamaccia, Taylor Teagarden and Max Ramirez, Laird is expendable.

Hey troll Jennifer. I was at work, working. Maybe you should think about doing that instead of wasting your life away

That was not me posting. I was working.

Chip,
I heard Peter Gammons on ESPN the other night say that you can expect Mussina, Abreu and probably (not possibly) Giambi all back with the Yanks next year and Buster Olney emphatically agreed with him and said there was "no chance the Yanks let Mussina walk away". Ugh.

At the rate the Yanks are burning through starters, Cashman ought to be willing to talk to Phil Neikro if he can still throw the knuckler.

Jim,

That absolutely disgusts me.

I’ve said several times in the last few weeks that missing the postseason this year wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world for this organization.

And from what you said about Gammons and Olney, this was precisely my reasoning for it.

I wasn't as upset as others were about the idea that the Yanks become "sellers" at the deadline because of their age and the need to get younger for next season no matter the results of 2008.

If the team showed no heart at all the rest of this season, the organization will have a very good reason for letting these guys walk and move on to younger players to replace them - something this team really needs to do for the good of the franchise if they want to get back to the World Series.

But now that the team is playing well, it gives the organization a justifiable reason to bring some of these guys back for 2009. Moronic.

This is exactly why I kept saying that Giambi, Abreu, Moose, and Farnsworth all need to walk at the end of the season no matter what.

Bringing these guys back next season ensures this team will continue to age and remain slow and inconsistent in key areas and we're going to see the ramifications of it next season again when they don't live up to expectations. Again.

This is why missing the postseason is not always the worst thing in the world. Being good enough to make the postseason and lose in the ALDS again will end up delaying the inevitable - major changes where the team really needs it.

It is imperative that this team gets younger, especially the position players. That can’t happen if they keep bringing these guys back.

It’s time to move on from the old guys. Period.

Viper: I agree that the the team should get younger in all facets of their roster. But to play devils advocate, every player that the Yankees bring up to the big club from the minors who is a position player is weak. Gardner needs alot more time at the big league level. Christian has the size to be decent but he gets little or no playing time.

If the Yankees have ditch their efforts to bring Bay or Marte to the big club and or Washburn. Now are talking about Laird and Olivo who I gave a quick look at baseball eference for some insight than you might get a feeling that Abreu, Mussina might be back along with Giambi. Its freightening to think about but 2 of those guys will probably be back and I bet one is Abreu.

They put A$$e$ in the seats which is the botom line with winning next.

Larry,

I'm not saying every replacement has to happen at the minor league level. They can get younger via trade(s) or a FA stopgap as well.

Another thing, with the new yard opening up next season, they will pack that place regardless of the product they put on the field. That’s a guarantee.

This is actually the perfect time to make some major changes. They need to take advantage of that opportunity.

The sooner they let these guys walk - the sooner the organization can make the necessary steps to get younger and have a legitimate chance to win a World Series.

This team is not good enough right now to do that.

Jim,

All I can say is I hope that Buster and Gammons are wrong about that.

Look, Mike Mussina was a fantastic pitcher and he's a borderline hall of famer, but you can't bring back the exact same rotation that we went with this year. I'm sorry, it just makes no sense.

I think the signals that they're sending Giambi are just a carrot to be dangled to keep him interested, but when push comes to shove he won't be here.

As for Abreu - if he takes a 2 year deal, sure whatever...but he won't. He'll want 3 or 4 years (along the lines of a Posada contract) I can't see them buying into that.

Here's the thing...

This Yankee team is not good enough to win the world series this year, it wasn't good enough last year, so I can't imagine that the Yankees plan going forward would be to bring back the EXACT SAME TEAM next year. It makes no sense.

and Viper - new stadium or not, the Yankees are not going to sit back and say "well it's okay if we rebuild because fans are going to fill the stands regardless" They aren't that stupid.

You and I agree that there will be changes, we just disagree on what the changes will be. I think they will spend the money that's coming off the books on big time players - you seem to think they're going to sit on it.

Chip,

For the first time in awhile [it seems], you and I are on the same page.

I love Olney and Gammons too, but I really hope they are dead wrong and the organization isn't stupid enough to make such boneheaded moves.

I admire what Moose has done this season - and he really has been spectacular - but the odds of him pitching like he did in 2007 next season are much greater than the odds of him repeating anything close to his performance this season.

I was never the Moose hater that many on this board was during the offseason, but if the organization thinks he can pitching anything close to what he’s done this season - they are not nearly as wise as I’ve given them credit for.

Chip,

You misunderstand me. I've never said they were going to "sit on it" and not spend money this offseason.

You couldn't be more wrong.

What I have said is that they are not going to go on a drunken binge spending spree that you've suggested.

Expect the payroll in 2009 to be around $160-170M - which will be down from $209M as it stands now.

Exactly how they get to that figure is anyone's guess.

No one has been more of a Moose detractor than me over the past few years...."He's washed up". I was wrong. Incredible year the man is having. Now, the Yanks head into Fenway with the chance to be tied with the Sox for 2nd place. This is gonna be a fantastic series. Hats off to the Yanks...as always they find a way to come back from the dead and be a team that is dangerous. I cant say "good luck" to my Yankee fan friends on here, but I do hope that the weekend is packed full of great baseball.

If Mussina continues to pitch well for the remainder of the season the Yanks will extend a 1-yr deal.
Abreu will get what the Yanks offer otherwise he'll walk.
Giambi would be a huge mistake.He's currently on a 9-42 .214 July slide .Typical post steroids Giambi.Let's hope he rebounds earn some of that 20+ million per.What a waste.

Even though Rasner hasn't pitched as well of late as he did in his first 6 starts NY is 6-7 in his starts and he still continues to give them 5+ innings.If you check his splits he's really only pitched 3 bonafide clinkers.
If BC feels a need to trade for Burnett or Washburn it would mean goodbye to Ponson.I've never been a fan of Washburn and I don't see him having a major impact.Just another 5+ inning .500 pitcher.Watching Washburn getting shelled is not a pretty sight.He would be getting 10-12 starts the rest of the way and NY would only break even .Plus taking on some version of an inflated contract.

Is it me or does everyone else on this blog hope that yesterday was the last time we see Latroy Hawkins in pinstripes? This guy has nothing left. I know Bruney is coming back in a couple of days. That's the time to release Hawkins. Anyone agree?

Rumor out of LA *and NY* has the Yankees and Dodgers discussing a trade of young stars. The Dodgers are willing to send Matt Kemp (and Derek Lowe) to the Yankees for Robinson Cano.

Kemp would play LF for the remainder of this year and then take over for Bobby Abreu next season (and for the forseable future) in RF. The Yankees are not sure they want to part with Cano but feel that if they did, Alberto Gonzalez could fill the position for the remainder of the season or they could trade for Mark Grudzielanek (and Miguel Olivo) of the Royals and then attempt to sign Orlando Hudson as a FA this winter.

Chip,
Ooohhhh...that Dodgers-NYY trade would be interesting. I still like Cano a lot, but I like Kemp as well, and I love Gonzo's glove. Hmmmm....

Oh and to your point about the team not being good enough to contend this year, I've said that all along as well, even if Wang and Posada were healthy, I think the Angels would clobber the Yanks in the playoffs so I agree with Viper, I think you need to take a step backward to move forward.

Jim,

It's an intriguing trade when you think about it for a ton of reasons, not the least of which is that it would be the second trade this year where a young rising star was traded for another (Hamilton for Volquez being the other).

Also there are a ton of options through FA who could replace Cano (if Gonzo wasn't up for it offensively) but the outfield market is paper thin for potential Abreu replacements. I say make the deal.

I don't think the Yankees need to take a step back, I think there are tweaks they could make to this team that could improve its chances of winning. Consider that if they get into the playoffs Wang and Bruney will both be healthy by that point - the rotation would be Andy, Joba, Moose, Wang and they would have Bruney, Edwar, Veras, Farsnworth (yes Farnsworth) setting up Rivera. I just think they need to make this Washburn deal and then add one more RH bat - either an OF or 2b if they move Cano.

Dodgers are looking for a bat why would they trade Kemp ? who has out performed Cano this season.Creating a new hole to fill an OF position?Lowe is more baggage.If NY makes this rumored trade I'd be greatly surprised.Kemp 108 S0 in just 366 ABs

if they trade cano then trade for Greene out of SD

If the Yanks can get a RH bat to play a corner outfield position and a LH reliever without giving up the farm then do it. Otherwise, just leave it alone and let the "chips fall where they may". I'm having fun with this streak right now.
The more that I read about Washburn's no trade clause to the Yanks the more that I want that guy to stay in Seattle and suffer with that team. I'm starting to believe that he'll be no upgrade over Pontoon and Rasner. Same with Arroyo. I read that he wants to stay in Cincy so screw him too.
If Posada wants to help the Yanks then get the surgery; now! Same with Matsui. Get it fixed and get ready for ST.

Exactly John G.

Posada actions is border line selfish and the reason I say this is because it means he has to bat and a quality bat sits

That's right Bomber. He said it himself that the shoulder limits his swing and it's reducing his power. How is that going to help the team? I got lost on that one. What are the Yanks going to do? Bat him against lefty's? If that's the case then what the hell did they get Sexson for?
The line up is going to take a hit and the 7,8, and 9 holes are going to be weak sticks. They're going to have to live with that.

Maybe Molina and Gardner or Molina and Christian will turn into the 2008 version of Dent and Doyle.

He already showed that he has selfish ways when he openly complained about catching time and the Minute the manager answered he plea or threat Posada goes and further injures himself.

This is where the Job of girardi becomes intresting.

Also you have to salute Brian Cashman .

He argued that he did not want to give Posada all those years. hank and hal screwed that up.

Met must be breathing a sigh of relief ,becasue had they signed Jorge and he had this issue it would been a worse situation.

Jason Varitek is pissed now