The House that Ruth Built

No way the Yankees should deal Scott Proctor - he's too invaluable to the bullpen and trading him would leave a void they couldn't hope to fill - or go out and do something stupid like trading for Bobby Abreu, whose power numbers don't justify his contract or slotting him into Gary Sheffield's spot in the line-up. Abreu is a classic underachiever whose make-up is questionable. It would be a major mistake adding him at the expense of Sheffield or playing time for the Melk Man, who what? Who always delivers! The Yanks are just half a game out of first and in front in the Wild Card race with Matsui and Sheffield due back in a few weeks. All they have to do is tread water until their guys start coming back. They've made it this far and can make it just a tad bit further. There's one guy the Yanks should target: Paul Byrd, who's having a decent season for the Indians and the most appetizing of the fifth-type starters who might be available. Unless they can use Philip Hughes and Jose Tabata to land Barry Zito and sign Zito for five years. Otherwise, stand pat.

Posted by Jon at 09:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Word is that the A's have dropped their asking price from the Mets for 28-year-old southpaw Barry Zito. In the off-season, they were asking for both Lastings Milledge and Aaron Heilman. Now they are content with a deal built around one but not both of them. If you're the Mets, you go to the mat for this trade, provided that you can sign Zito long-term. Adding a young arm of that caliber gives the Mets a legit shot to win the World Series. Chances to win the World Series don't come around that often and you take them when they present themselves. The Mets would have a top 3 in the rotation that can carry them the way staffs of the past have carried other teams. Plus, with Zito in the fold long-term and with young arms like Mike Pelfrey and John Maine, assuming that one of them doesn't go in the deal, the Mets would be competitive for a long time. The chance is now. The time is now. Go for it Omar.

Posted by Jon at 08:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Dear those of my fellow Yankees fans who have spent the last 3 years booing A-Rod at practically every turn,

Although I've refused to join you, I think you've finally won me over. A-Rod does, indeed, suck. Really, what else can you say about a player who has just become the youngest ever to hit 450 career home runs and one of eight to get 2,000 career hits before his 31st birthday?

On second thought, the words "first-ballot Hall-of-Famer" and "one of the best players ever" come to mind. But don't let little things like facts dissuade you.

Hugs and kisses.

Lesley

Cross-posted at Plum Crazy

Posted by Lesley at 09:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

A fed-up A-Rod finally speaks the truth about what’s on his mind:

I’m doing the best I can. The fans have some great expectations from me, and I expect a lot from myself. But this game is not that easy. I’m having a nice year. I’m busting my ass. I know all these guys are behind me. And if it is, it is. If we win, we win, and if we don’t, we don’t. It’s not the end of the world.

Ok, Alex, I’m with you all the way until the end. I agree that the fans expectations are unreasonable and that you are having an excellent season. You are being unfairly treated. Without naming names, if you ask any fan of any team if they could have a player with 20 homeruns, 65 RBIs, and a .280 batting average at the half-way mark, they’d jump. A-Rod is on pace for 40 homeruns and 130+ RBIs. The batting average could be higher, but other than that, there should be no gripes about his production this year.

As for the stuff at the end, you’re going to get roasted, Alex. Sure, it’s not the end of the world if the Yankees don’t win, but you were brought to New York and are being paid $25 million a year to win. You don’t just get to shrug it off. Sorry.

Posted by Jon at 10:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

John Sterling has finally changed his call on Melky Cabrera heroics. It was the sad "The Melk Man Always Knocks Twice." Last night it was "The Melk Man Delivers" when Cabrera won the game with a walk-off shot. That's good, but not good enough. Allow me to repeat: it's "The Melk Man Always Delivers." It has a certain flair, a certain je ne sais quoi.

Posted by Jon at 08:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Harold Reynolds on A-Rod:

No matter what he does he doesn’t fit in. It’s a shame. The guy wins an MVP, they boo him. He’s got 20 homeruns, they boo him. Everything Alex does, he’s getting booed, and it’s just not fair.

Perfectly sums up the unjust way Yankees fans treat A-Rod. I agree 100% and need add no more.

Posted by Jon at 10:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

I never bought the talk that the Yankees only chance to make the playoffs is to win the division. There's a lot of time left in the season and plenty of opportunities to make up ground against the Tigers and White Sox. This three-game set against Chicago is the perfect example. With a win today, the Yankees sweep the series and pull within 3 games of the Wild Card lead. Making up that ground over 73 games is realistic. Making up even 5 games is realistic.

Posted by Jon at 08:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Seems I get a bit carried away with my gushing over Joe Mauer and belief that he would be this year's AL MVP if he kept up his pace. There are a bunch of other deserving candidates, including our own Derek Jeter, and I forgot about such studs as David Ortiz, Jim Thome, and Jermaine Dye, plus pitchers like Francisco Liariano, Johan Santana, and Jonathan Pablebon.

For a complete take on Jeff Passan's picks, click here. Passan is Yahoo's chief MLB writer.

Posted by Jon at 11:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Yankees signing of Sydney Ponson underscores just how fallow their farm system is at the upper levels. They need a fifth starter to shore up the back end of the rotation and their solution is to sign the underachieving and out-of-shape Ponson, who has a long litany of alcohol-related misdeeds. He says he's sobor now, and I believe him, but that doesn't change the fact that he's shown an incredible lack of maturity up to this point and is an awful pitcher. I guess he's no different than David Wells in his problems, save that Wells as far as I know has never been arrested for DUI or for punching a judge and that Wells can actually pitch. Ponson had one solid season in 2003 and even then was mediocre for the last two months following a trade to the Giants. True, the Yankees got him on the cheap and have nothing to lose, but I'd rather see a Paul Byrd or Mark Redman at the back end of the rotation. Not some characterless yutz like Ponson.

Posted by Jon at 08:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

An article on the Yankees web site says the team is pondering swapping Melky Cabrera for Jeromy Burnitz and Craig Wilson of the Pirates. I really hope that it's nothing more than mere rumor and speculation. It would be a horrible trade. Giving up a 21-year-old star in the making, a 4-tool player for two aging mediocre players who wouldn't add more to the Yankees than they have already? Don't get me wrong, I would take the versatile Wilson in a minute, but not for Cabrera. It's the kind of stupid and short-sighted trade - the Jay Buhner for Ken Phelps swaps - that sank the Yankees in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The move would set the Yankees back for years to come. The team needs more youth and more players like Cabrera not less. They have a barren farm system - witness the Sidney Ponson pick-up - and need whatever legit young talent they have. One can only pray that the deal doesn't go down.

Update: the Daily News tells a different story:

The Yanks have had dialogue with the Pirates about Craig Wilson and/or Jeromy Burnitz, but weren't interested in dealing Melky Cabrera for both players when the subject came up recently.

Much better.

Posted by Jon at 08:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

From the AP recap of last night's game:

After a shaky start, Jaret Wright called on an old ally to shut down the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

The New York Yankees' right-hander changed the grip on his slider after giving up hits to the first two batters he faced Friday night, reverting to the way he threw the pitch two years ago and going on to beat the Devil Rays 1-0.

"I was throwing the one I've been working on. It was always up, always getting hit," Wright said. "I just figured, I'll try to change something to get through it. I went back to the old one and it worked out pretty well."

Who the hell suggested he change the grip in the first place? Probably was Mel Stottlemyere's idea. Not too bright if going back to the old grip turns out to be the panacea for the struggling Wright. Why change something that had clearly worked in the past? As the old saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Posted by Jon at 12:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Ok, you know it's getting bad when you're picking up the table scraps of the Kansas City Royals.

Derek Jeter is having an MVP-caliber season. His average is up to .348, he's now driven in 51 runs, and has scored 56 runs, putting him on pace for one his best seasons. Still, if the Twins stay hot and Joe Mauer keeps going the way he is, Mauer is the MVP. Sorry Derek.

How long before the Twins move Mauer out from behind the plate? Granted, I-Rod and Piazza have spent their careers catching and remained productive - as has Posada - but Mauer may be too good a hitter to risk the wear and tear of full-time catching. I wouldn't be surprised if he moves to another position, and you heard it here first.

Why did the Yanks pick T.J. Beam over Matt Smith? Beam did pitch well tonight, but his last outing was brutal, and he was mediocre before then. Smith, in the meantime, has pitched well.

Huge sign that Melky Cabrera rebounded from his slump to boost his batting average to over .270. That's a hike of 30 points. When he slipped, it might have been a sign that the league caught up with him, but he's shown the ability to adjust and basically proven that he's a bona fide hitter. Just like Cano when he slipped last year and then rebounded.

Enough random thoughts.

Posted by Jon at 09:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Just like with John Sterling, I doubt this will be the only post about you. Not unless you to decide to shut up once and for all. We can only wish.

What's with this stuff about having Mo close this year because it might be his last All-Star Game? To quote you:

Mariano Rivera is on the team, Mariano Rivera is my closer. It's not Bobby Jenks. Mariano Rivera is a [likely] Hall of Famer and this is maybe his last All-Star Game. What this guy has done in baseball, he should be my closer.

Yes, I do appreciate your recognition of Rivera and your decision not to favor your guy over the best closer in baseball history. Still, "this is maybe his last All-Star Game"? I don't see any appreciable drop-off in his game that would lead one to think he won't be on the top of his game next year. I suppose it's possible, but I sincerely doubt it. Just leave it at "What this guy has done in baseball, he should be my closer." That's all you need to say.

Sincerely,

Jon

Posted by Jon at 09:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I doubt this will be the only post about you or some of the other announcers for the Yankees. That is why I have created a category for you and your cohorts.

Your silly little Sterlingisms - the Giambino, Robby Cano, Don't You Know - are, well, silly but also somewhat creative. The latest one, however, I just don't get. The Melk Man always knocks twice? Yeah, I understand the reference, but come on man, it should be the Melk Man Always Delivers. After all, that's why they called Karl Malone the Mailman.

Yours Truly,

Jon

Posted by Jon at 09:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Listen, of course I am biased as a Yankees fan and would love to see Moose, Damon, and Giambi on the All-Star team, but the one I can't figure out is Francisco Liriano. His stats:

W-L: 9-1
ERA: 1.99
WHIP: <1
Ks: 94 (in 81.1 innings)

I haven't checked the stats of all comers in the A.L., such as Roy Halladay and Johan Santana, but I'd wager that Liriano is outpitching all of them and is the leading candidate for the Cy Young. Hold on, I'll stop being lazy, and confirm. Santana is having a stellar season, but his ERA is almost a run higher. Also pitching superbly is Halladay, but again, he's not as good as Liriano.

How Ozzie left him off the team - say by picking Mark Buerhle instead - or the fans did when they voted the last player in - they selected A.J. Pierzynski - is beyond me. I just don't get it. Well, at least the fans knew enough to select N.L. batting leader Nomar Garciaparra.

Posted by Jon at 09:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Please don't be seriously injured. The Yankees can't afford to have another outfielder out on the disabled list.

Yours in the bond of baseball,

Lesley

P.S. It still feels weird to applaud you, you former Red Sox, you.

Posted by Lesley at 10:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

...a team with the words Surf Dawgs in its name should not be allowed to play baseball. Because what the hell kind of name is that for a baseball team?

Oh, and Jose Canseco? Needs help. Stay retired, Jose. Stay retired.

Cross-posted at Plum Crazy.

Posted by Lesley at 10:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Yet more mach posturing from Ozzie Guillen. Defending his selections of pitchers and the bench players for this year's A.L. All-Star squad, here's what the mouth has to say:

Whoever is not on this team, they have my number. They have my PR department's number. Whoever doesn't like it, play better next year.

This from the manager who should have been fired for his homophobic rant against columnist Jay Mariotti. You know what Ozzie, there are a ton of players you took over players who are playing well enough to have been selected. You passed over Mike Mussina, Jason Giambi, Johnny Damon, Francisco Liriano, Justin Verlander, to name a few. They've played just fine, thank you, and deserve to be on the team, especially over some of the six guys you took from your own team.

Posted by Jon at 08:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

A-Rod is not the only who tenses whenever he comes to bat, especially in a clutch situation. I tense, awaiting the fan reaction should he make an out. Every at-bat has become a referendum on A-Rod. He hit a game-winning homerun on Wednesday, and the honeymoon wasn't even a honeymoon. He was booed the next game. He slugged two homeruns last night, including a clutch go-ahead grand slam in the third inning, but will that buy him some slack from fans? Doubt it. Jorge Posada grounds into a double play with the bases loaded and no one out and no one blinks an eye. A-Rod does the same and the boos rain down. The misperception is that he fails to come through in the clutch - the numbers show that he actually does produce in the clutch, including thirteen career grand slams - and the fans expect him to do something on every at-bat and every time he comes up in a meaningful situation. These are absurd expectations. The best players fail seven out of ten times. A-Rod is no different. I am no huge fan of A-Rod, but the abuse he has taken has put me in his corner now. Fans need to cut him a break.

Posted by Jon at 08:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Ok, I am biased because I am a Yankees fan and because I dislike Ozzie Guillen. However, Guillen went too far in selecting his players from his own roster and bypassing players from others in selecting the pitchers and bench for the All-Star game. He especially snubbed too many Yankees. Missing from the roster are Mike Mussina, Johnny Damon, and Jason Giambi, all of whom have had an outstanding first half. In their stead, he selected six players from his own team, most understandable - he does have to live with these guys every day - but at least a couple questionable. He took Mark Buehrle over both Mussina and Nelson Francisco Liriano, both of whom have pitched better than the White Sox lefthander, and he took both his first baseman over Jason Giambi. The latter was a close call, but Giambi is having an outstanding season and deserves to be on the team. Rather than pander to his players, Guillen in all fairness should have left Konerko off and selected Giambi. Then, Guillen takes Sarge Jr. (Garry Matthews) over Damon. Not to take away anything from Matthews, but aside from batting average, Damon is having the superior season. He has more homeruns, one less RBI, 18 more runs scored, and 11 more stolen bases than Matthews. Yet another questionable pick is Kenny Rogers, who is having a fine season, but hasn't been better than Mussina or Liriano. No question, Guillen is guilty of favortism and did a poor job in selecting the roster, showing a clear anti-Yankee bias.

Posted by Jon at 07:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

New York sports fans will remember that memorable chant from whenever the Rangers hosted the Islanders in the 1980s. It comes to mind now because of the allegations that Brett Myers, the Phillies ace righthander, physically abused his wife in public a little more than a week ago. I am late coming to the party on this one, but the Phillies handled the incident in an abhorent manner. After Myers was released on bail shortly after the incident, the Phillies allowed Myers to make his regularly scheduled start, freely admiting that he was their best pitcher and they needed him to start. It then took the Phillies a few days to issue a tepid statement in which they finally acknowledged what they should have all along: that domestic abuse is intolerable. They really dropped the ball on this one and should be ashamed of themselves. Myers sort of took them off the hook by taking a leave of absence, but the Phillies should have suspended him for at least a start. Better, given the incontrovertible evidence that Myers is guilty, they should have suspended him and still can suspend him until the legal proceedings are over. Where are the consequences if you can go out and pitch after beating your wife up in public?

Posted by Jon at 07:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I kind of figured A-Rod got the monkey off his back when he hit his two-run game winner on Wednesday, that fans would give him some peace. No such luck. After going nada for 4 last night, fans were right back to booing him. You think people would cut him some slack, especially since he actually does produce when it matters. Check out the stats:

Since Matsui fractured his left wrist May 11 - and keep in mind, Sheffield hasn't played since May 29 with a wrist injury - A-Rod is batting .294 with eight homers and 29 RBIs and hitting .327 (16-for-49) with runners in scoring position

Pretty healthy production if you ask me. But when you're raking in $25 million per year and fans have a bug in their head, the perception is going to last and last until he leads the Yanks to a World Series win and has some memorable clutch moments along the way.

Posted by Jon at 09:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)