Sunday, July 20, 2008

Closing the Gap

Random Thoughts:

I had the chance to listen/watch most of the 3 game sweep of the A's. It can be summed up in two words: good pitching.

This new guy they brought up, Robertson, he's got the goods.

Hughes moved to the 60 day DL.

I'm lukewarm at best with the Sexson signing. I'm not sure someone with an OBP of less than .250 is something that we need added to the lineup. I think if you give Wilson B. a consistent rep, he'll more than match Sexon's production for the year.

Going forward, I would look to use Jorge as a DH or PH only. His effectiveness as a catcher for this season anyway is over. Molina is a proven commodity and can be a very effective everyday catcher. (How clutch was he these last two games?)

MLB's home plate was circulating that the Mariners were trying to put a deal together with the Yanks for Ichiro.

Moose has 20 in his sights - and he's going to get it with ease. It'll be a good story when he does.


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Headed into the weekend I don't know who I was pulling for more, the Shark or Duval. Kind of anti-climatic finish to The Open.

The Dodgers are tied for first in the West - good for Joe Torre. Even though no one is above .500 out there, I still view that division as stronger than the NL East.

Best team in baseball: LAA Angels

14 comments:

old professor said...

If Hughes has been moved to the 60 day DL, he is done with the big club until September. The move cleared a 40 man roster spot for Sexton. While his obp is low recognize the fact that he was not very good against righthanded pitchers the last two years. He is hitting over .300 against lefties and gives the Yankees the right handed bat they have been needing.

The Posada saga is sad. He gets a four year deal and now can't throw. When Damon comes back that moves him into left field Sexton and Giambi will get a lot of split time at first and DH. There really isn't a lot of room for Posada. You sort of get tired of the Yankees saying Posada's arm is getting stronger and then the league runs like crazy on him.

Mid I have not read anything on a trade with Seattle for Ichiro. If that trade happened, the fans in Seattle would lynch the owner and GM.

The Scooter said...

I think I owe you guys one of these:

MOOOOOOOOOOOOSE!!!!!!

and I could probably add a shout out to Pettitte and Joba too. The starting pitching has been stellar, and the bullpen continues it's effectiveness.

Hopefully we will get Damon back in the lineup and the bats will awaken.

I have absolutely no problem with the Sexson signing. As Prof says, he hits well over .300 against lefty pitching, and will prove to be a valuable right handed bat off the bench. His defense at first is pretty good too so I think this is a no lose situation.

I haven't seen anything about this supposed Ichiro trade either....link Mid?

All I want to say is that I have as many championship rings as the guy that 57 is playing golf with today. Well have fun anyway 57.

Anonymous said...

On Baseball Tonight I kept hearing the Yankees are interested in Nady, Bay, or Holliady. But there's no room for an OF spot on their roster. The Yankees want Damon to DH, but that means Posada has to catch, but he can't throw...and recently he can't hit either (3 for 22 in his last 7 games). They definitely need something to spark the offense. Scoring only a couple runs per game is ridiculous. That's a way to drain a pitching staff. It makes them feel like they can't make a mistake.

If the Yankees were smart they would DL Posada again, let him go through another rehab, if the shoulder isn't better then possibly look for surgery.

If the Yankees can pull of trades for an OF and a #3-4 pitcher they could win the East.

Brian Bruney is on the verge of coming back, probably will be called up from AAA S/WB this week if he can pitch on back-to-back days without a problem.

Anonymous said...

I'll be interested to see how Ponson does tonight.

Predictably, ESPN has the Patriots listed as the #1 team. The NFL not doing much to combat the rumors that they are in the back pocket of Robert Kraft by giving them the easiest schedule in '08.

The Scooter said...

Jeremy Shockey traded to the Saints for a 2nd and a 5th.

Anonymous said...

I'm kind of pissed.

The Giants have opted for Kevin Boss over Jeremy Shockey.

Anonymous said...

Looks like Brian Cashman read my post about opting to put Posada on the DL. They place Posada on the DL and his season is in jeopardy. This basically, opens a spot up for Damon to comeback. And with 1 DH down, they now can pursue that OF they want.

I loved Shockey on the field, but he acts like a spoiled little bitch in the huddle, on the sidelines, in the locker room, in front of the media, and off the field. And let's face it, he hasn't had an injury free season except for his rookie season. I wish him well in N.O.
I hope Boss can be productive in his first full season of action.

The Scooter said...

Nice call on Posada, Crash. Granted it is a big loss, but at least the uncertainty surrounding the team about where Jorge was going to play will now subside.

I truly believe they are going to shop for a big bat and a back of the rotation starter. We shall see.

Ponson did his job tonight and the offense clobbered the ball....A-Rod, Jeter, Cano...nice start to an important series.

Middle Relief said...

Humberto Sanchez has now pitched in 8 games down in Tampa. Relief role, 1.1 ERA.

Jeff Karstens last two starts = 2 Wins, 14 innings and 2 earned.

**anybody know when Pavano is scheduled to start his rehab outings?

Middle Relief said...

Alright, let's not make Crash the GM - after all, he organized the celebration parade when the Yanks signed Igawa.

Anonymous said...

First I think I called Igawa the next Irabu...

Matsui is declining surgery on his knee even though the doctor advised him it's the best course of action. If he can rehab and comeback for the stretch in September that would be great but I don't like going against doctors advice.

Pavano hasn't pitched yet in rehab games, but with Cashman yesterday saying he could still help the ball club this year it sounds like it could happen any day now. I would imagine they are looking to have him on the active roster before Sept 1 so he can be on the post-season roster if necessary.

Mid I think if Rasner messes up another start you will get your wish and have Karsten get a call up as well.

Hopefully they can keep this hot streak going. They have played themselves back into a race. It's going to be an interesting 2 1/2 months.

Anonymous said...

Buster O. reporting the Yankees are interested in Jarrod Washburn.

Washburn does well at Yankee Stadium. He's not a bad #4-5 starter. I think he's under contract through next season as well. They shouldn't have to give up a lot to get him.

old professor said...

Mid, give up on Karstens, Rasner pitched will last night, but threw a lot of pitches and had to be taken out for Dave Robertson who throws one pitch and gets the win. (America is truly a great country - one pitch, one win). If the Yankees are looking at Washburn that would be a strong indication they don't believe anyone on the farm is ready to step up to the show and that would include Karstens. For some odd reason, the name that keeps surfacing is Bronson Arroyo, Why???? A lot will depend upon this weeks series with Boston. If they sweep Boston, they are truly in the hunt and have to be buyers in the trade market. If they get swept, they could be sellers during the last week before the trade deadline.

They have also been looking at Fuentes from Colorado to work out of the pen, but if Bruney is really ready to comeback and the pen has done extremely well, do they really need him.

They do need a right-handed consistent bat for the outfield.

Middle Relief said...

Don't forget that it is a 1:05 start today.

The Yanks are benefiting from the post ASG schedule. First three series against teams they were (past tense) looking up at in the Wild Card standings.

Heading into Fenway on this roll with the Sox coming back from a West Coast trip could be the recipe for another part to our favorite movie series: Boston Masacre IV

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