An amazing All-Star night turns to morning

George's health should be kept in house and not put up on Yankees.com by Brian Bloom.

What's the big need for secrecy? It's not like you can't visibly see the Boss is ailing, he's an old man, it's not like we expect him to be all spry and have all his faculties about him. It's called, getting older. George's health is of interest to more than just his inner-circle, he's a public figure. I suppose you get all upset when they show Muhammad Ali on tv too? Sure it's sad and not the the most heartwarming scene to behold, but aging and death are not those things but are a part of life nonetheless. I'm glad George made the trip and showed us his mug.

Besides, I'll always remember him at his best as the Yankee owner, not what time and nature have turned him into and will turn us ALL into.

Swahili,
Bonds hasn't been found "guilty" of anything.......yet, because he hasn't had his day in court.....yet. You're saying others on this blog are naive? Read carefully here, Swahili, Bonds would already be locked up and short of the homerun record if even 1 person in his inner circle would have gave up the goods on him. Frankly, with Bonds signing my paychecks, I would keep my mouth shut and take a year in the klink to stay on the payroll too.
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Does it really matter to you whether or not he's guilty, anyway? Judging by how badly you would like to slobber on his pole, I guess the answer to that question is an emphatic "NO". If you ask me, you're the type of scumbag that would rather see everyone ON roids putting up big numbers and smashing records, than see everyone off roids playing our country's pasttime the RIGHT way.
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The race card? Really? Why is it that everytime someone can't present a valid argument they just reach into their wallet and pull the race card out? If you would like to draw some color lines, that's cool, because it's obvious to me that YOU are the racist here. I'll bet you think Barr-oid is not guilty because he's black, right? Yeah, and OJ didn't kill Ron and Nicole, either. Thank you for finally presenting everyone here the REAL reason you can't seem to take the blinders come off when it comes to this epic cheat. The government has your boy by the sack, Scooter. It's only a matter of time. The evidence includes statements of confessed steroid dealers and athletes caught up in the BALCO case, the testimony of a former Bonds girlfriend, and some 30,000 pages of documents seized from BALCO and from Anderson's apartment in September 2003.
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How about this exerpt from the San Francisco Chronicle?:
According to federal records, some documents reflected payments for drugs for Bonds: $1,500 for two boxes of human growth hormone; $450 for a bottle of the injectable steroid Depotestosterone; $100 for 100 pills of clomiphene, also known as Clomid, a female fertility drug that some BALCO athletes were supplied to mask their use of banned drugs; and $200 for "the cream" and "the clear," BALCO's undetectable designer steroids.

Other documents appeared to be doping calendars kept to track Bonds' drug use. For a period in 2002, a calendar showed the use of "the cream," "the clear" and growth hormone on alternating days, followed by "Clow," or Clomid. Another document listed cities where the Giants played in 2003, along with notations for the use of growth hormone, "the clear," "the cream" and the diabetes drug insulin, which has muscle-building effects, on specific days.

Still other documents associated with Bonds referred to the use of the bovine steroid trenbolone and to steroid pills known as "Mexican beans."

Drug agents also seized the results of private drug tests performed on samples from Bonds, federal documents show. A 2001 report showed that in 2000 and 2001, BALCO sent Bonds' samples to Quest Laboratories for steroid screens. One test showed Bonds had higher than normal levels of testosterone, federal documents show.
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Give it up, Swahili, you are among the last idiots on the planet that still are drinking Bonds' kool-aid. If Cashman, and the Yankees front office, are among the people still in your group, then maybe I need to reconsider who my favorite team is. I have backed the Yankees 110% since 1985, and this one move would be enough to jeopardize my commitment to this team. We need to move beyond the steroid era in this game, which means leaving Bonds behind.
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Robert, would you do everyone a favor and post that article you emailed me about 1 addition to the lineup not solving our problems? It really opened my eyes, and I don't have the patience to explain why Bonds isn't good for the team, even without the ROIDS. Could you help me out?

Chaz,

Find a new team to show your allegiance ...The Yanks will sign Bonds.

Hoch,
Seriously, is there any way that we can get our voice to the Yankees front office? We can't be seriously considering Barry Bonds, can we? Does anyone up there have any scruples? Is there a shred of integrity left in this organization? The overall mood of baseball was to move forward and get away from the steroid era. Why would the flagship franchise of MLB even think to put the very personification of the steroid era on the roster? Did I just wake up in the twilight zone? Can you post a link or something? Anything! Thanks, keep up the good work.

Swahili,
THAT'S your respose? One f-ing sentence? You are a dullard.

My argument in a nutshell; better if the explanation of my point is left to a pro:
http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/baseball/blog/2008/07/dont_count_on_seeing_barry_bon.html
You are clueless, Swahili. I kind of feel sorry for you.

YANKEES MINOR LEAGUE SCOREBOARD July 15, 2008

GCL Tigers POSTPONED
GCLYankees

---------------------------------
You may also see http://www.yankeesdaily.com for details.

YANKEES MINOR LEAGUE SCOREBOARD July 16, 2008

Tampa
Jupiter 7:05p
---------------------------------

Charleston
Kannapolis (White Sox) 7:05p
---------------------------------
Batavia (Cardinals) 7p
Staten Island

---------------------------------

GCLYankees
GCL Tigers 12p
---------------------------------
You may also see http://www.yankeesdaily.com for details.

How about Dan Uggla? Sheesh! 3 errors to go with an 0-4 night, including a hat trick? That has to be the worst GAME, let alone all-star game, that I've ever seen played by a single player. I wouldn't have been surprised at all if the poor SOB just broke down and started crying after that 3rd K. Ouch.

I don't believe we would sign a player of Bonds caliber when we only have a pinch hitter spot for him and we don't know that we will make the playoffs.

Cashman needn't couch his comments about signing Bonds...Its the smart thing to do...Yanks know that Matsui will need seasoning ending knee surgery. Bonds will make this sputtering Bombers line-up come alive...otherwise the Yanks are finished...Managment knows that A-Rod, Giambi, Posada, Abreu will not deliver consistently in clutch and no match for Red Sox's Drew, Youklis, Remairez, Ortiz & Lowell...Forgot about the innuendos of steriod use (most of those on that list are still playing), the supposed "media circus"...New York is nothing but a circus anyway, and being a role model for little children...thats a bunch of baloney !
By keyswahili@yahoo.com on July 16, 2008 9:53 AM
keyswahili,

You just shown that you know very little about baseball throughout the season. Why don't you just quit? Bonds is nothing but a burnt out, lying loser who won't do anything for this team. The last thing the Yanks need now is a grown man crying his eyes out like a 5-year old girl about how the media has treated him and his family. BOOOOOO-HOOOOOOO!!!!!!! I saw enough of that garbage in the Bay Area, I don't need to see him embarrassing the Yankee organization. Right now this team isn't playing any better than any of the Giants teams in recent years who he did nothing for, therefore he won't do anything for the Yankees. The Yanks are already loaded with garbage, they don't need Bonds or another old fart like Sheffield on the team. This is the New York Yankees, not the Department of Sanitation of New York!!!!

However, I do blame Crashman for the situation the team is in right now. He had his opportunities this past offseason to improve this team, but didn't. For a team to resort to this much crap just proves that Crashman doesn't have any idea of what it takes to put a quality team together. All anyone has to do is look at his free agent acquisitions , and what they have done so and anyone can see it's been a dismal failure:

LaTroy Hawkins- Grades out to be a big fat F. With an ERA at 5.79 he has been a disaster all season, 'nuff said.

Morgan Ensberg- Grades out to an F. Hit only .203, obviously didn't bother to show up for the season.

Cody Ransom- Grades out as an F. Couldn't even make the 25 man roster.

Billy Traber- Grades out as an F. He's been up and down between the majors and minors struggling at both levels posting an ERA of 6.00 in just 12 IP with the Yanks, and 31 2/3 IP 4.83 at SWB.

Heath Phillips- Grades out as an F. Also couldn't make the 25 man roster and is struggling in the minors at 3-4 5.34

This team needs to stop resorting to mediocrity, and look to the quality player who can actually make a positive impact with the team.

40 Pounds of cow patties is always> Bonds, and Sheffield.

In My View ...

There is "NO WAY" the Yankees will sign Barry Bonds, period !!! ... But, with only 67 games remaining, though, Brian Cashman needs to make a few moves, that will help the Yankees make it into the Playoffs and World Series ... I think signing Richie Sexson is not the answer ... Didn't the Yankees already try that path??? -- with the signings of: Morgan Ensberg and Jason Lane ; and, also, the hope that Shelley Duncan would fill that roll [DH / 1B / PH] ... Sexson is the same type of player, and the Yankees will only get the same type of results - a very ineffective player at those positions ... Not bringing back Doug Mientkiewicz was a mistake - at least he gave the Yankees solid defense at first ... Maybe, the Yankees can look to the Pirates for a package of Doug M. and Marte, in a trade, that certaintly will fill two needs ... But, the player they really should trade for, is: Mark Teixeira, from the Braves ... Then, Cashman should look to make a deal with the Rockies, for: Matt Holliday and Brian Fuentes ... It's going to take some of the Yankees good young players to make these deals, but Teixeira, Holliday, and Fuentes [or, Marte], are "long-term" solutions -- not another "short-term gamble", such as the signing of a "Richie Sexson" would be !!! ... If Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui are not healthy enough to play in the second half, the Yankees are going to find it very tough to score runs, and win ball games ... The Yankees need to shake things up a little bit, and make some trades "that will have an impact on this team" ... Brett Gardner may be a good fill-in [in the OF], and give the Yankees a little more speed, and be a good pinch-runner off the bench; but, with him, and Wilson Betemit [at first] in the lineup, I think it really weakens the Yankees offense ... Also, if Jorge Posada is not healthy enough to catch, that means another weak bat in the lineup with Molina behind the plate [although good defense - by Molina] ... To make a solid "pennant run", the Yankees do need to make "more than one trade" to improve the above positions that I have discussed ... Time is running out, and without more run production, the task of winning the AL EAST will be much more difficult ... If the pitching holds up, I think that would be enough to win with their current roster ... But, with more run production, the pressure will not be as great on the pitching staff; and, maybe now is the time to "look to the future", by bringing in some good [proven] players, that will help the Yankees win it all "this year", and, also, in the next 5-7 years !!! ... Go Yankees ... Jimmy27NYY ...

http://baseballtheyankeesandlife.mlblogs.com/

Let me add to what you just posted, Jimmy.
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Robert will back me up on this, http://riveraveblues.com/2008/07/14/this-team-isnt-one-move-away-3297/
I would like to see us get a big RIGHT HANDED BAT to help balance the lineup, but the Yankees need to suck it up and start playing better as a team before a move, or moves, will even help them this season. Check out the above link. Thanks, Robert for emailing me the article.

Chaz,
I agree w/ you on the Bonds signing. If the Yanks sign him, I'll become a Blosox fan or slam my d*ck in a door. 2 things I'd rather not ever do!
Girardi said he expects his team to compete for the American League East title. **Is he looking forward to 2009 already? There's no way in hell they make it this season.
Girardi, said it brings a sense of urgency to the Yankees' second half. **The urgency actually started in Spring Training w/ the rag tag roster.
Even if the Yankees keep winning, the only chance they have is for Boston to continually lose. Not very likely.

The redsox losing 6 of 10 while we win 6 of 10 is not a "no way in hell" situation. I won't ever count them out. But, these Yankees had better fix the fact that they are clueless at the plate with men on, or we are going to be in for a world of hurt this second half. I looked up an interesting stat on baseballreference.com. Right now the Yankees are hitting .234 against power pitchers. .234! Since when are the Yankees, arguably the finest fastball hitting team in the big leagues for the past 10+ years, suddenly incapable of getting around on a heater? Right now, the formula to whip the Yankees is simply to march ANY scrub you have with a 95mph fastball in his repetoire, and you have a damn good look at making the Yanks look foolish. Who is coaching these guys? If you can't hit a pitcher's fastball, you make every other pitch that he throws about 500% more effective. This is not some new idea. What happened to taking pitches until you get the heater, and crushing that bitch into the gap or over the wall? One year ago they were the best in the bigs, and this year? ..............234!

Chaz ...

Excellent article [also, thanks to Robert - as well as, the article you listed earlier], which makes a great point that even if the Yankees make the many player moves they need to make to improve this team - "there still are many question marks" that need to be addressed ... The starting pitching needs to be much more consistent ...and, the Yankees need Cano, Melky, Abreu, and Jeter to hit much better in the second half ... and, the whole team needs to hit much better with runners in scoring position ... Also, the injuries to Damon, Matsui, and Posada are an "unknown factor" which makes it uncertain on how healthy all three are going to be for the final 67 games [and, playoffs]; and, how well all three will play ... There are many questions marks, with too few solutions that Cashman is willing to explore, as time keeps running out ... I think, many moves need to be made; and, Brian Cashman will have to trade some of our good young prospects to complete these necessary moves ... This will bring some good "proven players" to the Yankees, which will help us win "now", as well as, over the next 5-7 years !!! ... Jimmy27NYY ...

http://baseballtheyankeesandlife.mlblogs.com/

Chaz,
Just read your posts today. Glad you had the article handy.

I have read the above all with interest.

The absolute bottom line with the injuries sustained in both the pitching and offense ( Matsui & Damon had the best record all season with runners on second and third. They are both probably done for the season.

If management does not make respectable moves to replace them they might as well call it stumps. It is true to get something you have to give.

To me the most dissapointing thing for the season was the innability of Cano Cabrerra and Abreu to stand up when AROD and Porsada were out. They owed it to them to lift the team when they were on the DL. Did they forget how Posada and A Rod carried the team last year.
Any team who sustained the injuries as the Yankees sustained would be in a far worse state though

The one shining light has been the bull pen yest the bull pen especially Farnsworth Veras Ramirez and even Robertson.

The trade you suggested Jimmy was the best I have seen proposed without doubt. What you did not say is who or what would you suggest the team give up.

How is The Akubra in sunny NYC

Regards

Aussie Bryan

I don't really understand signing a 200 hitter like Sexson and moving Giambi to DH where his #s are lower plus we need an outfielder not an infielder.

I think the next few weeks will be very interesting. If Matsui is done for sure, I don't think the Sexson thing is that bad on an idea. I'm guessing he will be cheap, kind of like Ponson. As far as another outfielder, Damon is coming back, Cabrera is fine, and Abreu is not going anywhere. The Yankees need to play younger players (Gardner, Christian) if these guys do not recover from their injuries. There is no sense in spending money on players who are not going to help in the long haul. By the way, before everyone starts posting suggestions, like getting Gary Sheffied back, please do some homework and make sure your suggestion is realistic. Paying Sheffield this year and 14 million next year is not an option. Plus if you did your research, Sheff has a limited no-trade clause and I would bet the Yankees are one of the teams he can block a trade to based on the way things ended for him. If someone would do their research they would have known this. I also seriously doubt the Yankees trade any of the young pitchers. It just does not seem logical that they would tell the Minnesota Twins "no" for arguably the best pitcher in baseball and then turn around and trade anyone one of them for a second or third tier pitcher. Just in case anyone hasn't noticed, the Yankees are rebuilding and good things are to happen in the future.

YANKEES MINOR LEAGUE SCOREBOARD July 16, 2008

Tampa 6
Jupiter (Marlins) 7
W: C. Martinez (2-3, 4.34); L: M. Dunn (3-6, 4.68); SV: A. Mendez (19)
HR: TAM: A. Perez (4). JUP: L. Morrison (9), S. McDougall (7).
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2008_07_16_tbyafa_jupafa_1&t=g_box&did=milb
Charleston 2
Kannapolis (White Sox) 0
W: J. Heredia (5-3, 2.66); L: L. Maxwell (9-3, 3.25); SV: J. Ortiz (24)
HR: None.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2008_07_16_crdafx_kanafx_1&t=g_box&did=milb
Batavia (Cardinals) 5
Staten Island 6
W: A. Shive (3-2, 2.70); L: R. Delgado (1-1, 2.91); SV: P. Venditte (8)
HR: BAT: C. Sedbrook (1). STA: B. Baisley (1).
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2008_07_16_batasx_staasx_1&t=g_box&did=milb
GCLYankees 4 (7)
GCL Tigers 2
W: H. Noesi (1-0, 2.08); L: L. Marte (0-1, 3.60); SV: M. Obradovich (4)
HR: TIG: L. Palacios (1).
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2008_07_16_yanrok_tgrrok_1&t=g_box&did=milb
You may also see http://www.yankeesdaily.com for details.

Sexson makes sense for defense and as a right handed bat against lefties. Quick Splits: vs. Left: .344 vs. Right: .178

Signing Sexson doesn't make sense at all. Like I said he is hitting only .210 since '06 and is a strikeout machine. This team already has a .200 hitter who strikes out a lot in Betapuke. Also don't need one-dimensional player like Mientkiewicz either who is all glove and no bat. How does that help the offense at all? Gardner has yet to show he can play in the majors at all, and the Yanks can't afford to waste the time to wait for this guy to show that he can. This team needs both bats in the starting lineup, and the bench. Now is not the time to start playing younger players like Christian or Gardner, if this team is to make the playoffs it will have to be with established vets who can be trusted to come through when it counts the most and not garbage players like Sexson, Meintkiewicz or Ponson. This team has been down that road, and it has been unsuccessful. This team is still in the race, but it shouldn't have to rely on unknowns. No matter what, this team won't make changes until they prove they can turn things around.

matthew makes some very good points. He actually agrees with me but just does not know it. The reality is there are no players who are going to be on the trading block that can come in and help the Yankees. A established vet who can come through in the clutch. Unless something comes up that catches the baseball world by surprise, that player is not there, or if he is, he will come at a high prices, Hughes, Kennedy, Melky, Cano, and probably a combination of the bunch. This team is not going to make any big trades in my opinion. They will have to get it done with what they have. The pitching is suspect and there are no arms available. Making the playoffs with the current pitching staff is going to be a task in itself. If the Yankees do not sign Sexson, then Duncan should be brought up and given as many at bats as possible. For years the Yankees have brought in players like Sexson, Ponson, Clemens, Canseco and it has not worked out. Play the kids so in two years we are not in the same situation.

Colorado is asking for Kennadia straight up for Fuentes, there is dialogue.

Sexson is no upgrade over Giambi, we need an outfielder, we don't need Giambi as a DH. We could get Juan Pierre? What happened to Jason Lane?

And we need relievers why? I'm not actually convinced now that we need ANYTHING. We need the folks we have to PRODUCE. We have to score ACTUAL runs or all the pitching in the world wont mean TIHS! And we have the bats we need to score those runs.

I'm still seeing people post about our questionable pitching staff, and that making the playoffs with our pitching staff will be tough, and pitching, pitching. Have you guys been watching the 2008 Yankees? Because you are talking about the 2007 Yankees when you post. FOR THE LAST TIME, THE PITCHING STAFF WE HAVE IS GOOD ENOUGH. IT'S THE GOD DAMN OFFENSE THAT IS KILLING OUR CHANCE AT OCTOBER BASEBALL.
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You see, I'm looking at the numbers, and the only Yankees in the starting lineup that are even CLOSE to doing what they are capable of are Giambi (who has risen above and beyond the call of duty) and A-Rod. The rest of the team, from Jeter all the way down to that disgusting bench we have, is setting new standards of EPIC FAIL. Damon and Matsui WERE having great seasons, but I guess this is what we can expect from old players who haven't been healthy in 4 seasons. Getting a HEALTHY Damon back will sure help, but we still need a DH/OF since Matsui may not be back. Giambi is FINE defensively (go look at his numbers). The DH/OF needs to be a good contact hitter, with some power, who HITS FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE PLATE. More importantly, we need the Yankees we already have to start doing what they are paid to do, or Albert Pujols wouldn't even make a difference for this team. EVERYONE NEEDS TO STEP UP.

If we had last year's offense with this year's pitching, we'd be well ahead in the division right now. The same lineup that was knocking the cover off the ball last season is still here, so why can't they put up similar numbers? I guess some of you think a pitcher or 2 will help the offense score some runs. That makes sense.

Why so upset over Sexon? Does it really matter how terrible he is? Unless the Yankees are bringing him in to play over Giambi, which is NOT the case, all Sexon will be is another lousy bench player on an already lousy bench. Is he going to make the Yankee bench worse? How is that even possible?

Jeter is where this whole thing begins. He needs to have an EPIC second half. I know he can do it.

If we need another bat to pickup the production of Gardner, then ok but what that really says is you want the production of Matsui/Damon replaced. That's going to cost... and I don't care either way if we pickup someone to fill the job through the end of the year or if we're actually looking to replace the both of them with a new fella.

I am skeptical though. There seems to be a lot of consensus on a vet, but just how old a vet? We seem to not want an unknown... you mean like a Josh Hamilton unknown? I'd actually prefer one of him over a Sexson. Surely we can scout guys that are young but not as seasoned as a Sexson that can also rip the ball can't we? I can't believe there are no up and coming outfielders good enough to take that spot. I'd much rather us FILL that position rather than just rent it out for a few months.

Pitching has settled and quite often we're within striking distance to win. However, we still have two very questionable setup men in Hawkins and Farnsworth. Ok so they've done better of late, but we're still talking about the same two people.

Next you have the question of Moose's tank going into the second half. He's been a stud to this point, but his track record says, LOOKOUT, because the second half is looming.

Our staff doesn't look that bad no... but I still see too many late inning runs given up, forget about if we have the lead or not, their job is to stop, period.

I would tend to agree though, the pitching has stabilized for all intents. I still think Pontoon boat and this Robertson guy may just be able to hold down a 5th spot, at least adequately maybe not superbly.

Our offense is in the stinker and has been all year. I don't what they put in the water but that ST regimen of Girardi's doesn't seem to have yielded too many benefits eh? Cardio is one thing... seeing and hitting the ball is another.

Chaz made a good point yesterday about how anemic we've been against the fastball. I've noticed the same thing too. The one thing I think I can say that I see also is that I believe opposing pitchers are throwing us fastballs in odd times of the count, or flipping it around or whatever and throwing breaking balls in fastball counts, etc. It seems to me that pitchers are throwing offspeed trying to get ahead (or fastball) because they know we're generally patient (ok Cano listen up) hitters. They get ahead on the fastball or the breaking ball then throw junk the rest of the AB unless praytell they have to throw a FB, but from my view they've been locating well. We're not very effective when we swing at it that's for sure. Also, we seem to be lacking in ability to hit the offspeed stuff, or it could be we're looking FB an awful lot (hey I do too), but we get fooled a lot on breaking stuff.

Chaz you can probably relate, on the '08 the Road to the Show I have the adaptive pitching on, which will have the AI adjust its pitching to you based on what you're doing. I've been watching my roomate play and he does a lot of Canoeing... i.e. swinging at first pitches. I notice a lot now that they'll throw out of the zone on the first pitch and he's steady swinging! I tell him, let that first one go, as inviting as it looks! Then I'll get on and being a patient hitter I almost invariably let that first one go. Well wouldn't you know they're throwing me the first pitch IN the zone! Hmmm, a clue!? So, now that I've established that I'm patient, I'll be on the lookout for that first pitch meatza that they like to sneak over and crush that thing to the alley or hopefully out of the park!

See so the point is, sometimes you have to make the adjustments to how they're treating you. If they know we're patient, they're going to try to get ahead early and then throw off the plate as long as they can! So sometimes we need to surprise them back and jump on that first pitch, while Cano takes 2 at a minimum! :P

I'm hoping that something changes, because the way we played in the first half was embarassing. I do have all the confidence and faith in the world though... this team can do it, that's what's so frustrating about it, it's not about ability it's about execution!

The reason I'm upset about Sexson is because it's just another useless, nonsensical move that most likely won't help this team down the road, this team has made enough of those type of moves this season, just look at who this team has on its roster. Is this team better for it? Absolutely not!!!! This team needs to stop wasting time and going to the garbage, and picking up players, and start making smart moves. It's the same old, same old which makes the Yanks look all that more desperate. It would be a mistake to go through the rest of the season without a bench that can provide solid depth behind an aging, injury prone lineup. That has been a major problem for this team all season long, it just doesn't have the talent to replace the guys who need to be rested, or take the place of injured players who have been injured throughout the season like Posada, Damon, Matsui, A-Rod, or Jeter. This team doesn't have anyone who can come close to making up for a little of the offense this team will lose if anyo f those players go down again.

Yes the Yanks need to start making the offense more of a priority, and a bat or two need to be added, but again the status of the pitching cannot be ignored. They have pitched well of late, but this team is basically getting by with 3/5 of a rotation with Chamberlain, Pettitte, and Mussina who is basically a 5 or 6 inning pitcher who probably will blow up some time in the second half of the season. Rasner has never pitched more than 50 innings in a season, and has struggled quite a bit for a while with some doubt he can turn it around, so he can't be trusted, he's barely a #5 starter. I trust Posnon as a starter as far as I can throw him, 'nuff said there. Hawkins has been a disaster, he's lucky he is still with this team, and Farnsworth can't be trusted at all as a setup man (leads the ML in HR given up among relievers) he's nothing more than a middle reliever. To expect this staff to continue to pitch the way it has is extremely near-sighted. At least with solid pitching you always have a chance of winning. This team continues to fail in October not just because the offense to crap out, but because the pitching craps out with it. So this team should go out to get the bats, but shouldn't foget about the pitching either.

Rayfe,

I'm not sure I completely agree with you on everything. I still think it's far too early to give up on this team right now, at least not to the point where this team brings in inexperienced players like Gardner who by the way hasn't shown he belongs in the majors yet. This team does need a couple of bats, and another arm to help get over the hump. They don't necessarily have to be clutch hitters, just hitters who can fit in with this lineup, and add some things that this lienup has been missing all season. They don't have to be masher either just good enough to help get the job done. Changes to the roster are what this team needs, it helped last season, and is worth trying again this season. This team isn't going anywhere by sitting on its hands while there are holes that need to be filled. However, like I said before this team is going to need to prove that it's worthy of making those changes by winning games. IF it can't, and this team starts losing, and starts falling back, then that's when you will see more, and more of the younger players. In my opinion, sitting back and not making any changes or when a team starts bringing up its young players before the team is out of contention is a defeatist attitude.

The Yanks win with this staff?? Yeah right!!! It's extremely short sighted to think they can continue to pitch like they have. Where was that offense last season when it was needed?

I don't like playing GM roles nor I like speculating on trades. I like to see them happen when they do, but that's about it...Here is my very first trade proposal.

If the Mariners were in for a trade, how about Susuki & Berdard for Kennedy, Cabrera, Tabata and/or another minor league prospect (e.g. Alan Horne).

Susuki can be the lead off hitter we need while Damon is out. I don't see him struggling for too much longer, since he has been very consistent throughout the years. The mariners can't expect to get too much for Erik since he has not exactly turn out too well for them. Bring him back to the East where he proved to have dominated.

Sexson is starting over Giambi, Giambi is moving back to DH, slap in the face, his stats are lower there.

btw, Ichiro might be available according to some Japan newspaper.