Wow, Sturtze sure looks like he's stuck in a hole that he's not going to get out of.

Can someone explain to me how the waiver system works? For instance, Hee-Seop Choi was actually on a rehabilitation assigment to Pawtucket. When that was over, he was activated to Boston but then he had to pass through waivers again to be re-assigned to Pawtucket.

Did we have a shot at him or do we again fall below the Sux? Did other teams pass up the chance to grab him?

It seems that even Joe Torre has a limit to his patience. Throwing down Jeter's bat? That's practically a Billy Martin-esque rant from Joey Four Rings.

Here's wishing Sheff a quick recovery.

BP

Wow, outstanding pitching matchups for the Boston series:
Johnson - Beckett
Mussina - Schilling
Chacon - Wakefield
Should be tight games. Anybody looking forward to seeing Sturtze? Other than the Red Sox, I mean. Is there a Proctor in da house?
Sheff's bat will be sorely missed if he goes to DL. Got Melky?

MFD, 1 he got me so pissed off yesterday with that play at 2nd base I feel like shoveling some dirt in on top of him. Additionally, I can count the number of times on one finger that I can recall Mr. Torre coming out and criticizing one of his players in the way he did Sturtze in his post game comments. I know the guy has pitched hurt over the last season or so but that was idiotic. That 2nd walk was also inexcusable. IMO it's time to open the Columbus shuttle and find a reliever now that can give us some meaningful work when the weather gets hot. Rasner, Beane and Smith might be a good place to start. Who knows, Sturtze may even be that guy but he needs to go south or west to a league designated with an A to find that out.

5 Right on, wsporter. But as harsh as Joe's comments were, I doubt he'd send Sturtze down, not yet anyway. No, I'm afraid we'll see Sturtze against the Red Sox this week -- hopefully with a comfortably padded lead.
The "wringing his neck" comment suggests Joe will keep Sturtze on a short leash (with a tight collar).

4 I was thinking that myself, when they were advertising the Boston series on YES yesterday. Great matchups. I'm really looking forward to it.

I'm sure that the Yankees would love to squeeze a couple of decent outings out of Sturtze before Dotel returns. At 1.5 million he is tradeable, but not with outings like this.

Sturtze isn't going anywhere. Sheff's injury, especially if he is DLed, will buy Sturtz another 15 days at least--either the team will use that slot to call up yet another pitcher (not likely), or they will replace Sheff with a new OF (more likely) and then stand pat.

I know this does not follow logically, but that's how I see it playing out. And anyway, there is always one spot on the 12 man pitching staff where Torre can sort of forget/bury pitchers (Smith, Villone)--so Sturtze can hold that spot forever. Indeed, the Yankees seem to love playing basically one or two men short.

2, I can't remember where I read this, but I think that even though Choi was sent through "waivers," there is some kind of gentleman's agreement among owners not to claim players off waivers that way.

Who else here would love to see a Matt Smith arrival and a Tanyon departure?

re: Joe's 1000th

The NY Post and NY Deli News are both running the same AP photo on the backpages today - Torre walking off the field after being congratulated by Rodriguez (whose right arm is around the smiling manager's shoulder).

It's a nice shot, and the News delivered a clever headline "Grand Old Man." Funny how the same paper famously dubbed him "Clueless Joe" a thousand wins, and four World Championships ago.

I'm no photo editor, but I think I would have used a different shot on the backpage today. Inside the Daily News there's an AP photo of Torre being congratulated by Jeter, and Mattingly is in the background. (if you click on Alex's link to Joe's 1000-th, scroll down and you'll see it).

No player is more symbolic of Torre's run than Jeter (with all due respect to Mo and Bernie). Mattingly's presence in the shot, and the almost wistful expression on his face reminds us how long this has been Joe's team, and how much it has accomplished during the Torre Era.

Congratulations on your 1000th, Mr. Torre, now, go get that 5th ring!

YES ended their broadcast with a clip of Jeter giving Torre a congratulatory hug. None of the wire photographers seem to have caught that moment, or I suspect they'd have used it. As they noted on YES, Jeter's the one who's been with him through it all.

Congrats to Joe on his 1000th victory! I've got to say that when Joe was first hired, I never thought that Joe would last this long as the Yankees' manager, much less win all those championships.

I am really surprised by how harsh Joe was about Sturtze's error. I can't help, but wonder if it had to do Jeter possibly getting hurt on that throw. Enrique Wilson was done after he threw that ball wide of Jeter last year.

Question: If MLB isn't recognizing or celebrating Bonds passing Babe Ruth and is investigating him for steriod use, why is his picture just about always on the main page of MLB.com? Where is the consistency? Also, what was with all those Philly fans cheering and taking pictures when Bonds hit the 713th home run last night? Whaa happened to all the outrage?

10 Thanks hensley. But I'd be really surprised if such a gentleman's agreement stopped the Yanks from doing anything. Remember, they just stepped into the Mirabelli trade to drive up the price for the Sux even though they had no intention of acquiring him. You might be thinking of when another team 'trades' a player after the deadline via the waiver wire. Used to be other clubs wouldn't interfere. Now they do. I think Cashman was the first to do so with Canseco a few years back - we got stuck with him but he didn't go elsewhere.

14 MLB executives do not have editorial control over MLB.com. Hence this note at the bottom of every story:

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Strange, but true. Goldman operates the same way on the YES page. The Mitchell story will be an interesting test though, esp. if it comes at the same time that Barry approaches Hank.

15 You know Rob speaking of a "Gentlemen's Agreement" I have a funny feeling that Mr. B. Bonds may not pass Hank Aaron. At the rate he's going this year. I think 757 is out of reach. Do you see him coming back next year? My cynical side tells me that the result of the Mitchell Investigation may be a "go away deal" cut with Bonds. It's just a little voice in the back of my head (hope it's not my neighbors dog) but it does make some sense I think. It might be that Hammerin Hank will get to keep what he earned after all.

16 You're probably right, wsport. I can imagine the being the conspiracy theorists story if he's done afterthis year. But,
if anything, Bonds is unpredictable and he didn't break baseball's rules - could imagine him trying next year esp. if he gets a huge FA contract from an AL club.

BTW: How about Cano!? Offense and defense (1 error! - knock on wood). This guy's legit and capable of learning. But if the deal's right I'd still trade him - easier to replace a decnt 2B than a Catcher (Clement?) or young front of the rotation starter (Willis).

I'd just like to give Rob Gee credit for finally figuring it out. I am Joe Torre. hhahahah

Good comment, Rob:

Actually, (little known fact) Dimelo is Tea's mom's maiden name. He not only reads BB but contibutes to the Banter.

5 MFD, I can remember Sierra in '96, but that's it. Talk about a rare event.

I agree on getting the Columbus shuttle in service. However, IIR the rules correctly, Sturtze cannot be optioned down to the minors without his prior approval - a la when Cashman and 1000 Pinstripe Wins spoke with Giambi last year about going down. I doubt Sturtze would agree to it.

That leaves trading him or designating him for assignment - and then trading him within 10 days or releasing him outright if he won't go to the minors. It ought to be an easy decision. Someone in the front office must know what a "sunk cost" is, right?

I said this yesterday after the game in a post and I was thinking about it again. In my memory as a Yankees Fan, since 1963, I can't think of one manager that we have had who I would trade for Joe Torre. We've had some good ones. But when everything is considered including: leadership, the record, the ability to deal with the press, managerial acumen, the ability to deal with ownership and understand the NY milieu and the general avuncular vibe he gives it's just not close. 1,000 wins is a milestone achievement given who owns the team and where it's located.

During my first 32 or 33 years as a Yankees fan we played some piss poor ball for all but 6 or 7 years. I saw tragedy, sadness and a good deal of unfulfilled promise. This last 10 years has been an oasis in a dry hot desert (compared to the 1920 to 1975 period when my grandfather rooted for them). It would be very hard for me not to appreciate Mr. Torre and I think it would be the height of ingratitude for me not to do so. So again, to Mr. Torre, I say well done and thank you for everything. This has been a real pleasure. I just wish my Grandfather could have seen it.

17 I still haven't pulled those Cano Stats together (errors after bad ab's) but it looks like what ever was ailing him has been rubbed off. He has looked fantastic. He still has his moments but I think everyone but a few great players do when they're placed under the microscope. I can't support a trade. The main reason is he threw my son a ball last summer and said hello to him. My son thinks he's the greatest thing since sliced bread. (not you Slice) My heart would break for the little guy if his "friend" Robinson were traded. It's a family thing at this point.

19 That was the one event I was thinking of. I think he might go down if it came to that. Especially if it were presented in a get your stuff together then come back way. Although I guess the thinking has to be, from the players POV, never let them send you down if you can stop it. You never know when you'll be back.

If you asked me about "understanding sunk costs" last year I would have said no, now Yes.

I think the correct answer is: "I want to wring Joe Torre's neck every time he puts Tanyon Sturtze into a game."

I don't want to trade Cano, either. Call me sentimental, but I think the Yanks should have more homegrown talent like Cano. IMO, the constant revolving door hurt them last year. Yeah, I know, a lot of people don't believe in "chemistry," so I won't use that word. I don't believe in it, either, in the almost mystical sense some use it. But as far as being familiar enough with your teammates to be comfortable with them, communicate well, and know what to expect of them...that, I think, was what the Yankees were missing last year.

17, in a chat last week on ESPN with one of their hosts, someone asked "Bonds didnt break rules.. so why etc..."..

the host responded " Bonds DID break the law".. he explained in 91 or 92, the Union-MLB agreement included a small phrase " breaking a law of the land is an offense in baseball .." those are not the exact wordings.. but the idea is, if soemthing is unlawful by USA stds then its illegal in MLB also..

technically he DID break the law as did the 100s of other major leaguers..

20 Well put, wsporter. 'Avuncular vibe,' that's excellent and precise.

17 Rob, I appreciate how much you emphasize the importance of a quality catcher, but trade Cano? The Yanks farm finally raised another All-Star quality infielder, I say keep him in pinstripes and watch him grow.

This I didn't realize: "The Yankees' bullpen has not blown a lead for a starter this season..." That's huge. If The Yanks had an honest to goodness 5 or 6 deep rotation like not too long ago, they'd be 25-4!

24 In response to a banner in Philly ("The Babe did it with beer and hot dogs"), Joe Morgan pointed out beer was illegal during the Babe's era. He was half kidding, but if it came from anyone else, it would actually be funny.

Re: The lack of deep outrage over Bonds? Simple. He won. He wore us down. He wouldn't go away and we got tired of ranting about him. He's just a bore now. Hammerin' Hank, The Babe and The Say Hey Kid are the real 1-2-3, and will be for a long time.

18 What!? That's not true, Joe Dimelo!? I was convinced...

21 24 Good sentiments on Cano. I really do like him too, esp. with how much progress he's showing and shutting up alot of peeps on this board. Unfortuntely, sentiment doesn't win ballgames. I really liked Sori too. A decent 2B is a lot easier to replace than other places on the diamond. So if there's a good deal to be had, you do it. If Cano + Hughes = Willis, I pull the trigger. If Cano = Jeff Clement, I do it.

But luckily for you guys, the GM lacks cohones - Reggie Evans said so.

BTW, wsport - If Bonds gets just 25 more - you really think he calls it quits at 740ish? Maybe, but again I also see 10 mil and an AL club in his future.

25 Bklyn - A-Rod passes Mays in four years. Hank in six or seven. Pujols could also be up there in the next decade.

27 Rob, its very hard to make a perjury charge stick in Federal Court (it is in the state courts I'm aware of too) . From a defendant's POV however, they usually don't like to stand around with their head in the noose. If there's an easy way to make it disappear short of pleading to the crime they normally take it. This Mitchell thing looks good and dirty to me from top to bottom. Bonds is the only guy they're after and if they can pull in the necessary muscle they need to get rid of him they will. This grand jury perjury investigation may be all they need.

I guess it depends on how much money Bonds needs and how nuts/angry he is. As I said a couple of weeks ago this may be to John le Carre or Marvel Comics but yeah I can see Bonds striking the tent and moving on, even at 740; if the other stuff goes away for him.

I know Willis is or is going to be one of the great lefties of our age. I suppose you're right that getting him for a 2nd baseman, even a good one, and an unproven AA pitcher would be a good deal. You know what? As a fan sometimes sentiment gets in the way of logic. I hated it when we traded Bobby Murcer for Bobby Bonds even though I knew it was a good deal, even though we turned Bonds into Figgy and Rivers. There's just something cool about the kid I like. As I said it's a family thing. I'd rather he stayed and played well here; stupid I guess but there you have it.

27 I'd like to get a catching prospect too, Rob, but I don't see the Mariners doing Cano for Clement. They must like having a good catching prospect around too, and Jojima will be 32 when his contract is up, the traditional age for catcher collapse.

I'm not sure I agree that "a decent 2B is a lot easier to replace than other places on the diamond." Its far easier to find a slugging first baseman, a slugging DH, a good third baseman, and good corner OFs than it is to find a decent 2B who can hit MLB pitching at 23. They are rare and worth holding on to.

As is Hughes. Willis is 24 and has over 630 innings on his arm already. He scored high on BP's pitcher abuse points system last year, and is high on the list so far this year. His costs will skyrocket after this year if he pitches well. Why give up a guy who is younger than Willis, has less mileage on his arm than Willis, has a higher upside than Willis, and will cost much less than Willis, for Willis? It just makes no sense to me.

Just saw this over at Baseball Musings:

http://tinyurl.com/gwjg7

We might want to take Melky's hitting performance at AAA with a grain of salt. I think one of the Kevins is the better callup for now if Sheff goes on the DL.

as per bonds, if you'll allow me...

715 DOESN'T MATTER!!!! HE'S NOT BREAKING ANY RECORD!!! ESPN NEEDS TO GET IT OFF THEIR F'IN FRONT PAGE AND THE MEDIA NEEDS TO STOP FOLLOWING THIS LIKE IT MEANS SOMETHING!!! THE RECORD IS 755!!! 755!!! UNTIL HE HITS 756, WE'RE JUST BLOWIN MORE SMOKE UP HIS BUTT!!!

28 I'd just be really surprised if Bonds does retire at 740. I might buy the conspiracy book at that point. Right now, I'm not publishing that book though.

And I really do like Cano. Seems like a good kid (and you and your son would testify to that) and is already a very good 2B. I just think that if you're going to sustain winning, you have to acquire value and give up on sentiment. Sux showed that with Nomah. Cracker Sox showed that with Duque. The message is to increase value where you can.

This particular GM has been horrible with increasing returns on his investments. So I don't think you or Shaun have much to worry about. The two trades he did acquire value were no-brainers at the time: Sori for A-Rod, and Clemens for Wells.

29 The difference of opinion is I don't think you necessarily need, esp. with this line-up, a great hitting 2B if plays very good defense with a little pop. Would you argue it's easier to find that than a decent two-way catcher? I would.

As for Clement specifically, I think the time to acquire him was this off-season. Now, it's very likely too late. But here's the thing with Seattle. If they're hanging close this year in that division, there's pressure to win now. Cano's bat would help. If we could swing Jose Lopez (23 yo) and Clement, you do that in a heartbeat. Unfortuntely, this GM doesn't.

Willis is more based on the fact that he's young, lefty, and proven. If Hughes flames out or gets hurt in AA, you've lost all that perceived value. Cano has one year down and might regress. But he has a ton of value right now. Same reason the Sux got Pedro. He had his detractors at the time too. Look how that turned out. You go with proven value where you can. Same reason Zito gets a monster contract.

But this is all moot. This GM won't make these moves. He's more into plugging holes until all he's left with is a very leaky dike with alot of expensive plugs.

30 I don't see how it relates to Melky specifically. He's still doing better than his peers on his team and on the other teams. Don't they get the same 'hometown' advantage? Wouldn't his home and away splits tell us how much he's benefitting?

And for what it's worth why wouldn't you go with the best player available if Shef is DL bound? Melky seems psychologically sound if he bounced back from the debacle that was last year's callup. Then if he doesn't work you have the Kevins.

33 Rob, I agree that "... if you're going to sustain winning, you have to acquire value and give up on sentiment." You're absolutely right you can't manage a Ball Club based on sentiment, but I'm not running a ball club. I'm just a stupid fan. And I'll admit that I am very much torn between loyalty to past and present heroes and a desire to sustain a winning environment; the head and the heart often don't do well in business together.

There's a great old saying that a lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client. This is precisely why I would be a much more successful GM if I ran the Red Sawx rather than the Yankees. My heart would never get in the way of what had to be done in Beantowne. I'd trip all over it in the Bronx.

Sorry Rob I meant Rob 32. Oh well. See you guys later, glad were not playing I've got a couple of idiotic meetings to head out to. Later.

33 True, his home and away splits would probably say as much as anything - but what caught my eye in the first place was that Melky was hitting so much better than he has in the past. Thompson, meanwhile, is hitting at just about what he did last year. Maybe Melky has made "The Leap" - and I'd be psyched if he has - but I still wonder.

Last year, Melky was cruising, got called up, did poorly, and BOOM - confidence shattered, his hitting went south for the rest of the year. That's why I say bring Thompson up - no reason to mess with the good thing Melky has going right now.

As for Dontrelle's proven value 32, you're exactly right - he has proven himself in the bigs, while Hughes has 1 start at AA. But I think Hughes's future value going forward is worth much more than Willis's future value. The Yanks will need to spend soon to fill holes, if not in '07 than definitely in '08. (catcher, DH, RF, for starters) I'd rather have the money for those holes than paying Willis $$$$$$ to be a dominant starter, which they might have in Hughes, at a cheap value to boot.

And don't forget that Willis himself was an 'unproven' AA pitcher when the Marlins got him for the 'proven winner' Matt Clement. Think the Cubs would like to undue that one? Me too.

But you're right Rob, no way Cashman moves Cano or Hughes. Still, its nice to have the discussion and something to think about on an off-day!

36 How do you underline words in a post?

37 Underbars before and after the words you want to underline.

Like this?

36 Only real grip with what you've said Shaun is that Clement has never been a proven winner and was not that heading into Chicago. League average, yes - winner, no. Too bad we won't see him in Beantown.

Hate to admit it, but I was one of those Cano skeptics. But now I'm sold - completely. Everything that had concerned me about the kid prior to the season (low OBP/poor pitch selection, lax attitude, spotty glove) has been disproven - in some cases, emphatically. He's really growing on me, and I'd hate to see him go, even for an utter stud like Dontrelle.

I can't recall if it was Weeping or Wsporter the other night who lamented about how difficult it can be rooting for a team replete with mercenaries (or something to that effect). I agree completely, but watching the development of homegrown guys like Cano and Wang makes me feel somehow more invested.

Call up a Kevin (or Melky)!

Melky played RF tonight and went 3-5. I think they're calling him up.

26 well actually not quiet, the bullpen havn't blown any leads... but it has blown a couple of tied games or very close games (see Boston game... it was 3 : 3 when Wang went out.. Wang's first outting of the season was also a tied game blown by the pen ) this current rotation is actually 4 man deep already, all they really need is the 5th guy to be decent enough... (Wright isn't quite there right now... though I have more hope in him improving than Pavano not making himself another nighttime punchline with crazy stupid injury again) I like this Yankee rotation a lot actually, low profile guys getting the job done under the radar.. better than over the hill over rated and over paid guys not getting the job done .

As for D-train, I would not trade Cano for him at this point nor most likely in the future...

a. he isn't doing that well right now (granted that he doesn't have a real team behind him )

b.he is pitching in the NL in a pitchers park and he is not a ground ball pitcher... and the NL east is actually pretty weak this year overall ... moving that to the AL east is a bad idea

c. he is getting overworked and his delivery looks like a major injury waiting to happen.

If you look at another prime example... over the past off season the Marlins actually wanted Wang and some other players (Cano?) for Josh Beckett.... right now while both are struggling ... they are putting up simliar ERA (Wang is a tad bit lower) around the same bb/9 and Beckett have a somehwat better K/9 ... but is also getting slugged for over .100 more than Wang including 3 more HR given up already (with one less start I might add)... if anything. low slug is one way to make sure that even if a pitcher struggle he will not get blown away, and in this respect Wang is certainly a mile better off than Beckett and Beckett's only plus over him is about 1 K more per average 7 inng outting on average.

So far the most recent Marlin pitching export have either been major dissapointments or not nearly as good as expected... while the Yankees probably got one of the worset deals (Pavano) Burnett is spending more time on the DL than actually pitching ... Beckett is not doing nearly as well as expected ... etc...

Combine that with seeing how Tom Gordon and Bronson Arroyo is dominating the NL (and Pedro and Clemens last year)... you really need to take the NL pitching stats with a serious grain of salt.

43 Your points are well taken. I'd still rather have Beckett over Wang, but that sentiment's more a function of my being seduced by his sexy k/9.

I really hope that Unit brings it tomorrow - the velocity, the intimidation, the moxy - everything I thought we were getting last off-season. My fantasy is for him to saw off Ortiz and Manny in consecutive ABs and then yell them down from the mound, just to show everyone that he's still an ornery prick.

44 I seem to envision Beckett getting tee off to the moon by Giambi and then charge him and gets sumo slammed to the DL XD... Johnson may look (and use to be) and tough and nutty guy... but Beckett IS a tough a totally nutty guy.

The Beckett and Wang comparason should be very interesting over this season, they are very different pitchers as one does it on the high note (heat/ profile/ emotions/ ego etc..) while the other is about the complete opposite ( groundballs everywhere / low profile / low emotions/ no ego etc..) it seems reasonable to expect Wang to be far more consistent overall than Beckett over the course of a season and far less likely to get suspended for going beserk :P

And these two pitcher does seem to reflect well on the concept and image of the respective teams also.

Overall it's obivlous that Beckett IS the better pitcher and have a better (longer) career than Wang, but still it is a very intersting comparason over the course of this.. and possibly future years.

42 According to Newsday, that is the case. Cashman is also quoted as saying he needs to play everyday.

I'm glad Melky is getting the call, but I'm kind of, sort of nervous that he has to have his first games against Boston. If I remember right, he had his worst game against Boston last year before being sent down.