Baseball Toaster: Bronx Banter : Tampa Bay Rays III

Hot from the Toaster

Toaster Sites
Baseball Toaster
Toaster.TV

Suggested Reading

Alex:
Ray Negron part 1 2 3 4
Dad, Reggie and Me
Slaughterhouse Five
Way Out in Brooklyn
Heat Fave
Passing
Love, Death and Baseball

Cliff:
First-Half Review
2008 Draft Roundup
July Farm Report
On the Offense
2008 Campers
All-Star Game: 1977, 2008
The Holy "Trinity": 1904 1949
Yankees by the Numbers
SportsIllustrated.com archive

Other Writing

Alex:
Strikes and Gutters: A Year with the Coen Brothers: Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
My 20 Favorite Hip Hop Albums
Greatest Singles from Hip Hop's Golden Era (1986-1994)
Ten Neglected Hip Hop Classics

Cliff:
Tin Ear
Pazz & Jop ballots: 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003 (post), 2002, 2001
Clem Snide
Eminem
Sleater-Kinney

Bronx Banter Interviews

Roger Angell
Allen Barra
Jim Bouton
Howard Bryant: Part 1, Part 2
Ken Burns: Part 1, Part 2
Will Carroll
Ethan Coen
Malcom Gladwell
Bill James
Pat Jordan
Chuck Korr: Part 1 Part 2
Jane Leavy
Michael Lewis
Tim Marchman
Marvin Miller
Rob Neyer: Part 1, Part 2
Buster Olney: April 2003, Sept. 2004
Buck O'Neil
Joe Posnanski
Alan Schwarz
Joel Sherman
Tom Verducci

Excerpts

Juicing the Game by Howard Bryant Part 1 Part 2
Forging Genius by Steven Goldman Part 1 Part 2
How About That! by Stephen Borelli
The Crowd Sounds Happy by Nicholas Dawidoff
The Last Nine Innings by Charles Euchner
Clemente by David Maraniss
The Soul of Baseball by Joe Posnanaski
Glenn Stout and Richard A. Johnson:
Yankee Century: Part 1 Part 2
Red Sox Century: 1 2 3 4
The Dodgers: 120 Years of Dodgers Baseball

Players

25-man Roster:

Infielders:
J. Giambi BR BP E MLB
R. Cano BR BP E MLB
D. Jeter BR BP E MLB
A. Rodriguez BR BP E MLB
W. Betemit BR BP E MLB mi
C. Ransom BR BP E MLB mi

Outfielders:
B. Abreu BR BP E MLB
J. Damon BR BP E MLB
X. Nady BR BP E MLB
H. Matsui BR BP E MLB mi
B. Gardner BR E MLB mi
M. Cabrera BR BP E MLB mi

Catchers:
I. Rodriguez BR BP E MLB
J. Molina BR BP E MLB
C. Moeller BR BP E MLB mi

Starting Pitchers:
M. Mussina BR BP BC E
A. Pettitte (L) BR BP BC E
S. Ponson BR BP BC E mi
D. Rasner BR BP BC E mi
C. Pavano BR BP BC E mi

Relief Pitchers:
M. Rivera BR BP BC E
J. Chamberlain BR BP BC E
D. Marte (L) BR BP BC E
J. Veras BR BP BC E mi
E. Ramirez BR BP BC E mi
B. Bruney BR BP BC E mi
D. Giese BR BP BC E mi
C. Britton BR BP BC E mi
A. Aceves BR E mi
P. Coke (L) BR BC E mi

15-day DL:
C. Wang BR BP BC E
60-day DL:
J. Posada BR BP E MLB
J. Albaladejo BR BP BC E mi
A. Brackman BC
H. Sanchez BC mi

Coaches:
J. Girardi (Mgr) BR BP BC
R. Thomson (Bench) BC
Kevin Long (Hit) BR
D. Eiland (Pitch) BR BP BC
B. Meacham (3B) BR BP BC
T. Peña (1B) BR BP BC
M. Harkey (Pen) BR BP BC

40-man Roster:
AAA
S. Duncan BR BP E MLB mi
J. Miranda BR BC mi
J. Christian BR BP E MLB mi
P. Hughes BR BP BC E mi
I. Kennedy BR BP BC E mi
C. Wright (L) BR BP BC E mi
D. Robertson BR BC E mi
S. Patterson BR BC mi
AA
F. Cervelli BR BC mi
J. Marquez BR BC mi DL

Designated for Assignment:
B. Traber (L) BR BP BC E mi

Select Minor Leaguers:

AAA Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees:
B. Castro BR mi DL
C. Basak BR BP BC E MLB mi
E. Duncan BC mi
N. Green BR mi
B. Broussard BR mi
M. Carson BC mi
C. Stewart BR BP E MLB mi
J. Brown BC mi DL
K. Igawa (L) BR BP BC E JB mi
M. Melancon BC mi
J.B. Cox BC mi
S. Strickland BR BC mi
S. Jackson BC mi
E. Milton BR BC mi DL
V. Zambrano BR BC mi DL

AA Trenton Thunder:
K. Russo BR mi
R. Peña BC mi DL
C. Malec BC mi
M. Vechionacci BC mi DL
A. Jackson BC mi
C. Curtis BC mi
E. Gonzalez BR mi
P.J. Pilittere BC mi
J. Jones BC mi
G. Kontos BC mi
J. Nuñez BC mi
B. Smith BC mi DL
A. Claggett BC mi
O. Perez BR BC mi
M. Gardner BC mi
K. Whelan BC mi
W. Arias (L) BC mi

A Tampa Yankees:
E. Nuñez BC mi
C.J. Henry BC mi DL
T. Battle BC mi
K. Anson BC mi
J. Gil BC mi
A. Horne BC mi DL
Z. McAllister BC mi
W. De La Rosa (L) BC mi
C. Garcia BC mi

Low-A Charleston RiverDogs:
J. Snyder BC mi
M. Cusick BC mi
B. Suttle BC mi
A. Romine BC mi
J. Montero BC mi
D. Betances BC mi
J. Heredia BC mi
J. Ortiz BC mi
C. Heyer BC mi

Low-A Staten Island Yankees:
D. Adams mi
P. Venditte mi

Rookie Gulf Coast Yankees:
C. Joseph mi
C. Smith mi
K. Higashioka mi

Key:
BR = Baseball-Reference
BP = Baseball Prospectus
BC = Baseball Cube (past mL stats)
mi = MiLB.com (current mL stats)
E = ESPN (current splits, game logs)
MLB = MLB.com hit charts
JB = Japanese Baseball.com

The Recently Departed

2008 Yankees:
R. Sexson BR BP E MLB
M. Ensberg BR BP E MLB
A. Gonzalez BR BP E MLB mi
K. Farnsworth BR BP BC E
L. Hawkins BR BP BC E

Nady/Marte Trade:
J. Tabata BC mi
R. Ohlendorf BR BP BC E
D. McCutchen BC mi
J. Karstens BR BP BC E mi

2008 Campers/mLers:
C. Woodward BR BP BC E MLB PHI mL
J. Lane BR mi BOS mL
G. Porter BC mi WAS mL
J.D. Closser BR mi SD mL
S. Henn (L) BR BP BC E mi SD
H. Phillips (L) BR BC mi TB mL
S. White BR BC mi

2007 Yankees:
J. Torre (Mgr) BR BP BC LAD
D. Mientkiewicz BR BP BC E MLB PIT mL
A. Phillips BR BP BC E MLB mi CIN mL
J. Phelps BR BP BC E MLB STL mL
M. Cairo BR BP BC E MLB SEA
K. Thompson BR BP BC E MLB mi PIT
B. Sardinha BC mi SEA mL
W. Nieves BR BP BC E MLB WAS mL
R. Clemens BR BP BC E mi
T. Clippard BR BP BC E mi WAS
L. Vizcaino BR BP BC E COL $7.5m/2yrs
M. DeSalvo BR BP BC E mi ATL mL
M. Myers (L) BR BP BC E LAD mL
R. Villone (L) BR BP BC E mi STL mL
S. Proctor BR BP BC E LAD
J. Brower BR BP BC E mi CIN mL
C. Bean BR BP BC E mi ATL mL

2007 Campers and mLers:
E. Durazo BR BP BC E MLB mi
A. Cannizaro BR BP BC E MLB mi TB mL
A. Chavez BR BP BC E MLB mi LAD mL
K. Reese BR BP BC E MLB mi
R. Chavez BR BP BC E MLB mi PIT mL
O. Santos BC mi BAL mL
T. Pratt BR BP BC E MLB
T.J. Beam BR BP BC E mi PIT mL
B. Kozlowski (L) BR BP BC E mi Japan

Molina Trade:
J. Kennard BC mi

Abreu Trade
M. Smith (L) BR BP BC E mi PHI
C. Monasterios BC mi PHI
J. Sanchez mi PHI

Food Blogs

Syndication

About the Toaster

Baseball Toaster runs on some experimental software called Fairpole. It's still under development.

For more information, please visit the Fairpole blog, or read the FAQ.

Tampa Bay Rays III

2008-05-12 12:50

by Cliff Corcoran

Don't look now, but the Tampa Bay Rays have third-best record in American League. Given that, the Yankees look pretty good rolling into town with a 4-2 record against the Rays and a 2-0 record at the Trop this season, but then it's been nearly a month since these two teams last met. The Rays were 6-8 when the Yankees last left town, but are 15-7 since then, 13-5 over their last six series, and are coming off a sweep of the Angels.

Just as they planned it, the Rays have been winning on the strength of their pitching and defense, particularly since getting Scott Kazmir and Matt Garza, neither of whom has faced the Yankees yet this year but both of whom will start in this series with the latter taking the hill tonight, back from the disabled list. Last by a lot in preventing runs last year, the Rays are now are the fifth stingiest team in the league and are second only to the surprising A's in least runs allowed per game at home, yielding just with 3.47 R/G at the Trop.

Garza has a 3.06 ERA in three starts since coming off the DL, but with a reverse K/BB of 0.75. He'll face Andy Pettitte, who is working on an extra day of rest due to yesterday's rainout.

Tampa Bay Rays

2008 Record: 21-16 (.568)
2008 Pythagorean Record: 20-17 (.549)

Manager: Joe Maddon
General Manager: Andrew Friedman

Home Ballpark (multi-year Park Factors): Tropicana Field (98/100)

Who's Replaced Whom:

Greg Gross replaced Nathan Haynes (DFA)
Cliff Floyd (DL) replaced Justin Ruggiano (minors)
Andy Cannizaro (minors) replaced Elliot Johnson (minors)
Matt Garza (DL) reclaimed his rotation spot from Jeff Niemann (minors)
Scott Kamzir (DL) replaced Jason Hammel in the rotation
Hammel replaced Al Reyes (DL) in the bullpen

25-man Roster:

1B - Carlos Peña (L)
2B - Akinori Iwamura (L)
SS - Jason Bartlett (R)
3B - Evan Longoria (R)
C - Dioner Navarro (S)
RF - Gabe Gross (L)
CF - B.J. Upton (R)
LF - Carl Crawford (L)
DH - Eric Hinske (L)

Bench:

R - Jonny Gomes (OF)
L - Cliff Floyd (OF)
R - Andy Cannizaro (IF)
R - Shawn Riggans (C)

Rotation:

R - James Shields
L - Scott Kazmir
R - Andy Sonnanstine
R - Matt Garza
R - Edwin Jackson

Bullpen:

R - Troy Percival
R - Dan Wheeler
R - Gary Glover
L - Trever Miller
R - Scott Dohmann
L - J. P. Howell
R - Jason Hammel

15-day DL: R - Al Reyes, R - Chad Orvella, S - Willy Aybar (IF), S - Ben Zobrist (IF)
60-day DL: R - Rocco Baldelli (OF)

Typical Lineup:

L - Akinori Iwamura (2B)
L - Carl Crawford (LF)
R - B.J. Upton (CF)
L - Carlos Peña (1B)
R - Evan Longoria (3B)
L - Erik Hinske (RF)
S - Dioner Navarro (C)
L - Gabe Gross (RF)
R - Jason Bartlett (SS)

Advertisement

Comments (121)

Show/Hide Comments 1-50

2008-05-12 13:40:16

1. ny2ca2dc

Rotoworld is reporting (via the post, i think) that Kennedy is going to be recalled to start Friday against the Mets. Welcome back kid.

2008-05-12 13:52:27

2. Shaun P

1 That doesn't make sense to me. IPK is supposed to pitch the first game of a double-header tonight for SWB. If he comes back to start on Friday, he'd have only 3 days' rest. I can't see the Yanks doing that just to avoid Igawa, especially when other options are there.

2008-05-12 14:14:34

3. YankeeInMichigan

A bunch of posters on Pete Abe's blog are quoting WFAN as saying that Kennedy will pitch only one inning today and will start on Friday.

2008-05-12 15:00:02

4. Xeifrank

Very important series for the Rays as one of their biggest threats in regards to wild-card competition comes to town. A series win by the Rays could put some distance between the two teams and help build more confidence for the Rays and possibly help them narrow the gap with the Red Sox.
vr, Xei

2008-05-12 15:28:30

5. OldYanksFan

2 According to PeteAbe:
The MRI taken today on Alex Rodriguez revealed progress but not enough to start playing in rehab games. Joe Girardi just told the media that Rodriguez will not be activated this week, meaning he's out for the Mets series.

The Yankees have not officially announced a starter for Thursday. But it will be Ian Kennedy. He will throw 1 or 2 innings tonight. Darrell Rasner will get the Mets on Friday.

2008-05-12 15:30:55

6. rbj

5 Re: A-Rod, damn.
re: IPK, phew, much better than Igawa.

So what happens to Kei -- back down to AAA or trade him to, say, SD for a bag of used balls?

2008-05-12 15:34:17

7. murphy

xei 4 , you know this is a yankees blog, yes? ;) the idea here is that the yanks sweep the series and climb above tampa in the standings - relegating the rays to their normal place near the basement.

2008-05-12 15:34:23

8. YankeeInMichigan

Kennedy pitched just one inning. Strickland came in for the 2nd.

Kennedy's line:
1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

The hit was an infield single. The hitter was then caught stealing on a pitchout.

2008-05-12 15:35:05

9. YankeeInMichigan

6 So will we then see Jeter batting cleanup against Kazmir on Thursday?

2008-05-12 15:35:47

10. YankeeInMichigan

8 Forgot to mention: 12 pitches, 7 strikes

2008-05-12 15:41:12

11. rbj

9 Sure. And maybe have Molina lead off.

2008-05-12 16:11:41

12. mehmattski

Hey folks, long time no chat... I sure have missed a lot of baseball the last few weeks, but now I'm back.

Matt Garza: not a good pitcher. So, 7 IP 0 R 3 H 6 K, right?

2008-05-12 16:30:41

13. mehmattski

Need we remind ourselves of Matt Garza's career statistics:

158 IP
184 H
68 BB
116 K
17 HR

2008-05-12 16:32:55

14. Yankees Brasil

13 Tell that to our lineup.

2008-05-12 16:44:27

15. nick

ok, that's all Garza will need...

2008-05-12 16:44:55

16. OldYanksFan

Pettitte victim of the bloops.
And when did Cano field that ball with his back to the infield when Melky was coming in?

2008-05-12 16:47:50

17. mehmattski

Well, having men on base was fun while it lasted.

2008-05-12 16:51:12

18. mehmattski

Alberto Gonzalez just raised his batting average to .296, which is fourth-highest on the team.

2008-05-12 16:51:36

19. Yankees Brasil

This is a typical Yankee earned run. They get a cheap single, steal second, and drive them home with another blooper. Pathetic.

2008-05-12 16:55:07

20. rbj

I've been out mowing the lawn, guess I haven't missed much.

2008-05-12 16:55:49

21. Eirias

Anyone else want to see Giese pitch a game? I don't care (for exactly one start) if he is 31.

2008-05-12 16:56:12

22. ny2ca2dc

I'm finding it hard to dislike AG. He should suck more than he has. Sure he can't slug a lick, but he's taken a few walks, plays great D; nice little player. Gotta be an asset for the bench or in a trade, no?

2008-05-12 16:59:23

23. RIYank

Andy's pitching well, and we'll hit Garza, I'm pretty confident. (Some steam came out of my ears when the Rays put together that two-out 'rally', though.)

2008-05-12 16:59:48

24. RIYank

... and here we go again...

2008-05-12 17:03:19

25. tommyl

It would help if they umpire would say, call strikes and all. See, over the corner, knee high is what we call a good strikeout pitch.

2008-05-12 17:04:02

26. RIYank

Was that one called 'low'?

2008-05-12 17:07:05

27. RIYank

Whew.
He really is pitching well. Now it's time to lay some wood.

2008-05-12 17:08:32

28. tommyl

26 Or off the corner, who knows.

Derek, its ok to take a strike.

2008-05-12 17:12:03

29. rbj

Is that Cy Garza out there?

2008-05-12 17:20:56

30. Yankees Brasil

Here we go, the meltdown inning.

2008-05-12 17:27:15

31. Yankees Brasil

Ty Gomes? Jonny Cobb? Or is Molina throwing left handed tonight?

2008-05-12 17:28:37

32. rbj

Maybe I'll go back to listening to the Mudhens game.

2008-05-12 17:28:51

33. Eirias

Unassisted triple play in the Toronto - Cleveland game.

2008-05-12 17:29:28

34. ny2ca2dc

Shoot me.

2008-05-12 17:29:49

35. tommyl

Le sigh

2008-05-12 17:29:55

36. Mattpat11

Well, this is going well.

2008-05-12 17:30:33

37. tommyl

Thankfully they bunted Navarro, otherwise we'd have no outs right now.

2008-05-12 17:31:19

38. vockins

33 Man, Bob Timmerman is going to go bonkers looking up when the last time an unassisted triple play happened in the same game as a catcher's interference call.

2008-05-12 17:33:31

39. Alex Belth

Tonight...may we present "Bad Andy."

2008-05-12 17:34:16

40. Yankees Brasil

Pettitte doesn't look right this year. Combine that with our weakass lineup, and that's the game. Hopefully we'll get them tomorrow, or maybe next season.

2008-05-12 17:34:28

41. vockins

Maybe this really is a .500 team.

2008-05-12 17:36:04

42. nick

this is a real pattern for the last 3-4 starts, no? Andy looks great and then completely loses it without warning...

2008-05-12 17:44:07

43. OldYanksFan

Robbie just can't get any luck. Another hard LD right at somebody.

2008-05-12 17:44:09

44. Yankees Brasil

Down 5 runs, Molina is tries to bunt!!! And he misses! Pathetic.

2008-05-12 17:46:05

45. mehmattski

41
New York Yankees, May 12, 2007:
17-18
New York Yankees, May 12, 2005:
16-19

All is not lost, even in May.

2008-05-12 17:51:37

46. tommyl

41 With two starters not here and our best two hitters injured, yes this is likely close to a .500 team. Add back a (good) Hughes and Kennedy, and soon A-Rod and then Posada and we're significantly better.

Think how the Sox would be without Lester, Bucholz, Ortiz and Manny.

2008-05-12 17:53:20

47. Mattpat11

May 12 1992: 16-16

2008-05-12 17:53:26

48. mehmattski

The Yankees weren't over .500 for good last year until July 15. Of course, it doesn't make this team any less frustrating to watch. I may switch to watching a winning team, like the Marlins...

2008-05-12 17:53:56

49. claybeez

45 The last few years when the doom and gloomers came out of the woodwork I always said it was early. This season, I recognize it's far from over, but I'm more worried.

2008-05-12 17:54:07

50. Yankees Brasil

Pettitte injured? Thought he would at least complete 5 innings.

Show/Hide Comments 51-100

2008-05-12 17:54:17

51. Mattpat11

Oh Christ. Igawa

2008-05-12 17:55:36

52. OldYanksFan

The Bad news:
On ESPN, the Sox score 3 in the top of the first.
The Good news:
Laptops gives up 7 ERs in 4.1 innings, 8 hits and 5 BBs.
Buccholz out. Minn: 7, Sox 3. After 5.

2008-05-12 17:56:45

53. randym77

So, Igawa's in the pen now?

2008-05-12 17:57:06

54. cult of basebaal

the Make A Wish Kids rides again ... evidently, hopeless situations are what he's here for

2008-05-12 17:57:16

55. Mr OK Jazz TOKYO

53 amazing to see the Sox getting knocked around by the Twins, they have no power at all! methinks the BoSox staff really isn't "all that"..

2008-05-12 18:00:32

56. mehmattski

Gonzo hits like a Ray.

2008-05-12 18:04:40

57. Yankees Brasil

56 And Damon pops out like a Yankee (first pitch!)

2008-05-12 18:05:53

58. OldYanksFan

At this time last year, we were 7 games out. A week later (2007), we were 10.5 out.

We have some real injuries and Posada, Hughes and Albie are out until the ASB. Bruney maybe for the season. Have lost ARod for 3 weeks or so. It will be a tough year. But it's far from over. Cleveland and Detroit off to slow starts also.

2008-05-12 18:07:43

59. tommyl

Phew! I thought we might score a run or something there. Way to take care of that Bobby.

2008-05-12 18:07:45

60. Just fair

Well, just got home. That Abreu ab seems about right.

2008-05-12 18:08:53

61. Yankees Brasil

Amazingly bad. Another DP induced from a flyball pitcher.

2008-05-12 18:09:39

62. OldYanksFan

TB does have a good team, and basically EVERYONE is under 30. They could be a player in the AL East for years to come.

2008-05-12 18:10:37

63. williamnyy23

39 I can't completely blame this one on Andy...having so few runs to work with has to make his life more difficult. Also, Maddon did a great job with the running game.

On the other hand, Girardi continue to exhibit a hands off approach (the first Molina double play comes to mind…do the Yankees ever send the runners?), which when juxtaposed against Maddon's aggressive approach, makes it seem as if Joe G. is sitting on his hands. I have to say I am kind of disappointed by Girardi's laid back style.

Another disappointing trend that continues is the Yankees over aggressive approach at the plate. I think the loss of Arod and Posada impacts that as well. Right now, the Yankees don't really have a hitter that opposing pitchers flat our fear.

The news about Arod is a lot more ominous then the progress of this game. The return of the MVP version of Alex could quickly cure a lot of the team's ills, so the possibility that we could be two weeks away from his return is very bad news, especially when you allow for a 1-2 weeks of getting reacclimated.

2008-05-12 18:11:23

64. Mattpat11

62 They are and were a FAR better team than the talking heads favorite team Toronto.

2008-05-12 18:13:04

65. mehmattski

How dare Chris Britton use Ron Villone's number! What a chump! BOOOOOOO!

2008-05-12 18:14:03

66. Yankees Brasil

It just sucks that every single year the Yankees only start taking games seriously after they are back 8 to 10 games.

2008-05-12 18:14:52

67. Just fair

Chris "I AM in a world of shit" Britton.
Full Metal Jacket, anyone.

2008-05-12 18:15:49

68. williamnyy23

62 That's what being awful for 10 years will get you. Of course, the Rays now have to resign everyone to really sustain there success.

Ironically, the play of the Yankees this season might actually be making the decision to not trade for Santana look good. It could very well be that patching things up with a Santana might have been a counterproductive strategy when you consider the emergence of the Rays and the dedication to the farm exhibited by the Sox.

2008-05-12 18:18:03

69. williamnyy23

Hopefully, Britton is opening up some eyes. While it took two serious injuries to get him a legitimate chance, I think the Yankees will be the better for giving Britton an extended chance.

I also think A.G. is showing signs that he could be an everyday major league SS. Clearly, any talk about moving Jeter to LF is premature, but if AG continues to show improvement at the plate, at least they have that option.

2008-05-12 18:27:06

70. mehmattski

68 Not to mention Santana's 1.4 HR/9, 2.3 BB/9 (both his highest in five years) and his K/9 (9.1, but the lowest in five years) while facing the weaker hitting league in a pitchers' park. He'd be helping the Yankees for sure, but he wouldn't have them in first place all on his own.

2008-05-12 18:27:28

71. OldYanksFan

Wow. Pedroia with an opposite field LD to Cuddyer. Cuddyer gloves the ball over his head. The ball bounces out of his glove and hits the top of his head. Cuddyer is not sure where the ball is. It bounces off his head and hits the bill of his cap. Bounces off his cap and Cuddyer manages to grab it.

OUT!
You will be seeing this play many times over on BBTN.

2008-05-12 18:29:35

72. claybeez

How many hits do the TB OF'ers take away? Man, Robby and Melky drove the ball with nothing to show for it.

2008-05-12 18:32:21

73. williamnyy23

70 More importantly, if Santana isn't a super pitcher (Clemens, Johnson, Schilling, Maddux) and he has begun his decline phase, then he would have become yet another albatross contract. When you consider that Giambi, Abreu, Damon, Matsui, Mussina and Pettitte are likely to be gone after this year or next...and guys like Posada and Jeter likely could be starting their inevitable declines, it really would have been a counterproductive move to make that deal.

2008-05-12 18:33:16

74. claybeez

Gutierrez robs Stairs of a hit with a nice diving catch. Preserves Cliff Lee's shutout. 0-0 going into btm of the 9th.

2008-05-12 18:33:18

75. williamnyy23

72 I think Robbie is emerging from his cocoon and Melky is reaching the point where we have to start taking his progress seriously.

2008-05-12 18:36:29

76. Just fair

Is it me or would any of the Rays outfielders caught that bloop easily. Bullocks.

2008-05-12 18:43:23

77. tommyl

66 I'll say this again. They are currently missing their best two offensive players, both of which play key positions. The comparables, as I said before for the Sox would be to take away Manny and Ortiz. How would they be doing then? What if Varitek went down? You can mumble all you want about sucking things up, but the dropoff from A-Rod and Posada to Molina and AG/Ensberg is just huge. Also, I never expected this team to dominate this year, especially not early. Its a transition year, if these growing pains are the necessary first step to rebuilding a dynasty, I'm all for it. Have some patience.

2008-05-12 18:45:02

78. OldYanksFan

Red Sox 3 outs away from a loss. We ARE in competition with the Sox, right?

2008-05-12 18:47:31

79. Mattpat11

77 I actually have more patience than usual this year. If the Yankees are going to lose with Hughes an kennedy, I can accept ir.

If we keep throwing out Kei Igawa to try and prove that THIS WASN'T A BAD SINGING! PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE MAN BEHIND HE CURTAIN! I have significantly less patience.

2008-05-12 18:49:59

80. williamnyy23

78 At this point, I am not even interested in the Sox anymore. First, the Yankees need to realize some player-related milestones: the return of Arod and Posada, some signs that Jeter is not in a significant decline, definitive proof that Cano is ready to play like an All-Star, evidence that Kennedy does belong in the majors, etc.

The Yankees really need a lot of questions answered before you can start worrying about this place in the standing this season. As 77 stated, if a rebuild becomes necessary this season, the Yankees should embrace it whole heartedly, even if the team's fans do not.

2008-05-12 18:51:24

81. williamnyy23

79 Although, if this does become a rebuild and the Yankees can get something back for Moose or Pettitte, wouldn't it make sense to give Igawa some more starts, if only to re-build his trade value?

2008-05-12 18:53:51

82. williamnyy23

Jeter walks...a silver lining!

2008-05-12 18:54:23

83. tommyl

79 Well Igawa is in the pen (and soon to go down) and IPK is coming back up. So, you're getting your wish. I'm fine with Rasner pitching, he's been very underrated, and while I don't think he's quite as good as he's been, he may become a very strong 4th/5th starter type. If he can eat innings than he's not a bad replacement for Moose after this year. If all things work out (which they are unlikely to do) you could have a rotation of Wang, Joba, Hughes, IPK and Rasner next year. With Cano, A-Rod, Jeter, Posada and Melky locked in you need a serviceable 1B, and then an OF or two, depending on how Ajax, Gardner and Tabata progress. Sounds like a pretty good team to me.

2008-05-12 18:54:48

84. Mattpat11

81 No.

First of all, I think allowing Igawa to pitch will only result in more atrocious Kei Igawa outings, which would not raise his trade value.

More importantly, trading Igawa would be like admitting a mistake, which Yankee management doesn't do.

2008-05-12 18:55:32

85. tommyl

81 They are not going to trade Andy, no way, no how. He was straight up with them in the offseason, I know its a business, but I just can't seem them shipping him off anywhere else. Doesn't he have a no trade or something anyways?

2008-05-12 18:56:44

86. Mattpat11

83 I will not be satisfied until Kei Igawa is out of the organization. He's a horror movie villain. Every time you think he's dead he pops back up.

2008-05-12 18:58:42

87. Mr OK Jazz TOKYO

84 they traded the Fat Toad after a year..Igawa was expensive but should be traded asap. Can't help thinking Cashman blew it on the signings, what on earth were the scouting reports saying?? he's not even close to Dice-K in terms of stuff or pitching prowess..

2008-05-12 18:59:10

88. Schteeve

Don't look know but the Yankees suck.

2008-05-12 18:59:54

89. williamnyy23

84 As bad as Igawa has looked, I would definitely use the opportunity of a rebuild to see if Igawa could flash something. As bad as he has been, 70 IP is far from a definitive sample. After all, I think Dice-K had an ERA around 6 in his final 70 innings of last season.