If Betemit is merely going to be used in a utility role, I'm not sure that I would do it. If, on the other hand, the Betemit deal is a prelude for using Cano as the centerpiece in another deal, then maybe I would. I think that Cano could probably be the key player in a Willis deal. That deal would max out Cano's value too.

Decisions like these are why Cashman makes the big bucks. I'm not sure I would want to be the one to pull the trigger on both a Procter and a Cano deal.

New York Post : A-Rod Didn't Floss This Morning

http://www.thebrushback.com/nypost_full.htm

Oh my God....what are we to do?

Speaking of "Overnight Sensations," Zappa Fasano can keep rockin' the 'stache, no?

Just got this scouting report on him from my friendly neighborhood Phillies fan:

- good fundamentals behind the plate, (i.e. blocks the plate, runs down pop up's, etc.) but can he call a game?

- strikes out every other at-bat.

6 I think he makes a good point about whether to trade Proctor. I had the same feeling when I read the piece in the post this morning.

He may not be better than Stinnett, but at least he's not Stinnett. Plus he looks like a catcher.

I'm just speculating, but perhaps they would move Cabrera back to the OF and move Cano or Uggla to third.

The only reason that I speculate like this is that I think that a Betemit-Proctor trade would be a prelude to something else. I don't think that the Yankees would risk trading Proctor for a utility player and Willis is one of the few players for whom the Yankees would be willing to trade Cano. I don't think that they would trade Cano for Soriano, Carlos Lee, or Abreu.

http://www.nypost.com/sports/accused_of_sexual_harassment_sports_andrew_marchand.htm

http://tinyurl.com/k575g

Anyone hear this rumor? I would do this deal in a heartbeat. I am guessing that it isn't true.

http://tinyurl.com/p8zhh

They've converted 3 (KC, ChiSox, TX) of 10 sweep opportunities (in series of 3 games or more), losing the final game 7 times (OAK, TB, BAL, BOS, FLA, SEA, DET).

Close the deal, Yanks!

"Derek Smalls", bass player, Spinal Tap.

http://tinyurl.com/hpf4o

Derek Jeter - meet Derek Smalls.

DJ: "You related to Aaron"?
DS: "Uh, no man. Aaron who? Do you play drums? We seem to have lost our drummer again."
DJ: "No drums. Stay away from my gloves and we'll be cool. That big tall guy in the corner is all yours. Go make nice."
DS: "Does he play drums?"

"July 26, 2006 -- YES and DirecTV announced a new initiative yesterday called YES Interactive for non-HD Yankee home games. A viewer can use his remote to switch to a Bonus Cam, which will give isolated coverage of action away from what is being shown on the main game coverage."

[http://www.nypost.com/sports/yes_goes_interactive_sports_andrew_marchand.htm]

Although a sneaky operator might catch Sterling and Waldman holding hands.

What I remember about Fasano is that last season while taking over for an injured Javy Lopez he demonstrated some power, Now he's no great hitter, but he should offer more punch that Stinnett when he plays and if Jorge, knock on wood, were to get injured. He hit 11 HR in 160AB that season. I say it's worth a shot and hopefully we waive the facial hair rules for him. Then we have Pimp and Hoes Friday at the Stadium.

I figure that if he had anything to contribute, the Yankees wouldn't be picking hm up. They seem to have a rule against backup catchers who have any skills

ESPN DUMPS REYNOLDS

Though it has nothing to do with football, we were stunned to see that ESPN abruptly fired baseball analyst Harold Reynolds.

So we poked around a little bit with some of our industry connections (yes, we have a few) to find out why Reynolds has gotten the boot.

Here's what we learned.

Reynolds recently had signed a new contract with ESPN, and was let go for "a fairly significant company violation." Fueled by rumors that we spotted on deadspin.com regarding the question of whether Reynolds had uttered phrases like "You're with me, leather" to one or more of his female co-workers, we pressed for more info, and our source told us that it was "definitely" a case of sexual harassment.

Based on our legal experience, it's unusual for the employer to dump the alleged harasser, if there's any concern that the matter might end up in litigation. It becomes difficult for the company to claim that the allegations aren't valid if the company has fired the guy.

Our guess? There must be some pretty damning evidence to prompt the network to move so quickly -- along the lines, say, of George Costanza's activities with the cleaning lady to whom he gave the sweater with the red spot. Otherwise, ESPN would have waited until a more natural point to sever the relationship.

Also, given that Reynolds had recently signed a new contract, it's pretty clear that this is something that just, um, popped up.

Equipment Manager: "What are we gonna do with these old David Wells uniforms?"

Brian Cashman: "Get me Sal Fasano's agent on the phone, pronto!"

As for HR, I read yesterday via www.ballbug.com an anonymous email from someone at ESPN who said that the sexual harrassment story being leaked is a red-herring and that HR got fired b/c he went ballistic on the producers when they told him that BT, and ESPN's 2-game coverage of the Yanks/Rangers series, would be all-ARod all the time. Sure it's anonymous, but so is the P story as well.

Made, 21, was batting .286 (90-for-315) in 86 games with Class-A Tampa in 2006. He was signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent out of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on July 17, 2001.

"This was a total misunderstanding," Reynolds told The Post. "My goal is to sit down and get back. To be honest with you, I gave a woman a hug and I felt like it was misinterpreted."

So, unless he was hugging A-rod (and we all know that Andy Phillips has 1st dibs) the original story appears to be true.

As for Piazza, he was on record saying he wanted to come to NY.

Do you think it's fair to determine what was the cause of his firing without getting a full statement from ESPN, considering that they are perfectly willing to let the public speculate on a matter as serious as sexual harrassment? So far, I've only read about one second-hand statement from Reynolds in regard to this which could be interpretied in a few ways, but this anonymous letter throws in a different angle that should not be taken lightly.

It doesn't call ANY question to mind that while ESPN has a history of harrassment situations, they decide now to fire a high-profile talent without comment and allow rampant speculation to build all over the sports world?

My point: a man's liveliood is at stake, no matter what you think of him; until I hear statements and reactions from both sides either here or perhaps in court, then ESPN has gotten us all over a barrel in terms of the control they weild. I asked about MSG and Isaiah and no one said anything, but are they really exclusive objectives and agendas? Sorry, I can't say anything until someone starts seriously talking.

I'm willing to admit I'm wrong about this if the evidence is there, but please don't speculate about it, don't allow people like me to run my mouth and bury a man without knowing what he actually did. Show it where it will stand up, or go warm up a nice cup...

Sometimes it's the little things we don't do that get us in trouble. I'm sure HR will be more than fine. He can come and work for YES, then they can let go of David Justice - I find his butchering of the English language quite offensive.

It seems like too much of a stretch to believe that an argument over coverage would spur this kind of firing, especially so soon after a new contract was signed.

I agree with others that HR will be fine...if Marv Albert can survive the biting and women's undergarment stories, HR will survive this. The sports world can be amazingly forgiving of personal transgressions among its inner circle.

53 I'll probably try and hit one game in the Sox/Yanks series, but haven't gotten tickets yet. I'm still used to the days when you could just walk up to the ticket window at Sox Park on gameday and get a ticket. Forgot those days are over, for now. Hope I don't get shut out.

Getting ChiSox tickets is definitely a lot harder now, although Yankee games generally have a jump in attendence anyway.

I went to a game in Minnesota and saw Mo give up the lead in the bottom of the ninth. Hopefully this game will turn out better. I did get to see Santana and Liriano pitch, which was a treat.

Deadspin links to a report that the
alleged "inappropriate hug" took place at an Outback Steakhouse.

Did HR reach "down unda" and grab her "outback?"

Or was he hankerin' for the "Ribs On The Barbie", full rack?

Perhaps he learned "No rules, just right" doesn't apply in all situations.

But holy "Jackeroo Chops," before judging the man, let's hear the facts, and consider this:
who among us has not fallen victim to the potent aphrodisiac that is the "Bloomin' Onion"?

... and despite the 8-run lead, Bartolo Colon was removed from the game after the 1st inning. Can't be good news for the Angels.

http://thebiglead.com/?p=714

I wonder how much of this has to do with Yankees being guess hitters who use their knowledge of pitchers to hit.

When I used to live in Tarrytown, NY, it was such an easy jaunt down 87 on a Friday afternoon & you could slide right into that lot at the very end of the farmer's market - you know, the one that dumped you right back on 87 northbound once you exited?

I've gone to a couple Sunday games this season thus far - complete logistical nightmare in regards to parking. They need to get this situation fixed before 2009 - no way am I paying 'new stadium' ticket prices and continue to walk over broken glass & hypodermic needles on my way to the game.

Nah, who's up for an ice cold Rheinecker? I'm buyin'.

Nah. Who's up for an ice cold Rheinecker? I'm buyin'.

And it would really be nice if the A's could win a damn game against the Sawx.

I'm not saying either would be doing what they're doing now if they were still Yanks - but wouldn't it be great to have either Marcus Thames or Juan Rivera in the OF right now? I know hindsight is 20-20 but . . .

The worst part? Rivera was at least traded for Vazquez, who then became the Unit - but does anyone know who the Yanks got in return for Thames?

"Big Rube" Ruben Sierra. Sigh.

Corporate or not, integrity is now an issue on both sides; just as there's speculation that HR did this, there's speculation that ESPN is subverting some facts, so I'm interested in seeing what either of them have to show when the chips are down.

I'm picturing something like this:

Melky
Jeter
Giambi
Rodriguez
Guiel
Phillips
Fasano
Cairo/Green
Crosby

Oof.

Think anybody will notice if the two-headed monster, Cairo Green both play second, and bat 8th?

Sometimes I feel people like to complain for the sake of complaining.

BTW, I doubt Guiel will be playing since it's a lefty on the mound.

80That's a lineup to die for. Might as well take out Giambi and let Bernie DH just for the kicks.

I'm a GM baby, my Mom worked there from 1962 until the plant closed as one of the first female employees in the cushion room of Fisher. One of my uncles also worked there after WWII and my other older sister worked there with Mom in the 90's. I missed out on their intern program by a couple of years, but it didn't matter after '96, so... I miss it up there, but too much of what it was is gone now, so I won't go back. I imagine the same will be said by quite a few folk when Macombs Dam Park disappears.

I thought that was Torre's plan all along.

do u think he can connect those dots..

It'll always be North Tarrytown to me. I still miss Malandrino's - they made a great meatball wedge.

And as many times as I'd been inside and taken the tour, I never realized how enormous the place was until after they tore it down. Seeing that not only broke my heart, it blew my mind how such an operation could take up a veritable village of it's own. I say North Tarrytown, too.

Sounds like you're complaining there, Dimelo.

Just busting your chops.

Joe tends to stick with the hot bat, which Guiel seems to possess at this moment. I think he gets the start in right tonight over Bernabe.

But maybe Joe DH's Bernie and plays Giambi at first. We'll see.

Always appreciate it when people bust my chops...

I'm just saying that the trade of Sierra, who contributed to the Yanks winning no doubt, for Thames, who's hitting .279/.352/.605 right now, was something in retrospect I wish the Yanks hadn't done.

Its also entirely possible that Thames could have filled Sierra's "power bat off the bench" role at least as well as Sierra himself did. From '03 to '05, Sierra hit .249/.295/.429, ISO of .180, 27 HR in 651 AB (1 HR/24 ABs). From '03 to '05, Thames hit .226/.301/.429, ISO of .202, 18 HR in 345 AB (1 HR/19 ABs). And 75% of that time, Thames was playing for the Tigers in one of the worst home run parks in baseball.

Any trade that involves getting a useful player for Proctor is a good one, the Yankees can replace Proctor with their AAA arms. He's hot now, but it won't last because of both workload and lack of talent. They'd be better off with the combo of Matt Smith and Betemit or with Scott Linebrink (who is a legitimate All-Star quality set-up man) over the last two months.

it will weaken us.. and make a trade for a BP guy cost more..

if Olney's 3 way deal makes sense.. then am ok with it..

I like Proctor and he's hot right now, but sometimes you have to make the deal that hurts you on a personal level. That said, if they trade Melky I will cry.

What will happen is that A-Rod will snap out of this funk and start raking again. Hopefully in August/September. Then Phillips can get up and say how he should be traded (after he clears waivers) even though he just hit 2 HRs the night before. Then he can tell us to sign Mo Vaughn.

the linebrink angle was Buster beign speculative i think..

and may be age and money is a factor.. Proctor is earning min salary i think.. i donno abt Linebrink.. am just guessing

Fortunately I'm sure we're safe...he doesn't exactly fit the mold.

But there's some selectivity on your part too, as we were originally discussing Big Rube, not Giambi or Lawton!

;)

You're completely right, BTW - Giambi hit the homer off Wakefield, and Lawton's homer was a two-run job against the O's (in another Randy Johnson start).

I use the term "All-Star" loosely.

BTW, how crazy is it that Justin Morneau, likely to be first Twin since '87 to hit over 30 HRs in a season, is hitting fifth, while backup catcher Mike Redmond hits third? Whatever they're doing out there, its working.

The Twins scare me a hell of a lot more than the White Sox do.

I do get your point about Thames though. So you got me beat there...

Just read this:

News: The Beaver County Times reports the Pirates offered to send Roberto Hernandez and Jeromy Burnitz to the Yankees for Melky Cabrera, but were turned down.

Analysis: Cabrera is a solid prospect who can develop power and should be a candidate start in AL-only formats at this point. He will get regular at-bats in the Yankees' outfield. Long-term keeper leagues should stash him away, too, if they have room. Be wary of a potential blockbuster trade if you stand to lose a player traded to the other league, but nothing appears imminent.

I have Melky in my all-MLB points league and he's actually my most reliable outfielder (I have Bonds, who only plays intermittantly, Drew, who's having a bad year despite being healthy, Thames and Gary Matthews were good waiver pick-ups, but Thames is streaky and Ks a lot and Matthews seems ready for a collapse and I finally cut bait on Gomes). Melky, meanwhile, doesn't K much and always seems to get me some points, be it by hit or walk or steal or run scored and every now and then he has all of the above and gives me a nice point total.

"The Yankees might have caught a break. The Devil Rays just told their writers that All-Star lefty Scott Kazmir will not start as scheduled against the Yankees on Friday. He has a sore shoulder."

Rest is here:

http://www.lohud.com/blogs/2006/07/kazmir-to-miss-his-start-at-stadium.html

Here is the lineup:

YANKEES
Johnny Damon CF
Derek Jeter SS
Jason Giambi DH
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Bernie Williams RF
Andy Phillips 1B
Melky Cabrera LF
Sal Fasano C
Miguel Cairo 2B
Jaret Wright RHP