ChiSox go ahead of the O's, 7-6

If so, this is a very good deal indeed.

The other minor leaguers we are trading are reportedly Jesus Sanchez and right-hander Carlos Monasterios.

Should be interesting to see what the roster moves are. Kay thinks Ponson will be DFA'd. He won't move to the bullpen, so he'll probably go before Chac. Or Beam could be sent back to Columbus.

For the OF, I think it will be Guiel sent to Columbus, because he still has options and Bubba doesn't. It will be only for a few weeks, until the rosters expand.

"Start spreading the news,
I'm leaving today
I want to be a part of it -
new york, new york
These vagabond shoes,
are longing to stray
Right through the very heart of it -
new york, new york"

"Those bitches certainly came in handy!"

Great day all around, then.

Especially if the Red Sox lose tonight. ;-)

Or did.

Abreu loves NY, which is one reason why people expected him to go there. They figured he'd be willing to waive the no-trade to go to NY.

"Roberto" Kelly Abreu

My money's on "A thing of Abreu-ty!"

;D

Though I'll put up with a lot if he actually hits some home runs!

Just have fun waiting for these Bobby Abreu moments: the first time he lets an easy fly ball drop in front of him in RF...the whining when asked to move out of the 3-hole in the lineup...the whiffs on any decent slider from a lefty reliever...have fun Yankee fans!

This should allow Sheffield to drop right into the DH role coming off the DL, and that is a perfect situation following his injury. This also provides the Yankees a bona fide DH next season should Cashman and the Yankees do the right thing and pick up Sheff's option for next year.

Cory Lidle isn't lights out, but he is a smart pitcher who will keep us in games. This, coupled with more offense with Abreu and Mats should allow the Yankees to win 2/3 of Lidle's starts. I assume this spells the demise of Shawn Chacon with Ponson moving to a relief role, or vice versa. Although I tend to favor Ponson getting some chances after working with Gator for some time.

I enjoy watching Bubba play, but my guess is that he will be the player to go, with Guiel remaining. I would rather hold on to Bubba, for those late inning defensive situations. He can then be moved once Mats comes back, with Melky taking over the role held by Bubba.

Good job Brian. If the fans can get off the utterly uselss as of late Alex Rodriguez, we won't need Henry to fill in or start at short, with Alex and Jete covering that position for many years to come.

As for the game, good win for the team, and Moose. My only concern is the almost complete black hole of offense now coming from our 3 and 4 batters. Get it together Jason. I think Giambi will improve once Sheffield or Mats gets back and Giambi is forced onto the field at 1B.

If he likes the three-hole, we can put him there. I doubt Giambi would mind.

Damon
Jeter
Abreu
Giambi
Matsui
Sheffield
Rodriguez
Posada
Cano

Yikes! That would be the lineup I'd put out there, although I'm sure Joe would never move Arod into the 7th position or place Mats ahead of Sheff, although it certainly makes the most sense. Hopefully he'll fill out the card according to current ability, not salary and ego.

I doubt Ponson will move to the pen. He lost his last job because he refused to move to the pen.

I don't think Melky will take over Bubba's job. At Melky's age, he should be playing every day. Joe thinks even Bubba is a little too young to be playing off the bench.

My bet is that Guiel will be sent to Columbus, at least until the rosters expand. His purpose was to platoon with Bernie in RF. Now Bernie won't be playing the outfield, so Guiel doesn't have a purpose. Bubba is better on defense and as a pinch-runner; Joe put Bubba in as LIDR for Guiel today, and has put him in as a pinch-runner for Guiel in previous games.

My concern is 1B, if Andy doesn't snap out of his funk. Giambi's sore knee probably means he'll be DHing a lot.

Once Mats gets back, Joe simply cannot allow Phillips any playing time. Giambi will have to play 1st base. He is downright awful, and not DH'ing Mats off the DL or Melky, would be a crime against every Yankee fan. Phillips got his chance, and proved to be not ready for prime time. He is late inning defense and that's all!

As for Sheff, they would be fools not to pick up Sheff's option if he comes back and performs. It's not a lot of money for one of the best hitters in the game. I don't want to enter next season without any plan at DH, like we did this year! If Sheff is 100%, the Yankees would be nuts not to pick it up.

Bernie, Giambi, Matsui, Damon, Posada...all players who either should be DHing full time, or need regular rest from playing defense. We cannot have one player hogging the DH slot full-time. That killed us with Sheff last year (when he was injured). The last thing we want is to make that a permanent situation.

Are you guys crazy? Did the Yankees just go broke or something? DH is just as important as any other position in the AL, and 13 mil. for Gary Sheffield isn't "a bit steep." It's actually a bargain. That's not to say that another team will pay him that much, but we sure as hell should. .300/30/110, you wouldn't pay 13 mil. for that?

Of course Abreu's not a switch hitter like Bernie, but his base-stealing is a huge plus, and defensively so is his arm.

Judging from Bowa's postgame enthusiasm, he likes him a lot, which suggests to me Abreu isn't nearly the dog some Phillies fans make him out to be.

I don't think Cashman could have done better than this. He picked up a #4 to boot, and kept the kids. Excellent job.

On the other hand, I don't think it would be a bad move picking up Sheff's option given yet another weak upcoming FA pool. If Soriano is available, that's a whole 'nother story.

A's just KO'd Halladay in the 7th, lead 3-1...

IMO, we need youth, speed, and defense a lot more than we need another big bat.

We are willing to pay Abreu much much more money, and he isn't nearly the player that Sheffield is. Sheffield may think there aren't "5 players better than me in this league," he's wrong, but there aren't very many that are.

You are also operating under a best case scenario position, that no one will get hurt next season and we won't need Sheffield. Suppose we had signed Frank Thomas. With Mats and Sheff out, don't you think we'd be in better position right now than we are? Bottom line, if you can pick up Sheffield at 1 year/13 mil. you do it, and worry about roster problems later.

I think we agree for the most part.

I don't know who this long term contract young 1B people are speaking of. Unless Migue Tejada is willing to play 1B, I don't see any player in our system, or available in the off-season, that fills that role, and I sure as hell don't want to see ole number 12 anywhere near Yankee Stadium next year. I don't want to make the same mistakes over and over, assuming we can just fill Sheff's shoes either in the off-season, or next year with a trade, we can't, we won't. You'd think we were the KC Royals the way people are worrying about contract values.

I am not saying Posada is washed up. But like any catcher, he needs rest or he wears down over the season. Unlike most catchers, we actually want his bat in the lineup, so it would be nice to DH him regularly.

Matsui is a decent LFer, but he, too, needs rest. Several times last year (and this year), he was visibly dragging. At least his streak is over, so there will be no problem benching him if he needs it. But with his bat, we'd rather DH him than bench him.

If we need a full-time DH, we have him in Giambi. His defense has fallen off a cliff the past two years. He had twice as many errors last year as he's averaged in the past, and this year, he was on pace to have twice as many errors as he had last year. He cannot play 1B every day. He's a danger, not only to the team, but to himself. He throws out his back, strains his neck, etc., far too often trying to play defense. He's 35; it's all downhill from here, at least on defense.

I think the Yanks have already decided to that they aren't picking up Sheff's option. When Peter Abraham posted the details of the trade, he said the money will be a wash with Sheff coming off the books next year, and that seems to be the calculation everyone is making.

Asked about Sheffield's role, Cashman said that the time for Sheffield and Matsui to be back is so short that he just couldn't wait for them because he felt obligated to the team that fought hard and the fans.

Wonder if Sheff would go along with that?

Bowa praised Abreu as an everyday player who works and plays hard.

I wish I could recall some exact quotes for you, but to me Bowa's knowing smile said as much as his words.

And his teammates slathered him with shaving cream and shaved him right there in the dugout! :-D

There's going to be much speculation and analysis re: Sheffield in the coming days and weeks.

My two cents upfront: as long as this wasn't a career-ending injury, or one that seriously hampers Shef's swing, there's no way the Yanks will cut ties with one of the most explosive hitters, and most prolific RBI sluggers in the game - if he heals enough to return to form.

For $13 million dollars, Sheff's bat is a luxury the Yankees can afford next season.

I hope Sheff is more motivated than ever to get back into the batter's box and remind us what we've been missing.

Good for the Phillies fans! That's an appropriate farewell for the seventh greatest Phillie of all-time. You can forgive them for booing Abreu. The best player on a bad team frequently has to play the scapegoat.

Those fans deserve a Dallas Green-free management.

70 That's an interesting question. At 21, Melky is not going to be a 4th outfielder. He does need to play every day at his age. I think he'll either be traded or sent back to Columbus.

Sheffield would absolutely go along with that! He is not selfish, he has some weird hangup about being "direspected" but has no problem doing what the team needs. He is surprisingly even tempered considering the family he comes from.

If you remember correctly, he has offered to fill in at 3B on multiple occasions. He played 7 years at SS/3B and would be more than competent at 1B in somewhat limited duty. People had questions about Nomar, but I don't beleive he's made an error all season, and that's more than I can say about Phillips, whose defense is seen through the rose colored glasses on those of you who seem wedded to him and just won't come to grips with the fact that he isn't very good. Sheff is in good shape and as far as I can tell, hasn't shown a dropoff in power at the plate. I would prefer that Giambi play first, but only because there is just no argument: he hits better when he plays defense. I'm sure the powers that be will figure something out. A fringe benefit would likely be the jettisoning of Andy Phillips from the regular lineup.

Those out there who think we should let Sheff go need to see a psychologist. Although they are probably members of the same crew who mistakenly believe the money in his option actually matters to our club, we're not the Twins for God's sake, and that we should trade Arod. Please take your medication.

As for Sheff, I have been saying all along that he is not coming back this year. But let's say he does--it won't be before Sept. 1, so the worst thing that happens is that Melky gets squeezed out for the last month of the year. That would be just like playing everyday at AAA anyway.

He may still get traded...who knows. But the return of Matsui in a ew weeks at best, and Shef maybe in Spet., is not going to hurt his development.

And don't even think about asking any of the OFs to play 1B on an everyday basis. That might set off a few egos.

With Sheff, it's not just the money. It's the roster slot. The past couple of season have shown us the value of a deep and flexible bench. We have too many DH types already.

IMO, there's no way Abreu, Matsui, and Damon won't play (almost) every day. You don't pay OFers $50 million unless they're everyday players.

Funny how Crisp was supposed to be all great, yet Melky has the same amount of HRs, more RBIs, and a higher OPS.

Vlad hits a MOONSHOT!

Couldn't happen to a better idiot.

You asked for an explanation, not a justification, right?

I used to live in Boston's Back Bay - just outside of the Fenway area....on nights like tonight (very warm and humid) ... I used to sit on my stoop with an alcholic beverage or 4...listen to the game on the radio and hear the crowd noise down the road abit. Man, I'm dying for the Yanks to overtake the Sox this week !

I'm sorry about the tone.

Here's one. Soriano to LA Dodgers or he stays put. No way in hell he is moving to Boston or Angels. There are no starters for Boston to get, less Lieber. I would be surprised if Boston is able to pull off a deal that really helps them. Schilling/Beckett is a 5 game series is still something to worry about.

It really is ridiculous, he's 39 when he gets his 200th win, not 300th or even 250th, 200th, and he's magically a HOFer. Moose is 37 and will be closing in on 250 soon, and he doesn't get in, bullshit.

114 It's all the wins man, that's all that counts, just like the Cy Young last year...

Schilling, you know, bloody sock, WS wins, blah blah blah.
I mean, I would have put Blyleven in for sure, but I do think Schilling is borderline.

(That was sarcasm. I use FireFox and have the BBCode extension, so usually, if I use sarcasm, I just highlight my post and put on the sarcasm tags, but this blog for some reason removes them.)

Steve Phillips just showed this view from ESPN's exclusive "Theo Epstein Sphincter Cam":

( * )

note: actual sphincter size

ESPN's headline if that happens: "Brave Schilling battles through tough game to get ML-leading 14th Win."

Hopefully, Angels keep this lead.

Jon Miller doesn't get the fishing analogy.

Unbelievable. Golly, Fenway has their own umpiring crew now?

Unless the Angels put up a 5-spot before then.

(maybe)

Van Buren is just a bad pitcher. The Angels ought to score three more this game.

Obviously only way it could have been better was if he interfered and got tossed.

They better get a hit. Or two.

I'm feeling a lot happier about Proctor right now.

and the Fenway crowd goes silent...

WOW, Crisp has a crappy arm.

Vladi trying to exterminate his own dugout.

Pitchers hate that. I mean, if you're going to suck, at least have the decency to soil your own stats while your at it...

They think Sheff will be gone next year, but Andy Phillips will be the starting first baseman.

Gee, I wonder why people on ESPN wouldn't want to be contacted.

I once wrote John Heyman after a complete trash-job on Sheffield for returning fire on that Fenway fan who took a swing at home - called him a thug, and comparisons of Ron Artest littered his piece.

Heyman actually wrote me back, too, and defended himself. Not that my mind was changed about what an idiot he was... ;-)

Maybe Morgan's chair that needs to be tested for something, or maybe it's just something in the water at Bristol.

Couldn't have made a better sign myself.

Living in SF and hearing him on Giants broadcasts was my overdose. He'll give a squeeze play call in the first inning of a spring training game the same intensity as a post season walk off grand slam.

Put him together with Morgan and I'm hatin' life...

Figgins' speed again. That oughta do it. Win Expectancy Finder says the Angels have a .999 chance of winning when leading by six going into the top of the ninth, away. Maybe an overestimate, but good enough for me.

God, Jon Miller is such a boob.

Halos 'pen has a serious case of the goggles.

And the third strike tip is held, all done.

Let's see, the Indians coming to Fenway; they are sucking these days, but the Sawx face relatively good pitchers. So if Abreu hits five dingers in his first four games in pinstripes, we should take the lead....

See youse Tuesday.

Just .5 back. Woohooo! 'Night all, 'twas a good Sunday.

262, what we saw in 04 and 05 was the ghost of Kevin Brown. I hear he was actually a very good pitcher, once upon a time.

Phillies | GreatSportsNews.com

I read the wrap on YES and I continue to be concerned about the assumptions regarding Gary Seffield, both there, and on the Banter.

I know many are expressing worry about the payroll if we pick up his option. Others worry about where he will fit in and what the players roles will be. I will likely bore you to tears until October, but as much as others wave the flag in support of Alex Rodriguez (and let's be fair, he has been all but useless since June, with another 3K today), which I join willingly, I have to continue to voice my opinin about picking Sheff up.

It appears rather simple to me. If he comes back healthy, any concern about money should be moot, as it's not really a major concern, especially considering we will be paying Abreu much more for much less production. If we are going to pay Abreu what we are going to pay him, any talk of Sheffield's salary is ridiculous. Worry about where he will fit in is also ridiculous. What if we suffer a couple injuries next year? You'll all be wishing Sheffield was there. Plan for the worst, that's the GM's job.

The decision should be easy for George and Cash, and can be summed up simply: Will our team be better or worse with Gary Sheffield? The answer is better, and that is all that matters in the end. We can afford it, and to let him walk would be a huge mistake. We don't ant to become the Boston Red Sox; pasing on players because of perception rather than reality.

He would have to be nuts.

Still, my main worry about picking up Sheff for another year would be his odds of rehabbing that wrist. At his age, and with all the stress he puts on his arms just standing in the batter's box (nevermind swinging) he's got a long way to go. He may even need to change the kind of hitter he is and tone down the menace and raw ferocity for good.

.308/.388/.549

That's what you're calling "useless in July".
Don't believe everything you hear on ESPN, dude.

Also: why do you think Abreu will contribute "much less production" than Sheffield? My guess is they'll be pretty close. Sheff is likely to homer more often, but Abreu will surely get on base a lot more.