I've really only glanced at the other Yankee sites, but as far as I'm concerned, this is the cream of the crop. I'll add that there isn't, to my knowledge, a Sox blog it's equal.

The writing and analysis on the front end is articulate, intelligent, and refreshing. And, of course, the whining on the back end that accompanies each Yankee loss, each losing streak, and the sad end of each Yankee season is priceless.

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In addition to that information, you might be interesting in knowing that he throws in the mid-to-high 90s with ease and has a wicked slider, change, and sometimes works a cutter. His size projects to much better long term success than Daisuke Matsuzaka. He has room to fill out his upper body as he is still only 22-years old, but his lower body is relatively thick and generates power at a Major League level.
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Wow.

http://tinyurl.com/28x8av

1 Welcome back, debris. Your ethereal candor is equalled only by your generosity. Good to see you >;)

7 She COULD bring a Sox fan to reason . . .

I am stunned by all the hate for Andy I have read on various blogs. There ara obviously many, many more Saints walking the Earth then I realized. Glad I don't have to take the stand.

I can only hope the dogs in the media can dig up another bone and we can start focusing on baseball.

I think the team looks great.
I think Girardi and the boys are on a mission.

Monday, February 19, 2008: Something about the urethral genuflections of condors...

Brrrrrr.

14 How many first basemen does a team need? Will the cost associated with trading for Nick Johnson be offset by his increase in production over Shelley Duncan, Jason Giambi, and friends? And what about Nick's penchant for injuries? How high on the prospect list are you willing to go for an unclear improvement?

(There's No Such Thing As A First Baseman Prospect)

Maybe the way to find a good first baseman is like finding a young pitcher - start out with 10, and you're bound to end up with at least 1 or 2 good ones. =)

Let's be honest, DC is probably looking to dump his salary, given his penchant for injuries and they have Dimitri Young too. Bowden likely isn't going to be picky given that; offer a couple A-ball pitchers and be done with it.

11 Haven't seen the hate anywhere, but I think Andy did a super job. I now have no concerns about him doing his thing this year.

How High?....
The Ultimate High....how high? So that I can kiss the sky! (up-up in the sky!)

ahem... continue >;)

BTW, VERY late on this, but finally checked out some of ths links about the new Stadium. Martini bar..??? Really, it's getting harder and harder to justify going to a game with the expenses and lack of concern for the average fan...

Will the cost associated with trading for Nick Johnson be offset by his increase in production over Shelley Duncan, Jason Giambi, and friends?
... Nick the Stick is very productive. As far as prospects, it depends who we have to give up.

And what about Nick's penchant for injuries?
... He was pretty healthy in 05 and 06. I can't put a freak broken leg on the 'prone to injuries' list. He just turned 29.

How high on the prospect list are you willing to go for an unclear improvement?
... I think Nick over Duncan/Ensberg is a BIG improvement, on both O and D. We could then send Shelly to the minors and bring up Gardner as a 5th OFer with good D and great speed. This is MUCH more flexibility.

I mean I love all our kids, but we have a ton of pitching. We are keeping the Big 4 (thats the Big 3 + Horne). Some of them can be used in a good trade. If Nick doesn't work out, he was cheap, can be gone in 2 years, and brings a draft pick? If he's good, he could be an above average player for 5 or 6 years.

I think the only question is: Who do we have to give up? 2 pitchers? What might it take?

I mean the guy had a 0.948 OPS in 2006 for $5.5m. ARod has a 0.969 Carrer OPS. Papi is at 0.943. He also hits lefties as well as righties. And what will Tex cost 6/$100m?
Nick is now at 2/$11m.

I mean the guy is 'Nick the Stick'!

Didn't know you were blogging! I had some noisy neighbors too, the Keeblers, but they were viciously attacked and kidnapped by an ubiquitous unseen hand. I haven't seen them since. I think it's just a weird coincidence, huh?

24 Man, you just don't know. Or perhaps you do now. BTW, I did some checking up on the side-effects on the medication (update on the current posting to come soon)... wowzers! Doc and I need to chat again, and how!

Johnson was out for a full month in 2005. That's "pretty healthy" for him, but does nothing to boost my confidence. So rather than seeing last year as a fluke after two years of health - as you do - I see 2006 as the fluke, the only year he hasn't been injured.

No matter how you look at it, the Yankees have at least 6 guys, maybe more, for 4 positions. LF/RF/1B/DH; Matsui, Abreu, Damon, Giambi, Duncan, Betemit and very likely Ensberg. Against righties, which of the first four do you sit to play Johnson?

I think you've got to clear out the logjam before you go about getting him.

As I said: Nick at 1st, Giambi at DH, 4 OFers who rotate 3 OF positions + some DH.
Betemin is our BUIF. He is consided at 1B because we don't have one, not because he's a good option. Same as Ensberg.

So you have 5 players to rotate between 3 OF positons and a DH. No bad. Plus JD, Giambi and maybe Matsui might be injury risks.

Our bench would be Molina/Betemin/Matsui and one of Ensberg/Shelly/Gardner.

Again, we don't have a logjam at 1B. We don't have a 1Bman, only some players who own a first basemans glove (sort of like Miggy Cairo). Washington has a logjam at 1B.

But what upsets me is that I've been calling for almost TWO WEEKS for another starter and Cash ain't done squat about it! Doesn't he READ the banter (does he?)

I see a rotation filled with innings cap guys and real injury risks (as opposed to 'all pitchers are injury risks'). We are certainly better than last year so far, when He Who Is Not Named was opening day, but ...

Decent FAs have been way overpaid the last 2 winters. Come the ASB, when teams are trading and dumping, much better deals are to be had. Plus, at that time, we can do a much better assessment of our needs.

So... how about some creative thoughts for NJ. Matsui + $5m and a propect (or 2)? What does Washing need (aside from everything)? How's their farm? Would they want 3 A/AA prospects for the future.

I hate to see some of the kids go, but Nick is a stud, and underrated.