Moving Again

Hi guys, I doubt anybody has even seen this blog in ages but if anybody has then I want to let them know I am no longer primarily writing at the Chuck Knoblog. I'm making the move to Sliding Into Home, so check it out.

Moving

I noticed their are still plenty of people reading this blog and I just wanted to let you know about my plans for this blog.

• I will be writing on the Chuck Knoblog now.
• I will no longer write here unless I leave the Chuck Knoblog which I don't see happening any time soon.
• I will not delete this blog or change the url in case people want to dig through the archives or read about RCA.

That's about it. Thanks to everyone who's read this blog.

Moving

I have good news and bad news.

The bad news is the blog will be closing again and this time it may be permanently.

The good news is I`m not going away. I`m moving to the Chuck Knoblog. Charlie wanted another writer and I volunteered. I`ll write their for a while and I`ll decide whether I want to keep both blogs going.

Why Now Carl?

Nw that the Yankees are out the race and he`s pitching meaningless games Carl Pavano is doing great. He`s making a case for him to return next year. If he continues pitching like this for the rest of the year should they bring him back? I`m leaving to go to the game in a few minutes so this will be a quick post.

Done

Before this series I thought the Yankees might actually have a chance at making a run and a comeback. However, they would have to win the series. They didn't and now they`re basically done. 6 out is far to much to overcome. The win yesterday was nice. It keeps things close enough to make things interesting and they can still play the spoiler role. Had they won one of the first two games they would be only 4 out with Joba coming back next week. Phil Hughes also had a good start recently. However, the hole is to deep now.

Instant Replay

Instant replay will be implemented Thursday. Good, I don't see the need to test it. What's the point? It will probably slow the games down but so does a manager running out screaming at the umpire. This way they also get the call right.

Kenny Rogers

Kenny Rogers has been placed on waivers. Buster Olney thinks the Yankees will be interested as well. I hope not. They should stay far away from him.

Good Enough

Three series ago I said the Yankees had to go at least 6-3 and be 5 games out by the end of that stretch. They did exactly that. They`re still a long shot but they`re back in the race.

The series against Boston is huge. If they loose the series they`re just about done.

Also, I think its time to send down Rasner. Alfredo Aceves is mowing down hitters in AAA. He had another great start tonight.

Sorry Guys

I`m really sorry about the past few days but I had surgery on Wednesday and its a miserable experience recovering. I`ll feel better in a few days but I just really haven't felt like writing anything.

2009 Offseason

Over at MLB Trade Rumors they have some thoughts on the Yankee's free agents I`d like to comment on.

Here`s a list of the big Yankees free agents. I may be wrong on some salary numbers:

• Jason Giambi (Type B free agent, 22 million dollar '09 option, 5 million dollar buyout)
• Bobby Abreu (Type A free agent)
• Ivan Rodriguez (Type B free agent)
• Mike Mussina
• Andy Pettitte
• Damaso Marte (6 million dollar '09 option)

I didn't list what type of free agent Moose, Marte, and Pettitte are because we don't know yet.

First of all, I would resign both Pettitte and Mussina. Pettitte could probably be had for a one year deal if he chooses to avoid retirement another year. However, Mussina will probably want a raise and at least a two year deal. I think he`s worth it. He`s reinvented himself and they need him. If either one chooses to retire they could be in trouble for their rotation.

Although Marte has struggled for the Yankees I would bring him back as well. He was one of the best lefty relievers in baseball for Pittsburgh. Its well worth the risk.

The rest of these guys are all connected. They will probably bring back only one of them. I`d offer Abreu arbitration. He`ll probably decline as he can get a multi-year deal elsewhere. That`ll give them three first round draft picks if they don't sign anybody else.

I would then offer both Pudge and Giambi arbitration. I would be shocked if Giambi didn't accept. However, Pudge may be looking for a long term deal. If Pudge does accept then they`ll have to make room at the DH spot. This means trading either Damon or Matsui. Probably Matsui because he may be unable to play the outfield at this point.

What could a package of Matsui, Kennedy, and Melky bring in? The target would probably be a centerfielder, the only huge hole on the team. Then the final move for the Yankees to make would be to sign C.C. Sabathia to be their ace. Hughes can jump into the rotation as soon as someone gets hurt. The team would also still have two first round draft picks to help rebuild a greatly weakened farm system.

Also Brian Cashman's contract is up. Although some fans seem to think that the Yankees should win the World Series every year I`m happy with what he`s done and would bring him back.

So in my opinion the Yankees need to:

• Resign Pettitte and Mussina
• Offer Abreu, Pudge, and Giambi arbitration
• Possibly trade Abreu or Damon
• Bring back Marte
• Sign C.C. Sabathia
• Resign Brian Cashman

I`m Back

I got a new keyboard and I`m back.

I was obviously happy with what they did yesterday but the first gaem against Toronto was a major dissapointment. They can only afford to lose one (MAYBE two) more games against Toronot/Baltimore. Considering they`ll probably lose tonight to Halladay they`re going to need to sweep Baltimore. Sorry for the shortness of this post.

Keyboard Problems

I may have trouble getting on for the next week or so as I`m having problems with my keyboard.

The Blame Game- Posada/Matsui

This will probably be my last post in this series.

Posada came into the year after a career year and getting a huge new contract. He wasn't terrible but he certainly wasn't what he was last year. His play was affected by his injury. Runners could steal at will. Finally they decided to shut him down when they got Pudge Rodriguez. The trade for Pudge helped make the catcher position not a total disaster but he was still a dissapointment.

Matsui's injury also took a huge bat out the lineup. The offense has struggled this year and Matsui is a big reason why. They`ve had to juggle with mediocore to just plain bad hitters at DH without him. Now he`s making his way back from injury and could play tomorrow. However, it may be to late.

The Blame Game- Cano

Like his friend Melky, Cano has been a huge dissapointment. Coming into the year I thought he would be one of the best second baseman in the game. Although his fielding has been underrated this year in my opinion his hitting has been awful.

Although it looked like he was turning his season around in the second half he`s fallen off since then. This created some rumors that he might be traded for Matt Kemp.

Unlike Melky I think Cano will be okay. He`s shown more potential over his career. He`s also very reliant on his BA which means if he gets unlucky with his BABIP like he did this year he will suffer. He could still get hot and end the season with solid numbers. I also still want him and Jeter to switch positions. All in all I`m not to worried about Cano but he really hurt the team this year.

We Hate You Carl

Pavano and Hughes have both finished their rehab starts and you know what? Somehow Pavano did much better. Hughes' velocity was down and its to risky to pitch him before he`s totally 100 percent ready. They need another pitcher.

Our options are Chase Wright, Alfredo Aceves, and Carl Pavano. Wright has been very lucky. I would never start him. I`d like to see him traded after the year. Maybe along with Kennedy, Melky, and Matsui/Damon for a good young center-fielder. That leaves Aceves and Pavano. I wanted Aceves instead of Kennedy but I think I`d have to go with Pavano instead.

They signed him to what is now an absurd deal that looked pretty good at the time. They also have had numerous chances to dump on another team. Including reportedly at least one at the trade deadline this year. They may as well go with him now. They don't have anything to lose and they have everything to gain. The season's on the line and Rasner, Rasner, and Ponson are all in our rotation. Not to mention Mussina is our ace and as a shot at the Cy Young award and 20 wins.

If Pavano struggles then Hughes can fill his spot with Aceves waiting to step in for Ponson or Rasner to get bombed. Tomorrow is yet another big game. The game against Roy Halladay is next to a guarenteed loss so they need to take tomorrow's game.

1) Mussina
2) Pettitte
3) Ponson
4) Rasner
5) Pavano

Somebody please shoot me.

Reinforcements

Although they`ve inched closer the Yankees still have the odds heavily against them for the playoffs. Help is on the way though.

• Matsui started his rehab assignment yesterday. He could be back by Tuesday as a DH for the year. It should be interesting to see what they do. I would think Damon would move to center but Gardner has been playing well of late. He`d obviously be a big bat to add.
• Phil Hughes is pitching today in his last rehab start. He could be up for the game on Wednesday if he does well. He could be terrible like he was earlier in the year. Or he could be brilliant like last year. He`s replaced his slider with a cutter.
• Some guy named Carl Pavano is also making a rehab start today in AA. Its his last rehab start. He could also be up for the game on Wednesday. I think the spot will go to whoever pitches better today. The other will come up to replace Rasner soon. Hopefully Pavano can stay healthy until Joba gets back. ;)
• Joba is also on his way back. He`ll probably come in for whoever happens to be struggling when he`s ready.

All of these guys could be helpful additions. Particularly Matsui and Joba.

A series win?

They actually finally won a series. Granted it was against Kansas City but I`ll take it. Its to bad they couldn't win that first game and get the sweep but oh well. Boston lost again so they`re 5 games out and back in that borderline contender range. Also, Boston is only .5 games ahead of Chicago and Minnesota.

I said yesterday this was a must win and they delivered. After Mussina's first inning I though they were in trouble and kind of annoyed at Michael Kay's constant references to Mussina's first inning struggles. However, he settled down and gave them what they needed, 7 innings of 3 run ball. He gave the bullpen a desperately needed rest.

The offense also exploded after a pathetic showing yesterday. A-Rod's first inning home run to tie it was huge and Nady's homer to give them the lead was also great. They showed everyone why the Yankees didn't want Brian Bannister.

However, lets not get ahead of ourselves. They`re still only in third in the wild card and the next series is big. They have to face both Burnett and Halladay. They need to take 2/3 against Toronto. They have a day off tomorrow.

The Blame Game- Melky

Melky has been a controversial figure for Yankees fans. On one side we had people who said he was young and that it was impressive for him to even be in the majors at his age. His fielding was great and his hitting could only improve from here. On the other side we had fans who though he was a 4th outfielder. His hitting was below average. His defense was overrated. I was one of the former.

I`ve been a huge supporter of Melky comparing him to guys like Carlos Beltran. However, he has been an absolutely pathetic hitter this year. Literally, he was one of the worst hitters in baseball this year. His defense also seemed to drop off with him making mental mistakes. It finally earned him a long overdue demotion to AAA for Brett Gardner who had a big day today. This year was an important one for Melky and he really blew it. I`m very close to calling him a bust.

In April things looked great for Melky. He had power developing and he was hitting. Things have gone only downhill from there. I think we may see him traded in the offseason. The only question is who will hold over centerfield until Austin jackson is (hopefully) ready. It doesn't look like it will be Melky.

Can they do it?

Right now after a Yankees win and Boston loss they are 6 games behind Boston for first in the wild card and 4.5 games behind Chicago/Minnesota for second. Things don't look good. I think they`re pretty much done. However, they do have a small chance.

The next 3 series (counting the current one) are huge. They`re all against weaker teams and the Yankees have a chance to beat up on them. Kansas City, Toronto, and Baltimore are all beatable (although Toronto is tough). They need to win at least 6 of their 9 games against these teams if they`re going to make a run. They`re only 1-1 so far and tomorrow's game against Kansas City is huge. They need to win this series badly. They have Mussina pitching which is good but its certainly no sure thing.

Hughes needs only one more minor league start before coming up, Joba has started throwing, Matsui will begin his rehab performances today in A ball, and even Pavano is making his way back. They need to be 4 or 5 games out at the end of this "easy" stretch. After this stretch some of these injured players will be coming back for the stretch run and we`ll know whether or not they have a chance. Again, tomorrow is huge. They NEED a win

Last Game

I went to the game today and it was ugly but it was fun. I missed the game yesterday but from I heard it was ugly. It may be my last game at the old stadium. It was a good one to.

For the first 6 innings we did our now typical whining about hitting with RISP and they`re terrible luck. However, in the 7th they capitalized on 2 errors and a wild pitch to tie the game at 2. By the time the 13th rolled around the stadium had just about emptied out. Finally, Brett Gardner got the walk off hit for the second time in his young career.

Ponson did his typical performance getting into a ton of jams and miraculously getting out. He`s become this year's Aaron Small with less run support. The bullpen was also brilliant. The only one who did poorly was Damaso Marte who walked the only batter he faced. I`m more than a little worried about him. I still like him but he seems to need to adjust to a new team. Maybe for now Girardi should try and have him avoid key spots.

Although it doesn't really matter in the big picture it was a good game.