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.

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.

Wang pulls through

Score:

Yankees- 2
Rays- 0

Again, sorry for the lateness my computer has not been working at all lately. Wang was brilliant for 6 innings shutting out the Rays before getting in trouble in the 7th he let runners get on the corners with nobody. Girardi made the right move next in going to Joba who K'ed the first guy he faced and then got lucky with a LD double play to get out of the inning. Joba had an easy 8th and then handed it over to Rivera in the 9th. Rivera closed the door then.

The offense was again less than brilliant but were backed by sick pitching. They got only two runs on a Hideki Matsui HR. A-Rod also had a double. Looks like A-Rod`s going to have another great year which is something they`re going to need. Its still early in the year but unless we suddenly turn out to have incredible pitching which I would say is pretty unlikely. Still not even close to being worried yet though.

Matsui Got Married

Apparently, Hideki Matsui got married to a 25 year old office worker yesterday in a small ceremony in New York. Good for him

Godzilla to Giants?

An interesting rumor is Mastui to the Giants for Matt Cain or Tim Lincecum. Matsui is an all-star and a very good player but a big part of his value is how he opens up the Japanese market. If Matsui is traded could signing Fukudome be next? I think Fukudome could replace Matsui very well. Cain and Lincecum are both studs as well. Especially Lincecum. Matsui has a no trade clause so obviously this could be nothing.