Pitchers are like wine. If we would have left them age a bit then we would have had one hell of cellar to select from. But no, we beat the hell out of the old farm club to get the big Hollywood lineup and even after we went hog wild on getting some stock back in the cellar, they just aren't aged enough.

Now Clemens chases a ring like a gold digger, but I wonder if he wants to come to a club with a pitching staff that is in tatters.
There would be to much pressure on him, while in Boston he would just have to play his part and relax a whole lot more. I don't think money is the big issue. It is the time to relax and less pressure for him. He doesn't want the pressure that A-rod or Jeter gets from the New York fans and the NY papers.
And hell, the smart more for Boston is to keep any or all pitchers away from the Yankees, it hurts NY by taking them off the market. Let's face it, Boston has shown that it will open the pocket book a bit more.

They have once again had a taste of being kings and I think they liked it a whole lot.

But overall, I still think the Yankees have a better bullpen (although as of late they're not showing it) and a much better lineup. Plus, hopefully the lure of playing with BFF Andy Pettitte will be enough to get him back in pinstripes. But I agree, as of now boston seems like the ideal fit if he doesn't want to be in the lime light. However, it is only April. Let's see how badly the injury bug bites boston too

Boston is willing to open up the pocketbook only so far. They still like to keep their fans in an illusory state about how the Yankees still have the highest payroll, while they are just trying to "survive." Clemens is going to demand an enormous prorated contract that I don't think Boston is willing to give out, after spending on Matsuzaka, Drew, and the bullpen.

That being said, obviously your strategy analysis makes sense, but I really can't see Clemens going back to Boston unless their pitchers go down like the Yankees'.

And pressure never bothered Clemens before. Of course he is in it for the money. He'll go to whatever team he feels will receive the most impact and best chances of getting to the World Series. Period.

I believe that Clemens has made his decision whether to pitch, and for what team. He will get paid handsomely wherever he goes, and will not waste time with negotiations. I don't think he'll be ready to take the mound the day he signs. I'm sure he's working out, but he hasn't had anything close to a spring training. Plus, what is he...44 years old? His body isn't going to respond the way it did between starts 20 years ago.

I was just thinking....What if the trade was made that many had talked about after last season: A-Rod for Zambrano - with the Yankees paying a chunk of A-Rod's salary. Heads would be rolling.

I agree. He already has his mind made up, I'm sure. Hopefully its for New York. But who knows.

And yes, even if he signs, hypothetically, on May 1st, he most likely wouldn't be able to pitch until at least June.

Yep. I think Cashman must be smarter than the rest of us.

Although you couldn't tell by the record of the pitchers he's signed - Jeff Weaver, Kevin Brown, Jaret Wright, and, of course, Carl Pavano. Ugh.

If Cashman traded A-Rod now...wouldn't Yank fans call for Casman's head on a lance?

But if Cashman can squirt out Santana for a reasonable price, and get Clemens as well...talk about a morale ball-buster that should shatter the BoSox fans.

WTF!!!!! Wang pitched an excellent first game, and now THIS!!!!!! A grand slam home run in the bottom of the 7th??? All they needed was one more strike, and what do we get instead?? A grand slam home run! This SUCKS.

. HELP Tampa Bay takes another one from us...Sweep by Tampa Bay shit that hurts

five loses in a row

A-Rod calm and cool amid frenzy

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- For everyone who booed him last season, he must have struggled to hold his tongue. For all that's happening at the plate this season, sitting still must have been a monumental task.

But yet there Alex Rodriguez was on Tuesday, calm and cool. Talking about his love for New York and spending time with his daughter. His offseason weight loss, his contract and, most important, the reason he was in the dugout pregame, nestled at the hub of 30-plus media members.

His hitting.

"I can't explain it," Rodriguez said. "I know you're looking for some profound answer, but I don't have one. I'm just trying to have as much fun as I can and really not care about what most people are thinking or saying."

Everyone is talking about A-Rod these days. The third baseman entered Tuesday with a Majors record-tying 14 home runs in April after he slugged two on Monday. He needed just 18 games to hit 14, the quickest in history. He has 30 hits, and 21 of them went for extra bases.

Going into Tuesday's game, A-Rod was hitting .400, tied with Minnesota's Joe Mauer for tops in the league. He also owns the highest slugging percentage (1.053) and has driven in 34 runs, as many as the next two highest AL players combined (teammate Jason Giambi and Boston's David Ortiz each have 17 RBIs). The record for RBIs in April is 35, set by Juan Gonzalez in 1998.

"It's video-game-type stuff, what he's been doing," said Rays right fielder Delmon Young. "The main thing he's doing is putting that barrel on every ball he hits. All of his home runs are like that.

"You don't even have to run at it, you just stand there and see where they go."

With 70 percent of A-Rod's hits going for extra bases and 67 percent of those leaving the park, it's almost expected each time he bats that the result will be one awesome display of power or another. So what happens if pitchers decide to start avoiding him?

"I don't care," he said. "The way Jason [Giambi] is swinging the bat right now ... there are three studs in front of me. It's a great place for me to be. [Opposing pitchers] can pick their poison. And if they walk me, I can always use my athleticism to steal a base or two."

Folks had their eye on the 10-time All-Star long before April 7, but it was on that day that his power catapulted him back into the national spotlight.

Rodriguez had already hit his second homer of the season during the first inning against Baltimore when he jacked the game-winner into the bleachers for a walk-off grand slam to push New York to victory, 10-7, at Yankee Stadium. Rodriguez maintains, though, that he felt this success coming a long time ago.

"Everyone talks about the walk-off," he said. "Ever since the first day, I've been feeling like I'm in a good place. I've been feeling comfortable. And even leading into the season, I thought I was feeling comfortable. I hit three or four home runs the last week. The walk-off was great, but I felt great before that."

Not the first day of the season, he said, but the first day of full workouts in Tampa, Fla., back in February. He dropped more than 10 pounds during the winter and reported to camp feeling younger and "a bit more athletic." Best of all, he said, he no longer felt the pressure to perform up to everyone else's expectations.

"There are certain things that you use, whether it's motivational, or just to relax yourself. You dangle carrots for yourself all the time," manager Joe Torre said. "I don't know what he's using, if there is something other than just baseball itself. Baseball and life are all about perspective.

"To me, he's probably as fresh as I remember him in the whole time since he's been there."

It's a peace of mind that's greatly aided his April tear, and at the same time caused a roar in baseball, with murmurs of "Barry Bonds" and "73 home runs" bubbling to the surface.

"That's a much better question in mid-August," said A-Rod of the possibility of surpassing Bonds' single-season record. "Right now it's kind of a moot point to even think about it.

"Let's see how far I can fly, and then I can tell you. I'm in the middle of flight right now."

Plus, he said, it's hard to plan a one-man celebration. The Yankees were just 8-10 entering Tuesday's game, and were in the middle of a four-game losing streak after a nasty sweep at the hands of the archrival Red Sox. New York's pitching staff is battling through a down period, injuries abound and not much is going right for anyone but A-Rod.

"You always enjoy playing well, but when you come to the park every day, it's about getting the win," he said. "You want to be a part of it somehow. It's obviously 100 percent more enjoyable when you win the game. Everyone wants to do well, every single game."

There was a time not too long ago, he remembered, when the team surged as he foundered. Now the tables are turned, and he is focused on doing what he can to make sure that both he and the team go forward together. New York, he said, has a special place in his heart, and because of that he has no worries as to where he'll be when his contract ends after this season.

"It got ugly last year for a while, and I just kept saying, 'I love New York.' It's the greatest place for me to play," he said. "I've always thought that, even when I was [really bad] last year. Things haven't changed.

"I want to stay in New York, no matter what."

Source: Yankees

Hopefully this will put an end to all of the speculation but probably not

----------------------------------------------------------------

A-Rod doesn't want to leave NY next season

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Alex Rodriguez's torrid start has reaffirmed his intentions for after this season: He wants to stay in pinstripes.

Rodriguez, whose 14 homers are tied for the most ever in April, said Tuesday that he has no plans to leave the New York Yankees after the season, when the third baseman can opt of his contract.

"I want to stay in New York, no matter what," Rodriguez said in the Yankees' third-base dugout before Tuesday night's game at Tampa Bay.

"I love New York. It's the greatest place for me to play."

Rodriguez is entering the seventh season of his $252 million, 10-year contract, a deal he signed with the Texas Rangers. He can terminate the agreement after the season, forfeit the $81 million owed in the final three years and become a free agent.

"Abilitywise, we certainly want him here," Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "Sitting in the middle of our lineup and making the statement he is right now, we certainly don't want him to go anywhere. That's without question. I'd like to believe he's going to be here."

Rodriguez entered Tuesday night's game at Tampa Bay hitting .400 with a league-leading 34 RBIs in 18 games, and he's already matched the record for April homers set by Albert Pujols last year.

When asked if he could explain his start, Rodriguez said simply, "No."

"I know you guys are looking for some profound answers, but I don't have them," Rodriguez said. "I'm having as much fun as I can. I'm trying to keep it simple. Just try to prolong it as long as possible and enjoy it."

Source: Yankees

Pressure's on rookie to deliver for pinstripes

The word "panic" has historically been blacklisted in baseball, and for good reason. To acknowledge it means feeling it, surrendering to it and making decisions based on its overwhelming presence.

No one wants to admit they're panicking, but what else can the Yankees' summoning of rookie Phil Hughes from Triple-A be except just that -- panic, following a disastrous weekend sweep at Fenway?

Even using the milder description (worry) or the politically correct term (concern) doesn't minimize the Yankees' crisis. Losers of four straight, the Bombers are getting just 4.9 innings per appearance from their starters, which the Elias Sports Bureau says is last in the majors.

Everyone is hurt, including Mike Mussina, Carl Pavano and Chien-Ming Wang, who finally comes off the disabled list tonight against Tampa Bay. But the franchise's foundation was further rocked on Friday when Mariano Rivera blew a disastrous save against the Red Sox, and was clocked at just 88 mph on the radar gun.

The rest of the bullpen has been so unreliable that Andy Pettitte has already made two relief appearances. The other relievers, it seems, are just waiting for their next flogging, with no cure on the horizon.

No one's going to clone Aaron Small's 10-0 miracle performance in 2005. The landscape is so littered with problems, even Randy Johnson's 5.00 ERA looks good in retrospect.

Through it all, however, the Yankees vowed they wouldn't dare touch Hughes, the farm system's shining star. Some scouts liken the kid to a young John Smoltz, which is why GM Brian Cashman promised -- no, insisted -- that Hughes wasn't ready for the big leagues. Not at age 20.

But 17 games into the season, the Yankees have rewritten the business plan, calling up Hughes from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He'll start Thursday in the Bronx against the Blue Jays with the chance to become a permanent fixture in the rotation.

Did the Yankees panic? Cashman says no, not exactly. But in a telephone interview on Monday, he admitted: "With the injuries we've had over the last three weeks, it just necessitated the move. Our needs overmatched his development process.''

Hughes has had mixed results in the minors, pitching effectively in his first start, getting roughed up in his second, before finally mixing and matching his weapons to perfection in overwhelming Syracuse. In six scoreless innings, he allowed just two hits and struck out 10. Pitching coach Dave Eiland told the Scranton Times-Tribune, "If [Hughes] pitches the way he pitched the last time in Syracuse, he's not going to have any problems."

Of course, there's a wide gulf between Triple-A hitters and facing big leaguers in Yankee Stadium. The obvious question is whether Hughes is really ready, his talent and outward poise aside. The last time the Yankees relied on a rookie in a pressure situation, the results were monumentally bad.

Chase Wright, making only his second major league start, gave up four consecutive home runs Sunday night in Fenway. He was mercifully returned to the minors on Monday morning, and it's anyone's guess what kind of psychological scarring he has suffered.

What was so disheartening for the Yankees is that the weekend could've been so profitable. They scored four runs in the first two innings against previously unhittable Josh Beckett on Saturday. And the next night, the Bombers punctured the myth of Daisuke Matsuzaka's invincibility, ambushing him for six runs in seven innings.

But the Yankees couldn't win either game, which prompted some players to quietly question why Cashman had yet to address the roster's glaring deficiencies. As one veteran put it, "What we have right now, I'm not sure it's enough."

The player said the Yankees need a two-step remedy. The first is calling up Hughes, the second is making sure the Bombers don't get outbid for Roger Clemens the way they were for Matsuzaka.

Hughes and Clemens could, theoretically, fix what's wrong with an old, fragile rotation. Even when Mussina returns from the DL, he'll have to prove he can throw harder than 85 mph. At 38, it's fair to wonder if Mussina's diminished velocity is nothing more serious than a sluggish April or, more insidiously, an age-related decline.

And Pavano will have to demonstrate he wants to pitch, period. He's reported yet another mysterious injury -- this time it's a forearm strain that keeps "grabbing" -- that kept him off the mound while the Yankees were being swept.

When asked what the Yankees can realistically expect of Pavano -- who swore, hand on his heart, he was healed physically and spiritually in 2007 -- one member of the organization shook his head and said simply, "Who knows."

This isn't exactly the soft landing the Yankees wanted to give Hughes. He's being asked to do more than simply hold his own; the Yankees need him to win decisively. Even beyond that, the Yankees want the kid to succeed where Mussina, Pavano and Kei Igawa have so far failed: restore the Yankees' aura of invincibility, even if it's for one night.

Don't think people aren't noticing how vulnerable they are. One major league executive said, "I wouldn't say this is one of the better Yankee teams of the last few years."

No wonder the Yankees are looking for help. If it's not panic, it's close enough. They're turning a desperate gaze toward Hughes, one that needs no translation: help.

Source: ESPN

I'm beginning to think that Joe Torre won't see the end of the season in pinstripes.

Papa George will be foolish to do that. Who will he hire then? Don Mattingly? Surely Papa George has learned from his nonsense with Yogi Berra.

Torre is walking at the end of this year anyway. Besides, its only a 8-11 record. Don't panic.

Managers always seem to be between a rock and a hard place.
If Torre goes, then Cashman should also go.

I know Joe Girardi is available...

---

Wang pitched a gem, and really showed why he is the ace and anchor of the rotation. He got no love from the Yankees bullpen...I've lost complete faith in Vizcaino, and Myers is failing as a lefty specialist.

I'd really start to consider moving some of these guys. I know Matt DeSalvo had a great spring training for the Yankees, I'd like to see them call him up and send down Bruney. At least get some fresh arms in there. Whatever happened to TJ Beam? He's still in our minor league system, and pitched decently in relief last year.

ANYTHING has to be better than our fatigued 'pen right now. Seriously. You know you are fucked when the Devil Ray bullpen beats you. Ugh.

---

Matsui returns! Matsui returns! Hell, I'd bat him in front of Giambi, until Giambi realizes he isn't Cecil Fielder. It's pretty clear the whole DH thing is not working out well for him. Still, Matsui is going to bring back consistency and clutch, a nice safety net if A-Rod can't homer and just gets on base late in a game.

---

Who else thinks Bobby Abreu...umm...sucks? He hasn't shown his "awesome plate discipline" (which Michael Kay feels the need to orgasm about every time he comes to the plate), he has been going after horrible pitches, and while his fielding has come around, at times he looks half-hearted out there in left field. I think this is Abreu's walk year (the club has a $16 million option for 2008).

Guess who else is an FA after this year?

Ichiro.

That would be awesome. He'd be a great leadoff hitter, insane fielding and arm. Whoo. Cashman, get on your horse.

Another FA? Torii Hunter. I'd rather have Ichiro, but since Hunter said he's "all but gone" on an ESPN interview recently, I'd try moving him to right or moving Damon to right and letting him play center.

Gah! It makes me want to pull me hair out when I remember we could've had Vlad Guerrerro instead of Sheffield three or four years ago.

---

The Yankees got all they could possibly want from Wang, and they blew it big time. Kasmir had no control last night, they could've walked at least half a dozen times in my view. And seriously. I know he probably didn't hit Jeter on purpose, but when the fuck are the Yankees going to start brushing back pitchers? Egads! How I miss Randy Johnson...

Oh, never mind. He got rocked in his first outing with the D-Back's last night. Okay, I miss...Roger Clemens.

---

Josh Phelps, yet again, comes up nicely. Really great job. Makes Mienkeiwicz obsolete except as a late defensive substitution. Of course, we can't get through 6 innings, so who needs him?

---

Anyone else think the Yankees should've brought in Mariano in the 8th instead of Myers?

---

I think George must be going mental. There's probably half a dozen guys on that team he'd enjoy strangling right now, including the new "performance" coach.

---

Joe Torre and Brian Cashman need to shake things up. I don't care what you do...make a trade for some bullpen help, rearrange the batting order, send Desmond Tutu out there at first base...I don' give a shit.

The best thing to do, in my opinion, is to bring up some more minor league bullpen help (Rasner, Beam, DeSalvo can bring some nice BP work).

---

The "good" news for the Yankees is that BJ Ryan is fucked for at least six weeks, from what I hear on Rotoworld. Also, a number of guys are out for the Jays, like Glaus, Zaun, League, and Reed Johnson.

Can we finally pick someone else's bones instead of the other way around?

---

Whoo! Andy Pettitte on the mound. Hopefully we can actually give him some run support and now that Proctor and Henn have been sitting the last couple of games, maybe they'll be fresh enough to grind out the 7th and 8th, and bring in Mo in the 9th.

You remember, the old fashioned way to win games...

---

I'm on both sides of the fence with Phil Hughes (btw - I HATE Kay not pronouncing his "H's"...Phil YUUUUGHES! Get some hooked on phonics, you shithead).

Yes, he has been dominant in the minors. Yes, in his final spring training start, he struck out 10, allowed 2 hits, all over six scoreless innings. But he's only 20 years old! Is his arm ready for Major League duty? They'll want to use him as the 5th starter, hopefully pitching every other week as needed.

I'm really afraid though he'll end up forced as a workhorse and taxing his arm.

I know I just said they need to shake things up. I'm just not sure this is the answer.

I guess we'll know tomorrow though...

Scary thought...?

Some of you Yankee fans are just unbelievable!

"HURRY! HIT THE PANIC BUTTON!! IT"S APRIL AND WE AREN'T IN FIRST PLACE! FIRE JOE! FIRE CASHMAN! JETER SUCKS! MARIANO SUCKS! BREAK UP THE TEAM!"

Spoiled, spoiled spoiled!


Under Brian Cashman : Five American League pennants and three World Series championships, with the team finishing first in its division every year!

Under Joe Torre : Brought the Yankees to the playoffs for eleven straight years. Six trips to the World Series, winning 4 of the six. And three straight within those 4 WS wins!

Ichiro is one of the best overall ballplayers in the game, if not in the last 10 years...

...but long-term, Tori Hunter is a better investment. He's also pretty damn great too.

Anyway, one problem that Ichiro has in Seattle is that hes not friendly with the press. If he had problems with the Seattle(and apparently, with the past Japanese) media, would he survive New York, or become a new Randy Johnson "Shove-Off-Gate"?

I agree. Again, wasn't Papa George the same one that fired Yogi after only the first 10 games back in the day?

Hell DC, you're absolutely right. Remember when JEter had his horrid April batting slump, and New York went apeshit?

Who said any of that?

Irishman?

I like Ichiro's consistency at the plate more though. Both are great fielders, but Ichiro has better speed and a better arm.

And, I think having Matsui already established would help Ichiro, because he could kind of have a media ally if you will.

I hear Joe Girardi is available...and already under contract in New York.

Yep. He's already under contract in New York --- for the Buffalo Sabres job after they get knocked off by the New York Rangers.

Here are the problems with that:

1.) George Steinbrenner. Although "The Boss" has cooled his heels in recent years and stopped his Billy Martin tirades, this may be the year Torre gets canned. His contract is up at the season, and won't be renewed, given that both 2006 NL Manager of the Year Joe Girardi and Yankee icon Don Mattingly both have thrown their proverbial hats in the ring as successors to the Torre throne.

Given that Torre has been present for some of the more memorable Yankees meltdowns of late - the Marlins in the World Series 2003, Boston in 2004, Detroit in 2006 (even though the Tigers were arguably hotter and also given Kenny Rogers pine-tar power), and that the Yankees haven't been to the World Series since 2003.

I realize the you and I probably would still look at his record and say, w00t! Amazing! But George doesn't see it that way. He wants to win, and win often. At Torre's current rate, I'm honestly surprised that he wasn't canned after last year. He has begun to show some serious traits - he has no fire whatsoever, never challenging calls. He doesn't retaliate after the Yankees get hit. He overuses the bullpen (this year excepted). Now, you could argue his starters have been poor, forcing him to the 'pen, but he rode Scott Proctor and Ron Villone so hard last year, it likely ended Villone's career and Proctor still shows the effects of overuse.

2.) Brian Cashman and pitching. I know, I really like (for the most part) what Cashman has done on the offensive side of the ball. He's protected and nurtured guys like Cano and Melky. But Cashman has virtually nothing to show for on the pitching end other than Chien-Ming Wang, who was essentially a fluke and surprise since he was projected as a strikeout style pitcher as a 4th starter, until he was injured and learned a sinkerball (and the rest is history).

Can you tell me that Jeff Weaver, Kevin Brown, Jaret Wright, and Carl Pavano have been good decisions? Pavano gets a slide, since of course there were at least 5 teams willing to jump at him as a free agent, an no one figured he was going to be the Crash Test Dummy. But Weaver sucked. Kevin Brown was 5 years past his prime (and reinforces my thoughts that a team should never sign a pitcher who they have bombed, like they did Brown in the playoffs when he played for the Padres). Jaret Wright was already injury prone and a mediocre National League pitcher who had one good playoff round.

Other reasons that get honorable mention? Letting Roger Clemens get away. That probably isn't fair, considering that he said he was 99% retired, but still. Andy Pettitte leaving the first time? Ugh. From my sources, that was a Papa George decision more than Cashman, but that can't be verified.

Seriously, I think Cashman may need his head examined on some of these pitching decisions.

3.) What have you done for me lately? The Yankees haven't sniffed the World Series since their abrupt exit in 2003. Their team has tried to get younger, but at the same time, a number of teams have tasted victory, including Chicago, St. Louis, Florida, and most heinously ( ), Boston.

I think that serious questions have come up surrounding the composition of the Yankees over the last few years. I think much of this is due to the huge contracts that have them tied to older players, but the Yankees have failed to get a stable pitching staff and have failed to keep their bullpen fresh (this year's injuries notwithstanding).

We all know pitching wins the World Series. The Yanks have not had a decent rotation since Clemens left. Our team is just about due for a watershed event, irregardless of how well or poorly they do this season. It may come within the next three years, but the old guard will nearly be gone - Posada will probably play another year or two, Matsui's contract is up in 2008, Damon's in 2009, Rivera is a free agent after this year, Giambi is done after 2008, and A-Rod could leave after this year. A bit scary.

Now, by this time, Mussina will be done (if he isn't already), Pavano too, Pettitte too, leaving Wang and Hughes to anchor a new rotation, hopefully made up of a youth movement.

If I had to construct a plan for the Yankees to succeed by 2010, this is what I would do:

• First Base, Play A:Sign First Baseman Mark Texiera after the 2007 season. He'll be a free agent. He brings power and defensive ability to the first base position, something we haven't had since Don Mattingly vacated.
  
  Plan B: Find a way to get Albert Pujols from the Cardinals. Virtually impossible, and he's locked until 2010 with a club option in 2011.
• Second Base, Plan A: Resign Robinson Cano. His contract is up after 2007.
  
  Plan B: Infielder Alberto Gonzalez, acquired in the Randy Johnson trade, is performing well. He could be a nice replacement if Cano walks.
• Third Base, Plan A: If Alex Rodriguez stays, then keep him locked up.
  
  Plan B: If A-Rod goes, Miguel Cabrera is a free agent after 2007.
• Shortstop, Plan A: Jeter is under contract until 2011, but by this time, one has to wonder how his skills will be. Again, Alberto Gonzalez is an unknown at this point, but could be a decent solution. I'd start acquiring lots of young infield prospects now. Possibly get Alex Gordon from the Royals. He is a FA after 2007. Obviously a reach, but he may be available given the Yankees payroll.
  
  Plan B: Move A-Rod to shortstop, and Jeter to third. Jeter's range of motion (or lack thereof) won't hurt him as badly as it would at short, and if Texiera is at first, they have no place to put him. A-Rod seems to still have good lateral movement, it may not be a bad idea.
• Left Field, Plan A: Matsui is under contract until 2009. Good. He's still solid. Now however is the time to find out whether Melky Cabrera has what it takes to be an everyday major leaguer. If he does, look for Melky to replace Matsui in 2010.
  
  Plan B: Jose Tabata.
• Center Field, Plan A: Damon is locked until 2009, but his body is catching up with him as he's nicked nearly every game. Maybe traded in some sort of package deal. Sign either Andruw Jones or Torii Hunter as free agents.
  
  Plan B: Jose Tabata.
• Right Field, Plan A: Abreu's contract ends this season, and so does Ichiro Suzuki's. Pull out all the stops to sign Ichiro. I realize he's over 30, but his consistency is something we desperately need.
  
  Plan B: Torii Hunter, Jose Tabata (yes, I realize I've used him too much now )
• Pitching, Plan A: Wang should anchor a rotation. Johan Santana can either be traded for or signed after 2008. Phil Hughes can develop into a Clemens-style power pitcher. Tyler Clippard, Steven White, and Steven Jackson should be anchors at the end of the rotation. Kei Igawa may learn how to pitch in the United States. Trade for a solid veteran pitcher. Pitching,
  
  Plan A: Pray.

Actually, he's under contract with YES.

And besides, I hear he's already got an interview with the New York Rangers, who underestimated the Sabres and opened their mouths and forgot to play hockey, getting trounced in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

When the American League gets rid of the DH, and pitchers come to the plate.

In their last five games the Yankees were leading in all games, but lost. When's the last time that happened?

I was also surprised that Rivera has no saves yet. He'll still get about 40.

I wouldn't worry about the bullpen yet. One of the effective bullpens I remember was the A's in 1980 because their starters, including Mike Norris, Matt Keough and Rick Langford, had 94 complete games among them. Brian Kingman went 8-20, but completed 10 games. Even Bob Lacey, who would have been deemed their closer (although that term wasn't tossed around so widely then), had a complete game shut out that year.

Of course, nobody's expecting 94 complete games, but the starters have to get you through the 6th or 7th innings consistently to keep your bullpens effective.

Let's take it over to the other topic. Oh, and bring your money there too!