Boras Speaking 4 Years for Damon

Today Scott Boras said he would not be giving the Yankees a discount and wanted a 4 year deal for the declining LF. Now that seems silly on the face of it, but it serves Boras to have the Yanks without a Left Fielder for as long as his other client, Matt Holliday is on the market. As long as the Yanks are out there, there's price support for Holliday, but the minute they re-sign Johnny some of that support erodes. Last year, when the Yanks stole Mark Teixeira at the last minute, Boras was left holding Manny Ramirez and no other option but putting him back on the Dodgers on their terms. He doesn't want that to happen again, so he'll probably hold out Damon till Holliday signs somewhere. It's a good thing Cashmoney Green and the Yanks are patient.

The GM Meetings

Today, Cashmoney Green finds himself in Chicago at the annual GM meetings. Nothing much ever happens at the GM meetings, but sometimes the groundwork for trades can be laid ahead of the Winter Meetings, which are coming up in December. There have already been some trades, so perhaps some things will happen. But a Yankee move would be unlikely right now because they haven't had their annual meetings yet. Cash generally uses the GM meetings for "fact finding." Go Cash! Go Yanks!

Coughlin Chooses to Lose

Today the Giants really started looking like themselves again. Up 17-14, Terrell Thomas picked off a Phillip Rivers pass and returned it to the 4, with about three minutes left. A touchdown would have sealed it. But after a holding play by Chris Snee, Coach Coughlin decided to run the ball to take time off the clock and make the Chargers used timeouts. No attempt was made to throw the ball into the endzone, and the Giants arrogantly took the field goal and the 6 point lead. This show of uttter stupidity was greeted with and 80 yard TD drive by the previously deflated Chargers. Now, I'm not into the blame game, and am certainly sorry for whatever I had to do with this, but if Coach Coughlin doesn't take responsibility, he isn't the man I have supported. Just a ridiculous loss, and terrible coaching decisions. An utter disaster. The chances of the Giants making the playoffs are melting.

What's more, Eli was much better today, and clearly healthy for the first time in weeks. I hope the morons who had been using the last three weeks to draw conclusions about him can now realize he was playing hurt.

Soft

19 seconds into tonight's game, Chris Drury, the Ranger captain was cheapshotted by Curtis Glencross of the Flames, had to leave the game and did not return. Nothing happened to Glencross, and the Rangers lost 3-1. That's all I have to say about them. And I don't think we'll be talking about the Rangers until they are ready to stand up for themselves.

Rangers Win!

Ryan Callahan scored his first goal in 11 games, and Chris Higgins added his second in two games as the Rangers won somewhat easily over the Oilers in Edmonton. Gaborik and Kotalik had the other goals in their 4-2 win supporting Valliquette in goal. Gilroy and Del Zotto had perfect feeds on the Higgins and Callahan goals respectively. A quality win for the Rangers on a needed night off for Hank. Go Rangers!

Yankees Offseason

Well, with #27 secured, the parade tomorrow, and the GM meetings starting Monday, Cashmoney Green does not have a lot of time to get a plan together. The buzzwords over the last few years have been "younger" and "more athletic." So, I think if they do add outside parts, they will be looking for players in their 20's and not their 30's. The first decisions the Yanks will have to make will concern what to do about Damon, Matsui and Pettitte all of whom are eligible for free agency.

Personally, I think the best bet would be to bring all three back on 1 year deals, though the buzz is Damon will be getting a two year offer from the Yanks. It's unclear if Damon/Matsui is a one or the other situation or if the Yanks are open to keeping both. I think the new 2 year deal the Angels made with Abreu today, might serve as a model for what the Yanks will do with Damon. It's unclear if they would then bring Matsui back, too. Here's why they should: together the two lefties produced 52 of the Yanks 244 homers this year, and that's a big chunk that would have to be replaced if one or both of them left.

Here's the possible fly in the ointment: a couple of teams that are looking for a leadoff hitter could offer Damon more than the Yanks are willing to pony up for him. If that happens, I would expect the Yanks to go after Matt Holliday. Yes, he would be more expensive in dollars and years than Damon, but he would also be younger and more productive. I only see the Yanks going after Holliday if they lose one of Damon or Matsui and definitely if they lose both. I would offer both players arb, to try to keep them or get picks.

The Pettitte decision should be simpler. He doesn't really want to pitch anywhere else and it's really a matter of if he still wants to pitch and he and the Yanks can come to terms. There was some buzz today that the Yanks could be interested in John Lackey. Lackey's going to demand more money than AJ got last year, and if the Yanks sign him and bring back Andy, Hughes or Joba will be blocked from the rotation - at least to start the season - for another year.

The Yanks have some other decisions to make regarding players like Nady, Molina, Hinske and Harrison. Molina is probably gone and will be replaced by Cervelli, who's already better. Nady is an unknown because of the injury. Hinske and Harrison could be back if the price is right or they could be replaced with cheaper vets or pieces from the farm.

Speaking of the farm, Cash now has enough parts to make some trades without destroying the minor league system, so keep an ear open for those. Last year's Swisher trade caught us all by surprise.

As in previous years, we will keep updating things as we hear about them. Go Yanks!

Our Long National Nightmare is OVER!

We are the champions, my friends! Congrats, Yankees and Yankee Fans!

Rangers Lose

The Rangers lost a tough tonight. Down 1-0 for the first two periods, the Rangers finally drew even on a third period goal by Chris Higgins. Then the roof gaved in as sloppy play lead to another Canuck goal, and a bad penalty lead to another Canuck goal. The Canucks later scored an empty nettter. Really discouraging passing and shooting and the Rangers really seemed to have trouble with the wall the Canucks kepts setting up at their blueline. They need to do better. Go Rangers.

The Knicks

The Knicks finally won a game last night, and though Danilo Gallinari only scored 9 points, his passing lead the way. Gallo's unselfishness early to the rest of the Knicks playing unselfishly on the offensive end, and that lead to hitting the open man, and building a big lead. The Knicks also played some team D. Both Hughes and Harrington have looked a lot better - showing they may still be able to play well when playing for their next deals. We'll see how long that lasts.

It still appears that the Knicks blew the draft by not taking any of the pointguards with their first pick. Whenever Jeffries is not starting, Duhon appears to be the worst starter. Yet Duhon has the ball the most. Does this make any sense to you? I didn't think so.

Wilson Chandler is looking more and more like a trade chip, though that ship may have sailed during the draft. Predictably, Gallinari and Lee play a great high screen and roll game. That could become pretty deadly, especially if they switch rolls from time to time to keep D's honest.

Nate's out for a few weeks, so we should get a good look at Tony Douglas. That's pretty much where things are at with the Knicks. No place special, but if they share the ball and play some D they could be fun to watch while spinning their wheels and waiting for LeBron.