Yanks Lose

If you don't hit, you don't pitch and you don't field, you're not gonna win. I'm sorry. AJ goes tomorrow and it's a big game, now. Go Yanks!

Knicks Awarded Sole Negotiating Rights with White Chocolate

Going after old point guards like Jason Kidd wasn't enough for the Knicks, this time, they have secured the rights to a retired point guard. Yes, the Knicks have been awarded negotiating rights for Jason "White Chocolate" Williams, he of the broken knees. They have a week to get him signed. The benefit of this, if he can be signed and is healthy enough to play ist the Chris Duhon can then be used in a sign and trade for Ramon Sessions who the Knicks appear poised to sign. Let's see what happens. Go Knicks?

Yanks Pick-Up Hairston Jr. at the Deadline

The Yanks today added super utilty type Jerry Hairston Jr. for Minor League Catcher Chase Weems. The good news is that Hairston will mean no more Ransom. The slightly less great news it that we probably sold low on Chase Weems, who was finally starting to hit after battling Mono and injuries early in his career. All in all, though we are still chock full'o catchers, so we'll be alright, and Jerry Jr. is reportedly an ace of a guy and teammate. Not bad to have along for the ride, though I suppose if keeps Ramiro Pena sort of trapped till next year. Go Yanks!

Deadline Day

Of course, with teams less likely to claim big contracts off waivers, the non-waiver trade deadline no longer looms as it once did, but, still today is a day where the Yanks would like to add a pitcher for the stretch run, and it's been a little too quiet lately, so we'll see. Go Cash!

Yanks Lose

A strangely officiated game. About 15 hours till the trade deadline. Be Smart, Cash!

Dominance!

This is why Joba is will be an ace and stay a Yankee. In a big road game tonight, against one of the teams that's trying to catch us, Joba pitched 8 innings of 3 hit, 2 walk, 5 K shutout ball. It was pure dominance. One of the hits was an infield squib, one of the walks was really a K. He would have K'd more, but they weren't exactly trying to work counts against him. The Yanks built up a 6-0 lead featuring homers by Cano, Melky and Teixeira, before Brian Bruney came in and gave up a triple and a homer to make it 6-2 with no outs in the bottom of the ninth. He got one out, but then gave up a double and Mo had to come in Mo K'd a guy, then surprisingly walked a guy, then K'd the Michel Hernandez. Now it's onto Chicago and let's win there! Go Yanks!

Wang Gone

Putting the loss into perspective is the fact that Chien Ming Wang will miss the rest of the season because he's having shoulder surgery tomorrow. Wang has been a noble Yankee and we wish him all the best in his recovery. We also fully expect the Yanks to look after him through his recover and return to pinstripes. Godspeed, good sir!

Yanks Lose

Wow, this was the team that always plays the Angels. Flat, flat, flat, and disconcertingly they are now 11-11 when CC starts. Joba will try to right the ship tomorrow. Go Yanks!

Yanks Win!

First, AJ Burnett was tremendous, pitching 7 innings of 1 unearned run ball, as Cano, Swisher and the rest of the team grinded out 11 runs. Cano's picture is up, cause not only did he triple and homer, but he took two walks! That's the only thing that keeps him from true greatness and if he's ready to take them, look out. Swisher homered from both sides of the plate. ARod had a big two run double, and Johnny Damon added his 200th, a 3 run shot in the top of the 9th. Jonathan Albaladejo was shakey and gave up two runs in 2/3's of an inning. David Robertson got a huge K with two on and two out in the 8th, then gave up a homer in the 9th to fix the score at 11-4. CC takes the hill tomorrow. Go Yanks!

Arroyo?

The Yanks appear to be on the verge of acquiring sinker baller Bronson Arroyo from the Reds. Obviously, he's only as good as the deal we make to pick him up. He has virtually no prospect value, so let's see what it costs before praising or killing Mike Francesa's wet dream.

UPDATE: Peter Abraham says he's checked into this and it's untrue. That's good news!

Wang to Meet With Dr. Andrews

Hard luck starter Chien Ming Wang's nightmare season will continiue tomorrow as he travels down to Atlanta to meet with Dr. Andrews. Andrews had looked over Wang's latest test results on Saturday, so it doesn't seem like he's calling him down to tell him he looks good. Still, we're sorry and wish only the best for CMW. Go Tiger!

Yanks Win!

Robbie Cano finally did something with the bases loaded when he struck a three run, two out double in the first. The A's sent another tough pitcher out there today, but the Yanks managed to grab a lead, before Phil Coke, in relief of a Mediocre Mitre, gave up a two run homer on a pretty good pitch to Ellis. We managed to score two more, and Hughes pitched a perfect two K 7th before bogging down after K'ing the first batter in the 8th. He walked a guy then gave up a double, but Bruney came in and got a K, then Mo came in and got Nomar. Phil's scoreless streak remained intact but he probably won't be available tomorrow. Mo pitched a 1-2-3 9th for the 4 out save and now we're off to Tampa. Go Yanks!

Ouch!

Yankee defensive ace, baserunning terror and emerging hitter broke his left thumb breaking up a double play early in yesterday's game. Of course, that's his throwing thumb. He's been put on the DL, and Jonathan Albaladejo has been recalled. Needless to say, this one hurts. Austin Jackson isn't quite ready yet, and he's not on the 40, so he's probably not an option. Ramiro Pena's been learning to play CF since he was sent down, and he'll probably come back. Of course, I'd probably DFA Ransom, put AJack on the 40 and bring up both Pena and AJack. Afterall, AJack may not be as fast as Gardy, but he doesn't get caught stealing and he does project to be a better hitter. Big game today, go Yanks!

Whither Nate?

In a bit of a surprise, it now looks like Nate the Great will be back playing for the Knicks on a 1 year deal worth about 5M. It's looking like that might be Lee's best option, too. Meanwhile, no Ramon Sessions offer has been made. Thus far, the big story this offseason is that we dumped QRich. Go Knicks?

Yanks Lose

Andy Pettitte pitched 6 shutout innings today. Then, he started the 7th and got in trouble. Aceves couldn't get us out of it, and 6 runs later, we ended up down 6-1 with 6 outs left. We did nothing in the 7th, then Jeter hit a two run homer and Mark Teixeira hit his 25th two draw us within two going into the 9th. Melkd and Damon walked to start the 9th, then Posada GIDP'd and Jeter flew out to end it. Tough loss. The Mitre era continues tomorrow. Go Yanks.

8 Straight

Joba was outstanding once again as he moved to 6-2. He pitched 7 innings of 2H 1R 3BB ball. Oddly, he came out for the 8th with a three run lead and ended up walking a guy and hitting a guy before givin way to Coke who got all three outs and held the score. The Yanks started the bottom of the 8th with a long homer from Po and walk! from Cano. They ended up up 8-1 goin into the 9th. David Robertson finally got to pitch and gave up two runs. I think only one was earned as there was some sloppy D played in the 9th. Still, the Yanks did some grinding tonight and moved to 22 over .500. Andy goes tomorrow and let's win again! Go Yanks!!!!!!!!!

21 Over!

After a long rain delay, CC Sabathia notched his tenth win by pitching 7 innings of 3 run ball. Phil Hughes, somewhat needlessly, pitched the 8th and 9th for his first career save. The Yanks fell behind early, but scored 4 runs, highlighted by a 2 run jack from Tex, to take the lead in the 4th. They added two runs later, and basically cruised. It would have been nice to see Robertson or Melancon against a weaker opponent like the A's, but alas Joe is managing mechanically and it was a "save situation." Joba goes tomorrow. Hughes won't be available. Go Yanks!

Yanks Complete the Sweep

AJ Burnett earned his 9th win, by pitching 7 innings of 2 run ball. He was actually a little better than that as the O's got two sort of cheap runs in his last inning. Hughes pitched a 1 K 1H 1 DP 8th. Bruney got two K's in the 9th before giving up homers on his next two pitches and causing Mo to come in and get the 1 out save. Yanks scored 4 in the first on RBI singles from ARod, Canon and Swisher. Poside later homered, and whacked an RBI double to left for the Yanks other runs. CC starts the 4 game set against the A's tomorrow. The Yanks are 20 over .500 in July for the first time in 5 years. Go Yanks!

Yanks Win

Sergio Mitre got his first major league start in two years tonight, and he won it! He seemed a little nervouse, but overall, he pitched better than his 4 earned runs over 5.2 would attest. We still didn't see an offensive eruption, but they did take their walks and get a big 2 out two run single from ARod as well as a two run homer from Cano. Yanks win 6-4. Aceves and Coke held, Mo got the save. AJ goes in a matinee game tomorrow. Go Yanks!

The Pie Man!

Well, for the third day in a row, the Yanks won 2-1. This time; however, the winning run came via the walkoff homer courtesy of Hit-deki Matsui. Pettitte pitched 7.1 innings of one run ball, but left with men of second and third. Coke came in and got Markakis to ground to Tex who threw out the first runner at home. On the next pitch, Coke was wild, but covered the plate in time to catch Molina's throw and cutdown the second runner. It was a tight, tense game, but the good guys won! Sergio Mitre of all people goes tomorrow. Go Yanks!

He's Back, Too

After a long, but scoreless first today, Joba settled down and pitch 6.2 innings of 1 run, 8K ball. The run was a homer of a hanging slider. Other than that he as Joba-istical, blowing 97 or more past hitters and make them look dumb with the breaking stuff. The Yanks only came up with 2 runs themselves as Tiger starter Edwin Jackson was excellent. The first homer was ARod'd to tie the game. The second homer was Tex's to take the lead and win the game. Phil Coke got a one pitch out, before Phil Hughes pitched a 1 hit, 2K 8th. Mo got the save. Huge sweep of a very good team with very good starters. Andy starts us off agains the O's tomorrow and he has generally been a second half pitcher. Go Yanks!!!!!

The MelkMan Delivers

Melky did it again. Sabathia wasn't sharp, but he did pitch 7 scoreless innings to match Verlander. For his part Verlander gave up a homer to ARod to start the bottom of the 7th, then Melky ended up beating out a infield hit, to drive in Cano to make it 2-0. Aceves gave up a 2 out jack to Thames on a first pitch fastball, but then Mo came in and got a 1,2,3 9th for the save. Yanks win the game and the series. Boston lost, so they also drew a game closer. Big win, Joba starts his second half push tomorrow. Go Yanks!

Knicks in Sessions?

The Knicks seem like they're about to do something else that's pretty smart. Apparently they are in first position to either sign and trade for or give their MLE to 23 year old Buck PG Ramon Sessions. Sessions was a 12 pts/6 assists guy in about 27mins per game last season. Not a great shooter yet, he does sport a nice 3/1 asst/to ratio and could be just the engine that the Knicks need to get the D'Antoni Offense going. I really hope they make this happen. Go Knicks!

He's BACK!

Phil Hughes finally has his velocity back. Pitching in the rain tonight, with the Yanks down 3-1 in the 7th, Phil hit 96 and 97 as he K'd the side around 2 hits that came off of breaking pitches. Up 5-3 in the 8th, Phil once again struck out the side around a single off a curve. He's back and it's only a matter of time before he's back in the rotation doing what he was born to do. AJ Burnett started the game, but had poor control of his fastball and curve. Still he gave the Yanks a quality start against all odd, as he once again kept it together without his best stuff.

Mark Teixeira had three hits, including the big 3 run homer in the seventh that turned the game around and provided the margin of victory. Mo notched another save, and Melky had two assissts from the outfield. It was the Yanks 25th comeback win of the year, and they beat a first place team to get it. They also became the first team this year to score 500 runs. It was a great way to start a second half that will depend on guys like Tex and ARod and pitchers like Hughes and Joba playing and pitching like they can. CC goes tomorrow. Go Yanks!

Yanks Sign Checo

The Yanks added another high upside high school arm to the arsenal when they got NYC HS phenom Mariel Checo to sign on the dotted line. Checo is a tall, projectable kid who is already throwing low to mid-90's as an 18 year old. He went 11-1 this year, and K'd 94 in 52 innings. The Yanks took him in the 41st round and he was regarded as unsignable by other organizations but the Yanks got it done. Earlier this month the Yanks added California HSer, Brett Gerritse. The signings should start coming fast and furious now, but Checo was one of their most intriguing picks, and they got him in the system. Go Yanks!

So So

Toney Douglas looked pretty good in his summer league debut for the Knicks. Jordan Hill loooked just okay, though he had a decent second half on the boards and on O. Morris Almond looks like he's gonna make the team, as he and Skita lifted the Summer Knicks to a ten point lead that they would eventually blow and lose. I'd like to see more from Hill, but this was only the first game and I'm sure more is there. Douglas looked like he could possibly be trained to play the point for the Knicks. Go Knicks!

Whither Zherdev?

Well, with the acquisition of the perhaps more electric RFA EnverLisin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnspXe2h3xw it seems RFA Nik Zherdev is gonna be gone soon. Now, the question is will the Rangers be able to combine him with Redden or Rozsival for a good piece or will they just renounce their rights to him and make him a free agent? I would think there's another deal in the works, and I'd think it will be announced soon, though I have no idea what it might be for. Go Rangers!

Rangers Trade Korpi for Enver Lisin

In a bit of a surprise, late word is that the Rangers have trade Lauri Korpikoski to the Coyotes for two way C Enver Lisin. Lisin is a 23 year old who is said to have tremendous upside on both offense and defense. He may have been the fastest player in the 2004 draft. Anyone seeing a theme here? Meanwhile, Korpi joins the man who drafted him, and some of his old buddies down in Phoenix. Go Rangers!

Callahan Re-Ups With the Rangers!

The Rangers, today, avoided arbitration with Ryan Callahan by reaching a multi-year contract extension with the young, core member of the new generation Rangers. Seems like it was something that should have been taken care of already, but it got taken care of today. Zherdev, Dubinksy and Korpikoski remain unsigned.

Same Stuff Different Day

Sorry. The Yanks have managed to get swept by an Angels team that was missing their three best hitters. Let's hope it was just flukey, cause it sure looked that way on TV. They're off till Friday and so are we. Thanks!

Yanks Lose

Didn't pitch, didn't field. Sorry.

UPDATE: More of the same. Sorry.

Nothing Cooking?

Following the pattern set by Jason Kidd, Grant Hill has now eschewed a multi-year offer from the Knicks to re-join his current team, the Suns. Now there are rumblings that the Knicks might make an offer for old pg Andre Miller. I really don't see the point in that and we seem to be climbing down the ladder instead of up. They had a chance to get a good pg in the draft and they didn't and now they've spent most of FA chasing old guys.

In other news, the Knicks have ordered Eddy Curry to come to Vegas and work out with their Summer League team. Apparently, they want to see if he really has lost 50 pounds.

There's no news on the Lee and Nate fronts and both may be back with the Knicks for one more season at the qualifying rate. Coming off what a blah draft, things just do not seem to be progressing at this point.

The Vegas Summer League starts next week, and it looks like MSG will have the Knicks games.


UPDATE: I'm having an issue loading new pics, so this I will be updating till I get that straightened out instead of starting new posts. Anyway, the Knicks are supposedly tryin to work a trade with the Bullets involving Duhon for Ander Miller. We have to wonder whether or not that would be expanded to get Jeffries back to the Bullets. In other news, ESPN is reporting that the Knicks are one of the teams trying to acquire Carlos Booze from the Jazz. If something could be worked out, we'd have to assume David Lee would be part of the deal. We'll see what happens.

Sweep!

Tex finally homered to break his 95ab drought, and the Yanks more or less cruised to a 6-4 win to complete the season sweep of the Twins, 6-4. Aceves was pretty good, but the defense, and then Coke let him down a bit. He was out after 65 pitches which came in the 4th. Coke walked in a couple of runs and then Albaladejo came in to clean things up and get the pitching back on line. Coke and Hughes are looking like a strong 7/8 combo and Mo was Mo for his 23rd save. Ransom had another error playing 3rd for ARod, and we might see him moved for a reliever for the weekend series with the Angels. Joba starts tomorrow. Go Yanks!

Rangers Sign Kotalik

The Rangers today signed verteran RW Ales Kotalik. Kotalik is a consistent twenty goal guy but a wing and not the center the Rangers were supposesly looking for. Could this signing mean that Zherdev or Korpikoski could be on the move, either in a trade or a release? We'll see. It's somewhat perplexing at this point. Go Rangers.

Yanks Win!

Mo got a four out save, but the big thing tonight was that AJ Burnett won without his best stuff. A few weeks ago the theory was that AJ didn't have the internal resources to get by when he didn't have his plus plus fastball and curve. He had a pretty good fastball tonight, but his curve was missing, yet he still managed to give the Yanks six innings of two run ball, and that was enough tonight. Coke gave up a homer to Mauer in the 7th, but Hughes and Mo brought it home and the Yanks won 4-3. They go for the sweep tomorrow afternoon behind Aceves. Go Yanks!

Yanks Win!

CC Sabathia was back to his dominant ways as the Yanks beat the Twins 10-2 in the series opener. The Yanks did it with hits and walks rather than homers tonight on O and Robby Cano finally busted out of his 0-22 slump with RISP. They removed CC after 100 pitches because the game was lopsided. Tomko finished up by surrendering one run, and he was fine. Burnett goes tomorrow. Go Yanks!

Come Midnight

The Knicks and the rest of the NBA teams can start announcing the moves they've made since free agency opened. Now, it doesn't seem like the Knicks have done anything yet, but this will also open up the sign and trade season for players like Nate and David Lee. I have no idea why the NBA runs this annual moratorium on making moves, but it does seem to take the air out of the market. Of course, the NHL tends to have one crazy day and then the news slows to a dribble on day two. Still, I think the NHL model is better.

Yanks Lose

They had their chances. On to Minnesota.

Rangers Come to Terms with Higgins

The Rangers have come to undisclosed terms with forward Chris Higgins who was an RFA when they traded for him last week. Let's hope this is just the first of some solid moves this week.

UPDATE: It's a 1 year, 2.25M deal.

Kidd Passes

Jason Kidd has made a new deal with the Dallas Mavericks, so he will not be the new point guard for the New York Knicks. After failing to land a point guard in the draft, the Knicks had hoped to sign the better than Duhon Kidd, but it was not to be and the Knicks must now continue to search for a point guard.

In other news, they can start signing and trading players on the 9th and something may be cooking with Nate Robinson or David Lee in that reguard.

Ace!

Alfredo Aceves was the big hero in the latest Yankee come from behind win. After Joba Chamberlain gave up a 4-0 lead putting the Yanks down 8-4, the Yanks rallied back on a 3 run shot from Matusi, and a 2 run blast fom the Captain. Po and Jeter both had 4 hits. But, it was Aceves who came in and pitched four innings of 1 hit, 5K ball to get the "save." He totally restored order to the game and saved the rest of the pen. Jonathan Albeladejo pitched a solid 1.1 as the bridge between Joba and Ace. Huge win for the Yanks. Andy pitches for the sweep tomorrow. Go Yanks!

Po!

Well, Jorge Posada just had the game winning hit as the Yanks beat Toronto in 12. This was a game not many were picking the Yanks to win, but they managed 5 runs off of Doc Halladay. Unfortunately, Chien Ming Wang, who looked good through 5 strained his shoulder in the 6th having just surrendered a go ahead homer. The Yanks got homers from Posada, Damon and Matsui. Robertson and Bruney were a little shakey, but Hughes, Mo, Coke and Tomko, who got the win, were all outstanding. Let's hope CMW is okay. Joba goes tomorrow. Go Yanks!

Yanks Win!

AJ Burnett was great again, giving up only 2 runs over 7 innings before giving way to Coke and Hughes for the 8th. Mo got the save. The big hits came on homers from Cano and ARod. The significant development being that ARod FINALLY homered to right in the new stadium. Perhaps that will get him to stop trying to pull all those outside pitches. That would be huge for the Yanks. Wang goes tomorrow against Halladay. It would be a good time for him to step up. Go Yanks!

Whither Lee?

For the longest time it looked like the Knicks would lose Mr. Double-Double for either nothing or in a sign and trade. However; Detroit, Memphis and Portland decided to go in other directions. OKC hasn't called, and Toronto who wants him won't include Bosh in a sign and trade so it looks like Lee could end up back with the Knicks. Whether that's a good or a bad thing would depend on the deal. There seems to be more substantial interest in Nate Robinson, and a sign and trade which would include one of our bad contracts is still possible, possibly with Sacramento, who have Sergio Rodriguez who could really help the PG of the future problem.

Koivu Coming?

Late Thursday it was discovered that the Rangers were making a late run at lefty shooting C Saku Koivu, presumably to set up Marian Gaborik on the Rangers first line this coming fall. Koivu is 34 and the Rangers may be offering too many years, but he is still a good and effective player who could flourish playing with Gaborik in Coach T's system. Perhaps Zherdev could join them and start playing up to his talent level. In any event, I would sort of prefer going with the kids, but Koivu would help and is a high character player who'd add to the team both on the ice and in the room. Go Rangers!

UPDATE: The Rangers went with some smaller signings and picked up Tyler Arnason, PA Parenteu (who is coming off a really good season at Hartford) and Corey Locke. Hopefully this means they're gonna go with the kids.

Yanks Lose

Time to start a new winning streak tomorrow. Go Yanks!

Not Kidding Around

The Knicks are apparently going to offe Jason Kidd a three year contract. It won't mess up their 2010 plan and may even help give them some credibility, but you have to wonder how much he has left. Well, let's hope playing for coach D'Antoni revitalizes him, cause it looks like he will be a Knick. In other possible Knick news, Dallas has offered Gortat the full MLE, so that means he's probably not bound for Houston. What does that mean for us? It means we may be able to trade Curry and stuff to the Rockets for an expiring like Tracy McGrady. Go Knicks!

UPDATE: Jason Kidd has told the Knicks that he will take the weekend to decide whether or not to join them or stay with Dallas next year. In other news, the Knicks have no interest in doing a sign and trade with Torontor for David Lee unless Chrish Bosh is coming back. What's more, Walsh said he has some leeway for next year, which leads me to believe he has found a taker for Curry or Jeffries. It's possible Curry could be going to Houston or JJ could be involved in some sign and trade Walsh has in his back pocket. It will be interesting to see. Once we dump either of those deals, we are set.

IFA Names Starting To Trickle In

Since 2006 IFA prize Jesus Montero homered last night, the Yanks have signed at least three players and probably more. First is Gary Sanchez, a power hitting catcher with better defensive tools than Montero has. Second is SS Damian Arredondo, who's supposed to be a speed play with an undeveloped bat. And finally, for now, they've added RHP Cristopher Cabrera, a skinny, 6'1" pitcher who has touched 95. I'm sure there are more to come, so keep checking for updates. Go Yanks!

UPDATE: The Yanks are probably only announcing those three signings today, but it is really just the tip of the iceberg as they are going to sign lots and lots of IFA's over the coming days and months. Among the reasons they're not anouncing more today is that players are having physicals and having their ages verified. Hang in there, the Yanks will amaze you.

Day II

Last night, streaking Ranger Hockey Czar Glen Sather said, "We had a lot of balls in the air, and we still do," and, "We think there might be a lot of possibilities, either as free agents or in trades." Finally, he said, "If we have a chance to get another great player, we're going to do it." Well let's see what happens. My Ranger goal for the day is to clear one more of the bad contracts without immediately spending all the cap room we gain. Go Rangers!

"We're Not Done"

On tonight's MSG Free Agency Special, Coach Torts, who was very excited about getting Gaborik, said that the Rangers were not done reshaping the roster. The hope here is that they've found a taker for Rozsival or Redden. Go Rangers!