The Melk Man Delivers

No, it wasn't another homer, but, in the bottom of the 8th, Melky knocked in the game winning run after the Angels had intentionally walked Swisher to load the bases. Melky's single plated one and reloaded them. Ramiro Pena then ripped a two run double into the right field corner to put the Yanks up by the final score of 7-4. AJ Burnett was not especially sharp tonight. He did give us 7 innings of 4 run ball, and didn't figure in the decision. Phil Coke got the win off of his perfect 8th, and Mo gave up a hit before getting the next three for the save. Nice win, Yanks! Andy throws tomorrow.

The Good Hands People

Over his Giant career, receiver, running back and Shockey drops have really dinged Eli's completion percentage. The Giants clearly had that issue in mind when they took four of the best sets of hands in the draft. Nicks may have the best hands I've ever seen, but Barden's are even a bit larger and very secure, too. Both can make the one handed grab. Beckum is also known to catch everything, and since he'll be coming out of the backfield a lot, he could really crank Eli's comp %. And Andre Brown apparently had the best hands of all the running backs in the draft. In fact, he catches 100 balls a day from a juggs machine cause he never wants to drop one. It's gonna be fun watching these guys grow into core parts of the offense. Go Giants!

Yanks Win

Nick Swisher homered for both sides of the plate and the Yanks, after getting 7 innings of 1 run ball from Joba, ended up winning 8-6. Phil Coke pitched a perfect inning around a false fire alarm, but Jonathan Albaladejo didn't have it tonight and was pulled with 2 in, 2 on and 2 out. Mo came in to get the final out, but first, paused to give up a 3 run homer. It was a weird win, but there was great progress from Joba, good word from the O, and nice inning from Coke. The Yanks are home again tomorrow, and let's start installing the winning tradition there.

He's Back, Too

Though Joba still doesn't have his midseason velo back from seasons past, he had enough to 3 hit the Tigers in a 7 inning, 1 run start. He K'd six and got a lot of grounders and pop-ups. Really nice stuff. The ump was squeezing him early and he let it get into his head a bit, but then he shook it off, stopped nibbling and went through the Tigers like a hot knife through butter. Great start. Yanks are up 8-1.

Back to The Future

So the Yanks snapped their 4 game skid tonight by whupping up on the Tigers 11 - 0 behind the utter dominance of Phil Hughes, Mark Melancon, Edwar and Veras. Aside from Teixeira, the offense finally exploded in the seventh, which was highlighted by Jose Molina's gran slam. Cano and Melky are rocking, Jeter and Matsui are doing some hitting, too. Steve Swisher added a ninth inning bomb to show that he's back. Joba goes tomorrow and I bet Hughes has inspired him. Go Yanks!

He's Back

Phil Hughes returned to the Yankees tonight and gave them 6 innings of 2-hit, shut out, ball before being lifted after the Yanks gave him a 10 run lead in the seventh. The 22 year old proved the stopper and he will get the win tonight. Way to go, Phil!

Alas

The Rangers season has ended. Clearly, they were not a match for one of the better teams, and the roster needs some serious retooling. We'll talk about it soon.

The Happiest Man in America

Why is this guy so psyched? Well, because over the weekend the Giants got him two new WR's a new H-back, and a new running back who can catch! Why else is he psyched? All four of them have great, not good, hands and don't drop passes. And what might be psyching him up the most? None of them or the remaining pass receivers and backs on the team spend the offseason down in Miami. So for the first time in his career Eli Manning can spend the whole offseason in Jersey developing chemistry with his targets. What a novel idea!

Yanks Sink Below .500

CC took the complete game loss to save the pen. That's how I know they'll turn this around. Go Yanks!

Maurice Evans a Giant?

According to his Facebook page, PSU DE Maurice Evans is a New York Giant. Maurice went undrafted cause he got himself in some trouble, but if he has his head on straight, he can be a very good 4th DE for the Giants. He has Giant type pass rush skills and can easily fill the role I had envisioned for Barwin or Sidbury, or Evans before he got in trouble. Apparently UCF Safety Sha-reff Rashad has also signed. I hope we find a Center. Go Giants!

Giants Finish Up With Stoney Woodson

And with their last pick the Giants selected another DB. Stoney Woodson is variously listed as a corner and a safety and by now everyone knows DeAndre Wright also played both safety and corner in college. These two a probably battling for one roster spot. Good luck, guys.

DeAndre Wright is a Giant

In the 6th the Giants have picked DeAndre Wright a CB from New Mexico whose stock fell after a shoulder injury. He must have tested well for the Giants because he does not appear to have typical Giant pick athletic ability. Hopefully he can come in and earn a spot. One more pick left!

Rangers Let It Go To Seven

Anybody like our chances?

A Giant Suprise

With their 5th round pick the Giants suprised everyone and took Rhett Bomar the former Oklahoma QB Rhett Bomar. This does not appear to be good news for last year's developmental QB pick Andre Woodson. Bomar was a very highly touted recruit who never lived up to expectations and that is why we were able to get him in the 5th. We now have 4 arms for camp.

Giants Get Their Back

The Giants replaced some of what they lost when Ward left by picking up NC State RB Andre Brown their fourth round pick. Brown was one of the group of backs including Jennings, Ringer and Peerman that the Giants would have been wise to take, and take him they did. He can run a draw, a counter, get around the corner and finish his runs. The Giants are having a terrific draft!

Giants Land Beckum!

Witht the 100th pick of the draft the Giants took Wisconsin TE Travis Beckum. I liked Shawn Nelson a little more, but can't knock Beckum who is the same sort of crazy athlete. Pope will have to get him up to speed as a blocker, but the kid is yet another playmaker for the Giant O. He would have gone much higher had he not been injured as a senior. Go Giants.

Ramses Barden is a Giant

The Giants just traded up and got their Plax clone. Ramses Barden is a 6'6" 225 pound receiver out of Cal-Poly Pomona, who played big in big games and almost lead them to a win over Wisconsin! The Giants traded their #91 pick and one of their 5th rounders to make the move. Great pick as this kid had Giants written all over him from jump street. Go Giants!

Second Day Stuff

Above you see Shawn Nelson, who is just one of the players I'd love to get in Round 3. Regardless, I think we'll get a TE, a safety, a running back, and maybe another LB. I think you could see us use picks to move around, cause we may have too many, but you should see us make more good picks. I won't be surprised if we take Ramses Barden with pick #100. Shonn Green, Jennings and Ringer could be some of the RB possibilities. We'll see. Should be a great day and their could be a surprise trade that isn't for a Veteran WR.

Day One Thoughts

Though no trade for Braylon Edwards materialized, the Giants got three very good players in the first two rounds. As readers know, Hakeem Nicks was my favorite receiver in this draft. He reminds me, and according to intervies, the Giants, of Anquan Boldin - but he didn't cost us multiple picks or 8-10M a year. He's a physical receiver in the Boldin/Michael Irvin mold, but he's faster than both of them and has among the best hands I've ever seen.

In the second, the Giants took Clint Sintim. Clint played for Al Groh and Virginia, so the Giants not only had their scouts' reports on him, they had the appraisal of a former Giant LB coach, too. They see him as a SAM, but I think he reminds me of Elvis Dumervil in the way that he can alway bend the edge and get to the QB. He joins the stable of Giant passrushers and will help the Giants keep the rush, that faded as the season went on without Osi and Strahan, fresh all season. He also looks good against the run. The question will be whether or not he can cover a TE. We'll see. Worst case, he's a better Reggie Torbor. Best case, he's a terrific pass rush LB/DE who can cover.

With their second second rounder the Giants took UConn LT William Beatty, who needs some polishing. Of course, the Giants have time to polish him and once they do, they could have their blue goose OLT for years to come. On tape, Beatty shows long arms, good feet and suprisingly good run blocking ability for a collegiate left tackle. He needs to be more consistent in his technique, but doesn't seem to be a big challenge for the coaching staff. His coach, Randy Edsall, is a former Coughlin assistant, so you can be sure that the Giants have the straight dope on the young man. We're going to end up thrilled with this pick.

As for Edwards, that was strange. The Browns drafted 2 more WR's today, so it seems like they're not expecting things to get better between themselves and Braylon. So, I still expect Braylon to get moved, possibly still to the Giants, some time between now and the the pre-season.

In all, it was a very good first day, and nothing that happened has precluded them from getting a Vet WR before the season.

Potential Blue Goose?

With their second pick in the second round, the Giants took William Beatty, the 6'7" 309 pound natural left tackle from UConn. This is gonna take a year or so, but Beatty has everything you're looking for in a blue goose left tackle except for some technique work. He's got the long arms and the feet that the position demands, and if he works hard, he will be a ten year guy at OLT for the Giants, another excellent pick. We have seven picks left tomorrow. Go Giants!

Clint Sintim is a Giant

The Giants have kept the #45 pick and added LB/DE tweener Clint Sintim from UVA. Sintim is a great passrusher from the edge, but needs work in coverage. Obviously the Giants got great reports on Sintim from their old OL coach, Al Groh, one of Tom Coughlin's closest friends. This cat can get to the QB!

Hakeem It Is!

The Giants stayed put at #29 today and got their man: UNC's Hakeem Nicks! This kid had the best hands and best instincts of any WR in the draft and reminds me a lot of Anquan Boldin. That said, I still believe we're getting Braylon with pick 45 and stuff. So stay tuned. Terrific pick for the Giants and a go to guy for Eli. Go Giants!

Draft Day

The Browns and Braylon's agent have apparently blinked and a Braylon Edwards to the Giants trade for pick #45 and either a 4th or 5th and maybe a conditional future should be announced some time during the draft. Obviously, I'll have more to say about this when it becomes official. As I understand it, we have 8 picks left. Go Giants.

Melancon and Robertson on the Way

The news must not be good on Bruney since both David Robertson and Mark Melancon are headed to Boston. This is bad news for Bruney, but Robertson and Melancon are good, and Melancon really has a chance to step right into the 8th inning roll and stay there till Mo retires. He's that exceptional. Angel Berroa has been called up to replace Ransom. They needed to add Melancon and Berroa to the 40 and I don't know what the corresponding moves were yet.

Yanks Blow One in Boston

Not only did they leave 700 guys on base, it looks like Bruney and Ransom may join Wang in hitting the DL. Onward and upward, we'll have reinforcements from somehwere tomorrow! Go Yanks!

The Rangers Will Have to Close Em Out At Home

Go Rangers!

Avery Benched

John Tortorella may look like Steve Spagnuolo, but his belief system is pure Tom Coughlin. Torts has suspended Avery for the biggest game of the year over the two over aggressive penalties he took in the waning minutes of their game 4 victory. Let's hope this is an empowering message of responsibility for the rest of the team, and not just an opportunity for the Caps to stave off elimination. Go Rangers!

Down to the Wire!

The news this afternoon is that the Arizona Cardinals are now only looking for a 2 and a player in return for disgruntled wide-out Anquan Boldin. That puts the Giants in perfect position as they have 2 2's and have been willing to trade the Saints' 2 for Braylon Edwards. It is probably now on the table for whoever can make a deal with them faster. I was told early this week that the trade for BE would happen during the draft, but with this development I think we could see a trade for either one of them happen today or tonight. Should be fun.

Hakeem The Dream?

If the Giants keep the #29 pick and take a WR, the hope here is that UNC's Hakeem Nicks is the man. Nicks is receiver with good size, great hands and great feet. Like Arizona's Anquan Boldin he plays faster than he times and he can catch ANYTHING. Seriously, he has some of the best hands and body control I've seen. The knock on him is deep speed, but the truth is he makes plenty of plays down the field and after contact. I think staying put and picking Hakeem Nicks is a far better idea than trading up for Darius Heyword-Bey. DHB is plenty fast, but the Giants have missed on pretty much every fast receiver they have taken since Homer Jones. DHB has hands questions and plays more straight liney than he tests. I guess we'll see. Go Giants!

Mullin Finally To The Knicks?

There are a lot of stories today that Chris Mullin may finally be headed to the Knicks as the new GM. The Knicks had a chance to get Chris Mullin and team him with Pat Ewing back in the `80's but Knicks GM Scottie Stirling wouldn't part with Louis Orr. Think about that. That's why Patrick never got a ring or rings. Anyway, as a basketball move now, I dunno. He hasn't set the world of fire, but he would have been a great D'Antoni player and the two of them should probably see hoops in compatible ways, and hopefully Walsh can put him through executive finishing school. Meanwhile, the Knicks need a great PG to make the D'Antoni offense go next year and in the future and there will be several available in the draft.

Braylon

So, we're gonna hear all sorts of rumors over the next 36 hours about how the Braylon to the Giants deal is dead. Do you realize sometimes in medicine you don't know something exists til you find the anti-body? That's how I'd regard these reports, they're just proof that a deal is pending, and will probably be consummated on Saturday. If not, don't count on him being anywhere but with the Giants until he is traded somewhere else. I still believe he will be #17 in Blue come SB 44. Go Jerry!

King Henrik the First of New York!

Hank just out the Rangers up 3-1 by holding Ovechkin and the DC Diving Team to one goal in game four of their playoff series. Naslund and Drury had the Ranger goals. Avery took a couple of penalties late that will no doubt be controversial, but the DC team was getting away with murder tonight and some of them needed to pay. Well, they all paid, and let's hope we see the last of them in Game Five. Go Rangers!

MELKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Melky had two homers today, his second a gamewinning blast in the bottom of the 14th that gave the Yanks and lifted the Yankees to a 9-7 win over the A's. It was a bit of a sloppy game with Johnny Damon dropping a pop fly early that, had he caught it would have seen the Yanks win in regulation. But Johnny was on base 5 times today, so he did his best to make ammends. Jeter and Matsui also homered, and the line-up in general seems to be grinding a lot better this year. Btw, Melky is now tied with Jeter and Swisher for the team lead in homers and he's done it in less than half the ab's. He also worked a walk today, and his OPS is over 1.000 thus far this season. Brett Gardner's is under .600 and it's time to make a switch. Veras came through with 4 scoreless innings of relief which must have really trimmed his ERA. CC was off today, and though the D hurt him, he just didn't have it. The Yanks are off tomorrow, then off the Boston Friday. Go Spanks!

Yanks Win!

Andy Pettitte threw in another 7 innings of two run ball to gain his 217th career win. They're starting to add up, and he really looks much heathier than he did last year. The D made some good plays behind him, but that's what they're supposed to do. Bruney came in and gave up a run, but that was bound to happen at some point. Mo gave up a single before tying the record for saves of a single pitcher. The Yanks did some hitting with RISP tonight in their 5-3 win and Damon homered. It was the only homer of the game and the balls did seem to be flying like they had been in the 4 day gams. It probably doesn't mean anything. Good win. Go Yanks.

Nady Not Out for the Year

According to the latest, Xavier Nady will not be out for the year and will be back some time in June. It's not known yet if they will retro him to the 60 day DL, so they can add another player to the 40 man roster. When he returns, he will be a righty DH to platoon with Matsui. The idea of having two guys with no defensive value sitting on the bench is not terribly appetizing. Go Yanks!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year PT 1

Yup, the NFL draft is coming up this weekend, and the Giants head into it with 10 picks and no glaring needs, unless you count having a #1 WR that roles the safety and makes the O go a glaring need. The Giants will enter the proceedings with ten picks with 5 in the top 100. At least they might, though my latest understand is that if they do deal for Braylon Edwards, it will be during the draft. An Edwards deal would eat up 2 2009 picks and maybe 1 2010 pick. After the Edwards deal, the Giants would have 4 top 100 picks and 4 other picks to address very few roster shortages.

With their 8-10 picks, I'd like to see the Giants get one from the group of Mack, Unger and Wood. Beyond that, I'd like to see them pick up another passrushing DE (what? you say!), a running back, a db, a wide receiver, a linebacker and an OT. So that's 7 players from 8-10 picks. It's a flat draft so I don't care what order they come in, and expect Jerry to always get better than round value out of all of his picks. It should be a great weekend and I'll be excited if we make the Braylon Edwards deal or if we don't. Go Giants!

No Power (Play)

The Rangers didn't come out with the intensity they showed on Saturday, and they still had no power play. When Callahan hit a post on a point blank open net, and the Caps scored off the the ensuing rush, it was clear that the Rangers were snake-bit tonight. They still have a lead in the series, and now they're gonna have to overcome the Caps' new found momentum to recapture their two game lead in the series. They'll have to be a lot better. Go Rangers!

Early IFA's?

While it's taken all of 2 weeks for the jewel of the 2006 IFA class, Jesus Montero to start dominating High A, the Yanks have been busy courting more IFA's some who are over 16 and can sign before July 2 signing date. Though there's a bit of a visa hold up, it seems like they will sign 5-tool Cuban OF Felix Perez who is either 20 0r 21 or age unknown, as well as hard throwing lefty Noel Argeullez. They are also apparently battling the Dodgers for Korean Lefty Pitcher Sung-bum Na. These, of course are the battles the Yanks should always win if they have a conviction about the players. So, while we wait for ARod's return, Wang's return to form and the ascenscion of Mark Melancon for the 7th, there could be some exciting news on the prospect front before the draft and before IFA. Go Yanks!

Po Power!

Jorge Posada came off the bench in the 7th inning of another Yankee comeback win, to put them up for good with a pinch hit 2 run homer. Down 3-1 to Pavano and the Indians, Cano lead off with a double and Matsui drove him in with a single. Ransom then bunted into a fielder's choice that erased Hit-Deki, but Po picked him up with a 2 run jack that made it 4-3. Bruney pitched a 1-2-3 8th, then the Yanks were able to tack on more runs with a two out rally that saw Swisher double, Cano intentionally walked, Matsui draw a walk, and Ransom redeem himself with a broken bat, fly ball, 3-run double. Mo pitched the ninth to get some work.

The Yanks had been in danger of wasting a quality start from AJ Burnett who hung tough without his best curve, and some squeezing from the ump for 6.1. Jonathan Albaladejo came up huge in the seventh, but getting two bases loaded grounders to hold the score at 3.

Yanks win 7-3!

Get Well Soon

Simply ridiculous.

Hank Heats Up!

King Henrik made a first period goal by Ryan Callahan stand up for 3 periods by stopping 35 shots as he shut out Ovechkin and the Caps. The Rangers now have a two game lead, and if Hank stays hot, the sky is the limit. Go Rangers!

Rangers Nab Gilroy

The Rangers have signed impressive Boston U defenseman Matt Gilroy to a multiyear deal. Gilroy is a late bloomer who stayed in school past his draftable years and will be a 25 year old rookie next year. Matt is an offensive defenseman and seems to be a significantly better prospect than Dan Girardi was when we signed him as a post collegiate FA. Hopefully he can team with Girardi and Staal, Sangs, Del Zotto, Sauer and Potter to give the Rangers a top notch defense in the not too distant future. Good move!

Captain Clutch Pt. 2

In the first great game at the new Yankee stadium, the Yanks battled from behind 1 homer at a time, to tie and beat the Indians on Derek Sanderson Jeter's homer with two outs in the bottom of the 8th. Damon, Tex, Melky and Cano had the 0ther HR's, and Damon scored the stray run by walking then coming all the way around on an error. Joba had a tough start, then Coke, Alby and Bruney formed a solid bridge to Mo who gave up a pair of one out singles in the ninth before closing the game by K'ing the last two Indians. Big Win! Wang goes tomorrow and let's hope we see the real Wang.

Robertson Sent Down, Miranda Called Up

Dave Robertson must wonder what he's got to do. Dominating the minors and being the only righty reliever who could retire any Indians wasn't good enough. Juan Miranda has been called up to replace him, reportedly because Hideki Matsui has fluid on his knee. Calling up Miranda is fine, but Robertson should not be the one sent down. Joba goes today.

Yanks Lose

Here's a picture of Mark Melancon, who is dominating in relief for the undefeated SWB Yanks. He's throwing 94-95 and getting more K's than last year with his new curveball. I tell you this because the middle relief failed for the 4th time thus far this year and we are now back at .500. But, MM is just a phonecall away, and there are more helpful arms in the minors if we need to do even more to fix middle relief. Some hits with RISP wouldn't hurt the Yanks, either. Joba goes tomorrow, and hopefully he can be conservative with his pitch count. The Yanks will still win 100+ games, so fear not in the early going.

Robertson's Back

Apparently, the Yanks have recalled David Robertson to take Nady't spot on the roster for now. Nady K'd 10 in 5 innings and did not have an era in his AAA appearances. This gives the Yanks 13 pitchers, so, something's got to give. It should be a great day at the stadium, and Robertson must be thrilled to be there. Go Yanks!

DUBI DUBI DOOOOOOOO!

Brandon Dubinsky broke a 3-3 tie toward the end of the 3rd period with a brilliant goal off of big passes from Naslund and Antropov, both of whom, along with Gomez had scored the other goals. The Rangers were without their Captain Chris Drury who couldn't go after giving it a trie in warm ups. Hank was great in the first period, but gave up a goal early in the second only to have the Gomez answer right back off a takeaway. Antropov and Naslund scored their goals on Power Plays and Gomez assisted on Naslund's giving him a perfect set-up. Huge game for the Rangers to steal without Drury and they had to come back to do it. 4-3 Rangers! Take this series!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Captain Clutch!

In the last game of their long, 9 game road trip to open the season, Derek Jeter lead the way. The Yanks got another quality start from Andy Pettitte who went 7.1 allowing 3 runs before giving way to Brian Bruney for 2 more K's. The Yanks were still down 3-2 (after a Cano homer had tied the game at 2) to start the 8th when doubles by Jeter and Damon tied it up. Failure to drive in Damon kept it 3-3 in the 9th, when doubles by Cody Ransom and Derek Sanderson Jeter untied the game, giving Mariano Rivera a one run least to protect in the ninth. And protect it he did with a 1-2-3 save. Huge win for the Yanks who open the stadium tomorrow with a winning record! We should know the final word on Nady tomorrow. Go Yanks!

Gone For the Year?

According to Pete Abraham, word is that Xavier Nady will have surgery on his right elbow and miss the entire season. This is a blow to Yankee depth, and it will be interesting to see how the Yanks fill the roster spot. If Nady goes on the 60 day DL, they can add someone to the 40. Of their minorl league OF's, Austin Jackson is off to the best start, but John Rodriguez might be the more likely option. He's a patient hitter who really hasn't failed in any of his major league chances, but he hasn't gotten the chances he's deserved, either. Of course, a trade could always happen. Be well, Xavier!

Nearly a No-No!

AJ Burnett gave the Yanks just what they needed tonight, 8 strong inning of 2 run ball. In fact, he kept the Rays hitless untill the 7th when he gave uo some hits and two runs. He came back for a 1-2-3 8th and gave the Yanks his second good and first quality start of the season. Brett Gardner also had a good game, his first, and came through with 3 hits, including 2 doubles and and RBI. Derek Jeter may have busted out of his doldrums with a 3 run homer in the 9th. Tex was back, drew a couple of walks and hit the go ahead sac fly after the Rays had tied the game. Swish stayed red hot with a homer and a double. And Brian Bruney looked very sharp striking out the side in the 9th as the Yanks beat the Rays 7-2 in Tampa. Big win! Let's take the series tomorrow!

Reheating?

So far today, I have gotten several e-mails saying a deal for Edwards is close and will be done. No one seems to know the exact package and no one has told me players would be going back, just picks. Take that for whatever it's worth.

UPDATE: I'm now hearing it will be the Saints 2 and our 4. Not sure if that's right, but that's what I've heard.

Yanks Move to 3-4

Chien Ming Wang was not Chien Ming Wang tonight, and the ARodless, Texless Yankees sure didn't look like the Yankees. And Joe Girardi sure didn't look like he was happy about it. In the 7th, Cano and Ramiro Pena collided on an infield pop-up that would have ended the inning, instead it opened up another can of worms and the Rays ended up tacking on 3 more runs. Girardi looked ready to kill someone. We'll see how things shake out. Coke had another tough night while both David Robertson and Mark Melancon are shredding the competition at AAA. Swisher had more good AB's including a walk and a homer - and he pitched a scoreless 8th! Cano had another tough night and needs to stay patient. Po had a couple of hits, but didn't throw out any base stealers. Matsui and Jeter continued their struggles. AJ goes tomorrow and that should be a much different game.

Whither Wang?

Yankee Star Pitcher couldn't get an out in the second inning before loading the bases and walking in a run. In fact, 8 runs will be charged against the only 3 outs he was able to get tonight, thanks to Jonathan Albaladejo coming in and giving up a grandslam. It's clear from here that CMW was not ready to start the season - he doesn't have a plus sinker right now, or even one that sinks, nor does he have an effective change of split. The plan should be to leave him in Tampa to rehab and get straightened out, and call up Hughes or Kennedy or Aceves. Wang's velocity and movement were nowhere to be found and without them, he's just not effective. I'm sure a roster move will be announced tomorrow.

#38!

Though many thought Hank Lundqvist would sit for the final game of the regular season, the King decided to go for a personal record and beat the Flyers for his 38th win of the year. That's a lot. Dubi continues to shake off the Renney system and had two goals today - one a shorty, as the Rangers came from behind to beat the Flyers 4-3. Drury sat out with a sour arm so Voros was back and assisted on a goal by Blair Betts. In other words, the Rangers are firing on all cylinders just at the right time. They'll have their work cut out for them against the Caps, but their only real competion is themselves. Go Rangers!

Quality Start, but...

Joba gave the Yanks a quality start in rainy conditions today. He's officially charged with 3 runs, but two were really the product of what should have been called an error. So, he'll have a 4.50 era instead of a 1.33 till next time out. In any event, after the pen blew the one run lead they'd been given in the 8th, the Yanks didn't do anything against the KC closer Soria in the 9th and lost. They start a series in Tampa tomorrow, and hopefull, Mark Teixeira will be available to help by then. Sorry, Joba!

UPDATE: Swisher's play was changed to an error, so Joba's ERA is now 1.50.

Ace!

After a rough first start for the Yanks, CC Sabathia demonstrated why he gets the big bucks by throwing 7.2 shutout innings before being lifted for Veras in the 8th. Tex had to sit because of a sore left wrist, but Swisher didn't skip a beat at First with a triple, a homer, and 2 walks before flying out in the 9th. Robbie Cano had an 0fer and K'd for the first time this year, he maintained his focus and seemed determined to do better next time. Posada had two big early RBI doubles and really seemed to be on the same page with CC tonight. Veras stayed in to pitch

the ninth and gave up a run before locking down the Yanks 3rd win in a row, 6-1. Joba starts tomorrow. Go Yanks!

Quality Start!

Andy Pettitte, the Yanks' nominal #4 looked healthy and in control today as he gave his team their first quality start of the year, going 7 innings and allowing just one run, that very easily could have been unearned. Posada and Swisher had the big hits as the Yanks won 4-1. Cano continued his new approach going 2-3 with his fourth walk of the year. Tex also had two walks and a double on a day when it was very hard to walk. The umps might have been cold, cause they were calling everything a strike. Brian Bruney K'd 2 in a perfect 8th giving the BP 9 straight no-hit innings. Mo worked around an infield hit in the 9th to collect his first save of the year. CC goes tomorrow. Go Yanks!

Playoff Bound!

The Rangers just beat the Flyers 2-1 in a game where they couldn't get a call to clinch their 4th playoff berth in a row. Huge win. Congrats, Rangers. Now surprise us!

Minor League Baseball Starts

Jesus Montero and the rest of the Yankee minor league full season teams get going in about 25 minutes. You can listen to their games, all year, for free at http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/multimedia/audio.jsp
ENJOY! GO FARM!

Yanks Win

Robinson Cano brought his new approach into game three, and came up with his 3rd walk, two more singles and his first homer of the year. Nick Swisher got his first start in right and contributed a two run homer, a two run double and a single. Mark Teixeira continued to heat up with a homer and a single, and Brett Gardner added a single and a double of his own. Nady had a ground rule double in the 8th after struggling through his first few ab's at DH. Ramiro Pena got his first major league hit in the top of the 9th and scored on Nick Swisher's two run double.

AJ Burnett was good, but couldn't quite make it a quality start. His PC got a little high due to deep counts and an inconsistent strikezone. Still he K'd 6 in 5.1 ip, and held the birds to two runs. Coke relieved him and K'd both hitters he faced to end the 6th. Veras pitched a 1-2-3 7th and Bruney a 1-2-3 8th. Mo pitched a scoreless 9th just to get some work in as it was 11-2 Yanks to start the frame.

I think we're gonna see a lot more games like this than like the first two this year.

The Coolest Show on TV

As sad as it was to see Life on Mars end last week, several years ahead of schedule, it was a relief to see the coolest show on TV, NBC's Life, still going strong with no signs of letting up. Last night they tied up some loose ends surrounding why Charlie went to prison on the first place, and continued their brilliant use of Sarah Shahi's maternity leave by revealing she was being held hostage by that Russian animal Roman. If you haven't been watching, catch up with it on NBC.com. We have to keep this one going.

Yanks Comeback Falls Short

Down 7-2 the Yanks scored three runs and had a man on second before Hideki Matsui popped out to end the game. Wang's pitches were up and he gave up 7 runs before being lifted. The Yanks once again left plenty of men on base. Cano had more good ab's including a single and a double, but did have one of those one pitch groundouts in the 8th. Tex double in the 5th run breaking a personal 0-8 streak that started his Yankee career. Jeter continued his good work at lead off and contributed a walk and a two run homer. Hopefully the little 9th inning rally and good work by the pen will get the Yanks primed again. AJ Burnett makes his debut tomorrow. Go Yanks.

Captain Clutch!

Chris Drury had two huge goals, and Antropov gave up his already injured body on the other goal as the Rangers beat the Habs 3-1 and put themselves up two points with two to play. They can clinch it Thursday. Callahan had two assists, and Avery also added one. The team looked especially sharp in the second period, and Hank was solid. Gotta win Thursday. Go Rangers!

Bray On the Way?

Okay, one of those ESPNRadio internet rumors is circulating that we got Braylon Edwards for our 1 and a 5 and it will be announced tomorrow. Normally, I'd scoff, but the timing of this is pretty in tune with what I've been expecting the Giants to do, especially since cutting Plax last week. Perhaps we'll know just how long the #17 was available tomorrow. Go Giants.

UPDATE: This isn't true as of yet and the Giants haven't budged from a 2 and a 5.

Scranton

Phil Hughes will be the headliner for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yanks. Alfredo Aceves, Ian Kennedy, Dan Geise, Kei Igawa and Jason Johnson will probably fill out the rotation. You know about all of these guys. Mark Melancon, David Robertson, JB Cox, Anthony Claggett, Zach Kroenke, Steven Jackson and Brett Tomko will comprise the pen. Melancon and Robertson are the big timers. Cox, Claggett and Kroenke could all see the big as middle relievers at some point. Steve Jackson had a knockout splitter last year, but not this Spring. He may be off the 40 soon.

Chris Stewart, PJ Piliterre and Kevin Cash will be the catchers. Stewart and PJ could be back ups in the future and some think PJ is a future manager. Juan Miranda, Doug Bernier, Eric Duncan, Justin Leone and Kevin Russo will make up the infield. Miranda has to show he can hit lefties. Eric Duncan has to show he can field at 3B, and hit at 3B, 1B and DH. Russo needs to keep progressing at second, and, I guess short till Pena arrives, and Leone and Bernier are just place holders and emergency call ups now.

Austin Jackon is the star of the outfield. Shelley Duncan will also be seeing time there, along with Todd Linden and John Rodriguez. JRod could get a call up if there's an injury. He's an OBP player with some pop. AJack is the name we'll keep checking as he hopes to break out. Shelley must be hoping for a trade, and Todd Linden is a place holder.

The SWB Yanks should win the International League on the power of their pitching staff.

NB: Angel Berroa has been added to the roster and will probably play short.

UPDATE: Oakland has claimed Dan Giese, so a trade is probably in the works for a younger player, and then Kontos or Hacker will be called up to take the roster spot.

Tampa Roster Set

The 2009 Tampa Yanks have been announced, and people, they are loaded. Dellin Betances and Jeremy Bleich will headline a rotation that will also probably feature Jairo Heredia and Wilkins De La Rosa (who are thus far not listed) and either Lance Pendleton, Jason Stephens or Ryan Zink. Betances has a top of the rotation ceiling and his control really came along toward the end of last year. They will start to move him aggressively if he stays healthy and can dominate for 40 innings. Jeremy Bleich is another guy who could move quickly. The polished lefty, who has touched 93 with his fastball and flashed a plus curve and change is coming off a great showing in Hawaii and could fly through the minors like Ian Kennedy did two years ago. Heredia and De La Rosa are not listed now, but Heredia's a young righty with great pitchability and a developing fastball. De La Rosa is a converted outfielder with a great fastball for a lefty, and developing stuff that will either keep him a starter or make him a reliever. Pendleton has been injured for most of his career, but when healthy has a good fastball and decent secondary stuff. Stephens and Zink are basically strike throwers who need to come up with above average secondary pitches to have a chance at the majors. Noel Castillo is another candidate for the rotation who has a good fastball but might end up in the pen.


The pen features Jonathan Ortiz, who has a killer change, and Grant Duff, a big kid who's fastball has been missing for two seasons but seems to be back. Chuck Nolte will be there and he's the kid we picked up from the Twins who's K'd everybody he didn't get a grounder out of. Hovis and Heyer are looking like organization guys, and I think Amauri Sanit just got released.

The infield will be outstanding. Jesus Montero and Austin Romine will split catcher/DH roles, while Steven Strausbaugh will be the emergency receiver. People in the Yankee organization think Montero might be the best hitting prospect they've had since Mantle. I'm not kidding. Mantle. Of course, whether he can keep progressing as a catcher remains to be seen. Romine may be our second best hitting prospect and he's also got to keep developing at C.

Jorge Vazquez isn't listed yet, but he should be the 1B. He's a righty slugger who gets on base, and could be a good mentor for Montero, Romine and Brandon Laird, who will probably play some first and third. Laird is another exciting hitter. He needs to walk more, but he's a hard worker and showed up lean and mean for ST. Wady Rufino will also get ab's at first. He's been around awhile and needs to break out and start moving fast. Damon Sublett and Matt Cusick will probably split 2B. They're both big on base players, and Subby has some pop. Addison Maruszak and Louis Nunez will probably split short. Maruszak is a patience and pop guy the organization is very high on. Nunez is more of a defensive specialist who hasn't proved much with the bat. Mitch Hilligos will be back trying to get ab's at 3rd when Laird's not there. He had a bad season last year, and needs to show some patience if he wants to be considered a prospect.

The OF will feature Tommy Baldridge, Eric Fryer, Austin Krum and Jack Rye. Baldridge got moved around last year and no one seems to have a fix on him yet. Fryer is the kid we got for Chase Wright. He's 23 but he gets on base a lot and has some pop. Austin Krum is a streaky hitter, but he works hard and makes a great play in the field every game. Jack Rye is gonna play right and needs to show some pop. He could develop a stadium swing.

Though I think there will be some more additions to this team, they are loaded with pitching, plate patience and pop and should win the FSL if everyone doesn't get promoted, first.

Yanks Lose

CC, Marte and Bruney couldn't throw strikes and the hitters left a ton of guys on base as they lost 10-5 in a typically sloppy opening day. Posada and Matsui both homered in their official returns to action. Tex was 0-4 with a walk and failed to drive anyone in. The best news of the day, though, was that Robinson Cano worked 2 walks! He also had a base hit, but this is the year they really want him to prove he can grind and so far, so good. We'll get em Wednesday. Go Yanks!

Thunder Release a Preliminary Roster

The 2009 Trenton Thunder have released a preliminary roster, and it is not as impressive as the rosters for Tampa, Charleston or Scranton are or will be. That's not to say it's all organizational filler at Trenton, but aside from a few pitchers, let's just say, there are some prospects who need to make their cases.

The rotation will feature Eric Hacker, Zach McAllister, Ivan Nova, George Kontos and Ryan Pope. That's a good AA rotation. Hacker is an older prospect (like Coke was) who has finally gotten healthy and discovered both a big league fastball and a serious slider. He was k'ing guys like crazy last year and would probably be in AAA if it wasn't so crowded. Zach McAllister is the big story here. He's 6'6" righty with a killer 2-seamer that produces groundball after groundball. Just 21, he has to sharpen his slider into a K pitch at AA this year. Once the K rate gets healthier, he will fly. The same is true of Ivan Nova. Nova is a strike throwing machine with good stuff, but he doesn't have that K pitch or sequence that could fast track him. Great arm, but needs to start k'ing guys. Kontos is repeating AA, but he, too could be in AAA but for the crowding. He's a fastball/slider guy and both are above average pitches. In fact, his slider is plus. He's a guy who could be switched the pen eventually where his stuff might play up more. Ryan Pope has to do better. He started out well at Tampa last year then just fell apart. He's a pitchability guy who was throwing 93 when drafted, but his velocity has not really been back there. I sort of thought he'd be back in Tampa. He is capable of doing well, but he's coming off of a bad second half.


The bullpen is also loaded with Mike Dunn, Kaneiko Texeira, Kevin Whelan, Eric Wordekemper, Jose Valdez, Wilkens Arias, and Josh Schmidt. Dunn and Arias are the lefties. Dunn is a fastball/slider guy who started touching 97 when they made him a reliever last year. Arias is a lefty Ramirez and literally as skinny. Whelan is a stumpy power righty with control issues. Valdez is a big fastball guy. Wordekemper and Schmidt have had some success, but are starting to seem a little like organizational guys.


The infield will feature Frankie Cervelli and Kyle Anson behind the plate. Both catchers have excellent plate discipline and great arms. Cervelli is the total package as a defender and Anson has sick pop time, but may have some work to do on the other elements back there. C Jose Gil is also on the roster right now, but it doesn't look like he'll play much. Kevin Smith, Reegie Corona, Eduardo Nunez and Marcos Vechionacci will fill out the infield. Smith is lefty swinging 1B who has yet to show power. I wouldn't be surprised is Jorge Vazquez comes up and takes that job early in the season. Reegie Corona is a developing middle infielder with a good glove and nice patience. Eduardo Nunez is the 5 tool SS who looked like he was breaking out in ST. The Yanks have been waiting on this guy and he could really start to move if he keeps up the pace he set in Spring. Marcos Vechionacci will play 3rd. Like Nunez, Marcos is a toolsy kid the Yanks have been waiting on for 5 years. He's looked to be making a move in each of the last two years, but leg and wrists injuries have sidetracked his seasons. He could still make a move and emerge as a prospect.

The backup infielders are interesting: Chris Malec is an on base machine, while Justin Snyder is also an on base machine who is skipping high A, and may have trouble finding enough AB's. He can also play CF.

The Outfield will feature Colin Curtis, Seth Fortenberry, Edwar Gonzalez and James Cooper. Curtis you know about - needs to show some power. Fortenberry is a toolsy late bloomer who could surprise. Edwar Gonzalez is a patience free power hitter who needs to walk if he wants to make it. He'll be limited to DHing to start the season. James Cooper is looking sort of organizational. Not a bad player, but not a prospect right now.

So there you have it: some good pitchers and infielders we've been waiting on. There may be a surprise or two. We'll see. Go Thunder.

NB: Thus far, the Thunder are two over the roster limit, so more moves are coming.

Opening Day

The 2009 Yankees start their season today in Baltimore. Sabathia will be on the mound, Xavier will be playing instead of Swisher, and Cody Ransom will be holding down the fort for ARod. And they are still gonna win more than 100 games this year. The pitching they've added in CC, AJ, the return of Wang, and the emergence of Coke, combined with the upgraded defense they've added in Tex, Gardner, Nady/Swisher, Pena, and the plate patience they've improved with Tex, Swisher and the return of Posada and Matsui are going to be multipliers. From 2003-2008 the Yanks won a ton of games while featuring lousy rotations, terrible defense and in the Torre year, shoddy bullpen management. Their rotation is now great, the defense has been improved, and Girardi proved he could manage a pen last year. Add those dimensions to a patient lineup that will be getting ARod back in a few weeks and you have a juggernaut. Just watch, the AL East is not gonna be the dogfight that people were calling for.

2009 Riverdogs Announced

The Riverdogs Website has published the new roster: http://www.riverdogs.com/dogs/team/ and there are once again a bunch of good prospects on hand to start the year. Abe Almonte, Carmen Angelini and Ray Kruml are holdovers and all three could start moving if they get off to quick starts. Almonte has a ton of upside, but seemed to get tired and abandon his game plan last year. Carm had a rough year, but hung in there and came back bigger and strong this season. Kruml's got to decide whether he's an organizational player or a possible big leaguer.

The Outfield will consist of Almonte and Kruml, plus Dan Brewer, Taylor Grote and Melky Mesa. Brewer and Grote are interesting players who try hard in the OF and have offensive upside, at some point, each will have to show some pop. Melky Mesa has every tool in the book, but will have to get off to a big start offensively or he'll be a pitcher next Spring.

In the infield, we've got Angelini, plus Garrison Lassiter, David Adams, Mike Lyons, Brad Baisley and Walter Ibarra. Lassiter is a big SS, who will share time there and at 3rd and DH. Lassiter has a Yankee bat and will be fun to follow. David Adams, will start at 2B but will start moving if his offense returns to the levels he maintained in the early part of his college career and his summer at Cape Cod. The guy can rake when he's right, but he's had too many people trying to "fix" him and he needs to get straightened out. Mike Lyon is a college player with some patience and pop. He could be a bit of a bonus prospect. Brian Baisley is a big, organizational 1b. Walter Ibarra is a gifted defender, like Ramiro Pena, who the Yanks gave a lot of money to a few years ago, but has yet to hit like they expected he would when they outbid some teams for him. He needs to start moving.

At catcher the Dogs have Chase Weems and Mitch Abeita. Weems is a toolsy player who's been slowed by some injuries and illness. When he's playing his game, he walks, gets hit by pitches, gets on base a lot and hits some bombs. With the organizational catching depth, he needs to have a big year with the Dogs, cause Kyle Higashioka is coming up right behind him and has been healthy and impressive. Mitch Abeita will be the other catcher and he could be a bit of a pleasant surprise. He's a leaderly catcher who can run a game and hit a bit.


The pitching staff is loaded, at least to start the season, and features guys who'll start moving like Andrew Brackman, DJ Mitchell and David Phelps. You know all about Brackman and Mitchell, but Phelps is a pitchability guy with above average stuff, who could toy with A ball if he's feeling good. The staff also features two teenagers with huge upsides: Manny Banuelos and Brett Marshall. Banuelos is a lefty with an improving fastball and advanced command of three pitches. Marshall is a flamethrower, who's best pitch, the slider, is in his back pocket for now. He'll be K'ing guys with curves and changes till he gets a little older. Beyond those five, they have intriguing hard throwers like Braboy and Noesi an oddity named Venditte, and some college pitchers who've been knocking around for a season or three in Erickson, Kapala, Arbiso and Rulon.


There will be promotions but it should be another fun year for the Charleston Riverdogs.

Ramiro It Is

As I told you weeks ago, Ramiro Pena was in the running to start the season as the UT until ARod comes back. He was so in the running, in fact, that they gave him the job today, DFA'ing Dan Giese to make room on the 40. Pena can bunt and run, and is the kind of guy that if you tell him to walk more, he'll walk more. He has little to no power, but he has gold glove ability at SS, 2B and 3B and could probably go catch everything and use his strong arm in the OF, too. The Yanks 40 man roster remains jampacked; however, and I wouldn't be surprised to see an early season trade or two to unjam it. Go Yanks!

Rangers Lose 1-0

It's gonna take some luck to make the playoffs now.

Cano!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In an incredible sign of great things to come, Robbie Cano just hit the first homerun in the New Yankee Stadium. If he's as proud as I think he is, he's gonna have a tremendous year.

Plax Released

Thanks for the memories. The cap savings will be 300,000 unless the Giants win arbitration over the unpaid million dollar bonus they're fighting over. In that case the savings this year is 1.3M.. I don't know what else there is to say about this, other than - Number 17 is available...

Rangers Lose a Must Win

A close 2-2 tie went South for the Rangers in Carolina moments after Ruutu ran into Hank for the second time with no repercussions, but what looked like a concussion for Hank, who went on to give up two soft goals, creating a 4-2 loss. They have to do better.

Thanks

Tonight was the last episode of Life of Mars, a truly great show that has fallen prey to reduced ad revenues and soaring budgets. Nobly, ABC gave them enough time to wrap up Sam Tyler's character arc, but sadly, it was years too early. Like NBC's Journeyman, two seasons ago, Life on Mars will be missed and remembered. Good show, cast and crew!