It's On!

July 1 is the day the Rangers are free to pursue Brad Richards. Of course, the deal is more important than the player in this and all Ranger FA's deals going forward. They have to maintain the flexibility to keep signing their young core players, both the ones who are already Rangers and the ones who are on the way. So getting Richards for 7 or under and 5 years or under is of paramount importance in setting this team up. It's also important that they sign their RFA's. In all, if I had to predict, I'd say, the new Rangers will be Richards, and some top 6 forward they will trade for. Then maybe a vet D, and some more prospect for prospect deals, as Gordie and Gorton continue to collect the ones they missed on from the passed few drafts. In any event, be smart and GO RANGERS!

Ace!

CC with help from Logan and Ayala, just completed shutout of the Brew Crew. He K'd 13 over 7.1, and to give credit where it may be due, Cervelli was catching him again. It may have been his best start as a Yankee and hopefully he'll go on a tear from here and be the super dominant force he's capable of being. Cervelli also had three hits and RBI's. Tex hit his 300th!!!! And the Yanks won 5-0.

2nd round lefty Sam Stafford has also signed. Just another big day for the Yanks. Go Yanks!

Yanks Win Again!

The Yanks behind a strong start by AJ Burnett just beat the the Brew Crew again. Martin had a big homer, and Posada, who is back!, had one, too. It is just occurring to some that DRob belongs in the All-Star game. I actually don't get too bugged when relievers are overlooked. It was made abundantly clear during the Torre years, that they need the rest. In a bit of troubling news, the Yanks re-acquired Sergio Mitre from the Brewers for cash considerations. I can assure you they were really more Girardi considerations than Cash considerations. But, no mind, they are 16 games over. Go Yanks!

Rangers Buy Out Drury

Today, the Rangers began the process of buying other their captain, Chris Drury. We had high hopes for Chris Drury when the Rangers got him, as he was just the type of gritty, North American, clutch player the team needed to for their culture change. Unfortunately, his play style had taken its toll by the time he became a Ranger, and the highlights were few. The buyout puts the Rangers even further under the cap, and might allow them to get their RFA's done earlier. And once those are done, they need to give Ryan Callahan that C. Go Rangers.

Yanks Bomb Brewers

Yanks just finished demolishing Zack Greinke and the Brewers 12-3. Garcia was good again. Tex had yet another bomb and 4 RBI's. Swisher also homered as continues to sizzle. Po and Gardy and hot, too. It's just a matter of time. The Yanks are now 15 games over .500. Go Yanks!

This Week

NHL free agency starts this Friday. And if there is no NBA lockout, so does NBA free agency. On Saturday, July 2, MLB teams can start signing International Free Agents, so the Yanks will probably have another strong class there.

Separately, Drury was not waived by noon today, so he can't be bought out during this period. Perhaps something else is up as there are teams out there who do have to get their payrolls up to the league minimum. White team destroyed the Blue in the first scrimmage of Rangers Development Camp.

Faster?

The buzz out of the first day of Ranger camp, where no pucks were involved, was that last year's first rounder has gotten noticeably faster. This is a really interesting development, as he already moved well and had great feet for a big man. Remember, he split focus with big time volley ball until he was 15 and he's just 19 now. We'll see where his puck skills are starting tomorrow, but Dylan, who had been the most improved player on his WHL team two years in a row, may be the most improved in the Ranger organization this year. He may end up being one of those big D's who keeps improving through his 20s, like Pronger did and Neil has. Really interesting news.

Trouble in Tampa?

Steven Stamkos is an RFA. He and Tampa are about as far apart as two parties can get on a new deal. Tampa would like to bring back Brad Richards to play with his BFF Vinny LeCavalier. The Rangers have room to sign Vinnie. Ranger fans would rather they take a run at Stamkos. This is interesting. Stamkos could actually be in play! The Rangers have to see what they can do here, because he is 21 and could be the face of the franchise for years to come. What's more, whatever pieces they have left would look great arrayed around a young superstar. Go Rangers!

The Rangers This Week

The Rangers will conclude a big month for the franchise with one last crucial week before free agency starts on Friday. We already know that all of the RFA's have been tendered except for Gilroy. Today we learned that Chris Drury may indeed accept a buy out. Be that as it may, I sort of expect the Rangers to conclude another trade before FA starts. I don't know why I have this feeling, but I think Gaborik or someone is gonna be gone for cap relief and picks or prospects. Don't know why I think so, but I do. Doesn't mean anything.

What will mean something is Ranger prospect camp that starts tomorrow. These prospect camps have really become a big deal to the Rangers as they develop the two way, tough, gritty hockey culture they're developing. These camps also give them clues as to who will be ready to help soon. Last year it was Stepan and McDonagh, and of course, they always think Kreider is ready.

This year the camp will feature Tim Erixon, Mikhail Pashnin, Christian Thomas and all of the other recent picks. I don't know if Stepan and McDonagh or any of the other NHL guys or even Del Zotto will be there. But Erixon and Pashnin could change their offseason shopping list, if they fell they are going to be ready to go by fall. Del Zotto needs to pick it back up, if he's there or he will get passed.

So, the Drury buyout and the Prospect Camp are the concrete things to follow this week. But keep an eye on trades, even if Drury accepts a buyout. Go Rangers. Oh, and as soon as Drury does, give that guy in the picture a C.

UPDATE: Here's the Developmental Camp Roster: http://rangers.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=69921&navid=DL%7CNYR%7Chome

Yanks Do It Right on Old Timers Day

After a typically wonderful Yankee old timer day, complete with a special tribute to legendary Yankee Trainer Gene Monahan, the Yankees won their regulation game. It was a great day at the stadium as the Yanks were down 3-0 and getting perfecto'd after 3 innings. Cano broke up the bid for history then Swish homered to make it 3-2. From there Po homered, Nunez singled in the run that broke a 4-4 tie, and Tex did what Tex does to seal it 6-4. Robertson and Mo were Robertson and Mo. It's poignant seeing some of Mo and Po and Jete's old teammates in the old timers game already. Just a great day to be a Yankee and a great day to be a Yankee fan.

CC Wins His 10th!

CC Sabathia had an easy time of it today, collecting his 10th win of the year over the Rockies. Tex hit another bomb, and the Yanks are holding serve. They go for the series win tomorrow. Gonna be a little Rangery around here for awhile, I expect, unless something happens with the Yanks, Giants, or Knicks.

Cold Blooded

Wow. I went out for a long walk after the two 5th rounders and things have gotten much clearer in Ranger land. First we traded our 2012 6th to jump back into the draft and take big Czech Dman Peter Ceresnak, bringing our draft totals to 4 forwards and 2 defensemen. Then Sather announces that not only had Grachev and his agent been asking for a trade out of the organization, but the Blues' third was all they could get for him! Then he reports that he has qualified all of our RFA's except Gilroy!

The message that the Rangers have sent is, if you are not physical and defensively responsible, we will move you. In the past month, they have moved out Werek, Grachev, Horak and now Gilroy. Horak was moved for big value, but the other three were moved on the grounds of disenchantment. What the non-qualifier to Gilroy probably means is that they will grab Richards at the opening of free agency, and take their time with their RFA's, which they can do since most of Redden and Drury will be off by the beginning of the season and they can be 10% above the cap till then.

But Richards does seem like a fait accompli and given the number of their sort of high end forwards they dumped, you have to wonder what their immediate plan for O is outside of Richards and the home growns just getting better. It's clear now, Kreider probably would have made the team. But he's a 2012 arrival now. Thomas is a bit of a long shot, and there's no one else as close who might be elite.

Also, it's interesting that, other than nq'ing Gilroy, they have not traded any of their many young D's. And they added two more today. So that bears watching, I think we might see Kundratek and Big Val go for offense over the summer. It bears watching.

Rangers Take McColgan and Noreau

Shane McColgan is a small but tough and skillsy RW from California who has been playing in the Western Hockey League. Samuel Noreau is a huge D from the Q, who doesn't score, but fights a lot. If they don't make any more trades, the Rangers are done and have added 5 more players. I'll be back with a summary later or tomorrow. Go Rangers!

Rangers Nab Their Ringer

The Rangers just grabbed another C, Michael St. Croix out the of WHL. This kid's dad played in the league and has been on the prospect map since he played for the Canadian U17 team as a 15 year old!!!!!! Surprised he was still there, but a terrific pick for the Rangers.

Steve Fogarty

I won't hold the price of his pick against Steve Fogarty, who fits to a t the kind of player the Rangers love. I like what I know about him and that's that he's big with a projectable body. Plays C, and scored 23 goals in 24 games this season. Minnesota high school hockey is tough, and he's a two way player who scored way the hell more than a point a game, while taking care of all business. The talk that you'd hear about Grachev was that he wouldn't always go hard or hit like a guy his size should. This guy does all that stuff and he scores. The Rangers are making a statement. Go Rangers!

Rangers Trade Grachev!

The Rangers just traded Evgeny Grachev to the St. Louis Blues for the 72d pick in the draft. They used it on Steve Fogarty, a HS F from Minnesota. Wow. Of course, Grachev himself started out as a 3d rounder, but this is shocking. They regretted not sending him back to Juniors for an overage year after he struggled his first year in the AHL, but he came along this past year, and I'd think he would have been included in a bigger deal, and not for a 3d round pick. We'll find out about Fogarty. Not angry. Just surprised.

Rangers With a Slight Surprise

With both Mark McNeill and Tyler Biggs still on the board, the Rangers pulled one out of thin air and went with JT Miller, the 18 year old leading scorer for the 18 and under Team USA squad that recently took gold. Much as I love McNeill and Biggs, I cannot knock this pick. From all accounts, he sort of like a bigger Callahan, and we can never have too many of them. He's a skillsy C, who I'm still learning about and interested to hear about. It will be interesting to see if the Rangers get back into the draft before their next scheduled pick. Both Biggs and McNeill are now off the board. Go Rangers!

Rangers Tonight

I'm really sort of hoping for Tyler Biggs, but I also really like Mark McNeill. Both would give the Rangers a rough and tough power forward, that they don't really have yet. Both Grachev and Kreider, are big, fast and should score, but neither is particularly mean. Christian Thomas is chippy, but small. So I want Biggs or McNeill. On and interesting note, the Rangers brought in offensive defenseman, Ryan Murphy for a meeting this week. He shouldn't fall to them, but if he does, I'd love that pick, too. But in the interests of full disclosure, I am part Murphy, and if he is O'Murchada clan, we are related. But I don't think he'll fall, so I'd like Biggs or McNeill.

I wouldn't be surprised if they either traded down a little or found a way to add more picks. I really trust them in the draft and look forward to at least 4 new prospects to follow at weekend's end. Go Rangers!

Knicks Buy Harrellson in the 2nd

The Knicks apparently spent 1 million dollars to have New Orleans select Kentucky C Josh Harrellson for them in the second round. Harrellson was a late bloomer at Kentucky, who actually had a really nice senior year. He is 6'11" and 275, so there's some size! He can also rebound, block some shots and set good picks. Not bad at all for the Center Rotation the Knicks will try to use this coming year. Not a great athlete, but Jerome Jordan the other part of the rotation is. Intriguing purchase. They should still buy more.

Knicks Take Shumpert at 17

The Knicks didn't trade up for a one of their perfect fits in round one, but stayed put and selected Iman Shumpert, an athletic size/speed/explosion guard out of Georgia Tech. He played the point in college, but may be more of a two at the pro level. He is offensively challenged, but tested and worked out well. He is a great defender. They need to buy more picks.

Ranger Stuff

Rangers scoutmasters Gordie Clark and Jeff Gorton once again talked to the fans though MSG's Jim Cerny last night. It was another great chat, that reassures us we are in good hands at draft time. Like last year, they said they have a guy they hope will be there when they pick. They said last year they were more sure they would be there. Cerny would not ask them for names, but three names that came up that drew positive commentary and body language (at least from Gorton) were Tyler Biggs, Mark McNeill and Rocco Grimaldi. All three could be available at 15. Though they said moving into the top 8 would be too costly, it seemed they would examine a smaller move up or down for a guy. They also reiterated the idea that they could turn their Defensive surplus into offense through trades if needs be.

Anyway, Bigg, McNeill and Grimaldi are all fascinating players. Biggs is big and mean, but a very fast skater, who has scored some big goals for Team USA. What's more, his dad was in the Rangers system long ago. So, let's see, Ranger bloodlines/Team USA? Here's your ringers, folks, and if he's there, I hope he's the pick.

McNeill also has good size, and some snarl, though there are some knocks on his consistency. That should be looked at, because he dragged a crappy team into the playoffs in juniors this year and really improved down the stretch. Power forwards like Biggs and McNeill don't develop as quickly as more standard sized C's and F's. McNeill wins a lot of faceoffs, too. I would also be thrilled if he is the pick at 15,

If Rocco Grimaldi was 5'11" instead of 5' 6" he would be the first player selected in the draft. He is that offensively gifted. Gorton called him a little warrior, too. He has also played for team USA, and has been compared to Theo Fluery as well as Martin St. Louis. On the one hand, we just saw power beat skill in the Stanley Cup final, and the Rangers have been trying to get tougher. On the other hand, if you can get a Fleury or St. Louis at 15 in a draft, you do it and say thank you to the Hockey gods. If they have that kind of conviction on the pick, I will be be thrilled. All things being even, I'd take one of the power forwards.

Go Rangers!

Yanks Win!

Garcia, Robertson and Mo were terrific as the Yanks alternated terrible defensive plays with incredibly ones. Jorge Posada hit a two run shot that proved to be the winner as the Yanks held on to win 4-2. Robertson made Votto look bad. That was impressive. It's a glorious day for baseball, so let's play 2.

Rumors

Now I have no idea how this could happen, but a few people in the media are reporting that the Knicks and the Suns are talking about Steve Nash. Now, I don't care how you do this, but if you are the Knicks, you do this. Nash is a master of the D'Antoni O, and he never had a third star like Melo when he was with Amar'e before. So, if they can make it happen, the Knicks must. Go Knicks!

UPDATE: The Suns are saying Nash will not be traded.

Nova Goes Deep

Ivan Nova didn't walk a hitter as he threw 8 innings of one run ball. He was credited with 7K's, but was getting a lot of half swings on his curve that could have been called strikes. He'll get those if he keeps throwing it that way. Just a wonderful performance by the kid. The Yanks scored 4 in the first then scored a run without a hit late, and ended up winning 5-3. Ayala and Boone Logan gave up baserunners in the 9th and Mo had to come in. I think Gordon pitches tomorrow. Big win. Go Yanks!

Moving On Up?

Pro Basketball draft is reporting that the Knicks have a deal in place to move up in the draft depending on who is still on the board when Indiana picks. Presumably, this would only happen if one of Jimmer or Klay Thompson, the two best shooters in the draft was still there. Other reports have them buying an early and mid second rounder. We'll find out Thursday. They really need to make some hay in the draft. Go Knicks!

Swish!

CC didn't have it tonight, and the Yanks fell behind 4-1 in the third. That wouldn't last though as they tied it up, and Nick Swisher hit a 3 run bomb in the 9th to decide it. It was Nick's third hit, and his 2nd, 3rd and 4th RBI's. Brett Gardner also had a big night leading off the game with a homer for the first time in his career. He was also casually great in the field. Gardy, Grandy, Tex and ARod tacked on more runs in the ninth, and the Yanks won 10-4. CC got the win, they picked him up. It's on to Cincy now. That's another HR park. Let's hope the O stays hot. Go Yanks!

In on Flynn?

Isola and some of the other media members are saying the Knicks are negotiating a Tony Douglas for Jonny Flynn deal with Minneapolis. Flynn was slowed by a hip and hip surgery during his second season, but when healthy, would be a terrific back up PG for the Knicks, and a possible PG of the future should they trade Billups for a big. It would also mean not drafting a PG at 17, so they could focus finding a 2 guard and a C in Thursday's draft. Ramon Sessions' name has also come up in Knick trade target talks. Go Knicks!

Knicks Draft

Really doesn't look like Jimmer will be there, and they may have even more interest in Biyombo, the C from the Republic of the Congo. There's also talk that the Donnie Walsh likens Klay Thompson to Reggie Miller, that would work, too. What the Knicks need more than anything from this draft is an infusion of young talent. They sent most of their's to Denver for Carmelo. So, the best thing for them to do in this draft is move up for their main target, then use money to buy another first and two seconds. Seriously, they should just grab all the picks they can, then all the upside they can. With Amar'e, Melo and Chauncey on team, they can bring in a youthful supporting cast and should.

Yanks Win!

The Yanks had lots of hits and walks today and only managed 4 runs. AJ and Mo, each threw one bad pitch, allowing three runs. But Cory Wade, Hector Noesi, and David Robertson were excellent, and the Yanks won 4-3. They go for the series win tomorrow. Go Yanks!

Dante Signs!

The Yanks first round pick from the recent draft has signed for just over last year's slot, and will be available to play in the GCL when it start this coming week. It's always fun to have now power in the GCL. Go Yanks!

Gardy Gets the Pie in 12!

Brett Gardner just drove in Grandy in the 12th inning of a 2-2 ball game to end it for the good guys. The Yanks got great pitching today from Brian Gordon, Noesi, Robertson, Mo (for 2) and Cory Wade (for 2). They hit into a lot of bad luck through the first 11 innings, but Gardy came through in the clutch for the win and the sweep! Onto the Cubs and let's win there! Go Yanks!

Yanks Crush Texas Again

Tex homered from both sides of the plate for the 11th time in his career. Grandy, Cano, Nunez and Pena, who was called up to replace Jeter on the roster, also homered. Nova was a little up and down, but Ayala, Cory Wade (in his Yankee debut), and Jeff Marquez held the Rangers scoreless the rest of the way. Once again it was 12-4 Yanks. Imagine what it will be like when Montero is up. Wow! Go Yanks!

Get Jimmer

Jimmer Freddett, the BYU star who grew up playing hoops against the inmates at his local prison, is the guy the Knicks should really try to get next week. Now it may be tough, because Utah picks 5 picks ahead of the Knicks, but they should do what they can to get this Upstate New Yorker with the limitless range. He has done a lot better on the athletic tests than some expected him today, but not better than you'd expect if you watched him play. Yes, he has limitless range, but he's also strong as hell for his size and can take it to the rack against anyone. People are throwing out Mark Price comps but I see him as stronger and more explosive. Anyway, he'll be a point guard at least nominally, and that works with the Knicks if they intend to run the O through Carmelo, which was what D'Antoni was talking about toward the end of the year. He would also replace the shooting we lost when we trade Gallo.

The Knicks should do what they can here, and also consider giving the MLE to DeAndre Jordan of the Clippers who only got just over a 1 million dollar 1 year offer from his team yesterday. Of course that would preclude signing a 3rd superstar, but it wouldn't preclude sign and trading for one. Go Knicks!

Yanks Crush Texas

With Gardy and the top of the line-up now that Derek Jeter is in the DL, the Yanks scored 12 times and CC Sabathia gave up 4 runs over 7 innings. CC was a little better than that, but they missed a play behind him. Meanwhile Grandy hit his 21st and knocked in 4 more runs. Cano and Swisher also homered. Po stayed hot, as did Tex. Nunez had two hits playing short. Arod had two hits. The whole line-up is working except Cervelli, and still no Montero in sight. It was a good team effort, and it would great to see more offense more consistently. Hopefully the Montero move will come soon. Go Yanks!

Rangers Trade Up?

The more I think about it, the more I strongly suspect the Rangers are going to trade up in the draft this year. Gordie Clark made it clear that he feels an organization has to hit on its top two picks in the draft every year. It's clear they are counting Tim Erixon, who would have reentered the draft and gone in the top 10, one hit. But I think they are loaded up for a second. I think they'll trade the 15 and Del Zotto or some other prospect to get into the top 8 and select whichever Forward they are in love with this year. And they always have a guy they love more than the rest. Two years ago it was Kreider, last year it was McIlrath. This year it will be someone else, but I think we have been prepped to expect a strong top 2. Go Rangers!

Yanks Lose First 1-0 Game in New Stadium History

They need another bat, and Jesus Montero has it. Let's see if they can execute this simple fix. Meanwhile, Jeter strained his calf, he could be out for awhile. That means Gardy might lead off and that might help the offense, too. Go Yanks!

Bichette's in Tampa

Dante Bichetter Jr. tweeted last night that he was off to start his pro career today. Apparently it will be a slot deal, or very close to one, or the Yanks wouldn't bother getting him in now. In the time since the draft, Bichette has been contacting the other Yankee picks he knows and gently pressuring them to sign. This makes me think we may have drafted a future captain of the Yankees here. Anyway, the more kids we can get for slot, the more we have left to get kids of overslot. It works out very well for the Yanks.

The Knicks Might Want to Hasten Their Rebuild

Because the Heat can be beaten. The Knicks should not concede anything about next season and should consider plans that don't include adding another big piece in 2012. A real team is all it takes, not a formula of 3 and filler. The Knicks should think seriously of getting better now. Go Knicks!

The Prep Righties

Now last year, I proposed a system whereby the Yanks would just flex their financial might and sign all the preps they draft. With the state of the farm, and the sheer number of preps they took this year, that no longer seems terribly practical, but they really should try to take the best of this bunch, even if there are a lot of them. Some of them seem to have huge ceilings, and some of them seem to be ringers.

118 Jordan Cote 6'5" 215 RHP Prep

449 Rookie Davis 6'4" 225 RHP Prep

539 Matthew Troupe 5'11" 160 RHP Prep

569 Hayden Sharp 6'6" 200 RHP Prep

809 Jordan Foley 64" 205 RHP Prep

869 Josean Lazaro 6'0" 170 RHP Prep

899 Scott Hoffman 6'4" 205 RHP Prep

989 Garrett Nuss 6'1" 180 RHP Prep

1049 Skyler Janisse 6'4" 200 RHP Prep Canada!

1079 Chris McCue 6'0" RHP 170 Prep

1139 Ryan Harris 6'2" 195 RHP Prep

1169 Joseph Maher 6'5" 200 RHP Prep

1319 Tyler Farrell 6'2" 190 RHP Prep

1349 Adam Ravenelle 6'3" 185 RHP Prep

Fourteen prep righties in all, some with big upsides, some with big college commits, and some with both. Some of the ringers that are already identifiable are Cote, Davis, Sharp and Ravenelle. Of those 4 it looks like Ravenelle is the toughest to sign, with his Vanderbilt commit. Yet he played on the same Area Code team that Cito Culver and Jordan Cote played on that is run by Yankee Super Scout, Matt Hyde. So does that mean he's more likely to sign? Not necessarily, but they should know him better than anyone else does. What's more, it seems like the Yanks will be giving a lot of these kids, including Ravanelle a chance to earn their "break the commit" number by shining in summer league play.

Though the Yanks say they have a hard budget, I do believe if the kid blows them away over the summer, they can go get some more for him. I think they did it for Bryan Mitchell and Evan DeLuca two years ago, and I think they would have done if for Keenan Kish and Josh Dezse last year had Keenan pitched better or had Josh not balked at their offer. Anyway, I think a kid like Ravanelle can really make some money and become a Yankee this summer if he dominates.

I think Cote is a given, and he might even come in for top three round money. He indicated that the Yanks had met his demand in his local paper. I think Rookie Davis is a given - the Yanks have been all over him and even had he and his dad come down to the Tampa facility and meet everyone. I think they have an overslot deal in place like Marshall had a few years ago and Morton had last year.

Hayden Sharp is flat out interesting. The Yanks have a new scout and new crosschecker in the Arkansas/Oklahoma area and they're apparently cultivated quite a relationship with the kid, who also has a football option and has touched the upper 90s off the mound. Because of his football option, the Yanks can split his bonus over years, and I think they will take advantage of that. His two sport scholarship is to Central Oklahoma, and I don't think that's anything that can stop the Yanks if they want him.

The rest of the preps are also intriguing. Hoffman is coming of a poor Senior year but was a Prep favorite before this year. Foley seems like a beast. Janisse may be another ringer from our Canadian scout who came through last year. I don't think the Yanks will break the bank for any of the smaller pitchers unless they really dominate this summer, but I could see them going back to ownership for Ravenelle or Foley or one of the other bigger kids who shows well this summer. They like their horses.

We'll see how it goes. A few years ago they mopped up Mikey O'Brien and Matt Richardson for less than I thought it would take, so maybe some of these signability kids are ready and willing to turn pro. We'll know by August 15. It's a very impressive class.

Yanks Clobber Tribe Again

Though the hit no homers, the Yanks O was relentless today, putting up a season high total of hits and scoring 9 runs as Yankee pitching lead by Freddy Garcia's 6.2 innings limited the Indians to 1 run. Gardy had two double and a triple and scored three times. He was robbed of a fourth hit, when his liner was speared. Grandy went 4-4 with a sac fly. Pretty much everyone else had two hits, including Jeter who needs just 7 more for 3000. Posada is really heating up, and Swisher is showing some signs of life. Russell Martin returned and banged into a couple of big BP's. In a weird development, Jesus Montero has been held out of action for the second day in a row in Scranton. They better not be trading him! AJ will got for the sweep tomorrow. Go Yanks!

Yanks Win Costly Shutout

The Yanks just shutout the Indian 4-0 with homers from ARod, Granderson and Tex. Posada continued his hot hitting and poor base running. While Gardy collected 2 more CS's. The costly part occurred when Bartolo Colon strained his left hammy while covering first on the wet field. He may miss some time. David Robertson allowed two hits, and balked them over to second and third before striking out the side in the 8th. Boone Logan pitched a 1-2-3 9th! More roster moves are probably coming. Go Yanks!

College Relievers

I used to think drafting college relievers was a bit of a waste. The logic was starters are more valuable than relievers, thus we should draft starters and let the ones who fail as starters become our relievers. Sort of sound, but not all the starters you can collect picking late each year have the sort of velocity you want to see coming out of the bullpen. For example, if Shaeffer Hall starts failing as a starter, he will never be a 7th or 8th inning option.

Meanwhile, David Robertson, who was a college closer and drafted as a summer follow back in 2006, has been the Yanks' second best reliever this season. Somewhere over the past few years the Yankees figured out that picking where they pick they were going to have to get lucky to get a starter. But, they could find a lot of velocity, and two pitch talent picking college relievers and closers. Last year they went big drafting Tommy Kahnle, Daniel Burawa, Zach Nuding (who they have starting this year), Chase Whitley, Connor Mullee and others to throw into the mix. This year they went just as big starting with Philip Wetherell at pick 269.

269 Phillip Wetherell RHP 6'5" 225 Junior

299 Zachary Arneson RHP 6'2" 190 Senior

359 Mark Montgomery RHP 5'11 205 Junior

509 Branden Pinder RHP 6'3" 2010 Senior

599 Robert Paullus RHP 6'1" 190 Junior

719 Corey Maines RHP 6'o" 190 Senior

770 Adam Smith RHP 6'3" 200 Junior

929 John Brebbia RHP 6'1" 185 Junior

The above group features they pretty easy signing kids, thought Adam Smith is a recent conversion to pitching and they might want to look at him this summer. In fact, Wetherell, Arneson, Montgomery, Pinder, Paullus and Maines have already signed.

The Yanks also chose some JuCo, CC and one division two arm who probably won't be as easy to sign.

329 Jonathan Gray RHP 6'4 255 J1

689 Nick Goody RHP 6'1" 185 J2

1109 Ryan Thompson RHP 6'3 190 Jr. Div II

1379 Cass Ingvardsen RHP 6'3 210 J2

1499 Tyler Mapes RHP 6'2" 200 J1

The above 5 players are all in situation where they might be able to go for more money next year. So will, but the Yanks will probably want to take a look at them over the summer, like they did with David Robertson lo these many years ago.

Given where they pick, and the crazy money (and a first round pick!) we have to give up when we go after big league relief help, drafting collegiate relievers is a great strategy for the Yanks, and one I was glad to see them pursue again this year.

I think we'll finish off the position players next, and then hit the long list of Prep RHP starters.

Yanks Clobber Tribe

Ivan Nova had one of his best starts of his young career as he gave the Yanks 7 strong inning of 2 run ball. The Yanks bats arrived as Granderson and ARod went deep and the Yanks posted 11 runs. Fausto Carmona, after giving up 3 runs in the first, threw a pitch to Tex that would have hit him in his head had he not ducked and taken it on top of the shoulder. Tex would later hit a 3 run triple. Cano had three hits of his own, and Po continues to come around. The bullpen made it interesting in the 8th and 9th. Kevin Whelan in his major league debut gave up 4 straight walks, creating a run. In the 9th, Sanit and others gave up 2 more runs, then Mariano came in in a non-save situation, and gave up a hit, making it 11-7. Then Mo settled down and got the last two outs. I hope Whelan gets some more chances. He's been excellent in Scranton this year. I think the Yanks might start rolling now Hopefully Montero will be up soon. Go Yanks!

Loading Up On Lefties

The Yankees have a long tradition of running lefty starters out their and beating you. This started way before Gomez, Lopat, Ford, Downing, Guidry, John, Key, and Andy. Back when the Yanks' draft was being poorly run, one of their default settings was to take lefty pitchers. It was one of their brighter strategies, but as we know, goodness always trumps handedness and if given the choice between a RHP and a LHP, you take the better pitcher. They didn't always do that before Oppenheimer and Co. started running the drafts.

Anyway, there were a lot of intriguing lefties in the 2011 draft, and I think some of the ones the Yanks liked didn't quite make it to them, but they didn't force anything. They ended up taking 7 lefties:

88 Sam Stafford 6'4" 200 LHP College Junior

629 Daniel Camarena 6'0"" 200 LHP HS

749 Matt Tracy 6'3" 212 LHP College Senior

839 Chaz Hebert 6'0" 200 LHP HS

959 Aaron Bummer 6'2" 185 LHP HS

1199 Taylor Guilbeau 6'3 170 LHP HS

1469 Benjamin Wesley 6'1" 180 LHP HS

Notice how many picks when by between Stafford and Camarena. That's why I think they were missing out on a few of their favorites. Anyway, also notice that LSU's Matt Tracy is the only lefty we drafted who is sure to sign. The rest of them are either High School kids or in Stafford's case a college junior! Btw, if we don't sign Stafford, we get the pick back next year.

Now, I think they will sign Stafford, and probably pretty close to slot, though I think his team is still playing and they might give him some time off. Stafford has a lot going for him as an LHP, he throws hards, has good size, and is graceful and athletic. Along time ago, Bill James said in one of his columns that successful LHP's are almost always graceful and athletic. Ford used to play 3rd for a batter then go pitch as well pinch hit. Ron Guidry was the best athlete on the team for 15 years. Andy had the great move. And Boomer Wells and CC for all their size, bounce around quite athletically. You'll think of more and see James had a good point.

Anyway, Stafford has all that good stuff going for him, but he has control problems. Guess what? That's a characteristic of a lot of young lefties, including Sandy Koufax, Randy Johnson, Jon Lester in the minors and many others. In other words, if he's athletic and graceful - or 6'10" wildness shouldn't stop you from grabbing your lefty. The Yanks have a good system in place for developing pitchers, even if they don't rush them along a some would prefer.

Nardi was a righty, but their are some former lefty pitchers around the organization including former pick Danny Borrell, who was a promising pitcher back in the era when the system was bad. He runs rehab for pitchers, and is down in Tampa. I'm sure he pitches in with the other EST stuff. If he hadn't gotten hurt, he would have made it, btw. He was good.

The bigger question is, out of the 5 remaining prep lefties, who are they going to sign if anyone? I'm going to guess three of them will sign. I know that seems a little high, but I believe LHP was a focus this year and I don't see them taking the two college kids and and not also taking some preps, otherwise they wouldn't be taking advantage of the pool and they wouldn't really be adding more lefties than in a year with a poor lefty pool.

So, who do I think they're add? I think it will be Camarena, Hebert and Guilbeau. So why do I think this: Camerena's a California Kid, and we always get a California prep pitcher. Sometimes more than one. That's David Keith's territory, and he always hooks us up with a signable prep or two. So that's my vote for one.

The other two, Chaz Hebert and Taylor Guilbeau, are both from Louisiana. This feels a little ringerific to me. The Yanks have a serious tradition of getting LHP's from Louisiana, notably Gator and Andy, but don't forget Ray Fontenot who was between them. In other words, the Yanks have been working the bayou for 40 years, and right now they have former draft pick Andy Cannizaro working the territory. Andy who just retired a few years ago, has seen his stock rise somewhat meteorically through our scouting system. He is pretty young and relatively inexperienced to have his own important territory. Yet he does and that means he's delivering. He could be dixie's answer to Matt Hyde in term of finding future Yankees. Anyway, I think we're getting both of these Andy Canni specials. Just a hunch.

Of course, it could work out totally differently. But it's fun to speculate. I do think they will bring in Tracy and 4 signability guys.

I think we'll look at the college relievers next and then Signability RHP's after that (there are tons). Go Yanks!

UPDATE: Matt Tracy has apparently signed.

Cleared to Play

As CC melts down late against the Red Sox, the punchless Yankee O could use a boost. That boost, Jesus Montero has recovered from his eye infection and was cleared to play tonight, though he didn't. He possesses the biggest homegrown Yankee Bat since Mickey Mantle. The Yanks need to call him up.