Giants Blow a 21 Point Lead and Lose

That's 7 in a row.   They literally cannot blow this thing up fast enough.  Even Odell caught a case of the stupids today.   Shameful.   Pathetic way to go out, TC.

This Week on the Blog

Could be an interesting week on the blog for a variety of reasons.

Yanks: the Yanks could start getting some things done, or they could just wait till next week and the Winter Meetings.  It would be nice if they could get DRob locked up.

Rangers: the Rangers have to keep getting guys back, and playing the right ones,  Stempniak should sit once Kreider returns.   By the way, yesterday Miller and Fast played a bit with Dom Moore and that's the sort of setup I wanted when we re-signed Moore.  Fourth line C with two energetic kids.

Giants:  The Giants will probably win today, which could haunt them in the draft. Matthias Kiwanuka isn't going to play and that should really, really help.  Not sure what happened with him but he went from ascendant player to declining player without ever really having a prime.

Knicks:  Phil Jackson said he was giving the team till December to learn the Triangle.  December starts tomorrow.  So I guess we'll see what he means.

Have a great week, everyone.

Rangers Beat Flyers

Been a great two days for the Rangers and a not so great two days for Tanner Glass and Alain Vigneault.   Here's why: Glass, who has played in virtually every Ranger game this season and has accumalated all of 1 point, got passed by everyone.   JT Miller, who was called up from Hartford to play for Chris Kreider,  had a goal and an assist.   Jesper Fast had his first goal of the year.  Lee Stempniak, who played for Glass both days had an empty netter.   Duclair and Hayes once again possessed they puck a bunch and created chances -  so really - there's no one that Glass should replace.   It would be a disservice to the team and organization to play him over any of these kids, who are bringing spirit, jump and points.  They're also drawing penalties through their hard work and daunting speed.   When Kreider gets back, Stemp should sit.  And then the Rangers would have a good balance of veterans and exciting young players, who can pick up the vets when they're down.   Big win.

Are the Yanks Trying to Give Away Their 1 for Scherzer?

Holy crap.  I'm seeing reports that the Yanks have made a 7 year offer to FA RHP Max Scherzer, worth 160M and, of course, their first round pick.   Also, Scherzer was the guy they didn't get in that three way deal that netted the Yanks Granderson and the other teams Austin Jackson, Ian Kennedy and Phil Coke.    Hopefully, someone tops the Yankee offer, and they keep their pick.  Yes, Scherzer can be dominant, but he can also be hurt a lot, and thus is not worth 7 years, a 1 and all that dough.   This is ridiculous.

Talbot Shuts Out Philly... Again

After getting off to a really bad start, Cam Talbot has now shut out the Flyers twice in a row and looked really good doing it.   This was a pretty easy game for the Rangers, as many are when they actually show up.

Klein, St. Louis and Nash had the goals.  Stepan assisted on all of them.  He's come back from injury as that point a game guy we so desperatetly need.   The Rangers could have perhaps scored more, but they were unselfish to a fault at times, passing up shots for passes.  Nash's goal was a shorty after Kreider drew his second high sticking.

Interestingly, Tanner Glass was out with flu-like symptoms, and the roof didn't fall in on the Rangers. In fact, the three kids, Hayes, Duclair and Fast all played really well.  Stempniak was in for Glass and put a lot more pressure on the Flyer D than Glass would have.

It's a small sample, but the Rangers looked flat better without Glass, as you'd expect.   AV literally has no excuse for playing him, and should be fired if he ever sits a kid who's playing well for Glass.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Have a great one, everyone!

Yanks: The Two Yoan Theory

Today, the Yanks were linked with another Cuban named Yoan.  This one is a 21 year old 6'4" 190 RHP named Yoan Lopez.  Like Yoan Moncada, he will count against the Yankees already blown out IFA pool, and like Moncada, they should sign him.

As policy, the Yanks should be grabbing every electric arm or bat they can, whenever the rules permit.  From now until 6/15/15 they can grab any IFA they fancy for just money without being punished any further.   Can't do it again in IFA until, 2017 so it's necessary for them to keep "gaming" the IFA market now.  Then their best bets become hitting on some draft picks -- which is easier to do when you keep them -- and going for Asian and over 25 IFA's going forward.

Bur they absolutely should start by grabbing both Yoans.

Yankees: The Cold Stove?

Can't find my cold stove picture I use around now every year.  Oh, well.  No worries, because I am glad it is cold, and hope it only warms up for internationals, this time around.   And, by the way, the major downside of sitting tight has not been witnessing what other teams have done, it's been seeing the incredible number of columns and mentions of the Yanks signing career minor leaguer Jonathan Galvez.

Let's hope they don't react and stick with a plan that preseves their picks, preserves their farm, preserves their bullpen, and adds high upside international talent.

Giants Lose Again

The Giants just lost their 6th straight game, for the second year in a row.   No consequences, ever, with this team.  Oh and they're eliminated from NFC East race.   They wasted a great night by Odell Beckham Jr., who may be the only guy they should keep.  

Rangers Show Up and Win

The Rangers beat the Canadians 5-0 and made it look easy tonight.  That's because they had jump and Hank didn't allow softies, and everyone played D and picked up rebounds instead of allowing second chances for the Habs.  All 4 lines scored, MSL had a goal and assist and looks forkless.  Stepan had a great goal on MSL's assist.  Moore started the scoring from Glass and Fast.  Hags scored from Duclair.   Nash also scored.   Solid game all around, and maybe the hangover is ending.

This Week On the Blog

Alright, waiting for studio notes this week, so hopefully our teams will provide us with savvy moves and wins to keep us chatting.  Let's take a look.

Rangers:  They play Montreal tonight, and who knows which version will show up.   The bigger news is that their Captain Ryan McDonagh should start skating with the team this coming week and that should give them a boost.  Had a dream they traded Marc Staal.

Giants:  Need to beat the Cowboys tonight, or go into full tank.  I don't really care.  They're not acting rationally and have more or less proven there is something or other they have forgotten about how to win.

Yanks: Last week they did something smart by signing Bryan Emery, and keeping with that plan. Let's see if they can get on a little "smart" roll here.  Moncada anyone?  Hold the picks?

Knicks:  They accidentally beat Phily last night, and that's got to stop.  I wonder if they'll make trades this season or go for max cap room in July.  Wrote a part for Phil Jackson in the movie.

Have a great week everyone!

Yanks: Randy Levine Threatens "Surprises"

On an otherwise sunny day in Yankee-land, as they continued to add to their minor league talent base and at least marginally improve they're 40 man roster, scary Randy Levine raised the specter of surprises is.  Though, I guess at this point trading a good first round pick and larger bonus pool for an old free agent wouldn't be a surprise.  So let's hope this dark emmisary has stopped misinterprettting our demands and means pleasant surprises instead, like Moncada.

Yanks Make Roster Moves

Today the Yanks announced that they added Mason Williams, Danny Burawa, Branden Pinder and Tyler Austin to their 40 man roster.  They also sold Zealous Wheeler to Japan, so they should have 1 space open on their 40 going forward.

Keeping Burawa and Pinder helps the pen as both still have upside and could eventually find roles.   Austin was a gimme, but it's interesting that they are holding on Mason Williams.   He's probably an elite defender in the OF, but he hasn't hit in years.  It's also a bit strange that they are now carrying both Slade Heathcott and Mason Williams who are little more than toolsy.

I think they might have lost Nuding and Montgomery, which would be somewhat suboptimal.

Yanks Sign Bryan Emery

The Yanks have added another potentially big talent to their historical 2014 IFA class.  Bryan Emery is a big OF,  who was a later riser in July because he's from Colombia and not the DR or VZ.  He had been a switch hitter, but he's just been hitting lefty for awhile.  He's either 6'3" 190 or 6'4" 195, I've seen both listed, and he probably projects as a right fielder.   He turned 16 in March, so he's a long way off, but as July 3rd approached he was flying up a lot of boards.   This signing gives the Yanks ten of the presumptive top 30, and he might be right up at the top of the class.   He has very loose actions.  I know a certain YankyFan who will be thrilled with this news.

Yanks Should Pass on Andrus

The Post and some other are actually pimping the idea of the Yanks picking up Rangers SS Elvis Andrus as well as his huge contract and inability to get on base as the Yankee replacement for Jeter.  I sincerely hope the Yanks aren't this stupid.  Over his career, Andrus has been 16% below average on offense.  Why would anybody pick up 1 more year of that, let alone 8 more years of that?   They wouldn't and shouldn't. The Yanks should just bandage the position for the next few years, as they finally have some talented kids coming up at the position, like Mateo, Abital and others.

Giants Activate Geoff Schwartz

The Giants, on the last possible day, have finally activated Geoff Schwartz from short term IR.   The make room for Schwartz they cut a young LB with upside named Jusitn Anderson.  Why they didn't bounce any one of the over supply of crappy OL's on the roster in anyone's guess, but this position has been brutally mismanaged and it's costing the Giants games.   Lots of games.   We'll see if Schwartz can step in and help.  

Rangers Tonight

Looks like Anthony Duclair will be back in the lineup as the Rangers face the Lightning at the Garden.  The Rangers really need some regulation wins, and to become an outstanding home team, so lets hope they don't get distracted by the return of Cally, Boyler and Stralman, and just do their work. I think Duclair is skating with Hayes and Hagelin.   That should be a fast line.

Giants Lose Again

The Giants embarrassed themselves at home today against a 49er team that kept trying to give them the game, but Eli gave them the ball 5 times on INT's.   The Niners got away with a shitload of contact on passing plays that hasn't been allowed this year.  That said, for about the 7th time this year the Giants looked unprepared.

It is also true that they didn't do enough in the last offseason to fix the line, and they're bargain basement pick-ups of Walton, Jerry and Brown nearly got Eli killed today.

This is a horrible team that needs to tank so they can rebuild more quickly by picking at the top of rounds for a change.

Giants Today

The Giants face, perhaps, their last must-win game of the season today, at home against the despicably 49ers.  Rashad Jennings is supposed to be back for this one, and LB Justin Anderson was signed from the PSquad so he can go, too.    It seem inconceivable that they will start stopping the run, or even win.  But hopefully, the young guys like Beckham, Donell, Washington and others will keep showing us stuff.  Kind of strange to have little hope and empty Sundays in November.

This Week on the Blog

Could be a weird week on the blog, but some good things could also start to happen.  Let's take a look:

Giants: if the Giants don't win tomorrow against the 49ers, their season if probably over, and they should tank and take their picks.  They need to start working the kids and figuring out their needs, other than OL for next year.

Knicks:  Same thing, but they are already tanking.   I doubt they'll make any moves before December, but am a bit concerned they'll spend next year's cap room at the deadline.

Yanks:  The Hot Stove could really heat up this week as Korean SP Yank Hyeon-Jong could be posted this week, and the Yanks may be interested.  We could also learn more about Yoan Moncada.  What's more, their organizational plan and offseason plans should become clearer.

Rangers: Hopefully, we'll start seeing more of the good Rangers than the play down to the other team's level Rangers.

Should be fun.  I've got a movie to write, so I'll probably only addres the big news for the next few weeks.

Rangers Tonight

Rangers against the Pens again, this time in Pittsburgh.   And once again AV is sitting Duclair.  I don't know if this is strategy or idiocy, but it's not helping us win games.  I wonder if we'll ever get any farther than we did last Spring with AV calling the shots.   Great coaches with with their best talent, and now with their pointless Tanner Glasses.

Giants Hillis to IR

The Giants, today, place veteran RB Peyton Hillis on IR.  Peyton, who played harder than most got a nasty concussion in last week's game against the Seahawks.    We wish him the very best.  And if this is the end of the line, a great, healthy and rewarding future.

No corresponding move has been announced, yet.

More Yankee Stuff 11/15

So, Yoan Moncada has been granted free agency by MLB.   That's great news because they didn't drag it out.  But the Yanks still have to wait for Yoan to be cleared by OFAC before they can sign him.  I do think it would behoove them to start tampering heavily, in case they haven't already.

Btw, people are project him for second, third, and CF more than for shortstop.  The Yanks should still sign him though because of the two year penalty they'll be running into in the IFA market next June.  They have to collect as much talent as they can now.  And he'll probably be in the minors for a season or two, and get to come up with the next core.

UPDATE:  Greg Bird was named AFL MVP.   He'll be knocking, soon.

Yanks Promote Eric Schmitt

The Yanks have promoted Eric Schmitt to fill Pat Roessler's old Minor League Operations post.   Schmitt was a journeyman minor leaguer several years ago and I remember him pitching for the Thunder and getting bashed.    Since then, he has worked around first with Mark Newman and then, I think, replacing John Kremer on Damon Oppenheimer's domestic scouting staff.

I know a bunch of people felt we needed new blood in some of these open jobs, but Schmitt is only 36 and I believe Kremer is also still in his 30's, so I'd rather give these guys their shots unless someone with overhwhelming credentials had been interested in some of these minor league gigs that had opened up, so at least we got young blood.

Having observed the Yankee system as long as I have, I've felt that the system was all bad, and that some things should be kept, while some systems needed to be modernized.   The Yanks, lately has poured a lot of money into their minor league facilities, and also built up a significant anaytics department.

I think whenever all the changes are laid out, we'll see the the analytics and development deparments really beefed up.

I still want to know what plans they have for Kremer, McMahon and Garza.

Rangers Lose Via the Shootout

What a bad game.   First, the Rangers don't dress Duclair, and looked slower as a result all night against the fast team.  Then when they finally take a lead, Hank lets up a softie off of Girardi.   Then they can't score in the third, at all, though they had plenty of chances.   Then they can't score in OT.  And are down 2-1 after the Avs first three skaters have gone and the same guy who sat Duclair, thinks his best shot to prolong the game is with Lee fricking Stempniak.   So this should go down as Loss-- Coach's Decisions.   Weak sauce.

Oh, and Tanner Glasss got in his second fight and still hasn't scored a point.

Yankee Stuff 11/13

Be afraid.   According to the latest news cycle, the Yanks have talked to the Angels about 31 year old, bad handed, tick above average offensively 2B Howie Kendrick.    Has gotten on base less than 34% of the time for his career, and his best season was 4 years ago and out of conext.   So what we would have here would be a prospect blocking over 30 decline guy.   I thought that was last year's thing?

Rangers Tonight

The Rangers play the AV's at the Garden tonight.  Dan Boyle should be back, after playing just 4 minutes before gettting hurt in the season opener.  They could really use his passing, stability and help on the power play.  They are still missing McDonagh, though, and Boyle can't come close to replacing him on D.

Duclair will sit again, as people he's better than play.   I don't think they're gonna send up down, because as AV says, if they do they can't bring him back up.  I do wish; however, that they would let him play all the time and be willing to take some lumps.  Look how much regular PT is helping Hayes?    This is the time of year to get the kids adjusted.

UPDATE:  The Rangers have waived Kostka, which I guess they have to do to send him to Hartford.

Breaking: Yanks Trade Cervelli to the Pirates

The Yanks have traded C Francisco Cervelli to the Pirates.  I've been hoping they would trade Cervelli for the past few years.  Not that I don't like him, just that I thought he had value and we had replacements on hand.   Let's see what we got.

It was for lefty reliever Justin Wilson, who's 27 and just came off a bad year.  Got excited when I thought it could be players from the Pirate system.   This is just another arm.

This also means that in the past 24 hours, the Yanks have added 2 lefty relievers to their 40 man roster.  How are they going to fit Lindgren, Webb and Pazos?  Let alone their relievers who are Rule 5 eligible?

Giants Stuff 11/12

The Giants have swiped RB Orleans Darkwa from the Dolphins' PSquad.   This is presumably to replace Michael Cox who broke his leg sucking the other day.   Darkwa has looked good in preseason games, especially against the Cowboys.  Full size guy with some straightline speed.

The Giants also signed CB Josh Victorian, thereby ending thei Kyle Sebetic experiment.

I wonder if the deck chairs on the Titanic had scouting reports...

Yankees Stuff

Today is the showcase day for Cuban IFA IF Yoan Moncada, and the Yanks will have people in attendance.  This is a huge day for Moncada, and possibly a big day for the Yanks as well.  If they feel Moncada can be a star SS or 2B for them in the mid-term, they have to go for it.  They're already in the penalty for IFA's, and this will the their last chance over the next two years to add this kind of talent - if every scouting report is true.   So a consequential day for Moncada and the Yanks.

In other Yankee news, the Yanks have signed LHP Jose DePaula. Nice to see them re-stock their DePaula stores, as you never want to go too long without one.   DePaula is 26 with more pitch-ability than stuff.  He was going to be rule 5 eligible, so, the Yanks presumably like him better than some of their guys who are rule 5 eligible.  Also, they have given him a spot on the 40, even though he has never pitched in the bigs.   We'll have to what they have in mind for him.

Rangers Bounce Back Against Pens

The Rangers just shut out the Penguins 5-0, in a game where they had more jump than we've seen in awhile, and Hank was terrific.   The Rangers were controlling the puck early, but couldn't score.  Then they almost couldn't stop scoring.   MZA got the first goal, then St.Louis, then Kline, the Brassard and finally, Nash, short handed.   Nash also had two assists, as did Derek Stepan who is looking more and more like the point a game version.

The Pens were pretty helpless, even though they had a bunch of good chances that Hank turned away, and they are apparently allowed to be offside most of the time.  What's more, the refs took a goal away from the Rangers with a rule they seemed to make up on the spot.  MAF had lost his stick, and the Rangers scored.   The refs then waved it off saying, the goaling was unable to do his job.  Well, if his job is stopping the puck, then he was unable to do it 5 other times tonight.  WTF?   Hank lost his stick late in the third and still did his job, catching the shot with his glove.  No whistle until after the save.

Anyway, they looked much better tonight, and could get Boyle back on Thursday against the AV's.

Rangers Tonight

John Moore should be back from his suspension as the Rangers take on Cindy and the Pittsburgh Diving Team tonight at the Garden.  They have to give us a much better show than they have been lately.   It's just been embarrassing.   They should some spunk right after they lost defensemen left and right, but they've been dragging, or worse, flat lately, and that's got to stop.  They've been starting to resemble the Giants.

Rangers Send Down Malone, Call Up Fast

So, with both JT Miller and Ryan Lindberg playing well for Harford, the Rangers have called up Jesper Fast, because, um. AV remembers him from Training Camp `13?   Seriously, it doesn't seem like he should be the call up. but, he like the others deserves to already be up, but the Rangers insist on their annual veteran signings, so more kids remain blocked.  And Tanner fricking Glass plays bad hockey for them every game...

UPDATE:  And they also sent down Connor Allen, because he doesn't help the other team win as often as Hunwick and Kosta.  

This is ridiculous.

DRob Turned Down His QO

David Robertson, the Yankee closer has turned down the team's qualifying offer and will field free agent offers.  It would still behoove the Yankees to keep DRob, but because they were too stupid to extend him before this season, here we are.   And if you think, "Oh, neato, now Betances can close,"  please apply for a brain that works.   Betances is much more valuable as a two inning relief ace, than as a perfunctory closer.    Let's hope the Yanks and DRob can make a deal.  

What a Horrible Sports Weekend

It was a brutal weekend for all four of our teams as the Giants got blown out, the Rangers failed to show, the Knicks were the Knicks and Yankee prospect Tyler Austin was carted off the field after a collision in an Arizona Fall League game.

I think they're going to have to blow up the Giants, but it will be tough to see Coughlin and Reese go out this way.  The results are the results, though, and they are wildly unacceptable.   Had they replaced Perry Fewell when they were cleaning house last offseason, their results would probably be better.

I don't know what's wrong with the Rangers...

The Knicks have nothing to play for.

And this is the second year in a row that Tyler Austin has been injured in the AFL.   Let's hope he's okay to start the season.

Rangers Tonight

Hank will be back in the net as the Rangers take on the Oilers.  It's a 6pm est. game, so if the Giants aren't playing hard or doing well, you can flip on over and see if the Rangers are.

Hunwick Turnover Leads to Ranger Loss

The Rangers just lost because of Hunwick.    Also, because they cannot get a call in Toronto.   Awful loss.

This Week on the Blog

Well, this one ended ominously with the Yanks bringing back Young.    But hopefully, this coming week will be better.

Giants:  It might not be for the Giants.  They've been in the tank for three straight games and tomorrow won't get any easier.   They can't run the ball, and they can't defend.  They're awfulon specials, too.   So, if they do lose again tomorrow, they should just accept that the universe took away their corners, RB and MLB so that they could get high pick -- and accept them.

Yankees:  The Yanks still haven't announced their organizational moves, and this week Cashman will head off to the GM meetings where he's started many a deal in year's past.

Rangers:  The Rangers have been showing moxie and should have Dan Boyle rejoin them this week.  They had big visions for him, so we'll see if those materialize.

Knicks:  There's nothing to see till the trade deadline.    For entertainment purposes only.

Let's hope nobody does anything stupid.

Yanks Sign Chris Young, Pending Physical

That was quick, current reports have the Yanks and Young already agreeing and awaiting a physical. This is just the latest example of them clogging their 40 man roster with extra veterans.   They will never get out of their slide making the same mistakes over and over again.   They must have really loved last year's squad.  Seems like they think it will have better health this year, though everyone will be a year older, and want to make that bet.   Ludicrous.  Is Ichiro next?

Yanks Have Interest in Chris Young

So, the reporters are saying that the Yanks and Chris Young are working on a new deal.  Oh, goody.   Why pay extra for a 4th OF type when a healthy Ramon Flores could easily have handled the job at a basement price.   It's almost starting to smell like they liked last year's 84 win team, and are willing to spend more to keep it together.  No diggity.

Rangers Tonight

Finally, the Rangers will get Stepan back tinight in Toronto.  Let's hope it's not another late start season where he has to learn to play hockey all over again, and he's ready to be productive from the get go.  Also, Cam Talbot will be in net, he's winless through hist fir two starts.  Let's hope he hits his stride, and does so in regulation tonight.  I think MZA is playing with Stepan and Kreider, while Duclair is with Hagelin and Moore.

In other news, Boyle is supposed to be back this coming week.

Lets Go, Rangers!

Yanks: Moncada

The more I look at it, the more Yoan Moncada seems to be the Yanks best bet for a big name signing this offseason.  Of course, he's only a big name in baseball circles, but he has a chance to be something more.

Because the Yanks are already afoul of the IFA pool system, they have till 6/15/15 to add as much top end talent as possible, before facing sanction and necessarily limits for the next 2 years.  Beyond that, if they stay sort of mediocre, which they are now, they won't have a protected pick draft bonanza in the next year or so.  So they'd have to get crazy lucky to score a Moncada sized talent there.  BTW, some folks are saying Moncada would be the best player in the `15 draft

Thus it could very well be true that Moncada represents the Yanks last, best chance to add a young fantastic five type player and if they're sold at the showcase this coming Wednesday, they have to get him.

Interestingly, the market for Moncada will probably be small if his IFA is granted before 6/15/15.   Any team signing him who isn't already in the penalty, will face the sancions.   But anyway who is already in penalty, like the Yankee and Red Sox, can big to their hearts' desire withough incurring anymore wrath.

Just as get Tanaka last offseason was the most efficient way of adding an ace, getting Moncada this offseason could very well be the best way of adding a bat.  

Yanks Stuff 11/6

Hidden between the insane amount of ARod articles currently being published was news that both Zoilo Almonte and Antoan Richardson became free agents today.  Of course, both could still be back, or, better, both could be replaced by younger, more talented and more real prospects.  Not just on the big league field, but primarily on the 40.  There's been way too much crap on the Yankees 40 man roster for the last several years.  Maybe this offseason, they can use the 40 to improve their choices rather than having it block better choices.

Rangers Send Down Mueller to Make Room for Stepan

Here come the reinforcements!   The Rangers just sent down Mueller to make room for Stepan.  I really hope we get the healthy, full blast version of Stepan, because when he is that, he's a great player.  Right now, Brassard is playing great and it would be fantastic if Stepan could come back as the point a game guy he is when healthy.  I'm really hoping they put him with Kreider and Duclair, and leave Nash and St.Louis with Brassard.   This could really help the O, and Stepan is also solid on the other end.

Brassard Wins it in OT

Whew!  Derick Brassard just scored a huge PP OT goal to finally give the Rangers a win during this homestand.   This game had a lot of intensity for a November 5 tussle, and many times it looked like the Rangers were going to give it away.   The Rangers had gotten out to a 2-0 lead on goals by Nash and St.Louis, by the middle of the second.  But the Redwings then scored 2 goals in :13 to tie it.  Stempniak broke that tie in the third, then the Ranger gave up a goal with 7.7 seconds left to send it to OT.   Thankfully, they came through this time.

Btw, Allen may be a keeper. Duclair needs to play more.   And McIlrath was already sent back to the minors.

JR Smith Gets Another Suspension

JR Smith is suspended for tonight's game against Detroit for hitting Rice in the groin last night.   This is just his latest infraction, and he's a guy who just seems committed to being unreliable and hurting his team.   I have to wonder if this latest foolishness has anything to do with the trade rumors that were floating around over the past few days.    It will probably be a tougher game, now.

Yanks: Gil Patterson Effect?

Gil Patterson, the Yanks minor league pitching coordinator has been on the job for 2 years.   He took over from Nardi Contreras, who had been at it for a long time.  So far, it's been a little difficult to see what Gil's effect has been -- the Yanks haven't drafted a ton of prep pitching in the last two drafts and some of the IFA pitching from the last two periods isn't over yet.  Heck, we're still currently in only his second IFA period as coordinator.  So we haven't seen him take a Phil Hughes type of Ivan Nova type from induction to MLB success.


He doesn't seem to do interviews, and so the only thing we hear about him is how he annoys some of the minor league managers by calling them during games.

But do we have any clues to his effectiveness?  I'm wondering if he or his systems might have had something to do with Shane Greene's late blooming.   And I do wonder if he's either letting prospects keep their out pitches, or making sure they have them, because K's seem to be up at all levels.    And, of course, Nardi was famous for taking away everyone's sliders and making them learn curveballs.   So maybe K's will be the difference.  

We'll see if they make any changes under or around Gil this offseason.

Rangers Tonight

The banged up Rangers will try to keep their courageous points streak going tonight against Detroit.  Detroit's been banged up, too, and I don't think Pavel Datsyuk has even played yet.  The Rangers won't get Stepan back till at least Saturday, though MZA and Klein were back on the ice at practice today and could be back even sooner.  It's hard to get too upset about the points they have left out there this past two games, when they have been so outgunned on defense and even offense.  Let's hope Marty St.Louis has finally woken up.  We need his goals.

Yankee Stuff 11/4

Aaron Judge was just named player of the week in the AFL.  He joins Greg Bird as Yankee prospects who have won that distinction this year.   Something good for the future might really be happening down there. Bird and Judge have become fast friends, and you can easily see them hitting third and fourth at some point.  They are both power guys with walks.   They are, essentially, everything the Yanks should ever be looking for at the plate.

Meanwhile, the big league Yanks have somehow leaked that they will not be in the market for the big free agents this year.   Hopefully, that means they'll keep their pick, and frankly, I think that means the plan is Moncada.

No more organizational hirings have been announced at this point.

Knicks Tonight

The Knicks will try to keep it going tonight against the Wiz.   We'll see if they can keep the triangle going for an even greater chunk of this one, but I love the effort we've seen in the last two, and have been really impressed with Derek Fisher's coaching so far.  So, enjoy the game.   You'll be rooting for a different version of the team next year.