Giants Take Ereck Flowers and Finally Fix the Line!

Looks like Justin Pugh will be moving inside, and Ereck Flowers will be the Giants new Right Tackle.   This kid is a junior and a beast.   Not sure he's as ready or as versatile as Scherff was, but Scherff wasn't there and they just might have found another Kareem.  This is a very good pick with "upside" who's coming to the Giants from a bad coaching situation.  Good hips and natural explosion when he plays his technique.   Let's see if Flats can get him ready.   We should still probably pick one more who has G/T flexibility.

Let's Go Giants!

We're finally here.  A few weeks later than we should be, but there will be a new Giant today, two tomorrow, then 5 more on Saturday.   They must fix the OL, and should want to add more explosivity at every position.  My favorites are still Cooper and Scherff, and if they're both gone, Gurley, White or Flowers.  Otherwise, trade down.  

The pick they make tonight will probably determine what they'r going to do tomorrow.  If they go OL ,  they could go pass rush and playmaker tomorrow.  If they take a WR or Gurley. they'll probably go OL at 40.   We'll see how it works out.  But I really want the OL fixed, for the long haul, by Friday Night.

Yanks: Tanaka to the 15 Day

The Yanks have placed Masahiro Tanaka on the 15 day DL. Ugh.  I guess they'll call up Bryan Mitchell.  We'll see as Capuano was also supposed to be close, and they do sometimes choose the lesser option.

Yanks Win Again

Same pic as last night because. well, Dealing Dellin is totally back and he's awesome.  The pen has been incredible, though I still don't like the save rules or that Girardi seems to count innings by their number rather than their leveraged situations.   Also, let's hope the starters and O can start giving the BP some rest.   Warren pitched pretty well, and I guess Whitley will come up and pitch tomorrow, but that will probably be another long day for the BP.   Let's hope they can bash their way into an Esmil Rogers situation tomorrow.

Giants: The Gurley Rumors

So, there have been some rumors that the Giants will take acl-injured Todd Gurley at 9.  I doubt these are true as rumors have rare under Reese.   However; I would absolutely love this pick  -- if the incredible medicals turn out.  In my opinion, the Giants need to fix the line in this draft, but with the #9 pick, if they can get a super playmaker, who could make RB an overwhelming strength, or WR and overwhelming strength, or pass rush or CB... you get the idea.  The Giants should grab players like that at 9.  I mean specifically Gurley, Cooper or just maybe White.  Not sure there's a pass rusher or CB worth it.  Believe Scherff is worth it if those other guys are gone or medically or behaviorally dinged.   We'll see what they do, but getting another franchise talent at 9 is never a bad idea.

MZA is Out

The Rangers wonderful winger, Mat Zuccarello was ruled out indefinitely today, as the result of an "upper body injury."   This came after he was hit in the head by McD's slapper in the first period of the finale against the Pens.   This is quite a blow.   They're going to need another forward,  because Sheppard will probably move onto the third line or fourth line as Fast and MSL may move up to line two -- then what if someone else gets hurt.  It's bad enough that they keep playing Glass, but now they're even more vulnerable as they are short a scorer.  Will they sign Buch?   Call up Tambellini?  Call up a Bourque or Kristo?  They should call up Lindberg, but he's a C.   Maybe they will and move   Hayes up to the second line.   We'll see, but this sure doesn't help.  Let's go, Rangers!

Yanks Win

The Yanks just showed some moxie, again.  Eovaldi wasn't missing any bats in the first and gave up 2 runs.   ARod came right back with a homer in the bottom of the first.  That was big.  They put together a few other rallies that would last until Beltran would come up and fail.    I think he's heading toward the Soriano plan.  Anyway, Eovaldi had 2 good innings and 2 bad ones, with one incomplete.  He's still a work in progress.   On the other hand Dellin Betances is BACK.   98 and nasty.   Though I am a little uncomfortable with the fact that Miller seems to be the de facto closer.   He's great too, but I still want both to be available in the highest leverage situations, and not fall into a back to back 8th and 9th inning guys.   They're too dominant for that.   So far the Yanks are flawed but are showing some character and playing hard.

This Week on the Blog

This past week on the blog wasn't bad -- the Rangers advanced and the Yanks have moved above .500.  But this coming week should be even more exciting.  Let's take a look,

Giants:  The NFL Draft starts Thursday.   Needless to repeat - I want them to draft for want.  My only steadfast goal is to have the OL fixed by our second pick.    Thus if Amari Cooper isn't there at 9, fix it in one.  If he is, fix it in two.

Rangers:  Rangers will start playing either the Islanders or Caps on Thursday, too.  Let's hope they make the most of their rest, and really hit the ice hard when the new series starts.

Yanks: Hopefully, the Yanks will keep pitching, hitting homers, taking their walks and winning.  Down on the farm small sample size theater continues.  Severino was bad last night, but he could be in that early season dead arm period that some guys get.  It's good to keep following all of them and see if any long term trends emerge.

Knicks:  The Knicks are just killing time till the lottery.

Obviously the big items are the Rangers quest for the Cup and the Giants draft.   I hope it's a great and exciting week for all of you, as well.  Go teams!

Yanks Beat Mets

Big Mike reasserted his relevance with a terrific start against the Mets tonight at the stadium.  With some help from 2 2-run Tex messages and another shot from Ellsbury, he rolled over "the best team in baseball," not sure who called them that -- but maybe wait till May next time?    I was busier watching the Rangers clinch, but had the Yanks on my phone.   The Yankee pitchers really are gaining traction.   Let's see if they can keep it up tomorrow.

Rangers Eliminate the Pens

Carl Hagelin just put an end to ugly, ugly first round series.    Thank you, Carl.  I could not have watched much more of their illegal defense and them running into Hank.    Second straight overtime game winner from one of our college kids.   Crazy game, I hadn't seen the trap in a while.   Unfortunately, MZA got hit in the head by a McDonagh shot in the first and could not return.  That's a little scary, and the Rangers were one forward short for the final two periods and the OT.  Stepan's power play goal was the only thing the Rangers got done in the first.   Miller and Fast both had big games, as did the defense and Hank.   The one Pittsburgh goal was off and arm.  Of course if the Rangers would have scored that way, Toronto would have disallowed it.  So the Rangers were up against a little extra in this one and they did well to get it over with in 5.

Let's hope MZA bounces back, and that the Isles/Caps series goes 7.   Let's Go, Rangers!

Yanks Win Again

Yankee pitching continued to gain traction today as Masahiro Tanaka had his second good start in a row. Now, if they could only hit, and perhaps, move Beltran out of the #3 spot in the batting order.  Today's game was like watching a Cards/Giants game from 1968.   The Yanks scored the first of their 2 runs on a balk.  Betances ended up gettting the win, and Miller the save.   They're really staring to roll.  Up next, the Mets.   Glad I'm not home for that zaniness.

Rangers Stuff

Probably time to find a picture of Kevin Hayes in his Ranger gear,   Anyway, that was some game last night.  The Pens have played desperately for the entire season.  I was out and watching the game at a sports bar.   It was interesting to see how much room to move there was in the other series compared to the Rangers/Pens tilt.  It wouldn't surpisee me if the Rangers put up a more impressive effort tomorrow.  The Pens are probably exhausting themselves with all the hooking and grabbing they're doing in their efforts to slow the Rangers down.   The Rangers have to avoid getting fancy, which they do with leads sometimes.  It's not going to win them any games in the playoffs.

Yanks Stuff

Yanks won last night and there are some good signs arising.  First, the rotation is gaining some traction this time through.  Pineda has been the only bad start this time through.  Also, the Yanks are leading the league in walks and homers.  I love that, but those are also what Bill James used to consider old player skills.  And the Yanks have a lot of old players.

Down on the farm, Ian Clarkin has a sore elbow.  Let's hope that's all it is.  Meanwhile, this also underscores the fact that we will probably be SP heavy in this draft and that one of the 1's will be spent on a starter, and I would guess that the other will be an up the middle bat.   Well see.  Could be two pitchers.

Rangers Win Game 3

Rangers just beat the dirty, cheating Pens 2-1 in their house to regain home ice advantage for the series.   The Pens played dirty all night, and on the one goal they were able to score, Sidney Crosby pulled down Jesper Fast to allow it.  Shouldn't be a goal.  Also, Sidney was allowed to knock down Hank after a whistle.  Finally, Hornqvist cross checked both Staal and Hank during the scramble at the end of the game.

This raises the question as to why Tanner Glass was dressed.   He needs to make a statement in game four, because we can afford to have him suspended.   But seriously, Sidney and Hornqvist have to pay.  Also, whoever it was who cross checked Kreider after his goal.   Ridiculous.    And the Refs are doing a horrible job.  Now let's win out.

Giants Get Back To Work

The Giants finally began their offseason program, which will run from now, through OTA's and finish with the veteran mini-camp.  JPP is sitting out, but as of last week we were getting a lot of information about his workouts with Jay Bromley, so he probably is getting in shape, as it behooves him to do so in his walk year -- if it comes to that.

Eli, who is also in a walk year, said he was comfortable with it.  Otherwise, everyon seemed healthy and happy to be back.  Shane Vereen and the new guys will have a whole new culture to get used to, but at Shane at least seemed eager.  

This program used to start in March -- which was a quick turnaround in years when we played into January and February.  But, following a season that ended in December this felt like and eternity.  I also think the Draft is now too late, and people's built-in excitement for it flags by the time it comes around lately.   I'm writing a lot less about it this -- partly because I don't want to repeat the same stuff every year and partly because the process has become too protracted and things have been cooking with the Rangers and Yanks, and will get cooking with the Knicks in the next few weeks.

They'll have to wait for a new CBA to start the workouts sooner,  but the draft is something that should be restored to it's old time slot, even if they've grown way too ridiculous to restore it to its Saturday/Sunday form.

Yanks Complete Sweep of Rays

Yanks just beat the Rays for the 3 game sweep.  Pineda was really shaky in the first which you could tell the moment he walked the first batter.    He got a bit better, and shows all the signs of being an ace at some point - but he's currently 2-0 with a 5.00 ERA, so he ain't that yet.   Sort or reminiscent of Randy Johnson's time in pinstripes, so far this year.  Wins but an inflated ERA.   Betances is looking more and more like his old self, but the fastball is still not where it was - like Tanaka.   Miller gave up a leadoff double in the 9th to some chump with an HGH beard, then K'd the side, swinging, which was Goosian of him.  Great win.

Mitchell and Severino were both dominant.   Mitchell's ERA is now below 3 and Severino got an ERA when he gave up a run.   Oh well, it's just .90 and he can lower it next time.  Anyway, two really encouraging starts.

This Week on the Blog

Should be an interesting week on the blog, what with the Rangers in the playoffs, the Giants and Knicks getting ready for their drafts, and the Yanks perhaps showing a sign of life or two.  Let's take a look.

Rangers:  The Rangers played like crap last night, still, but for a bad penalty against Hags, the Pens might have never gotten started.  They'll play better Monday, and at some point in this series have the Pens totallly figured out.  Let's go, Rangers!

Yanks:  Tanaka's start was huge.   Let's see if Pineda can follow suit, and then if CC and Eovaldi can have better luck.   Down on the farm, it's a Severino day and a Bryan Mitchell day.   Also, some rumors that the Yanks are interested in the 22 year old Cuban 2B.   No word on the Cuban pitchers who had appealed for FA.

Giants:  Giants signed a couple of camp bodies this week, and might sign more this week.   They'll slso keep going to pro-days - if there are any left - and more likely having kids in or going to see them.   In the old days, we'd be in Rookie Mini-Camp by now.

Knicks:  Knicks will tend to their strategy.   Right now the lottery is 4 weeks away, so they'll probably be developing multiple plans now.

I hope all of you have great weeks!

Yanks Slam Tampa

Masahiro Tanaka gave up two hit and K'd 8 over 7 scoreless innings as the Yanks beat Tampa 9-0.   What a relief to see Tanaka able to dominate again.   The Yanks blew it open with a 7 run 7th where Chris Young hit a two out grand slam.   Suddenly, the Yanks are closer to .500 than I thought they'd be for awhile.  Hmmm.

ARod Powers the Yanks to a Win

ARod, whom I used to have pictures of, hit two bombs tonight, which contributed 3 runs to the Yanks total of 5 in their 5-4 victory over Tampa Bay.   Stephen Drew also hit a homer - his third.   He's becoming a mini-Kingman.   Still it's early and the only patter that may be emerging is that ARod is not washed up, and Betances may be coming around -- also that Ellsbury was egregiously overpaid, but is still better than McCann and Beltran.   We'll see if they can get closer to .500 this weekend.

Yanks: Judge Hits a Walkoff

Holy Smokes did he get around on that pitch.   He is a major reason to be excited about this team's future.  Also, it took him a little while in each of last year's stops to get his power going.  Now it's been going since the first game.  I still think he has to learn to cover the low and away portion of the strikezone, but there's really not a lot more he has to learn.  He K's some, but he also walks.  And cleaning up his low and away thing will lower his K's.   Jake Cave is also currently going nuts.  More small sample theater, sure, but that is one loud bat that will eventually be 3 or 4 for the Yanks.

Rangers: One Down Three to Go

Rangers just won.   Brassard scored 28 seconds in and McDonagh added a power play goal later in the first, and that was it for Ranger scoring.   That's a little ridiculous, but we'll get to that.   The Pens scored in the second, on yet another goal where an opposing player shoved Lundqvist as or just before the shot was on the way.  That's goalie interference.   I'm sick of the refs allowing it.

Anyway, the Rangers blew some scoring chances later, and the Pens played desperately enough to keep it competitive, when it shouldn't have been.   The Rangers will have to play much better in the coming games if they want to fulfill their destinies.  Also, Girardi might have been hurt, and we'll have to see if he'll be ready in time for Saturday.   Hopefully, Klein will be.

Yanks Stuff

The Yanks are now 2 games under .500, and it will be interesting to see just how long it takes them to reach .500.  

Elsewhere, Severino was dominant in his first start,  and Greg Bird hit his first homerun of the season.   Trenton lost, but we're looking for development.  Judge had a terrible night at the plate, K'ing 4 times.  I think a few of them were loooking and low and away.  He's got to learn to protect that low and away  quadrant.  Btw, Brady Lail did get sent back to the FSL.

Katoh drove in Mateo for a walk off win last night.  Let's hope they both get going.  Pitching's been a little bumpy throughout the system in the early going.

Yanks Win a Wild One in Baltimore

Yanks just beat the Orioles 6-5 on a pinch hit Grand Slam, by Stephen Drew who I still won't get a picture of... So here's Andrew Miller in enemy garb who got the 5 out save -  on April 13!    Betances was shaky again and Pineda was mixed as he got 8 swinging K's and one called, but gave up some hits to chumps and a homer on a bad pitch.  Still, Girardi rode him for 98 pitches - on April 13! And hopefully he'll survive and improve.  Betances still isn't Betances, but he did get a huge bases loaded K.  The offense is still ponderous, and also seems to be hitting into some bad luck.

Trenton was rained out, so no Severino yet.  The rest of the farm was undistinguished.

Yanks Stuff

Luis Severino will make his 2015 regular season debut for the Thunder in a few hours.   Let's hope he gets off to a great start and just cruises into the bigs this season.   For that to happen, he probably has to perfect his speed changing and shape changing slider, once he does that he'll be nigh on unhittable most starts.

As for the small sample theater we've observed from the big club so far, it can only be said with some certainty that we're gonna go through a ton of pitchers again this year.  It's disturbing that Matt Tracy, who was a possible sleeper got the one/done/DFA treatment.  It sickens me to some degree that they spend good money bringing these players along only to turn them into cannon fodder.  It's also hard to believe that Slade Heathcott has not been re-added to the 40 - because in the short going, Beltran looks shot.

Rangers Draw The Pens in the First Round

So the Rangers are going to play the Penguins again, this time in the first round.   A lot of people are bandying about the idea of parity this year, but it's an illusion.  Since the Rangers got over some injuries and the Finals hangover and made up all of that ground to win the Presidents Trophy, they have been the dominant team in the East and I expect them to continue to be so.  Btw, if you're from Pittsburgh, you should be a Pens fan (unless your morals prohibit it), but if you're not from Pittsburgh, and root for the Pens as a result of the players and cups they were handed by the league, then you're really a fan of kayfab and not the NHL.  That team was artificially propped up on any number of occasions, and that's beyond the pale.  Let's go, Rangers!

This Week On The Blog

This week on the blog should be pretty eventful, if more than a little frustrating on the MLB side.  Let's take a look.

Rangers:  the Rangers after a franchise record breaking season will attempt to correct what was stolen from them by some crap referees last year.  Let's hope there are no other injuries and they play their best, because that should do the trick.

Yanks:  They look horrible at the MLB level so far. Maybe they'll improve, maybe they won't.  But thir Trenton franchise thus far looks like a powerhouse, and we'll probably end up talking more about them here, instead of more lossed at the MLB level.

Giants:  The Giants will move another week closer to the draft in this convoluted new version of the NFL "year."  They really have no excuse not to have a good one, and not look a lot better by draft's and UDFA's period end.   Let's hope so, because as close as they are, until they solve a few things like the OL, they'll still be far away.

Knicks: They have to stop playing pretty soon, and then we have to wait for the draft lottery to see if they'll be allowed to win it every 30 years or whether it will be worse.  They should get a good player and should be looking for more picks.

So there it is.  Let's go Rangers!  Let's Go Yankee System!  Let's Go Giant Scouts!  And let's go, Phil Jackson.   And let's go all of you.  Have a great week.

Thunder Score 15 In Their Debut

Aaron Judge hit a three run bomb, and Jake Cave and Dante Bichetter Jr. also homered as the rest of the Thunder added a bunch of doubles and hits to compile 15 runs in their season debut.  That was a Thunder record.  Sulbaran started and gave up 2 runs.  The Thunderous Yanks got 1 back, then went to work in the 7th.  Holy crap. I'm not sure this team will stay together long as promotions could be on the way in May, but whle they are, enjoy them.  They were like the `36 Newark Bears tonight.  Just holy crap.

With a Full Spring Training: Drew Still Sucks

People kept saying that the reason Stephen Drew fell off a cliff last year was that he'd had no Spring Training, and that this year, with a full Spring Training we'd see a player closer to the out of context 2013 version of Drew that played for the Sox.  Well guess what, he got a full Spring Training and he still sucks and has already recorded an error, and looks like he has some learning to do at 2B, just like the younger players who can hit better than he can.

One of the big problems with the Yanks is they are no longer run as a meritocracy, instead they are run as a contractacy.   Whoever has the bigger contract plays.  Huggins didn't believe that, Barrow didn't believe in that, Weis didn't believe in that, Casey didn't believe in that, and Billy didn't believe in that - but that's where they're at.

And I have no idea where Girardi's man love for Drew comes from, but he used him as a pinch hitter tonight in the 6th when the Yanks were rallying and both Brett Gardner who's good, and Brian McCann who's at least better than Drew were sitting on the bench. And he let him bat again in the 9th with those same guys still on the bench.  I've never thought he was much of a game manager, but jeepeers creepers that looked like something Pete Rose might have done if he actually did bet against the Reds.

Also, the vaunted defense hasn't gotten around to vaunting yet, and the lineup, which has been at least a bat short since 2009, is a few bats short now.

Yanks Opening Day on the Farm

Okay, now it gets real.  Today, the Riverdogs, Tampa Yanks, Thunder and Railriders get rolling.  Unfortunately, they're all pretty much playing at the same time, so we can't do sequential listenings or watchings.  That said, it's a good day.

Brian Mitchell who's been touching 100 on the gun and still has that monster curve will be starting for Scranton.  Severino is not starting for Trenton, instead Miguel Sulbaran will go - seems like they're giving Severino some extra time as he is pitching last through the first rotation.    Brady Lail is starting for Tampa, so we'll have to wait for Clarkin.   Jordan Foley is getting the start for Charleston. Foley's an interesting guy, the Yanks drafted him twice, first out of HS then last year.   He's a power guy with some moxie, and may not be in Charleston very long.

Not sure of the lineups yet but it will be interesting to see whether Avalino or Jorge Mateo gets the start at short for Charleston.  Let's hope Slade and Refs stay for Scranton, and that loaded Trenton squad gets off to a hot start.  Tampa lineup could be a little transitional to start...  Charleston should be pretty good, but we could really use a hot start by Katoh.

Should be a fun day.   Best of luck to all the players.

Yanks Win!

The Yanks just scored 3 runs in the 8th after trailing all night and Andrew Miller was able to nail it down in the 9th for the Yanks' first win of the year.   The Yanks played pretty awful defense behind Pineda who was charged with 2 runs on 6 hits and a walk.  He also K'd 6 and it was a very cold night.  He'll get better results if the D is as good as it's supposed to be.  His starts will be must watch.   Dellin Betances was a little wild, but not as wild as McCann who threw a ball into right field which lead to the Jays third run.  Chris Young lead of the 8th with a double, then Ellsbury singled and Gardy was hit with a pitch to load the bases with no outs.   Beltran K'd, and there was a wild pitch in the sequence that scored Young.   They walked Tex then, then hit McCann scoring Ellsbury.  Headley singled off the pitcher, and Gardy scored.  Then ARod K'd and Drew popped out.

Drew was also charged with an error tonight.   That said, huge win.

Yanks Farm

The top 4 teams in the organization start tomorrow, but let's see if they can make it to tomorrow without any more pitching injuries.  We learned about Ty Hensley the other day, but Eppler just confirmed that Domingo German has also had TJ surgery and LHP Daniel Camerena is scheduled to visit Dr. Ahmed soon.  Sheesh, at this rate, position players are going to end up making starts.  We'll talk more about the system and the players on the four teams tomorrow, but this is ridiculous.

Rangers Win The President's Trophy

The President's Trophy is awarded from a far larger sample size  than the Stanley Cup is, but all we ever want is the Cup.  The Rangers have two games left and with one more point they will tie the `94 team and with two they would surpass them.   This is a great team, and it's a tribute to those that put it together.  They've been a good team for years now, but they've been a great team since they got over their early season hangover.    And even though they will eventually be missing 4 first rounders from their system,  those picks did help bring back Rick Nash, MSL (worst of the trades) and Keith Yandle.  Yandle, btw, is turnning into a monster in AV's system.  He is an assist machine.  And since he showed up, Boyle has been a lot better.  I think they are going to be huge in the playoffs.   And how about the kids they didn't trade, like Stepan, Kreider and Miller?  Hags and Fast?  That was some fancy drafting, so I do hope they can recover some picks going forward, because they're good at it.  How about the brilliant signings of MZA and Hayes?  This is not only a great team on the ice, but the FO has to be considered elite as well.   So congrats to the President's Trophy winning New York Rangers!

Stepan Steals One!

Wow.   That was worth keeping the National Championship Game going on my phone!   The Rangers were too fancy most of the night and were down 3-2 in the final minute.  Then, with 21 seconds left, Miller found Kreider who found Stepan to send the game to overtime.   In the final minute of overtime, Kreider found Stepan again for the win!   They both ended up with three points.  Stepan assisted and Kreider had both assisted on Girardi's goal, before the heroics started.  MSL had a goal early from Hayes, but then kept falling down.  It was also a very uneven game for McD, and we really need him to be the great McD of last year's playoffs.  They have 109 points now, which ties their second most ever.

Yanks Opening Day

Tanaka will be on the mound as the Yanks sart playing Toronto in about an hour.  Though I have higher hopes about the Yankee milb teams and the draft right now, Opening Day has held a lot of great memories - like Andy Pettitte pitching in the snow and Jimmy Wynne hitting a game winning homer during his brief cup of coffee with the team.   Also, you can't always believe what you see on opening day - guys will play over their heads like Charles Hudson, or under them, like Mark Texiera does every year.   The pomp and ceremony are fun and no one handles that like the Yanks, so enjoy yourselves.   The real fun starts Thursday when SWB, Trenton, Tampa and Charleston start.   Go Yankees!

This Week on the Blog

This will be the first time in a few months that three of our four teams will be in official action - if you can call what the Knicks do (and better keep doing this season) action. Let's take a look.

Rangers:  The Rangers are showing signs of climbing back to that level they've been at for most most of the season.  In fact, they may already be there but we need to see it more that once.  Now they're just competing for the East and the President's cup, both of which are in reach.   After their crummy start it's nothing short of amazing that they could still win the President's Up.  Btw, they have 1 contract space open, and it will be instersting to see who gets it as we finish the season and playoffs.

Yanks:  The Yankees start their season tomorrow, and it no longer feels like Christmas in April.   The Yanks have made the decision to try to win with pitching and defense.  Problem is, the Yanks have never won that way.  Another problem is that their pitching ain't as sharp as they imagined it would be when that were "assembling" the `15 Yanks.   Tanaka and Betances are both missing V.   That's their best pitcher and best reliever.  Oh, and the offense they do have is old.  So, it could be a tough year at th MLB level.  However; the Yanks MiLB teams - at least for of them - start playing next week and that's something to get excited about.

Giants:  The Giants will continue to meet with prospects, attend pro-days and stack their board, for use during the misshapen NFL Draft that now mostly takes place in May.  Ugh.

Knicks:  Well, Karl Anthony Towns's season ended last not and Okafor's will end tomorrow.   Russell has been done for awhile.   The Knick have to figure out who to take, and more than that, figure out how to add more core.   Melo and high first round pick will help, but they need core.

So, it should be an eventful week.  Let's go Ranger and best of luck to the Yanks, Giants, Knicks and all of you.  Happy Easter.

Ranger Clinch The Division

JT Miller is good.   We are so lucky and will continue to be because the FO never gave up on him.   He scored the game winner tonight in the third, after having drawn a 4 minute PP that gashed his nose.    Miller, Hayes and Kreider are just bringing a lot of electricity.    Dom Moore scored the first goal on a great keep-in by Hags.  Nash scored a PP from Brassard and McD.   And Miller's game winner was from Kreider and McD.   MSL was back and was still falling down and being easily moved the puck.   Hank is rounding into form.  That was their 26th road win, which is a team record. Huge win against a red hot Wild team.  Let's go, Rangers!

Yanks Hate Offense

Holy crap.   The Yanks have sent down Rob Refsnyder, and picked up a career minor leaguer to play second.  Even though the price of the trade is just "future considerations" if there had been past considerations, Willie Randolph would have been in camp all season teaching Refs how to turn 2.  In my life as a Yankee fan Willie and Cano are the best I've seen, and Cano isn't available, because no foresight was used years ago.   I really don't know how many more ways the universe has to telll the Yanks to play Refsnyder, but they sure seem blind to the signs.    We'll see, this year, just how much they can win with very limited offense.   Glad the minors start next week, because the MLB team is going to be a drag.

Rangers Sign Skjei!

The Rangers have signd Brady Skjei and sent him to Hartford.   This is great news because Brady had a year of college eligibility left and hadn't been willing to sign last year.  Skjei gives the Rangers an elite skating D, with some emerging ability on O, but one who is happy to shut things down in his own end.  He's gotten more physical while at Minnesota, but may still have to room to grow there as well.  Really good prospect.