Where Will Manny be Manny...4:00 is looming

The trade deadline is today at 4:00 and everyone and their mother is talking about where Manny will end up being Manny for the remainder of the season. The three way trade rumors I have read are so complicated they make my head swirl. In fact I think I saw something in there about an ox and three chickens being part of the deal. Now it is well known that I have never been a Manny fan, I think he is arrogant, lazy, and up until now he has been one of the faces of my most hated team. What's more he just doesn't seem to get the way a modern baseball front office works.

"The Red Sox don't deserve a player like me," Ramirez said. "During my years here, I've seen how they [the Red Sox] have mistreated other great players when they didn't want them to try to turn the fans against them.

"The Red Sox did the same with guys like Nomar Garciaparra and Pedro Martinez, and now they do the same with me. Their goal is to paint me as the bad guy," Ramirez added. "I love Boston fans, but the Red Sox don't deserve me. I'm not talking about money. Mental peace has no price, and I don't have peace here."

Come on Manny. Yes you can hit the ball (hell, you can even hit traveling secretaries)but you could phone it in to left field and no one would notice. Plus you have to face the fact that you are 36 and starting to break down more often (although its debatable if you are actually injured). Whats more, for all of your talk of loyalty an organization should have to a player it is pretty hypocritical when you go and publicly air dirty laundry. Look at all the success the Red Sox have had by getting rid of guys at the right time. Sure, Nomar may have been a little offended, but look how much he has crapped the bed since leaving Boston. Same for Pedro, in fact has he even pitched a complete season since leaving without a trip to the DL? I hate to say it Manny but they are the right moves. Maybe they forgot to send the fruit basket with the trade papers but it worked out for the team in the end....and this is coming from a Yankees fan. Regardless, after 4:00 today it won't matter because you are not going anywhere.

One last thing......I say again that never liked you Manny, but then you go and says something like this:

"I should go to Green Bay straight up and they should send Brett Favre to Boston. That will end two soap operas at the same time,"

Ok that was pretty funny. Let's get together and talk about how much we both hate the sox.

BREAKING NEWS - YANKEES SIGN PUDGE

Wow!

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3511535

A Tough 2 Weeks Ahead

The Yankees played the O's last night which means I finally get a chance to watch them on TV. The problem was it wasn't a game you wanted to watch from the perspective of a Yankees fan. The consolation was that both the Rays and the sox went down so thankfully none of our gain from the streak has been lost. I'm not really worried about the O's though, what I'm afraid of is the schedule for the next two weeks. The Yankees have to face off against the Angles 7 times before August 10th. Why is it that the Yankees have such a problem with the Angels? They were the only team in the Joe Torre era to hold a winning record over the Yankees yet through most of that time the Yankees were a much much better team. Maybe it psychological, or maybe it is something else who knows.

I mentioned yesterday that I think that Tampa is the real deal, but what about Boston? I hate to say this but even with Manny grabbing for dollars I don't see them going anywhere either. I think that this will be one of the most exciting Septembers the AL East has had in a long time. In fact I wouldn't be surprised to see something similar to the pivotal 1999 Boston / New York series. But September is connected to August and with the race so tight if any of these teams hopes to stay in the game for October now is the time to get it done.

Manny Being Stupid and I'll Trade You

Manny being (stupid) Manny

If you are Terry Francona what do you make of the Manny situation? You can't bench the guy because you can't afford to lose his bat, but on the other hand Manny seems to be doing a fine job of taking himself out of the lineup. From the point of view of a Yankees fan nothing makes me happier to see that one of their best sluggers is fed up with the organization. But from the point of view of a baseball fan this type of attitude is frustrating. Star players have often voiced their discontent with their clubs in the public to gain better trade and salary leverage. But having a guy who keeps saying that he is injured despite what team physicians say is obnoxious. What worries me more is that Ramirez may be trying to make a move to New York. Now I have not heard any rumors to back this up, but in the past he has voiced an interest in playing for the Yankees. Would I love to have his bat in the line up? Of course, I would be an idiot to say that I didn't. But what I don't want is to have to deal with is Manny being Manny. It is too distracting and I just don't think it would jive well in the Bronx.

I'll Trade You

Meanwhile in the land of trades the Yankees picked up some quality guys with the trade to Pittsburgh. I definitely think that New York got the better end of the deal dishing out Karstens et al for Nady and Marte. It is going to be really interesting going down the stretch once players start coming off the DL. To be only three games out of first and two behind the Sox right now is pretty impressive given everything that has happened to the team this year. Still, don't count the Ray's out just yet. Everyone thinks that they have past their peak for the year but I don't buy it. The Ray's are a hungry team and if anyone questions the importance and impact that can have on a club just look at last years Rockies. I smell a Rally Ray coming to Tampa Bay in the near future.

Finally, there was more talk about Bonds playing in New York this year. To be honest given the trade we just made I don't think that it is very likely, but it certainly isn't completely out of the question.

My New Policy

This will be the last time that I post in the midst of a Yankees winning streak. I have realized that every time I do they end up losing their next game. Don't be confused, I am not quitting my blog, I am just very superstitious about streaks and I don't want to be the one who spoils things. One thing I will say before I go quiet for a little while is WAY TO GO ROBBIE CANO!!!! He is FINALLY starting to turn his season around with multiple hit games and is looking like the player we know he should be. It couldn't have come at a better time with Posada down and Matsui up in the air.

Po$ada Longs for DL, Returns

Let this and Curt Schillings troubles be a lesson to teams facing decisions about whether or not to resign aging players for exorbitant contracts. Po$ada has already missed a ton of games this year, and if he puts off a decision on surgery for too much longer he could miss some of next year too. Sigh. Of course I love Jorge and it is true that he has been playing through a lot of pain this year. However this is more than frustrating. If Jorgie needs the surgery then get it done ASAP. Don't fool yourself into thinking that rehab is going to help. I saw your throws to second on Sunday, and Jorge, you still look like that arm is pretty dead even despite the other shoulder going this time. So it is time to just shut it down and let Molina get his last chances at the plate.

The good news is that even with all of the injuries the Yankees are still only three games behind the sox and 4 1/2 out of first. That is pretty impressive given all the big names who are currently sipping Mai Tai's watching Baseball Tonight.

Bonds in the Bronx?

There are rumors circulating that Barry Bonds could be headed to the Yankees thanks Matsui's bum knee. I can't believe that I am about to write this, but as crazy as it sounds it might just be a good short term solution for the Bombers. Let's look at the pros and cons:

Cons

Barry's attitude will not jive well with the Yankees or especially the fans
Bonds hasn't played a game all year
He would only be useful as a DH and / or possibly at first if Giambi goes down
That whole pending lawsuit thing
His joints are dead thanks to all the juice

Pros

His OPS is still phenomenal
He would be willing to play for the league minimum
He is motivated to get to 3,000 hits so he wouldn't just leave his bat on his shoulder like some other guys on that other team

Still its tough to say. What do you think, should the Yankees give Bonds a run?

Francona in Charge at the Stadium Makes Me Ill

I thought my hand was bad enough (it is actually better now thank you) but tonight Terry Francona will be in charge at Yankee Stadium. It is almost like the president has undergone surgery and Osama Bin Laden has taken over for him while he was under anesthesia. I suppose I can deal with it for one game for one night, but I swear, if he closes the game with Papelbon instead of Rivera I am going to stop taking my allergy medicine for the purpose of swelling my hand back up to mythic proportions. That way when I smack Francona in the face it breaks his fricken jaw.

Seriously though, should there even be a discussion about this? Tonight's game is the last all star game in the Cathedral. The house that Ruth built for god sake. Anything other than letting a Yankee close out this swan song for the stadium is an insult to the game itself. Papelbon can suck my.....thumb if he thinks he deserves that honor over Rivera.

Nurses and Doctors and Needles Oh My

From Websters American Heritage Dictionary:

Sucks - Getting a spider bit that ends up getting infected, makes your hand swell to there times its usual side, and requires two (and maybe more) excruciatingly painful shots in the back side.

While this isn't really what Websters has as a definition for word "Sucks", I plan on submitting this definition after whats has happened to me in the last day.

Yesterday morning I noticed that my right hand was a little swollen but I didn't think much of it since I am used to getting bug bits that make parts of my body swell. Well once the allergic reaction started to make a rash go up my arm I decided that it was time to see the good old doctor.

Now I am just an ordinary guy which means that it is preprogrammed in my DNA to not go to the doctor unless something is falling off, or someone forces me to go. Last night this was getting getting to the point where even I thought I needed to see a doctor. I'm glad I did. While the doctor said that he sees this type of thing at least once a week he also said that 20 years ago I could have been hospitalized. I was given the choice between and hour long IV drip, or two shots in the ass which the doctor said "I've got to be honest are painful." Well I can't do needles I can see (they terrify me) so an IV drip was out and the shots in the ass were in. When he said the shots were going to hurt I thought he meant the injection itself. Nope...I got my shots last night around 9:00 and I could barley make the walk back to the subway. This morning it feels like a pack of Clydesdale's complete with the full Anheiser Bush beer wagon ran directly over my ass. Whats worse is that I might need to get two more of those little beauties later today.

I rarely put my personal life on to my blog because frankly most of the people who read this are people who I already know. But I feel sharing this experience is important. It was only after a lot of Internet research and other people sharing their stories that I realized the potential severity of my bionic hand. So the moral of this story is if something like this happens to you, you do need to go and see the doctor. It won't just get better on its own. Coming from me that should be advice that you can take to the bank.

~~7-14 Update:

Turns out it was just a severe allergic reaction to something, still, I am glad I went to the doctor. My hand is finally back to normal (almost)

If the Yanks Make the Series I'll Grow A Giambi Stash

Much has been said about Jason Giambi's mustache this year but who would have thought that it could actually tip the scales and get him elected to the all star game?!?! In case you haven't heard already the American Mustache Institute has formally endorsed Giambi in his bid for the final slot on the roster.

"The only choice for the final roster spot on the 2008 American League All-Star Team is Jason Giambi. He not only represents the great Yankees dynasty previously led by the likes of Reggie Jackson – the father of the mustache in modern-day baseball – but Giambi represents the hopes and dreams of the previously downtrodden mustached American, a breed that was on the U.S. Endangered Species list as recently as 2005. Clearly, the voting public must takes into account Giambi’s powerful lip fur, as it signifies great intellect, good looks, and the ability to stare down the most powerful of martial arts gurus. And while none of that may matter on the baseball diamond, it’s the most compelling reason offered for All-Star status in the history of the game."

As if that wasn't great enough, tonight the Yankees will give away fake mustaches to the first 20,000 fans. You have got to love this stuff, I can only imagine how funny it is going to be with 20,000 fans sporting the fake lip hair. The real funny thing though is that it is true that since Giambi started sporting the stash his performance has drastically improved. Will the stash be good enough to earn him a contract extension with the Yankees though? That remains to be seen. But I will say this, in honor of Jason's stash, if the Yankees make all the way to the fall classic I will grow a mustache of my own for the duration of the world series. I'll even start growing it during the ALCS in order to have full form in time for the series. This is my pledge, and if it should happen I will back it up with pictures.

Distractions

Where would we be if it wasn't for the NY Daily News coming up with new names for the continuing saga of A-Rod? Well as of this morning it became official, C-Rod is D-Roding A-Rod. Apparently the M-Rod scandal was the feather that broke the Camel-Rod's back. This is the last thing the team needs right now, yet another distraction in the midst of a year where seemingly every damn player has visited the DL and where we can't seem to catch a break.

As if this distraction and the news that Johnny Damon is headed to the DL for the first time in his career isn't enough, from the land of missed opportunity comes news that CC Sabathia is headed to the Brewers. Sure, the Yankees really didn't have a lot to offer Cleveland for Sabathia but still, it would have been worth it to at least make a big push for the guy.

At the very least last nights game was a gem and we managed to split the series against the sox. Brett Gardner has got to be feeling on top of the world today after his walk off to win the game for New York. You always have to love stuff like that. Unlike Manny who couldn't even manage the strength to get his bat off his shoulder late in the game.

Now is the time

With the all star break nearly here the Yanks are set up for a tough weekend going into the break. They play Boston this weekend followed by the Rays. It still seems unreal to think that the Rays are a legitimate team, but I have to give them props for being in first place this late in the season. Now is the time for the Yankees to make their move. If they lose these next two series I think that it could be a sign of whats to come in September. However if somehow they manage to take the two series the AL East could get even tighter than it already is. Here's hoping.