Yanks to offer Cash an extension
By · CommentsLet the Brian Cashman debates begin. According to Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman, the Yankees plan to offer Brian Cashman an extension when the long-time GM’s contract runs out in the fall.
Writes Heyman:
Never mind the Yankees’ current standing in third place, or their recent struggles. Both Steinbrenner brothers are now said by people familiar with their thinking to be on board with Brian Cashman as their general manager, for now and long into the future. Even if the Yankees fail to play into October for the first full season since 1993, club insiders say that the Steinbrenners plan to offer Cashman a contract extension after this season.
At the start of the season, as we well know, Cashman’s long-term prospects in the New York seemed to hinge on this season. He had very publicly — and with an assist from Hal Steinbrenner — declined to give up prospects (and perhaps Chien-Ming Wang) in a trade for Johan Santana and was putting his chips in the development basket. Now, we sit in mid-August, and the Yanks are firmly ensconced in third place, a distant five games behind Boston in the Wild Card.
Yet, as Heyman notes, the Steinbrenners have reportedly latched onto the positives this year. The Yanks organization looks very strong with Austin Jackson and Jesus Montero leading the charge. Plus, Cashman gained major points for his seeming coup in acquiring Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte for nothing more than Jose Tabata and a bunch of mid-level prospects.
Meanwhile, if the Yanks are serious about a new approach involving smart investing in free agency and developing quality youngsters from within, it never made sense to hold Cashman’s feet to the fire based on just the 2008 season. The Yankees are going to have to ride out a plan that takes a few years to see through, and that means Brian Cashman should return. Hopefully, Heyman’s report contains the truth. Hopefully, Cashman doesn’t jump ship to Seattle. Hopefully, the Yanks’ new approach will work for years to come.
Game 120: Taking the series
By · CommentsNothing like a day game right after a four hour and 22 minute affair the night before. It’ll just make tomorrow’s day off feel sweeter. That is, if they can pull of a win and take the series from the Twins.
They’ll be without the captain, who will sit out the game after fouling a ball of his foot last night. It makes enough sense. Might as well give him a full two days to rest. They will miss has bat, though. He’s 15 for 47 in August, adding up to a .319/.370/.404 line. In his place is Wilson Betemit, who is having yet another ugly month, despite his slightly increased playing time. In 27 plate appearances, he hasn’t drawn a single walk.
Rasner takes the mound again, looking to redeem himself. Phil Hughes is getting closer, and could take Rasner’s spot in 10 days or so. Here’s to hoping Ras puts up a fight to keep his spot.
Your lineup:
1. Johnny Damon, LF
2. Bobby Abreu. DH
3. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
4. Jason Giambi, 1B
5. Xavier Nady, RF
6. Robinson Cano, 2B
7. Ivan Rodriguez, C
8. Wilson Betemit, SS
9. Melky Cabrera, CF
And on the mound, number forty-three, Darrell Rasner.
ByThe USA Olympic baseball team lost it’s opener today, falling 8-7 to Korea. One time Yankee farmhand (and ex-Met) Brandon Knight drew the start and was pretty ineffective, allowing 8 hits, 2 walks and 3 runs in 4.1 IP (1 K). Mike Koplove, Brian Duensing & Kevin Jepsen followed with 3.2 perfect innings of relief. Team USA rallied for three runs in the top of the 9th, highlighted by a Mike Hessman solo homer and a Matt Brown 2-run single that gave the team a 7-6 lead. Closer Jeff Stevens (the guy the Indians got in the Brandon Phillips trade) blew the save in the bottom half thanks to a double, fielder’s choice, throwing error (by Stevens) and a walk-off sac fly.
Quick turn around for the red, white & blue; they’ll take on the Netherlands tonight at 10:30 EST. I imagine either Brett Anderson or Trevor Cahill will take the ball.
Update: Here’s the box score. Knight allowed 6 runs, not 3. · (11) ·
BySo the Yankees have Johnny Damon leading the AL in hitting, Xavier Nady with 6 HR, 17 RBI and a .344 batting average in 17 games with the Yanks, and Bobby Abreu manning right field. With Hideki Matsui on the rehab trail, I have to wonder about Melky Cabrera.
The Melk Man has played just three times in the last six games and has just six starts in August. He has three hits this month — all in one games — and on the season, he’s at .243/.297/.338 . While the Yanks won’t officially proclaim the Melky Cabrera Era over, Tyler Kepner writes today that Melky has lost the center field job. I wonder what, if anything, the Yanks can get for him in a trade this winter. · (36) ·
Hughes progresses, Pavano not so much
By · CommentsSteven White has been released, and Jeff Marquez takes his spot on Trenton’s roster. White’s fall from grace was rather precipitous. He’ll land on his feet though.
Six SI Yanks made the NY-Penn League All-Star Game: Addison Maruszack, Mike Lyon, Brian Baisley, David Phelps, Andy Shive and Pat Venditte. All well deserved, congrats guys.
Loyal RAB reader Giselle (you may remember her from her DotF cameo) was at the Scranton game tonight, so she managed to get some pics of Hughes and Melancon. Check ‘em out here.
Triple-A Scranton (8-6 win over Pawtucket in 11 innings) they took a 4-run lead in the top of the 10th, but blew it in the bottom of the inning
Brett Gardner: 2 for 6, 1 RBI, 1 K
Matt Carson: 1 for 5, 1 BB, 2 K
Juan Miranda: 0 for 6, 1 K – eek
Shelley Duncan: 1 for 4, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 K, 1 SB – it’s always fun when Shelley steals a bag
Ben Broussard: 2 for 4, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP
Cody Ransom: 1 for 4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 1 K
Eric Duncan: 1 for 5, 1 R, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 BB – doubled in the winning runs
Chad Moeller: 2 for 6, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 K – when Moeller homers, you’ve gotta find a way to win the game
Chris Basak: 3 for 5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 SB
Phil Hughes: 5.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 4-8 GB/FB – 50 of 84 pitches were strikes (59.5%) … one more start in AAA and he’s ready to go
Mark Melancon: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 WP, 3-2 GB/FB – 18 of 31 pitches were strikes (58.1%) … allowed a pair of inherited runners to score, uglifying Hughes’ line … hopefully we’ll be watching him relieve Hughes for many years to come
Phil Coke: 1 IP, zeroes
Scott Strickland: 0.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 2 K – 11 earned runs allowed in his last 1.2 IP (59.28 ERA) … 2.11 ERA on the year before that
Steven Jackson: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 HB
Game 119: Win or else
By · CommentsWhile Hank is seemingly writing off the season, we’re trying to stay optimistic. We know the Yankees need to go on a tear, and each loss decreases the likelihood of them doing so. Was last night rock bottom? It didn’t feel like it, not to me at least. Maybe it did in the locker room. Maybe the only place this team can go is up.
If so, they’ve got the guy on the mound to do it. Moose looks for his 16th victory tonight, against a team he dominated on July 23. It was, in fact, probably his best performance of the year, and that’s saying something, considering how well he has pitched.
There’s not much left to say. Melky’s out of the lineup. He has three hits in 25 plate appearances this month, and they all came on Saturday against the Angels.
Your lineup:
1. Johnny Damon, CF
2. Derek Jeter, SS
3. Bobby Abreu, RF
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Jason Giambi, DH
6. Xavier Nady, LF
7. Robinson Cano, 2B
8. Wilson Betemit, 1B
9. Jose Molina, C
And on the mound, number thirty-five, Mike Mussina.
ByYou knew it was coming. Something about injuries, being the team to beat next year, and signing a veteran pitcher if need be. He sure is a gem, ain’t he? · (15) ·
ByVia Ed Price, Brian Cashman said that the perpetually under-appreciated Hideki Matsui will begin a minor league rehab assignment this Thursday in Tampa. If the Yanks can get 4 or 5 healthy weeks out of Matsui a the end of the year, man, that would be some kind of boost to the offense. · (11) ·
BySG at RYLW runs the numbers — a lot of numbers — and finds that the Yanks are the most unclutchiest team in baseball this year. But as he writes, “I’m guessing you didn’t need a blog entry to know that though.” · (4) ·
