“I consider this position I am playing in as a bench role”…

 

 

 

These were the words of Yankees GM Brian Cashman on January 6^th regarding the current Yankees outfield.  Cashman is apparently looking for a right-handed bat to complement Brett Gardner in left.  Let’s see if these words still hold true on, say, February 23rd.  I guess we’ll check back at that time to see if Cashman held true to his words.

 

An intriguing option in a platoon situation is free agent outfielder Rocco Baldelli.   Rocco has had medical issues the past few years and suffers from channelopathy, but in a limited role, he might be a viable option.  He appeared in only 62 games last season for the Boston Red Sox, batting .253 with 7 home runs and 23 RBI’s.  I don’t know what the future holds for Rocco, but if he can overcome his medical condition, he might thrive in a part-time position.  I am sure the price tag would be enticing to a GM looking to keep the payroll under $200 million…

 

 

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

 

 

I am warming up to the idea of Reed Johnson as a possibility for a potential platoon, but as each passing day goes by and Johnny Damon remains a free agent, I am hopeful that his price tag falls far enough that he fits into Cashman’s budget.  If the Yankees could get Damon to come back for one year, it would be an ideal situation and Johnny could test the free agent waters next fall.

 

 

 

AP 

 

 

It’s tough when you pull up a New York paper, and the leading Yankees story is the signing of pitcher Sergio Mitre to a one-year, $850,000 deal.  Okay, I accept that the possibility that Mitre will be significantly improved since he’ll be further from his elbow ligament replacement surgery (July 2008).  But to spotlight him in the New York tabloids is a bit much.  I do not see Mitre as more than a bit player in 2010.   Maybe he’ll prove to be the second coming of Aaron Small but who knows…

 

 

 

Sipkin/New York Daily News

 

Peter Abraham says that Chien-Ming Wang is ready to move on from the Yankees.  I am still a bit perplexed why the Yankees didn’t try to give Wang one more chance.  Maybe there’s a possibility that he could still return, but I would hate to see him experience a rebirth in Boston (not that they need another starter with that rotation).  Actually, if it were me, I’d go to Seattle.  The Mariners are definitely poised to make a run in what should be Ken Griffey, Jr.’s final year.  The Mariners have made some great acquisitions this off-season.  Sure, they lost Adrian Beltre, but they’ve acquired Cliff Lee, Casey Kotchman, and Chone Figgins.   But like with Damon, I do hope that Wang finds his way back to the Bronx.

 

 

 

Andrew Mills/The Star-Ledger

 

I was sorry to see David Cone leave the YES Network.  There was always something very re-assuring about Coney as a player and as a broadcaster.  I can’t say that I was pleased when he decided to go to Boston to pitch, but he is a class guy.  Whatever the future holds for Coney, I hope that it’s what he wants to do. 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to pitcher Joba Chamberlain for being a winner of the Thurman Munson Award (which acknowledges excellence in competition and philanthropic work in the community).  The award will be given on February 2^nd.  This is definitely a preferable off-season event over a DUI.  I am glad to see Joba’s growth and maturity in a very positive direction.

 

 

 

Sports Illustrated, courtesy of Microsoft

 

 

My weekend football predictions:

 

Cincinnati Bengals 21, New York Jets 17

New England Patriots 31, Baltimore Ravens 20 (Okay, this is for my friend Julia!)

Arizona Cardinals 27, Green Bay Packers 17

Dallas Cowboys 33, Philadelphia Eagles 31

 

The only problem with my predictions is that it would bring the Dallas Cowboys to Minnesota to face the Vikings.  This, of course, is the match-up that has haunted me for many years.  On December 28, 1975, I was watching the Cowboys and Vikings in the NFC Divisional Play-offs.  It appeared that the Vikings had the game in hand until Roger Staubach threw the unbelievable Hail Mary pass caught by Drew Pearson as Nate Wright fell to the ground.   I remember exactly where I was, where I was standing, and my reaction.  Fortunately, I’ve had the Yankees all these years to give me some “relief” from the disappointment…

 

 

 

When can we start talking about baseball?…

 

 

 

 

 Let’s Go Yankees!  🙂