Sox and Pinstripes | Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees – The Greatest Rivalry in Baseball

The Halladay Effect and a pitcher the Yankees actually have a chance of acquiring to improve their team

It is my overwhelming belief Roy Halladay gets traded before the trade deadline on July 31st. The Blue Jays have no prayer at finishing even in third place in the division, they have plenty of young and talented pitchers (when healthy, which five of them aren't right now), and yet a lot of their money is or has been tied up in bad contracts and either washed up or under-performing players (Scott Rolen, Vernon Wells, Alex Rios, Troy Glaus). Halladay will be worth far less this time next year when he becomes a rental player, in the off-season it will get trickier to get him to waive his no-trade clause without getting an extension first (and the Blue Jays will have less leverage) and teams are most desperate this time of year when they think they will be a contender but still need one more piece to put them over the top (the Phillies, Angels and possibly Brewers and Cardinals fit under this category).

This is the most ideal and perfect time to deal the 32-year-old Halladay who will cost too much to resign longterm and has probably pitched his best years already with Toronto. It's Halladay at his highest value, period. Regardless of what anybody says, the Yankees and Red Sox will not acquire the ace right hander. They may release statements claiming they are interested, or may say they want him, and they may even have the pieces and payroll (specifically the Red Sox) to get the deal done, but ultimately the Jays won't deal him within the division and the teams don't honestly need him all that much. The Yankees could use a Wang insurance policy is they aren't comfortable with Sergio Mitre, if they need Hughes and Aceves in the bullpen and if they aren't comfortable with Joba's inconsistency as a starter, but they aren't exactly dying one game out of the east, in the wild card lead and 15 games over .500 before the All Star break. Would trading for Halladay probably cause Theo Epstein to jump out a window? Yes, and vice versa for Cashman, but it's not something mandatory for the Yankees like Sabathia was. Plus, there are too many bidders not to find a match elsewhere.

Toronto's focus is to make a trade which can potentially set it up to make the playoffs, trading Halladay to a division rival does a great deal to damper those attempts, even if the bounty is the best. The Jays will take a slightly less impressive bounty from the Phillies or Angels than they would for the Red Sox and Yankees even if it meant Buchholz, Ellsbury and a high prospect or Cano, Jackson and Montero.

So let's just eliminate the Red Sox and Yankees from discussion. In my mind the options are: the White Sox (who could use a move like this to win their division outright), the Angels (who could use this move to put them directly in the middle of World Series discussion), the Phillies (who need a two starter behind a struggling Hamels), the Cardinals (same as Phillies but with Carpenter who is not struggling in a division without a clear-cut winner), the Brewers (who need something to replace Sheets and Sabathia), the Cubs (who need help with anything past Zambrano, especially with Dempster on the DL now), the Giants (who could use a starter to add to their biggest strength in an attempt to pitch the Dodgers into submission in the West) and the Mets (who could use a big name to trick fans into watching that awful team).

Those are the only teams in my mind with any legitimate shot at Halladay. Right away we can eliminate the White Sox, Cubs and Mets because they have no farm system capable of pulling this deal off. So they're out.

The Brewers, even if they have the prospects and young talent (Prince Fielder) probably don't have the payroll regardless of how badly Ryan Braun would love Halladay, plus the Cardinals make a better fit anyway. Goodbye Milwaukee.

I say the Cardinals aren't terribly interested right now and they have to save all the money in that franchise to resign Pujols when he's a free agent. Having two 20-plus million dollar contracts (Pujols might be 30-plus million) could cripple that team financially.

That leaves us with the Giants, Phillies and Angels. The Giants are interesting because Lincecum, Halladay and Cain in the post-season probably beats an All-Star team regardless of San Francisco's offense. This move would make the Giants go from somewhere between the 4th-8th best team in the NL to the first or second. It would make the NL West the NL's answer to the AL East. The problem is the Giants faced this exact scenario in the offseason and all they had to do was add money by purchasing Manny Ramirez. They didn't bite. All of his troubles this year aside, on paper, San Fran would have been adding the bat they needed to balance that team and make them NL pennant caliber AND would have taken away the Dodgers' best hitter down the stretch. It would have been addition by addition and subtraction and they didn't do it. Now we're supposed to believe just because Halladay has a better personality they would empty the farm and give someone Bonds money to add to their only overwhelming strength to begin with? I'll believe it when I see it, no more Giants.

To me the two most obvious choices are the Phillies and Angels. Again, when was the last time you saw a major player under contract get traded within the division in the AL East? 10,20,30 years ago? Red Sox and Yankees aren't happening even if either team badly wanted it to which I don't believe they do.

The Phillies have the MLB ready talent they would need with J.A. Happ and guys like Rollins, Werth, and a bunch of players in their prime already on the team. They have a strong farm system though I don't believe it's as good as people think, regardless, it's good enough for this deal to happen. I don't know what kind of financial resources they have right now, but they did just win a World Series, but more importantly, in order to repeat they will need help. Cole Hamels has been hurt and not ace caliber all year. Their pitching is suffering from deep October hangover. They are by all accounts, only the clear-cut second or even third best team in their own league. They need SOMETHING to get them past the Dodgers and to separate them from the surging Cardinals, both of whom have the offense to compete with their own. The team has gone on record as saying they would be willing to trade for a top of the rotation pitcher, in other words, a front end guy like Halladay, in other words, they'd probably be willing to pay him. Halladay is a groundball guy who can strike out over 8.00 K/9 so Citizen's wouldn't effect him. He might have a sub 2 ERA in the NL this year. He is the perfect fit for a Phillies team so in need of pitching they have publically announced it to all who would listen.

Though I have no real reason to discount the Angels, the fact of the matter is they have Lackey, Santana, Saunders, Weaver and Palmer. It's a full rotation and a healthy one. There can be improvements, any rotation can improve, but the Angels aren't do unbelievably desperate they NEED to make it work, plus the Phillies have the added benefit of being in the NL, far away from anything the Blue Jays would need to worry about. Not to mention, unlike the Angels, the Phillies don't have someone like Kelvim Escober possibly healthy by the stretch run. The Angels could afford Halladay, they have the leftover Tex money and make the playoffs almost every year, but their need isn't nearly as strong as the Phillies. SoCal fans are for the most part content with their team competing every year, they would like a World Series but the pressure isn't nearly as high as rowdy Phillies fans with a taste of success in their mouths. My bet is Roy Halladay is visiting the Liberty Bell by August 1st and if that happens, the Dodgers won't be the only game in town any longer and we might be on our way to round two of last year's NLCS.

• On a sidenote, if the Yankees want to go after a pitcher, how about Jon Garland? The D Backs' front office has already said they would be willing to part with their players, Garland is affordable for the Yankees, he's a solid five starter in the AL and he can be had for cheap with an uninspiring 4.80 ERA in the NL West. That's mediocre for a starter and hideous for a contact pitcher. But the fact of the matter is I wanted Garland in the offseason in the event of an inevitable injury and an insurance policy to Hughes and now I still want him as a veteran arm. Garland is a former World Series winner, he knows how to win on teams with good offenses, and he would almost certainly surge with new life if he was traded to a contender. We saw it with a guy like Shawn Chacon and we'd see it again. Signing Garland can be Wang insurance, then Aceves and Hughes can stay in what has become a dominant bullpen and Wang and Mitre can be the new insurance policies in case Garland doesn't work out or Chamberlain falls apart. And let it be known, if Garland pitches like I think he would (a solid back of the rotation pitcher), he will be the fourth starter in a postseason game if Wang can't get fully healthy by the end of the year. That means a bullpen of Chamberlain, Hughes, Aceves, Coke, Rivera, Bruney, Robertson. That also means game over after six innings. With Sabathia, Burnett, a gamer and seasoned playoff pitcher like Pettitte and another one with Garland, and you're looking at a team build well enough to make the playoffs and specifically made for October baseball.

Can the Yankees play the Twins all the time?

I love the New York Yankees. They are indisputably my favorite baseball team. In hockey I'm a Rangers fan but I don't mind rooting for the Devils because I grew up in New Jersey and they won a few Stanley Cups during my childhood. In football I love the Giants, but I'm not afraid to admit I don't hate the Jets and I pull for the Colts, Dolphins and Steelers. In basketball I'm a non-practicing Knicks fan waiting until the last traces of Isiah are gone and in the meantime rooting for players like Andrew Bynum, Lebron James, D Wade, and though he's an alleged former rapist, Kobe Bryant. Baseball is the only sport where I root for the Yankees and once they're done playing the most I can muster up to root for anybody is about 55% on the passion meter. I care slightly more than being completely impartial. I rooted for the Phillies and Dodgers in the playoffs last year because they weren't the Red Sox, they weren't the Angels, I knew the Cubs would drop the ball and my brother-in-law was a Phillies fan, and I love Shane Victorino and Cole Hamels.

But that's the extent of it. I have no definitive second favorite team, only teams I despise like the Angels, White Sox and Red Sox. The Twins are consistently making their case to be my second favorite team. Not only did the Yankees sweep them out of the Bronx earlier in the season hitting three walkoffs in the process. Not only did they pummel Minnesota 10-2 last night behind dominant starting pitching and a relentless offense, but Minnesota even has the bonus reasons for me to like them as a punching bag:

They had a terribly enjoyable movie "Little Big League" starring their team in the 90's which cameo's Ken Griffey Jr. and I want to say either Ron Coomer or Denny Hocking, they have cool logos, they won the World Series the year I was born, they have a solid top to bottom broadcasting crew, their main symbol is a "M" which matches my last name, they're going to have the most absurd stadium in North America when they play outdoors next year, they have never beaten the Yankees in a postseason in my lifetime, they beat the Moneyball A's in the playoffs when the Yankees couldn't in 2002, they traded their best player to the Mets and got him out of the American League and left him to rot in a joke of a franchise, and perhaps most importantly, Ron Gardenhire has an awesome "here we go again" look on his face whenever his team faces the Yankees. The Twins are a great fundamental team, enjoyable to watch if you love fundamentals, but they seem to make terrible defensive plays (minus Gomez and his incredible Grand Slam robbing catch last night), weird baserunning decisions and lack pitching anywhere on their staff when they face the Yankees. Even Joe Nathan, the most underrated closer in the game, has had his meltdowns against Yankees' bats.

It's truly a terrific experience to face Minnesota a solid 80 percent of the time. They are the only team where year in and year out the Yankees enjoy beating the hell out of them. They are the anti-Angels (minus the same terribly enjoyable movie factor). But here's the top three reasons I might start to really pull for them to always win the Central: They are 13-13 against the Red Sox since the end of 2005, and now that Torii Hunter and Carl Pohlad have no connections to the team (Hunter is on the hated Angels and Pohlad is dead and no longer the worst penny-pinching owner in MLB), there is nobody left from those dominated early decade Twins teams to release hateful statements about the Yankees. This team is full of players who I'm sure hate the Yankees, but it's no longer a "they're overpaid" type of hatred, it's a "I wish I was paid as much and can beat this team" type of hatred, and that's slightly more fun.

Just as a cherry on top, when I move to Meriden next month to be closer towards Bristol where I work, my new housemate is a huge, huge Twins fan and he started loving them when he went to Fenway and saw them destroy the Red Sox at a young age. He liked their uniforms. I completely respect Twins fans and he will probably experience nothing but misery if we watch any games between the two teams together.

The pros and cons of Boston acquiring Roy Halladay

Care to see the Red Sox surrender a package like Clay Buchholz, Daniel Bard and Lars Anderson for Roy Halladay? These are the type of prospects it will take to land one of the top starting pitchers in baseball. Boston might even have to add another big name, like outfielder Josh Reddick or Ryan Kalish, or a shortstop like Yamaico Navarro, to entice Toronto GM J.P. Ricciardi.

Let's weigh the pros and cons of Boston dealing for Halladay.

Pros

• Adding Halladay to a rotation that includes Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Brad Penny and Tim Wakefield would give the Red Sox an obvious advantage in 2009. The rotation is already strong, but with Halladay the Sox would be especially difficult to beat in a seven-game series. With Halladay, runs scored would be less critical. The offense is formidable enough to win since it is among the league leaders in runs, on-base percentage, OPS, walks and home runs. Halladay's presence would give Boston three shutdown starters (including Beckett and Lester), meaning that it would require fewer runs to win games.
• Halladay would also make the Sox even more formidable in 2010. He is signed through 2010, so if the team that acquires him does not lock him up long term, it would risk dealing away top prospects for just two years of the ace. Of course, if Halladay walks after 2010, the team that would acquire him this year would at least receive two draft picks when he signs elsewhere.

• The Sox are loaded with high-ceiling prospects, and the team has a proven track record in the draft. I think the Sox are Major League Baseball's equivalent to the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers in understanding how to draft and develop players that contribute. That said, the Sox could afford to let go of Buchholz because of top starting pitching prospects like Michael Bowden, Junichi Tazawa, Casey Kelly and Stolmy Pimentel are on the horizon. Though Anderson looks like he will be a productive major league first baseman, the Sox have a similar left-handed hitting first baseman at advanced Single-A Salem in Anthony Rizzo. If Josh Reddick or Ryan Kalish would be part of the deal, Boston is loaded with other outfield prospects like Ryan Westmoreland and the recently drafted Reymond Fuentes, who is off to a fast start for the Gulf Coast League Red Sox.

Cons

• Halladay is 32, and he has thrown a lot of innings in his career. It would be a risk to surrender an array of high-ceiling prospects for a guy whose right arm can break down at any moment.
• There is no doubt that Halladay is an ace, but he does not have post-season experience. How will he perform in a big game?

• Sure, the acquisition of Halladay would likely give Boston a World Series title in 2009, but would the long-term implications hurt the competitiveness of the team? Take, for example, the speculative package of prospects I mentioned earlier. Buchholz has shown that he can retire major league hitters. His confidence is back, and he has the chance to become a top of the rotation starter for several years. Anderson is a Justin Morneau-type hitter and flashes a nifty glove at first base. His left-handed swing would fit in nicely at Fenway Park. Or he could eventually replace David Ortiz as the DH. Bard has shown that he belongs in the majors, and he has given the Sox a glimpse of their future closer if Jonathan Papelbon's salary demands are outrageous when he reaches free agency. Navarro might be major league ready by 2010, and he is a gifted shortstop who can hit. Reddick and Kalish are talented defensive outfielders who can swing the bat.

This debate is a case a deja vu. We had it on Sox and Pinstripes in December 2007 when it was reported that the Sox had offered Minnesota two packages of prospects, including names like Lester, Jacoby Ellsbury, Justin Masterson and Jed Lowrie. All four of these players have significantly contributed to Boston's success in 2007 and 2008. Just say the Sox dealt Ellsbury, Lester and Masterson for Santana. It is doubtful that they would have reached the ALCS last season because depth is what guided them through an injury-filled year.

I respect Halladay. Though Beckett is a proven post-season starter, Halladay is probably a step above him as an ace, at least in the regular season, because the veteran is a throwback who usually gives his team eight or nine strong innings every game. Still, I would rather see the Sox keep their stockpile of prospects. The rotation is formidable as it is. Beckett, Lester, Wakefield and Penny are pitching well. I believe that Smoltz will rebound from his shaky debut and give the Sox another quality arm. Don't forget Daisuke Matsuzaka. He is in Ft. Myers getting the spring training he did not get this spring because of the World Baseball Classic. Nothing is structurally wrong with his shoulder. He just needs to build strength and stamina, and he should return sometime in August.

Since the rotation and bullpen are deep, the Sox would be better off trading for a bat. Victor Martinez is worth giving up Clay Buchholz or Michael Bowden. A less costly acquisition would be Colorado's Garrett Atkins, a right-handed hitter who can play first and third. According to the Denver Post, the Red Sox have called the Rockies about Atkins, who perhaps can be had for Takashi Saito, a reliever in which the Rockies have expressed interest. The power hitter is batting just .225, but he posted a .327 average in June.

It would be surprising to see the Jays trade Halladay to the Red Sox or Yankees. The Angels are a possible destination. So is Philadelphia. Or maybe Halladay will remain in Toronto and he will be traded in the off-season. Perhaps the Jays will even keep him through 2010 since they have Dustin McGowan, Shaun Marcum and Jesse Litsch returning from injuries, and young arms like Ricky Romero, Scott Richmond and Brett Cecil are promising. If the Jays have a healthy rotation anchored by Halladay, they can contend in 2010.

The idea of Halladay, Beckett and Lester composing three-fifths of Boston's rotation is interesting to say the least; however, the cost in prospects will be too prohibitive. Thus the reason Epstein will likely pass. 

Beckett now 6-0 after a Red Sox loss with solid start against A's

There is no pitcher in baseball who is better suited to start a critical post-season game than Josh Beckett. For the Red Sox, it helps to have him take the mound when they need a regular season victory, too. Tonight, Beckett limited Oakland to two runs and five hits over 6.2 innings, Jason Bay belted his 20th home run of the single and Jason Varitek added a key two-out single to fuel the Red Sox to a 5-2 win over the A's. Boston's ace is now 6-0 this season following a Red Sox loss.

Oakland actually held an early lead. With two outs in the first, Scott Hairston (who was just acquired from San Diego), clubbed a drive over the Green Monster. The Sox chased A's left-hander Dana Eveland with Bay's home run and David Ortiz's run on Nick Green's double play grounder in the second, and Varitek's two-run single in the third. Eveland, who started in place of talented rookie Dallas Braden (who is on the bereavement list), lasted just 2.2 innings, throwing 71 pitches and serving up four runs and six hits.

Beckett allowed his second run on Adam Kennedy's two-out double in the fifth. Then he encountered a jam in the seventh when Mark Ellis beat out a high bouncer to give the A's runners on first and second. Terry Francona summoned Hideki Okajima, who retired Kennedy on an inning-ending ground out.

Boston plated an insurance run in the seventh on Dustin Pedroia's RBI single off reliever Russ Springer. Justin Masterson tossed a scoreless eighth and Jonathan Papelbon struck out the side in the ninth (along with allowing a single to Kurt Suzuki) to secure his 21st save.

Now 50-33, the Sox maintained their one-game American League East lead over the Yankees, which routed the Twins. Boston will try to win the series on Wednesday when All-Star Tim Wakefield (10-3, 4.30 ERA) faces right-hander Trevor Cahill (5-7, 4.55 ERA).

Notes and observations

• Aaron Bates pounded the ball at Double-A Portland, and he was still trying to figure out Triple-A pitching when the Sox called him up a few days ago. So far, the 25-year-old Bates looks overwhelmed by major league pitching. He was 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a walk on Tuesday and is 0-for-6 in two games. It was surprising that the Sox did not recall Chris Carter to replace Jeff Bailey. Instead, they opted for Bates, who is a defensively sound first baseman. Carter is average with the glove.
• It was nice to see Jason Bay rip a home run and a double. His average has plummeted in recent weeks. It now stands at .265. Dustin Pedroia (.290) and Kevin Youkilis (.291) have also seen their batting average take a nosedive. Pedroia did have an RBI single on Tuesday, but Youkilis was 0-for-4. Jacoby Ellsbury (.303) is the only Red Sox regular hitting above .300. Chances are, this team will go on a tear when Bay, Pedroia and Youkilis start consistently hitting again.
• From now until the July 31 trade deadline, Clay Buchholz will probably see his name arise in rumors. Toronto would demand him in a Roy Halladay deal and Cleveland would likely want him in a trade for Victor Martinez. On Tuesday, Buchholz allowed two runs and four hits in six innings against Lehigh Valley (Philadelphia) and improved to 7-1 with a 2.11 ERA. Regarding Halladay, chances are he will be traded out of the division (if he is traded at all), but if the Red Sox or Yankees offer an enticing package of prospects, he could end up with either team.

Sluggish start to homestand raises the question, "Do the Red Sox need to add a bat?"

This is not how the Boston Red Sox envisioned their 10-game homestand leading to the All-Star break opening. After dropping two out of three to a Seattle Mariners team that features solid pitching but a lackluster offense, the Sox were blanked by an Oakland A's team that has subpar pitching, offense and defense.

Last night, left-hander Brett Anderson looked like the seasoned veteran and John Smoltz morphed into an inexperienced rookie. While Anderson overmatched Boston hitters with well-located heaters and breaking balls, Smoltz showed little command of his pitches. The result was a 6-0 win for the A's. Oakland cuffed around Smoltz for five runs and 10 hits over six innings. Anderson limited the Sox to two harmless singles, one by Jason Bay and the other from Nick Green. He struck out nine and walked two.

Fortunately, Toronto salvaged the finale of its four-game series with the Yankees with a win. Now 49-33, the Red Sox still hold a one-game lead over the Yankees in the American League East.

Though last night was the first time Boston did not score a run this season - and though the Red Sox are third in runs in the American League - this team needs to acquire a bat. Too many times this season the Sox have been held to no more than three runs in a game. Remember the three-game stretch last month against the Marlins and Braves when the Sox scored one run, two runs and three runs? How about the recent three-game series in Atlanta that saw Boston score a total of six runs, including four in one game.

Boston will get a boost when Mike Lowell returns from the disabled list after the All-Star break. Yet he will need periodic days off to rest his hip. Mark Kotsay has been hitting well, but right now he is hampered by a sore calf. Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia and Jason Bay have not been on fire for awhile. Chances are, they will start to hit again, which will strengthen the Sox lineup. Jed Lowrie's return could help, but his rehab from wrist surgery continues at Double-A Portland. He also suffered a setback late last month when he was hit on the knee during a game at Pawtucket.

Rumors about a Boston trading for Cleveland's Victor Martinez are swirling again. Martinez would definitely cost the Sox Clay Buchholz or Michael Bowden. If Bowden is in the deal instead of Buchholz, another prospect would need to be included. With the emergence of Junichi Tazawa as a prospect on the level of Buchholz and Bowden, and the performance of 19-year-old phenom Casey Kelly (a first-round pick last year), the Sox can more easily part with Buchholz or Bowden. Daisuke Matsuzaka is in Ft. Myers for his summer version of spring training to build shoulder strength. Justin Masterson has proven himself as a starter. The Sox will still have talented depth if Bowden and Buchholz is dealt.

As Sox and Pinstripes readers know, I am a strong advocate of building a deep farm system and promoting players from within, but as I have also written, it is worth trading a top prospect when the Sox can get a difference-making veteran in return. Martinez is undoubtedly a difference maker. He hits for power and average, catches and plays first base. If Boston acquired him, chances are he would either replace George Kottaras or Rocco Baldelli on the roster. If he replaces Kottaras, he would have to catch Tim Wakefield, and I am not sure if he has ever been behind the plate with a knuckleballer on the mound. If he replaces Rocco Baldelli, that would leave Boston without a right-handed hitting outfielder off the bench since Mark Kotsay would be the fourth outfielder. Of course, with Kotsay's calf injury, releasing Baldelli would be a risk.

Theo Epstein faces a decision. Does he wait for Mike Lowell and Jed Lowrie to return, and see if the offense is productive enough? Does he deal a top prospect for a difference-making veteran like Martinez, who is 30 and could take over at DH when David Ortiz leaves? Or does he make a trade for someone like Colorado's Garrett Atkins, who would cost the Sox Takashi Saito or a prospect less heralded than Buchholz or Bowden?

This Is What's Wrong With Fans Voting For The All-Star Game

The Major League Baseball All-Star Game is supposed to feature the best players in both leagues facing off against one another. However, fan voting for the All-Star Game has ruined this in some ways. Usually, the more well known players get into the game without even producing well, or well enough. Some of the players are injured most of the first-half of the season and still get to participate in these festivities. It's just mind boggling how fans vote these players in, and then the guys who actually do deserve the honor get left out. How stupid does that sound?

Now let's look through a few players who got the nod for the All-Star Game who aren't very deserving. You can see the rosters here: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2009/roster_league.jsp.

I'm only looking at the starting lineups since those are the only players fans vote into the game. Here are the names I came up with after doing the research: Josh Hamilton, and Dustin Pedroia in the American League, and Yadier Molina in the National League. You can even make an argument that David Wright and Carlos Beltran don't deserve to start, but they both have put up excellent batting averages with good statistics overall. Beltran is declining his invitation anyway because of an injury that will keep him out of the All-Star Game. Ryan Zimmerman or Mark Reynolds probably deserve to be the starting third basemen's for the National League, but you can't really argue the decision of fans voting for Wright.

Dustin Pedroia statistics: 3 HR/30 RBI/.290/.368/.393/BA/OBP/SLG

Robinson Cano statistics: 13 HR/43 RBI/.303/.335/.489/BA/OBP/SLG

I would've posted Ian Kinsler's batting statistics, but he is leading the Final Vote ballot for the All-Star Game. As you can see Robinson Cano is much more deserving of an All-Star appearance this season. Pedroia has a minuscule slugging percentage of .393 this season, while Cano is slugging at a .489 clip. It's is such a drastic difference, that it doesn't make any sense whatsoever for Pedroia to be the starting second baseman in the All-Star Game.  This fits perfectly with an average fan's thinking "he won the MVP award, so he deserves to be in the All-Star Game." Pedroia might be an excellent defender to help his case, however Cano has been a pretty good defender this year as well, showing off his range and making some good plays at second. That plus Cano's offense should have gave him the edge over Pedroia. I wonder how Red Sox fans will react to this.

Yadier Molina statistics: 73 games, 5 HR/27 RBI/.281/.347/.381/BA/OBP/SLG

Brian McCann statistics: 63 games, 8 HR/ 33 RBI/.304/.388/.495/BA/OBP/SLG

Brian McCann battled an injury earlier in the year, and is arguably the most underrated catcher in baseball. McCann has probably been the best offensive catcher in the national league for the past few seasons, and he's proving that once again this season. Although McCann has played in 10 less games than Molina, he has 3 more home runs and is slugging .114 points higher than him. Molina is a gold glove defensive catcher, but McCann isn't awful defensively either. In the end who would you rather have representing your team? McCann or Molina?

Josh Hamilton's statistics: 6 HR/24 RBI/.240/.290/.456/BA/OBP/SLG

Jermaine Dye's statistics: 20 HR/51 RBI/.291/.364/.571/BA/OBP/SLG

Dye clearly deserves to be in the All-Star Game, but he's getting snubbed by not even getting a chance to be on the Final Vote ballot. Hamilton has been injured most of the season, and is a direct example of what I was speaking about.  Players should have a certain amount of plate appearances to be allowed to participate in fan voting.  Dye is tied for second in the league in homeruns and is slugging at a .571 clip.  This one isn't even close, Dye overwhelmingly beats out Hamilton for a starting outfield spot in the All-Star game.  The problem with fan voting, is that you have many average baseball fans who don't much of anything except for well known players.

Average fan: I'm going to vote for Joshy Ham-Ham *gulp gulp gulp*

Intellectual fan: But he hasn't done anything this season, are you drinking??

Average fan: WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT, HE WENT CRAZY AT THE HOME RUN DERBY LAST YEAR!!! *gulp gulp gulp*

Intellectual fan: Yeah, but were supposed to vote for players who have played well this season...

Average fan: Ah what do you know! HAMMY-HAMMERING HAMILTON WOOHOO!

Intellectual fan: WTF!

As you can see, your average fan isn't very knowledgeable and is at best a crazy psychopathic alcoholic. I think Major League Baseball should put the voting for the All-star game into baseball analysts hands, either that or expand each teams rosters. I would probably prefer both. On another note who would you rather see in the All-Star game? Is your favorite player getting snubbed? and how do you think MLB should approach fan voting?

How will the Fenway Park crowd greet Nomar?

Once the face of the Boston Red Sox - even moreso than teammates Mo Vaughn, Pedro Martinez and Manny Ramirez - Nomar Garciaparra had to go in 2004. He had rejected a four-year, $60 million deal after the 2003 season, which was a red flag that he really didn't want to remain with the Red Sox. Then he became a distraction during the season, sulking in the dugout in the same game that Derek Jeter dove into the stands catching a foul ball. It all led to Theo Epstein trading Garciaparra in a deal that brought Orlando Cabrera and Doug Mientkiewicz to Boston and sparked the team on a historic run. Tonight, Garciaparra returns to Fenway Park, hitting sixth as the DH for the Oakland A's. Will he receive embracing applause as guys like Trot Nixon, Kevin Millar, Derek Lowe and Cabrera have in their first time back in another team's uniform? Or will he be serenaded with catcalls a la Johnny Damon?

Garciaparra accomplished a lot in a Red Sox uniform. Rookie of the Year in 1997. American League MVP runner-up in 1998. Two batting titles. Five All-Star appearances. Before his decline which was caused by injuries, Garciaparra was one of the best shortstops in baseball. He hit for power and average, and flashed a solid glove. His demeanor changed, though, after the 2003 season. He was clearly affected when he learned that the Sox were set to deal him to the White Sox for Magglio Ordonez once the Manny Ramirez (and Jon Lester) to Texas for Alex Rodriguez trade was completed. Of course, the A-Rod deal was not allowed by the MLBPA, and the damage was done in Garciaparra's mind.

Garciaparra will have a special place in Red Sox history for what he did during his tenure with the team, yet his Boston legacy is stained because of his actions in his final season. Sounds familiar, huh? Manny Ramirez is in the same category. Without him, the Sox would not have won the 2004 and 2007 World Series, but it is hard to fondly remember his days with the organization because of how he behaved in his final days. It's hard to forget him quitting on the team just as it is difficult to erase Garciaparra's decision to turn down a fair contract offer and pout in the dugout on multiple occasions, most notably in the Jeter game referenced earlier in this post.

Does Garciaparra deserve a reaction from the Fenway Park crowd? Maybe a round of polite applause. I don't think he should be booed. It is hard to look at him in the same light as Millar, Lowe, Cabrera and Nixon, though.

One player who is worthy of applause is Aaron Bates, who was recalled today to replace Jeff Bailey, who was placed on the disabled list with a sprained ankle. Bates, who is 25, was a third round draft pick out of North Carolina State in 2006 and was once considered Boston's first baseman of the future. Then Lars Anderson was drafted, and Bates' career stalled in the minors. He made a few hitting tweaks last off-season and pounded the ball at Double-A Portland this year, batting .340 with seven home runs and 39 RBI in 206 at-bats. He had seen only 88 at-bats at Triple-A Pawtucket, where he was hitting .188 and was mired in an 0-for-27 slump when he was summoned to Boston for his major league debut.

Bates - who hits from the right side and is an imposing figure at 6-foot-4 and 230 - is above average on defense at first base. He can also play left field. Tonight, he is hitting ninth and starting at first base. Mark Kotsay's availability is uncertain since he is struggling with a calf injury. Here is tonight's starting lineup for the Red Sox:

1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. Kevin Youkils, 3B
4. David Ortiz, DH
5. Jason Bay, LF
6. Jason Varitek, C
7. Rocco Baldelli, RF
8. Nick Green, SS
9. Aaron Bates, 1B

Starting Pitcher - John Smoltz

Yankees Minor League Prospect Updates

I'm going to write about some interesting Yankee prospects that are on the rise in this post. There is no specific order in case you were wondering. I will likely do this once a week to see how these prospects are doing in the minor leagues.

Before I begin there is some interesting news on International signing Gary Sanchez. It has been reported that Sanchez will be heading straight to pro-ball in the GCL league for the Yankees in about two weeks. This is interesting because most of these players signed in the international period usually start they're careers the following year in the Dominican Summer League.  I'm not sure if I can remember the last time a Yankee prospect reported to the GCL at age 16, a few weeks after he was signed. The Yankees must think that Sanchez is very advanced for his age.

Now it's time for prospect updates!

SS-Ramiro Pena, 23 years old (AAA)

In 2 games Ramiro Pena is 3 for 8 playing for Scranton. I wouldn't consider Pena a top prospect, but I'm sure he's probably someone people want to know about.

SS-Eduardo Nunez, 22 years old (AA)

66 Games: 6 HR/33 RBI/.316/.335/.431/BA/OBP/SLG

Nunez is probably having his best offensive season of his minor league career. Nunez is a strong defender, with decent batting statistics this year.  I don't think he's gotten as much raves as Pena has, but Nunez is younger by almost 2 years.  Nunez definitely has to work on his plate discipline if he wants to be a legitimate starting shortstop or back up infielder in the big leagues.

CF-Austin Jackson, 22 years old (AAA)

74 games: 3 HR/30 RBI/.318/.381/.438/BA/OBP/SLG

Jackson needs to cut down on the strike outs, 76 strike-outs in 74 games isn't something people want to see. On a good note, Jackson stroked 2 homeruns last week.

RP-Mark Melancon, 24 years old (AAA)

24 Games: 2.70 ERA/36.2 IP/42 SO/8 BB

Melancon continues to have a solid season. He will likely get another chance with the Yankees sometime later this year.  The league is only hitting .183 against this guy, that's nasty.

SP-Ivan Nova, 21 years old (AAA)

12 Starts: 2.36 ERA/ 72.1 IP/ 47 SO/ 31 BB (in Double-A)

1 Start: 0.00 ERA/ 5.1 IP/ 5 SO/ 3 BB (in Triple-A)

Nova was recently promoted to Scranton and pitched well in his debut, allowing 0 runs in 5.1 innings pitched. Nova is someone who I think will have an impact on the Yankees team some time next season. He is the pitching prospect that intrigues me the most when it comes to potential, and how close he is to major league ready.

C-Jesus Montero, 19 years old (AA)

23 Games: 5 HR/15 RBI/.329/.400/.553/BA/OBP/SLG

Montero has been scorching hot lately, hitting 5 homeruns in a four game span ( June 28th-July 2nd).  That gives Montero 13 Homeruns between Single-A and Double-A this season. HE'S A MONSTER!

RP-Michael Dunn, 25 years old (AA)

24 Games: 4.07 ERA/ 48.2 IP/67 SO/ 30 BB

The lefty-reliever known as Michael Dunn has some electric stuff. He has had some control issues, but his strike out totals are hard to ignore.  There aren't many Yankee reliever prospects that have more upside than this guy.

SP-Zach McAllister, 21 years old (AA)

14 Starts: 1.79 ERA/ 80.2 IP/ 66 SO/ 23 BB

McAllister's beat expectations this season putting up some very good numbers in Trenton (Double-A), making him a valuable prospect or trading piece as some have said. I think McAllister should get a chance to pitch in Scranton soon. He has dominated enough in Double-A.

SP-Jeremy Bleich, 22 years old (AA)

14 Starts in Single-A: 3.40 ERA/ 79.1 IP/ 56 SO/ 22 BB

2 Starts in Double-A: 6.35 ERA/11.1 IP/ 10 SO/ 5 BB

Bleich was the Yankees supplemental first round pick in last year's First Year Player Draft. He pitched well enough in Tampa to get a promotion to Double-A recently. In his first start after being called up he didn't pitch well, allowing 5 runs in 5 innings, however he bounced back with a quality start (3 earned runs) yesterday.  Bleich has been rising through the farm system quickly as expected. He is probably on pace to make his debut next season for the Yankees. I'm still not very impressed with Bleich either way.

SP-Mannuel Banuelos, 18 years old (low A)

14 Starts: 2.20 ERA/ 73.2 IP/ 66 SO/ 15 BB

Bannuelos was picked for the Futures Game not too long ago. Bannuelos has exceeded expectations, pitching very well for the Charleston River Dogs in A-ball. The reason this is very surprising is because he is only 18 years old dominating competition that on average are around 2 years older than him. He will likely crack the top 10 Yankee Prospects list at the end of this season.

C-Austin Romine, 20 years old (High A)

71 Games: 11 HR/46 RBI/.287/.317/.489/BA/OBP/SLG

Romine has continued where he left off last season, playing solid defense as a catcher and showing promising power hitting 11 homeruns so far. The only thing that worries me is Romine's lack of plate discipline. Granted players plate discipline usually gets better with age, so maybe there is nothing to worry about.

3B-Brandon Laird, 22 years old (High A)

71 Games: 6HR/44 RBI/.252/.313/.378/BA/OBP/SLG

Laird has been a dark horse prospect since entering the Yankees farm system.  I still think he is someone to at least pay attention to, although he hasn't played well this season, it finally looks like he's ready to turn it around after hitting .355 in his last 10 games with 2 homeruns.

SP-Dellin Betances, 21 years old (High A)

11 Starts: 5.48 ERA/ 44.1 IP/ 44 SO/ 27 BB

Betances has a big frame standing at 6'8, which has hurt his mechanics. For the past few seasons it's been difficult for him to repeat his delivery consistently, resulting in a lot of walks and an awful ERA. Betances has a lot of talent, but I'm beginning to doubt he will ever meet his potential. If he ever max's out his potential, your talking about a very, very dangerous pitcher. Betances is on the DL right now, maybe we can just call this a bad year.

SP-Andrew Brackman, 23 years old (Low A)

15 Starts: 5.35 ERA/ 72.1 IP/70 SO/52 BB

Brackman like Betances is very tall, and has the same kind ofpotential and mechanical problems. Brackman is coming off of TJ surgery, and it usually takes players another year to make a full return. I think he will likely pitch much better next season, I'll give him a pass this year.

SP-Brett Marshall, 18 years old (Low A)

15 Starts: 5.59 ERA/ 77.1 IP/51 SO/ 32 BB

Marshall is the youngest Yankee pitching prospect to go from the First Year Player Draft to Single-A Charleston since Phil Hughes did it a few years ago. Sadly he has pitched nothing like Phil Hughes. The statistics tell the story, a 5.59 ERA is not getting the job done.

SP-Arodys Vizcaino, 18 years old (Staten Island)

4 Starts: 3.31 ERA/ 16.1 IP/ 24 SO/ 7 BB

It's is finally time that I can say Vizcaino is a legitimate prospect. Vizcaino has a very high ceiling, and is probably the most exciting pitching prospect the Yankees have in their farm system. He is far from major league ready though, I'd say give him 3-4 years. He didn't pitch very well today allowing 3 runs in 4 innings, striking out 3.

OF-Neil Medchill, 21 years old (Staten Island)

14 Games: 3 HR/8 RBI/.347/.377/.633/BA/OBP/SLG

Medchill has some big time power from the left side of the plate, and he has shown us that this season blasting 3 homeruns in his first 14 games. Medchill was the Yankees 11th round pick in this year's draft. It should be interesting to see how he progresses through the minors. He seems to be too advanced for this league.

C-Kyle Higashioka, 19 years old (Staten Island)

12 Games: 0 HR/5 RBI/.273/.340/.341/BA/OBP/SLG

Higashioka is one of several talented catchers in the Yankees farm system. He hasn't quite hit his stride yet, but I'm sure his numbers will look much better before the season's over.

OF-Kelvin De Leon, 18 years old (GCL)

8 Games: 2 HR/ 4 RBI/.345/.406/.586/BA/OBP/SLG

Kelvin De Leon is another prospect who I would now consider legit. After having a very good season in the DSL (Dominican Summer League) he seems to be providing the Yankees with something they need in their farm system, a power bat corner-outfielder. Hopefully he can continue to develop and become one of the better prospects in baseball.

CF-Eduardo Sosa, 18 years old (GCL)

7 Games: 1 HR/6 RBI/.286/.346/.571/BA/OBP/SLG

Sosa, like De Leon is coming off of a very good year in the DSL, and is picking up where he left off.  Sosa probably doesn't have the same potential as De Leon from a power hitting stand point, but he does project to have decent power. Sosa is an above average defender with plus-plus speed in centerfield. If him and De Leon continue they're production, we should see two very good players in the future.

OF-Ramon Flores, 17 years old (GCL)

7 Games: 0 HR/ 0 RBI/.167/.231/167/BA/OBP/SLG

Flores was one of the Yankees top signings in the international signing period in 2008. At the moment Flores is the Youngest player on the GCL Yankees. He hasn't hit well in his first few games after being promoted from the DSL league, but I think his numbers will improve before the season is over.

OF-Yeicok Calderon, 17 years old (DSL)

22 Games: 1 HR/12 RBI/.329/.451/.429/BA/OBP/SLG

Calderon was the other top signing from last year's international signing period. He has played well in the dominican summer league up to this point. Hopefully Calderon keeps it up, so we can have another good prospect in the minors.

There are a few more interesting names like D.J Mitchell and Garrison Lassiter, but I like the players I've mentioned above more.  Also if you were looking for Jairo Heredia or George Kontos on this list, you won't find them because they are on the disabled list.

Seven Red Sox international free agent pitchers you should get to know

The Red Sox are perennial World Series contenders and boast one of the game's deepest and most talented farm systems because of their superb player development personnel and their commitment to spending money on high schoolers and college players in the major league draft, and on international free agents. Better to open your wallet for prospects you can develop and keep under cost-effective team control than take a risk at spending $80-plus million per deal and committing long-term contracts for established major leaguers.

The major league draft is an exciting time for the Red Sox because of all the shiny new presents that are placed under the tree. The international free agent signing period, which opened last week, is reason for more exhilaration among Red Sox die-hards who closely follow the farm system. According to multiple media outlets, the Sox will sign Dominican shortstop Jose Gregorio Vinicio to a $2 million bonus and Dominican left-handed pitcher Victor Payano to a $900,000 bonus. Jorge Arangure of ESPN The Magazine reported that Boston has reached an agreement with Dominican right-handers Raul Alcantara and Mario Alcantara.

Clay Buchholz and Michael Bowden, both of whom were selected in the major league draft, are Boston's top two pitching prospects. However, an assortment of highly regarded pitchers within the organization were signed as international free agents. Here are seven names you should get to know:

1. Junichi Tazawa - The 23-year-old right-hander, who was signed by the Red Sox last off-season as an amateur out of Japan, was coveted by the Braves and Rangers. Both teams offered him more money, and chances are he would be pitching in the majors right now had he signed with Atlanta or Texas. Yet he chose Boston because of his admiration for Daisuke Matsuzaka. Tazawa impressed Terry Francona and John Farrell in spring training with his command and poise, and he has been so consistent in his first season of professional baseball that he was recently selected to pitch for the World team in the upcoming Futures Game, and he was named an Eastern League All-Star. At Double-A Portland, Tazawa is 7-5 with a 2.85 in 15 starts and 82 innings. He has allowed 70 hits, struck out 77, walked just 25 and limited opposing hitters to a .230 average. With Buchholz, Bowden, Tazawa and Casey Kelly, the Sox have four premiere starting pitching prospects.
2. Stolmy Pimentel - The organization's 2007 Latin Program Pitcher of the Year, Pimentel is 19 and pitching well at Single-A Greenville. The Dominican right-hander is 7-3 with a 2.77 ERA in 13 starts and 68.1 innings. Pimentel has served up 82 hits and opposing hitters have a .301 average against him, but he has limited the damage, as his ERA suggests. He was roughed up in his last start (five runs and eight hits in five innings), but he recently had a string of nine starts that saw him allow no runs three times, one run four times and three runs twice. Remember, Pimentel is only 19 and is pitching at a higher level than most arms his age. He features a low 90s two-seamer and a plus change-up and curve. Like Tazawa, Pimentel doesn't issue many walks. Pimentel has a high ceiling, and he has the potential to climb Boston's minor league ladder like Felix Doubront.
3. Felix Doubront - At 21, the left-handed Doubront pitched just three games in advanced Single-A last season after a solid campaign at Greenville. This year, the Sox opted to put him in the rotation at Double-A Portland rather than advanced Single-A Salem. Doubront has responded nicely. Using a deceptive delivery, he throws a fast ball that ranges from 87-91, a curve and a change-up. Selected out of Venezuela in 2004 and named the Red Sox Latin Program Pitcher of the Year in 2005, Doubront is 5-2 with a 3.71 ERA in 15 starts and 63 innings. He has allowed 64 hits, fanned 62, walked 29 and held opposing hitters to a .257 average. Next year, Triple-A Pawtucket's rotation could include Bowden, Tazawa and Doubront, giving the Red Sox ample insurance.
4. Manny Rivera - Like Pimentel and Doubront before him, the 19-year-old Rivera received Red Sox Latin Program Pitcher of the Year honors. The left-hander was recognized for his performance last year. Selected out of the Dominican Republic in 2006, Rivera has moved from the Dominican Summer League Red Sox last season to the Gulf Coast League Red Sox in 2009. He has not allowed a run in two appearances and nine innings. The GCL just recently started its season. Rivera has averaged more than a strikeout per inning in his two DSL seasons. He has nine punchouts in his first nine GCL frames. Rivera combines velocity, command and control. Perhaps he will get a taste of the New York-Penn League with Lowell before the summer is over.
5. Roman Mendez - The Dominican right-hander turns 19 later this month. He was so impressive in his first Dominican Summer League season last year that the Sox moved him to the Gulf Coast League this summer. Mendez has continued his dominance. In three games and 14 innings, he has surrendered one run and four hits for a 0.64 ERA and an .089 batting average against. His fast ball ranges from the high 80s to 94, and his change-up and slider are still in development. 
6. Raynel Vellete - The 18-year-old righty is thriving in his second DSL season. So far, he has a 2.33 ERA in six starts and 27 innings, allowing 18 hits and striking out 23. Likely, either Vellete (signed out of the Dominican Republic last year) or Nestor Lastreto (a 19-year-old lefty out of Venezuela who has a 1.78 ERA in seven starts this season) will earn Red Sox 2009 Latin Program Pitcher of the Year honors.
7. Armando Zerpa - The lone reliever on this list, Zerpa is a lefty who was signed out of Venezuela in 2004 and is in his sixth season in the Red Sox organization. He struggled with control problems, thus the reason it has taken him awhile to ascend through the system, but he has improved in that area. Zerpa is especially effective against lefties, though this season he has held righties to a .144 average. Overall, he has limited opposing hitters to a .121 average while posting a 0.86 ERA in 20 games and 47.1 innings at Single-A Greenville. The 22-year-old Zerpa has 49 strikeouts and 13 walks. It will be interesting to see how he performs when he gets a promotion to advanced Single-A Salem where he will face more age appropriate competition.

Yanks Win a Sloppy One

Let me start by saying, a win is a win. I could not care less how sloppy the game was. And truth be told, the Yankees weren't sloppy, Joba was. I was at the game yesterday (sitting in section 208), and it was clear from the start that Joba did not have it, again. He started off the game with a walk, and that was it for the first, but it took him around 25 pitches. You just knew that it was going to be one of those games. Joba breezed through the second inning, but then the 3rd inning was when things really started to unravel. He got an out, then gave up a double, then got the second out, but then gave up a single then a 2 run HR. This closed the Yankees lead to just 4-3 (this game was no better for Brett Cecil, who last just 3 2/3 innings also.) Then in the 4th, Joba could have gotten out of the inning cleanly had it not been for Cody Ransom booting an easy double play ball. Instead of getting out of the inning, Joba became unglued and gave up 5 unearned runs (unearned runs count on the scoreboard, and that's all that matters.) Joba came out after throwing 86 pitches in just 3 2/3 innings. By the middle of the 4th, the Yankees' 4-0 lead had turned into an 8-4 deficit. However, it was early, and you knew the scoring wasn't done.

The Yankees brought their hitting shoes to the park. Starting from the first inning, they were all over the Toronto pitching. Posada had 4 hits by the 5th inning. Jeter had 4 hits. Matsui had 2 hits and Cano had 2 hits (both of which OF COURSE came with no runners on, continuing his hitless streak with RISP.) After Toronto built their 8-4 lead off Joba, the Yankee's came right back in the 4th inning and knocked Cecil out of the game. They closed the gap on a 3 run Matsui HR in the bottom of the 4th. Then Jeter added a 2 run HR off BJ Ryan in the bottom of the 5th. Both of these home runs were so clutch and especially the Matusi HR which brought a dead crowd back to life. There was just anger in the air in the Stadium after the top of the 4th, and that turned around so quickly on Matsui's HR. Even though the Yankees were still down 8-7, there was 100% confidence at that point that the Yankees would pull this one out. 

Even with the offensive outburst, I think the big news of the game was the performance of the bullpen, especially the Mexican Gangster, Alfredo Aceves, who pitched 4 innings of 1 hit ball to pick up his first career save. After Joba got knocked out, the Yankees brought in Jonathan Albaladejo, which I thought was a move with was like conceding the game. He ended up allowing an inherited runner to score, but he did something very important in today's win, he stopped the bleeding. This game had the potential to turn into a real laugher in favor of the Jays, but Albaladejo kept it from getting to the point. He kept the game within reach, and with the Yankees' offense, that will, more often than not, be enough. Then Aceves came in and pitched the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th almost perfectly. The job Aceves did was absolutely what the Yankees needed and really so much more than they could have hoped for. Girardi did not want to use Rivera (pitched 4 out of the last 5 days), Coke (pitched 2 innings last night) or Hughes (who pitched in a handful of games recently). Aceves gave the rest of the pen the day off when they really needed it. Jeter got the championship belt today, but it could have just as easily gone to Aceves. 

Over the last year and a half, I have been a very big supporter of Joba as a starter, but my opinion is really starting to change. I think he has a lot to learn about pitching in the majors, specifically how to attack and go after hitters. When he pitches, it seems like he gets to a full count on every single batter. Then he has to leave the game in the 5th or 6th inning with 100 pitches. A lot of great pitchers learned their trade in the bullpen and brought that experience to the starting rotation. I think Joba could really benefit from that at this point in his career. He is still young and I have a lot of faith that he will become a very good starter, but he is just not there yet, and the Yankees are starting to have a problem where he is not giving them a chance to win the games he starts. I don't think he will be moved anytime soon, especially now with Wang going down indefinitely. I guess only time will tell.

My last bone to pick is over why Girardi keeps marching Cody Ransom out there. I understand you need to give A-Rod a day off once in a while, but Ransom is not the person to be backing him up, especially now that they got Hinske. Why get Hinske if you're not going to use him? Ransom is batting .190, and is an awful fielder. Sure, he can play several infield positions, but none of them well. You cannot tell me that Ransom is better to have on the bench than Ramiro Pena. I think the Yankees are reluctant to do anything with him because he does not have any options, they will have to DFA and may lose him. Who cares! This was the same issue they had with Veras. Veras was the worst pitcher in the bullpen, but they held onto him much longer than they should have because he had no options left. They finally got smart and dumped Veras, I hope it's only a matter of time before they do the same to Ransom. 

Red Sox rally for win over Mariners, avoid sweep at Fenway

That the Red Sox rallied for a win this afternoon to salvage the finale in a three-game series against the Mariners offers some consolation. After all, you never want to see your team get swept, especially at home. Today's comeback erased the frustration of Friday and Saturday, when the Sox had a chance to win both games but lost when the normally reliable bullpen faltered.

On Friday, Boston plated two runs in the bottom of the eighth to tie the game at 5-5. Nick Green's two-run double caromed off the top of the Green Monster, less than a foot from being a go-ahead home run. The Sox saw Ramon Ramirez serve up two runs in the top of the 11th and then, after George Kottaras ripped his first career home run with two outs in the bottom of the 11th, J.D. Drew singled but Dustin Pedroia grounded into a game-ending force out.

Yesterday, the Red Sox offense was hapless against Garrett Olson and two Seattle relievers, but Boston remained in the game because of another quality start by Brad Penny, who limited the Mariners to two runs and six hits over six innings. Takashi Saito provided the bullpen letdown on this day, walking the bases loaded in the ninth before allowing an RBI single to Chris Woodward. Former Boston reliever David Aardsma retired the side in order in the bottom of the ninth to seal a 3-2 Seattle victory, marking the fourth time in five games that the Mariners defeated the Sox in 2009. Each win was of the one-run variety.

This afternoon, it appeared that the Red Sox offense would continue its listless habits. Seattle carried a 4-2 lead into the bottom of the sixth, when Jacoby Ellsbury belted his sixth home run of the season. Dustin Pedroia (3) and David Ortiz (9) launched solo dingers in the first inning off power right-hander Brandon Morrow, who surrendered three runs and six hits in six innings.

Boston broke out of its funk in the seventh inning, and as has been the case for much of this season, the runs were scored with two outs. With two on and two outs, Ortiz lined a two-run single off Miguel Batista to tie the game at 4-4. Hard-throwing righty Mark Lowe was summoned, and he struggled to throw strikes. Jason Bay walked to load the bases. Then Ellsbury walked to give the Sox a 5-4 lead. Mark Kotsay followed with a two-run single, chasing Lowe in favor of Sean White. A passed ball permitted Ellsbury to score, giving Boston an 8-4 cushion.

Jon Lester was not spotless. He allowed four runs (one earned) and eight hits over 6.2 innings, but he did retire seven in a row before walking Ken Griffey Jr. with two outs in the seventh, when Terry Francona called upon Justin Masterson. Unlike Friday and Saturday, the bullpen was unblemished today. Masterson (1.1 innings) and Hideki Okajima (one inning) did not permit a base runner.

Boston's win allowed it to remain atop the American League East by one game over the Yankees, which won their third consecutive game over the fading Toronto Blue Jays. Now 49-32, the Sox prepare for a three-game series against Oakland. Here are the pitching matchups:

• Monday - John Smoltz (0-1, 6.00 ERA) versus LHP Brett Anderson (4-7, 5.45 ERA)
• Tuesday - Josh Beckett (9-3, 3.67 ERA) versus LHP Dallas Braden (6-7, 3.13 ERA)
• Wednesday - Tim Wakefield (10-3, 4.30 ERA) versus RHP Trevor Cahill (5-7, 4.55 ERA)

Notes and observations

• The batting averages of Jason Bay (.260), Kevin Youkilis (.301) and Nick Green (.267) continue to swoon. At least Dustin Pedroia (who was 3-for-5 today with a home run and a double and is hitting .290), David Ortiz (who had a home run and a two-run single today and has a .225 average) and Jacoby Ellsbury (who belted a solo home run and worked a key bases loaded walk in the seventh and is hitting .303) are producing. Bay has been striking out quite a bit lately. Ortiz looks comfortable at the plate. He clubbed the home run off Brandon Morrow's 96 miles per hour fast ball and lined the two-run single off Miguel Batista's 94 miles per hour heater.
• Not only is Jacoby Ellsbury hitting north of .300, but he continues to swipe bases. Ellsbury's stolen base yesterday gave him 35 in 2009 and made him the first Red Sox player to record 35 stolen bases in back-to-back seasons since Tris Speaker accomplished the feat from 1912-1914. Ellsbury is also the first American Leaguer to reach 35 or more stolen bases before the All-Star break in consecutive seasons since Rickey Henderson did so from 1988-1990. Tommy Harper owns Boston's single-season stolen base record with 54. Ellsbury swiped 50 bags last year and is poised to break Harper's mark in 2009.
• It's no surprise the the Red Sox are sending an array of player to next week's All-Star Game in St. Louis. Six Boston players were selected. Jason Bay and Dustin Pedroia were voted in as starters. Kevin Youkilis was chosen as a reserve. Josh Beckett and Jonathan Papelbon were selected. When watching the All-Star selection show, the most gratifying feeling for many Red Sox fans surfaced when Tim Wakefield's name was announced. It will be the 42-year-old knuckleballer's first career All-Star Game. Wakefield, who is 10-3 with a 4.30 ERA, surpassed Roger Clemens for the most career starts in Red Sox history with his no-decision on Friday. No doubt that Wakefield deserves this honor, which was bestowed upon him by Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon, who is the American League skipper. Though Beckett and Jon Lester are pitching well now, and Brad Penny is delivering quality starts, Wakefield was the lone member of Boston's rotation to provide consistently good outings earlier this season. He has been consistent all year, giving the Sox quality starts in most appearances.
• Former Boston Globe baseball writer Gordon Edes, who is now with Yahoo! Sports, reports that the Red Sox are one of four teams that have contacted the Kansas City Royals about Mark Teahen. On paper, the 27-year-old Teahen appears to be a good fit for the Sox. He plays the corner infield and outfield spots, and he would give Boston another option since Mike Lowell will need periodic off days in the second half. Teahen also has some pop. He has nine home runs in 280 at-bats this year. However, Teahen hits from the left side, and if Boston brings him in, Rocco Baldelli is likely the odd man out. Mark Kotsay, who is a left-handed hitter, would serve as the fourth outfielder. With the switch-hitting Jed Lowrie likely to return after the All-Star break, (including Teahen) Boston's bench would feature the left-handed hitters Teahen, Kotsay and George Kottaras and one righty - Lowrie or Nick Green (Lowrie is likely to reclaim the starting shortstop job). Chances are, the Sox will acquire a right-handed bat (like Colorado's Garrett Atkins) if they want insurance in case Lowell's hip does not cooperate. Lowrie can play third, but that would leave the Sox without a backup shortstop, and there is no guarantee that Lowrie will be at full strength this season since he is recovering from wrist surgery. Of course, since Kotsay plays a solid first base, Kevin Youkilis is proficient at third and the right-handed hitting Rocco Baldelli is producing when called upon, the Sox do not have to make a trade.

The day Halladay handed me my first home victory (part 3 of 3)

I was thrilled, beside myself, freaking out and happy. It was comical to those around me. The two guys next to me had left for some prior engagement set for the top of the seventh and narrowly missed the dramatics. The guy behind me left with his kids to go somewhere. While I feel bad season ticket holders were being screwed over, I didn't feel too bad. At any ballpark, a lot of them just have a different mindset about Baseball games. Games are an investment and they don't care when they come or go. That pisses me off because now in the food chain of fans, they rank above me and are taking seats away if I want to go to a game, where, barring a 22-4 loss, I would stay from beginning to end.

That day I too had plans for after the game. We were going to meet my sister in Manhattan for gluten free pizza with my brother-in-law and niece. Reservations were set for 6:00PM. Not the game was also a race against time. Sure enough, Phil Hughes came in and flatlined Toronto bats, and that was only after Brian Bruney pitched a clean seventh inning. This Yankees' bullpen is World Series caliber thanks to the return of Bruney, the placement of Hughes, and the emergence of Aceves and Coke (more on that later). Now it was Enter Sandman, and oddly, and this is another first, I was nervous. Not because I'm convinced Rivera is washed up (a sub 3 ERA and one blown save would disagree), or because he's too old or I thought the Blue Jays had scary bats; no I was nervous because Rivera lost a tie game I saw earlier in the year and I knew he wasn't great in tie games, most closers aren't good in non-save situations.

This time River gave up a leadoff single and fell behind the next batter. He had thrown 14 pitches and had not recorded an out. I felt like it was game seven of the World Series. But at the end of the day, Mo was Mo and the next pitch was a double play and then he retired the next batter to end the inning. That was now 3.2 innings and no runs from the relievers. But the bottom of the ninth passed where the Yankees stranded runners, and Phil Coke pitched a dominant10th. Now I was nervous again. I had forgotten about Coke and I knew Tomko meant an automatic loss or a ridiculous rally to compensate for his 5+ ERA. Robertson, Bruney , Hughes and Rivera were gone and I don't like when Coke has to stay in there for multiple innings. Who was going to pitch if this game went deeper and deeper?Halladay, despite his struggles, pitched seven and League, Accardo and Carlson were used already, but I didn't like our chances when it came to the back of the bullpen.

Lucky for me, we had the good Coke today.

The 11th inning was another quiet one for the Blue Jays and I knew the team's time (and my own) was running out. When the Yankees failed to win it in the11th and the game looked like it might go 19 innings if you watched the offenses, it was just about 5:00PM and it would take me 45 minutes to get to my restaurant. Coke had pitched two innings and that left the possibility of Aceves and Tomko. Aceves, much to my dislike, wasn't in the bullpen warming up, Tomko was.

I almost threw up when the game reached the 12th.

Somehow, some way, someone will explain how Brett Tomko pitched a scoreless inning and looked good in the process. He averaged giving up more than a run every two innings, he's terrible, he's the only reason this bullpen isn't in the top two in the league at this point. Yet with me there, quietly thinking I was a jinx to the new stadium,Tomko pitched a scoreless inning. If the team didn't score in the bottom of the 12th, I was going to see my third loss, a wasted Tomko scoreless inning, my perfect day was going to be ruined and I was going to miss dinner.

Boom, two baserunners and one out, we were in business. Luckily Jorge Posada was hitting and not Robinson Cano, which meant instead of 3-0 count bunts which don't advance the runner and strikeouts or double plays with runners in scoring position, we might have a shot.

And they did, Jorge Posada singled, the Yankees won at 5:15PM, I was jumping up and down, the stadium was buzzing, I saw my first win, my girlfriend's first game lasted 12 innings, and we were set to run to the subway.

To top it off, the Red Sox lost again to the Mariners, the pizza was great and my niece didn't cry when she saw me.

It was a perfect day.

I was thrilled, beside myself, freaking out and happy. It was comical to those around me. The two guys next to me had left for some prior engagement set for the top of the seventh and narrowly missed the dramatics. The guy behind me left with his kids to go somewhere. While I feel bad season ticket holders were being screwed over, I didn't feel too bad. At any ballpark, a lot of them just have a different mindset about Baseball games. Games are an investment and they don't care when they come or go. That pisses me off because now in the food chain of fans, they rank above me and are taking seats away if I want to go to a game, where, barring a 22-4 loss, I would stay from beginning to end.

That day I too had plans for after the game. We were going to meet my sister in Manhattan for gluten free pizza with my brother-in-law and niece. Reservations were set for 6:00PM. Not the game was also a race against time. Sure enough, Phil Hughes came in and flatlined Toronto bats, and that was only after Brian Bruney pitched a clean seventh inning. This Yankees' bullpen is World Series caliber thanks to the return of Bruney, the placement of Hughes, and the emergence of Aceves and Coke (more on that later). Now it was Enter Sandman, and oddly, and this is another first, I was nervous. Not because I'm convinced Rivera is washed up (a sub 3 ERA and one blown save would disagree), or because he's too old or I thought the Blue Jays had scary bats; no I was nervous because Rivera lost a tie game I saw earlier in the year and I knew he wasn't great in tie games, most closers aren't good in non-save situations.

This time River gave up a leadoff single and fell behind the next batter. He had thrown 14 pitches and had not recorded an out. I felt like it was game seven of the World Series. But at the end of the day, Mo was Mo and the next pitch was a double play and then he retired the next batter to end the inning. That was now 3.2 innings and no runs from the relievers. But the bottom of the ninth passed where the Yankees stranded runners, and Phil Coke pitched a dominant10th. Now I was nervous again. I had forgotten about Coke and I knew Tomko meant an automatic loss or a ridiculous rally to compensate for his 5+ ERA. Robertson, Bruney , Hughes and Rivera were gone and I don't like when Coke has to stay in there for multiple innings. Who was going to pitch if this game went deeper and deeper?Halladay, despite his struggles, pitched seven and League, Accardo and Carlson were used already, but I didn't like our chances when it came to the back of the bullpen.

Lucky for me, we had the good Coke today.

The 11th inning was another quiet one for the Blue Jays and I knew the team's time (and my own) was running out. When the Yankees failed to win it in the11th and the game looked like it might go 19 innings if you watched the offenses, it was just about 5:00PM and it would take me 45 minutes to get to my restaurant. Coke had pitched two innings and that left the possibility of Aceves and Tomko. Aceves, much to my dislike, wasn't in the bullpen warming up, Tomko was.

I almost threw up when the game reached the 12th.

Somehow, some way, someone will explain how Brett Tomko pitched a scoreless inning and looked good in the process. He averaged giving up more than a run every two innings, he's terrible, he's the only reason this bullpen isn't in the top two in the league at this point. Yet with me there, quietly thinking I was a jinx to the new stadium,Tomko pitched a scoreless inning. If the team didn't score in the bottom of the 12th, I was going to see my third loss, a wasted Tomko scoreless inning, my perfect day was going to be ruined and I was going to miss dinner.

Boom, two baserunners and one out, we were in business. Luckily Jorge Posada was hitting and not Robinson Cano, which meant instead of 3-0 count bunts which don't advance the runner and strikeouts or double plays with runners in scoring position, we might have a shot.

And they did, Jorge Posada singled, the Yankees won at 5:15PM, I was jumping up and down, the stadium was buzzing, I saw my first win, my girlfriend's first game lasted 12 innings, and we were set to run to the subway.

To top it off, the Red Sox lost again to the Mariners, the pizza was great and my niece didn't cry when she saw me.

It was a perfect day.

The day Halladay handed me my first home victory (part 2 of 3)

As the game began I was slowly becoming uncomfortable. When I go to baseball games I'm not a heckler, I'm not loud or obnoxious, I cheer when good things happen, I boo when bad things happen, but for the most part I'm a passive Baseball fan. I enjoy watching the game more than reacting to it. The one thing I absolutely cherish is talking to the fans around me. To me, there are 50,000 stories every time I go to Yankee Stadium, I intend to find a few of those out. The problem was for some reason nobody around me was looking to talk, and it was frustrating. The Yankees struck first with an A-Rod single to make it 1-0. I was impressed because Halladay gave up a run.

Wang, as he has done all season for the most part, was quick to spot Toronto a lead and after a two run single the Yankees were down 2-1. The problem for other teams is this is the 2009 Yankees, and they have displayed a "never say die" attitude all season.Hideki Matsui and Jorge Posada would have none of this trailing business, and both hit shocking home runs off of the AL Ace.

On another weird tidbit, this was oddly uncomfortable to me too. It's not because I dislike long balls, I in fact, love dingers. But the game before the Yankees relied on the home run, and when they struggle it's usually because they didn't put the ball out of the ballpark (just look at the Nationals' series). I love seeing round trippers but when it comes to the Yankees, manufacturing runs is a better compass of how their offense will perform in the postseason, which is when they face the best pitching all year. So leading 3-2 was awesome, and seeing home runs was cool, but A-Rod's RBI single to me was more important.

What was also important was seeing Wang pitch great to start the game. Minus the two run Rios single he was dealing, throwing ground ball after ground ball and keeping Toronto at bay through five innings with just 56 pitches. By then I discovered why nobody was talking to me. They wanted to make fun of my girlfriend's shirt but they were torn whether to say anything or not. They made a quiet little comment to her, but when she went to the bathroom and to wait 45 minutes for fries (sorry!) was when both the two men next to me and the father behind me started to open up. We talked about how my dynamic worked with her, what it was like to go to Quinnipiac in the middle of the rivalry, how I would trade my middle school years for college so I could have seen a championship when it truly mattered most. What it was like to endure 2004 and 2007, how my first favorite Yankee was Melido Perez (this then started the three of them on a binge of underachieving Yankees from the 80's which lasted approximately 20 minutes), how Yankee Stadium crowds were downright dangerous in the mid 90's (throwing batteries on the field and being frighteningly raucous, like if you ever watch clips from the 1995 ALDS Game two), and what our chances were to make the playoffs and catch the Red Sox (who were tied at 2-2 on the out of town scoreboard at the time, and would eventually lose to cut the division lead to a single game).

Now I was getting my fill.

It was a saving grace to what was becoming de ja vu in the actual game. Wang turned a 3-2 lead into a 5-3 deficit, giving up a two-run homer and an additional run (inherited thanks to Dave Robertson) in the process. I was nervous becauseHalladay was seemingly settled down. Then something I was waiting for all season happened: Wang was taken out because of injury (that wasn't what I was waiting for) and I was ECSTATIC to see the bullpen take over. The Yankees, at this point in time, have a dominant core of relievers. As previously mentioned, Robertson came in and struggled, giving up an inherited run, but he recovered to get out of the bases loaded jam to end the inning.

So now I was at a crossroads in my mind. I was being told to please not get into a bad mood (you can do the guessing on that one), the Yankees were losing, I hadn't seen them win yet, and Wang was removed in the sixth inning because of injury and what looked like another meltdown. Well the bad moods were unavoidable but I was secretly elated she was quietly cheering for the Yankees for my sake, Wang gave up the runs because his velocity dipped to the mid 80'd due to his shoulder, and again, it was still the sixth inning and though the Blue Jays have an elite bullpen, this year you just don't completely believe the Yankees are out of a game.

I needed a sign.

I mentioned earlier in the game to anyone who would listen that Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui loved homering when I was in person. Last game (against Tampa) they both did it, on my 18th birthday, Matsui hit a Grand Slam, when I went to Fenway for the first time, Damon lead the game off with a long ball-in my life I had seen three Matsui homers and two Damon shots in my life. Well Matsui already hit one so I knew there was some Damon hope.

Wang was out of the game and the 7th-9th innings meant a combination of Hughes, Bruney and Rivera, which I was OK with. I knew two runs would be enough to get this thing into extra innings. I was relieved later on because I knew Wang had made progress, and more relieved to find out New York would only need one start from a fifth starter before the All-Star Break, after that I knew something would give, eitherMitre would be solid, Hughes or Aceves would be removed from the bullpen, or somebody would be acquired. So Wang's injury was almost as calming as it was worrisome. A lot of guys are capable of pitching 5+ innings and giving up three or less runs, which was best case Wang this year.

So things weren't so bad. They got better in the seventh when Damon came to bat with a runner on base and hit a long fly ball to right. Now a few moresidenotes : Where I was sitting we were directly above the right field bleachers, so I couldn't actually see the right field wall. Earlier in the game the home runs were no doubt shots, so it didn't matter much, but when Damon hit his ball I legitimately was unsure of whether Rios had a shot at it or not. Earlier I thought there was a long ball and Rios crashed into the wall, making a catch at the warning track. Turns out, he wouldn't be so lucky this time and Damon had indeed left the ballpark with a game-tying, two-run home run to tie the game at 5-5.

Now I could sense it.

The day Halladay handed me my first home victory (part 1 of 3)

It's natural in baseball for odd things to happen and never to expect anything ordinary. So it should come as no surprise after two heartbreaking losses at home it took Roy Halladay to hand me my first home victory in the new stadium. Halladay is the best pitcher in the league, regardless of what stats, awards or anybody else says, yet I've now seen him twice (in 2006 against Josh Johnson in Dolphins' stadium and yesterday) and he's given up nine runs in 11 innings and his team lost both games. Pretty weird stuff.

After witnessing a 22-4 loss and Rivera's most embarrassing performance with the long ball, I was tentative at best about the game. OK, by tentative I mean I had no confidence whatsoever. It's not that I thought Halladay was going to kill New York and Wang would probably be horrible like he was the first time I saw him this year, it's that I KNEW that would be the case.

There were a few other firsts which took place yesterday, too. For those of you who travel Metro North to get to the ballpark, the new station has been completed and now you can ride from New Haven straight to 153rd street, Yankee Stadium. They also offer a discounted subway price at NH station where you can go from 153rd street to Grand Central station if you desire dinner in the city after the game. It's unbelievably convenient not to have to get off in Harlem and take a stuffy subway three stops like was necessary with the old ballpark.

I also was with my girlfriend, who as promised wore her Kevin Youkilis shirt. Oddly, most of the comments came before we arrived in the terrace section of right field. At the ticket booth she was joked around with and was told she wore the wrong shirt to go to the stadium. On the train platform we ran into a couple in reverse: The women was a Yankees' fan and the husband was a Red Sox fan. Both of their kids were Red Sox fans and I reprimanded the mother for slacking. As we were chatting about where we were all from and if we had ever tried to poison our significant other in his or her sleep, the couple ran into another couple they knew. AND THAT COUPLE was one Red Sox and one Yankees' fan as well. What the hell is the world coming to? It's like some bizarre, Rocky Horror spin-off of Noah's Ark.

When her back was turned, someone was giving dirty looks to me and pointing at her shirt, where I simply had to use the line I used to diffuse all Red Sox hating heckling all day; "She's from Maine, she doesn't know any better!". That seemed to keep the anger at bay. Once we were on the train we shared a car with four steadily drinking male Yankees' fans. Before I could sit down one of them demanded I break up with my girlfriend because of her shirt. It was one thing to have a Sox shirt, it was another for it to be Youkilis.

Yankees fans don't like Youkilis.

After a back and forth for a while the men decided they had to concentrate on drinking their Keystone, and decided each stop on the train was where they would throw away their consumed cans. It was a funny sight to see one of the guys run off of the train at each stop to throw away their trash. As usual, upon arrival things were too hectic for heckling and minus some random "boo's" as we zoomed by, there wasn't much to comment on. For the third time this year I sat next to disgruntled partial season ticket holders. One of the biggest flaws and mishandlings of the new stadium transition nobody is talking about is the treatment of the partial season ticket holders.

If you didn't purchase the full 81 game package, you basically were moved from crappy box seats to crappy terrace seats. It was like you were being punished for only purchasing 40, 20 or 10 game packages. The two guys next to me were upset over their 40 game package and the man was upset behind me over his 20 game set. For whatever reason he can't afford four seats where his used to be (the last row on the lower level) because each seat was changed to 375 dollars.

The Yankees officially sign Gary Sanchez and two other players

Yesterday was the first day of the international free agent period, so let's get started. Which prospects did the Yankees sign?

Gary Sanchez - Catcher, 16 years old

The much anticipated signing of Gary Sanchez is finally official. Sanchez signed somewhere between $2.5-3 million. This is clearly the best guy the Yankees got today. He has plus tools all around as a catcher, although he is a slow runner. Nonetheless he was one of the best in this years class, Baseball Prospectus had Sanchez ranked as the second best player to Miguel Angel Sano. He's a pretty exciting prospect that I will keep track of over the next few years.

Chris Cabrera - Right handed Pitcher, 16 years old

This kid sounds like a bargain to me, since the Yankees have reportedly signed Cabrera for only 400k. Here is a scouting report on Cabrera that I put up yesterday: Cabrera has some more polished stuff (for a 16 year old) and has drawn plenty of interest around the league. He sits in the low 90's with his fastball and has touched 94. He also offers a slider and change up that could potentially become plus pitches and throws with decent command.

Damian Arredondo -  Shortstop, 16 years old

Arredondo was reportedly signed by the Yankees for 850k. From what I hear he projects to able to stay a shortstop, his defensive ability is a plus, and his speed is a plus-plus tool for him.  All of his tools project nicely. I guess that means the Yankees just have to make his tools successful, but that's always easier said than done for all prospects.

The Yankees budget in the international market was said to be 4.5 million dollars. If you do the math, 400k+850k+3mil= 4.25 million dollars, which means the Yankees are probably done signing players this year.  I expected another big name to be here. Granted things can change, there are several players left on the market. Due to the economic climate most teams are waiting for price tags on players to drop a bit. This means we might be hearing about the Yankees signing another player sometime in the next few days or in a week or two.  Miguel Angel Sano didn't sign with a team yet because of an ongoing investigation about his age. His top suitors are said to be the Twins, Orioles, and the Pirates.  I would say the chances of the Yankees signing Sano at this point is around a 10% chance. You can never truly count the Yankees out, however I doubt they sign Sano.

I'm still wondering if the Yankees will sign Cuban defectors Noel Arguelles and Jose Iglesias. The Yankees have been strongly linked to these two players. If they sign Arguelles, and Iglesias, this signing period would have been a great success, not that it isn't already a good one.

Another highly regarded player defected from Cuba yesterday by the name of Aroldis Chapman, you may remember Chapman from the WBC.  The left-hander was throwing heat, touching as high as 102 mph against international competition. His agent has recently said he could have defector Aroldis Chapman signed, in shape and ready for next spring training ready to play for a major league team. He is only 21 years old and the Yankees have already openly expressed their interest in him. However scouts are already saying that they don't expect Chapman to be major league ready right away. He will likely need some more polishing in Triple-A ball. It has been noted that Chapman lets his emotions run too high when things aren't going well, and he also has been said to have little respect for his managers.  It sounds like he has some maturity issues, but his talent is unquestionable. A lot of scouts say he would have probably went 2nd overall in this years draft behind Strasburg.  I wonder high this bidding war will go during the offseason. The Yankees are likely to be right in the middle.

A plethora of Red Sox major league and minor league thoughts and observations on a much-needed off day

Jason Bay is in the midst of a monster slump that has seen his average plummet from .286 on June 2 to .262. Yesterday, while the Red Sox staged a four-run rally to tie the game in the ninth and then take the lead in the 11th en route to a remarkable win, the right-handed slugger was 0-for-5 with five strikeouts. In the Baltimore series, he was 0-for-15, and he has just two home runs in his last 15 games.

That said, Bay definitely needed today's off day. He put baseball aside today and was one of 360 people to be sworn in as an American citizen at Faneuil Hall in Boston. Bay is a proud native Canadian, but his wife and daughters are Americans, and he has looked forward to this day. His debut as an American citizen at Fenway Park will take place Friday night against Felix Hernandez and the Seattle Mariners.

Sox sign first round draft pick Reymond Fuentes

Reymond Fuentes has been compared to a young Johnny Damon and Jacoby Ellsbury. According to Baseball America, the 18-year-old was the third fastest player among high schoolers available in this year's draft. Boston selected Fuentes in the first round and announced yesterday they had reached terms with the outfielder out of Puerto Rico for a reported signing bonus of $1.13 million. The cousin of Carlos Beltran will report to the Gulf Coast League Red Sox in Ft. Myers. In the next month, I will be in Ft. Myers interviewing some of the newest Red Sox minor leaguers for Sox and Pinstripes and the column I write for Comcast SportsNet New England's Wicked Good Sports web site.

The Red Sox are collecting speedy outfield prospects. Ryan Westmoreland and Pete Hissey were high-profile picks in last year's draft. Che-Hsuan Lin and Ryan Kalish, one of my favorite prospects, are two others.

Sox represented well at Double-A and Triple-A All-Star Games

Clay Buchholz, who is 5-1 with a 1.90 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP at Pawtucket, and Fernando Cabrera, who has a 1.03 ERA and 16 saves for the Paw Sox, were named to the International League All-Star Team. The IL All-Stars will play the Pacific Coast League All-Stars on July 15 in Portland, Oregon.

Most Red Sox fans are familiar with Buchholz, who will likely open the 2010 season in the Red Sox starting rotation. As for Cabrera, he is a pleasant surprise. The 27-year-old right-hander has major league experience, but injuries have hampered his career. Now he is healthy, and chances are he will join the Red Sox bullpen when roster expand on September 1, or possibly before if an injury arises to a current Red Sox reliever.

Earlier this week, I wrote that Junichi Tazawa (World Team) and Casey Kelly (USA Team) will play in the Futures Game, which will be held in St. Louis as part of the All-Star Game week. Tazawa is also one of four Portland Sea Dogs named to Northern Division Team in the Eastern League All-Star Game. The 23-year-old right-hander, who was signed as a free agent out of Japan last off-season, is 7-4 with a 2.92 ERA and has showcased the poise of a veteran. First baseman Lars Anderson, third baseman Jorge Jimenez and right-handed reliever T.J. Large (3-0, 0.893 ERA, six saves) are the other Portland players selected to participate.

Sox set to sign several high profile international free agents

The Red Sox are perennial World Series contenders and boast one of the game's deepest and most talented farm systems because of their superb player development personnel and their commitment to spending money on high schoolers and college players in the major league draft, and international free agents. Better to open your wallet for prospects you can develop and keep under cost-effective team control than take a risk at spending $80-plus million and committing long-term contracts for established major leaguers.

The major league draft is an exciting time for the Red Sox because of all the shiny new presents that are placed under the tree. The international free agent signing period, which opens today, is reason for more exhilaration among Red Sox die-hards who closely follow the farm system. According to multiple media outlets, the Sox will sign Dominican shortstop Jose Gregorio Vinicio to a $2 million bonus and Dominican left-handed pitcher Victor Payano to a $900,000 bonus. Jorge Arangure of ESPN The Magazine reported that Boston has reached an agreement with Dominican right-hander Raul Alcantara.

According to SoxProspects.com, "Boston also appears to be the front runner to sign Max Kepler, a German centerfielder considered to be the best player to come out of Europe in years. Kepler is a potential five-tool player that has displayed a lot of maturity for a sixteen year old, both physically and mentally. He's fluid athletically, has a nice looking swing, and a potentially plus arm. While he has above average speed now, it may teeter down to average should he really fill out. He speaks fluent English."

The Red Sox have a plethora of highly regarded pitchers from Latin America who are ascending the minor league system. Left-hander Felix Doubront, right-hander Stolmy Pimentel, right-hander Roman Mendez and left-hander Manny Rivera (who was Boston's Minor League Latin Program Pitcher of the Year in 2008) are players to watch.

Trade rumors start to escalate

Now that July has arrived, the volume of trade rumors will gradually increase as the July 31 trade deadline draws nearer. Like it is during the Hot Stove League, some rumors will be credible while others will make no sense at all. Many are based on speculation. According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, the Arizona Diamondbacks are scouting the Red Sox. He writes that the Sox could be interested in corner infielder Chad Tracy (who just returned from an oblique strain) if Mike Lowell's tight hip takes longer to heal than expected.

Seems to me that, if the Red Sox bring in another left-handed hitter, Kansas City's Mark Teahen would be a better fit because he plays the corner infield and outfield positions. Garrett Atkins, who hits from the right side, would be ideal, too. The Rockies are reportedly interested in Takashi Saito.

The odd man out on any deal would be Rocco Baldelli, who had a game-tying two-run single in the ninth inning yesterday. Baldelli, who cannot play full games on consecutive days because of his channelopathy condition, has posted decent numbers in a reserve role for the Red Sox. He is hitting .289 with four home runs and 13 RBI in 76 at-bats, and he provides proficient defense in the outfield. Though Baldelli hits from the right side, he is more vulnerable to being replaced than Mark Kotsay because Kotsay is more versatile and can spot start, if needed, at first base and all three outfield positions.

Yanks Keep On Rolling

Well, I left off last night saying that Pettitte needs to go out there tonight and just keep the line moving. He did exactly that. Pettitte, who has complained a lot this year about pitching at Yankee Stadium, came out tonight and threw one of his best games at home so far. For 7 innings, Andy had all his pitches working, and other than a HR by Griffey (a mistake that was made to him 620 times before), he kept the M's off balance all night. He threw 63 of his 98 (64%) of his pitches for strikes striking out 5 and walking just 1. At least for one night, I guess Andy will not be complaining about pitching in the new Yankee Stadium.

Pettitte was followed by 2 innings of perfect relief by the new and improved Yankees bullpen (no 10 run blowups for this 'pen). Aceves got the one batter he faced out, then for the second straight night Phil Coke was brought in to face the 2 lefties at the top of the lineup. For the second straight night, he got the job done. Of course, the 9th was all Mo's, who set the M's down in order for his 502nd career save. It's great to see pitcher after pitcher come in and get the job done (last night aside, this is what Sox fans have been used to all year.)

On the other side of the ball, the Yanks did leave some room for improvement. They started off the game by getting 2 runners on in the first and second innings, but both innings ended in rally killing double plays. They scored 4 runs, all on home runs. Damon started it off with a solo HR in the 3rd; then Melky had a solo of his own in the 5th. Melky's home run was contested by the M's as it flew almost right over the top of the foul pole. However, after a two and a half minute review, the umpires confirmed that the Melk-man had indeed delivered. Then in the 6th A-Rod continued his hot hitting by crushing a 2 run HR to dead center. As a point of reference, it probably would have hit off the front of the black in the old stadium. 

Well the Yanks are now a season high 13 games over 500. Pettitte got the championship belt for the night. Things are looking good right now. Everyone is in a good mood these days. It really looks like Girardi getting himself thrown out last Wednesday really may have fired up the Yanks. In fact, they have not been trailing in a game since the 6th inning of that game. I guess you never know what's going to get your team going. Maybe it's just a coincidence, but kudos to Girardi for sensing that something had to be done to wake up his team. 

On the injury front, it looks like Nady is going to have Tommy John surgery, again. Nady has most likely played his last game as a Yankee as he will be on the shelf probably until 2011. Good luck X-Man. We hardly knew thee. 

The International Free Agent Signing Period is Today

July 2nd is the first day that international prospects are able to sign with a professional team. In a few posts earlier this month I wrote about two of the top prospects on the market, Miguel Angel Sano and Gary Sanchez.  Sadly there hasn't been enough solid information going around to be able to write a solid article about who the Yankees might acquire. However this is what I do know. A source told me that pitching prospect Victor Payano has signed with the Boston Red Sox for $900,000 dollars. This was later reported on Baseball America's site. Payano's velocity ranges between 87-90 mph, while advertising an average slider, and change-up with solid command. He is 16 years old in case you were wondering. Most prospects that are signed in this period are 16 years old. I'm just going to throw around information that I've heard, enjoy!

Gary Sanchez reportedly signed with the Yankees for 2.5 million. He was one of the best prospects in this market. He has plus tools across the board as a catcher, besides his speed which is considered a negative.  The Yankees kept their desire to attain Sanchez hardly a secret. He was said to be in the Yankees facilities an awful lot, so the Yankees know what they're getting, more so than anyone else. 

The Yankees have also reportedly showed interest in more prospects than any other team, since they apparently had almost every good prospect in their facilities at one time or another.  Here are some of the top names: 

Guillermo Pimentel-CF

Pimentel is among the best prospects in this crop of talent.  He is an advance hitter for his age. Pimentel’s swing is short and direct to the ball, and he has very good power for a 16-year-old kid. He will likely command a little less than Gary Sanchez. The Yankees have been loosely connected to Pimentel, and the Rangers have supposedly already signed him for 2 million dollars. However nothing is official until July 2nd. Contracts fall apart sometimes.

Chris Cabrera-RHP

Cabrera has some more polished stuff (for a 16 year old) and has drawn plenty of interest around the league. He sits in the low 90's with his fastball and has touched 94. He also offers a slider and change up that could potentially become plus pitches and throws with decent command.

Jean Carlos Batista-SS

Batista has a projectable frame and solid athleticism that hints at the ability to stay at SS. His swing shows some power with the potential for it to turn average-above average in the future. Batista has 5 tool skills and he's been showing a solid swing from both sides of the plate. He's a very exciting talent because few July 2 guys have all 5 tools in a package such as Batista does.

Cuban Defectors Noel Arguelles and Jose Iglesias

Here is a scouting report from Baseball Prospectus:

"[Noel]Arguelles is considered a better prospect than Iglesias, as a left hander standing 6'3, tipping the scales at 210 lbs., and hitting 93 mph with his fastball. Arguelles has a solid curveball, changeup, and command, along with a recently-added slider that some scouts say has quickly become his best off-speed pitch. Some scouts saw him sitting at 88 mph recently and said Arguelles was out of shape, but other clubs have recently watched him hit 91 mph and say his body isn't a big concern. Every team I've spoken with is comfortable with his talent, given his consistent international performances. Executives agree that Arguelles would have been a late first rounder or sandwich pick in the recent draft, if he entered the draft rather than become a free agent."

"[Jose] Iglesias has a similarly strong tournament record, drawing attention for his flashy glovework at shortstop, with one scout grading his fielding as an 80 on the 20-80 scouting scale. His arm is enough to stick at shortstop, but his range is somewhat limited by his fringe-average speed. Iglesias makes the most of his ability, with instincts that enhance his tools and excellent makeup. He bats from the right side and while his overall offensive package leaves a bit to be desired, most scouts agree Iglesias will hit enough to allow him to profile as a big league regular. He has decent pop in his 5'10 frame, at a maxed-out 180 lbs., though he can get pull-happy at times. An international scouting director called Iglesias' total package, "Ryan Theriot with better hands." Iglesias is a defensive-oriented overachiever and executives say he would be more of a 2nd-3rd rounder if eligible for the recent draft."

Arguelles and Iglesias are both 19 years old. Arguelles is also believed to only be 2 to 3 years away from major league ready. The Yankees are said to be heavy favorites to sign BOTH of these players.

Players who have supposedly signed already

Wagner Mateo OF – St. Louis ($3.1 million)
Gary Sanchez C – Yankees ($2.5 million)
Guillermo Pimentel OF – Texas ($2 million)
Jose Vinicio SS – Red Sox ($1.5 million)
Rossel Herrera SS – Rockies ($1 million)
Alex Pharma OF/1B – Mariners ($1 million)
Victor Payano P – Red Sox ($800,000)
Juan Urbina LHP – Mets ($800,000) – son of Ugeuth Urbina
Jurickson Profar RHP – Texas ($700,000)

The international market is the one place that Yankee scouts seem to thrive in.  It's one of the main reasons the farm system is no longer pathetic. I can't wait to see who the Yankees get, even though I know most of these players won't make much of an impact on a major league team in the future. 

This is what I know and what I've heard up to this point. Hopefully many of you are happy with this information. Either way I will be updating tomorrow to let everyone know who the Yankees have signed and a scouting report to go along with it. 

If you are still hungry for more information, here are the links to what I wrote about prospects Gary Sanchez and Miguel Sano:

http://www.soxandpinstripes.com/sox_and_pinstripes/2009/06/the-yankees-signing-miguel-angel-sano-seems-unlikely-.html

http://www.soxandpinstripes.com/sox_and_pinstripes/2009/06/the-international-free-agent-period-gary-sanchez.html

Enjoy! Comment on anything!

Red Sox deliver a miracle of their own in dramatic comeback over Orioles

Can you recall a more bizarre turn of events over the course of back-to-back games in modern Red Sox history? I can't. A day after the Sox coughed up a 10-1 lead and Baltimore walked away with a stunning 11-10 win, they shocked the Orioles by plating four runs in the bottom of the ninth to force extra innings. Julio Lugo delivered a seeing-eye single in the top of the 11th inning that scored Jacoby Ellsbury, who led off the frame with a double, and Jonathan Papelbon retired the O's in order in the bottom of the inning to secure an eventful victory and pass Bob Stanley for the top spot on Boston's all-time saves list with 133.

Today's comeback was not quite as dramatic as the Mother's Day Miracle of 2007, but it was similar. For eight innings, the Sox were shut down by Baltimore's starting pitcher over eight innings. In 2007, it was Jeremy Guthrie. Today, it was rookie right-hander Brad Bergesen, who allowed a run and four hits. In 2007, Boston scored six runs in the bottom of the ninth to earn a walk-off win at Fenway. Today, it rallied for four runs in the top of the ninth inning, two of those runs coming with two outs. Then the bullpen did its job, the Sox scored the go-ahead run in the top of the 11th and Papelbon did his job in the bottom of the inning at Camden Yards.

Today's stunning come-from-behind victory eases the sting of last night's shocker that saw the Orioles score 10 runs and 13 hits in the final two innings off Red Sox relievers. This afternoon, Josh Beckett was reached for five runs and six hits through the first three-plus innings. After Beckett served up a solo home run by Ty Wigginton to lead off the fourth, he retired the final 12 batters he faced. Then Daniel Bard (two innings), Ramon Ramirez (one inning) and Papelbon (one inning) combined to dismiss all 12 batters they encountered.

Baseball is an intriguing game, indeed. After Beckett allowed Wigginton's dinger, Red Sox pitching had allowed 15 runs to Baltimore in six innings, and the O's scored at least one run in six consecutive frames. Then Beckett settled down, looking like his usual dominant self, the bullpen looked strong, and the Sox retired 24 hitters in a row.

Entering the top of the ninth, it appeared that the Sox would go down without a fight. Bergesen's lone belmish over eight innings was a two-out RBI double by Dustin Pedroia in third, and Pedroia ended a potential rally by getting thrown out at third base. Boston offered a glimmer of hope against Baltimore when Pedroia walked and Youkilis clubbed his 14th home run of the season off Jim Johnson, trimming the deficit to 5-3. George Sherrill entered and fanned Jason Bay, who struck out five times today, and David Ortiz, who was fooled by a nasty curve ball. Ellsbury extended the inning with a base hit, and then Sherrill had trouble throwing strikes. He walked Jeff Bailey and Jason Varitek to load the bases. Pinch-hitter Rocco Baldelli tied the game by grounding a single past the diving shortstop Robert Andino. The Sox loaded the bases again when J.D. Drew walked, but Danys Baez relieved Sherrill and got Pedroia on a pop out.

While Bard retired the side in the bottom of the ninth and Ramirez did the same in the 10th, the Sox finally reached Baez in the top of the 11th. Ellsbury ripped a double down the left field line that barely caught chalk. He advanced to third on Bailey's fly out. That's when Lugo grounded a perfectly placed ball through the drawn-in infield for the go-ahead run.

Papelbon has been drama prone in 2009, but today he recorded a routine save. Felix Pie led off the bottom of the 11th and was dismissed on a pop out. Nick Markakis, who belted what would be the game-winning two-run double last night in the bottom of the eighth off Papelbon, was retired on a harmless fly out. Aubrey Huff ended the game on a pop out to Lugo.

Especially after last night's debacle, 48-30 and no worse than a 2.5-game lead over the Yankees is much better than 47-31 and the chance that Boston would see its' American League East lead shaved to 1.5 games. The Sox won their seventh consecutive series, and now they have a much-needed off day on Thursday before opening a 10-game homestand (Seattle, Oakland and Kansas City) leading up to the All-Star break.

Can you remember a more unusual two-game span in your lifetime as a Red Sox fan? If so, I would like to know.

Yankee prospects Jesus Montero and Austin Jackson hitting for power

I'm a little upset right now since the post I just wrote was deleted by my computer's stupidity. Time to re-write it.

Yankee prospects, Jesus Montero and Austin Jackson are starting to hit for power in they're respective leagues.

Montero is only 19 years old and was recently promoted to Double-A Trenton for his outstanding hitting ability.  I was wondering how long would it take for Montero to hit his first home run in Double-A ball. In case some of you don't already know Single-A to Double-A is said to be the biggest transition in the minor leagues, because the talent pool in Double-A is a lot better.  It took 18 games for Montero to his first home run and it looks like he's starting to heat up. Montero hit 2 home runs in yesterday's game! Montero has always been known for his outstanding hitting ability, so this doesn't surprise me at all.  When the Yankees signed Montero in 2006, a lot of scouts said Montero was the best prospect to come out of Venezuela since Miguel Cabrera. Believe the hype, that's all I've got to say. Here is Montero's stat line:

Catcher-Jesus Montero

High-A Ball: 48 Games/.356BA/.406OBP/.583SLG/8HR/37RBI

Double-A Ball: 19 Games/.304/.377OBP/.478SLG/3HR/11RBI

Jesus Montero might be playing in Triple-A Scranton next season at only 20 years old! The only mock on Montero is his ability behind the plate. Montero hasn't been a good defensive catcher thus far, but that can change as he continues to improve. Montero is a big guy, which makes it hard for him to maneuver defensively, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him playing a different position when he makes it to the big leagues.  I think Montero will likely be the right or left fielder for the Yankees in the future. With his bat-potential there is no way the Yankees will trade him. This guy is the future franchise player for the Yankees, that's how good he is.  I would expect him to be in the big leagues by 2011, so don't get too excited.

Now it's time to talk about Austin Jackson. Jackson has been highly criticized for the way he has played this season. Critics will say through thorough statistical analysis that Jackson's batting average is more of a tribute to luck. Now as much as stats mean to baseball, when it comes to minor league prospects I would rather listen to people that watch them on an everyday basis. Jackson's critics are way to pessimistic for my taste. 

I've read a lot of news on how Jackson has played this season, particularly on what his teammates and coaches have to say about him. From their stand point, it sounds like he is playing very well, spraying the ball to all fields, strong defense, and a great personality.  Jackson is 22 years old in Triple-A and the main worry fans have about him is his power shortage this season. Let me repeat that, Jackson is 22 years old! The last tool to come to young players is usually power.  In Jackson's last few games it looks like his power has started to come, no one should be surprised. The Yankees minor league ball-parks are all said to be pitcher' stadiums, which has probably attributed to Jackson's lack of power. He still has the potential to hit 10-15 home runs in the majors. The most alarming statistic this season for Austin Jackson is his strike-out total. He has struck-out 74 times in only 72 games. This leads me to believe that Jackson will likely need more seasoning in the minors. I would expect Jackson to be the starting centerfielder by the middle of the 2010 season for the Yankees. Granted if he continues to hit for power and can cut down on his strike-out totals a bit this season, then he will likely be the starting centerfielder on Opening Day. Here is Jackson's stat line this season:

Centerfielder-Austin Jackson

Triple-A Ball: 72 Games/.320BA/.386OBP/.444SLG/3HR(all this month and 2 in last 3 games)/29RBI/13SB/0CS

Did I mention that Jackson is probably a better defender than Brett Gardner and Melky Cabrera? The future is exciting for these two Yankee prospects.

Later today I will write about what prospects are the Yankees pursuing in this years international market. Tomorrow is the day that international prospects can sign with teams, should be pretty interesting to see who the Yankees get, because they have been linked to the most players.

Enjoy the post!