OK, since last we spoke, the Yanks dropped the last two games of their series with the Red Sox in seriously disheartening fashion. Game Two was an old-fashioned creamolishment (ASIDE: I love the term "creamolish" which I attribute to Alex Belth over at Bronx Banter. Does anyone know if it has a longer history than Alex's blog?) with Matt Clement and the Red Sox beating down Carl Pavano and the Yanks 17-1.
You know this one burns, because Clement and Pavano were pretty much straight-up competitors in the free agent market, kind of like Jon Lieber and Jaret Wright, just with unequal salaries. The Red Sox got the better pitcher, for less money. Is anyone surprised about this?
Game Three was disheartening because David Wells, who wasn't getting anyone out since April 25, spun a gorgeous 8+ inning, six hit effort against the Yanks. To put this in context, two weeks ago, Oakland (yeah, the A's) racked Wells for seven runs in less than two innings. The Yankees managed two runs against him.
The Yankees' designated old pitcher in that game--Mike Mussina--had to be removed after three innings because David Ortiz was thwacking him like a pinata.
So uneasy lies the AL East Crown. The Yankees remain in a tie for second place behind the Orioles [coughcan'tkeepupthepacecough] but it feels like the team's sinking. The Red Sox, meanwhile, look like they might not need Schilling this season.
To put it in another way, when things get tough for the Red Sox, they can look forward to Schilling coming off the DL. Or Manny Ramirez getting his batting average over .280. Or Renteria hitting. What can the Yanks look forward to?
That's not a rhetorical question, if you have an answer, share with the group down in the comments section.
To me, when the cavalry is Jaret Wright, coming back from his mysterious shoulder ailments, or the Jason Giambi rebounding from the case of Bat Speed Death he's been suffering, that's not much hope.
OK, one Yankee could give the team a big pick-me-up: Hideki Matsui. Past that, we're talking pipe dreams--Roger Clemens coming back to the Stadium, and whatnot.
Like last year, I don't think the Yankees can look outside of the organization for rescue from their ills. They'll be stuck with what they have on hand. I know I'm riding the post-Sox blues, but right now, does anyone feel that's enough?
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3 comments:
I question how much Schilling can really offer the Sox. He has struggled to find a shoe that allows him to push off and maintain flexibility in his Holy Ankle.
We can hope though. Go Sox. :)
you have to agree with DJ - the Yankees don't have much of a future. The guys they have are the guys they're gonna have. The big pipedream is Clemens, but I don't know how they're going to get him. By my count they'll have to pay about $15 Million for one half season of the Rocket. That includes salary increase (clause in his contract says that his salary goes up to $21M from $18M if he's traded) and luxary tax that the Yankees will have to pay on top of his salary. But beyond the money, I don't see who they could possibly give up to get Clemens. And despite all this, Clemens appears to be the Yankees greatest hope. Its mind boggling that a $200M team could have so many holes in its construction.
Oh, and one more thing: who is Russ Johnson and what is he doing in NY?
go sox
Russ Johnson is a 32-year-old 3B/1B/2B who takes his walks and has doubles power, who has proven his ability to produce at the major league level (with Houston and Tampa Bay). In 2001 he hit .294/.380/.435 in 248 at-bats for the Devil Rays. He's a solid glove at all three of his positions and an excellent player to have on the bench.
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