The Yankees are in it to win it this year. All it took was an 8-game winning streak and GM Brian Cashman was ready to make some moves, some serious moves. With Thursday's 4 pm trade deadline looming Cashman seems to be working 24-7. As a result, the Yanks went from being left in the dust to serious heavyweights.On Wednesday afternoon the Yankees traded reliever Kyle Farnsworth to the Detriot Tigers for Ivan Rodriguez. All I can say is wow. This is an excellent trade and Brian Cashman once again shows why he's one of the smartest men in baseball. This is the second major trade that the Yankees have pulled in less than a week. With less than 24 hours away Cash may have one more trick up his sleeve. Is that going to be Washburn? We'll find out...

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Tags: Baseball, Brain Cashman, Chien Ming Wang, Demaso Marte, Edwar Ramirez, Ian Kennedy, Ivan Rodriguez, Joe Girardi, Jorge Posada, Jose Veras, Kyle Farnsworth, Phil Hughes, Yankees

Did Sidney Ponson pitch his last game as a Yankee last night? It's very possible. The Yankees have been lucky with Ponson thus far but last night's performance is a reminder of how much of a risk he really is.The winning streak eventually had to come to an end and the Yanks did take 2 of 3 in Boston, but it was still a game the Yanks needed to win. A win last night puts the Yanks into a tie for the Wild Card with Boston and they gain a game on the Rays leaving them 2 out. But Ponson started in a big game spot. I'll excuse him for the fact that he was due to get hit around at some point. He has given the Bombers more than they could've imagined so I'm not upset with him. It does however raise some questions abouit Sir Sidney in big spots. The...

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Tags: Baseball, Melky Cabrera, Sidney Ponson, Yankees

Boy is my face red. Last week I wrote how the Yankees need more than luck to make the playoffs. Well, they haven't lost since I wrote that article.Since my post was written, the Yankees have been on a winning streak of 8 straight, they've made one trade that filled two big needs and it appears they are not done. Reports have the Yanks ready to acquire Jarrod Washburn from Seattle and this morning the Kansas City Star is reporting a potential deal with the Kansas City Royals that could bring Brain Bannister to the Bronx for Melky Cabrera.Well, it appears the Yanks are going for it. Why wouldn't they? They're the Yankees. I didn't sense a fight in this team and now they are red hot. The winning streak comes at a time where the Tampa Bay Rays...

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Tags: Baseball, Joe Girardi, Melky Cabrera, Yankees

Shelley Duncan is here! How do you know that? Here's how:Friday night: 1 for 4, 1 RBI.Saturday (Game 1): 1 for 4, 1 HR 2 RBI, Yankee Stadium curtain call.Sunday: 2 for 4, 2 HR 4 RBI, another curtain call. Via ESPN.com:"It's a crazy experience," Shelley said. "You kind of get frozen in the moment."That was the weekend Duncan had, and that's why you know who he is. Not to mention fist pounds and high fives that would take your arms off. He's the brother of St. Louis' Chris Duncan and son of Dave Duncan , pitching coach of the Cardinals. He was drafted in 2001 by the Yanks out of Arizona. His infectious manner in which he plays the game has brought a sense of life and enthusiasm to the team and to the ballpark. A factor that the Yankee Stadium...

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Tags: Baseball, Derek Jeter, Joe Torre, Shelly Duncan, Yankees

With the 2008 All-Star game behind us, the second half of the season is upon us. This is where the contenders show their worth and the pretenders fade away. The Yankees have been known as a good second half team over the past few seasons but this might very well be the toughest second half of recent memory. The Yankees are 51-45 and 5.5 games out of first place. 66 games to go. Now granted this is no reason to be alarmed, BUT do you really think Sidney Ponson is going to continue to pitch effectively throughout the second half? Do you think Richie Sexson will be that much of a help in the lineup? Those two are replacing ace Chien-Ming Wang and slugger Hideki Matsui. Mighty big shoes to fill. How much longer is Mike Mussina going to pitch like...

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Tags: Alex Rodriguez, Baseball, Derek Jeter, Hideki Matsui, Ian Kennedy, Joe Girardi, Joe Torre, Johnny Damon, Jorge Posada, Melky Cabrera, Mike Mussina, Phil Hughes, Richie Sexson, Sidney Ponson, Yankees

The 2008 HR Derby was one for the ages. If you didn't see the first round you missed the whole show.Texas Rangers' Outfielder Josh Hamilton hit an amazing 28 HR's in the first round. Josh's 28 HR's was the most ever in the first round. Bobby Abreu previously held the record with 24, set in 2005. It was quite simply an outstanding performance. Some of the HR's he hit went places you didn't think were possible. He hit them 5oo feet on several occasions, he hit them all the way in the cheap seats in the right field upper deck. He went deep into the black seats in center, he hit the Bank of America sign in right, and he almost hit the 4 train! (ok, he really didn't but it looked like he sure was aiming for it, and came close)."If the balls had...

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Tags: Baseball, Bobby Abreu

Bobby Mercer has passed away due to complications from brain cancer. It's a sad day in the baseball world because Bobby touched so many people in so many different ways.The Yankees were informed of his passing after the game. Here are some quotes regarding Bobby:Michael Kay:“Bobby was one of the finest human beings I’ve ever met. He handled his battle with a grace and class that was hard to fathom. For me personally, it’s an incredible loss. He was my idol growing up. I was lucky to work with him as a broadcaster, and it showed me that I had great taste as a kid. He was everything that you’d want in someone that you once looked up to. He lived up to every ideal that a little boy set for him. I’m going to miss him a lot. I miss him a lot already.”Ken...

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Tags: Baseball, Bobby Mercer, Yankees

The rosters for the 2008 All-Star Game were announced yesterday afternoon. The hometown Yankees are going to be represented by 3 of the game's best. The crosstown Mets, however have only 1 representative. Let's take a look at the rosters.AMERICAN LEAGUE STARTERS:First base: Kevin Youkilis (Boston)Second base: Dustin Pedroia (Boston)Shortstop: Derek Jeter (New York)Third base: Alex Rodriguez (New York)Catcher: Joe Mauer (Minnesota)Outfield: Josh Hamilton (Texas)Outfield: Manny Ramirez (Boston)Outfield: Ichiro Suzuki (Seattle)DH: David Ortiz (Boston)RESERVES:J.D. Drew (Boston)Jason Varitek (Boston)Joe Crede (Chicago)Carlos Quentin (Chicago)Grady Sizemore (Cleveland)Carlos Guillen (Detroit)Justin Morneau (Minnesota)Milton Bradley (Texas)Ian Kinsler...

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Tags: Alex Rodriguez, Baseball, Derek Jeter, Jason Giambi, Mariano Rivera, Mets, Mike Mussina, Yankees

Mariano Rivera is still the best closer in baseball. Sometimes it takes a near disaster like the 9th inning yesterday, to make you realize how good Rivera is.With the Yanks up 2-0 and Rivera on the mound you thought the game was going to over. One thing you learn from watching Yankees-Red Sox is that it's NEVER over until the final out is recorded, no matter what the score is and what the situation is. That's what makes baseball so great. That's what makes this rivalry so great. So Rivera hits two guys, gives up two hits, one run and the bases are loaded and no one out. He strikes out Coco Crisp, gets Jason Varitek to pop up, and strikes out Julio Lugo. He did all that with the same calm, expressionless demeanor he always carries.For a moment...

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Tags: Baseball, Mariano Rivera, Yankees