While the World Series is being played out in "Tampa" and Philly, the Yankees are planning out their offseason plans in Tampa. Yea, their offices are actually in Tampa unlike the Rays who don't actually play there, but that's a story for another day. According to Mike Lupica of the Daily News the Yankees are ready to break the bank open to get back to the promise land. With about $80 million coming off the books this winter, it's almost certain that they will add that right back and may even surpass that.

"I'm not saying (the huge spending) won't happen," Brian Cashman said. "I know people expect us to go crazy. Even when we don't go crazy, people still look at whatever we do and say, 'There's the Yankees being the Yankees.' We're the Evil Empire even when we're not."

This is true. The one MUST this winter is getting C.C. Sabathia no matter the cost. We learned that not going after Johan Santana last year didn't help the Yankees in 2008. They certainly don't want an encore performance in '09 of their disappointing '08 so Sabathia is a must. It's just a matter of signing that check to C.C.'s liking. Objective 1 done.

Manny Ramirez in pinstripes? No way. It doesn't matter how Manny played the last few months in L.A., he will be 37 next season and you have to remember the way he sat out his final days in Boston because he didn't feel like playing. Besides, him and A-Rod in the same clubhouse?? OMG, the possibility of things that can happen there can only lead to trouble and backpage headlines, none of which would be good for the Bombers. Another factor in this is that the Yanks don't need hitting, they need desperately to fix their pitching. Manny would just be his own sideshow.

Objective 2, First Base. What's wrong with a guy like Doug Mientkiewicz? He was a solid defender and uhh well "decent" bat. Why do we need an all-star first baseman? Mark Teixiera would be a great bat in the lineup and a good guy to have on the team but if his asking price is too high why bother? Well he is switch-hitting and can put up .300 35 115 easily. Ok, so we give him a run for his money and see where we end up. So is signing Tex a must? That may depend on wheter the Yanks bring back Bobby Abreu, who looks to be on the way out. Figures, the only consistent guy with the bat is on his way out. Good job by the Yanks, you should keep this guy until his arms fall off because you know he will give you production. More production that Jorge Posada might give you the rest of his contract. Smart move by the Yanks...NOT!

Objective 3, another starting pitcher. Get Oliver Perez, while he also might be a little high in his asking price, he might fit into the rotation just fine being the 4th starter behind *Sabathia, Wang, and Joba. Yes this is how the rotation should look coming into opening day next year. If Perez isn't an option I do NOT like AJ Burnett. Reason behind that? He'll be Carl Pavano II, and we sure as hell don't want another one of those. So I don't even consider Burnett, unless he lowers his price dramatically. Derek Lowe? Hey why not? He pitched well down the stretch and is an experienced pitcher with postseason success. Take a gamble with him, he might be that workhouse the rotation needs, especially if the Yanks choose to part ways with Andy Pettitte.

Objective 4, centerfield? I question that because do we really need a CF? The answer is no. Do we want a stud out there? The answer is yes. Melky Cabrera wasn't the answer in '08, we thought he was. Brett Gardner can't hit yet and we don't know if he ever will. Austin Jackson? Ehh, let's not rush him up just yet. He looks to be your guy in center in the future but right now what is the right answer? I say leave Damon out there another year until his contract is up and give Melky and/or Gardner the other starts. Then evaluate this again next winter where more options could open up. But right now it makes sense for the Yanks to keep their trading chips and their money on getting a new CF for '09. Unless you can get a guy like Matt Kemp from the Dodgers, then CF shouldn't be addressed. Damon can still hit and produce, yes he has a weak arm but so did Bernie Williams and we were fine when he was roaming center.

Again, the need this winter is pitching. Worry first and foremost on pitching and upgrading it, not just taking leftovers off the free agent bum list. No more Ponsons, Rasners, or anyone else like that. No more! I don't want to see it. Those guys combined for 35 starts this year, that is NO GOOD. This is your 2009 rotation if things work out right.

1- CC Sabathia
2- Chien-Ming Wang
3- Joba Chamberlain
4- Oliver Perez
5- Phil Hughes/ Andy Pettitte

Not a bad staff there. Gives you a little depth towards the end if Andy comes back. Each guy could give you at least 10 wins with the exception of Hughes who we have no idea what to expect. Mike Mussina is almost a sure lock to retire. Once the World Series is done and over with next week, then the "hot stove" will heat up. If my rotation isn't what the Yankees are looking for then what are they going for?

"We're always trying to push to get better," Cashman said.

They got the money, make it happen. If Hank Steinbrenner has his way, the bank will be shattered and the Yanks will get their wants, but I hope that means they got their needs too.

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Tags: Alex Rodriguez, Andy Pettitte, Baseball, Bobby Abreu, Brain Cashman, Brett Gardner, CC Sabathia, Chien Ming Wang, Joba Chamberlain, Manny Ramirez, Melky Cabrera, Phil Hughes, Sidney Ponson, 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 much rumored-to-be-Yankee Jarrod Washburn pitched 8 innings and gave up one run in his start yesterday. Does this accerlate the talks between the Mariners and Yanks? I don't know but I would rather Washburn in the rotation than Ponson.

The Yankees are willing to pick up the remaining 14 million on Washburn's contract but Seattle wants a top level prospect. I think Seattle is asking for a little too much and they should lower their asking price before Thursday's trade deadline so they can drop some salary and put that money towards other pieces needed for them to compete again.

I wrote yesterday how the Royals and Yanks have discussed a Melky Cabrera for Brian Bannister trade. It looks like the Yanks aren't too serious about that unless the Washburn deal falls through.

It also appears that the Florida Marlins have interest in Kei Igawa (oh my gosh!). They think he could be a dependable 4th or 5th starter in the National League. Good luck with that idea.

Overall, this was a good week for the Yanks. They went 5-1, gained ground both in the divison and the Wild Card races. Let's hope the upcoming 7-game homestand proves to be just as productive.

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Tags: Baseball, Melky Cabrera, Sidney Ponson, 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 its 1999? All of these are BIG questions going into the second half. How about Melky Cabrera in CF? When the heck is he going to hit? Robinson Cano, when does he show us that talent that makes him so untouchable? My friends, I think these Yanks are in serious trouble.

The Yankees were 49-46 after 95 games last season. They ended up winning 94 games. I am a fan and sometimes that alters my thinking of the team and what's realistic but this time, this year I don't see the fight in this team. I don't sense it. I want to believe the Yankees will be playing October baseball but I just don't believe they have it in them. I will admit despite all the injuries (Wang-September, Matsui-Out for the year?, Phil Hughes- September?,Ian Kennedy- ?, A-Rod- 3 weeks, Jorge Posada- 6 weeks, Johnny Damon- a few weeks) the Yanks have done a good job in staying in the race. The Tampa Bay Rays will give the Yanks and Red Sox a run for their money this summer but will eventually fade out. It's the Yanks job to gain ground as the end of the season approaches.

The reason for concern is the .254 hitting with runners in scoring position (heading into last night's game). They hit .293 in similar situations last season.

"It's something that's hard to make sense of," general manager Brian Cashman said. "I have to have belief that these guys will hit because that is what they have done in the past. I have to go on what their track records have been."

But again, this is not Joe Torre's Yankees, it's Joe Girardi's team now. We will now see how much of the last few season was Torre's doing or was it the players? The Bombers have 35 games left on the road, 43 games against teams with a record over .500. Things have to get going now. I've said it all season that I will wait until at least the All-Star break to look at where the Yanks are and what their situation is and what lies ahead of them. Well, at this time, things don't look good in the Bronx. I don't want to count them out just yet, but they're not showing me anything worth believing October baseball is in the future.

In order to reach 94 wins the Yankees will have to go 44-23. It's possible and I hope they do make it. But I predict a 39-27 second half. The result of injuries, inconsistent play and lack of clutch hitting. This will leave them with a 90-72 record. I honestly think even that is a stretch for this team but I'm trying to be as realistic as possibe. The Yanks don't take the divison, the wild card is certainly a possiblity because how many AL teams are going to finish with 90 wins?

"I think we can get it done with the players we have," Derek Jeter said. "There's enough talent on this team to get it done."

Is the captain speaking out of confidence or is he speaking like someone who just happens to always say the right thing?

"It's time for us to get going" Girardi said.

I couldn't agree more. I hope the Yanks prove me wrong.

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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

As if Game 1 wasn't bad enough for the Yankees, in Game 2 of the doubleheader they called on Sidney Ponson to lead the way. Oh boy....

You know what, Ponson wasn't bad at all. Thank goodness. He gave the Yankees excatly what they needed. A quick turn-around after Game 1's disaster. He gave them 6 shutout innings. You couldn't ask for more. Bobby Abreu also helped the Yank's cause with a 4 for 4, 3 RBI performance.

This, from the Yankees stadnpoint was the type of game you wanted. Good pitching by Ponson, a good performance by the offense and good work by the bullpen. Pedro Martinez starting for the Mets was ineffective. He gave up 6 runs, walked 5 in his 5.2 innings of work.

"I'm not doing my job," Martinez said. "It's time to be getting better, not getting worse."

With the 9-0 win by the Bombers, it gives them their first win of the 2008 Subway Series. The Mets had won the previous three meetings, all at Yankee Stadium. With the final out of Game 1 recorded at 6:03 pm, it left little time to regroup and travel to Shea Stadium in time for Game 2, which was slated to begin at 8:10. According to the always lovely Kimberly Jones on the YES Network, the Yanks arrived at 7:11pm.

"It almost felt like you were in high school or a summer-league team, scrambling to play the second game," Joe Girardi said.

A memorable day in New York baseball. If you're a fan of either team then yesterday was a great day. Yanks-Mets coverage ALL DAY. Can't get any better than that. Well, of course if both teams make it to the World Series, then that would be better.

I'm all baseballed out. I'm not sure if thats even a word, but I'll run with that. Both teams are back at today at 3:55pm on FOX. Andy Pettitte vs Johan Santana, get ready it's going to be another great game. I'm looking forward to it, it's the main attraction of the series pitching-wise. Can't wait to see what happens.

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Tags: Baseball, Bobby Abreu, Joe Girardi, Mets, Sidney Ponson, Yankees