Yankee Update

The Yankees have got to do something about Eduardo Nunez. The man has been a fantastic hitter this year and the man is clearly a great athlete. We have been more than happy with what he's provided offensively but enough is enough, Eduardo can't field. He has now racked up an excellent total of 13 errors for the season. That number doesn't even include the amount of plays he's botched that can't be ruled as errors. It's no longer easy to turn away from his occasional blunders and shrug it off as the every now and then mistake. It has now become routine for Nunez to butcher a play and it's hurting the Yankees more than his bat is helping.

I'm sick of people texting me and telling me Joe Girardi is fucking up the bull pen. I'm also sick of hearing how bad Boone Logan is and how Sergio Mitre should never take the field. I love the Yankees winning games and of course games vs Boston and Tampa are important, but Dave Robertson and Mariano Rivera can't play every day. They can't even play every other day. I don't want Mo logging 80+ games this season. I want Mo fresh and ready for October innings. The Yankees got screwed with Feliciano, Soriano, and Joba all getting hurt and they have to roll with some guys other than Mo and Robertson sometimes. Ideally I'd like our starter to go 7 and then go to Dave and Mo, but that doesn't happen. We need some other relievers to get some 6th 7th and at times 8th innings outs. Enter Boone Logan.

Boone Logan has never been my favorite Yankee and he did struggle his ass off to start the year, but he has merit on this team. Logan has been a different man since his special A-rod chat. He is the only lefty in the pen and it's necessary for him to continue to see crunch time minutes so he can continue to get going and be a key member of the playoff rotation. Not to mention the fact that he's actually providing lots of value right now.

Sergio Mitre is the official white flag of the Yankees. You cam't win every game and when it's 7-2 in the 8th, it's ok by me if Girardi decides to save some good arms and throws out Mitre. Agreed it's frustrating but that's what the last guy in the bull pen is for. Granted Mitre is below average even for the last man on the roster, but he is not costing the Yankees any winnable games so end of discussion.

It's because of this that I actually have like Girardi's managing and think Yankee fans should find other things to be mad about.

Cano, don't ya know

Robinson Cano showed off his skills last night destroying the field en route to his first HR derby title. It's not as if the world doesn't already know the wonder that is Robby. He's now been a Yankee for 7 years, won a World Series title, and made 3 all star games so the man has been showcasing his skills plenty but this was a whole other level. Cano has always been a great hitter, but it's never been with the long ball. At the derby last night Cano demonstrated that his swing is so great and so pure he could easily drop hit more home runs but chooses to hit for doubles and singles.

Adrian Gonzalez sure put on one hell of a show in the finals, notching a finals record 11 HRs, that is until cano got up. Cano hitting balls from his Dad Jose, hit 12 HRs with only 6 outs in the finals. He was showing no signs of exhaustion from his previous 20 jacks in the Arizona heat. Cano spent the offseason 2 years ago working hard with his dad to get better and since then has been on fire. He went to a level only Yankee fans new was possible and showed some serious pop. Prince Fielder hit the farthest HR at 474 FT and the next 4 farthest were all Canos, including 2 at 472 feet.

It was the first time in a while the HR derby for me was really a pleasure to watch. After watching the all star game tonight I realized that the baseball all star festivities are the best of the major sports by far and I enjoyed seeing my Yankees compete as well as the rest of the AL stars. Too bad the best players weren't in attendance, but I think it gives the secondary players a chance to shine. Good to see Ricky Weeks, Starlin Castro, Joel Hanrahan, and players of the like who don't get much respect and deserve it. Would have like to have seen CC, Verlander, Price, Arod, Jeter, Reyes, and a few other stars but they were hurt and ineligible and such is life.

The NL won 5-1 and had clearly the more dominant starting pitching. I don't really care about the stats too much but Fielder hit the big blast, a 3 run dinger off CJ Wilson and that was all she wrote. It was unfortunate because the Yankees could use that home field advantage and we missed out because Wilson was pitching and shouldn't have been. Not if Haren, Verlander, Price, or CC were out there. But that's the way the cookie crumbles, let's hope the Yankees can get there before it matters. At least last night the world got to witness the joy that is Cano and why the Yankees future remains bright. It was an enjoyable 2 days without the Yankees and now only one more miserable day off before the 2nd half is underway.

New post tomorrow breaking down the 2nd half season...For now congrats NL and go Robby

Derek Jeter Goes for History

Derek Jeter will attempt to collect his 3,000 Major league hit (every one hit as a Yankee) tonight at home against the Rays. The Yankees begin a 4 game series with Tampa at home before the All Star break and then heading on a 7 game road trip shortly thereafter. Jeter has openly stated the 3,000 hit mark has not weighed heavily on his mind but he did admit he wants 3,000 to come at home (Duh! Although for Jeter that's quite a confession). What this means is we have a golden opportunity for the achievement to be reached during these four games, otherwise it ain't happening at home. He currently stands at 2,997 and so needs 3 hits in 4 games. Since I'm going to the game tonight, ideally I'd like to see a 3 hit game and have the record happen tonight. Unlikely as it is it should be a good game as my friend Cobe has procured some wonderful seats. thirty feet behind home plate with a great free buffet of food and spacious seating to boot.

The series itself against the Rays should also not be downplayed. With the Yankees losing 3 of their last 4 games and losing their first series since being swept by Boston almost a month ago, it's important to turn things around. The Rays are closing in on first place in the AL east and with only 2 teams from the east making the playoffs, it's crcuial to beat division rivals. The Yankees have looked phenominal in June and July and look to keep firing on all cylinders. At 51-34 the Yankees look poised for another second half run and playoff birth. Let's see them get back on the winning track tonight and if we get lucky....some history!