Bench seems set

From Ed Price (Star Ledger):

The Yankees have told people they plan to carry Morgan Ensberg. So assuming a lineup with Johnny Damon in left field, Hideki Matsui as designated hitter and Jason Giambi at first base (“He’s going to play a lot of first base,” manager Joe Girardi said today), the bench would be Ensberg, backup catcher Jose Molina, infielder Wilson Betemit and Shelley Duncan. That makes Betemit the only reserve middle infielder.

With the regular season inching closer, the bench situation seems set. The Yankees will actually have a formidable group, which seems like a new experience for many Yankee fans. I’ll take Jose Molina, Shelley Duncan, Wilson Betemit and Morgan Ensberg over a lot of guys. Hell, that’s an offense that could carry an NL team with good pitching.

Vindicated Excerpts on A-Rod

Here are some pages from Jose Canseco’s controversial new book, Vindicated, which talk about A-Rod meeting a “known steroid supplier” and Canseco’s strange and bitter relationship with a young Alex Rodriguez. Please, let me make it clear that Canseco has never seen Alex Rodriguez take steroids, buy steroids, or discuss steroids with another human being. All he says is that A-Rod tried to have sex with his wife (zing) and that he introduced him to a trainer that was also trying to become a player in Miami’s steroid culture.

(Props to RAB).

Claudio Vargas Released

Claudio Vargas was released by the Brewers today. The guys at MLBTR think that he can be a viable #4-5 starter, despite his poor earned run average, citing his peripheral statistics (career) which are actually pretty good (6.43 K/9, 3.48 BB/9). Maybe the Yankees should consider him? Granted, it’s unlikely and merely random speculation, but they’ll need to fill a lot of innings down the road and he’d be a cheap option.

Accessories are a must

From Bryan Hoch:

The Yankees’ uniforms for the 2008 season will be displaying some special touches.

The Yankees announced on Tuesday that their players, coaches and manager will wear a special patch on their 2008 uniforms commemorating the final season of Yankee Stadium. In addition, the team also will wear a patch in honor of the 2008 All-Star Game, which will take place at Yankee Stadium on July 15.

It is the first time the club’s uniforms will be adorned with a patch for a full season since 2003, when the Yankees wore a patch commemorating the 100th anniversary of the franchise.

The “Yankee Stadium — The Final Season” patch will feature the main entrance of the original Stadium as it was prior to renovation in 1976. A “1923-2008″ notation along the top of the patch recognizes the lifetime of the Stadium since its original Opening Day on April 18, 1923.

The Yankee Stadium patch will be worn on the left sleeves of both home and road jerseys. The 2008 All-Star Game patch will appear on the right sleeves of both jerseys.

Nice. Speaking of patches, did anyone see the EMC patches worn by the Red Sox last nite? They were huge and hideous.

Pettitte’s Start Pushed Back

Andy Pettitte’s start has reportedly been pushed back, and he’ll likely be replaced by Mike Mussina. Either way, no worries. Pettitte won’t even miss a start, he’s simply being pushed back a bit and will probably pitch in the third or fourth game of the year.

A-Rod & Canseco

There have been supposed excerpts of Jose Canseco’s second steroid-related book, Vindicated, floating around which state that Canseco introduced A-Rod to a “known steroid supplier.” The rumors began on a site titled Deadspin and they have quickly spread throughout the internet. It’s amazing how it has become valid news, especially since the entire story is based upon one man’s account, a freelance writer named Joey Lavin, who “found” the book a week before it was released in a store in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His reports about the text have not been confirmed by another, and yet they have been spread and circulated in order to stay above the rumor curve.

In the book, Canseco reportedly introduces A-Rod to a “steroid supplier” but Canseco also claims that A-Rod tried to sleep with his wife, which explains his “hate” toward Alex Rodriguez. The whole thing sounds a bit too soap opera-ish, if you ask me. Maybe A-Rod tried to sleep with his wife and therefore, Canseco made up this entire steroid-story as a form of retaliatory payback. Or, maybe, just maybe, this story is complete trash. I think it’s pretty amazing that people would report this without having it further substantiated.

When asked about the story, A-Rod said, “He said that in his book? I have absolutely no comment.”

50,000 Hits

I don’t know if the counter counts 50,000 unique people or 50,000 simple hits from many of the same people. Either way, I’m thankful to all of those who have stopped by to read a post and catch up on our favorite team. You guys are great, thanks.

Weird Stuff

Right now I’m watching the Red Sox vs Oakland in Tokyo (the Tokyo Dome) on ESPN2. It’s very, very strange to see live baseball on at 3:00 AM (I live in Seattle). Even if it’s the Red Sox and Oakland, it’s a season opener and the first of the new year. Seriously, I’m just happy to see meaningful baseball in 2008 (regular season baseball).

UPDATE– As I watch the game, Dice-K looks terrible. He’s given up a homerun in the first inning, now he’s continuing to throw balls. He just hit Jack Cust, there is 1 out, runners on first and second.. actually scratch that, he just threw a wild one in the dirt, so runners are on second and third. Tough outing so far. Tons of pitches.

Late Night Update

After pitching 5 innings where he allowed 3 runs off 3 hits while striking out 6, Phil Hughes seems pretty upbeat and feels like he’s “ready to go.” 2 of the earned runs were off of a bad pitch and holding back the Phillies, a very potent lineup, to just 3 hits over 5 is a pretty nice feat. Also, Billy Traber demonstrated that he is human, giving up his first earned run. Also, Brian Bruney got some work in. Now that the Yankes have sent Chris Britton to the minors, Bruney’s shot at being in the pen has certainly increased.

Oh, by the way, the Yanks won the game 13-4.