Maple Bat Problem

Sooner or later, the MLB is going to have to face the facts and deal with the maple bat issue that is plaguing baseball. You can watch the games and notice that bats are shattering at an abnormal rate, and there’s only so long this can last before someone is seriously injured (in fact, people have already been injured). Sam Holman of the Original Maple Bat Corporation has his own theory about why bats are breaking and the maple bat quality in the MLB, but I say let’s ban them altogether and stick with ash bats. What do you think?

Friday Morning Bits: Sabathia, Hughes & Reliever News

Tyler Kepner (NY Times) outlines a ton of newsworthy items for today.

• With most of their team seemingly on or headed to the DL, the Cleveland Indians could turn into sellers. If this is the case, C.C. Sabathia could head to the front of the trading block and the Yanks would certainly be interested in him. Kepner notes that Cashman has rebuilt the Yankee farm system so they have the prospects for a blockbuster, and with the team hovering around the .500 mark, a Sabathia trade could push the club towards a playoff appearance.
• Next, Phil Hughes may not be ready to pitch for another 6 weeks, according to Kepner. Hughes’ rib has not healed as well as it could have (it is healing though), therefore, a few more weeks (possibly 2) are needed before he begins a throwing program. We may not see the youngster until August.
• Kepner also brings us some news about prospect, J.B. Cox. Cox was placed on the DL with shoulder tendinitis and will likely be out for 3 weeks. This setback will probably eliminate Cox’s chances of making the major league team, although the injury isn’t serious. I doubt the Yanks would rush him as he’s clearly making strides and could benefit from more minor league innings.
• Finally, some bad news for Jonathan Albaladejo (remember him?) as a stress fracture to his elbow will cost him what could have been a solid 2008 season. The good news is, I won’t have to type his name anymore (hooray!).

Back with more later…

Dear Hideki, Happy 34th Birthday — Love, Joe Blanton

The title of this post should have been stamped onto the ball that Joe Blanton threw to Hideki Matsui in the top of the 6th inning, as Matsui unloaded on it and sent it over the right field wall for his 5th career grand slam. That was all the Yanks could muster against the A’s, but it was certainly enough thanks to Andy Pettitte, who pitching 8 great innings and stifled the Oakland offense (1 ER).

So, the teetering act continues as the Yanks are a game over .500 (again). Next they’ll head to Houston (tomorrow) to face former friend, Shawn Chacon, who was one of my favorite ex-Yankees in recent years. I’m looking forward to the matchup, however, I may be headed to Safeco to see the Mariners play the Nationals. It won’t be very exciting seeing two terrible teams play each other, but hey, that’s why there’s beer, right?