MLB Discussing Maple Bats

So baseball seems to be ready to act on the maple bat issue. Jeff Passan wrote about this dilemma weeks ago, and I believe just yesterday an umpire was hit in the face with a broken bat, forcing him out of the game. It looks like the MLB may finally deal with a problem before it snowballs.

DL For Damon?

George King III is reporting that Johnny Damon could possibly be heading to the DL. Girardi, who has been pretty vague with his descriptions of injuries, said that Damon should be fine in a day or so. Let’s hope that he’s right, because I don’t know if the Yanks can have Melky batting first for an extended period of time.

Chase Him (Looking Ahead)

If this guy is a free agent, even with his checkered past (health wise), how can you not pursue him (2008 numbers)? His upside is far beyond Carl Pavano (I’m comparing because of injury issues) and with the depth in the minor league system, the Yanks don’t need to put lofty expectations on him (although any sort of contract will do that automatically). Hell, he’ll be cheaper than C.C. Sabathia and the team will have the money to get him (I’m not advocating C.C. or Sheets, I’d take either, but Sabathia is a sure thing). I’m not trying to be a greedy Yankee fan, but with money freeing up next year, why not chase both?

Terrible, That’s All

Girardi said it best after the 12-5 loss. “We stunk,” repeated Joe Girardi, several times, as he and we all know that the Yanks SHOULD have won that game. Tom Gorzelanny wasn’t fooling anyone however the teams’ inability to hit with RISP shut this game down early. As soon as Jeter grounded into that inning ending DP in the first, you sort of had a feeling that it be would one of those nights for the club and it definitely was. Tom Gorzelanny didn’t just walk a tight rope tonight, he cut the rope down, waved it in a circle above his head and then threw it in the Yankees’ clubhouse. It was flat out embarrassing. Darrell Rasner didn’t help matters and is regressing at a rather quick pace. I still think he has the ability to get it done, but he’s just been too hittable these past few games and must hit his spots or else he’ll do what he did today (get shelled).

Also, I must criticize a major move by Joe Girardi; bringing in Jose Molina as a pinch-hitter after Rasner’s night was over. Seriously Joe? Jose Molina? Granted, Matsui and Damon are out, but Gorzelanny was giving the game away with his free passes and Girardi sends out his most impatient hitter (.237 OPB)? What message does that even send to your team? At least send Chad Moeller out there (.348 OBP), I mean, at least he demonstrates some level of patience at the plate. Molina swung at pitches that weren’t even in the zone and with men on base, Joe needs to realize that he didn’t help his swooning team with that decision (maybe he should have left Rasner in there, at least he had 2 walks for the night).

So, on a day where Justin Christian and Robinson Cano looked great, the top of the order looked awful and this is what we have, one of the more embarrassing losses of the 2008 season. Don’t get me wrong Pirate fans, Nate McLouth, Jason Bay, these guys are all great players, but to give Adam LaRoche (a second half player) and the injured Freddy Sanchez an opportunity to have a hit parade, it’s just really bad. Hopefully (a word I use quite often when describing this years team) the Yanks will get it going tomorrow against Zach Duke (a lefty with great numbers against lefties, go figure), who has actually been the best pitcher for the Pirates, thus far. We can feel good about our chances, especially with an unrestricted Joba stepping onto the mound in search of his first win as a starter.