Yanks Not Interested in Bedard?

From Jayson Stark (ESPN):

Much as the Yankees need pitching, we’re hearing they’ve all but decided Erik Bedard’s personality issues would make him a no-go in their always-serene clubhouse.

Do I detect some sarcasm there, Stark? Either way, I don’t think it makes sense for the Yanks to shut Bedard out as an option simply because of the off-field issues. The Yankees have the parts to get Bedard from Seattle and he’s a strikeout artist (an ace in waiting). Granted, he’s a touchy guy, he doesn’t work well with the media, and he’s somewhat of an injury risk, but he could be had at a discount with the Mariners totally rebuilding their club. I understand that if the team traded a package which included Melky Cabrera to get Bedard, it could be a problem for the players since Melky and Cano are good friends and he seems like a clubhouse favorite, so maybe that’s what Starks’ information stems from.

Game 79: Yanks VS. Pirates

UPDATE (10:35) — The game has been postponed.

Here’s the lineup courtesy of Ed Price:

Johnny Damon LF
Derek Jeter SS
Bobby Abreu RF
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Jason Giambi 1B
Robinson Cano 2B
Melky Cabrera CF
Jose Molina C (No Moeller?)
Mike Mussina P

So Johnny Damon is back in there and I hope the Yanks didn’t rush him, but I guess they have a lot of ground to cover with Tampa Bay and Boston widening the AL East gap. Christian will still be a valuable tool off the bench as a pinch-runner. Mussina will be opposed by Paul Maholm.

Also, totally unrelated but for those wondering about Shawn Chacon, the Astros cut ties with him today. He’ll be placed on waivers and if no team picks him up, he’ll be released without pay on Monday.

Mike Mussina’s Words of Wisdom

From ESPN:

Mussina might or might not be dropping a subtle hint to the Yankees about getting another contract in 2009, but he says hopefully Steinbrenner and general manager Brian Cashman have learned a lesson about overreliance on youth.

“To have those two kids [Hughes and Kennedy] shoved into a tough situation, with very little experience, and then be asked to win 30 games between them, that’s a lot,” Mussina said. “It’s a lot, especially for two of them at the same time.”

OK, so maybe Yankee fans had unrealistic expectations for Hughes and IPK. Maybe the trick is to have NO expectations whatsoever, I mean, it worked with Mike Mussina, right? So, Sidney Ponson, no expectations… (that was easy!).

Quick Bits: Chacon, Hawkins, Giese and Ponson

OK, here we go:

1) Shawn Chacon, former Yankee and a personal favorite of mine, has been suspended indefinitely by the Houston Astros. The initial reports were that Chacon was being suspended due to his requests for a trade after being relegated to the bullpen (he signed with the Astros because they told him he would be a starter, yet he was ineffective in his last few outings after a solid first month). However, Chacon actually admitted to getting into a physical confrontation with Astros GM, Ed Wade, as Wade apparently berated him in front of some of his teammates, which prompted Chacon to grab him by the throat and throw him to the ground (thus, the real reason for the suspension). Chacon will likely be released as any trade value he once had is now gone. Now, a thought popped into my head once I heard the news and as Tyler Kepner ponders, would signing Chacon be a good idea for the Yanks (off-field issues aside)? He had that one magical season here, and although I’d like to see him in a Yankee uniform, I’d have to say it was one and done (he had that one good season here, tried to continue the following year, and he was miserable). But, the Yanks seem to like giving guys second tries, I mean, they’re giving Ponson another shot and he was never good for us.

2) Speaking of Sidney Ponson, he will start in the second game of this weekend’s doubleheader against the Mets (it’s officially official). Dan Giese will pitch the first game of the series and Andy Pettitte will get the nod on Saturday. What’s cool about Friday’s doubleheader is that the Yanks and Mets will face off in both Yankee Stadium (first game) and Shea Stadium (second game). Great for both sets of fans.

3) Last but not least, we have some stuff on LaTroy Hawkins. Hawkins is currently in bullpen purgatory, as he’ll be a long-man for as long as possible (Girardi’s hiding him). Hawkins took one for the team in the first game of the Pirates series, tossing almost 50 pitches in 2 2/3 innings of relief work, as he has barely been used recently. I enjoy hearing Joe Girardi’s lame excuses for Hawkins’ use as of late, stating that Hawkins’ limited appearances have just been a “coincidence” (how stupid do you think we are?). Either way, it’s a lose-lose situation for Hawkins. He hasn’t been pitching regularly so he’s rusty and so when he does pitch, he’s normally doing it in blowouts (and then he gets hit because the team he’s pitching against is already pretty confident with themselves on that given day). It’s only a matter of time before Hawkins finds another home (DFA or straight up trade).

4) Oh, and one more thing, Scott Proctor has been placed on the DL with an elbow problem. Surprise!

Joba Gets His Win

Joba Chamberlain was absolutely dominant today, pitching 6.2 scoreless innings and striking out 7 Pirates as he finally earned that elusive first win (as a starter). The Yankee bats were also awake, tabbing 16 hits against Pirate pitching (that list of pitchers includes ex-Yankee T.J. Beam). After yesterday’s drubbing, tonight’s game unfolded in the best possible way, as the Yanks made a strong statement through both their offense and defense (Ross Ohlendorf and Jose Veras were solid in relief and kept the shutout going). This was a big bounce back sort of win and Mike Mussina will get the ball tomorrow as he searches not for his first win but for his league leading 11th win. He’ll be opposed by Paul Maholm (4.41 ERA).

Also, a couple of closing notes about the game:

• Bobby Abreu had 3 hits today (including a homer) and seems to be breaking out of a miserable slump. In his last 3 games, Abreu is 6-for-13, with 2 homers (9, 10) and 6 RBI.
• Robinson Cano is now 6-for-9 during this series and has a homer (5), a double, and 2 RBI. His average has jumped from .227 to .241.
• Johnny Damon is reportedly “progressing” although his own comments about his foot don’t seem to relay that notion. They’re trying to get him back by tomorrow, but with Justin Christian hitting well, I don’t think the club will rush him. If the Bombers could push across 10 tonight against the Pirates’ best starter this year, I have to believe that they can do some damage against Maholm without Damon or even Hideki Matsui (who is nursing his knee as well as a stiff neck).

I’ll be posting some bits later tonight (that’s early in the morning for you east coasters), so feel free to stop by if you’re still up.