Game 104: Yanks VS. BoSox

Here’s the lineup (via PA):

YANKEES (58-45)
Damon DH
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Nady LF
Cano 2B
Sexson 1B
Cabrera CF
Molina C
Ponson RHP

The Rays lost today, so if the Yankees were going to continue their winning streak, now would certainly be the time. Giambi is getting the night off and we’ll see if Richie Sexson’s statistical aberration, I mean, ability to pound lefties, will come through.

UPDATE (7:15) – Rain is falling in Boston and the game may not start until later tonight. Also, the Yankees aren’t budging in their talks with the Mariners and are only willing to part with a marginal prospect for Washburn. That’s the way to go. Again, I haven’t heard much about other teams that are willing to take on his contract and the Mariners are definitely looking to clear up some payroll. Even if they find a suitor that is willing to offer up a nice package of prospects for Washburn, the Mariners don’t want to be on the hook for his salary, so they won’t end up getting a nice package, regardless of who they trade with.

Manny Would OK Trade

From ESPN:

“If the Red Sox are a better team without Manny Ramirez, they should trade me; I will not object,” said Ramirez in a telephone interview with ESPNdeportes.com on Sunday.

“I don’t have any preferences: I could choose a team that offers me the best conditions or one in the chase for the postseason. I don’t care where I play, I can even play in Iraq if need be. My job is to play baseball,” added Ramirez.

You’ve got to love that Iraq quote. Manny went on to say that he’d OK any trade as long as it was in his best interest and the team’s best interest. Basically, if the team that trades for him offers an extension then he’ll probably accept that. Also, if he were to be moved to the Mets or Phillies, since they’re in a playoff race, he’ probably accept that as well. Either way, if Manny Ramirez hits free agency next year (if the Sox keep him and don’t pick up his option, which they probably won’t), he would be a great designated hitter for the Yankees (most of you would like that too, according to the poll on the right).

Igawa Keeps Winning

Kei Igawa, fresh off of being removed from the 40-man yesterday, pitched 6 innings yesterday and gave up 1 ER. He lowered his season ERA to 3.69 and was the first Yankee pitcher (in AAA) to reach 10 wins (well, technically Jeff Karstens was that guy but was traded on the day he earned his tenth). Personally, I feel bad for Kei Igawa. He seems like he wants to succeed and do well, but his stuff just hasn’t translated well in his major league starts. Hopefully the Yankees will bite the bullet and just trade him to an NL team. I’m sure the Padres could use him for next season. I wouldn’t be surprised if he went to the NL and shut opposing teams down. If given a legitimate chance outside of NYC, I think he could be a decent pitcher.

Washburn Not Yet A Yankee

I’m watching FSN in Seattle right now and Jarrod Washburn is still pitching against the Toronto Blue Jays. He’s gone 7 innings and has only allowed 3 hits (2 K’s and 2 BB’s) and only 1 ER. He’s been building a pretty strong case for the Mariners to trade him and I’m sure Brian Cashman has been checking in on him throughout the day. If Ponson gets spanked tonight, I’d expect that the chances for a trade will rise a bit more.

The Goose Is Loose

Goose Gossage will be inducted in the HOF today. You can watch the ceremony at the Yankees’ website (it started at 1:30, I believe). Love him or hate him, Goose has earned this one.

Scouts Sound Off On Tabata

For all the Jose Tabata lovers out there that thought the Yankees gave up way too much for Nady and Marte, here’s a quick rundown from scouts and AL execs about Jose Tabata.

For Pittsburgh, this deal does seem to hinge mainly on just how good Tabata is. As one farm director said, “If you saw him at the Futures Game two years ago at 17, you were sure you were watching a budding superstar. If you saw him this year, you were sure you were watching a bum.”

An AL executive said, “A year and a half ago, he was untouchable. Now you have questions about if his age is accurate (his listed birthdate has him turning 20 next month) and a lot about his makeup.”

The reports this year on Tabata have been universally horrendous. The comparisons to Manny Ramirez are long gone.

“He may have had tools when he signed, but if you were watching him this year, he was chunky and stiff,” one scout said. “He doesn’t run well. He made zero adjustments at the plate. He couldn’t hit my inside fastball. He is immature, has a lot of holes in his swing and is bad in the outfield.”

Wow. Not quite a glowing endorsement, is it? While Tabata has the raw skills necessary to become a big league player, he still has a lot of question marks. The Nady-Marte trade helps the Yankees, not just now, but in the future. This is a guaranteed deal that’ll help the Yankees for more than just one season, and giving up Tabata seems worth the risk.

Manny Traded?

Hey, it could happen. According to the NY Post, Manny Ramirez could be on the move after a myriad of recent situations (throwing down an old man, knee situation, etc.) that have soured BoSox ownership. Actually, the trade concept is well known, however the Post is the first news source I’ve seen to say what teams would seriously consider adding Manny to their lineup. According to Sherman and Puma, Philadelphia could be the team he is traded to, since Manny is close to Charlie Manuel. A trade like that would be great news for Yankee fans, and with all the good news that has headed our way as of late, I wouldn’t be too surprised.

Rumor Mill Spinning

OK, so right now, there’s a lot of information being passed around about the Yankees and possible trade scenarios. First, there are reports out there that indicate the Yankees are close to trading for Jarrod Washburn, so close, in fact, that he may even start tomorrow instead of Sidney Ponson. One Ohio news source is even claiming that the Yankees have already traded for Washburn (which is inaccurate). Then, there are reports that seem to contradict this notion altogether. For instance, according to the Kansas City Star, the Yankees are interested in acquiring Brian Bannister (for Melky Cabrera) if the Washburn deal falls flat.

Huh? Brian Bannister? Where did that name come from?