Signing Update

Gerrit Cole is on his way to UCLA, however, the Yankees did sign LHP Jeremy Bleich (over draft), and they also signed Garrison Lassister (SS). They passed on Scott Bittle who apparently has shoulder issues and therefore they will be compensated in the next draft.

Random Thought

With the season pretty much over (10.5 games out of the AL East, 7 out of the WC), maybe it’s time for Joe Girardi to make some lineup moves that could actually make a difference. When I saw Jason Giambi come up in the 9th inning with the bases loaded, I wasn’t thinking positive thoughts. Instead, a glaring stat popped into my mind–.071. That’s Jason Giambi’s batting average with the bases loaded. .071 was all I could think about, and as the phrase, “it’s over,” spilled out of my mouth (I was watching the game with my brother), the game was, indeed, just that–over.

A-Rod couldn’t muster any substantial hits with RISP and Jason Giambi actually lowered his .071. While Mariano Rivera is to blame, the Yankee offense, specifically A-Rod and Giambi, remains stagnant and deserves its fair share of criticism (what else is new). So, with these terrible “clutch” performances in mind, why not shake the lineup out of its doldrums in a slightly different way. Let’s shuffle it up and move people around. Why not? At this point, there’s nothing to lose and everything to gain. For instance, here’s a somewhat abnormal lineup that I have concocted. It includes Hideki Matsui, who homered in his first rehab game for Class-A Tampa.

CF – Johnny Damon
SS – Derek Jeter
RF – Bobby Abreu
3B – Alex Rodriguez
LF – Xavier Nady
1B- Jason Giambi
2B – Robinson Cano
DH – Hideki Matsui
C – Pudge Rodriguez

Why should Girardi continue to reward Giambi with the 5 spot? He might as well move him out of there. If you’re hitting .212 with RISP and you’re supposed to be one of our main run producers, then something is definitely wrong your level of production. Nady is hitting everything since he came over (.327 with RISP), therefore, it would be smart to play the hot hand and let him hit behind A-Rod. At this point, who cares if he and A-Rod are both righties. Maybe it’ll help A-Rod to have a guy behind him that’s actually hitting for power and for a high average (and who hits with RISP). I’d even be willing to have Nady hit in front of A-Rod and have Abreu hit after A-Rod. Drop Giambi a spot in the lineup and let him hit in front of Cano. Then, Cano will get some protection from having Matsui behind him in the order.

Girardi might as well try something new. This seems like it’s rock bottom, so it couldn’t hurt, right?

Go Ahead And Scream…

You’re allowed, it’s alright. I know he’s the great Mariano Rivera and all, but maybe it’s time to leave him in the pen when the game is tied? I know, I know, I’m just saying…