1) Andy Pettitte once admitted that throwing the cutter hampered his change-up and vice-versa, do you find it difficult to throw both pitches accurately? Have you thrown a change-up in a game since experimenting with it in Spring Training? As you age, and your velocity diminishes, have you thought, accordingly, about incorporating the change-up into your repertoire or some other off-speed pitch or perhaps, even another breaking ball, besides your slider, to compensate and prolong your career?

2) How much of your success do you attribute to your self-possession, seemingly unflappable composure, and resilience following a blown save? Indeed, has a blown save ever tormented you for any period of time afterward? If so, which one and for how long?

BTW, anyone listening to Kim Jones and Chris Carlin on WFAN? They’re speculating that the Astros could trade Roy Oswalt. Didn’t the Astros just extend his contract through 2011? Or are the talk-show hosts just engaging in the kind of idle conjecture and fanciful speculation the trade-deadline always seems to provoke?

If there’s any validity to it, the Yankees should inquire about what it will take to acquire. With the posssible exception of Hughes, Cashman should consider yielding one of his elite prospects for Oswalt.

maybe they were all on fastballs and he has shown he can’t hit breaking balls, kindof like Phillips…maybe his defense is terrible. there are things that minor league numbers might not tell us. i don’t know.

Cashman’s job is to ask his coaches and scouts for an honest opinion. he is doing his due diligence.

if A-Rod goes out for more than a week, i’d also like to see Duncan get a shot, just b/c they will be desperate for power. but the assumption that us, as fans, know more than Duncan’s coaches is kindof silly.

1) What does Rivera think about John Smoltz having success as both a starter and closer? Does Mariano think he could have been (or be) and ace starter?

2) I’ve heard rumors that MR is a great defensive OF. Would he be comfortable playing an inning of OF (say in a World Series game in an NL park) as a sub in double switch – then run in to pitch from the the OF like it was Little League?

A) Thanks for being such a wonderful Yankee!

Hey Tim, if you don’t already know the Yankees minor system is devoid of everyday players. The next Jeter/A Rod are right now on someone elses team.

yea and his brother is not ready also.

give the guy a few games if he fails send him down…most guys are not ready when they come up they develop further…