The schedule gets brutal starting tomorrow, no more tee ball against the Royals and D-Rays.

This next two week stretch tells you whether this team is a playoff team or not….Indians, Tigers, Angels, Red Sox…

TOR – 10
BAL – 9
DET – 8
BOS – 6
TAM – 6
KC – 4
CLE – 3
LAA – 3
SEA – 3

He’s playing AAA ball here in Portland and absolutely sucks. As of Thursday, his BA was .045 or thereabouts. I’m really glad Cash didn’t sign him. He seems to be the position player version of Farnsworthless.

“Purchased the contract of RHP Joba Chamberlain from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and optioned RHP Jeff Karstens to Sranton/Wilkes-Barre. Activated 1B/DH Jason Giambi from the 15-day disabled list and designated INF Miguel Cairo for assignment.”

Its easy for somebody to say, “trade for that guy, who cares what it costs”. Or, “eat the contract, so what”, when its not your money or your job to make that decision.

However, they may be getting to that point with Farnsworth. I don’t know how much longer they can have the guy on the roster and perform the way he does each time out.

Its also difficult to listen to the manager constantly defend him because it makes him sound weak. Its almost as if he is afraid to unnerve him. I think we are past that. He is clearly unnerved.

Farnsworth can’t pitch in NY anymore. The fan reaction alone makes it impossible for him to succeed here.

The guy isn’t a mental giant as it is. To get booed as soon as your name is introduced can’t be helpful.

Its going to be a tough call for Cashman when it comes time to call up Joba. Would it shock me to see them DFA Farnsworth, and eat a TON of money, to add Joba to the roster?

A week ago, I would have said, “yes” that would shock me. Now? I am not so sure.

That Farnsworth-Wickman trade might still happen. For some reason, Atlanta wants Farnsworth back. I bet they’ll come down on their cash demands (that we pick up both salaries).

He’s not saying, “don’t do it”. He’s saying, “don’t count on them”. Probably, as you would count on somebody like Clemens, Mariano, etc.

That’s not unreasonable.

As far as the Delcarmen/Hansen comparisions, the taste last year definitely helped Delcarmen. He has been outstanding for the Red Sox this year and, IMO, makes it a waste they got Gagne.

Delcarmen has pitched better than Gagne in the setup role and its actually going to hurt Delcarmen’s development if they reduce his role for Gagne. But, that’s the Red Sox problem. I could care less about them.

Hansen? Was always a product of the metropolitan hype machine and nothing more. If he played in a more competitive baseball conference in college, and came from another area of the country, he would have never been a first round pick. He’s not that good.

In a way, the Yankees had no choice but to call up Joba at this time. Not only is he needed but, he has dominated minor league hitters all season. It doesn’t really do him any good staying down there and dominate those hitters any longer. If he only has about 40 innings reamining on his innings cap this year (my guess), its time to head to the majors and begin your career.

Hughes? I may be in the minority but, I thought he pitched great for the first 4 innings yesterday. For missing 3 months of the season, he was throwing first pitch strikes and doing very well.

The 5th? The leadoff walk to Gathright hurt him and its clear he got a bit gassed in the hot weather.

Either way, if you ask me who should be the 5th starter the rest of the way, Hughes, Igawa, Clippard or DeSalvo, its Hughes in a landslide.

Hughes and Chamberlain don’t have to dominate. They have to contribute. If they do, its a positive to have them with the big club.

Now, if we can just Torre to not use Vizcaino with a 9 run in the 8th inning of games, we can get ready for a nice stretch run.