As far as bringing Molina and Viz back I think thats the best thing to do with both. Molina is a good backup who loves playing in NY so hopefully he and Posada will come back to catch for us. Viz was either very good or warn down and not affective. Most importantly when thinking of bringing him back is looking at the available pen arm and Viz is one of the best available in FA. I’d definately bring him back with the lack of good pen arms out there for sure.

Hopefully CashMan will make a run at guys like Cordero and Dotel as well. We need to build a solid pen. Hopefully we can trade Farnsworth as well.

Kevin Kouzmanoff is attractive for several reasons:

1. He turns 27 next 7/25.

2. He bats righthanded. The Yanks need more righthanded hitting.

3. He has power. The Yanks need more righthanded power besides Shelley Duncan who will be a bench player.

4. He hit for decent first-full year power (18 HR) with a team who plays in a pitcher’s park.

5. He made only $380,800 last year.

6. He’d be the perfect #6 hitter between #5 Matsui and #7 Cano (this would turn Cano into the leadoff hitter for the bottom of the order).

7. He’d cost far less in a trade than Miguel Cabrera.

8. He’s somewhat expendable because San Diego could have Chase Headley take over 3B.

A modest increase from his 18 HR and 74 RBI this year -say 25 HR and 90 RBI (6 more HR and 16 more RBI)- would be perfect.

I have never seen a person strike out with such consistency in my years of watching the Yankees and baseball in general.

In my opinion Cashman should shut-up on field strategies and respect Girardi´s authority as manager by saying: “We have a field manager; positions are entitled to the game strategy he designs”.

But no. He is listing batting orders, positions and all that. General Managers, although capable in talent evaluation, should respect the manager on the field matters.

Cabrera seems like an offensive force, but:

In 5 years since he began, he has put on 60 pounds. Will he become another Kevin Mitchell?

His “great” offensive numbers were accomplished against inferior National League pitchers, playing on a small market team, and in a Stadium that’s more “righthand hitter friendly” than Yankee Stadium.

He will not come cheaply – both in terms of prospects and dollars.

I know his defense isn’t the best, but outside of Crede, Beltre or Eric Chavez, there isn’t a solid defensive option out there available, not to mention that Crede and Chavez are both coming off surgeries. And Beltre, by all accounts, isn’t available.

I won’t even throw Rolen into the mic. He’s been injured so many times he’s turned into Jeff Cirillo.

I don’t mind trading Kennedy for Miguel Cabrera, if I were the Yankees I’d do that in a heartbeat.

I have a problem with us moving young power arms for anyone though. We need to keep those.

Kennedy will be a very good (maybe even great) starting pitcher, but we have to give up something to get something and if Girardi signs off on Cabrera, it would be a coup to get a guy that young and that talented who is RH and can play the corner IF spots.

I’m sure someone can get through to him that taking care of his body is only going to mean a lot more money for him in his future. He’s still very young and has some growing up to do. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that a change in organizations can help his attitude out. It’s not like he’s Sheffield.

And on a side note, I’m glad Cashman and the Yankees realize that out of Damon, Matsui and Giambi, the most valuable player is Damon right now. It makes no sense to trade him and weaken your team in order to find spots for players who are injury risks and banged up.

I mean, Matsui looked to be about 50 by the end of the season last year.

Damon chasing down fly balls in LF is a good thing for our defense.