I think some of the criticism of Cashman is premature. Yeah, he’s made some bad moves with Hawkins at or near the top of the list, but some of you don’t understand player development at all.

Why is he holding onto a large group of RH pitching prospects instead of dealing them for positional prospects? Because you need time to determine the ones you want to keep and the ones you want to deal. Six months ago you’d be more inclined to deal Veras and Ramirez than you would be now, for example. Robertson is another guy who’s value keeps going up. It takes time. There are no quick fixes going the player development route.

The Yankees are trying to develop their own, get younger and cheaper AND remain contenders… those goals are not accomplished with a single philosophy. It’s more of a mix and match thing. So you sign a Hawkins to buy time for young arms and you look stupid… you hold on to Kennedy and Hughes, they go 0-8 and you look stupid. That’s the nature of the beast. I think the Yanks are positioned to be a dramatically better team in ‘09 and if this seaosn is the price to pay for it, that’s okay with me.

Finally, please don’t let Bily Traber into NYC again… not even to visit.

Sexson might be a good stop gap for the next few weeks. He plays a better 1st base than Betemit, has good numbers against LHP and has as high a chance of success as a PH as any of the current bench players. For $200,000 it’s worth a shot.

I was all for his latest contract. Now I wish he’d disappear. RIGHT NOW he stinks and his attitude stinks worse. How about worrying about the team winning Jorge and backing off until you can do your job right? I know, not a chance.

The Yankees don’t have any clear remedies for 1B, everything I hear about Miranda is that he cannot field so one dimensional.

No 1B knocking on the door in the MiL for the Yankees, and you need to let Giambi walk at the end of the year, so we need to try out different solutions (including Posada even though it pisses Po off)

the Yankees have not demonstrated any sense of urgency so while 6 1/2 games on paper is not insurmountable, the way the Yankees play the game these days (offense and defense) just 1 game back sure looks insurmountable.

1. Rebecca, in her 12:27AM post, linked to an ESPN story about Jim Bowden and Jose Rios being linked to skimming money from Dominican FAs. Reading that story, it really seems that the whole international FA business is very dirty, as Pete and others have written. Who knows where this leads to, but the potential explosion would be enormous.

2. Roy Halladay is a tremendous pitcher. Being shut down by him is nothing to be ashamed about. However, being stopped by the lkes of Paul Maholm, Paul Byrd, etc., etc., etc., is the problem.

At this point in the season, you can’t wait for something that hasn’t happened yet. Whether it’s the loss of Damon and Matsui, Jorge being subpar, Jeter playing hurt, or whatever, these things aren’t going to change suddenly.

That’s why taking on Sexson is reasonable. For the possibility that he helps against lefties a bit more, and may bring a better glove to 1B. If we move Wilson, then Albeto Gonzalez would need to come back, as we would need a backup middle infielder; maybe exchange AG for Traber.

Look, 6-1/2 games is not insurmountable, but we have to do something to make it happen.

Why is it the Yankees (aside from Damon) never seem to say we sucked, we’re in trouble, we’re an embarassing team, and we better get it together damn fast or we’re staying home in October? I’ll answer; they’re comfortable, they’re old and they’re content. No fire, no passion, no sense of urgency. I though Joe G would help here, so far he has not.

If I’m Hank I walk into the clubhouse before today’s game and state a couple of points, a five minute speech if you will:

#1- Its up to you in this clubhouse, there will be no major acquisitions, we will not mortgage the future of this franchise to bandaid a season on the brink of ruin by guys who are paid to get the job done and are expected to.

#2- Its up to you to prove you want to be part of this franchise going forward. Your words mean nothing, your performance means everything. Not every pitcher is Cy Young.

Have a good game! And if I were you I wouldn’t buy a home in the NY area, just yet….