Didn’t A-Rod’s current deal get done only when A-Rod called Hank AFTER he opted out and said he wanted to stay with the Yankees? And it was also after Hank said in reaction to A-Rod’s opting out that “I don’t want anybody on my team that doesn’t want to be a Yankee,” and “We’re not going to back down. It’s goodbye.” Given Hank’s hard-line stance after A-Rod opted out, it’s pretty clear that Hank, Hal and Cashman re-signed A-Rod because they wanted him back.

There are three teams that are 20 games above .500.

Yankees rank 10th in ML in winning percentage.

The remainder of our schedule and our injuries are a killer.

I’d like to remain positive, knowing that we still are in the race for the wildcard, but after yesterday’s loss, even our one strength-the bullpen- has no longer been a strength.

The 2009 FA class of positional players, certainly outfielders, is weak. Our minor league system has no positional player ready to begin the 2009 season on the major league roster.

Not one FA pitcher signed to a > than 100M contract has proven their worth:Kevin Brown, Mike Hampton, Barry Zito. The jury still out on Johan Santana.

Out of necessity we have brought to the majors our one strength, minor league pitching, basically showcasing them. Unfortunately, none of the minor league starters brought up so far have proved that they would be a valuable trading chip for a needed position player. Ironically the only starter from the minors to do well is Jeff Karstens, so far!

We are stuck with long term deals to Jeter, A-Rod and Posada, and they are going nowhere.

We have the opportunity to unload, for the first time, a significant amount of payroll, close to 100M dollars.

Therefore:

Realistically are the Yankees going to outbid all teams and give Sabathia a 7 year, Santana type contract? I admit Sabathia has been a gem for the Brewers, and they are maximizing his use-often going 9 innings every 5 days!

Are they going to be in the sweepstakes for IMO, overated Teixeira, a Boras client, for a position that is not one of their major needs?

Are they going to renew one year deals to Mussina and Pettitte, if they tire the last 7 weeks? Would you?

Are they going to sign Manny to 25M/year for 3-4 years, after he just gave up 2 20M club options? Would you?

If the Yankees want to get more versatile athletic players, are you resigning Abreu to more than a one year deal, which he won’t accept? Will they try and trade Matsui, knee surgery probably needed in the off season? Who would take him until he has proved himself healthy on the field?

SJ44-Are you a minor league scout?

Granted Beltre has more power than Melky but he also has 6 additional years of experience and a better place in the line-up to drive in runs. I take it your on field issue with A-Rod is his situational hitting and in those numbers, Beltre is very Melky-like and not even as good as A-Rod.

Beltre .251 BA 19 HRs and 57 RBI
.208 RISP

Melky .245 8HRs and 36 RBI
.206 RISP

A-Rod isn’t going anywhere so you can howl at that moon about it or just accept it and root for the laundry for the next 9 years. Your choice.

C: Jorge Posada/Molina
1B: Mark Teixeria
2B: Robinson Cano
3B: Alex Rodriguez
SS: Derek Jeter
LF:Hideki Matsui
CF: Johnny Damon
RF: Xavier Nady
DH: Milton Bradley

Rotation:
C.C Sabathia
Mike Mussina
John Lackey
Chen Ming Wang
Joba Chamberlain

Bullpen:
Mariano Rivera
Demaso Marte
Juan Cruz
Edwar Ramirez
Jose Veras
Chase Wright

bench:
Wilson Betemit
Alebrto Gonzalez
Rocco Baldelli
Jose Molina

None of us know what is in Sabbathia’s head or where he wants to play. It’s mere conjecture at this point. No one thought Mike Hampton would play in Colorado until they dumped a boatload of cash at his door. What about A-Rod going to Texas? Anyone see that coming? Of course not.

The whole “C.C. is a west coast guy” really means nothing.

Who is going to sign C.C. is the Yankees don’t? Dodgers? They should resign Manny. If not, they need to spend bucks to get bats. Where the hell would their offense come from? The Angels don’t seem to need pitching.

Last I checked he had 19 Hr’s and I believe 59 RBI’s while batting 260. Thats not quite Melky territory. I didn’t say I would replace A-Rod’s bat with Beltre, I said I would replace it with Manny! And the fact that Manny and Pujols have great OPS doesn’t hurt there RBI”S with RISP does it? I rather A-Rod walk than swing and hit into a double play anyhow. The fact is, you can sit here and blame Giambi whose batting behind A-Rod, but looking at Giambi’s numbers and compare it with players that batted behind Pujols and Manny, and there is quite a difference in performance. Now based on this, wouldn’t you rather get rid of A-Rod and his contract and bring in a Manny for 2 years if it was at all possible? That is my contention here. Someone brought up the idea of bringing in Manny to protect A-Rod and I think that is ludicrous. I can only take one of those players on my roster, and if Manny was available for 2 years, I choose him. A-Rod will be turning 34 soon and by the time Manny is done with the 2 year contract A-Rod will be 36 and we will be stuck with him for 6 more years.