NFT: Yankees Talk 6-22 Best team in baseball???

In comment 13997030 Keith said:

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Motivation? AL contender vs Detrot Tigers? Health? He looked like he was heading towards retirement with the Tigers and then he found new life.

HGH

Ichiro snuck into the Mariners dugout early in yesterday's game, taking a page out of Bobby Valentine's book



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In comment 13997250 PaulBlakeTSU said:

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This Yankees team is having a hell of a season and one of the most exciting Yankees teams of the last 20 years. But the Astros are the best team in baseball. Yankees: 50-22 at +106 Astros: 50-26 at +161 Yankees have a better record, but the massive difference in run differential is a far better indicator of performance and of future success. It's no surprise given how much better the Astros rotation is.

Run differential has absolutely no significance when we aren�t even at the midway point and these two teams have played completely different schedules. How is run differential against entirely different schedules/teams more significant than the the Yankees winning 5 of 7 in H2H against Houston?

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The Astros also have 2 of the best prospects in baseball ready to contribute 2nd half of the season in true 5-tool OFer Kyle Tucker and likely bullpen ace in the hole for this season until he joins the staff next year in Forrest Whitley (who I think rather easily is currently the best pitching prospect in baseball)

performance over 72 or 76 games is far more indicative than performance over 7 games. I'm glad the Yankees are 5-2 against the Astros this season, outscoring them 27-20 (27-20). There's no denying the Yankees have beaten up on a lot of top teams with a much better record against teams over .500 compared with Houston. It has been awesome to watch the Yankees so far. And yes, the goal of the season is to win as many games as possible, not have the biggest run differential. But run differential correlates better with expected winning percentage and future winning percentage than does actual record.

It's also worth noting that per ESPN, Houston has faced a harder SOS than the Yankees (marginally so).

In the imbalanced schedule against everyone else,
Yankees: 45-20, +99
Astros: 48-21, +168

I think you are underrating the value in run differential in evaluating performance, particularly how much better the Astros have been at keeping runs off the board.

Is there a lot of baseball left to play? Of course. But it doesn't make sense to me to say that run differential should be ignored after nearly half the season in the context of discussing who the best team is in baseball nearly after nearly half the season.

In comment 13997284 GeneInCal said:

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In comment 13997030 Keith said: Quote: Motivation? AL contender vs Detrot Tigers? Health? He looked like he was heading towards retirement with the Tigers and then he found new life. HGH

Kate Upton

I part with Frazier and Sheffield for Snell that is the player the Yanks should try to add, he is a true #2 and at the right age and under control for enough years to make his addition organization changing. If I had to add Drury to get him I would, he is the guy I want the Yanks to add.

Sevy, Snell, and German would be very imposing for the next 5 years.

Yea Garner will get you a bag of fucking baseballs, not a starting pitcher.

In comment 13997346 PaulN said:

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I part with Frazier and Sheffield for Snell that is the player the Yanks should try to add, he is a true #2 and at the right age and under control for enough years to make his addition organization changing. If I had to add Drury to get him I would, he is the guy I want the Yanks to add.

ABSOLUTELY NOT

People are mesmerized by Snell's Ks and ERA. However, a look at his FIP shows that it is all a mirage. He carries a FIP of 3.60. In other words, he is pitching WAY over his head right now and will come back to earth shortly.

Further, if you break down his numbers, his walk rate is rising as the season goes along.

In addition, he is prone to HR- which is NOT a good thing in Yankee Stadium. He has already given up 4 HR in Yankee Stadium- in 41 plate appearances. Granted, that is facing the Yanks lineup, but that isn't good.

Just to demonstrate that it isn't just the Yanks, he has also given up 3 HR to the O's at Camden Yards- in just 19 plate appearances.

In short, Snell would rack up some K's, but give up the HR too much. Ironically, that is Tanaka's profile- who MANY posters here have roundly criticized and would give away in a minute. Yet, now a guy with that profile is a "#2 SP"? Really?

I get that some here are DESPERATE for a trade because you have been led around by the nose by the NY media to believe that is a necessity. They don't sell papers by telling everyone to wait for Sheffield- they sell by pushing trade ideas and selling the "next best thing."

Wake up- there is no magic #2 SP coming through the door- and it is BEYOND ridiculous to consider trading a SP prospect with as much, if not more upside, than Snell PLUS the Yanks top hitting prospect for Snell.

In close games, a different hero every night and about a dozen to choose from; getting good pitching from unexpected places, didn't get the planned starting lineup until about 30 games into the season due to injury, they have guys stuck in minors that are ready. They play as a team, when one/2 guys slump, others step up.
Boston needs to lead by 5 going into the 9th because their BP is put a guy in-,hold your breath shaky, and their hitting rises and falls together. They can win 9-1 5 games in a row then lose 4-3, 3-2,2-1, then next 3.
Houston looks better than earlier in the year, but they are still shaky.
In the NL, the Dodgers have the best talent and getting healthy with the best potential there at this point, and the other good teams will make 7/31 moves to get to the top.
At this point, it's NYY unless something radical happen the next 85+ games.

In comment 13997367 old man said:

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In close games, a different hero every night and about a dozen to choose from; getting good pitching from unexpected places, didn't get the planned starting lineup until about 30 games into the season due to injury, they have guys stuck in minors that are ready. They play as a team, when one/2 guys slump, others step up. Boston needs to lead by 5 going into the 9th because their BP is put a guy in-,hold your breath shaky, and their hitting rises and falls together. They can win 9-1 5 games in a row then lose 4-3, 3-2,2-1, then next 3. Houston looks better than earlier in the year, but they are still shaky. In the NL, the Dodgers have the best talent and getting healthy with the best potential there at this point, and the other good teams will make 7/31 moves to get to the top. At this point, it's NYY unless something radical happen the next 85+ games.

Cmon, Houston isn't "shaky", they're an elite team right now. They literally do everything well.

It's too early for me to say they're better or we're better, but there's nothing shaky about the defending champs. They're loaded.

In comment 13997055 Alwaysblue22 said:

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The Yankees still need a RELIABLE #2 behind Sevy..preferably a Left hander. Tanaka can be lights out...but like most Japanese pitchers who come here struggles with elbow issues and can only pitch ONCE in a five or seven game series. He is the #3 guy. CC is sometimes good but also sometimes bad. Too much wear on his tires. Domingo German is inexperienced but i have to tell you that Domingo has the TALENT to become the #2 but maybe not this year. I like the way he pitches with late movement on all of his breaking pitches. Sonny Gray STINKS and I have no idea what Cashman saw in this guy ,. He is a #5 starter or a mop up releiver. Yes Cashman does make MISTAKES like most of us.. but he did not want to surrender Andujar and Torres for Verlander. Losiagna is not ready for the major leagues but has talent. It seems odd to me that all of the Major league teams ask for a fortune to trade a good pitcher to the Yankees but will trade the same guy to ANY OTHER TEAM for a bail of hay. A lot of this has to do with pure Jealousy, and GMs do NOT want to be crucified by the local press by sending their top players to the Yankees. Apparently the Astros and the Red Sox are FEEL GOOD stories but the Yanks are the evil empire in collusion with Putin.

Gee, I wonder if this guy is a troll or not.

are gong to lose at least one important player - probably a pitcher - to injury before the end of the season. Yankees have the best backups waiting in AAA and the best chance to overcome injuries by bringing up more kids.

right now. We have the better lineup and bullpen, and they have the better rotation by somewhat of a comfortable margin. As we all know, the starting rotations become much more important in the postseason, so that's why I'd put it at pretty much even despite us having a better line-up and bullpen. However, we did beat them 5 out of 7 this regular season and 3 out of 4 *in* Houston. Yeah, it's pretty much a push to me at this point in time. If we add a solid #2-#3 starter in our rotation, then I'd give us the edge.

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I just want the Yankees to be the best in October.

Doesn't really matter much right now. Although, I will say it was definitely encouraging to take 5 out of 7 from them this season, and 3 out of 4 in Houston. Won't matter much come October, but still good to see.

That�s worth lopping the top of the farm. Though I do think the Yanks have done a great job refreshing the farm after last year�s trades.

Erik Boland
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After getting treatment at minor league complex today Ellsbury said he�s feeling significantly better and hopes to begin rehab games soon. Asked if in his mind he�ll play in 2018 he said �yes� without hesitation

In comment 13997426 Ryan in Albany said:

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Erik Boland ‏ Verified account @eboland11 1h1 hour ago More After getting treatment at minor league complex today Ellsbury said he�s feeling significantly better and hopes to begin rehab games soon. Asked if in his mind he�ll play in 2018 he said �yes� without hesitation

He'll be playing in 2018 alright. In the minors... :)

They should be trying to improve. Absolutely. However, this is the beginning of their run as a group. They should be in contention for years to come. There's no reason to overpay this year. I'm not a Pollyanna. I don't think every young pitcher they have is going to be a quality MLB starter right away (or at all, in many cases), but no need to force anything. Be open to deals, but if the value isn't there then roll with the guys they already have.

Had a triple and homer today.

Also had a triple.

In comment 13997417 Dave in Hoboken said:

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right now. We have the better lineup and bullpen, and they have the better rotation by somewhat of a comfortable margin. As we all know, the starting rotations become much more important in the postseason, so that's why I'd put it at pretty much even despite us having a better line-up and bullpen. However, we did beat them 5 out of 7 this regular season and 3 out of 4 *in* Houston. Yeah, it's pretty much a push to me at this point in time. If we add a solid #2-#3 starter in our rotation, then I'd give us the edge.

I agree with your analysis completely. I'd rather be the team with the better rotation, but here we are.

In comment 13997426 Ryan in Albany said:

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Erik Boland ‏ Verified account @eboland11 1h1 hour ago More After getting treatment at minor league complex today Ellsbury said he�s feeling significantly better and hopes to begin rehab games soon. Asked if in his mind he�ll play in 2018 he said �yes� without hesitation

"In his mind" being the key words.

can keep this up for an entire season plus the postseason. We'll see.

can we look at the FA losses, ages possible and farm supplies of the Sox and Astros and Nationals?

I dunno, but the organization with dynasty written all over them this year or next is the Yankees.

We cant trade away the infield or the outfield pieces will need sooner or later.

This transition is 2 years ahead of where we thought we would be in March of 2017.

Lets get under the cap and add. Lets free up spaces for prospects in the offseason.

Once we get another year of experience for some of our MLB cusp pitchers and get the next round of pitching prospects ready we have likely built up a perpetual supply chain that's a year away. imho.

Its the run and not the year that matters. If Cash finds a good trade...im all for it. If not, we have a decade to root for a collection of home grown talent that seems asshole free so far.

Its good to be a Yankee fan these days

In comment 13997481 Bill2 said:

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can we look at the FA losses, ages possible and farm supplies of the Sox and Astros and Nationals? I dunno, but the organization with dynasty written all over them this year or next is the Yankees. We cant trade away the infield or the outfield pieces will need sooner or later. This transition is 2 years ahead of where we thought we would be in March of 2017. Lets get under the cap and add. Lets free up spaces for prospects in the offseason. Once we get another year of experience for some of our MLB cusp pitchers and get the next round of pitching prospects ready we have likely built up a perpetual supply chain that's a year away. imho. Its the run and not the year that matters. If Cash finds a good trade...im all for it. If not, we have a decade to root for a collection of home grown talent that seems asshole free so far. Its good to be a Yankee fan these days

Post of the year. Wish I had written it.
I think Cash will move cautiously and only make a move that is an obvious win. Besides, I think this team will start to peak later in the second half and scare people. Patience in our climb is key.

In comment 13997452 Eman11 said:

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In comment 13997426 Ryan in Albany said: Quote: Erik Boland ‏ Verified account @eboland11 1h1 hour ago More After getting treatment at minor league complex today Ellsbury said he�s feeling significantly better and hopes to begin rehab games soon. Asked if in his mind he�ll play in 2018 he said �yes� without hesitation "In his mind" being the key words.

My first reaction to reading that was an eye roll too - but looking at it this way...we know Hicks is injury prone, and while Gardy's been very durable the last several years, he's older now and resting some dings this week.

No way Ellsbury cracks the roster as currently set up, but it's worth it to get him healthy and ready for depth reasons.

He's essentially our 6th OF, but never know, we may end up needing him for depth at some point.

In comment 13997024 arcarsenal said:

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No chance in hell Frazier is going to TOR in a deal for Happ.

I keep seeing you pop up on Yankee threads seemingly rooting for them, but I seem to recall you being a Mets fan before? (No complaints but I just didn't know if I was remembering this correctly)

In comment 13997058 Greg from LI said:

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It really enhances THE reading experience, and CONVINCES me that the author really knows WHAT he is talking ABOUT.

I found this post to be very compelling. Maybe there is something to it.

In comment 13997496 mfsd said:

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No way Ellsbury cracks the roster as currently set up, but it's worth it to get him healthy and ready for depth reasons.

Well, if he's actually healthy, once his rehab stint is over, he either cracks the roster or gets released. I don't think they want to release him, so...

In comment 13997496 mfsd said:

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In comment 13997452 Eman11 said: Quote: In comment 13997426 Ryan in Albany said: Quote: Erik Boland ‏ Verified account @eboland11 1h1 hour ago More After getting treatment at minor league complex today Ellsbury said he�s feeling significantly better and hopes to begin rehab games soon. Asked if in his mind he�ll play in 2018 he said �yes� without hesitation "In his mind" being the key words. My first reaction to reading that was an eye roll too - but looking at it this way...we know Hicks is injury prone, and while Gardy's been very durable the last several years, he's older now and resting some dings this week. No way Ellsbury cracks the roster as currently set up, but it's worth it to get him healthy and ready for depth reasons. He's essentially our 6th OF, but never know, we may end up needing him for depth at some point.

No question it's worth it to get him ready and for him to even have that confident approach.

I agree he's 6th on the OF depth chart and really only meant he's dreaming if he thinks he steps right in and plays when he's 100% healthy. I think at best he's a September call up or as you said, injury insurance.

1. Gardner (LF)
2. Judge (RF)
3. Stanton (DH)
4. Gregorius (SS)
5. Sanchez (C)
6. Hicks (CF)
7. Bird (1B)
8. Andujar (3B)
9. Torres (2B)

SP: Sabathia

In comment 13997512 NoGainDayne said:

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In comment 13997024 arcarsenal said: Quote: No chance in hell Frazier is going to TOR in a deal for Happ. I keep seeing you pop up on Yankee threads seemingly rooting for them, but I seem to recall you being a Mets fan before? (No complaints but I just didn't know if I was remembering this correctly)

Hah yeah, there was a big to do about all of this...

I've come over to the dark side. The Mets broke me after like 25 years of mostly not being able to enjoy baseball. Never hated the Yanks, found myself constantly wishing the Mets would take note of how to actually run a successful baseball team here in NY rather than a circus, but soon figured out it was basically insanity hoping that would ever happen and that I was wasting my time.

I wish them well and gave this much thought, but I'm all in on the Baby Bombers now. :)

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In comment 13997535 Dave in Hoboken said:

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1. Gardner (LF) 2. Judge (RF) 3. Stanton (DH) 4. Gregorius (SS) 5. Sanchez (C) 6. Hicks (CF) 7. Bird (1B) 8. Andujar (3B) 9. Torres (2B) SP: Sabathia

I like it and think this is our best lineup vs righties but I hope they find a way to keep Frazier up. I'm not crazy about Hicks batting from the right side and wouldn't mind seeing Frazier get a couple of games in the OF in his place vs lefties.

In comment 13997536 arcarsenal said:

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In comment 13997512 NoGainDayne said: Quote: In comment 13997024 arcarsenal said: Quote: Hah yeah, there was a big to do about all of this... I've come over to the dark side. The Mets broke me after like 25 years of mostly not being able to enjoy baseball. Never hated the Yanks, found myself constantly wishing the Mets would take note of how to actually run a successful baseball team here in NY rather than a circus, but soon figured out it was basically insanity hoping that would ever happen and that I was wasting my time. I wish them well and gave this much thought, but I'm all in on the Baby Bombers now. :)

Lol that takes guts. Welcome aboard!

Candidly I gradually lost interest in baseball as I went through the oughts. I could watch some playoff games but the chances of catching a regular season game was slim. I can and do watch bad Knicks teams and Giants teams but maybe it was just that the overpaid under-performing Yankees were a loathsome bunch or this team is just so much fun to root for but the baby bombers have brought me back to watching all the nationally televised games. (I probably would get MLB.TV but there are just too many games and my girlfriend hates baseball)

Long and the short of it, I understand how you'd make the transition. Such a 180 on the culture from even a few years ago. Watching these guys play is just fun. A guy like Stanton who has won an MVP and clearly was taking things a little to seriously, seeing him run around the bases the other night like a kid in little league that just got the walk off, hard not to bring a smile to your face.

Ellsbury doesn't need any outside assistance to get injured. He'll probably tear his labrum while brushing his teeth.

It's nice to think about who would win if the playoffs were to start this weekend, but they aren't starting this weekend and the landscape will be different come October. And I'm not even talking about trades that may occur before the July 31 deadline or injuries that may occur between now and October. I'm talking about the difference between how a guy is pitching through 100 innings of the season and how he is pitching after his arm has been through 200 innings.

I don't expect Verlander and Cole to be as unhittable in October as they are now. It may turn out to be the case, but I wouldn't count on it. Some pitchers start strong, some finish strong, but it's very difficult for a pitcher to maintain dominance from April through October.

In comment 13997565 NoGainDayne said:

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In comment 13997536 arcarsenal said: Quote: In comment 13997512 NoGainDayne said: Quote: In comment 13997024 arcarsenal said: Quote: Hah yeah, there was a big to do about all of this... I've come over to the dark side. The Mets broke me after like 25 years of mostly not being able to enjoy baseball. Never hated the Yanks, found myself constantly wishing the Mets would take note of how to actually run a successful baseball team here in NY rather than a circus, but soon figured out it was basically insanity hoping that would ever happen and that I was wasting my time. I wish them well and gave this much thought, but I'm all in on the Baby Bombers now. :) Lol that takes guts. Welcome aboard! Candidly I gradually lost interest in baseball as I went through the oughts. I could watch some playoff games but the chances of catching a regular season game was slim. I can and do watch bad Knicks teams and Giants teams but maybe it was just that the overpaid under-performing Yankees were a loathsome bunch or this team is just so much fun to root for but the baby bombers have brought me back to watching all the nationally televised games. (I probably would get MLB.TV but there are just too many games and my girlfriend hates baseball) Long and the short of it, I understand how you'd make the transition. Such a 180 on the culture from even a few years ago. Watching these guys play is just fun. A guy like Stanton who has won an MVP and clearly was taking things a little to seriously, seeing him run around the bases the other night like a kid in little league that just got the walk off, hard not to bring a smile to your face.

Thanks, man!

I understand what you mean - I've been going through the same type of apathetic period you had with the Yankees, but with the Knicks. I do think Knox was a good pick and I think the future may finally be brightening for us, so I'm a bit more optimistic now, but boy - they've been a tough follow.

In any event, I just loved how this Yankee team came together from afar and felt like if I was ever going to do this, now was the time... while all these kids are just getting started.

All of you guys have been cool about welcoming me aboard, and even the Mets fans here wished me well (which I didn't expect!)

It's a new journey, one I intend on making permanent, and I'm really excited about this team and where they're headed.

Unless Cashman changes his mind about the youth movement and deals for another quality starting pitcher, this team will not be able to get through the playoffs with one quality starter with experience this year. Yes they will still be entertaining, and hit a lot of home runs but when the baseball playoffs start its starting PITCHING that carries you through. They also have to learn to win some games in Tropicana Field where they hardly win any games as far back as I can remember.They have some young starting pitchers that have TALENT and who are being developed but cannot be expected to become playoff reliable this year. In fact they may not win the division and have to face a one game playoff again. Some Yankee fans may want Cashman to deal right now so the Yanks have a better shot. Since they have a deep and strong bullpen that one additional starter could make the difference. But Cashman believes that Clint Frazier is Mickey Mantle and will not part with him to improve the chances of wining it all this year. Since winning a WS is never a guarantee and sometimes is the result of lucky break or two you cannot blame Cashman for thinking they have the same chance with what they got now, provided Tanaka returns healthy, without having to trade number 77. Clint wears 77 because that is how high Cashman thinks of him. He better be right about Clint or he will be run out of town on a rail. Lets hope Clint does not play in any more indorr parks with hanging speakers.

The youth movement got them here. The youth movement has been replenishing the team where injuries have taken a toll. The youth movement is starting to push legit starters up to the big-league level. Growing pains, yes, but with at least as much potential for success as many of the alternatives, and at no cost. Chris Sale is not on the block this year, and it's possible that the best starter available will be ----ing JA Happ.

doesn't do anyone on the board any favors to engage in stupid- he will always beat you with experience.

I know the pressure is on... we have a WS Drought....well think about the Cubs drought and Cleveland's present drought. Cashman is doing what he thinks is best within the financial limits set by Hal Steinbrener.

The Red Sox are now the team that pays unlimited amounts to get talent and not the Yankees. Are the Yankees the best team in Baseball right now? NO they are not but they could have been if Cashman was allowed to deal for Verlander last year and use established vets like Brandon Drury at third and Neil walker at second. Sonny Gray was a total waste. You get what you pay for. Then they signed Stanton with his heavy Contract. Stanton is keeping Clint Frazier in AAA and a combo of Judge & Frazier would have worked out better and the Yanks could have traded the young studs Andujar and Torres for Gerrit Cole who now makes the WS Champion Astros the best team in baseball once again.
If the Yanks wanted to keep Stanton off of he Red Sox the result FAILED. Since the Sox signed JD Martinez in response who leads the majors with 25 HRs already. He has been more productive than Stanton. So Cashman can be viewed as a stupid stubborn fool. The goal is to win the WS and not to be given accolades by fans who think this is like the old days and you build from within or from sports writers who "ADMIRE" his baby bomber approach. That does not count for anything. Only winning counts, and not feel good stories. Besides that the Yankees will not be able to keep all of these baby bombers once they reach free agency years under the new austerity budget of Hal Steinbrenner...so overall, and so far, i give Cashmnan an F grade as the GM. And Gary Sanchez is no Thurman Munson.. he does not stay in proper shape and i don't trust him to call pitches or handle the staff. Romine is a better catcher who can communicate better since Sanchez still has not learned to speak English.. Maybe they should trade Sanchez and Sheffield for Happ. Sanchez needs a change of scenery with a team with lower expectations. AAA ace Sheffield is not being given a chance to pitch in the ML and is passed over for the likes of Jonathan Loaisiga who is talented but making a big jump from AA to The Majors. So Sheffield should be sent somewhere where he can be given a chance to shine. it appears that the Yankees dont see enough from him. Can he be worse than Sonny Gray?

There is a three game series coming up with the Sox. which team has the better chance of sweeping the other right now? If the Yanks fall tree or four games behind the Sox, Cashman will have to deal his precious jewels or have a lot of explaining to do.

The Erik Flowers of the Yankees....why is he still on the Roster?

The Yanks were getting hammered a week ago for getting swept by the Rays. Guess who just got swept by the Rays this weekend? The team with what some here believe is unbeatable SP. That's right- the Rays just swept the Astros.

What is going on in Tampa?