A few minor moves

Ex-Yankee Andy Phillips signed a minor-league contract with the Cincinnati Reds, according to Peter Abraham. He was also invited to Spring Training.

Matt DeSalvo also signed a minor-league contract with the Atlanta Braves.

On the Yankees' side, they signed RHP Scott Strickland, LHP Heath Phillips, LHP Billy Traber and C Jason Brown to minor-league contracts with invitations to Spring Training.

Molina signed, Phillips gone

The Yankees announced the signing of backup catcher Jose Molina today in Nashville. He signed a two-year deal worth $4 million.

To make room for Molina on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated Andy Phillips for assignment.

No complaints here. Molina's acquisition last year was a solid move and he's one of the better backups on the market. With Shelley Duncan, Wilson Betemit and Jason Giambi on the roster, there isn't much room for Phillips.

Giambi's awkward position

From Joel Sherman:

Torre decided to bow at the altar of big bats, big contracts and big egos late last season by shoehorning Hideki Matsui and Gary Sheffield into the lineup after lengthy injuries. He messed with the positive mojo his club had developed playing without those stars and certainly spit on defense by benching Melky Cabrera to play Matsui in left while actually finding a more incompetent first baseman than Jason Giambi by auditioning Sheffield during vital games.

He must avoid repeating that mistake. Through a couple of trades (for Jose Molina and Wilson Betemit) and a magical promotion (Shelley Duncan), the Yanks have eliminated a season-long depth problem. The choices should get even deeper this week when Giambi returns. But is that good news or bad? (Source)

Since Giambi went on the disabled list on May 30, the Yankees are 36-21. Cabrera has gotten consistent playing time in center field and Andy Phillips has come into his own at first base. Betemit also made his first start there yesterday and has produced in his first two starts as a Yankee.

Johnny Damon has been the regular designated hitter and has struggled all season, but he can't be benched because of his contract.

To answer Sherman's question, Giambi's return is bad news. This has an eerie similarity to last year's situation with Sheffield, as Joe Torre had to fit him into the lineup because of his salary and ego.

If Cabrera's playing time is cut for Giambi, Torre should be fired on the spot. He has proven to be too valuable to the team to sit for someone else.

Farnsworth needs to disappear

What was Joe Torre thinking when he brought Kyle Farnsworth (pictured) into a 1-1 game in the eighth?

Farnsworth has proven time after time that he can't be trusted to make a sandwich, let alone keep a game tied.

Tonight was no different. When the scoreboard said, "Now warming in the Yankees' bullpen: Kyle Farnsworth," trouble was on the horizon.

Frank Thomas led off with a single. Farnsworth blows a pickoff attempt, advancing Howie Clark (running for Thomas) to second. After a hard-hit ball was caught by Andy Phillips on a line drive at first, Aaron Hill doubles in Clark. Three batters in, one run, a ton of boos.

If not for Melky Cabrera's heroics in the ninth and Robinson Cano's clutch single in the 10th, this loss would've been pinned on Farnsworth and Torre. Instead, the Yankees won 3-2 in 10 innings and gained a game on the Red Sox.

I hope this is one of Torre's "cry for help" moves, showing Brian Cashman that he needs to make a move (one that isn't Dan Johnson for Scott Proctor). If it wasn't, there is no excuse to use Farnsworth in this situation.

AP Photo/Kathy Willens

Call up Britton, Ramirez and Duncan

Watching the bullpen and Johnny Damon melt before our eyes, it is time for changes.

Call up Chris "Great" Britton: Britton is 2-0 with a 2.41 ERA and six saves for AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He has 40 strikeouts and 11 walks in 33 2-3 innings. In two cups of coffee with the Yankees this year, he has a 1.80 ERA in five innings.

Call up Edwar Ramirez: Ramirez is 0-0 with a 0.83 ERA and four saves for AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He has 36 strikeouts and eight walks in 21 2-3 innings. In nine games in AA Trenton, he was 3-0 (0.54 ERA) with 33 strikeouts and eight walks.

Call up Shelley Duncan: Duncan is batting .296 (.383 OBP) with 19 home runs and 55 RBIs for AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. We already know Andy Phillips can't hit Major League pitching. Why not give Duncan a chance?

Put Damon on the DL. If Duncan shows he can hit, have him be the everyday designated hitter.

DFA Ron Villone: If Joe Torre insists on using Mike Myers every time a left-handed hitter is up then there is no need for Villone.

Phelps DFA'd, Phillips up

As just heard on Mike and the Mad Dog, Josh Phelps has been designated for assignment. Andy Phillips has been called up.

Peter Abraham also has the story.

Some (depressing) news

Doug Mientkiewicz will go on the Pavano List (PL) after yesterday's collision at first base. He was carted off the field and taken to a local hospital. He has been diagnosed with a mild concussion, cervical spain, and a fractured bone in his wrist (source). It has not been announced who is coming up to replace him, but Andy Phillips is not in the AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre lineup today, while Shelley Duncan is. If Phillips is called up, the Yankees would most likely move Carl Pavano to the 60-day PL, as Phillips is not on the 40-man roster.

Roger Clemens will not start tomorrow. However, it appears that Kei Igawa won't be making that start either. He is pitching for Scranton this afternoon. As of now, tomorrow night's starter remains a mystery.

Johnny Damon was spotted working at first base yesterday afternoon (source). According to Damon, he will play first eventually, which could mean that they won't call up a first baseman.