Yanks turn 3 double plays behind Pettitte, win 9-2

(Originally written for Baseball Digest)

When Andy Pettitte loaded the bases with Texas Rangers with one out in the top of the first, it didn't look like he would be long for Wednesday night's game at Yankee Stadium.  However, he was able to induce a 5-4-3 double play with Ivan Rodriguez at the plate to end the threat.  After a Jorge Posada three-run home run against Texas starter Derek Holland in the bottom half of the frame, the Yankees were on their way to a 9-2 victory.

Jerry Hairston Jr. added a solo home run in the fourth, and his 12-pitch at-bat in the seventh inning helped start the Yankees' five-run rally after Robinson Cano led off with a double.

Pettitte went seven strong, allowed two earned runs on five hits while striking out seven and walking three.  He threw 103 pitches and was aided by three double plays behind him.  The Yankees would turn another with Brian Bruney pitching in relief.

In addition to Posada's three RBI, Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira drove in two runs apiece, while Hideki Matsui and Cano were the only Yankees with multi-hit games.

It wasn't all good news for New York.  Posada left the game in the top of the eighth after taking a foul tip off his glove hand.  X-rays were negative, and the team's report is that he aggravated his ring finger.  The Boston Red Sox also won on David Ortiz's walk-off home run.

The Yankees will look to take this three-game series tomorrow afternoon, with first pitch slated for 1:05.  A.J. Burnett will get the start.

(Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Checking up on old friends

Periodically, I will check up on some of our old friends who have left New York for the 2009 season.

Jason Giambi (OAK) – 31-146 (.212/.346/.356), 5 HR (hit 400th career home run on May 23), 22 RBI, 6 2B, 25 R, 27 BB, 32 K

Bobby Abreu (LAA) – 47-152 (.309/.414/.408), HR (hit first of the season on May 26), 19 RBI, 8 2B, 2 3B, 20 R, 28 BB, 18 K

Wilson Betemit (CWS) – 9-42 (.214/.283/.333), 3 RBI, 5 2B, 2 R, 4 BB, 13 K

Ivan Rodriguez (HOU) – 35-135 (.259/.303/.452), 5 HR, 21 RBI, 7 2B, 2 3B, 15 R, 8 BB, 33 K

Carl Pavano (CLE) – 5-4, 5.50 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 55.2 IP, 66 H, 34 R, 34 ER, 6 HR, 13 BB, 46 K

Kyle Farnsworth (KC) – 1-3, 1 BSV, 3.71 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 17 IP, 15 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 2 HR, 4 BB, 17 K

AP Photo

Checking up on old friends

Periodically, I will check up on some of our old friends who have left New York for the 2009 season.

Jason Giambi (OAK) – 20-for-96 (.208/.345/.344), 3 HR, 13 RBI, 4 2B, 17 R, 16 BB, 22 K

Bobby Abreu (LAA) – 34-for-110 (.309/.389/.355), 0 HR, 12 RBI, 5 2B, 10 R, 15 BB, 17 K

Wilson Betemit (CWS) – 9-for-31 (.290/.333/.452), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 5 2B, 2 BB, 11 K

Ivan Rodriguez (HOU) – 27-for-99 (.273/.318/.495), 4 HR, 14 RBI, 6 2B, 2 3B, 6 BB, 22 K

Carl Pavano (CLE) – 2-3, 6.61 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 31.1 IP, 40 H, 23 R, 23 ER, 4 HR, 8 BB, 23 K

Kyle Farnsworth (KC) – 0-3, 1 BSV, 6.10 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 10.1 IP, 12 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 4 BB, 10 K

Checking up on old friends

Periodically, I will check up on some of our old friends who have left New York for the 2009 season.

Jason Giambi (OAK) – 9-for-30 (.300/.432/.367), 5 R, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 4 BB, 6 K

Really, a SLG lower than OBP?

Bobby Abreu (LAA) – 9-for-29 (.310/.344/.345), 1 R, 2B, 6 RBI, 2 BB, 5 K, 2 SB

Wilson Betemit (CWS) – 1-for-5 (.200/.333/.400), 2 R, 2B, RBI, BB, 2 K

Ivan Rodriguez (HOU) – 5-for-23 (.217/.250/.391), 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 7 K

Carl Pavano (CLE) – 0-2, 16.71 ERA, 2.43 WHIP, 7 IP, 14 H, 13 R, 13 ER, 3 HR, 3 BB, 9 K (Thanks, V!)

Kyle Farnsworth (KC) – 0-1, 9.00 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, 3 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 1 BB, 4 K

WBC provisional rosters

The following Yankees have been named to their respective countries' provisional rosters:

Alfredo Aceves - Mexico
Melky Cabrera - Dominican Republic
Robinson Cano - Dominican Republic
Francisco Cervelli - Italy
Derek Jeter - United States of America
Kai Liu - China
Damaso Marte - Dominican Republic
Edwar Ramirez - Dominican Republic
Alex Rodriguez - Dominican Republic
Jahdiel Santamaria - Panama
Jorge Vazquez - Mexico
Jose Veras - Dominican Republic
Zhenwang Zhang - China

Ex-Yankees Bobby Abreu (Venezuela) and Ivan Rodriguez (Puerto Rico) were also named. Bernie Williams was given a spot on the Puerto Rican team, but he suffered a leg injury in Winter Ball at the end of December.

Here is the United States' provisional roster. I like the infield and catching spots, but the pitching and outfield definitely could have been better. If the U.S. medals, I'll be happy.

Olney: Yanks to have lower payroll

Buster Olney (via MLB Trade Rumors) says that he heard the Yankees' payroll will be around $180 million next season. That would be a decrease of almost $30 million if true.

I'm not sure where he got that number from, but let's examine it.

Big money coming off the payroll:

• Jason Giambi's $21 million. He has a $5 million buyout.
• Bobby Abreu's $16 million
• Andy Pettitte's $16 million
• Mike Mussina's $11 million
• Carl Pavano's $11 million

That is $70 million coming off the books right there. On the above list, I can only see Abreu and Mussina have a chance of coming back next year. Ivan Rodriguez won't be back, Damaso Marte has a 2009 club option and the Yankees will have to pay arbitration eligible players like Chien-Ming Wang, Xavier Nady and Brian Bruney.

The Yankees will have a lot of money to throw around at free agents. The weeks and months after the World Series should be a lot of fun.

Yankees win another for Ponson

The Yankees are somehow 7-4 in Sidney Ponson's 11 starts as a Yankee. If only other starts got that kind of run support.

As you can tell by the 13-9 score, Ponson was terrible. He gave up seven runs (six earned) and nine hits in three innings. If Joe Girardi gives him another start, it would be clear that he's conceded the season.

Alex Rodriguez was the hitting star on the day, going 3-for-6 with four RBI and two runs scored. Bobby Abreu and Johnny Damon also had three hits, while Derek Jeter, Hideki Matsui and Ivan Rodriguez added two hits apiece.

Edwar Ramirez struggled again, walking three and giving up two earned runs. Phil Coke was one of the pitching positives on the day, as he struck out two in his first major-league inning.

The Yankees will travel to Tampa Bay for a three-game series that begins tomorrow night. Mike Mussina and Matt Garza will square off.

Garbage

Your 2008 New York Yankees, ladies and gentlemen.

Old friend Farnsworth implodes

Kyle Farnsworth made his second appearance as a Tiger this afternoon against the Tampa Bay Rays, and it wasn't a pretty one.

He entered the game with a 3-1 lead in the eighth. When he left, it was a 4-3 deficit. In his one inning of work, he gave up three hits (two home runs) and three earned runs. The two home runs were his 12th and 13th allowed this season.

Meanwhile, Ivan Rodriguez is 3-for-9 with a home run and an RBI in three games as a Yankee.

The Tigers would go on to lose the game, meaning the Yankees remain six games behind Tampa Bay in the loss column.

(AP Photo/Steve Nesius)

Angels give game away

Despite Edwar Ramirez almost ruining a five-run comeback by himself Sunday afternoon, the Angels committed four errors en route to a 14-9 defeat.

The Yankees were trailing 5-0, but were able to score four runs against John Lackey in the fifth and sixth innings. After he exited, the Yankees scored four more to take an 8-5 going to the top of the eighth inning.

After getting two quick outs, Ramirez gave up a single sandwiched around two walks. He then gave up a grand slam to Mark Teixeira to give the Angels a 9-8 lead.

Things looked grim. However, Ivan Rodriguez led off the eighth with a single. Eventually, the Yankees would score six runs to give them their total of 14. However, the inning could've ended tied 9-9 if Chone Figgins was able to handle a sure double play ball off the bat of Alex Rodriguez.

Bobby Abreu continued his hot hitting, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored, and Xavier Nady went 4-for-5 with a home run and six RBI.

Robinson Cano, nursing a sore left hand, came in for defense and went 1-for-1 with two RBI and a run scored.

Yankees pitchers weren't great, as you can tell by the score. Darrell Rasner only lasted four innings, and the Yankees walked seven Angels overall. Dan Giese was able to keep the score 5-0, as he pitched three scoreless innings, allowing only one hit.

The Yankees were able to split the four-game series despite losing the first two games. They will travel to Texas for four more starting tomorrow night.

Mussina helps Yankees bounce back

The Yankees had lost five of their last six before Mike Mussina shut down the Los Angeles Angels this afternoon on the last Old-Timers' Day in the current Stadium.

It didn't look good after 1 1/2 innings today, as Mussina fell behind 2-0 and had a relatively high pitch count. Everything seemed to change when Wilson Betemit hit a game-tying two-run home run off of Jered Weaver in the bottom of the second.

They would score two more in the third, including a Bobby Abreu solo home run, and that would be more than enough for Mussina.

He gave up two hits (both in the second inning) over seven innings while striking out five and walking two. He also retired the last 16 batters he faced. He is now 14-7 and has a 3.44 ERA after 23 starts this season.

In addition to Abreu's home run, Alex Rodriguez and Jose Molina (his first of the season) added solo home runs as well. Starting for the first time since the Yankees acquired Ivan Rodriguez, Molina went 3-for-3.

Darrell Rasner takes the hill for New York tomorrow afternoon as the Yankees look to split the four-game series against Los Angeles. John Lackey will oppose him.

(AP Photo/Ed Betz)

Roster changes

As a result of yesterday's acquisition of Ivan Rodriguez, the Yankees designated Chad Moeller for assignment. They also called up Chris Britton to replace Kyle Farnsworth's roster spot.

The Yankees also traded infielder Alberto Gonzalez to the Nationals for Double-A RHP Jhonny Nunez. What's with people spelling "Johnny" as "Jhonny"? Anyway, strange trade for the Yankees. Gonzalez seemed to be a better infield option than Wilson Betemit is.

By the way, Rodriguez will wear No. 12.

Breaking news: Yankees trade for Pudge Rodriguez

Jose Molina won't be the starting catcher much longer.

The Yankees have traded Kyle Farnsworth to the Detroit Tigers for future hall of fame catcher Ivan Rodriguez, according to ESPN's Buster Olney.

In 82 games this season, Rodriguez has five home runs and 32 RBI. He is batting .295/.328/.417 in 302 at-bats. He has also walked 19 times while striking out 52 times.

Farnsworth seemed to turn his Yankee career around, becoming a rather reliable member of Joe Girardi's bullpen. He's given up a ton of home runs for a reliever (11) but he's also had stretches where he was dominant this season.

I find this trade rather strange. Unlike other Yankees fans, I never hated Farnsworth. I knew that if he could harness his stuff he could be valuable and I also felt the Yankees could get by with the tandem of Jose Molina and Chad Moeller. This takes one of the primary setup men out of the bullpen as well. That said, you can't pass up Rodriguez's defense and batting abilities.

The acquisition of Damaso Marte looks huge right now, and Brian Bruney is getting close to returning.

Rodriguez is a free agent after this season, so they won't have to worry about him interfering with Jorge Posada's eventual return.

Yankees added a fourth year late last night

The Times is reporting that the Yankees added a fourth year to Jorge Posada's contract late last night. This now makes him the highest-paid catcher in the league, slightly ahead of Ivan Rodriguez.

From the same article, it is being reported that Mariano Rivera's latest offer is three years for $45 million. He is looking at offers from other teams, but the offer from the Yankees will too make him the highest-paid player at his position.

Posada wants to test the free agent waters

According to the Bergen Record via Was Watching, catcher Jorge Posada wants to become a free agent at the end of the year.

"I'll treat every team the same," Posada said in his first detailed comments about his contract since spring training. "That's what free agency is. It's my first time as a free agent."

Posada is certain he is headed that way. He's not interested in negotiating during the season, and not because of the potential daily distraction, but because "They had a lot of time to do it already."

Spring training came and went without an extension, and as far as Posada is concerned, that was the hinge that swung the door open to a potentially different future. All he has managed since is to become the Yankees' most valuable player, his .353 average, seven home runs and 40 RBI among league or team leaders. Contract-year motivation? But the Yankees don't mind reaping the benefit.

For starters, he shouldn't be talking about this now. They have just won seven games in a row and 10 of their last 12 to get back to .500. Just shut up and play.

Posada will be 36 before the season is over. That is extremely old for a catcher, although he is showing no signs of slowing down despite having an awful backup and playing six times a week.

I don't know how many years I'd be willing to give him. Two years with an option maybe? If he wants four or five years, Brian Cashman has to let him walk at that point.

I don't think Posada will walk. I'm sure he knows his place and will not ask for more than three years. My guess (which means absolutely nothing) is three years for $45 million. The Yankees will give in to his demands, simply because they have to. There are no catchers close to making the Majors in their system now, and the only interesting free agent catcher is Ivan Rodriguez, but he has an option for 2008. After him, the list is rather barren.

Closer Mariano Rivera is also a free agent at the end of the season, and he expressed his displeasure during Spring Training when he was told the Yankees weren't going to negotiate until the offseason.

I can't see the Yankees without both Posada and Rivera next year. I think (and hope) the front office has learned from the Andy Pettitte debacle in 2003.

Vote or die

Two Yankees are leading their respective positions in the American League All-Star voting: Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez. Both have comfortable leads over the second place contenders. Rodriguez is also the leading vote-getter in the AL.

Robinson Cano and Jorge Posada are in second place in their respective positions. Placido Polanco of the Tigers is leading Cano, and Ivan Rodriguez, also of the Tigers, is leading Posada.

Johnny Damon is seventh in outfield voting, Bobby Abreu is ninth and Hideki Matsui is 11th.

Source: MLB.com