Swings (and maybe some misses)

-I am big fan of Brad Richards joining the New York Rangers. The fact that he took less money to join the Blueshirts says it wasn't all about the money, as with some past free agents who came to Broadway. He knows John Tortarella and has proven he can win in that system. He brings a playmaking ability, both on the power play and in even strength situations, that the Rangers have been sorely lacking for a couple of years now. While this doesn't necessarily mean that Lord Stanley's Cup is in this team's future, it does mean that at least, as of right now, that gleaming silver has caught the attention of the Rangers. There are still some things that need to happen with the Rangers before we pencil them in. Marian Gaborik has to prove he is tough enough to handle New York and Torts' system. Youngsters like Ryan Callahan, Brandon Dubinsky, Michael Del Zotto, Michael Sauer, Dan Girardi, and Marc Staal, Derek Stepan, and a host of others have to keep improving. And, in the case of Callahan, stay healthy. However, for the first time since Scott Gomez and Chris Drury signed on the dotted line a few years ago, there is real talk of contention. It is my opinion that the Rangers are much better now than they were then.

-Phil Hughes makes his first start since April tonight. He had shown increased velocity during his rehab outings in Trenton so there is always the hope that he comes back and regains the form he showed in the beginning of last season. If the Yankees get that pitcher back they significantly bolster their pitching staff which consists of C.C. Sabathia and the two surprises of Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia. If Hughes is the same pitcher he was at the beginning of last season then A.J. Burnett becomes the fifth starter by default which isn't a terrible thing. And, if anything happens to anyone there is always Ivan Nova waiting in Scranton.

-I can't help but wonder when Derek Jeter is finally going to reach 3,000 hits. If I had to guess it will come at home against Tampa Bay tomorrow or Friday. Yeah, I know I went out on a limb. I'm also betting that it come on a ground ball.

-The more I think about what the Yankees did with Ivan Nova the more I get a little miffed at the Yankees. Here was a guy who was really starting to turn the corner in his pr career and could be blossoming into a solid #3 starter and then bam! Down to the minors. The Yankee leadership said it was best for his development. Really? Giving the kid the impression that no matter how well he does he was never in the Yankees plans. Telling the kid that basically Freddy Garcia has more upside than you do? He seems like a level-headed enough youngster that maybe this doesn't really bother him. But, then again, he is young and was pitching the best baseball of his MLB career and he still couldn't hold down a job with the Yankees. Can't be good for anyone's confidence. With all that said, I don't envy the choices Brian Cashman has to make. Nova was pitching well but so was everyone else except A.J. Burnett. It probably wouldn't be the best thing for Nova to move to the bullpen because he takes a while to warm up and it also is a different form of pitching. Personally, gun to my head, I probably move Garcia into the bullpen, or Colon. Colon hasn't pitched this many innings in years and has had several injuries to his arm over that span. Garcia is having what is basically a career year and he is like 50 years old at this point. I just don't like "rewarding" kids with a demotion when they are playing well. Nor do I like stunting their development so that an aging veteran who doesn't have near the amount of upside can live off a Yankee Legacy like Jorge Posada is doing. Sure, Posada is hitting right now but is this Jorge really better than a Jesus Montero right now? No. Or, the Yankees could ease Montero into the bigs by sending Frankie "Throw it to Centerfield" Cervelli down to AAA and letting Montero catch a game or two a week and get a start at DH every now and then like the Yankees did with a young Posada.

-Added to the Yankee prospects to watch list are Cito Culver, the Yanks first round draft pick last year and Mark Montgomery, a relief pitcher with Low A Charleston who has struck out 16 batters in 6 innings. Culver, the man whom Keith Law said had no business being a first round pick is hitting .299 with 15 RBI's in 18 games. I'm not saying Culver is going to be the next Jeter but he is making real strides. And, for those interested, this year's first round draft pick Dante Bichette, Jr. is hitting .159 but has 15 walks in 13 games and only has 9 K's. He has something you can't teach there and for an 18 year-old kid thats not a bad start. However, it's Mason Williams that will soon be rocketing up prospect lists, especially if he keeps hitting like he is.

-Mets fans have something to be excited about and the name is Matt Harvey. Here is what ESPN's Keith Law said about Harvey as he heads into the Futures Game "Harvey was the seventh pick in last year's draft and came into pro ball boasting a plus fastball with good downhill plane and a solid average-or-better changeup but struggled with both breaking balls. Reports this year have the breaking balls improving but the changeup regressing -- which would still leave him a three-pitch guy, plenty to be a front-line starter given the strength of his fastball. Harvey tore through high Class A, which is what you'd expect a first-rounder drafted out of the ACC to do. He has made one start in Double-A, giving up four runs and allowing 11 baserunners in four-plus innings." The stuff is there with Harvey and I personally think he will be a future ace for the Mets, especially if they the ballpark as it is.

-For those of you expecting some sort of rant about the All-Star Game rosters, sorry. I just enjoy the game for what it is nowadays. It's always nce to see certain guys make it but its not like not making an All-Star team is like like losing a Gold Glove vote to a DH like Tino Martinez did to Rafael Palmeiro who only played 25 games at first.

The Curious Case of Kevin Millwood

The Yankees are going to have to make a decision regarding Kevin Millwood. Millwood is set to become a free agent on Sunday night if he isn't brought up to the Major Leagues. Millwood has been working his way through the Yankees minor league system, trying to get his arm in shape to possibly take a spot in the Yankees rotation. So far, Millwood has had a mixed bag in the minors. He has posted a 2-0 record and 1.29 ERA, one start each in AA Trenton and AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. However, those numbers are deceiving because he has struck out 6 and walked 5 and his fastball hovers around 85 MPH. Can he survive at the Major League level with a K/BB ratio lacking any disparity? Can he fool hitters with an 85 MPH fastball?

These are questions the Yankees need answers to as they race towards Sunday's deadline. So far, reclamation projects like Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia have been successful for the Yankees. Colon has shown a good fastball while Garcia has pitched very well while throwing between 85-97 MPH with his fastball. Could Millwood survive as Garcia has? Possibly. But if Millwood can't find the strike zone with his stuff he will get shelled in the Majors, especially in the AL East. Walking 5 minor league hitters in two starts is not exactly encouraging. However, that could be based on him trying to get his arm in shape, or trying to master his offspeed stuff. Whatever the reason, Millwood won't stay with the Yankees past Sunday if he isn't called up. After all, he was reluctant to sign a minor league deal with the Yankees, even as Spring Training was coming to a close.

The Yankees decision was made even tougher after Ivan Nova pitched so well against the White Sox on Tuesday night going 6.1 innings while allowing only 1 run. Had Nova not fared as well this decision about Millwood would be even easier for the Yankees. Nova does have one more start before the Yankees have to make a decision but if he pitches well I don't know if the Yankees should mess with the kid just for the sake of a 36 year-old pitcher. Is it more important to have one decent or good year, or maybe a disastrous one, rather than possibly several good years from Nova?

If I were in Brian Cashman's position I would not risk ruining the progress Nova has made, and will continue to make, as he gains experience. Millwood was terrible last season for the Orioles where he went 4-16 with a 5.10 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 65 BB's, and 132 K's. He allowed 223 hits in 190.2 innings which isn't good, even without the 65 BB's. Millwood is not anywhere near the pitcher he was for the Braves, and the Yankees have already rolled the dice twice on two aged veterans in Garcia and Colon. Do they really need a third? Or does Brian Cashman want Millwood around so that he has pitching depth? Does he think Nova would be better off in the bullpen or stashed at AAA in case one of the aged three breaks down? That would be a wise plan but you can't run your team based upon injuries that haven't happened yet. Or can you? Brian Cashman has a decision to make and the time is rapidly approaching for it to be made.

Mark Teixeira and the 2009 New York Yankees

It started off quietly with the acquisition of Nick Swisher from the White Sox.  Then, the drama built up over the Winter Meetings until finally C.C. Sabathia signed with the Yankees.  Shortly thereafter A.J. Burnett signed on giving the Yankees a suddenly formidable 1-2 punch.  Then came the rumors that the Yankees were flirting with Manny Ramirez and were talking to Scott Boras about Mark Teixeira.  The drama built as the Red Sox owner, John Henry sent around an email that said the Red Sox were out of the running for what many experts called the best position player on the market.  Few believed Mr. Henry, however.  Even today, it was widely believed the Red Sox were the frontrunners for Teixeira with the Nationals and Yankees on the outside looking in.  By 3:30 PM, the Yankees were the ones walking away with a new first baseman.  

Brian Cashman has entered the first playoffless offseason for the Yankees since 1993 with a passion unseen from any GM before.  He followed Sabathia to San Francisco to get the deal done.  He maintained contact with Burnett's agent throughout and finally brought in his #2 target a couple of days later.  Now, here he is, less than a week after the press conference introducing Sabathia and Burnett as Yankees, inking Mark Teixeira to an 8 year, $170-80 million deal.  What is more amazing, despite spending around $400 million this offseason, the Yankees are still going to come in UNDER last years payroll!  That's right, under last season's payroll.  What is even more amazing is this Yankees team is now better, younger, faster, slightly better on defense, and a lot better on the mound.  And what is even more amazing is there are still a bunch of prospects down on the farm in Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy, Alfredo Aceves, Austin Jackson, Mark Melancon, Jesus Montero, Austin Romine, and Andrew Brackman (hard not to be excited about a 6-11 guy, that is 6 feet 11 inches, who throws over 100 MPH).  For as much as I criticized Mr. Cashman last season, I am now willing to sit down to my plate of crow.  Line up the ketchup and salt because I'm hungry to eat this plate.  Let's go Yankees!  Oh, by the way, in case you just wanted to see what it looks like on paper here are your 2009 New York Yankees so far:

1B: Mark Teixeira

2B Robinson Cano

3B: Alex Rodriguez

SS: Derek Jeter

LF: Johnny Damon/Hideki Matsui

CF Nick Swisher/Johnny Damon/Melky Cabrera/Brett Gardner

RF: Xavier Nady/Nick Swisher

C: Jorge Posada

SP: C.C. Sabathia

SP: A.J. Burnett

SP: Chien Ming Wang

SP: Joba Chamberlain

SP: Phil Hughes or Andy Pettitte

RP: Mariano Rivera

RP: Damaso Marte

RP: Edwar Ramirez

RP: Dan Geise

RP: Jose Veras

RP: Brian Bruney

RP: Phil Coke

I know there are a few more RP slots than normal but I decided to list the top options there.

The Bench is still up in the air but it looks like it might be pretty deep when you take into account Damon, Cabrera, Cody Ransom, Jose Molina, and any others the Yankees might sign.  This is, by far, the most complete team the Yankees have fielded in a long time.  I, for one, can't wait to see what they can do.

Goodbye Yankee Stadium

The 2008 baseball season, the final one at historic Yankee Stadium, looks to be just about done for the New York Yankees.  With 30 games remaining and the Yankees 7 games behind the Red Sox in the Wild Card it looks as if the Yankees will not make the playoffs for the first time since 1993.  This is a sad time in Yankee history.  With the Old Ballpark set to close this season it seems as if the Yankees turned the lights out a tad too early.  

Since 1996, the Yankees were about as synonymous with winning as any franchise in sports.  The pressure to keep up those winning ways might have, in fact, sunk the Yankees this season.  The Yankees have, by far, baseball's highest payroll.  This can be attributed to bad contracts such as Jason Giambi, Carl Pavano, Kei Igawa, Bobby Abreu, Hideki Matsui, and even Alex Rodriguez have put the Yankees over the top while limiting the identity of the team.  There are no scrappers like there were in the late 1990's.  There is no Tim Raines type who is a team first guy.  There is no Paul O'Neill to smash a water cooler to loosen up the team when times are bad.  There is no veteran leadership.  Derek Jeter, the Captain of the Yankees, is failing at his job.  His boring, unemotional comments after bad losses is tired and old.  It seems the Yankees machine has turned Jeter into an all-business, no emotion robot who is programmed with the same answers.  I hate to say it, but Alex Rodriguez has shown more emotion lately and as well he should.  He has had a horrid season worthy of a refund.  Speaking of refunds, Jason Giambi should personally apologize to every fan.  A $20 million professional hitter, a former MVP, who can't hit to left field unless by accident.  Wow!  I truly have seen everything.  

This brings me to Brian Cashman, the architect of this slop of a team.  I know you saw the writing you put on the wall Brian.  Why else would you all of a sudden commit to a youth movement with a team this old?  You misled your fanbase by telling them you were going to trim payroll, make the roster more flexible.  Well, the roster certainly has flexed.  Your use of the 60 day DL and the 40 man roster is dizzying.  It almost seemed that once things began to turn sour, Mr. Cashman, you hit the panic button and lost all semblance of a plan.  Why else would you bring Carl Pavano back to the major leagues?  Why else would you play eeney, meeney, miney, moe with the catching situation after Jorge Posada, the man you gave a $46 million contract to at age 36, went down with a bum shoulder?  Why is it that almost every other team can get service out of their pitching staff, with the exception of the Rangers, but you can't?  MMM, yeah, good answer, Brian.  The blame can't rest on George Steinbrenner for this mess.  No sir, the blame rests right on your head, Cashman.  You are the one that thought Carl Pavano would be of some service at any point.  As I recall, the Mariners were willing to take on Pavano last year.  Great idea!  Oh wait, you decided Pavano would be your Opening Day starter.  Boy, am I thankful about that!

Well, I can't blame for Cashman for all of the ills that this team has come down with.  The media, who need to stay on the good side of the Yankees to maintain a working relationship won't tell you the truth.  The truth is the Yankees have stunk from the get-go.  Derek Jeter got off to a slow start and seemed to hit into a double play every time up with the game on the line.  Alex Rodriguez seemed to be Derek's doppleganger this season only with more power and more strikeouts.  Robinson Cano proved how vulnerable a free-swinging kid can be at the plate.  when he is on, Cano is one of the best.  Sadly, I have seen blind church mice with better plate vision.  Jason Giambi has been an albatross in some fashion ever since he was signed to a contract the Yankees should have torn up long ago.  Jorge Posada finally broke down.  It was bound to happen.  He was probably the most used catcher in baseball over the last half-decade.  Of course, when your backup is Wil Nieves and company I would have hesitated to sit you too during that time frame.  Melky Cabrera lost his zeal for the game.  Sure, he looks like he has fun after a game, but during it he was awful.  He should have been benched or sent down to the minors long ago.  Joe Girardi doesn't escape blame either.  So much for the ability to read a game.  Girardi struggled to find a rhythm with this team.  He seemed to be afraid to take risks.  There was too little bunting, especially after it was discovered this team could not hit with runners on.  I also blame Girardi for this blind faith that he, and many others had, that the Yankees were going to someday, someway wake up and put it all together.  Well, it was his job to make sure it happened and it never did.  I am not asking for Girardi to be fired but rather to fire it up.  There is nothing wrong with being a fiery leader as he was in Florida.  Yell at players for not hustling.  Sit players who don't listen.  Take risks when the situation calls for it.  And, for God sakes, make sure your entire team knows how to hit to all fields and bunt!  The players get paid to win, not pad their stats.  

Yes, 2008 will go down as one of the saddest seasons in recent memory.  There is one more year for the Yankees to redeem themselves.  This offseason should be one of the richest in free agent pitching in many years.  C.C. Sabathia, Ben Sheets, and possibly A.J. Burnett headline a nice class.  The Yankees need to make a huge coup early in free agency.  They need to sign two of those three.  The Yankees rotation next year should look like this:  Sabathia, Chien Ming Wang, Ben Sheets, Joba Chamberlain, and Mike Mussina.  It is evident that Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy need a full year of triple A under their belts to work out some kinks.  They will be able to provide depth in case of injury and will be able to step right in, hopefully, when Mussina retires.  (For those of you who are wondering about Pettitte, I think he is retiring at the end of this season).  

The lineup also needs an overhaul.  Thankfully, the Yankees will have money coming off the books with some hideous contracts finally expiring.  A full court press should be made on Mark Texieria if he hits the market.  I doubt he will sign though.  However, that is not bad news.  There is a possibility Hank Blalock might become a free agent and he would be cheaper.  He would just need to accept the move from third base.  Elevating Juan Miranda who has had a good season at AAA would be another option, as would moving Xavier Nady over to first.  Joe Crede is also a free agent and might be convinced to save his back and move to first.  The Yankees need to allow Brett Gardner and Justin Christian chances tow in spots on this roster.  If one of them has a huge spring training then the Yankees might be able to package Melky and Ian Kennedy for a better bat.  

The Yankees need to do a quick turnaround here.  They have one offseason to do it.  They need to put a winning, championship-contending team on the field, while staying committed to bringing up the youth that served them so well recently and in the 1990's.  Cashman had better get it right this time around.  If not his job should be taken from him.  In the mean time I will be hoping the Yankees finally see the light that it really is the pitching stupid, and build around it.  Oh, and that the three-run home run thing is vastly overrated.

Pudge Behind the Plate

Ivan Rodriguez a New York Yankee.  There were many times in the 1990's and early 2000's that I wished that would come true.  Don't get me wrong, I loved Jorge Posada and think he will take his place as one of the greatest Yankee catchers of all time.  However, Pudge is Pudge.  Now, that dream has finally come true.  Ivan Rodriguez is now a New York Yankee.  And, to make it even better, all it cost was Kyle Farnsworth.  That is right, this is not a typo.  Kyle Farnsworth was traded for Ivan Rodriguez.  

With the season-ending injury to Jorge Posada, the Yankees needed to improve their catching situation.  Jose Molina has been filling in very well but his offense is lacking.  However, his defense has been amazing.  Chad Moeller is a career backup and is not the answer.  The Yankees needed some pop at this position.  Rodriguez brings exactly that.  Through 82 games this season, Pudge was hitting .295 with 5 homers and 32 RBI's.  His defense isn't what it once was but it is still among the games best.  

Pudge will help with the Yankee offense, be able to handle the Yankee pitchers, and will fill-in admirably for the injured Posada.  Adding Pudge will improve the Yankee lineup three-fold.  Imagine a lineup that looks like this:

C  Ivan Rodriguez

1B Jason Giambi/Richie Sexson

2B Robinson Cano

3B Alex Rodriguez

SS Derek Jeter

LF Johnny Damon/Xavier Nady

CF Melky Cabrera

RF Bobby Abreu

DH Xavier Nady/Giambi/Damon/Sexson

Not a bad lineup if you ask me.  GM Brian Cashman did an excellent job.  The bullpen has been a strength for the Yankees all season.  Adding Damaso Marte last week and Edwar Ramirez and Jose Veras emerging has given the Yankees the flexibility to turn Joba Chamberlain into a starter, release LaTroy Hawkins, and deal Farnsworth.  Give Cashman all the credit here.  He has done an excellent job of fortifying a team that seems to be on another second-half run.  I know I have been down on Cashman lately but I have to give him his due, he has done an excellent job.  This deal also doesn't put the Yankees in a payroll bind for next season either as Pudge is eligible for free agency after this season.  This means the Yankees will still have almost $80 million coming off the books next season.

As for the Jarrod Washburn deal, the Mariners are being foolish.  Suddenly they think Washburn is C.C. Sabathia.  According to ESPN.com and SI.com, the Mariners approached an NL team and asked for two of their top prospects for Washburn.  This is a far cry from reports late last week and early this week that had Washburn being traded to the Yankees for a marginal prospect.  Recently the Mariners asked for Melky Cabrera or Brett Gardner in return for Washburn.  That is a little much when you take into consideration the Mariners expect the Yankees to take on Washburn's full contract.  That, by the way, is $14 million.  A little much if you ask me when you consider the price they want in return player-wise.  Cashman is right in not pulling the trigger on this deal.  Phil Hughes, Chien Ming Wang, and even Carl Pavano (not that I'm counting on him to do anything) are all coming back from injury soon.  There is also Ian Kennedy who has been impressive in his minor league stint lately.  All are equal or greater than Washburn and all are cheaper.  

Here come the Yankees!

Yuck

Horrible. Disgusting.  Underachieving.  Utterly pitiful.  These are some words that describe the New York Yankees season thus far.  This has been an absolute embarrassment.  from top to bottom, offense to defense, rotation to bullpen.  Brian Cashman has to be ashamed of himself.  Joe Girardi must go home at night and get sick.  This Yankee team, given the talent it has and the level it should be playing at, is the absolute worst team I have ever seen in Pinstripes.  

Yesterday, Johnny Damon injured himself attempting to make a play on a Kevin Youkilis hit.  He almost made the highlight reel.  Instead Damon might land on the DL.  He will join the only Yankee hitter that seemed to thrive in the clutch this season, Hideki Matsui.  

Derek Jeter has been thoroughly awful and I am sick of hearing about how the other team is just better.  Shut the hell up and hit.  You make almost as much as the ENTIRE first place Rays roster!  I don't want excuses.  That "C" on your chest means Captain, Mr. Jeter, not Crap which is what you have been pouring out of your mouth and what you have been playing like on the field.  Stop being so stoic.  Show emotion, it is OK.  

Emotion.  The one thing this bunch of over-paid losers does not have.  They are too damned serious and look like a group of zombies out there.  I miss the days of Paul O'Neill when the occasional fire came out.  I miss emotion.  

The Yankees are now 10 games behind the Rays in the loss column and 5 behind the Red Sox.  Right now, if the Yankees continue playing at this clip the season will be over before the All-Star game comes to town.  If that happens I think Hank Steinbrenner should thank Cashman for his services, give the reigns over to Damon Oppenheimer (the Draft master) and tell him to unload some players.  I am sure there is a market for some of these players.  Isn't there?  The age and contracts that are attached to some of these so-called baseball players makes me wonder is it were possible to trade any of them.  Nobody would take Abreu and his $16 million.  Nobody in their right mind would touch Jason Giambi and his $20+ million.  

This is the last season in Yankee Stadium.  Perhaps it is fitting that most of the Yankees on this team are not under contract for next season.  Giambi, Abreu, Carl Pavano, Mike Mussina, LaTroy Hawkins, Andy Pettitte, Kyle Farnsworth, and others all are without contracts next year.  

Whatever the Yankees do they need to be smart about it.  They don't need another high-priced, can't get the job done reliever.  Jose Veras, Chris Britton, David Robertson, Jonathan Albaladejo, and Dan Geise have all been very good.  They are all also very cheap, unlike Hawkins and Farnsworth.  The Yankees need to stop throwing money away and realize they have plenty of talent right at home.  

Maybe the Yankees should sell some of their excess pitching and beef up their lineup.  Matt Holliday would look very nice in Yankee Pinstripes.  If we can keep Hughes and Kennedy then I say the Yanks need to pull the trigger.  I wonder if the Rockies would go for Humberto Sanchez, Jeff Marquez, Juan Miranda, George Kontos, and another prospect?  Yeah, I didn't think so.  

Whatever, the Yankees do, they need to be smart, efficient, and quick about it.  Time is running out.  The playoffs are a lost hope.  I have to blame Cashman for this, he is the one who watched the Yankees get progressively worse year after year and was unable to do anything about it.  Time for Oppenheimer to show us what he's got, unless of course, Cashman has a plan that makes sense for the near and distant future altogether.   

Around the Leagues

Is there any reason to watch golf now that Tiger Woods isn't going to be playing in any major tournaments?  I won't be tuning in so let me know how it goes.

LaTroy "Home Run" Hawkins still has a job.  My God, this is getting ridiculous.  Why can't GM Brian Cashman just admit he made a mistake on Hawkins like every other reliever he has acquired via free agency or trade.  Face it Cashman, between Farnsworth and Hawkins, Cashman's mistakes are killing the Yankees.  I know there the Yankees can get better production out of some of their AAA players.  It also looks like Cashman is finally owning up to those mistakes as David Robertson was recently called up.  Robertson has been absolutely amazing in the minors.  Hopefully, those stats translate.

I just witnessed Jose Reyes do one of the most childish things I have ever seen.  On a routine play, Reyes fielded the ball cleanly and fired to first.  The throw was a little wide to the right of the bag, drawing Carlos Delgado off the bag.  Delgado, then missed the ball as he tried to tag Melky Cabrera before the ball was in his glove.  The ball rolled into the dugout and Cabrera went to second.  Reyes then threw his glove down on the ground with such force that his sunglasses also went flying.  The error was on Delgado and here is Reyes showing up one of his teammates.  Good job, Reyes.  And you wonder why the Mets seem to be playing under their level?  Maybe Willie Randolph was lucky getting fired when he did.  Maybe Delgado will break Reyes in two as the kid deserves.  Time to grow up Reyes.  Maybe the Mets should finally admit the kid isn't a team player and trade him to rebuild a farm system that looks like 1980's George Steinbrenner got a hold of it.  The Mets will never win with a kid like that.

What are the Rangers doing with Sean Avery, Brendan Shanahan, and Jaromir Jagr?  Why are these guys not re-signed?  What is Glen Sather waiting for?  Sean Avery has been a charge to the Rangers, on both ends of the ice.  The treatment he has received from the Rangers has been awful and almost criminal.  

The fact that Jagr is not re-signed is also a mystery.  Jagr has been a model citizen since coming to this team, doing everything asked of him.  He is deserving of a contract and respect from the Rangers.  If the Blueshirts wait much longer he will be gone.  It feels like Sather is pushing these guys out the door.  The only problem is, there is nothing he can bring in the door that equals these guys.  Oh, and if things aren't bad enough, Martin Straka just jumped ship and returned to his native Czech Republic to play.  Think he knows something?

A message to Jeremy Shockey:  Shut up and play.  I am sick of your whining.  You want to be traded because you don't like the way the Giants treated you?  Are you kidding me?  I thought you were a man.  I thought you were a leader on this team?  Guess not, huh?  You are showing you are not about the team but rather about you and only you.  The Giants don't need that attitude.  Eli proved he can play very well without you.  If only you could just shut up, do your job, stop yelling every time you don't get a pass thrown your way, and hold onto a pass when it is thrown your way, then the Giants could have one of the best passing attacks in the game.  But you, Mr. Shockey, don't care about that.  Grow up or get out.

I love how all of a sudden Danny Ainge is getting all the credit for this Boston Celtics revival.  Like it takes a genius to know Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett are great players!  Give credit where it is due, to the players and Doc Rivers.

I loved how Knick fans booed their team selecting Danillo Gallinari.  I could almost feel the collective groan.  I bet the only thing they could think of was Frederic Weis.  Only time will tell if they're right.

Good job by the Nets on draft day.  They dump Richard Jefferson's contract on the Bucks for Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons.  Yi was a disappointment for the Bucks, a team he didn't want to play for from day 1.  Yi should give the Nets some boost in the frontcourt.  Trading Jefferson, one of the better players to ever put on a Nets uniform, sets the Nets up for 2010 cap room, something the crosstown Knicks can only dream about.  You know who becomes a free agent in 2010?  LeBron James, Dirk Nowitzki, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, and Josh Howard all can opt out of their contracts.  Think the Nets are setting themselves up for a run at one or two of these guys?  How does Chris Bosh and LeBron James sound in Brooklyn?  Kudos to the Nets for at least trying.