WHY YANKEES HAVE OPTIONS, BUT WHAT WORKS?

What will the Yankee Brass do, if anything to help improve the Yankees. They signed Marcus Thames to a minor league deal today, but in my opinion, that was just a cheap yet, possibly affective bat just in case. There are some ideas, both bats and starters that I have my eye on. Again, I'm not saying we need these guys, I'm saying they should be on the radar, just in case.
Brandon Inge: The Tigers just send veteran Brandon Inge for assignment after he’s only batting .177 this year. He’s accepted a minor league assignment to Toledo. Read HERE. To me, I would think trying to scoop up this guy and seeing how he does in a few minor league games can't hurt. Inge has been a part of the Tigers for so long, maybe he just needs a change of scenery to get recharged and get going again. I’ve never been a huge Inge fan, but the way I see this is, if the Yankees were to trade for someone like Inge, it's an inexpensive veteran that may be able to contribute. You may not like Inge, you may think my idea is stupid, but Inge has been with the Tigers and he has always been apart of their lineup for a long time, plus, he can play third. All I’m suggesting is it’s an idea.

Mike Adams: This is why I love trade rumors, because no one knows what the hell is really going on. It goes down like this. A sports writer knows someone in a team clubhouse and overhears a conversation and they mention that someone "may" be available. Suddenly, the writer connects the dots “Well, he MAY be available and the Yankees are looking for relief. Looks like as match to me.” Next thing you know, Mike Adams is connected to the Yankees because to us, the bloggers and writers, it makes sense. But the reality of this deal is, according to Jeff Moorad, the Padres owner; the Padres aren’t interested in moving Mike Adams. Read HERE. That being said, never say die.

Heath Bell: I love this guy, but if Moorad is unwilling to part with Adams, what makes you think he will with Bell? Yes, the Yankees have a decent relationship with the Padres and yes, Cashman is smart and may be able to get Bell to the Bronx, but I feel like this just won’t happen. I hope I’m wrong.

James Shields: The Yankees would probably love an extra starter and after Shields beat them last night, they may even like James Shields more, but it is highly unlikely and don’t give it another thought. It’s the Rays Ladies and Gentlemen...Why would the Rays ever trade a guy in their own division? Shields is decent, and it is possible they could make a run in the AL east, it's still early, so to me, it doesn’t make sense. I didn’t put Shields in this post to give you hope, just reality, and I am not going to waste your time with it, I’m just trying to keep you informed with my own opinions. Read HERE.

Gio Gonzalez: I like this kid and the Yankees were attached to him at one point. To me, this kid is the future and if Cashman was smart and I know he is, he’s trying to figure out a way to get Gonzalez to the Bronx. This is a smart move in my mind. You could probably unload a minor leaguer or 2 and probably someone like Ivan Nova and suddenly you’d have a reliable lefty in your rotation that would be, in my opinion, a smarter move than Ubaldo Jimenez who’s current employers, the Rockies, want every minor leaguer the Yankees have. That Jimenez rumor is ridiculous if you think about it, the Yankees want to win this year and in the future, they’re not going to unload the farm. To me, Gonzalez makes sense. Read HERE.

Andy Pettitte: Yes, I went there. Why not? The Clemens case is over for now and I tell you what, I’m not the first person to think Andy Pettitte would come back. Now, it’s doubtful but you know the guy has been working out all spring and summer and you know he wants 1 more ring. The question is, will he come back? I say no, but in the back of my mind, I’m hoping he just shows up one day ready to go.

More names to comes, stay tuned right here on Bleeding Yankee Blue.

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WHY THAMES GETS THE LAST LAUGH

I know I’m a few days late on this story, but I wanted to make sure every smart blogger and writer got a shot in against TJ Simers from the Los Angeles Times for his ridiculous hit piece against one of the nicest guys in baseball, Marcus Thames. Anyway, you can read the trash HERE, but for once in my life, I suggest you don't click.

Look, I don’t read Simers that often. Why? Because I don’t think he’s particularly good. I've been told he has his moments, although, in my opinion, and many others, this moment was absolutely horrible.

Simers wrote a March 21st piece called: Marcus Thames can't field, can't hit righties, won't talk about it . . . are you excited yet?

In it, Simers attacks Thames all kinds of ways, saying he’s a lousy home run hitter: “This guy can hit home runs with more regularity than anyone else they have. In fact, he's only 442 behind Manny Ramirez.”

Then he rips on Thames saying he can’t hit righties and a lousy hitter, how Thames won't "answer" his questions and even ranks on his name calling him Tims/Tems over and over again. For the record Simers, it’s pronounced “Tims”. We all don't walk around calling you
TJ Tool, do we?

To me, who is just a blogger, this is probably the most uncreative piece I’ve ever seen in print. TJ, I’m not following. What are you angry at? Are you angry at the Dodgers for signing Thames or do you just like ripping on people who don’t like talking to your obnoxious blowhard mouth?

The Yankees had the wonderful opportunity to sign Marcus Thames for the 2010 season. From what I can gather, he was kind and a great teammate. He contributed when he could, after all, he didn't play every single day. Yes, he wasn’t the best player in baseball, but he was worth the price and delivered when we needed him to do, and during the playoffs, he did a great job. To be honest, I would have welcomed him back to the Yankee lineup in 2011.

Mattingly, in a Simers interview said of Thames: "I'm not going to say he's [crummy] on defense. He's not a Gold Glove outfielder . . . he's OK. All we've asked Marcus to do is what he's supposed to do."

Yes, I would say I agree with that. Hell, I think Thames would agree with that. So what Mr. Simers, is your beef sir? That Thames isn’t Manny? That Thames isn't diving everywhere for the baseball? I don’t get it. Unless it was just a piece to fill your article deadline so you can tell your editor you were finished, almost like a book report that was due on March 21^st and you wrote it at breakfast instead of the month allotted. That's what it seemed like to me.

Now yes, I’m a blogger, that’s all I am. I have an opinion and I damn sure don’t take myself seriously. My readers, the few I have, get me.

You? You work for the Los Angeles Times, the Goliath of us all and maybe you have more readers and more “followers” who hang on every word you write. Good for you. But do me a favor, accept criticism OK? Your article sucked. And I'm not the only one who thought so take a peak at these:

Hardball Talk
and this Hardball Talk
Big Lead Sports
Subway Squawkers
Detroit Free Press
Fantasy SP
Fishbowl LA

And believe me, Twitter was blowing up. Then of course, the biggest voice comes from former teammate of Thames', Curtis Granderson, who tweeted this:
Mr. Granderson, the Gentleman, wrote several quality tweets about Mr. Thames and what a great teammate he was. I got news for all of you, that's from the closest source, so take Grandy to the bank.

In closing Simers, let me just say, I know you probably won’t even read this. You’ll just move on to the next player to rip on who won’t answer your questions, because that seems to be your shtick. Thames is a good guy, and guess what, even if he wasn't, he's still a human being. Have a little respect.

By the way, respect is not a journalism thing sir, it's a life thing. Learn it.

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WHY IT'S OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW

So Marcus Thames, the Yankees former part-time DH, part-time outfielder has signed a deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Thames had been attached to Yankee rumors as a backup plan if the Yanks couldn't nail down Andruw Jones or someone else. Respectfully, I say the best of luck to Thames. He appeared as a great teammate and he never showed defeat, even when he struggled. I wish him well. Meanwhile, we don't have Jones yet, but the reports are we are close.

Hopefully it gets wrapped up within the next 24 hours. The rumors are that the deal is for 1 year, but this is a Boras client, so somehow I don't see it being 1 year. If it is, I consider this a plus. Jones has had a decent career and many feel his good years are behind him. I believe while this may be true, I sense a revival for Mr. Jones. Let's hope I'm right.

Looking at the rumors heating up again about Freddy Garcia, The Yanks and Orioles appear to be the front runners. Look, I told you my feelings about Freddy Garcia. I like him. Again, based on the selection of free agent pitching right now, I feel like he's the best option, that being said, his days are over as well. Do I expect a renaissance from Mr. Garcia? Not totally. But I expect something. In my eyes, anything is better than Sergio Mitre. I DO have faith in Freddy Garcia, although Yankee Stadium could be a suicide for Freddy. If he can't strike people out, if he gets rocked game after game with fly balls that are deposited into the stands, he will cement his end. But, the only way to know is to see what he's got spring training. It's very possible he could surprise all of us.

Things are starting to happy Yankee Fans, it's going to be OK. One step at a time, one step at a time.

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WHY "TEAM" MEANS YANKEES

What is Team? Well, it's working together to get a win. How about never letting your unit fall apart and losing. How about CC stunk up the joint tonight but it really didn't matter in the end. The Yankees struck at the right time and didn't run out of time, until they pulled ahead.

When things were unfolding in this game tonight, I'm not gonna lie, I had a whole blog written already about how disappointed I was with the way the Yankees played. There wasn't much to say. CC was horrible, the Yankees were not hitting Wilson and it was clear to me that they were going to lose Game 1. Wow was I wrong and I'll never doubt them again.

It all started with Robinson Cano's home run. But, at the time, it was not a thought. At the time, they were down 5-1. But let's give a lot of credit to the Yankees Bullpen tonight. Yes it's true, the hitting was spectacular, but the bullpen held the Rangers so the Yankees could rally. Cano, by the way, had 3 hits, so, that helps him in the MVP race. More on that later.

The 8th was amazing and it started with Gardner's slide into first base. Ever since I was 6, my coaches said "Don't slide into first. You get hurt and you don't get to the base faster. " All that is true, But Gardner was a spark plug tonight that started the greatest rally in post season history. Jeter hit. Swisher walked, Tex walked, A-Rod hit, RBI's all around, and Thames came though big time. He put the Yanks ahead and they never looked back. Tomorrow there are going to be a whole new generation of youngsters sliding into first and coaches cursing Brett Gardner. Who cares, hustle wins ballgames.

Today, the Yankees started off scary. I was really worried. But they never gave up and like I've said, this team has confidence, this team has momentum, and while we didn't see it in the beginning, I go back to the bullpen and to Gardner. If Moseley doesn't pitch relief as well as he did, and Gardner doesn't get things going sliding into first, the Yankees lose tonight. The non- stars shined. and God Bless them.

The greatest part of this game was the small ball. Cano homered, but they scratched runs and they never gave up on themselves. Coming back from being down 5 runs is unheard of. But they finally got to Wilson and when the pretty boy left and handed it over to the bullpen, they couldn't hold the Yankees down.

Back to the MVP and Cano. If we learn anything in this ALCS this year, we learn that whomever does better in this series, Robinson Cano or Josh Hamilton, can really cement the MVP. Now I know neither of them are thinking about individual awards, but all eyes are on these guys. So, we will see. Cano was 3 for 4, 2 RBIs. Hamilton had a 3 run homer.

Tomorrow the Yankees will be flying high. If you're the Rangers, your pissed that you beat up CC and lost. If you're the Yankees, you're pleased with yourself and are riding high, ready to kick more ass. Confidence is great, and it's a bitch if the other team has it and you don't.

Hughes vs. Colby Lewis tomorrow. If Hughes pitches into the 7th and the Yanks hit this Lewis kid, we are up 2-0. Just the way you want it coming into the Bronx... as a team.

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WHY HAPPY THAMES ARE HERE AGAIN

It was a strong pitching performance by Phil Hughes, and you couple that with unbelievable hitting and that's the perfect combination. Oh right, I said that in my last post. I said it because I had confidence in my team when all the doubters of talk radio panicked and thought it couldn't be dont. Phil Hughes was the Phil Hughes that the Yankees have been waiting for for the past 3 years. He was lights out and pitched like a seasoned veteran.

Everybody hit tonight... and everybody ran. Stolen bases kick ass and if you can move that runner to second, especially with the way they Yankees are hitting right now, it's a guaranteed run. Teixeria, Jeter, Swish, Grandy, Posada, Thames, A-Rod, Cano all looked good. Cano's got wheels and I love that he legged out a triple. I'd hate to say it because i'm a Melky fan, but shipping Melky to Atlanta was the best thing for Cano. He forced to focus on baseball and stop screwing around.

One thing that was truly great about this series and hopefully for the next 2 series' is the DH situation for the Yanks. I was alittle worried when Matsui went to the Angels in the off season. I wondered how the would fill the void. Lets face it, Thames ain't Godzilla. When they got Berkman at the deadline, I thought "Ok, they're are making some moves to improve the hitting in that DH role", but then he came up flat as well. Then, the postseason started and although nothing was done by Thames in Game 1, Berkman was all over the ball in Game 2 and Thames came through big in Game 3. That DH role is valuable and we are much better with them.

The key all series was pitching. CC, while he wasn't the true CC, hung tight and kept us in the game. Pettitte stepped up big time and while he struggled in the early innings, he to kept us in the game. Hughes by far was the most impressive tonight and I love that he shut everyone up who doubted him.

The best part about this Division Series is everyone had written off the New York Yankees, except us true Yankee fans. They read the stats and don't go with their gut. No one had faith in Phil Hughes, except us true Yankee fans. He pitched his heart out tonight.

Celebrate boys, you played your ass off. Take it in, reflect and get ready, the ALCS is right around the corner. Happy Thames are here again.

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