This and That From Yankee Land

(Photo from newsday.com) Despite dropping their first game in Seattle, the Yankees have plenty of reasons to feel hopeful about reaching the playoffs this year.

Wang continues to turn in solid performances, giving the bullpen much needed rest in almost every game that he takes the mound.

Robinson Cano is proving to be one of the best pure hitters in the game. There's a reason why Johnny Damon has called him the best hitter that the Yankees have.

Bobby Abreu is performing better than anyone could have hoped for. This man is like Paul O'Neill - he is best when he doesn't feel pressure to hit homeruns. Abreu is a line-drive hitter with power to all fields. He has a Zen-like calm about him. He always seems relaxed with a super sharp eye. As Damon has said, it's like you could walk up to him in the batters box, push him lightly, and he'll fall over.

Melky Cabrera is one fine ball player. He has a wicked strong arm, solid offensive skills, and most importantly, a lot of hunger to do well.

Johnny Damon, Giambi, and Posada are hitting as well as they have their entire careers.

Derek Jeter, despite having his batting average drop from the .350s to the .330s, is still producing clutch hits when it counts, and should rebound for more multi-hit games in the near future.

Mariano Rivera has not been overworked during the past few weeks. His arm should be fresh and strong for the stretch run and the post season if the Yankees make it there.

Hideki Matsui just got clearance to begin hitting off a tee. If all goes well, he should progress quickly, possibly rejoining the Yanks sometime in early to mid-September.

Last but not least, the Red Sox just don't seem to be talented or hungry enough to pose a serious threat to the Yanks in the race for the AL East Division title. Unfortunately for Sox fans, their owners have a closer eye on the bottom line than George Steinbrenner does.

- Joshua
InsideTheYankees.com

The Latest From Yankee Land

During the last series against the Orioles, Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada reached targets in number of games played to have their options kick in for 2007.

Mariano is now guaranteed 10.5 million dollars for 2007, while Jorge Posada is guaranteed 12.5 million dollars.

If both of them continue to perform the way that they have been, George Steinbrenner figures to be happy to pay them their seven figure salaries.

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Hideki Matsui is set to be re-examined this coming Friday. If he gets a green light from doctors, he will begin regular batting and fielding drills.

Thus far, he has had someone catching balls for him while he practices throwing and fielding in the field.

He has also been swinging off a tee, using his right arm only, and hitting with a shortened, 24-inch bat.

If all goes well, the Yankees expect him back in September.

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So far, Bubba Crosby has not been claimed by another major league team. If he clears through waivers, he will likely accept assignment to the Yankees triple-A affiliate team in Columbus, which means that he will be available for a call up should the Yankees need his services in the future.

His demotion was disheartening to many loyal Yankees fans, who believe that Joe Torre did not demonstrate loyalty and appreciation for Bubba's hard work and effort since 2003.

It seems that Bubba was never given a fair shot to contribute on a regular basis.

Defensively, it could be argued that he is even better than Damon. Bubba Crosby has excellent tracking ability, probably equal to Damon's, but his throwing arm is clearly stronger than Damon's injured wing.

Still, Bubba's lack of consistent power on offense is what made him expendable.

Let's hope that he makes his way back to the big leagues soon.

Bubba: if you're reading this, please say hi to Aaron Small for all Yankee fans. Both of you deserve a spot on the big league team - we feel for you, and appreciate your efforts!

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The Yankees are about to begin what will be their most crucial stretch of the season tonight.

Over the next three weeks, the Yankees will face the White Sox, Angels, Red Sox, and the Mariners. Their series with the Red Sox will go five games, beginning with a double-header.

If the Yankees can win 13-16 of the 21 games ahead, they can pretty much guarantee themselves a spot in the post season.

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- Joshua
InsideTheYankees.com

Mild Setback for Matsui

Although the Yankees have to be happy with Lidle's six-inning performance today as they closed out a series sweep over the Blue Jays, they can't be enthusiastic about the latest report on Hideki Matsui.

X-rays looked good, but Matsui reported feeling some tenderness during his examination.

Knowing his character, you know that if he acknowledges the presence of tenderness, his wrist is nowhere close to being strong enough to take hacks at major league pitches.

Matsui's doctors have decided to have him continue his current rehab regimen for another week. This means that he will continue swinging with only his right hand, using a short, 24-inch bat. He will also continue with all of his regular defensive drills.

Matsui's wrist has to be completely pain-free upon examination for the Yankees to give him the green light for normal hitting drills.

Given how difficult it is for a major league ball player to overcome a wrist injury, Cashman's move to sign Abreu appears to be a prudent one.

We shouldn't be surprised if Sheffield and Matsui don't end up returning this season.

But that's not a terrible thing. With Abreu, Craig Wilson, Melky Cabrera, and a rejuvenated Bernie Williams clicking along with the rest of the band, this year's group seems to be an excellent balance between talent, guts, and motivation.

Team chemistry has never looked this good.

- Joshua
InsideTheYankees.com

A-Rod's Best Moment As A Yankee Thus Far

Wow.

Tonight may have been the turning point for A-Rod's career as a Yankee.

In a millisecond of brilliance, A-Rod did with his body what the best baseball minds imagine they would do in such a situation, but would hardly stand a chance of actually having their bodies carry out their minds' wishes.

In trying to stretch a single into a double in the sixth inning, A-Rod was clearly beat by Frank Catalanotto's throw from left field. While sliding head first into second and eyeing the pending tag, A-Rod jerked his left arm back, rotated his body 90 degreens clockwise, and lunged out to touch second base with his right hand before the stunned defender was able to tag him.

Wow.

Even the most passionate boo birds had to be impressed with that one.

3 for 5, batting average up to .286, 2 RBIs - it looks like A-Rod is regaining his confidence.

And it couldn't have happened at a better time.

The Yankees are definitely in a zone these days, having won seven of their last eight games, and remaining percentage points ahead of the Red Sox for first place in the east.

Even newcomers Bobby Abreu and Craig Wilson were locked in, stroke two hits a piece for the Bombers.

If Matsui and Sheffield both make it back this season, here is what the Yankees lineup could look like:

CF: Johnny Damon - 13 million
SS: Derek Jeter - 20.6 million
RF: Bobby Abreu - 16 million (4.4 million paid by the Yanks)
1B: Gary Sheffield - 13 million
LF: Hideki Matsui - 13 million
3B: A. Rodriguez - 25.68 million
DH: Jason Giambi - 20.4 million
C: Jorge Posada - 12 million
2B: Robinson Cano - 381,000 thousand

Let's hope for a sweep of the Blue Jays tomorrow night.

- Joshua
InsideTheYankees.com

The Plight Of Gary Sheffield

Tonight marks the official beginning of the end of Gary Sheffield's tenure with the Yankees.

Or so we are willing to bet.

With Matsui and Damon on the books for 39 million a piece beginning next season, and Bobby Abreu's 15 million dollar contract for 2007, the odd man out is the Sheff.

If Gary does make a return to the big leagues this season, he will certainly be motivated to play well. Regardless of what he says about not having to prove anything after 18 years of service, future employers will want to take a good, hard look at his surgically repaired wrist.

Especially because his trademark is his super sonic bat speed that requires a violent flick of his wrists with every swing.

If the Yankees don't pick up Gary Sheffield's option for 2007, chances are basically nil that they will negotiate a new contract. Gary's pride won't allow him to take a pay cut, at least not a significant one, and the Yankees will have zero interest in signing him for another three years, which is what his lawyer has been talking about over the past few days.

Speaking of Gary Sheffield's lawyer, Rufus Williams gave perfect answers to reporters' questions about how Gary feels about the Yanks picking up Abreu.

Gary is happy about Abreu coming to the Bronx because it will help the Yankees win a championship, which is what Gary came to New York for.

Let's see if Gary can be equally composed and politically correct when he returns to the clubhouse. If he can exert some patience and hold his tongue, he will stand a good chance of picking up a lucrative 2-3 year contract from another team in the offseason.

Maybe Boston?

Don't put it past Gary - he hasn't been completely happy ever since he and Steinbrenner negotiated his current 39 million dollar contract that involves deferred money without interest.

He also feels that to some degree, Brian Cashman played him like a puppet during spring training, and that he came off looking like a little child in front of reporters.

I don't think that the Red Sox would have any problem replacing Trot Nixon with Sheffield, do you?

In any case, let's hope that Sheffield heals well and that some how, some way, he is able to make a positive contribution to our team.

- Joshua
InsideTheYankees.com