26 to 6

It's very sad an unfortunate that he's gotten to this point, but the Boss will hang in there and be tough. Really? I hadn't heard anything about that, strangely enough. Anybody have any details?

Time to just wait and see I guess.

This was an awesome deal for the Sox. Great job in pulling this one off.

I can't wait for him to just finally release this book. I've been waiting for it for a while, since he announced releasing a second and third book months ago. I want to see what kind of interesting things there are on other players.

I dont mind this move too much. I don't see why there is all this uproar. This isn't intended to be a impact move or anything, just an addittion at the trade deadline. Bottom line is Proctor can't buy a strike lately, and Betemit is a young, versatile, switch-hitting infielder (who I suppose can play in the OF if need be). He may have some trouble finding regular ABs, but i'm sure Joe will be able to get him in there here and there. Plus, this guy is loaded with potential, and answers our 3B need if A-Rod bounces after this season. It's just a move to offer to stability and reassurance for now and beyond. Also, with Karstens and Hughes on their way back, something needed to be done to make room on the pitching staff. I don't see how this hurts at all. I just wish we could have found a way to unload Kyle Farnsworth. I hope Proctor gets things back in order in LA. He did a very servicable job in his time here. He was durable and reliable, and unfortunately it is just time to part ways.

Speculation is that if he keeps it up, Joba may get a call this September. I'm not quite sure how much there is to this, or if I think it's even a good idea to bring him up this soon is his career.

OK, despite the fact that he may pile up more than his share of K's, and from time to time in the same game, that doesnt take away from the fact that he's come a long way since allowing that Inside the Park HR back in '05. He's had a lot of doubters, particularily on this board, but forget about all that. It's no secret here how much of a Melky fan and supporter I am, and with good reason. All things considered, he's gotten off to a pretty nice start for what I hope turns out to be a long, productive big-league career.

I dont mind that so much. I figured it would take Proctor to get Betemit, but I'd rather hold onto Proctor. Despite his overuse and inconsistancy this season, I still think he possesses upside, and is a guy I like having in the bullpen. If only he wasn't used as often as a toothbrush and could stay fresh, who knows. Any deal involving a combination of players named Kle Farnsworth and Wilson Betemit would be a good deal, IMO. I can't stand Farnsworth at this point, and would love to get rid of him, especially if it provided us with someone like Betemit in return. If Cash can pull something like that off, he should win executive of the year based on that alone, lol

I really didnt get a chance to take a look at anyone really. I was dozing on and off throughout the game, which I didn't even turn on until the 4th inning.

Anyone planning on going this year? I'll be heading up there with the Renegades for the games, which i'm really looking forward to. I can't wait to see the Fenway of today. The last time I was there was back in 2000, before all of the great additions, upgrades, and renovations; so it'll be cool to just be able to enjoy Fenway in that atmosphere. I'd probably find it hard to appreciate it as much if it were a Sox game or something, with so much noise and people and whatnot, so when I found out we were sending busses up there for the games I hopped on board right away. Who is Portland gonna be playing? I just read it but I forgot already

Ironically enough, i've been voting for Okajima and Young, too. Oki has been outstanding this season, and there's no doubt he should be there.

Absolutely. If I recall correctly, didn't Berroa just barely beat out Matsui? If it werent for the two KC writers who decided to take the rules, specifically that which declared Matsui eligible for the award, into their own hands and [rovide their own ridiculous interpretation of the rule, Hideki Matsui would have won the 2003 Rookie of the Year Award, which he rightfully deserved.

A lot of this is absolutley absurd and unnecessary. Dont have time to comment on everything jacko said right now, but for starters, the last thing we need is Adam Dunn's injuries and Strike Outs. I'd rather try and come up with a solution from within (perhaps see if Duncan DOES end up getting his s*** together), or pull off a more sensible deal in the trade market, or resort to a reasonable, Teixeria-esque free agent signing. ..I also wouldnt be absolutely opposed to putting Damon there long term for the duration of his contract if we pick up an Ichiro or Andruw (just names you threw out in your other posts).

Can't be too opposed to it. It's something that's actually crossed my mind before. I think having Don Mattingly there, if he put in the effort to be a good first baseman, I think he could do it. Meantime, anyone have a clue who's gonna replace Mientkiewicz on the roster? We're almost to the point where I wouldn't mind seeing Bernie try to make a comeback. We could use that bat off the bench, considering we've gotten pretty minimal bench production.

He can't be the ace at this point in the season. Let him get in competitive game shape and get a start or two under his belt before we hold him to these high expectations. He's Roger Clemens, not Superman. He, like every other player, needs time to get into game shape. This is Spring Training for him, and setbacks do occur. Come the series in August, or god willing October, I can guarantee that Roger will be chomping at the bit to get on that mound and mow down some Red Sox.

My mistake

Thats pretty funny. It's definitely annoying and ridiculous the amount of attention that ESPN pays Roger.

I'm sure that wouldn't be the case if he signed the same contract with the Red Sox. The way I look at it, the reason Roger isn't pitching Sunday, or in this series at all is because of the way the rotation stacks up. You have to be kidding me if you think he's afraid or something. Fact of the matter is that the Yankees don't run things to appease a few select players, but by doing whats in the best interest of the team. When you have Wang, Moose, and Andy lined up, you don't go to them and say "hey, look. We're pushing you back off of your normal rest to accomodate somebody making their season debut." It just doesn't work like that around here. Something else that occured to me is that if we were to purchase his contract and activate him for this series thats a reliever that we lose from the roster. In a series like this, we NEED as many arms as we can get. 12.5 games out and playing the best team in baseball to this point, you can't make dumb decisions like removing an arm from the pen to start Rog', meanwhile pushing back another starter. It's just stupid. There is no logic in that thinking. So you Sox fans can tell yourselves whatever you want regarding this situation, but the bottom line is we need to do what's best for the team and work towards turning this season around.

I certainly agree. It is a dumb arguement that really doesn't deserve the attention it's gotten. ...However, A-Rod didn't break a rule. It was noted as an "Unwritten Rule" in the link you provided.

So do I. I was just about to say that...beat me to it.

I dont blame Joe, or anyone for thinking it was out of line. s***, i'd probably be prettu mad if it happened to me too. I just don't think it's as big a deal as it's been made out to be. I was unaware that there was a rule against that. Seems pretty ridiculous to me.

I don't think of A-Rod as a dirty player, although I could understand why a lot of you guys do. I just see it as him being heads up and always thinking, although granted he might take it too far, specifically when he slapped Arroyo's glove. I cant get too worked up over his hard slide into Pedroia, or yelling "ha" on the bases; fact of the matter is that these things are most likely done regularily, but don't attract as much attention as when A-Rod does it. Bottom line is, I appreciate that a player of his caliber is grounded enough to keep his head always in the game and is always thinking heads up and aggressive. He's not just another one of those overpaid superstars who just goes about himself turning his cheek to anything not involving him. He's not like other big-time sluggers who just stand in there and hit, and thenrun out to the field or onto the bases not concerning themselves with anything else. He's in there doing whatever occurs to him to help the team win, and as ridiculous as my statement may seem to some of you, that's how I feel. There is nothing wrong with trying to be aggressive on the bases to prevent being an out. When any other player makes a hard slide to prevent a double play, he's praised; but when it's A-Rod, and particularily when it's againt the Sox, people seem to feel the need to take issue with it and blow it out of proportion.

I know Mike Thurman (pitched several seasons in Columbus with the Yanks. Originally an Expos farmhand, started a few games for us in 2002. After retiring became a scout in the Northwest for the Yanks) will be one of two people representing the Yankees in Orlando for the draft. I don't remember off the top of my head who the other is.

In addition to of course the Yankees, Mets, and Red Sox; i'll be paying colse attention to the Devil Rays picks in the draft this week. Particularily because i'm interning with their NY-Penn League affiliate, the Hudson Valley Renegades. It'd be nice to get some good young talent for the 'Gades, so hopefully we can have a winning season.

It's an interesting scenario. The possibility of getting even a few first round picks, including particularily a Top 10 or 15 pick, could be huge for this club. I'm not gonna speculate at this point at the possibilites, because there's still plenty of time for multiple scenarios to play out; however, if we're with one of the worst 10 or 15 records come September, and we have beter idea of the plans of the likes of A-Rod, Abreau, the Yankees, etc. it'll be fun to follow.