
I don’t know if the Yankees are out of the woods on the Hughes thing, but he sure pitched better in today’s win over the Jays. If he keeps it up, I think we’ve got ourselves a very good second half pitcher. That said, he’s still an “if.” Colon is an “if” right now. Garcia is an “if.” And AJ is a perennial “if.”
Which is my long-winded way of saying I’ve been kind of excited reading about the trade rumors lately. I know, I know. They’re just rumors. Maybe Cashman will end up sticking with what we have, but I doubt it. I think that if we’re really making a run at winning it all, we need another front line pitcher behind CC for the stretch. Is that pitcher this guy?

Jimenez hasn’t been as effective as he was last year, but he’s still pretty good and he’s only 27. The Rockies claim he’s not trade bait, but don’t all teams say that?
And what about this guy?

Garza’s been successful in the AL East, which doesn’t hurt, and he’s pitched on the big stage, another advantage. The Cubs say he’s not trade bait either, but see above. (Personally, I’d have to learn to deal with that flutter motion he does with his glove – ugh.)
It all comes down to which players we’d have to give up, and I’m just glad I’m not a GM.
Back to reality, how hot is Gardner right now? He does look comfortable leading off, doesn’t he?
Nice job by the pen today too. Boone Logan seems to have straightened himself out (no jinx).
Now it’s on to Tampa. As Audrey pointed out in a previous post, our record is only average against our division rivals, so it’s time to step it up and remedy that by winning the series against the Rays. I’m talking to YOU, guy.

I sure would love it if the Yankees got either Jimenez or Garza. Preferably, Ubaldo! I just hope we don’t have to give up too much in order to get either of them. And, if we do give up too much, it’ll probably come back to bite the Yankees in the ass, just like in many past situations.
That’s the problem, Juan. Which players would we have to give up. Montero would hurt, but Cashman was ready to part with him for Cliff Lee around this time last year, so who knows. What I do know is that you can’t always wait for free agents to hit the market. Sometimes a trade is necessary. Granderson for Jackson certainly worked out well.
no broadcast here, but what I saw of Hughes on YES Yankee Post Game sure looked good. Hopefully the bad beat the Rays took in Boston will have them out of sorts. This would be a great series to take, if not sweep, but ain’t they all. We need to make some ground in the AL East.
Very glad Phil Hughes had such a good game and the Yankees supported him with lots of runs. Wish the Women’s World Cup results had been as happy.
The price on Jimenez–if you believe the “experts”–is, um exorbitant.
That means they want a lotta stuff.
http://paullebowitz.com.previewyoursite.com/blog/?p=1715
Phil looked so much better yesterday! I am encouraged.
I’m in for Garza. As you pointed out, Jane, he has proved himself in the big games. I have him as one of my pitchers on my fantasy team, and he has done very well for me. He has also pitched in the AL. I don’t believe Jimenez has pitched in the AL, so that would be a negative for me. Sometimes it takes pitchers a while to switch leagues, and I’m not sure we have the time or patience for that.
We do need to have a good series at the Trop, NYL. The Rays will be eager to bounce back after the Red Sox series and they always play hard against us. It won’t be easy, so our guys need to forget about the turf and the catwalks and play good baseball.
I was sorry to read about the women’s cup in soccer, Audrey, but if they had to lose to any country I’m glad it was Japan. Maybe the victory will give them a small lift, which they need after all they’ve been through.
I do believe the experts, Paul. The price for Jimenez would be exorbitant in terms of our farm system. It could be another case where Cashman gets overruled by Hank/Hal, however.
No, Jimenez hasn’t pitched in the AL, Kathleen, but that could also work in his favor since most hitters in our league – and our division – haven’t seen him. No idea if the Garza rumor has any teeth but I do feel that somebody will be showing up in pinstripes one of these days.