Bronx Pitching Woes and More NHL

How is it possible for a storied franchise like the New York Yankees to let themselves be decimated by arch-rival Boston Red Sox 17-1? A loss was predictable, and that is because the first two pitchers were Tim Redding and Darrell May, two guys who couldn't make it in Houston, San Diego, or Kansas City. That's right, Kansas City. Injuries have hurt the Yankees, but for 200 million it has to be better than "Could't Hold Zack Greinke's Jock" every fifth day. And Sunday? Is there a pitcher for Sunday yet? Al Leiter is not the answer either, as he couldn't get anyone out with one of the league's best defensive teams behind him, in a pitcher's ballpark.

The biggest issue in this whole situation for the Yankees is that they dont have the pieces to trade to get a starting pitcher. All of that big contract money is tied up in guys who are either too valuable (A-Rod, Jeter, Sheffield, Mussina, Rivera), over-valued to the point that no one would trade for them (Giambi, Johnson, Brown), or veterans that have no trade value due to age (Posada, Williams, Johnson again). A Triple A second baseman playing out of his mind, a Double A center fielder, this team is actually lucky to be so close to Boston in the standings right now. I think that aside from Yankee fans, the people who are the most upset with this situation are the people who have called for revenue sharing in MLB, Bob Costas comes to mind here, because the payroll number can't mean that much when the 200 million dollar payroll team is starting leftovers from the 30 million dollar team. I think that the MLB should remove the luxury tax, or at least conditionalize it to tax success, wouldn't that be more fair?

I thought last year that the Yankees had it made when they signed Javier Vazquez, a dominator in Montreal. I Randy Johnson certainly was no sure thing considering his age, but I thought the Carl Pavano signing was great and that Pavano would win 15 - 18 games this season. Jaret Wright was a mistake, Wright is more proof that Leo Mazzone is a miracle worker, and Turner Field is for pitchers what Citizens Bank Park is for hitters (well, maybe not that bad). Kevin Brown's troubles at the end of last season made me doubt his effectiveness, and another year under the belt hasn't helped Brown at all. I think this rash of injuries and bad signings will cost the Yanks Eric Duncan, and maybe Robinson Canoe, although I am sure Cashman is very reluctant to move Canoe. My personal strategic choice: to go after a young arm or two off of non-contenders ( Ryan Vogelsong in Pittsburgh, Tomo Ohka in Milwaukee, Padilla for the Phillies), although the market for starters at the deadline is so crazy that last year Tampa got Scott Kazmir for Victor Zambrano. That one still blows me away.

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I'm really big on the Flyers 2 % chance to win Sidney Crosby. I dont know if the Flyers already have a dominating team when play resumes this fall, but they certainly don't have too many weak points entering the free agency period. I don't like a luxury tax, but I really don't like a hard cap. I would rather that the Flyers be able to spend 55-60 million and get all the players they want, but I can handle the large influx of cheap young talent that will contribute over the next two seasons and beyond. The youngsters will be forced to perform because guys like Recchi and LeClair and Amonte will be gone. And gone where? To some team that has extra cap space, like Pittsburgh. I think Amonte will sign with the Rangers after his buyout. LeClair might take less money to stay in Philly, but maybe he'll take less to sign with Ottawa with his old buddy Eric. And of course, of all the free agents, the least likely to sign here but the guy I would most like to see is Lindros. I am still a Lindros fan, I suspect that I always will be, that's the fault of history. The Flyers are loaded at center, however, and Clarke and Lindros hate each other, it's a shame. Roenick, by the way, I think will stay in Philly, and probably at his full salary less the rollback. I read that the Flyers will probably look to add a gritty, veteran defenseman, but I want to know where that money is going to come from? Of course, it is hard to get an idea for what the prices are going to be in this large free agent market, since all of the buyers have a flat amount to spend.

That's enough.