i'm ready. should be a really good series.

i didn't get to watch all of the game, but from what i saw, the rangers are quite capable of wreaking havoc on the bases - the combination of the yankees pitchers and posada have basically no chance to slow them down, just gotta keep them off-base.

yep, agreed alex, the yanks have to get at least one of the first two games.

Yanks have to win the Cliff Lee-less games.
[0] dude, you seriously doubted him last night? Total postseason stud.
Go git him, Cash.

2) I did. I thought Price would be better. Shows what I know.

[3] I'm a Cliff Lee Believer. I know some are going to have concerns about his age, and his late development but I'd sign him to 5-6 years in a heartbeat.
He threw 120 pitches last night (90 strikes?) , so maybe the Yanks have a chance at him in Game 3, but I wouldn't count on it.

To me, both tampa and texas are worthy opponents with strong pitching. Either way we need to play good ball and have good pitching. LET'S GO YAN-KEES!!!

Should be a good series. I'll say Yankees in 6.

Benji Molina stole a base? Emma's (IIRC) right, Molinas are dangerous this time of year.

Whatever their chances, it's just not right to be a Yankee fan and not be negative.

[7] If there's one sports franchise that's not true of, it's the Yankees.

Even though he acknowledges their importance, I think Goldman is underestimating the impact of losing Benoit, Balfour and Soriano (either all or any combination of the three). Bullpens may be malleable, but you simply can not replace three relievers who were as great as those three were last year. Also, it’s fine to doubt Crawford’s long-term viability, but he was the second best offensive player on the Rays, and only one of two who was well above league average in meaningful at bats. Maybe Desmond Jennings will be as good as Crawford, but even if so, it’s just as likely it will be the case three years from now.

Finally, the Rays have to be concerned by the regressions of Zobrist and Bartlett as well as the continued stagnation of Upton. On the pitching side, they still have Price, but Garza and Shields too big steps back. In fact, after Price, the Rays rotation was league average or much worse.

If you look at the Rays, they really had no business playing as well as they did, and I think much of that is attributable to Maddon. If you start removing his pieces, however, he can’t make a difference. Unless the Rays reverse course on the threatened payroll cuts, I don’t think they will be much of a factor next year.

[9] Stagnation of Upton, indeed. Very disappointing.

[9] maddon has to at least be in the discussion as to why several players regressed though.

So is the Yankees 2011 rotation likely to be Sabathia, Lee, Hughes, Pettitte, Burnett? Is there anyone else they go after if things don't work out with Lee?

Do they go after some alternate 4th/5th starter to prepare for problems with Pettitte/Burnett? Do they rely on Nova and others in the minors to fill that need? Is Joba forever a bullpen guy, and if so, do the Yanks look to move him?

Yes, it's early to discuss this but these off days are killing me. All DLS series are finished but we still have to wait until Friday. I hate baseball scheduling sometimes.

[9] They are losing Pena also? Their #3 and #4 batters?
No.... unless the Sox totally fuck up this Winter, and or the Yankees (Posada, Jeter, ARod) seriously age next year, TB is due for 3rd or 4th place.

[12] Are you totally giving up on Joba as a starter? Me.... I let Joba Start next spring and see how he fairs against Pettitte (if he's back) and AJ. When you compare Joba's ERA (as a starter) and Phil's ERA (as a starter), Joba is a 1/2 run better. I'm not saying Joba is better then Phil, but to be high on Hughes and at the same time throw Joba away... it just doesn't make sense.

Joba is still pretty young, very cheap, and still doesn't have a lot of experience under his belt. When you consider what CC costs, what Lee will cost ($20m/yr), and what we paid for #2/#3/#4 type guys in AJ and Javy, how can you not want to see if Joba can start?

I mean, this guy can't be AT LEAST an excellent #5????

And as much as Andy has pleased and amazed me, he is getting to an age where injury or falling off a cliff isn't improbable.

I hope Cashman's on the same page as I am. If Joba ends up just being a decent trade chip... then we really blew it with him.

I agree with you - I haven't given up on Joba but it seems like the organization has (and he may have as well - maybe the result of all of the mismanagement).

Also, where do you put him if you get Lee? Do you bounce him back and forth from BP to starter all year? That doesn't seem to work out very well.

[11] I guess, but instead of trying to figure out how a manager's role in a player's performance, I think it makes more sense to look at how he uses what his individual players give him.

[12] Trading Burnett, which will require eating at least half the contract, needs to be seriously explored.

[14] Joba is another player I'd seriously consider trading, although I would not simpyl give him away. If the Yankees can get close to 80-90 cents on the dollar, it might be best to cut bait with Joba and rid the team of another enigma.

I shan't count my Lee until it's hatched.

Texas just signed a HUGE cable contract with Fox Sports.

They're going to have serious cash to throw at Lee.

Who knows how he feels about pitching in Texas, though.

[12] Blame the television networks, they're the reason scheduling is the way it is.