So far so good other than Pavano's shocking news

From Peter's the LoHud Yankees Blog,

Cashman said that the Yankees are interested in retaining Marte and could sign him to a new deal after they decline the option.

As for Bobby Abreu, I spoke to one of his agents today, Chris Leible. They have had no conversations with the Yankees whatsoever since the season ended. They believe Abreu can get – and should get – a three-year deal. Abreu will be 35 when next season starts and the Yankees are unlikely to bring him back for three years.

See, Cashman is not going to let Marte walk away if he is healthy after trading away young talents for him and Nady.

As for Abreu, his defense is getting a point that hurt us. No to mention he is not getting any younger. I won't bring him back for more than two year deal. The last thing we need is another aging verteran needs DH spot.

Are you kidding, right? Cashman

Dear Cashman,

I am always one of your big supporters. Please, don't disappoint me. I know this must be some kind of strategy, right? I also know you always don't express what you really want to do very clearly.

According to NY Daily News, you are not ruling out to bring back Carl Pavano.

Ha! Please, No. I don't want to see pitching for us no matter what.

Wang new commercial

I don't know how many readers of my blog understand Mandarin, but I think you guys probably can understand most of commercial without understanding Mandarin. Wang shot a commercial for Johnnie Walker in March in Florida.

The content of commercial is based on true story from Wang. How Wang's two best friends since childhood support and help him to overcome adversities, including staying in the minor for a long time(5 years), rehabbing and bad performances in order to keep pursuing his dream.

The majority of Wang's commercials like this which send some positive messages to young people and hold some charity events along the way. It actually encourages and helps a lot of people. Of course, those commercials also bring enormous profits to those brands.

I like those positive messages to young people. However, Wang's not so good acting skill makes me laugh all the time. By the way, I never saw Wang having Joba-like emotion on the mound after striking out someone even when he pitched for our national team long time ago.

(From Johnnie Walker's Taiwan website)


I think our bombers also need our support to overcome adversity and get 27th world series.

Let go Yankees!

Good to hear

Just saw this news from mlb. Brewers pick up Mike Cameron 10 million option. Of course, Yankees still can work out a deal with Brewers. However, I rather put Melky or Gardner in the center field than Cameron. We need to get younger, not older. The last thing we need is another aging outfielder. Not to mention he strike out a lot.

Yankees really need to pay more attention on defense this off-season, especially center fielder is really a position that needs to have good defense. Instead of spending money on aging verterans, I rather give playing time to young players. Of course, I don't mind Yankees to work out a deal to net us a young center fielder, but not Mike Cameron.

Yankees call other teams???

According to a news on Boston Globe, Yankees have been aggressive in calling team to find out who may be available. For example, they said Yankees called Astros to find out the availability of Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman.

Man, I doubt this news is true. Think about it. Brian Cashman is going to have GM Meeting that starts on Monday. He can find out anything he wants to know on GM meeting. Why wast time and energy to call other teams? This doesn't make any sense at all.

Keep Marte

According to NY Post, Yankees are not planing to pick up Marte's 6 million option. Of course, Yankees should know more inside information than we did. This just likes when Yankees decided to trade Proctor to Dodgers for Betemit. When Betemit has not been good for Yankees, Proctor ended up with hurting and on the DL. If Marte was hurting at the end of season more than what Yankees told us, this definitely plays a big role on not picking up his option.

I know Phil Coke was impressive at the end of season and Yankees have a lot of options for bullpen in their farm system. However, I think Yankees should and will keep Marte. Except Closer, middle reliever pitchers seems to perform differently every year. It not only will be good to have two lefty in the bullpen and one of them are an experienced verteran, especially when you consider how many troubles Yankees have to find a good lefty in the bullpen for many years but also have options as many as possible in the bullpen.

If Marte is healthy, I don't think Yankees will let Marte walk away because of money. Think about this. Marte is the main guy in the Nady/Marte trade. Cashman wants Marte and a good lefty badly and Pirates came back for a bigger deal which ended up with Nady in the deal. I don't think Cashman will trade away young talents in the farm system for two month rental.

If Yankees end up with declining Marte's 6 million option and he is healthy, I am pretty sure Yankees have settled a 2-3 year deal at cheaper annual rate with Marte. I don't think they will risk to lose him by letting him test free agency market. If I were Marte, I would be happier to get a 2-3 year deal than getting his option picked up. If I were Yankees front office, it would be better off signing Marte at 2-year deal at cheaper annual rate. Let us wait and see. Don't rush to make a judgment and overreact. It may be just a wrong information from Post and King.

Congrats, Phillies win 2008 world championship

I was not able to watch this game live. When I know Phillies win it, I feel happy for them. I can't image how I will react when Yankees win again. The most amazing thing is I actually saw this news on Australian sport news which rarely have any baseball news. The last time I saw a baseball news is when Damon hurt himself for that strangle fly ball against Red Sox.

When I pick up this game, I can't believe how many mistakes Jon Maddon made that I am not going to go through details. Not to mention Rays' third base coach sent Jason Bartlett home and got threw out when their big bat is on desk. Are you kidding me? When I saw replay, Jason Bartlett didn't even run hard toward third base. And you sent him home? oh, by the way, Jason Bartlett didn't run hard on a possible elimination game in world series as well. Just in case, you guys don't pay attention on this playoffs. He is not the first Rays to do so.

Of course, Rays have a lot of talent on their young team and they have an amazing season. I am pretty sure they are going to make a lot of noise in this AL East. However, Don't tell me they are going to beat Red Sox and Yankees with this kind of attitude and coach staff. Not to mention would Rays young players be able to make adjustments once every MLB team have a book on them?

The reasons Moose won't retire

Check out this post on Pinstripe Post regard of Moose's status. Great one. At this point, I am not sure who knows what will happen. When you talk about off-season move, you have to consider one may affect the other. That's why it's wasting time to second guess every move Manager or General Manager make, especially when you consider not only this is two-way street but also there are 29 teams out there . Sometimes, when the hearts of players don't want to come, it may be better off not to get them.

As for Pettitte and Moose, I want both to come back for one-year deal. I am sure Pettitte will accept one-year deal from Yankees. I think Moose will want more than one-year deal. However, I will really consider not to bring back Moose if he wants more than one-year deal. Don't forget Moose will be 40-year old when 2009 season begin. If team options will be accepted by Moose, I may do it. Yankees need more experience, proven and inning eater verteran pitchers. Of course, all this bet is off if Moose chooses to retire.

Basically, there is always a huge injury risk involved when signing pitchers. I rather gamble on pitchers who get track record of not getting hurt all the time, handling New York spotlight well and pitching well in AL East. I rather Yankees bring back Moose and Pettitte on short-term deal than signing Burnett, Lowe and Sheets for long-term contracts who either injury-prone or aging. Of course, all this assumption will change if we can't get CC to come to New York.

Can this world series end as soon as possible?

Even though I am very happy to see Phillies on the verge to win a champion, would Rays please put on better show to present AL? When your middle of lineup can't buy a hit, when your manager make all kind of mistakes and when your players can't make plays on the field, I hope this world series end as soon as possible.

By the way, I am listening to the game 5 of world series as I am writing this post. Pena just got threw out at first base when he tried to bunt. What are you thinking, Pena. You are a cleanup hitter. Oh, Crawford just didn't run hard out of box and got beat half step at first base when Rollins didn't field ball clearly. Upton also didn't run hard to first base once during this playoffs.

From pitching standpoint, Kazmir also crys like a baby every time he doesn't get the call he wants when Shields is the only pitcher pitch well but not outstanding. Not to mention their sudden amazing bullpen in regular season but not to well in playoffs. Don't tell me this team will threat Yankees and Red Sox for many years to come, especially when you consider how many innings those young pitchers put on this season.

Of course, as a yankees fan, the sooner this world series end, the sooner we can start talking about our beloved yankees. A playoff without our bombers certainly loose part of my attention. Of course, many off-days between games, not so good Fox broadcasting, long commercial breaks and so many bad calls by umpires also play a big role on my interest as well.

Updated 9:47pm: Kazmir just loaded the base again in just 4th inning. No matter how good Kazmir will be, he won't be an ACE because he always uses all his pitches in 6 innings. Basically, he is a 6 inning pitcher. A pitcher can't save bullpen for his team can't be called an ACE or elite pitcher in my opinion.

Updated 9:56pm: Rollins just dropped a infield pop-up according to radio broadcasting. However, Utley just made a great play to make up for him. Who is going to be MVP of world series for Phillies if Phillies win? At this point, I will say Cole Hamels.

Updated 10:11pm: Kazmir walked two more guys in the 5th inning.

The game was suspended. I don't know how much worse this world series can get. On top of that, MLB is not sure when they are able to get this game in. I don't think so many people will wait around and keep checking for timetable except Phillies and Rays fans. Of course, I don't want MLB to call a game and a victory for Phillies. However, why not suspend game sooner when field is on obvious bad condition? If I were a Phillies fan, it's not fair to play that half inning, score get tied and keep that half inning.

Don't trade Phil Hughes

I am pretty sure Mets regret the decision to trade Kazmir to Rays.

I know Hughes just ended his terrible 2008 season when pitches not so well in Arizona Fall League. I am sure a lot of fans regret not to trade him for Santana when a lot of writers and experts say how terrible decision Cashman make past off-season. Not for me. I still believe Hughes will be a good no.3 pitcher at major.

I realize how impatient a lot of Yankees fans are. Guys, Hughes is 22 year old. The reason for Phil Hughes to pitch in Arizona Fall League is to gain more experience, use his secondary pitches more, fix his delivery and command and get more innings in. The same thing goes to Kennedy when he was sent back to minor league second time. They should not focus on putting great stats because it's impossible to allow them to practice other pitches at major league level.

Pitching vs Offense

When talking about what Yankees off-season priority is, most people like to discuss why Yankees miss playoff this season first. Some people believe the injuries to Wang and Joba(pitching) basically kill our season. Others believe the terrible hitting in RISP is the reason. These all lead to debate what Yankees off-season priority is.

For me, it's a no-brainer. We need to upgrade our pitching. It's amazing for me to hear people say, "Well, even without Wang and Joba, we have lower staff ERA than 2007 season. Rasner and Ponson pitch well enough to win if we have 2007 run production. It's terrible offense kill our season."

In my opinion, Pitching affects offense while offense affects pitching. When pitchers know they are not going to get run support, they feel they can't make any mistake and then want to pitch to corner all the time.

On the other hand, when hitters know they have Wang or Joba on the mound, they don't feel they need to score a lot of runs in order to win a ball game. There is huge different confident level Wang or Joba can bring to team instead of Ponson or Rasner. Not to mention the chances for Wang or Joba to win low-scoring games are much better than Ponson or Rasner.

Bowa stays with Dodgers

As I told you guys earlier, I don't think Larry Bowa or Willie Randolph will be our new third base coach. Right now, Bowa had decided to stay with Joe Torre and Dodgers. As you guys know, Willie reportedly rejected Washington's offer to be on the coaching staff. This tells us how much Willie Randolph wants to be a manager again which won't be an ideal option to be on Joe Girardi's coach staff.

I love to have Paul O'nell on Joe Girardi's coach staff. You guys can read the reasons on this post. However, there is another problem for this idea as well. It seems third base coach is reponsible for not only base running but also infielders. As we all know, Paul O'nell is an outfielder when he was a player.

I believe Yankees will get a guy with more experience when all said and done.

Wang threw 45 pitches

I just saw this news from Taiwanese website. Right now, Wang can throw off mound for 45 pitches. Everything goes very well. He will stay there for a while and go back to Taiwan at the beginning of November.

When was asked about the wish for 2009 season by Taiwanese reporter, Wang said,"I don't want to get hurt again. I hope I can pitch the whole season". As Rays hold World Series in Tampa, Wang said he didn't have plan to go there and watch. He only watches on TV because he really feel sad the Yankees are not able to play in playoffs this season.

If you don't want to play for Yankees, don't come no matter how good you are

As I state earlier regard of Joe Torre's depart, people have to love what they do, otherwise they are not going to do the job very well. Of course, there is nothing wrong about people don't like to play or root for Yankees. As a Yankees fan, I don't want any player who doesn't want to play for Yankees to come no matter how good they are.

If Jake Peavy doesn't want to play for Yankees, it's fine let him stay in National league which he prefers than American league. I don't know how good he can be if he doesn't want to switch from national league to American league.

We may all have experience about changing jobs. Different people with different personality. For me, I like to face challenge and am not afraid of dealing with much more difficult job. I have been changed my job from small company to a big company because I want to know how good I can be. Of course, it doesn't guarantee I can succeed. But, I certainly do better than those are afraid of facing new challenge but forcing to do so.

The bottom line is I hope Yankees spend money, not to spend prospects for their problems this off-season. If we can have Mark Teixeria, Manny, C.C., Burnett for money, do that and keep most prospects we have. You never know who is going to pay off for us in the near future. I do think Cashman will be with me on this subject.

Joba, don't do this again

I only have one comment about Joba's behaviour, "Don't do this again". You are going to get killed or kill someone by driving your car and drinking. I know Joba becomes a superstar of New York Yankees so quickly. This sometimes makes someone, especially as young as Joba is, get lose easily. So many kids look up for those baseball players. It's not right thing to do.

Congrats, Rays

I was not able to watch game 6 and 7 live because of time which is noon in Sydney. In fact, even though I have time, I was not going to watch those games because I can't stand to watch Red Sox playing and get me upset for non-yankees games.

I must give Red Sox deserved credit to fight back and force game 7. I hope this is a turning point of Red Sox's magic run. I just can't believe Red Sox keep having this kind of miracles all the time. It's time to turn the lucks back to our Bombers.

It's good now I can watch World Series peacefully because I know I don't have to watch Red Sox celerbating. As you guys know, I am rooting for Phillies. Let's Go Phillies! It's about time for a national league team to win it all.

By the way, If Wang got killed for his two playoff performances in 2007 ALDS, big game "ACE" pitchers Josh Beckett and Jon Lester who both only have one good regular season so far should get the same treatment as well. Wang doesn't find excuses for that, they shouldn't too.