Tuesday's Thoughts

While not being able to handle the first winter weather of the year, here is what's on my mind this morning:

* Well, I had a feeling Brian Cashman wasn't done yet and sure enough the Yankees acquired fireballing reliever Aroldis Chapman for 4 minor leaguers, none of which were any of the team's top prospects.  With Chapman, the Yankees will have an awesome back of the bullpen with Andrew Miller, Dellin Betances and Chapman.  The only concern is whether the 3-time 27 year old All-Star will be suspended for an alleged domestic violence incident.  One would think that the Yankees would have checked out the situation and believe even if Chapman is suspended he would still be available for most of the 2016 season.  A bulked up hard throwing bullpen will help to bolster a fragile starting rotation.

* As many of you who follow me know, I have been extremely critical of Cashman but right now I would give him high marks for this off season's acquisitions as the Yankees continue to get younger and more athletic.  It will only get better as the 4 big contracts come off the books.(Beltran, Sabathia, Texiera and ARod)

* The Maple Leafs continue to shock many in Leafs Nation as they defeated the New York Islanders in the Barclay Center.  It is apparent that the team is responding quite well to Head Coach Mike Babcock and if they can get decent goaltending they will be a factor in determining who gets into the playoffs.  One only wonders where they would be in the standings if they hadn't had such a terrible October.

* What will be interesting to see is who General Manager Lou Lamiorello will try to move at the trade deadline.  Certainly it's possible that Michael Grabner and P.A.Parentau could be moved but one has to wonder if there would be any consideration to move Roman Polak or fan favorite Leo Komorov.  Of course, there is the persistent speculation about the Leaf futures of Joffrey Lupul, Dion Phaneuf and Tyler Bozak.

* Speaking of Bozak, it has been really annoying how this guy has been a constant whipping boy.  The fact remains that he didn't ask to be the team's number one center.  He is a college free agent who has played up to his ability and has served the Leafs well.  Babcock seems to have slotted him perfectly as is the case with Dion Phaneuf.

* Watching William Nylander get knocked out of Team Sweden's game against Switzerland had me thinking that this franchise is cursed.  Luckily, the word is that he very well may play again in the World Juniors and that is good news for Sweden and better news for the Marlies and the Maple Leafs.

* It's interesting how Manzielmania continues to grow with each game that Johnny Football plays.  I guess I'm confused as to how an NFL quarterback who rushes for nearly the same number of yards as he passes for is the formula for a Super Bowl contender.  

* While I would agree that it may be unfair to evaluate Manziel with the receivers that he has to throw to, his actions off the field may be just as important when determining whether or not he is the quarterback of the future.  Of course, now we see the Christmas Eve video of Manziel with an alcoholic beverage in his hand.  Many will say what is the big deal.  But the big deal is this kid was in an alcohol rehabilitation program.  He shouldn't be drinking period.  This has to call into question his judgment. To me the Browns have 2 options: 1.) get rid of him or 2.) keep him and draft another quarterback, not necessarily with their first round pick.

* The Bleacher Report is reporting that Ray Farmer will be shown the door once the season is over but Mike Pettine will be retained as head coach.  I don't have a problem with that, particularly if Browns owner Jimmy Haslam insists that Pettine bring in some assistants who have some pro football experience.  There is also rumors that Haslam will bring in former Green Bay GM Ron Wolf to act as a consultant to rebuild football operations.  Would be a good move in my opinion.

* It didn't take long for the honeymoon to end between Bills fans and Buffalo head coach Rex Ryan.  What is very telling is how the Bills have regressed under Ryan and the Jets are on the verge of making the playoffs under Todd Bowles.

* If I were a member of the Jets and needed additional motivation for Sunday's game, all I would think about is how Ryan was jumping around on the sidelines after the Bills win at MetLife Stadium earlier this season.

* Would really like to see Arizona or Carolina win the Super Bowl.  Bruce Arians has done a great job and it's fun watching Carson Palmer have a chance to go far in the playoffs, particularly after the crushing injury he received a few years back against the Steelers when he was playing for Cincinnati.  What can I say about Cam Newton.  The kid is having an awesome year and Ron Rivera has this team really playing well.  Would be a great NFC Championship Game.

* I don't know what to think about the Al Jazeera report about Peyton Manning and others using HGH. It seems hard to believe that Manning would risk his reputation.  With the so-called source recanting his story, one would have to give Peyton the benefit of the doubt.

* For all of the gasbags and self-righteous morons who are slamming Mike Ditka for calling Al Jazeera not credible and garbage, I'm with Ditka.  Since when is Al Jazeera a sports reporting agency.  Credit to Da Coach for telling it like it is.

* With word that the Maple Leafs are looking to change their uniforms, one has to wonder how much of this is a result of Addidas getting the NHL contract for apparel next season.  We know that Nike was involved in the ridiculously stupid new uniforms for the Browns.  So much for tradition.

* There was an interesting article last week in the NY Post that raised the question as to whether or not Sidney Crosby is a coach killer.  Crosby has had four head coaches in his career with the Pittsburgh Penguins.  The article pointed out that Crosby has a close relationship with Penguins owner and icon, Mario Lemieux.  I'm a Crosby fan, but the article gave me something to think about.

* If the playoffs started tomorrow in the NFL, the starting quarterbacks for the AFC playoff teams would be: Tom Brady, AJ McCarron, Brandon Weeden, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Alex Smith and Brock Osweiler.  A far cry from the days of Kelly, Elway, Kosar, Marino and Esiason.

* By the way, the Browns could have had Bruce Arians or Todd Bowles as their head coach.

* Really looking forward to watching the Final Four in the College Football Playoffs and the Fiesta Bowl with Notre Dame and Ohio State.  I'm pulling for Oklahoma, Michigan State and the Fighting Irish.

* Wonder if the gasbags on WGR550 realize that these college games are taking place this weekend.  I'd bet anything I have that there will not be a segment in the morning or during drive time about them. More concerned about getting the right musical effects when they talk about Ryan O'Reilly.

* Here's hoping that you all have a Happy and Healthy 2016!!

Tuesday's Thoughts

While loving the fact that we may not have a White Christmas, here is what's on my mind this morning:

* The Cleveland Browns had an impressive win on Sunday against the Blaine Gabbert led 49ers and many are ready to anoint Johnny Manziel as THE guy to lead the Browns to the Super Bowl.  I'm not ready to go that far as the better tests will be upcoming against Seattle, Kansas City and Pittsburgh.  While I don't expect the Browns to win any of those games, it would be encouraging if they were competitive and Manziel played a part in that.

* It's amazing that the Browns were able to finally run the ball and the defense played their best game of the year.  Of course, one has to wonder how much of this was as a result of San Francisco being awful.  That's why the next 3 games will be interesting.

* I'm hearing rumblings that Browns GM Ray Farmer may be saved and that it will be Mike Pettine who will be shown the door.  For Farmer to keep his job after having blown 4 first round draft picks in 2 years, terrible free agent signings, allowing productive players leave via free agency and an inability to realize that you need playmakers to win is a total outrage.  Pettine ends up being the fall guy for an organization that is a joke.

* The Maple Leafs play tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Steven Stamkos.  Rumors are flying big time about the feud between Stamkos and Lightning head coach Jon Cooper and that Stamkos will head to free agency on July 1st.  There are many in the Toronto media who believe that Stamkos could come to the Maple Leafs as a result.  This was further fueled by Stamkos "liking" a tweet talking about the 25 year old superstar coming back to his hometown.  I am not going to get overly excited just yet.  If we get past the trade deadline on February 29th and Stamkos is still playing for Tampa Bay without a contract extension then come see me.

* Tonight's game is going to be a big one for Jonathan Bernier as this will be his first game back since coming off his stint with the Marlies.  A weak performance could be the beginning of the Garrett Sparks era for at least the remainder of this season.

* The announcement that the Maple Leafs are going to change their logo and uniform for their 100th Anniversary season next year has me on high alert.  The Leafs are an Original 6 franchise and the Maple Leaf logo is iconic.  While a uniform re-design is one thing, playing around with the logo and the colors is another.  Would the Green Bay Packers, New York Yankees, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Black Hawks or Detroit Red Wings change their logos and team colors?  If the plan is to go back to the early 60's logo I'm ok with that.  But any Star Wars type change is a disgrace. Besides, I still haven't got over the Browns stupid uniform changes!!!

* Someone should tell LeSean McCoy to keep his mouth shut.  His rant against Eagles head coach Chip Kelly during the week got rammed down his throat after the Eagles defeated the Bills on Sunday essentially ending Buffalo's chances to make the playoffs.  Then he shows no guts by storming off the field, throwing his helmet and blowing off reporters after the game.  What a great role model!!!

* I'm beginning to wonder about Rex Ryan.  I believed that he got a raw deal in New York and that he would be a good fit for the Bills.  But, his team's performance this year calls into question his coaching abilities.  What's most troubling is the lack of discipline which has resulted in an alarming number of penalties.

* Despite his ability, the Bills need to move Jerry Hughes.  His stupid uncalled for penalties week after week are an embarrassment.

* Take a look at this Sunday's NFL schedule.  There is only one game, Denver vs Pittsburgh, where both teams are over .500.  What a joke and it shows that the product being put out there every weekend is inferior to what it used to be.  But it doesn't matter as ratings are up and the NFL continues to make money hand over foot.  I'm so glad I canceled The Sunday Ticket.

* Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has determined that Pete Rose's reinstatement request has been denied.  Manfred's decision is based upon the fact that Rose has shown no remorse and he continues to gamble.  Noble reasons indeed however hard for me to swallow when Major League Baseball are partners with Draft Kings, the fantasy sports website which has been outlawed in a number of states because it has been determined as a form of gambling.

* Let me start out by saying that I was never a Pete Rose fan.  But, he is the all time hits leader and deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.  What has never been proven is that Rose threw games in order to win a bet.  In fact, he bet on the Reds.  In the Black Sox Scandal, it was determined that members of the White Sox threw games in order to get paid.  As a result, Shoeless Joe Jackson has been barred from the Hall even though many believe that Jackson was not directly involved with the plot.

* I still believe that Brian Cashman will make another move or two to shore up the Yankee pitching staff.

* And finally, take a look at the nationally prime time games coming up this week.  Tampa Bay - St. Louis on Thursday, NY Jets - Dallas on Saturday, Arizona - Philadelphia on Sunday and Detroit - New Orleans on Monday.  In this group, only the Jets and Cardinals are over .500.  Yet, people will watch.  Enjoy!!!

Where Have You Gone Brian Cashman?

The Baseball Winter Meetings have come to a conclusion and the Yankees have the same holes they had when Brian Cashman came to San Diego. In fact, in my opinion, they are actually worse off. After signing Andrew Miller, Cashman indicated that it was still a possibility that the Yankees would re-sign homegrown closer David Robertson. Well, Robertson ends up signing for 4 years at $48 million dollars. It was reported that the Yankees were prepared to give Robertson $46 million dollars. The problem is, despite Cashman's alleged interest, there was no communication between the player and the team. C'mon Brian!! There is no way that if Cashman was truly interested in Robertson that there would not have been any discussion.

There are a number of things that bother me about the Robertson situation. First, the Yankees gave Robertson a qualifying offer which meant that if he signed with another club the Yankees would receive that team's first round pick. Well, because the White Sox record was so bad they will not relinquish its first round pick and instead will get a sandwich pick. Big deal! Second, now the Yankees do not have a proven legitimate closer. Cashman's statements that they could go with both Betances and Miller as co-closers is plain out garbage. Pitchers, and especially closers, thrive on consistency and repetition. And finally, once again a homegrown player was allowed to leave the Yankees. So much for the Yankee Way. What kind of message does this send to the prospects throughout the organization?

The week before the Winter Meetings, the Yankees traded Shane Greene to acquire Didi Gregorius. Of course, they needed a shortstop and Gregorius fits the bill. However, by moving Greene, the Yankees now have two holes in their starting rotation and that is provided both CC Sabathia and Masahiro Tanaka are healthy. The reports coming out of New York was that the Yanks wanted to re-sign Brandon McCarthy to fill one of the openings in the rotation. Well, forget that as the Dodgers signed McCarthy and Cashman is now saying that he knew McCarthy's market price was not going to be to there liking. Again, the Yankees made no offer to a "supposed" target. 

So coming out of the Winter Meetings, the bullpen has no proven closer and one of their targets to try to fill their rotation goes to LA.  Potential starting pitcher possibilities are coming off the board. The Red Sox acquired Wade Miley and Rick Porcello while signing free agent Justin Masterson. Ervin Santana signed with Minnesota and Mat Latos was traded by the Cincinnati Reds. In addition, the infield is still unsettled but for Gregorius and China doll Mark Teixiera. 

So my question is: What is the plan Mr.Cashman? As Yankee fans we deserve to know. I am not one to call for the Yankees to go crazy spending. Max Scherzer is a very good pitcher but the length of what he's looking for in term is too long. Adam Warren and David Phelps as your number four and number five starters? Give me a break. All we hear from Cashman and Joe Girardi is how important pitching is yet the rotation is a mess and there is no proven closer. And don't try to sell me on Jason Grilli and Sergio Romo. 

If Cashman decides to go with Martin Prado at third base and either Jose Pirela or Rob Refsnyder at second base, that's fine with me. But, the pitching staff is still a mess and any improvement in offensive output will be dependent upon Carlos Beltran, Brian McCann and Teixiera bouncing back. And then there is Alex Rodriguez. Who knows what the Yankees will get from him. 

At this point, the Yankees are not better than they were last year. I hope I'm wrong but it's troublesome to have to depend on aging players like Beltran, Teixiera and Rodriguez. Even more troubling is that Toronto and Boston have made moves to make their teams' better. But what has become even more troubling is that the Yankees inability to develop a strong farm system has prevented them to get in on the trade market for pitchers like Samardzija and Latos. Two guys who would upgrade the starting rotation dramatically. 

There is still two months until pitchers and catchers report to training camp so there is time for improvement. But based on no prospects that would be worth bringing in a quality pitcher or position player and no free agents who are worth the risk and the cost, it's looking grim for the Pinstripers. Particularly with a GM and an organization that seems to only be concerned about the bottom line and as a result perpetuate a myth that they are all in it to win it. 

Tuesday's Thoughts

While wondering if anyone under the age of 45 in Western New York knows what "The Little Three" is, here's what is on my mind this morning:

* Well I wonder if Joe Thomas still thinks that Brian Hoyer gives the Cleveland Browns the best chance to win. If he does then he has taken too many blows to the head while playing on the offensive line. The Browns confounded Andrew Luck for a good portion of the game, scored two touchdowns on their own and set up a field goal with an interception but it was still not enough as the Indianapolis Colts came from behind to defeat the Browns 25-24. The defense forced the Colts into four turnovers but the most the Browns could get out of that was three points. But this has been a problem for weeks and the blame lies with Hoyer and Offensive Coordinator Kyle Shanahan. 

* Hoyer had good field position throughout most of the game but was unable to capitalize on it. I'm not sure what more needs to be seen to realize that Brian Hoyer is not a starting quarterback let alone a franchise quarterback. You saw one on Sunday in Andrew Luck. Even when they are having a bad day, they make plays to win and Luck did just that particularly in the second half. 

* Really disturbed over reports by Jay Glazer that the Browns were not happy with Johnny Manziel because he was at a Cleveland Cavaliers game. According to the report, the Browns are concerned over Manziel's lack of preparation and that he should have been spending his time getting ready for the Colts' game because there was a chance he might start. Are you kidding me? If this is true then the Ray Farmer/Mike Pettine era may rank up there with the list of dumb regimes that have ran the Cleveland Browns since 1999. The Browns knew that this kid marches to his own drumbeat. His off the field exploits should not be a surprise. Besides, two hours at a Cavs game is going to make the difference in whether Manziel is ready to play? Give me a break!!

* Saw Coach Mike Pettine's press conference and I'm still not sure who will be starting against Cincinnati this Sunday. If the Browns have no intention of bringing Hoyer back or they don't feel they can keep him at what they consider fair, then Johnny Manziel should be the starter. By the way, in my opinion, he should have been the starter against the Colts. 

* The Toronto Maple Leafs have a big week coming up with two sets of back to back games. The first set begins tonight at 7:30 as the surprising Calgary Flames roll into the ACC. The Leafs are 4-1 on this current homestand and they would like to close it out with a victory. Then on Wednesday they go over to Detroit to take on the Red Wings. The Wings have been playing well as of late and the Leafs must be ready from the opening face off in both of these games. I would imagine that James Reimer will play one of these two games. Jonathan Bernier has really asserted himself as the team's number one but Reimer should get one of these two games. The weekend sees the Leafs hosting Detroit on Saturday and the defending Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings on Sunday. No doubt that both goalies will see action over the weekend. 

* It had been reported a week or so ago that Phil Kessel is fending off some nagging injuries and it looks it. Kessel never wants to come out of the lineup but he doesn't seem to have his usual spark when he has the puck in open ice. He seems to be laboring quite a bit. If he is hurting, the team needs to step in as missing a couple of games in December isn't a big deal but missing 5 or more in February and March could be a big problem. 

* It is really a pleasure to see the Leafs utilizing all four lines. The off season acquisitions have panned out as Mike Santorelli, Daniel Winnik, Richard Panik, Leo Komorov and David Booth are giving the Leafs forward depth that they have not had in quite awhile. Wonder if Randy Carlyle misses Colton Orr and Fraser McLaren. 

* Nazem Kadri really impressed me Saturday night against Vancouver. Carlyle had Kadri centering a line with Mike Santorelli and Daniel Winnik. Their assignment was to battle the Sedins and Kadri was every bit up to the task. The defensive side of the game has been a concern pertaining to Kadri's play. But, it's obvious that the young center has received the message and is starting to round out his game. This bodes well for the Leafs along with the development of their other young center, Peter Holland. Both of these former first round draft picks are giving the Leafs some hope at the center position. 

*The Baseball Winter Meetings began yesterday and it will be interesting to see what the New York Yankees do as they still have some holes to fill. Last week, the Yanks traded Shane Greene in a three team deal to acquire shortstop Didi Gregorius. Gregorius will fill the shortstop position vacated by the retirement of Derek Jeter. This 25 year old youngster is an excellent defender but has a weak bat. Moving Greene creates another hole in the starting rotation that has Masahiro Tanaka (fingers crossed he doesn't need Tommy John), Ivan Nova (won't be ready until May-June coming off Tommy John), CC Sabathia (coming off knee surgery) and Michael Pineda. If Adam Warren and David Phelps round out this rotation, I don't care who they have in the bullpen. 

* Speaking of the bullpen, letting David Robertson go is a huge mistake. Brian Cashman has said that they don't have a proven closer and that they might go after someone like Jason Grilli. Are you kidding me? There is something terribly wrong with this organization as it seems coming up through the farm system means nothing when it comes to free agency. 

* Its being reported that the Yankees and Giants are the team's most interested in Chase Headley. 

* The Cubs signed Jason Hammel and appear to be in on Jon Lester. According to Jon Heyman, the Cubs and the Giants appear to be the favorites to sign the 30 year old left-hander. If the Cubs get Lester look out!!

* The other Chicago team, the White Sox have made two huge moves signing Yankee closer David Robertson and acquiring Jeff Samardzija. 

* The Seattle Mariners seem to be the favorites to sign Miquel Cabrera. You know Robinson Cano will be lobbying for the Melkman. If they get Cabrera, the Mariner lineup bulks up big time with Cabrera, Cruz and Cano. 

* The Oakland A's appear to be in sell off mode as they have moved Josh Donaldson to the Blue Jays and Brandon Moss to Cleveland along with letting Jason Hammel and Jeff Samardzija go. Apparently, Billy Beane believes he needs to re-tool with youth. 

* Interesting story about how the relationship between David Ortiz and Alex Rodriguez has soured ever since ARod's attorney questioned Ortiz's use of PEDs. If the shoe fits, wear it Big Papi. 

* The NCAA Playoff Committee got it right by knocking TCU out of the final four and putting Ohio State in it. The Buckeyes deserve the opportunity after defeating Wisconsin in convincing fashion 59-0 in the Big Ten Championship Game. What made it more impressive was that the Buckeyes did it with their third string quarterback. 

* Really looking forward to watching Marcus Mariota and his Oregon Ducks take on Crablegs Winston and Florida State. Here's hoping the Ducks do the job on the lucky Seminoles. 

* Paul MacLean was fired yesterday as head coach of the Ottawa Senators. Rather strange since this guy was the darling of the hockey world two years ago. Maybe the powers that be in Ottawa should realize that they don't have a very good team. I'm sure MacLean will find a job somewhere next season. 

* There is a report that Cubs starting shortstop Starlin Castro may have been involved in a firefight in a nightclub in the Dominican Republic. I really like Castro and think he could be a star shortstop for years to come but if he is involved here this won't bode well for him with GM Theo Epstein. 

* Two of the most sought after head coaches in the NFL may be Jim Harbaugh and Rex Ryan. I've seen Ryan's name mentioned with Atlanta and Chicago. Harbaugh is rumored to be coveted by Oakland and the NY Jets. 

* And finally, The Little Three consisted of the three Catholic independent basketball teams in Western New York: Niagara, Canisius and St.Bonaventure. The schools would play a home and home series each year, though Niagara's home games were played at Buffalo's War Memorial Auditorium because the Student Center (now named the Gallagher Center) was too small. These three schools regularly played Syracuse, Villanova, St. John's and Providence. In fact, all three programs were better than Georgetown. 

Tuesday's Thoughts

As the countdown to Christmas begins, here's what is on my mind this morning:

* The Johnny Manziel era begins in Cleveland and it is the move that had to be made. As anyone who has read this blog or my Twitter posts, you know that I was not crazy about the Browns drafting Johnny Football. I had no problem with Coach Mike Pettine going with Brian Hoyer as the Browns starting quarterback. But over the last five games, Hoyer has shown that he is not the quarterback of the future let alone the guy to lead this team to the playoffs this year. In his last five games, Hoyer has thrown for three touchdowns while also throwing 8 interceptions. The first seven games, he had 8 touchdowns and only two interceptions.

* As a realistic Browns fan, I know it would be nice if they made the playoffs but if they did they would probably get bounced in their first game. That's why making the move to Manziel is best for the long term future of the franchise. It's imperative that the Browns see what they have in Johnny Football before the end of this season to determine if they need to use a top draft pick on another quarterback in the 2015 Draft. 

* Kyle Shanahan had another bad game and all of the talk about him getting a head coaching job next year is pre-mature in my mind. Two points: 1.) Why did he continue to run sweeps with Isiah Crowell? The play went no where every time it was called. 2.) On Buffalo's 1st series of the second half, Kyle Orton was picked off by Joe Haden inside Buffalo territory. Why wouldn't you go for the jugular with a play action pass to the end zone? Instead he tried the same running play to Crowell that went no where. Then Hoyer gets sacked and the Browns have to punt the ball away. 

* One other point about the play calling, the Browns red zone offense is no better now than it was under Pat Shurmer and Rob Chudzinski. You need to score touchdowns. 

* The Maple Leafs continue to play well as they convincingly defeated the Washington Capitals 6-2 on Saturday night. Since the 9-2 drubbing at the hands of the Nashville Predators, this Leaf team seems to be playing with a purpose. Even in their 4-3 overtime loss at Pittsburgh, they showed some fight as they fought back from a 2-0 deficit to tie the game in regulation.

* The Leafs are finally healthy up front as they got Joffrey Lupul and David Booth back and as a result Randy Carlyle is using four lines which have all been productive. 

* The Alex Ovechkin hit on Leo Komorov was a cheap shot and should warrant a review by the NHL. All I have to say is this: if the shoe was on the other foot and Komorov cheap shot Ovechkin resulting in him being taken out of the game, Komorov would be suspended. Here's hoping Komorov can play tonight against Dallas. 

* Jake Gardiner's heart has been called into question but he was the first player who I saw get into Ovechkin's face after he nailed Komorov. Funny, I haven't heard any of the Toronto gasbags mention that at all. 

* Here's hoping Korbinian Holzer continues to play as he had the last two games. If it continues, the Leafs are in a very good position for a possible trade once Roman Polak comes back.

* The Leafs will have some difficult decisions to make as they approach the trade deadline this season. They have a number of players who will be free agents next season (Cody Franson, Nazem Kadri, Jonathan Bernier, Mike Santorelli, Daniel Winnik). There have been reports that Joffrey Lupul is concerned about possibly being moved out of Toronto. I like Lupul but the Leafs really didn't miss a beat when he was out with an injury. If Holzer shows that he can play well consistently, the Leafs may be able to move a defenseman. The key would be to clear cap space as the cap will not go up that much next season. While the Leafs can be a playoff team, I think its safe to say that they are not a Stanley Cup contender at this point. The next couple of months will be very interesting in Leafland.

* New York media types calling for the Giants to move Eli Manning are morons. I'll take a two-time Super Bowl Champion any day. 

* At the end of the day, the AFC North may be the most overrated division in the NFL. Pittsburgh looked awful against New Orleans and Baltimore blew a game at home against San Diego. Cincinnati held on for dear life against Tampa Bay and the Browns are fortunate to be 7-5. 

* Was so happy to see Colt McCoy get a shot in Washington. He threw for close to 400 yards on Sunday.  

* Speaking of Washington, you have to wonder if RG III will ever get back to what he was his rookie year. You have to wonder if the decline in his play is related to his knee injury or is it a result of him being too much of a celebrity. Rumors are that the Redskins would take a 5th or 6th round draft pick for RG III. 

* The Browns-Bills game on Sunday was one of the worst games I've seen in a long while. By the way, for these Blue Cheese breath morons here in Western New York, the Bills are not a playoff team and if they get in they will be knocked out in the first game which is the same thing I said about the Browns.

* Kudos to Jerry Sullivan for pointing out to the Louie Lackawannas of the world that it's nice to be happy about being in the hunt but the Bills offense is putrid and they are not a legitimate playoff team. 

* It will be interesting to see how the Bills top defensive line plays next week against Peyton Manning and the Broncos in Denver.

* The arbitrator's decision to overturn Ray Rice's indefinite suspension should not be a surprise to anyone. The fact is that Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Ray Rice twice for the same offense. In most labor-management situations that is a no-no. Yet, had to hear people being interviewed in bars saying that the arbitrator's decision sends the message that domestic violence is not a big deal. Really?? The message that the decision sends is that the National Football League, in working with the NFL Players Association, needs to set up a process on how to handle such offenses. Goodell cannot be the judge and jury.

* The Toronto Blue Jays made a nice move in acquiring Josh Donaldson for Brett Lawrie and 3 prospects. Lawrie has a history of being injury prone and Donaldson adds more punch to a lineup that already features Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista. Add the acquisition of Russell Martin and the Blue Jays will have a formidable experienced lineup in 2015. Don't be surprised if they make some additional moves during the Winter Meetings. 

* Melky Cabrera is as good as gone in Toronto. Will be interesting to see where the Melkman ends up. 

* Meanwhile Brian Cashman is preparing to repel down a building in Connecticut.  

* Any reason why Willie Randolph has not been hired by the Yankees to be their first base and infield coach?

* In 2009, the Yankees infield was Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano and Mark Teixiera. All were considered All-Stars. In 2015 it will be ? at third base, ? at shortstop, ? at second base and lucky if you get 125 games from Teixiera at first base. Meanwhile, Cashman is repelling down a building with Bobby Valelntine.

* It's being reported that the Yankees are interested in lefty reliever Andrew Miller. There is plenty of speculation as to what the Yankees are doing by going after Miller. Are they looking to build a back end bullpen that would consist of Miller, David Robertson, Dellin Betances and Justin Wilson? Are they looking to send a message to Robertson that they will move on without him? I simply don't understand why there should be any question about re-signing Robertson. This home-grown 30 year old, who has had one of the best earned run averages of any reliever since 2009, is looking for a four year deal and the Yankees are only willing to give him a three year deal. It's not about the money, it's about the term. This whole situation sounds like the Cano scenario from last year. Why do the Yankees have a hard time giving home grown players long term contracts but have no problem giving long term contracts to free agents such as Jacoby Ellsbury and Brian McCann? And let's not forget the guaranteed three year contract they gave to 36 year old Carlos Beltran.

* The NFL rule change that limits what a defensive back can do five yards beyond the line of scrimmage is a big joke. It is also inconsistently called.  

* Would love to see Missouri knock off Alabama in the SEC Championship Game. If that should happen it could be possible that no team from the SEC makes the playoffs.

*Do you remember when Brian Burke said that he felt the Toronto market would be too tough for a rookie coach and that is why he hired Randy Carlyle over Dallas Eakins? Well, now some NHL gasbags are saying that Edmonton may have made a mistake by hiring Eakins. Their rationale is that it would have made more sense for Eakins to serve as an NHL assistant coach before taking on a head coaching job in the NHL. I guess Brian Burke was right even though certain members of the media would never admit it. 

* Gotta love Sportstime Ohio talk show host Bruce Drennan. After the Browns loss to the Bills on Sunday, Drennan said that the worst thing about the loss was that the Bills stink!! That's why I love the guy!!

* The Packers-Patriots game was billed as a Super Bowl preview. Somehow, I don't see it. I'm not a big fan but with a renewed running game, Denver will be a tough team to beat in the playoffs. I'm really impressed with their young running back C.J. Anderson and he could be a difference maker in the post season. 

* It seems to be a foregone conclusion that Jim Harbaugh will be gone from San Francisco. Big rumor has him either going to Oakland or the Jets. But wouldn't it be great if he went back to where his career started in Chicago?

* And finally, does anyone know whatever happened to Everrett Golson??

Tuesday's Thoughts

While beginning my four month bitch about the cold and snow, here's what is on my mind this morning:

* What a sports weekend. Let's first start with my favorite hockey team: the Toronto Maple Leafs. After a great game against the Boston Bruins, the Leafs dropped back to back games on the weekend. Friday they dropped a 2-1 decision to the Pittsburgh Penguins at the ACC. The Leafs didn't play great but they certainly had a chance to get a point. But the 6-2 loss to the lowly Buffalo Sabres left many Leaf fans shaking their heads. The Leafs were awful in all aspects of the game and it's hard to understand. How can a team play so well against the Bruins and be embarrassed by Buffalo. 

* Remember the controversy caused when Joffrey Lupul said it was frustrating playing at home because the ACC crowd was too quiet? Well in Buffalo on Saturday, there were more Leaf fans in the First Niagara Center than Sabre fans. Not only were there more Leaf fans but they were loud and proud! So much for the crowd getting the team going. If the Leafs played with as much passion as the Leaf fans who go to Buffalo to watch them play, their record in Buffalo would not be 1-14-1 in their last 16 games at First Niagara Center. 

* There has been plenty of questions, both inside and outside the organization, about the first line being weak defensively. If that is the case, why not break them up? Prior to Joffrey Lupul being injured, Randy Carlyle did just that. After the Lupul injury, Carlyle had Daniel Winnick on the line with Phil Kessel and Nazem Kadri. But, when Carlyle needed some offense he went back to Tyler Bozak and James van Reimsdyk teaming up with Kessel. So what do you want Randy??  

* The furor that was caused by Phil Kessel refusing to speak to the media after Saturday's debacle in Buffalo is a joke on many levels. First, Kessel was obviously pissed at being embarrassed by the worst team in the NHL. But, you see he can't win. Kessel has been criticized for showing no emotion and being a me-first player. But when he shows emotion he's a dirt bag because he wouldn't talk to the media. Leading the media pity party was TSN Leaf beat reporter Jonas Siegel. Siegel believes that Kessel owes it to the fans to speak to the media. Really Jonas?? I could careless if Kessel speaks to you ever again. What I also found interesting that Siegel said that he covers for the players. I want to know, what are you covering up Siegel?? I don't buy that for a minute. 

* Secondly, there are members of the Toronto media who will never warm up to Phil Kessel. I remember a couple of years before he re-signed with the Leafs, some media types saying that Kessel will leave Toronto when he became a free agent so the Leafs should trade him to get something before they lost him and got nothing. You see, according to these geniuses, Kessel didn't like the pressure of playing in Toronto and would want to go back to the U.S. Well, I guess they were wrong as Kessel has expressed numerous times about how he loves playing in Toronto.  

* I wonder how many members of the Washington media are ready to run Alex Ovechkin out of town because he isn't a good two-way player. In fact, I would make the argument that Kessel is a better all around player than Ovechkin. I am sick and tired of the Kessel bashing by the Toronto media. He is Toronto's best player. The challenge for Brendan Shanahan is to surround him with players who can compliment his talent. Is he a great two-way player? No he is not. But he is their most talented player and I'm not expecting him to be Patrice Bergeron. Kessel is not this team's problem. 

* If you want to look at a problem, how about Mimico's own David Clarkson. I was happy when the Leafs signed him but he has been a major disappointment. He does not deserve to be on the second power play unit and I question as to whether or not he shouldn't be on the fourth line. His penalty in Buffalo on Saturday killed the momentum that the Leafs had achieved and led to a Sabres power play goal. The guy should not be up on the second line with Kadri. He actually played his best when he was with Bozak and JVR. 

* Its to the point where I honestly believe that it is in Jake Gardiner's best interest to be traded. Heaven help him if he makes a bad play that leads to a goal but when Cody Franson swan dives, misses the puck and allows the Sabre forward to come out in front of the net which leads to a Buffalo goal, you don't hear a word about it. Maybe what all of the Toronto media would like to see is Kessel, Gardiner, and Phaneuf traded for draft picks so we can build through the draft. Boy, wouldn't that be great!!

* Funny how the Toronto media criticizes Kessel for being a terrible interview but goes bonkers when he tells them to get away. Good for Phil. 

* By the way, for a guy who the media believes is out of shape, Phil Kessel has not missed a game in the 5 1/2 seasons he has played for the Leafs.

* Boy, I miss Brian Burke.

* The Cleveland Browns could not stand prosperity as they went from first to last place after their 23-7 loss to the Houston Texans at home. I really lay the blame for this loss on the coaching staff. Why would you not blitz a quarterback who was making his first start in four years? Why wouldn't you have put eight men in the box to stop the run and force Ryan Mallett to make plays? Why would you not play Ben Tate who was going up against his former team? Why would Terrence West, your leading rusher the last two games, only get five carries?? Mike Pettine and his staff were completely out-coached. 

* I still have my doubts on Brian Hoyer being the guy to lead the Browns to the promise land. The problem is I don't believe Johnny Manziel is the answer either. If I'm right, the Browns will still be looking for a quarterback in 2016. 

* Browns General Manager Ray Farmer needs to be held accountable as both of his first round picks: Manziel and Justin Gilbert have not contributed at all. Cleveland cannot afford first round picks not having an immediate impact. I wonder if Ray watched Zach Mettenberger last night. Mettenberger was Tennessee's sixth round pick in the 2014 Draft and has had more of an impact that Johnny Football.

* Remember when all the so-called media experts pronounced the end of the New England Patriots? Well, they have won six in a row including Sunday night's domination of the Indianapolis Colts. Right now they are the best team in the AFC and maybe in the entire NFL. 

* It might be time to take the Kansas City Chiefs and the Arizona Cardinals seriously. I have been a believer of the Cardinals as they shutdown the Detroit Lions Sunday. It will be interesting to see how they perform against Seattle this week. Kansas City's victory over the Seahawks is starting to get me to take notice.  The Chiefs are not a great team but they have a great running back, an efficient quarterback and a very good defense. They should make the playoffs once again.

* I wonder if Packers head coach Mike McCarthy realizes that he doesn't need to run up the score to make the final four in the NFL. It's difficult to explain why McCarthy has left Aaron Rodgers late in games against the Bears and the Eagles. I wonder what he would think if some frustrated defensive player took a big hit against Rodgers putting him out for awhile.

* A month ago, Notre Dame was a possible final four contender and Everrett Golson was a potential Heisman candidate. Well, ever since their heart breaking loss to Florida State the bottom has fallen out for the Irish and for Golson. Golson has been a turnover machine and Notre Dame has lost two in a row, the last defeat at the hands of Northwestern at South Bend. At this rate, Notre Dame may be looking at the Poulan Weedwacker Bowl. 

* Yankee General Manager Brian Cashman wants all Yankee fans to be excited because he re-signed Chris Young and acquired left-handed reliever Justin Wilson for Francisco Cervelli. Young being the Yankees fourth outfielder really excites me when it's a good bet that he may start close to 100 games as a result of the injury prone Brett Gardner, Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran. Young couldn't start for the Mets. As for Wilson, Cashman says that the left-hander is a part of building a deep bullpen even though Wilson had an ERA over 4. 

* While Cashman talks about building a deep bullpen, there is a chance he will let the team's closer David Robertson leave via free agency. I would not be surprised if Robertson is this year's Robinson Cano.

* While Cashman fiddles, the Blue Jays signed Russell Martin and are reportedly interested in Jon Lester and Andrew Miller. The Red Sox are courting World Series star Pablo Sandoval. If these teams load up, you can be looking at another playoff-less October in 2015 for the Bronx Bombers.

* While the New York media continues to speculate whether Giants head coach Tom Coughlin will be shown the door at the end of the season, the real focus should be on their general manager Jerry Reese. Reese has done a terrible job in drafting and Coughlin may pay the price. The other casualty of Reese's ineptitude is Eli Manning.

* It's looking like Bills head coach Doug Marrone may be on the hot seat after his team's 22-9 loss to the Miami Dolphins last Thursday. While Marrone deserves to be wondering about his job, GM Doug Whaley also deserves to be looked at critically. Whaley believed so much in EJ Manuel that he traded away his first round draft pick in 2015 to obtain Sammy Watkins. I love Watkins but what good is it to have him if no one can get him the ball. The Bills could have stayed at number eight and selected Mike Evans. If Marrone has to go the same could be said for Whaley. Under Ralph Wilson, the Bills were criticized for not bringing in top coaches and general managers to run football operations. If Terry Pegula wants to make a mark on this franchise he needs to bring in quality football people to run his team.

* And finally, thoughts and prayers with hockey great Gordie Howe and his family.

Tuesday's Thoughts

While wondering who will win a World Series first, the Yankees or the Cubs, here is what's on my mind this morning:

* Well, the Cleveland Browns once again won a game yet somehow many weren't overly excited. You see, as against the winless Oakland Raiders last week, the Browns struggled to win 22-17 over the 1-7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While throwing for 300 yards, Brian Hoyer still had enough moments to make one wonder if he is the quarterback of the future. Once again the Browns sputtered inside the red zone in the first half. These last eight games of the season will be important for this franchise to determine if Hoyer is the guy. If he's not, then there is a decision that will have to be made: go with Johnny Manziel or draft another quarterback.

* Really like the undrafted wide receiver from Abilene Christian, Taylor Gabriel. He is a part of a receiving corp that has stepped up in the absence of Josh Gordon. I really think they should try this kid on kick and punt returns.

* With the performances of rookie wide receivers Mike Evans, Odell Beckham and Sammy Watkins, I don't know what Browns GM Ray Farmer was thinking in passing up on any of them.

* Thursday night's game against Cincinnati may well decide the direction of this season for the Browns. With the bunched up AFC North and wild card teams, the Browns will need as many wins as possible. A loss would not be devastating but it will make the road to the playoffs all that much harder. 

* The Toronto Maple Leafs begin a four game stretch tonight against the Arizona Coyotes where they will play 3 out of the next 4 on the road. It will be imperative that the Leafs continue their recent play in this 4 game stretch. 

* It is really tiring to hear the constant goaltending debate both in the media and in Leaf Nation. I think it is clear that Leaf management considers Jonathan Bernier the number one goalie. If both Bernier and James Reimer play well, it only benefits the team. In spite of Reimer's great performance against Chicago, I would expect Bernier to play 3 of the 4 games with Reimer playing Sunday against the Ottawa Senators in the back end of a back-to-back weekend. Reimer has a very good record against the Sens. 

* One has to wonder what is going on with the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks. The 49ers lost to the St. Louis Rams on Sunday and the rumors are really heating up about the future of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh. The most popular rumor has him going to his alma mater, Michigan. But keep an eye on the situation in Chicago where questions are being asked about Marc Trestman. The Seahawks held on to defeat the winless Oakland Raiders. Things were so bad that the 12th Man booed the World Champs off the field at halftime. There seems to be plenty of internal issues in that locker room and one wonders if Pete Carroll is the right guy to deal with the situation. 

* Kudos to Mark Sanchez for a nice game filling in for the injured Nick Foles in Philadelphia's 31-21 win over the Houston Texans. Foles will be out 6 to 8 weeks, so Sanchez will have an excellent opportunity to further prove what a moron NY Jets General Manager John Idzik is. It was Idzik who drafted Geno Smith and basically pushed Sanchez out of New York. 

* The New England Patriots continue their winning ways by dominating the Denver Broncos 43-21. The Patriots own the best record in the AFC, so much for the demise of Belichek and Brady. 

* Really felt bad for Ole Miss on Saturday as they lost their star receiver with a broken leg and lost the game against Auburn all on the same play.  

* I'm amazed at the amount of hate being directed at Knicks head honcho Phil Jackson. Funny how I don't remember hearing anything when he was coaching the Bulls and Lakers. By the way, I think Derek Fisher is going to make a good NBA coach. 

* If the Yankees don't re-sign David Robertson, Brian Cashman is a bigger idiot than I thought. Robertson replaced the greatest closer in the game and did an excellent job. To allow him to leave and place the closing role on Dellin Betances is a huge mistake but what do you expect from a GM who stockpiles past their prime players. 

* Reports out of New York also indicate that the Boy Genius Cashman is considering bringing back Stephen Drew to play shortstop. What a joke!!

* The Alex Rodriguez story continues as it is being reported that A-Rod paid his cousin, Yuri Sucart, $1,000,000 million dollars for his silence about A-Rod's PED use. Apparently, A-Rod is a key witness in the government's case against Sucart and Anthony Bosch.

* Monday the Chicago Cubs announced the hiring of Joe Maddon as their manager. This was a great move by Theo Epstein as the Cubs and their young stars appear to be ready to be contenders in the National League Central Division. The Cubs are being mentioned as being big-time players in this year's free agent market with Jon Lester and Max Scherzer being on their shopping list. Maddon should be the right guy to bring playoff dreams to the North Side.

* Wrigley Field is undergoing renovations so the Cubs held the Maddon press conference at the iconic Cubby Bear Lounge which is across the street from Wrigley. At the end of the press conference, Maddon called on a bartender to give everyone a shot and a beer and that it was on him. My kind of guy!!

* This past Friday was Halloween and the Western New York Sport's Leader, WGR 550, had a Candy Draft on Stupe & the Bulldog Show. Not that anything else was going on in the world of sports. Oops, I forgot the Bills had a bye so the NFL didn't exist this past weekend.

* And finally, whatever happened to The Coach, Chuck Dickerson.

Are Changes Needed For Baseball

Last night was a classic Game 7 of the World Series with the San Francisco Giants winning 3-2 over the Kansas City Royals. It's unfortunate that many fans, like myself, weren't awake to see it. In Thursday's NY Daily News, Mike Lupica wrote an article about the beauty of baseball and how those saying that changes need to be made are off base. Well Mike, I disagree.

In Lupica's column, he talks about various World Series Game 7s. My first Yankee memory is Bobby Richardson snaring a line drive by Willie McCovey that sealed a 1-0 New York win in Game 7 of the 1962 World Series. By the way, that game was during the day. Sometime in the 80s and definitely in the 90s, few if any World Series games were played during the day. I wonder how many Giants and Royals fans at the age of 10 and under were able to stay up and watch that game? For a sport that's fan base is getting older and older, why wouldn't you at least have the weekend games during the day? There was a time when the World Series would pre-empt football coverage on NBC.

On TSN Drive on TSN 1050 out of Toronto, Dave Naylor reported that Game 7 of the 1985 World Series ended 45 minutes sooner than Game 7 this year and the score and number of hits are the same. Hitters constantly stepping out of the batters box to adjust their batting gloves or their batting helmet is a minutes eater and totally unnecessary. Three and a half to four hour 9 inning baseball games are a joke.  

While Bud Selig has made a ton of money for the owners, the long-term growth of the game simply is not there. There are fewer kids playing baseball. Fewer people under the age of forty are watching baseball. Incredibly long games and night playoff/World Series games is a recipe for not getting kids interested in baseball. The NFL gets it. The Super Bowl starts at 6:30. By 9:30 it's over and most youngsters are able to watch it as are 50-somethings like me. 

I love baseball. As a kid, I played every day whether in Little League or in pick up games. My brother and I would play catch, pretending we were star pitchers like Don Drysdale, Juan Marichal or Luis Tiant. As I got older I played softball 3-4 games a week. This was my game. But most people under 40 don't have that same type of passion. 

If baseball wants to get younger people interested in the game they need to do the following:

- Play at least weekend World Series and playoff games during the day. These are your signature games where memories are made so play them when the majority of people can watch them.

- Have nationally televised Sunday baseball games on ESPN start at 7pm. Once again an hour earlier start ensures that young kids will be able to watch. It will also allow younger families to come to the ball park and come home before 11:30 or 12 midnight.

- Have umpires direct both batters and pitchers to keep the game moving by restricting the amount of time between pitches due to the adjustment of equipment.

- With respect to replay, eliminate the need for a manager to come out and stall while someone reviews the instant replay to see if there should be a challenge. The only way to do that is give the manager more challenges or restrict challenges only to the latter innings. 

Unless baseball acknowledges that it has a problem, they will continue to lose fans. Maybe with a new Commissioner there is a chance for meaningful change. Absent that, baseball may go the way of the Studebaker. For anyone under 50, that was a car back in the early 60s. 

Another Mistake By Selig

Bud Selig's reign as Commmissioner of Major League Baseball will end at the conclusion of the World Series. There are some MLB lackeys in the media who are espousing Selig's induction into the Hall of Fame. In my opinion, Selig has been a disaster.

Oh the owners have made gobs of money, but the game has suffered. Interleague play is a joke. It has lessened the excitement of the All-Star Game and has taken some luster off of the World Series. 

Let's not forget the nonsense of the league winning the All-Star Game getting home field advantage in the World Series. It's a mockery. There was nothing wrong with alternating home field advantage as has been done for a hundred years. But Selig had to get people interested in an all-star game which was the best of all the major sports but has become no longer special due to interleague play. 

Of course, there is the use of steroids and PEDs which Major League Baseball knew about and are lying to say otherwise. Let's not forget, baseball was coming off the 1994 strike and was losing attendance. So then in 1997 we get the home run chase between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa. Both of whom were in the middle of the steroid controversy. 

One of the beauties of baseball is that it is not a sprint but a marathon. Usually the best team wins. The cream rises to the top. But now we have good old Bud adding a second wild card game and as a result we now have two wild card teams in the World Series for the first time. Who cares if you win your division. Baseball has turned into every other major sport. Just get in the playoffs and anything can happen. 

Bud Selig has damaged the game of baseball more so than Pete Rose ever did. He damaged it more than Barry Bonds, McGwire or Sosa. The additional wild card team in each league is another example of Selig putting the almighty dollar over the integrity of the game. 

Tuesday's Thoughts

While counting down the hours to opening night at the Air Canada Center, here is what's on my mind this morning:

* I would be lying if I told you that I thought the Cleveland Browns would comeback from a 25 point deficit to win on the road against Tennessee. You have to wonder if they would have been successful if Jake Locker would have played the whole game but they deserve credit for winning. There are still concerns. The defense was getting used throughout most of the game. The run defense has continued to be a problem and that may be as a result of the linebackers needing an upgrade. I'm also wondering what's going on with Joe Haden. He has looked awful in all four of the games and if it continues I can't see him being a Pro Bowler this year. One has to wonder if Haden's difficulties are as a result of a new defensive scheme that has been put in place by Head Coach Mike Pettine. This is something to keep an eye on.

* The Browns need to take a look at their fourth down offense as it failed twice deep inside Tennessee territory.

* Tom Brady and the Patriots served notice to the rest of the league that they are not dead yet. Brady was a man possessed on the first drive and that set the tone for the game. 

* This Saturday's college football games are the reason why I love college football over the NFL. Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, USC and LSU, Wisconsin and Oregon (on Thursday) all losing has thrown the national polls into a tailspin. The unpredictability of college football is what makes it so exciting. 

* Notre Dame knocked off 14th ranked Stanford 17-14 to elevate the Irish to 6th in the country. It was a nice late drive engineered by Everrett Golson that has me believing that this team has a legitimate shot at making the playoffs. In looking at their schedule, I believe that the Irish could win at Florida State and at USC. Time will tell but it should be exciting. Can't wait. 

* It would be best for all parties concerned if Jim Harbaugh ends up with Michigan next season. 

* If Rex Ryan is lucky he will be ousted as head coach of the New York Jets. I like Rex and I think he is a good coach. But the Jets are a joke of an organization and it begins with the owner Woody Johnson.

* The Thursday night football schedule has been brutal up to this point as each game has been a blow out. Players were not happy about these weekly Thursday games as it disrupts their routine and gives them less time to recover from the various aches and pains that they suffer. If Goodell and the owners continue to demand Thursday games, then they should only be played by teams coming off of a bye. So much for the league being concerned about player safety. 

* The Major League Baseball playoffs have been very exciting up to this point. The Tigers & Angels being swept out of the playoffs was incredible and I certainly did not see that coming. However, I did predict in early September that Baltimore could very well represent the American League in the World Series. Not sure what to expect out of the National League except that I'm pulling for the Dodgers. I still can't believe how Clayton Kershaw blew up in Game One of their series with the Cardinals.  

* Not sure if there currently is a more clutch post season player than Matt Carpenter. This guy seems to be a guy who delivers.

* Hal Steinbrenner's interview last week with Beavis Kay was very telling. It proved to me that he will never be his father. His assertion that he doesn't react impulsively is nonsense because he doesn't react at all!! With Cashman staying on as General Manager I don't see how much will change, particularly in the scouting department. All Hal cares about is the bottom line. 

* Hal and Cashman are spewing the party line by saying that guys like Beltran and Teixiera will bounce back next season. Keep on saying it enough guys and maybe you will start to convince yourselves of such crap because you won't convince me. 

* I don't care what anyone says: Kevin Long should be fired as hitting coach for the Yankees. There should be no excuse why guys are not working on going the opposite way when there is a shift on. Teixiera's dramatic decline in his batting average since coming to NewYork should have been corrected. Long needs to go if for no other reason than to send a message that complacency will not be accepted. 

* It will be interesting to see which teams will fork over multi-million dollar contracts for six years to Jon Lester and Max Scherzer. Don't forget, Scherzer turned down a six year $144 million dollar offer from Detroit. The Yankees should steer clear. 

* Does the Oakland A's collapse after the Lester trade put an end to the glorification of Billy Beane?

* I know some diehard baseball fans who are unable to watch the NLDS playoff games because they don't get the MLB Network or FoxSports 1. Post season baseball is what makes memories. It grows the game. It's a damn joke that those folks who can't afford the cable or satellite packages which carry these 2 networks can't watch these games. Many hotels and motels do not carry these stations so a business traveler is unable to watch these games where he or she is staying. Bud Selig should be ashamed of himself. So much for the National Pastime. 

* Really happy with the direction the Maple Leafs are taking as evidenced by the cutting of Frazier McLaren and Colton Orr. Finally, the Leafs will have a fourth line that can skate and have some ability to score. This year's team should be tougher to play against and for that it should be an exciting year. 

* This whole notion of tanking to get Connor MacDavid should be a big concern for Gary Bettman. The moron Buffalo media is a joke as they continue to advocate this for the Sabres. I wonder how Brian Gionta, Mike Moulson and Josh Gorges feel about losing games to be able to draft MacDavid. 

* And finally, the Kyle Orton era has started in Orchard Park and on Sunday the Bills will take on New England in a battle for first place in the AFC East. This game should be real interesting and the Bills have played the Patriots tough recently. A Bills win and the Gasbags on WGR 550 will be talking playoff match ups. Boy, I can hardly wait!

Tuesday's Thoughts

While wondering when the Yankees will be in the World Series again, here's what is on my mind this morning:

* I have been to a Yankee World Series game, Yankee Playoff games, NHL Playoff games and NFL Playoff games but none of those compare to Thursday night's game at Yankee Stadium.  Derek Jeter's last home game is something I will never forget as here was a man who represented the Yankees and baseball with dignity and class. How that game ended typified Jeter's career as he often made a big play or got a big hit. As the game ended on his single to right and his former teammates greeted him, I had mixed feelings. I was happy that the Captain ended his Yankee Stadium career on a high note and sad because I knew that it will be a long time if we ever see this collection of players on the Yankees again. The beauty of this incredible run was that the core guys were all homegrown: Bernie, Andy, Jorge, Mo & Jeter.

* During a time where professional athletes are in the news for all sorts of criminal activity, steroids and performance enhancing drugs, Derek Jeter was clean and never embarassed the Pinstripes or baseball. As I have said often: who would you want to be the face of your sport, Jeter or Ray Lewis?

* I had the pleasure of being at Sunday's game at Fenway for the Captain's last game of his tremendous career. The Red Sox did a nice job in honoring Jeter and it was really a nice touch having Bobby Orr out there along with former Red Sox greats. I swear that half of Fenway Park was filled with Yankee fans as many, like myself, made the trip to see Jeter's last game. It will be my last time at Fenway Park.

* Have to also give Red Sox management credit for having Bernie Williams on Sunday play his guitar version of  "Take Me Out to the Ball Game." Wonder why the Yankees didn't do that either on Derek Jeter Day or last Thursday.

* How long will it be before the Yankees retire No. 2? That will mean another full house for Hal and the boys.

* Does anyone know if Hal was at the Stadium last Thursday? You know that the Boss would have been there and that's the difference. George loved the team and the sport, Hal just counts dollars and cents.

* There have been some who consider Jeter to be overrated but I would venture to guess it's because there was no one on their respective teams who could deliver in the clutch, play every game hard and do it all with class. I remember back in 1997 going to a game at Yankee Stadium and watching the players walk into the Stadium. The only one that I recall stopping to sign autographs was Jeter. The guy never forgot where he came from and understood that he was a role model.

* So as Yankee fans what do we have to look forward to?? From where I'm sitting, we could be looking at years of mediocrity. During my lifetime there was Mantle, then Murcer & Munson, then Mattingly and finally Jeter. All homegrown players. So Mr. Cashman who follows Jeter? There is no one on the horizon. It's a disgrace.

* The Cask & Flagon is a sports bar right near Fenway Park. It was selected as the best sports bar by ESPN. What a joke! Saturday night you couldn't get the Notre Dame-Syracuse game or the Missouri-South Carolina game on a TV screen. Then Sunday, the day of the last game of the season, you couldn't get a Bloody Mary because they ran out of tomato juice. Would not recommend this place to anyone.

* There has been plenty of Yankee-bashing over the money grab tied to Jeter's last season and specifically his last game. Well, the Boston Red Sox did a good job also cashing in on Jeter as they had plenty of Jeter hats, t-shirts and other items marking the Captain's last series at Fenway Park. It was unreal.

* There is a place called the Bleacher Bar which is attached to Fenway Park. When you go inside you can actually see inside Fenway. It is also home of the Bills Backers in Boston. How fitting Bills fans in Fenway Park. Good place for them!!

* Had the opportunity to hear Mike Francesa on Thursday and Friday and then Schopp and the Bulldog on Monday. Absolutely, no comparison. While Francesa was talking about Jeter, NFL and the Ryder Cup, the WGR gasbags were waffling all over themselves with the news of EJ Manuel being benched. The 2 Buffalo gasbags got into a heated argument over which is better: french vanilla ice cream versus vanilla bean ice cream. What a farce!!

* This was my first visit to the new Yankee Stadium. The amenities are wonderful and I was really impressed. However, the place was sterile when it came to the field and the stands. If Thursday's game was played at the old Stadium it would have been rocking.

* And finally, whatever happened to EJ Manuel.

Is The New York Media Waking Up?

For months I have been calling out the New York media for not getting after the New York Yankee organization for its inability to develop talent and to a strategy of signing past their prime free agents.  In fact, I have been complaining about the lack of a farm system for the last three years.  The typical Yankee media hacks like Mark Feinsand, Sweeney Murti and Michael Kay have made plenty of excuses throughout the season.  I remember distinctly during a telecast in July how Kay was extolling the fact that in spite of the Yankees terrible run differential they were still a playoff contender.  Really Michael?  How are they making out now?

Well, Thursday morning I was pleasantly surprised by two articles: one in the Daily News by Bill Madden and the other in the Post by Kevin Kernan.

http://nypost.com/2014/09/11/troubling-new-reality-for-old-bombers/

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/madden-chasing-wild-card-yankees-answers-injuries-article-1.1935750

Madden's article slams home the point that the Yankee farm system is bereft of talent. They don't have a shortstop, third baseman or any outfield prospects who will be ready to step in next year. The only position player who may be major league ready is second base prospect Robert Refsnyder. It's a total joke that the richest sports team in the world cannot scout and develop talent.  As Madden states,  "When is Hal Steinbrenner going to hold someone accountable for a team with a payroll of over $200 million, clogged with grossly overpaid, fading veterans, that likely will finish out of the postseason money for the second straight season — an organization that hasn’t drafted and developed a single All-Star-caliber position player since Derek Jeter in 1992?

Is no one responsible for this?

Kernan accurately identifies that we have reached the beginning of a period of terrible baseball in the Bronx. This will mark two years of not making the playoffs, the first time since the 1991-1992 seasons.  Kernan pounds away at the point that the team is old and desperately need the infusion of youth.  In the article, here's what Joe Maddon of Tampa Bay had to say, " “Money can’t buy you happiness anymore,’’ Rays manager Joe Maddon told The Post. “Now it is about playing better baseball and not about spending all the money. There’s a lot of talk about organizations overvaluing prospects, but you can see why in a sense. You can’t go out and buy 40 home runs anymore, they’re not there. It’s hard to buy 20 victories anymore, it’s not there.’’

Maddon said the secret to success is the middle ground, not the totally inexpensive route and not the really expensive route.

I give credit to both writers for calling it like I have been seeing it for months. However, there are still morons like Joel Sherman who in an article says the Yankees should go after Victor Martinez in 2015.  Just what they need: another over-35 year old DH/first baseman.

Yankee fans need to come to the realization that this team is in BIG trouble for the next 4-5 years unless there is a change in philosophy. Joe Maddon is right. You are not going to buy your way out of this. The Jeter teams from 1996-2001 were built around home grown players. They added players through trade or free agency, like Chili Davis and David Justice. But the key guys were Williams, Jeter, Rivera, Posada and Pettitte.

It's being reported that Mark Newman, the man in charge of the Yankees' farm system is retiring at the end of the season.  He headed a system that did not see one of the Yankees minor league teams make the playoffs. Maybe Newman saw the handwriting on the wall. The whole farm system needs to be examined including various instructors and coaches. Newman leaving is the first step but more needs to be done including a decision on whether or not Brian Cashman remains as general manager. The question is whether or not Hal Steinbrenner has the ability to make the tough decisions. I'm betting he doesn't

Re-Arranging the Deck Chairs On The Good Ship Pinstripe

Well, I guess I'm suppose to be happy.  The Yankees acquired Martin Prado and Stephen Drew and this will allow them to compete according to General Manager Brian Cashman. Compete for what?? If they are lucky, being the second wild card team to have the privilege of going out west to get beat by the Angels. Boy, am I happy!!

I have to laugh when I hear New York media types say that its great that the Yankees have a "win now" attitude as oppose to "building for the future." But what are they winning? They haven't won a World Series since 2009 and were ceremoniously knocked out in 2010, 2011 and 2012. This team is no closer to being a legitimate World Series contender than are the New York Mets. At least the Mets have some kids who can make them contenders for the next several years while the Yankees have a bunch of 30-something mercenaries who will keep them around the playoff chase but never be able to do anything more. From 1983 to 1990, the Yankees had the best winning percentage in all of Major League Baseball. Yet, they never made the playoffs in any one of those years.

The Yankees traded Pete O'Brien for Martin Prado. For the past couple of months, the Yankees have been telling us what a good prospect O'Brien is and how he had awesome power. While he was a catcher, it would seem that the move would be to work with this kid to play first base as Mark Teixiera is getting older and obviously can't stay healthy. But, the kid gets moved for Prado who can play 2B, 3B and the outfield where he has played mainly left field. Prado is a nice player and would be a great addition to a legitimate playoff contender. The Yankees are far from that.

Then the Yankees trade Kelly Johnson to Boston for Stephen Drew. I am not a Kelly Johnson fan, in fact I thought it was a joke when they signed him. But, acquiring Drew is a joke also particularly when it is the Yankees intention to play him at second base where he has never played. If I recall, Johnson has played second base. But once again Brian Cashman wants to look like the smartest guy in the room. What a joke. So Drew will play second, even though he has never played there, and Prado will play right field where he has never played. But boy, hasn't Cashman done a great job??

What Boston is doing is what should be happening in the Bronx. While the Yankees continue to string their fans along with getting players who are in their 30's and will soon be on the downside of their careers, (if they are not there already), Boston is building for another legitimate playoff run. It is a given truth, acquiring big name free agents is not the way to build a championship team. Free agents should only augment what you have and trades (like David Justice) should help a team get over the top.  Prado and Drew get the Yankees no closer to being a bona-fide contender. All it does is appease the masses who buy the Pinstripe BS that comes out of the Bronx. Your infield next year will be Prado at 3B, Drew at SS, Robert Refsnyder 2B (kid at AAA who they've jerked around between the OF & 2B) and Teixiera at 1B. Of course, it is not given that the kid will be given a chance. Smarter move would have been to bring the kid up now and let him get his feet wet. But that's not the Yankee way as it is more palatable to acquire 30-somethings who have names that will get everyone all fired up. By the way, why didn't they just get Drew in the off-season if he was so much better than Kelly Johnson. Instead, they sell us a line of crap on how Johnson will hit for power and is versatile to play in the infield and the outfield. How did they make out with that fairy tale??

Can someone please tell me what is the plan to make the New York Yankees one of the premier baseball teams in the American League? I am sick and tired of the smoke and mirrors that Cashman & Company spew. What we all need to realize is that Trost, Levine and Hal only are concerned about the bottom line. They lived off Jeter this year. Next year they will bring Bernie back (after they have screwed him for the last several years) and I'm sure they will have some other things planned like maybe El Duque Day & David Wells Day all in an attempt to get people into the stands. Who knows, if ARod calls it quits they will honor him too. How about Mike Mussina Day!

This franchise is a goddamn joke and fans need to wake up and realize it. For once I want Brian Cashman to tell us what the long range plan is for this team. But you know what, that will never happen because there is no plan other than to make sure that they do just enough to reel us in to believe that they are doing everything they can to be a contender when in fact they are doing nothing but guaranteeing mediocrity. Look at the rotation for next year. Nova, Tanaka and Sabathia all coming off of an injury. Who knows what you can get from Pineda and then you have Phelps or possibly Greene. Does that sound like a championship rotation? Hardly.

Who's playing right field next year? Carlos Beltran? Really?? Beltran will be 38 years old next April. There's no one down on the farm. It's totally pathetic yet we are suppose to be happy because the Yankees have a "win now" attitude. It's a joke and an insult to any intelligent Yankee fan. But, the New York media will continue to peddle what Cashman and Company are selling and many fans will buy it hook, line and sinker. Nothing will change until Cashman and Mark Newman are fired and even then it might not be enough because the money men are running this team. I have followed this team for 52 years and I have to tell you it's getting hard to accept what is happening. At least in the 80's there was Don Mattingly who made you want to follow the team. In the mid to late 60's, the Mick was still around and then Bobby Murcer came along to be followed by Thurman Munson. Once Jeter hangs them up, what homegrown Yankee is there to be excited about?

So those Yankee fans who are thrilled with the great moves that Cashman has made, your excitement is what they wanted and their mission has been accomplished. In the meantime, the rest of us Yankee fans will hunker down for another October for no playoff baseball in the Bronx and what is more depressing is the thought that there might not be October baseball in the Bronx for years to come.

Turn Out The Lights

During a Monday Night Football game many years, Dandy Don Meredith began to sing, "turn out the lights the party's over", after a drive killing interception sealed the outcome. Well, with news of the elbow tear in Masahiro Tanaka's pitching arm, it's time to turn out the lights for the 2014 New York Yankee season.

With one remaining pitcher in the starting rotation that began the season, there is no way they have a legitimate shot at winning the American League Eastern Division, particularly with their offense. Any thoughts by Brian Cashman to trade young players or prospects for a 30-something pitcher should immediately be forgotten because this team is done. 

If Cashman is smart (which he is not) he would shut Tanaka down for the season and play the kids. According to Cashman, Tanaka will rehab for 6 weeks which brings us to about August 21st. The Yankees will be out of it by then. Trading for Cliff Lee would be a complete mistake but is a typical Cashman move. If you look at the AL East, the Orioles are better than the Yankees and there will be only one team to make the playoffs this year as both wild card teams will probably come from the AL West.

There has been much made that it is in the Steinbrenner DNA not to give up and try to win. But, it was in the Steinbrenner DNA to hold people accountable and that no longer seems to be the case. While there is not much you can do about losing 4 out of your 5 starting pitchers, there is a lot that should have been done over the last ten years to build the farm system to have players in place to replace Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Bernie Williams, etc. If the Yankee farm system is not as bad as everyone thinks (this is what the Yankees and their apologists in the NY media are saying), then the Yankees should forget this season and see what you have with the kids. It's what makes sense for the future because the present is a disaster.

The Numbers Look Bleak For Yankees

18 -23 at home this season. 17-18 against the AL East this season. 6-9 against all 4 AL East opponents in most recent 15 games against division foes, not winning a single series. 4 of the 6 wins came in the first four games. 5 for 37 with RISP in their last 5 games. 1-5 at home against Tampa Bay.  The numbers look bleak for the New York Yankees and while there are still 80 games to go, this team just doesn't look like it has the ability to turn this thing around.

Poor Joe Girardi. You really have to feel for the guy. He's like a fantasy baseball manager, filling out his daily lineup card with all these stars yet he continues to lose. However, unlike the fantasy baseball manager, he didn't select these players. Girardi knows what it takes to win. He was part of the glory years from 1996 - 2000. Those teams never quit and found a way to win, they found a way to snap losing streaks. It seems like Girardi knows that the 2014 edition of the Yankees may not be that resourceful because why else would he bring up that his team hasn't quit.

The fact is that when you bring in a bunch of mercenaries, they don't have any fire in the belly. They got their big payday and now its time to play and if we win great and if we don't, well I'm getting paid. I've seen this act before in the mid to late 80's. It was a frustrating act then and it's even more frustrating now because at least back then you knew that right, wrong or indifferent, The Boss would make changes. To prove my point about mercenaries, how does big free agent signing Jacoby Ellsbury decide yesterday that he needed a day off. Your team is mired in a slump, you are one of the few players who are hitting (though not for the money he is getting paid) and you decide that you need a day off!! Could you see Bernie Williams or Derek Jeter asking for a day off?

When Girardi was asked yesterday if changes were needed to shake up this team his response was "that's not my decision to make."http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/madden-yankees-home-woes-hard-understand-girardi-article-1.1852976. That decision belongs to Brian Cashman. Cashman says that he is ready to "rock and roll" as far as trying to make a trade to get another starting pitcher. The problem however is deeper than acquiring another starting pitcher. In order to get a starter he is going to have to give up a prospect or two and the question becomes, do they have any prospects that another team would want. Moreover, if you move prospects, don't you continue to weaken what already is a shallow farm system.

While another starting pitcher is important, the lineup is pathetic both offensively and defensively. But for Jeter, Ellsbury and Brett Gardner, the Yankee bats must be made out of toothpicks. I'm tired of hearing how all these guys need to do is hit to the backs of their baseball cards. If memory serves me correctly, the back of a baseball card also shows the players age and that is the problem. It takes longer for older players to heal from injury (Teixiera, Beltran) and to bounce back day after day during a 162 game schedule. It's looking more like these guys have had it.

Defensively and on the base paths, this team is probably one of the worst Yankee teams since the early 90's. Fundamental baseball is what I'm talking about and this collection of older players seem to have forgotten how to run the bases and play defense. It's a lack of concentration or worse yet, not giving a damn and mailing it in.

If this team were a collection of young 20-somethings who were 1 or 2 years in the big leagues and were losing, you wouldn't hear a peep out of me. In fact, I would be excited as I could see players growing into hopefully being a good major league ball player. There would be hope for a new "Core Four". But that's not the case right now and unless the international players that the Yankees have signed come in and perform like Hideki Matsui and not Kei Igawa, it may be a long while before we see another "Core Four".

It's rather depressing that many Yankee fans are willing to accept this mediocrity that Cashman & Company have put together. During the recent series against the Rays, Michael Kay told Yankeeland that if you look at the team's run differential (it's minus something) they should be well below .500. It was like this should be something that we should all be thankful for. Really Kay?? Really? That's just like I'm sick of hearing that we can sneak in as a wild card team. Wow, the Yankees have become the Kansas City Royals.

Something needs to happen. Cashman has created a bad situation. His team is old and there are few options in the farm system. Whatever kids are of value he will send away to help prop up this aging collection of players which will only continue to send this franchise back into the state it was 30 years ago. If anyone thinks that Brian Cashman is a good general manager think again. The glory year teams of 1996 through 2000 were built by Gene Michael. If it weren't for Steinbrenner money, his team wouldn't have won in 2009. The only star position player that has come up from the farm was Robinson Cano and he let him go to sign the aging Carlos Beltran, Jacoby Ellsbury and Brian McCann. In order for the Yankees to get back to winning, there needs to be a house cleaning and I'm not talking about Girardi. That decision will have to be made by Hal Steinbrenner but I'm not sure Hal has the chops to do it.

Accountability in the Bronx? Fuhgettaboutit

After spending over $400 million dollars in the off season, the New York Yankees find themselves 30-29 good for third place, 6 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays. As Yankee fans, we were told that the spending spree was in response to the disappointing 2013 season. Upon close examination, on June 5th of last year the Yanks were 34-25 1.5 games back of first place Boston. Some response.

With the exception of Masahiro Tanaka, the acquisitions of Jacoby Ellsbury, Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran have been a disaster.  Let's examine this year's team starting with the infield, the outfield, the starting rotation and the bullpen.

Infield

This year's infield is a far cry from the one in 2009 that won a World Championship. The first base situation is fine as long as Mark Teixiera can play. The Yankees knew that Teixiera was coming off wrist surgery and decided to roll the dice as far as having a backup plan which has cost them several times both in the field and at the plate. Not keeping Mark Reynolds was a major mistake and now they must consider signing Kendrys Morales because they have nothing in the farm system or on the current roster to be a legitimate backup. 

Brian Roberts has been ok at second base but he is a far cry from the Brian Roberts of several years ago. He is also injury prone. If he goes down, the options are Kelly Johnson, Yangervis Solarte or Brendan Ryan. There is nothing in the farm system now to call up or in the future. 

Derek Jeter is Derek Jeter. At 40 years of age I'm not sure the Yankees could have expected anything more from him especially after coming off a season of various leg injuries. Again the main backup is Brendan Ryan. The bigger question here is: what's the plan for 2015?  There is nothing in the farm system. Probably they'll sign a 35 year old shortstop to a 4 year contract. What a joke. 

Solarte has been a good pick up and everything so far seems to indicate he can be an everyday major leaguer. However, I don't think he is your prototypical third baseman but maybe he could shift over to second.  I guess even a blind squirrel can find an acorn. 

According to most experts, the Yankees have plenty of organizational depth at the catching position which begs the question as to why they would have signed Brian McCann to a 5 year contract. Truth be told is that I was ok with this signing when it was announced. But in light of the ascendancy of John Ryan Murphy, one has to wonder if the Yankees would have been better off keeping Russell Martin 2 years ago to mentor Murphy and Austin Romine and used the money spent on McCann to bolster other areas of need. Now with McCann on board, can one of these youngsters be used to get a starting pitcher.  With no apparent first baseman on the horizon, should the Yankees look to move Double A catcher Peter O'Brien to first base?  

Outfield

With the signing of Jacoby Ellsbury, two-thirds of the Yankees outfielders are speed guys and when Ichiro Suzuki is in the lineup, there is no power threat in a position that usually provides power. Ellsbury is not the type of player that is going to carry this team. I thought it was a dumb signing when it was announced and I still believe that. 

Right field is a major problem. Carlos Beltran was signed to play 80% of the time in right field and DH 20%. With his latest injury, we are now being told that Beltran will DH for the foreseeable future. What is reminiscent of the late 80s, signing a 38 year old outfielder to a three year contract is flat out stupid. The sad thing is that Beltran is the youngest of Alfonso Soriano and Ichiro Suzuki. 

Once again, the farm system is barren. Zolio Almonte has played well in Scranton but can't seem to crack the big club's roster. An injury to the Ancient Trio will really make a bad situation worse. 

Starting Rotation

Currently, it's Tanaka and pray for rain. During this latest seven game homestand, Masahiro Tanaka registered the only 2 wins both by the score of 2-1. This kid is a keeper and without him the Yankees would be with Tampa in the division basement. 

Hiroki Kuroda is a battler who even when he doesn't have his best stuff will give the Yankees innings. If Kuroda falters, the Yankees truly are done and would most certainly cause them to acquire another starter though I think they need to get one regardless of what Kuroda does. 

There is no question that injuries have impacted the starting rotation in a big way. Losing Ivan Nova for the entire season was a huge loss. CC Sabathia's injury is also a huge blow and one has to wonder if this former workhorse is breaking down right before our eyes. 

Michael Pineda has been very frustrating and one has to wonder if the Yankees will ever be able to count on him to be a major contributor. David Phelps and Vidal Nuno are at best number five starters and certainly not material for a championship rotation.  The jury is still out on Chase Whitley. The youngster has looked good but has only gone 5 innings in all of his starts. The Yanks need to give this kid more innings to make a determination on whether he can be a long term answer. Other than Whitley, I'm not aware of the farm system being able to help. Rather frustrating how other organizations are able to bring in young kids to pitch and be effective while the Yankees just can't seem to get it right. By the way, check out Phil Hughes and Jova Chamberlain's stats for this year. Just say in'. 

Bullpen

Going into the winter meetings, many experts believed that the Yankees needed to shore up their bullpen with the loss of Mariano Rivera, Boone Logan and Joba Chamberlain. Well, if not for Adam Warren and Dellin Betances, the bullpen would be a disaster as evidenced by what happened Wednesday night. My concern is that Warren & Betances will be overused. Hopefully Shawn Kelley will be back sooner rather than later to help carry the load and Matt Thornton needs to be utilized more. The Yankees could use another veteran arm. 

A common theme throughout this analysis is that other than catcher, the farm system is a joke and cannot be expected for immediate help and does not bode well for the future. Two weeks ago, Hal Steinbrenner said he was happy with the farm system because of the performance of Betances, Warren and Whitley. That's fine Hal, but what about the rest of the team. 

For argument's sake, let's agree with Hal. My next question is: how do you spend over $400 million dollars in free agency and with 102 games remaining be 6 games out of first place in an AL East that is as weak as it has been since 1999?  

Someone needs to be held accountable for the decline of this team since 2010 and in my opinion that is Brian Cashman. Injuries are no excuse when he continues to acquire and extend aging players and provide for no legitimate backups. Moreover, the farm system is a disgrace. While more players come from Latin America, the Yankees continue to miss out on the Jose Abreus &. Yoenis Cespedes' of the world.  As I have said over and over, when was the last time the Yankees developed a first baseman, a third baseman or a power hitting outfielder?  It hasn't happened since Cashman has been general manager. 

But accountability doesn't seem to be a concern in Yankeeland. Tell me another business that would condone such incompetence. There needs to be a house cleaning starting with Cashman, along with Mark Newman and Damon Oppenheimer. Their player development on all levels is a travesty. The richest team in all of sports can't develop it's own players. There needs to be a blood letting. 

Yankee fans, wake up!!  We need to put pressure on Hal that enough is enough. I for one have not and will not buy another item with the Yankee logo on it.  The only thing that Hal, Levine and Trost know is money and if they start to see dwindling attendance, a decrease in YES ratings and a decrease in Yankee paraphernalia being sold, then maybe we will see some changes. Until then, we are looking at seeing the late 80s again. It's time Yankee fans to stop being lemmings by licking up all the crap that is spewed by Yankee apologists like Michael Kay & Sweeney Murti. This team is in trouble and it goes beyond this season. We could be talking a generation. If you love the Yankees, the time has come to send a message that ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!