Don’t sell. There are some hitters under-achieving: Cano, Jeter, Abreu a bit. ARod shouldn’t miss more time. Wang will be back. Hughes may help. Posada may stay healthy and at least be competent.

The biggest sink holes on this team are behind the plate and in right field. Nobody would want Abreu even if the Yankees did try to sell him, as he’s barely been above replacement level including fielding. Jose Molina is NOT a viable catching option. Melky’s still not improving either — trading him for someone like Adam Dunn might work.

The playoffs surely aren’t a lock. But this team should play better in the second half.

“That trade was made on November 10, 2006. And, here we are, almost 2 years later, and not one of those guys that Cashman got is near being close to helping the big league team.”

patience.

Anthony Claggett has pitched very well for Trenton this year, and Humberto Sanchez has been working his way back from TJ surgery.

The organization knew what it was getting in the deal, but the upside with Sanchez will be worth the wait.

Kevin Whelan was a decent prospect, but hasnt stayed healthy.

but even if you can hit on one of the three pitchers, mainly being Sanchez, you’ve done well. by all reports coming out of Tampa following Humberto’s rehab, he’s pitched better each time he’s taken the mound. you prob wont see him in game action at the mlb level until spring training next year, but he could play a large part in that bullpen should they choose to convert him for good.

With Bruney coming back, I’d definitely look to deal Farnsworth.

The ironic thing is he made the trade to keep Sheffield out of Boston – and did the Sox a favor in the process. They won a world championship anyway, have a shot at repeating, and aren’t on the hook to a guy who has had multiple injury problems and the Tigers are still on the hook to him for what, at least one more year, or is it two?

~~Steve…just wondering what you would have considered a good sell in the Sheffield case?~~

Something, anything, that would be a useful part – even if it’s just off the bench – at the major league level today.

That trade was made on November 10, 2006. And, here we are, almost 2 years later, and not one of those guys that Cashman got is near being close to helping the big league team.

Seven of their next eight series are against teams that were over .500 at the break, which could challenge Girardi’s desire to “Get out of the gate fast.”
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Related to this is the Rays schedule coming out of the break:
Five of seven series against teams under .500, and one of the other two is underachieving Detroit. There’s a good chance that the Rays right their ship in the next 20+ games, which means if the Yankees don’t excel against their tougher schedule, they could find themselves facing a steeper uphill climb. Depending of course on how the third contender in the division does.

The fact is though that no one will decide to sell prior to the deadline. Cash has to see where they stand – then you might see Mussina go to the Cards or something like that. But realistically, if the Yankees are going to make it to October, they’ll dance with the guys that brung them before. Cano, Jeter, etc. have to pick it up offensively, and the pitching has to maintain. Then they’ll have a chance.

McCarron did a nice job. The thing with Toronto is that their pitching is so dominant that they can win without scoring that much (although if their RISP was league average then they would be up with the Rays and Red Sox), witness the last two losses the Yanks had in Toronto. The Yankees problem is that the starting pitching is not that dominant so that RISP becomes a major problem in winning games.

The Yanks are still in striking distance of the division and wild card,but quite frankly things are different this year. AS McCarron states everyone is a year older and there is no deus ex machina a la Clemens coming in to save the day. Is Cashman going to shift his philosophy and go and get someone like Randy Wolf or another hitter? If that happens their chances are increased greatly,if not they are somewhat doomed.

Then again, that’s asking a lot with Cashman…see the Sheffield deal. Selling has not been one of Cash’s better traits.
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Steve…just wondering what you would have considered a good sell in the Sheffield case? Seems to me they got a decent haul for a 38 year-old malcontent who was coming off an injury and has since shown serious signs of breakdown.

Sanchez seems to be throwing well on his way back from surgery and Clagget numbers look pretty good (though I would prefer fewer walks) down in Trenton.

They can make the playoffs this year, but a lot has to go right. The pitching has been better than expected, but the offense has been lacking. Cano, Cabrera & Co need to figure things out, and quick.

Joel – LOL. I hear what you’re saying…

but…If the Yankees have a chance to pull a John Smoltz for Doyle Alexander or Jeff Bagwell for Larry Anderson type deal…I think Yankees fans will be OK with that now.

Then again, that’s asking a lot with Cashman…see the Sheffield deal. Selling has not been one of Cash’s better traits.