This one is a nice story.

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This was a ‘classic’ Yankees win. What do I mean by that? Well the Yankees, knowing that David Pauley wouldn’t be able to throw 100 pitches because he hadn’t started in a couple of weeks, waited him out then took advantage of a weak bullpen. They got a strong bounce back start from their young all-star Phil Hughes, who went 7 strong innings and did not issue a walk (my favorite part of Phil’s line).

All sounds great, right? Well, you do have to take this win with a grain of salt. Not only did they trade away my pick for the 2010 AL Cy Young award who was scheduled to start in Cliff Lee, the Mariners are the worst hitting team in the league. Still, you are supposed to beat up on teams like this so I can’t complain too much.

There are two things I can complain about though. How many more times do we have to see Chan Ho Park go out there? I’ve read stories about how Park needs to go only 1 inning to remain effective. Nonsense. On the year, Park has just 5 clean outings out of 21 appearances. He has gone from the 7th inning man, to the mop up man. Every time he comes to the mound, I want to hurl.

The insane part is, David Robertson has been worse! While he may not have let up as many runs as Park, Robertson has just 4 clean outings out of 31. Robertson has a 1.787 WHIP! Why are we not optioning him down to AAA at this point? Let him work it out in AAA, while we at the very worst see someone else get shelled. I can’t see it happen to Robertson or Park anymore. I just can’t.

It was a victory after all, and I have to go out on a good note. This is why I saved Tex for last. With his 2 homers last night, Teixeira is 10 for his last 27 (.379/.438/.963) with 4 homers and 10 RBI. Overall, he is 34 for his last 110 since June 8th (.309/.408/.636) with 9 homers, 9 doubles and 25 RBI. While A-Rod’s power numbers have come into play in that stretch, he hasn’t really caught fire like Tex has and Cano has been struggling with the bat recently. If they could get those 2 to get hot with Tex, it’d be hard for the Yankees to lose.

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By noon yesterday, it seemed like Cliff Lee to the Yankees was a done deal. Five hours later, the Texas Rangers swooped in and nabbed him. While adding Lee to an already strong Yankee rotation would have been fun, losing out on him is more beneficial in the long run. It was also educational. here is what we learned:

The Yankees have faith in Jesus. After news broke that the Yankees were hot on Lee’s trail and willing to trade top prospect Jesus Montero for him, some fans speculated that the organization had lost faith in the catcher. This echoed the sentiment put forth last winter when the Yankees attempted to trade Montero to the Blue Jays for Roy Halladay. The fact that the organization was willing to part with the 20 year-old for players of Halladay and Lee’s caliber is a testament to Montero’s ability.

Other teams have faith in Jesus. The Blue Jays and Mariners have now both scouted Montero extensively, and were likely open to trading their top commodity for him. You know a player has value when his return yields one of the best pitchers in the game. Anyone else find it interesting that the Mariners still wanted Montero, despite his .253 batting average? Scouts see something in him, and while his bat may be more attractive than his glove, he is still a special player. So is David Adams, evidently.

The Rangers will not resign Lee. Texas is currently dealing with some serious financial woes, and there is no chance that they can sign him to a contract extension during or after the season. On that same hand, why would Lee want to sign with Texas? Unless he has an extraordinarily good time, is comfortable with giving the Rangers a bargain and loves pitching in Arlington, expect him to become a free agent.

The Yankees are serious about adding Lee. The mere act of offering a prospect like Jesus Montero (and Adams) for Lee demonstrates how badly the Yankees want to have him in the rotation. Now, some have argued that Brian Cashman was simply trying to drive up the Mariner’s asking price, but I think the Yankees were serious. Why else would they allegedly give the Mariners a “take it or leave it” offer? Although the baseball world has already come to this conclusion, it seems fairly certain that the Yankees will simply hand Lee a blank check this winter.

So, unless the Rangers beat the Yankees in the ALCS, this situation worked out in the best possibly way. The Yanks were able to keep two of their better prospects, Lee went to a team that probably won’t resign him and Brian Cashman can now focus on adding a bat and some relief arms.

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Does it get any more touchy-feely than this?

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Via Peter Abraham:

Kevin Youkilis was asked what he thought about Jacoby Ellsbury rejoining the team tonight after spending five weeks in Arizona

“I don’t know what’s going on with Jacoby,” he said. “I don’t think any of us really know.”

Was it strange for Ellsbury to be away from the team that long?

“Don’t go down that road,” Youkilis said. “One thing I can say is there’s a lot of guys here that are hurt and supporting the team. We wish Jacoby was here supporting us, too.”

Plenty of players feel the same way. Youkilis is one of the few with the courage to say it on the record.

Terry Francona’s take:

“He certainly had our blessing to do it. Everything is a little different. There’s always reasons. I don’t think this was malicious, if that’s what people are getting at. It’ll be great to see him. The idea is to get him back on the field and stay on the field, I don’t care what state he does it in.”

Let’s just hope that this doesn’t mean the Red Sox are going to turn into the ’78 Yankees this season…

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According to Ken Rosenthal’s Twitter feed (which I would link to but don’t have access to here at work), the M’s got 1B/DH Justin Smoak and three minor league prospects.  The prospects are RHP Blake Beavan (AAA), RHP Josh Lueke (AA) and 2B/OF Matthew Lawson (AA).

I can’t independently verify this but I can tell you that this package is no slouchy tease.  The Yanks didn’t get played here at all.  They put their best chip on the table and Texas anted up with the #1 positional prospect in their system.

Update 5:55 p.m.: Both USA Today and NBC Sports are confirming the package of prospects going from Texas to Seattle.

In my opinion, NBC Sports’s spin completely misses the point.  Seattle got the MLB-ready bat they needed in order to get this deal done and, no matter how highly everyone may think of Montero, Justin Smoak is already in the big leagues.  The secondary pieces were all window-dressing, both the ones the Yanks were offering and the ones Texas gave up.  Let’s not lose sight of that.

Update 6:30 p.m.: According to ESPN.com’s story, Justin Smoak was the final piece to the trade puzzle between Seattle and Texas.

A source told ESPN.com that Seattle and Texas were very close to a deal for Lee on Wednesday. But the Mariners were pushing for Smoak, the Rangers balked and the deal stalled.

So on Thursday, the Mariners turned their attention to the Yankees and began closing in on that deal. But when those talks blew up, the Rangers — who by then were aware of all the reports about that Seattle-New York deal — got back into the picture and agreed to trade Smoak. So the pieces came together very quickly at that point because the two teams almost had a deal done 48 hours earlier.

I added the emphasis to highlight the fact that Texas relented on their initial objection to dealing Smoak for Lee.  That alone should give Yankees fans comfort that, although they didn’t get their man, Cashman’s willingness to include Jesus Montero forced Texas to pay a higher price than they were initially willing to pay.  That’s a good thing.

Update 8:44 a.m.: Baseball America’s website has the following write-up of the trade.  At present, they’ve only profiled Smoak and Lueke but I assume that if you check back on that link, it’ll be updated as they complete their player reports.  If I were actually at home instead of at my girl’s house, I’d add in comments from BA’s top-30 profile scouting reports.  I’m certain Beavan was among Texas’s top-30 going into this year.

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It’s possible, tweets Joel Sherman.

Did Cashman get played on this one? Maybe…

Update: Via S. Murti – Was told NYY agreed to all 3 players M’s asked for-Montero, Adams, McAllister-before Sea decided to shop more. Yanks thought they had him.

Yup, played like a fiddle.

UPDATE 4:58 pm EST – via Joel Sherman: nyp_joelsherman i have learned deal done with #Rangers, Smoak and 3 others for Lee and reliever Mark Lowe #Rangers, #Mariners

Further udates via B. Olney-

Buster_ESPN The Yankees and Mariners had actually had an agreement-in-principle, based on the physicals — and SEA stepped away, which is all fair game.

Buster_ESPN Heard this: SEA is kicking in $2.5 million in order to help offset the $4 million owed to Lee. In return, Texas gave a better package (more)

Yup, Brian Cashman got the dry hump today from the M’s…

Update: Yanks feeling it over the dry hump:

Ken_Rosenthal #Rangers jumped. Adams’ ankle injury was excuse for M’s to back out. “You just don’t do business that way,” one Yankee official said. #MLB

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Courtesy of the fine folks at Baseball America, here are some MiLB sugar plums that can dance in your head as the weekend fast approaches:

(more…)

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Per Nick Cafardo -

The Yankees have also signed veteran corner infielder Chad Tracy, who will head down to the minors for a while. Tracy will provide protection for Alex Rodriguez and his sometimes balky hip.

Chad Tracy, he’s the Randy Winn of corner infielders…

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Has there ever been a Cy Young Award winner to play for four teams over a two year period immediately following the year in which he won the award?

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More from Joel Sherman on the story he broke today -

1. The Yankees have not asked for a window to negotiate an extension. They believe that they can outbid anyone in the offseason for Lee anyway, so why not see if he likes New York and the Yankees like him before investing the money.

2. The Yankees will send at least two, and possibly three prospects to the Mariners in this deal. With Montero and Double-A second baseman David Adams the sure things.

3. The Yankees offered Montero to the Mariners early in the process, but Seattle officials played coy initially that it would take a lot more. But at some point yesterday, Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik called Yankees GM Brian Cashman and said he liked the Yanks’ offer best and wanted to work exclusively on that.

The Mariners were valuing a high-end bat that they could have in their lineup no later than Opening Day 2011 and/or a catcher. Despite Montero’s problems offensively in Triple-A this year, Seattle still recognized that he was 20 and think he has a special offensive ability. The Mariners also believe that Montero’s defensive abilities have improved and that he might not have to move off the position to first base or DH. In the end, Seattle could not find another bat nearly as good in an offer from any other team. And unless that changed at the last second, the Mariners were going with the Yankees to trade Lee.

4. Don’t ignore the importance of Adams in this package of at least three players (it could be four from what I hear). The second baseman is currently out at Double-A with an ankle injury. But the Mariners really like him and also imagine that he can be part of their lineup as early as the beginning of the 2011 season. They think he is a very good offensive player with good – but not elite – defensive skills.

5. The Yankees felt that they could deal from an area of strength. The Yanks have Jorge Posada signed for one more year and have learned that Francisco Cervelli is at least a capable backup catcher. Austin Romine, at Double-A, is not the offensive prospect that Montero is, but he is a very good hitting catcher with much, much better defensive skills than Montero.

It will be interesting to see who these other two prospects turn out to be…if it is four, in total, in the end.

Update, 1:10 pm EST, per S. Murti – Other prospects potentially in this deal: rhp Hector Noesi and ss Eduardo Nunez. Both 23 yrs old.

Update, 2:46 pm EST, per Donnie Collins, Zach McAllister is included in the deal.

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The Yankees picked up their league leading 54th win and sixth in a row in Seattle last night, but according to the New York Post’s Joel Sherman that’s not all they have their eye on.

Take it away Joel:

The Knicks didn’t get LeBron James, but the Yankees were on the brink of obtaining Cliff Lee late last night for a package that would include top prospect Jesus Montero, the Post has learned.

Sherman also fingers minor league second baseman David Adams (.309/.393/.507 and injured since May) as a potential trade chit.

The rationale, according to Sherman, is that A.J. Burnett and Javier Vazquez can’t be trusted – especially in the postseason – and picking up Lee lets Cashman dangle Javy for prospects.

Personally, I’d rather see of Montero turns into something – he’s been hitting better in Scranton as of  late – or have the Yankees focus their attentions on adding a bat.

However, it’s hard not to like Lee and its more than likely that Austin Romine has passed Montero for the title of Successor to Jorge in the eyes of some in the organization. And it’d be especially nice if they could pull this off before game time tonight, since Lee is the Mariners’ scheduled starter.

(h/t: Yahoo’s Big League Stew)

Steve Lombardi’s add-on: Hey, I thought, as per many, that the Yankees and Brian Cashman didn’t believe in trading top prospects for a player who they would then have to pay big bucks to keep – when they could just pay the money a few months later and sign the player as a free agent (and keep their prospects)?

If this deal goes down, then, well, I guess that “line” can be retired, huh?

Update 10:36 am EST: Buster_ESPN – Executive involved in Cliff Lee talks: The Yankees-Mariners deal “is just about done.” 

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An old story, and nothing to do with the Yankees…

…but, it’s too good not to share, in case anyone has never heard it before…

…I picked it up in a recent Baseball America feature.

Click here for more.

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Via Dan Connolly –

The Orioles announced today that first baseman Garrett Atkins cleared waivers and was given his unconditional release.

He is free to sign with another team, and he said previously that he would consider a minor league deal. But not with the Orioles.

Atkins had one homer and nine RBIs in 140 at-bats with the Orioles this season. He was signed in the offseason to a one-year $4.5 million deal.

The Orioles must pay the remainder of that, although if he plays in the majors with another club this year, that team would be responsible to pay him a prorated portion of the $400,000 minimum salary

Would the Yankee take a flier on Atkins? I hope not – he’s always been a product of Coors Field. Outside of Colorado, he’s no better than playing Wes Helms, at best.

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Via Zach Wilt –

In the latest in the Buck Showalter and Baltimore Orioles managing saga, Ken Rosenthal is reporting on a few guys that could join his coaching staff. The list includes Mark Connor, Showalter’s pitching coach with the Yankees, Diamonbacks and Rangers, Brian Butterfield his third base coach in New York and Arizona and two former Orioles B.J. Surhoff and Bill Ripken.

Rosenthal wrote, “Sources say Showalter also is fond of former major-league second baseman Bill Ripken, who began his career with the Orioles. B.J. Surhoff, another former Oriole, also would be a possibility for the staff.”

Buck isn’t the only person fond of Bill Ripken, I think he’d be an even better fit on the coaching staff than Cal. Those “lead by example guys” don’t seem to translate into great motivators. Billy was always an in your face type guy, I’d love to see him back in an Orioles uniform.

It’s going to be very interesting to see Buck’s impact in Baltimore. And, I wonder if the O’s will move from being a patsy which the Yankees beat-up on to a team that becomes a torn in New York’s side…once Showalter gets rolling down there.

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Via TVPredictions.com:

“Field of Dreams,” “The Natural,” “Eight Men Out” and “Pride of the Yankees” are proof that moviegoers love a great baseball yarn. The newest entry in the field is “Fifty-nine in ’84,” the story of Hall of Fame pitcher Old Hoss Radbourn and the greatest season a pitcher ever had.

“It’s a love story, a gritty tale of overcoming terrible adversity, a true story about doing something glorious in baseball that no one will ever do again,” said Edward Achorn, author of the book.

Kirker Butler, a co-executive producer and writer on Fox series “The Cleveland Show,” has optioned movie rights to the book, which is set in 1884 – when baseball stars played barehanded, drank heavily, and were considered beneath the notice of decent society.

It is also the tale of his beautiful and seductive lover, Carrie Stanhope, proprietress of a dubious boarding house. Many Web sites have speculated about Megan Fox in that role.

Happy Jack Chesbro should have won a few more games in 1904 and been a little more wild in his personal life…

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Will it be the Knicks, Cavs, Bulls, Nets or the Heat for LeBron James tonight? Well, if you want to discuss it, feel free to use this entry and the comments section below.

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An interesting story from Susan Mullen. (H/T BBTF.)

There years ago, I wondered about Yankees shirts once.  And, today, I suspect, when Mo is done and gone, we’ll be seeing many more Rivera shirts at the Stadium than we do now…

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I stand corrected; AJ Burnett and the Yanks did sweep the A’s after all, beating them 6-2!

Full disclosure: I didn’t watch this game as I just wasn’t feeling well enough to stay up late last night.  I gather from the boxscore that AJ Burnett was decent and that Swisher, Teixeira Jeter and even Ramiro “I’m not MLB-caliber” Pena chipped in at the plate.  A win is a win and I’ll take it every time.

God bless those annoying little tools in Tampa, they swept Boston and pushed the Yanks 4.5 games ahead of the third place Red Sox.  With a four-game series in Seattle standing between the Yanks and some much-needed rest during All-Star week the key is to keep the momentum going a little longer.  The current five-game winning streak is nice but, as we saw a few days ago, momentum can be broken as soon as M’s aces Felix Hernandez and Cliff Lee take the mound.  Here’s hoping the Yanks can manage a split…

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Yeah, I would say he’s hot now – wouldn’t you?

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The non-waiver trade deadline is nearly upon us, and the Yankees will need to address certain holes if they want to remain competitive in the division. Obviously there is a strong need to improve the bullpen, but with Nick Johnson’s season in doubt and Alex Rodriguez losing playing time thanks to his bum hip, there are two players the Yankees should focus on:

Ty Wigginton (.253/.339 /.448) has already been connected to the Yankees, who view him as a part-time player. The journeyman infielder would provide depth off the bench, fill in as the designated hitter and support the ailing Alex Rodriguez at third base. Despite Ramiro Pena’s superb defense, the Yankees cannot continue to use the light-hitting shortstop as a backup for Rodriguez. Wigginton has already slugged 14 homers this year and has been a fairly consistent player throughout his career, so unless his bat completely freezes up, the Yankees would get a productive player. According to Ken Rosenthal, the O’s want a young shortstop in return for the 32 year-old, and the Yankees have plenty of infield depth in the minors. It will probably cost the Yankees Eduardo Nunez, but perhaps Brian Cashman could send Reegie Corona and an additional prospect to Baltimore.

Matt Capps (3.11 ERA/22 SV/4.57 K/BB) is not the best arm on the market, but with Mo’s knees giving out, the Yankees need to add another pitcher with closing experience to the bullpen. Nat’s prospect Drew Storen is ready to close out games for Stephen Strasburg, and GM Mike Rizzo may be willing to part with Capps and his 97 MPH fastball for a mid-level prospect or two . The high number of hits allowed is a cause for concern, but he’s worth taking a chance on, especially if the Yankees can catch lightning in a bottle with some of their other Triple-A arms.

Reegie Corona

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Haven’t thought about this one in at least ten years…maybe closer to fifteen…but it seems like the right time to dust it off…

Here’s the longer, fuller, live version if you really want to rock it out.

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Via Ed Price yesterday –

The Diamondbacks seem likely to consider Yankees scouting director Damon Oppenheimer to be their next GM, and Oppenheimer — once a Phoenix-based pro scout for the Yankees — would be a good choice.

But Arizona should consider going back to the future and look at hiring Reds assistant general manager Bob Miller to replace the fired Josh Byrnes. Before going to Cincinnati, Miller spent 1999-2005 with Arizona as director of baseball operations and then assistant GM, meaning Miller was a significant part of the organization’s signing and developing of Brandon Webb, Chris Snyder, Stephen Drew, Mark Reynolds, Justin Upton, and Miguel Montero — not to mention the traded Conor Jackson, Carlos Quentin, Jose Valverde, Carlos Gonzalez and Greg Smith.

This leads to an interesting question – when was the last time that someone at the G.M. position or below in the Yankees front office was allowed to leave and accept a position with another major league team? Was it Bill Livesey? Has it been that long? I know Bob Watson left…but he went to work for MLB and not another team. Am I forgetting someone else?

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Via the Game On folks at USA Today –

Six of the eight contestants for next week’s Home Run Derby at the All-Star game have been announced. That also means that fantasy leaguers have six guys that should be watched closely for sudden slumps, because there’s evidence that Derby participants are jinxed.

Greatly relieved that he won’t be asked to represent the host Angels is outfielder Torii Hunter. He told Orange County Register that: “I did it in 2002 and I was dog-doo in the second half. Look up my numbers. I was raking going into the All-Star break. Then in the second half — nothing. And I’m usually a second-half hitter.”

Hunter was hitting .306 at the break but batted only .263 the rest of the way. He had 20 home runs, but added only nine more.

Bobby Abreu had a similar experience. He had 18 HR at the break in 2005, when he won the contest, then hit just six more the rest of the season. He told the Register that: “It takes a lot out of you. Your hands, your fingers get sore. When it happened to me, I was tired. I hit 41 (home runs during the contest). That’s not counting all the swings you take that aren’t home runs. I don’t know how many swings I took.”

Similar tailspins hit 2003 winner Garret Anderson (22 HR going in, 7 after) and 2008 champ Josh Hamilton (21/7).

This year’s field, so far: For the AL, Red Sox DH David Ortiz, Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera, Yankees 2B Robinson Cano and Blue Jays OF Vernon Wells. For the NL, Brewers OF Corey Hart and Cardinals OF Matt Holliday.

The derby whammy got David Wright in 2006 too. Should Robbie Cano not risk it here? What do you think?

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Via Mark Feinsand -

Dallas Braden sent some signed memorabilia to Alex Rodriguez as a good-will gesture, giving A-Rod a ball, T-shirt and poster from his perfect game. Braden even wrote a special message on the poster, showing the sense of humor the chatty pitcher is known for inside his clubhouse.

“Dear Alex, here’s the poster you requested,” Braden wrote, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. “I think you’re right, it will look great over your mantel. … I know you realize it’s all in fun.”

A-Rod and Braden engaged in a war of words on April 22 after Braden criticized Rodriguez for crossing over the mound on his way back to first base following a foul ball. Braden went on to throw a perfect game against the Rays on May 9.

O.K., now, I’m even wondering why we’re still talking about this whole A-Rod/Braden thing…

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So, I’m watching a bit of the Yankees game last night, and, man, was CC Sabathia looking fatter than ever. Maybe it was just the road uniform and the Oakland camera angle – because CC has never been “slim”? Or, maybe he has put on some more weight recently? Looking at him, I would estimate that he’s at least 90 pounds overweight – maybe more?

Now, you can’t argue with his results, can you? Since 2007, Sabathia has been one of the best starting pitchers in baseball – if not the best starter.

Yes, there’s Tim Lincecum, Roy Halladay, Adam Wainwright, Jon Lester, Johan Santana, Felix Hernandez, Dan Haren, Ubaldo Jimenez, Matt Cain and Cliff Lee who are out there – and have been successful as well over the last four years or so. But, I’m not sure if I would trade Sabathia for any of them, one up, today…because CC is that much of an “ace.”

But, CC is just 29-years old now – what’s going to happen when he’s on the other side of thirty and nearly 100 pounds overweight? Will his back and knees have an issue having to support all that fat? And, what if he develops diabetes being so fat? That usually comes with the territory of being that overweight.

And, what if Sabathia gains even more weight? It’s possible – because, clearly, he’s not watching his food intake now. The whole thing is scary stuff if you ask me.

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The Yanks beat the A’s 6-1 last night in a game that, somehow, seemed like a blowout even though it was anything but.  I guess when Sabathia is on (7.2 7 1 1 3 10) and A-Rod has his first multi-homer game since last October 4th, things can seem like they’re fairly well in hand.

And yet, once again, the Yankee offense was more or less absent last night, registering only three hits outside of A-Rod’s two homers.  Is it just me or does it seem like the Yanks either score all their runs in one inning or don’t score at all any more?

Whatever the case may be, the Yanks have opened up their last road trip by taking the first two games of the series against the A’s.  Although I wouldn’t bet on it happening, the Yanks go for the sweep behind AJ Burnett (6-7, 4.90) vs. Gio Gonzalez (7-5, 3.50).

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Via Bryan Hoch -

Yankees closer Mariano Rivera has removed himself from the All-Star Game, citing injuries to his left side and his right knee.

“I’ve been pitching hurt,” Rivera said. “I know they are going to use me. I’d prefer to take those days off before the second half.”

Rivera said that he has been battling the tightness in his left side that forced him to miss action in May, as well as a newer injury to his right knee, which has been inflamed since the Yankees’ June 25-27 series at Dodger Stadium.

The 40-year-old Rivera said that he will not attend the festivities at Angel Stadium, instead remaining in New York to rest. Rivera was a player vote selection to the pitching staff, so he will be replaced by the next-highest-rating player in that balloting.

“It’s hard — it’s a decision that I have to make for myself and the sake of the team,” Rivera said. “It’s a great honor, but I have to be wise.”

Smart move by Mo. And, let’s up the knee is not an issue in the second half of the season.

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You know…What’s the story, Jerry?

I keep thinking about what was the biggest story for the Yankees in the first half of 2010 – and what will be the biggest story in the second half for them?

And, at this junction, I feel that Robbie Cano’s production to date this season should be considered the biggest story for the first half. Related, I’m still trying to figure out how a guy with a career .278 minor league batting average to go along with a lifetime minor league slugging percentage of .425 is on a pace, at the big league level, to bat .342 with 32 homeruns. As I have said before…Typically, players do better in the minors than in the majors because the level of pitching is more advanced in the big leagues. You just don’t see guys who hit .280 in the minors become .300 hitters in the majors – at least not everyday.

And, my prediction for the biggest story in Yankeeland over the second half of the season? Here goes: That Phil Hughes will win just five more games this season. Is that crazy? Well, I guess time will tell…

But, what do I know? So, I asked a couple of my favorite Yankees beat writers for their take on this question. Here’s what they had to say:

First, Pete Caldera of the Bergen Record:

To me, the biggest story of the first half has been the emergence of Phil Hughes as a complete starter – resourceful, reliable, resilient – with the potential to be the type of front-line pitcher the Yankees had hoped to mine from their system.

Robinson Cano has placed himself firmly in the MVP picture, but we’ve seen his star rising for some time. We’ve never seen a full year of Hughes as a big-league starter, and he has performed brilliantly at times. Another honorable mention goes to Andy Pettitte, for his outstanding renaissance first half.

The biggest story of the second half, I believe, will revolve around the bullpen – specifically Joba Chamberlain and the set-up roles. Hughes solidified that eighth-inning spot last summer, an essential factor in their title run. Chamberlain’s reliability in that role, and the consistency of the rest, will be something to watch in the second half.

And, next, Chad Jennings of the Journal News:

Biggest first half story…

At various points the injuries, the lack of production from the new guys, and the inconsistency of the lineup have been the biggest stories. On the whole, though, I’d say the biggest story of the first half has been the emergence of Phil Hughes alongside the return of Andy Pettitte. Pitching has carried the team, and two guys at very different points in their careers have been the key.

Biggest second half story…

Will be the production of Pettitte, Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera. To some extent Jorge Posada as well, but Jeter and Rivera especially seem to be unique cases heading into free agency. Their production could determine not only the second half but also the offseason.

O.K., so, maybe I’m alone on the Hughes thing? And, the guys make a good point on Pettitte being a big story…along with wondering about Jeter and the bullpen in the second half.

So, how about you? In your opinion, what was the biggest story for the Yankees in the first half of this season and what will be their biggest story in the second half?

And, of course, my thanks to Pete and Chad for taking the time to answer my questions on this topic!

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Sunday when the all stars were announced I was sitting in my seat at the Stadium. I was shocked that Girardi would go with Sabathia over Pettitte. I mean Pettitte has not only pitched better throughout the season, but he’s getting up there in age. Sabathia will have plenty of opportunities to make future all star teams.  This might be the last time for Pettitte, and we all read the stories about how his kids really wanted him to make the all star team. I couldn’t make any sense of it.

Then I read that Andy would take Buckholz place on the roster, and it got me thinking. I wonder if there was a back room meeting between Girardi and Andy. Basically Girardi saying to Andy, whom he’s known for years, hey look you’ll be an all star when Buckholz goes on the DL, let me give the nod to CC in the beginning. What motivation would the manager have in naming Sabathia over Pettitte to start with? Well, CC Sabathia has an opt out clause that goes into effect at the end of next year, and perhaps this is Girardi’s way of playing into that decision down the line. Gotta keep big CC happy.

If that’s the case, Girardi truly is an all star manager.

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