The Sommer Frieze

YANKEES
Damon LF
Cabrera CF
Abreu DH (Bobby gets a rest).
Jeter SS (Huh? 8 XBH out of his 41 and he’s cleaning up? This really stresses how the Yanks miss Alex and Posada vs. lefty pitchers).
Giambi 1B
Duncan RF
Cano 2B
Molina C
Gonzalez 3B (The return of Gonzo. Interesting that they are playing him above Ensberg, don’t you think?)
Pettitte LHP (3-3, 3.77)

Pete Abraham’s notes: Even for Joe Girardi, that’s an interesting lineup. Jeter has hit cleanup one previous time in his career. … It’s supposed to start raining (and a lot) around noon. Fairly decent chance they won’t get the game in. Or it will rain long enough to screw up our flight to Tampa tonight. … Cano has hit in six straight at 8 of 22. … Kyle Farnsworth has thrown 8.2 consecutive scoreless innings. … The Big G is 5 of 13 with six RBI and five extra-base hits.

Post stating that Yanks are looking at Brett Jacobson, a 6′6″ righty pitcher from Vandy for their 1st pick in the draft (28th overall). The Yanks sure have BIG pitchers. Hughes, Betances, Farnsworth, Brackman, McCutchen, McAllister—all these guys are tall. Jacobson hits 98, and has experience starting and closing. Stats not impressive at Vandy, but Yanks must like his arm and potential.

Igawa (Josh says the Iguana, I say Ugh-Gawa and am considering Ig-Awful….maybe we should have a poll? We’ve been thinking of some trivia and polls, but haven’t had time yet…Give your pick.) didn’t think he pitched poorly. He thought his change and slider were ok. He must be the only one.

Yanks OPS+ is 108. 4th in BA, 8th in walks. 5th in OBP, 3rd in SA. ERA+ 95. ERA 4.30 (9th).

The Post has an article on David Robertson. Welcome to the club. I’ve been hyping him since…?? Trenton pitching coach Scott Aldred (who, I think, is the REAL COACHING STAR in the system) says Robertson doesn’t throw anything straight. Good 4 to 6 inch Cut fastball at 92, above average curve, and circle change whch is developing. He doesn’t think Robertson has the repertoire necessary to succeed as a closer. (I wonder, how about set-up?)

Guess who is throwing at 60 ft. from level ground and will go from a half-mound later this month. Carl Pavano. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Meanwhile, Humberto Sanchez could face hitters in two weeks.

Interesting quote from an AL official. He thinks the Yanks, media and fans placed too high of an expectation for Hughes this year. “He was the youngest starter in the big leagues, pitching in the A.L. East.” He thinks Hughes will be really good. “You don’t put up the numbers he did in the minor leagues and produce the kind of scouting reports he produced unless you are really good.”

Ouch. We remember when Godzilla broke his wrist. Now Vernon Wells of Toronto does it in a similiar fashion.

The Brewers DFA’d Turnbow, and have you checked Gagne’s stats recently? Meanwhile, the Padres are cutting loose Jim Edmonds, who if he retires (as he probably should?) would retire with a .286 and 363 HR.

Remember the “Get Miggy Cabrera” crowd? Miggy has been moved off 3B due to poor D. He got a nice new contract. The stats aren’t bad so far, but they aren’t Miggy-like. He’s still just 25. But 25 and having to be moved to 1B because of bad D is distressing.

That’s it for now.

I’ll be in and out. Mother’s Day, you know. Priorities.