A L*B*on Free Zone
This may be the only place on the internet where you are safe from constant chatter about a certain basketball player with a TV special tonight. I won't use his name, but I think you can figure it out. What I will say is this, A-Rod managed to make himself pretty unlikeable with all of his contract machinations (both in 2000 and 2007) I am surprised that this basketball player didn't learn anything from that because he will be public enemy #1 for NBA fans in every city except the one he joins in a few hours. At least he will have his millions to comfort him.
On to baseball and the Yankees have four games until the All-Star Break and another crack at the Seattle duo of Hernandez and Lee (assuming Lee is still a Mariner tomorrow night)
I think the Yankees have hit upon a good idea with their lineup shuffles of late. Brett Gardner has a .395 OBP and can run like the wind, why wouldn't you have him leadoff against RHP? And, putting him in center against LHP with Thames in left and Granderson on the bench is also a good move. Sitting Grandy last night was a good idea and I hope they do it again Friday if Cliff Lee is pitching. Granderson has been awful and he is hitting .184 over the last 28 days. A big part of the problem is his continuing struggles vs. LHP (.198/.244/.284). I don't know if Curtis is simply having the typical first year jitters of playing in New York or what is going on, but the Yankees can't coddle him any longer. Until his bat shows some life, keep Thames in left and Grandy on the bench when a LHP is starting. DH Posada and let Cervelli, who can only hit LHP, catch. That's the best lineup for those games. It may be a blow to Granderson's ego, but the Yankees can't worry about that right now.
If the Yankees are not comfortable with Thames in left on a platoon basis, their internal choices are Russo and Huffman. I don't see either of those options getting a real shot, so how about a trade? Reed Johnson is still hitting lefties very well in LA. Coco Crisp could provide some defense and an average bat. There are other guys who could slot into left and allow Gardner to play center. Whatever the choice, the Yankees need a different answer than Granderson in center no matter who is on the mound.
Comments
I'm still trying to figure out why I should care about that basketball player. I really just despise him now!
Posted by: Liza Trinkle | July 8, 2010 12:59 PM |
I'm not for a trade. Seems a little extreme for now, as Grandy might turn it around. In the meantime, I agree with giving Thames more time. I would LOVE the young guys to get a chance but it's too risky with Boston and Tampa on our heels. If we get our usual August lead in the standings and this still an issue, I'd love to see Russo get some time.
And yes, this is a nice reprieve from the NBA drama, which as disgusting as it is I cannot look away. I will be watching tonight with the masses, knowing in my heart that even if the knicks win out they will find a way to blow it come clutch time (they are the anti-yanks).
Posted by: Evan![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 8, 2010 01:07 PM
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You only need to care about him if he becomes a Knick tonight. Otherwise, feel free to hate him ;-)
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 8, 2010 01:36 PM
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The Knicks have given away something like 10 top 10 draft picks in the last 10 years and still have no roster to show for it...
Posted by: blmeanie | July 8, 2010 01:39 PM |
Evan
I am happy to stick with Thames if the Yankees will put him in left when lefties pitch. Yes, his glove is brutal, but they can always put someone in there for him in a close one.
I am undecided on what to do tonight. On one hand, I don't want to contribute to the idiocy of tonight. On the other, like you, I can't look away. I have felt for a long time that the Knicks won't get him. Even if they did, they still need more to win that elusive championship, a point guard and someone in the middle who could block a shot might help.
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 8, 2010 01:41 PM
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Yes we will be a weaker defensive team, but in Yankee Stadium a lot of people have trouble playing left anyway. During the 90's we had no steady LFer and did fine... besides, Gardner covers a decent amount of ground.
Here's the problem with the knicks... even if they bag him, they will find a way to blow it. The gods do not like the knicks. In the last 20 years I can only think of two truly perfect moments/plays... when LJ hit the 4 point play and when Allan Houston beat the Heat at the buzzer in game 7. After those two plays, both of their careers abruptly, immediately ended. Almost like punishment for giving us knick fans any hope.
Posted by: Evan![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 8, 2010 04:47 PM
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Yes we will be a weaker defensive team, but in Yankee Stadium a lot of people have trouble playing left anyway. During the 90's we had no steady LFer and did fine... besides, Gardner covers a decent amount of ground.
Here's the problem with the knicks... even if they bag him, they will find a way to blow it. The gods do not like the knicks. In the last 20 years I can only think of two truly perfect moments/plays... when LJ hit the 4 point play and when Allan Houston beat the Heat at the buzzer in game 7. After those two plays, both of their careers abruptly, immediately ended. Almost like punishment for giving us knick fans any hope.
Posted by: Evan![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 8, 2010 04:57 PM
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Thanks for reminding me BL!
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 8, 2010 05:05 PM
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Evan
The sad thing is think back to the early 90's when the Knicks were huge in NY. I'm not old enough to remember the 70's teams, but I have been told that it was the same back then. Now they are really nothing more than a punchline thanks to a horrible decade of mismanagement.
I will say this. Whatever happens tonight, Donnie Walsh did a great job cleaning up Isiah's mess. The problem is, signing Stoudemire was a mistake if that's the only big move they can make this offseason.
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 8, 2010 05:09 PM
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I'm not ready to concede that, Peter. Because IF "he who must not be named" goes to Miami, it will appear that the knicks never had a chance at Bosh or Wade either, in which case at least we got something. He may or may not be better than Lee, but at least we can still sign/trade lee, in which case we will have amare + whatever we get trading. That may be enough to get guys like Parker and Anthony for 2011 (a brooklyn boy, I might add). Who knows? If Carmelo makes it clear that he will not resign with Denver, maybe we can go Lee for Anthony straight up (despite what denver has said about not trading him, lee long term may be better than melo for 1).
Posted by: Evan![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 8, 2010 06:20 PM
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If they get Anthony, you are right. If they sign and trade Lee for something good you are also right. To be continued...
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 8, 2010 06:23 PM
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Uh, what's basketball? Do we even have a team in NY? I'm confused ... :-)
Posted by: Mitchell![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 9, 2010 12:47 AM
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