Nothing like a CSTB commentator suggesting a victory over Tampa Bay “should only count as half a win” to get the lowly Devil Rays all cranked up. They scored a club record 19 runs yesterday, chasing the nauseous (and nauseating) Randy Johnson (above) and snapping a 10 game road losing streak in the process.
The New York Times’ Jack Curry, no doubt mindful that the Yankees slipped behind the White Sox in the chase for the AL’s Wild Card bid, characterizes the deadline dealing on Mount Steinbrenner as follows :
Even as the Yankees continued their conversations with the Philadelphia Phillies about right fielder Bobby Abreu and starting pitchers Cory Lidle and Jon Lieber, they could not predict if the discussions would lead to any deals.
Because Abreu has $17.5 million left on his contract, the Yankees do not want to include valuable prospects like pitcher Phil Hughes and outfielder Jose Tabata in a deal. The Yankees believe that the Phillies could be growing more flexible about accepting lesser players or picking up a portion of Abreu™s contract.
Besides the Phillies, the Yankees are having the most active talks with the Pittsburgh Pirates, who could move relievers Roberto Hernández and Salomón Torres and outfielders Craig Wilson and Jeromy Burnitz. Cashman has been focused on adding pitching, but his continued interest in Abreu is intriguing.
If David Ortiz is gonna be shift-proof, it might be time for an opposing pitcher or manager to just set up a tee at home plate and have his club head to the showers. Late in the game, preferably. The Globe’s Gorden Edes reported earlier today that a Red Sox trade proposal that would’ve sent Coco Crisp to Chicago in exchange for Mark Buehrle was rebuffed.
The Oakland Tribune’s Josh Suchon writes “in the estimation of one executive with knowledge of the situation, there’s a 95 percent chance Barry Zito will remain with the A’s the final two months of the season.” That’s good news for Suchon, as it reduces the chances he’ll be run over by a speeding Hummer.