Jeff Mathis, Yankee Killer

Jeff Mathis is a professional catcher. Jeff Mathis is not a professional hitter...except when he plays the New York Yankees.

Though his career OPS against NY is actually lower (.547) than his overall career OPS (.564), Mathis has 16 RBI in 30 games against the Yankees. Three more of them came last night when Mathis broke a scoreless tie with an RBI double and then broke the game open with a 2-run home run in the 7th as the Angels beat the Yankees 6-0.

LA has already taken the series by winning the first two of the three game set and are just 1.5 games behind Texas in the AL West. Meanwhile, the Yankees have dropped four straight, but remain 2.5 in front of Boston, which lost for the eighth time in 10 games.

After managing just three hits and one run against Jeff Weaver and Jordan Walden on Friday night, the Yankees managed just four hits off of Dan Haren, who tossed a complete game for his 15th win. CC Sabathia struggled through six innings, but allowed just one run in seeing his record drop to 19-8.

Hump Day Hot Stove

Either Andy Pettitte is trying to force the Yankees' hand or he really just wants to pitch anywhere (or make some more bucks). Ken Rosenthal says that Pettitte's agents are looking around for other possibilities, Joe Torre's Dodgers included. We've always loved Pettitte, but we have no problem if he moves on. He's not the pitcher he once was and he's certainly not nearly worth the money he's seeking.

ESPN reported last night that the Angels were readying an offer to CC Sabathia that would rival the money the Yankees reportedly offered up. If money is no object, CC will likely land on the left coast.

The Boston Herald reports that the Angels are willing to deal one of their catchers, either Jeff Mathis or Mike Napoli, and Boston could be the destination. We can't imagine the Angels relying on Mathis for their full-time needs.

The Dodgers said they will not try to further entice Manny Ramirez with money. LA has reportedly made a 2-year, $45 million proposal.

Billy Beane likes On-Base Percentage guys, and Nick Johnson is one of them. Beane has asked for the oft-injured Johnson's medical records from the Nats to pursue a possible deal.

Hump Day Hot Stove

Either Andy Pettitte is trying to force the Yankees' hand or he really just wants to pitch anywhere (or make some more bucks). Ken Rosenthal says that Pettitte's agents are looking around for other possibilities, Joe Torre's Dodgers included. We've always loved Pettitte, but we have no problem if he moves on. He's not the pitcher he once was and he's certainly not nearly worth the money he's seeking.

ESPN reported last night that the Angels were readying an offer to CC Sabathia that would rival the money the Yankees reportedly offered up. If money is no object, CC will likely land on the left coast.

The Boston Herald reports that the Angels are willing to deal one of their catchers, either Jeff Mathis or Mike Napoli, and Boston could be the destination. We can't imagine the Angels relying on Mathis for their full-time needs.

The Dodgers said they will not try to further entice Manny Ramirez with money. LA has reportedly made a 2-year, $45 million proposal.

Billy Beane likes On-Base Percentage guys, and Nick Johnson is one of them. Beane has asked for the oft-injured Johnson's medical records from the Nats to pursue a possible deal.