I've Lost That Loving Feeling

In the early part of the 2009 season there was no way you could realistically believe that the Yankees were a championship caliber team. The bullpen was in shambles. The hitting was inconsistent. The team seemed uninspired (except for some pie shots). But, the key to things staying steady and eventually improving was the starting rotation.

CC Sabathia was, well, CC Sabathia. A.J. Burnett had his ups and downs, but there were more ups than downs. Chad Gaudin stepped up to the point where he was actually being considered for a playoff start. And of course there was the Yankee of all Yankees, Andy Pettitte, doing his Pettitte best.

Things started out well this season despite an inconsistent offense and a prolonged slump by Mark Teixeira. But as we near the beginning of September this team is back to not looking like a championship caliber team. All you have to do is look at the starting pitching to figure that out.

And I repeat, CC Sabathia is, well, CC Sabathia. And then things go kind of off track.

Phil Hughes has had his struggles in the 2nd half, but he's still a 15 game winner. A 15 game winner with an innings limit that has about 30 innings left.

A.J. Burnett is about as lost as Hansel and Gretel were and he may just get baked by the witch. I'm tired of hearing from the YES and WCBS-AM announcers about how good his stuff is. Granted, he gets run support, but the White Sox Freddy Garcia, who does not have a lot left in the tank, is 11-5!

Andy Pettitte is the worrysome one. He threw 25 pitches off the mound yesterday, but didn't push off with any kind of resistance and didn't exactly sound upbeat when interviewed on Michael Kay's radio show. Without Pettitte the Yankees aren't going very far if they hang on and make the playoffs.

The pleasant surprise has of course been Dustin Moseley. But Dustin Moseley is not a household name just yet.

So what happens next: Chad Gaudin will not be in the rotation this year and Sergio Mitre blew his chance.

As expected, the Dodgers today placed Ted Lilly on waivers. You can bet the Yankees have an interest, but you can also bet another team lower in the standings is likely to claim him. Another possibility could be Lilly's teammate Hiroki Kuroda, a Japanese veteran who has just three years of MLB experience.

Looking at the list of pending 2011 free agents, there are no other pitchers out there substantially better than what the current staff is made up of. Perhaps a flier on Livan Hernandez, but that's unlikely.

Ideally, Pettitte gets physically healthy, Burnett gets mentally healthy, and the Yankees gear up for number 28. Without it, you can forget a serious run at a back to back title.

On a non-pitching note, don't be surprised if the Yankees were to claim a veteran catcher (if he's put out there), such as Brad Ausmus. Though Ausmus doesn't hit, his defensive skills and game calling are superior to Francisco Cervelli's.

Photo courtesy of NY Daily News

Time to Call It A Day

There are a number of teams still in the MLB playoff race, but there are a number of teams that should be calling it quits by September 1. That's the day rosters expand and must include players that are to be part of a playoff squad.

A number of teams were buyers at the trade deadline when they clearly shouldn't have been. Between now and 9/1, some of those teams should be looking to waive dead weight and/or trade players to true contenders.

Johnny Damon - The Tigers are dead in the AL Central (9) and Wildcard (14) races. Damon signed a 1 year, $8 million deal in the off-season and is an ideal candidate for the Tigers to move. After a great start in April, Damon absolutely stunk over the next two months before a semi-revival in July. He's started August just 4-22, but perhaps all that could change if he is into a pennant race. Then again he's hitting just .268 against right-handers.

Manny Ramirez - The Dodgers were aggressive at the deadline, getting Ted Lilly among others. But LA is going nowhere. They're 8 back in the NL West and 7 back of division rival San Fran in the Wildcard. Time to throw Manny out there and see if there are takers. The downside of course is that he's on the DL right now with a bad calf. He then aggravated it this past week, but delayed an MRI after feeling claustrophobic. (Not sure why he would have to go in head first for a calf?) Because of the uncertainty, Manny being Nuthead is likely to pass through waivers unclaimed, allowing the Dodgers to move him to his next port of call.

Adam Dunn - The Nats were never in it, but if a team has claimed (as rumored) Dunn, Washington is crazy not to move the big slugger. You can always bring him back, but getting nothing for him other than draft picks is absurd. Dunn blasted a pair of 3-run blasts last night, causing GMs everywhere to salivate.

The Mets - Sorry Mets fans, but you know better than anyone that this team is finished. Some minor moves today- released Alex Cora, sent down Jesus Feliciano, called up Fernando Martinez and Ruben Tejada. It's time for the Mets to start making major moves, most likely in the off-season. But if you can move Jose Reyes with good results, go for it. The Mets need a change and it should start with their oft-injured, oft-under performing shortstop. Someone would probably take Jeff Francoeur. Unfortunately, no wants Luis Castillo.

Hideki Matsui - Oh beloved Godzilla; World Series hero; poor 2010 performer. Sorry for that last one, but so true. With the Angels getting further and further behind in the AL West and Wildcard races (10, 12 respectively), Tony Reagins should be moving "The Hideki" to a contender. Juan Rivera too. Torii Hunter too. The once proud centerfielder said he can't handle the position any more. With two years left on Hunter's deal, Reagins should look for a taker.