Look for Alex Rodriguez, Hideki Matsui to Sit

With the Yankees clinching, look for manager Joe Girardi to find situations in which to rest Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Hideki Matsui, Jorge Posada and others for a game or three, or to let them hit the showers early in non-critical spots.

The rest may do them good in preparation for the fall schedule, but it will cost them plate appearances and potential production in the short term. Likewise, if and when the Angels and Tigers clinch, expect similar sitting spells for Vladimir Guerrero, Magglio Ordonez and others.

Of particular importance, will be missed starts by established pitchers in favor of aspiring youths. Most pitchers can stand a day off this time of year.

Hideki Matsui Escapes Yankees Chopping Block

Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman's personal preference is to trade outfielder Hideki Matsui to clear a roster spot for newly signed first baseman Mark Teixeira, but he is hesitating because of a negative reaction in Japan.

Word on the street indicates the team's intense recruiting effort along the Pacific Rim -- in which Japan is the cornerstone -- would be seriously undermined if Matsui were to be dealt. Matsui is a national hero in his native country, and his fans would be more than heartbroken, they would be disgusted.

Longtime dealers in the Asian talent pool, the Yankees not only have stepped up scouting in Japan, the team has reportedly invested a conservatively estimated $13 million in the planning, funding, development and establishment state-of-the-art training center there, including an elaborate intelligence network and data bank. It has already begun paying big dividends, and it bears the brand "Steinbrenner."

Saying goodbye to the player affectionately known as "Godzilla" would be virtually unthinkable, even though advancing age and serious health setbacks limited him to just 337 at-bats last year, including a mere .206 average over his last 37 appearances.

Though he returned to play in September after a more than two-month layoff, Matsui was forced to sit out the last two games of the season while doctors drained fluid from his knee. Rehabilitation is expected to have him back in playing shape by the beginning of the season, but for how long?

With Matsui enjoying privileged status, look for Cashman to deal outfielder-first baseman Nick Swisher or outfielder Xavier Nady, even though they are far more valuable to the team than Matsui. Whether Swisher or Nady will be traded depends largely on what kind of a deal can be developed over the next two months. Cashman would like to keep both, but probably favors Nady.

Yankees OF Hideki Matsui Ahead of Schedule

Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui's recovery from a knee injury appears to be ahead of schedule -- going so well in fact that he might be back in early September, if not the end of August.

Matsui -- now wearing a new brace -- initially had stated his goal was to begin a rehabilitation program instead of undergoing season-ending surgery. The plan was that if the rehab was successful, he would be back shortly before the playoffs.

However, after fewer than 14 days, Matsui has resumed limited baseball activities, swinging with a bat and soft tossing and catching a baseball, according to The New York Daily News.

Though there is no timetable for his return, Matsui hopes -- barring any setbacks -- to take the field in minor league action in a week or two, The News said.

Giants Appear Ready to Deal

Shipping Ray Durham to the Brewers may have only been the start to a drastic remake of the Giants roster.  The Yankees are rumored to be interested in both Randy Winn and Bengie Molina due to the injuries to Jorge Posada and Hideki Matsui.  Rich Aurilia and Tyler Walker have also been mentioned as possible trade bait as the July 31st trade deadline approaches.

It is anyone's guess as to why anyone in their right mind would be interested in acquiring Walker, but GM Brian Sabean could insist that he be included in any deal.  Patience with Walker is growing extremely thin, especially after blowing what would have been wunderkind Tim Lincecum's 12th win.  Lincecum struck out a career-high 13 without issuing a walk, exiting after the 7th inning with the Giants leading 3-2.

Xavier Nady Deal Clouds Barry Bonds Picture

The Yankees trade of four minor leaguers to acquire Pirates outfielder Xavier Nady appears to cloud the outlook for the team to acquire free agent home run king Barry Bonds, as a key impetus of the theoretical Bonds deal was to have been the avoidance of giving up prospects.

Though the Yankees had virtually confirmed a recent MLBnewsonline report that the Yankees were contemplating a contract for Bonds, it would appear that the Nady deal might have superseded other considerations, especially since the team traded away coveted young pitcher Ross Ohlendorf, plus additional prospects Jose Tabata, Phil Coke and another, unnamed minor leaguer, according to SI.com's Jon Heyman.

As a matter of course the consummation of the deal awaits a medical evaluation of all the players.

Nady -- in the midst of a career year with 13 homers and 57 RBI while hitting .330 -- bats right-handed, meaning that the Yankees still might want Bonds to hit from the left side of the plate. But just exactly what the team is up to now would be anyone's guess.

Before the deal had been reported, Co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner confirmed the team had been discussing Bonds, but indicated the former Giant was only one of a number of options, according to the Associated Press.

An inside source previously had told MLBnewsonline that a Bonds contract had been drafted, but that it would not be tendered until it became clear that right fielder Hideki Matsui would be out for the season. Matsui is still attempting to avoid season ending surgery, and will reach a crossroads in about one more week, according to various published reports.

In addition to Nady, the Yankees also will acquire reliever Damaso Marte from the Pirates.

Yankees Discussing Barry Bonds, AP Reports

Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner -- in a statement possibly underscoring an exclusive report last week by MLBnewsonline -- has acknowledged that free agent home run king Barry Bonds will be among the subjects undertaken during a meeting of the team hierarchy in Tampa over the next few days.

"I'll mention it. We'll cover everything. No stone will be left unturned," Steinbrenner told the Associated Press in a report carried by ESPN.

Steinbrenner's statement could be interpreted as suggesting that this would be the first time the Yankees have considered signing Bonds. However, the aforementioned previous report by an MLBnewsonline contributor writing as " The Bronx Bomber" quoted a confidential clubhouse source saying that Bonds has been under consideration in recent days, and that a proposed contract was already being composed.

Before tendering the contract, the team was only waiting to see whether injured right fielder Hideki Matsui would be out for the season, the source said.

Others participating in the talks are co-chairman Hal Steinbrenner, president Randy Levine, general manager Brian Cashman and special adviser and former general manager Gene Michael, the AP said.

Though majority partner George Steinbrenner resides in Tampa, there was no indication he would participate.

A team spokesman previously would neither confirm nor deny the MLBnewsonline report about Bonds, though it was generally ridiculed in legitimate media and across the blogosphere.

Matsui -- on the disabled list with a knee injury since June 23 -- is still attempting a rehabilitation regimen to see whether he can put off surgery until after the season. The surgery would likely sideline him until next spring or later.

Barry Bonds Deal Hinges on Hideki Matsui

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is in the process or has completed a proposed contract offer for free agent slugger Barry Bonds, an offer that hinges on the medical condition of left fielder Hideki Matsui, a confidential source within the Yankees organization told MLBnewsonline.com.

Having signed former Seattle first baseman Richie Sexson, the Yankees remain perhaps the most logical destination for Bonds, providing a left-handed bat once it is clear Matsui is out for the season, the source said.

"When you hear that Matsui is out for the season, that's when the contract will be offered to Bonds," the source said.

The Yankees would neither confirm nor deny the report. "We have no comment on any reports," team spokeman Michael Margolis told MLBnewsonline.com.

A number of other media outlets, however, cast considerable skepticism on the original report, including the New York Daily News:

"....There's no truth to a pinstriped pursuit of Bonds, according to a Yankee official, who said, "It's all nonsense."

The rumors even made their way down to Wall Street, the official said. The official had calls from friends who work there.

At the same time, Yahoo Sports quoted Bonds agent Jeff Borris saying, "I'm not in negotiations with the Yankees. I'm not in negotiations with anybody." While possibly true, the Borris comment would not necessarily be at variance with the facts as outlined by the confidential source.

Cashman favors signing Bonds to a 1-year deal with options not only because of his demonstrable skills from the left side of the plate, but because he comes without contractual obligation to another team, the source said.

Moreover, the Yankees would not have to give up prospects as trading chips, as the team would be forced to do to acquire other talent being shopped throughout the major leagues, the source said.

The Yankees were awaiting a decision from doctors as to whether Matsui would require surgery that would sideline him for the remainder of the season. The source said that the team had already braced for the worst, and that Bonds was the key option as a replacement.

Source: Bonds-Yankees Deal Imminent

(See New Update 7/18)

Embattled former Giants slugger Barry Bonds has entered into formal contract negotiations with the Yankees, and a consummation of the deal is anticipated forthwith, a confidential clubhouse source told MLBNewsOnline.com.

The incentive-laden deal, being hammered out between Bonds' agent Jeff Borris and general manager Brian Cashman, will well exceed the major league $200,000 minimum but has a number of protective clauses to isolate the Yankees' exposure to the possibility of Bonds missing time due to legal distractions or recurring injury, the source said. (And until he reports that Barry Bonds is climbing the Empire State Building and the Navy is dispatching biplanes, I'm sticking with my source.)

Cashman was reported to have arrived at the decision to sign Bonds during the All-Star break when he determined that the all-time home run leader would be needed to replace injured left fielder Hideki Matsui, who is out indefinely with a knee injury. Cashman was persuaded largely because the team will not have to sacrifice any coveted prospects who had been targeted by various other potential trading partners.


Bonds faces a perjury indictment but is not schedule for trial until March and Borris has assured the team that barring other unforeseen entanglements his client is unencumbered and ready to play.

Injury City

Jeff Kent left today's game against the Astros with sore back.  Unfortunately there's not a lot to make fun of Kent for, except the mustache.  He's 40 years old and has started to hit again, so if this is long term, it hurts the Dodgers.  Nomar Garciaparra could replace him on the roster and in the lineup if Kent has to go on the DL.  

The Rockies lost ace (I guess) Jeff Francis to the DL with shoulder inflammation.  Fortunately for NL hitters, he'll be back pretty soon.

Moises Alou will take a few more days off before beginning his rehab assignment.  His return should really give the Mets a boost (Not).

Hideki Matsui won't be back until at least the All-Star break and may be out for the season if his knee does not improve.

The Mets lost second baseman Luis Castillo to the DL with a hip problem.  He'll be replaced by Damian Easley, who was decent in 1993.

Pirates closer Matt Capps is out two months.  He was a candidate to be traded, so now teams wishing to take advantage of the Pirates will have to look elsewhere.

Carl Crawford-Hideki Matsui Deal to Rekindle?

A carefully guarded secret MLB News on Line uncovered directly from the Yankees offices in The Bronx indicates that for more than a year the team has been trying to acquire Tampa Bay outfielders Rocco Baldelli and Carl Crawford, though the talks cooled after neither team could reach an accord coming out of spring camp.

Now with the Rays having flirted with first place and the Yankees having flirted with last, could the two teams' potential reversal of fortunes result in the deal being turned upside down?

It is far to early to write off the Yankees as contenders for a playoff berth, but given numerous problems with the starting rotation it is conceivable that the team might reach a point at which Managing Partner George Steinbrenner or his son Hank Steinbrenner may decide that the Yankees best long term outlook would be to position the team to win next year, when contending will be far more critical with the opening of the new Yankee Stadium.

Either way, the Yankees are in need of a youth movement and the Rays are in need of experience, so don't be surprised if circumstances intensify the need to consumate the long considered, on-again, off-again deal for Crawford, with someone like 35-year-old star outfielder Hideki Matsui -- according to knowledgeable sources -- in the bait.