'Yogi Berra Plan' a Cure for Mauer's 'Cyberchondria'

Whether sidelined Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer suffers from so-called 'cyberchondria' the early stages of arthritic knee or merely a virus, one thing is for certain: There is no cure better than the 'Yogi Berra Plan.'

The plan -- being advanced by Minneapolis Star-Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse -- brings to mind the creativity of the New York Yankees some 50 years ago when the team wanted to work emerging young catcher Elston Howard into the lineup.

Because Howard was blocked by Yogi Berra behind the plate, Berra was moved to left field. The Twins could do likewise with Mauer, who has undergone invasive knee surgery and currently is out of the lineup due to "bilateral leg weakness,' potentially linked to neurological and spinal complications involving structural deficiencies related to an arthritic knee.

Because Mauer's contract binds him to the club for the next six years, his absence from the lineup set off a round of blogosphere 'cyberchondria,' a newly termed phenomenon in which commentators, pundits and prognosticators peruse online medical texts to determine his pronosis.

 Look, take it from Doctor X, a licensed physician: Joe Mauer suffers from the advanced manifestations of a trauma-induced arthritic knee, a condition that will grow worse and worse until is fairly safe to predict that barring a miracle, if Mauer finishes his career in a Twinkies uniform, he certainly won't be wearing it behind the plate.

 Does that mean he can't finish this season as a catcher?  No. What it means is that Mauer's time is running out, and the sooner he stops spending a couple hours a day squatting the better off he'll be.

It also means that because outfielder Delmon Young's contract is coming up, a potentially costly negotiation, it is time to trade Young in a deal that will bring back a young catcher, and to move Mauer to Young's spot in the outfield.

 For the Twins, it's a matter of health.

Yankees to Play Musical Chairs for Albert Pujols?

Having been completely upstaged by the Red Sox acquisitions of superstars Adrian Gonzalez band Carl Crawford, not to mention being spurned by ace pitcher Cliff Lee who signed with the Phillies, the Yankees now will pull out all the organ stops to sign wavering Cardinal Albert Pujols, widely regarded as the greatest player in the game.

But with superstar Mark Teixeira inked for the next five years, there's no room for Pujols in Yankee Stadium, you say? That song's been heard before, but listen to the way it's played by Kevin Baumer, writing at www.businessinsider.com.

First, Teixiera moves to third base, his original major league position, pushing Alex Rodriguez to shortstop, his original position. Derek Jeter, according to a plan that's been advanced for several years, then moves to the outfield.

When the music stops, Pujols is a Yankee.

"Of course, if the position issue is such a major obstacle, the Yankees could simply pay Pujols an extra $50 million to be their MVP designated hitter," Baumer said.

"...If the Cardinals haven't had the foresight to recognize that by not signing Pujols before the season, they're about to enter into a bidding war with the Yankees, they don't deserve to keep their slugger in the first place, " he concludes.

Yankees Tickets at Tip of Gov. Paterson's Iceberg

If Gov. David Paterson had merely taken World Series tickets from the Yankees without paying for them, that could be dismissed as good old-fashioned, Tammany Hall style, New York Democratic Party machine politics as usual.

The problem is the five tickets, supposedly valued at a suspiciously low $2,125, represent just the tip of the iceberg of a potentially titanic load of additional allegations pressuring Patterson to vacate the governor's mansion.

The allegations being investigated include, but are not necessarily limited to, the dubious award of a state racetrack concession and the back room quashing of a court protective order in a domestic dispute that would likely have proved embarrassing to one of Patterson's cronies.

"The writing is on the wall. It's on the ceiling. It's on the floor. It's on the windows," Baruch College political science Prof. Doug Muzzio told the USA Today.

Yes, the handwriting is clear, so clear that not even a blind man could miss it.

Joba Chamberlain Takes Page from Sam McDowell

Yankees starter Joba Chamberlain -- with his promising form of two years ago still eluding him -- has taken a page from the life of former major league strikeout artist "Sudden" Sam McDowell.

Perhaps he should put the page back.

Under the watchful eye of pitching coach Dave Eiland, the 23-year-old Chamberlain has been expending maximum effort by heaving about a dozen, 80-yard longballs from the outfield to backup catcher Francisco Cervelli as part of his pre-start warmup throws. As demonstrated by McDowell, who played for the Yankees in 1973-'74, the practice stretches the muscles and tires the arm to help reduce overthrowing during the game.

The problem is that it worked for McDowell, but not for Chamberlain, if there's any indication in Chamberlain's last outing versus the Mets, when he he hit two batters and walked five in the process of throwing 100 pitches before being yanked at the end of the fourth inning.

Watching Chamberlain warm up from the outfield, it's a wonder he has anything left for the game. Like McDowell, however, who won 20 games for the Indians in 1970, Chamberlain was in effectively wild in the outing, giving up only one hit as the Yankees went on to win the 9-8 thriller.

Speculation continues to mount that unless Chamberlain finds himself soon, he may be found back in the bullpen, which would be a severe setback in his development but potentially a practical necessity for the Yankees if the team is to remain at the top of the American League Eastern Divison.

Phil Hughes is waiting in the wings.

Bernie Williams: Retired

Those of you pining for the return of former Yankees center fielder Bernie Williams - all two of you - should just give up the ghost. Bernie has. He acknowledged to ESPN Radio's "The Michael Kay Show" that, despite playing in the recent World Baseball Classic, he is retired from the major leagues.

Given that he hasn't played for the Yankees since 2006, it must feel good to get that announcement off his chest.

Here is a (partial) list of other players who will likely be following Williams' announcement of retirement with their own: Dale Murphy, Bert Campaneris, Juan Marichal, Gus Bell, Rabbit Maranville, Stan Hack, Harry Hooper, Bob "Death to Flying Things" Ferguson, Billy Sunday and George Wright. They all have decided to remain retired. As has Gen. Francisco Franco.

A-Rod "Walking Normally" After Hip Surgery

Injured Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez, reportedly staying in a luxury chateau near the Colorado ski resort community of Vail, has been spotted on multiple occasions throughout the Glenwood Valley, "walking normally."

Having undergone a hip labrum surgical repair by Dr. Richard "Steady" Steadman, Rodriguez appears to be heading toward a rapid recovery, though the prognosis for his return to action remains no sooner than mid-May.

Observers reported to Vail Daily columnist Davy DeChant that Rodriguez, accompanied by two women and five large, athletic-looking men, attended a concert by blues performer Taj Mahal at the Larkspur Restaurant in the Gold Peak Sea Lodge complex.

"They said it looked like he was walking fine," DeChant said. "He didn't have any crutches and he appeared to be moving normally."

While Rodriguez might be walking normally, his ability to pivot at the plate and move side-to-side in the field remain questions yet to be answered.

An independent medical opinion suggest that his return to defensive play in all likelihood could take until the All-Star break or beyond, though he may be able to appear as a designated hitter.

A clinic spokesman said no information was being released due to policies of privacy.

Alex Rodriguez's Hip Imperils Season, Even Career

Can it really be so simple that Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez may return to action in as little as six weeks after hip surgery, as the team has claimed? In a perfect world, yes, it's possible; but realistically, no, it's probably not going to be that easy.

Mindful of a dire need to sell tickets to help finance the new Yankee Stadium, the team's front office has done its best to put the best possible face on the recent bone shaving, cystic draining and arthroscopic surgical repair of the torn labrum in Rodriguez's right hip.

But the very idea that Rodriguez will take the field as soon as mid-April and no later than June is somewhat of a long shot. A more reasonable prognosis would put Rodriguez's return closer to the All-Star break, perhaps even in August or later.

Worse, it cannot entirely be ruled out that his entire season, even his career may be at stake in the extreme case, to say nothing of the long-term outlook for his health over the remainder of his life. To project anything more optimistic while ignoring this grim disclaimer would, frankly, be misleading if not altogether dishonest.

Though Rodriguez at 33 is a finely tuned professional athlete who otherwise might be a quick healer, he faces a few distinct disadvantages in the highly problematic nature of this particular recovery process.

First, repairing the labrum -- a circular formation of fibrous cartilage surrounding the hip joint -- takes much longer to heal than other types of operations because of relatively slow blood circulation in the particularly dense tissue. Though the external incision might be well on the way to healing in as little as six weeks, the labrum in all probability will take considerably longer to heal beneath the skin, though exactly how much longer is difficult to say.

As luck would have it -- bad luck -- it's his right hip rather than the left hip that's imperiled, the hip on which the right-handed Rodriguez swivels to drive pitches to left field. If his doctor is wise, he will advise plenty of caution before Rodriguez dares turn himself loose at the plate, and that will require time.

While Rodriguez may be able to run relatively soon, he will be unable to make the violent turns and pivots needed not only to hit but to play third base. Even if he were to be used as a designated hitter, it will still take time before he can risk playing without hesitation, lest he re-tear the labrum.

As if it wasn't bad enough already, a perhaps remote yet realistic possibility of post traumatic arthritis, even hip replacement remains a possibility if not over the remaining nine years of his contract then in later years. Though this outlook is essentially pessimistic, Rodriguez should embrace it so that if it turns out to be correct he will be prepared, and if it turns out to be wrong he can be delighted.

As for the whispers of performance enhancing substances contributing to his impairment, the possibility cannot be entirely dismissed. Steroids and other such medicines have the effect of stressing joints and tendons as the result of unnatural power and exertion. One cannot help but wonder whether Rodriguez might better have sacrificed 50 extra, steroid enhanced homers to be enabled to be playing today instead of watching from the bench.

Brian Cashman Lets Paul Byrd Pass to Red Sox

Say what you will about the speculative firing of Mets General Manager Omar Minaya, the next baseball executive to walk the plank in New York may be Brian Cashman of the Mets crosstown rivals.


That gleam reflecting off the forward deck of that sinking Yankee clipper ship on the East River Waterfront is coming from the hardened steel sabre of Yankees Co-Chairman Hank Steinbrenner, who watched as Cashman failed to claim Indians hurler Paul Byrd off the waiver wire, thus allowing Byrd to fall to Boston.


How convenient for the Red Sox, whose precarious five-game wild-card lead over the Yankees had just been been seriously jeopardized by the loss of starter Tim Wakefield to his all-too-familiar shoulder problems.


What can Cashman be thinking?


All the Red Sox had to pay was a bag of balls, six cans of chowder and a David Clyde rookie card for Byrd, a playoff experienced, veteran starter with a 1.46 ERA and 4-0 record since the All-Star break. Though 37, Byrd already all season had been a perfectly serviceable option, but suddenly is even more valuable since discovering he can stop surrendering homers by not tipping his pitches.

This is Cashman's second dubious decision, since he, Gene Michael and Stump Merrill were believed to have ganged up on Steinbrenner to talk him out of signing free agent home run king Barry Bonds.

Cashman opted instead to trade for Xavier Nady of the Pirates. There's nothing particularly , wrong with Nady -- and Bonds comes with his share of baggage -- but Cashman had to give up prospect Jeff Karstens to acquire Nady, and all Karstens has done since leaving the Yankees is pitch 15 scoreless innings, including a two-hit complete game.


Bonds would have cost Cashman nothing more than a major league, season pro-rated minimum of $150,000, yet would have been an unmistakable force in the middle of the lineup, providing a desperately needed spark in the Yankees flat, demoralized lineup.

Hopefully Cashman has an explanation that will become evident in the next few days. It had better be good.

Angels Sweep Hapless Yankees

The Angels continued their dominance of the American League this weekend by sweeping the hapless Yankees and improving their MLB best record to 74-43.  The sweep dealt a severe blow to the Yankees playoff hopes, who now sit 8.5 games behind the AL East leading Rays.

Although the Yankees trail the Red Sox by only 4 games in the wild card race, it's hard to imagine a scenario in which that lead does not expand.  The team has been stifled by injuries all the way around, particularly the starting rotation.  Beyond Mike Mussina and Andy Pettitte, injuries to Chien-Ming Wang, Phil Hughes, and Joba Chamberlain have forced the club to rely on guys like Sidney Ponson and Dan Giese (spelling?) to get them to a bullpen that has been struggling lately.  That is not going to cut it.

Kevin Millar Thinks Edwar Ramirez 'Cute'

The Orioles Kevin Millar had a glorious take on last night's ejection of Yankees pitcher Edwar Ramirez, who was tossed for throwing over Millar's head:

"He's a cute little fella. He doesn't throw very hard and doesn't have very good stuff. It was probably a good idea that they did throw him out because it probably would have been [a shot to] Monument Park. He's good hittin'." Nicely done, Kevin.

It's never a good sign when an opposing hitter is calling you "cute," or "fella" for that matter. And I'm guessing it's not because Millar likes dudes, since he has a wife. It must have been those goofy glasses, or Ramirez's 6-foot-3, 165-pound (WTF) frame, or maybe the fact that his mom forgot to stick a 'd' on the end of his name.

Desperate Yankees Trade for Ivan Rodriguez

Days after losing catcher Jorge Posada to season ending surgery, the Yankees have acquired Ivan Rodriguez from the Tigers for Kyle Farnsworth.

The Rays and Red Sox still seem better positioned to make the playoffs, but time will tell if this will help the Yankees squeak in. It's a low risk move for the Yankees. Farnsworth is an average relief pitcher and even if Pudge continues his low offensive production, his ability to handle young pitchers such as Joba Chamberlain will be very valuable. All that said, Brian Cashman may have to make another move for this team to contend.

This is a strange move for the Tigers, who are only 5.5 games behind the struggling White Sox, and are now stuck with Brandon Inge behind the plate.

Aubrey Huff Has Read the Book on Aubrey Huff

Fastballs, high and tight. Fastballs, high and tight. Fastballs, high and tight. Then if that fails, more fastballs high and tight. The book on Aubrey Huff has been out so long that even Aubrey Huff has read it.

Now the Orioles slugger has torn out that page about him not being able to get around on high inside heat, taking the formerly sure-fire out pitch away from opposing pitchers and enabling himself to hit at a .500 clip over his last 34 at-bats, including a 4-5 outing Tuesday in which he doubled and hit the decisive blow with a homer off Mariano Rivera in a 7-6 victory over the Yankees.

This is much more than a veteran slugger hitting mistakes, make no mistake about it. Huff has raised his average beyond the .300 threshold and is on a pace to hit a career high 40 homers for the season.

It appears as though Huff has opened his stance slightly to get around on those formerly true fastballs up near the numbers, then sit on them, thus forcing the League to rummage around for something else from their bag of tricks -- so far to no avail. Until they figure something out, look for Huff to continue to take full advantage.
news:www.mlbnewsonline.com/search?q=george+sherrill

Yankees, Mariners Faceoff Over Jerrod Washburn

The Yankees and Mariners stand face to face in a standoff over, with the first one to blink likely to be the lose the services of left-handed, flyball starter Jerrod Washburn.

A decision must be made by the July 31 trading deadline, or both teams come up empty.

The Mariners desperately need to dump the remainder of Washburn's approximate $50 million, five-year contract but are holding out for a prospect, and the Yankees are refusing to give up anything of significant value but cash, according to WFAN 660 Radio reporter Sweeny Murti speaking live from Yankees batting practice Tuesday for the SNY television network.

Meanwhile, various other media outlets speculate that crafty, left-handed Japanese strikeout artist Kei Igawa -- so far a bust against major league pitching but currently pitching relatively well for Triple A Scranton-Wilkes Barre -- is the most the Yankees would be willing to give up, plus pay part of his contract.

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.

$100 Million Burning Hole in Steinbrenner's Pocket

Expect Yankees Co-Chairman Hal Steinbrenner's money to burn a hole in his pocket as he awaits a more than $100 million windfall with which to purchase at least a couple more veteran free agents or three -- plus hold onto younger prospects.

Steinbrenner not only actively seeks help now -- including the possible addition of lefty Jerrod Washburn -- but also next fall when he potentially can trade Kei Igawa then cull Bobby Abreu, Mike Mussina, Kyle Farnsworth, LaTroy Hawkins, Andy Pettitte, Carl Pavano and Jason Giambi from the 40-man roster because the team's debt obligations to them can be retired. That would free up more than $100 million to spend elsewhere.

In addition to Washburn -- available without the loss of prospects because the Triple A Mariners probably want to dump the remainder of his near $50 million five-year contract -- other immediate additions might include righty Vicente Padilla of the Rangers, who could be acquired in exchange for talent.

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.

Pointless to Sign Barry Bonds, Says Pete Rose

All-Time hit leader Pete Rose says free agent slugger Barry Bonds should be considered innocent of crimes until proven guilty and thus should not be prevented from playing baseball, but it would be pointless for the Yankees to sign him.

"He could play, but is he going to be effective?" asked Rose during a storefront autograph session coinciding with National Hall of Fame induction week in Cooperstown. "...I don't care what any body says, you need spring training and he's let it go on too long. When I played I needed two weeks just to get callouses on my hands."

Bonds is preparing to defend himself a federal indictment charging him with purjury and obstruction of justice for allegedly lying to a grand jury about performance enhancing drugs. Rose is seeking reinstatement to the major leagues after being banned for betting on the game, and has formerly served time for income tax discrepancies.

The three-time batting champ and all-time record holder with 4256 hits questioned whether Bonds would even have a position to play with the Yankees, and doubted whether the longtime National League veteran could make a dramatic switch to the American League as a designated hitter.

"It's a pinch hitter. That's what it is. You're asked to pinch hit four times in a single game, and that (kind of hitter) is a difficult breed," Rose said in an exclusive interview with MLBnewsonline.

Rose, 67 -- wearing a beige ostrich skin hat with matching cowboy boots -- scoffed at Bonds' agent Jeff Borris' claims that his 44-year-old client would be ready to face major league hitters in 10 days. "You just can't get ready that fast, as good as he is, at that age," Rose said.

Bonds has been the subject of speculation that he would sign with the Yankees, a rumor underscored by a recent MLBnewsonline report from a confidential clubhouse source that the team had drafted a proposed contract which would be offered to Bonds once injured right fielder Hideki Matsui is declared out for the season. Matsui is continuing to try to make a comeback and has put off season ending knee surgery.

Co-Chairman Hank Steinbrenner has since acknowledged that the Yankees front office has discussed signing Bonds. However, cryptic comments by General Manager Brian Cashman have been interpreted in some quarters as indicative that the proposition to sign Bonds is no longer on the table.

Rose considers Bonds one of the top five all-time greatest players along with Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Willie Mays and Hank Aaron, but contends he would be a superfluous addition to the Yankees as the team is playing well enough without him.

"You don't fix what ain't broke."

Cashman Won't Deny Talk to Barry Bonds' Agent

In an already widely quoted report in The New York Times -- the city's quaint left-wing alternative newspaper -- Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman in a cryptically circumspect response stopped short of saying he had not spoken to Jeff Borris, Barry Bonds' agent.

“I wouldn’t say I have not,” Cashman was quoted as saying with discernable hesitation. Then he added: "I don’t want to take this down the wrong path.”

Clearly, whatever Cashman intended to convey by his comment, he hardly could be expected to desire another rash of internet rumors that the Yankees are about to sign Bonds. And still -- even with the acquisition of outfielder Xavier Nady -- it cannot be altogether ruled out that Cashman yet would find room for the free agent home run king.

Has the team reversed course? Has another option been chosen? Is Bonds still on the table? It would seem one is left to draw the conclusion: Where there is smoke, there is more smoke.

Though the prospect of signing Bonds appears more and more remote, team Co-Chairman Hank Steinbrenner, after all, is on the record as having confirmed Bonds would be under consideration, whether briefly or not so briefly.

The key is that a confidential source already had intimated to MLBnewsonline that Cashman had his legal department draw up a proposed contract to have inked and ready for Bonds' signature once right fielder Hideki Matsui was transferred to the 60-day disabled list. It would be difficult to imagine that Cashman had that far without at least a cursory communication with Borris.

The main question remaining is, what does it all boil down to now? It would be a simple matter merely to deny any interest in Bonds, yet the team continues to stop short of so doing, even to the point of neither confirming or denying the speculation on the record when flatly confronted.

One thing for sure, if the Yankees fail to sign Bonds at this point, the whole matter must be filed under the topic: Anticlimax.

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 Consider Barry Bonds, But Wait for Now

An unnamed participant emerged from a meeting of the Yankees heirarchy at Tampa late last night, telling The New York Daily News that free agent home run king Barry Bonds is being considered but that the team's top executives "aren't ready to jump on that."

The report followed an acknowledgement by team co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner before the meeting that Bonds -- currently facing a federal indictment for perjury and obstruction of justice -- would be discussed. But after the group broke up, the unnamed executive said Steinbrenner talked about Bonds but "wasn't pushing it," according to the News.

Because of the lateness of the meeting, the report made it only into the city edition.

In a report from a contributor writing under the pseudonym Bronx Bomber, a confidential clubhouse source told MLBnewsonline last week that a contract had been prepared in anticipation of offering it to Bonds, but that it would be withheld until it became clear that injured right fielder Hideki Matsui would miss the remainder of the season. The loss of Matsui would leave the team without a key left-handed hitter, a void Bonds likely could fill.

Matsui continues to put off making a decision on season-ending knee surgery, opting for rehabilitation. The Yankees, however, are bracing for the worst, the MLBnewsonline source has previously reported.

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, ESPN said.