Confusion is Sex(less): A's-Yanks Gamer V

Billy Beane's job is very different from Brian Cashman's. Imagine Cashman acting as a seller come trade time while the Yanks were still very much involved in the play-off race. Beane has done just this these past two weeks. Oakland is still in the post-season hunt--at least according to its record. And yet Beane has traded off 2/5 of his starting rotation for packages of prospects. The Harden trade, one could argue, actually brought back players who can help now--including today's starter Sean Gallagher--but the appearance these trades give is that Beane doesn't like Oakland's chances in 2008 and is reloading for 2009 and beyond. Such a situation seems impossible to imagine in New York. Is Cashman even allowed to think his team sellers ever? The Steinbrenners, New York reporters, most New Yorkers, the city's pigeons, all would be hard pressed to give up on a season midway through it, no matter how dire the situation. Given their respective divisions, there are even more obstacles standing in the way of post-season entry for the Yanks than there are for Oakland. But such is life in the Big Apple. Selling is not an option. At least not this early.

But one wonders if the zeitgeist of the city clouds our hero Cashman's judgment. One of the most important qualities a front office man should have is self-knowledge, or rather an honest insight into his team's actual ability moving forward. Beane assessed the situation and since everyone in Oakland and beyond thinks he knows what he's doing, and since ownership seems to let him do what he wants, he acted accordingly. But does the New York situation compromise a general manager's decisions? Yes, he can spend money, a lot of it. But must he lie to himself more as a result? It's a state of confusion. And since Richie Sexson is not in today's line-up, you have your gamer title--a tribute to Sonic Youth, New Yorkers through and through.

This is a rather bizarre gamer, yes, I agree. The Yanks looked very good last night. I was especially pleased with Cano's swings--he looks on top of every pitch, ready to hit everything hard. And David Robertson is looking quite good out there (again, why do we need Brian Fuentes?). Joba is on the hill for the Bombers. Let's hope the Yanks justify our New York Buyer stance! Comment here.

Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi DH
Posada C
Cano 2B
Betemit 1B
Cabrera CF
Gardner LF
Chamberlain RHP

Comments

[Atheose]

Joba and Beckett on the mound for the Sox, and the Rays facing Halladay. Call me optimistic, but I like our chances today.

[walein]

Gallagher may not be long for this game. It ain't like facing the NL Central.

[walein]

JOba cruises thru the 4th.

[walein]

Well, Gallagher doesn't seem to mind the AL

[walein]

Yankees strand their 6000 base-runner. Man. Alan Embree shuts us down?

[Atheose]

No Sox gamer? Youk homers, 2-0 Sox.

Wow, for someone having the best year of his life Mo sure is suspect during tie-games. Though after giving up the go-ahead run he strikes out the side.

[krueg]

I just love FOX...thanks for blacking out all the other games every saturday. Who wants to watch a boring as 11-inning game anyways? I hate FOX.

[Atheose]

And the Athletics walk-off by hitting Jose Molina, which scores ARod. Yankees win.

[Devine]

Beckett should have been out after Hunter singled. I was calling for it, but I guess with this bullpen, I can understand.

[Atheose]

HOLY CRAP, Coco makes maybe the best play of his career! He's injured, but it ends the inning.

[Atheose]

Despite being a sunny game in the middle of the day, K-Rod ain't wearing those stupid shades. Pedroia singles and Drew walks. Lowell up with 2 outs.

[Sam-yf]

With the yanks win and sox loss, we pull to within 3 in the loss column. Not bad considering the hospital ward our team resembles.

[krueg]

Winning is WAY better than losing...

P.S. I hate living in the South. I'm not "that Yankee fan" when I go out. I sit and watch the game. I cheer, loudly, but I don't engage other people though unless they are friendly obviously. I almost got into it with some idiot redneck Cardinals fan last night at the bar. Out of the blue the guy just starts ripping on the Yankees and then the Sox saying our fans are all assholes, blah, blah, blah. But of course, northerners are the assholes right??? Needless to say my wife stepped in and took me out of the situation, lucky for that jerkoff, and the night went on. Not sure why I'm telling you guys this but I just can't wait to move back up North...end of rant.

[A YF]

Is it too early to be looking forward to next weekend? At this rate, first place could be on the line! :)

[attackgerbil]

Six innings, one run. Would be nice if the fellas would pony up some runs whilst Joba was on the mound. He's got a line as a starter that stands up pretty well against anyone. Seventh ND in nine starts. Oh well.. guess it doesn't matter since the game went for a win. 54 Ks in about 47 innings with 44 hits and 22 bases on balls. Damn. Wish this game wasn't blocked, 'cause I sure would like to have seen this kid pitch.

[A YF]

Joba on schedule to start Friday at Fenway - Channel 9 - against Beckett. And for second place!

Go baseball!

[Atheose]

Wow, that Friday game is going to be amazing. And my girlfriend's family is coming to visit me for the weekend! Shit!

[chrismarz]

nice Sonic Youth reference, a great album.