WHICH FREE AGENT DO YOU WANT ON YOUR YANKEES?

So, it goes like this... Here are some of the big names on the free agent market right now. Look through the list and vote in our polls on the home page of Bleeding Yankee Blue. There will be 2 polls, 1 poll on the left will be about free agent hitters and 1 poll on the right will be about free agent pitchers. When the polls are concluded, there will be a feature written about both. In the past, Bleeding Yankee Blue readers have been accurate with their picks, choosing for instance Freddy Garcia as having the best chance to succeed on the Yankees in 2011…and you did that in February! Clearly you were right, he was better than expected.

Here are the polls, take a look and have fun with it:

WHICH FREE AGENT PITCHER DO YOU WANT ON THE YANKEES?

• CJ Wilson
• Erik Bedard
• Jon Garland
  
• Zach Duke
  
• Hiroki Kuroda
  
• Bartolo Colon
  
• Bruce Chen
  
• Mark Buehrle
• Brad Penny
• Dontrelle Willis
  
• Edwin Jackson
• Doug Davis
• Javier Vasquez
  
• Jeff Francis
  

WHICH FREE AGENT HITTER DO YOU WANT ON THE YANKEES?

• Travis Buck OF
• Albert Pujols 1B
• Rick Ankiel OF
• Mike Cameron OF
• Bill Hall 2B / OF
• Prince Fielder 1B
• Eric Chavez 3B
• Endy Chavez OF
• David DeJesus OF
• Russell Branyan 1B
• Wilson Betemit 3B
• Carlos Beltran OF
• Casey Blake 3B
• Johnny Damon OF
• Hideki Matsui DH

Please comment, we have DISQUS, it's easier than ever. Let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.

WHAT I LEARNED FROM WRIGLEY

I know we're in Cincinnati, but I have a story to tell. Last weekend I was fortunate enough to go to historic Wrigley Field with my dad to see the first two games of the three game set between our Yankees and the Chicago Cubs. The Yanks lost the first game, but rebounded to win the next two. It was a real treat to attend at such a historic ballpark.

At the game, we sat in section 213. For those who don't know where that is, it's in the first tier of seats under the shade, which was nice since it was hot and pretty humid. But, what I found interesting was how the crowd reacted, at least in my section of seats for both of the games. They seemed pretty subdued for most part during my time there. Whenever someone came up to the plate, including a Cubs player, they didn't really cheer or boo that much, which is very odd. Whenever a Yankee came up, from megastar Alex Rodriguez, to youngster Eduardo Nunez, I cheered. I am a Yankee fan after all. It seems to me that Cubs fans in Wrigley are getting fed up with their Cubs 102 year drought of championships and maybe that was the reason for the mellowness.

What I found baffling was some of the fans in my section didn't really know their stuff. Look, here at BYB, we know all about the game and players, especially our players. I don't expect them to be like us, but at least know the basics of the game. In the first game of the series, Doug Davis was pitching a gem. It was the 7th inning, and it was 3-0 Cubs and these Cub fans behind me kept wondering who was pitching for their team. They also didn't know who was pitching for the Yankees; it was Freddy Garcia by the way. That's really bizarre in my mind, considering they were clapping for every Cub hit and run scoring play.

Now, in fairness, I know there are certain Cubs fans that know their stuff. I am in no way suggesting that ALL Cubs fans don't know their team and don't know baseball, I'm just saying the few I was with were clueless. There were even some people around me talking and one lady said:"The only player I recognize on the Yankees is A-Rod, because when I was in New York we sat real close to third base and we could see his eyes." Hilarious.

Another interesting observation was the fans really seemed to get along, both Yankees and Cubs fans alike, which was nice. Maybe that's what the Chicago definition of a "baseball town" is. Fans just hanging together enjoying company at the ballpark.

In that first game, the Yankees were trying to mount a rally. In the eighth, they were finally able to get on the board against Doug Davis. The Yanks had a man on for A-Rod and the Cubs went to their closer, Carlos Marmol, to get the final out of the inning. And what I found funny was when Teixeira hit in the Yankees lone run, Chicago fans got nervous in my area. Then Alex struck out and they suddenly they were better. The Cubs have gone through a lot of crap over the years with their supposed curses, so they're only preparing for the worse. A-Rod's strike out gave the Cubs their 3-1 win, and so they went home happy. Good for them.

What I also found to be terrific was that the Cubs, with the help of Yankee fans of course, set a series record with over 126,000 fans showing up to the games. You can read that story HERE.
I thought it was cool to be apart of history like that.

But, in conclusion to my trip, I tend to think that Cubs games are just an event for the Cubs fans. They care more about drinking a few beers, and having a good time with their friends and fellow fans, which is OK too, but from the outside looking in, I just thought it would be different, people scoring the game in their books, loud booing and loud cheering but it wasn't like I thought.

Us Yankee fans, and especially us at BYB, we truly love our Yankees and we try to follow our team pitch for pitch as much as possible. That's the way I learned...that's what it's all about to me.



--Jesse Schindler, BYB Staff Writer




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WHY TODAY WAS FRUSTRATING

(Photo: Getty)
To the New York Yankees today, Doug Davis was pitching like Cy Young. They couldn’t hit a lick against the 35 year old journeyman who was 0-5 this season so far. It always puzzles me how that happens because we just swept the Texas Rangers. Suddenly, we come into Wrigley and we can’t seem to get the bats going. The Yankees only had 3 hits off Davis.

(Photo: AP)

Cano broke up Doug Davis’ no hitter in the 5th and at that moment was really hoping that it would change the momentum of the game. It did not. By the eighth inning, Nick Swisher cranked a double. After a Granderson strikeout, Mark Teixeira knocked Swish home. I once again was hoping that momentum would sway our way… I was thinking maybe we start a rally right then and there…. it didn’t happen. After the 8^th, the Yankees time was running out.

Then came the ninth. The first out came when Reed Johnson snagged a hit away from Robinson Cano. Next Russell Martin walked. That feeling came back, maybe now they would win it. Posada struck out. I became worried again. Then Brett Gardner came up against Marmol. I started thinking, “Well, a homer would be dramatic and nice.” We weren’t that lucky but I’ll take the single and that’s what happened. So, there we were, 2 outs, top of the ninth inning and men on base. Chris Dickerson comes to the plate. This is a guy that had 15 strikeouts in pinch hitting appearances. He came in for pitcher Luis Ayala.

Now listen, I like Chris Dickerson, but if there was a Girardi Binder page that needed to be read today, it was Dickerson's pinch hit page, because Dickerson is just not good in pinch hit situations. When I read the stat of 15 strikeouts, it was almost like it was telling me he was going to strike out again…and he did. Game over, Cubs win.

Look, I’m not going to second guess Girardi, I’m just disappointed. In that situation, I’m not even sure who’s on the bench to replace Dickerson at the plate. I’ll need to reserch that and do a followup, because 15 strikeouts in pinch hitting appearances is a red flag for me. Again, I’m not sure what I would have done or who was available, but if someone is, maybe you don't give the bat to Dickerson. Giriardi's thinking was Dickerson, as a member of the Reds, hit in Wrigley before so he took that chance, but it's a tough call no doubt.

The one bright spot for the Yankees today was defense. 2 plays stand out, Eduardo Nunez caught a wild throw from Hustle Martin and was pulled off the 2nd base bag but tagged out the runner. It was nice. Later on, Cano made a stellar play flipping the ball to first to get the runner out in the 8^th. (Photo: Getty)

And Freddy Garcia, while shaky early, kept the Yankees in it the best he could, we just couldn't score. Other than that freaks, there was nothing but a big fat loss in Chicago.

Final Score today: Cubs 3 – Yankees 1.

All we can do is come back tomorrow and for now, go enjoy Chicago boys, they have terrific pizza in Chi-town and you need to check it out.

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WHY WE NEED TO RECAP

Starters like Doug Davis, Kevin Millwood, Jeremy Bonderman, Freddy Garcia, Rodrigo Lopez, and Brian Moehler are all out there for the Yanks to snag off the free agent market if they want a quick fix at the back half of the rotation.

Bartolo Colon is pitching in a Dominican Winter League and there are mixed reviews about how he's doing. Colon clearly wants to make it back, the question is, will the Yankees take a chance on him or will it be a team like the Royals.

Then you look at pitchers like Pedro Martinez or Jarrod Washburn and these guys haven't pitched in the majors in a while. Over a year.

You then have guys like, John Maine, like Justin Duchscherer and 90 year old Jamie Moyer (who just keeps on ticking). The problem with these guys are they're all coming off injury. The only name the Yankees have been connected to is Justin Duchscherer, but who knows if he's still on the radar.

Andy Pettitte is by far the Yankees top choice. Reliable, durable and comfortable, but there's one issue of concern... It's January 25th. Ladies and Gentleman, Don't panic. I have a good feeling about this guy, I feel like he's coming back. I've said it before in IF YOU BUILD IT, HE WILL COME (BACK), Andy waited until January 26th before and this may seem like a long time, but it's actually not. Tomorrow's the 26th. After that, well, then you have to start to worry. My gut says Andy's coming back, that being said, it is very possible he's "getting pitcher ready" to see how his body responds to the daily workouts. It's possible that he's seeing how he feels day in and day out to see if he can handle a full season. It's reality. So, while I feel good about Andy, keep that in the back of your mind. Be patient... We'll know soon.

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