Jim Thome Returning To White Sox?

"The White Sox were one of several teams putting a claim in for Thome, reports Daryl Van Schouwen of the Sun Times. The White Sox could be trying to block a claim by the Indians or seeking another lefty bat in place of the unproductive Adam Dunn (ESPN)."



Wow, how far has Adam Dunn fallen that a 40 year old Jim Thome is a better option. Guillen always said he regretted letting Thome go, and why wouldn't he? His piece of shit DH (Dunn) is hitting .167 with 11 HRs and 40 RBIs. Thome has better stats (.253 12 HRs 40 RBI) and he has had 162 less at bats.



The White Sox aren't the only teams that are interested in Thome. The Red Sox, Rangers, Angels, Tigers, Indians and Yankees are alll rumored to be interested. I would love for the Sox to be able to make a deal for them, but they are so far down the waiver list I doubt they will even get a chance.

Red Sox 3, Yankees 2 (10)

Win or lose Sunday night, I was going to write about how this series didn't mean much in the grand scheme of things, as the loser would be 2nd in the AL East, but still have a significant lead in the Wild Card. However, this series has been a good gauge for the postseason. And what we learned was that these two teams are extremely close together.

Anyway, where would the Sox be without Josh Reddick? He's hitting .338 in his 45 games as a replacement right-fielder. His game-winning RBI was his 23rd of the season. That's 2 more than Drew has, even though Reddick has about 100 ABs fewer than JD.

We saw the strengths and weaknesses of both these teams on display these last three days. And while winning the division would be nice, the Sox have proven to be good enough on the road (33-21, the best in the Majors), that homefield advantage shouldn't be much of a factor.

But I did like to see this team grind out a win against Rivera. I liked Beckett's 6 innings of hard work in a humid environment. I liked the big hits by Scutaro, Ortiz, and Reddick. Not only was it fun to watch, but this kind of timely hitting is what can be the difference between winning and losing a playoff series.

Sox play 14 of the next 17 on the road, starting tonight in Minnesota. Wakefield goes for win #200 against Scott Baker.

-The Commodore

Yankees @ Red Sox Preview

So, the Sox and Yankees are all tied up for the top spot in the AL East. Truthfully it really doesn't matter all that much as their isn't a wild card team close to these two teams, but still anytime you can win the division it's kind of special.

Tonight we get Lester vs. Colon. Colon has been one of the biggest surprised in the MLB this season. Colon, though, has won his last two starts and has a 2.45 ERA over his past three. Overall he is 8-6 with a 3.30 ERA. Lester meanwhile is having another stellar season with an 11-4 record with a 3.17 ERA. The left-hander has won five straight outings against the Yankees, posting a 2.51 ERA, which is pretty damn impressive against such a great offense.

The Sox didn't play very well against the Indians, but they have had problems with them all year (no idea why), but they have played well against the Yankees this year (8-1). I think it continues tonight with their ace on the hill.

Red Sox win 7-2
Player of the Game: Lester
Game starts 7:10pm

A Rod's Crazy game Of Poker

Major League Baseball is taking "very seriously" the allegations that Alex Rodriguez took part in some illegal, underground poker games, one of which reportedly turned violent, and he could face suspension if his participation in the games is confirmed.ESPN

I don't really understand this whole thing, but it seems as A Rod has been involved in high stakes poker games. In 2005, Alex was warned to not involve himself in these types of games. A lot of people say he could be suspended based on his involvement in the games.

"The allegations, first reported by Star Magazine, are that the New York Yankees third baseman played in at least two of the games, one of which took place at a record executive's Beverly Hills mansion, where "cocaine was openly used" and a fight nearly broke out when one of the players refused to pay after losing "more than a half-million dollars."

I don't think it matters, that cocaine use happened, it's more the gambling aspect. This isn't a big deal in my eyes, what did he do wrong? Play a poker game. Should he have avoided the situation, maybe? But at the end of the day, it's a card game and as much as I hate A Rod, he shouldn't be suspended for this, even if it's found he played.

Oh, So That's What Happened to Hideki Irabu

Hideki Irabu was found dead, an apparent suicide in a home in Rancho Palos Verdes, a wealthy Los Angeles suburb. It is being reported that he hung himself.

If you can remember Hideki Irabu was basically the Yankees Dice-K (even called the Japanese Nolan Ryan). It was a huge deal when he came over, and he ended up being the worst pitcher ever (34-35 with a 5.15 ERA). Then it took a hysterical turn as not only was he bad, but George Steinbrenner used to refer to him as a fat toad.

He was a member of two Yankees teams that won the World Series, but his only postseason action was a single relief appearance in the 1999 AL Championship Series when Boston tagged him for 13 hits.

After he fell out of the majors Irabu's life feel apart. In August 2008, he was arrested in Japan for allegedly assaulting a bartender after drinking 20 mugs of beer. Police said he became angered after his credit card was rejected. In May 2010, Irabu was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol in Gardena, another Los Angeles suburb. Police said he was stopped after his car drifted outside of traffic lanes and he nearly collided with a parked car.

So, it's pretty obvious he had some kind of drinking problem, and it finally came to an end. I wish I could say there are some good memories of him, but the only good thing I can say is it was always entertaining to watch him as a Red Sox fan.

Why Wouldn't The Yanks Trade For Ubaldo, More Importantly Why Would The Rockies?

So it's been rumored that the Yankees have a hard on for Ubaldo Jimenez and that the Rockies are entertaining it. The Rockies supposedly asked for Jesus Montero C, Ivan Nova P, Manny Banuelos P and Dellin Belentes P (All of the Yankees top prospects). That deal is a little absurd, but if your the Rockies so is trading a 27 year old stud, who maybe struggling a little this year, but is a year removed from a 19-8, 2.88 era, 218 K year.

I get it from the Yankees standpoint, they need to make a splash because they aren't that great pitching staff wise and need to fill the hole, but I'm a little confused from the Rockies. If they got that haul it could be justified, but I would expect that type of deal if you were talking Troy Tulo, but we aren't.

The only reason the Rockies would be entertaining this would be if they know something we don't. If they noticed a trend with Jimenez. I mean he's having an off year, but he would instantly be CC's 1B if he went to New York, and would be good insurence if CC opted out and happened to sign elsewhere (not going to happen).

For some reason I believe the Yankees trade for him at the deadline and it cost Banuelos, Montero and Nova.

BMack Is Pumped Cano Beat Gonzalez In The Derby

I don't know when it happened, but Bob turned into a Yankee fan a long time ago, right when he traded for Robinson Cano. Once he did that reality and fantasy combined into one and clouded the young Macks mind and our once loyal Red Sox fan turned into a Yankee loving snob. A couple of examples, when we were watching players that he didn't mind and he was blushing when he started talking about Cano, then we were AT Fenway and he was filling out a All Star ballot and I don't know who he picked at catcher, but he picked Adrian for 1st which is great and I thought he was reformed, and THEN he picked Cano for 2nd. I almost lost my shit, I took it an ripped it up and he reprimanded me about how Cano is great and shit.

So when it came to last night during the derby, it was no surprise that BMack was supporting Cano over our Adrian Gonzalez. When Cano hit that 12th homerun, he stood up and was running all over his house, and twittered about it congratulating Cano.

So the question I ask of our readers, because of what BMack has shown in support of the Yankees does that make him a traitor?

Jeter To Return Monday

Word is Jeter just through a full practice, and was able to run around the bases 100% without any problem. The goal is to have him playing minor league games this weekend and be back with the Yankees as early as Monday. Jeter is just 6 hits short of the 3,000 hit marker and I am sure Yankee fans are just drooling over that, but you have to wonder if the Yankees have been playing ball better without him around. The Yankees have gone 8-2 in their last 10 games. Nunez is good in the field and has much better range, but I still think Jeter is the better player at this time.

Yankees Rotation Coming Together?

The Yankees have sustained injuries to their rotation, but they seem to be on their way back. Hughes is expected to make two more rehab starts before being activated from the disabled list, and Colon is expected back the first or 2nd week of July. Even with this news I have my questions with the Yankees staff.

For one I have not been impressed with Hughes. In his rehab start he started out throwing 95 MPH, which was great news. Then it quickly feel, and by the 5th inning he was back to throwing 88. He is not going to be affective at that speed.

I still feel Garcia and Colon are on borrowed time, and even though the Yankees are playing well right now they won't do too much unless they make a trade for more starting pitching.

Carlos Zambrano To Yankees?

Umm, yes please!

There are reports that top advisers to Yankees GM Brian Cashman have been at recent outings of Carlos Zambrano. Obviously, that starts rumors that the Yankees might try to bring him in. I couldn't root for this more to happen. I hate Zambrano so much, and would love to root against him. Plus, he sucks. You add that pressure of New York to this guy and he is going to snap, and I would love to sit back and watch that happen. If that wasn't good enough over $28MM remaining on his contract, and the Yankees are already bleeding money. Sure, they will never run out, but it has to get annoying.

Zambrano is a bum, and his 4.50 ERA in the NL will easily be over 5.00 if he comes to the AL East. I will pray each night, and will a goat for the baseball Gods if they let this happen.