CC Sabathia Likely To Opt-Out At Midnight

The New York Yankees have until midnight Monday night to sign pitcher CC Sabathia before he can opt-out of the last four years of his seven-year deal with the team.  When the clock strikes twelve tonight—and there is no last minute agreement—Sabathia and his agents will void the remaining four years and $92 million of his original seven-year, $161 million contract.

Call him CCinderella.

The Yankees are believed to have made a last-ditch attempt at signing Sabathia to a new deal over the weekend, but it seems likely the 300-pound ace will exercise the option making Sabathia a free-agent, according to a report in the New York Daily News.

The team hoped to strike a deal with the 19-game winner before it got close to the deadline but, as of Sunday, it hasn't happened.

Yankees GM Brian Cashman—who's expected to sign a new contract of his own on Monday—was unavailable for comment this weekend.

Cashman offered the former-Cy Young winner the opt-out clause in 2008.  It gave Sabathia the option to leave the Yankees if things didn't work out in New York.

Sabathia has said in the past his family is happily settled in New Jersey and is satisfied where they are living.  Now, it looks like the 31 year-old pitcher is just looking for more money and a longer contract.

This is a problem which the Yankees brought upon themselves.

The Yankees starting rotation is pretty unsettled after Sabathia and last year's rookie sensation Ivan Nova.

A.J. Burnett is undefeated in April but a head case after May, Phil Hughes struggled through "dead arm" and Bartolo Colon's return is improbable since the 38 year-old wore down in the second half of 2011.  The team may bring back Freddy Garcia—who won 12 games last season—but that's not a given either.

Sabathia, the hefty lefty, led the Yankees to a World Series title in 2009 and began last season 25 pounds trimmer, but his expanding girth matched his fattening ERA down the stretch last season and he was less than overwhelming during the last two postseasons.

The Yankees are one of a handful of teams that could afford signing Sabathia.  He is expected to ask for a new deal with a minimum of five-years at $125 million (more likely seven years at $150 million) which would leap-frog him over the $120 million that 32 year-old Cliff Lee signed with the Philadelphia Phillies last year.

The Yankees will probably go all-out in making a deal with Sabathia today.  The free-agent market for top-notch starters is slim and Sabathia would be hard to replace.

C.J. Wilson, Mark Buehrle and Roy Oswalt lead the pack, but are all considered No. 2 starters and Yu Darvish—the Japanese phenom—has yet to prove himself in the U.S..

If Sabathia flies the coop, Cashman will be thrust into a difficult position.  He may have to trade one of his prize prospects like Jesus Montero for a No. 1 starter.

Well, if any time is a good time to turn into a pumpkin, it's the day after Halloween.

A.J. and Eli: The Kings of New York?

A.J. Burnett and Eli Manning are the toast of New York right now.  Look at that sentence carefully, it's probably the last time you will ever see it without breaking out laughing or smashing your computer screen.

Usually the word 'toast' and the Yankees pitcher or Giants quarterback are applied after Burnett has given up five runs in a third-inning meltdown or Manning was burned for a couple of fourth quarter interceptions.

Today, the city is rejoicing for both of their hometown whipping boys and their recent success.

All Burnett did was stave off being eliminated from the ALDS last night against the  Detroit Tigers and force a Game 5 in the comfy confines of Yankee Stadium.

Burnett pitched a gem of a game and had a little help-- to put it mildly-- from centerfielder Curtis Granderson to make fans forget about his 0-for August and generally miserable season and Yankees career.

The surly Burnett almost smiled after being pulled in the sixth inning after allowing only four hits and one earned run.  Hell, I thought it was a giddy Jimmy Fallon with tattoos and a Yankees hoodie hugging Granderson in the dugout after the centerfielder made a second sensational catch to save a bases loaded shot to the outfield moments later.

Nobody's going to compare Burnett to Andy Pettitte after 5 2/3 innings, but he got the job done.

Manning, the hero on the other side of Manhattan, is making fourth quarter comebacks a habit this season and is backing up his giggle-inducing claim that he's in Tom Brady's class.

On Sunday, the NFL's third-rated QB threw two fourth quarter touchdowns in less than a minute to erase a 27-17 deficit against the Arizona Cardinals just a week after a stirring victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.  In that game, the Giants trailed 16-14 entering the last quarter against their division rivals with less than five minutes remaining.

Manning's early season redemption is easier to swallow than basing Burnett's on a single clutch playoff performance. The Yankees pitcher still has many non-believers, but at least not today.

The Giants QB, with the befuddled sideline look, still has a big following in New York.  When was the last time you saw anyone, or at any time, wearing a "Burnett" pinstriped jersey or tee-shirt?

What could have been the worst nightmare imaginable for Burnett last night was avoided by Granderson's first inning catch with the bases loaded.  The second one was icing on one of his walk-off shaving cream pies.

A hit would have produced at least three Tigers' runs and the inevitable A.J. meltdown which seems to follow.  That one play turned Burnett from an $82.5 million flop into today's hero.  Imagine the calls for A.J.'s head if he blew last night's game.  You would have Occupy Yankee Stadium protests outside Brian Cashman's office.

If it wasn't for that over-the-shoulder grab last night, after only two outs, we might have seen the last of old A.J. in pinstripes.

Burnett only allowed four hits in 5 2/3 innings, after a shaky first when he walked the bases full, but overcame the pressure.  Even if the innings were more workman-like than fluid, Burnett succeeded in quieting the potent Tigers hitters until the Yankees put the game out of reach.

Tomorrow, the Yankees face a must-win situation to keep their playoff hopes alive and the Giants face the Seattle Seahawks in the Meadowlands.  The kind of game Manning has been known to look past and implode.

For Burnett, there is always the hope of another playoff start after seemingly being banished to the bullpen.  He did win the game.

Today, both players can reap the rewards of their recent successes and hope for more good things to follow.

Remember, in New York, yesterday's zero is today's hero and is tomorrow's zero...

A.J. Burnett Shows Curtis Granderson Some Love For His Glove; Yanks Win, 10-1

A.J. Burnett salvaged his much-maligned season and the New York Yankees staved off playoff elimination because of a pair of magnificent game-saving catches by centerfielder Curtis Granderson.  New York defeated the Detroit Tigers, 10-1, at Comerica Park on Tuesday night to even the ALDS at two games apiece and force a Game 5.

Nobody was more thankful for Granderson's acrobatic catches than Burnett-- and he showed his love.

The series shifts back to New York and the deciding game will be played Thursday night at Yankee Stadium.

Burnett was the unexpected-- after originally being slated for the bullpen-- starter for tonight's do-or-die game.  The erratic hurler has been the bane of the Yankees rotation most of the season and had a lot to prove.

Manager Joe Girardi has stuck by Burnett all year and, after last Friday's rain postponement threw the Yankees scheduled starting rotation out of whack, he was left with no choice but to use the battered Burnett to extend the Yankees season.

It looked like another bad night for A.J. right from the start after he loaded the bases on three walks (one intentional) with two outs in the first inning until Granderson made an unbelievable over-the-shoulder catch of a Don Kelly fly ball to centerfield.  Granderson's catch saved at least three runs and-- more importantly-- a possible Burnett meltdown.

Granderson and his glove weren't through yet and he made an even more spectacular diving catch in the sixth of Johnny Peralta's two-out shot to left center with a runner on base.

When the centerfielder returned to the dugout, he was mobbed by his appreciative teammates and none more than Burnett who motioned his game-saver over to him and gave him a cheek-to-cheek hug.

Burnett (1-0) also got plenty of love from his happy teammates when he was pulled in the sixth inning.  The Yankees infielders all crowded around the pitcher when Girardi took the ball from his hands and the players patted Burnett on the back for a job well done.

The Yankees starter finished with 5.2 workman-like innings, giving up only four hits and one earned run.

It was a big change from this August when Burnett was just plain awful.  This victory redeemed his value to the team and, hopefully, tranquilized his fragile psyche.

After Burnett was relieved in the sixth by Rafael Soriano,  a six-run Yankees eighth inning blew the game open, while Phil Hughes and Boone Logan pitched the final hitless innings.

Thursday night's game will be a rematch of the Game 1 starting pitchers.  The winner of that game,  Ivan Nova, will start for the Yankees and the Tigers will counter with Doug Fister.

Burnett may have one of the worst seasons of his career but it funny how one good game can make everyone now see only rainbows and unicorns.

If anyone needed a hug tonight, it was Burnett and he got one... then gave another.

Yankees Ranked No. 1 Most Valuable Sports Brand In The World

The 2011 Forbes Fab 40 list of most valuable sports brands was released yesterday and the New York Yankees have passed Manchester United as No. 1 brand in the world.

The ranking, using a data base devised by Forbes ranks the most valuable brand names in four categories-- athletes, businesses, events and teams-- showed the Yankees surpassed the British soccer club for the first time in the list of the most popular sports brands.

Even if the team's play over the past two days doesn't seem to merit the honor, Forbes estimates the New York Yankees name is worth $340 million-- or about the equivalent of Alex Rodriguez's and A.J. Burnett's contracts combined.

Manchester United's brand-- devalued by a currency drop-- is valued at a measly $269 million according to Forbes.

Surprisingly, the New England Patriots were the third-ranked brand over cross-town teams like the Red Sox or Celtics.

The popularity of  the Yankees brand could be attributed to the team's winning history and easy on the eyes colors (navy and blue).

Manchester fans wear a gaudy red and bright yellow mix.

Meanwhile, the New York Mets brand has plummeted to $144 million from $158 million last year, according to Forbes.  This is attributed to the team's falling attendance and growing financial concerns.  Oh yeah, they lose a lot too.

Brand worth aside, Manchester United is still a cash cow and is ranked by Forbes as the most valuable team in the world with an overall value estimated at $1.9 billion.  The Dallas Cowboys followed at $1.8 billion and the Yankees were third with a sale price estimated at $1.7 billion.

Winning it all seems to have little effect on the rankings.  Tiger Woods is still the most valuable athlete brand despite his sex-scandal and nearly two-year losing streak.  The Miami Heat's LeBron James was No.2.

The most valuable sporting event continues to be the Super Bowl, although the Olympics (winter and summer combined) is gaining on the annual Sunday bash.

The top businesses ranked in the Forbes Fab 40 were Nike followed by ESPN.

The Yankees brand has continued to rise 57% in value since 2007, defying a recession claims Forbes.

That trend could come to an end tonight--  with A-Rod batting clean-up and Burnett on the mound against the Detroit Tigers.

Tigers Jose Valverde on ALDS: "It's Over"

Right after Detroit Tigers Jose Valverde barely shut down a ninth-inning rally by the New York Yankees, the closer couldn't keep his mouth shut and declared the AL division series-- now tied at 1-1-- was "over." Win one game and talk gets cheap... fast.

"It's over already," Valverde told reporters after escaping a Yankees comeback in the pouring rain yesterday.  "[Justin] Verlander has it tomorrow.  The next day we have a celebration in Detroit.  They have a good team, but I think that's it for them."

When told his comments were being recorded by television cameras, Valverde laughed.

"No, no, I am just kidding," he recanted.

Besides producing some prime bulletin board material for the Yankees, Valverde forgot to mention that even if Verlander gets a victory, there is still another game to win in the best-of five series.

Valverde has good reason to be confident.  The Tigers return home and put their 24-game winner Verlander on the mound.

The Yankees will counter with their own big man CC Sabathia but, after that, will go after the Tigers with a fragile and inconsistent A.J. Burnett on Tuesday.

Valverde sure picked a weird time to start bragging.  He almost single-handedly blew Sunday's 5-3 victory by giving up two runs, putting the tying runs on base  and had the dangerous Robinson Cano at the plate as the winning run.

Valverde did everything possible to keep his throwing hand dry in the pouring rain, then got Cano to tap a routine grounder to second in the driving rain for the final out.

Valverde, who was 49-for-49 in save opportunities this season, said he would be ready to pitch Monday night even after using 34 pitches to get the save yesterday.  That was one pitch less than his season high.

After the game, Tigers manager Jim Leyland said that with then tying run at first base, he considered walking Cano to take a shot at struggling Alex Rodriguez, but Valverde wanted to go after Cano.

"No, right there, I wanted to end it," Valverde boasted.  "I said, I'll win it."

A.J. & Jeter Okey-Doke Stumbling Red Sox 6-2

A.J. Burnett picked the right time to beat the Red Sox for the first time while wearing pinstripes.  The much maligned pitcher threw a solid 7 2/3 innings and boosted his chances of getting No. 3 spot in the Yankees playoff rotation.

In the first game of Sunday's doubleheader, the Yankees beat the Red Sox 6-2 as Burnett (11-11) picked up his first win at Yankee Stadium since June 29.

The righthander fooled Boston's hitters with a good command of his curve ball and finally looked like the Red Sox slayer the Yankees hoped they acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays.

Meanwhile Derek Jeter gave one more reason for Boston Red Sox fans to despise the Yankees shortstop.  The Yankees Captain continued to tease his division nemesis with his instinctive smart play by using his head-- or in this case-- his foot.

Jeter scored from second base on an Alex Rodriguez but, as he slid into home plate under the fumbled tag of catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, he didn't touch home plate.  Salty, more intent on seeing where A-Rod was, ignored Jeter who slipped behind the catcher and sneakily tapped home plate with his toe.

Jeter then jogged to the dugout with a huge grin on his face after giving the Yankees a 5-1 lead. He went 3-for-4 and scored two runs. 

The simple play epitomized the Red Sox ineptitude during their ongoing September collapse and highlighted how they are not making the little plays that add up to wins.

The fifth-inning play began with what may have been Red Sox starter Tim Wakefield's last knuckleball.  The 45 year-old pitcher is in the last year of his contract and Boston is heading dangerously close to being eliminated from playoff contention.  Where he'll be next year is anyone's guess.

 Burnett's only mistakes were the two home runs he gave up to Jacoby Ellsbury.  Other than those two dingers, Burnett was nearly flawless. He allowed only five hits and the two earned runs.

Even Burnett's 100th, and final, pitch-- before he was pulled in the eighth-- was a punch-out of Saltalamacchia.  It was his sixth K of the game and the first time Burnett has seen the seventh inning since July 29.

Dave Robertson relieved A.J. and the strikeout machine mowed down three of the final four outs.

Jorge Posada increased his chances of making the playoff roster.  The Yankee DH, batting cleanup, was 2-for-3 with a two-run home run and tipped his hat to the appreciative crowd.

Besides getting a long-awaited victory at home, Burnett got his own standing ovation from the fans when he exited the diamond.  It's been a while since this brand of A.J. had shown up in the Bronx, and it's been an even longer time since the under-performing pitcher heard cheers like that from Yankees fans. They couldn't have come at a more opportune time. 

The next sound A.J. may want to hear is manager Joe Girardi telling him that he is the No. 3 starter next Monday night.

A.J. Burnett Will Get Third Spot In Yankees Rotation By Default

It's a good bet A.J. Burnett will be the New York Yankees' No. 3 starter in the playoffs, unless he totally gets blown out of the water in tomorrow's start against the Boston Red Sox.

After CC Sabathia and rookie Ivan Nova, the Yankees will have no other choice but to give the job to Burnett due to old injuries and older age to the other starters.  The pivotal spot won't be awarded to Burnett based on his performance, as much as by default.  

It's more like a Two-and-a-Half Men rotation with Burnett being as welcome as Charlie Sheen on that show's set-- with a paycheck to match.

Only difference, Winning is definitely not in Burnett's vocabulary.

Everything was looking pretty rosy for the Yankees and their six-man rotation up until only a few days ago.

Leading up to the playoffs, Phil Hughes had thrown three strong games and was ready to take over the No. 3 spot until an MRI showed that the back spasms which forced him from pitching on Wednesday were an old spine injury flaring up again.

Up until then, Hughes (5-5, 6.00 ERA) had been the most consistent starter after Sabathia and Nova and appeared to be the logical No. 3.  Now, a herniated disc injury from seven years ago has reared its burning head and has to be a concern to the team regarding Hughes' long-term prognosis.

The Yankees are confident he can make one more start in a meaningless game before the playoffs, but they need a fully healthy Hughes on the mound and probably won't take a chance on the disc flaring up during a pivotal playoff game, so it looks like the bullpen for the 25 year-old.

That leaves Burnett, Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia looking for on spot behind Sabathia and Nova; and none of them have been spanking any teams over the past few weeks. 

It looks like Colon and Garcia have just plain run out of steam.  The two veteran pitchers played beyond any one's expectations and carried the Yankees for a good portion of the season but it looks like Father Time has come a calling.

Colon's chances of making the New York Yankees playoff rotation took a big hit last night when he was pounded by the Tampa Bay Rays for seven runs (five earned) in three innings.

The one-time No. 3 front-runner, Colon (8-10), is winless in his last nine starts and has an ERA of 5.09 since the All-Star break.

Manager Joe Girardi has already hinted at being unsure about Colon's future and it looks like the pitcher's stock has fallen off the chart.

The 38 year-old Colon was, at times, brilliant this season and the Yankees off-season pick-up exceeded all expectations.  The beefy hurler came back after almost two years of inactivity and hasn't pitched a full season since 2006 due to injuries. 

Garcia is more of a mystery.  The other bargain basement pick-up was consistent up until a few weeks ago.  The 35 year-old was always hittable but seemed to pitch himself out of any jams until recently.  Now, opposing players are using him like a batting tee and that won't do in the third game of a playoff series.

Over his last two starts, Garcia has been rocked for 11 earned runs in seven innings.  Not good enough for a short-- or long-- series.

Which leads us to Burnett.  What hasn't been said about the $82 million dollar enigma that wasn't a headline on the back page?  From funny haircuts, cussing out the manager and mound meltdowns, the tattooed Burnett has done it all-- and badly.

The inconsistent pitcher has been given a second life by Girardi, oh...  about half a dozen times.  Two weeks ago it looked like the bullpen for the cantankerous righthander but, like some pinstriped vampire, he keeps arising and sucking the life from the team. 

Over his last 10 starts, Burnett has been lit up like a Times Square billboard.  He has allowed 46 earned runs over 52 innings and it would have been more if Girardi didn't yank him in the fifth the other night.

Through it all, Girardi has come to bat for Burnett too many times to let his whipping boy stew in the bullpen.  After all, the Yankees are already loaded in that department.

So it comes down to attrition after the big gun Sabathia (19-8) and the white-hot Nova (16-4).  

Expect Girardi to go to Sabathia in a game 4 on short rest--  even if the ace of the staff has not been a sure thing over the past month.

Garcia will get one more shot against a reeling Red Sox tonight in a desperate bid to win the No. 3 spot.  Unless he throws a perfect game, expect to see old A.J. warming up for Game 3 in two weeks.

Funny, the Yankees started the season worrying about their starting pitching and head into the playoffs with the same concerns.  How did they manage to win in between?

Girardi Sticking With Yankees' Six-Man Rotation

It looks like the New York Yankees have finally made a decision on who will be left off the five-man starting rotation and it is...wait for it...no one.  That's right, chopping a pitcher from the overcrowded rotation-- which seemed so important just last week-- is now a non-issue as far as manager Joe Girardi is concerned.

On Sunday, after the Yankees defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 9-3, Girardi said he'll stick with six starters at least for another week and maybe longer at his post-game interview.

Girardi said he spoke with all parties involved before Sunday's game and claims he is in "no rush to make the decision."

"I let them know who was pitching and when.  People like to know where they're going to be every five days, six days,' Girardi said.  "Life's not always like that.  The good thing is they're getting another chance."

For A.J. Burnett and Phil Hughes, who've had more chances than Lindsay Lohan in court, D-day could come by next weekend.

Girardi denied any of his starters are on the bubble, but referred to those two pitchers' last outings at his press conference.

"We want to see it again," he said.  "We liked what we saw in Boston.  I know Hughes gave up some runs but threw better than he did.  We liked what A.J. did and want to build on that."

Girardi commented on Burnett's new mechanics and thinks the erratic pitcher is on to something.

"I love what I saw in Boston," he said.  "He had a tough August.  It took guts, but he went out and did it."

The manager addressed his concern about keeping CC Sabathia (19-7) on his regular five-man turn.  The Yankees ace, who won today's game,  is pretty adamant about keeping his routine, so Girardi may adjust the six-man rotation accordingly.

"It's designed so if we want to give CC an extra day, we can do it, said Girardi.

What CC wants, the big guy gets.

"It's possible I might keep him [Sabathia] on his normal turn," said Girardi.  "Or move him back to Saturday.  I'll see how he feels."

Girardi announced his starters for the upcoming home series against the Baltimore Orioles and Burnett (9-11, 5.25) and Hughes (4-5, 6.75) will give it another shot.

Freddy Garcia (11-7, 3.09) will start on Monday followed by Hughes on Tuesday and Burnett on Wednesday.

There has been speculation about Bartolo Colon (8-9, 3.72) being sent to the bullpen.  Questions about the 38 year-old running out of gas have been swirling about during his past four starts.  The rotund righty is 0-3 in those last four outings after getting a no-decision yesterday, but it looks like Burnett and Hughes are the ones on the hot seat.

Whatever Girardi decides to do, it looks like the six-man scheme has been working.  The Yankees have won seven of their last eight and are tied for first place in the AL East.  The manager said nothing is set in stone...for now.

"I am allowed to change my mind," he explained.  "I may want to go to a five-man, but we'll see."

Here we go again.

Moth Blamed For Phil Hughes' Walk To Red Sox Batter

Joe Girardi must be buggin' out when it comes to figuring out his starting rotation.  After last night's 9-5 loss to the Boston Red Sox, the Yankees manager blamed the game's turning point on a moth which flew into starting pitcher Phil Hughes' eye.

Hughes (4-5) delivered a 3-2 pitch to Josh Reddick-- a ball-- setting up Jason Varitek's double where Reddick scored the tying run.

The Yankees had finally showed some measure of success against Red Sox starter Josh Beckett and were leading 5-4 when the moth ball incident occurred.  Hughes was even up 0-2 against Reddick before walking him.

If you look closely at the video, you can see a lone moth buzzing around Hughes' head before the fatal toss and the pitcher wiping something from his eye as Reddick jogs towards first base.

Yankees fans might recall Joba Chamberlain and the "midge" attack in Cleveland in 2007.  Those little buggers swarmed the sweaty pitcher and were blamed for the Yankees loss to the Indians and early playoff exit.  At least you could see the bugs covering Chamberlain that night.

"From what I heard a moth flew into his [Hughes] eye when he made the 3-2 pitch," said Girardi.  "You can't stop it and can't get a redo."

Call it The Mothman Prophecies  because it may be a prediction of things to come.

Hughes showed signs of improvement last night but his fastball, which started out at a crisp 95 mph, wilted to 91 mph before he was pulled in the sixth.  It still looks like he runs out of steam.

The struggling Hughes may have just pitched his way out of the starting rotation-- and not because of the moth.


"I really didn't want to tell you guys that, but, yeah, a moth flew in," said Hughes.  "That's when I yanked it."

The Yankees might want to invest in some bug spray tonight when A.J. Burnett pitches because there's sure to be a lot of flies-- some of them over the Green Monster, as well as,  that other little pest called Dustin Pedroia.

Girardi Leaves A.J. Burnett Twisting In The Wind, But What Did It Prove?

To New York Yankees pitcher A.J. Burnett, Hurricane Irene should have come sooner to Camden Yards tonight.  The struggling starter, fighting for his rotation life, was left in by manager Joe Girardi and had to fend for himself during a typical Burnett meltdown in the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles. 

Girardi only watched as Burnett suffered through the disastrous inning.  His starter allowed six runs, six hits with one error through the first two innings.

It looked like another early hook for the much-maligned pitcher, but it wasn't to be. There would be no rescue.

Girardi let the Orioles continue to tee-off on his ineffective hurler.  Burnett looked as though he would have rather been stuck in a storm-lashed row boat in the turbulent Atlantic than the soul that was stranded on his solitary island-- the pitcher's mound.

It seemed like the only thing that could save the beleaguered pitcher would be a game called for rain-- or, more appropriately,  a hurricane.

Maybe it was the manager's version of tough love.  After all, wasn't it Burnett who walked off the mound cursing Girardi after being lifted after only getting eight outs in his last outing?

Could Girardi actually be thinking that the Yankees could come back from a six-run deficit like they did yesterday against the Oakland A's?

Whatever the reason for Girardi to let Burnett slowly lose whatever pride he is clinging to-- he gave up a home-run and four-straight doubles and dug a big hole for the Yankees, it was kind of sad to watch the pitcher throw what looked like an Orioles batting practice.

The game got off to a rough start after the Yankees committed two errors and nearly a third before Burnett escaped unscathed.  It was only a preview of Burnett's eventual early-inning meltdown.

In the top of the second, the Orioles' bats and Irene's impending barrage began to rain down on Burnett.

A home-run followed by four straight doubles gave the O's a 4-0 lead.  Yankees pitching coach, Larry Rothschild,  came out to calm down Burnett.  A two-run home-run by the O's made it 6-0.  Burnett was probably the only person in Baltimore who wished the Category-3 storm would hurry ashore and wash out this game.

You didn't have to be a Burnett lover to feel some compassion for his slow death.  There was one moment when it looked like the combustible Burnett was ready to blow.  He didn't, but there was still more misery to follow.

In the fourth inning, Burnett threw two wild pitches where two runners advance, then Derek Jeter bobbles a possible double-play ball and it becomes a 7-0 O's lead.

Girardi left Burnett struggle through the fifth and even after a triple made it 9-1, let Burnett finish out the inning.  Mercifully, Burnett closed out the embarrassing performance by striking out the final batter he faced.  Too little, way too late.

Burnett knew it was over even before he got to the dugout.  No cursing or public displays of insolence.  The unusually stoic Burnett walked through the dugout, spoke with his catcher Russell Martin and brushed by Girardi on his way to the locker room.  There was no eye-contact and the two passed like ships caught in Irene's swirling winds.

There must be some deep-rooted psychological reason for Girardi's actions tonight, but what did he accomplish and why?  When did the manager turn into Dr. Phil?

In the fifth, it looked like the manager was purposely avoiding going out to the mound and pulling Burnett.  Was he avoiding a confrontation, or was it a chance to let his pitcher finish the inning and march from the mound with a sliver of dignity? 

Finally, at the end of the fifth, Burnett was put out of his misery.  He struck out the batter and stiffly walked to the dugout.

What did Girardi's actions say?  Was leaving Burnett in the game to sweat out a 9-1 losing effort some kind of pat on the back.  It's like saying, 'Hey kid, I knew you could go five innings.'

Or was it retaliation for Burnett's outburst to stay in his last game?   Like saying, 'You wanted it kid, you got it.'

Confidence builder or ego-breaker, Girardi's move possibly cost the Yankees a win.

There are a lot questions still to be answered.  Did Burnett just pitch his way out of the five-man rotation?  Phil Hughes-- who is in line to get the fifth spot--  was just as bad last night, but he was the beneficiary of three grand slams.

Tonight, there would be no grand slams, comebacks or Jorge Posada mopping up at second base for Burnett.

Hurricane Irene will have passed by Sunday, but for Girardi and his rotation the storm might just be brewing.

A.J. Burnett Has Words For Girardi: Could They Be His Last As A Yankees Starter?

A.J. Burnett had some choice words for Joe Girardi after the New York Yankees manager pulled the frustrated pitcher out tonight's game against the Minnesota Twins.  Girardi had seen enough after the ineffective Burnett had already given up four runs and left the bases loaded in the bottom of the second inning.

As Burnett walked towards the dugout, he turned back, glared at Girardi and let loose with a public diatribe directed at the manager.

Those words could be Burnett's last as a Yankee starter.

Girardi called in Luis Ayala to relieve the useless Burnett with two outs.  Ayala promptly gave up two hits to the Twins batters and padded the Minnesota lead to 7-0.

After a few moments of mulling over Burnett's verbal assault, and the yanked Burnett's bee-line to the clubhouse, Girardi himself made his way into the same Yankees lounge from the team bench.  Girardi returned to the dugout rail a few minutes later and, miraculously,  Burnett reappeared on the dugout bench a couple of minutes later-- pouting.

The snarling Burnett abruptly returned to the clubhouse after watching Ayala deposit the three runs into Burnett's already bloated ERA.

What was said in the locker room between Girardi and his frustrated pitcher to make him come out of the clubhouse is unknown, but it probably had to do less with Burnett's feelings than a spot in the starting rotation.

This isn't the first time Burnett (9-9 before the game) has showed up Girardi-- his biggest, and maybe only, supporter.  There have been other instances of Burnett barking at Girardi or slamming the ball into the manager's hand when he was being pulled from a game-- which has been a common occurrence this season.

Girardi has always defended Burnett from the fans and media who have called for the $82.5 million starter's head during his six-week losing streak.  Before the game the manager said he just wanted "A.J. to compete."

Now, Burnett pays back Girardi with an embarrassing display of self-entitlement.

Tonight, it looked like the maligned Burnett has totally lost his control, his temper and his manager's respect in one game.

I guess Burnett thought Girardi was supposed to let the underachieving starter-- who almost let a 12-run lead dissipate a couple of weeks ago-- continue to get clobbered until he found his groove.

The bad news for Burnett is he pitched badly after a serviceable outing last week.  The worse news is he probably yakked his way out of the rotation.  There is no good news.

Burnett might have just made Girardi's daunting and long-awaited task of trimming his starting rotation down to five men a lot easier, and Burnett has no one to blame but himself.

Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia are veterans who have been consistent, if not overpowering, and young guns Ivan Nova and Phil Hughes look like everything the Yankees hoped they would turn out to be.  CC Sabathia is the ace, so that leaves Burnett as the odd-man out.

Odd man is the right term in more than one way.

A.J. Burnett; One Game Does Not A Summer Make

A.J. Burnett finally won an August game wearing pinstripes and the New York Yankees are acting like they won the Powerball-- an $82.5 million lottery maybe.

The Yankees 7-4 victory over the lowly Kansas City Royals may be a sign Burnett, the much-maligned starter, has turned the corner on another season of desperation but it is nothing to cheer about.

The game proved that the ineffective righthander still can't make it through the sixth inning.

Burnett won his first game since since June 29 and, more importantly, finally won an August game as a Yankee after eight losses in-a-row.  The No. 2 starter had an 0-8 record with an ERA of 7.18 over that span.

It's been almost seven weeks since his last victory in June.  He slogged along with an 0-3 record, 6.00 ERA and four no-decisions during that losing streak.

If last night was an indication of Burnett lifting the monkey from his back, he can thank a cast of Yankees for the help.

Manager Joe Girardi lifted his starter after only 88 pitches-- probably because he's seen Burnett blow up enough times in the fifth and sixth innings this season.

"With a high salary is always high expectations," said Girardi.  "I think he's thrown the ball better than some of his outcomes he's had."

Burnett's final line read: 5 2/3 innings, 10 hits and three earned runs.

A big night by Derek Jeter (3-for-4, 3 RBI's) and Brett Gardner (2 hits, 2 RBI's) helped Burnett on the offensive side and Dave Robertson and Mariano Rivera threw perfect innings in the eighth and ninth to save the struggling Burnett from the bench.

Separated at Birth: A.J. Burnett and Elroy Jetson

It's hard to know if New York Yankees A.J. Burnett was going for the Elroy Jetson look on purpose but, it's safe to say the original spaceboy 'do didn't improve his game.

Burnett's newly bleached locks and 'his boy Elroy' cut did little to disguise the fact that it's the same old A.J. and his "I have to find a way to have fun" on the mound attitude has changed nothing either.

After throwing five strong shut-out innings last night against the Los Angeles Angels, Burnett turned into Rosie the Robot.  He gave up four runs on two hits during the ugly sixth inning-- including two walks, a wild pitch a two-run double to a .181 hitter.

Burnett hasn't won a game since June 29 and the crowd at Yankee Stadium gave him a loud reminder of that fact as he walked to the dugout.  The Yankees lost, 6-4.

Here's some fun facts.  It was  Burnett's league-leading 15th wild pitch, he has a winless streak of seven games and, not surprisingly,  the righthander has not won an August start during three seasons in pinstripes.

It beginning to look like Joe Girardi has a better chance of seeing flying cars and the Little Dipper school on a pole before a Burnett win, but he refuses to bench his $16.5 million hurler.

To a frustrated Yankees fan, it feels like George Jetson walking Astro on that out-of-control treadmill (remember when treadmills were considered futuristic?)

Joe!  Stop this crazy thing!!

A.J. Burnett Still Not Having Fun; Yankees Lose, 6-4

A.J. Burnett appeared on the mound tonight sporting a new bleach-blonde hair color and, for five innings, it looked like he was finally having as much fun as his care-free hair style.  Then, using the pitcher's usual modus operandi, he unravelled in his inimitable style.  The much-maligned New York Yankees righthander was coasting through the Los Angeles Angels line-up until the wheels came off  once again.

Up until the fateful sixth inning, Burnett had confidence, control and his fastball was working like a charm.  He allowed three hits and it looked like his "I have to find a way to have fun" theory on winning was working.  For a pitcher who hadn't won a game since June 29, all signs looked positive and Burnett had finally turned the corner on his losing ways.

Then he turned into Bad-A.J..  In the sixth, Burnett gave up a home-run to former-Yankee Bobby Abreu, which tied the score, 1-1, then he walked Mark Trumbo on a 4-0 count.  The slow-footed Trumbo tagged up to second on a long Vernon Wells fly to centerfield.  Manager Joe Girardi then had Burnett intentionally walk the next batter, Maicer Izturis, and, like a premonition, had his bullpen start getting busy.

In typical Burnett fashion, the pitcher walks Peter Bourjus, loading the bases, and the Yankees bullpen really got into full gear.

Next, facing Jeff Mathis, a .181 hitter, Burnett abandoned his 94 mph fastball and threw a slider.  Mathis bouces the ball over the outfield fence for a ground-rule double and the Angels take a 3-1 lead.  Burnett wasn't through making his life miserable just yet.  For an encore, his next pitch goes into the dirt in front of catcher Russell Martin and Bourjus scores from third to give the Angels a 4-1 advantage.

It was a league-leading 15th wild pitch for Burnett and it continued the struggling pitcher's 0-8 record in August as a Yankee.  Amazingly, that makes it three August moons without a victory in pinstripes.

More groans than boos filled Yankee Stadium for about the umpteenth time and Burnett was through for the night.

His final line was six innings, six hits, four earned runs, three walks and six strikeouts, but the most glaring stat was the four runs in one inning on two hits.

Cody Wade came into  mop up for Burnett in the seventh and struck out the Angels side and gave up one hit.

Meanwhile, Angels starter Dan Haren was mowing down the flat Yankees until Derek Jeter's two-out double knocked in Eduardo Nunez and Brett Gardner to tie the game at 4-4.

Mariano Rivera began the ninth inning by allowing a two out hit and then faced a patient Abreu, who drove a flat cutter from Rivera into the seats for his second home-run of the night and a 6-4 Angels lead.

The Yankees threatened in the ninth, but with two outs and Curtis Granderson  on first, the Yankees centerfielder-- in a what-were-you-thinking moment--  inexplicably got caught in a run-down to end the game with slugger Mark Teixeira at the plate.

For Rivera, it was his second blown game in a row.  On Sunday, he got his fifth blown save of the season against the Red Sox and tonight he got his second loss.

After the game, Burnett was asked why he switched from his fastball, which was clocked at 95 mph, to an irregular slider after the third inning.

"I wouldn't change a thing," said Burnett.  "But I'll get upset about it later.  It's frustrating, but I kept my team in it as best I could."

Asked to evaluate his performance, Burnett said, "I just want to keep the zeroes up.  That double was a big hit."

Girardi has a lot of evaluating to do himself.  The Yankees manager has to wonder if his "No. 2 starter" is ever going to get through a game without imploding.

Fans are also going to be asking Girardi 'why is it alright to bench Jorge Posada and his large contract and lousy play but, sitting Burnett and his huge paycheck, unless he gets better, is out of the question.'

Is A.J. Burnett the Villian of Yankees Six-Man Soap Opera

For all the baseball fans who have been following the soap opera which is the New York Yankees six-man rotation saga-- otherwise known as Search For Tomorrow's Starter-- tonight's episode brings us another cliffhanger.

A.J. Burnett, who is the the Yankees' version of Susan Lucci at the Emmys-- because it seems like he has one win in 23 tries-- faces the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium tonight.  The struggling righthander is winless in his last six starts and the fan's cries for rookie Ivan Nova to take Burnett's spot in the rotation are getting ominous.  Now, they're basically just screaming.  Tonight's game is Burnett's version of One Life to Live.

For all the fans of the soaps and the impending disappearance of the dying format from television, the Yankees can always be counted on some bring drama in to your mundane lives.  Even if you think Peyton Place plays for the Colts or  Lever Brothers are the Jewish siblings who played on the 1950 Brooklyn Dodgers, things are never dull in Dallas--I mean the Bronx.

The spirit of Jock Ewing (played by George Steinbrenner) has been passed down to the unscrupulous J.R. (Brian Cashman) and earnest Bobby (Joe Girardi).  TV Guide says tonight's episode should be a good one:

'Burnett is trying to rebound from an almost disastrous last outing, when he didn't get a win after the Yankees batters fronted him with a 12-run lead against the weak hitting Chicago White Sox.  Burnett proceeded to allow seven run and didn't qualify for the win because he was pulled from the game before five innings.  He was last seen ripping the jersey off his body while hitting the locker room.'

Yesterday, Burnett told the New York Post he vowed to reverse his fortunes on the mound and said, " I have to find a way to have fun."

Wait...did he just say, " I have to find a way to win one?"  What?

Sounds like the erratic No. 2 pitcher, Burnett, is living in Another World  because he hasn't seen a 'W' in 40 days, after starting the season 4-0.  The only thing bigger than Burnett's ever-growing ERA is his $82.5 million contract and, as every one who follows their daytime stories knows, the rich always get away with murder.

Right now, if Joe Girardi had to fill out his rotation in a five-game playoff series, Burnett would be lucky to be throwing out of the bullpen in a game five.

In reality, Girardi would open with CC Sabathia, then Bartolo Colon, Freddy Garcia and Nova-- with Phil Hughes waiting in the wings.

Tomorrow, 24 year-old Nova gets the start against the Angels and a chance to make a statement.  Call him The Young and the Restless.

The rookie is having a breakout year, since his return from the minors to make room for Hughes in July.  Nova's last outing was an outstanding 7.2 inning, 10-strikeout win.  He gave up one run and no walks and has won six straight.  Nova is 10-4 with a 3.81 ERA this season.

Only on the sound stage that is called Yankee Stadium could a pitcher with Nova's fine stats be fighting for a job in the rotation against a pitcher with Burnett's losing numbers.

Hughes and Nova are like the Luke and Laura of this whole drama-- two young faces the fans really want to see together in the rotation.  Will they, or won't they.  It's been a long and heartbreaking journey.

The 25 year-old Hughes looked like future ace they Yankees protected from trades since his arrival.  Last year's breakout 18-8 season put him in the rotation until-- cue the downward-turn-of-fate music-- an undiagnosed and debilitating "dead arm" injury (it even sounds like a soap opera ailment) put him on the DL after losing his fastball early in the season. He has lowered his ERA to 7.11 from a sky-high 13.94  before going on the DL.

Hughes' comeback had been slow and steady until, finally, a brilliant (six innings, three hits, no runs) outing last week brought his recovery full circle.  Cue triumphant music.  But then, a failed relief appearance and game-winning hit against rivals, the Boston Red Sox, made his future unsettled again.  Cue doom-and-gloom music then cut to commercial.

Hughes thirteen-pitch outing cost him a start this week and, now, Nova is the pitcher who takes his place.

The irony.  Wow, General Hospital couldn't have scripted it any better?

As a sub-plot, there is the resurrection of Bartolo Colon in some sort of Dark Shadows theme. We're talking about Barnabas Collins-like mystical shoulder and elbow treatments in the Dominican Republic and Colon's incredible resurgence.  He even has a goth haircut.

The 38 year-old Colon made a miraculous return to the majors, after missing two years and still,  no one knows the circumstances.  Spooky stuff.

Now Girardi has to solve the mystery of getting six pitchers into five rotation slots or risk upsetting Sabathia's rigid five-day throwing schedule.

Cue announcer Macdonald Carey:  "Like sands through the hourglass, so are the Days of Our Lives."

Stay tuned for The Bold and the Beautiful starring Derek Jeter and Minka Kelly.

Nova Will Get Start Over Hughes When Angels Come To Yankee Stadium

It's official, but not really a shock.  Phil Hughes' 13-pitch relief appearance against the Boston Red Sox, when he gave up the winning run in the tenth inning,  cost the pitcher a start against the Los Angeles Angels this week.  Hughes' spot will be filled by Ivan Nova.

Manager Joe Girardi tweaked the starting rotation for the upcoming three-game home series because of Hughes short stint in Sunday night's game.  Hughes came in, after Mariano Rivera blew his fifth game of the season, and gave up two hits and Boston's walk-off score.

Hughes was set to open the series on Tuesday but struggling A.J. Burnett will be moved up one day.  The ineffective Burnett will try and rebound from a disastrous outing against the Chicago White Sox, when the Yankees batters staked him to a 12-run lead, that he almost couldn't hold on to.  Burnett gave back seven earned runs and was yanked before he could go five innings to qualify for a win.  He will square-off against Dan Haren.

Nova will start Wednesday and is coming off an impressive 10-strikeout, six-hit and  one earned run performance against the same White Sox team.  Nova has won six of his last seven starts.

Bartolo Colon will close out the series on Thursday after a shaky outing (six-hits and two earned runs) against the Red Sox.  He was pulled in the fifth after loading the bases and the bull pen took over.  The Yankees won that game, 3-2.

Girardi's biggest concern had to be giving CC Sabathia an additional day off.  Sabathia, who is notoriously fickle about throwing with extra rest,  will now open the series against the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night.  Girardi thinks the rest is good for his ace after being banged up by the Red Sox on Saturday.

The manager said there wasn't anything in particular that presented itself to be a problem with Sabathia, but it seemed like a good time to give him a break.

Hughes, on the other hand, has to be wondering if the thirteen pitches he threw on Sunday are a bad omen.  In his previous start, he gave up three hits and no runs in six sparkling innings and his ERA has dropped to 7.11 from a dismal 13.94 when he came off the DL.

"It's always disappointing if you're no starting," said Hughes.  "I feel like I made some good progress in my last start, so if I have to wait around, it won't be something that's fun to deal with, but again, I don't make these calls or anything like that."

Phil Hughes Headed to Yankees Bullpen This Weekend

New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi said today that Phil Hughes will be used out of the bullpen, if necessary, in this weekend's series against the Boston Red Sox.  Hughes, who is thick in the mix of the Yankees six-man starting rotation drama,  will be available from the bullpen for the next three days as insurance,  the manager told the YES Network.

According to the YES, Hughes is tentatively scheduled to start  Tuesday against the Los Angeles Angels, but all that could change if he throws this weekend.

Meanwhile, Ivan Nova, who had a spectacular 10-strikeout performance against the Chicago White Sox last night, will be kept with the team and may start Thursday.  The team is 13-5 in Nova's starts.

The six-man soap opera just keeps getting better and better every day.

One thing was made clear by Girardi; the the team's least effective starter, A.J. Burnett, will not be going to the bullpen.

In his last start on Tuesday, Burnett had a chance to pick up his first win since June 29 after the Yankees staked him to a 12 run lead, but the struggling hurler didn't last five innings. He is scheduled to pitch on Wednesday.

"We are not going to jump to conclusions due to one good start or one bad start," said Girardi.

Meanwhile, it's hard to figure out why the manager would make Hughes available from the bullpen during a mid-season series, other than that's where the pitcher started his Yankees career.  The Yankees already have seven pitchers in the bullpen and Hughes threw a three-hit, six-inning gem in his last outing.

Girardi doesn't want anyone to start putting too much thought into which pitcher is the odd man out with these moves-- especially Hughes.

"I would love to get distance out of starters and not use him [this weekend]," said Girardi of Hughes.  "But as I said these series get a little crazy at times and you've got to protect yourself."

It's not really the DaVinci Code, if you believe Girardi, it's about beating the Red Sox.

Nova is still hanging around on pins and needles about being called into Girardi's office.


"It's hard, especially in a moment like what if they call you into the office," said Nova.  "I hope they don't call me today or the rest of the month because September is almost here."

If anyone thought last week's pitching performances by Hughes, Burnett and Nova against the White Sox cleared anything up, they were wrong.

Stay tuned for for more of the Yankees six-man drama for at least another week.

Yankees To Go Old School On Red Sox With Colon and Garcia

Everything is just like it was scripted.  The New York Yankees roll into Fenway Park to battle the Boston Red Sox for first place.  Sporting the same records (68-42), both teams are on sizzling hot streaks headed for a collision course to claim supremacy in the AL East.  In the Sox corner: Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and John Lackey.  For the Yankees:  CC Sabathia, Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon...huh?

Many people rolled their eyes when the two aging hurlers were picked up in the offseason for a song and slow dance and now, the two veterans figure mightily into the Yankees playoff hopes.

The 38 year-old Colon, who hadn't even pitched in the majors since 2009 while he was rehabbing his repaired his shoulder and elbow in the Dominican Republic, has been the Yankees real No. 2 starter this season after undergoing some kind of mysterious treatment for the injuries.

Garcia, 34, almost didn't make the team after spring training.

Now, the two elder statesmen are being called the adhesive which kept the shaky Yankees rotation from collapsing this season.  Funny, at the beginning of the season, skeptics talked like Colon and Garcia were ready for the glue factory. They were right.

Colon and Garcia wouldn't have been the first names mentioned, as the pitchers picking up the slack when Phil Hughes went down with dead arm for most of the season and the inconsistent A.J. Burnett went into his annual June/July funk-- but they were.



For a couple of guys picked up as consolation prizes after the Yankees inability to land Mr. America, Cliff Lee,  the old guys are the keys to the Yankees season.

Most experts wondered if the rotund Colon (8-6, 3.30 ERA) and the undervalued Garcia (10-7, 3.22) could make it through a whole season and-- two-thirds through-- they are actually getting better.

Colon opens the three-games series tonight against a 27 year-old toddler, Jon Lester (11-4, 3.17 ERA) and sandwiched around Sabathia is Garcia, who will square off against that "tweener," Josh Beckett.

Lester is a Yankee-killer.  He boasts a 8-1 lifetime record against his division rival but Colon comes into tonight's game with a 2-1 record with a 2.45 ERA over his last three starts.

Garcia has won three in a row but has two losses this season against the Sox.  He faces Beckett on Sunday night.  The last time the Yankees saw Beckett, he was spectacular.  He struck out 10 and allowed two runs in eight innings in an ESPN Sunday night game in April.

Both Yankees hurlers will have their hands full.

Don't let Boston's 8-1 series lead over New York this season fool you.   In 2009, the Sox won the first eight games between the two bitter rivals, then dropped eight of the final nine meetings. 

The Red Sox have their problems right now.  Lackey has been inconsistent.  He lost Monday after giving up five runs and eight hits against the Cleveland Indians.  Now, Boston's last minute trade-deadline deal to snag a reputable starter, Erik Bedard, doesn't look as good as advertised last week.

Last night, Bedard posted a no-decision after allowing three runs and seven hits in five innings during his Red Sox debut.  It threw cold water on a Boston eight-game win streak.

The Yankees come into Fenway sporting a seven game win streak themselves-- with lots of offense to boot.  The Bombers scored 63 runs during that run.

It looks like the Red Sox and Yankees will be seeing a lot more of each other this season.  They play three more series this year and it looks like both are headed to the playoffs.  So count this series as a preliminary round.

As for Colon and Garcia's success so far.  Yankees GM Brian Cashman deserves a lot of credit for taking chances on them.  He heard the snickers and AARP jokes, then watched as Boston loaded up their line-up with the acquisitions of young talent like Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford.  Cashman stayed patient while fans screamed for the big names.

Cashman has been through this before.  He knows when it comes to the Yankees/Red Sox rivalry, it's pitching that matters most.

Maybe that's why the Yankees GM also stayed pat at the trade deadline.  He went against public opinion and refused to give up  prospects for the suspect Ubaldo Jimenez and stuck with Ivan Nova.  Looks like a brilliant move right now.

Cashman knows it's all about the arms-- sometimes they just happen to be a little older.

Could Ivan Nova Knock A.J. Burnett From Yankees Rotation?

If Ivan Nova is super tonight, does the young right-hander deserve a spot in the New York Yankees rotation?  After A.J. Burnett's implosion last night, it might be a credible thought; although Yankees manager Joe Girardi confirmed Burnett would make his next scheduled start Wednesday against the Los Angeles Angels.

When last seen last night, Burnett was headed to the locker room, popping buttons all over the dugout as he ripped off his Yankees jersey.

Burnett's seven-run debacle against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field had to concern Girardi. 

The Yankees pounded out 23 hits--five players had at least  three apiece-- and handed the struggling Burnett a 12-run lead and he still couldn't get a win.  It would have been his first W since June 29.



The Yankees were ahead, 13-1, and Burnett allowed five runs in the fourth-inning.  In the fifth, Girardi made the decision to yank his inefficient starter with two men on the corners.  He gave up seven earned runs in all.

Girardi did the exact thing with Phil Hughes a couple of weeks ago when the Oakland A's started to chip away at a big Yankee lead.

This four-game series against the White Sox was originally an audition for the No. 5 slot in the rotation between Hughes and Nova but now, with Burnett's flame-out, it could now be a rotation casting call.

Hughes passed his screen test with flying colors.  His six-inning, three-hit, no runs, rain-shortened gem probably secured the slot for Hughes handily. 

Tonight is Nova's turn to be seen.  In what was essentially a go-see could possibly turn into something more important-- a spot on the roster.

Nova is making his second appearance after being sent down to Triple-A to make room on the roster for Hughes.  He has won his past five decisions by sporting a 3.26 ERA, with 28 strikeouts and 12 walks in 38 2/3 innings.  Nova has been the beneficiary of a robust Yankees offense.  The team has averaged nine runs during those starts while Nova has given up six home-runs and 34 hits during that span.  Amazingly, the 9-4 pitcher is fighting a demotion back to Triple-A.

Burnett is going in the opposite direction.  His ERA has steadily climbed every month since April and his 4-0 start.  He was 0-4 with a 7.80 ERA in July and is now 8-9 with a 4.56 ERA for the season.

A couple of things keep Burnett in the rotation .  One, his huge contract ($16.5 mil-a year with two more to go) and two, the underlying hope (and capability) that the Sybil-like righty can throw a brilliant game.  Still, Burnett is untradeable and will never see the bullpen for that price.

When Burnett is on, he is great but when he is alternately off, he is horrible.  It's not uncommon for Burnett to strike out a side one inning then, in the next, throw a wild pitch, hit a batter and walk in a run.  I'm not sure, but it wouldn't surprise me if he's done all three at the same time.  Baseball's first Triple-Bobble.

Girardi has said all the right things regarding his overstocked starting rotation.  He didn't pass judgement on Hughes until Tuesday night and it looks like the manager's support paid off.  He's showing the same respect for Burnett.

"His day will be on Wednesday," said Girardi, putting the kibosh on any talk that Burnett's position is in jeopardy. "His numbers aren't that bad.  We look at the whole year, and A.J.'s been decent for us.  He's starting on Wednesday."

Girardi had that same 'look at the past' outlook with Hughes the past few weeks until Hughes came through.  The Yankees are winning, even with the rotation distraction, and are only one game behind the division leading Boston Red Sox and have an eight game lead in the wild card race.  So Girardi doesn't want to rock the boat.

As for last night's benching, Burnett was already off the mound when Girardi came out to relieve him.  The embarrassed pitcher slapped the ball into his manager's hand and stormed off-- only two outs from a win.  Girardi didn't take it personally but, didn't take chances either.

"I'm frustrated for him," said Girardi.  "Because that's a night that he should be able to go out and get a win."

Burnett meanwhile, knew what was coming.

"I was a little upset, but then again, you got to look at how I'm pitching too," said Burnett.  "I wasn't exactly doing anything out there.  You've got to stop the bleeding somehow."

If Nova picks up his 10th win tonight, he may be the tourniquet the Yankees need.

Did Colon and Garcia's Last Outings Quell Yankees Trade Talks

Last week the New York Yankees seemed desperate to add another reliable starter to their rotation.  All eyes seemed to be focused on Colorado Rockies flame-thrower Ubaldo Jimenez.  Only problem was, the Rockies would literally be asking the Yankees for the farm to make any kind of trade for their 27 year-old righthander.

The Yankees remember all too well last year's lack of starting pitching in the playoffs and have to be wondering if they can pin four-fifth of their October hopes on Phil Hughes--a pitcher on the mend, A.J. Burnett--who has reverted back to his inconsistent self, Ivan Nova-- who just went on the Triple-A DL for a foot injury, and Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia--two aging veterans picked up during the off-season winter-sale.

Funny thing, outside of CC Sabathia, Colon and Garcia, have been the most impressive this season.  Now the question is can the 38 year-old Colon and 35 year-old Garcia hold up?

Both pitchers combined for a total of two earned runs in 13 innings in two games against the Tampa Bay Rays this week.

Garcia out dueled David Price and struck out seven Rays hitters over 6.2 innings last night.  Last week Garcia was battered in Toronto where he allowed five earned runs in five innings after a 12 day layoff.  Manager Joe Girardi said the layoff was responsible.

Colon's masterpiece the night before was spoiled after centerfielder Curtis Granderson lost a fly ball in the roof of Tropicana Field.  The hefty hurler went 6.1 innings and struck out nine batters.

Reports continue to swirl that the Yankees are still interested in Jimenez, but there hasn't been any official comment from management. Girardi seems content on keeping things as they are.

"This is what we have and we've gotten to this point because of them," he said.  "There's no reason that can't continue."

Well, many fans will dispute that sentiment and the Yankees reportedly have scouts buying more Rockies tickets than usual.

The reasons to add a player like Jimenez, who has 50 wins over his last three years and has over 33 starts in each of his three full seasons.  He had 214 strikeouts last season-- third in the NL-- and the durable pitcher who has thrown 845 innings without any real troubles.  Jimenez has only been on the DL once in his career for a broken fingernail.  The Yankees have to like the thought of getting a pitcher without shoulder, elbow or "dead arm" problems.

Jimenez could come cheap in contract but steep in trade.  He is making $2.8 million this year, $4.2 mil next season and an option of $5.75 in 2013.  Compare that to the $33 million the Yankees will be shelling out for A.J. Burnett over the next two years.

In exchange, the Rockies will probably want Manny Banuelos, Dellin Betances and Jesus Montero--three of the Yankees top prospects.

Jimenez's bi-polar 2010 season has to be on the Yankees mind after he started 15-1, then sludged through the second half of the season.  He is 6-3 with a 2.61 ERA in his last 10 starts.

The Yankees could wait until the end of the season to get Jimenez and hang on to their prospects, much like they did with Sabathia in 2008, when they held on to Hughes and got the big pitcher they wanted anyway.

The questions now are if Hughes is back to form and  if Colon and Garcia can keep it up for another two-and-a-half months.

They will each get at least another start before the July 31 trade deadline--one more chance to show the Yankees the first half of their seasons weren't a fluke and the team can hang on to their prospects for the future.