Baseball back in business

The baseball world got back to business after basically shutting down for the holidays. Adrian Beltre has signed with the Red Sox for one year and a 2nd option year. The deal is for 9 million and the option is 5 million, this is pending a physical. I would think by doing this that they must know the can trade Mike Lowell but the thing is he did just have surgery, unless Texas said we will do the deal but he has to go get the surgery and show that he is capable of playing and then we will make the deal before the season starts. There is also a rumor going around about the Mets and Red Sox talking about a Luis Castillo/Mike Lowell swap but that makes no sense since the Mets have a good third baseman in David Wright and the Red Sox had a good second baseman in Dustin Pedroia. Former Yankee and fan favorite Shelly Duncan has signed a deal with the Cleveland Indians. Matt Holliday and the Cardinals are getting close, I would expect this deal to be finalized sometime this week. This would also affect Johnny Damon, there was a rumor today about him possibly going to Atlanta but the Braves would have to trade Melky Cabrera first who they did just aquire. There is also talk of him maybe going to the San Francisco Giants. I just think he has made himself look bad and I don't even know if those teams are legitimate options, if not does he come back to the Yankees and take a 1 yr lesser deal??

Yankees at White Sox

The Yankees play game 2 of a 4 game series tonight in Chicago. Sergio Mitre makes his 3rd start of the year for the Yankees. D.J. Carrasco starts for the White Sox as they aquired Jake Peavy and gave away their starter for tonight. The Red Sox also made a deal getting Victor Martinez for Justin Masterson and 2 prospects. The Yankees aquired Jerry Hairston Jr. for minor league catcher Chase Weems. Here are the pregame notes and lineups from Peter Abraham. Shelly Duncan is back, watch out everyone for the forearm smashes. He had 25 homeruns and 75 rbi's in Scranton. Yankee starters have a 2.61 era since the all star break. Melky is 5 of 14 on the roadtrip and 10 of his last 22 overall. The Yankees are batting 216 with runners in scoring position on this roadtrip. The Yankees have committed 7 errors on this roadtrip. Alfredo Aceves has only pitched once since July 21. The Yankees are 18-8 in July so they hate to see it end. Nick Swisher has a 6 game hitting streak and Johnny Damon has drawn a walk in 6 straight. Mo has not allowed a run in his last 16 2/3 innings. He has converted 25 straight save chances. Jon Albaladejo was sent back down to make room for Shelly Duncan and we will see what they do when Hairston gets here. Yankees Lineup: Jeter(SS) Damon(LF) Tex(1B) A-rod(3B) Matsui(DH) Posada(C) Cabrera(CF) Hinske(RF)

Yanks try to finish off homestand in style

The New York Yankees finish their 10 game homestand today with a 1:05 game against the Oakland A's. Dallas Braden is on the mound for Oakland who stats wise is their best pitcher, I can't see the Yankees doing much worse then yesterday when they couldn't hit Gio Gonzalez at all. The game is on Yes. The Yankees will leave after the game for Tampa where they will start a big 3 game series with the Tampa Bay Rays and then they will continue on to play the White Sox for 3 and 2 with Toronto before coming home for a huge 4 game series with the Boston Red Sox. Peter Abraham is off today so there isn't much notes but the big thing is Brett Gardner is on the DL with a broken thumb, he did it yesterday breaking up a double play in the first inning. He will be in a cast for at least two weeks. The only other outfielders on the 40 man roster are Shelly Duncan, John Rodriguez and Austin Jackson. It will be interesting to see who they call up but for now Jon Albaladejo will be on the team for today and then tomorrow they will send him back down and send someone else up. A-rod is just getting the day off as he has looked lethargic lately. Yankees lineup: Jeter(SS) Damon(LF) Tex(1B) Posada(C) Matsui(DH) Swisher(RF) Cano(2B) Cabrera(CF) Ransom(3B)