CC looking like an Ace

The New York Yankees defeated the Oakland A's 7-2 last night in a sloppy game for the A's. CC Sabathia pitched very well going 8 innings with 5 hits, 2 walks and 7 strikeouts. He gave up two solo homeruns early and then was in trouble in the 4th with two men on and one out but got out of it and then went into full lockdown mode, only one guy reached base the rest of the game. CC Sabathia is now 4-0 this month with a 2+ era. David Robertson pitched a scoreless ninth walking a couple of guys but then not giving anything else up. CC Sabathia earlier in the year was struggling and a lot of people were worried but he sure looks like an Ace now and he said he would get better as the season wore on and that is what you want. The offense was once again led by the Captain Derek Jeter who had 3 hits for the 3rd straight game. Johnny Damon had a couple of hits and a rbi, A-rod had a hit, rbi and 2 walks. Hideki Matsui had a couple of hits, rbi and walk. Jorge Posada had a hit and 2 rbi's and Melky Cabrera had a couple of hits. The Yankees will try and win the series tonight before heading to Boston and enjoying a day off tomorrow before the big 3 game series starting Friday night.

Johan Santana sidelined

The word out of Mets camp doesn't sound too good. Ace pitcher Johan Santana who Hank Steinbrenner coveted is out indefinitely. It appears he may have tendinitis in his elbow, when I get more information I will post it. He hasn't gone for an MRI as of yet but it wouldn't be shocking if the Mets got him out of there secretly to do that, they are still downplaying this but if your a Mets fan, you have to be worried, if he is gone for a length of time during the season the Mets are in big trouble. The Mets take on the Tigers today at 1:05. I was going to post the Mets lineup for today but I can't seem to find it, oh well be back later with updates.

Baseball News

Manny Ramirez rejected the Dodgers latest offer yesterday which was for 2 yrs 45 million and a player option in the second year. Today Scott Boras is saying he will accept that offer but only if it is a real offer, it is thought that the Dodgers are trying to get sneaky and not really pay him that but spread it out over a few years. It will be interesting to see what happens here but they need him and he apparently needs them as he has had no other offers. The Mets got a bit of a scare yesterday when their Ace Johan Santana was scratched from a start with elbow stiffness, he will take the weekend off and try again on Tuesday. Hopefully it is nothing serious but you always worry when a pitcher has an elbow or shoulder issue. The WBC starts next week and players will start leaving their teams this weekend.

Spring Training Preview

We are now a week away from pitchers and catchers and I couldn't be more excited. Derek Jeter said the other day this is the most excited he has been in a few seasons and I agree with him, we have some pitching and a non statue at first base, no offense to the Big G. I wanted to do a little spring training preview. I want to list what I think the batting order and rotation will be as well as the bullpen. Lineup Damon Jeter Tex Arod Matsui Posada Cano Nady/Swisher Gardner/Cabrera Rotation CC AJ Wang Pettitte Joba Pen Mo Bruney Marte Edwar Veras Aceves Coke or Melancon I think Gardner will win the CF job but Melky had a good winter season and it will be interesting to see if he is motivated and plays better then Gardner. I think Nady and Swisher should stay and will stay and I think Joe G will find a way to work them all in. I would watch for Posada and Matsui to see how they bounce back, if they are healthy then this will be a very good lineup. I think the bench is better with having Nady/Swisher and Melky/Gardner on the bench along with Molina and the backup infielder which will probably be Ransom and maybe Angel Berroa. I think the Yanks finally have the ace they have been looking for in CC and that if AJ is healthy they have the best rotation. I think Tex will make them so much better not just in the lineup but the whole infield defensively because of him. The biggest thing to look for is the health. I also think guys like CC and Tex and Swisher will be the grinders and chemistry guys that will help them also. I hope everyone who is going down to Tampa enjoys and soon enough we will see them in action as they begin grapefruit league play. February 26 is the first game on YES. I cant wait and Lets Go Yankees.