Pinstripe Posts

Going, going, Gonzalez

At the trade deadline, the Yanks' only move was to flip minor-league shortstop Alberto Gonzalez to Washington for right-hander Jhonny Nunez, 22, a Class AA starter who might be transferred to relief.

The Mariners' asking price for Jarrod Washburn never came down to where Brian Cashman was comfortable. With roughly $14 million owed to the lefty through next year, he'll doubtless show up on the waiver wire, and a deal could be reconstructed in a week or two.

But Cashman mentioned that Phil Hughes is progressing well (he'll go up to 50 pitches in his next start). They signed Victor Zambrano to a minor-league deal, and they'll take a look at Freddy Garcia during his showcase session. Eric Milton shouldn't be on anyone's radar yet, Cash said, but they have other options - such as Alfredo Aceves at Scranton.

Not mentioned by Cash: Kei Igawa has won his last two starts, with a 2.77 ERA.

Mentioned by Cash: Carl Pavano makes his second minor-league rehab appearance this week.

Cash: Don't hold your breath on another deal

He pulled off that swell Nady & Marte deal with the Pirates. And for a moment, it was Christmas in the Bronx.

Yet, Brian Cashman isn't optimistic about making a trade for a starting pitcher this week. And if the Yankees get another catcher, it'll probably be somebody off waivers after Thursday's 4 p.m. trade deadline.

"It's so hard to find matches that are fair for both sides. It just makes making trades almost impossible, it seems like. Every now and then you run into one but, it's so difficult...I'm not optimistic.'' Cashman said before tonight's game. "But I would've said that last week prior to the Pittsburgh deal.

"I'd say between now and the 31st, most likely, that this is what we've got. But let's keep working the phones.''

POST GAME NOTES: Though Cashman indicated the decision on Posada's surgery was fated before today's BP, Joe Girardi mentioned that there was "no whip in (Posada's) bat'' during batting practice.

That might have just served to indicate to Posada, himself, that it was time to bow out. "We're going to miss him, but, let's get it fixed and get him ready for next year,'' Girardi said.

BOSTON AND BALTIMORE combined for 32 hits over the past two nights, which is the most hits allowed by the Yankees in consecutive games since Aug. 25-26, 2006, at Anaheim. KYLE FARNSWORTH gave up a run for the first time since June 22, vs. Cincy, snapping an 11-outing scoreless stretch. JOHNNY DAMON's homer was his first since May 27, at Baltimore - snapping a 156 AB homer-less span.

Posada to undergo surgery, Hal in the house, trade talk and other items

Jorge Posada will undergo surgery on his right shoulder later this week, and faces a minimum of six months surgery. Within the half hour, GM Brian Cashman informed the writers of his meeting - in the trainer's room - with Posada and manager Joe Girardi.

Oddly enough, Posada took batting practice on the field beforehand. Earlier in the clubhouse, Posada said that, "I hope I'm still in their plans.'' Posada wasn't available to reporters after the decision about surgery was made.

But in a statement released by the club, Posada said: "After speaking with Brian and Joe, I thought it was best for me and the team to have surgery now.'' With Xavier Nady on board, "there isn't as much pressure on me to return.''

Cashman called the trade front "frigid'' right now, and was "not optimistic about making any deal between now and Thursday deadline (4 p.m.). And he doesn't anticipate adding another catcher via trade.

However, the Yanks seem to be a phone call away from obtaining Seattle's Jarrod Washburn, as long as the Mariners make Washburn a salary dump and back down from asking for a young prospect. On the field today, Hal Steinbrenner referred to a starting pitching need. "In a perfect world, if you look at what we need, it's pretty obvious,'' Hal said. Still, "I don't know if the right deal is out there.''

Hideki Matsui hit off a tee, and believes he can play in a rehab game in 7-10 days, as long as his sore left knee doesn't swell up again. Chien-Ming Wang gets the boot off his foot tomorrow, and hopes to return in September.

Good Sidney, Bad Sidney

You never quite know which will surface every fifth day. Except at Fenway Park, where Bad Sidney apparently owns season tickets. This was ugly tonight. Even the outs were ripped.

Ponson (6-2) is scheduled to take his regular start on Friday, Joe Girardi said. What was unsaid, of course, is that Friday would be Jarrod Washburn's regular day. And if he becomes a Yankee in the next 72 hours or so, pencil him in vs. the Angels on Friday night at the Stadium.

On July 2, Ponson gave up 7 earned runs against Texas. Between that evening and tonight - when Ponson also was hit for 7 earned runs - the Yankees' starting staff went 9-4, with a 2.90 ERA. Who was the last Yankee starter to give up at least 7 earned runs in a start this year, other than Ponson? It was D. Rasner.

So, while the Yanks play hardball with the Mariners over Washburn, there's a big-time need for another starter. Despite the $10.35 million owed to Washburn for '09, the Yankees need to give up a prospect to make a deal. But, so far, the Yankees seem unwilling to swap a second-tier prospect.

If that's all it takes, you'd expect the Yanks to make that swap than live much longer wondering which Sidney will show up.

Washburn not a Yankee - at least not right now

There's no deal in place for Seattle lefty starter Jarrod Washburn right now, and GM Brian Cashman said he'd be surprised to complete any deal by tonight.

Asked specifically if there were a deal bubbling with the Mariners right now, Cashman said in the visiting dugout a few minutes ago that, "I can tell you we have no deal with anybody...I'm cold. I've got no irons in the fire right now.''

More on the Nady-Marte deal: Both players arrived, and Nady is in the lineup, in LF, batting 7th. The deal was consummated a little after noon, when Pittsburgh agreed to take McCutchen and Karstens off a list that included Coke and Kontos. However, a Mariners scout watched Coke pitch last night, so a potential deal for Washburn is still on the burner.

PS: Manny Ramirez is in the lineup. And don't think for a minute that the Joba-Youkilis thing is over. It wouldn't surprise anyone if the Red Sox retaliated today or tomorrow night; nobody in the Boston clubhouse can understand why Chamberlain keeps firing up and in on Youkilis - and last night's pitch was dangerously near his head.

Deal amendment

According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, the Yankees-Pirates deal has altered slightly.

Right-handers Jeff Karstens and Daniel McCutchen are now apparently heading to Pittsburgh instead of Coke and Kontos, which would make this a better deal for the Pirates - but still a coup for Cashman and the Yankees.

Still no word if Manny is in or out of today's lineup. Various Boston reports said there was a meeting between ownership and Manny on the docket, possibly for today, after the slugger pulled himself out of yesterday's lineup due to a sore right knee. The Red Sox had him take MRIs on both knees Friday, and they came back negative.

Dan Shaughnessy on Manny in today's Globe is must-read stuff. The Sox are fed up with his act, and might not trigger his option for 2009. Before you say Manny in left, Nady in right, Melky (or Damon?) in center next year, do you really want to deal with this drama every year? At this age? When his production has already peaked?

"Genius" quote of the century, the deal of the week, and 'Silent' Cash

After Joba Chamberlain's seven-inning shutout at Fenway helped produce tonight's 1-0 win, Jason Giambi reflected on "The Great Joba Debate.'' The switch was a highly discussed topic in the clubhouse, too. "(Rivera and Joba) with that closer-setup role, they were the best in baseball,'' Giambi said.

But, "once Wang went down, that was the move of the century,'' Giambi said of Chamberlain's switch to the starting rotation.

"We were all talking about (how it turned out better that Joba was switched sooner than later), because this was the move we would've made when Wang went down.''

This was after Giambi, Rivera, A-Rod, Jeter, Damon - and possibly Wally the Green Monster mascot, the kid cleaning spikes, the guy sweeping peanut shells off the box seats - were all quoted about the Nady-Marte deal. All except Brian Cashman, since it's Yankee policy never to announce a deal until physicals are taken and paperwork is signed, though Cash would not move past, "We have nothing to announce.''

From just a few feet away, the players were throwing laurels his way. And with good reason. It looks like a fabulous deal, for two difference-makers who could be under Yankee control next year (Marte owns a $6 million club option), without having to give up anything more than potential.

Tabata's stock dipped this year, partly due to two disciplinary instances. But he is 19, and was being compared to a budding Manny Ramirez for two years.

Ohlendorf excelled lately as a starter, but give the Yanks credit for salvaging his season and turning him back into a prospect of value. Of the Double-A pitchers, Coke, the lefty, is already 26, and Kontos is 3-9 on a Trenton club that is 64-39.

Kudos, Cash. Even though you're saving that bow. 

Pittsburgh Stealers

Reports of out Pittsburgh are that outfielder Xavier Nady and lefty reliever Damaso Marte are on their way to the Yankees, in a trade for Ross Ohlendorf and three prospects. One might be Jose Tabata. More to come.

Just over an hour ago, GM Brian Cashman - who is here in Boston - brought up Ohlendorf's name, and said he might remain as a starter, since he showed he could maintain his velocity late in games.

UPDATE: Nady and Marte are headed here for Tabata, Ohlendorf, and Class AA right-haned pitchers Phil Coke and George Kontos.

Back in Boston

The heavy rain has moved on, and it's a beautiful morning in Boston - with the promise of a rain-delay free three days at Fenway. it's Joba vs. Josh Beckett tonight in the Hank Steinbrenner Game of the Week, Pettitte-Wakefield on Saturday, and Sir Sidney gets the Sunday night game vs. Jon Lester.

Last time the Yanks were here, Big Papi was a Big Mess, going 0-for-7, and sitting out the series finale. He was batting .071 when the Yankees left town on April 13. Now, he's back in the lineup tonight after being out since June 1, due to a wrist injury.

There's more movement afoot that the Yankees could make a deal for a starter or a significant bat, boosted by ownership's desire to aid this current run - but only if Brian Cashman and company deems the price is right.

Silver Anniversary

Twenty-five years ago tomorrow, Tim McClelland called George Brett 'out' for having too much pine tar on his bat. If all you knew about the two men came from the famous highlight clip of Brett going berserk, you'd be surprised to know that McClelland regards Brett as one of his favorites in 26 years as an umpire.

Before games in KC, Brett would pop his head into the umipres room, flash a grin, and say, "I just wanted you to know that we're all pulling for you, and, good luck tonight.'' Five years ago, it was Brett who reminded McClelland that it was their 20th anniversary. "Wherever you are, give me a call,'' Brett told him. "We'll have a beer together.''

It was great that McClelland gave us a few minutes this morning on his recollections on the 'Pine Tar Game,' during his rookie season. But McClelland's greatest Yankee Stadium highlight was the day in 1998 when he was behind the plate for David Wells' perfect game.

"One of my top two moments,'' as an umpire, he said. That, and his first game working the plate in the World Series, Game 5, 1993, the game before Joe Carter won it all (McClelland was in RF). Still, "I do get flashbacks (of the Pine Tar Game) whenever I come to this ballpark.'' Because it's so frequently shown, "it's always fresh in my mind.''

Here's what you didn't see: The Royals tried to steal the bat back, starting with then-KC pitcher Gaylord Perry. "The man of foreign substance that he is..twisted it out of my hands,'' McClelland said. Then, coach Rocky Colavito grabbed it, "and held it up over his head like he was going to hit me with it.''

That's when McClelland and veteran ump Joe Brinkman gave chase. "We got the bat from a security guard.'' Now, it's in the Hall of Fame.