Man-Ram + Pinstripes = Win?

Sorry for not getting in a post yesterday, was in some sort of bad funk. But this morning i read in an article by Mark Feinsand that the Yankees may be going hard for Manny Ramirez.

This also may be why the Mike Cameron deal is on hold, if the Yankees get Manny Ramirez, alot of their problems will be solved. Their ailing offense is going to need a bat with the loss of Bobby Abreu and Jason Giambi, Ramirez will fill that void.

At this time last year, every single Yankee fan (be honest) would not want Manny Ramirez anywhere near the starting lineup. Manny's heroic performance with the Dodgers really showed what he can do in a comfortable environment, not that New York is a comfortable place to be, but i think Manny can handle it.

Man-Ram has always said he wants to play in New York, and the Yankees may actually be able to push a 3rd year on him. The third year may be pushing it with a player like Manny, he's getting older, his defense isn't great, but if worse comes to worse, maybe see if he would accept a deal for 2 years in the 50 MM range with a club option.

No question Manny Ramirez will make the Yankees a better team, and perhaps one of the favorites for winning the AL East.

Here's a realistic opening day lineup:

Jonny Damon-CF/DH
Derek Jeter-SS
Alex Rodriguez-3B
Manny Ramirez-LF
Jorge Posada-C
Xavier Nady-RF
Hideki Matsui-DH
Nick Swisher-1B/CF
Robinson Cano-2B

Now that is a lineup i can feel comfortable with.

Production problem...

The Yankees lost two key members of their offense last year in Bobby Abreu and Jason Giambi. Even with those two the Yankees offense ranked 7th in the AL, so one can not expect Nick Swisher alone to pick up the pieces.

It was reported today that the Yankees were still very interested in the two biggest bats in the free agent pool despite spending almost a quarter of a billion dollars on pitchers already.

Making an offer to Mark Teixeira would be smart; however he is looking for a long term deal, can the Yankees really afford that considering what they've already spent? Manny Ramirez is also out there, and has even said he would love to play in New York, a shorter term deal would be available, but still, the price would be extremely high.

Realistically, the Yankees should look at other options, in case they are unable to sign Mark Teixeira and Manny Ramirez. Players like Adam Dunn or Milton Bradley can be signed worth far less. Just imagine if the Yankees signed BOTH Mark Teixeira and Manny Ramirez... that would be crazy.

Let me just give you a mouth drooling theoretical opening day lineup...

Jonny Damon-CF
Derek Jeter-SS
Alex Rodriguez-3B
Manny Ramirez-LF
Mark Teixeira-1B
Jorge Posada-C
Hideki Matsui-DH
Xavier Nady-RF
Robinson Cano-2B

Now that you're salivating over that lineup... take a look and enjoy your opening day starting rotation.

CC Sabathia
Chien Ming Wang
AJ Burnett
Joba Chamberlain
Andy 'Big game' Pettite

I don't know about you Yankee fans, but i'm anxiously awaiting opening day 2009 wether Mark Teixeira or Manny Ramirez are Yankees or not.

Fight night?

So, i noticed every blog had their own special thing they do for their site every once in a while... and i thought, how about once a week... i stage a fake fight between players... tell me what you think...

Fighter 1: Alex Rodriguez

Fighting style: Open palm slams.... come on you saw what he did to Jason Varitek.

Special Ability: he throws flaming dollar bills... why? because he can.

Strengths: he can sure deal out the damage when his enemies are down, and make sure they stay down... hmm sounds alot like how he plays baseball...

Weakness: Reminding him of his good 'friend' Madonna will put him into a depressed mind state therefore leading him into a slump where he will strike out... err i mean be vulnurable to any sort of attack.

Fighter 2:Manny Ramirez

Fighting Style: He doesnt have one, he sends in a stunt double to do the fighting for him... and he just comes in at the end so it looks like he was fighting the whooole time...

Special Ability: He can put you in a choke hold with his hair!

Strengths: You won't have to worry about him suffering any kind of injury, he won't accelerate to a speed higher than... slow jog?

Weakness: His hair, you cut it off and he will begin to weep uncontrollably giving his enemies enough time to pin him to the ground and win the fight.

Winner: A-Rod... come on... he shoots flaming dollar bills... the guy has millions of them (Manny's hair sure does look flammable... he never stood a chance).