It's been a minute or two since I did a Top Ten Tuesday post, but back when I was blogging constantly (AKA when I had even less of a life than I do now), they were one of my fave posts to craft up - so let's bring 'em back!

As each member of the Yanks rolled into camp for Spring Training and were pounced upon by the media, every single one of them reiterated the same cliched sentiment: "we just want to repeat what we did last year." A lovely goal, but as history has shown us, a tough one to realize. There are so many variables involved in winning even one World Series - not just your own team's injuries, slumps, and luck (good and bad), but that of 29 other teams, too! - that winning two in a row is no small feat, even with a spectacular team.

The Yanks do have a spectacular team, of course - arguably even better than last year's championship roster. They've got about as good a chance of repeating as any team in recent history, but there's a few things that need to fall into place just right if they want any chance of back to back titles.

Top Ten Things the Yanks Need to Get Ring #28 in 2010:

10) A big year from Cano. Robby Cano Dont'cha Know had a dandy year last year in most regards - solid defense, stellar average, and a nice burst of power (25 home runs compared to his previous career high of 19). However... he couldn't always hack it in big situations and hit into 22 double plays. If he can get his act together just a tiny bit more, it'd be huge for the team. Let's just hope he's not too distracted by the loss of his BFF to play well - we don't want a repeat of 2008's performance.

9) A decent performance from the Gardner/Winn/Thames contingent. I've said several times that because of the depth of the rest of the lineup, having a mediocre player in that outfield spot isn't really that big of a deal. That may be true, but there's still no room for a wretched performance. Whoever ends up in that spot needs to at least be consistent and able to contribute to the team in some way - we can't have a .200 hitter going out there every day.

8) Minimal injuries. It's a "duh" one to even put on here, but really: some of these dudes ain't spring chickens, and we've got at least one guy that is particularly injury-prone (I'm looking at you, Nick Johnson. Try not to trip over a sunflower seed on your way to the dugout.) A rash of ill-timed minor injuries or a totally debilitating injury to a key player like A-Rod or Sabathia could be fatal. To their dreams. And anyone sitting near me when it happens.

7) We need the 2008 Granderson, not the 2009 one. Last year was a relatively rough year for Curtis, at least in comparison to his previous seasons - he only hit .249 with a .327 OBP (although he did hit 30 homers, which he can hopefully duplicate with the Yanks' homer-friendly right field). Worst of all, his splits last year were heinous - he only hit .183 against lefties last year. We need better.

6) No burnout for Sabathia. Sabathia has earned a reputation for being a workhorse, never turning down an opportunity to pitch one more inning or on one fewer day of rest. This was key last year, but can he keep it up?

5) Jobamania AND Hughsie need to be ON all year. Wherever they end up, they both need to finally live up to their hype - and stay healthy. Whichever one ends up starting is going to make a huge impact on the team every five days, and whoever ends up in the 'pen has the ability to be a stabilizing force on the team. Both are important roles, obviously, but it would also be a big morale booster for the team to see both of their young "future stars" finally become stars.

4) A drama-free A-Rod. I think after last year, we can pretty much confirm that A-Rod's attitude makes a WORLD of difference in his performance - and it also makes it easier for the rest of the team to relax and play their best, too. If A-Rod gets entangled in a baby-mama drama with a Real Housewife of New Jersey or continues to be thrust into the spotlight for past transgressions, all bets are off.

3) Jorgie MUST be able to catch (and preferably hit) as often as humanly possible - and he needs to hug it out with Burnett. No offense to Cervelli, but Jorgie better be prepared to play 140 games. Plus, with no Molina to fall back on this year, AJ's gonna have to suck it up and learn to get along with Posada - work on those signs, kiddos.

2) Mariano not to wake up and realize he's 40 years old and shouldn't by any stretch of the imagination still be this good. For a closer to still be this automatic at this stage in his career is obscene... and absolutely necessary for the Yanks' success. If the Yanks lose the luxury of being able to count on winning just about every game when they take a lead into the 9th inning, maintaining momentum and confidence will get a lot trickier.

1) Girardi needs to prove that his strategy wasn't a fluke. I cannot begin to count the number of times last year that I hollered and ranted about Girardi's "over-managing". By the end of September, the man was driving me insane - taking pitchers out when they clearly had more in the tank, giving people days off - I felt like it was killing the rhythm. Clearly, it worked... but I'm not sure I'm convinced it's the best way to do things. Girardi needs to pay close attention to his team this year and make adjustments if necessary (or not - I'm willing to be proved wrong again!)

What say you, YC-ers? Anything you'd like to add to the list?

First of all, this is the first time I've crafted up one of these lists since July 22nd. My apologies for my failure to actually keep up on a "weekly feature" (remember Sidenote Saturdays? Fail.) - I'll do better with TTT from now on.

That said, let's move on to the list!

After failing to make the playoffs for the first time since 1823, the Cash Man and the Steinbrothers have pledged to do anything they can to make sure their team doesn't suffer the same fate in 2009. Presumably, that means SPENDING MONEY LIKE ITS GOING OUT OF STYLE. They really don't have much to trade (don't be delusional, munecas - no sane team is going to trade a grade-A pitcher for some combination of Hughes, Melky, and I-Ken), so it's pretty much a given that "improving the team" is going to mean going after as many top free agents as they can get their grubby little rich hands on.

I've got no problem with that. Let's take a gander at the 10 free agents I'd most like to see in pinstripes! (BTW, you can check out a full list of the FA's HERE)

Top Ten YC Free Agent Picks*:
10) Bobby Abreu (he's been dependable throughout his time with the team)
9) The Moose (yes, he's old. But look at the year he had. Can he repeat it? Maybe not. But is it worth a shot if they can get him on the cheap? Sure.)
8) Jason Giambi (it's hard to say goodbye to 32 homers and a .373 OBP, even if his playing in the field is sub-par at best)
7) Trevor Hoffman (probs wouldn't want to be a set-up man, and probs doesn't want to leave San Diego [who would?]. But a Hoff-Mo duo would be sweet.)
6) Vladdy Guerrero (think of how different things would have been if Cash had gotten his way and he'd been signed instead of Sheff??)
5) Hideki Okajima (SOM [Save Our Mound])
4) Pudge Rodriguez (his brief time with the Yanks last year was unimpressive, but he's still a champ - and with no guarantee that Jorgie Porgie will be the same after his surgery, he could prove to be invaluable)
3) AJ Burnett (SOM)
2) Carsten Charles Sabathia (He's only #2 because he pitched a ridiculous 253 innings in the regular season and an additional 3.2 in the NLDS and its entirely possible that his arm has suffered a great deal of strain)
1) Mark Teixeira (that would not only give us 2 players with the letter X in their name, but arguably the best first baseman in the game. Sorry, Giambi.)

* Yes, I know some of these dudes have options on their contracts. I'm just saying that they'd be fine additions to the team. So simmer.

Whew! It's been many moons since I last posted a Top Ten Tuesday on the proper day (or at all), but for once I am here, coming atcha with some sweet Top Ten action.

The season is quickly getting closer to the finish line - the Yanks will play their 100th game tonight - and they're still rotting in the third place hole in the division. They've got a 4.5 game deficit to surmount and not much time to do it; they're going to need to really get things together to blaze ahead of the Rays and Sox. The problem? They've got a lot of holes in the roster at this time and often seem to be hanging on by a thread. I've got a few thoughts on what they'll need to do during these last few months in order to make it to the playoffs... ready?

Top Ten Things the Yanks NEED if They Want to Make it Back to the Playoffs:

10) Jeter needs to get his average and OBP up. He's hitting well, but not as well as he usually does. Perhaps I'm being a bit greedy expecting him to hit over .300 again, but it sure would be a help.
9) They've still got 9 games to go against the Sox, and big wins would not only boost their spot in the standings (obv) but provide a hearty dose of confidence and momentum - beating the Sox always does.
8) They've also got 6 more games to play against those devilish Rays, and those are going to be must-win contests.
7) The offense needs to produce big time when the "filler starters" - Sir Sidney and Rasner - take the mound. Both of them are decent pitchers and can certainly keep the team in the game so long as the bats show up. Each of them is likely to give up at least 3 runs in the 6 innings they last each time they pitch, which puts a little extra pressure on the offense.
6) Keep hitting, Cano!
5) The bottom third of the order is currently pretty weak, with Melky, Gardner and Jo-Mo (see #3), and that's a pretty big issue at the moment. Everyone seems to think Gardner has the potential to hit a lot better than he has been (.170/.237/189) and Melky has shown glimmers of what he's capable of, but methinks it's unlikely those three will be even close to as productive as the top 6 in the lineup. If they can just get their collective average up to even .250 it would be a big improvement. The team can't win consistently with three automatic outs at the bottom of the lineup.
4) The bullpen has been surprisingly incredible - lights out, in fact - of late, and while I doubt they can keep their ERA under 2.00 for long, if they can just stay healthy and pitch at a 3.00 clip, the Yanks should be able to provide enough run support to hang onto their leads (or mount a comeback when they're behind).
3) Jo-Mo is going to need to start hitting. He's awesome behind the plate, throwing out potential steelers at nearly a 50% rate, but a .227 batting average and .266 OBP ain't going to cut it. If he could just get his average up to how Posada was hitting, about .265 or so, he'd actually be an upgrade over the injured Jorgie. Seems unlikely, though. Let's cross our fingers for .240.
2) Can Matsui make it back from the DL? He opted not to have the surgery his docs were advising, which doesn't seem like the best idea - the docs are the pros - but he knows his body and hopefully he can rehab successfully.
1) When Hughsie and/or I-Ken finally claw their way back to the majors, we need a few wins from them. Before they took up residence at the DL Resort and Casino they hadn't managed a single win - that's got to change. They are the ultimate "Get it TOGETHER!" boys.

It's been several moons since last I updated this bloggity, and for this I wholeheartedly apologize (see how I like to pretend that you care?). I haven't been totally ignoring my team, of course - never! - but it appears as though I've missed a considerable amount of blog-worthy scoop whilst I've been working my little YC heart out and wasting time watching DVR'd episodes of Price is Right. Before I get back into the daily blogging routine I think it'd be a good idea to take a quick gander at what's been going on these past few days, and then we'll be ready to move onward and upward!

Top Ten Yankees News Tidbits

10) Trade rumors surrounding Mr. Sabbathia are still swirling. I still like the idea, though I don't know who I'd be willing to part with - or who the Indians would want. A few mediocre prospects ain't gonna cut it, obviously.
9) Cano appears to be turning a corner at last. He's finally got his average above .240 by hitting .295 during June and .455 in the last 7 games alone. Will he hit .300+ again this season? Probably not, but he'll finish at a healthy .290. Just wait.
8) His BFF, on the other hand... not so hot. The Melk Man hit just .206 in June and simply looks lost at the plate. Good thing he can still make fabulous plays in the field or we'd all be mighty irritated.
7) On that note, if Brett Gardner is effective could he prove to be in direct competition with Melky for a permanent spot in the lineup?
6) No home run derby for A-Rod, which is probably a wise decision. The Yanks couldn't withstand another injury.
5) I-Ken has made some appearances down in minors-ville, but Girardi has assured us that he'll need to "earn" his way back to the Yanks. There is no spot in the rotation reserved for him at the moment and he won't be brought back up until he's proved himself in AAA. Or until Ponson and/or Rasner proves they belong in AAA instead.
4) Sidney Ponson pitched a gem against the Mets on Friday. I can hardly believe I just typed those words. Don't expect a repeat performance, though.
3) Giambi sure is doing his best to make a case for himself to stick around for another year.
2) The Rays are 18 games over .500 and in first place in the division. Are we scared yet? Or at least placing bets?
1) A-Rod and Madonna? Please tell me this is some sort of US Magazine creation. I wont believe it until People confirms it.

Read last week's Top Ten: Weakest Links on the Top Ten Weakest Teams

At the beginning of the season, poor performance can be overlooked. Some dudes can't play in the cold, some need a little time to get rolling, others are still rehabbing nagging injuries. Oftentimes these excuses prove to be spot on and those slow-starters get back into good form and make us forget they barely made it to the game at the start of the season - look at the Giambino, for example - but there are some dudes for whom the slow-start syndrome does not dissipate. The season is half over now (!) and henceforth I think we can now officially take those "slumpers" out of the slow-start category and file them as 2008 failures*.

Top Ten Weakest Links on the Top Ten Weakest Teams

10) Pirates - Freddy Sanchez
9) Dodgers - Andruw Jones
8) Indians - Travis Hafner
7) Royals - Brett Tomko
6) Reds - Bronson Arroyo
5) Giants - Barry Baked Ziti
4) Padres - Khalil Greene
3) Colorado - Troy Tulowitzki
2) Nationals - Wily Mo Pena
1) Mariners - Richie Sexson

* By the way, do you think we need to classify Cano as a 2008 failure at this point? It's a good thing the Yanks aren't one of the ten weakest teams or I would have had to consider him...


Read last week's Top Ten: Semi-realistic Pitching Options




Smarter.com: Yankees Jackets Yankees Hats Yankees Jerseys MLB Jerseys Baseball Gloves

Despite the 6-game winning streak and three straight games with 8+ runs scored, it's been a semi-rough week for the Yanks, thanks to the loss of the Wangster. As I'm sure you're well aware by now, Wangy had trouble rounding the bases (damn you, 90-degree turns!) earlier this week and busted up his foot; he's now a fallen soldier and has taken up residence at the quickly-overcrowding DL Resort and Casino (which, incidentally, features such games as "how will Pavano hurt himself next?" and the "Wheel of Broken Bones" slot machine).

I've discussed on this here bloggity the few pitching options available to the team, be it by trade or signing pitchers cast away by the rest of the league. Since the issue becomes more pressing with each passing day, I think we should continue the discussion and take a gander at who might be available to fill out the rotation.

Top Ten (semi-realistic) Pitching Options:

10) Carl Pavano (or...not)
9) Roger Clemens
8) David Wells
7) Brad Penny
6) Sidney Ponson (ps: whyyyy bring that bad attitude to a team that's been playing with heart and spirit!?)
5) Brian Fuentes
4) CC Sabathia
3) Hughsie
2) IPK
1) Kei Igawa (you know it's coming)

Read Last Week's Top Ten: Depression-Inducing Disappointments

When A-Rod hit that 2-run bomb in the 7th to tie the game yesterday afternoon, I was all set to write a post discussing the scrappy nature of the Yanks' play over the last week or so. Sadly, 'twas not to be - such a post shall have to wait for another day. Instead of being jazzed and proud over another come-from-behinder, my emotions have slid down to the other end of the spectrum: dwelling-ville.

In "honor" of this obnoxious and wholly unwelcome feeling, I've prepared a Top Ten highlighting all the Yankee happenings that have sent me spiraling into depressions of varying depths throughout the year.

Top Ten Depression-Inducing Disappointments

10) Hughsie's disappointing contributions to the rotation
9) Dandy Andy's struggles
8) Jeter's boo-boo
7) A-Rod's missed playing time
6) Ian Kennedy's second bad start. And third... and... the rest of them.
5) Jorgie Porgie Pudding and Pie's 30+ day vacation at the DL Resort and Casino.
4) ...And the backup catcher issues that followed in his wake.
3) Cano's failure to recall the physics of a bat hitting a ball and making it go places where there are no fielders.
2) The Joba-less bullpen
1) Pavano.

Read last week's Top Ten: Yankee Surprises

Don't look now, but May is almost over, and the season is starting to pick up steam (it's more than a quarter over!). Since we're now heading into summer, it's the right time to look back and discuss the surprises - good and bad - that have affected our dear team thus far this season. There have been untimely injuries (estoy llorando), slumps aplenty, and even a good old fashioned temper tantrum - losing record or not, the Yanks have been fun to watch.

Top Ten Yankee Surprises

10) Phil Hughsie sucking
9) Cano's slumperific start
8) Giambino's slumptastic start
7) Girardi's hot-streak-igniting tirade (take note, Willy Randolph, if you want to continue being gainfully employed)
6) A-Rod stuck on the sidelines
5) The sub-.500 record (am I the only one who expected better?!)
4) I-Ken blowing it
3) Jorgie Porgie Pudding and Pie's extended vacation at the DL Resort and Casino
2) Hot Matso Ball Soup! (.331 average and .410 OPB)
1) Darrell Rasner's Aaron Small-esque outta-nowhere contributions.

Read last week's Top Ten: Yankees Plus Points

The Red Sox have been outshining our dearly beloved Yankees in every facet of the game lately, signing the coveted big shots, winning championships, and getting all-star performances out of their youngsters. With last night's no-hitter from Jon Lester they've now had two consecutive no-hitters thrown by dudes under 25, while across town I-Ken and Phil Hughsie have been struggling just to keep their ERA's out of the double-digit range. Yes, it's quite the changing of the fates, isn't it?

Lest you get too sad about the state of affairs in Yankee Universe, remember that even in these slumpy times, the team does have a few things going for it. Things in the Bronx aren't as bad as they may seem, even when compared with the Red Sox - or any other team in the league!

Top Ten Yankees Plus Points

10) Dedicated fans that aren't always belligerent
9) A nice shiny new stadium on the way (Yes, I'm stretching things a bit at this point... I could only really come up with 9 points)
8) Robby Cano (he WILL pick it up. Mark him down for a batting title sometime in his career)
7) Matso Ball Soup
6) Jeter Jeter Pumpkin Eater
5) Wangster
4) Mariano
3) Girardino
2) Jobamania
1) A-Rod

Read last week's Top Ten: Random Player Endorsement Deals

Athletes seem to love little more than earning extra dough by endorsing various products. Playing ball is fun and all, but it takes just a couple hours to film a commercial or do a photo shoot holding a jar of peanut butter or jug of a lightning bolt enhanced Gatorade. These days there are few baseball stars that can't land a sweet endorsement deal, and some of them are a tad on the ridiculous side...

Top Ten Baseball Random Player Endorsement Deals

10) Jeter for Skippy "Doubly Delicious" peanut butter. I'd like to see him bust out a jar of PB in the dugout between innings and go to town.

9) Jose Reyes for Wise Snacks. I've only seen these fine products on the east coast (we Californians have to stick with the old standards like Lays and Ruffles (deeeeelish!). I wish I could find a picture of his face gracing the chip bags -- if you can find one for me, you win a prize (and by "prize" I mean "glory of knowing you found a cool pic for YC").

8) Ryan Klesko for Boot Barn. Because he wears a lot of boots. In a barn.


7) Derek Jeter for Ford. There is no way in hell that man drives a Ford. Unless Ford makes Bently's or Ferrari's these days.

6) Tadahito Iguchi for some sort of membership card. I can't figure out what it's a membership for, but I'm pretty sure I see a magic wand in there.



5) Sammy Sosa for Pepsi. A couple notes about this fine commercial: A) I am addicted to saying "Sammy Sosa!" like the taco customer. B) "Special taco" sounds VERY dirty (perhaps simply because I have the mind of a 12 year old boy and anything sexual is funny). C) That icy cold Pepsi really does look delicious... and I'm a Dr Pepper fanatic.



4) Ichiro for Sato Energy Drink. Two words about this commercial: BEAR TRAPS.



3) Jason Giambi for Arm & Hammer’s Ultramax Deodorant. At the end of the commercial, he says that the deodorant is “all the muscle a man needs.” And steroids.

2) Akinori Otsuka for Corky's Pest Control in San Diego. Got ants? No problem - Aki is here to save the day, with one of the catchiest jingles in the TV world today (second only to those delightful Freecreditreport.com gems). I dare you to not sing along.



1) Ichiro for what looks like the Japanese version of Bugles Corn Chips. I can't decide if the best part is the bugles raining down from a corn on the cob or Ichiro's face at the end of the commercial.




Read last week's Top Ten: Pure Golden Magic Manager Blow-Ups

6) October 15, 1997: During the 1977 World Series against the Yankees, Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda had a sweet freakout when he pulled pitcher Doug Rau out of the game. Rau put up an argument and Lasorda let him have it. Rau said he felt fine. Tommy didnt agree:

I don't give a shit you feel good there's four motherfuckin hits up there. That's fuckin great for you to be standing out here talking to me like that.

Listen to the tirade here: http://www.dodgerblues.com/images/lasorda-rau.mp3

5) May 4, 2008: Like Lee Elia, one of the top residents of Manager Crazy-Ville, Ozzie Guillen, has a bone to pick with his cross-town rivals the Cubs. In response to questions about recent roster moves, Ozzie snapped and apparently decided that the question really was "What do you think about the Cubs, Ozzie? And don't hold back:"

We won it a couple years ago, and we're horseshit. The Cubs haven't won in 100 years, and they're the fucking best. Fuck it, we're good. Fuck everybody. We're horseshit, and we're going to be horseshit the rest of our lives, no matter how many World Series we win. We are the shit of Chicago. We're the Chicago shit. We have the worst owner. The guy's got seven fucking rings, and he's the fucking horseshit owner.”

4) June 9, 1999: In the 12^th inning of a marathon Mets-Red Sox game, Mets manager Bobby Valentine got booted after arguing a call. This alone would not merit a place on this list, but Valentine takes the cake for being the only ejected manager to attempt to come back to the game after being told get out. Later in the same inning, Valentine reappeared in the Mets dugout disguised in dark glasses and a mustache. He did not go unnoticed, though, and was fined $5,000 and suspended for 2 games.

Like many of y'all, Hughsie and I-Ken have been on my mind a lot lately. Their underwhelming performances to start the year are troubling, but even with a 8+ ERA between the two of them I still can't bring myself to get all worked up about it. Perhaps I'm being too forgiving, because I love these dudes and have been looking forward to their contributions to the team, but I am holding out hope that they'll both turn things around in due time.

If you're unsure or already counting them out, I implore you to take a gander at this here listy and reconsider that position...

Top Ten Reasons Not to Stress About Hughsie and IPK

10) The Yanks are obviously super-impressed by them, especially I-Ken. You don't put a 23-year-old pitcher off limits when making a bid for the best pitcher in the game unless you are pretty damn sure he's going to be something good.
9) Could YOU pitch in front of 50,000 demanding fans at age 21?
8) Plenty of starters - young and old - have rough Aprils, and we don't spazz about most of them.
7) Young pitchers are more likely to be coached out of the trouble - they are less stuck in their ways and bad habits.
6) Continuing with #7, there is no reason to believe that they wouldn't be eager learners and receptive to coaching. They are good kids with good attitudes - they want to succeed and will work heard to get there.
5) Remember last year?
4) Despite their records and scary ERA's, the scouting reports really aren't that disheartening. Their problem is just that they aren't locating yet; they haven't lost velocity.
3) Girardi doesn't seem too concerned...
2) ... And neither do they. Confidence in your abilities speaks volumes.
1) They're 21 and 23. Calm down.

Read last week's Top Ten: Random and Newbie Performances

Yesterday was the first full day off I've taken from my writin' duties here on YC and at FanHouse in a loooooong time, and while I did have fun losing $38 in Vegas (blimey!) I suffered from Acute Baseball Chat Withdrawal Syndrome (ABCWS) and I'm glad to be back. Since my day off fell on a Tuesday, I failed to post my usual Top Ten list (and I'm sure many tear were shed). Don't fret, though, my pets! I've got one for ya right here right now.

The season is just a few weeks old, but at this point there has been enough time to take a gander at a few players' fine performances and cross our fingers that they will remain hot throughout the season. Some of the hot bats and hot hands come from usual suspects and known commodities - Mariano, Chone Figgans, Lance Berkman, Jake Peavy, Ben Sheets, etc etc - but a lot of the star performances thus far have been from new players and journeymen, some of whom we aren't very familiar with at all. Allow me to congratulate...

Top Ten Random and Newbie Performances

10) Jose Molina (Yankees C): .364 average/.576 slugging in 33 at-bats
9) Kurt Suzuke (A's C): .347 average/.408 slugging in 49 at-bats
8) Shawn Chacon (Astros P): 2.25 ERA in 20.0 IP (3 games)
7) Evan Longoria (Rays 3B): .333 average/.667 slugging in 12 at-bats
6) Randor Bierd (Orioles P): 0.00 ERA in 10.0 IP (5 games)
5) Angel Pagan (Mets OF): .381 average/.500 slugging in 42 at-bats
4) Nate McLoulth (Pirates OF): .391 average/.656 slugging in 64 at-bats
3) James Loney (Dodgers 1B): .365 average/.558 slugging in 52 at-bats
2) Justin Upton (Diamondbacks OF): .370 average/.704 slugging in 54 at-bats
1) Edwin Jackson (Rays P): 2.84 ERA in 19.0 IP (3 games)

Read last week's Top Ten: Week One Failures

The 2008 season just a week old now, but seven days or so is plenty of time for people to fail. Six of seven games is obviously a very small sample size and henceforth not a good indicator of continued failure, but that's not going to stop me from pointing fingers and laughing (or crying, in the case of #10 and #7).

Top Ten Week One Failures

10) Derek Jeter
9) Ryan Howard (ps: did he gain another 40 lbs?!)
8) J.J. Putz
7) Jason Giambi
6) Barry Baked Ziti (Worst free agent signing in a loooooooong time)
5) Josh Beckett
4) Trever Hoffman
3) Mike Hamptom (Pavano's lover)
2) Pedro Martinez (Pavano infected him)
1) Detroit Tigers


Read last week's Top Ten: 2008 Final Win-Loss Records

Most teams have played just one game thus far this season, and our poor Yankees have played ZERO, but after a few glances at each team my honed YC baseball meter already has a good handle on how the league is shaping up. So confident am I in my insightful future-telling abilities, I have no qualms about making bold predictions in today's Top Ten...

Top Ten 2008 Final Win-Loss Records
Best record is #1, and backwards on up from there

10) Atlanta Braves. Watch out, Phillies and Mets.
9) San Diego Padres. The pitching is just too good to fail. Unless Pavano pays them a visit... then they're screwed.
8) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of Orange County of California of USA of Earth of Milky Way Galaxy. Still don't think the Mariners are good enough to make a run at the division.
7) Los Angeles Dodgers. So long as Torre keeps benching Juan Pierre, they're good to go
6) Cleveland Indians. Piiiiitching and gnat-impervious.
5) Chicago Cubs. No holes anywhere that I can see. It's them or the Mets in the Series.
4) Detroit Tigers. Crushing offense.
3) Boston Red Sox. They'll finish one win shy of the Yankees because the Yanks will win the season series.
2) New York Yankees. See above.
1) New York Mets. One word: Pitching. See you in the Series?

Read last week's Top Ten: YCPOSTTF

I was up until 7:00 watching and live-bloggin' the Red Sox-A's game, and the YC is a sleepy girl. Nevertheless, I am dedicated to my bloggity and must persevere with our regularly scheduled Top Ten Tuesday.

Top Ten YCPOSTTF (Yankees Chick Players of Spring Training Thus Far... get with the program munecas)

10) Kei Igawa. Yeah, you read that right. I still think the Yanks should cut their losses and cut him from the team, but at least he hasn't humiliated himself this spring. He's made four appearances (six innings) and given up seven hits and three earned runs.
9) Farnsworthless. Yes, you read that right as well. He was going to be on the roster no matter how pathetic he was this spring, so the fact that he's done well is just a nice little surprise. 2.25 ERA 7 appearances.
8) Scott Paterson. He's never pitched above AA level, but he's vying for one of the open spots on the roster and making a case for himself - no earned runs in six innings.
7) Bobby Abreu. He's reminding us why the Yanks exercised his option by hitting .405 this spring.
6) Shelley the Spirit Coordinator. Let's chalk the stupid groin slide up to a little over-excitedness/forgotten Ritilin dose and focus on the .390 average and .419 OBP.
5) I-Ken. When the Yanks made him off-limits during the Santanamania trade talks we saw just how much the Yanks valued him; this spring anyone that wasn't convinced of his projected value should be by now. In 22.2 innings he's given up just 4 earned runs.
4) Jason Giambi. .417, 3 dubs, 3 homers and 8 RBI. Primed for a contract year!
3) A-Rod. Still no signs that the off-season excitement has affected his delicate psyche. In 34 at-bats he's amassed a .434 average with an .853 slugging percentage. That is very good, in case you were unaware.
2) Robby Cano. He was three for four today and such performances have become the norm this spring. He's hitting .464 now with 5 doubles, 2 homers and 19 RBI. I'm smelling a batting title...
1) Carl Pavano. 12 minutes.

Read last week's Top Ten: Most Popular Yankees Chick Posts

Is it just me, or does there seem to be an exorbitant amount of folks already making their way to DL-ville? We've seen everything from Busted wrists to anal fissures - and NO, that is NOT a joke, sadly - and the season hasn't even started! There have been enough boo-boos to make even good ol' Carl "Seriously, I am Like The Brady Bunch Tiki Idol" Pavano raise an injured eyebrow.

Top* Ten Injuries Thus Far...

10) Curt Schilling's shoulder situation. Sorry, Sox: no return policy.
9) Hunter Pence's full-body slice-up. Hello, door!
8) Mike Hampton's strained whatever-it-is-this-time. He's the Pavano of the Braves without the $8092430891290 salary.
7) Brandon McCarthy's forearm inflammation, which may rocket Sidney Ponson into the Rangers' rotation. Yeah, that's a team destined for success.
6) Noah Lowrey's exertional compartment syndrome. There's a dirty joke in there somewhere.
5) Jordan Tata's self-induced broken finger. He must be a Kevin Brown fan.
4) Josh Beckett's strained back. Any chink in that rotation armor is good for the Yanks.
3) Brad Lidge's knee issue. BAD way to start off with your new team.
2) Felix Pie's twisted testicle. The worst part is going to be the shit he'll get from his teammates. And bloggers. And fans. And family. And doctors.
1) Kaz Matsui's anal fissures. That's all I have to say about that.

*I suppose "top" isn't quite the right word to use here... but the gimmick is Top Ten Tuesdays, not A List of Stuff Tuesdays.


Read last week's Top Ten: Employable Unemployed or Underemployed Dudes

The seasons is fast approaching (FINALLY!), and at this point most teams have hammered out the meat of their rosters. Trades have been made, free agents have been signed, minor leaguers have been invited to camp in hopes of adding them to the roster, and few teams have gaping holes they are still waiting to fill. This is bad news for the boys who are still without a solid gig. I'm guessing that by now those players are starting to get a bit nervous that they might wind up being forced into retirement, stuck down in the minors, or maybe making a jump over to Japan to keep playing. This is unfortunate, because some of those unemployed or underemployed* guys could make a good contribution to a team, if only someone wanted them.

Top Ten Employable Unemployed or Underemployed Dudes

10) Balco Barry - yes, he's clubhouse cancer and embroiled in a legal battle, but he's obviously still capable of smacking some homers, so I think he could be a good fit for a team in need of a little pop - as long as it's not the Yankees. Maybe the Mariners? They stayed in the playoff run all the way till August last year, and maybe some Bonds power could put them over the edge.
9) Roger Clemens. You know he's going to try to weasel his way onto some team anyway.
8) Shannon Stewart. He was a big part of the A's (practically nonexistent) offense last year, just 2 points shy of being a .300 hitter, and I would imagine there must be a team out there that might need a 4th outfielder, not just a minor league team.
7) Sammy Sosa. Get him on the cheap and throw him on the bench. Why not? He had 92 RBI last year!
6) Mike-a Piazza. Still a viable backup catcher and a decent hitter at that.
5) Tony Clark. Can be had for cheap, and he had a .511 slugging percentage last year.
4) Kenny Lofton. He is a .299 career hitter and had a terrific 2007, hitting .296 in the regular season and smacking 23 homers. Yes, he's 40, but he can still hit and ain't bad in the field either.
3) Doug Mientkicantspell. I love this man dearly, and his defense makes him worthy of a one-year contract. Surely someone needs a first baseman, no? Maybe the Mets.
2) Nick Johnson. He hasn't played in a LONG time thanks to that nasty broken leg he suffered way back in 2006, but if he has rehabbed well his awesome OBP would be a boon to any team. I know I'd love to have him on the Yanks.
1) Akinori Otsuka. I don't get this one. Almost EVERY team is hurting for relievers.

Read last week's Top Ten: Reasons to be Optimistic About the 2008 Yanks



*I say "underemployed" because some of these guys have been signed to minor league deals but in my opinion deserve better.

February is drawing to a close, and as we head into March, I must say that all seems right in the world at long last. I've been sprung from the clink, the boys are throwing the ball around down in Tampa, and Pavano has made his annual weak "See, world? I'm totally still a pitcher! Change my label from "Pavano must die" to "Pavano must LIVE" again, YC!" performance. Perhaps I'm simply projecting my glee over being free from the clutches of doctors (not to mention phlebotomists, YC's blood's mortal enemy), but I am feeling ridiculously positive about the upcoming season - and I think y'all should feel the same way. Need a reason? I've got ten of them!

Top Ten Reasons To Be Optimistic About The 2008 Yanks:

10) I-Ken
9) Joe Girardi
8) Santana is safely sequestered in Queens
7) Posada's still looking sharp. Age shmage.
6) Hughsie
5) There are no talks of bringing Bonds to the team.
4) Joba.
3) The Steinbrothers have shown they are not as quick as Papa to make big trades.
2) They are hungry for a title. Starving. Salivating. (Now I'm starving... for In N Out).
1) A-Rod.


Read last week's Top Ten: Baseball-Related Stuff I Miss