TWO VERY DIFFERENT STORIES

*** THE YANKS ***
One sports writer commented that the Yanks are built to win the season, not the post-season. Pretty good analysis. The Yankees beat up teams they should beat up, but can't pull out the one big win against the better teams. There are a number of question marks for next year.
Mark Teixeira: Someone (Kevin Long) has to teach him how to hit like the Teixeira of old. He's trying to pull everything. If he goes back to hitting to all fields, the homers will still be there and we'll have a .300 hitter again.
A-Rod: He's a streak hitter now and very fragile. Get him out of the cleanup spot. 5th or even 6th is where he should be hitting. If he stays healthy, 30 homers & 100 RBIs are not out of the question.
Jorge Posada: Beautiful career, thank you very much, but he's got to go. Find a good spot in the organization for him.
Raphael Soriano: Goodbye, and Hello Joba Chamberlain. Unfortunately, Soriano will not exercise his opt-out clause, because he won't get any offer better than what the Yanks will be forced to pay him.
A.J. Burnett: Just when we thought he was out, he pulls himself back in. One beautiful well-pitched game in a crucial situation and you remember why you were willing to spend $80 million on him. Pick up his salary and dump him. We've suffered long enough.
CC Sabathia: He'll opt out and get re-signed with a couple of years added. That's okay, but put in a weight clause. That way, you can get Omar the Tentmaker off the payroll.
Phil Hughes: Rumor has it that he showed up to Spring Training out of shape and overweight. Remind him that there are some good weight-loss clinics in Scranton.
Colon and Garcia: Make offers for one year only
Eric Chavez: Definitely bring him back.

Here's a suggestion I favor highly---get Larry Bowa back as a coach.

If you can sign C.J. Wilson, get him. Keep the kids and put them on the field. Maybe it takes a year for them to produce, but then you may have the makings of a dynasty.
I don't expect to see Cashman making any moves until December at least and then nothing major.

***BLAH, BLAH, BLAH***
Phil Mushnick of the NY Post, wrote an interesting column about the drivel being produced during sports broadcasts. His suggestions are brilliant, so smart, in fact, that the network bigwigs will never listen to them. Decide for yourself:
http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/time_for_sports_tv_to_go_another_XthLJexSUU350oPiAwVErN

***THEY SAID IT***
"Officials at a marathon in the U.K. disqualified the third-place finisher after he admitted to taking a bus the last six miles. Jeesh, when will these meddling governing bodies stop their nitpicking over minor infractions and just let the athletes compete?" -- Brad Dickson
"If Peyton Manning is out for the season and the Colts go 0-16, will he win his fifth MVP?" -- Norman Chad
"Former NHL great Mark Messier, 50, will run in the next New York City Marathon. Word to the wise: Give him lots of elbow room." -- Dwight Perry

Tomorrow, we'll talk about the Red Sox

CP-