That's Burres, not Burress.

I guess no one is immune from doing that.

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Dan, you're too quick for me. I fixed that about 30 seconds after I posted it. pete

Livan Hernandez was just released by the Twins. What do you think? He'd eat up some innings.

Burres should have been optioned to Yellowstone National; that's a Park where he could keep the ball in play.

Pete, your writing has been so prolific ! How are you finding time to eat ? Thank you for the increased production. Maybe the Sun will have you tailing Manny as ESPN had that writer assigned to Barry Bonds.

Since this team now has a plethora of shortstops, maybe one of them could take Burres's spot. Next thing you know, they'll be trying to convert pitchers into position players.

They had to do something with Burress. He wasn't getting hitters out. Hopefully he can go down get himself straghtened out and come back when the rosters expand in September.
Good move reactivating Cintron, hopefully he can get back his SS job.

Have fun at the Pep Rally I am not far from there might stop by.

Thanks for the information about the nature(s) of your blog! Makes me feel a little bit better. Smile.

I hope to see the regulars back on here again like Jennifer, Ken, JPA, and all. I have a question for everybody. Now that Manny is a Dodger, does everybody feel better without having to see him anymore in our division?

Somehow, I don't think Jason Bay will be the "dynamic combo" with Ortiz. It "might" be easier to pitch to that line-up now. We will see.

This blog sux....bring back Roch

TX O's Fan -- Concerning my comment to your response on the "Manny being Manny once too often" post, that the Angels and Rays have a better shot at playing in the World Series than the Yankees, let me clarify.

At this point I'm thinking about a Yankee destiny sort of thing when I predict they'll go all the way, but anyone who thinks they're not that good had better think again...especially in light of the two major deals they made.

Yes, the Angels are clearly the best team in the majors right now and helped themselves getting Teixeira; I'm just not sure how much, as the player he replaced, Kotchman, is a decent player who is on pace to have his best season. But Tex definitely is a good addition for them.

I expect the Rays to start fading pretty soon or at least as the season moves into September. They're a young team that has never been in a pennant race before this year, and I don't see them being able to sustain their high level of play once it comes down to crunch time. (That's not to say they couldn't win the AL East soon--I just don't see it in 2008.) When the smoke clears, I think the Rays will finish third behind the New York and Red Sox, but still will finish very respectably. (Orioles and Blue Jays? Tough to call, but I think in the end the O's will have enough to avoid the division cellar yet another year and .500 may still be in reach--they'll be a royal pain for the Bosox and Yanks coming down the stretch!)

As for Boston, as I mentioned before I think they damaged their chances of repeating as World Champions, or even just AL champs (perhaps severely) by dealing Manny. Here's a guy, flakey as he may be, who was a key player on two World Champion teams. (More than a few pitchers who had nightmares at the thought of facing Ortiz and Ramierez back-to-back can sleep a little easier now.) Theo Epstein must have had a brain glitch, because smart teams don't trade players like that--certainly, in this case, not for the player they got in return (Bay's very good, but definitely not on the same level as a Hall of Fame slugger). Boston isn't much worse, but they are worse after that deal.

The Yankees strengthened themselves tremendousl-- important, because a club cannot be a "team of destiny" unless they have the players who can nudge Fate in their favor. After making a coupe of trades that were one-sided in their favor (kudos to Brian Cashman), New York can do that nudging much easier now.

First getting Xavier Nady, who swings the bat pretty well (he's on pace to drive in 96 runs) and and is able to play corner infield and all three outfield positions. So his acquistion helps offset the loss of Matsui to injury. Also in the same trade from Pittsburgh, they were able to pry away a quality southpaw reliever in Marte, whose stuff is good enough to get out righties as well as lefties and to make him setup man for Rivera.

Now, even had that been the Yankees' only deal, it would have been enough to make them a much better team, but their next trade conquest was even bigger: Ivan Rodriguez. It astounds me that Detroit would have dealt a future Hall of Famer straight up for a middling reliever like Farnsworth (who became expendable after New York got Marte). Granted, Pudge isn't getting any younger, but he can still get the job done at bat and behind the plate better than most catchers in the majors. In addition, at 37 he still doesn't run like a catcher, netting 3 triples and 6 stolen bases (caught only once). And that's not even counting the wealth of experience he brings the team in the area of playing in big games, including two World Series.

His skill at handling pitchers is highly valuable to a contender this time of year and the Yankees' rotation will be greatly appreciative. (Orioles front office musing: Posada goes down, so plug in Pudge. Must be nice! LOL)

Speaking of that rotation, it's pretty solid. Mussina may finally notch his first 20-win season this year. Pettite knows how to pitch in the stretch run. Chamberlain has no-hit caliber stuff. Ponson is pitching up to his ability for a change. Rasner is the only weak link, but he'll come out of the rotation as soon as staff ace, Chien-Ming Wang, gets off of the DL, which should be soon. Once that happens, watch out!

Well I guess that move takes away the possibility, however remote it was, that Burres and Sarfate would both at least temporarily be in the rotation. For a stopgap, that Livan Hernandez idea sounds intriguing, just for being able to eat up innings. But you have to wonder about guys that get released like that. Still, the Twins are in a pennant race and probably have higher standards now than the Orioles do, at least for starting pitchers. But this might be time to try out one of the minor league pitchers. I have less of a problem with bringing up Penn and letting him have a shot than with bringing up Wieters or Reimold. Unless that would burn his last option.

This team is a nation of (bad) shortstops.

I saw Burres' agent in court today. Ha - he thought Burres would get another start now that Cabrera's been suspended. I didn't have the heart to say anything negative about Burres' now apparent (some would say verified) lack of talent. I just gave him that slow headshake and grimace that sympathetically says "Man, that sucks."

So they option Burres, bring up Cintron and keep Fahey. Uh-huh.

Peter, I've always enjoyed your work. Sounds like your going to be pretty busy but look forward to the new blog.

Ken Francis -

Sorry I ain't buying the Yankees making the series. I think we both agree that 2008 might be a bit premature for the Rays, however do not count out the nation so quick. By the way, not sure who I dispise more the nation, or NY. Bay is younger than Manny, and a better fielder. Yes Manny is a HOF player. However he was a cancer on the team, and had to be shipped out. That Boston got Bay in return, really doesn't work out bad for them. Bay can hit, and wait until he's surrounded by a better supporting cast. Difficult to judge in Pitt.

Now as far as NY. They just don't get it. They typically add hitting at the trade deadline. But how has that worked out for them lately? And let's be realistic, Mussina has had a nice run, but he ain't gonna win 20. Hell he didn't even win 20 in his prime. And Ponson serviceable? Are you kidding me? Why don't you ask St. Louis, Minn., & Texas whether they think Ponson will deliver down the stretch. And speaking of relief pitching, I agree they got a good lefthander in Marte. But how has their closer looked lately? Uh how about very hittable. So you really think this team is better than the Angels? Not even close!

And I'm going on record saying that Bay will finish nicely in Boston, and providing they do not suffer any injuries to major contributors down the stretch, the Sox will win the division.

What wins in the post season? Pitching and defense.

Angels & Cubbies in the series!!