Quick to the Bat Poll

We cut the the bat poll short since the Yankees acquired Xavier Nady on Friday night. "Funnily" enough, 8 more of you filled out the poll before we closed it, with 3 selecting "Blake or Nady". Ironically, Blake was dealt yesterday as well to the LA Dodgers.

So now we want to know what you think of the trade. We don't agree with Pa Yankee, John Sterling, that it was phenomenal, but it was very good.

Nady has been overhyped due to the season he's having, but he's a serviceable outfielder, who could take over in right field next season for Bobby Abreu.

Marte, of course, has been an outstanding set up man in his career, and even part time closer this year, with the White Sox and Pirates. (Note to ESPN's Larry Hardesty, who was on 1050 with Jody Mac yesterday. Marte pitched 4 seasons with the White Sox, so you don't have to wonder if his stuff will translate to the AL. Your a professional, do you homework.)

Jose Tabata could be the real deal, but at 19 he's still a good ways from the majors. He's had a balky wrist issue, and maybe more important, maturity issues.

Jeff Karstens is mediocre, Dan McCutchen may or may not be good, and Ross Ohlendorf could still turn into a decent pitcher, though we think losing him is no biggie.

So what do you think? Quick, to the trade poll, Robin. Boy that was stupid.

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Nady-Marte Deal is Revised

Word from WFAN radio this morning is that the Yankees deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates, for Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte, has been revised. Instead of prospects Phil Coke and George Kontos, the Yankees are sending pitchers Jeff Karstens and Dan McCutchen to the Pirates.

Karstens has made 15 career apperances, appearing as both a starter and long reliever. It was obvious that he would never be a star in the league, but has been serviceable at times. He was set to make the Yankees out of spring training before a strained groin set him back.

McCutchen excelled at Trenton in the Eastern League before a promotion to Scranton of the International League. He's got off to a slow start at Triple-A, but had been pitching very well of late. Scouts, however, project more as a late inning set up man or closer rather than a starter.

Why the change in the deal? Either it wasn't accurate to begin with, or one or more players failed their physicals.

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Minor League Recap - 7/2

Games of 7/1

Jeff Karstens out performed Sidney Ponson, albeit at the Triple-A level, in Scranton's 5-3 win over LehighValley. Karstens gave up 2 runs in 7 innings and is now 3-3, 3.71. He's allowed just 7 earned runs in his last 31 innings.

	July 2, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Scranton/WB 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 1 0 5 5 0 Lehigh Valley 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 3 7 3 Recap | Box | W: J. Karstens (3-3, 3.71); L: B. Myers (0-1, 5.40); SV: B. Traber (3) HR: LHV: B. Watson (1).

Chase Wright got belted around in the Trenton Thunder's 11-5 loss to the Portland SeaDogs. Austin Jackson drove in 2 runs and Chris Malec was 3-3 with an RBI.

	July 2, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Portland 2 0 1 3 5 0 0 0 0 11 11 1 Trenton 0 1 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 5 13 1 Recap | Box | W: K. Jackson (5-1, 5.05); L: C. Wright (6-2, 3.13) HR: POR: B. Bell (13), J. Corsaletti (9).

The Tampa Yankees got shut down by the Ft. Myers Miracle for the second straight night. The Yankees managed just 2 hits as Jason Stephens picked up his first loss since joining Tampa.

	July 2, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Tampa 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 Fort Myers 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 X 4 10 1 Recap | Box W: T. Robertson (5-2, 2.75); L: J. Stephens (2-1, 1.06) HR: None.

The Charleston RiverDogs had a bad night at the plate too, managing ust 3 hits in a 5-0 loss to the Augusta GreenJackets. Jesus Montero had a pair of singles to raise his average to .301.

	July 2, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Charleston 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 Augusta 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 2 X 5 5 1 Recap | Box | W: D. Maday (7-4, 1.47); L: W. De La Rosa (3-3, 2.50) HR: None.

Mike Lyon 2-out home run in the bottom of the 9th gave the Staten Island Yankees to a 5-4 win over the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. Josue Selenes improved to 3-0 with a pair of scoreless innings.

July 2, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Mahoning Valley 1 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 4 10 5 Staten Island 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 5 12 1 Recap | Box W: J. Selenes (3-0, 0.00); L: A. Creps (1-1, 2.70) HR: STA: M. Lyon (1).

The GCL Yankees and Indians were suspended because of rain. The game will be completed on July 12.

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Minor League Weekend Recap - 6/23

The Scranton Yankees won both games with the Toledo Mud Hens over the weekend to split their 4-game series. Sidney Ponson, who is slated to face the Mets on Friday at Shea Stadium, threw 4 decent innings in a tune up. He allowed 1 earned run on 3 hits, walked 3, and struck out 2. Dave Robertson (3-0, 1.82) tossed 1.1 scoreless innings of relief to earn the win. Juan Miranda, Eric Duncan, and Matt Carson drove in 2 runs each. Justin Christian also added a solo home run.

Jeff Karstens threw a gem on Sunday to complete the weekend sweep. Karstens struck out 11 in 6.2 innings pitched, while allowing just 1 unearned run in the Yankees 10-1 win. Shelley Duncan drove in 4 runs and Juan Miranda continued his hotting hitting with a 3-5 game. He was 12-19 (.632) in the 4-game series, including a 5-5 night on Friday.

	June 21, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Toledo 1 0 1 0 1 2 0 0 0 5 6 0 Scranton/WB 3 2 0 2 1 0 0 1 X 9 15 3 Recap | Box | W: D. Robertson (3-0, 1.82); L: Y. Bazardo (1-4, 5.86) HR: SWB: J. Christian (4).

	June 22, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Toledo 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 2 1 Scranton/WB 1 0 0 6 3 0 0 0 X 10 11 1 Recap | Box | W: J. Karstens (2-3, 4.55); L: C. Lambert (6-4, 3.51) HR: None.

George Kontos' excellent performance on Saturday lead the Trenton Thunder to a 3-2 win over the Binghamton Mets. Kontos allowed 2 runs over 6 innings for his third win and Anthony Claggett finished it off with 3 scoreless innings for his 5th save. The Thunder trailed 2-1 in the 6th when Jose Tabata stroked a 1-out single, stole 2nd base, and scored on a P.J. Pillitere single. Chris Malec then drove in the go-ahead run with an RBI double.

Binghamton won the rubber game of the series, 7-3, on Sunday, banging out 4 home runs in the process. Al Aceves turned in another solid performance, allowing 2 runs over 6 innings, and left the game with a 3-2 lead. But the bullpen didn't do its job. Recently acquired Oneli Perez was tagged with the loss after allowing 3 runs in the 8th inning. Ramiro Pena drove in 2 of the 3 Thunder runs.

It was a pretty good weekend overall though for Aceves. He proposed to his girlfriend in front of Saturday's crowd and she said, "yes". Peter Abraham has the story.

	June 21, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Binghamton 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 8 3 Trenton 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 X 3 7 2 Recap | Box | W: G. Kontos (3-6, 3.36); L: E. Brown (4-6, 6.31); SV: A. Claggett (5) HR: BIN: C. Stewart (6).

	June 22, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Binghamton 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 3 2 7 12 0 Trenton 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 6 2 Recap | Box | W: E. Brito (4-1, 2.68); L: O. Perez (0-1, 9.00); SV: T. Lavigne (6) HR: BIN: N. Evans (11), A. Concepcion (8), J. Petersen (2), M. Nickeas (1).

Tampa's weekend games against the Lakeland Flying Tigers and Daytona Cubs were both rained out.

Wet weather had an impact on the Charleston RiverDogs as well. The Dogs lead 5-0 over the Columbus Catfish on Saturday when the game was halted. The rains came down again on Sunday preventing the completion of Saturday's game as well as Sunday's regularly scheduled game.

Staten Island improved to 3-2 with a pair of wins over the Hudson Valley Renegades. David Adams drove in 3 runs and Melky Mesa (another Melky!) added a solo home run in the Baby Bombers 9-1 win on Saturday. Jacinto Gonella picked up the winner after starter Cory Arbiso tossed 3 shutout frames.

Casey Erickson pitched 5-hit ball over 6 innings in Sunday's 3-0 win. Pat Venditte notched his first save for the Yankees. Dan Brewer delivered the big hit with a 2-out, 2-run single in the 3rd inning.

June 21, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Staten Island 4 0 1 0 0 4 0 0 0 9 12 0 Hudson Valley 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 7 2 Recap | Box | W: J. Gonell (1-0, 2.08); L: S. Dyer (0-1, 9.00) HR: STA: M. Mesa (1).

	June 22, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Hudson Valley 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 1 Staten Island 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 X 3 4 0 Recap | Box | W: C. Erickson (1-0, 0.00); L: T. Hayes (0-2, 8.44); SV: P. Venditte (1) HR: None.

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