The Daily Yankeeland/TGIF Hot Stove

Talk about your mixed bag. The Daily Yankeeland and the Hot Stove are one abbreviated post today due to an oh so busy schedule. We're still laughing at yesterday's news of David Ortiz telling reporters that Alex Rodriguez will play for the Dominican Republic in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. Papi, you honestly believe Turkey-Rod will make his mind up that quickly? Do you not recall his flip flopping for the last WBC?

At least this news about A-Rod has to do with baseball, not his latest Madonna episode. BTW, the scuttlebutt (Been watching too much NCIS) is that A-Rod is already cheating on the Kabalah Kook. And in case you missed it, check out this photo of A-Rod at KK's concert. Did he just escape from "Project Runway"?

Anyway, back to business.

Brian Cashman has already met with Scott Boras and is planning on talking to CC Sabathia before Monday's winter meetings begin. Tyler Kepner of the Times reported that Cashman also flew to Washington today to meet with Boras and another of his clients, Mark Teixeira. The Daily News reports that Cashman also spoke with Boras about Derek Lowe.

Andy Pettitte has spoken with Joe Torre, but Torre feels Pettitte only wants to play for the Yankees.

The biggest news today though is who won't be back next year. Greg Maddux has decided to calll it quits and will make an official announcement on Monday. Conveniently, Maddux lives in Las Vegas, site of the winter meetings. A sure Hall of Fame entrant in 2013, Maddux calls it quits with 355 career wins.

Speaking of Sabathia, Jon Heyman of SI reports that the Brewers are willing (and may have already) to up their $100 million offer to the lefty. Sources told Heyman that there two other teams, in addition to the Yankees and Brewers, that have made offers to the lefty.

The Atlanta Constition-Journal feels the contract offer to A.J. Burnett includes an attainable fifth year.

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The Daily Yankeeland - 8/12

As the losses mount, Joe Girardi is starting to get a bit testy with the press. He was clearly not pleased with yesterday's questions regarding why Johnny Damon, a .322 hitter, was riding the pines.

George King has the Yankees' "Death Watch" going.

Things are not going right for the Yankees, but not due to the effort of Sidney Ponson.

Joba Chamberlain wants to start throwing ASAP, but the Yankees are holding him off until Friday.

Twins closer Joe Nathan donated a half-million dollars to his alma mater, Long Island's Stony Brook University, for help in the construction of a new baseball facility. More funding is needed, but the new joint will be called, "Joe Nathan Field".

Former Yankees manager and tormentor, together in LA, are having a hairy disagreement.

A-Rod has apparently donated $500K to Madonna's charity (no, it does not pay for those cone bras).

Phil Hughes will get the start tonight when Scranton takes on the Pawtucket Red Sox. No word if the game will be rescheduled due to the death of manager Dave Miley's son.

Is this guy on a month's tape delay?

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Yankees vs. Rangers - July 1

First game of July and the Yankees find themselves 6.5 games behind the Tampa Rays in the AL East and 5 games behind the Boston Red Sox in the AL Wild Card race. They also have a two game losing streak that has dropped them back to 5 games over .500 (44-39). Joba Chamberlain (2-2, 2.03) will attempt to turn things around tonight when he faces veteran Kevin Millwood (5-4, 5.08).

Chamberlain has never faced any member of the Rangers. Millwood is 1-4, 4.82 in 6 career starts against the Yankees.

Yankees vs. Millwood

Abreu 14-39 (.359) 1 HR 4 RBI
Cabrera 4-9 (.444)
Cano 4-10 (.400) 1 RBI
Damon 3-15 (.200) 1 RBI
Giambi 5-11 (.455) 2 HR 3 RBI
Jeter 5-19 (.263) 2 RBI
Moeller 0-4
Molina 1-9 (.111)
Posada 1-10 (.100)
Rodriguez 6-14 (.429) 1 HR 2 RBI


Tonight's lineups courtesy of Peter Abraham, including Derek Jeter taking a rare night off:

Damon DH
Gardner LF
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi 1B
Posada C
Cano 2B
Betemit SS
Cabrera CF

As expected, A-Rod said he will not participate in this year's Home Run Derby. No word if Madonna will.

According to the NY Post, Hideki Matsui may start taking BP soon.

"He came in today and he looked great. Keeping him off it really helped," said manager Joe Girardi. "[Trainer] Gene Monahan came up to me and said he looks tremendous and we talked about him taking BP in a couple of days. So I think the actual rest where he wasn't traveling to the ballpark and taking BP and trying to test it I think really helped calm it down."

The Post's Kevn Kiernan also has a piece on how Jose Reyes should watch Derek Jeter to learn how to conduct himself on the field.

Mark Feinsand of the News has some more info on Brett Gardner. Joe Girardi said Gardner is "here to play". Of course after Saturday's game he said Kei Igawa was going to be part of the bullpen. He was sent down before the next game.

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