Rafael Soriano Could Be Gone Awhile

"A third MRI on Rafael Soriano's elbow has prompted the Yankees to send the pricey reliever to see Dr. James Andrews, report Mark Feinsand and Sean Brennan of the New York Daily News. The writers note that this marks Soriano's sixth elbow-related DL stint; he's a survivor of Tommy John surgery and ulnar nerve transposition surgery (MLBTradeRumors)."

Wow, what a fucking bust. Anytime you hear the name Dr. Andrews you know it's bad news. Soriano was on his way back, but suffered a setback while throwing a bullpen session. From the sound of it the Yankees did not like what they found in their MRI and now are sending him to see a specialist.

You know right now is sitting in a dark room evilly laughing to himself. He told the Stienbrenners that this was a terrible idea, and as the article goes on to say, if this is indeed a long term problem the Yankees are going to have to go out and spend more money (and maybe prospects) to fix their bullpen. Oh yea, let's not forget they will probably need a starting pitcher or two.

Rafael Soriano Hits The DL

"Soriano landed on the disabled list Tuesday and is expected to miss at least another two weeks, reports Ben Shpigel of the New York Times. Soriano didn't help matters by blaming the offense, and the not the bullpen, for the team's recent slide (ESPN)."

HAHAHA, I feel like I could write a negative story about the Yankees everyday. Jeter is blowing up, Posada is being a little bitch, A-Rod seems to be on the decline, and Soiano looks like a complete bust. You should never call out any one part of your team. You can't be a pitcher and say the offense is costing you game. Rumor is that Soriano is the most hated person in the locker room, and on top of that he hasn't pitched well all year....Not a good combo. All of this just makes Cashman look smarter, since he was the one who was pissed that they were giving up a 1st round pick in this year's draft to sign this assclown.

American Idle Time

I am completely OK with the Yanks 5-4 loss last night to the Twins as long as I never have to hear Michael Kay say JoSoMo again. Ever. Its as awkward to type as it sounds. The middle bridge and of the Jo-So-Mo connection Rafael Soriano ruined a masterful performance from CC Sabathia by walking three batters in the 8th inning which all came around to score on a perfectly placed blooper. The walks in the 8th may have cost the Yanks the game, but his 4th walk, from the clubhouse to his car, may have cost him his reputation in the Yankee clubhouse.

Before reporters were allowed to enter the lockeroom, Soriano bolted from the Stadium leaving his teammates to field questions he was too selfish to answer. When Mariano Rivera blew Game 7 in Arizona he stood at his locker for a half hour and answered questions like a true professional. Not that anybody would ever confuse the two but, this could be just a tiny glimpse into the man underneath the uniform.

As unfortunate as the final score was, I believe the biggest issue last night was again the lack of fans in the seats. I love the Yankees and I love going to watch them play, but I would never, ever consider paying $200 for tickets in LF when I can pay $10 and sit in the bleachers. It looks pathetic on television and I can only hope the Steinbrenner's are as embarrassed as I am when they turn on the TV and see their brand new gorgeous stadium completely vacant.

But, with a new day brings new hope in a baseball season. Let it go and on to the next. Nothin better to help forget about last night than to beat on New York fan's favorite whipping boy, The American Idle Carl Pavano.

Play Today.Win Today. Das It.

Pressure Of New York Already Getting To Soriano?

The Red Sox are dealing with the question of whether or not Crawford can deal with the pressure of playing in Boston, and they haven't even played in Boston yet, but they aren't the only ones...

"The Yankees enriched Soriano with a $35 million contract, but the right-hander was unable to protect a four-run lead in Tuesday's 10-inning loss to Minnesota. No one is perfect, but when the clubhouse opened afterward, Ben Shpigel of the New York Times reports Soriano had already departed, leaving his manager and teammates to address the failure (ESPN)."

This is being rumored to have not gone voer very well in the Yankees clubhouse. Dealing with the media is a must when you play in a major market. You are going to have "bad" games, and it's better to stand there and be accountable then to run out of the clubhouse, because sooner or later they will get you.

Saying that, you can't be overly concerned about Soriano. He looked good in his first 2 appearances going 2 innings allowing 1 hit with 2 Ks, until last night when he went 2/3 of an inning allowing 4 runs on 1 hit with 3 walks. I don't see this being a long term problem, but it will be interesting to see how he deals with the media in the future and if it will affect his game.

Cashman On His Way Out?

Things don't seem to be very happy in Yankee land. After the Yankee lost out on Lee, Crawford, overpaying for Jeter, and having to deal with whatever is going on with Pettitte, one would think because of their past history that heads were going to roll.

Well, it's starting to look like that is going to happen...

"Cashman's decision to go public with his disagreements "were a sign of larger disputes within the Yankee front office," says CBSSports.com's Danny Knobler. Sources in the Yankee organization tell Knobler that ownership wasn't pleased with recent Cashman acquisitions like Randy Winn, Javier Vazquez and Nick Johnson (MLBTradeRumors)."

The "decision" that they are talking about is the signing of Soriano. Cashman has come out and stated that he was not a fan of the signing and refused to have anything to do with it. He didn't think it was a good idea to pay a non-closer closer money, and also didn't want to give up a draft pick. Yet, the Yankees front office (Hal Steinbrenner and Randy Levine) did it anyways.

I am not sure what will happen first. The Yankee fire Cashman, or he walks, but whatever the outcome I think this will be his last season with the embattled club.

Yankees Sign Rafael Soriano

The New York Yankees have agreed to a three-year, $35 million deal with reliever Rafael Soriano, a source confirmed to ESPNNewYork.com.

Soriano will be an eighth-inning setup man for longtime closer Mariano Rivera. ESPN

35 million dollars and a 1st round draft pick is a lot to pay for an eighth inning man is a lot. I know Soriano had phenomenal numbers last year when he was closing for the Rays when he was successful on 45 of 48 save chances last season and 1.73 ERA to boot.

This probably makes the Yankees have the best bullpen in the American League with Soriano, Marte, and Mo (notice I left Joba out, he sucks), however this is still inexcusable after missing out on every free agent this offseason.

Soriano has opt out clauses after every year of this deal, but I don't think he can get that type of money anywhere else.

Fallout From Crawford Signing

So Carl Crawford is a Red Sox, but there is going to be a lot of dominoes falling now that he is off the market.

- The Yankees have reported to up their offer to 7 years for Cliff Lee. They now know they can't get Crawford, and their fan base is not very happy right now. Also, the Sox made Lee a low ball 7 year offer, so the Yankees would have to add an extra year to his deal.

- The Angels have fallen on their face. Rumor is now they will go out and sign Adrian Beltre and Rafael Soriano. Have fun with that. Oh and I don't think Torii Hunter is very happy about all this...

"That hurts my heart, man," Hunter told Scott Miller of CBS Sports. "But hey, what can you do?" (all Twitter links). Speaking to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times, Hunter said, "I'm sitting here in a daze right now, like, what the heck just happened? (MLBTradeRumors)"

- With the Red Sox now out of the Magglio Ordonez race it is sounding more and more likely that he will resign with the Tigers.

- As for the Red Sox, rumor has it they are still going after catcher Russell Martin, and Scott Downs. Downs is now a much more attractive idea since the Sox won't have to give up their first round pick, since that is already going to Tampa Bay for Carl Crawford.