New York Yankees notes: Matsui, Joba

of the 2009 World Series? Tremendous night for Godzilla, and the cherry on the ice cream was when he took Pedro downtown at the new stadium. Another daddy for Pedro.

Like Damon, Mattie will be missed. He is a class act and these guys come along once in a lifetime. Fun to watch, and a gentleman. Wonder if the Angels will play Blue Oyster Cult’s “Godzilla” when he comes to the plate in LA. The fans there I’m sure will appreciate him.

The Yankees will certainly miss him this year, and the Angels will be happy that they signed him. But unless he’s one of those guys who never seems to drop off with age, I suspect the decline is upon him. He’s got tremendous mileage on his body, and Game 6 gave him as much salary bargaining leverage as he will ever have.

As for the rest of the team being healthy, there are some much older guys on this team, and some very young players. Are the Yankees the only team in the majors who still have 4 players from 1996? I suspect that they are.

The 5 spot in the rotation should be Joba’s to lose. If he does lose it, my preferred solution is Joba as set-up, Hughes to get the next shot at it, then Gaudin. Aceves is too valuable as a swingman.

on the “fragile” status the Yankees. It is like walking on egg shells every day right out of the gate at Spring Training. Johnson is a walking bandade, Posada’ body has been through the woodshed, A.J.‘s health history is what it is, and Pettitte is no youngster. I’m glad that the nails and glue held all together last year, for the most part, but we will no doubt see some of the boys go down this year on the DL. There has been a discreet youth movement as of late, and with the right picks, based on what’s out there, the Yankees will be transformed. Now’s the time for Cashman to earn his money.

Igawa, Irabu come to mind as bad Japanese signings. I don’t know how involved Cashman was with either of them, with all the alleged pressure from Tampa but Igawa was as lame brained as it gets. He stunk in Japan, who would think he could have a decent career in MLB ?

Matsui was a great warrior and he gave it all for the team. I am glad he got the ultimate reward, a WS ring. Is Nick Johnson really going to be an improvement ? For a few million more Damon could have been a Yankee this year, noodle arm and all. I am hoping the team chemistry has not been altered too severely. Vasquez will probably be seen a s agreat pickup and Granderson is also a welcome addition.

I am still far from convinced that Joba has the makeup to be a starting pitcher. When he starts his velocity has been way down, he has been prone to injuries and his mental approach very different from his setup role. I like him in the 8th and possibly being groomed to take over the closers role.