Pedro Martinez and Jonathan Papebon as New York Yankees? I am not sure if Red Sox fans or Yankee fans would have a harder time digesting that.
As was mentioned in a recent comment, the Yankees are one of a handful of teams who will scout Martinez on Friday.
More interesting, or maybe stomach-turning depending on your point of view, is what Papelbon said on Sirius XM radio when asked if he could wear pinstripes one day.
"Oh, of course. I mean, I think if we can’t come to an agreement on terms here in a Red Sox uniform, I mean, I think that’s pretty much the writing on the wall. If they can’t come to terms with you they’re letting you know that, ‘Hey you know what? We can go somewhere else.’ And I think it’s the same way on the other side, ‘Hey if ya’ll can’t come to an agreement with me then I can go somewhere else.’ Not only in the Bronx, but anywhere. I think anywhere is a possibility. You always have to keep that in the back of your mind because you can’t just be one-sided and think that, ‘Oh I’m going to be in a Red Sox uniform my entire career.’ Because nowadays that is very, very rare and hopefully we can because there’s no question I would love to stay in a Boston Red Sox uniform but I have to do what’s best for me and play in an atmosphere where I’m wanted and play on a team where I’m wanted and that’s all I can really say about that, you know?"
That might just be posturing by Papelbon, since it is the absolute worst-case scenario for Boston. Interesting to think about, though, since Mariano Rivera will likely be retired by the time Papelbon is a free agent after the 2011 season.
As for Pedro, the Yanks don't need another five-inning starting pitcher. They have plenty of those right now. What they need is for the guys they have to start pitching the way they were expected to.
(NOTE: I'm asking nicely that you go easy on the vile nicknames for Papelbon is the comments. Please.)
Let's look at some other stories making news around the Yankee Universe today.
- YES broadcaster Michael Kay said over and over and over during the game that the umpires were responsible for the five-hour and 26-minute rain delay, and that fans should not blame the Yankees. Well ...
The call on whether to play or not rested with the Yankees.
"I was in the loop at all times," New York manager Joe Girardi said. "When we were supposed to start and couldn’t, at 2, 3, 4 or 5, all of those times."
Said umpire crew chief Charlie Reliford: "It was their decision entirely. I had no input whatsoever."
Memo to Kay. Use that big space between your ears for something other than ego, and get some facts before you go off saying stuff that isn't true.
- The Yankees did try to do right by the fans who stayed, inviting them to move into better seats (except for the Legends Suite ones, of course) and offering them free tickets to a future game.
- Brett Gardner says he is OK after Thursday's ugly crash into the left-center field wall. Oh, and Johnny Damon says you can add the incredibly hard plexiglas Gardner crashed into to the list of concerns about the new Stadium.
- Haven't seen this mentioned anywhere, but Thursday was the first homerless game of the 35 played at the new Stadium. No idea what it means, but the pace of home runs has slowed a bit. At the current rate, 273 would be hit this season at the Stadium, safely off the record 303 hit at Coors Field in 1999.