Tanya: Think Soriano opts out when the season is over?
Steve: He might... He could go find a closer's job where he won't have to worry about Mariano coming back.
Tanya: The market is pretty thin for closers. He could get a good deal from someone that he might not get if he goes back to the eighth inning next season.
Steve: Pinch-hitting for A-Rod. With Ibanez. How the mighty have fallen.
Tanya: Oh my goodness.
Steve: Joe Girardi: Manager of the Decade. That's all I have to say. Raul Ibanez loves that porch!
Tanya: Has anyone come up bigger on offense lately? Anyone?
Steve: No. Not at home. A sinker that doesn't sink from Johnson and Ibanez's bat finds that jury box in right.
Tanya: On the verge of losing to the A's: Ibanez. On the verge of losing to the Red Sox: Ibanez. On the verge of losing to the Orioles: Ibanez. Not bad for one of the guys who has taken a good chunk of the hate all season. From myself, included.
Steve: Steve too. Counting that shot, that's 15 of 20 home runs for Ibanez at home this year.
Tanya: That's amazing.
Steve: A friend asks, "So why do you DH A-Rod, then PH for him in the ninth with Ibanez?"
Tanya: I'm not sure there is even any logical explanation you could give. Girardi pushes that button at such random time...and it's worked.
Steve: They have A-Rod for 40 more years...
Tanya: I have to think his broken hand is still bothering him. I want to think that, at least.