A-Rod Surgery – The Day After…

 

By all accounts, the surgery performed on Alex Rodriguez’s hip for the torn labrum by Dr. Marc J. Philippon was successful.  Alex should be able to resume playing in 6-9 weeks.

 

Many people have questioned whether the Yanks really need to seek a replacement since A-Rod can conceivably be back in action after 23 games.  I say yes, because I feel an upgrade is necessary for the long haul…not just the first 23 games of the season.  Cody Ransom is labeled as a good defender, but he can’t hit for average although he does have some power. 

 

Kathy Willens/AP

 

I think the Yankees need someone who can fill in, provide good defense, and hit well enough to keep pitchers honest.  Alex will need more rest than in years past, and more rest for Derek Jeter is probably not a bad idea as he begins the downside of his career physically-speaking.

 

Someone did ask A’s manager Bob Geren if Bobby Crosby was being showcased at third base for the Yankees and he chuckled and replied “no”.  Bobby wants to play, and he probably sees third as his best option given the health of 3B Eric Chavez in recent years.  

 

So, maybe the best deal is no deal, but I sure wish I had more faith and confidence in either Cody Ransom or Angel Berroa…

 

Starting in Centerfield…

 

Granted, Brett Gardner hasn’t won the job yet, but he continues to impress in camp.  On Monday, he hit this third homer of the season (which leads the team). 

 

 

He continues to make things happen, and I’d be surprised to see Melky Cabrera to take the job from Gardner.  It’s definitely exciting to have his presence in the lineup. 

 

Michael Kay mentioned on a recent telecast that the Yankees haven’t had a weapon like this on the base paths since Homer Bush.  I agree…

 

Italy ousts Canada

 

Italy defeated Canada 6-2 on Monday to eliminate the Canadians from WBC play.  Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli was 0-for-3 with a walk for the Italians. 

 

 

I caught Mike Piazza’s comments about Cervelli this morning (no pun intended).  “He’s so talented back there, you can’t say enough,” Piazza said.  “He worked hard back there.  His enthusiasm, you could tell.”

 

“His enthusiasm from the start of the game was just sky-high.  He hustled.  He’s got an amazing arm.” Piazza went on to say. “I’m jealous – in a good way – because I see player with a great future ahead of him.  He’s going to get better with the bat.  He’s going to get a little quicker.”

 

He’s not the prospect that Jesus Montero is, but he’s a few years older (23) and closer to major league action.  I am anxious to see competition between Cervelli and Kevin Cash (and even Jose Molina) when he returns to Yankees camp after the conclusion of the WBC.

 

Just as I am concerned about back up support at third, I have the same concerns at catcher given Jorge Posada’s age and his return from injury last season.  At this point of his career, Jorge is not going to improve and will only continue to deteriorate.  It remains to be seen if he can continue to perform at the level he’s been accustomed to, but the odds are against it.  Jorge needs a solid backup who can spell him on occasion.  Perhaps it is Jose Molina, but I do feel that when you look at the players with greatest odds for getting hurt, Jorge is at or near the top.  Therefore, if Cervelli can continue to take his play to a higher level, he’ll have a say in the Yanks’ backup catching plans.

 

Odds and Ends

 

Mike Mussina was a visitor to Yankees camp today, and true to form, doesn’t regret the decision to retire.  He also turned down Manager Joe Girardi’s offer to wear a uniform for the day.  

 

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

 

Moose was a class act, and he’ll be missed.  He was, at times, misunderstood, but I always thought he was honest and straightforward.  

 

I saw Jake Peavy’s quote earlier in the week, and I am definitely glad that the Red Sox never became his destination.  “Boston was a place that I told the Padres I would certainly be interested in playing,” Peavy said Monday at the Team USA workout.  “I don’t know if there were any talks.  I gave the Padres a list and Boston was on that list.  Boston was a place I told the Padres I would be interested in playing at.  Set that straight for sure.”  Yikes!  To borrow the old adage, sometimes the best deal is the deal never made!  J

 

 

With the plethora of evidence building up against him, when is Roger Clemens going to come clean and admit steroids use?  For a guy I used to consider a hero, I am so disappointed…

 

 

I liked Randy Johnson’s description of Tim Lincecum as the fourth Jonas brother…

 

 

Okay, I find the headline of “U.S. teammate Dustin Pedroia thinks World of Derek Jeter” to be very disturbing!  There’s way too much love going around.  “They go at it constantly,” Chipper Jones said of Jeter and Pedroia.  “It’s fun when Yankees and Red Sox go at each other, because you know they’re going to hate each other in a month.”  Whew!  I needed that perspective.  Thanks Chipper! I was starting to get this visual image of Yankees and Red Sox players hugging each other and trading high 5′s before games…