The Yankees

Both Phil Hughes and Derek Jeter are off the DL. The return of Hughes is probably going to be more important and they will need him to pitch well over the remainder of the season.

Mo Rivera is now just two blown saves short of his career high with 49 more games to go. Only twice in his career has he blown more saves than he has already this season, and that was in his 2nd and third year in the job. He's still one of the best, but no longer the feared 'Game Over' closer he was. Will the Yankees be clinical enough to move him to a middle reliever role if his decline continues next year?

I dont know Gal.

Saves are a media invented stat which dont show a closers abilty in the slightest so blown saves mean little to me.

His other more important stats, WHIP, K:BB, etc all look fine to me, in fact you could argue he is pitching better than last season. Obviously nature will take it's course and he will start to decline in the coming years. Still think i'd take him over any other closer in the game to protect a 1 run lead though.

Me too, at the moment, but he has been steadily losing velocity over the lst couple of years, no surprise there given his age. He hardly ever walks anybody, and because his cutter is so good he usually manages to avoid solid contact, but I'm dubious about him sustaining his high level for much longer. His hits allowed are on schedule right now to be 50% higher than last year, and if that regression continues next year he'll start finding life a lot harder.

The Yankees are looking for a DH and it seems to be between Damon, Matsui and Ibanez. Who does everyone think would do the best job for the Yankees?

I wouldn't mind seeing Damon back in the pinstripes if I'm being honest. Although it's hard to see happening. I'm not mad about Ibanez, hope Cashman doesn't pull the trigger & bring him in.

What r people's thoughts on Phil Hughes & how he'll do this season. Will he be the 2010 or 2011 version?

With Girardi saying he wants another hitter, I'm really hoping that Matsui will return; one of my faves!

Afterhow bad he was last season I can't understand why anyone would want him; I'm surprised he hasn't gone back to Japan.

I want him more for the name than the play . But I get what you mean.

Will Cashman bring in another bat before the season kicks off you reckon? Chances the Burnett deal goes through?

I think we'll see a return - either Damon or Matsui. Was really disappointed to see Montero go as I had high hopes for him, and I would rather have had Jesus than Pineda, despite him being a good addition to the team. I'll be delighted if AJ goes, as he was woeful last season! He started off okay, but he had a nightmare end. He looked like a player that had little to no confidence, and we don't need than on our roster! Obviously the Pirates or whoever see something in him.

I reckon Burnett will be gone by this time next week, it's probably just a matter of time and sorting out the finer details of the deal. Yea you're right, early on last season he wasn't too bad value for his spot in the rotation but he really faded as the season progressed.

It was sad to see Montero alryt, he looked like he had a lot to offer. Im eager to see how Pineda does. I must say Im pretty excited, I liked what I saw him last term.

Who are your top 5 in the rotation if opening day were tomorro?

I'd go:
1. Sabathia
2. Pineda
3. Kuroda
4. Nova
5. Hughes

1. CC
2. Pineda
3. Nova
4. Robertson
5. Hughes

How Robertson was initially snubbed from the All-Star team last year was beyond me.

Andy Pettitie is back out of retirement! Get Jorge back and we once again have The Core Four! I find Andy's return pretty amazing to be honest! Should give everyone a morale boost, if nothing else !

Infortunately with his history, a lot of people are going to be assuming his fake retirement was so he could escape drug testing whilst he used PEDS and Hormone treatment to give him an edge. Unfair? Maybe, but he has no one to blame but himself for taking PEDS in the first place and then pretending to retire; similar story to Manny.