The Daily Dozen - July 9, 2014

THE DAILY DOZEN
(Twelve Takeaways from Tonight's Game - July 9th, 2014 Edition)

1a. I had this mostly written during the long stretch of non-scoring between both teams.  

UPDATE: Ellsbury wins with a HR in the 14th! Boy was that last out scary!  I am getting too old for 14 inning games that last until Midnight.

1b. Nick Swisher continues to kill the Yankees. His 2-run single in the 1st virtually knocked McCarthy out of the game.  But for once the Yankees were able to score past the 3rd inning.  How about that strikeout in the 10th with the bases loaded though?  Weren't we all expecting him to at least get a sacrifice fly to win the game?

"Come on! You know you love me!"

2. How many times have Yankees opponents scored with 2 outs?  No seriously I want to know this...I tweeted during the game to the crack staff at the YES Network but as of yet haven't heard back.

3. The Yankees are really just losing to lesser teams to keep more teams in the playoff race.  They are all about making things competitive and ensuring that EVERY game counts! Heavy Sarcasm...

4. Welcome Back to the American League Brandon McCarthy!  After a rough 1st inning against (once again) a very good Indians offense, he was able to settle down only giving up only 1 more run the rest of his outing.  With the news of Tanaka heading to the DL, the Yankees can use every decent start they can get.  Of course Nuno pitched lights out for Arizona last night in his debut...

"Really glad to be on a playoff contender...wait, what? Tanaka is on the DL?..."

5. If Ichiro bats the ball to 3rd base...it's over.  Don't even attempt to throw the ball to first.  Seriously..don't.

6. Tanaka joins an ever-increasing list of Yankees on the DL.  Literally the entire starting rotation sans Kuroda is on the DL.  This is starting to look like 2013 all over again.  Gardner is hurt, Beltran is ailing, who's next? (Please no one...)

7. Having 2 players with first names starting with 'Z' is not as intimidating as it sounds.  Could the offense besides Teixeira have any less pop?  #BronxBombless

He needs to go back to Staten Island...

8. I am convinced that the Indians got Chris Dickerson to mess with the Yankees.  I'm predicting he will be leaving town when the Yankees do.  He is the new #YankeeKiller.  Furthermore, I fully expected Jason Giambi to come out and pinch hit a walk-off home run.  Former Yankees are killing them this season.

9. I think it's time for a new direction.  It has been stated on here before, but Kevin Long needs to go.  The situational hitting stinks on this team and they have no POP.  Maybe a guy like TINO MARTINEZ could do something about it.  I am still convinced that the Yankees, even with the 09 World Series title made a mistake by not hiring Don Mattingly by the way...Just Saying...

Bring Back Tino AND Mattingly!

10. Is Teixeira's home run output worth his lofty contract.  After tonight I would instantly react with YES...he now has 17 home runs, on pace for another 30 HR season...probably closer to 35 HR as he starts out badly every year.  The thing that used to make his contract worth it, however, is his defense.  His defense isn't what it used to be...could be old age, could be all the nagging wrist injuries...

11. The name Asdrubal is the spanish version of the name Hasdrubal, which according to BehindTheName.com means God Helps...maybe the Yankees should really go after him in the offseason to replace Jeter...

12. Tomorrow night may be the last time that I get to see Derek Jeter play live.  VERY SAD.

Unless they make the playoffs...

Hello, my name is Masahiro Tanaka

A few moments ago the New York Yankees officially introduced japenese sensation Masahiro Tanaka. The Yankees signed Tanaka to a 7 year/$155 million dollar contract in January. Tanaka seemed to be soaking in the attention and took questions from reporters for several minutes. It's certainly going to be interesting to see how he plays out this season.

Longest Month of the Year

February. It even sounds long and boring. If you live on the East Coast and love Yankee baseball it is an eternity. 

Add the fact that the Yankees have all these shiny new toys to play with and it's simply painful. I want to see McCann pop one over the short porch, Ellsbury steal second and Tanaka with his first quality start TODAY!  

Don't get me wrong, the Superbowl dulls the pain for the first week. I know we all can't wait to see the battle between Manning and Sherman, as well as the chance to hear every one at your SB party giggle under their breath at every "OMAHA", but when it's over....sigh. 

Being that I am a fantasy nut, this is usually the time of year I start scouring the sites and fantasy publications for this years "up and comers". Although, don't get too comfortable, someone will see your new found free time and begin to draft up a "honey DO list"!

Anyway, we all have our own ways of getting through the month before spring training. Any ideas out there? 

Lay em' on me?

The Tanaka, ARod connection?

I know, I know, how in the world could these two baseball stars be connected. So many variables work against them having anything in common. They live in different countries, they are generations apart in age, heck, they don't even speak the same language!? Well, hear me out.

One thing they could have in common is a large contract from the New York Yankees. If Tanaka were to sign a contract with the Yankees it would have to be an exorbitant amount for many years, just like they had to with Mr. Rodriguez. 

I know this doesn't seem like a big deal, but you have to wonder how closely Tanaka and his camp are watching the trials of a ring holding Yankee that they invested so much into? It also makes you wonder if this is why the Yankee brass is admitting to take ARod back after his suspension?

I know, it sounds ridiculous, we would never turn on the latest oriental darling?Although, we don't exactly have a sparkling past with imported pitchers. Hideki Irabu (whom was compared to a fat toad by Yankee brass) and Kei Igawa (banished to the minors) 

Although, that isn't where I'm going here. What if Tanaka did sign and something along the lines of Carl Pavano happened. Slowly things go south after minor surgeries turn into Tommy John! Then, would those same Yankee fans that have pre-ordered Tanaka jerseys for $90.00+ a clip, well, would they still love him? Would they stick with him, or try and run him out of town? I know it's not as big a deal as a PED scandal, but when the Yankees are paying a large percentage of the payroll to someone who is sitting and watching, well, things get ugly in the Bronx.

I hope I'm WAY off the mark here, but you have to wonder.