Dammit Phil, hurry up. The season could be lost by then.

I thought we would be talking A-rod today and the rumor of early contract extension. Sounds like Boras will recommend waiting to the end of the season-which isn’t good. If they can’t keep the Texas money it probably means they won’t be a player later.

As to Hughes. One start Friday and let him regroup upstairs with the big club particularly if Igawa’s turn comes around next week.  If they don’t need a fifth starter, than another minor league start. As to pushing him to the majors sooner than later, how could he really be any worse than our present options?

I think Boras is taking a gamble - however small - that Arod will have enough of a second-half to boost his price even further.  And also that the close they get to his time to opt-out, the higher the Yankees will go.  It doesn’t necessarily mean that ARod won’t be a Yankee.  I could certainly see a few days after their season ends, Boras coming back with a proposal for an extension that at least can be negotiated off of.  Assuming of course Alex really DOES want to stay a Yankee.

As to pushing him to the majors sooner than later, how could he really be any worse than our present options?

Unless Igawa REALLY turns it around in his next few starts, I think the Yankees are going to treat Hughes as if he is a part of the rotation just like say Pettitte or Wang.  That is, when he is ready to come back, he’ll be part of the rotation.  This differs from Karstens where he will probably stay in the minors until the Yankees have a need for him.

For what its worth, the Yankees will be in definite need of starting pitching innings in the next few weeks - no off days, plus the always fun 5 games in 4 days against the Devil Rays next weekend.

I think Boras is taking a gamble - however small - that Arod will have enough of a second-half to boost his price even further.

Boras is not scared of taking these risks AT all.  he ALWAYS holds out for the biggest payday possible, both with prospects and major leaguers.

it has rarely backfired.

but as shown with Matsuzaka, he WILL yield to his clients’ wishes.

if Alex WANTS to stay, he will.  if he doesn’t, he is gone.

i don’t know if he does or not.  if i were him, i probably wouldn’t want to. the fans, the NY media, some of his teammates, and his manager have essentially treated him like crap since the day he got here.

it is only because this season has exposed how vulnerable the yankee offense will be without him that the fans are starting to support bringing him back.

i mean, people wanted to trade him for Ervin Santana and Chone Figgins not 6 months ago.  or Buehrle and Crede.  give me a break.

he ALWAYS holds out for the biggest payday possible, both with prospects and major leaguers.

Oh yeah, I know this is nothing new.  I think if Boras really BELIEVED that ARod would not have a good 2nd half, he would probably negotiate an extension now.  Boras is definitely the master of selling high.  I’m just pointing out that I don’t think Boras saying he doesn’t want to negotiate now gives any indication to whether Alex will stay or not.

the fans, the NY media, some of his teammates, and his manager have essentially treated him like crap since the day he got here.

True.  But a lot of other players have received similar treatment in NY, but then later on became fan-favorites, and considered themselves life-long Yankees.  I’ve read that what ARod has gone through was NOTHING compared to the first-half of Mantle’s career.  I’m sure a lot of Arod deciding if he wants to stay or not will be based on how the 2nd half of the season goes, and how he is treated.

One difference with Mantle is that Mantle didn’t have a choice of leaving under the Reserve Clause, Arod has that option.