Is It Time?

At what point during a season of calamity do you take a step back and say - That's it; we're done?

At what point do the mounting injuries cause us as fans to cry "Uncle?"

Posada, Wang, Hughes, Kennedy and Matsui are currently on the shelf, and Jeter, A-Rod, Damon, Bruney and now maybe Joba have all missed significant time during this season. That's 60% of our opening day rotation, our #5 hitter, our #6 hitter and catcher, our 22 year old flame throwing Ace and the major league leader in wins the past 2 years. Ugh!

Through all of the the Yanks have found a way to stay in the race; patching together the back-end of the 'ro, trading for a productive OF, and getting some good (some not so good) starts from journeymen Ponson and Rasner. 5.5 games out is absolutely doable.

It's only doable, however, if things fall into place for the final 50 games of the season. We need to play .600 ball to have a good shot at making up the 5.5 games. We likely need to play .600 ball to make up yhe 2.5 games in the wild card. If 3/5 of our rotation is Geise, Ponson and Rasner there is no way that happens.

Phil Phranchise is getting close to coming back, Ian Kennedy is no doubt an upgrade to Rasner (I really hope!), and (omg!) a guy named Pavano might avoid the MRI tube long enough to help down the stretch (don't bank on it). For any of these guys to help, however, they need to stay healthy and actually pitch well.

I really think Phil will be successful when he gets back. As the last 20 or so games have shown, however, 3 pitchers does not .600 ball make.

If 2 of the 3 (Phil, Ian, Pavano) come back and make a strong positive contribution we might be able to pull it off.

If one of the 3 comes back and Joba only missed 1 start (doubtfull - the Yanks are gonna rightfully baby Joba) we might be able to pull it off.

Barring those scenarios, however, it might just be time to start looking toward 2009.