W.O.W.

What a horrendous loss. New York surrendered three straight leads of 4-0 and 8-4 and finally 9-8. The last two bullpen options to close the game were Jose Veras and someone who can't get lefties out.

To me, Veras was the choice as the upcoming inning called for three straight lefthanded hitters. However Joe Girardi calledup upon LaTroy Hawkins who will now have a new chant at Yankee Stadium: D-F-A.

Boy oh boy will the "Joba stays in the pen" crowd have a field day with this one.

Hawkins Surrenders #21, Dignity

I am Paul O'Neill's smirking revenge.

LaTroy Hawkins has come to his senses:

Tired of receiving flak for wearing a number last used by Paul O’Neill, the Yankees’ LaTroy Hawkins has decided to surrender his No. 21 before the club opens a two-game series against the Red Sox on Wednesday.

...Hawkins wore No. 22 with the Yankees during Spring Training, but switched to No. 21 when infielder Morgan Ensberg decided he no longer wanted to wear it. Ensberg was randomly assigned the number upon reporting to camp as a non-roster invitee and later revealed that he received numerous vulgar comments from Yankees fans during the Grapefruit League campaign.

Hawkins eagerly accepted No. 21 as a tribute to Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente but quickly learned that a pinstriped No. 21 has other meanings for Yankees fans. Unaware he was donning a number that had not been worn since O’Neill retired following the 2001 World Series, Hawkins was booed when introduced on Opening Day at Yankee Stadium. Fans chanted “Paul O’Neill” during one of his appearances in the Bronx.

According to CBSSports.com, Hawkins made the decision after discussions with Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and other Yankees veterans, who told Hawkins that the number is not worth the headache it’s causing.

“I figure if it’s important enough for Jeter and Mariano and some other veterans to ask me about it, it’s not worth it to keep wearing the number,” Hawkins told the Web site.

The Ledger On Last Night

The only Yankee booed during last night's pregame introduction was LaTroy Hawkins:

Apparently because [Hawkins] had the audacity to wear No. 21 -- which had not been given out since Paul O'Neill retired.

Really?

First, Paul O'Neill's number can still be retired. Eight players -- EIGHT -- wore No. 3 for the Yankees after Babe Ruth.

Second, while Paul O'Neill is inextricably linked to the 1996-2000 dynasty, is he really an all-time great? You have to figure Nos. 2 (Jeter), 6 (Torre), 13 (A-Rod) and 20 (will be retired), and Mariano Rivera's No. 42 will never be worn again because of him and Jackie Robinson.

I agree with Mr. Price on this one. O'Neill was the heart and soul of the 1990's dynasty, but is not among the Yankee greats who deserve to see their number retired. I do believe it is only respectful to let the number sit in mothballs for a few more years before a rent-a-reliever like Hawkins is able to wear #21. Had it been Jose Tabata or Action Jackson, it would have been much easier for the Yankees faithful to handle.

Also, I didn't see it myself, but I had heard there were some jeers when Andy Pettitte was announced - guess not all Mets fans can fly down to Florida to see Pedro.

The Star Ledger further reported that Hank Steinbrenner's favorite portion of the game was "the Big Two," which refers to Joba Chamberlain and Mariano Rivera.

Cashman: Three Penciled In For Pen

According to an Anthony McCarron of the Daily News, Brian Cashman intimated the Yankees currently have three definite bullpen pieces in Mariano Rivera, Kyle Farnsworth and LaTroy Hawkins. We're talking about The Sandman, a Farnsworthless and a sixth inning reliever.

From the article:

"The pen is a work in progress," Cashman said. "We'll have a lot of competition in spring training. As long as you have quality competing for those spots, that's good. We have guys with a lot of potential. If they're ready now or later, we'll have to see.

"For the most part, we like the talent we have against the market at the prices the market is demanding."

Cashman said prized prospects such as Jeff Marquez and Alan Horne might be in the bullpen mix, along with Ross Ohlendorf, Edwar Ramirez, Jose Veras, Steven White, Jeff Karstens, Brian Bruney, Chris Britton and Jonathan Albaladejo. Lefties Kei Igawa, Sean Henn and Chase Wright will vie for pen spots, Cashman said.

He forgot to include Mark Melancon, J. Brent Cox, Humberto Sanchez and most prominently, Kevin Whelan, who could be knocking on the major league door come May.

* The New York Post has another Cashman piece, reiterating his redundant but slick mantra:

Cashman Is Focused On Doing Job Not Keeping It.

Yankees To Sign Reliever Hawkins

The Yankees are closing in on a one year deal with middle reliever LaTroy Hawkins worth $3.75 million, ESPN.com reports.

The Hawkins signing is obviously no Johan Santana and the journeyman reliever turns 35 this month. However, if it came down to a decision between a long term deal with Luis Vizcaino or a one year commitment to Hawkins, it seems like Cashman's hands were tied. Guess we can thank Chicago's ludicrous Scott Linebrink signing for Vizcaino's newly found opportunism.

Hawkins may not be the same power pitcher that we saw when he was a member of the Twins and Cubs, but he still possesses a mid-90s fastball, decent slider and average changeup. The last two seasons, Hawkins has seen his strikeout totals decline considerably, leading to a k/9 of about 4.50. However, his walk totals have remained low as Hawkins walked 31 batters in 115.2 innings the past two seasons.

Bottom line... the Yankees picked up a decent middle reliever who was able to put up a 3.42 ERA at hitter friendly Coors Field. Had Cashman given a longterm deal which Vizcaino reportedly is seeking, it would have been a big mistake. However, a one year deal means there is very little committment, a surprising agreement considering Hawkins is getting up in age.

The impending Mitchell report - which may be released before Christmas - may have had an impact on LaTroy's financial decision. If he is afraid his name may be brought up in relation to performance enhancing drugs allegations, he hay have had little leverage for a longtime deal and a small window to sign any deal at all.

Scouting Report:

Riding Fastball - (92-97 mph)
Slider or Cut-Fastball - (82-87 mph)
Hard Curve - (75-80 mph)
Changeup - (low 80s mph)
Splitter - (84-86 mph)

From Tyler Kepner of the New York Times:

Hawkins struggled early [in 2007], but after returning from a forearm injury in late May and developing his slider, he had a 2.63 E.R.A. over his last 53 games, with opponents hitting only .233 against him.

Hawkins has worked in at least 60 games in each of the last eight seasons, and only three right-handers — David Weathers, Mike Timlin and Todd Jones — have pitched in more games since 2000.

The Hawk, Rivera and a bunch of baby bombers look to comprise the 2008 Yankees bullpen.