SportsLink

Cuss along with me as the Yankees improve their chances

Posted by Vince

Jan. 4, 2007 2:29 p.m. • 0 comments

BASEBALL

Didn’t want the day to fly by without mention of a couple of pitching changes that helps the New York Yankees immensely. Darn it.

The first is this piece of news from the Associated Press on Randy Johnson headed to Arizona. No matter what the Yankees get in return, this helps them because Johnson is on the downside of his career and that downside is a black diamond run.

In 205 innings last year for the Yanks, Johnson had a 5.00 ERA and gave up 28 home runs. He is also 43 years old.

The other transaction that helps New York is contained in this story we ran, with the Red Sox about to sign Joel Pineiro with the idea he’ll become their closer.

Now I’ve always been a big Pineiro booster, hoping against hope he would fulfill the promise he exudes. But as a closer? In the heat, and were not talking weather here, of Boston? Something just doesn’t seem to fit. The first time he blows a save, he’ll change his windup. The next time, another change. The third time, he’s in Pawtucket.