Well there goes the season

Joba Chamberlain is almost certainly out for the year. After Mariano Rivera, the Yankees' bullpen consists of David Robertson, Boone Logan and the cast of Melrose Place (or a group of people similarly ineffective).

It's June 9 and I'm calling it folks. The Yankees will not make the playoffs this year. They're not good enough to win without a bullpen.

More to come.

Link of the Day: Yankees really MLB's best?

As a diehard Yankee fan, I want to believe Joe Lemire's contention on SI.com that "it's been hard not to overrate what the Yankees have done on the field." In his recent Power Rankings, Lemire placed the Bombers at No. 1. But as a sportswriter, I have to take issue with Lemire anointing the Yanks as the league's best because he bases his ranking in large part on the possibly transient pitching of Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia.

"[G.M. Brian Cashman's] bargain-basement signings of starters Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia look genius," Lemire gushes -- and he's right. At this point in the season Cashman's decision to sign the former aces-turned-castoffs looks pretty damn good. But both Colon and Garcia have extensive injury histories and are on pace to pitch far more innings than anyone can reasonably expect. Check out their innings counts from the past five years:

Colon
2007: 99.1
2008: 38.0
2009: 62.1
2010: 0
2011: 66.1

Garcia
2007: 58.0
2008: 15.0
2009: 56.0
2010: 157.0
2011: 56.2

Colon has thrown more innings so far this year than the last two years combined, while Garcia is coming off a 2010 season where he nearly tripled his 2009 output and is on pace to throw even more innings this year. Yankees fans have seen the devastating dead arm effects of a major innings bump already this season in Phil Hughes, who is not expected to return until after the All-Star Break. It's not a stretch to say that Garcia or Colon -- or both -- will have significant declines in production in the second half of the season. And with Hughes's return an uncertain prospect at best, the Bombers could very well find themselves with major pitching concerns come August.

The Yankees are certainly playing better than many prognosticators expected. But baseball's best? That's a real stretch.

The Greatness of Mariano Rivera

Read my story for the Atlantic on the wonder that is Mariano here.

Link of the Day: Worst NBA Draft ever?

Leave it to Cleveland to have two top-four picks (No. 1 and No. 4) in what many experts are calling the worst draft class ever. That argument was unwittingly strengthened by Sports Illustrated's Sam Amick in his latest mock draft. Check out Amick's projected top eight picks:

1. Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke
2. Derrick Williams, SF, Arizona
3. Brandon Knight, PG, Kentucky
4. Enes Kanter, C, Kentucky (by way of Turkey, didn't play a single minute for UK)
5. Jonas Valanciunas, PF, Lietuvos Rytas (Lithuania)
6. Jan Veesly, PF, KK Partizan Belgrade (Serbia)
7. Donatas Motiejunas, PF, Benetton Treviso (Italy)
8. Bismack Biyombo, PF, Baloncesto Fuenlabrada (Spain)

The list speaks for itself, but to recap: projected picks 4-8 are big men who've played a combined zero NCAA games and have zero minutes of meaningful basketball in the United States. Forget Dirk Nowitzki's recent surge, the guy's a once-in-a-generation player. Think Nikoloz Tskitishvili x 5.

The 2000 NBA Draft class is widely considered the worst of all time (only three combined All-Star appearances from the entire class and only one semi-elite player, Michael Redd). But if five European big men really go in the top eight picks, 2011 could be the new loser.

Giants Draft Recap: A Prince and some paupers

Since the NFL draft is the only topical pro football event that doesn't involve the hair-pulling machinations of the American legal system or labor negotiations (unless you count Rex Ryan's appearance on the Colbert Report, which honestly desrves its own post), we might as well break it down from the Giants' and Jets' perspective. We'll get to Ryan's picks tomorrow, but for now let's examine the Good, the Bad and the Unknown from Big Blue's 2011 draft.

THE GOOD
Prince Amukamara: The cornerback from Nebraska and No. 19 overall pick isn't just the Giants' answer to the royal wedding, he's the best corner they've drafted since they took Jason Sehorn with the 59th pick in the 1994 draft. Beyond creating a potential gold mine of snappy headlines for the back pages of the New York tabloids, Prince was the consensus No. 2 cover corner in the draft behind LSU's Patrick Peterson and will be an immediate impact player.

A three-year starter in college, Prince earned the ultimate sign of respect from offensive coordinators in the high-octane Big 12 last year: they completly stopped throwing his way. Prince's 2010 numbers were thus misleading a la Darrelle Revis -- while he didn't have any INTs (after snaring five to go along with 11 pass breakups his junior year), he anchored a Nebraska defense that allowed fewer passing yards than the 2009 squad despite losing All-American defensive tackle and elite pass rusher Ndamukong Suh.

Blessed with size (6-foot-1, 205 lbs) and speed (a blistering 4.38 40-yard dash time), Prince should compete with incumbents Tyrus Thomas and Corey Webster for a starting job this year. Anyone who watched Thomas commit a stupid penalty last year (or worse, witnessed nickel cornerback Aaron Ross get consistenly abused on deep routes) knows this is a good thing.

Greg Jones: As a Northwestern alum, I'm a frequent watcher of Big Ten football games that go unnoticed by most people outside of the Midwest. Thus most gridiron watchers probably missed out on Michigan State's Jones, who has what analysts blithely describe as "a nose for the ball." The middle linebacker had 100+ tackles in each of his last three seasons, peaking with 153 his junior year. "He would be a steal in the fifth round," Grand Rapid Press scribe Greg Johnson wrote on draft day; the Giants nabbed him late in the sixth. Given Big Blue's continuing struggle to replace Antonio Pierce at middle linebacker (current starting hopefuls include Jonathan Goff and the game but painfully unathletic Chase Blackburn), the Giants got serious value with such a low pick.

Defensive depth: Despite finishing seventh in total defense last season, the Giants were only average (17th) in scoring defense, yielding 21.7 points per game. The year before that, they were 13th in total defense but 30th in scoring defense -- in fact, not since 2005 has Big Blue had a higher ranking in points allowed than yards allowed. Why? A lack of depth, which led to fourth-quarter meltdowns (see: Week 15 vs. Philadelphia) and inconsistent play from week to week (according to footballoutsiders.com, the Giants ranked third in Total Defense Valued Over Average but 31st in variance, which measures week-to-week changes in teams' DVOA).

So what did the Giants do? They used their first two draft picks and five of eight overall on defensive players. That's addressing a need in my book.

THE BAD
Only one offesnive lineman: On the flip side of the "addressing your needs" argument is Big Blue's failure to deal with the team's most glaring weakness: offensive line play. Though the Giants gave up only 16 sacks last year, tied for fewest in the league, there were ominous signs of aging from a starting line that averaages 31 years old and 10 years of NFL experience. There's a good chance that three years from now none of the current starters will be in football, and yet the Giants used only one draft choice on an O-Lineman, Indiana tackle James Brewer in the fourth round.

Jerrel Jernigan: Wasting a third-round pick on an undersized slot receiver/kick returner from Troy (the unversity, not the historic location) would have been bad enough before the NFL announced its rule changes for next season. But since the NFL moved up kickoffs to the 35-yard line -- a decision that significantly reduces the value of return position because of the expected spike in touchbacks -- Jernigan's primary value to the team isn't so valuable after all. The Giants knew this and picked him anyway, suggesting that upper management is so underwhelemd by the team's current return corps that they would overvalue a KR who at best will be a limited contributor on offense.

THE UNKNOWN
Brewer: The Indiana tackle will probably have a chance to contribute in 2011, particuarly if right tackle Kareem McKenzie continues his heroic push towards 400 pounds. But few draft analaysts tabbed Brewer as an impact player, and it's highly questionable (read: unlikely) that he will be a franchise or even above average lineman.

Marvin Austin: Anytime you use a second-pick on a guy who didn't play AT ALL in 2010, you're taking a big risk. A projected first-round pick after the 2009 college season, the North Carolina defensive tackle was suspended for the entire 2010 season because an agent paid for his travel in the offseason.

Austin will be something of a project, and with the lockout keeping draftees from working with team officials he probably won't make a huge impact right away. BUT (and this is a big but) he has the potential to be a Warren Sapp-type player. He's 310 pounds, he's quick, and he plays with a mean streak reminiscent of the former Buccaneers star whose Twitter handle is 'qbkilla'. While I will miss fellow Northwestern alum Barry Cofield (who will now likely be gone because he's asking for too much money in his new contract), I am champing at the bit to see Austin play.

Knicks Offseason Primer

With yesterday's announcement that the Knicks will pick up Chauncey Billups's $14.2 million option for next season, their offseason options have become severely limited. Thanks in large part to the lucrative contracts of Billups, Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony, the Knicks have approximately $60 million in committed salary for next year. Last year's salary cap was just $58.5 million, and with a new collective bargaining agreement on the way and the league griping about teams losing money, next year's cap will likely be lower.

There won't be any big free-agent signings this summer a la Stoudemire, not with all eyes fixed on summer 2012, when Billups's contracts comes off the books and Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Dwight Howard hit the market. But the team can still make use of the $5.8 million mid-level exemption to pick up one or two bargain free agents, and they'll have a mid-first round pick in the draft.

What will they do? It's too early to tell, though there are reports that GM Donnie Walsh is looking to bring back Wilson Chandler, who was shipped to Denver in the Anthony deal. While Chandler would give the Knicks a reliable swingman and a defensive stopper to guard Paul Pierce, LeBron James, Luol Deng and the Eastern Conference's other small forwards, he would be fighting for minutes because Anthony and Stoudemire are fixtures at the small forward and power forward positions. Can Chandler accept a bench role and not repeat the disappearing act he just pulled off in Denver (4.8 ppg in the Nuggets' 4-1 first-round series loss to Oklahoma City)? I say yes -- he liked the New York limelight and was visibly affected by the trade.

But what SHOULD the Knicks do? For that, let's turn to Knicks season-ticket holder, aficionado and general superfan Matt Belsito:

Let's start with the draft. The Knicks should be targeting size in the draft, and this is perfect year to find it. Either of the Morris twins from Kansas [Marcus and Markieff] should be able to come in and compete on the glass and defensive end, and I have a feeling that if one is available that is the direction that Walsh will choose to go. There are also a lot of intriguing names towards the end of the first round/second round bubble. Kenneth Faried is Dejuan Blair 2.0, and NBA execs are starting realize that size is not the only factor that goes into rebounding. Faried is a monster on the glass, and should be able to hold on his own on the low block. He'll almost certainly be available when the Knicks pick. The question will be: is it too early?

I'd also like to see the Knicks purchase a pick late in the first round (often times teams will outright sell their pick for $3 million, the max allowed by league rules). There are some intriguing names that fit the Knicks' style of play: I wouldn't mind taking a chance on someone with a winning pedigree like Kyle Singler. Other interesting first round bubble guys: Nolan Smith, Duke point guard; JuJuan Johnson, Purdue power forward; Vernon Macklin, Florida power forward (my personal sleeper pick in this draft).

On to free agency. This paragraph is really contingent on the league not eliminating the midlevel exception. With only around $6 million to play with and no real talent available at that price, my move would be to sign [Milwaukee Bucks shooting guard] Michael Redd. I know the guy hasn't played since the Clinton administration, but shooters shoot, and this guy can straight stroke it. For the veteran minimum (usually somewhere around $1.3 million) this is a chance I'm willing take for a guy who could be a 10 point a game scorer off the bench with the ability to stretch the floor for Melo/Amare. With the remaining funds I would target just one player: [Utah Jazz forward] Andrei Kirilenko. This guy screams: "I'm a perfect fit for the Knicks!!!!!" A flexible defender who can guard shooting guards, small forwards and power forwards with ease and at a high level, "AK47" has been in the playoffs on multiple occasions and has a gorgeous wife. He would be great in transition, if Billups's corpse can move that fast, and he gives coach Mike D'Antoni the flexibility to go small (Billups, Landry Fields, Melo, Amare, AK47) or big (Billups, AK47, Melo, Amare, Ronny Turiaf). Kirilenko is basically a rich man's Jared Jefferies. He has had problems with management in Utah, and there is almost no chance they bring him back.

Yanks-Rays thoughts

Went to the Yanks’ 8-6 win over the Rays last night, a game that from start to finish (and even before it started) is best described as bizarre. With that in mind, a few thoughts, rated on a scale of one to five Alvin Greene howls (and trust me, that defines bizarre).

--Before the game, the Yankees honored George Steinbrenner with a video tribute, a parade of past Yankee greats and a staggeringly colossal plaque in Monument Park. I mean, this thing is huge. It’s seven feet by five feet. 7x5! Not only was the gargantuan monument an a propos tribute to a man who loomed large over all things pinstripes, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Steinbrenner hadn’t ordered the monument to be built in his honor after he died. It’d be a typical Boss move.

Anyway, my dad had the best idea for how best to utilize George’s giant head, which is so visible from home plate that it has to be obscured by a curtain to avoid distracting hitters. Pops suggested that at a critical moment in, say, a playoff game, the plaque is unveiled while the opposing team is batting. Gorgeous George writ large = called strike three. (FOUR HOWLS)

--Among the luminaries who came to pay tribute were Joe Torre and Don Mattingly, neither of whom had been at either Yankee Stadium since they went to the Dodgers after the 2007 season. Since then, Mattingly has waited patiently and will take over as L.A.’s manager next season. As for Torre, he reportedly engaged in a painfully awkward moment with GM Brian Cashman as the cameras rolled. Memo to ESPN and everyone else who said the two ‘settled their differences’: That was not a reconciliation. That was a momentary détente so the media would shut up about their non-story of a feud. (ONE HOWL)

--Ivan Nova deserved the win. He also deserves to be on the playoff roster. Unless of course you think the team should carry only 10 pitchers or Chad Gaudin. (ONE HOWL)

--What a great night for Curtis Granderson. Two towering home runs, five RBIs, and a late-inning stolen base to boot. His second home run (which proved to be the game-winner) bounced high off the right-field foul pole, a sight I’ve never witnessed live. It really is a beautiful thing to witness. (TWO HOWLS)

--I’m not even sure where to begin a discussion of Joe Girardi’s game management last night. So I’m just going to go batter by batter in the disastrous sixth inning, which began with the Yankees up 4-0.

Jason Bartlett singles to left. The Yankees had just scored two and stranded three in the bottom of the fifth. So Nova, who’s got good stuff but is still just a kid, was almost certainly going to be rusty after cooling his heels during the long half inning. But no one’s warming in the bullpen. Again, let me say NOVA IS JUST A KID

John Jaso walks on five pitches. And the one strike came on 3-0. Nova is obviously rattled. I mean, a small child can see this. And yet the bullpen is still empty. No one is even warming up! At this point, I had begun muttering.

Ben Zobrist singles to right. Bases loaded, no one out. Boone Logan is finally warming in the ‘pen, but not quickly enough to save poor Nova, who undoubtedly remembers his last start against Tampa, when he came unglued in the fifth inning and blew a 6-0 lead. At this point a farm animal would signaled for Logan with its hoof or other relevant appendage. But incredibly, Girardi stays put.

Carl Crawford reaches on catcher’s interference. Admittedly, not Nova’s fault—chalk it up to Francisco Cervelli being a moron. But if Nova wasn’t rattled before, he certainly is now. I may or may not have been hurling obscenities around this time.

Evan Longoria grounds into double play. Run scored, and now it’s 4-2. Only now does Girardi rescue Nova, who exits to a well-deserved ovation. It’s Boone Logan time.

Dan Johnson singles to right. Now it’s 4-3, and we can see a righty warming up in the bullpen. Is it Joba? David Robertson? Kerry Wood?

Matt Joyce walks on five pitches. Wait…it can’t be…that’s Gaudin warming up. NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Carlos Pena reaches on infield single. Really bad luck. Especially since it prompts Girardi to signal for Gaudin. God help us.

B.J. Upton walks on five pitches. A bases loaded walk. Tie game. Unbelievable, if not at all shocking.

Jason Bartlett flies out to left. After working the count to 3-2 and nearly causing me to swallow my tongue. Inning over. Finally.


Nova should have been a supertight leash in the sixth. A young pitcher who’s cruising along is far more likely to get cold after a long sit on the bench. Girardi managed Nova like he was fricking C.C. Sabathia. Guess what, Joe? HE’S JUST A DAMN KID!!!!!

And once Logan had failed to get out of the inning, how in God’s name can you go to Chad Gaudin?? That guy should only be pitching if it’s the 20th inning or we’re at least 10 runs up or down. The obvious answer is that Girardi didn’t want to burn any of his three real setup guys in the sixth. And that’s fine—if it were mid-May. But it’s not, Joe. It’s mid-September and we’re a half game ahead of these guys and if you or anyone else thinks we’re winning the World Series as a wild card, I have a Ponzi scheme to sell you. Terrible managing, all the way ‘round. (FIVE HOWLS)

--Girardi got a measure of redemption with a slick hit-and-run call in the bottom of the inning. Cervelli slapped a ball right where the shortstop would’ve been, Brett Gardner went to third, and the big inning was on. Good call. Perfect execution.

--And finally, home plate umpire Tim Mcclenland may or may not have been in the Twilight Zone the entire game. In brief, he squeezed both teams’ pitchers indiscriminately, got all macho and barked at Kerry Wood for staring too long at him, punched out A-Rod on a pitch that was no fewer than three inches inside and finished the night off by squeezing Mariano Rivera, of all people. Just as long as he's not screwing up the ALCS, I guess. (FIVE HOWLS)