All Things Bubba

The Yankees have picked up Bobby Abreu's option. Not really surprising. He got off to a really slow start, but was fine once he got past that. His defence was not that hot this season, but the Yankees are in no position to be too picky. They need his bat, now that they've lost A-Rod.

As for who'll take A-Rod's place at third...at the moment, it looks like it will be Betemit.

Cashman added that "right now" the only internal possibility to replace Rodriguez is Betemit, whose lack of conditioning displeased the Yanks after they acquired him from Los Angeles at the trade deadline. Still, Cashman also said to "remember when I said Bubba Crosby was going to be our center fielder a couple of winters ago."

Sure, rub it in. You know, I'm kind of starting to dislike Cashman.

Hot Stove is upon us. The Yankees will doubtless try to improve their pitching (like everyone else). Dontrelle Willis? Johan Santana? Maybe Tim Lincecum? There's really no replacement for A-Rod's bat, but better pitching can help make it up on defense.

They will probably try to add a power hitter, too, if they can. I expect a big trade in the off-season. Maybe more than one. Probably everyone not named Phil or Joba will be available, for the right price.

The Yankees have activated just about everyone from the 60-day DL, including Carl Pavano and Andy Phillips. Not sure if they'll keep Andy on the roster, though. I think we won't find out until December. That's the deadline, where the Yankees have to either offer him a contract or he becomes a free agent. Last year, they non-tendered Aaron Guiel in mid-December. (He ended up going to Japan, where he's doing pretty well.)

Baseball America has a list of minor league free agents. Kevin Reese is among them, as is Andy Cannizaro.