Yankees gasping, grasping

Players talk bravely, standings speak loudly

The Red Sox arrived in Toronto early Thursday morning, when the Yankees were still in town, finishing up a series with the Blue Jays. The two rivals, fighting for a playoff berth, stayed in the same hotel.

They will meet again Tuesday at Yankee Stadium in a make-or-break series for New York. After Thursday's 14-3 pummeling at the hands of the Blue Jays, it sure looked grim for the Yankees.

For the first time in 14 years, they might not make the playoffs. Think about that. A $200 million payroll and no playoffs.

"When you look at the talent in this room," said Yankee newbie Xavier Nady, "how can you ever say we're out of it? There are so many professional players in here with a quiet confidence. When things don't go so well, nobody dwells on it. We bounce right back and keep fighting. That's what I love about it here."

The question is how much fight is left in the dog. If you listen to veterans like Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon and Alex Rodriguez, there is enough. There's always been a quiet confidence around the Yankees, a feeling that no deficit is insurmountable. But as of Friday, they were 10 1/2 games behind the Rays for first place, and six back in the wild-card hunt with 35 games to go.

"We've got three against Boston and three against Tampa Bay coming up," Damon said. "A lot can happen. It's up to us."

In the past, those have been words to take seriously, and whenever Andy Pettitte or 16-game winner Mike Mussina is pitching, the Yankees have a shot. But the pinstripers never really addressed their pitching needs this year. They brought in Sidney Ponson, and except for his horrid outing Thursday, he hasn't been a bad find. But now the Yankee masses are dwelling on the fact that the team wouldn't give up Ian Kennedy and Melky Cabrera for Johan Santana, a deal that likely would have put the Yankees in the playoffs.

Kennedy, before and after injuries, hasn't shown he can pitch in the majors.

Cabrera's 3-for-26 streak dipped him to .242 for the season, with an on-base percentage of .296. He was 0 for 13 with the bases loaded. And the 23-year-old outfielder is back in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

It was always this reporter's opinion that general manager Brian Cashman was willing to take a step back this year to protect his young players, reload, and go at it next season in the new Yankee Stadium. In New York, you're not ever supposed to say the word "rebuilding," but lately even Yankee boss Hank Steinbrenner has been on board with Cashman's philosophy.

The Yankees might look much different at this time next year. Cashman would be able to clear things out with so many high-profile players at the end of their deals. Jason Giambi has a $21 million option, and you can bet the House That Ruth Built it won't be picked up. Bobby Abreu is also up. Mussina is at the end of his deal. The four-year, $39 million pact of Carl Pavano is ending. Half-year rental Pudge Rodriguez will likely be gone.

"I think there's a good chance Jason will stay," said Damon. "He knows he has to accept less money. Jason, Bobby, they both love being here and playing here. They want to stay here."

Mussina's future is a question. While he could be on the way to his first 20-win season at age 40, Mussina might want to leave baseball on top of his game. Pettitte also goes year to year, and while his often-balky left elbow has held up well, he has not committed to next season yet.

There's the uncertainty of Jorge Posada, who wants to catch next year, though the Yankees have no idea how much his surgically repaired right shoulder will bounce back.

This much is certain: Nady is a player the Yankees really like, and he is very much in their future plans.

"I love it here," said Nady, who hit .315 with 7 homers and 19 RBIs in his first 24 games with the Yankees. "I've been on four teams now and this is a great group of professional players. Every day I get more comfortable."

Nady will face his former Pittsburgh teammate, Jason Bay, this week in the Bronx, and said it will feel odd.

"I guess we're in this Red Sox-Yankee rivalry from different sides and going through it for the first time against each other," said Nady. "I think Jason is going to do very well with that organization. It seems like he's fitting in right away and he's really contributed. I'm very happy for him.

"He's in good position now to make the playoffs, but like I said, we've got time here to make up ground and get in. I don't think you're going to see any one of these guys quitting."

Spoken like a true Yankee newbie.

Cliff notes tell quite a story
Paul Byrd, like many people, is fascinated by his former Indians teammate Cliff Lee.

How did it come to be that Lee is 18-2, with a 2.43 ERA, and the front-runner for the AL Cy Young Award?

"He barely made the team out of spring training," Byrd said. "It came down to one of three lefties for the final fifth spot: Cliff, Aaron Laffey, and Jeremy Sowers. And Cliff pitched best in spring training and won the job.

"He's an amazing story, really. He's had success in the league before, obviously, winning 17 games a couple of years ago, but he's had some injuries like everyone has at some point and he's needed time to get his game together. I guess you'd say he's got it together pretty well."

Byrd thinks Lee's confidence and mound presence, his ability to locate the fastball, and the rediscovery of his curveball have all contributed to his turnaround.

"He used to throw in the mid-90s, but now he's 89-91, but he can blow that high fastball right by the best of hitters," Byrd said. "He pitches at a good pace, throws strikes, and never gives in to anyone. He just competes about as well as anyone I've ever seen out there."

Lee, who had a 27-inning scoreless streak this season, is one of five pitchers since 1969 to be 18-2 or better, according to the Elias Bureau. The others were Roger Clemens, 19-1 in 2001; Randy Johnson and Greg Maddux, 18-2 in 1995; and Ron Guidry, 18-2 in 1978.

Lee is the only Indian in the last 57 years to lead the league in winning percentage, going 18-5 (.783) in 2005. Two more wins, and he will be Cleveland's first 20-game winner since Gaylord Perry in 1974.

Perry recently said of Lee, "He's fun to watch. He's got a lot of confidence out there on the mound. He comes right at you. I hope he does it. It's been a long time for the Indians."

A mound conference with Chamberlain
A few questions for injured Yankees starter Joba Chamberlain:

I know you're good friends with Clay Buchholz. Have you had a chance to talk to him recently about his demotion?

JC: "I haven't, but I will. I spoke to Justin [Masterson] the other day about it. It's a shame for Clay and I know he must be disappointed, but all you have to do is look at his stuff to know that this is only a temporary setback for him. He's got nasty, great stuff, and he's going to figure it out because here's a guy who's pitched a no-hitter in the majors already.

"Sometimes as young pitchers, we get ourselves out of our mechanics and we have to be reminded of things. It's a constant process of making one adjustment after another. I've had to do it myself. Now I'm trying to come back from this shoulder thing."

Are you pleased about the way your rehab is going?

JC: "I'm getting excited. I've been able to throw off flat ground without any discomfort. Throwing fastballs and changeups right now, and I feel it's coming along, so I hope it won't be too much longer."

What's with the exchanges between you and Kevin Youkilis?

JC: "Nothing on my part. I've never said a word to him. I guess it's just one of those things."

I know you've always idolized Roger Clemens. Have you had a chance to speak to him recently?

JC: "Not recently, but we keep in touch. He's helped me so much with my pitching and the thought process of pitching, it's unbelievable. I'd be crazy not to listen to a guy with those credentials who's one of the greatest pitchers ever. He taught me a lot when he was in this clubhouse.

"I remember talking to his sister out in Hawaii and I'll never forget she said to me that I reminded her of a young Roger. I was so flattered by that. Got a long way to go before I'm ever that. But it's nice to hear."

Etc.
Touching the bases
Apropos of nothing: 1. Pretty weird: Oakland has an all-lefty starting rotation; 2. Oakland reliever Brad Ziegler (0.41) is challenging the season ERA mark of 0.38 (minimum 30 innings) set by the Red Sox' Buck O'Brien in 1911; 3. Did B.J. Upton grow up watching Manny Ramirez run the bases?; 4. Two guys ready to manage: Blue Jays bench coach Brian Butterfield and Yankees bench coach Rob Thomson; 5. Not a good sign when Reds owner Bob Castellini had to write an open letter to season ticket-holders explaining why the team dealt Ken Griffey and Adam Dunn; 6. This sums up the babying of major league pitchers: Stats Inc. says the most pitches thrown in a game this season are the 132 (in 8 2/3 innings) by Florida's Ricky Nolasco in an 8-3 win over Tampa.

He's the complete package
Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi said there was never anything to those reports before the All-Star break that Roy Halladay wanted out of Toronto. "He loves it here," said Ricciardi. "He's a tremendous guy and competitor. Believe me, we understand what we have." Halladay has 34 complete games since 2003, more than 21 teams have in that time. Livan Hernandez and CC Sabathia are next with 22. Halladay has also given the Jays the OK to use him on three days' rest if need be.

Escape to New York?
There was a buzz in the Yankee clubhouse Thursday among a couple of players who feel Blue Jays righty A.J. Burnett (16-9, 4.51), who has an opt-out clause in his contract, is very interested in New York next season. There were reports earlier this season that Burnett, an Arkansas native, would love to play in St. Louis. The Blue Jays would likely have to redo his contract for him to stay, and it's debatable as to whether they would.

Nothing brewing here
A prominent GM whose team is in need of pitching said he will not pursue Milwaukee free agents Sabathia or Ben Sheets. "Sabathia's body scares me; he's almost 300 pounds," said the GM. "Sheets has put together a good season, but his history of injuries makes it tough to commit that kind of money to."

Huff has the stuff
If you saw Baltimore's Aubrey Huff swing the bat against the Red Sox and realize the all-around season he's had, it's surprising that another team hasn't worked out a trade for him. He does have $8 million left on his deal for next year, but Huff could be a big piece of the puzzle for a team in need of a hitter. He would fit well with his former team, the Rays, who up to now have passed on some possible trade scenarios.

Manny being...
Stories of Ramirez busting his hump running out ground balls and having charitable deductions taken out of his paycheck - according to Los Angeles Times columnist T.J. Simers - are all pretty amusing. One visiting clubhouse guy told me that Ramírez would often conveniently forget to tip the staff, and teammates would have to chip in and cover for him.

The leading question on replay
The fear umpires have about using instant replay on boundary calls is that it will lead to expanded use. One umpire made a good point, saying, "There'll be a controversial call and people will start saying, 'We have the technology, so why don't we use it for other things?' Then pressure will mount on the higher-ups and they'll succumb to the public pressure and start using it for everything." MLB officials have said that won't happen, but we'll see.

Will this road take Twins to playoffs?
The Twins are in the midst of their most important stretch of the season: 14 road games in 15 days. They entered last night 28-31 on the road - having won the first two games against the Angels - so their playoff hopes may hinge on their success away from the Metrodome. The good news is that they have cupcakes in Oakland and Seattle after this weekend. But they end the long stretch against Toronto, which has been playing very well. "We can't worry about whether the games are home or away," said first baseman Justin Morneau. "We're in the part of the season where we have to win series. Doesn't matter where we do it or how we do it."

A salute to the captain
Astros manager Cecil Cooper, the former Red Sox first baseman, spoke glowingly of Carl Yastrzemski last week. Cooper played parts of six seasons (1971-76) with Yaz, who underwent triple-bypass surgery last Tuesday. "Tremendous, tremendous competitor, man," Cooper said. "He played hard every day. Very, very competitive. He knew how to dial it up. He'd dial up the intensity when he needed to, a phenomenal hitter and defensive player."

Short hops
From the Bill Chuck files: "If Tom Glavine's career is over, he'll end his final season with a 2-4 record and a 5.54 ERA. In his first season in 1987, Glavine was 2-4, 5.54. Not much improvement in 21 years." Also: "As Gary Sheffield edges closer to 500 homers, should he do it for the Tigers, he'll be the first player to reach that milestone while playing for Detroit. The only other 500-homer guy who ever played for the Tigers was Eddie Mathews, who hit the last nine of his 512 homers with Detroit." . . . Terry Francona said lefty Ed Vosberg, who played with nine teams, had the best pickoff move he ever saw. Oakland's Greg Smith has 13 picks this year, the most since Andy Pettitte had 14 in 1997 . . . Happy 44th birthday, Kip Gross.

Nick Cafardo can be reached at cafardo@globe.com