Yankee Article(Shows Red Sox team with injuries we had)

[Strasil42]

http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/9482266

Pretty cool article that really makes you think about how amazing it is that the Yankees are still in first with their injuries.


Let's play some hypothetical baseball. Take two 100-RBI men and a No. 3 starter from each of the best teams in baseball, replace them with spare parts from the system (or off the street) and see what you have.

For the upstart Tigers, who we must remind you (and Scott Miller) didn't do so well when playing top competition last week, this removes Magglio Ordonez, Carlos Guillen and Jeremy Bonderman.
Fantasy Baseball
Week 7 Power Players

The world champion White Sox: Say so long to Paul Konerko, Jim Thome and Freddy Garcia. Boston: Send David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez and Matt Clement packing.

The Mets, try doing without Carlos Delgado, Carlos Beltran and Steve Trachsel. And St. Louis, a sick joke here, remove Albert Pujols (doh!), Scott Rolen and Jason Marquis.

Mike Mussina is helping keep N.Y. on top of the AL East. (Getty Images)
Mike Mussina is helping keep N.Y. on top of the AL East. (Getty Images)
How close to the top would those teams be now? Close, maybe. In first place? Doubtful. Able to sustain even more sudden and temporary losses like multiple cases of the flu and bruised thumbs to their next three biggest stars? Not a chance.

Now, perform this test on the Yankees with Hideki Matsui, Gary Sheffield and Carl Pavano out, and see what you have. You get a stay in first place in the AL Beast and the third-best record in baseball.

Credit Hall of Fame manager Joe Torre for keeping it all together. Credit reigning AL MVP Alex Rodriguez for being May's player of the month. Credit Mike Mussina (8-1, 2.67) for working on perhaps his finest season at age 37. Credit Derek Jeter for working on his best season of a not-too-shabby career. Credit Jason Giambi for kicking the 'roids and returning to his own MVP self. Or credit The Boss, ew, for being able to afford it all.

Whoever it is, just credit them, because the Yankees deserve it for what they've had to deal with, which is why we (grudgingly) give them the nod atop the CBS SportsLine.com Power Rankings this week.

Sure, they could drop one to the Red Sox on Tuesday night and fall out of first. They could lose the next three in the series, too.

But you won't bury them. We have already learned just how hard that is to do.

[BronXBombers51]

The Yankees losing Sheffield, Matsui and Pavano IS NOT equal to the Red Sox losing Manny, Ortiz and Clement.

[luckygehrig]

I agree that the parallel between Matsui/Sheff and Manny/Ortiz is far-fetched, but I see the point that is trying to be made here. Lose two big parts of your lineup and see where you are. As far as the pitcher is concerned, I think we are already seeing this take place in Boston with David Wells out. He could arguably be their number three starter behind Beckett and Schilling. Interesting article even if it is a little unbelievable.

[Lofunzo]

The Yankees losing Sheffield, Matsui and Pavano IS NOT equal to the Red Sox losing Manny, Ortiz and Clement.

That was my first thought as well.

[Octavian]

The Yankees losing Sheffield, Matsui and Pavano IS NOT equal to the Red Sox losing Manny, Ortiz and Clement.

That was my first thought as well.

Same. The Yankees have survived and continued to win without Matsui and Sheffield. If the Sox lost Papi and Manny, their offense would completely collapse.

The Pavano/Clement comparison is fairly accurate, though. They're both pretty much useless. What a waste of money Pavano was.

[baseball4life752]

Well see how the sox do without Varitek. That is a huge blow to them, and if they can stay in it then they deserve as much credit as the yankees. But the chances of them staying in it arent too good!

[Octavian]

Well see how the sox do without Varitek. That is a huge blow to them, and if they can stay in it then they deserve as much credit as the yankees. But the chances of them staying in it arent too good!

The Sox aren't so shallow that they'll fold now that Tek is down. They'll be in it to the end. Now, if David Ortiz went down, then you'd have a valid argument for their chances of making the playoffs evaporating.

[Starkmadfan]

Well see how the sox do without Varitek. That is a huge blow to them, and if they can stay in it then they deserve as much credit as the yankees. But the chances of them staying in it arent too good!

The Sox aren't so shallow that they'll fold now that Tek is down. They'll be in it to the end. Now, if David Ortiz went down, then you'd have a valid argument for their chances of making the playoffs evaporating.

Agreed - if Ortiz goes down, then we can start worrying about other teams - but until then..........

[BronXBombers51]

I'd rather the Red Sox be missing Manny than Ortiz.

[Octavian]

I'd rather the Red Sox be missing Manny than Ortiz.

Why? Ortiz does more across the board and without all the baggage.