Yankee fans were grateful to hear that Hal Steinbrenner is not happy with how things are progressing for his team.  Wally Matthews of espn.com feels Steinbrenner should be pointing the finger at himself for approving the roster.  SU agrees but only in part.  The real accountability rests with Brian Cashman although we don’t know in the end who ultimately was approving those long-term deals for Ellsbury, CC (extension) and A-Rod (extension).  The reality is that 2016 and 2017 are transition years and only the true diehard fans will continue to watch.

SU used to be in that boat but I must admit, this year’s team, like last year’s, is unwatchable.  In the past, SU would always stay up for the West Coast late games to the end.  No longer.  And right now, there isn’t one player in the line up who you look forward to seeing up there.

Girardi is being criticized for pulling his starters after 6 innings and going to his Big 3 in the bullpen.  He has done it twice this week with Eovaldi on Wednesday who had retired 18 in a row, and Nova last night.  While SU would like to see Girardi leave them in, I get it.  He is managing a line-up that puts up 2-3 runs a game, and it’s his job to find a way to get as many wins as possible with this offense.  It’s the right move but as a fan, it’s boring and uninspiring.

Mark Texeiria and his .148 left-handed batting average got the night off last night.  No-one is talking about it but SU has identified the issue.  Texeiria is in his contract year with the Yankees – he is a free agent after this season and he is clearly pressing to have a good year to sign with someone else for the next 3-5 years.  Sure, he’s always been a slow starter but he’s coming off an injury and people are watching to see what a 35-year old with lots of mileage can still do.  SU believes the Yankees will let him go and go with Greg Bird to give the fans some hope for youth.

In the meantime, SU is absorbing the Knicks rumor that Jeff Hornacek will be the new coach.  I must admit that his signing leaves me with that “meh” feeling.  Could have been worse (see Kurt Rambis) and the names out there (Frank Vogel) are so defensive minded which is also unappealing.  If Hornacek is smart, he got Phil Jackson to agree to move Carmelo, sign some free agent guards (Jeremy Lin is still out there) and build around Porzingis.  Hornacek favors a fast-paced offense.  Anthony just doesn’t fit into that model.  Why hamstring a new coach with personnel that don’t fit how he wants to run the team?  SU is not committed.  If Lin goes to Brooklyn I am all in.  Isiah Thomas has poisoned my relationship with the Knicks for life.  There is no going back.  And, by the way, with all the coaching changes in the NBA the last few years, you don’t see anyone knocking on Isiah’s door.  Surprise, surprise.