DON'T BLAME CASHMAN...

There were plenty of people calling for Brian Cashman’s head on a platter after it was announced that Michael Pineda would require shoulder surgery and was done for possibly 12 months. Many questioned why Brian didn’t know about this injury before the trade that sent Noesi and Montero to the Mariners. But according to Cash they did everything possible to have discovered any potential problems prior to the trade. The Mariners GM said he was shocked to hear this news (what else was the guy going to say?). I think there was very little Brian Cashman could have done to discover that Pineda was going to break down this early in the season. Hopefully, when Pineda returns next year, he will be the pitcher Brian Cashman and the Yankees had hope he would be.

With that said, Brian Cashman and the Yankees need to make some changes to fix what is clearly broken with regards to the pitching. The usual route the Yankees have taken in the past is to just let struggling pitchers keep going until they can figure out a trade for another big named arm. This is definitely not what they want to do this time.

It’s time for Cash to go in a different direction for a solution. The Yankees have the talent they need to have a good starting rotation. He just needs to pull the trigger and make some difficult decisions.

If Cashman can make this work without sacrificing any of the current talent, I will applaud him. I hope he makes the right choices in the next weeks to get this team back on the right track toward the post season.

If I could say anything to Brian Cashman it would be to remember the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Don’t do it Brian – think outside the box this time. I promise you won’t regret it.

SWISHER BEING SWISHER IS JUST FINE BY ME

Once again the Yankees are wrong in the eyes of the talking heads. Specifically former MLB player and ESPN analyst, John Kruck. Who on this past Sunday Night Baseball called out Nick Swisher for what Kruck called excessive celebrating during the come from behind win against the Boston Red Sox the day before. So instead of just giving credit to an incredible win by the Yankees, Kruck and Terry Francona took umbridge with Nick pounding on his chest after hitting a 2 run double. Hypocrite is the first word that came to my mind when I saw this on ESPN.

Let us start with the fact Swisher was NOT showing up the Red Sox pitcher. He was elated that he had contributed more runs to get his team what turned out to be a win. The previous inning, Swish hit a grand slam. When you watch the replay of the home run, you notice Nick didn't do anything but run the bases after the ball went out. He didn't stand there and watch it - like say David Ortiz (right TERRY?).

It really irked me (to say the least) that Nick is getting criticized for being excited. Don't forget this time last year Nick got off to a slow start and those same talking bobble head dolls at ESPN and the like were saying the Yankees should trade Swisher.

Nick Swisher brings fun and energy to the Yankees and the game in general. His smile could light up Yankee Stadium and his kindness and generosity warms your heart.

So if Saturday night in Boston was Swisher being Swisher - that is not only perfectly fine with me - I'll sign up for more. After all, this is a boys game played by men. Let's try not to forget that.

Because Nick is simply Swish-a-lishous

YANKEE FANS - TIME TO PANIC? NO BUT TIME FOR SOME CHANGES...

The Yankees lost their second consecutive game tonight against the Rangers. Phil Hughes started the game and only went 2.2 innings, giving up 5 hits and 4 runs. Unlike the Red Sox game on Saturday where Freddy Garcia had only a slightly worse outing, the Yankees were unable to rally back.

This bad outing by Hughes came on the heels of the news this afternoon that Michael Pineda is finished for at least this year (probably until May 2013). So, now Garcia and Hughes have struggled and Pineda is gone. So now what?

First, Phil Hughes needs to go to the bull pen. He honestly was better in relief. The Yankees and Phil need to face that fact and move him there. Don't get me wrong, I like Phil a lot and want him to do well, but sometimes we need to face what our strengthens and weaknesses are. I don't think you give up on him, just adjust his role on this team. There is nothing wrong with making him a relief pitcher. It's not a sign of failure but a sign of playing to your strength. As for Freddy Garcia - I'm sorry but he does need to go. He is not happy about the potential of losing his spot - so how well will he do if he does. I just don't think he will accept that role in the pen.

Phelps can't take Garcia's next spot because he pitched a couple of innings tonight. Unfortunately, the Yankees are going to have to deal with whatever Garcia gives them in his next rotation spot (probably Sunday against the Tigers). Hopefully, Kuroda has figured some things out after his well pitched game yesterday and can win the games CC and Nova pitch.

That said, the Yankees need to consider calling up DJ Mitchell who is pitching pretty well in Triple A. Make the Mitchell and David Phelps starters (replacing Hughes and Garcia). Yes, it will mean shifting people around - but it can be done. Lastly, we hopefully will also have Andy Pettitte back by mid May (fingers crossed).

Although it is early in the season and the Yankees are not in any real trouble right now - that can change quickly with a losing streak. The Yankees have to figure this out soon and going to your young pitchers may just be the answer. The Yankees have the talent to pull this together.

Pitching aside, the Yankees also need to start getting hits in key situation. The teams are leaving too many runners in scoring position.

It's not time to hit the panic button - but it really is time for changes to me made.