LATEST TEAM INFO:
The Yankees have a 4 game lead over the Red Sox and are 6-4 over their last ten. The Yankees have 3 more games against the red hot Angels before they open a 6 game homestand against KC and OAK. The current rotation is Pettitte (Fri.), Hernandez (Sat.), Wells (Sun.), Mussina (Tues.), and possibly Clemens. (Wed.).
LOCAL PERSPECTIVE:
Clemens is on schedule to come back sometime next week. This means either Orlando Hernandez or Jeff Weaver is destined for the bullpen. Based on the current rotation it seems Weaver despite his strong performance last night looks like he's going to the bullpen. Plus, he's mentioned that he wouldn't mind pitching out of the pen, one of those whatever is best for the team speeches makes Torre's decision a little easier. Weaver's start last night was his first quality start since joining the Yankees which is an encouraging sign, but in a deep bullpen his fantasy value will be minimal. Andy Pettitte had his most impressive start of the season with 12 Ks in 7 1/3 innings. If for some reason he's on your waiver wire, grab him. On the other hand Mussina has been awful but has still picked wins along the way. If it wasn't for his wins, he'd be a hard drag on fantasy teams. He's too good to be doing this badly, look for him to pull it together.
RUMOR MILL:
The trade deadline passed and the Yankees stood still. I don't anticipate anymore acquisitions, however, they could probably acquire a high priced RP that would clear waivers sometime this month. But George wasn't happy. He had this to say in a NY Post article, "If Major League Baseball owns Montreal and they get (Floyd) and (three) weeks later they trade him to our biggest competitor, that's hard to believe. What's that say?"
INJURIES:
Mariano Rivera is still out, look for Stanton, Karsay, and Mendoza to split the opportunities.
ON THE FARM:
These numbers are through August 1st games:
Drew Henson: .255 AVG/ 52 R/ 13 HR/ 49 RBI/ 29 BB/ 112 K
Marcus Thames: .222 AVG/ 42 R/ 13 HR / 42 RBI/ 37 BB/ 56 K
LINEUP
Bernie (past 25 games) .427 OBP/22 R/ 4 HR/ 26 RBI/ 3 SB/ .561 SLG
1. Soriano
2. Jeter
3. Williams
4. Giambi
5. Mondesi
6. Posada
7. Ventura
8. White
9. Johnson
QUICK VIEW:
Downgrade:
I was wrong about these two guys, they haven't done all that well. Mondesi
Weaver
Hold: Giambi, Jeter, Posada, Soriano, Ventura, and Williams; Mussina, Pettitte, Clemens, Hernandez, Wells and Rivera.

Correspondent's Note:
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