Trade Deadline

I don't mind speculation in the media, but Geez. Kevin Kernan in the New York Post writes that the Yankees should enquire after Roger Clemens, since "the Astros aren't going anywhere."

I mean, he was paid to write that sentence. The notion of the Astros giving up Mr. Sellout (in every sense of the word, actually) . . . forget it. It's not worth mentioning.

Reading the articles and tea-leaves, this is how the trade deadline shapes up for the Yanks:

Not a chance: Dontrelle Willis, Clemens

Almost certainly out of reach: Alfonso Soriano (they'll wait for November to back up the Brink's truck)

Long-shot: Barry Zito

Fifty-fifty: Bobby Abreu

There for the taking, if they care enough: Craig Wilson, Salomon Torres, Jon Leiber

The good news is that Yankee minor-league blue-chippers Philip Hughson and Jose Tabata appear to be off-limits.

Now, I'm serious here. There is a real possibility that a Yankee team suffering through injuries to Sheffield, Matsui, Damon, and Cano (that's half the starting line-up, kids) may grind its way to 93-96 wins on the backs of Jeter, Moose, Wang, Giambi, Posada, Rivera, and, yes, A-Rod; plus above-their-heads contributions of Cabrera, Guiel, Crosby (your Yankee outfield many days) and Phillips. They might do all that, and still miss the playoffs.

I would still bet on the Yankees going to the playoffs--where the Tigers would await, another story. But it won't be worth blowing the team up, or trading a Hughson or a Tabata. And GM Brian Cashman's job can't possibly ride on this season alone.

For once, this has to be a Yankee team that is not afraid to fail.