Midseason Report Card

NEW YORK – The teacher has clocked in, and he’s here to give his Yankee report card for the first half.

In my book, the Bronx Bombers have some red ink to tend to, but have performed relatively well prior to the All-Star break as they gear up for the stretch run. New York begins a new homestand Friday when it welcomes Detroit to the Stadium.

I give the Yanks a B+ on the whole for the first half, but still believe they are a Wild Card team and not a real threat to Boston – yet – for the American League East crown. All of that could change if the Yankees step up and acquire Roy Halladay from Toronto. I think the Yankees should make it a blockbuster and try and swing a larger deal with the Blue Jays that could include former All-Star outfielder Alex Rios, who is having a down year, but is very talented and not far removed from All-Star caliber play.

The Yankee off-season has produced some very fruitful free agents. Slugging first baseman Mark Teixeira has lived up to the billing. He looked like a bust in April, but ended up starting in the All-Star Game after hitting .275 with 21 homers and 63 RBI in the first half. His glove may be even more valuable than his bat, as he has saved countless errors at first base.

Free agent pitchers CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett have looked sharp of late as well. A bad April (1-2, 4.73) gave way to a great May (4-1, 2.56) for Sabathia. Burnett is 6-2 since late May with a 2.01 ERA, erasing his mediocre first two months and helping the Yankees surge in the standings. He’s also been a valuable asset to team chemistry, leading the team in thrown cream pies – New York’s new custom for a walk-off winner.

Derek Jeter has rebounded from a down season in 2008. The captain leads the team with a .321 average, showing renewed life in his bat (10 homers) and his legs (17 steals) in the leadoff spot. Even Mariano Rivera has picked it up. The great closer went through his annual early season struggles, causing many to speculate that he was finally on his way out. He rebounded in typical fashion, converting his last 19 save opportunities.

The most important piece to the puzzle remains Alex Rodriguez. His impact is undeniable. Since his return on May 8, the Yankees are 38-22.

The Yankee bullpen has struggled a bit, but Phil Hughes has been a nice addition in the late innings. As far as my midseason report card goes, New York gets barely passing grades in the middle relief department and the backend of the rotation.

Bottom line: The Yankees could use one more bat and defining pitcher for their rotation and possibly one more arm for the bullpen. Joba Chamberlain, Andy Pettitte and Chien-Ming Wang have been major disappointments in the pitching department, while Nick Swisher has done some good in the outfield, although injuries to right fielder Xavier Nady and reliever Brian Bruney have had a major impact in the first half.

With the July 31st trade deadline looming, the Yankees should be players for an outfield bat and another quality starter. Or, move Chamberlain back to the pen and make Hughes the No. 5 starter in the interim until Wang returns from another DL stint.

I still think New York would be better served with Chamberlain in the pen. The Yankees need more from the backend of the rotation and they need to hit better against the top teams in the league. The bats have been quiet against Boston, Detroit and Anaheim.

A-Rod will have a better second half and expect even more from Tex and the rest of the lineup. Brett Gardner and Melky Cabrera have played well in center, splitting time and Johnny Damon had a great first half. Still, Eric Hinske, albeit a nice player, won’t help the Bombers down the stretch with some aging outfielders like Damon and Hideki Matsui in the mix.