NEW YORK – Joba Chamberlain on Tuesday was once again dominant in relief.
It didn't just rain on the Yankees in the Bronx on Monday night, it poured. They waited 2 1/2 hours to lose a fourth straight game to the Red Sox, saw their manager ejected in the proceedings and watched their starting catcher limp off the field with a hamstring injury. It will be a while before they see Jorge Posada on the field again. 
NEW YORK -- It still seems weird, if you can remember back before it all changed -- back before "Cowboy Up" and Aaron Boone and the Idiots and the Bloody Sock and all that went down between the Yankees and the Red Sox right around the middle part of this decade. If you can remember back that far, it feels weird that the Red Sox have become the model franchise and the Yankees are just yapping at their heels, trying their best to become everything their rivals already are.
This should come as no surprise, but Steve Harshman, the fan who caught the last home run ball ever hit at Yankee Stadium, has decided to cash in. The ball will be up for sale along with a bunch of other Yankee memorabilia by the auction house Guernsey's later this month. From the Jackson Hole Star-Tribune:"We talked about it as a family and we said we can keep it locked up in a safe deposit box and when I die the kids can fight over it, or maybe it can go to a good collector with a massive Yankees collection, and we can take the money and do some good with it," Harshman said.He's absolutely right. The ball is expected to fetch at least $200,000 -- catching it is like finding a winning lottery ticket on the ground. I'm sure some traditionalists out there will criticize Harshman for acting on his capitalistic impulses, but he's not doing anything that every other non-millionaire wouldn't do (especially when you consider he'd still owe truckloads of extra income tax even if he held onto the ball).
Harshman wants to pay off a few debts, donate money to his church and charity and help pay for his children's college educations.
After years of near-misses, the Red Sox finally send disgruntled slugger Manny Ramirez packing. Ramirez lands with the Dodgers as part of a three-way deal.
Christian Petersen, Getty Images
Former All-Star Jason Bay winds up in Boston as the other major piece of the three-way deal. Pittsburgh receives two prospects apiece from the Dodgers and Red Sox for its part in the trade.
Nick Laham, Getty Images
In the final year of his contract, the Reds send Ken Griffey Jr. to the AL Central-leading White Sox in exchange for two prospects, including sinker-balling pitcher Nick Masset.
David Kohl, AP
In need of a big bat for October, the Angels acquired Mark Teixeira from the Braves in exchange for first baseman Casey Kotchman and a pitching prospect.
Elise Amendola, AP
With fixture Jorge Posada out for the season, the Yankees moved swiftly to get Ivan Rodriguez, sending reliever Kyle Farnsworth to Detroit in return for the Gold Glove catcher.
Gregory Shamus, Getty Images
The Brewers made the first big move of trading season, acquiring reigning AL Cy Young winner CC Sabathia from Cleveland for a package of four prospects, including Matt LaPorta.
Jeff Roberson, AP
The Cubs bolstered an already deep starting rotation by acquiring Rich Harden from the A's. Oakland also sent relief pitcher Chad Gaudin to Chicago and received pitcher Sean Gallagher, outfielder Matt Murton, infielder Eric Patterson and catcher Josh Donaldson in return.
Charles Rex Arbogast, AP
The Phillies got much-needed rotation depth in the form of Joe Blanton from Oakland. The A's received three prospects, including second baseman Adrian Cardenas and pitcher Josh Outman.
Seth Wenig, AP
Florida acquires one of the many left-handed relievers on the market, adding Arthur Rhodes from Seattle for minor league pitcher Gaby Hernandez.
Jim McIsaac, Getty Images
The Yankees also added depth for the stretch run, landing outfielder Xavier Nady and reliever Damaso Marte for a package of four prospects that included right fielder Jose Tabata.
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Mark Teixeira, Braves
Buzz: Though Atlanta has denied a willingness to trade Teixeira over the last few weeks, the club appears to be moving toward becoming a seller. How the Braves play over the next week will likely determine whether or not the team moves the slugger.
Jeff Zelevansky, Getty Images
A.J. Burnett, Blue Jays
Buzz: Though several teams have scouted Burnett, trade movement remains slow as teams balk at the right-hander's uncertain contract status. He has great stuff and would be a quality No. 2 starter for a contender down the stretch.
Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images
Brian Fuentes, Rockies
Buzz: The closer has reportedly been scouted by seven different clubs over the last few days, but Colorado's asking price -- rumored to be a top pitching prospect -- might be scaring potential suitors off. Florida will not deal Chris Volstad for Fuentes, but is still pursuing a deal for the southpaw.
Doug Pensinger, Getty Images
George Sherrill, Orioles
Buzz: The Cardinals and Angels are among the teams who have asked about the closer, while the Brewers are not. Baltimore's rumored asking price is said to be two or three prospects.
Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images
Barry Bonds, Giants
Buzz: The Yankees are the latest team to say they won't rule out pursuing the all-time home run king now that Hideki Matsui could miss the rest of the season. Hank Steinbrenner has admitted that the team will discuss Bonds in the next few days as they go over their options.
Lisa Blumenfeld, Getty Images
Jarrod Washburn, Mariners
Buzz: The Seattle left-hander is drawing interest from the Yankees, who could use him to bolster their rotation. While not an ace, Washburn is a reliable innings-eater.
Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images
Huston Street, Athletics
Buzz: Though some teams are worried about the recent drop in his arm angle and velocity, Oakland's closer seems to have no shortage of suitors. The Reds are the latest team believed to have expressed interest in Street. The Brewers have also made inquiries about his availability.
Jed Jacobsohn, Getty Images
Greg Maddux, Padres
Buzz: San Diego would ideally like to move the future Hall of Famer, but he has a full no-trade clause and is rumored to only be willing to accept a deal to a West Coast team.
Marc Serota, Getty Images
Brian Giles, Padres
Buzz: Giles is an on-base machine and a solid defender who could give a contender looking for a corner bat a boost. Getting out of pitcher-friendly Petco Park could lead to a power spike.
Doug Pensinger, Getty Images
Andy LaRoche, Dodgers
Buzz: LaRoche, L.A.'s No. 2 prospect entering the season according to Baseball America, is reportedly being showcased for a potential deadline deal.
Christian Petersen, Getty Images
Minnesota Twins second baseman Alexi Casilla has been somewhat of an unsung hero for the surprising Twins this season. He didn't play his first game of the season for Minnesota until May 11th, but since joining the team Casilla is hitting .323/.360/.438 with 38 runs driven in. Another player who's been performing well but under the radar in Minnesota is starter Glen Perkins.
When the Yankees signed Jorge Posada to a four-year deal in the offseason, the biggest drawback seemed to be the inevitable day when he couldn't be an everyday catcher. His bat has always been his main appeal, so there were other options, but the Yankees knew the day would come that Posada was playing first or DH more often than not. "I like to catch. Okay?" Posada said. "I'm in the lineup and I'm happy that I'm in the lineup, but I like to catch. I'm a catcher. I'm not a first baseman and I'm not a DH. I like to catch, so I'm looking forward to catching (today)."Posada's never been one to make waves and his frustration may have to do with the shoulder he hurt earlier this season. Posada makes it sound like he's been benched and the paper makes it seem like he's angry with Joe Girardi, but the former's a stretch and the latter's totally unjustifiable.
Anyone know if Jerry Seinfeld's planning another sitcom? If he isn't someone should probably let Hank Steinbrenner know because the Yankee boss continues to act like he's auditioning to replace his father lock stock and barrel. "The bottom line is that the team is not playing the way it is capable of playing. These players are being paid a lot of money and they had better decide for themselves to earn that money.There's that patience he talked about this winter for you. He's got a right to expect more from the team but, as his father beat into the ground, this has not proven to be an effective managerial style.
This is going to get turned around. If it's not turned around this year, then it will be turned around next year, by force if we have too."
