First-half report cards not up to snuff http://0rz.tw/c84qa All you need to do is take one look at the American League East standings to know the Yankees underachieved during the first-half of the season. The Bombers are 50-45, six full games behind the first-place Red Sox and 5 1/2 games behind the wild-card leading, but slumping, Rays. To say the least, we thought we'd be in a better position at this point, but due to several things, including a rash of injuries and a big-time inconsistent offense, the Yanks presently find themselves on the outside looking in for the playoffs. And, as we issue our first-half report cards, our grades will surely indicate just as much. Is there time to make a second-half rally as we did a year ago? Sure there is. But things have to change over the Bombers' final 67 games or we could miss out on the post-season for the first time in 14 years. Here's our assessment of the first half: INFIELDERS Jason Giambi, 1b (B) ... Big G has stayed healthy, fielded his position better than anyone expected and is projected to finish with 34 home runs and 100 RBI. His on base percentage is .386, but that .194 with RISP prevents him from getting higher mark. Wilson Betemit, (D) ... Super sub is a super disappointment. Sloppy fielder, 33 Ks in 107 ABs, putrid .268 OBP. Robinson Cano, 2B, (D) ... Was invisible for nearly three months. Defense has been steady, but 6 HRs, 38 RBI and a .246 batting average doesn't cut it. Derek Jeter, SS, (C+) ... The Captain is playing hurt, but diminishing range and only 26 extra base hits in 352 ABs are not what we've come to expect from the future Hall of Famer. Alex Rodriguez, 3B (B) ... The bar is set high for the reigning AL MVP. While we don't expect him to go 54 HRs and 156 RBI again, the Yanks need A-Rod to get his average with RISP over the "borderline." Just 1-13 since his divorce went public. OUTFIELDERS Johnny Damon, LF, (B) ... After a slow start, Damon had regained form as prototype leadoff man until injury landed him on DL for first time in his career. Melky Cabrera CF, (D) ... Where have you gone Melky Cabrera? Still has the great arm, but has been exposed as no better than a fourth outfielder. Bobby Abreu, RF, (B-) ... We change our mind about this guy every day. Leads the team in RBI (59), but he's hitting .274 and has abreuphobia -- fear of outfield walls. Hideki Matsui (B) ... Currently on the DL, Matsui's batting .323 and remains a clutch hitter; but essentially a DH who can't stay healthy. CATCHERS Jorge Posada (C) ... He's batting .272 with 3 HRs and 22 RBI -- and has a bum shoulder. Yikes. Jose Molina (B) ... Arguably the best backup in the big leagues; Doesn't hit much, but throws out nearly 50 percent of runners who dare to steal on him. Posada's success rate is about 9 percent. Chad Moeller (C) ... Released, then re-signed just in case Posada goes down for the count. PITCHERS Joba Chamberlain (B) ... Did his usual solid job as a reliever and is well on his way to becoming an ace. Presently only 2-3, but he'll certainly get more wins once the offense gets into gear. Kyle Farnsworth (C+) ... Because of an obvious rise in confidence, "Private Joker" has pitched well of late. But we still don't trust him. Must see him succeed in games that really count to become believers. Dan Giese (C) ... Has unexpectedly done a pretty good job in relief appearances and one spot start, but his appearance against the Mets turned us off. Really not expecting much when it counts. LaTroy Hawkins (F) ... 5.79 ERA in 30 appearances. Simply put, he throws pus and has been demoted to mop-up duty. Please release him !!! Edwar Ramirez (B-) ... The Yanks took a shot on him last year and, considering he's contributed, he's been a pleasant surprise. It would be nice to see him throw something that compliments his bread-and-butter change-up. Mariano Rivera (A) ... Still the best closer in the free world. Enough said. Billy Traber (D) ... Was brought in to be our lefty specialist and because of his failure to produce, had left the Yanks without a southpaw in the pen. Wouldn't trust him against a little leaguer. Jose Veras (B+) ... A pleasant surprise, to say the least. Bombers needed someone to fill the void left by Chamberlain and although he's not as dominant, he's done an admirable job so far. Hopefully it continues. Phil Hughes (F) ... We still believe he has a big upside, but not winning a game before landing on the DL was suprising. Let's hope he returns later this season with the same form he displayed last September. Mike Mussina (B+) ... Didn't expect much from Moose before the season, but his ability to alter his style has done wonders so far. If he continues to have command of his pitches, he could finish in the high teens with wins. Carl Pavano (F-) ... His new middle name: "Will throw off flat ground next week.'' Andy Pettitte (B-) ... There's nobody we'd like better on the mound after a loss or big game. Has been inconsistent at times because of a lack of command, but has traditionally pitches very well in the second half. Sidney Ponson (B) ... Has had his share of tense moments in his three starts, but the Yanks have won all three games. Skill has never been an issue. If he keeps his head, he could stick as a fifth starter. Darrell Rasner (C) ... The 3-0 start is in the rearview mirror, simply because the league has discovered his tendencies. His lack of an out pitch hurts him and, eventually, he'll wind up as the long man in the pen, at best. Chien-Ming Wang (B-) ... And that's an F at running the bases, by the way. His injury hurts. He seemed to find his niche at the time he got hurt and now we'll pray he somehow regains his form when he returns in September. Ian Kennedy (F) ... Is in the same boat as Hughes without the same upside. The fact he couldn't land a victory before his stint on the DL turned people off. Must have command if he's going to make it in the bigs. Ross Ohlendorf (D-) ... Still considered to have a good upside, but he epitomizes inconsistency. Must learn to trust his stuff if he's going to be servicable. INCOMPLETE Justin Christian, OF ... He's a 28-year-old minor league lifer happy to be wearing any major-league uniform. Brett Gardner, OF ... Loved his game winner off Papelbon, but is he a keeper or just the latest minor leaguer holding down the fort? Shelley Duncan, IF, OF, DH ... Former fan favorite seemingly banished. Brian Bruney, RHP ... Lost weight, grew his hair long, but his stay was short because of injury. We liked what we saw before his trip to the DL. We're hoping he slips back into a set-up role when Farnsworth falls off the wagon next weekend at Boston. David Robertson, RHP ... Looks good so far, but the jury is still out, although his sneaky fast ball looks straight to us. Kei Igawa, LHP ... Don't blink or you might have missed his appearance against the Mets. Can you spell B-U-S-T. MANAGER/GM Joe Girardi (B-) ... The new skipper, not surprisingly, has done a good job with the Yankee pitching staff. It's obvious he knows how to use the bullpen. If not for an inconsistent offense, his grade might have been higher, but now he must find a way to get the bats to hit on all cylinders. te seemingly banished. Brian Cashman (C) ... No bench. Kei Igawa. Enough said! We think it's great that he's replenished the farm system, but they can't all play with the big club. It's up to him to decide which ones to keep and which ones should be used in trades to help the big club get to the playoffs for a 14th consecutive year. --

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