Poll Results: Fans want Granderson over Swisher

We all know that chicks dig the longball (Curtis Granderson), but I also thought chicks dug(?) Nick Swisher.

My latest poll found that, if forced to choose, Granderson is worth keeping more than Swisher. Soon enough, we'll see what the Yankees decide. As NY Post columnist Joel Sherman noted last week, the Yankees likely won't bring back both.

Poll Results: Yankees are 'postseason good'

Not World Series good, just postseason good.

That's what the Yankees are, according 76 percent of the voters in my latest poll.

Since I launched this poll, the Yankees' record (48-31) has dropped to second-best in the majors, as the Rangers are now on top at 50-30.

Poll results: Posada more valuable than Pettitte

Last week I asked fans which of the Core Four was more valuable: Jorge Posada or Andy Pettitte. The fans have spoken, with most saying that Posada was more valuable. A good portion of voters thought the two were equally valuable to the Yankees.

It's easy to give the nod to Posada just because he's an everyday player. He was also a very productive catcher, making him stand out from the crowd. But I'm sure those who voted that the two were equal remembered that Posada wasn't the best defensive catcher.

Poll results: Yankees fans split on team's offseason grade

Some fans say the Yankees needed to do more this offseason. Others said they will be just fine. The results were split.

It's pretty clear to us at this point that Brian Cashman didn't like what was available this offseason and is waiting for next year's stacked free agent class, including Giants ace Matt Cain. It's either that or he has a lot of trust in his farm system and top four prospects Jesus Montero, Manny Banuelos, Dellin Betances and Gary Sanchez.

New poll: Should the Yankees have done more?

I'd say it's about time for a new poll.

Should the Yankees have done more this offseason?

Even though I wasn't blogging for most of it, I didn't miss any big moves by Brian Cashman – because there haven't been any.

The Yankees re-signed Freddy Garcia, and more recently they brought back Andruw Jones. Those are Cashman's two biggest moves this offseason, making it pretty evident that Cashman either was not very fond of this year's free agent market, or that he is confident in his current team.

Poll Results: Jesus Montero should continue playing this season (duh)

In a poll aimed more at discovering Jesus Montero’s role than whether or not he should even be playing, the voice of the fans rang loud and clear: play him at catcher and designated hitter.

Montero has exactly seven professional games under his belt and nearly has an RBI per game (six). He also has three home runs and is hitting .348 with a .423 on-base percentage.

Poll Results: Curtis Granderson is Yankees top MVP candidate

When I introduced this poll, it wasn’t quite so obvious that Curtis Granderson was the Yankees top MVP candidate. But now that we’re a week into September, there’s no question where Grandy ranks among Yanks.

Granderson trails Jose Bautista by two for the major league home run lead with 38 homers, but leads the majors in both RBIs (107) and runs (125).

Poll Results: Forget about Joba’s history, call up Manny Banuelos or Dellin Betances

Fans voted in my latest poll that the Yankees shouldn’t worry about what happened to Joba Chamberlain when they consider whom to call up in the coming weeks. The big names in Triple-A are Manny Banuelos and — after a promotion just yesterday — Dellin Betances.

I’m a little surprised by the results but I still think it makes for good banter. By calling up one of those two studs, they risk infecting him with I-Don’t-Know-My-Role syndrome, which we all know Joba has suffered from (he’s rehabbing from Tommy John Surgery right now). On the other hand, who doesn’t remember how valuable Joba was down the stretch in 2007?

Poll Results: Fans happy with Brian Cashman after silent trade deadline

The majority of Yankees fans voted the trade market was too thin for Brian Cashman to trade prospects for pitching. I would have to agree with the fans, but I’m curious to see which reinforcements from the system Cashman will call on this month or the next — if any at all. Will it be Jesus Montero, who probably doesn’t have a place defensively this season with Francisco Cervelli in town but has had the bat for years? Or how about Manny Banuelos, who is raising eyebrows in Triple-A Scranton these days?

The reason I’m so curious — other than pure excitement for seeing prospects of any sort get their first cracks at the big leagues — is that making Banuelos a late-season call-up, like the Yankees did with Joba Chamberlain in 2007 (four years ago, yesterday, actually), might turn out for the worst. History could repeat itself. That’s why I’m making this my poll topic for the week. Cast your vote!

Should the Yankees have second thoughts about calling up a star pitching prospect late in the season with Joba in the back of their minds?

Poll Results: Fans favor Curtis Granderson over Jacoby Ellsbury

In one of the most voted on polls in recent memory, fans gave the edge to Curtis Granderson over Jacoby Ellsbury in the center field rivalry. Judging by newer metrics, Ellsbury has the edge, but traditional stats favor Granderson. The way I look at it, both teams are in good shape at center for the next few years.

Next poll: Did Brian Cashman make a mistake by not adding reinforcements?

Poll Results: Fans split on Jesus Montero’s trade value

My latest poll was inconclusive, so the debate will linger until Sunday’s trade deadline. Would you include Jesus Montero in a trade for Ubaldo Jimenez? Some of you said yes, some said no, and one said as long as it would only be him in the deal.

This type of result tends to occur with prospect value. Some fans put an incredible value on potential, while others realize they are still just prospects. If that statement didn’t reveal my vote then I’ll be a little more blunt for you: Yes, the Yankees should absolutely include Montero in a trade for Jimenez.

Poll Results: Most people watched some of the All-Star Game

Most voters said they watched some of last Tuesday’s All-Star Game. In other news, the sky is blue and grass is green.

OK, but I hope you know what I was getting at when I posed that question last week. There is so much wrong with baseball’s All-Star Game, from the fan voting to the game’s management to the impact on the World Series. Bud Selig only has one more year left in his reign over baseball. If he can’t change all — or at least some — of what is wrong with the Midsummer Classic, I hope his successor will be able to fix it.

Next poll: Would you include Jesus Montero in a trade for Ubaldo Jimenez?

Poll Results: Yankees need starting and relief help at trade deadline

Fans weren’t conclusive in my latest poll results, but one thing is for certain: the Yankees need to pursue pitching at the trade deadline.

This shouldn’t be news to anyone, as most contending teams will look to bolster their staffs at the deadline. The only teams who probably aren’t looking for pitching are the Phillies, Braves and Giants.

It’s still unclear whether teams will be buyers or sellers so it’s too early to tell which pitchers will be on the market. Felix Hernandez is the first name that comes to mind but NY Daily News beat Mark Feinsand unequivocally refuted that notion.

New poll: Will/did you watch the All-Star Game?

Poll Results: Fans happy with Yankees season

What more could you ask for on this beautiful July 4 holiday? Derek Jeter returns from the disabled list to continue his pursuit of 3,000 hits, the Yankees have won seven of their last eight games, and they hold a 1.5 game lead over the Red Sox.

Oh, and in case you missed it, six Yankees made the All-Star team, four of whom will start. CC Sabathia (11-4, 3.05 ERA) did not make the team, however, because he’s scheduled to start two days before the All-Star Game. (If you ask me, CC should at least be recognized as an All-Star.)

Poll Results: Interleague play is just right

Fans voted in my latest poll that baseball’s interleague play is just right. Not one person said it was time to realign.

The two big things I’ve been hearing from players about the divisions are “we play too many games against teams in our division” and “why change a game that’s already great?” I tend to side with the latter, but I could stand for an addition of a wild card to each league. This would create a short series scenario between the league’s two wild cards and would place more importance on winning a division.

Next poll: What’s your overall take on the Yankees in 2011?

Poll Results: Bartolo Colon’s short leave hurts more than Joba Chamberlain’s injury

Last week’s poll yielded some firm results, as voters felt Bartolo Colon’s absence in the rotation would be more damaging to the Yankees than losing Joba Chamberlain for more than a year.

In brief, where did all the Joba hatred come from? Colon definitely made quite the impression on the Yankees and their fans with his superb pitching, but just a few months ago we were joking around about his size and didn’t think he had a chance to pitch in the majors again.

Quinnipiac poll: CT has more Yankees fans than Red Sox fans

Any time Quinnipiac, Yankees and Red Sox are involved in the same story, I feel obligated to post about it.

According to an annual Quinnipiac poll, there are more Yankees fans in Connecticut than members of Red Sox nation.

Boom. Roasted.

Here’s the voting breakdown, courtesy of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

Poll Results: Few chose to watch MLB draft

The MLB draft doesn’t compare to the NFL’s or the NBA’s. It definitely has gained steam recently, but it’s not on the same level as the other two main sports. Fans corroborated that idea in my latest poll (see right).

I watched some, but it was hard to keep track of 50 rounds. Yes, 50. Here is a complete list of the Yankees’ 2011 draft picks, from Dante Bichette Jr. to Cody Stewart.

Poll Results: Felix Hernandez’s availability unclear

Fans couldn’t reach an agreement about the availability of Mariners ace Felix Hernandez. Many Yankees fans, including myself, believe King Felix will at least be discussed at the deadline. But others, especially Yankees beat writer Mark Feinsand, believe Hernandez won’t be brought up at all.

At this point, there’s not much more analysis I can provide other than the fact that MLB Trade Rumors did not include Hernandez on its list of potential starters available at the deadline. However, there was a little conversation about him in the comments. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

Next poll: Will/did you watch the MLB draft?

Sports Illustrated poll: A-Rod, Jeter & Joba ‘most overrated’ in baseball

Not exactly shocking news, but according to the 185 players polled by Sports Illustrated, Alex Rodriguez, Joba Chamberlain, and Derek Jeter are the most overrated players in baseball (in that order). Click the image on the right to enlarge.

This year SI also revealed its results from fans voting on Facebook, which Jeter led as the most overrated by far, taking 45 percent of the vote. David Ortiz (17 percent) and A-Rod followed Jeter (15 percent).

In my opinion, none of these guys are the most overrated in baseball today. That man is Hanley Ramirez, who is making $11 million this year for the Marlins and hitting an abysmal .210 with four homers and 17 RBIs. ($11 million may not seem like a lot to us Yankees fans, but he’s by far the highest paid on the team and makes up one-fifth of the team’s total payroll.

Who do you think is the most overrated player in baseball?