Kick 'em while they're down, that's what I say.

By "'em" I refer, of course, to the depleted New York Yankees, who dropped 2 out of 3 to the Red Sox this weekend. The Yanks are in disarray, with injuries in their starting rotation and a bullpen weakened by overuse even at this early stage of the 2007 season. Unbelievably, even Joe Torre is on the hotseat, rumors of his potential firing making the back pages of the New York tabloids. The team with a nearly $200 million payroll is sitting in last place, 6 and 1/2 games behind the division leading Red Sox.

The only thing that saved the Yankees from another sweep this weekend was the surprise appearance of Kei Igawa, who came in after starter Jeff Karsten's leg was broken by a line drive in the first inning. Igawa outpitched Tim Wakefield, who actually provided the Sox best start of the weekend, but got no run support (gee, where have I heard that before?)

Despite all this happy news, it's hardly time to start planning a Yankee Elimination Party. It's only April 29 and there is still a very long way to go to October. You have to love how things are starting out, though.

On a completely different note, I want to send my condolences out to the friends and loved ones of Cardinals reliever Josh Hancock, who died this morning when his SUV hit a tow truck. 29 years old is way too young to go.