Rant One: 'Now Batting For The Columbus Clippers …'
Once the most feared hitter in the American League, Jason Giambi is now a mere shell of his former self. His decline has been so dramatic, that the Yankees brass recently approached the 2000 AL MVP about accepting a demotion to the minors in hopes he may find his swing. He said no. In light of Giambi’s leaked BALCO grand jury testimony, in which he admitted using steroids known as the "cream" and the "clear" as well as injecting testosterone, the fallen slugger's response to the team’s request is inexcusable.

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With the Yanks still on the hook for $82 million of his monstrous contract, Giambi owes it to the franchise to do anything possible to get his game back. If that means going back to Triple A to get some at bats and work on his swing, he should do it smiling.

Rant Two: The Feeble Empire
Speaking of the Yankees, imagine being their general manger. Let’s start with the dead weight on your payroll: Giambi is scheduled to make just under $13.5 million this year and we just discussed his predicament, Kevin Brown will "earn" more than $15.7 million even if he can’t get his ERA under 6.00; Mike Mussina is slated to make an even $19 million -- roughly double market value -- and Bernie Williams will take home just under $12.4 million in 2005, even though he can’t play in the outfield anymore. That’s roughly $60.6 million being spent on four solid to mediocre players.

Even your productive players like Derek Jeter ($19.6 million), Alex Rodriguez ($25.7 million, some of which is being picked up by Texas), Randy Johnson ($15.4 million), Jorge Posada ($11 million) and Gary Sheffield ($11.5 million) are overpaid and on the wrong side of 30. Think your farm system could provide a much needed infusion of youth? Guess again. Ranked 24th out of 30 by Baseball America, none of the systems' top prospects had played above the Class A level entering this season.

Let’s see, your roster is stocked with money-sucking, over-the-hill veterans, your core of stars are paid well above market value and your minor league cupboard is basically empty. All of that makes dealing with a short-sighted, egomaniacal owner the least of your problems.

No wonder Brian Cashman looks like he hasn’t slept since the Clinton administration.

Rant Three: The Bird of Baseball? Who is this Clint Barmes? In case you haven’t noticed, the Rockies rookie shortstop is still flirting with .400 nearly a month and a half into the season. The 26-year-old, who had just 96 major league at bats entering this season, won the job with an impressive showing in spring training and hasn’t let up. A native of the Hooiser State, Barmes attended Indiana State -- the college made famous by another late bloomer, Larry Bird.