Things are looking better for the Yankees fifth starter (Roger Clemens) than the Red Sox No. 5 (Jon Lester, eventually)
Meanwhile, some Sox minor Leaguers are California Dreamin' and Bryce Cox is finally off the DL.

When I wrote about the Yankees and Red Sox starting rotations (now and the future) in the Press Herald last week, I called the signing of Roger Clemens a sign of the disfunctional old way of throwing big money after old guys, instead of developing young pitchers.

It was pointed out to me (sometimes in colorful descriptions) that Clemens is not hindering the development of prospects, but that he is a one-time fix for this season. They said I focused too much on the money, something the Yankees don't look at. I will concede the point.
A "quality start" (six innings, three earned runs) against the Pirates is nothing to get excited about. But the bottom line is that he won, and the Yankees need victories.

It figued that Jon Lester would be back with the Red Sox by next week. But now that he struggled in his last Triple-A start (2 2/3 innings on Saturday, allowing five hits, three walks and three earned runs), what to do? Maybe one more Pawtucket start to boost the confidence some more.

Julian Tavarez is no long-term answer, but he is holding the fort.

Zachary Daeges hit two home runs for Class A Lancaster (his 11th and 12th). But we need something to clarify these California League homers. Were they WA (wind-aided)? See today's baseball column in the Sunday Telegram.

In Greenville, reliever Bryce Cox has been activated from the disabled list. Cox, considered a future closer-type reliever, struggled at the start of the year in Portland and then hit the DL with hamstring trouble.

Also in Greenville, 19-year-old Lars Anderson, considered a future power-hitting first-baseman, hit his sixth home run Saturday. He's batting .307.

In Pawtucket, Brandon Moss went 2-for-4 and his hitting .500 in his last seven games (.303 overall).

The Red Sox have reportedly signed a superb Taiwanese teenage prospect, outfielder Che-Husan Lin.

Enjoy your Sunday.

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