Tyler Kepner, New York Times

Broadcasting live from the new balance world headquarters building. Joining us now on the AT&T hotline AT&T your world delivered Tyler Kempner from the New York Times Tyler it's dale and Christopher filling in for Michael how -- yeah. -- Great thank you nice to talk to you again. As we get ready for Red Sox Yankees at Fenway Park is the American League east decided already though.

I think so but you know I think bulk of it in pretty good but still in RI know would commit Bachman. Experiencing in the second half but he's still look at them and you still. You know he's still and intimidated impressed. I think. I think Boston and Tampa better still very formidable front. Post season if they make it but yet -- Yankees on something in lead and never -- history so but then again -- About four and never had done that all -- drop aghast.

Tyler what's the biggest difference between the Yankees team that we saw last time acumen here in the Yankees team that we're seeing in this weekend.

I think it straight up their pitching. Mostly and that Alex Rodriguez here in June but the -- back then was. It was not ordered -- knows all champ really it was terrible in. -- quality improvement will be a legend in June they didn't have so used there. If that means that a guy which -- they polite and calm. Almost on the rotation -- you know it was a -- lottery in the -- shoulder surgery out. For the year a calm. Now things have really stabilize particularly -- couple that. The longtime. You know three months against two really. You know all of these as a group but they've finally separate pieces in the parent and and they've -- got a pretty good job there in the point right now that there are all kind of pitching well. So calm Girardi do after you. Particularly guys in in in wins in particular cut losses and if Robertson who leads the league in. Strikeout ratio is appropriate. And well. Phil Coke and doing pretty good job the left side and used -- might -- of crap from Mariano in in Rivera's they've. Pretty in a row which we think about it a career high. In consecutive state met spent bumper I don't know 500 so outfit primarily via that that -- well.

Tyler -- the New York Times is with -- we previews Sox Yankees tonight at Fenway. In the past the Yankees have spent in probably -- the way they spent money -- Carl Pavano. This offseason they spent to a huge degree more than anybody else did. But you'd have to say that their three big acquisitions sabathia Burnett and Teixeira have all worked out great for them.

Right I mean they've shown last year that 200 million dollar that doesn't guarantee. Great success. Just because you're standing -- you have to spend it wisely it and they hadn't before it and they are now calm they would have got three guys who were. Still relatively young. You know was still on the primes and but in a lot of money in and in you know four years from now or something will leave it drop off some of these guys may be in the first year of their contract. Of about about it Burnett. And and Teixeira they've done. Almost exactly what the Yankees know work I think -- it up this way you know look at their stats and in late August. They've they would take they take all of so again that that's money well spent and taking on the salary of swisher which the way -- looking to unload has also. Worked out but it spend money lightly and report.

The Yankees started the year against the Red Sox all -- it before they at the end of with a sweep most recently down at the stadium. Do we in the media make too much of that or for Boston stretched it to hitter would it at this point this season are we making too much of that. Did they -- in the row in the fact that they have one in Fenway and all this year are we making too much of that I mean is that's -- on their -- that's the thing that did that concerns them.

I think there there are aware of it. But. You know I don't think we made too much on or ornate -- striking out think. Any -- seem -- start out elevated threat. Well some history of rivalry that was pretty. Greeted at the end and I think that was included need to. It shows up and and -- did that was -- four game -- As you know that it really. Sure a lot in terms of back with thing in in in when they start to maybe creep into trouble spots throughout. That we get themselves out of it. -- about that last series -- that is important here at Yankee Stadium. They have lost three in a row of the white black sheep are going and they had never facing. Early on Sunday and then Halladay. In their next game against Toronto. The really and they were staring at a five game losing streak and lost those two. All-Star pitchers. And it would had to have a lot of pressure on the on Sergio MITRE either a starter. Earl -- it to the Red Sox series just went it was treatment that. It beat early they eat out they won their last in Toronto and -- Murton and -- what the Red Sox and there won't get that is that they have. Shown a bomb. That kind of you know pick characters -- over -- word that they've they've shown that that they have a right. Sort of focus and mentality. I don't think air. You know as anything inherently wrong with a -- He -- read it and they're good in with a with a good with a good mind that are out there too worried about there are sure.

Johnny Damon is having a great contract year boyish but his contract is up at the end of the season Hideki Matsu is contract is up at the end of the season. Presumably the Yankees will be in the market for an outfielder and and you look at Jason Bay and Matt Holliday is the two biggest names out there. Is this something that could break Red Sox fans' hearts again where a guy like Jason Bay ends up wearing pinstripes next year.

Well it might. You know they have it you have those two. The country coming off. The they'd it will have money they wanted to -- same level but from what I understand -- they really do want to bring back Johnny at least at this point. You know not for a long term deal not further -- salary but it if you pick pick up -- you don't like that. It's happy to have impact they love them that though we'd just -- absolutely that on the field. There wary of getting paid too old but calm and Johnny. Not yet 36 and at a real good year. Would preclude them from going out there out there no -- fairly well. You know it's like.

about -- big game -- At at free agency and then maybe holiday or or they would. Appeal of them would have to see out of this thing plays out I think come. I think you know -- series. That's like on. Not needed -- that we can -- outfield anymore I think. Well a lot of their players in the mid thirties in relive it used that -- Rotating spot for Alex. That Jeter and Johnny come back. So yeah I mean maybe they they could involve one of those I think. What I understand right now they'd really like to bring Johnny Pak and Jenny and come back and are not -- that look. When they go after other.

I'm curious how much the new Yankee Stadium will affect how the Yankees shop in the offseason. Jason Bay is a right handed hitter you would think that if the Yankees and Brian Cashman had his -- given the way that ballpark is playing. You'd prefer a left handed hitter or a switch hitting outfielder.

Right -- but some. Open those -- and about the other way too. Number probably hit one out and help start last year regularly. And so. I think -- are good hitters in the and that there's part either either way but certainly. Yeah I mean it at that the guy who has beat -- David superb example -- about it he's not in those. In moon shot but he hit the ball that are going to be out here it will be out of other you know -- has as. At home road split that in the he really did -- stadium and that's true but. I -- a lot of shares on runs that are just straight you know wall. Yet a lot of them and then that that you're pretty far back. So you know act. And in the big -- that matter anywhere exposed that was sort of medium range power. Damon who and at the polls and media about Cabrera as a who have the most.

What's been the most surprising thing about this year's Yankees team pretty --

question I --

I think --

Not overly -- and -- and the other on a -- they had an -- there was just caught -- and figure out. Wish those that were. In the past so into the pulled I think the rotation was supposed to be good and has been. They're pretty let you know Yankees don't like to be surprised that they're getting good production from. It's about everywhere I guess I didn't think Melky Cabrera. Was. Was that that a player we've seen him before he had some good years that. I cut off -- of people watching last year it. Is this point he's -- get a sense that the minors and on whether. Mora who we really hasn't turned up that the regular -- aberration and he went down there. When a ball and very were that was hitting coach in -- in the commitment and and nearly dedicated himself when he when he didn't get the nominal on -- field job from with Brett Gardner is out with a broken and he. He worked hard and and and Preston got back that up Horry was in. Those signals seventh but he's an early -- when Carter was there he was very good to. I guess the fact they have not -- and are you know and the best they haven't been has spent eat -- as they. And that and proving that you inherited it -- you're you know certainly -- good because you're its share of what that's Patrick's. An outstanding either. First I think it -- that is better than even they -- Bracket only right out. Restraint we are as bad as he opened in Everett now I think there. They're -- of the sure a couple of pitchers who strike got a lot of guys which also. Well your alt plus.

As you pointed out in the times yesterday A -- gone a 105 at bats without a home run. His last home run was against Jon Lester.

In that policy yet to almost no wonder about the Oakland prison and a and you only have those do well.

And and hasn't hit home runs and see homered off Leicester. He did get hit on the elbow always had some soreness there. But as you point out it looks as though he's starting to get that swing back in -- and that may not be good news for the Red Sox.

Right yeah -- that you. How are you look at it eat -- he has been. Overwhelmingly productive hitter and and he really -- focus up insult to all the you know which is helpful for all of.

Especially you guys in the media who.

Yeah a couple of people that we like -- we don't know less about the better way because what well besides noted the worry he. He's on the play. Experiment and played pretty good did you see him go through you stretch agree look a little a little ragged. It's as. Function of the the hip injury -- you need probably more time off than giving him in a couple days you know after he on elbow. I think that might -- also when he ended up. Her back all of -- a little banged up and he always -- witnessed is that Hendry just naturally. The carpet tomorrow we will spread. Wednesday in Oakland you know to get two days off but. Obviously knows that -- there. But yet he's he's not quite himself but you just sort of see it's it's -- to hit the funny is he when there's a little more. Like this spotting in the -- and you know really. At a now but. Maybe it's maybe coming out of a little -- it is -- it -- be do you believe.

Right now I ejection wrote on this a couple of days are going to block him and check him out as we speak don't grow run New York Times I've come. Who is your American League MVP you talked about the breakdown between Mark Teixeira and Joe -- but at this stage in the season where you vote for for MVP if you vote.

You know I don't vote I -- Flak for -- Rivers some -- their own letter you know honest that I don't know at this point and mauer a year I mean Everett and and I wrote that you know there is the MVP. And our just decided to -- figured out at a at a make it out. So. I let -- now -- the best player in the lead in a vacuum. It's a question of whether voters are going to penalize. Him because when they're. -- are not playing well. I I at a -- he I don't have a vote like it in the season's not over yet there's though a lot of room to go. It certainly be hard to vote against. -- at this -- it -- where -- he's an unbelievable. But I think that the closer. Watch now are supposed. To my effort for daring to suggest that -- there was -- close threat. It hasn't -- that the more impressive.

yet and yet obviously. You know I remember the regular amount that's he's 400. Early in the season. And then you look for awhile in July in. You know it August it wasn't lead the league in hitting anymore Ichiro well. Or under what the possibility. Well note in the next rates in the Mon. I hit four hundred eighties it's technically hitting -- and it has stopped following animals they've -- basis. Well you know these these first 23 weeks of August he's hit. He's become gone crazy and got right back into that 400 -- in 8378 bumper areas so. That was just in the in -- capable.

But the neglect there -- in not looking at is is that. Note that from the readers with them on the air at literate they select news or gospel and you trip and that but it. -- Literally -- article about it but -- you have a question right now I had a vote I I think at this point I've probably been power because among those kind guys who. Demands that a player has been on the winning team but I think the door still open there. Error and certainly for eater and I don't think anybody to discuss how important to shares and on Easter. State running and obviously in Witten -- Legally -- runs up there total bases extra base hit it doesn't have to load up on us for editing and ethnic and he does on the MVPs world keeps spinning and and you. When NAFTA partners or open now is that I think right now it is now are pretty hard to look like.

Final question and it concerns Teixeira -- actually catching some heat in this town lately because of the way to share his playing. For not getting the deal done when they wanted to Texas last year and and met with Teixeira. Are you of the opinion that no matter what number Theo had finally present it to Teixeira and Scott Boras. That a phone call still would have been made it to Brian Cashman before it was done.

Yet probably I think that would be doing his job with it didn't. Make sure that the Yankees you know it's in the most money -- in the with the final that would be calm. That'll accept but I I think here way to go wherever the eyes there was. And I don't think it was much more. Complicated than that. Knows this place flirted bee champion Boston area in New York like that and in the winning and all that but. -- a mark never marked the first said that the dollars were not an important factor -- he's he's been. A true believer of Boris side. Forever than. I think threats but made eyes that he would have gone there I think. Kenny Perry of Anaheim it and made -- that he was stated there. -- I've been in the orient me happy.

It's always fun to talk baseball with the enjoy the weekend -- course it's never -- big deal in the Red Sox play the Yankees for you media guys and.

Right it'll still be he'd be easy to move around upper monitor.

Tyler we really appreciate it thanks. Taken you know -- after the New York Times joining us previewing Red Sox Yankees.