Q&A With Yankees Beat Writer Peter Abraham

To get ready for the upcoming series with the Yankees, Fenway West interviewed one of the best in the business: Yankee beat writer Peter Abraham from the Journal News and author of the LoHud Yankees Blog.

FW: Who is more hated by Yankee fans: Youk or Papelbon?

Peter Abraham: That's a good question. For Yankees fans, they're Iraq and Iran. I'd say Papelbon. There's a grudging respect for Youkilis but all the histrionics of Papelbon seem to grate on the Yankees fans. Those mean faces he makes on the mound get them all riled up.

FW: Did the Yankees bring Chien-Ming Wang back too quickly?

Peter Abraham: No, he needs to pitch. But they screwed up his rehab from the start. They wouldn't allow him to run in spring training and that led to his losing strength in his legs, which led to pitching poorly and then they couldn't figure out what it was. Now that he is healthy, he needs to pitch. The guy who won 19 games twice is in there somewhere.

FW: Johnny Damon has put up some good numbers so far this season; do you think the Yankees will bring him back next year?

Peter Abraham: It depends on the FA market and whether they feel they can upgrade with somebody else. Damon has been very productive for them, but his better days are behind him and he doesn't have the speed he once did. Being a Boras client, he will be a difficult player to sign as well. If Matt Holliday has a good season, he'll be attractive. And if Jason Bay gets on the market, they would probably have to take a run at him.

FW: Do you see the Yankees making any big trades before the deadline?

Peter Abraham: Not that big as they do not need either a starter or a productive bat. They need relievers and those trades aren't that major unless they make a play for some established closer. I could see them trying to get Huston Street or somebody like that.

FW: What is you prediction for this 3-game series with the Red Sox?

Peter Abraham: As I write this on Sunday, the Yankees are losing to the Rays and not looking very good. I'd say Boston takes two of three at home.