He certainly needs something that's not there right now, and you get the sense that the Yankees are going to search inside and out to find it. The frustration came to a boiling point when manager Joe Girardi benched Cano on Sunday, but it was in no way an isolated incident. Girardi has been among Cano's biggest supporters publicly this year, so for him to call out a player in full view unmistakably held a message.

There's no other way to describe Cano's situation than to say that he has regressed in the first season since the Yankees rewarded him with the big contract. He knows the performance hasn't been there, and even though Cano said that the money is not the reason, it has clearly made him a target. The thing is, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot different in Cano's style of play except that the results just have not been there offensively.

The fluidity and, yes, periodic lapses in concentration were a concern even before this year, and as Cano said Sunday, "Sometimes it doesn't look like I'm playing hard, but I am." The Bowa factor may be slightly overblown, but there has to be a reason that Cano misses him and has called him occasionally this year. He does seem willing to work: hitting coach Kevin Long said he wants to fly to the Dominican Republic in November and help work on some mechanical adjustments, and Cano said he would like to play winter ball.

As for trading him, the sense is the Yankees still view Cano as their second baseman for at least the next three years. Then again, Cano's contract is backloaded with $25 million remaining over that span, a number not so overwhelming that a team could not theoretically have interest. You can imagine that if the Yankees shopped Cano, there would be a market for a high-ceiling player who could use some tough love.

What's going to happen with our good prospects? Are Alfredo Aceves and Phil Coke going to be here next year, or is their callup a one-time thing? Is there any chance that Mark Melancon and Chase Wright will be on the team on Opening Day?
-- Ron G., Flatbush, N.Y.

There's a saying that you should never put too much stock into what you see in September, but the Yankees may find that difficult with Aceves and Coke. Girardi has pointed out a few times that the lineups both pitchers have faced have been, by and large, contending teams trying to get work done and move to the playoffs, so for Aceves and Coke to each have success puts some added value into the results. There's certainly a chance that all four players you mentioned will be in consideration for a roster spot next season.

They are looking at Aceves as a possible rotation arm for next season and are curious what Coke can do with his changeup, wondering if he's best suited for starting or relieving going forward. Some guys are late bloomers and maybe he's just one. Melancon has had a very promising year and, even if he doesn't get a September callup, you have to project him in the bullpen mix for '09. Wright has done a nice job bouncing back after everyone pretty much agreed he was rushed to the big leagues out of necessity in 2007.

Do you think that once the season is over, we'll re-sign Pudge Rodriguez, keep him as our everyday catcher and Jose Molina as our backup? If that were to happen, would the Yankees move Jorge Posada to first base as our everyday first baseman?
-- Juan O., Bronx, N.Y.

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We may be watching the final days with Pudge in a Yankees uniform, though no one has officially ruled out a return. He is interested in staying, but a better offensive performance might have made a more difficult decision for the front office.

Molina is under contract for '09, but it's unknown how well Posada can be throwing in the first half of next season. Posada said he expects to be the catcher on Opening Day, but the jury is still out on that prediction. It would not be shocking for Posada to spend the first couple of months logging at-bats as a first baseman or designated hitter, health permitting.

I don't hear anyone talking about signing Manny Ramirez. I mean, won't it be a no-brainer? I mean, you can see the guy's high school from Yankee Stadium. I think it will happen.
-- Shannon R., Bend, Ore.

Wait and see. There have been rumblings that Ramirez would be interested in coming to play for the Yankees, and you can only imagine the reaction in New England. But those rumors were there even when Manny was wearing a Boston uniform. Ramirez doesn't really fit into the philosophy of what the Yankees have been trying to do recently, getting away from big contracts to older players and especially a backlog of DH types. But with a player as unpredictable and talented as Manny, and an offense that underperformed in 2008, who knows?

Is Xavier Nady an option for any length of time? Will the club pursue any big-ticket free agents like CC Sabathia? Do you see Mike Mussina and Andy Pettitte staying?
-- Mark W., Hartsville, Tenn.

You can safely say that Nady has been the best of any of the late July moves -- he's given the Yankees exactly what they hoped he would. He's under control for '09, so you can project him for one of the corner outfield spots -- perhaps right field, where he's more experienced. It does not seem likely that the Yankees will offer Bobby Abreu a multi-year contract as a free agent.

Hank Steinbrenner let the cat out of the bag in August that the Yankees were looking in on both Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, but expressed concern that both pitchers' arms would be healthy after heavy workloads this season. They could do well to offer Mussina an economical contract and consider a deal for Pettitte below the $16 million he brought in this year. Both have showed interest in pitching in the new stadium and could be helpful pieces of a staff.

Was speed the factor in deciding on Brett Gardner over Melky Cabrera? I know Melky's batting average wasn't very good, but Gardner seems overmatched. He struggles to make contact in most games. What did the Yankees gain? I can't see Gardner being a long-term replacement if any of the veterans get injured.
-- Scot B., Exeter, Pa.

Originally, Gardner was promoted because Cabrera was struggling at the big league level and Gardner was pushing hard at Triple-A; part of the changes that the Yankees are trying to get across is that good play will be rewarded, no matter the level. It worked into a perfect storm where they were able to deliver a wakeup call to Cabrera at the same time.

Gardner has been a slow starter historically at each level that he has played, and he probably hasn't had the at-bats to accurately project what he will be in the big leagues. But you've seen flashes of a player who can find a way to get on base and create some havoc, while playing above-average defense.

You can't pencil Gardner in for center field on Opening Day, but at least seven months away, he needs to be in the conversation. So does Cabrera, Johnny Damon and perhaps even Austin Jackson, the organization's best athlete, though he'd need a great spring to skip the Triple-A level.