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November 30, 2006

Schilling Tries To Help Yanks

From Dan Roche's Red Sox Blog -

There have been all sorts of rumors and reports in the last week that the Red Sox are pushing hard to trade Manny Ramirez.

Ramirez has never said in public that he wants to be traded. But Wednesday night at an event in Warwick, Rhode Island, Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling confirmed the rumors - he said Manny wants out of Boston.

"I think Manny is less than comfortable playing in Boston for whatever reason, that's his right. I think it's gotten to the point now where there's some thought that even though Manny might stay, he might not be here if he does. And I think the belief is that trading Manny and bringing somebody in would be more valuable than having a Manny here that didn't play. I don't know that to be a fact. That is pure speculation on my part" Schilling said.

"I live with the guys, I have some insight. I don't know for sure. I do know that I've spoken with Manny. Manny does want to be traded. Manny wants to play somewhere else."

Keep talking Curt. It makes it harder for Theo to get a good return - because he loses leverage.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 05:23 PM | Comments (4)

Who Needs Sleep?

From the Fort Worth Star Telegram -

According to a story in GQ magazine, LeBron James and New England quarterback Tom Brady were "fleeced" during a card game at rap mogul Jay-Z's 40/40 club in New York. So who lost more? "It wasn't me," James said. James said Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez has also joined the high-stakes table.

I just want to know how Alex gets up at 6 am every morning to run stairs after all these parties and other sightings. I get up at 5:30 AM on weekdays and 6:30ish on weekend mornings and have a hard time staying awake past 11 PM most nights. I must be doing something wrong.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:10 AM | Comments (15)

Vicente Padilla

Dan Granziano is reporting that the Yankees are keeping a tab on Free Agent pitcher Vicente Padilla.

Padilla has always managed to be close to a league average pitcher.

I read once that he's looking for a 4-year deal at $10 million-a-year. Sounds like Pavano to me. At that price, I would pass.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:24 AM | Comments (11)

Godzilla Is A Funny Dude

From the Star Ledger -

The Hanshin Tigers and the Yomiuri Giants are fierce rivals in Japan. But Igawa, who played for Hanshin, will find a friend in former Yomiuri Giant Matsui.

"I am going to support him as much as possible," Matsui told the Japanese newspaper Sankei Sports. "I will even introduce him to an American girlfriend if he likes. Just kidding."

"If he has his best performance next season, I believe the Yankees will be the world champions," Matsui said. "He doesn't have to worry about New York life, because there are no big differences from Japan. Maybe he just has to be much more careful driving in Manhattan."

Nothing lost in translation there.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:17 AM | Comments (2)

November 29, 2006

Hangin' With Mr. Bambino

I just saw this story in Newsday:

Almost 60 years after Babe Ruth's death, there's still no problem identifying him in a picture taken at the Hot Springs Country Club. But who is the man standing next to the famous New York Yankees slugger?

That's what the Hot Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau would like to know before it opens a collection of historic photographs taken in the resort city.

Ruth occasionally visited Hot Springs during the offseason and was photographed at the country club in 1923 wearing knickerbockers _ pants also known as plus-fours that ended just below the knee, with long socks below _ as he held a golf club in his right hand. Beside him stands a man in topcoat, gloves and hat who no one has been able to identify.

The picture is one of 19 never before displayed that have been added to the collection called "Hot Springs: A Journey Through History." The exhibit is to open Dec. 13 at the Hot Springs Convention Center.

"It's a great photo of Babe Ruth in Hot Springs," said Steve Arrison, executive director of the convention bureau. "This and three more photos of the Babe in Hot Springs settings have never been part of a public exhibit. We got the photos from our friends at the Garland County Historical Society, but no one on their knowledgeable staff knows the identity of the man standing next to Ruth."

This story caused a flashback for me. During the Spring of 2004, a unique picture of Babe Ruth came into my possession. My wife’s uncle met a woman who had a family member that played golf with “The Bambino” back in 1939. At which time, the family member (Frank Verna) had this picture taken with Ruth:

The woman graciously provided my wife's uncle with some copies of the photo so that he could share it with some baseball fans in the family - one of them being me. Even at age 44, Mr. Ruth was an imposing figure – as the picture shows. No wonder he hit all those homeruns.

I would bet that Babe Ruth had his picture taken with roughly 15,000 different people. It probably would have been more if they had cell phone cameras back in the day.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:52 PM | Comments (4)

More On Kei Igawa

I found a few somewhat older yet interesting comments on Kei Igawa today on Detect-O-Vision. I have no idea if they are correct. Nonetheless, in case they may be true, it's still good to know. The items that stood out the most to me:

Igawa doesn’t have plus command, he is just aggresive in the zone, especially when behind in the count. He lost his consistently low 90s fastball a few years ago and was used to having success pitching like a power pitcher. It took a couple years of his 88-90mph straight fastball getting pasted before he figured he needed to change his approach. Now, in 2006, hes finally figured out that the fastball is a gopher pitch when centered and overexposed so he’ll go to it less often (will throw it down the middle when hes confident the hitter is unbalanced) and try to spot on the corners or miss out of the zone with it when he isn’t sure if the hitter is sitting on it. This adjusment is HUGE, as he has finally learned to pitch backwards and mix his pitches better (which he MUST do in America) in 2006 and its making him a far better bet to succeed in the transition to MLB. If Igawa were to pitch the way he pitched pre-2006 in the big leagues (aggresively with his straight 89mph fastball), he wouldn’t have been very succesful despite the great K/BB ratios.

Igawa’s BB rate is going to go up in America. He doesn’t have good command (will make his share of mistake pitches in comparison to guys like Kuroda and Uehara), won’t be able to be as aggresive behind the count (unless he wants a skyrocket HR rate), and his breaking pitches are going break a little more in America (especially the changeup). That fine though, his BB rate should still be around average. As long as he keeps the hitters off balance(using his fastball primarilly to change up the hitters’ eye), his K rate will be high and hitters will have trouble making quality contact. Along with his curveball, his changeup is excellent and is a pitch you don’t see in the MLB (moves like a changeup, drops like a forkball). In the NPB, hitters have adjusted to Igawa’s changeup somewhat and know that he will usually throw it low and (mostly) when ahead in the count, so they let it go even if they don’t recognize it early. MLB hitters, on the other hand, will not know whats coming to them. Expect the changeup to be his #1 pitch in 2007; hitters will be geared up for the fastball and the way Kuroda throws the change its going to really break more with the MLB ball. Igawa will most likely be at his best in year #1 to MLB hitters because of the changeup and his deception.

He has a fiery mound presence and is known to give animated reaction to the umpire if he doesn’t like the call. He absolutely can’t do that in the bigs or they’ll give him the rookie treatment.

Reading this, maybe I should have said "Frank Tanana" instead of "Bob Ojeda" as a comp for Igawa?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:44 PM | Comments (5)

Igawa, From My Eyes Only

Watching a clip of Kei Igawa pitch, today, I saw something. His size, handedness, motion, and "stuff" reminded me of another pitcher.

And, that other pitcher is Bob Ojeda.

(I wonder how many people remember that Ojeda ended his career as a member of the Yankees?)

This matches up with what I wrote last night with respect to expectations on Igawa.

He can be a good third-or-fourth starter in a rotation. He can give you 30 starts. He can come close to 200 IP. And, he should win around 13 games in a season. On a great team, with luck, it could be as high as 18 wins. But, with less than good luck, he might be a 10-game winner as well.

The 2007 Yankees can use a pitcher who fits this model.

However, I would imagine that such a pitcher can get "old" in a hurry. Therefore, when they sign him, the Yankees should be thinking "3-year deal and no more" - just to be on the safe side.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:27 PM | Comments (3)

No Side Deals On Japanese Imports?

From the AP -

The Boston Red Sox cannot reduce their $51.1 million bid for Daisuke Matsuzaka in order to sign him, even if his Japanese team agrees to take less, baseball officials said Tuesday.

"There are no side deals in the situation," said Jimmie Lee Solomon, executive vice president of baseball operations in the commissioner's office. "Everybody's been assured that's not allowed, and everybody's been made aware of the rules."

Funny, as soon as the Yankees win a bid to talk to a Japanese player, MLB starts making announcements on rules against chipping down posting fees.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:00 PM | Comments (4)

November 28, 2006

Yanks Win Rights To Kei Igawa

From the AP:

The New York Yankees won the bidding for Japanese pitcher Kei Igawa when the Hanshin Tigers accepted their offer of just more than $26 million on Tuesday.

Igawa went 14-9 last season with a 2.97 ERA in Japan. He struck out 194 to tie for the Central League lead, adding to the strikeout titles he won in 2002 and 2004.

Igawa, the Central League's 2003 MVP, has an 86-60 record with a 3.15 ERA. He would have to play in Japan for three more seasons before he could become a free agent.

Three weeks ago, I wondered why Igawa was not getting more hype - since his overall numbers looked good. Then, ten days ago, I wondered why some thought Igawa was a back-of-the-rotation starter - despite the fact that he won several strikeout titles over in Japan.

Yes, reports say that Igawa is a finesse pitcher who tops out around 90 MPH. But, for me, the (no pun intended) key to Igawa is that he's a left-handed starter. You don't have to throw hard, if you're a lefty, to get big league hitters out. Heck, Barry Zito threw 1,200 pitches in 2006 that were thrown under less than 80 MPH - look it up.

I like this move by the Yankees.

No, Igawa will not be an ace for New York. In fact, he may never be the second best pitcher in the Yankees starting rotation. But, I would be willing to bet the following:

* Igawa, next season, will not be a 42-year old with an ERA of five and a bad back.

* Igawa, if he signs with the Yankees this winter, will not miss 17 straight months of pitching due to problems with his back, elbow, ribs, and rear-end.

Therefore, right now, to me, Kei Igawa is a better 2007 starting pitcher prospect for the Yankees than Randy Johnson and Carl Pavano - who are presently the third and fourth starters in the Yankees rotation next season.

Another way to look at it is to use Kazuhisa Ishii - also a LH-SP to recently come from Japan.

Ishii was far from being an ace in America. In fact, he was a below league average pitcher. But, when he was sound and in rotation, he was good for around 30 starts a year and near 6 IP per start.

If Kei Igawa can make 30 starts for the Yankees next year and cover around 180 innings pitched, he can help New York - just based on the fact that Team Torre presently has few others who can come close to providing this coverage next year without question.

When you live in the days of "Wang and Mussina and a precipitation novena," then picking up any able-bodied pitcher without having to give up major resources is a good move.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:29 PM | Comments (12)

Let Me Count The Ways.....

Here's how Manny Ramirez has killled, er, performed against the Yankees since he's been a member of the Boston Red Sox - in total and in 14 select game-type situations:

Stats via the Baseball Musings Day-By-Day Database.

Take some time and run through the stat lines for each of these situations listed. Ramirez has owned the Yankees since 2001. If Boston does trade him to the National League, or to a team that does not play the Yankees 19 times a season, it will be a blessing for New York. There's no question about it.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:05 PM | Comments (14)

In Carl Cash Trusts

From the Post -

"It is what it is," Cashman said of his suspect rotation that might be upgraded by paying big bucks to Barry Zito, Ted Lilly, Jason Schmidt or Gil Meche. "Nothing I do this winter is going to change the money I have invested in Randy Johnson and Pavano."

"We have had two years of difficulties," Cashman said of Pavano, who has appeared in 17 games for the Yankees but none past June of 2005 due to back, elbow, shoulder and rib injuries.

"Hopefully on the back end of the contract we will get what we paid for. Because of the money invested, we have to count on him."

Mamma Mia!

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:39 AM | Comments (0)

What Happens In Vegas......Doesn't Always Stay There

Glitter and Gossip this morning:

As we reported a few weeks ago, actress Jessica Biel has become coupled with Yankees star Derek Jeter, and they're still going strong.

Over the holiday weekend, they were spotted at Wynn Las Vegas's Tryst, sneaking kisses at a VIP table where they kept company with Jeter's teammates Alex Rodriguez and Jason Giambi.

On Sunday night, the cozy pair played blackjack at Palms Casino Resort's Mint Lounge and then went on to dinner at the Palms' Nine restaurant and a stop at Hard Rock's Body English nightclub.

A-Rod was there?

I want to see a confirm on that before I believe it.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:08 AM | Comments (5)

Yanks Zaun Chase - Missed By 'That' Much

Timing is everything - even in chasing Free Agents. Jim Baumbach offers the details.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:05 AM | Comments (2)

Cash: No Eliot Ness On Yanks

From the News -

For any Yankee fan hoping Melky Cabrera's breakout season had made him untouchable, here's Cashman's take: "There's no one really untouchable on this roster. Some guys are more touchable than others. I'm open to anybody who has any ideas. We're excited about the steps Melky took and how he impacted this roster. He's a long-term asset that we'd like to have here for quite some time. But people are going to knock on the door and ask questions. It doesn't mean I won't answer."

Now he's done it. Cashman should expect this call from some other G.M. who reads this story:

Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Norma Lee.
Norma Lee who?
Norma Lee, I could never knock, but, since you said it was OK, what do you want for that Wang fella?

I hope they keep Melky. I like his energy. He can help this team in 2007.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:58 AM | Comments (2)

November 27, 2006

The Baseball Same Game - Paul O'Neill Excerpt

Since Paul O'Neill is included, for the first time, on the 2007 baseball writers' Hall of Fame ballot (that was just released), I have decided to share an excerpt of my book, The Baseball Same Game, where O'Neill is highlighted. Those who are wondering about what player(s) in baseball history were like O'Neill may find this information helpful. If you like this excerpt, there are 64 additional ones that can be found in the book, if you want to pick up a copy for yourself.

There are many New York Yankees fans, born between the years 1960 and 1989, who strongly believe that their favorite team should retire Paul O’Neill’s uniform number (21) in his honor - and that someday O’Neill should receive consideration regarding a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

I know this to be true because I have debated with many of these fans at various times in sundry places – taking the position that such consideration towards O’Neill is unwarranted. This does not mean that I am not an admirer of the effort and play that Paul O’Neill put forth in the pinstripes during his tour in the Bronx. Actually, as a Yankees fan, if I had to name my all-time five favorite Yankees, Paul O’Neill would rank somewhere in that group. My position with these aforementioned fans was based on the fact that I thought it was a reach to grant O’Neill the same stature of some of the all-time Yankee greats and the members of the Hall of Fame.

On the other hand, along came The Baseball Same Game, and now I have to wonder if I was correct to take the position that I initially chose in the O’Neill debate.

Paul O’Neill was a sure-handed and strong-armed outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds and New York Yankees from 1985 through 2001. He was a member of an All-Star team five times during his career. His best season was 1994 when he won the American League batting title – albeit in a season shortened due to work stoppage. He joined the Yankees prior to the 1993 season – and is best known as a Yankee as his teams in New York made the post-season the last seven years of his career (in a row). In that stretch, the Yankees won four World Championships and just missed a fifth in 2001. (Some O’Neill trivia: He played on three World Champion teams – the 1990 Reds and the 1998-99 Yankees – that won the World Series in a sweep. Only Lou Gehrig has ever been on four “sweep” champs.)

Many members of those O’Neill Yankees teams have expressed that Paul O’Neill was the ‘heart and soul’ of those squads because of the intensity in which he played the game. The media has picked up on this many times as well. This is one of the reasons why O’Neill was such a fan favorite. (And, if you need to know “How big of a favorite?” just watch the highlights from Game Five of the 2001 World Series where the entire Stadium chanted Paul-Oh-Nee-Eel near the end of the game when they suspected that they would never see him play there again. It was an incredibly moving moment.)

And, who matches up just about perfectly to O’Neill in terms of career offensive performance data results? Entertainingly, it is Gil Hodges.

Hodges was a first baseman with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers from 1943 through 1961. In 1962 he joined the New York Mets where he would play in just a few games over the course of two seasons. He was a member of an All-Star team eight times in his career. He was a very good fielding first baseman. And, he was absolutely beloved by many in Brooklyn when he played there (from 1943 through 1957). While with the Dodgers, his teams won five pennants and two World Series. After his playing days, he went on to manage – and, in 1969, he led the New York Mets to a much-unexpected World Series championship. Sadly, Gil Hodges died of heart attack just days before his 48th birthday. During the 1980’s and 1990’s there was strong sentiment among baseball fans and writers that Hodges should be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. The push was never strong enough to get him elected. But, the debate was durable enough to remain on the radar of the baseball public for over twenty years.

Therefore, since it has been acceptable to consider whether or not Gil Hodges should be a member of the Hall of Fame, should anyone be shot down for considering Paul O’Neill for the Hall? Both were All-Stars several times and they were important players on teams that repeatedly won. Both players were cherished by the fans of their team. And, their performance data as batters is within points (here and there) of being equal.

Granted, Hodges appeared in a Dodgers uniform for 16 seasons and O’Neill split his time between Cincinnati (8 seasons) and New York (9 seasons). But, does that matter? It should not – at all. There is no reason why it should be acceptable to debate Hodges for the Hall of Fame and then unacceptable to debate O’Neill for there as well. (For the record, I must stress that I am not saying either should be in – just that it is reasonable to consider their worthiness rather than say “no” to either right off the bat.)

This just leaves the last loose-end regarding O’Neill’s number (21) in New York. The Yankees did not issue that number to any player in the first three years following O’Neill’s retirement. It is possible that the Yankees may consider retiring the number in Paul’s honor. If they do retire the number, it will be the sixteenth one that New York has taken out of circulation. There could be as many as four more Yankees (Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, Mo Rivera and Joe Torre) worthy of that honor soon as well. At this rate, the Yankees will run out of numbers and have to start wearing letters on the backs of their uniforms. But, that will be Yankees owner George Steinbrenner’s problem, not mine.

The above is from ~~

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:10 PM | Comments (6)

Manny Being.......Gone?

From ESPN.com -

The Red Sox are aggressively shopping outfielder Manny Ramirez now, according to major league sources, at a time when the slugger's trade value has peaked, and there is a sense among some executives that their trade talks are gaining momentum.

"I wouldn't be shocked if the Red Sox traded him by Saturday," says one big league official.

Rest assured, if this dream comes true, I will comment on it at that time.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:03 PM | Comments (5)

Where It All Began

It just occured that I never shared the details of the first Yankees game that I ever attended at the Stadium. It was a great game. Here's the news report from that contest:

August 9, 1973

Yank old pros win one with two out in 9th
By Jim Ogle

Gene Michael has a bad foot, a sore bunion and a bandaged big toe … but, he’s a professional; Felipe Alou packs 38 years and pulled a calf muscle in yesterday’s pre-game drill … but he’s a real pro, too.

Thurman Munson has an inbred spirit of competition ("He even wants to beat me at ping pong." says his wife, Diane) and the instincts of a riverboat gambler … and he used both; Bobby Murcer is emerging from team frustration as a leader, a guy who is "bustin’ his butt" everyday.

Put them together and they spell a 3-2, ninth-inning victory over the Texas Rangers yesterday. It was a rerun of what had been happening for two weeks—until the quartet of pros changed the script, chasing frustration and finding opportunities.

Chagrined at what he thought was a bad call on a 3-0 pitch, Murcer ripped a double to open the ninth. With one out, Munson lined a single to center that scored Murcer despite Bobby holding up a bit.

"The way things have been going with us I thought he’d make a sensational diving catch," Murcer said. "When the ball hopped up on him, I was going to make the try." Harris didn’t even make a throw.

Celerino Sanchez took a called third strike and it was up to Felipe, who had driven home the first run with a long fly, but had an 0 for 23 streak going. In the streak were a lot of caught line drives, but now Felipe topped a slow roller to Toby Harrah – and beat it out.

Gene Michael had played a doubleheader Tuesday night and was given yesterday off -- until the eighth inning. He came up for the first time and looped a 3-1 pitch into right field, just in front of Bill Sudakis, who had made two fine catches earlier.

The ball was in short right field, Sudakis can throw but there was never a chance to cut off the winning run -- because Munson likes to take chances.

"I had a super jump because Harrah and Nelson left the middle open," Munson said. "As soon as I saw Gene start to move the bat on the 3-1 pitch I was rolling. I was already at third while Dick (Howser) was still watching the ball. I was going man, no matter what.

"No, I didn’t know where the ball was. All I knew Gene had hit it and there were two out, so what could happen if I kept going. We just had to pull one out like that."

"I’m surprised we won the SOB," a weary Murcer said. "The way things have been happening to us, you have to be surprised when something good happens."

"I think I’m a better hitter with men on base," Michael said. "I concentrate more and try harder to do something. I know I’m not a good hitter, so, I try to compensate by delivering hits when they count. I’ve been doing pretty well this year."

The RBI enabled Gene to reach 40 for the first time in his career, while it was also his fifth game-winning hit, which gave the Yanks a two-game streak. It’s little, but welcome.

Fritz Peterson stood to lose the game despite making only one pitch -- which Nelson beat out for a single. Covering first, Peterson had aggravated the muscle in his thigh that he pulled last Saturday. Fritz left and Fred Beene went the rest of the way for his sixth victory without a defeat.

"In my book I pitched a complete game," Beene said. "I know it won’t be in the records, but in my mind I have pitched a complete game.

"Maybe a complete game was once one of my goals, but now I’m only concerned with ‘the team’ and I’m just glad to be here and lucky enough to contribute."

A few years back, I found someone who interviewed Beene for his website - and he passed me Fred's e-mail address. I wrote to Beene and remind him about this game. He remembered it. I thought that was pretty cool.

There were a lot of future managers who played in that game - Toby Harrah, Jim Fregosi, and Felipe Alou. Also, some future G.M.'s - Tom Grieve and Hal Lanier. And, of course, Gene Michael went on to be a manager and a G.M.

Good times.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 05:02 PM | Comments (8)

Hawaii Winter Baseball News

Baseball America recently had this to say about some Yankees pitching prospects in the Hawaii Winter Baseball League:

Joba Chamberlain, rhp, West Oahu (Yankees)

Like the Arizona Fall League, teams were hesitant to send top pitching prospects to HWB, but because Chamberlain signed late, the Yankees wanted him to get more innings. The 2006 supplemental first-rounder from Nebraska didn't disappoint. He pitched at 93-95 mph with his fastball while touching 97. While he's shown a plus slider in the past, his breaking ball lacked definition in HWB and was somewhere between a slider and a curve, thrown in the low-to-mid 70s. Chamberlain already has a solid-average changeup at 81-82 mph with some fade. He can pound the zone with his fastball and boasted an astounding 42-3 strikeout-walk ratio. He was the only pitcher in the league to show true top-of-the-rotation potential.

Jeff Marquez, rhp, West Oahu (Yankees)

Though his ERA hovered around 7.00 for much of the HWB season, Marquez showed an impressive arsenal. He has a 92-94 mph two-seam fastball with late life that induces a ton of ground balls. His changeup is above-average, but his breaking ball is fringy and needs to be tightened, and his command within the zone needs refinement. He seemed to have difficulty avoiding the big inning, but his ability to pitch off of his fastball stands out, and his knack for getting ground balls portends well for his future.

Ian Kennedy, rhp, West Oahu (Yankees)

Like Chamberlain, the Yankees wanted to get Kennedy some innings this winter after he signed late. Even though he was taken ahead of Chamberlain and got a bigger bonus, he stuff was clearly lagging behind. He has good command of an 88-92 mph fastball that he complements with a curveball that has good depth and a changeup with late-downward action. Just 6-feet-tall, Kennedy pitches on a flat plane and his stuff is not overwhelming. He has good feel for pitching and a simple repeatable delivery that should allow him to be a solid back-of-the-rotation starter.

It will be interesting to see how these three do in 2007 - and whether or not any of them have their reports go up or down. Still, at best, you won't see these guys in the Bronx until 2009, at best. So much can happen in that amount of time.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:11 AM | Comments (6)

November 26, 2006

A-Rod Ditches Yogi

I just heard about this story - which I think broke about three days ago.

From Harvey Araton -

On Nov. 15, after attending his own charity poker tournament in Manhattan, he (A-Rod] canceled on a major fundraiser the next night at the Yogi Berra Museum in Little Falls, N.J. According to a person in the Rodriguez camp who spoke on condition of anonymity, A-Rod's mother, Lourdes, had suddenly been hospitalized -- certainly a legitimate excuse and far better than the reason David Wright's people gave for him not showing. (Wright had been inadvertently double-booked that night.)

But Wright is a Met, A-Rod a Yankee, and because he has a history around town of blowing off events (including one of Torre's last year), because the call to the museum to cancel was made not by Rodriguez but by one of his employees, because there was an A-Rod sighting Nov. 17 at courtside of the Knicks-Heat game in Miami, the museum people and the Berra family and even the Yankees' president, Randy Levine, were said to be in a snit, with the impression that A-Rod too often gives: He just doesn't get it.

The timeline here:

A-rod goes to his own party in NYC on November 14th.

Then, on November 16th, he was scheduled to be part of this event, at the Yogi Berra Museum:

A Night at the Hot Corner

Museum's annual fundraising gala dinner and panel discussion paying tribute to baseball's best third basemen. Special guests are Hall of Famers George Brett, Brooks Robinson and Mike Schmidt, and standouts Graig Nettles, Alex Rodriguez and David Wright. Moderator is Michael Kay. 6 - 9 p.m.

But, he did not make it - reportedly because of a family emergency.

However, the very next day, on the evening of November 17th, Alex and Johnny Damon are seen attending an NBA game in Miami between the Knicks and the Heat.

This reminds me of a scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail -

Sir Bedevere: What makes you think she's a witch?
Peasant: Well, she turned me into a newt!
Sir Bedevere: A newt?
Peasant: [meekly after a long pause] ... I got better.

I suppose that's what happened here. Whatever emergency A-Rod had that caused him to pass on going to Yogi's event got better - just in time to go to the game with Damon.

Sure, that must have been what happened. Right?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:01 AM | Comments (23)

Cash Looking Average?

From Alan Schwarz -

For general managers scratching out their 2007 shopping lists, discussing players in terms of "best" this and "outstanding" that is well and good--but too limiting.

After all, award-winning players such as the recently named Most Valuable Players, Ryan Howard of the Phillies and Justin Morneau of the Twins, are tied to their teams. And with high-profile free agents such as Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Lee already off the market, GMs are focused more on a group of players who never receive awards: the truly, unmistakably average.

The belly of a Bell curve is rarely so attractive. As dull as "average" sounds outside baseball, team builders covet these players so highly that the average begins to appear above average. And you wonder why salaries keep going up.

"Is it attractive? Oh, yeah," said Brian Cashman, the Yankees' general manager. "You have to have a great deal of talent to be an average major-leaguer.

"We all like to have a roster of above-average major-league players, but that's not realistic. You'll have a few above-average players, and you try to sprinkle the rest of the roster with as many average players as you possibly can. There's value in their performance."

If Rick Helling's agent sees this, he should be calling Cashman first thing monday morning.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:43 AM | Comments (4)

November 25, 2006

Bucky & The Clipper

Share a birthday today.

Joe D. was born in 1914.
Dent was born in 1951.

Yeah, it's that kind of news day.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:00 PM | Comments (0)

She Saw Them All

From the Asbury Park Press -

Among the collection of newspaper clippings, team logos and other items cataloging Mary Ontek's life as an athlete is one very cool photograph.

It's sometime in the 1930s, and Ontek, grinning, wearing her New York Roverettes uniform, is standing with a group of her softball teammates. They are gathered in a grass field, apparently receiving batting tips.

Only female athletes are pictured in the photo, except for the instructor. The man holding the bat is possibly the most famous American athlete of all time … Babe Ruth.

"She was always smiling. In all of her photos, she's always happy,'' said Chris Covella, Ontek's 48-year-old nephew, standing one recent morning in the dining room of the Brick home where Ontek spent the last years of her life.

Ontek died Nov. 9 at the age of 92. She lived most of her life on Staten Island but moved in with her nephew's family a few years ago because of health issues.

For most of her life, she was an avid athlete, playing softball and baseball long before women's sports were as widespread as they are today. She was also a well-known bowler on Staten Island, and Covella even has an October 2000 letter announcing her induction into the Staten Island Bowling Hall of Fame.

The many artifacts she kept over the years give an interesting glimpse into how different sports … and American culture as a whole … were decades ago. A 1934 letter to the New York Bloomer Girls players, one of Ontek's many teams, tells the members of plans to play some weekend games in Pennsylvania in the upcoming season. This was big news … Pennsylvania, according to the letter, had just legalized Sunday ballgames.

The Bloomer Girls were the first organized women's baseball team in New York, according to the New York Women's Baseball Association's Web site.

Born Dec. 19, 1913, Ontek lived long enough to witness all 26 World Series titles by her beloved New York Yankees. Covella said she wasn't thrilled to see the team fall to the Detroit Tigers in the first round of the playoffs this year, but she was always an optimist.

"Next time,'' Covella said, describing her reaction.

He added: "She was always a happy-go-lucky person.''

If there was such a thing as a Yankees Fan Hall-of-Fame, Mary Ontek should have been in it. Sounds like she had a great life.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:36 PM | Comments (0)

Gregg Zaun

From the Globe and Mail -

Gregg Zaun and Bengie Molina shared the catcher's job last season, but both are free agents. The Blue Jays offered Zaun a two-year, $6-million package, but he turned it down and is said to be entertaining offers from the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees as a backup. The Cincinnati Reds, who have David Ross in line to be their catcher, have also expressed interest.

Zaun's lifetime American League OWP is .482 - and since 2000, in the A.L. as well, his OWP has been .505 (in 1,663 PA).

That's not Cooperstown material. But, it's not the pits. Flaherty's Yankees' OWP was .263 - if you need a baseline.

Considering that the Yankees have no one in the organization now behind Posada, I'm on board with the chase for Zaun. He should be a good back-up catcher - maybe the best one for the Yankees in a long time.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:39 AM | Comments (10)

November 24, 2006

Seed Of Billy

From Tracy Ringolsby -

Billy Martin died on Christmas Day in 1989, but his legacy lives on. There are six current big-league managers who played for Martin during his managerial career. Bob Geren of Oakland, Willie Randolph of the Mets, Lou Piniella of the Cubs and Jerry Narron of Cincinnati played for Martin with the Yankees. Charlie Manuel of Philadelphia played for Martin in Minnesota, and Mike Hargrove of Seattle played for Martin in Texas.

There are nine former managers who played for Martin, including Don Baylor (Cubs, Rockies) and Bucky Dent (Yankees), who played for him with the Yankees; Davey Lopes (Milwaukee) and Jim Essian (Cubs), who played for him with Oakland; Jim Fregosi (Angels, White Sox, Phillies and Blue Jays) and Toby Harrah (Rangers), who played for him in Texas; Gene Lamont (Pirates, White Sox) and Frank Howard (Padres, Mets), who played for him in Detroit; and Frank Quilici (Twins), who played for him in Minnesota.

What, no mention of Joel Skinner?

This is an interesting list. Good trivia question: Name the two men who played for Billy Martin who went on to manage the Yankees.

Answer: Piniella and Dent.

Not that many would remember Bucky.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:39 PM | Comments (3)

How Do You Like This Team?

I've always had the impression that some Yankees fans fall "in love" with a "name" simply because he wears the pinstripes.

For example: "Mike Mussina is an ace and a future Hall-of-Famer" is something that you might hear from a Yankees fan. However, if Mussina had been with the Red Sox since 2001 (instead of New York), I would bet that many of those same Yankees fans would say "Mussina is over-rated."

Related to all this, for fun, I decided to look at the main players on the Yankees 2006 roster and try and find a match for him - meaning a new "name" that would not carry the pinstripe-love factor. I thought this would be a unique way to objectively look at who was good and who was really not so good on the Yankees last year.

For batters, I'm just going to use hitting stats - and forget fielding and speed. And, I'm only going to use 2006 production for the matches. Lastly, age will not be used in finding a match.

Here goes:

Johnny Damon = Raul Ibanez
Derek Jeter = Garrett Atkins
Bobby Abreu = Jason Bay
Jason Giambi = Nick Johnson
Alex Rodriguez = Carlos Guillen
Jorge Posada = Pat Burrell
Bernie Williams = Julio Lugo
Melky Cabrera = Nick Markakis
Robinson Cano = Reed Johnson

Randy Johnson = Matt Morris
Mike Mussina = Curt Schilling
Worm Killer Wang = Erik Bedard
Jaret Wright = Tim Wakefield
Corey Lidle = Jon Lieber

Kyle Farnsworth = Ryan Dempster
Scott Proctor = Chad Qualls
Mariano Rivera = Francisco Rodriguez

I wonder how far in the post-season those names on the right side of the equal signs would have gone in 2006 had they been an actual team?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:05 PM | Comments (8)

Is New Hitting Coach A-Rod's Man?

Sounds like it. From the News -

Spring training is still months away, but Kevin Long already has begun work in his new job as the Yankees' hitting coach. He has had lunch with Alex Rodriguez to plan an offseason routine and will visit A-Rod at his winter home in Miami to help prepare him for camp.

Long and A-Rod formed a bond during spring training, too, because one of Long's former pupils in the Royals' system, Raul Ibañez, raved about him. Like Rodriguez, Ibañez lives in Miami during the winter, and told A-Rod, "You're going to love this guy."

"I'm pretty technical, as far as breaking down a swing, and Alex understands how the swing works," Long said. "He really enjoys the technical part of it.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 07:53 AM | Comments (2)

The Next Joe & Marilyn?

From PR Inside with a hat tip to BaseballThinkFactry.org -

New celebrity couple JESSICA BIEL and DEREK JETER sparked outrage when their public display of affection at a sombre exhibition left art fans upset.

The actress and the New York Yankees baseball star were checking out the Holy Image, Hallowed Ground: Icons From Sinai exhibition at Los Angeles' Getty Museum when things started getting hot and heavy.
One eyewitness tells US tabloid the National Enquirer, "It was shocking. They were making out on a veranda in full view of everyone, including several Orthodox Jewish families who'd come to see the religious artifacts." The upset witness even claims security staff had to interrupt the loved-up couple and ask them to cool it.

Move over Britney Spears and Mario Lopez.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 07:47 AM | Comments (9)

November 22, 2006

Happy Tryptophan Day 2006!

I justed wanted to take a quick moment to wish all the readers of WasWatching.com (and their loved ones) a happy, and a safe, Thanksgiving Day. Enjoy.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:38 PM | Comments (4)

Some Not Digging The New Digs

Neil deMause has posted an interesting feature on the new mess the Yankees have created in the South Bronx for residents. I have to wonder if these bad conditions will continue, or get worse, as the project moves forward - especially once 55,000 people and traffic are added to the mix on given days in-season.

The feature includes two pictures of the current constructions site for the new Stadium - Click on the pictures for a better view:

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:35 AM | Comments (16)

November 21, 2006

About The 2006 AL MVP...

From the Minny Star Tribune last summer -

Morneau's routine involves sleeping until noon before night games, eating macaroni and cheese, wearing a Todd Bertuzzi jersey, hitting in the same group at the same time in batting practice and developing superstitions about anything he does on a day he hits a home run.

If you don't know who Todd Bertuzzi is, do a google-search on "Todd Bertuzzi Steve Moore" and see what you get. That's an interesting choice of attire. And Jeter gets flack for being mean towards poor A-Rod's feelings...

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:51 PM | Comments (1)

2006 AL MVP - The Brass Tacks

Bottom line, 57% of the voters for the 2006 AL MVP did not feel that Derek Jeter was the man who should have won the award - because, if they did, then they would have ranked him #1 on their ballot.

On the flip side, 53% if the voters thought that Justin Morneau should be the MVP - because they ranked him #1 on their ballots.

Obviously, there was something there to make 57% of the voters feel that Jeter should not be the MVP. Was it the numbers? If so, that was a mistake by the voters.

It will be interesting to hear from that 57% over the next few days. I hope they all offer some feedback on their thoughts. Until then, all we can do is guess.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 05:41 PM | Comments (11)

Joel Sherman: Jeter's A-Rod Reaction Cost MVP

From MSG -

How fascinating it is, therefore, that Jeter failed to win the AL MVP award on Tuesday not because of his statistics, but probably because of intangible qualities. How ironic that his distant relationship with the last Yankee to win the MVP, Alex Rodriguez, very possibly cost him this honor.

I am not certain that outside influences can aid Rodriguez. It is most probable that he must work through these issues himself, gain a comfort zone in his skin and in New York by his own mechanisms. But I am sure of this, it does not help him in any way to have such a strained relationship with the player lined up beside him in the field.

Jeter and Rodriguez will attempt to tell anyone who will listen that their rapport is fine. But that is just not reality. That is something said by guys who are always protecting their images, guys who are selling to Madison Avenue and hardly want to be viewed as brewing anything close to dissension. However, from within their clubhouse and within their entourages, plenty of folks will tell you that there is no real fraternity between the two and that what exists, at best, is indifferent co-existence.

Jeter’s passion-less support could only be read for what it was: passive-aggressive hostility. It was read that way by his manager, his teammates and, most important, Rodriguez. Try as he might to project an edge of toughness, Rodriguez is soft, trapped in the strange conundrum of badly wanting his nemesis, Jeter, to like him. Heck, Rodriguez wants everyone to like him.

"Like sands through the hourglass... so are the Days of Jeter & A-Rod."

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 05:27 PM | Comments (12)

John Walsh On Worm Killer Wang

I just noticed that John Walsh (at The Hardball Times) recently did a very detailed and logical analysis on Worm Killer Wang entitled "The Most Democratic Pitcher." In the end, Walsh notes:

...seems to me that the cards are stacked ever-so-slightly against Wang having a 100-win career.

While I would normally agree with the similarity method approach that Walsh used in his study - heck, I've taken a (excuse the pun) similar approach here in the past - there's one element of Wang's game (these days) that I believe gets lost in these types of studies.

Chien-Ming Wang's average fastball speed was 93.1 MPH in 2006 - I looked it up.

I would guess that hurlers like Ray Fontenot, Greg Hibbard, Chris Holt, and Joe Magrane were not averaging that on their heater.

This is why I now think Wang is an exception to the rules that usually apply towards career projections for below-average K-rate pitchers.

I like to believe that Wang has the stuff to whiff hitters, via 93 MPH gas, it's just that he prefers to get outs quicker with grounders. But, then again, I'm a Yankees fan. So, it only makes sense for me to want to believe that Wang will go on to have a nice career in New York.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:33 PM | Comments (12)

Rumor: Tie For AL MVP?

From George King (with a hat tip to BaseballThinkFactory.org) -

How close was the AL MVP voting that will be announced today? Throughout baseball yesterday an unsubstantiated rumor buzzed the landscape that Derek Jeter and Twins first baseman Justin Morneau had tied for the award.

However, nobody from MLB or the Baseball Writers Association of America confirmed the rumor.

Maybe the ESPN.com expert vote has people thinking this way?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:02 AM | Comments (8)

November 20, 2006

Derek Jeter's MVP Case - By The Numbers

Stats from this season via The Hardball Times and FanGraphs:

Ortiz, as always, had Ramirez to help him. Mauer had Morneau to help him. Who did Jeter have to help him? Giambi?

Giambi batted .233 in May, .186 in July, and .192 in September. That's not much help. In fact, Giambi batted .204 this season when he batted third in the line-up.

I can't say that Jeter will win the MVP this season. Nonetheless, if he does win, anyone who says that he did not deserve it is talking without looking at the stats.

The hard, cold, facts - meaning sabermetrics - clearly state Jeter's case for winning the award.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:18 PM | Comments (12)

November 19, 2006

Madden: Yanks Not High On Kei Igawa

From the News -

Next week, the No. 2 regarded Japanese pitcher, soft-throwing Hanshin Tigers lefty Kei Igawa, who was 14-9 and tied for the Central League in strikeouts last year, goes up for posting, and while the Yankees are expected to make a bid, they regard him as a back-of-the-rotation starter. In other words, they wouldn't mind having him in the spring training mix, but aren't going to go overboard for him.

Igawa won strikeout titles over in Japan in 2002, 2004 and 2006. He must have some sort of stuff, no?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:15 PM | Comments (7)

Soriano To The Cubs

From TSN.ca -

Chicago radio station ESPN 1000 reported Sunday that the Cubs have signed outfielder Alfonso Soriano to an eight-year contract worth approximately $136 million.

You can forget about those "A-Rod/Sweet Lou" reunion rumors now.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:44 PM | Comments (12)

Scott Brosius News

From the Post -

Former Yankee three-time World Series champion Scott Brosius will take over from Scott Carnahan, his head coach at Linfield College in McMinnville, Ore., starting in 2008. Carnahan will be Brosius' pitching coach for the Division III program. "I am excited," the Yankees' third baseman from 1998 to 2001 tells The Post's George King. "I have been an assistant the last few years and things worked out and led to the head coach. It's a 40-game schedule and it won't keep me away from my wife and [three] kids." The classy Brosius doesn't follow the Yankees closely but is aware Alex Rodriguez has had a tough time with the fans. "I would have been thrilled with those numbers," Brosius said.

Brosius always seemed like the guy who you would want your daughter to marry. These kids will be lucky to have him.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:53 AM | Comments (0)

I'm No Gipsy, But He Got My Tears

In the summer of 1978, just around three-and-a-half months before my 16th birthday, I went to the Island Theatre on Staten Island to see a movie called "Animal House." I'll always remember that day because I laughed so hard, and long, during the viewing of that movie that I actually thought I was going to wet myself from the force of such laughter against the control my bodily functions.

Over 28 years has passed since that time and, while I've seen many funny movies since "Animal House," I've never had that "laughed so hard for so long" experience again - until yesterday.

On Saturday afternoon, I went to see "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan."

Maybe there's something wrong with me? Maybe my mind is more warped than the average person? But, I have to confess that I "laughed so hard for so long" while watching "Borat" that I actually had tears coming out of the sides of my eyes. True. And, while I never thought that I would lose control of my bladder yesterday, once the movie ended, it was almost impossible for me to drive home - as just the thought of some of the scenes from "Borat" had me still laughing that hard (even after it was over) that I could not see very well (with tears in my eyes again).

I share this in case you're considering whether or not to go see "Borat." If you have a good sense of humor, you owe it to yourself to go see this movie. Just use the bathroom before you go and be sure to drive home carefully afterwards.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:43 AM | Comments (4)

Forgetabout Vinny Bag-A-Donuts

If you really wanna to break someone's arm, try this.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:33 AM | Comments (0)

November 18, 2006

Yanks Wanted Wes Helms For 1B

From the Philadelphia Daily News -

Maybe Philadelphia isn't as gritty as New York. Maybe Citizens Bank Park doesn't have the dank, congested charm of Yankee Stadium. Maybe the Delaware Valley isn't as cosmopolitan as the Metro area.

That suits Wes Helms just fine.

Helms yesterday signed a 2-year deal worth $5.45 million with a club option for a third year. The soft-spoken Alabaman, who almost became a Phillie this time last year, said he took less money from the Phillies.

"It came down between the Yankees and the Phillies," Helms said, and then listed why he chose Philadelphia. "I definitely wanted to stay in the National League. I knew all the pitchers. I knew all the hitters. I know where to play them in the field. Everybody I know who has changed leagues, it's an adjustment period.

"It's a more comfortable place for me to come to. I think it's better for my family, also. I felt they'd be happier here than in New York."

Apparently, he thinks he'll be happier, too, starting at least part of the time at third base - instead of getting consistent playing time at first base for baseball's most marquee team as the replacement for the departed Craig Wilson/Gary Sheffield experiment.

"The role was to play first base," Helms said. "They were going to DH [Jason] Giambi. On the guaranteed side, they were a little higher [in salary]. But that's just me. I'm going to go where I'm happy. I felt like this is where I needed to be."

So, now, we know whoever the Yankees get to play 1B in 2007 will be "Plan B" (at best).

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:30 PM | Comments (3)

Rich Aurilia

From the Cincy Post -

Whether or not [Alex} Gonzalez is the answer, the Reds will have to find a starting shortstop or second baseman to play alongside Brandon Phillips. It appears increasingly unlikely that Rich Aurilia will be the answer there. The Denver Post reported Friday that Aurilia could reach a multi-year deal with the Giants or Yankees as early as this weekend.

A multi-year deal for a 35-year old with little bat? Gee, I hope it's going to be the Giants.

Aurilia, if I recall correctly, is a nice guy. And, I think his parents are still in the NYC area (Keyport NJ?). But, a multi-year deal for him makes no sense. If it was a one-year deal to serve as a back-up infielder, fine. But, otherwise, this makes little sense for the Yankees.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:53 AM | Comments (6)

Jason Giambi's Pinstripe Legacy

Here are the facts on Giambi, in terms of his Yankees contract.

He gets paid $21 million for 2007 and (again) in 2008.

After 2008, the Yankees can keep him for 2009 at $22 million or buy him out at $5 million (when Giambi will be 38-years old).

Even if Giambi maintains his current levels (in the ballpark of .250/.400/.500), I have to believe that the Yankees will go for that buyout at $5 mill (come the off-season of '08-'09). Until then, since Jason's contract has a full no-trade clause, he's not going anywhere - unless he wants to move.

In a nutshell, Giambi's Yankees career is at least 70% in the book. Since it's mostly all written, what is Jason's legacy in the Bronx?

Even just at a high level, is it a positive or a negative legacy? If I'm not sure, does this then mean that it has to be less than positive?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:02 AM | Comments (5)

November 17, 2006

Shea Hillenbrand - Again

There's a story going around that Hillenbrand is high on the Yankees shopping list this winter because "he bats right-handed and plays first base."

I was not high on Shea when he was available this summer. And, I'm still not. His lifetime OWP is below five-hundred. He's a supreme hacker who never takes a walk.

Basically, he's a Scott Spiezio or Jose Valentin type hitter who some Yankees fans like because he once hit a homer off Mariano Rivera in 2002.

Signing him would be as stupid as it was for the Yankees to sign Todd Zeile back in December of 2002.

There's a reason why Hillenbrand has been on four teams in four years. He's a loser. Pass.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:56 PM | Comments (2)

Allie Clark

Alfred Aloysius Clark was a local boy from South Amboy (NJ) who played in 24 games for the Yankees during 1947 as a 24-year old outfielder.

He hit very well in those 24 games: .373/.417/.493 (BA/OBP/SLG).

Clark even pinch-hit for Yogi Berra in Game 7 of the 1947 World Series - getting a clutch RBI in the process.

What did the Yankees do with him after that? On December 11, 1947, New York traded him to the Cleveland Indians for Red Embree (a 30-year old so-so RHP).

Imagine the hooting and hollering today if the Yankees traded a young, local, kid like Clark - fresh off a rookie season and World Series At Bat like Allie had...it would be off the charts, no?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:13 AM | Comments (4)

November 16, 2006

Cashman: Proctor Should Plan On Starting

From Newsday -

With their starting rotation their greatest uncertainty, the Yankees likely will tell Scott Proctor -- a pleasant surprise as a reliever in 2006 -- to plan for next season as though he will be a starter.

"We'll probably have him proceed and prepare as a starter, because you can always go the other way, slide him down and reduce his workload. But it's hard to go the other way," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said yesterday as the general managers' meetings concluded. "But that's for another day."

Cashman soon will deliver these likely instructions to Proctor, as the righthander has to work out according to the Yankees' directives.

For the record, Proctor's next major league start will be the second one in his big league career. Although, he did also start one game in Columbus in 2005 as well.

The last time Proctor was a true starting pitcher was 2002 in Double-A. He averaged about 5 IP per start in that season.

I'm hoping this is one of those "Bubba Crosby will be our center-fielder next year" things.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:24 PM | Comments (6)

Wang # 2 In 2006 CYA Race

Not too shabby.

More than half the ballots had Worm Killer listed as number two. Overall, 75% had him in the top three. Nice showing, huh?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 05:03 PM | Comments (1)

Scream If This Hurts, Chica.

From contactmusic.com -

BLADE: TRINITY actress JESSICA BIEL is reportedly dating baseball star DEREK JETER after the pair were spotted in a Los Angeles club. The 24-year-old beauty spent the evening with Jeter at Hyde, a favourite haunt of LINDSAY LOHAN and PARIS HILTON, and they were seen leaving together, according to the New York Post. Halfway through the night, Biel visited the restroom and a gaggle of girls approached the New York Yankees shortstop, but he immediately dismissed them, suggesting he only has eyes for Biel. Jeter is no stranger to famous females - he has previously been romantically linked to MARIAH CAREY, SCARLETT JOHANSSON and MTV presenter VANESSA MINNILLO.

Regardless of the BBWAA vote, Jeter is the league MVP - Most Valuable Playa.

Whistler's Daughter. Damn.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:29 AM | Comments (8)

News On Current 4th Starter In Yanks '07 Rotation

From Bob Klapisch -

The pitcher who's been invisible for two years (while pocketing $20 million) is being touted by club officials as the rediscovered secret weapon. Pavano has a new attitude, the Yankees say, a new workout regimen, a new agent, all of which is supposed to make fans (and teammates) forget he's been the greatest financial disaster in the club's history.

Whether Pavano can ever restore his reputation remains to be seen. One major league executive said this week at the general managers' meetings, "For whatever reason, I don't think [Pavano] can or wants to pitch in the American League."

He seemed like a perfect fit with the Yankees: tall and handsome, a Connecticut native who grew up rooting for the Bombers, he had the physical charisma and 90-something fastball to become a modern-day Mike Torrez.

But the Yankees soon realized Pavano lived in an angry haze, emotionally separated from his teammates, disdainful of the press, not particularly fond or impressed with the energy of the Stadium.

Indeed, on the day of his first start in pinstripes, Stadium employees were shocked to hear Pavano snap at his own mother for showing up at the ballpark with an "NY" painted on her cheek.

"You're embarrassing me," Pavano said in front of others in the executive lobby.

Yet, to this day, the Yankees continue to publicly support Pavano. GM Brian Cashman remains one of the pitcher's strongest advocates, insisting, "every one of his injuries has been legitimate. He's just been unbelievably unlucky."

Industry peers, however, say Cashman would trade Pavano in a moment -- if only someone who take him. But even if the Yankees were to assume a portion of the $20 million still owed Pavano, there are many teams who still wouldn't touch him.

The agent keeps promising that Pavano will show up in spring training so completely remade, no one will recognize him, his mechanics, or his personality. Others disagree. One person close to the pitcher said, "Anyone who can sit around [on rehab] in Tampa and watch the Yankees on TV every night for two years, get paid, and not be bothered by it, there has to be something wrong there."

At least we now know that it is possible for Pavano to be embarrassed. It's just too bad that it's his mother's actions that bring cause for it - and not his own.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:17 AM | Comments (7)

November 15, 2006

Just A Tuesday Night In NYC...

...and A-Rod, Sheffield, Mo and Posada are hanging out together at Jay-Z’s 40-40 Club. When Alex saw Gary, well, read it:

Alex Rodriguez spotted Gary Sheffield on a red carpet in Chelsea last night and wrapped him in a bear hug.

“Congratulations,” Rodriguez told Sheffield. “I’m happy for you.”

Times are changing. Fifteen years ago, you needed programs like "Tuesday Night Out" (where restaurants, etc., would grant discounts designed to get people out in NYC) to get a crowd going. Now, all you need is a charity poker tournament to raise money for the A-Rod Family Foundation.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:12 PM | Comments (0)

The Next Pedro?

I was just reading about Daisuke Matsuzaka in the Daily Yomiuri - and these items caught my eye:

After coming out of Yokohama High School as Japan's biggest household name, Matsuzaka was a self-possessed little snot.

Matsuzaka still struggles with control early.

His lack of control, his fatal attraction to his fastball and his childish off-field demeanor all used to mark Matsuzaka as someone who needed to grow up in order to realize his supreme potential.

Nice of Theo to get Josh Beckett a matching bookend.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:06 PM | Comments (10)

Great Yankee Gift Ideas

If you like "Yankees" stuff, you should check out the link at the main WasWatching.com index under BlogAds. Click on the image that reads "Tailgate Town."

There's some great holiday gift ideas there for the Yankees fan in your life. And, if you don't have one, you can use me!

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:40 AM | Comments (6)

Adam Eaton & Woody Williams

From Newsday -

On the free-agent market, the Yankees are more likely to let other teams spend the most on Jason Schmidt and Barry Zito, while taking a greater look at pitchers such as Miguel Batista, Adam Eaton, Woody Williams and Randy Wolf. They want to continue to create roster and payroll flexibility while growing their improving farm system.

Woody Williams will be forty next season. Pass.

And, I would rather see Tanyon Sturtze or Ron Villone in the Yankees rotation over Eaton. No...I'm not saying that I want Villone or Sturtze. What I am saying is how much I don't want to see Eaton in there. Pass here too.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:05 AM | Comments (2)

Mussina Signs

It sounds like a fair deal. I agree with the dollars - based on his track record and the market. Still, it would be nice if Mussina did not have to be the #1 or #2 man on the Yankees 2007 staff.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:52 AM | Comments (7)

Driving Bob Sheppard

From Bloomberg.com -

For more than half a century, Bob Sheppard has greeted visitors to his workplace the same way: ``Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Yankee Stadium.''

The 96-year-old says he wants to keep on doing it when the New York Yankees move to their new ballpark in 2009.

``It would be a dream come true,'' says Sheppard. Though he missed last season's first home series with a hip injury, his health is good and his performance steady.

``Health permitting, it would be our dream as well to have him here as we move into the new facilities,'' says Yankees Chief Operating Officer Lonn Trost. ``He brings professionalism and nostalgia to the ballpark.''

Sheppard, a retired speech professor, has a contract that runs through 2007. When he began working for the team, he was paid $15 a game. While he won't disclose his salary now, his son Paul, who handles his business affairs, says it's a ``very safe bet'' that Sheppard is baseball's highest paid public-address announcer.

``The new stadium is the thing that moves him at this point,'' says Herb Steier, Sheppard's best friend and driver for the past 15 seasons.

Steier, who himself is almost 80, has logged more than 75,000 miles (121,000 kilometers) since taking the wheel for their 33-mile, one-way journey between the Bronx ballpark and their Baldwin, Long Island, homes.

I hope I'm able to still work in my 80's and 90's - like these guys. Amazing.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:45 AM | Comments (3)

November 14, 2006

Hub Hypocrites Extends Tentacles Into Japan

Yesterday, here, I shared this quote from Red Sox G.M. Theo Epstein, which he made last summer:

"We're never going to sell ourselves out just to get that one guy because we have to take a long-term view given our resources relative to the Yankees."

However, now, we have this fact from ESPN.com -

The Boston Red Sox emerged Tuesday night as winners of the bidding for Daisuke Matsuzaka with a $51.1 million offer and have 30 days to sign the Japanese pitcher to a contract.

"We have long admired Mr. Matsuzaka's abilities and believe he would be a great fit with the Red Sox organization," Boston general manager Theo Epstein said. "Clearly, we believe Mr. Matsuzaka is a real talent."

This is a great day in Yankeeland. From this point forward, any bitching from John W. Henry, Larry Lucchino and/or Theo Epstein about the Yankees payroll carries the same legitimacy as Pam Anderson lamenting about Dolly Parton's cleavage.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:39 PM | Comments (8)

Randy Wolf

WasWatching.com reader "Wade_Taylor" asked me to chime in on Free Agent starting pitcher Randy Wolf...so...here goes...

Wolf is young - he'll pitch as a 30-year old next season - and a lefty starter. That's always a good starting combination in terms of being an attractive free agent.

From 2000 until the time he needed Tommy John surgery in 2005, Randy was, at the worst, a league average pitcher.

You have to throw out the stats from 2006 when looking at Wolf - because that was post-rehab. Basically, Wolf in 2007 is like Jon Lieber in 2004 - meaning that next season will be his first full season after a full rehab from the surgery.

If I had to peg Wolf somewhere in the world of current LH-starters out there, I would say that he's not as good as Andy Pettitte but he's ten times better than Mark Redman.

Still, knowing Randy Johnson's age and health, as well as Carl Pavano's "history," I would take Wolf as the the Yankees third starter in 2007, if I had to choose now, over Unit and Pav-Dog.

Wolf and Ted Lilly are sort of the same deal, to me, at this junction.

If the contract was decent, I would not moan too loudly about the Yankees picking up either one of them this winter.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:19 PM | Comments (6)

Trade Bruney?

From Phil Rogers -

Baseball sources indicated the Yankees have been acquiring young arms to help them trade for proven pitching. Their roster already included two attractive young relievers, Scott Proctor and Brian Bruney.

I swear, it wasn't me.

Bruney is an interesting chip to have, at this moment. In the right deal, I would allow him to go. But, it really has to be the right deal.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:28 AM | Comments (10)

Miguel Batista

From The Record -

Yet in losing Matsuzaka, the Yankees' strategy might have been exposed. They could be content in signing a midlevel free agent such as Seattle's Gil Meche, rather than chasing Zito or Schmidt simply because they're the leaders of a weak free agent crop.

During this week's GM meetings, the groundwork of potential trades will be forged, and Cashman -- who already has made two trades in the last four days -- promises to be a key figure.

The Yankees are on the verge of re-signing Mike Mussina to a two-year contract, reportedly worth $22 million. Cashman has shaved payroll by dealing Gary Sheffield for three Detroit pitching prospects and moving Jaret Wright to Baltimore for pitcher Chris Britton.

That leaves money to sign two more starters, and Igawa -- a power lefty said to be posted soon by the Hanshin Tigers -- is an intriguing alternative to Matsuzaka.

Meche long has commanded the Yankees' attention, as has free agent Miguel Batista, who owns a live arm and has had success as a starter and reliever.

Kei Igawa? Gil Meche?

Actually, Miguel Batista could be a sleeper here. The last 6 years, he's always been an above league average pitcher. As a starter, he's always been good for near 30 starts and around 190 innings.

I would not sign him for huge money or for more than three years. In fact, I would want a team-option buy-out on the last year of a 3-year deal.

He's probably only good for 12 wins (or so) in the Yankees rotation. But, he would be an excellent placeholder until someone like Clippard or Hughes is ready for the majors.

There's much less risk with Miguel Batista than with Igawa and Meche.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:57 AM | Comments (2)

Rocks Want Glass Carl?

From Ken Rosenthal -

Believe it or not, teams are contacting the Yankees about trading for right-hander Carl Pavano; the Rockies are one club that might have interest if the Yankees paid a portion of the $21 million that Pavano is owed over the next two seasons.

The Yankees, naturally, say they won't give Pavano away; their public position is that they want him to get healthy and be productive. Still, it's difficult to imagine the Yankees rejecting even a mediocre offer for a pitcher who has been a severe disappointment.

One rotation possibility that the Yankees might consider, with or without Pavano: Right-hander Scott Proctor, who was one of the team's best relievers last season.

If the Rockies offer Aaron Cook for Pavano and cash, the Yankees should jump on it.

As far as Proctor, that's a hard call. I love him out of the pen - but, Torre will kill in him that role again next year. Maybe a move to the rotation is a way to save him from Joe?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:51 AM | Comments (6)

November 13, 2006

Stein To Torre: "Fix This Mess"

From Dubya Ennnnnnn Bee See .........quotes in the video clip that the link provides......

Besides the Stein-hype (which was really nothing), it was pretty much P.C. stuff from Mr. Tea...

On the Sheffield and Wright deals: "I like what Brian is doing now."

On the 2006 ALDS with the Tigers: "Game 2 was the turning point."

On Mussina: He hopes that he comes back and Moose took over leadership of the staff in 2005.

On Pavano: "I sense that Carl could be our ace in the hole."

On Jeter: He deserves to be the MVP.

On A-Rod: Alex is "going to settle in" and "hopefully by next year he'll trust his ability more."

Listening to the interview, it's starting to sound like the Yankees are comfortable with a rotation of Wang-Mussina-Johnson-Pavano-TBA to start the 2007 season.

This could be ugly.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:13 PM | Comments (9)

2007 Randy Johnson Projection

Doing some quick and dirty guessing, here's what I think Yankees fans should expect from Randy Johnson in 2007 - assuming that his back will allow him to pitch for just about a full season:

32 Games Started
192 Innings Pitched
230 Baserunners Allowed
165 Strikeouts
4.80 Earned Run Average

That's not very impressive - unless it's the effort from your fourth starter. Price-tag and ROI aside, if the Yankees can get three decent starters in front of Johnson next year...maybe the Big Unit will not be the Uber Albatross next year.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:40 PM | Comments (8)

The Bill James Handbook 2007

FYI, you might enjoy the review of The Bill James Handbook 2007 that I just did for NetShrine.com. Click here to read it.

Without the Handbook, I could never share with you that Alex Rodriguez had the 9th worst strikeout per plate appearance ratio (min. 502 PA) and the 9th worst "swing and miss" percentage (min 1,500 pitches seen) in the A.L. last year.

Hey, it's been a while since I've had a comment on A-Rod, no?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:23 PM | Comments (0)

Sox Bid $42M for Matsuzaka?

Yes, they did, according to Peter Gammons.

This makes me think back to Red Sox G.M. Theo Epstein's comments on the Yankees, made during last summer:

"We are not the Yankees. We admire the Yankees. I admire the Yankees. I respect them. We have to do things different. Our approach is a little bit different, given our resources relative to the Yankees; we feel our best way to compete with them year in and year out is to keep one eye on now and one eye on the future and to build something that can sustain success."

"We're not going to change our approach and all of a sudden try to build an uberteam, and all of a sudden win now at the expense of the future. That's not an excuse. I'm not trying to throw some sort of a cloak over the clear holes that are on this team by sort of talking instantly about the future. I'm not. Our goals are now and our goals are to put ourselves in a position to win every single year."

"It's going to occasionally leave us short, it's going to leave us short every time there's a player who's available in a bidding war, taking on a contract, getting the best free agent. We're never going to sell ourselves out just to get that one guy because we have to take a long-term view given our resources relative to the Yankees. That's the only way to do it."

Note this one comment in the quotes: We're never going to sell ourselves out just to get that one guy because we have to take a long-term view given our resources relative to the Yankees.

Was that B.S., or, just a sign that the games are about to begin?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:22 PM | Comments (15)

Close Call On 2006 A.L. MVP?

The experts at ESPN.com had their own vote for A.L. MVP. The results:

And the winner is ...

Derek Jeter, SS, Yankees and Justin Morneau, 1B, Twins

Final voting:
Jeter (7), Morneau (7), Joe Mauer (3), David Ortiz (1)

It might be close for Derek in the real election - but it will help him that Mauer will take some Minny-centric votes away from Morneau.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:08 PM | Comments (2)

Gwen Lawrence's "Power Yoga For Baseball"

Gwen Lawrence, a fitness professional and registered yoga instructor, has has created a 35-minute baseball-specific yoga workout entitled "Power Yoga for Baseball" that is now available on DVD. As Gwen's DVD is endorsed by Yankees G.M. Brian Cashman, we thought it would be interesting to learn more about this program. What follows below is our Q&A with Ms. Lawrence:

WasWatching: What was the driving force for you behind the concept of applying yoga to baseball conditioning?

Gwen Lawrence: I have been a practicing fitness professional since 1990. I started teaching yoga in 1998 and became involved with local athletic teams shortly thereafter. My husband is a varsity baseball coach and former professional baseball player, so my interest in training athletes got started there. I spent many hours with my husband at his practices and started observing the lack of flexibility, and serious sport-induced imbalances in their bodies. This prompted me to become part of the team’s training staff. Before I knew it, I had college teams wanting to do yoga, and then professional teams followed. My classes with professional teams have actually more than tripled in just the past year.

WasWatching: Besides improved flexibility and balance, what other benefits - albeit physical or something else - can baseball players receive from yoga conditioning that they may, or may not, receive via the traditional training methods?

Gwen Lawrence: Along with improved flexibility and balance, yoga offers two other key benefits that are lacking in most traditional training methods.

Mental Training...The mental game of baseball is just as important as the physical preparation. Yoga training helps in this area tremendously. The practice of yoga demands that you stay present in the moment, without judgment, to perform some of the more challenging balancing postures. This translates beautifully to the demands needed to stay focused on the playing field for even the longest of games. Yoga teaches the athlete to be in the now, not to focus on the past defeat, missed play, strike out, etc. It teaches the athlete to take every minute as a new opportunity for success. Along with improving concentration, the breath and mind control techniques of yoga also dissolve energy-sapping nerves, release tension, and help with controlling the temper, thereby preventing angry skirmishes that lead to injuries and disciplinary fines.

Rehabilitation...By improving blood flow, quickening toxin release, and expanding oxygenation throughout the whole body, yoga reduces the recovery time from injury and illness and stimulates the immune system. Yoga also helps in speeding up the healing process of injury, joint and ligament injuries by creating more space in the joints and/or by generating increased blood flow to the injured areas. In addition, yoga helps repair nerve damage resulting from repeated falls and collisions by opening up neural pathways in muscles that have deadened due to such injuries. A rehabilitative yoga regimen will include a number of stretches which isolate and focus on the lower back, arms, shoulders and necks. These postures can be applied to injuries in these areas and will dramatically quicken the recovery times.

WasWatching: What's been the typical response from ball players at the first suggestion that they try Yoga conditioning?

Gwen Lawrence: Since I have been working for some time now with many, many, teams, professional down through Little League, my reputation precedes me. The kids and coaches are very receptive to my instruction. It is hard to question the results or procedure when they know you are hired by the pro's.

However, when I first started I would meet up with much resistance. The common misconception being that it was all about sitting around breathing and chanting spiritual prayers. When I come upon this opinion, I invite people to try it. Without fail, five minutes into the session sweat is dripping and their whole face changes when they realize the intense commitment it really takes. Not to say I still have a tough start every now and then. Recently, I worked with a college baseball team and to compensate for the tough poses and their initial unsuccessful attempts at them, they would chat, laugh, and mock things. This is the time when I have to instill more of a tough coach approach and less that of a zen yoga teacher.

WasWatching: Speaking of the pro's, I've noticed that Yankees G.M. Brian Cashman had the following to say about your program - "As a baseball player you are always walking that fine line between improving your strength and maintaining your flexibility. Gwen's Power Yoga for Baseball will help you accomplish both." How did Brian become so aware of your program? Is it in use in the Yankees organization?

Gwen Lawrence: Mr. Cashman and I have been working together for several years. He and I have slowly been introducing yoga to the Yankees as a one-on-one program. I hope to have group sessions with them someday in the future. He knows of all my successful work with professional teams and players and believes in my system.

WasWatching: Do you think we will see the day, sometime in the future, where baseball players are using yoga on the field before a game - much like the stretching routines they use now? And, why?

Gwen Lawrence: Absolutely...the question should be why are they not using yoga poses that resemble what the player does on the field. As a player you want to warm and prepare the muscles necessary to enhance your performance on the field specific to that sport. Yoga makes that transition easy. My husband (who is a High School varsity baseball coach) now only uses yoga poses (stretches) that are relevant to baseball and getting his players ready to perform. The yoga poses will get deeper into the muscles needed to perform from the first pitch to the last. The depth of flexibility gained pre-game using yoga techniques lasts longer than the traditional "stretch."

WasWatching: It seems as if the game of "baseball" can learn a thing or two from the practice of "yoga." Is there anything that "yoga" can learn from "baseball"?

Gwen Lawrence: Considering that yoga is 5,000 years old and defined as a learning art form and lifestyle, it is really difficult for me to think of anything that yoga can learn from baseball. However, baseball does offer the opportunity for yoga to be applied in a sports-specific sense, taking it out of the stereotypic classroom setting and on to the playing field. By focusing on the needs of a particular sport such as baseball, yoga proves itself as an invaluable training tool that can be adapted to the needs of all sports.

Of course, our thanks to Gwen Lawrence for her time in answering our questions. For more on "Power Yoga for Baseball" be sure to visit the official site for the program.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:00 AM | Comments (6)

November 12, 2006

Trade For A Starting Pitcher Coming?

At this date, the Yankees 2007 starting rotation appears to be:

Wang, Mussina, Johnson, Pavano & Rasner.

That's not exactly a rock-solid group.

Given how many few, good, starting pitchers are in the Free Agent market this winter - and the contract demands and location preferences of said pitchers - New York is most likely not going to be able to go out and buy a starter (or two) this off-season.

This all makes me think that a trade for a starter is coming in Yankeeland - much like the Yankees traded for Randy Johnson, Kevin Brown, Javier Vazquez and Roger Clemens in the past.

The big questions here, of course, are: "Who?" and "At what cost?"

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:33 PM | Comments (8)

Chris Britton Trade

From the Baltimore Sun -

The Orioles have agreed to trade reliever Chris Britton to the New York Yankees for starting pitcher Jaret Wright and cash, according to two team sources.

While the specifics of the deal have been worked out, the trade won't be official until it gets the commissioner's approval, which is necessary when more than $1 million in cash exchanges hands in a deal. That could happen as early as today.

Along with Wright, a 30-year-old right-hander with a 68-57 record over 10 major league seasons, the Yankees have agreed to send the Orioles $4 million, according to sources. That is the amount it would have cost New York to buy out Wright's 2007 option.

Britton, a 23-year-old right-hander who was the Orioles' eighth-round selection in the 2001 draft, was possibly the team's second-best reliever as a rookie this past season behind closer Chris Ray . Britton was 0-2 with a 3.35 ERA and one save in 52 games.

However, team officials were concerned about Britton's lack of command of a second pitch behind his fastball, and they also were worried about ongoing conditioning problems.

I like this trade. Wright is a tough guy with heart - but, he is limited in talent and carries risk. It's no sweat to see him leave the Yankees.

Britton's weight could be an issue. By some reports, he's gained around 50 pounds in the last year. That's never good.

But, in terms of "stuff," he has some tools: mid-90's fastball, an effective slider, and a change. He has good - but not great - command. And, reportedly, he's got a bulldog attitude on the mound.

It's somewhat proven that you can pitch out of the pen and be fat. See Bob Wickman, Ray King, Bobby Jenks, etc. While I would like to see Britton lose around 40 pounds, I think he can still be effective in 2007 at his current Jumbo-weight.

Again, this is a good deal here for the Yankees.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:02 AM | Comments (23)

November 11, 2006

Wright To The O's?

From the AP -

The Yankees and Orioles were discussing a deal Saturday that would send Jaret Wright to Baltimore for prospects.

Wright and Yankees teammate Mike Mussina filed provisionally for free agency Saturday, awaiting decisions on team options for 2007.

New York had until Sunday to exercise a $7 million option on Wright, a deal that carries a $4 million buyout.

It was not clear which players the Orioles would send to the Yankees if a deal was struck.

Not a bad idea. If he makes the rotation in Baltimore, this means the Yankees could face Wright as many as 4 times next season. It's almost like Cashman is trading Jaret for 4 wins in 2007.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:07 PM | Comments (3)

Sox Gamesmanship On Matsuzaka Bid

Thanks to Ken Rosenthal, now I get it.

The Red Sox bid something like $40 million on the rights to sign Daisuke Matsuzaka - and then they don't sign him. They get their money back and block the Yankees, or anyone else, from signing him.

It's pretty clever.

It's actually more clever than renting every single room in Jose Contreras's hotel for the purpose of making the Yankees life hell as New York tried to sign him, which the Red Sox did, way back when, for that matter.

Of course, the player, his agent, and the owners of the team in Japan can moan over this move. But, to who? To Bud Selig? Really?

Selig has been bending rules in favor of Red Sox owner John Henry for a long time now. Why should he change now?

Pretty clever, indeed.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:51 AM | Comments (9)

Humberto Sanchez' Elbow

From the Daily News -

The Yankees consider Humberto Sanchez, who went to South Bronx High School, the jewel of the three pitchers they got from Detroit in exchange for Gary Sheffield yesterday.

Sanchez is a 6-6, 230-pound righty who can reach 96 mph on the radar gun, but mostly throws his fastball between 90-94 mph. Yankee GM Brian Cashman said Sanchez, 23, also has "an average changeup right now, but it could be above average, and he has a power curveball."

Sanchez had an identical 5-3 record as a starter for both the Tigers' Triple-A team and their Double-A team, and had a combined ERA of 2.63. He struck out 129 batters in 123 innings and held opposing hitters to a .220 average. He's had elbow problems in the past, but the Yanks believe he's healthy.

Cashman said he'll likely begin next season at Triple-A Scranton, and the Yanks "hope he takes a big step forward. He's got a lot of ability."

He's had elbow problems in the past, but the Yanks believe he's healthy.

Yeah, because those things always go away on their own without the need for some sort of surgery, etc.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:16 AM | Comments (8)

November 10, 2006

Torre Hints That Yanks Lose On Matsuzaka Bid

From the Times -

ESPN reported that the Boston Red Sox might have made the bid, and it might be as high as $45 million. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that the Texas Rangers might have bid as much as $30 million, and might have a chance for Matsuzaka’s rights. Both outlets relied on anonymous sources.

The Yankees, who, along with the Rangers, have acknowledged that they bid on Matsuzaka, had no reaction to the news media speculation that they might have been outbid for a pitcher they desperately want.

“No one knows,” General Manager Brian Cashman said.

But Yankees Manager Joe Torre was influenced by the reports. When Torre was asked about Matsuzaka before his Safe at Home Foundation’s charity event yesterday, he spoke as if the Yankees had lost out on Matsuzaka.

“We’ve put in a bid ourselves and we’ve come up short, evidently,” Torre said. “He was obviously of great interest to us.”

I'm on record already on Matsuzaka - and if someone wants to pay $60-75 million to have him pitch for the next three years (or so), I'm just glad it's not the Yankees.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:24 PM | Comments (7)

Sheffield To The Tigers

From Jon Heyman -

The Yankees and Tigers have agreed on a Gary Sheffield trade, SI.com has learned.

In return, the Yankees will acquire highly touted right-hander Humberto Sanchez and Class A pitchers Kevin Whelan and Anthony Claggett, according to a Tigers source.

The Tigers will extend Sheffield's contract for two years beyond the one year and $13 million remaining. Sheffield had a physical on Friday.

Sheffield reunites with manager Jim Leyland and GM Dave Dombrowski, who were all a part of the 1997 world champion Florida Marlins.

Sanchez, who will be 24 next season, is an alum from South Bronx High School. He's big: 6'6" and 230 pounds. Throws right - and can gas it up to 95 MPH. His second pitch is a workable curve. His other pitch - a change-up - reportedly needs work. He has 9 games of Triple-A experience to his credit. In 454 minor league career innings, he has walked 230 batters. Yes, he's wild. Lastly, he's had elbow issues in the past.

Whelan was converted from catcher to pitcher while in college. He also throws 95 MPH and has a slider and forkball. His command has potential. He'll be 23-years old next year.

Claggett is 22-years old and - other than one token IP in Triple-A this year - he's yet to throw any pitches above A-Ball.

Whelan and Claggett are at least two years away from having any impact at the major league level - and there's so much that can go wrong for them in that time. Plus, they're not "Grade A" or "Grade B" prospects at the moment.

Humberto Sanchez, to me, has "Esteban Yan" written all over him. I guess that some might see him as having "Armando Benitez" potential. But, the odds say that there's a much greater chance that he will be a "Yan" than a "Benitez."

Come to think of it, name three very-good-to-great RHP, over 6'4" and 215 pounds to come out of the Dominican Republic in the last 30 years.

There's Armando Benitez, Jose Valverde, and Antonio Alfonseca. Maybe, someday, Daniel Cabrera, Franklyn German and/or Jose Capellan will join the list. Not an overly impressive history there, huh?

If this is the best that the Yankees could get for Gary Sheffield, it makes me think that the supposed market for him was way over-hyped.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:18 PM | Comments (11)

2006 Fielding Independent Pitching Stats

One of the stats that they track at The Hardball Times is "Fielding Independent Pitching" (FIP). This is "a measure of all those things for which a pitcher is specifically responsible. The formula is (HR*13+(BB+HBP)*3-K*2)/IP, plus a league-specific factor (usually around 3.2) to round out the number to an equivalent ERA number."

As per the Stat Glossary at THT: FIP helps you understand how well a pitcher pitched, regardless of how well his fielders fielded. FIP was invented by Tangotiger.

Here's how some Yankees pitchers did in FIP last year:

I have to confess...while it makes sense to see the power pitcher types do well here...it was interesting to see Mussina rank so high on the chart. I hope he can repeat that effort in 2007.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:38 AM | Comments (9)

Yankees Looking For RH-1B

From Newsday -

The Yankees will build toward the 2007 season with the idea that Jason Giambi is their designated hitter, general manager Brian Cashman said yesterday. That means the team will be in the market for a first baseman, preferably one who hits righthanded.

"That's kind of how I see it," Cashman said. "Some days Joe [Torre], on the field, makes decisions based on the roster and makeup of that day, injuries, pitching matchups. That's when [Giambi] could be at first. But I see him as a DH."

On the free-agent list, righty hitters with experience at first base include Rich Aurilia, Nomar Garciaparra, Jose Hernandez, Kevin Millar and Eduardo Perez.

Cashman said Andy Phillips, who shared the first-base duties with Giambi and trade acquisition Craig Wilson, could be in the mix. The Yankees could find a fit on the trade market as well.

How about moving A-Rod to 1B, Jeter to 3B, and then trading Gary Sheffield to the Astros for Adam Everett (to play SS) and Chad Qualls (for bullpen help)?

Yeah, I know, I should not drink and bake...or post.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:42 AM | Comments (7)

November 09, 2006

Mark Melancon News

When the Yankees selected Mark Melancon back in June, I wrote:

Mark Melancon could be a sleeper pick - depending on that strained ligament in his elbow.

Today, Peter Abraham shares the following on Melancon:

2006 draft pick Mark Melancon recently had elbow surgery and will be out for a year. Cashman said they had a feeling this would happen but took him anyway in the ninth round based on his potential.

Looks like he's now a deep-sleeper pick.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:26 PM | Comments (0)

Jesus Montero News

From a recent Baseball America chat:

Q: Ben from New York, NY asks:

John, Thanks for all the great work. No Jesus Montero? Is he #11? This group looks a lot more impressive than any top 10 the Yankees have had in quite some time--what's your assesment?

A: John Manuel: No on Montero. The jury was always still out on him catching, and several scouts I talked to when he signed in July thought he was a 1B. Then if he's a 1B and not a C, all the value will be in the bat, and you're projecting a 16-year-old's bat. Add to that he's got 80 raw power, yes, and they spent a lot of money, but the Yankees also removed the man (Lin Garrett) who oversaw his signing, and every report I've heard on Montero's performance at the Yankees' mini-camp (which functions as their instructional league team) has been negative. There's no guarantee that Montero even makes the top 30, frankly. All the news and rumors I've heard about him since signing are the opposite of positive, to put it politely.

Back in July, on Montero, I wrote:

...remember Jackson Melian? Not every 16-year old, can't miss kid (that the Yankees throw millions at) makes it in the end.

Gee, that was quick, huh?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:27 PM | Comments (9)

Lost In Translation?

Does this mean that D-Mat is a D-Back?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:05 PM | Comments (5)

STFU Brutus

The latest Sheffield sound-offs via the AP:

Sheffield doesn't have a no-trade clause and he doesn't understand why the Yankees appear to prefer the 32-year-old Abreu in right field.

"He's a good player, but like I say, you can draw it up any kind of way, he ain't me, and that's the bottom line," Sheffield said. "I understood them having to make this move for the remainder of the season but ... I always was told that you leave because somebody's better than you, and I don't think that's the case here."

Sheffield also said that dropping Rodriguez to sixth and then to eighth in the batting order messed with his head.

"Knowing him, yes it did," Sheffield said.

If Sheffield is dealt, he thinks A-Rod will lose the only teammate in the Yankees' clubhouse that he could bounce ideas off.

"He might as well get ready," Sheffield said. "There's nobody."

I learned to love Gary Sheffield in 2004. The following year, 2005, he still had my respect and appreciation. However, he's now ruined all that with his recent Don King routine. And, he's now bringing A-Rod into this whole thing when there's been so little A-Rod buzz in the last couple of weeks. Great.

I only have two words for Gary Sheffield now - and they are "Estee Effu."

Trade him now Cash - and bury him in the process.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:20 AM | Comments (2)

November 08, 2006

Report: Yanks To Post $20 Mill For D-Mat

From Bob Klapisch -

"This is the guy we want," one Yankees official said on Tuesday, referring to Matsuzaka. "I'm not saying we have to get him, but we'd like to."

The Yankees are believed to be ready to go as high as $20 million for the mere right to speak to Matsuzaka about a contract. It's an enormous posting fee, even by the Yankees' standards, but they're being driven by an unsubstantiated belief that the Rangers will be the dark horses in the blind bidding.

Owner Tom Hicks, they hear, is apparently convinced he needs just one young arm to take control of the West, and further believes his working relationship with agent Scott Boras, who represents Matsuzaka, can divert the pitcher away from the Bronx straight to the heart of Texas.

That scenario would explain why the Yankees appear determined not to be outbid. "At the end of the day, they're the only ones who'll go [to $20 million]," said one insider.

I guess the $8.5 million signing bonus for Hideki Irabu (in 1997) and the $6 million signing bonus for Jose Contreras (in 2002) were just warm-ups for this process.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:14 PM | Comments (13)

BA's Top Ten List

Hot off the presses - Baseball America's Top 10 Yankees Prospects:

TOP TEN PROSPECTS

1. Philip Hughes, rhp
2. Jose Tabata, of
3. Dellin Betances, rhp
4. Joba Chamberlain, rhp
5. Ian Kennedy, rhp
6. Chris Garcia, rhp
7. Tyler Clippard, rhp
8. J. Brent Cox, rhp
9. Mark Melancon, rhp
10. Brett Gardner, of

BEST TOOLS

Best Hitter for Average Jose Tabata
Best Power Hitter Shelly Duncan
Best Strike-Zone Discipline Brett Gardner
Fastest Baserunner Brett Gardner
Best Athlete Tim Battle
Best Fastball Joba Chamberlain
Best Curveball Philip Hughes
Best Slider J. Brent Cox
Best Changeup Tyler Clippard
Best Control Philip Hughes
Best Defensive Catcher Francisco Cervelli
Best Defensive Infielder Ramiro Pena
Best Infield Arm Marcos Vechionacci
Best Defensive Outfielder Tim Battle
Best Outfield Arm Seth Fortenberry

Eight of the top ten are pitchers. While that's exciting, I can't help but to think about "Wilson, Pulsipher, and Isringhausen."

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:52 PM | Comments (11)

Brian Cashman Speaks

Oh, to be a fly on the wall at the midtown campus of Western Connecticut State...

From The News-Times -

Cashman demanded changes and got them. The team has since begun to focus more on internal talent development as seen in the successes of Robinson Cano, Melky Cabrera and Chien-Ming Wang.

But more importantly Cashman is the man making the decisions with The Boss conceding a secondary role.

"We are going to bring our payroll down and our future up," Cashman said. "We are transitioning. You always overpay for a free agent."

Philosophical changes are great, but the Yankee fans present wanted to hear about how he was going to improve the team now.

Cashman did not announce any breaking news to the Yankee faithful.

He acknowledge the team would prefer to trade outfielder Gary Sheffield, would place a bid on Japanese star pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka at 5 p.m. today and the Yankees were looking for help in the rotation.

He, however, wouldn't say from where.

According to Cashman, Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens are both popular names, but each are considering retirement. The Yankees won't make a move until they make their decision.

Cashman also said no decision has been made to pursue Barry Zito.

Cashman, who said he considers the Alex Rodriguez deal to be one of his best, also said A-Rod is in New York to stay.

"We are not trading him," Cashman said. "Too many times we turn the page on a player and they turn out being a great player. He's too talented."

The comment did not settle well with the audience and neither did his mentioning of Carl Pavano, who has not pitched for almost two seasons.

"Give him a shot," Cashman pleaded. "His injuries are legit. He took less money to come here, he wants to be here and we want to salvage our assets."

He also said he didn't see a spot in the lineup for Barry Bonds.

Cashman also said he was not sure either he or Torre would be back after next year if the Yankees don't win a title.

"I'll end up probably working for you someday," Cashman told the students. "So keep me mind when you get my resume."

Good stuff.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:57 AM | Comments (1)

Cash & Co. Head To Shaolin

From the Staten Island Advance -

The calendar says November, but Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, the legendary "Mr. October," will be part of the heavy-hitting lineup at the St. George Theatre tomorrow at 11 a.m., as executives of the New York Yankees and Mandalay Baseball Teams introduce what they promise will be a "new era" in Staten Island Yankees baseball.

The public is invited to the free event, where details related to the Staten Island Yankees, the Bronx Bombers' New York-Penn League affiliate, will be presented, along with a series of "unprecedented offers" for Baby Bombers ticket holders.

In addition to Jackson, among those expected to participate are New York Yankees general partner Stephen W. Swindal, president Randy Levine, general manager Brian Cashman, Mandalay executives and former Staten Island Borough President Guy V. Molinari.

No truth to the rumor that the Yankees will also be bidding on the rights to sign the members of Wu-Tang Clan while visiting the Island.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:36 AM | Comments (0)

November 07, 2006

A Cup Of Joe

I just went into the pantry at work to grab a cup of tea - as I needed a caffeine fix this morning.

Without knowing it, I grabbed two styrofoam cups - one inside the other - and I did not know that I had two cups together until I filled the stack with boiling water.

So, now, I'm sitting at my desk, drinking a cup of tea, but in a "double cup" set up.

I feel so Joe-Torre-ish at this moment.

Quick, somebody get Proctor up and have him start warming.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:09 AM | Comments (11)

Kei Igawa

Newsday is running a great feature today entitled "Mysterious gyroball may or may not be an actual Matsuzaka pitch" and I saw this in the notes there (at the end):

The Hanshin Tigers' Kei Igawa, a highly touted lefthander who is likely to be posted in the coming weeks, starts tonight for Japan.

I just looked at the stats for Kei Igawa. Why is this player not getting as much hype as Daisuke Matsuzaka? I don't get it.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:56 AM | Comments (11)

Rocket & His Puppy Coming Home?

From the Daily News -

Two old New York friends filed for free agency yesterday and though neither Roger Clemens nor Andy Pettitte has decided whether to play next season, the Yankees intend to inquire about both, according to a team source.

The Yankees have talked internally about pursuing Pettitte, who left the Bronx after the 2003 season to sign with his hometown team, the Astros. And Pettitte apparently has told confidants that he would consider a return to New York, if he does continue to play.

Pettitte, meanwhile, is considering retirement, though he is 10 years younger than Clemens.

"I know it's difficult maybe for people to understand," Pettitte told MLB.com last week. "I'm just not sure if I want to play, so I'm just trying to take some time back. Obviously, for me to feel that way, I have some serious burnout.

"I know I'm young. I realize I'm young. Just right now, I don't know exactly what I want to do."

I've had enough of Carpetbagger Clemens already - so, I would pass on him. But, I love Andy Pettitte. I know that he can still be an effective pitcher based on age, talent, etc.

Yet, his comments here concern me. If his 'head is not maybe into it,' then, I don't want him finding out for sure on my dime. If the Yankees go after him, they better make sure that he's 100% committed in wanting to play.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:47 AM | Comments (7)

November 06, 2006

Mike Myers From Toe-Kay-Oh

From Newsday -

As a middle reliever, Mike Myers can enjoy a life of relative anonymity in the United States, even on the Yankees. But as the world's most famous franchise's lone representative in the Japan All-Star Series, as soon as he slips on the pinstripes, Myers has drawn attention like a rock star.

It doesn't help that Daisuke Matsuzaka is close to finding out which team will own his negotiating rights and that the Yankees are among the favorites -- perhaps even at the top of a list that is likely to include the Mets, Red Sox, Rangers and a few others that could jump in before Wednesday's 5 p.m. deadline.

When asked how often he is quizzed on Matsuzaka, Myers replied, "Every day ... every day."

"Our starting rotation is a question mark going into the offseason as far as actually who's going to be there," Myers said. "We don't know what's going to go on with [Carl] Pavano, we don't know what's going to go on with Moose because of his option, which is a lot of money [$17 million]. He was talking that they weren't going to pick up his option and he hoped to come back."

Myers added, "[Randy] Johnson had back surgery. Who knows where he's going to be? If he has a step backwards in the recovery process, who knows where our rotation will be outside of [Chien-Ming] Wang."

Indeed, Mike, indeed.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:23 AM | Comments (1)

November 05, 2006

Doyel On Matsuzaka

Gregg Doyel shares his thoughts on Daisuke Matsuzaka -

As for Matsuzaka, he's Austin Powers, an international man of mystery. We know his statistics in Japan -- 17-5, 2.13 ERA in 2006 -- but we don't know what they mean.

Consider the case of Hideki Irabu. Before he came to the United States, Irabu was 38-27 with a 2.65 ERA from 1994-96 in Japan. In the majors from 1997-2002 he went 34-35 with a 5.15 ERA. Hounded back to Japan, Irabu was again an ace over there -- 13-8 with a 3.85 ERA in 2003.

In Japan, pitcher Kaz Ishii was an All-Star who went 78-46 with a 3.38 ERA. The Dodgers paid an $11 million dowry, then $12 million in salary, to get a pitcher who was ordinary here: 39-34 with a 4.44 ERA.

In Japan, Kaz Matsui was named the top shortstop of the 20th century. He was a seven-time All-Star. He was an MVP. In 2004 the Mets gave him $20 million for three years. And he was lousy. The Mets moved him to second base, benched him, then traded him. The Rockies sent him to the minor leagues.

Now it's Matsuzaka's turn. Anonymous scouts -- is Boras a scout? -- are telling the media that Matsuzaka, 26, is a No. 1 starter in the majors. We'll see. Matsuzaka is said to throw in the mid-90s with six or seven pitches he can locate for strikes, but that sounds like fantasy. The reality is, he's a small guy (5-foot-11, 187 pounds) who has thrown 1,400 innings over the past eight seasons, with astronomical pitch counts typical in Japan. He's an arm blowout waiting to happen.

On October 10th, I wrote:

You cannot count on Matsuzaka to come to the U.S. and be a front-end starting pitcher. He would be a fine gamble for the 4th or 5th slot of your rotation. But, to count on him to be a #2 (or even #3) type pitcher is a huge gamble.

And, then, on October 25th, I wrote:

Anyone who signs Matsuzaka is probably looking at a $60 million total package between the posting fee and his contract. That's a lot of coin for someone who could end up pitching like Jose Lima in this country. It's too much risk for my nerves. I think the Yankees should pass on Matsuzaka, now, thinking it all over.

And later that same day, I added:

Boras is doing what Boras does best when it comes to selling Matsuzaka here - he's taking an ounce of information and making it into an ocean of smoke-screen. This is just another reason why teams should proceed with caution when it comes to paying a fortune for Matsuzaka.

Therefore, I have to say that I agree with what Gregg Doyel is saying here. And, it's nice to know that I'm not the only one who is saying it.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:12 PM | Comments (13)

TopProspectAlert.com

TopProspectAlert.com has posted their 2007 New York Yankees Top 10 Prospects. They like Joba Chamberlain a lot more than I do - but it's an interesting list.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:02 AM | Comments (11)

November 04, 2006

Mussina Close To Returning

From Newsday -

Arn Tellem, the agent for Mike Mussina, said Saturday that he and the Yankees have made "substantial progress" in their negotiations for a two-year contract.

At this rate, Mussina's contract, which is expected to be worth as much as $25 million, could be finalized and formally announced sometime this week.

Mussina is coming off a six-year, $88.5-million contract and realized he needed to accept a smaller salary to stay a Yankee, which is his preference.

The Yankees realized Mussina deserves more than the $10 million a year they pay to Carl Pavano and entered talks willing to give Mussina about $12 million a year.

I can live with $12 million for 2007. That's fair. But, I hope there's a buyout for 2008. Let's be honest - Mussina's been very good in only two of his last five seasons. And, he'll be 40 right after the 2008 post-season.

I would not want to be on the hook for $12-13 million for a 40-year old pitcher. See: Johnson, Randy and Brown, Kevin for more on that.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:20 PM | Comments (11)

Mussina To The Mets?

From the Baltimore Sun -

According to the New York Post, pitcher Mike Mussina has told friends that the New York Mets would be a welcome option if the Yankees don't want him back. And the Mets likely will be interested in the former Oriole if he becomes a free agent.

According to a baseball official, the Mets "would have to consider [Mussina] if he is available."

This is probably just Mussina trying to push the Yankees buttons. If Mussina is smart, he should go to the Mets. In the A.L., he's just a 12-13 game winner now. In the N.L., on a good team, he could win 17 games in 2007.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:46 AM | Comments (8)

Matsuzaka Tampering

From the Star Ledger -

At least three teams have attempted under-the-table negotiations to obtain Japanese ace Daisuke Matsuzaka, a Japanese newspaper reported. Major League Baseball said yesterday that nothing has been brought to its attention.

Sankei Sports quoted an unnamed Seibu executive making the charge, and he refused to identify the teams. "It is tampering, so I refused to meet them," the executive said.

While the bidding process is sealed, a team could offer inducements other than cash if Seibu agreed to accept only part of the bid, allowing the team to make a larger bid to secure the right to sign Matsuzaka.

MLB, which reportedly sent out a memo to teams to warn them against tampering, said it is aware of such rumors and takes what safeguards it can against circumventing the system. And major-league teams would probably be eager to turn each other in if they had inklings of improprieties, which apparently has not happened in this case.

Seems like MLB is doing nothing about this claim - so, I guess Boston was one of the three teams involved.

Just kidding.

Kinda/Sorta.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:42 AM | Comments (1)

November 03, 2006

P.J. Pilittere

P.J. Pilittere could be playing in Trenton next season.

If he's fast-tracked, he could be the Yankees back-up catcher in 2009 - when he will be 27-years old. And, if he can hit, P.J. might be the Yankees starting catcher in 2010.

Next season will be a big year in Pilittere's career. Considering the options for the Yankees after Posada, I hope he makes the best of it.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:29 PM | Comments (4)

Gil Meche & Ted Lilly

From Jon Heyman -

Gil Meche and Ted Lilly are getting a lot more interest than you'd think. The Yankees are in the mix.

Meche's name has come up in the past in Yankeeland.

Over the last 4 seasons, both Meche and Lilly have made around the same number of starts.

Over this time, Lilly has pitched like a Jarrod Washburn and Meche has pitched like a Kyle Lohse. Between the two, I would take Lilly - he's only had one bad year (2005) whereas Meche was bad in two (2004 & 2005).

But, Lilly only helps the Yankees as a back-of-the-rotation guy. He's not going to fill the need of being a #2 or #3 starter in 2007.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:58 AM | Comments (20)

Mo On A-Rod

From Peter Abraham -

Mariano Rivera has a message for Yankee fans: Alex Rodriguez is staying and you should support him.

"This guy, he's a great player,'' Rivera said last night during an appearance at his restaurant, Mo's New York Grill. "We're a better team with him. I hear people say we should trade him and I don't agree.''

Rodriguez has said he wants to remain with the Yankees, and general manager Brian Cashman insists he has no desire to trade him. But after another sub-par postseason, the question of whether Rodriguez is a good fit has come up again.

No athlete in New York generates such fervent debate.

"I don't think we lost because of Alex,'' Rivera said. "We lost, period. The fans, everybody, they should be with him.''

The fans, everybody, they should be with him.

"Everybody"? I think Mariano is telling us something here. "Everybody" could mean the other players, the media, or the Yankees staff - or some combination of the three.

If it was meant as all three of them, it would not shock me.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:15 AM | Comments (4)

November 02, 2006

No Thanks, 2004 Was Enough

From the Times -

As Commissioner Bud Selig stood on the field at Japan’s Tokyo Dome in 2004, he spoke excitedly about the importance of continuing to expand Major League Baseball internationally. Selig was not specific, but geographically speaking, he was peeking even farther west.

Eventually, Selig hopes to announce that baseball will hold its season opener in China, perhaps as early as 2008. If baseball officials arrange that, they would be staging the first major league games there a few months before Beijing plays host to the 2008 Olympics.

Please, Bud, don't ask the Yankees to make this trip. The last time they opened outside of North America, their season ended in the worst possible way. Pick someone else this time, OK?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:57 PM | Comments (6)

Jeter Wins Gold Gove

From Yankees.com -

"The Gold Glove Award means a great deal to me," Jeter said in a statement. "Fielding doesn't get many headlines, but it's a big part of the game of baseball. I take great pride in my defense, and to be recognized with a Gold Glove for three straight seasons is a great honor that I will always cherish."

I watch a lot of Yankees games. To be candid, I would estimate, on average, there are at least 3 batted balls per week that I see hit in the direction of Jeter where I say to myself "It would be nice to have a SS who can reach that ball" (after it goes by Derek). But, that's just a fan-boy knee-jerk reaction on my part - and it ignores some important data.

When I look at the stats, it tells me that Jeter costs the Yankees about 1/15th of a run per game with his play at SS.

Last time I checked, in the last ten years or so, the Yankees have lost zero games by 1/15th of a run or less. So, in reality, Jeter doesn't cost the Yankees much with his play at SS. Ah, yes, but is he Gold-Glove-Worthy?

Just as I wrote last year - when Jeter got the Gold Glove - I will share this view again:

The Gold Glove is a judgment call. Take a page from the official baseball rules and realize that you cannot protest a judgment call. Correction, you can protest it until you're blue in the face - but, it's not going to change anything.

Just as all the griping in the world is not going to take away the Gold Glove from Jeter.

The coaches and managers in the league who vote on the Gold Gloves probably focus more on things that are important to them as guys who are charged with wins and losses - like making the route play consistently and the occasional game-saving play in pressure situations. Derek has demonstrated that ability with the glove, no?

Fle this one under Clara Peller, for me.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:17 PM | Comments (7)

M's Pass On Matsuzaka

From the Herald -

The Seattle Mariners' Japanese owner made official Wednesday what had been a unified opinion in the front office for weeks.

The Mariners, despite a dire need for starting pitching this offseason, will not place a bid for star Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi said Wednesday that team owner Hiroshi Yamauchi decided not to pursue Matsuzaka.

"We will not be participating in the bidding process," Bavasi said. "Mr. Yamauchi decided that we would not be bidding, and it's a decision that our baseball department concurs with."

If Matsuzaka is everything that his agent claims that he is, then is not the Mariners/Nintendo/Yamauchi passing on him the same as Homer Simpson passing on a chance to acquire a Krispy Kreme Doughnuts franchise?

Maybe the M's know something here that the Yankees should learn?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:47 PM | Comments (12)

The 2006 Internet Baseball Awards

Here's how Derek Jeter did in the Baseball Prospectus poll:

For the second year in a row, but also only the second time in Internet Most Valuable Player voting history, a New York Yankee has been voted the Internet American League MVP. Last year it was Yankee third baseman Alex Rodriguez who captured the honor, while this year it's his fellow infielder, shortstop Derek Jeter (.343/.417/.483, 12.1 WARP3). Jeter was named on the most ballots, and earned 37.3% of all first-place votes, by far the highest total of any player. But he was far from a unanimous choice--seven different players received first-place ballots from a significant number of voters, making this year's balloting the most divided in Internet Award history.

The stat here that jumps out at me: 12 out of 1,298 baseball fans thought there were 9 players more deserving then Jeter for the league MVP? I wonder how many baseball writers will feel this way as well?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:01 AM | Comments (3)

November 01, 2006

Taylor: Jeter Derelict In His Duty

Phil Taylor at SI.com says Jeter's no MVP - Captain's lack of leadership sank Yankees' hopes.

I have to say that I'm with the side that sees a hole here. Is it Jeter's fault that Alex was the best offensive third baseman in the American League?

That's the thing on this claim - it only works if A-Rod was terrible last year - and Rodriguez was not. Yes, he didn't hit when the team was trailing in a close game. And, he was a butcher in the field. Was it only in close trailing games and on fielding plays where Jeter didn't give A-Rod enough love? Outside of those two situations, Alex looked pretty good more than not, no? Where was the Jeter impact there?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:46 PM | Comments (11)

Rival G.M.: Yanks Would Move A-Rod

From Ken Rosenthal -

The Yankees aren't ruling out a blockbuster involving third baseman Alex Rodriguez, according to major-league sources. The impetus for a deal, however, would need to come from Rodriguez and his agent, Scott Boras, both of whom say A-Rod isn't going anywhere.

"They'd move A-Rod, but they don't want to make the first move," one rival general manager told FOXSports.com on Tuesday. "They don't want to go to Boras and ask (Rodriguez) to waive his no-trade (clause). They want Boras to ask them."

Such a strategy makes sense; the Yankees can not trade Rodriguez unless he signals his willingness to leave. Even then, Rodriguez effectively would control the process, using his no-trade protection to veto any deal he deems undesirable.

Based on what I've been reading the last few months, I have a suggestion to the Yankees if they want to get A-Rod to request a trade. Forget Boras - work on Mrs. Alex Rodriguez instead. If you can get Cynthia to want to leave New York, Alex will do it.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:46 AM | Comments (4)