Tag: MLB

Andrew Bailey To The Red Sox For Minor Leaguers

Posted on by Adam Cubbage

Andrew Bailey, All-Star closer for the Oakland Athletics, was traded today to the Boston Red Sox for Minor Leaguers Josh Reddick, Miles Head, and Raul Alcantara. Ryan Sweeney is also coming over to Boston.

The deal, of course, is centered around Andrew Bailey. He will immediately fill the void left by Jonathan Papelbon after he left for the Philadelphia Phillies. Since arriving in the majors with Oakland back in 2009 Bailey, 27, is a 2-time All-Star, has compiled 75 saves and a 2.07 ERA. he was the American League Rookie of the Year in 2009.

Reddick, who batted.280 with seven home runs in 87 games last year at triple-A, is the big addition for Oakland in the deal. He will get the opportunity immediately to fill an outfield spot for the A’s in 2012.

Boston is getting a great young closer in this deal to go along with some of the quality arms they already have in their bullpen in Melancon, Jenks and Bard. His addition could also indicate a move to the rotation for Daniel Bard to replace Jon Lackey who is recovering from Tommy John surgery. 

Bonds Trial An Unnecessary Circus

Posted on by Adam Cubbage

I would like to take a phrase from famous comedian Dennis Miller by telling you that “I don’t want to go on a rant here” but after eight years of did he or didn’t he, media coverage, legal analysis and an overall circus of mistresses and jilted lovers Barry Bonds sentence was 30-days of house arrest and two years of community service.

I’m so glad we did this. 

If you couldn’t tell, that last sentence should have spilled some of the sarcasm it was dripping with on you. You see I didn’t care if Barry Bonds did steroids because I wanted him to go to jail. I honestly didn’t even care if he went to jail. What I did care about was if our judicial system, the “Mitchell report” and all of those yahoos running around screaming “save the integrity of the game!” instead of our economy actually did come up with some way to bring some bit of truth back to the game I love. But alas, it ended with a multi-million dollar slugger getting a slap on the wrist, a laundry list of legal fees, and a 30-day “punishment” in the comfort of his Northern California abode.

My beef with the situation was the fact that no one fully understood what was supposed to come of it, and yet we had to hear about it as though you were doing some sort of a service. You bring in a baseball player who said for years he never tested positive for a PED and you don’t find anything on him. Then you take him to court for perjury and you don’t find anything on him for that so to make the witch hunt worth it, you pegged him obstruction of justice. A crime that, in this instance, is so vague it still doesn’t bring us to an answer of whether or not he used steroids.

Why are baseball players on trial? Why am I being subjected to listening to Sammy Sosa speak broken English or Mark McGwire forgetting what he was brought in to talk about? Why is Rafael Palmeiro waving his finger in my face and most importantly how did we come to a point where Jose Canseco looks like a hero? There are myriad reasons why baseball players decided to throw everything but mercury into their system (money, the demands of fans, more money, etc.). Does this mean I have to waste precious tax dollars on them in a courtroom? What are we looking for that couldn’t have been solved two decades ago? Commissioner Selig prances around stating he has the toughest system for testing in the sport but a lot of the players on CourtTV were products of his watch. Kudos I guess.

I have eyes. I’ve seen the images, the neck change, the body change, the decrease in mobility and speed. I saw a perennial Gold Glover play left field like the kid you play in left field after age 12. I’m not naive, and if you ask me MY opinion on the matter of whether Bonds juiced I will say yes. Then I will ask you do you think it is a punishable defense in the court of law? If you say yes, I will no doubt say “I disagree”.

I’m not a Barry Bonds fan. Those who know me know my allegiance to the Atlanta Braves very well. Do I think he is the best player of this generation of baseball players? Without a question I do. Better than A-Rod, better than Griffey and (dare I say it) better than Pujols. Clean or otherwise Bonds was the superior player. The only crime he committed was that if he did use something to enhance his performance, he took away our opportunity to see this generations Willie Mays.

The guilt that comes with knowing that, in the grand scheme of things, should have been his ultimate punishment.  

San Diego Padres Score Major Haul In Trade For Mat Latos

Posted on by Adam Cubbage

“Don’t focus on making money; focus on protecting what you have.” –Paul Tudor Jones

Mat Latos was traded to the Cincinnati Reds. That was the good news for the Reds. 

Now the bad news: Cincy lost this trade in a landslide. 

As reported, Mat Latos, the 24-year old Virginia native who went 9-14 with a 3.47 earned run average in 2011 was traded for Edison Volquez, Yasmani Gandal and Yonder Alonso. For those of you keeping score that is two first-rounders and a 2008 All-Star caliber pitcher going to a team with one of the better pitching minded managers in the league. Checkmate Padres.

Cincinnati got a great young pitcher in Latos. He went 14-10 with a 2.92 ERA in 2010. The talent is there and that has never been the question. It has always been about worth and in this instance the Reds overpaid. 

Edison Volquez and Yonder Alonzo are obviously the key to this trade on the Padres side. Volquez, an All-Star in 2008 with 17 wins and a 3.21, has the ability to be a front of the rotation starter. His problem of course is being healthy, since 2008 he hasn’t been able to put together a full season of health. At 27, he is almost the “throw-in” player for this deal but if he is able to put it together under the tutelage of Bud Black and that coaching staff in San Diego this would be a huge boost to their rotation. 

Alonso and Rizzo (San Diego’s super prospect of the past year) create a problem at first albeit a problem many ball clubs would love to have. Trading Rizzo isn’t an option so Alonso is looking at a move to the outfield. Gandal could potentially close the revolving door the Padres have had at catcher since Benito Santiago if he reaches his full potential. 

While the Reds received an ace, they paid a steep price for this trade. Especially when you look at hanging your organization on one solid (nine win) season on Johnny Cueto and a Jekyll and Hyde Homer Bailey. I give the Padres and “A+” for the haul brought in and a “B-” to the Reds with the possibility of becoming a “D” if Latos regresses and there is no one behind him or they supplement this move with another one shortly after. 

Who is the Better Risk? Yu Darvish vs. Yoennis Cespedes

Posted on by Adam Cubbage

There are two international men of mystery on the free agent market this winter. The market for both has been a relatively quiet one but don’t let that fool you; these two will make an immediate impact with whatever team decides to take a flyer on them and that stove has begun to heat up within the last couple weeks (bidding on Yu Darvish ended today). I won’t begin to speculate which teams will be after them, all i will say is there will be a host of interest as we get into the end of December and into the New year. 

The question I pose is a simple one: Which will be a better investment in the long run. My thought on the matter tends to lean more towards the pitching side because good pitching beats good hitting any day of the week. Period. End of discussion. There is a part of me that feels if Cespedes is placed in the right lineup, with that skill set he can do some serious damage. So lets break it down:

Yu Darvish, Age: 25 Height: 6’5 Weight: 185

What we know: He has, of course, spent his entire career over in Japan and has undoubtedly been the most dominant pitcher in that league. His accomplishments include three strikeout titles, two earned run average (ERA) titles and he is a five-time All-Star of the Japanese League. He’s big, at a sturdy 6’5 and 185 pounds he is no pushover on the mound. He has great command of all of his pitches and his mound presence was proven during the 2009 World Baseball Classic. That was my first glimpse of him on a consistent basis and within a couple games I knew he had the make-up of a front of the rotation guy then at 21. Never mind he has been doing the same things in his teens that he is displaying in his 20’s. his fastball is in the mid-90’s with good movement, and tops out at about 98 miles per hour (MPH). 

What we don’t know: As is the case with most pitchers who come over from Japan we aren’t quite sure if they will be able to adjust to the schedule of the American way of playing. Hideo Nomo, Kenshin Kawakami, Daisuke Matsuzaka, and Kei Igawa came over with the same amount of fanfare as Darvish is getting. While the results have been mixed, most would agree the return on the investment hasn’t been what most clubs would have hoped. The exception has been in relief. Japanese pitchers who have been used primarily in relief have shown a greater measure of success. My assumption being it is because they are used to pitching more frequently in the first place. However, with the amount expected to be bid on Darvish’s services, it is very likely he won’t be coming over to do mop up duty or be used as a super set-up man. 

Yoennis Cespedes, Age: 26 Height: 5’10 Weight: 187

What we know: After watching the “Star Wars-like” scouting video I am convinced of two things. He is incredibly strong and he will hit. Pegged by many scouts to be the best player to come out of Cuba in quite some time, he looks every bit as advertised. His youth and enthusiasm make him fun to watch, and he seems to have all five tools necessary to have general managers around the league ready to convince skeptical owners to loosen the purse strings. His hands are quick to the ball inside and with good power the other way it shows he has great plate coverage. He is fast, looking more than capable of stealing between 20-25 bases depending on the team philosophy. In the outfield he was smooth and being a center fielder seemed capable of making the throws from considerable distances.

What we don’t know: My first question is mental make-up. Will he have what it takes to adjust to life in America? He will no doubt need a club with a good veteran presence and fits more of his culture. While I said I wouldn’t speculate, the Miami Marlins seem to fit both. The most recent example I have is Yunel Escobar. The talented shortstop had an up and down career in Atlanta to start, but because of apparent clashes with the old guard he was shipped to Toronto. Knowing he had the talent to be in Atlanta for a long time hurt many Braves fans, but that is the type of culture clash I speak of when I say there is definite need for an adjustment. 

Verdict: I choose Cespedes over Darvish for one simple reason: Track record. Is an investment of $60 million dollars-plus for a pitcher coming over from Japan worth the risk as say $35-$45 million dollars for an outfielder with pop? That figure for Darvish doesn’t even include the bid for teams to negotiate with him. Bottom line if I am putting a contract like that out on the market I would take the risk of an everyday player over that of a pitcher. Darvish, although very, very, talented, has too great of a price tag for me to be inclined to pick him up. 

Ryan Braun Testing Positive For PEDs A Blow For New Era of MLB

Posted on by Adam Cubbage

Only Ryan Braun saw it coming.

Coming off a season in which he won the National League MVP and led the Milwaukee Brewers to their first division title he was supposed to be one of the faces of baseball’s grand new era. An era where performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) was a thing of the past, and baseball was returning to the way it was when it was all about the athleticism and true five-tool talent. He knew what was coming the day it was announced he was the the MVP of his league.  

And ,sadly, it appears we were wrong about the change. 

No, I will not give Ryan Braun the benefit of the doubt. If I am wrong for that then so be it. My opinion has always been the baseball is America’s past time and that will never change. Neither will my view on those who come close to tainting or distorting it. Frankly, it is the reason a player like Ron Santo, who finally was granted entry into the hall of fame post-humously, got overlooked for so long. Because bigger, stronger, and more juiced up players decided they needed to “keep up with the times.” These types of players are the reason a Dale Murphy will get passed over because in the grand scheme of it his accomplishment pale in comparison to the inflated numbers of the “steroid era.” I’m 27 and yes I do care about the integrity of the game. I am not one to that this is just a “sign of the times” because It isn’t.

Cheating is wrong and whether you get caught or not it has a profound consequence on someone. Be it the Don Mattingly’s of the world who had a stellar career but not quite the ability to stay healthy when not aided by something to recover quicker. Or a career minor leaguer who watched someone who was inferior than he was the year before come to camp with a little something extra. It isn’t a fair game when the rules get altered. Period. In Braun’s case, if these tests prove true it will have a resounding impact on multiple levels. 

First, Milwaukee has him locked in at $20 million dollars plus starting in 2016-2020. What kind of player will he be if the substance he was using had an affect on his body or ability? How does Milwaukee deal with having their face of the franchise being labeled as a cheater? Second, going back to the Brewers organization which deal looks better now that this has come to light? What if they go the route of focusing more resources on Fielder instead of Braun? The entire dynamic shifts when you look at who would come with less baggage and at least we know (to this point) Fielder isn’t mixed up with any of the PEDs implications. Third, we look at the recent MVP standings and see a guy like Matt Kemp. As I’ve stated before on this very blog I believed Kemp should be the rightful owner of the MVP award and if these accusations and tests turn out to be true this will validate my opinion more than Kemp’s numbers.

I don’t do well with the steroid era for multiple reasons, but the primary is the negative press it gives to the game of baseball. Just when things are going well, a new system for testing in place, and a collective bargaining agreement is signed without any of the drama of the other major sports this comes out. 

I will not be giving Ryan Braun any benefit of the doubt. Lets jut hope for his sake he has a credible defense. 

Albert Pujols Agrees to Contract With Anahem Angels; Sign C.J. Wilson As Well (Updated)

Posted on by Adam Cubbage

As reported, Albert Pujols has agreed to a 10-year/$260 million dollar contract with the Angels on Thursday marking the end of his St. Louis Cardinals playing career. Pujols, who helped lead the Cardinals to an improbable World Series run in 2011, was granted a full no-trade clause in the contract. 

During his time in St. Louis Pujols, 31, won three National League MVP awards and made nine All-Star appearances. He appeared in three World Series (2004, 2005, 2011) winning two of them and becomes the third contract in MLB history worth more than $200 million dollars (Alex Rodriguez twice). 

Pujols leaves a St. Louis team still loaded with talent in a lineup that includes Lance Berkman, Matt Holiday and Yadier Molina. There are rumors that the Cardinals could turn their attention to Prince Fielder to fill the void at first base. While Fielder may be limited athletically at first, his production is right on par with Pujols plus he makes the Cardinals younger so it would make sense to sign him to possibly fill that void. While replacing the best player in the game isn’t easy the Cardinals have the pitching and veterans to weather this if Fielder were to become their primary target. 

Meanwhile the Angels know what they’re getting.

Gold Glove caliber defense at first, coupled with a middle of the lineup threat the likes they haven’t seen since Reggie Jackson. While that is no knock on Troy Glaus, Pujols, who has averaged a line of 42/.330/119 since 2003 doesn’t appear quite ready to slow down and is a far superior hitter. This also puts him (if they chose to do so) between Kendry Morales, who will surely become the designated hitter unless they trade him, and Torii Hunter. It also helps that towards the back end of the contract Pujols can DH and be spared from fielding everyday in the American League. Assess that with the top of a lineup that will include Howie Kendrick, super prospect Mike Trout and Peter Bourjos and you have the makings of the ideal set up for Mike Scioscia.

The Angels also find themselves in the enviable position of having trade chips. The outfield (Vernon Wells, Bobby Abreu, Peter Bourjos, Mike Trout, Torii Hunter) is crowded, and there are no shortage of teams looking for outfield help in the speed and power department. One potential match could be the Braves who have the pitching (Jurrjens, Minor, etc.) to be able to offer the Angels an attractive package for an outfielder like Bourjos, who can play all three spots and could be seen as a replacement in the off chance Michael Bourn Doesn’t sign an extension.

As contracts go, spending $260 million dollars usually doesn’t sound like a win, but this puts the Angels in a prime position to take down the Rangers who staring the loss of another top-flight pitcher in C.J. Wilson right in the face. St. Louis, if they sign Fielder, will be okay. If not they have a void that won’t even be able to be minimized. 

UPDATED: C.J. Wilson Agrees to five-year $77.5 Million

On a day when they signed the biggest offensive fish in the pond, they turned around and signed the pitching gem of the offseason. C.J. Wilson reached a five-year/$77.5 million dollar deal with the Angels. These deals make them the no doubt favorites in the West. Texas, for the second consecutive offseason, lost a prized left-hander to free agency but this one is more damaging because he left to a division rival. 

Wilson, who went 16-7 with a 2.94 ERA last season, brings a third ace to a rotation that already includes Jered Weaver and Dan Haren. The top three in the rotation stack up with the best in either league. 

Meanwhile Texas, who has made back-to-back world series appearances will have to rely on Neftali Feliz a smooth transition to starting. They may look harder at trade options considering they will need someone to shore up their rotation in case of a set back to any of their remaining starters. Texas has the farm system to make a move, but Nolan Ryan, the clubs president, is reluctant to deal unless he knows they will get immediately better. The Rangers have been rumored to also be in on the Fielder talks and if added would have a power hitting first basemen available to a club that needs it in return for pitching. 

Reyes Introduced, Marlins Sign Buherle And The Rest Of Day Two (Winter Meetings 2011)

Posted on by Adam Cubbage

While the Winter Meetings in Dallas have proven to be more about establishing a foundation for deals to be made at a later date, there was some action that took place that could allow for some major chips to begin falling. News of the day (which is a relative term when Albert Pujols is a free agent) revolved around the Marlins continued attempt to imitate the New York Yankees this offseason by signing Mark Buehrle to a four-year deal. This is huge because in Buehrle they gain a perennial All-Star and stalwart left-handed veteran to anchor their rotation. He becomes a major addition behind Josh Johnson and his true value will come in stopping any sustained losing streaks the Marlins may incur. We have to keep in mind that even with the signing of Reyes this is still a very vulnerable offense. Reyes’ legs are still an issue, Logan Morrison will need to make strides and Gaby Sanchez needs to put together two solid halves in order for this thing to work. 

While things were getting hammered out with Buehrle, Jose Reyes, who just signed a six-year pact with the fish, was being introduced. One of the most telling reasons for his departure from New York was his statement that he “felt wanted” in Miami. While I know this is a determining factor at any level for an athlete I don’t think Reyes fully understood two things. First, the toll his injuries took on the team as they waited on leg injury after leg injury was a lot more massive than he might realize. Whether he wants to believe it or not, he is a catalyst and he needs to make things happen at the top of the order. When he plays he does just that; but when you can only depend on him for an average of 98 games per season it takes its toll. Financially the Mets just don’t have it right now. They’ve albatross contracts to David Wright, Johan Santana (remember him?) and Jason Bay still on the books and they are all coming off of sub-par, injury riddled seasons. In the case of Santana both. Not to mention the Wilpon’s ongoing legal troubles involving Bernie Madoff and already declining attendance it doesn’t make things easy on a now financially strapped team to give another player almost $18 million per season. 

More Notes:

  • FoxSports Jon Morosi tweeted the Mariners are interested in Jamie Moyer and Jeff Francis. I say try not to be so interested.
  • Speaking of the Mets, they made a few moves acquiring Jon Rauch and Frank Francisco to deals as well as trading Angel Pagan to San Francisco for Andres Torres and pitcher Ramon Ramirez. 
  • Mark Buehrle’s deal is for a reported four-years/$58 million dollars. 
  • Huston Street was traded to the Padres for a player to be named later
  • Hanley Ramirez, a day after griping about moving to third base, is reported to have no issues with the move. Except for that whole defense part. 

Fred McGriff Is A Hall of Famer Of The No Doubt Variety

Posted on by Adam Cubbage

When I was younger, growing up in Savannah, Georgia, I remember being glued to Atlanta Braves baseball from the age of six. That year was 1990, and as has been well documented the next year started an unprecedented run of division success in Atlanta that has made it the brand it is today. Sprinkled in were the opportunities to watch legends at work. I watched Steve Avery define what is now consider the blueprint for developmental pitching success. I witnessed Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz win six of the decades Cy Young awards (Maddux won one his last year with the Cubs) and it was all surrounded by the arrival of an Atlanta sports icon in Chipper Jones, five national league pennants and the 1995 world series championship. Quietly, though, from 1993 to 1997 the Braves ran out another hall of fame caliber player that many seem to overlook outside of the city of Atlanta.

The “Crime Dog” Fred McGriff. 

I’ll give you a minute to poke fun before I produce some statistics that will no doubt solidify his case as a no-doubt-about-it hall of famer. 

Lets start with the years 1988 to 1994 when McGriff hit 30+ home runs each of those years, including two years during that stretch where he led the American and National League in that category (one of three in major league history to accomplish this feat). In 1994 he was robbed of an historic season when he finished with 34 home runs and a .318 batting average before the strike hit. He did however win the All-Star game MVP that season.  

McGriff was more than a masher, finishing his career with a .284 batting average over 19 seasons. He defined the role of the prototypical clean-up hitter because he blended power and average so well hitting .300 or better in five seasons, .290 or better in two seasons and .280 or better in four. In 1995, when the Atlanta Braves won their only world title, McGriff lead the way with 27 home runs. 

He was a five-time All-star and finished in the top-10 in voting for the MVP six times. Now I know what you’re saying right now is where is he in an historical context? 

I’m glad you asked. 

Baseball Reference has him comparable to Eddie Mathews, Billy Williams, Willie Stargell, Willie McCovey and Jeff Bagwell. By my count that is four current and one future hall of famer. His 493 (untainted) home runs place him 26th all-time in baseball history and tied with Lou Gerhig. Most importantly, though, his dominance during his early years and well into (and even past) his prime made him an incredibly influential player because the model by which a clean-up hitter is measured was, and to some extent still is, Fred McGriff. If for nothing else his consistency alone made him invaluable to every club he played on. His 15 consectuve seasons with at least 20 home runs leaves him as one of 14 players in history to accomplish the feat. Add to the fact that McGriff played the game the right way and was known as a “great guy, better teammate” in every circle and you’ve got a baseball writers dream candidate for enshrinement in Cooperstown. 

Of course my favorite thing about Fred Mcgriff will always be that swing.

http://mlb.mlb.com/shared/flash/video/share/ObjectEmbedFrame.swf?content_id=13081181&topic_id=&width=400&height=254&property=mlb

Baseball Winter Meetings Provide Opportunity for Some Teams

Posted on by Adam Cubbage

The winter meetings in Dallas, Texas for Major League Baseball kicked off with a bang on Monday with the announcement of Jose Reyes signing with the Miami Marlins (more on that later). This was just one of the many major chips expected to fall this week. Here are the three major themes to keep an eye on during the meetings in Dallas:

Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder signings: They are the marquee free-agents of this years class and no doubt the most expensive. But the team that lands either will take their offense and ball clubs to a whole new level. With Pujols, 31, it isn’t certain what he is looking for as far as contract demands. But he turned down the Cardinals offer the first time in February and you have to wonder if he was just trying to make sure they would be contenders for the duration of his career (which this contract would take him to the end of). The World Series the Cardinals won in 2011 wouldn’t have been possible without him and teams like the Marlins, Cubs, and Rangers must have taken notice as they are the top bidders, potentially, for his services.

Prince Fielder is just as important to the Brewers as Pujols is to the Cardinals. The overwhelming opinion throughout baseball is that he won’t be back in Milwaukee in 2012. Meaning the rumblings of the Mariners, Dodgers and Rangers could be more than just rumblings. He’s 27, coming off of a season in which he helped lead the Brewers to the division title, and most general managers would agree that his youth mixed with his team mentality are the right mix to propel a team on the cusp into annual playoff contention. 

Trades, Signings, and More Trades: The Red Sox and Braves had monumental collapses. The Yankees and Phillies were unceremoniously bounced without a whimper in the first round. All four of them are in the dangerous position of knowing they’re better than that while not wanting to give up or spend too much. Let the talks begin! Now these aren’t the only four who are looking to make a move via trades (Jurrjens, Prado, and Lawrie have come up in trade discussion), or an impact signing (recently reported that Philadelphia is looking into Aramis Ramirez at third base) but they will be the most active. Especially in lieu of the Jose Reyes signing to the Miami Marlins. Look for New York to address their pitching concerns if not by C.J. Wilson then a pitcher like Jurrjens. Boston meanwhile is in the position of damage control as they look to re-sign Ortiz in hopes of solidifying that line-up and hammering out a possible deal for a pitcher (which is where Boston’s glaring deficiency is). 

Collective Bargaining Agreement: While this may not seem as big an issue, with more teams focusing on building their teams through their farm systems the way draft compensation is divvied based on signings will be a factor in the way teams do business. 

It will be an exciting week as the winter meetings should bring some off-season action down in Dallas.