"Flashing the Trivia: Who is the only other player to homer for the Braves (Boston, Milwaukee, Atlanta) more than 15 seasons in a row other than Hank Aaron? (answer at bottom)
"One of the beautiful things about baseball is that every once in awhile you come into a situation where you want to, and where you have to, reach down and prove something."
-Pete Rose
Only 146 days left until the 2008 season! It's quite depressing isn't it? Especially here in New York with the way the Jets, Giants, Knicks, Nets, Rangers and Devils are playing (yeah, anyone else notice the Islanders are actually in first place? I gotta start watching hockey again...)
Well a relatively active week in the baseball world as GMs from both leagues embarked on their pre-winter meetings which end tomorrow. The aftermath should clear up some of the destinations for the top free agents (A-Rod, Tori Hunter, Posada, Rivera, Andruw Jones) and some of the trade bait (Miguel Cabrera, Joe Crede, Coco Crisp, Scott Kazmir, Brian Fuentes).
The top story over the past week was clearly the managerial hirings for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees. As all of you know Joe Torre (who just announced bench coach Don Mattingly and third-base coach Larry Bowa are coming with him) was hired by Ned Colletti and the Dodgers, while 2006 Manager of the Year, Joe Girardi, was hired to replace Torre in the Bronx. Torre was signed to a three-year-deal worth $13 million while Girardi was signed also to a three-year-deal but worth $7.5 million.
In looking at the Yankees, Hank Steinbrenner appears eager to develop the younger talent in the organization and endure a few years of growing pains (it's about freakin' time!). Hiring Girardi will give him the time he needs to have an effect on the younger players with his hands-on coaching. But this hands-on style, I don't think will work too well with the veterans on the team.
There are still too many egos on the Yankees to corral them and develop a championship team. This is why Mattingly would have been the ideal choice to replace Torre in the short-term, his coaching style appears very similar to Torre's "let the veterans play their game and guide the kids" type of mentality. But the younger Steinbrenner recognized a change was necessary. Mattingly would have led the Yankees to the playoffs (and inevitably first round exits) for the next three years or so.
Don't get too confident Yankee fans, this first-round-and-out thing will happen to Girardi for the next few years too. But in about four years, Girardi might just end up being one of the better Yankee coaches ever (as long as the young talent is harnessed correctly, of course). In watching what he did with the young Marlins, I don't have much doubt Girardi will be an eventual (and perennial) success in New York.
As good as Girardi is for the Yankees long-term, Torre is just as good for the Dodgers. Torre takes over a franchise who has been through a lot of up and down years for the better part of the last decade.
"One of the beautiful things about baseball is that every once in awhile you come into a situation where you want to, and where you have to, reach down and prove something."
-Pete Rose
Only 146 days left until the 2008 season! It's quite depressing isn't it? Especially here in New York with the way the Jets, Giants, Knicks, Nets, Rangers and Devils are playing (yeah, anyone else notice the Islanders are actually in first place? I gotta start watching hockey again...)Well a relatively active week in the baseball world as GMs from both leagues embarked on their pre-winter meetings which end tomorrow. The aftermath should clear up some of the destinations for the top free agents (A-Rod, Tori Hunter, Posada, Rivera, Andruw Jones) and some of the trade bait (Miguel Cabrera, Joe Crede, Coco Crisp, Scott Kazmir, Brian Fuentes).
The top story over the past week was clearly the managerial hirings for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees. As all of you know Joe Torre (who just announced bench coach Don Mattingly and third-base coach Larry Bowa are coming with him) was hired by Ned Colletti and the Dodgers, while 2006 Manager of the Year, Joe Girardi, was hired to replace Torre in the Bronx. Torre was signed to a three-year-deal worth $13 million while Girardi was signed also to a three-year-deal but worth $7.5 million.
In looking at the Yankees, Hank Steinbrenner appears eager to develop the younger talent in the organization and endure a few years of growing pains (it's about freakin' time!). Hiring Girardi will give him the time he needs to have an effect on the younger players with his hands-on coaching. But this hands-on style, I don't think will work too well with the veterans on the team.
There are still too many egos on the Yankees to corral them and develop a championship team. This is why Mattingly would have been the ideal choice to replace Torre in the short-term, his coaching style appears very similar to Torre's "let the veterans play their game and guide the kids" type of mentality. But the younger Steinbrenner recognized a change was necessary. Mattingly would have led the Yankees to the playoffs (and inevitably first round exits) for the next three years or so.
Don't get too confident Yankee fans, this first-round-and-out thing will happen to Girardi for the next few years too. But in about four years, Girardi might just end up being one of the better Yankee coaches ever (as long as the young talent is harnessed correctly, of course). In watching what he did with the young Marlins, I don't have much doubt Girardi will be an eventual (and perennial) success in New York.
As good as Girardi is for the Yankees long-term, Torre is just as good for the Dodgers. Torre takes over a franchise who has been through a lot of up and down years for the better part of the last decade.
Today the Dodgers are a team, that as talented as they are, remain both divided and without an identity. Just by walking into the clubhouse, out of respect, Torre will be able to mend some fences. Though obviously there will be more then a few that will take some time (Jeff Kent, Nomar Garciaparra, Brad Penny, Shea Hillenbrand). It will also help that some of his former Yankee counterparts will be with him (Don Mattingly, Larry Bowa, Scott Proctor). Look for Mattingly to succeed Torre as coach after his deal expires and Torre coasts into retirement. By then Mattingly's son Preston should be in at least Triple-A.
Round the League....
The Atlanta Braves send Edgar Renteria to the Detroit Tigers for minor leaguers 21-year-old RHP Jair Jurrjens and 20-year-old centerfielder Gorkys Hernandez.
This I believe will be a good trade for both teams. In the short-term, the Braves freed up $9 million which will probably be used to help bolster the rotation and bullpen. Too bad for the Braves that Brad Lidge went to the Phillies yesterday, Rafael Soriano is okay, but more suited to be a set-up man while Octavio Dotel definately is not. In the long-term, the Braves get a pitcher who should eventually be a solid third or fourth starter in Jair Jurrjens. The true star of this deal for the Braves is Gorkys Hernandez, a speedster who plays solid defense, but he's still yet to grow into his power. If all goes well for the team, he'll eventually be the long-term solution in center field. But he will remain in Single-A for now.
Renteria will allow Carlos Guillen to move from shortstop to first, helping solidify an infield that includes veterans Brandon Inge and Placido Polanco. Also with the recent addition of Jacque Jones from the Cubs, the Tigers should be a good team both offensively and defensively.
The Houston Astros send RHP Brad Lidge and utilityman Eric Bruntlett to the Philadelphia Phillies for RHP Geoff Geary, third base prospect Mike Costanzo, and centerfielder Michael Bourn.
This trade, at least in the short-term, is a landslide in the Phillies favor. Seeing that the free agent pitching market is thin, they acquired an all-star closer with an overpowering fastball and sharp slider while allowing Brett Myers to reassume the number two spot in the rotation. Now the Phillies have the best rotation in the NL East with Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, Kyle Kendrick, and Jamie Moyer as their top four.
But for the long-term, and if Lidge is a bust, this trade might just be in the Astros favor. Geoff Geary is a decent late inning guy, but not really a set-up man, more of a seventh inning guy. He should be fine behind new closer Chad Qualls, who had a decent time last year as the set-up man for Dan Wheeler (who filled in for Brad Lidge during his erratic moments) and posted a 3.05 ERA. Michael Bourn is a gamble (is he Wily Tavares or Joey Gathright?) with his great speed, glove, and gap-hitting ablities. He'll be the new leadoff hitter for the Astros, and should be a good compliment to mashers Hunter Pence, Carlos Lee, and Lance Berkman. Mike Costanzo is an above average third baseman who spent the year in Double-A. If he can control his strikeouts (he had 157 last year), he may make current third baseman Ty Wigginton trade bait during next August's deadline. Though it doesn't matter too much, the Astros got a long way to go if they want the be in contention next year.
The Detroit Tigers send utility infielder Omar Infante to the Chicago Cubs for leftfielder Jacque Jones.
Jacque Jones will be solid as the most likely either 5th or 6th hitter and also help balance a lineup that is predominantly right-handed (only Curtis Granderson and switch-hitter Carlos Guillen are the exceptions). He'll probably be part of a platoon with Marcus Thames as the team usually platoons the left and right outfield spots (when Gary Sheffield is the designated hitter.)
Free Agents
On the free agent watch the most notable re-signing was that of Curt Schilling who got a one-year deal. The two biggest names (not named A-Rod) next to be signed will probably be Tom Glavine (one year deal with the Braves), Mike Lowell (who has a three-year deal with the Boston Red Sox on the table that he will probably respond to later in the week), Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera (who have 4 year and 3 year deals respectively waiting on the table).
Steroids/HGH
On the performance-enhancing watch, Seattle Mariners free agent outfielder Jose Guillen and retired third baseman Matt Williams both recieved shipments of HGH and steroids from the Palm Beach Rejuvenation Center in 2002. Makes sense, during this time both players were trying to revive their careers (or recover from an ankle injury as Matt Williams says...right). Guillen is a decent player though, despite his attitude, look for him to reach a one-year deal to start somewhere in 2008.
Instant Replay
Also, something that many of you may not have heard about. It was announced that during the winter meetings, baseball general managers voted by a 25-5 margin that instant replay (in limited use) should be used to help umpires make difficult decisons next season. By limited use, they mean that boundary calls such as balls being fair or foul, fan interference, or whether or not a ball was a home run or hit off the outfield fence. Quite similar to the way instant replay is used in hockey. This is contingent upon the approval of the players' association and MLB umpires.
Though I'm usually a traditionalist, I like this idea. But I do believe this is only right in these boundary calls. Baseball is a judgment game, it's very important it remains that way.
I've been quite busy so I haven't been able to put up the pictures from Cooperstown so I probably will not until I graduate Stony Brook in December. Also I wanted to keep some of the baseball news organized so my next post will be predominantly about the recent awards handed out (Rookie of the Year, Gold Gloves, Silver Sluggers, and probably MVP in a few more days).
Alright, take care everyone.
Flashing the Trivia answer: Braves pitcher Warren Spahn hit at least one homer for 15 straight seasons for both the Boston and Milwaukee Braves franchises.
Round the League....
The Atlanta Braves send Edgar Renteria to the Detroit Tigers for minor leaguers 21-year-old RHP Jair Jurrjens and 20-year-old centerfielder Gorkys Hernandez.
This I believe will be a good trade for both teams. In the short-term, the Braves freed up $9 million which will probably be used to help bolster the rotation and bullpen. Too bad for the Braves that Brad Lidge went to the Phillies yesterday, Rafael Soriano is okay, but more suited to be a set-up man while Octavio Dotel definately is not. In the long-term, the Braves get a pitcher who should eventually be a solid third or fourth starter in Jair Jurrjens. The true star of this deal for the Braves is Gorkys Hernandez, a speedster who plays solid defense, but he's still yet to grow into his power. If all goes well for the team, he'll eventually be the long-term solution in center field. But he will remain in Single-A for now.
Renteria will allow Carlos Guillen to move from shortstop to first, helping solidify an infield that includes veterans Brandon Inge and Placido Polanco. Also with the recent addition of Jacque Jones from the Cubs, the Tigers should be a good team both offensively and defensively.
The Houston Astros send RHP Brad Lidge and utilityman Eric Bruntlett to the Philadelphia Phillies for RHP Geoff Geary, third base prospect Mike Costanzo, and centerfielder Michael Bourn.
This trade, at least in the short-term, is a landslide in the Phillies favor. Seeing that the free agent pitching market is thin, they acquired an all-star closer with an overpowering fastball and sharp slider while allowing Brett Myers to reassume the number two spot in the rotation. Now the Phillies have the best rotation in the NL East with Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, Kyle Kendrick, and Jamie Moyer as their top four.
But for the long-term, and if Lidge is a bust, this trade might just be in the Astros favor. Geoff Geary is a decent late inning guy, but not really a set-up man, more of a seventh inning guy. He should be fine behind new closer Chad Qualls, who had a decent time last year as the set-up man for Dan Wheeler (who filled in for Brad Lidge during his erratic moments) and posted a 3.05 ERA. Michael Bourn is a gamble (is he Wily Tavares or Joey Gathright?) with his great speed, glove, and gap-hitting ablities. He'll be the new leadoff hitter for the Astros, and should be a good compliment to mashers Hunter Pence, Carlos Lee, and Lance Berkman. Mike Costanzo is an above average third baseman who spent the year in Double-A. If he can control his strikeouts (he had 157 last year), he may make current third baseman Ty Wigginton trade bait during next August's deadline. Though it doesn't matter too much, the Astros got a long way to go if they want the be in contention next year.
The Detroit Tigers send utility infielder Omar Infante to the Chicago Cubs for leftfielder Jacque Jones.
Jacque Jones will be solid as the most likely either 5th or 6th hitter and also help balance a lineup that is predominantly right-handed (only Curtis Granderson and switch-hitter Carlos Guillen are the exceptions). He'll probably be part of a platoon with Marcus Thames as the team usually platoons the left and right outfield spots (when Gary Sheffield is the designated hitter.)
Free Agents
On the free agent watch the most notable re-signing was that of Curt Schilling who got a one-year deal. The two biggest names (not named A-Rod) next to be signed will probably be Tom Glavine (one year deal with the Braves), Mike Lowell (who has a three-year deal with the Boston Red Sox on the table that he will probably respond to later in the week), Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera (who have 4 year and 3 year deals respectively waiting on the table).
Steroids/HGH
On the performance-enhancing watch, Seattle Mariners free agent outfielder Jose Guillen and retired third baseman Matt Williams both recieved shipments of HGH and steroids from the Palm Beach Rejuvenation Center in 2002. Makes sense, during this time both players were trying to revive their careers (or recover from an ankle injury as Matt Williams says...right). Guillen is a decent player though, despite his attitude, look for him to reach a one-year deal to start somewhere in 2008.
Instant Replay
Also, something that many of you may not have heard about. It was announced that during the winter meetings, baseball general managers voted by a 25-5 margin that instant replay (in limited use) should be used to help umpires make difficult decisons next season. By limited use, they mean that boundary calls such as balls being fair or foul, fan interference, or whether or not a ball was a home run or hit off the outfield fence. Quite similar to the way instant replay is used in hockey. This is contingent upon the approval of the players' association and MLB umpires.
Though I'm usually a traditionalist, I like this idea. But I do believe this is only right in these boundary calls. Baseball is a judgment game, it's very important it remains that way.
I've been quite busy so I haven't been able to put up the pictures from Cooperstown so I probably will not until I graduate Stony Brook in December. Also I wanted to keep some of the baseball news organized so my next post will be predominantly about the recent awards handed out (Rookie of the Year, Gold Gloves, Silver Sluggers, and probably MVP in a few more days).
Alright, take care everyone.
Flashing the Trivia answer: Braves pitcher Warren Spahn hit at least one homer for 15 straight seasons for both the Boston and Milwaukee Braves franchises.
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