If I had waited one more day to make a list of the best and worst moves this off-season, it would feature a new move in the top three.
Today, the Mets reportedly agreed to a four-year deal with outfielder Jason Bay. The deal is rumored to be worth $66 million, according to mlb.com.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Best and Worst Off-season Moves
I have been puzzled by many moves this off-season, but also pleased and proud of others. Here is a breakdown of the best and the worst moves made so far this off-season.
Best
1. The Seattle Mariners acquiring Cliff Lee--also signing Chone Figgins and Jack Wilson.
Best
1. The Seattle Mariners acquiring Cliff Lee--also signing Chone Figgins and Jack Wilson.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Christmas (Baseball) Wishes
Dear Baseball Santa,
Here are my wishes:
That Randy Johnson would retire. He made his major league debut a week before I was born...in 1988. At the ripe young age of 25. I am 21. Do the math. He is 46. Retire...and take John Smoltz with you. Please.
Here are my wishes:
That Randy Johnson would retire. He made his major league debut a week before I was born...in 1988. At the ripe young age of 25. I am 21. Do the math. He is 46. Retire...and take John Smoltz with you. Please.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Breaking Down the Javier Vazquez Deal
The Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees swapped players today in what is probably the third-biggest trade of this off-season to date.
Javier Vazquez is headed back to New York, where he pitched in 2004 for the Yankees, while the Braves acquired Melky Cabrera as the centerpiece of players coming their way.
Also going to the Yankees was left-hander Boone Logan, while the Braves gained prospects in left-hander Mike Dunn and right-hander Arodys Vizcaino and cash.
Javier Vazquez is headed back to New York, where he pitched in 2004 for the Yankees, while the Braves acquired Melky Cabrera as the centerpiece of players coming their way.
Also going to the Yankees was left-hander Boone Logan, while the Braves gained prospects in left-hander Mike Dunn and right-hander Arodys Vizcaino and cash.
Adenhart's Influence Reaches Beyond Baseball
Maybe we just are not meant to understand.
One of my most vivid memories of this past baseball season came when the season was still young. I spent hours on end reading about it and thinking about it.
At 22 years old, Nick Adenhart was dead. I had been hearing about Adenhart since he was a sophomore in high school. Then he was gone, all the potential and promise cut down after Angels fans caught a glimpse, a gleaming one at that, of things to come.
One of my most vivid memories of this past baseball season came when the season was still young. I spent hours on end reading about it and thinking about it.
At 22 years old, Nick Adenhart was dead. I had been hearing about Adenhart since he was a sophomore in high school. Then he was gone, all the potential and promise cut down after Angels fans caught a glimpse, a gleaming one at that, of things to come.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
MLB Team of the Decade
An interesting question was brought to my attention today: Who is the team of the decade in the 2000's?
After the Yankees and Braves undoubtedly shared the title for the 1990's, most pundits would suggest the Yankees were the team of the 90's, but I would say a team that never lost its division in the decade must be there too.
This decade proves a little bit more complicated than a two-team race. Below, a chart breaks down post-season appearances followed by how the team earned its appearances, and then how far the team made it in each year. The final column tallies World Series titles.
After the Yankees and Braves undoubtedly shared the title for the 1990's, most pundits would suggest the Yankees were the team of the 90's, but I would say a team that never lost its division in the decade must be there too.
This decade proves a little bit more complicated than a two-team race. Below, a chart breaks down post-season appearances followed by how the team earned its appearances, and then how far the team made it in each year. The final column tallies World Series titles.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Wagner off the board
The first big-name free agent is off the market.
Billy Wagner and the Atlanta Braves agreed on a deal Wednesday that will bring the left-handed closer to pitch for the Braves in 2010.
Billy Wagner and the Atlanta Braves agreed on a deal Wednesday that will bring the left-handed closer to pitch for the Braves in 2010.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Awards Predictions
The season's three final major awards will be announced later this week and the start of next. Here are my predictions for the outcomes of these honors:
National League Cy Young-Thurs., Nov. 19
The field: Atlanta's Jair Jurrjens (14-10, 2.60, 152) and Javier Vazquez (15-10, 2.87, 238), San Francisco's Tim Lincecum (15-7, 2.48, 261), St. Louis' Chris Carpenter (17-4, 2.24, 144) and Adam Wainwright (19-8, 2.63, 212).
National League Cy Young-Thurs., Nov. 19
The field: Atlanta's Jair Jurrjens (14-10, 2.60, 152) and Javier Vazquez (15-10, 2.87, 238), San Francisco's Tim Lincecum (15-7, 2.48, 261), St. Louis' Chris Carpenter (17-4, 2.24, 144) and Adam Wainwright (19-8, 2.63, 212).
Greatness Displayed in Greinke
In 2006, Zack Greinke withdrew from baseball for a couple of months. The 22-year-old found himself haunted by depression and anxiety issues.
Just over three years after walking away from the game for his well-being, Zack Greinke walked his way to the most prestigious honor for a Major League pitcher.
When the Baseball Writers of America voted on the American League Cy Young Award today, Greinke took an astounding 25 of 28 first-place votes.
Just over three years after walking away from the game for his well-being, Zack Greinke walked his way to the most prestigious honor for a Major League pitcher.
When the Baseball Writers of America voted on the American League Cy Young Award today, Greinke took an astounding 25 of 28 first-place votes.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Hanson Handled in ROY Voting
Tommy Hanson entered Spring Training in 2009 with a whole lot of hype surrounding him. Arguably the most of any prospect in baseball, certainly in the Braves organization.
Despite not making the roster out of Spring Training, the buzz never ceased. Finally, with a call-up made in early May, the highly-touted Hanson arrived to the Big Show in Atlanta.
The latest great Braves pitcher, following a line of the 90s that includes three first-ballot Hall of Fame pitchers, did not disappoint. The only natural culmination to this season was with hardware in the form of the National League Rookie of the Year.
Despite not making the roster out of Spring Training, the buzz never ceased. Finally, with a call-up made in early May, the highly-touted Hanson arrived to the Big Show in Atlanta.
The latest great Braves pitcher, following a line of the 90s that includes three first-ballot Hall of Fame pitchers, did not disappoint. The only natural culmination to this season was with hardware in the form of the National League Rookie of the Year.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Yankees Win Number 27...At A Cost
Players in all sports sometimes wear a jersey number to reflect something significant to them such as a loved one or their favorite player growing up. Not Joe Girardi. His uniform number 27 carries a different meaning.
Twenty-seven is the tally of New York Yankee World Series Championships after their win over the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday night. Girardi chose the number to reflect his desire to bring the Yankees their 27th title this season. (Maybe Jim Leyland should put a big bold "5" on the back of his jersey next year. Just a thought.)
Twenty-seven is the tally of New York Yankee World Series Championships after their win over the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday night. Girardi chose the number to reflect his desire to bring the Yankees their 27th title this season. (Maybe Jim Leyland should put a big bold "5" on the back of his jersey next year. Just a thought.)
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