I Thought this Was the Holiday Season?

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving so first let me wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.  It is this reason that I am writing.  Thanksgiving is the holiday we gather with our families and remember why we should be thankful for the things in life.  Tomorrow is also a big football day.  However, the NFL has not been in a very nice to its fans these past few years.  Tomorrow, just before everyone sits down to eat their bountiful feast the NFL is going to make everyone watch the winless Detroit Lions take on the Tennessee Titans who are coming off their first loss of the season to the New York Jets.  The Detroit Lions have not been good since Barry Sanders retired yet they are a staple on Thanksgiving.  Why?  Why must we be subjected to a Lions team that hasn't made the playoffs since 1999.  The same Detroit Lions that haven't had a winning season since 2000.  What makes this even more of an insult is there is a game with playoff implications on the NFL Network at 8:15 PM when the Eagles take on the Cardinals in Philly.  Most people don't get the NFL Network.  I'm lucky enough to get it but the NFL is really doing their fans a disservice.  The nation is subjected to the Lions while the NFL Network takes the good game for itself.  I guess the NFL is not thankful for its loyal fanbase.  I guess the NFL doesn't remember that the fans are the money.

Perhaps one day the fans will be treated with enough respect that the NFL will cast aside the putrid Lions in favor of a team that has been consistently good, or at least competitive every year.  Is the Steelers too much to ask for?  How about the Giants?  How about the Redskins?  How about any other team but the Lions?  Are the Lions the NFL's way of making everyone sick so they don't eat too much?  Either way, the NFL can stuff this turkey itself.  I'm refusing to watch!

King James to be King of New York?

Get the hell out of the way Isiah Thomas, Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni are making their presence felt on the Knick roster you so thoroughly messed up.  Yesterday the Knicks sent forward Zach Randolph and guard Mardy Collins to the Los Angeles Clippers for guard Cuttino Mobley and forward Tim Thomas and also sent Jamal Crawford to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Al Harrington.  The significance?  All of their contracts expire prior to the 2010 season when LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwayne Wade become free agents.  Can this be a Knick team with an eye towards a bright future?  Am I really seeing a plan in the Garden?  Dear God!

It looks like James Dolan is finally off the drugs, or maybe back on them because both the Rangers and the Knicks are poised for fairly bright futures.  The fact that the Knicks traded bad contracts for ones that expire fairly soon is amazing in itself.  I wonder if they could possibly rid themselves of Stephon Marbury and Jerome James?  Well, that might be asking too much.  In Mobley and Thomas they get two guys who give the Knicks a little more flexibility on the floor.  Mobley and Thomas can both run as can Harrington when he is healthy.  

Some have questioned what Walsh is doing throwing away a potential playoff team that was hovering around .500, a vast improvement over previous Knick teams.  Why settle for a first round bounce when you can imitate what the Celtics did last year by bringing in a couple of high profile players through trade and free agency?  The east is a forgiving landscape to teams that show only a little improvement.  Adding Bosh and James would probably mean a trip to the NBA Finals.  For once the Knicks are the smart ones making moves.  What an interesting change of pace.  Now, if only I could get MSG so I can watch the Rangers and the Knicks I would be fine.

Dustin Pedroia is MVP? You gotta be kidding me!

Nothing against Dustin Pedroia, I think he is an excellent ball player.  I like his hard nosed approach to the game.  Is he an MVP?  No way.  This isn't my anti-Red Sox bias coming out here but rather a defense of Derek Jeter and other small, gritty, non-homer guys who have been passed over in years past.  Here are two stat lines.  I want you to tell me which one you think deserves the MVP vote:

158 games, 134 runs, 219 hits, 37 doubles, 9 triples, 24 homers, 102 RBI, 19 SB's, .438 OBP, .349 AVG

157 games, 118 runs, 213 hits, 54 doubles, 2 triples, 17 homers 83 RBI, 20 SB's, .376 OBP, .326 AVG

I'll let you guess which one is Derek Jeter's stats in 1998 and which is Pedroia's 2008.  Think that is unfair?  OK.  Here is another stat line to be compared with Pedroia's 2008 numbers:

154 games, 118 runs, 214 hits, 39 doubles, 3 triples, 14 homers, 97 RBI, 34 SB's, .343 AVG.  The man who owns those numbers lost the MVP race to Justin Morneau in 2006.  His name?  Derek Jeter.  Dustin Pedroia won the MVP beating out the very man who beat Derek Jeter in 2006.  Let us compare Mr. Morneau's numbers from 2006 and 2008 and see how big of a difference there was:

2006:  157 games, 97 runs, 190 hits, 37 doubles, 1 triple, 34 homers, 130 RBI, .375 OBP, 3 SB's, .321 AVG.

2008:  163 games, 97 runs, 187 hits, 47 doubles, 4 triples, 23 homers, 129 RBI, 0 SB's, .300 AVG.  

You mean to tell me that all of a sudden Justin Morneau's numbers are not good enough for MVP despite putting up eerily similar numbers?  Oh, and by the way, Morneau accounted for a higher percentage of his teams total offense in 2008 than in 2006 which means he was even more valuable to his team in 2008 than in 2006 when he actually won the award.  Don't get me wrong, Morneau deserves his MVP award.  However, Dustin Pedroia should never have beaten Morneau while posting numbers that are generally considered worse than Derek Jeter's in 2006 when Jeter lost to Morneau.  In my opinion, the Baseball Writers have let the baseball world down.  Pedroia should not have been MVP if you are giving him the award for all the same reasons you denied Derek Jeter.  Talk about hypocrisy!  

If the Red Sox didn't have Pedroi this season would they have still made the playoffs?  Probably.  If the Twins didn't have Morneau would they have taken the White Sox to a one game playoff?  Not even close.  

there is some shady stuff going on with the BBWAA.  The NL MVP race was just as skewed.  Ryan Howard almost single handedly got the Phillies into the playoffs.  Yet, he comes in second place.  Hanley Ramirez, one of the games best and most exciting players who actually gave the Marlins fans reason to hope finished 11th.  Yet Manny Ramirez and C.C. Sabathia, both of whom played less than a year in the Senior Circuit finish in 2nd and 6th respectively.  I am not taking anything away from any player here, they are all great and what Manny did for the Dodgers was amazing and beyond words.  However, the BBWAA overlook so many key facts and stats that it makes these postseason awards a joke.  No wonder the Hall of Fame is quickly becoming a joke as well.  Maybe one day, Major League Baseball will wake up.  Maybe one day the BBWAA will grow up.  In the meantime I am going to go look at a bridge in Brooklyn I heard was for sale.

A Great One Retires

The baseball landscape has changed a little bit today.  Mike Mussina has decided to retire.  Mussina has been one of the best pitchers of this generation and is one of my all-time favorite players.  He has always gone out of his way for his fans, signing autographs sent to him through the mail, both at home and in care of the Yankees.  He always went above and beyond the call of duty for his fans.  

Moose will walk away from a career which was famous for his never having won 20 games, until he accomplished this feat this past season.  Now, Mussina should be famous for being a future Hall of Famer.  With a career record of 270-153 and a 3.68 ERA his numbers justify the Hall of Fame.  He has won 18 game or more 6 times.  He won 10 game or more 17 years in a row.  Mussina deserves the Hall of Fame.  The Hall of Fame needs Mussina.  Guys like him do not come around very often, sadly.  

The New York Yankees will not be the same without Mussina who joined the team in 2001 and has been an ace for them ever since.  Baseball will not be the same without Mussina who truly made an art of pitching.  There was something remarkable about watching him pitch his way into history this season.  I was lucky enough to see him pitch twice this season and several times during his career.  I will miss Mike Mussina.  Perhaps I will travel up to Cooperstown when he is inducted into the Hall of Fame.  Hopefully.  

Second Course of the Free Agent Feeding Frenzy

Now that our appetites have been whetted, how about we dig in for some more rumors and guesses.  

Bobby Abreu, OF:  I think the Mets would be foolish not offer him a contract.  They need some help, especially in the outfield where Moises Alou was counted upon last year to fill a void.  Needless to say, that void remains like an injury to Mr. Alou.  Of course, if the Mets did things that made sense they wouldn't have blown first place leads to the Phillies two years in a row.  Abreu would be a great fit that would work counts and get on base for the bigger bats, much as he did for the Yankees.

Milton Bradley, OF/DH:  Bradley's baggage can sometimes outweigh the promise of his bat.  However, the Blue Jays saw what happened last year with he Rays and are probably thinking there is no reason they can't push past the Red Sox and Yankees too.  After flirting with Frank Thomas and others who were not fit, the Blue Jays see in Bradley a bat that can hit for average and power.  He would be a nice addition to a Vernon Wells, Alexis Rios led lineup.  And, with a little bit more laid back media in Toronto, he will probably keep out of trouble.

Francisco Rodriguez, RP:  If the Mets let him go they are not fit to be in this league.  However, there are concerns about his future health as he has one of the more stressful deliveries I have ever seen.  That being said, the Mets are not built for the future, they are built to win next year.  K-Rod only furthers that cause.  The Mets can't be stupid enough to let him pass them by.  Can they?

Brian Fuentes, RP:  If the Mets don't sign K-Rod I think they will target Fuentes, if he is still on the market.  I doubt he will be as I think K-Rod's agent will wait until Fuentes is signed to see what he can get for his client.  Where or where will Fuentes go?  How about to the Tigers?  They need a closer and should have a bounce back season next year.  The Rays are another option as they will need a closer after Troy Percival didn't pan out as they had hoped.

Raul Ibanez, OF:  The Mets, once again should go after this guy.  He has been nothing but solid over the last few years.  He is not young but he is still a very serviceable player.  If the Mets don't feel like putting the money into Abreu then Ibanez would be a nice alternative.  The Cubs could also be a destination.

Brad Penny, SP:  Amazing how a pitcher with this resume has gone virtually unnoticed.  Any team that signs him will be very lucky as they will get a good pitcher with a few years left in him.  As for where he ends up?  Well, how about with the Cardinals who are only slightly removed from a World Series Championship and still have some horses to run in the NL Central race.  Another option would be for Penny to go to Toronto and team with Roy Halladay and make up for the loss of Burnett.  

Orlando Hudson, 2B:  If Mets GM Omar Minaya really wanted to make up for his mistake of giving Luis Castillo a long term deal he would be wise to give one to Hudson.  Hudson is one of the best second basemen in the game and is still improving.  I don't think Minaya will admit his mistake and will probably let a great second baseman fall through his grasp.  In the meantime, Hudson will probably head on over to the Cubs who can make room for him by shoving Ryan Theriot over to short or into a utility role.  The Cubs were interested in Brian Roberts last season so they could get a second bagger without giving anyone up.  Or, Hudson could go back to Arizona.

Ben Sheets, SP:  This has Texas written all over it if Sheets doesn't re-sign with the Brewers.  Sheets is a dominant pitcher, when healthy.  That is the key, though, when healthy.  I don't think he has been healthy for what seems like more than an inning.  He won't be getting Sabathia or Burnett money but his upside if he stays healthy will give him a decent paycheck.

Well, that is all for now.  I hope you enjoyed this course, C'mon back now ya hear!

Free Agent Feeding Frenzy

Let the games begin!  The 2008-09 Baseball offseason has officially begun with free agency opening up on Friday, November 14th.  this means teams will be able to find that one, or nine some cases, nine, guys that they need to be the next Philadelphia Phillies, or Tampa Bay Rays.  This offseason looks to be one of the most active in recent memory.  There are aces to be had, big bats to be gotten, and role players galore.  Trades will be made, and record contracts will be signed.  I can feel the excitement already.  Let's take a look at where I think some of these guys are going to go:

C.C. Sabathia, SP:  Yankees.  Everyone talks about his West Coast bias and his love for hitting.  Well, Mr. Sabathia loves food too.  And food costs money.  Don't forget we also have a bad economy right now which could make an extra few million seem like the world, especially with the prospect of taxes being raised.  Sabathia, who was already offered a 6 year deal by the Yankees at the time of this writing, will take the money, new ballpark, and chance for World Series glory over the chance to bat.  Plus, New York has some really nice restaurants.

Mark Teixiera, 1B:  Say hello to your new first baseman, Boston.  I know I might be reaching but there is now way I see Tex going for the hometown discount and signing with Baltimore or Washington.  Boston, needing an impact bat to offset David Ortiz's decline and Manny's absence will make a play for him.  Theo Epstein is no dummy.  He knows he's going to need offense, especially with Mike Lowell's hip being in question.  Shifting Kevin Youkilis to third, putting Tex at first and trading Lowell, or using him as a sub if no deal can be made, will make the Red Sox as strong as ever.  

A.J. Burnett, SP:  If the Yankees lose out on Sabathia they will open a vault for Burnett.  If they lose out on Burnett then Derek Lowe and luring Mike Mussina out of retirement (if chooses to do retire) will be priorities.  However, I see Burnett being lured to New York.  I think the Yankees walk away with the two top pitchers on the market.  Burnett loves the limelight, has World Series experience, and just posted his career best year.  He has a little tinge of Carl Pavano on him with his injury history but there is no way he becomes Pavano.  Will he miss starts?  Yes.  Will he be Pavano?  Nope.  Look for a lot of strikeouts, a lot of angst, and a World Series win in a crucial game for Mr. Burnett as the Yankees regain their form.

Derek Lowe, SP:  Welcome back to Boston, Mr. Lowe, we have the same room for you as your last stay.  Boston is worried about Schilling.  At this point they might be more worried he will try to pitch again more than him retiring.  Either way, Schilling is not the same as he was and Clay Buchholz didn't seem ready last year.  This means Epstein will probably bring back an AL East vet.

Jake Peavy, SP:  Not a free agent but certainly an ace.  Peavy has been on the block in San Diego where they might be going through another rebuilding phase after this last one didn't pan out.  The Cubs and Braves have been rumored destinations but those deals seem to be falling apart.  Where or where can Peavy go?  How about Los Angeles?  If he doesn't end up in Chicago I see the Dodgers sending some young talent away to make sure they have the ace they badly need.  Badly.  However, I do think Chicago is the answer for a package starting with Kosuke Fukodome.

Manny Ramirez, OF:  36 years old with a bad attitude and badder bat, and by badder I mean good.  Manny doesn't have many choices given his demands for $100 million over 4 years.  Most teams would rather offer 1 year, plus an option, or two and an option.  I wouldn't want to touch this guy with another teams payroll.  He is a powder keg.  About the only manager who he can get along with right now is Joe Torre.  Stay in LA, Manny, they love acts like yours out there.

More to come in the future...