Pudge Behind the Plate

Ivan Rodriguez a New York Yankee.  There were many times in the 1990's and early 2000's that I wished that would come true.  Don't get me wrong, I loved Jorge Posada and think he will take his place as one of the greatest Yankee catchers of all time.  However, Pudge is Pudge.  Now, that dream has finally come true.  Ivan Rodriguez is now a New York Yankee.  And, to make it even better, all it cost was Kyle Farnsworth.  That is right, this is not a typo.  Kyle Farnsworth was traded for Ivan Rodriguez.  

With the season-ending injury to Jorge Posada, the Yankees needed to improve their catching situation.  Jose Molina has been filling in very well but his offense is lacking.  However, his defense has been amazing.  Chad Moeller is a career backup and is not the answer.  The Yankees needed some pop at this position.  Rodriguez brings exactly that.  Through 82 games this season, Pudge was hitting .295 with 5 homers and 32 RBI's.  His defense isn't what it once was but it is still among the games best.  

Pudge will help with the Yankee offense, be able to handle the Yankee pitchers, and will fill-in admirably for the injured Posada.  Adding Pudge will improve the Yankee lineup three-fold.  Imagine a lineup that looks like this:

C  Ivan Rodriguez

1B Jason Giambi/Richie Sexson

2B Robinson Cano

3B Alex Rodriguez

SS Derek Jeter

LF Johnny Damon/Xavier Nady

CF Melky Cabrera

RF Bobby Abreu

DH Xavier Nady/Giambi/Damon/Sexson

Not a bad lineup if you ask me.  GM Brian Cashman did an excellent job.  The bullpen has been a strength for the Yankees all season.  Adding Damaso Marte last week and Edwar Ramirez and Jose Veras emerging has given the Yankees the flexibility to turn Joba Chamberlain into a starter, release LaTroy Hawkins, and deal Farnsworth.  Give Cashman all the credit here.  He has done an excellent job of fortifying a team that seems to be on another second-half run.  I know I have been down on Cashman lately but I have to give him his due, he has done an excellent job.  This deal also doesn't put the Yankees in a payroll bind for next season either as Pudge is eligible for free agency after this season.  This means the Yankees will still have almost $80 million coming off the books next season.

As for the Jarrod Washburn deal, the Mariners are being foolish.  Suddenly they think Washburn is C.C. Sabathia.  According to ESPN.com and SI.com, the Mariners approached an NL team and asked for two of their top prospects for Washburn.  This is a far cry from reports late last week and early this week that had Washburn being traded to the Yankees for a marginal prospect.  Recently the Mariners asked for Melky Cabrera or Brett Gardner in return for Washburn.  That is a little much when you take into consideration the Mariners expect the Yankees to take on Washburn's full contract.  That, by the way, is $14 million.  A little much if you ask me when you consider the price they want in return player-wise.  Cashman is right in not pulling the trigger on this deal.  Phil Hughes, Chien Ming Wang, and even Carl Pavano (not that I'm counting on him to do anything) are all coming back from injury soon.  There is also Ian Kennedy who has been impressive in his minor league stint lately.  All are equal or greater than Washburn and all are cheaper.  

Here come the Yankees!

Manny being Manny....

So the Red Sox are finally tired of Manny Ramirez, or is it vice versa?  Manny Ramirez, whose antics and the Red Sox allowance of said antics coined the phrase "Manny being Manny", recently said he wants out of Boston.  Surprised?  You shouldn't be.  When the Red Sox gave Manny Ramirez a 10 year, $168 million dollar deal they knew whom they were getting.  They knew Manny was a cantankerous little trouble maker.  By allowing Manny Ramirez to dog it on certain days, to act out like a little child, and to blast management on occasion, the Red Sox effectively sold their souls to please a future Hall of Famer.  

Manny being Manny only meant they were making an excuse for Ramirez.  It was okay if he took time off with a mysterious injury.  It is no big deal if he assaults a 62 year-old man, traveling secretary Jack McCormick, for not getting him 20+ tickets to a sold out game only a few hours before the start of the game versus the Astros.  The Red Sox created this monster, fed it, and nurtured it. Now they have to deal with it.

Should the Red Sox really be surprised by the dread-locked monster trying to take a big bite of the team?  They shouldn't be.  Manny is coming to the end of his contract.  There are two option years left for the Red Sox to pick up if they so desire.  Each of these years is for $20 million.  Obviously if the Red Sox pick up next season's option they are crazier than anyone thought.  However, can they afford to let Manny walk?  For a team that is now a perennial World Series contender they can't afford to let him walk away for nothing.    The two first round draft picks they would get if he were to walk via free agency might not be enough in return.  They would need some major league talent in return in order to maintain their World Series hopes.  Now comes the tough part.

How do the Red Sox put together a trade?  This would be one of the most complicated trades ever put together.  First, Manny is a 10 and 5 player which means he has veto power in any trade.  That means he will have to be happy with where he goes.  Second, the Red Sox will need to receive enough back in a trade to make it worth their while and be able to stay in contention.  This means no trading Manny to the Mets for a bunch of B-level prospects.  The most likely scenario is probably going to be Manny staying on the Red Sox and playing out the year and the Sox dealing with the situation at the end of the year.  I wouldn't be surprised if the Red Sox actually re-sign Money Ramirez, I mean Manny.  It might have to do with something in the contract with devil the Red Sox signed where Manny has to be a Red Sox until he is 50, or 100.  

I am just happy that everyone is now seeing Manny for what he is.  He is not a fun-loving character.  Instead, he is a selfish, self-centered, greedy SOB whose act wore thin on me when he was an Indian.  This is the same Manny Ramirez that was put on waivers a couple of years ago and passed through every team in baseball.  Manny is unhappy with a $20 million per year contract he signed.  Awww, poor baby.  I can't see any team, at least a team with a soul, signing Manny who thinks he can get a 4 year deal worth $100 million.  Manny is 36, and turns 37 next May.  He must be on something to think he worth $100 million over 20 years let alone 4!  

Good luck, Manny, not that I mean it but you will need it.  Those shrinks you have to be seeing must be expensive.  Nobody wants a player who shows up pitchers consistently after a home run by watching the ball travel and not moving until it has reached the stands.  Nobody wants a player who has no respect for the game.  Nobody wants  a player who might assault any senior citizens working for the team.  Nobody wants a player who doesn't run to first base if he isn't surely getting a hit.  Nobody really wants Manny Ramirez....except Manny Ramirez.  Here's hoping Manny gets out of baseball after this season and here's hoping the Red Sox bill is collected by the devil.

What the....?

It seems that the Yankees and Pirates adjusted their deal for Xavier NAdy and Damaso Marte.  Instead of George Kontos and Phil Coke going with Jose Tabata and Ross Ohlendorf it is now Daniel McCutchen and Jeff Karstens that are headed to Pittsburgh.  McCutchen was just beginning to excel and had been talked about as a potential replacement if Sidney Ponson had faltered.  

Jeff Karstens is a fringe player so his inclusion does not effect the Yankees much.  However, I think including McCutchen in this deal will come back to haunt the Yankees, much like trading Damaso Marte for Enrique Wilson.  

As for Tabata, I think the Yankees were turned off by his almost giving up on baseball.  Potential or not, the Yankees don't need a 20 year old prima donna.  Besides, Austin Jackson is the true prospect of the Yankees outfield.  He almost made the Yankees out of Spring Training and has not missed a beat at AA Trenton.  It will only be a matter of time before Jackson rightfully takes his place as the starting center fielder on this Yankee team.  Think Bernie Williams, at least I do when I hear about Jackson.  

Don't get me wrong, I think Nady will prove to be an X-Factor on this Yankee team.  I think he gives the Yankees a scrappiness they desperately need.  I just hope Brian Cashman realizes what he gave up to get it and that it does not come back to haunt the Yankees for years.

Nady and X-Factor?

The New York Yankees acquired outfielder Xavier Nady and left-hnaded reliever Damaso Marte from the Pirates in exchange for pitchers Ross Ohlendorf, George Kontos, and Phil Coke, and outfielder Jose Tabata.  The Yankees were in need of some offensive help after Jorge Posada and Hideki Matsui went down with injuries.  Nady fits what the Yankees were looking for, a right-handed hitter with some power.    With the Pirates this season, Nady was hitting .330 with 13 homers and 57 RBI's.  Nady also has a .318 AVG and 39 RBI with runners in scoring position.  The Yankees have been terrible in that department this season so Nady does represent an upgrade there.  Not a superstar, Nady is a nice player who should be able to fit in very nicely in the Yankee clubhouse and on the field.

The real interesting player in the deal is Damaso Marte.  Marte, originally a Yankee farmhand who was sent to the Pirates for Enrique Wilson, is a solid lefty out of the pen.  The Yankees, this season, have not really had an effective lefty out of the pen.  Billy Traber and Sean Henn both failed miserably in their role as the lefty specialist so Marte will be a welcome addition.  However, I can't help but wonder if Enrique Wilson was really worth the price back in 2001.  Is Nady, a man who hit 20 homers once in his career and has never reached 100 RBI's worth Ohlendorf and Tabata?  

Tabata was the Yankees #3 prospect according to Baseball America and, at 20 years old, has loads of potential.  However, Tabata came close to quitting baseball this season after beig mired in a horrible slump.  He then injured his wrist, two alarms for the Yankees who may actually have been wise to unload him when they did.  

Overall, I can't see this deal hurting the Yankees in the long run.  Getting Marte back solves a problem that has existed since Mike Stanton left.  Xavier Nady should become a fan favorite at the Stadium.  He is the player with heart that has been lacking in the Yankee clubhouse since Paul O'Neill retired.  If it cost the Yankees the potential of Tabata and Ohlendorf then so be it.  Right now the Yankees are poised to make a run at the Rays and Red Sox.  If the Yankees make a the playoffs this deal will be well worth it.

Holy Cow!!! A Basebrawl Game!!

Baseball received a black eye the other day when the Dayton Dragons took on the Peoria Chiefs.  Chiefs pitcher Julio Castillo had been wild through the first couple of innings and had hit a couple of Dragons players.  In response, one of the Dragons had slid hard into second base, resulting in a broken leg for one of the Chiefs players.  

Tempers exploded as the two managers came out to argue.  Castillo, presumably in response to ribbing from the Dragon bench, launched a baseball towards the Dragon dugout.  the ball sailed high and struck a fan, sending that fan to the hospital.  Benches had already cleared at that point but things just exploded.  Punches, kicks, and all around mayhem ensued.  Fifteen players and both managers were ejected.  So many players were kicked out that the league had to be petitioned so that the game could be continued.  

After the game, Castillo was arrested and was being held on $50,000 bond and was forced to surrender his passport so he didn't skip the country.  Castillo should be handed a lifetime ban from baseball.  What he did was a conscious effort to hurt someone.  Does he think a 90 MPH fastball is harmless?  What he did is no different from taking a loaded weapon.  Baseball should show it has some teeth here.  Suspend the clown for life.

Who for the Hall Part II?

I was bored and figured I would bring Part II in my Who Deserves the Hall.  If you disagree let me know.  Let the debate begin.

Jeff Bagwell, 1B, Astros - Over 400 homers and one of the best all around hitters of his generation.  I would vote for him.

Rickey Henderson, OF, A's - There should be no question about him.  The greatest leadoff hitter, all-time stolen base leader and all-around character.

Pedro Martinez, P, Red Sox - He was the best during a five year span.  However, he was not Sandy Koufax so he will miss the cut.  Injuries cut short what should have been a Hall of Fame career.

Mariano Rivera, RP, Yankees - Absolutely.  No question about it.

Tim Raines, OF, Expos - He was one of the best players in the game in the 1980's.  The Rock quietly compiled one of the better reumes of the 1980's and 1990's.  His .294 AVG, 2,605 hits, 808 stolen bases, 1330 to 966 walk to strikeout ratio all point towards him having the numbers to get in.  

Roberto Alomar, 2B, Blue Jays - There is no doubt that Alomar deserves to take his place as one of baseball's best.  He set the standard for offensive second basemen while winning 10 gold gloves and being elected to 13 All-Star games.  Not bad for 17 seasons worth of work.

Ivan Rodriguez, C, Rangers - There should be no doubt about this one.

Jim Thome, 1B, Indians - 525 home runs and counting.  Thome was one of the most consistent sluggers of his era.  He gets in.

All-Star Send-off

Yankee Stadium, the House That Ruth Built, got a proper send-off.  Some of Baseball's all-time greats were honored in the pre-game festivities as was George Steinbrenner III who took the Yankees from corporate afterthought and made them great again.  Steinbrenner, in failing health, was moved to tears during his ride around the park as he delivered the cermonial first pitch baseballs.  It was a very classy ceremony and baseball and the New York Yankees should be proud of themselves.

One thing baseball should not be proud of is the late start time of the game.  Starting the festivities at 8 PM EST eliminated the young fans from seeing the completion of the game.  If I remember correctly the game itself didn't start until 8:47 PM.  Do you know any young kids who could watch more than a couple of innings?  Is it so awful to start the game at 7 PM like a normal baseball game?  Does Major League Baseball have to sell its soul to television?  Does FOX (and ESPN and Sunday nights) have to stick it to the fans who are paying for it?  Something needs to be done.  Granted, the game went 15 innings.  But it could have ended an hour earlier had the game started an hour earlier.  One day fans will feel the discomfort of being screwed so often.

Kudos to Terry Francona for replacing Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter in the middle of an inning so they could get their ovations from the home crowd.  He also brought Mariano Rivera in in the middle of an inning.  Mr. Francona deserves a standing ovation next time the Red Sox come to town.  It would only be fair and right.

Poor Dan Uggla.  This guy had the worst All-Star game ever.  He struck out three times, committed three errors and grounded into an inning ending double play.  How can you not feel sorry for this guy?

How typical is it that a Red Sox wins the MVP award in Yankee Stadium?  

In Other News:

Anyone notice that the Yankees signed Eric Milton on July 11th?  That would be the same Eric Milton that was the Yankees first round draft pick years back.  The same one that was the center-piece to bring Chuck Knoblauch over from the Twins.  According to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees official website he is now on their roster.  This is what is known as Ponson backup insurance.

It looks like the Yankees might be without Hideki Matsui for the remainder of the year.  This is very bad news for a team whose offense has been struggling all year.  Matsui was one of the few Yankees who was hitting with runners in scoring position.  With Johnny Damon out as well, the Yankees offense has really sputtered.  Two of three .300 hitters gone.  Damon is expected back soon but Matsui was on pace for a career year this year.  He will be hard to replace.  

Yankee fans can forget about Matt Holliday, Jason Bay, and even Xavier Nady.  If they didn't give up their young pitching for Johan Santana or C.C. Sabathia what makes you think their going to give them up for a bat?  Jason Bay would be a nice fit but the Pirates are asking for too much for him.  

Richie Sexson has been mentioned as a possible addition to bolster the Yankee offense.  I have to ask what is being pumped through the air conditioning at the Yankee offices.  Sexson, who was released by the dreadful Seattle Mariners, was hitting around .212 .  Just what the Yankee offense needs.  Oh, and even during Sexson's best days he struck out about 150 times a year.  Great addition.  Jeez, might as well see what Don Mattingly and Wade Boggs are up to.  I bet they can hit at least .250-60.  Why not bring up Juan Miranda who is hitting over .300 at AAA.  I'm sure he can hit at least .230.  The other question I have is where would Sexson play?  DH?  1B?  I guess Jorge Posada, Johnny Damon (when healthy) Jason Giambi, and Wilson Betemit aren't good enough.  Strange.  I really hope Brian Cashman has a plan.