02/07: Bengie Molina to the 'Jays
Posted by: James
The Blue Jays signed another free-agent yesterday, namely Bengie Molina, to a one-year deal with a mutual option for 2007. The 31-year-old will earn $4.5 million in 2006, and the option year is worth $7.5 million. Not a horrible deal but I'm sure that Bengie is kicking himself for not taking the 3 year, $18 million that the Mets offered him at the beginning of the season. I don't know how much return that the Blue Jays will get on this investment as the most likely scenario (in my mind) is Bengie putting up a line like this, .279 /.325/.435 with 10 HRs or so. Considering that Gregg Zaun, who is still with the team, gave them .251/.355/ .373 with 11 HRs last year, this seems like a marginal upgrade. Yes, I realize that Bengie was once a very good defensive player but that was 2 full seasons ago and Bengie has added some weight since then.
This comes on the heels of Piazza (who would have made a ton more sense for the Blue Jays) signing with the Padres with a $2 million, one-year contract (with a mutual option for 2007 at $8 million).
Man, if you were to cut that catching number down a little bit, that sounds like it would have been an awesome fit for the Blue Jays (and for Piazza as well since San Diego's PETCo Park will rob him of his main weapon, his power). If you cut that catching number down even further, he would have been a really good fit for the Yanks.
It just wasn't meant to be as earlier signings, specificially the Bernie contract, precluded any pursuit of Piazza. It wasn't the Stinnet signing that didn't allow the Yankees to be more of a factor in the Piazza talks. You could have released or traded Stinnett for a bag of balls and the contract hit wouldn't have phased the Yankees a bit. However, with Bernie in the fold, you have effectively filled "the aging player who can DH" role. If you were to take Bernie out of the equation, Piazza then becomes the perfect fit - a backup catcher with pop who could also be one heck of a right-handed DH and play a little (admittedly bad) first base if necessary. Then at the end of the season, you have a rested Posada and Piazza ready for the playoffs (and if you release Stinnett, another roster spot). Oh well - c'est la vie.
This comes on the heels of Piazza (who would have made a ton more sense for the Blue Jays) signing with the Padres with a $2 million, one-year contract (with a mutual option for 2007 at $8 million).
Piazza is hoping to catch about 90-100 games this season, along with playing some first base and being the DH in interleague games.
Man, if you were to cut that catching number down a little bit, that sounds like it would have been an awesome fit for the Blue Jays (and for Piazza as well since San Diego's PETCo Park will rob him of his main weapon, his power). If you cut that catching number down even further, he would have been a really good fit for the Yanks.
It just wasn't meant to be as earlier signings, specificially the Bernie contract, precluded any pursuit of Piazza. It wasn't the Stinnet signing that didn't allow the Yankees to be more of a factor in the Piazza talks. You could have released or traded Stinnett for a bag of balls and the contract hit wouldn't have phased the Yankees a bit. However, with Bernie in the fold, you have effectively filled "the aging player who can DH" role. If you were to take Bernie out of the equation, Piazza then becomes the perfect fit - a backup catcher with pop who could also be one heck of a right-handed DH and play a little (admittedly bad) first base if necessary. Then at the end of the season, you have a rested Posada and Piazza ready for the playoffs (and if you release Stinnett, another roster spot). Oh well - c'est la vie.
02/06: WBC Notes
Posted by: James
Here's a quick recap of some of the Yankee-related World Baseball Classic news over the last couple of days.
Out:
Robbie Cano won't be participating and I for one think his reasons are very valid:
Mariano Rivera also will not be participating.
Changes:
A-Rod has been added to Team USA and will be playing SS along with Derek Jeter. That's a nice luxury to have, huh? Two Hall-of-Fame bound shortstops on one team? Oh wait...that's everyday life as a Yankee fan...thanks George.
As an aside, I have to admit that I am pleasantly surprised at the excitement that I sense building for this event. I don't really feel it beginning for Team USA just yet but I think that there is a great amount of pride and support from several of the other countries that are fielding a team. I think that support for the US team will build soon (and quickly) as it wouldn't take much to transition the patriotic fervor for Team USA at the Winter Olympics to Team USA at the WBC. If everything breaks right, it should only be a matter of time before you see people walking down the street with a nice looking Team USA A-Rod or Jeter jersey or a Dominican jersey with Pedro or Pujols stitched on the back.
Out:
Robbie Cano won't be participating and I for one think his reasons are very valid:
Cano cited the presence of fellow second basemen Alfonso Soriano and Luis Castillo on the Dominican Republic's team as his primary reason for sitting out, saying he would rather use the time to play exhibition games with the Yankees than to sit on the bench with the Dominican team.
"I don't think I'm going to play," Cano said. "Maybe they'd use me once in a while, but I want to win a world championship. If I go there, I'll be sitting on the bench, and I want to get ready for the season."
"I don't think I'm going to play," Cano said. "Maybe they'd use me once in a while, but I want to win a world championship. If I go there, I'll be sitting on the bench, and I want to get ready for the season."
Mariano Rivera also will not be participating.
Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, the highest profile Major League player from Panama, reiterated Monday he will not participate in the World Baseball Classic. The Associated Press quoted Rivera as saying he based the decision on his inability to be prepared to pitch when the WBC begins early next month.
"I won't be ready," Rivera said after he had worked out at the Yankees' Minor League complex.
"I won't be ready," Rivera said after he had worked out at the Yankees' Minor League complex.
Changes:
A-Rod has been added to Team USA and will be playing SS along with Derek Jeter. That's a nice luxury to have, huh? Two Hall-of-Fame bound shortstops on one team? Oh wait...that's everyday life as a Yankee fan...thanks George.
As an aside, I have to admit that I am pleasantly surprised at the excitement that I sense building for this event. I don't really feel it beginning for Team USA just yet but I think that there is a great amount of pride and support from several of the other countries that are fielding a team. I think that support for the US team will build soon (and quickly) as it wouldn't take much to transition the patriotic fervor for Team USA at the Winter Olympics to Team USA at the WBC. If everything breaks right, it should only be a matter of time before you see people walking down the street with a nice looking Team USA A-Rod or Jeter jersey or a Dominican jersey with Pedro or Pujols stitched on the back.
02/06: Happy Birthday to The Babe!
Posted by: James
Even if I wasn't a Yankees fan, I would still be astounded by George Herman Ruth's accomplishments, so I thought that it'd be nice to wish the man a Happy Birthday! I look at his stats, both regular and sabermetric and I am in awe. A career line of .342 /.474/.690 with an average of 46 HRs, 143 RBIs and 375 TB does that to me. Oh, and once you're done gawking at the hitting accomplishments, take gander at the pitching stats - a 2.28 ERA in 1221.3 innings (a 122 ERA+ and 15th best all-time). You can add on the 7 World Series rings as icing if you'd like.
He still holds the career records for (from Wikipedia)
* Extra base hits, season, 119, 1921
* Home runs, left handed batter, career, 714
* On base plus slugging (OPS), career, 1.164
* Runs batted in, left handed batter, career, 2210
* Runs created, career, 2910
* Runs created, season, 243, 1921
* Slugging percentage, career, .690
* Times reached base, season, 379, 1923
* Total bases, season, 457, 1921
* Most seasons leading league in slugging, 13
* Most seasons leading league in runs, 8
* Most seasons scoring 150 runs, 6
He still holds the career records for (from Wikipedia)
* Extra base hits, season, 119, 1921
* Home runs, left handed batter, career, 714
* On base plus slugging (OPS), career, 1.164
* Runs batted in, left handed batter, career, 2210
* Runs created, career, 2910
* Runs created, season, 243, 1921
* Slugging percentage, career, .690
* Times reached base, season, 379, 1923
* Total bases, season, 457, 1921
* Most seasons leading league in slugging, 13
* Most seasons leading league in runs, 8
* Most seasons scoring 150 runs, 6
Posted by: James
Scooter is downsizing in preparation for a move from the family's longtime house in Hillside, N.J., to a smaller home and in doing so, is placing many pieces of memorabilia up for auction sometime later this summer.
The article describes Rizzuto as "looking elegant but slightly frail and family members said that he has his good days and his bad days". The 88-year-old, who is the oldest living Hall-of-Famer, had a 40-year Yankees broadcasting career that ended in 1996. In the story, he passes along one of his favorite moments from his playing career, showing that the man can still spin a yarn when he wants to.
And he always will be. Phil Rizzuto. 7-Time World Series Winner. 5-Time All-Star. 1950 AL MVP. Class Act. Nice Guy.
Among the items are several World Series rings, a Christmas card from Mickey Mantle and a 56-year-old Yankees cap that is worn, dusty and has a piece of gum still stuck to the top.
The article describes Rizzuto as "looking elegant but slightly frail and family members said that he has his good days and his bad days". The 88-year-old, who is the oldest living Hall-of-Famer, had a 40-year Yankees broadcasting career that ended in 1996. In the story, he passes along one of his favorite moments from his playing career, showing that the man can still spin a yarn when he wants to.
Patricia (Rizzuto's daughter) recalled Phil's answer to a reporter who asked what he'd like to be remembered for.
"My father said, 'I want to be remembered as a nice guy,"' she said.
"My father said, 'I want to be remembered as a nice guy,"' she said.
And he always will be. Phil Rizzuto. 7-Time World Series Winner. 5-Time All-Star. 1950 AL MVP. Class Act. Nice Guy.
Posted by: James
As of this writing, there are less than 2 weeks before pitchers and catchers report! As we get closer to spring training and the inevitable start of the 2006 baseball season, I thought that putting together a quick hit list on info on the Yankees might not be such a bad idea. Luckily for me, Yankees.com has a lot of great stuff so here are the links I found, just in case you're curious.
A History of the Yankees: There is a lot to have fun with here including a very interesting Yankees timeline. You can also find single season records (though I don't believe that this has been updated to include the 2005 season), rare feats (there's some great did-you-know information in there), and a listing of retired numbers and a description of the players who wore them, among other things.
Now that we're caught up with the past, let's take a look at the present in a
Yanks Fan Guide to Spring Training and a Guide to Legends' Field
Other Yankees.com features include: Quick Hits: Projected Starting Lineup Rotation & Other Changes, The 40 Man Roster, and Non-Roster Invitees.
MLB.com has also done some relatively generic pieces on the various parts of the Yankees team so here are those highlights:
Catchers, Corner Infielders, Up the Middle, and Pitchers, including the bullpen as well as the starters.
And just in case you wanted even more information about the team, here is the
Front Office (Hey, where's Costanza on this list? Oh, he's just out getting Big Stein a calzone from Pisano's), Coaches and yes, even Broadcasters !
A History of the Yankees: There is a lot to have fun with here including a very interesting Yankees timeline. You can also find single season records (though I don't believe that this has been updated to include the 2005 season), rare feats (there's some great did-you-know information in there), and a listing of retired numbers and a description of the players who wore them, among other things.
Now that we're caught up with the past, let's take a look at the present in a
Yanks Fan Guide to Spring Training and a Guide to Legends' Field
Other Yankees.com features include: Quick Hits: Projected Starting Lineup Rotation & Other Changes, The 40 Man Roster, and Non-Roster Invitees.
MLB.com has also done some relatively generic pieces on the various parts of the Yankees team so here are those highlights:
Catchers, Corner Infielders, Up the Middle, and Pitchers, including the bullpen as well as the starters.
And just in case you wanted even more information about the team, here is the
Front Office (Hey, where's Costanza on this list? Oh, he's just out getting Big Stein a calzone from Pisano's), Coaches and yes, even Broadcasters !
02/01: Damon Meets The Boss
Posted by: James
Word comes down from Newsday that Johnny Damon is heading down to Tampa to meet with Mr. Steinbrenner.
Other articles from earlier in the week had this quote from Damon:
It strikes me as odd that he would say this and I hope that he was misquoted somewhat. First of all, less than six months ago, this is the guy who said that he could never see himself with the Yankees, even if they came after him hard with a lot of money. Well, I guess that $52 million dollars can change one's attitude pretty quickly. I mean, I understand that baseball is a business, first and foremost, and that most of what comes out of a player's mouth is entirely self-serving (especially for someone who is striving as marketable as Damon is). I understand that and I don't have a problem with players saying something like this, it's this specific instance, this flip-flop, that bothers me.
Damon, having spent this week in Manhattan completing his housing search and making a slew of promotional appearances, told Newsday on Wednesday he is excited to finally spend time with the man who agreed to pay him $52 million over four years.
"We're just going to talk, kick back and crack some jokes," Damon said.
"We're just going to talk, kick back and crack some jokes," Damon said.
Other articles from earlier in the week had this quote from Damon:
Everything feels right about being a Yankee, about the tradition, about my new teammates. It feels pretty special.
It strikes me as odd that he would say this and I hope that he was misquoted somewhat. First of all, less than six months ago, this is the guy who said that he could never see himself with the Yankees, even if they came after him hard with a lot of money. Well, I guess that $52 million dollars can change one's attitude pretty quickly. I mean, I understand that baseball is a business, first and foremost, and that most of what comes out of a player's mouth is entirely self-serving (especially for someone who is striving as marketable as Damon is). I understand that and I don't have a problem with players saying something like this, it's this specific instance, this flip-flop, that bothers me.
02/01: More Yankee Destinations
Posted by: James
For those of you that just can't get enough Yankee news, I'd like to take a sec to point out some new points to check out.
In George We Trust is a new blog started by one of our readers, Mike A., and looks like a great source of information and analysis for all things Yankees, such as a look at pitching depth and other features such as looks at prospects such as J. Brent Cox. Mike has done great work so far and is now looking for some suggestions to help mold the site as it goes along.
Another reader and commenter, Joseph P., has a very good Yankees blog up as well, The Sporting Brews. While not a new site per se, it's still a great place to get some interesting perspectives on the Yankees. Joseph has always brought good insight to the comments section here at YanksBlog.com and that certainly carries through in the posts that I've read. He provides some minor league analysis as well and he's currently working through a 12-part series concerning the 2006 Yanks. So far, he has addressed Randy Johnson, Mike Mussina, and the law firm of Wang, Chacon, & Small. I'm really looking forward to the continuation of that series and the rest of his pretty lengthy analysis on other aspects of the team.
Finally, since Fabian's Minor Yankee Blog went dark, I've thought that sites with a focus on the Yankees farm system have been underrepresented on the web (correct me if I'm wrong here - I'd love to see some good prospect sites!). Fabian has mentioned that he's working on his Top 25 prospect list so we have that to look forward to. However, there is some good news - I just saved a bunch of... ;)
Actually, the good news is even better as Pending Pinstripes, another new Yankees site, has opened up shop with a sharp focus on the Yankee farm system. I've been very impressed with the site so far and really enjoy the way Travis Nelson (of Boy of Summer fame) outlines each prospect. So far, he's hit upon Phil Hughes, Eric Duncan, Colter Bean and Kevin Reese and I'm looking forward to what he has lined up next.
All the sites are off to great starts and I'd encourage you to check them out, say hello and leave some feedback.
In George We Trust is a new blog started by one of our readers, Mike A., and looks like a great source of information and analysis for all things Yankees, such as a look at pitching depth and other features such as looks at prospects such as J. Brent Cox. Mike has done great work so far and is now looking for some suggestions to help mold the site as it goes along.
Another reader and commenter, Joseph P., has a very good Yankees blog up as well, The Sporting Brews. While not a new site per se, it's still a great place to get some interesting perspectives on the Yankees. Joseph has always brought good insight to the comments section here at YanksBlog.com and that certainly carries through in the posts that I've read. He provides some minor league analysis as well and he's currently working through a 12-part series concerning the 2006 Yanks. So far, he has addressed Randy Johnson, Mike Mussina, and the law firm of Wang, Chacon, & Small. I'm really looking forward to the continuation of that series and the rest of his pretty lengthy analysis on other aspects of the team.
Finally, since Fabian's Minor Yankee Blog went dark, I've thought that sites with a focus on the Yankees farm system have been underrepresented on the web (correct me if I'm wrong here - I'd love to see some good prospect sites!). Fabian has mentioned that he's working on his Top 25 prospect list so we have that to look forward to. However, there is some good news - I just saved a bunch of... ;)
Actually, the good news is even better as Pending Pinstripes, another new Yankees site, has opened up shop with a sharp focus on the Yankee farm system. I've been very impressed with the site so far and really enjoy the way Travis Nelson (of Boy of Summer fame) outlines each prospect. So far, he's hit upon Phil Hughes, Eric Duncan, Colter Bean and Kevin Reese and I'm looking forward to what he has lined up next.
All the sites are off to great starts and I'd encourage you to check them out, say hello and leave some feedback.
02/01: A-Rod Picks Up His MVP
Posted by: James
"To the New York fans, thank you very much for making me feel very welcome.'' - A-Rod.
Keep winning MVPs and those fans will keep on loving you...course with A-Rod, there will always be a faction that just can't stand him. It's what happens when a) you try to be on pretty much everyone's good side and b) you sign a contract worth a quarter of a billion dollars. Still, you can't fault the man for taking what management wanted to give him at the time nor can you say that A-Rod hasn't been one of the most valuable players in league history. You can dislike him personally but you cannot dispute that he has put it all out on the field (including in the playoffs, give or take a few series...).
Interesting article from Sports Illustrated about the recent baseball awards dinner in NY. It talks about A-Rod recieving his award from one of his idols, Mr. Cal Ripken and provides quotes and a few tidbits about other awards recipients and the people who were called to present them with the awards. Mariano Rivera was also in attendance and won the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award, which was presented to him by GM Brian Cashman. Statistically speaking, Rivera really should have garnered more votes for the Cy Young than the man who won it, Bartolo Colon (and as an aside, both really should have been eclipsed by the real Cy Young of the 2005 season - Johan Santana). Nevertheless, congrats to both Yankees (and all the other players and coaches) who won awards.
01/31: Enter Sandmen?
Posted by: James
Eric Mirlis checks in over at themirl.com and has an interesting take on the TWO NY closers who come in to the Metallica tune of Enter Sandman. I really don't think that this is much of an issue but I can definitely see the Daily News and the New York Post trying to use this to get a rise out of their readership. Anything to sell papers, right?
However, mostly due to my Yankee homerism, I fully believe that when you think connect that particular song to baseball, most fans will connect it to Mariano Rivera, if only because of the amount of national exposure that being a Yankee and being in the playoffs every year since 1996 brings.
Credit to Dave Pinto at Baseball Musings for the link.
However, mostly due to my Yankee homerism, I fully believe that when you think connect that particular song to baseball, most fans will connect it to Mariano Rivera, if only because of the amount of national exposure that being a Yankee and being in the playoffs every year since 1996 brings.
Credit to Dave Pinto at Baseball Musings for the link.
01/25: Small Gets A Big Raise
Posted by: James
Okay, the title is really cliched but I couldn't help myself. From the Daily News:
There was a nice piece on him and his family the other day in the News and the Journal News prints that Aaron seems to be taking it in stride.
Honestly, I still get a little hung up on these salary amounts and when reporters throw around the words just and only in regards to six and seven-figure salaries. Still, after knowing Aaron's history, watching him pitch the Yankees back into first place and reading about his family, I can't help but feel very happy for him. Let's hope his magic ride continues for at least another year.
The deal will pay Small $1.2 million plus incentive bonuses. He made just $149,180 in 2005.
Small was one of the saviors of the Yankees' 2005 season. The journeyman was called up July 17 and finished 10-0 with a 3.20 ERA in nine starts and six relief appearances. He is one of only four pitchers to finish a season unbeaten with at least 10 decisions.
Small can earn $15,000 bonuses for starting 15 and 20 games and $25,000 bonuses for starting 25 and 30 games. The most he ever made in a single season, according to the AP, is $197,500 in 1998.
Small was one of the saviors of the Yankees' 2005 season. The journeyman was called up July 17 and finished 10-0 with a 3.20 ERA in nine starts and six relief appearances. He is one of only four pitchers to finish a season unbeaten with at least 10 decisions.
Small can earn $15,000 bonuses for starting 15 and 20 games and $25,000 bonuses for starting 25 and 30 games. The most he ever made in a single season, according to the AP, is $197,500 in 1998.
There was a nice piece on him and his family the other day in the News and the Journal News prints that Aaron seems to be taking it in stride.
"I never saw it coming," Small said from his offseason home in Loudon, Tenn. "It was a lot of fun and I was proud of some of the things I did."
Small was 8-0 with a 3.47 ERA as a starter, but enters spring training penciled into the bullpen if Pavano and Jaret Wright are healthy.
"I've heard I have an outside chance as the fifth starter, and if not maybe as a middle or long reliever," Small said. "They like my flexibility to work in any situation. I'll be ready for whatever they want me to do."
Small was 8-0 with a 3.47 ERA as a starter, but enters spring training penciled into the bullpen if Pavano and Jaret Wright are healthy.
"I've heard I have an outside chance as the fifth starter, and if not maybe as a middle or long reliever," Small said. "They like my flexibility to work in any situation. I'll be ready for whatever they want me to do."
Honestly, I still get a little hung up on these salary amounts and when reporters throw around the words just and only in regards to six and seven-figure salaries. Still, after knowing Aaron's history, watching him pitch the Yankees back into first place and reading about his family, I can't help but feel very happy for him. Let's hope his magic ride continues for at least another year.
