Boston has claimed C Max Ramirez on waivers from the Texas Rangers. Ramirez is not expected to figure into the Major League catching situation and is believed to have been acquired only for depth purposes.
Ramirez was designated for assignment by Texas on January 3. They had ten days to trade him but were unable to make a deal. Per MLB rules, Ramirez had to be offered to the 29 other teams on waivers. This is when the Red Sox picked him up. Had he not been claimed, Ramirez would have likely been sent to AAA or given his outright release.
Ramirez was nearly a member of Red Sox nation a year ago. He was the player-to-be-traded to Boston from Texas in exchange for Mike Lowell before Lowell failed his physical.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Red Sox Bullpen
As Spring Training approaches (pitchers and catchers report in six weeks) LeRoy will begin its preseason analysis of the Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, and the hated New York Yankees. We will continue with the bullpens and will begin with the Boston Red Sox.
The Red Sox figure to be one of the best teams in the AL East (and probably in the league) and they hope their bullpen can be up to par. They had some gaps in their 'pen last year and Boston is counting on bounce-back years from quite a few guys pitching out of relief.
Closer: Jonathan Papelbon. Papelbon had a down year last season by his standards, posting a 5-7 record with a 3.90 ERA (well above his career 2.22 mark), and 37 saves. Some in Red Sox nation are calling for Papelbon to be traded or released. The notion is not completely absurd, especially given Theo Epstein's belief in the moneyball system. Papelbon is due a big raise in arbitration and will likely ask for a huge contract extension in the near future. But he's still an adequate closer and could have a rebound season be back on top again. Keeping Papelbon at closer answers a lot more questions than dumping him raises.
The remaining bullpen looks something like this:
1. RHP Daniel Bard: 1-2, 1.93 ERA, three saves, 76 strikeouts
2. RHP Bobby Jenks: 1-3, 4.44 ERA, 27 saves, 61 strikeouts (Chicago White Sox)
3. RHP Scott Athison: 2-3, 4.50 ERA, no saves, 41 strikeouts
4. RHP Tim Wakefield: 4-10, 5.34 ERA, no saves, 84 strikeouts
5. RHP Dan Wheeler: 2-4, 3.35 ERA, three saves, 46 strikeouts (Tampa Bay Rays)
6. RHP Robert Coello: 0-0, 4.76 ERA, no saves, five strikeouts
7. RHP Michael Bowden: 0-1, 4.70 ERA, no saves, 13 strikeouts
8. RHP Junichi Tazawa: Did Not Pitch
9. LHP Felix Doubront: 2-2, 4.32 ERA, two saves, 23 strikeouts
This group is heavily righthanded but they are considered to be the elite among Boston's relievers. As you can see, there are a lot of high ERAs a huge margin for error. Only seven of the nine are likely to make the team and others will undoubtedly come into the mix before Spring Training begins.
Another pitcher to watch is Matt Albers. Boston has also brought back Hideki Okajima to offset the heavy righthandedness present in the bullpen, but the signing has not yet been made official.
The Pawtucket Red Sox will likely fill out their roster with former big-league arms. Expect most of those pitchers to be looked at in Spring Training by Boston. With the thinness of Boston's rotation those pitchers could make the team with a good showing in Spring. Some of the players that Pawtucket has signed already are:
1. RHP Jason Bergmann
2. LHP Rich Hill
3. RHP Santo Luis
4. LHP Andrew Miller
5. RHP Tony Pena (former starting shortstop with Kansas City Royals)
6. RHP Clevelan Santeliz
7. LHP Randy Williams
Verdict: The bullpen will probably be the team's weak spot. With the apparent wide-openness of a lot of jobs in the bullpen, this should be one of the more interesting battles to watch in Spring Training. Expect the BoSox to sign a few more relievers, either in the big picture or as non-roster invitees.
The Red Sox figure to be one of the best teams in the AL East (and probably in the league) and they hope their bullpen can be up to par. They had some gaps in their 'pen last year and Boston is counting on bounce-back years from quite a few guys pitching out of relief.
Closer: Jonathan Papelbon. Papelbon had a down year last season by his standards, posting a 5-7 record with a 3.90 ERA (well above his career 2.22 mark), and 37 saves. Some in Red Sox nation are calling for Papelbon to be traded or released. The notion is not completely absurd, especially given Theo Epstein's belief in the moneyball system. Papelbon is due a big raise in arbitration and will likely ask for a huge contract extension in the near future. But he's still an adequate closer and could have a rebound season be back on top again. Keeping Papelbon at closer answers a lot more questions than dumping him raises.
The remaining bullpen looks something like this:
1. RHP Daniel Bard: 1-2, 1.93 ERA, three saves, 76 strikeouts
2. RHP Bobby Jenks: 1-3, 4.44 ERA, 27 saves, 61 strikeouts (Chicago White Sox)
3. RHP Scott Athison: 2-3, 4.50 ERA, no saves, 41 strikeouts
4. RHP Tim Wakefield: 4-10, 5.34 ERA, no saves, 84 strikeouts
5. RHP Dan Wheeler: 2-4, 3.35 ERA, three saves, 46 strikeouts (Tampa Bay Rays)
6. RHP Robert Coello: 0-0, 4.76 ERA, no saves, five strikeouts
7. RHP Michael Bowden: 0-1, 4.70 ERA, no saves, 13 strikeouts
8. RHP Junichi Tazawa: Did Not Pitch
9. LHP Felix Doubront: 2-2, 4.32 ERA, two saves, 23 strikeouts
This group is heavily righthanded but they are considered to be the elite among Boston's relievers. As you can see, there are a lot of high ERAs a huge margin for error. Only seven of the nine are likely to make the team and others will undoubtedly come into the mix before Spring Training begins.
Another pitcher to watch is Matt Albers. Boston has also brought back Hideki Okajima to offset the heavy righthandedness present in the bullpen, but the signing has not yet been made official.
The Pawtucket Red Sox will likely fill out their roster with former big-league arms. Expect most of those pitchers to be looked at in Spring Training by Boston. With the thinness of Boston's rotation those pitchers could make the team with a good showing in Spring. Some of the players that Pawtucket has signed already are:
1. RHP Jason Bergmann
2. LHP Rich Hill
3. RHP Santo Luis
4. LHP Andrew Miller
5. RHP Tony Pena (former starting shortstop with Kansas City Royals)
6. RHP Clevelan Santeliz
7. LHP Randy Williams
Verdict: The bullpen will probably be the team's weak spot. With the apparent wide-openness of a lot of jobs in the bullpen, this should be one of the more interesting battles to watch in Spring Training. Expect the BoSox to sign a few more relievers, either in the big picture or as non-roster invitees.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
BBWAA Strikes Again
The Baseball Writers Association of America has done it again. They're righting some of their wrongs, but they're also creating more at the same time.
What they got right: The inductions. Roberto Alomar should have been elected last year and Bert Blyleven was long overdue, having to wait until his 14th yer on the ballot - and second from last - to get elected. It's about time the BBWAA got these two players right. But without a no-doubt newcomer on the ballot this year it would have been difficult to pick anyone else.
What they may have gotten right: There weren't any no-doubt Hall of Famers among the new players on the ballot. I think that players like Jeff Bagwell are worthy to be in the Hall and I would have voted for them if given the chance, but he might not be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Others in that same boat are Edgar Martinez (who's not a second-ballot Hall of Famer either), Larry Walker, Fred McGriff, and Juan Gonzalez. I think that Rafael Palmeiro was a first-ballot Hall of Famer even with the failed drug test and I think that Mark McGwire should have been elected by now, but I can also understand why a lot of people wouldn't vote for them.
What they're still getting wrong: Dave Parker and Dale Murphy were neither first-ballot nor second-ballot Hall of Famers but seriously, it's about time we give them a pass. They're never going to get voted off t he ballot. I hate to see a player consistently get well over five percent of the vote and still manage to fail to get 75 percent of the vote too. If the guy can stay on the ballot for 14 years, maybe he is a Hall of Famer after all.
What I can't explain: Bruce Sutter had to wait a long time. So did Goose Gossage. How long will Lee Smith - who was far and away better than those two pitchers - have to wait?
What the BBWAA got deplorably, incorrigibly, and unforgivably wrong, again: Harold Baines, the all-time leader in runs batted in by a DH, failed to get five percent of the vote. He's now out of consideration. He wasn't a first ballot Hall of Famer, but he should have at least been able to stay on the ballot. Guess what folks, he was better than Edgar Martinez. Tino Martinez, who hit 339 home runs in his career, was voted off the ballot on his first try. He wasn't first ballot material either, but seriously, only one percent of the vote? and in the finale John Franco. I've talked about the long waits of Sutter and Gossage. I've talked about Smith. Franco got 4.6 percent of the vote. 424 career saves. The fourth highest total ever. The most all-time by a lefthander. Wow BBWAA. Wow.
What they got right: The inductions. Roberto Alomar should have been elected last year and Bert Blyleven was long overdue, having to wait until his 14th yer on the ballot - and second from last - to get elected. It's about time the BBWAA got these two players right. But without a no-doubt newcomer on the ballot this year it would have been difficult to pick anyone else.
What they may have gotten right: There weren't any no-doubt Hall of Famers among the new players on the ballot. I think that players like Jeff Bagwell are worthy to be in the Hall and I would have voted for them if given the chance, but he might not be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Others in that same boat are Edgar Martinez (who's not a second-ballot Hall of Famer either), Larry Walker, Fred McGriff, and Juan Gonzalez. I think that Rafael Palmeiro was a first-ballot Hall of Famer even with the failed drug test and I think that Mark McGwire should have been elected by now, but I can also understand why a lot of people wouldn't vote for them.
What they're still getting wrong: Dave Parker and Dale Murphy were neither first-ballot nor second-ballot Hall of Famers but seriously, it's about time we give them a pass. They're never going to get voted off t he ballot. I hate to see a player consistently get well over five percent of the vote and still manage to fail to get 75 percent of the vote too. If the guy can stay on the ballot for 14 years, maybe he is a Hall of Famer after all.
What I can't explain: Bruce Sutter had to wait a long time. So did Goose Gossage. How long will Lee Smith - who was far and away better than those two pitchers - have to wait?
What the BBWAA got deplorably, incorrigibly, and unforgivably wrong, again: Harold Baines, the all-time leader in runs batted in by a DH, failed to get five percent of the vote. He's now out of consideration. He wasn't a first ballot Hall of Famer, but he should have at least been able to stay on the ballot. Guess what folks, he was better than Edgar Martinez. Tino Martinez, who hit 339 home runs in his career, was voted off the ballot on his first try. He wasn't first ballot material either, but seriously, only one percent of the vote? and in the finale John Franco. I've talked about the long waits of Sutter and Gossage. I've talked about Smith. Franco got 4.6 percent of the vote. 424 career saves. The fourth highest total ever. The most all-time by a lefthander. Wow BBWAA. Wow.
Hall of Fame 2011
Voting for the 2011 class of the Baseball Hall of Fame occurs today. Votes will be tallied tonight as they come in and the results will be announced tomorrow. Induction will take place in July.
There are some interesting players on the ballot this year. There are 32 players in total, including starting pitchers, relief pitchers, sluggers, speedsters, and defensive specialists. Four players in particular have been linked directly to the performance enhancing drug scandal. There don't seem to be any locks among the new players on the ballot and the returning players are returning players for a reason. With that many fringe players in the fold, the voting should be quite interesting.
LeRoy will pick ten Hall of Famers from the list of 32, just to get a sense of what other ballots will look like. Inevitably, there will be some snubs. LeRoy will admittedly snub players just as many other writers and members of the BBWAA will do.
We will divide our classifications of players up into three categories: 1. Yes players. Yes players are players who we vote for. 2. Fringe players. Fringe players are players who we feel are worthy of induction into the Hall but not on this ballot given the superior players assembled. We can only hope that they get the necessary five percent of the vote to stay on the ballot. 3. No players. No players are players who are not worthy of induction.
We will also name the team which the players should be most linked to and whose cap they should be enshrined with on their plaque.
We will begin with player profiles:
1. 2B Roberto Alomar: The good: Alomar was a 12 time All-Star, ten-time Gold Glove Award winner, and four-time Silver Slugger Award Winner. He won back-to-back World Series' with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1992 and 1993. Alomar was named the All-Star Game MVP in 1998 while with the Baltimore Orioles. He retired with a career .300 batting average.
The bad: Alomar spit in the face of an umpire during the 1996 ALCS while playing with the Baltimore Orioles. He also insulted the umpire's child who was mentally challenged. He and the umpire eventually made peace amicably but the incident is still fresh in the minds of many voters. He also faded out pitifully in his later years, retiring after being cut by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in Spring Training 2005. Also, Alomar has been sued by a former girlfriend for forcing her to have unprotected sex after he was allegedly diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. The diagnosis has not been confirmed.
The team: Toronto Blue Jays
2. 2B Carlos Baerga: The good: Baerga was a three-time All-Star and a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner at second base.
The bad: He had the reputation of being an unmotivated and lazy player for much of his career. Also, his career went into sudden decline after he turned 27 forcing him to miss an entire season and play in the Independent Leagues and in South Korea. He made a comeback as a utilityman but was always remembered for unfulfilled promise.
The team: Cleveland Indians
3. 1B Jeff Bagwell: Bagwell was a four-time All-Star, won three Silver Slugger Awards, and won a Gold Glove Award in 1994. He participated in four Home Run Derbies. Bagwell was named the 1991 National League Rookie of the Year. He was named the National League Most Valuable Player. Bagwell was a two-time 30-30 player. He hit 40 or more home runs in a season three times. Bagwell became a legitimate franchise player with the Astros and his name became synonymous with that franchise. He is the franchise leader in home runs for Houston. Bagwell is the All-Time leader in home runs by a player from Massachusetts. He had his number five retired by the Astros. Bagwell finished his career with 449 home runs.
The bad: Bagwell was never considered to be a perennial star. Some baseball experts consider him to be a compiler as opposed to a great clutch player.
The team: Houston Astros
4. DH Harold Baines: The good: Baines was a six-time All-Star and won a Silver Slugger Award in 1989. He had his number three retired by the Chicago White Sox. He finished his career with 384 home runs.
The bad: Many will view his accomplishments as diminished due to his status as a DH.
The team: Chicago White Sox
5. RHP Bert Blyleven: The good: Blyleven won 20 games in 1973. He threw a no-hitter in 1977. He won a World Series with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1979 and again with the Minnesota Twins in 1987. He was named as the American League Comeback Player of the Year in 1989. He finished his career with 3,701 strikeouts.
The bad: Blyleven won 287 games in his career but he lost over 250. He is also the all-time leader in home runs given up.
The team: Minnesota Twins
6. 2B Bret Boone: The good: Boone was a three-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and four-time Gold Glove Award winner. He also participated in two Home Run Derbies.
The bad: Boone was a late bloomer whose dominance didn't last very long.
The team: Seattle Mariners
7. RHP Kevin Brown: The good: Brown won 21 games in 1992. He was a six-time All-Star. Brown threw a no-hitter and won a World Series with the Florida Marlins in 1997. He became baseball's first $100 million man in 2000. Following his career at Georgia Tech, he was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame.
The bad: Brown was named in the Mitchell Report. He became baseball's first $100 million man in 2000 (yes I know I said that twice).
The team: Texas Rangers
8. LHP John Franco: The good: Franco was perennially near the top of the save charts throughout his career, leading the National League in saves three times. He was a four-time All-Star. He pitched in 1,119 games in his career. He finished his career with 424 saves, a record for lefthanded pitchers.
The bad: Franco is a relief pitcher and some voters will view his accomplishments as diminished or unimportant for that reason. He has been alleged to have connections to organized crime.
The team: New York Mets
9. OF Juan Gonzalez: The good: Gonzalez was a three-time All-Star and a six-time Gold Glove Award winner. He participated in only one Home Run Derby in his career - 1993 - which he won. Gonzalez hit 40 or more homers in a season five times. He also hit 50 doubles in 1998. He was named the American League Most Valuable Player in 1996 and again in 1998. He finished his career with 434 home runs.
The bad: Gonzalez was named in the Mitchell Report. LeRoy has developed a confidential formula for players confirmed to have been embroiled in the performance enhancing drug scandal. Gonzalez's homer total without the drugs would have been around 310, or about 124 homers less than he actually hit. And you can probably throw at least a quarter of his accomplishments out without the drugs. He still had a good career, but it far diminishes his status.
The team: Texas Rangers
10. OF Marquis Grissom: The good: Grissom was a two-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove Award winner. He twice stole 70 or more bases in a season. He won a World Series with the Atlanta Braves in 1995.
The bad: Grissom was a nice player but was never considered to be one of the elites.
The team: Montreal Expos
11. OF Bobby Higginson: The good: Now here's a guy who probably shouldn't be on the ballot.
The bad: He just wasn't that good.
The team: Detroit Tigers
12. C Charles Johnson: The good: Johnson was a two-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove Award winner. He won a World Series with the Florida Marlins in 1997.
The bad: His career went south pretty fast after he left the Marlins.
The team: Florida Marlins
13. SS Barry Larkin: The good: Larkin was a 12-time All-Star, nine-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and three-time Gold Glove Award winner. He won a World Series with the Cincinnati Reds in 1990. He had a 30-30 season in 1996. Larkin became a franchise player with the Cincinnati Reds and his name became synonymous with that team.
The bad: A lot of baseball experts feel that Larkin overstayed his welcome playing well past his prime.
The team: Cincinnati Reds
14. LHP Al Leiter: The good: Leiter was a two-time All-Star. He won a World Series with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1993 and again with the Florida Marlins in 1997. He threw a no-hitter in 1996.
The bad: Leiter was known for his control problems, high pitch counts, and inability to pitch deep into games.
The team: New York Mets
15. DH Edgar Martinez: The good: Martinez was a seven-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger Award winner. He participated in the home run derby in 2000. He twice hit fifty or more doubles in a season. Martinez won two batting titles. He became a franchise player with the Seattle Mariners and became synonymous with that team. He retired with 309 home runs and a career 3.12 batting average.
The bad: His status as a DH will diminish his qualifications to some voters.
The team: Seattle Mariners
16. 1B Tino Martinez: The good: Martinez was a two-time All-Star and won a Silver Slugger Award in 1997. He participated in one Home Run Derby in his career - 1997 - which he won. He won a World Series in 1996 with the New York Yankees and won three more with the Yankees during their dynasty from 1998 to 2000. He hit 44 home runs in 1997. He retired with 339 home runs.
The bad: Martinez played a large part of his career in tiny Yankee Stadium. He had six seasons with 100 or more runs batted in while playing with the Yankees. He had none outside of Yankee Stadium.
The team: New York Yankees
17. 1B Don Mattingly: The good: Mattingly was a nine-time Gold Glove Award winner, six-time All-Star, and three-time Silver Slugger Award winner. He batted .343 to win the American League batting title in 1984. He was selected as the American League Most Valuable Player in 1985. He hit 53 doubles in 1986. He had his number 23 retired by the New York Yankees.
The bad: Mattingly's dominance was short-lived.
The team: New York Yankees
18. 1B Fred McGriff: The good: McGriff was a five-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger Award winner. He participated in two Home Run Derbies. He was named the MVP of the 1994 All-Star game. He won a World Series with the Atlanta Braves in 1995. He finished his career with 493 home runs.
The bad: McGriff played well past his prime and there was some speculation that he was attempting to extend his career in a desperate attempt to hit 500 home runs. Some pundits even suggested that McGriff would be the first player to hit 500 home runs and not be inducted into the Hall of Fame before he retired with 493.
The team: Atlanta Braves
19. 1B Mark McGwire: The good: McGwire was a 12-time All-Star, three-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and he won a Gold Glove Award in 1990. He participated in seven Home Run Derbies. McGwire hit 40 or more home runs in a season six times. He was the American League Rookie of the Year in 1987. McGwire won a World Series with the Oakland Athletics in 1989. He is the franchise leader in home runs for the A's. McGwire finished his career with 583 home runs.
The bad: McGwire has admitted to using performance enhancing drugs. Using LeRoy's confidential formula it can be determined that McGwire would have likely hit between 450 and 455 home runs in his career without the drugs, or about 130 less than he actually hit. You can also throw out about a quarter of his accomplishments. The formula also yields that McGwire probably would have become one of the premier fielding first basemen of his generation without the drugs. This probably would have increased his chances of induction as opposed to diminished them which is unfortunate. He's still a worthy player, but his status is severely diminished.
The team: Oakland Athletics
20. OF Raul Mondesi: The good: Mondesi was a two-time Gold Glove Award winner and he was an All-Star in 1995. He participated in the Home Run Derby in 1995. Mondesi was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1994. He was a two-time 30-30 player.
The bad: Mondesi has gotten into money troubles and was known for his volatile attitude.
The team: Los Angeles Dodgers
21. RHP Jack Morris: The good: Morris was a five-time All-Star and was named as the starting pitcher in his league for the game three times. He won 20 or more games in a season three times. Morris threw a no-hitter in 1984. He won a World Series with the Detroit Tigers in 1984, the Minnesota Twins in 1991, and the Toronto Blue Jays in 1992. He was named the World Series MVP for the 1991 Series.
The bad: If Morris were elected he'd have the highest career ERA of any Hall of Famer.
The team: Detroit Tigers
22. OF Dale Murphy: The good: Murphy was a seven-time All-Star, five-time Gold Glove Award winner, and four-time Silver Slugger Award winner. He participated in the Home Run Derby in 1985. Murphy played in 740 consecutive games from 1981 to 1986. He won back-to-back National League Most Valuable Player Awards in 1982 and 1983. Murphy had a 30-30 season in 1983. He hit 44 home runs in 1987. He became a franchise player with the Atlanta Braves and was synonymous with that team. He had his number three retired by the Braves.
The bad: Murphy's rapid decline at the end of his career has cooled him to some voters.
The team: Atlanta Braves
23. 1B John Olerud: The good: Olerud was a three-time Gold Glove Award winner and a two-time All-Star. He won back-to-back World Series' in 1992 and 1993 with the Toronto Blue Jays. He batted .363 in 1993 to win the American League batting title. He hit 54 doubles in 1993.
The bad: Olerud was known more for wearing a catcher's helmet while playing first base than for his playing ability.
The team: Toronto Blue Jays
24. 1B Rafael Palmeiro: The good: Palmeiro was a four-time All-Star, three-time Gold Glove Award winner, and two-time Silver Slugger Award winner. He participated in two Home Run Derbies. Palmeiro hit 40 or more home runs in a season four times. He is the All-Time leader in home runs by a player from Cuba. Palmeiro finished his career with 3,020 hits and 569 home runs.
The bad: Palmeiro was suspended for testing positive for steroids. LeRoy's confidential formula indicates that he would have hit 385 home runs without the drugs, or about 184 less than he actually hit. Also you can throw out about a third of his accomplishments. The formula also yields that Palmeiro would have been one of the premier fielding first basemen of his generation and good base stealer without the drugs. The formula also yields that Palmeiro would have had 3,395 hits without the drugs, or about 375 more hits than he actually had. All of this would have increased his chances of induction into the Hall of Fame which is unfortunate. Palmeiro was not a clutch player during his career and was named by many pundits as a compiler. Some voters have indicated that they will not vote for Palmeiro due to his gig as a spokesman for Viagra.
The team: Texas Rangers
25. OF Dave Parker: The good: Parker was a seven-time All-Star, three-time Gold Glove Award winner, and three-time Silver Slugger Award winner. He participated in two Home Run Derbies, winning the competition in 1985. Parker was the National League Most Valuable Player in 1978. He won a World Series with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1979 and again with the Oakland Athletics in 1989. He finished his career with 339 home runs.
The bad: Parker pleaded guilty to misdemeanor possession of cocaine in 1985 during the infamous 1985 Pittsburgh drug trials.
The team: Pittsburgh Pirates
26. OF Tim Raines: The good: Raines was a seven-time All-Star and won a Silver Slugger Award in 1986. He was the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player in 1987. Raines stole 70 or more bases in a season six times. He batted .334 in 1986 to win the National League batting title. Raines won a World Series with the New York Yankees in 1996. He had his number 30 retired by the Montreal Expos. He finished his career with 808 stolen bases.
The bad: Raines was known as a tremendous cocaine addict during his career. While playing in Montreal he was known to carry of bag of cocaine in the back righthand pocket of his uniform pants. There were even times when he ripped the bag open while sliding. To rectify this error, he developed a head first slide maneuver to put less pressure on the bag.
The team: Montreal Expos
27. RHP Kirk Rueter: The good: This is an example of a guy who probably shouldn't be on the ballot.
The bad: He just wasn't that good.
The team: San Francisco Giants
28. C Benito Santiago: The good: Santiago was a five-time All-Star, a four-time Silver Slugger Award winner and a three-time Gold Glove Award winner. He was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1987. Santiago had a 34-game hitting streak in 1987.
The bad: Santiago was named in the Mitchell Report.
The team: San Diego Padres
29. RHP Lee Smith: The good: Smith was a seven-time All-Star. He led the National League in saves three times and the American League in saves once. He finished his career with 1,022 games pitched and 478 saves, the all-time mark at the time of his retirement and still third all-time.
The bad: Smith is a relief pitcher and some voters will view his accomplishments as diminished or unimportant for that reason.
The team: Chicago Cubs
30. OF B. J. Surhoff: The good: Surhoff was an All-Star in 1999. He participated in the Home Run Derby in 1999.
The bad: Surhoff really only had one great year in his career, and that came in tiny Camden Yards.
The team: Milwaukee Brewers
31. SS Alan Trammell: The good: Trammell was a six-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove Award winner, and three-time Silver Slugger Award winner. He was selected as the American League Comeback Player of the Year in 1983. Trammell won a World Series with the Detroit Tigers in 1984 and was named the MVP of that series. He became a franchise player with the Tigers and became synonymous with that team.
The bad: Trammell really only had about five great seasons.
The team: Detroit Tigers
32. OF Larry Walker: The good: Walker was a seven-time Gold Glove Award winner, five-time All-Star, and three-time Silver Slugger Award winner. He participated in three Home Run Derbies. Walker hit 49 home runs in 1997. He had a 30-30 season in 1997. Walker was the National League Most Valuable Player in 1997. He won three batting titles in his career. Walker was hit by a pitch once every 49 at-bats during his career. He is the all-time leader in home runs by a player from British Columbia. Walker retired with a .313 career batting average and 383 home runs.
The bad: Walker spent the majority of his career playing in tiny Coors Field.
The team: Colorado Rockies
Yes Players:
1. 2B Roberto Alomar, Toronto Blue Jays
2. 1B Jeff Bagwell, Houston Astros
3. RHP Bert Blyleven, Minnesota Twins
4. LHP John Franco, New York Mets
5. 1B Fred McGriff, Atlanta Braves
6. 1B Mark McGwire, Oakland Athletics
7. OF Dale Murphy, Atlanta Braves
8. 1B Rafael Palmeiro, Texas Rangers
9. OF Tim Raines, Montreal Expos
10. RHP Lee Smith, Chicago Cubs
Fringe Players:
1. DH Harold Baines, Chicago White Sox
2. OF Juan Gonzalez, Texas Rangers
3. DH Edgar Martinez, Seattle Mariners
4. 1B Tino Martinez, New York Yankees
5. OF Dave Parker, Pittsburgh Pirates
6. OF Larry Walker, Colorado Rockies
No Players:
1. 2B Carlos Baerga, Cleveland Indians
2. 2B Bret Boone, Seattle Mariners
3. RHP Kevin Brown, Texas Rangers
4. OF Marquis Grissom, Montreal Expos
5. OF Bobby Grissom, Detroit Tigers
6. C Charles Johnson, Florida Marlins
7. SS Barry Larkin, Cincinnati Reds
8. LHP Al Leiter, New York Mets
9. 1B Don Mattingly, New York Yankees
10. OF Raul Mondesi, Los Angeles Dodgers
11. RHP Jack Morris, Detroit Tigers
12. 1B John Olerud, Toronto Blue Jays
13. RHP Kirk Rueter, San Francisco Giants
14. C Benito Santiago, San Diego Padres
15. OF B. J. Surhoff, Milwaukee Brewers
16. SS Alan Trammell, Detroit Tigers
There are some interesting players on the ballot this year. There are 32 players in total, including starting pitchers, relief pitchers, sluggers, speedsters, and defensive specialists. Four players in particular have been linked directly to the performance enhancing drug scandal. There don't seem to be any locks among the new players on the ballot and the returning players are returning players for a reason. With that many fringe players in the fold, the voting should be quite interesting.
LeRoy will pick ten Hall of Famers from the list of 32, just to get a sense of what other ballots will look like. Inevitably, there will be some snubs. LeRoy will admittedly snub players just as many other writers and members of the BBWAA will do.
We will divide our classifications of players up into three categories: 1. Yes players. Yes players are players who we vote for. 2. Fringe players. Fringe players are players who we feel are worthy of induction into the Hall but not on this ballot given the superior players assembled. We can only hope that they get the necessary five percent of the vote to stay on the ballot. 3. No players. No players are players who are not worthy of induction.
We will also name the team which the players should be most linked to and whose cap they should be enshrined with on their plaque.
We will begin with player profiles:
1. 2B Roberto Alomar: The good: Alomar was a 12 time All-Star, ten-time Gold Glove Award winner, and four-time Silver Slugger Award Winner. He won back-to-back World Series' with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1992 and 1993. Alomar was named the All-Star Game MVP in 1998 while with the Baltimore Orioles. He retired with a career .300 batting average.
The bad: Alomar spit in the face of an umpire during the 1996 ALCS while playing with the Baltimore Orioles. He also insulted the umpire's child who was mentally challenged. He and the umpire eventually made peace amicably but the incident is still fresh in the minds of many voters. He also faded out pitifully in his later years, retiring after being cut by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in Spring Training 2005. Also, Alomar has been sued by a former girlfriend for forcing her to have unprotected sex after he was allegedly diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. The diagnosis has not been confirmed.
The team: Toronto Blue Jays
2. 2B Carlos Baerga: The good: Baerga was a three-time All-Star and a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner at second base.
The bad: He had the reputation of being an unmotivated and lazy player for much of his career. Also, his career went into sudden decline after he turned 27 forcing him to miss an entire season and play in the Independent Leagues and in South Korea. He made a comeback as a utilityman but was always remembered for unfulfilled promise.
The team: Cleveland Indians
3. 1B Jeff Bagwell: Bagwell was a four-time All-Star, won three Silver Slugger Awards, and won a Gold Glove Award in 1994. He participated in four Home Run Derbies. Bagwell was named the 1991 National League Rookie of the Year. He was named the National League Most Valuable Player. Bagwell was a two-time 30-30 player. He hit 40 or more home runs in a season three times. Bagwell became a legitimate franchise player with the Astros and his name became synonymous with that franchise. He is the franchise leader in home runs for Houston. Bagwell is the All-Time leader in home runs by a player from Massachusetts. He had his number five retired by the Astros. Bagwell finished his career with 449 home runs.
The bad: Bagwell was never considered to be a perennial star. Some baseball experts consider him to be a compiler as opposed to a great clutch player.
The team: Houston Astros
4. DH Harold Baines: The good: Baines was a six-time All-Star and won a Silver Slugger Award in 1989. He had his number three retired by the Chicago White Sox. He finished his career with 384 home runs.
The bad: Many will view his accomplishments as diminished due to his status as a DH.
The team: Chicago White Sox
5. RHP Bert Blyleven: The good: Blyleven won 20 games in 1973. He threw a no-hitter in 1977. He won a World Series with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1979 and again with the Minnesota Twins in 1987. He was named as the American League Comeback Player of the Year in 1989. He finished his career with 3,701 strikeouts.
The bad: Blyleven won 287 games in his career but he lost over 250. He is also the all-time leader in home runs given up.
The team: Minnesota Twins
6. 2B Bret Boone: The good: Boone was a three-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and four-time Gold Glove Award winner. He also participated in two Home Run Derbies.
The bad: Boone was a late bloomer whose dominance didn't last very long.
The team: Seattle Mariners
7. RHP Kevin Brown: The good: Brown won 21 games in 1992. He was a six-time All-Star. Brown threw a no-hitter and won a World Series with the Florida Marlins in 1997. He became baseball's first $100 million man in 2000. Following his career at Georgia Tech, he was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame.
The bad: Brown was named in the Mitchell Report. He became baseball's first $100 million man in 2000 (yes I know I said that twice).
The team: Texas Rangers
8. LHP John Franco: The good: Franco was perennially near the top of the save charts throughout his career, leading the National League in saves three times. He was a four-time All-Star. He pitched in 1,119 games in his career. He finished his career with 424 saves, a record for lefthanded pitchers.
The bad: Franco is a relief pitcher and some voters will view his accomplishments as diminished or unimportant for that reason. He has been alleged to have connections to organized crime.
The team: New York Mets
9. OF Juan Gonzalez: The good: Gonzalez was a three-time All-Star and a six-time Gold Glove Award winner. He participated in only one Home Run Derby in his career - 1993 - which he won. Gonzalez hit 40 or more homers in a season five times. He also hit 50 doubles in 1998. He was named the American League Most Valuable Player in 1996 and again in 1998. He finished his career with 434 home runs.
The bad: Gonzalez was named in the Mitchell Report. LeRoy has developed a confidential formula for players confirmed to have been embroiled in the performance enhancing drug scandal. Gonzalez's homer total without the drugs would have been around 310, or about 124 homers less than he actually hit. And you can probably throw at least a quarter of his accomplishments out without the drugs. He still had a good career, but it far diminishes his status.
The team: Texas Rangers
10. OF Marquis Grissom: The good: Grissom was a two-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove Award winner. He twice stole 70 or more bases in a season. He won a World Series with the Atlanta Braves in 1995.
The bad: Grissom was a nice player but was never considered to be one of the elites.
The team: Montreal Expos
11. OF Bobby Higginson: The good: Now here's a guy who probably shouldn't be on the ballot.
The bad: He just wasn't that good.
The team: Detroit Tigers
12. C Charles Johnson: The good: Johnson was a two-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove Award winner. He won a World Series with the Florida Marlins in 1997.
The bad: His career went south pretty fast after he left the Marlins.
The team: Florida Marlins
13. SS Barry Larkin: The good: Larkin was a 12-time All-Star, nine-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and three-time Gold Glove Award winner. He won a World Series with the Cincinnati Reds in 1990. He had a 30-30 season in 1996. Larkin became a franchise player with the Cincinnati Reds and his name became synonymous with that team.
The bad: A lot of baseball experts feel that Larkin overstayed his welcome playing well past his prime.
The team: Cincinnati Reds
14. LHP Al Leiter: The good: Leiter was a two-time All-Star. He won a World Series with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1993 and again with the Florida Marlins in 1997. He threw a no-hitter in 1996.
The bad: Leiter was known for his control problems, high pitch counts, and inability to pitch deep into games.
The team: New York Mets
15. DH Edgar Martinez: The good: Martinez was a seven-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger Award winner. He participated in the home run derby in 2000. He twice hit fifty or more doubles in a season. Martinez won two batting titles. He became a franchise player with the Seattle Mariners and became synonymous with that team. He retired with 309 home runs and a career 3.12 batting average.
The bad: His status as a DH will diminish his qualifications to some voters.
The team: Seattle Mariners
16. 1B Tino Martinez: The good: Martinez was a two-time All-Star and won a Silver Slugger Award in 1997. He participated in one Home Run Derby in his career - 1997 - which he won. He won a World Series in 1996 with the New York Yankees and won three more with the Yankees during their dynasty from 1998 to 2000. He hit 44 home runs in 1997. He retired with 339 home runs.
The bad: Martinez played a large part of his career in tiny Yankee Stadium. He had six seasons with 100 or more runs batted in while playing with the Yankees. He had none outside of Yankee Stadium.
The team: New York Yankees
17. 1B Don Mattingly: The good: Mattingly was a nine-time Gold Glove Award winner, six-time All-Star, and three-time Silver Slugger Award winner. He batted .343 to win the American League batting title in 1984. He was selected as the American League Most Valuable Player in 1985. He hit 53 doubles in 1986. He had his number 23 retired by the New York Yankees.
The bad: Mattingly's dominance was short-lived.
The team: New York Yankees
18. 1B Fred McGriff: The good: McGriff was a five-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger Award winner. He participated in two Home Run Derbies. He was named the MVP of the 1994 All-Star game. He won a World Series with the Atlanta Braves in 1995. He finished his career with 493 home runs.
The bad: McGriff played well past his prime and there was some speculation that he was attempting to extend his career in a desperate attempt to hit 500 home runs. Some pundits even suggested that McGriff would be the first player to hit 500 home runs and not be inducted into the Hall of Fame before he retired with 493.
The team: Atlanta Braves
19. 1B Mark McGwire: The good: McGwire was a 12-time All-Star, three-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and he won a Gold Glove Award in 1990. He participated in seven Home Run Derbies. McGwire hit 40 or more home runs in a season six times. He was the American League Rookie of the Year in 1987. McGwire won a World Series with the Oakland Athletics in 1989. He is the franchise leader in home runs for the A's. McGwire finished his career with 583 home runs.
The bad: McGwire has admitted to using performance enhancing drugs. Using LeRoy's confidential formula it can be determined that McGwire would have likely hit between 450 and 455 home runs in his career without the drugs, or about 130 less than he actually hit. You can also throw out about a quarter of his accomplishments. The formula also yields that McGwire probably would have become one of the premier fielding first basemen of his generation without the drugs. This probably would have increased his chances of induction as opposed to diminished them which is unfortunate. He's still a worthy player, but his status is severely diminished.
The team: Oakland Athletics
20. OF Raul Mondesi: The good: Mondesi was a two-time Gold Glove Award winner and he was an All-Star in 1995. He participated in the Home Run Derby in 1995. Mondesi was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1994. He was a two-time 30-30 player.
The bad: Mondesi has gotten into money troubles and was known for his volatile attitude.
The team: Los Angeles Dodgers
21. RHP Jack Morris: The good: Morris was a five-time All-Star and was named as the starting pitcher in his league for the game three times. He won 20 or more games in a season three times. Morris threw a no-hitter in 1984. He won a World Series with the Detroit Tigers in 1984, the Minnesota Twins in 1991, and the Toronto Blue Jays in 1992. He was named the World Series MVP for the 1991 Series.
The bad: If Morris were elected he'd have the highest career ERA of any Hall of Famer.
The team: Detroit Tigers
22. OF Dale Murphy: The good: Murphy was a seven-time All-Star, five-time Gold Glove Award winner, and four-time Silver Slugger Award winner. He participated in the Home Run Derby in 1985. Murphy played in 740 consecutive games from 1981 to 1986. He won back-to-back National League Most Valuable Player Awards in 1982 and 1983. Murphy had a 30-30 season in 1983. He hit 44 home runs in 1987. He became a franchise player with the Atlanta Braves and was synonymous with that team. He had his number three retired by the Braves.
The bad: Murphy's rapid decline at the end of his career has cooled him to some voters.
The team: Atlanta Braves
23. 1B John Olerud: The good: Olerud was a three-time Gold Glove Award winner and a two-time All-Star. He won back-to-back World Series' in 1992 and 1993 with the Toronto Blue Jays. He batted .363 in 1993 to win the American League batting title. He hit 54 doubles in 1993.
The bad: Olerud was known more for wearing a catcher's helmet while playing first base than for his playing ability.
The team: Toronto Blue Jays
24. 1B Rafael Palmeiro: The good: Palmeiro was a four-time All-Star, three-time Gold Glove Award winner, and two-time Silver Slugger Award winner. He participated in two Home Run Derbies. Palmeiro hit 40 or more home runs in a season four times. He is the All-Time leader in home runs by a player from Cuba. Palmeiro finished his career with 3,020 hits and 569 home runs.
The bad: Palmeiro was suspended for testing positive for steroids. LeRoy's confidential formula indicates that he would have hit 385 home runs without the drugs, or about 184 less than he actually hit. Also you can throw out about a third of his accomplishments. The formula also yields that Palmeiro would have been one of the premier fielding first basemen of his generation and good base stealer without the drugs. The formula also yields that Palmeiro would have had 3,395 hits without the drugs, or about 375 more hits than he actually had. All of this would have increased his chances of induction into the Hall of Fame which is unfortunate. Palmeiro was not a clutch player during his career and was named by many pundits as a compiler. Some voters have indicated that they will not vote for Palmeiro due to his gig as a spokesman for Viagra.
The team: Texas Rangers
25. OF Dave Parker: The good: Parker was a seven-time All-Star, three-time Gold Glove Award winner, and three-time Silver Slugger Award winner. He participated in two Home Run Derbies, winning the competition in 1985. Parker was the National League Most Valuable Player in 1978. He won a World Series with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1979 and again with the Oakland Athletics in 1989. He finished his career with 339 home runs.
The bad: Parker pleaded guilty to misdemeanor possession of cocaine in 1985 during the infamous 1985 Pittsburgh drug trials.
The team: Pittsburgh Pirates
26. OF Tim Raines: The good: Raines was a seven-time All-Star and won a Silver Slugger Award in 1986. He was the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player in 1987. Raines stole 70 or more bases in a season six times. He batted .334 in 1986 to win the National League batting title. Raines won a World Series with the New York Yankees in 1996. He had his number 30 retired by the Montreal Expos. He finished his career with 808 stolen bases.
The bad: Raines was known as a tremendous cocaine addict during his career. While playing in Montreal he was known to carry of bag of cocaine in the back righthand pocket of his uniform pants. There were even times when he ripped the bag open while sliding. To rectify this error, he developed a head first slide maneuver to put less pressure on the bag.
The team: Montreal Expos
27. RHP Kirk Rueter: The good: This is an example of a guy who probably shouldn't be on the ballot.
The bad: He just wasn't that good.
The team: San Francisco Giants
28. C Benito Santiago: The good: Santiago was a five-time All-Star, a four-time Silver Slugger Award winner and a three-time Gold Glove Award winner. He was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1987. Santiago had a 34-game hitting streak in 1987.
The bad: Santiago was named in the Mitchell Report.
The team: San Diego Padres
29. RHP Lee Smith: The good: Smith was a seven-time All-Star. He led the National League in saves three times and the American League in saves once. He finished his career with 1,022 games pitched and 478 saves, the all-time mark at the time of his retirement and still third all-time.
The bad: Smith is a relief pitcher and some voters will view his accomplishments as diminished or unimportant for that reason.
The team: Chicago Cubs
30. OF B. J. Surhoff: The good: Surhoff was an All-Star in 1999. He participated in the Home Run Derby in 1999.
The bad: Surhoff really only had one great year in his career, and that came in tiny Camden Yards.
The team: Milwaukee Brewers
31. SS Alan Trammell: The good: Trammell was a six-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove Award winner, and three-time Silver Slugger Award winner. He was selected as the American League Comeback Player of the Year in 1983. Trammell won a World Series with the Detroit Tigers in 1984 and was named the MVP of that series. He became a franchise player with the Tigers and became synonymous with that team.
The bad: Trammell really only had about five great seasons.
The team: Detroit Tigers
32. OF Larry Walker: The good: Walker was a seven-time Gold Glove Award winner, five-time All-Star, and three-time Silver Slugger Award winner. He participated in three Home Run Derbies. Walker hit 49 home runs in 1997. He had a 30-30 season in 1997. Walker was the National League Most Valuable Player in 1997. He won three batting titles in his career. Walker was hit by a pitch once every 49 at-bats during his career. He is the all-time leader in home runs by a player from British Columbia. Walker retired with a .313 career batting average and 383 home runs.
The bad: Walker spent the majority of his career playing in tiny Coors Field.
The team: Colorado Rockies
Yes Players:
1. 2B Roberto Alomar, Toronto Blue Jays
2. 1B Jeff Bagwell, Houston Astros
3. RHP Bert Blyleven, Minnesota Twins
4. LHP John Franco, New York Mets
5. 1B Fred McGriff, Atlanta Braves
6. 1B Mark McGwire, Oakland Athletics
7. OF Dale Murphy, Atlanta Braves
8. 1B Rafael Palmeiro, Texas Rangers
9. OF Tim Raines, Montreal Expos
10. RHP Lee Smith, Chicago Cubs
Fringe Players:
1. DH Harold Baines, Chicago White Sox
2. OF Juan Gonzalez, Texas Rangers
3. DH Edgar Martinez, Seattle Mariners
4. 1B Tino Martinez, New York Yankees
5. OF Dave Parker, Pittsburgh Pirates
6. OF Larry Walker, Colorado Rockies
No Players:
1. 2B Carlos Baerga, Cleveland Indians
2. 2B Bret Boone, Seattle Mariners
3. RHP Kevin Brown, Texas Rangers
4. OF Marquis Grissom, Montreal Expos
5. OF Bobby Grissom, Detroit Tigers
6. C Charles Johnson, Florida Marlins
7. SS Barry Larkin, Cincinnati Reds
8. LHP Al Leiter, New York Mets
9. 1B Don Mattingly, New York Yankees
10. OF Raul Mondesi, Los Angeles Dodgers
11. RHP Jack Morris, Detroit Tigers
12. 1B John Olerud, Toronto Blue Jays
13. RHP Kirk Rueter, San Francisco Giants
14. C Benito Santiago, San Diego Padres
15. OF B. J. Surhoff, Milwaukee Brewers
16. SS Alan Trammell, Detroit Tigers
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Red Sox bring back Okajima
The Red Sox have re-signed LHP Hideki Okajima to a one-year contract. Okajima was non-tendered by the team earlier this offseason.
Okajima turned 35 on Christmas and appeared to be heading back to Japan after a lukewarm reception on the free agent market. Given his age and performance in 2010 (a bloated 4.50 ERA in 56 games out of the bullpen) this did come as a surprise.
Okajima will compete for a spot in the bullpen and will likely win a role. The signing has not been confirmed and many of the details are not ironed out yet in his contract, but Okajima has been given guaranteed money.
Okajima turned 35 on Christmas and appeared to be heading back to Japan after a lukewarm reception on the free agent market. Given his age and performance in 2010 (a bloated 4.50 ERA in 56 games out of the bullpen) this did come as a surprise.
Okajima will compete for a spot in the bullpen and will likely win a role. The signing has not been confirmed and many of the details are not ironed out yet in his contract, but Okajima has been given guaranteed money.
Mets sign two pitchers, dump one
The Mets have signed LHP Chris Capuano and RHP Taylor Buchholz and designated RHP Ryota Igarashi for assignment.
Capuano pitched last season with the Milwaukee Brewers where he worked primarily out of the bullpen, pitching in 24 games and posting a respectable 3.95 ERA in that role. He's attempting a comeback following two Tommy John surgeries.
Buchholz pitched last season out of the bullpen for the Toronto Blue Jays and Colorado Rockies. He worked out of the bullpen pitching in only nine games and posting a respectable 3.75 ERA. Buchholz is also in the midst of a comeback following Tommy John surgery.
Igarashi posted a 7.12 ERA out of the bullpen for the Mets last season in 34 games. He was designated for assignment to clear space on the 40-man roster for Buchholz.
Capuano will likely compete both for a rotation spot and be looked at for bullpen work. Buchholz will audition strictly for a bullpen spot. Both pitchers are examples of Sandy Alderson's low-risk-high-reward philosophy.
Igarashi is owed $1.75 million by the Mets. He'll be a hard player to trade given his age and track record. In addition, he's unlikely to be claimed on waivers by other teams given his considerable salary and prior performance. Given Alderson's displeasure in eating contracts, Igarashi is not likely to be released. Instead, Igarashi will likely be added to the AAA roster and invited to Spring Training as a nonroster player with a good chance to make the team.
Although the particulars aren't in yet both Capuano and Buchholz have been given guaranteed money suggesting that both will make the team out of Spring Training.
Capuano pitched last season with the Milwaukee Brewers where he worked primarily out of the bullpen, pitching in 24 games and posting a respectable 3.95 ERA in that role. He's attempting a comeback following two Tommy John surgeries.
Buchholz pitched last season out of the bullpen for the Toronto Blue Jays and Colorado Rockies. He worked out of the bullpen pitching in only nine games and posting a respectable 3.75 ERA. Buchholz is also in the midst of a comeback following Tommy John surgery.
Igarashi posted a 7.12 ERA out of the bullpen for the Mets last season in 34 games. He was designated for assignment to clear space on the 40-man roster for Buchholz.
Capuano will likely compete both for a rotation spot and be looked at for bullpen work. Buchholz will audition strictly for a bullpen spot. Both pitchers are examples of Sandy Alderson's low-risk-high-reward philosophy.
Igarashi is owed $1.75 million by the Mets. He'll be a hard player to trade given his age and track record. In addition, he's unlikely to be claimed on waivers by other teams given his considerable salary and prior performance. Given Alderson's displeasure in eating contracts, Igarashi is not likely to be released. Instead, Igarashi will likely be added to the AAA roster and invited to Spring Training as a nonroster player with a good chance to make the team.
Although the particulars aren't in yet both Capuano and Buchholz have been given guaranteed money suggesting that both will make the team out of Spring Training.
Yankees Rotation
As Spring Training approaches (pitchers and catchers report in six weeks) LeRoy will begin its preseason analysis of the Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, and the hated New York Yankees. We will begin with the starting rotations and will continue with the New York Yankees.
The 2010 Yankees found out last season (again) that a team is really only as good as its fourth starter. The Yankees are hoping that 2010 was an aberration, but conventional wisdom suggests that 2009 was the off-year. Once again, the Yankees have positioned themselves as a good team with a strong offense and extremely questionable pitching.
1. LHP C. C. Sabathia: Sabathia had a season last year which would rank him in the top ten in Cy Young voting in any league. He's been the pitcher the Yankees overpaid for in his first two seasons with the club. His ERA has been in the 3.00 to 3.99 range in both years and he has benefited from the run support he receives in the Bronx. His health is always an issue because of his weight problems, but aside from that he's ready to go.
2. RHP A. J. Burnett: Burnett is a headcase who has been unable to string back-to-back good seasons together throughout his career. At the same time he's never pitched himself out of the Major Leagues. He had a terrible season last year and has not pitched good in his two years with the team making it likely that many in the Yankees organization are regretting signing him. He could be do for a better season this year after his terrible 2010 campaign, but at the same time he could be nearing his decline. The Yankees have graced him a personal catcher and he'll use Francisco Cervelli in that role. Despite all of the questions, he's guaranteed a rotation spot with his contract.
3. RHP Phil Hughes: Hughes won 18 games last year but had an ERA near five, didn't come close to logging 200 innings pitched, and is not a strikeout pitcher. He benefits from the run support he gets at Yankee Stadium but is not an ideal third starter. Hughes doesn't have a big contract and he is expendable from that standpoint. In addition, he's had success in the past working out of the bullpen. But their rotation is so thin that he's nowhere near losing his job.
4. RHP Ivan Nova: Nova is a young righthander who's short on experience and undeveloped on talent. He's made seven starts in his career and posted a 4.50 ERA. A risk like Nova is better suited as a fifth stater candidate, long reliever, or AAA ace. In the Bronx, he's the fourth starter. The Yankees are hoping that he undergoes a quick learning curve but don't hold your breath. Nova is inexpensive and may be better suited starting the season off in the minors. At this time, though, he looks like a lock.
5. RHP Sergio Mitre: Mitre is a relief pitcher. He made three starts last season and has made 64 in his career. If this guy is penciled in as your fifth starter, your rotation is in trouble. His spot is hardly guaranteed, but his inclusion here is more telling of the top four starters than about himself.
6. RHP Dellin Betances: Betances is an animalistic righthander who has become a big prospect in the Yankees system. He's been a good starter in the minors but he has not pitched above AA and there's a pretty good chance that he'll start 2011 there. But with this rotation you never know.
7. RHP Hector Noesi: Noesi is a young righthander who finished last season in AAA. He's been good in the minors and participated in last year's Futures Game. He's been given a number already by the Yankees so they clearly think highly of him. The Yankees probably want him back in AAA to start 2011, but he has a chance to make the team.
Bottom Line: The Yankees are probably looking hard at a third place finish next season. They have a good offense but the Rays were the better team last year (although they lost Carl Crawford) and the Red Sox have emerged as the favorite in the division if not the league. And if the Blue Jays build upon last year the Yanks will have all they can do just to finish as high as third. If they want a better chance at competing then they should sign at least one more reliable starter.
Overall Rotation Analysis:
1. Red Sox: Really the only rotation among the three local teams with any balance.
2. Mets: The Mets' rotation is a mess especially with Johan Santana likely starting the season off on the DL.
3. Yankees: If you finish below the Mets in this race then you know you're in trouble.
The 2010 Yankees found out last season (again) that a team is really only as good as its fourth starter. The Yankees are hoping that 2010 was an aberration, but conventional wisdom suggests that 2009 was the off-year. Once again, the Yankees have positioned themselves as a good team with a strong offense and extremely questionable pitching.
1. LHP C. C. Sabathia: Sabathia had a season last year which would rank him in the top ten in Cy Young voting in any league. He's been the pitcher the Yankees overpaid for in his first two seasons with the club. His ERA has been in the 3.00 to 3.99 range in both years and he has benefited from the run support he receives in the Bronx. His health is always an issue because of his weight problems, but aside from that he's ready to go.
2. RHP A. J. Burnett: Burnett is a headcase who has been unable to string back-to-back good seasons together throughout his career. At the same time he's never pitched himself out of the Major Leagues. He had a terrible season last year and has not pitched good in his two years with the team making it likely that many in the Yankees organization are regretting signing him. He could be do for a better season this year after his terrible 2010 campaign, but at the same time he could be nearing his decline. The Yankees have graced him a personal catcher and he'll use Francisco Cervelli in that role. Despite all of the questions, he's guaranteed a rotation spot with his contract.
3. RHP Phil Hughes: Hughes won 18 games last year but had an ERA near five, didn't come close to logging 200 innings pitched, and is not a strikeout pitcher. He benefits from the run support he gets at Yankee Stadium but is not an ideal third starter. Hughes doesn't have a big contract and he is expendable from that standpoint. In addition, he's had success in the past working out of the bullpen. But their rotation is so thin that he's nowhere near losing his job.
4. RHP Ivan Nova: Nova is a young righthander who's short on experience and undeveloped on talent. He's made seven starts in his career and posted a 4.50 ERA. A risk like Nova is better suited as a fifth stater candidate, long reliever, or AAA ace. In the Bronx, he's the fourth starter. The Yankees are hoping that he undergoes a quick learning curve but don't hold your breath. Nova is inexpensive and may be better suited starting the season off in the minors. At this time, though, he looks like a lock.
5. RHP Sergio Mitre: Mitre is a relief pitcher. He made three starts last season and has made 64 in his career. If this guy is penciled in as your fifth starter, your rotation is in trouble. His spot is hardly guaranteed, but his inclusion here is more telling of the top four starters than about himself.
6. RHP Dellin Betances: Betances is an animalistic righthander who has become a big prospect in the Yankees system. He's been a good starter in the minors but he has not pitched above AA and there's a pretty good chance that he'll start 2011 there. But with this rotation you never know.
7. RHP Hector Noesi: Noesi is a young righthander who finished last season in AAA. He's been good in the minors and participated in last year's Futures Game. He's been given a number already by the Yankees so they clearly think highly of him. The Yankees probably want him back in AAA to start 2011, but he has a chance to make the team.
Bottom Line: The Yankees are probably looking hard at a third place finish next season. They have a good offense but the Rays were the better team last year (although they lost Carl Crawford) and the Red Sox have emerged as the favorite in the division if not the league. And if the Blue Jays build upon last year the Yanks will have all they can do just to finish as high as third. If they want a better chance at competing then they should sign at least one more reliable starter.
Overall Rotation Analysis:
1. Red Sox: Really the only rotation among the three local teams with any balance.
2. Mets: The Mets' rotation is a mess especially with Johan Santana likely starting the season off on the DL.
3. Yankees: If you finish below the Mets in this race then you know you're in trouble.
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