NL

C McCann, 1B Pujols, 2B Utley, SS Ramirez, 3B Zimmerman, OF Braun, Kemp, Ethier.

AL

C Mauer, 1B Teixeira, 2B Aaron Hill, SS Jeter, 3B Longoria, OF Ichiro, Hunter, Bay  

For a full list of what awards will be announced when, go here.  

Ugh. I have the radio on to and from work. There is one commercial that plays ad nauseum. … and nauseum is about right, for nauseating is how it makes you. It’s a toenail fungus commercial with some of the worst acting you ever heard. Just what I want to hear after I ate breakfast and am on the way to work.

Now this is interesting. Joel Sherman reports that Curtis Granderson could be available and the Yanks could be interested (think a package beginning with A-Jax). Sherman warns that Granderson was lousy vs. lefties this year and struck out a ton (141 times, matching 2007. In 2005 he whiffed 174 times!). He only hit .249 this year but did have 30 HR and 20 SB. He led the AL in triples in 2007 and 2008. His 162 game average is .272-25-72 with 16 SB. OPS+ 113. He’ll be 29 in March. He seems affordable. Should Damon leave because of Boras’ demands, a deal for Granderson would replace Damon’s lefty bat, lefty power and speed. Whether Melky or Gardner would be in that package, who knows. Melky could move to LF, Gardner be a 4th OF or be in the deal. Of course, you would then want Godzilla back. Granderson’s whiffs are problematic.    

Sherman also comments on Wang and Damon.

In mid-1974, Mel Stottlemyre injured a rotator cuff and was never on a Yankee Stadium (or Shea, where the Yankees then played) mound as a player again. Could the same be happening to Wang?

Soon after that, he was collecting the 1996 WS MVP trophy for his four saves in that WS. With the emergence of Mariano though, getting that final out of the 1996 WS was the last out John Wetteland recorded as a Yankee.

Recently 1996 WS hero Jim Leyritz was DUI and the DUI caused a fatality. Today, more sad news regarding a 1996 WS hero as Wetteland has been hospitalized after a possible suicide attempt.

We can only keep him in our prayers and hope all eventually works out ok.

Update: The Post has more on the story.   Wetteland is now bullpen coach for the Mariners. He ended his career with 330 saves and an excellent 2.93 ERA. He was only 33 when he retired.

According to the article, Wetteland has apparently fought personal demons for quite some time. We can only hope that he conquers them—through his faith or whichever method necessary.    

3 of the top teams grab most of the Gold Gloves, and it should be noted that Bourn went from the Phils to the Astros in the Lidge deal.   

Meanwhile, Chad Jennings at LoHud states that

The Yankees have made their first moves of the offseason, outrighting both Freddy Guzman and Josh Towers off of the 40-man roster.

Brian Cashman said that both players have elected free agency.

As for me, I’m wondering how long the Yanks will be keeping Eric Hinske, especially if A-Jax is ready next year.

I do share Jason’s concerns (see comments, previous post) regarding Nady. I don’t know what his recovery timetable is, and you wonder about his arm. He would seem to have no leverage after missing almost all of 2009. I was just wondering if he could be a cheap alternative should the Yanks lose out on Damon or Matsui (and could they use the savings then on say, Lackey? More on Lackey though, later).    

The Matsui/Damon question could come down to who the agent is and not who the Yankees would prefer. Joel Sherman writes about the ridiculous demands Bore-a$$ is demanding for JD.   

Right. JD is 36. He relies on his legs. Granted he was 12 for 12 in SB this year, but that is down from 29 the year before. Granted he batted second in 2009 and led off the previous year, thus causing more situations where you don’t want to run and take the bat out of someone’s (T & A’s) hands. But there have been signs that JD’s legs aren’t the same. The calf injury that took him out of Game Six of the WS. The slow start to 2008. There were times of defensive inadequacy, and I’m not just talking about the weak arm, but in going after balls in LF. There is no question that CF for JD is out of the question. No doubt JD had a great year offensively (highest OPS+ of his career). The porch and JD got along well as he tied a career high in HR with 24.

Yet Bore-a$$ wants a multi-year deal for someone who just turned 36. It seems like all Bore-a$$ wants is a team with a bunch of overpriced 35 and older players all signed to multi-year deals…all of whom who could implode at any time due to age and injury issues.

Do you really think that Brian Cashman or any GM wants that?

Ideally, the Yanks would want JD on a one year deal or one year and an option. Austin Jackson (A-Jax), 23 next year, who is cheaper and coming off a .300-4-65, 24 SB year at AAA is in the wings. Do you really think the Yanks want JD for 3 years when a possible rising star—who comes much cheaper—could be ready?

Ideally, JD fits because unlike Matsui, he can still play the OF but be gravitated more and more to DH to save his legs. JD’s game is about his legs. Matsui didn’t play an inning of OF in 2009. There is talk of maybe the Mariners going after Godzilla, but a lot depends on Junior Griffey, who turns 40 soon. After a .214-19-57 year, will Junior take his 630 HR and retire?

It is interesting in looking at the MLBTR link (previous post) to see Nady ranked #48, Damon at 12 and Matsui at 27. There are some guys in the top 10 who (Randy Wolf? Pettitte?) were nowhere near the top 10 last year. The Valverde/Phils projection seems like a natural. I can definitely see the Phils doing that. Will they? Bay with the defensive troubles and 162 Ks would seem a poor fit for LF at Yankee Stadium despite the .267-36-119 and 13 sb.

Sherman also writes today of the Angels tepid interest in retaining Lackey. One AL GM wonders if it is a red flag…as if the Angels know something about their bulldog ace who did not give 30 starts or 200 IP in either 2008 or 2009 that no one else does. Although I do salivate over a possible CC/AJ/Andy/Lackey top 4 of the rotation backed up by a bullpen trio of Joba/Hughes and Mo (and while I’d salivate, others would nauseate over that), there are concerns, even with that. The Lackey numbers for one. I like the bulldoggedness of Lackey, but that stat of no 30 starts or 200 IP in the last two years (combined 23-13, approx. 3.80 ERA) is a concern. There is no question the guy is great when healthy. He is just 31. He did go 19-9, 3.01 (led AL in ERA) in 2007. But what do the Angels know?

Burnett is other question mark. AJ gave 30 starts and 200 IP for the second straight year, first with the Yankees (13-9, 4.04), but it’s the first time in his career that AJ (33 next January) has ever done that. Will he hold up?

Getting back to the free agents, should Bore-A$$ take JD elsewhere, the Yanks may do the currently unexpected (since JD and not Matsui is the better fit given the Yanks want to keep the DH spot free for the aging Jeter, Posada and A-Rod, whose ages will turn 36, 39 and 35 by the end of the 2010 season) and keep Godzilla. Unlike Bore-a$$, whom the Yanks have had a tempestuous relationship with (think A-Rod’s optioning out for one), the Yanks have been on good terms with Arn Tellem, who represents Matsui.

So if Bore-a$$ takes JD elsewhere, what then? Would Nady be physically ready or cheap (although no leverage, rep’d by Bore-a$$)? Is A-Jax ready to play in the majors? You would want to replace some of JD’s power. None of the top 50 on the list thrill me too much. I would not expect the Yanks to make a big push for Holliday or Bay. I could be wrong but I see neither one making his home in the Bronx next year. I could see saving money and maybe going after a Lackey but only if JD or Matsui is gone. So who other than Nady would be reasonably priced and enable the Yanks to get Lackey or a solid #4 (I don’t see Wolf or Harden coming to the Bronx either, but…)

Marlon Byrd? Interesting and the only one I really could see (unless a trade, but we are talking strictly free agents for now). 32 and a CF. CFs who move to LF to cover Yankee Stadiums LF have paid dividends recently. Damon this year. Chad Curtis in 1999. Byrd hit .283-20-89 in 2009 for Texas. I wouldn’t expect the power in NY. Even though Yankee Stadium played short, it didn’t have the heat that Texas does. Balls do fly out there. .280-12-70 for Byrd could be more like it. Yes, Melky could go to LF and Gardner start in CF but I think the way Girardi played it in 2009 was perfect. I wouldn’t go Melky lf and BG cf. Too much power would be lost and I’m still of the opinion that neither may be full-time players but players who are 4th outfielders…but who can thrive in the right situation—that being the one Girardi put them in this year; platooning them, going with the hot hand, keeping both fresh. Byrd doesn’t steal a lot of bases, but he can run.

Who…if anyone besides the trio of Yankee veterans who you probably want back (JD, Matsui and Pettitte)… excites you about the top 50 free agents this year? If the answer is no one, then you understand why the Yankees did what they did last year in striking while the iron was hot. Nothing against Marco Scutaro, but when he is listed at #8 in the top 50 free agents…

I do worry about the prediction MLBTR has for #17. Aroldis Chapman to Boston. Boston is in “must make moves” mode…much like the Yanks were last year.

It will be interesting to see if Sheets/Texas does take place. What a talent. What a shame injuries have taken a toll on that talent. Then again, you can say the same for Erik Bedard.

UPDATE: Griffey is returning to Seattle. You wonder how this will affect the Yankees and Matsui for it appears as if a “landing spot” for Godzilla is now gone. I can’t see Seattle having two aging players, both of whom are now primarily DHs and who would spend hardly any time in the OF.  

Anyway, I was doing some thinking tonight (dangerous, I know). See the previous blog posting about what if the Yanks free up money for Lackey. Say Matsui is let go. Damon is brought back but his weak arm is moved out of LF into the DH spot. He DHs most of the time, but does still have the capability (unlike Matsui) to play the OF once in a while (also, JD brings speed that Godzilla doesn’t). You do need to replace the production Matsui (162 g. average .292-25-106, OPS+ 124) brought.

What if there was a free agent who had ZERO leverage. Someone whose 162 g. average was not as good as Matsui’s, but who still would be just 31 years old in 2010, and whose 162 g. average would still come out to .280-21-78 with an OPS + of 108? Someone who in 2008 hit .305-25-97? Someone whose last deal (while healthy) was worth just over half that of Matsui’s?    

I don’t know how Xavier Nady’s progression is doing. I don’t know what his estimated time of arrival back in the majors may be. Cashman would have that information and would know.

Two elbow surgeries do throw up a red flag. Can he come back at all? What kind of arm would he have? After missing almost all of 2009, what kind of rust is there?

But one thing is for sure. There is no way Nady gets the $6.5 million he got in 2009. When will he be ready for 2010? Say the Yanks don’t resign Godzilla (and no, I’m not pushing the great Matsui out the door…just supposing). You save $13 m on Matsui. Nady takes a cut. Say you save 4.5 million on him. By going from Molina to Cervelli you save another $1.5 million. You take the saved money ($19 M) and go after Lackey (as mentioned before, CC/AJ/Andy/Lackey and Gaudin….with a bullpen of Robertson/Joba/Aceves/Hughes/Mo and a lefty…scary, huh?).

Interesting, no? Mind you, I don’t think this is going to happen. For all I know, Nady may not come back until mid-season— if at all.

But what if? 

Austin Jackson will be 23 in Feb., 2010. Maybe Nady … on the cheap…. buys you 1/2 a year in case Jackson isn’t ready in the spring but is ready come June. Austin Jackson hit .300-4-65 at AAA Scranton last year. 24 SB in 28 attempts. Maybe he needs more time, maybe not (you would like to see a bit more power. The average and speed were good).

Say AJax needs a few months. Nady is ready come the spring. With the saved $$$ you could have a killer front 4 (AJ/CC/Andy/Lackey) and shorten the game considerably with Aceves/Robertson/Joba/Hughes/Mo… and your LOOGY.

Do you do it?  

Question is, when is the X-man due back?  

Your thoughts?

By Lisa Winston / MLB.com

11/10/09 4:21 PM EST

An elite group of 20 former Major League managers, umpires and executives are under consideration for induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2010 by a pair of Veterans Committees.

The results of the vote, scheduled for Dec. 6, will be announced the next day at baseball’s Winter Meetings, which will be held in Indianapolis.

There will be two ballots, each with 10 candidates, under consideration. One will include eight former managers and two umpires and will be reviewed by the 16-member Veterans Committee for Managers and Umpires.

The second includes 10 executives and “baseball pioneers,” and will be considered by a 12-member committee.

Both voting committees consist of Hall of Famers, current and former executives, and veteran media members, with all asked to vote for up to four candidates on their ballots.

Any candidate receiving votes on 75 percent of all ballots cast will earn election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and will be inducted as part of the 2010 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, slated for July 25 in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Among the finalists on the manager/umpire ballot are Whitey Herzog, who won six division titles with the Rangers, Angels, Royals and Cardinals between 1973 and 1990 and was named 1980s Manager of the Decade by Sports Illustrated; Davey Johnson, who guided his teams to first-place finishes five times in 12 full seasons with the Mets, Reds, Orioles and Dodgers between 1984 and 2000, and was the 1987 American League Manager of the Year with Baltimore; and the late Billy Martin, who led the 1977 New York Yankees to a World Series title during a 16-year managerial career that saw him at the helm of the Twins, Tigers, Rangers and A’s, and included five stints with the Yankees.

The other nominees are former managers Charlie Grimm, Tom Kelly, Gene Mauch, Danny Murtaugh and Steve O’Neill; and former umpires Doug Harvey and Hank O’Day.

The 10 eligible executives are Gene Autry, Sam Breadon, John Fetzer, Bob Howsam, Ewing Kauffman, John McHale, Marvin Miller, Gabe Paul, Jacob Ruppert and Bill White.

The final managers/umpires ballot was developed by the Historical Overview Committee, appointed by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) and composed of 11 veteran members: Dave Van Dyck (Chicago Tribune), Bob Elliott (Toronto Sun), Rick Hummel (St. Louis Post-Dispatch), Steve Hirdt (Elias Sports Bureau), Moss Klein (formerly Newark Star-Ledger), Bill Madden (New York Daily News), Ken Nigro (formerly Baltimore Sun), Jack O’Connell (BBWAA secretary/treasurer), Nick Peters (Sacramento Bee), Tracy Ringolsby (FSN Rocky Mountain) and Mark Whicker (Orange County Register).

The 16-member electorate charged with reviewing the Managers/Umpires ballot includes Hall of Famers Jim Bunning, Bob Gibson, Fergie Jenkins, Al Kaline, Tom Lasorda, Phil Niekro, Tony Perez, Billy Williams and Dick Williams; former executive Jim Frey; current executives Roland Hemond (Diamondbacks) and Bob Watson (Major League Baseball); and veteran media members Tim Kurkjian (ESPN), O’Connell and Tom Verducci (Sports Illustrated), with one elector yet to be announced.

The 12-member electorate that will review the Executives/Pioneers ballot features Hall of Famers Robin Roberts and Tom Seaver; former executive John Harrington (Red Sox); current executives Jerry Bell (Twins), Bill DeWitt (Cardinals), Bill Giles (Phillies), David Glass (Royals), Andy MacPhail (Orioles) and John Schuerholz (Braves); and veteran media members Rick Hummel (St. Louis Post-Dispatch), Hal McCoy (Dayton Daily News) and Phil Pepe (New York Daily News).

 

Lisa Winston is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

It would be nice for Billy to get in, but I feel that despite his managerial accomplishments that he made too many enemies to get elected. Herzog could be a possibility.

One person who really deserves consideration is Marvin Miller. Talk about changing the game…

Harvey (nicknamed “God” when he umpired) would be an interesting choice, as would Gene Autry.

Where I live, the Lehigh Valley now has the Phillies AAA team, the Iron Pigs. It’s the first minor league team in the Lehigh Valley since 1960. Where the Lehigh Valley Mall stands today used to be a ballfield…Breadon Field, named after Sam Breadon. A new field was built for the Iron Pigs (yes, that’s their nickname).

Yankee fans may wonder how in the world Jacob Ruppert isn’t in the hall yet.

I wonder what the Scooter would have said  about that huckleberry Bill White getting in as an executive, and of course, Yankee fans remember Gabe Paul as Yankee GM in the mid-1970s.

One person not on the list is Pat Moran. He died too young (48) but his managerial record wasn’t bad at all.  Check it out.

Who do you feel is most deserving?

Although MLBTR thinks Matsui will be gone (Damon DH/LF, break in Austin Jackson and on days when Damon plays LF, DH Posada/Alex/Jeter…?) Joel Sherman writes that the Yanks are going to work at bring back all three of Matsui, Damon and Pettitte.

As for catcher, I think the Yanks will cut costs and get rid of Molina and have Cervelli as the backup. Remember that Jesus Montero and Austin Romine are only a few years away, and Gary Sanchez is a project for further down the road.

It’s amazing how many people automatically think that Lackey will go to the Yankees. I don’t see it unless one of the three (Andy, Matsui, JD) doesn’t return. I read where someone wrote that Mauer will be a Yankee soon. Mauer is a Minnesota boy. Not only that, I really doubt that the person who wrote that knows anything about the talent at catcher (Montero, Romine) that the Yanks have in the minors. Mauer is great and it would be nice, but… you wonder if they stay within…or deal Montero or Romine. Given the payroll and the supposed talent in Montero and Romine (whose contracts you control for a while), developing Montero and Romine seems more likely.

Mark Teixeira and Derek Jeter were among the American League Gold Glove award winners announced this afternoon.

The complete list:
C Joe Mauer
1B Mark Teixeira
2B Placido Polanco
3B Evan Longoria
SS Derek Jeter
OF Torii Hunter
OF Ichiro Suzuki
OF Adam Jones
P Mark Buehrle

For anyone who watched Teixeira this year remind us (after years of the Giambino) what it is like to have a 1B who can play defense (Mattingly/Tino), his selection was no surprise.

I think the University of Pennsylvania (that’s PENN…not my alma mater, Penn STATE) is in a state of shock now that Jeter has won his 4th GG. Penn, you may recall, had the poll or study a few years back in which they concluded that Jeter was one of the worst defensive shortstops in baseball….hmmm….Penn happens to be in… Philadelphia. They truly must be gagging.

The one surprise may be Polanco over Cano at 2B. Robbie did have a great year defensively. Now I don’t place too much credence in the GG (remember when Palmeiro won one despite only playing 28 games at 1B?) but it would have been nice to see Robbie win it.  

As far as Teixeira…a no-brainer.    

Did you know? Joe Girardi joined Ralph Houk and Billy Martin as the only men to win WS series rings with the Yanks both as a player and as a manager.

Did you know II… The only manager to win a WS with the Yanks and also win another elsewhere was Bucky Harris.

Free agents have started filing, teams are or are not picking up options. The offseason is underway.  

Soon we’ll find out who wins the various baseball awards.