Change

Hey guys, the blog has been moved to Wordpress and is now called Baseball Beat. Same content, just different name and look. I will still keep up this site for the archive.

Yankee's Defense= Weakness?

There has been a lot of talk around baseball that even with all the pitching the Yankee's weakness will be their defense. ESPN's Keith Law says it could be one of baseball's worst. I don't believe this to be true. Centerfield and first base are only getting stronger. I believe defense will be much approved this season over last. I will breakdown each position's defense.

1. Catcher

Jorge Posada/ Jose Molina- Posada was one of the best defensive catchers in 2007, he threw out 30% of runners and started blocking the plate more, two things that weren't his strong points in the past. In 2008, Posada never had a chance to get comfortable catching, his year was shortened by a shoulder injury. When he was catching, he couldn't throw out any runner with his hurt shoulder. Posada is supposed to be healthy for the 2009 season. I'm not sure how healthy he really is, and he is another year older. If he can stay healthy he can be close to his 2007 form, but that is a big if. I don't believe Posada will be any kind of liability.

Molina is more than an adequate defensive catcher. He throws out runners at a high rate, he threw out 33 of 42 runners in 2008, and rarely has passed balls. Molina is exactly what you want in a back up catcher. If Posada isn't healthy enough to start as catcher all the time, Molina only improves the defense of the Yankees on a full-time basis.

Grade: B/A

2. First Base

Nick Swisher- Swisher, without a doubt is a huge defensive improvement over Jason Giambi. Swisher will add stellar defense to the Yankees. One of GM Brian Cashman's justifications for adding Swisher was that the run production your losing from Giambi's bat balances out with the runs you will save from being scored with Swisher's glove. However, if Swisher can't produce on offense or if Cashman wants to add a first baseman that has better offensive numbers than Swisher, that could weaken the Yankee's defense.

Grade: A-

3. Second Base

Robinson Cano- Cano over recent years has improved defensively. However this is still the Yankee's top weakness. Cano posts a .984% fielding percentage, which isn't terrible. But, Cano seems slow to react to some ground balls, and lazy at times.

Grade: C

4. Shortstop

Derek Jeter- Jeter is another year older and questions remain to how long Jeter can stay at SS. Jeter makes a good amount of errors a season, but he makes up for it with the intensity he gives going after and making the tough plays. Also, his patent Jeter throw is still incredible, and Jeter can make that over the shoulder catch better than any other SS.

Grade: B+

5. Third Base

Alex Rodriguez- A-Rod is one of the best defensive third baseman in the game. He's prone to boot a few balls a year, but no one can complain with his defense.

Grade: A-

6. Left Field

Johnny Damon- Damon isn't a center fielder anymore. But, he plays a great left field in Yankee Stadium, and s overall good there. In 87 games in LF, Damon has only 1 error. Just can't count on assists by Damon.

Grade: B+

7. Center Field

Brett Gardner/ Melky Cabrera/ Mike Cameron?- If the Cameron deal doesn't go through, I see Gardner as the starting centerfielder. Gardner would be a perfect defensive upgrade for the Yankees. He's fast and great defensively, no worries there. If Melky wins the job over Gardner in spring training, Melky wouldn't be a bad everyday starting centerfielder. He has shown he can play good defense in center, and has a stellar arm. Cameron is a several time gold-glove winner, he's an incredible defender in center. The only issue with Cameron is that he is in his late 30's.

Grade: A+/A-/A

9. Right Field

Xavier Nady- Nady takes over RF from Abreu, a position he played daily in Pittsburgh. Nady plays good defense, and has a decent arm. Nothing to worry about. Nady doesn't have the arm Abreu had, but isn't afraid of that back wall like Abreu was.

Grade: B

Overall, I believe the Yankees will be fine on defense and I think the criticism about their defense is overblown. Cano is the big weakness, and if Posada's catching skills have severely regressed because of the shoulder injury, that would be a great cause for concern.

Morning Links

• MLB Trade Rumors has a list of some interesting players who were non-tendered yesterday, such as Ty Wigginton and Daniel Cabrera, and here's the official list.
• According to the LA Times, the Angels reportedly made an eight-year offer to Mark Teixeira that matches the Nationals offer.
• According to SI's Jon Heyman, the Dodgers, Rays, Angels, and Cubs have all expressed interest in Bobby Abreu. I wouldn't be surprised of the Angels signed him if they lose out on Teixeira.
• A.J. Burnett reactions: ESPN's Keith Law views the signing as a risk, but with huge upside. While Jay Jaffe, from Baseball Prospectus, believes the Yankees could get burned by the signing, and SI's Cliff Corcoran believes it was a bad investment of $82.5 million.
  
• The Indians signed closer Kerry Wood to a two-year deal worth about $20 million.
• Omar's bullpen overhaul continues after the Mets' Scott Schoeneweis was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks. That is the third Mets reliever to be traded this week.
• Ken Rosenthal reports that the Braves might seek to acquire a pitcher via trade, not necessarily Peavy, after losing out on Burnett.
  

Random Notes

Just some random tidbits for this post. This will be my last post for the night, since I have plans for tonight.

-Yankees seemed to close on A.J. Burnett for 5 years, $82.5 million.

- The Indians are waiting on a decision from Kerry Wood by tomorrow.

-Dodgers are waiting out Manny.

-The Red Sox unveiled a new uniform and logo, much like their 80's uniforms, I personally don't like them.

-Cubs looking at Milton Bradley and looking to trade Jason Marquis.

Baseball 2028 Predictions

There was an interesting post on the Wezen-Ball baseball blog about an old Sporting news article in 1981 predicting what baseball will be like in 1981. That got me wondering what baseball will be like in 10 years from now. Below are my 10 predictions for baseball in the year 2028.

1. Extended Playoffs- Baseball has continually been gaining more and more popularity, almost to where it was in the glory days. It just makes sense for baseball to increase the number of teams in the playoffs just to generate more interest and ratings. Perhaps two wildcard teams per league and a one game playoff between the two wildcard teams, a kind of wild card playoffs the NFL has.

2. Removal of a Florida team- Who will it be? For years we have heard talks of a Florida team being moved. However the Marlins, who were most talked about being moved, have a new stadium in the works (finally) and will be known as the Miami Marlins. But will fans tolerate having a team that gets dismantled every time they win the World Series. The Rays had a break out season in 2008, but were still unable to draw big attendance, and no longer are building a new stadium. My pick is that the Rays will be moved at some point in the next 2o years.

3. Records Broken- I believe in the next 20 years Bonds’ home run record (762) will be shattered by Alex Rodriguez (if he stays healthy). Trevor Hoffman’s save record will be surpassed. Also there will be players who will finish with a .400 batting average for the first time since Ted Williams did it in 1941. However, i believe no person will of broke Joe Dimaggio’s 56 game hitting streak.

4.Hall of Famers- Bonds and Clemens not in Hall by 2028, neither will be any suspicious “steroid era” players. Pete Rose will be.

5. New Rules- The NL will finally adopt the DH rule. Instant replay review will be fully adopted as in other sports (except balls and strikes). The era of turf stadiums will finally be over and every stadium will have grass like God intended.

6. New Cities- I believe there will be an extension of at least 2 teams by 2028. Cities that might get expanded teams or moved teams include: Portland, Oregon, Nashville, Tennessee, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, San Antonio, Texas.

7. No Salary Cap- The MLBPA is too powerful of a union to let there be a salary cap. However even though salaries will still be much higher (because of inflation), I think salaries won’t be out of hand as they were in the early 2000’s.

8. International Players- while African American players keep decreasing, international players keep increasing. I think there will still be a large number of Latin American players in the league but new areas, such as Europe and Asia especially, will see a large influx of players in MLB. Sadly, I think the number of African American players will keep decreasing.

9. 3 Retired- Babe Ruth’s number will be retired throughout the league as Jackie Robinson’s 42 is, at least it should be by then.

10. End of a an Era- Fenway and Wrigley will no longer exist, they can’t be kept around forever.

What I would like to see in 20 years that isn’t in my predictions:

1. The World Baseball Classic as popular and respected as FIFA’s World Cup.

2. The Dodgers move back to Brooklyn.

3. The “steroid era” forgotten and never repeated.

4. Cubs still without a World Series, it’s baseball tradition.

5. The Yankees win at least 19 more World Series (joking joking).

Oh Where Will Manny Land?

By now many of you heard how Manny feels disrespected and threatened to retire if he doesn't get the contract he feels he deserves. I don't believe Manny will retire, especially coming off one of his best seasons. So, Manny has to sign somewhere, right? Below are my top 5 places Mannymania can land.



1. Los Angeles Dodgers

Why They Will Sign Him- Manny single handily carried the Dodgers to the playoffs. They desperately need his offensive production. Without Manny, the Dodgers maybe win 75 games in 2009. They can spend the money to re-sign him, they just don't agree with the years he wants. If the Dodgers want to be competitive next season and the season after, they should just give him the extra year or two.
Why They Won't- Manny will be 36, the Dodgers don't want to sign Manny to a deal more than 2 years like Manny wants. His production will decrease eventually and with no DH in the NL, who wants Manny's defense in the outfield? Plus, even though he acted like a good boy in L.A. and fit in, eventually everybody has to get sick of Manny being Manny.

2. Los Angeles Angels

Why They Will Sign Him- It's looking more and more like Teixiera won't be re-signing with the Angels. The Angels need the offense to not only reach beyond just winning the division, but to establish themselves as the team to beat in the AL. Manny is a great plan B to Teixiera. Also, Manny is a better offensive player than Teixiera, and clutch in the post-season. You also can put him at DH to save yourself from the Manny defensice headaches.
Why They Won't- Mike Sciocia values team chemistry a lot, he would be worried about a Manny personality disrupting that chemistry, plus I don't think they would get along with each other. The Angels, I don't believe, would want to commit around $20 million to an aging player like Manny for the years he wants.

3. New York Yankees

Why They Will Sign Him- Oh the reasons. The Yankees actually make a lot of sense, Manny would love it too. The Yankees are banking on making up for the lost production of Giambi and Abreu with better pitching, comeback years for Posada, Cano, and Matsui. That is a lot of question marks, not to mention hoping Jeter and Damon don't regress, Nady stays productive, and Swisher can thrive being a full-time first baseman. Think about how scary the lineup would be having A-Rod and Manny back to back. AL pitchers would poop their pants. Also, Manny in pinstripes would drive Boston nuts, and Manny would love to face Boston 19 times a year.

Even with all the money spent on pitching, the Yankees would still have money left over to get Manny at a discount, but at around 4 years, and still be down in payroll from last year. Not to mention, Manny is from the Washington Heights section of Manhattan.
Why They Won't- The Yankees want good chemistry to be part of the current team, and like the Angels, they are worried about a Manny personality being on the team. Fans also hate Manny for everything he has done to the Yankees and his personality (though that would almost undoubtedly change once the season starts if he's on the team). Manny got tired of the Boston media scrutiny, how would he feel in New York, which is bigger and just as tough? Girardi isn't the type of manager that would get along with Manny, I bet he's praying that Hank's dream won't come true. The Yankees actually do want to just spend money on mostly pitching and try to keep the payroll around $180 million. Overall, the Manny mentality is the complete opposite of what the Yankee's mentality is.

4. New York Mets

Why They Will Sign Him- Nobody is talking about the Mets, mostly because Omar appears uninterested, especially after the money he spent on K-Rod and the need for starting pitchers, but you never know. They would love another big slugger in the lineup. Fans would love Manny. The Mets could be a team where Manny's personality might not be a problem, much like Pedro Martinez when he signed. They could just stick him in left field, especially with prospects vying for a spot and the concussion prone Ryan Church in right. And again, Manny is originally from New York City.

Why They Won't- Like many other teams the Mets' front office could be afraid of Manny-being-Manny. Also, again with Manny's feeling with the scrutiny of the media: see Yankees above. Manny's defense would be terrible in the Mets' big outfield. The Mets also might really not have the money to sign him.

5. Baltimore Orioles

Why They Will Sign Him- Because the Oriole's organization is run by a bunch of monkeys. The Orioles, I thought, were on the right track with blowing up their team and completely rebuilding. But then I hear they are extremely interested in breaking the bank for Teixiera. Why, oh why do bad teams think one hitter can solve all their problems? Orioles seemingly haven't learned from past failures, so a Manny signing wouldn't be surprising. Manny would be an attraction to bring fans (what is left of them) back to beautiful Camden Yards. There's room for him at DH or in the outfield, and the Orioles seem to have money to burn. The O's would also love to have Manny bat against the Red Sox and Yankees. Manny would love to face the Red Sox more, and face the Yankees again, who he can do the whole "see what you missed out on signing" song and dance to. Plus, I don't believe Manny cares that much about winning, he mostly wants to get his 600 home runs and pad his career stats for the Hall.

Why They Won't- Because it is a terrible idea. The O's need to rebuild around youth and bring in good pitching, not one offensive player. The Orioles are years away from being competitive, a Manny deal makes no sense for them.

Prediction: He re-signs with the Dodgers for about 3 years-$66 million.

Back For The 374,948,498,743 Time

Okay, I have been severely neglecting this blog for too long. But, my friends, I believe the hibernation is over.

I have been very busy over the past few months with many things, so it was hard to manage this blog at the same time, especially since I do all the writing.

Just a few notes before I start my off-season posting:

-Yes, I was wrong about pretty much everything I predicted this year. Look at the post below and at this one. Okay, there were a few others too.

-The C.C. deal for the Yankees is worth the risks. The Yankees desperately needed a pitcher like Sabathia. If the Yankees get Burnett and either Pettitte or Sheets, I don't know how you can argue with them having the best Rotation in baseball.

-The Mets did a hell of a job getting K-Rod and Putz. Looks like Omar doesn't want to repeat history for a third time next September.

-Manny feels disrespected, I guess know he knows how the Red Sox felt during his entire tenure with them.

-Why isn't baseball season yet?