SF no longer interested in Matsui
By · CommentsIt speaks volumes about your team when Aaron Rowand is the only hitter you think you need. But that’s what Giants GM Brian Sabean thinks as he is no longer interested in Matsui. I’m happy to see Matsui stay, but Sabean is delusional if he’s expecting anything more than a last place finish for the Giants next year. (And, yes, I know that there are going to be Yankees in the Mitchell Report. But until the report is issued, I’m not naming names.)
Waiting out Steroid D-Day
By · CommentsSo today’s the day, huh? At 2 p.m., George Mitchell of the Boston Red Sox will unveil his report on steroids in baseball to the world, and sportswriters everywhere will cover a story they should written about 10 years ago.
As Joe wrote on Tuesday, we’re not holding out much hope for the Mitchell Report. Yes, it will make headlines. Yes, some players will be judged guilty in the eyes of the public. And yes, the Astros probably traded for a headache they don’t want.
But the problems — and ESPN detailed more today — far outweigh the benefits. Who cares which sluggers were doping before MLB had a solid testing program and drug policy in place? While Mark McGwire looked foolish saying it in front of Congress, the past is the past. George Mitchell cannot change what happened, and baseball should really just be trying to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Needless to say, neither the Commission’s Office or the MLBPA seem too concerned with drugs to institute a top-notch policy.
For all the proselytizing I can do on steroids, for fans of individual players and teams, it’s personal. How would Yankee fans react if some big names showed up on the list of around 80 names that are supposedly in the report? What happens if it’s one of the good guys who actually matter? Or one of the guys still on the team? I guess we’ll find out.
Here at the RAB, I’m just hoping that none of the homegrown talent shows up. Last week, Yankees Chick released her list of Yanks who better not be in the report, and it’s a solid rundown of the fan favorites. Right now, only time will tell, and we will, of course, have a story about it as the report is released.
In the meantime, follow The Big Lead’s lead. They’ve called for a Mitchell Report fantasy draft. Name the guys most likely to appear in the report, and if Barry Bonds, anticlimactically, isn’t on the top of all the lists, I’d be pretty surprise.
ByT.J. Beam has been non-tendered. Pour one out for him. Joining him in free agency are Darrell Rasner and Mighty Matt DeSalvo. And thus the Yankees have freed up their 40-man spots for all of the returning players.
On another note, Mark Prior has also been non-tendered. Isn’t that one oh-so-tempting? · (18) ·
ByChad Jennings updates us with a few losses in the Yanks minor league system. Angel Chavez has gone to the Dodgers, Raul Chavez is off to Pittsburgh, and Charlie Manning heads to the Nationals. Nothing big, as you can see, though Manning does throw with his left arm, which apparently will get you chance after chance after chance in the bigs. Anyone seen Wayne Franklin lately? · (4) ·
ByI’m covering over at MLB Trade Rumors tonight, so I’m going through the normal channels to find the latest transactions. You gotta believe this bit from RotoWorld made me snarf my beer:
Dodgers signed RHP Tanyon Sturtze
Yeah, there were 10 other names on that list — including former Yankee farmhand John-Ford Griffin.
The only remaining question: How’s Joe going to burn out Proctor’s and Sturtze’s arms? He’ll be pulling his starters in the fifth inning every game! · (12) ·
By…and his name is not Hideki Matsui. The Giants signed Aaron Rowand to a five-year deal today. I’m not quite sure how this would impact the discussions between the Yanks and Giants concerning Hideki Matsui. The Giants do still need a left-fielder, but Brian Sabean probably feels he has his bat in Rowand. · (27) ·
ByWhile not nearly as nifty as the dipping set, here’s another great gift idea for the baseball fan in your life: Manny Ramirez’s game-used spandex. Right now, they’re going for $120 on eBay. If that doesn’t float your boat, you can get Terry Francona’s used socks or Kevin Youkilis’ used spandex, which is just a disturbing thought. · (5) ·
Why I love Andy Pettitte
By · CommentsSome of you might have caught my interview at YanksBlog.com, in which I said that my favorite Yankees, past or present, is Andy Pettitte. Today, he reaffirmed my sentiments:
“I guess there has been a lot of speculation that we need a true power arm, ace or whatever. I disagree with that,” he said. “I think Wang is an absolute stud. I think he is an ace. I understand he struggled in the postseason but that’s going to happen. I’ve struggled in the postseason before then come back and pitched extremely well. … To say we need (Santana) to be successful, that’s hard for me to say.”
Preach on, Brother Andy.
ByMiguel Tejada, who in his career against the Yanks has hit .305/.359/.457, has been traded to the Astros for five uninspiring players. Ladies and gentlemen, your last-place AL East team in 2008 is now the Baltimore Orioles. · (19) ·
ByThe Yanks’ once and future ace Chien-Ming Wang would like a long-term deal from the Yankees, but as we know, the Yanks are loathe to give those out to their youngsters. More newsworthy in that Peter Abraham piece, however, is word that Wang thinks his agent is working on a deal. Last we heard, Wang’s agent approached the Yanks about a long-term deal, and when the Yanks told him to make the initial offer, he opted against doing so. That’s no way to run a business. · (26) ·
