River Avenue Blues

The Peter Abraham appreciation thread

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Peter Abraham is leaving the Journal News for the Boston Globe. Everyone already knows; no reason to pussyfoot around it. After nearly three years of dedicated service on the LoHud Yankees Blog, Pete’s headed to a gig at a much bigger paper. It’s an excellent opportunity, and it couldn’t go to anyone more deserving. While I’ll miss Pete covering the Yanks and providing multiple daily updates on the blog, I wish him only the best of luck as he transitions to the rival beat.

Mike and I met Pete at the Winter Meetings last year. We introduced ourselves, expecting we’d have a quick exchange and then be on our way. But Pete chatted with us for a while, talking Yanks, newspapers, coverage, and anything else that might have come up. We were first timers and didn’t want to look out of place. Pete helped us with any procedural questions we had. He didn’t have to do any of that. But not only did he, but it seemed to please him. He also seems happy to answer all of my annoying emails asking for information. There are so many people who wouldn’t do that, wouldn’t go out of their way to help just some blog, but Pete always did. And I’ll always appreciate that.

People have varying opinions of the man, but there are two things no one can deny. First, Pete is a good reporter who gathers and disseminates information in a timely and professional manner. Second, he gets it. He proposed the idea of the blog to his bosses at a time when blog was still a dirty word. He slogged through it when only die-hards were reading. I remember someone pointing me there during those Winter Meetings, and I wondered why the hell everyone wasn’t doing that. Since then, the industry has wised up and learned that a blog is a good medium for journalism. Pete was ahead of his time.

It’s always hard to lose someone like Pete, who has been with us for so long. All the beat writers have blogs now, but none of them are quite Pete’s. Someone will eventually fill the void he’ll leave in two weeks, but it still won’t be quite the same. I hope that some of the people who don’t think of Pete as highly as I do can at least appreciate his contribution to journalism.

Take care in Boston, Pete, and good luck.

Nick Swisher can brighten up any clubhouse

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It’s hard to imagine the 2009 Yankees without Nick Swisher. Relegated to fourth outfielder status heading into the season, Swisher became the full-time right fielder after Xavier Nady blew out his elbow and hasn’t looked back. He’s en route to what could be the best season of his career. His 59 extra base hits must have Kenny Williams wondering why the hell he traded him for Wilson Betemit and Jeff Marquez last winter.

The Yankees traded for Swisher because they thought they could get a productive player on the cheap. It was certainly a gamble of sorts, as Swisher had a horrible season in 2008. Not only did the Yanks win the gamble, but they got a dividend on their investment. Not only did they get a productive player, but they got a unique personality who brought life to the rigid Yankees clubhouse. That might not add to the team’s baseball output, but it sure makes for a great story.

Swisher is no stranger to stories. He played a big role in Michael Lewis’s Moneyball, the blue chip prospect that even Billy Beane, he who drafted Jeremy Brown in the first round, couldn’t pass up. Scouts and sabermetricians alike loved Swisher for his approach and his power, and it was only after a few breaks that he even fell to the A’s. Once he made the majors, it was inevitable that he’d become a reporter’s dream.

Chris Ballard of Sports Illustrated captured Swisher perfectly with a lede he wrote in 2006:

Nick Swisher is good. He is home-run-beltin’, sideburn-wearin’, nonstop-talkin’, bear-hug-dispensin’, self-proclaimin’ good. His coaches know it, his teammates know it, and most of all Swisher knows it.

The sideburns don’t fly in the Bronx, but other than that Swisher is the same guy now as he was then. It seems as though the Yankees clubhouse has come to embrace it. They have been portrayed as a rigid bunch over the years, but the off-season additions, especially Swisher, have seemingly helped turn that around. At least Johnny Damon thinks so:

“He’s had an impact on the clubhouse,” adds Johnny Damon, whose locker is next to Swisher’s. “When I came over, I mean, this place was kinda dead, you know? I almost had to watch everything I said. I didn’t want to upset anyone. But having characters in here has helped everyone. It’s kind of like how Kevin Millar helped me in Boston – we changed the way things were in Boston, but it took another guy to put it full throttle.

“It’s completely different in here now. It’s great, we’re in this new stadium and there’s a lot of room to have fun.”

Even better is what Andy Pettitte has to say about young Swisher. “Nick loves to talk, that’s for sure.” This recalls one of my favorite Swisher stories of all time, as relayed by Ballard:

In college two of his teammates offered him $50 if he could stay quiet for a long bus ride back to Columbus. “It was the hardest thing for me to do. I wanted to just shoot myself,” he says. “But”–and here he brightens up–“I got my 50 bucks, boy!”

While this was meant to be an upbeat post about the most ebullient Yankee, Swisher’s charity work also deserves a nod. He has his own charity, Swish’s Wishes, which is “dedicated to enriching lives and lifting the spirits of children who are facing vital health issues while providing care, comfort and support through the most difficult of times.” He also works with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and has donated hair to women who have lost theirs from cancer treatments — an homage to his grandmother, Betty Swisher, who died of brain cancer in 2005. A list of Swisher’s charity work is available on his website.

It might be early morning, but hey, it’s a Friday, so I propose a toast to Nick Swisher. The Yanks got him for next to nothing, and he’s been an important cog in a high-powered offense. Whether he’s slamming a walk-off home run or taking a key walk, Swisher is contributing to this offense and to the clubhouse. So let’s crown his ass. He is who he thought he was.

A great big Swisher bear hug to The Yankees Universe for the tip.

Yanks recall Miranda

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Chad Jennings has the news. Triple-A Scranton’s season ended tonight, so the Yanks are going to raid their roster for at least one more player, recalling Juan Miranda. I assume he’ll meet the team in Seattle. Jennings mentions that Austin Jackson and Zach Kroenke – the two other serious callup candidates – weren’t told anything definitive, and are just going home for the time being. Neither player is on the 40-man roster, making it a little tricky to bring them up. For now though, the Yanks have an extra lefty bat off the bench, and won’t have to play Jose Molina at first base anymore.

Scranton falls short in bid to repeat

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Marc Hulet of FanGraphs broke down Andrew Brackman’s season in 600 words. It took me three posts.

Triple-A Scranton (3-2 loss to Durham in 12 innings) Durham swept the best-of-five series and won the Governor’s Cup … congrats to them
Kevin Russo & Colin Curtis: both 0 for 6 – Russo K’ed twice, Curtis once … tough to score when your 1-2 hitters do that
Austin Jackson: 2 for 4, 1 R, 2 BB, 2 K
Juan Miranda & Chris Stewart: both 1 for 4, 1 K – Miranda tripled, walked twice & scored a run … Stewart walked & doubled
Cody Ransom: 1 for 5, 2 RBI, 2 K – was at the plate with the winning run on third and two outs in the 9th, but he struck out
John Rodriguez: 0 for 5, 1 BB, 1 K
Reegie Corona: 1 for 3, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP
Doug Bernier: 0 for 3, 3 BB, 2 K – made the last out of the season
Ivan Nova: 7 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 9-7 GB/FB – 57 of 93 pitches were strikes (61.3%) … two outings in the playoffs, two brilliant starts
Zack Kroenke: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 2-3 GB/FB – 20 of 29 pitches were strikes (69%) … allowed a pair of inherited runners to score, hence the runs on Nova’s docket
Kevin Whelan: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 1-1 GB/FB – 23 of 45 pitches were strikes (51.1%) … he was cruising along, but then he started walking guys and left a bases loaded mess for
Eric Wordekemper: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 2-0 GB/FB – 18 of 25 pitches were strikes (72%)

Double-A Trenton’s season is over. Akron leads Connecticut 2-1 in the best-of-five Eastern League Championship Series. Game Three is tomorrow night.

High-A Tampa won the Florida State League championship.

Low-A Charleston’s season is over. Greenville beat Lakewood tonight, but they still trail 2-1 in the South Atlantic League Championship Series (best-of-five). Game Three is tomorrow.

Short Season Staten Island won the NY-Penn League championship.

The Rookie GCL Yanks season is over after they lost to the GCL Marlins in Round One of the playoffs. The GCL Nats won the league championship.

Open Thread: Heyman’s free agent predictions

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The Yankees are off today and are traveling out to the west coast for the third time this year, so we’ve got some time to kill. While we wait patiently for tomorrow’s game, let’s take a look at Jon Heyman’s latest column, in which he guesses how much money various free agents will get this winter. Here’s what’s up with the Yanks’ impending free agents:

17. Johnny Damon, Yankees outfielder. Big year. But “better in Yankee Stadium,” the GM said.
Agent: $18 million, 2 years.
GM: Whatever the Yankees want to pay.
Me: $16 million, 2 years.

Did you know Damon’s hitting .154-.267-.154 since Sept. 3rd? Yikes. Anyway, I can’t see Damon getting two guaranteed years, at least not from the Yankees. Given his age, lack of defense, and considerable home-road splits, there will probably be a limited market for his services. My guess is one year, $5M with incentives and an option for 2011.

19. Andy Pettitte, Yankees starter. He says he’s undecided about a return. But everyone thinks he’s going back to the Yankees.
Agent: $10 million, 1 year.
GM: $11-12 million, 1 year.
Me: $12 million, 1 year.

Common sense says it’s Yankees or retirement. Pettitte’s base salary was $5.5M this year, but he’s already earned close to $3.5M in incentives with $2.5M or so not far off. Assuming the shoulder fatigue is nothing major, Pettitte should get more guaranteed money next year. I’m thinking one year, $9M with more incentives.

20. Hideki Matsui, Yankees DH. Big field of DHs may hurt him. Could replace Ken Griffey Jr. in Seattle, the GM predicted.
Agent: $20 million, 2 years.
GM: $5-6 million, 1 year.
Me: $8 million, 1 year.

Matsui is a tough one. Everyone loves him, but designated hitters aren’t exactly in high demand. The anonymous GM Heyman quotes managed to make the Seattle-Japanese connection, but I think the M’s would turn to Russ Branyan to be their DH before dropping semi-big bucks on a free agent. I’m thinking one year, $5M tops, whether he stays in NY or goes elsewhere.

What do you guys think?

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Here’s your open thread for the evening. The Mets are in the Atlanta playing out the rest of their schedule, while the Angels will wuss out against the Red Sox again, this time on MLB Network. Me? I’m finally going to tear in NHL 10. Talk about whatever you want, just be cool.

Update: For those who don’t check his blog (which is what, two of you?), Pete Abraham is headed up the East Coast to work for the Boston Globe. Make sure to go congratulate him.

Is Joe Mauer really the MVP, and are saberists really arrogant turds?

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It’s true: near everyone who pays close attention to the numbers believes Joe Mauer should be the AL MVP. He not only leads the AL in OPS, but he’s doing it as a catcher, the most difficult defensive position. He’s outperforming first basemen and outfielders, players expected to put up big numbers. Where other teams have catchers with OPSs in the mid-.700s, Mauer is at 1.051. It’s an enormous advantage at a position where defense reigns.

This is, simplified, why those who pay attention to the numbers think Mauer is the MVP. It’s not just that he leads the league in OPS, but that he’s doing it from a position where no one else even comes close — of catchers with over 350 at bats, Jorge Posada is closes with a .881 OPS. Yes, Kevin Youkilis and Miguel Cabrera have pretty numbers, but they come from first base (and a little third for Youk), positions where big production is more expected. Derek Jeter plays a tough defensive position, and is playing it sell this year, and has a case. But his numbers all fall well short of Mauer’s.

Ken Rosenthal recognizes all this, and he does agree that Mauer should be MVP. He’s just sick of sabermetricians shouting down dissenters. This is baseball after all, and what is baseball without a good debate? It’s a good point, but Rosenthal goes astray at many points. Most notably:

Here’s the problem: Sabermetricians were ignored for so long, they had to shout to be heard. Now they are getting heard — properly heard in the highest levels of baseball media and front offices. But some continue to shout, dismissing those who disagree as ignorant dolts.

I’m sorry, but the last part of that sentence will not stand. Since the inception of blogs through even today, mainstream media writers have dismissed bloggers as idiots who live in their mothers’ basements. This isn’t just a narrative: see for yourself. Bloggers have been and still are dismissed by elitist writers who think that because some editor gave them a job that their word is more definitive. Clearly, this does not apply to all mainstream writers. It doesn’t even apply to the majority of them. But if Rosenthal is going to charge that bloggers dismiss those who agree as ignorant dolts, he should acknowledge the other side of the coin.

(Need I even go further than Rosenthal’s colleague Dayn Perry shouting down the Teixeira acolytes?)

To take care of the shouting part, we turn to Tom Tango, who is a sabermetrician.

I don’t dismiss those who disagree. I dismiss those who don’t provide evidence for their claims, or refuse to be educated. Refusing to be educated does make you, by definition, ignorant. It’s one thing to have a conversation with someone who is ignorant, it’s another to have a conversation with someone who continues to remain ignorant. One gives me hope, the other is hopeless.

If I shout, it’s to be heard over the gasbaggery of ignoramuses, so that those who want to learn, or want to have a reasonable conversation, can do so. The problem is not those who shout; the problem is those who are on the dance floor who refuse to dance with any rhythm, and don’t even try to. Worse still, they think they have rhythm.

What’s even better, Tango went ahead and made a decent case against Mauer for MVP. “Mauer is not a million miles ahead. Depending what kind of glasses you wear, he’s somewhere between two laps ahead of all the nonpitchers in this marathon to barely ahead, and either tied with Greinke or at least a lap behind Greinke.” There is a sabermetrician, not shouting, not dismissing. In fact, he’s making a case against the very issue about which Rosenthal complains.

I get Kenny’s point. He wants to keep debate alive and robust. Good. So do we. Otherwise, we wouldn’t write this site. He could have made his case a bit better, though. The way he puts it, saberists like Tom Tango are just a bunch of immutable gasbags. Clearly, that is not the case, as the man himself demonstrated. So let’s put aside the name calling and pettiness and talk about what happens on the field. That’s the only thing that matters, anyway.