"But there are worst-case scenarios as well, and the Yankees made this deal without knowing exactly what those could be. Perhaps it's a suspension far beyond expectation. Or the emergence of charges or more evidence or incident reports or cell-phone video. Or something the Yankees haven't even considered. The circumstances with NFL players Ray Rice and Greg Hardy demonstrated that,"
I guess.
How much are the Yankees on the hook for?
All of these contracts are risky, by definition.
"The prudent choice would've been to follow the Dodgers and Red Sox's lead and back away from Chapman, even at the discounted price. The Yankees didn't have to have Chapman, just as the Dodgers didn't have to pair him with Kenley Jansen. With the free-agent market prices seemingly frozen and quality players still unsigned, there could be other cost-conscious ways for the team to get better in the weeks ahead.
But the Yankees made their choice with eyes wide open. And in so doing, they knowingly forfeited all rights to excuses if this turns out badly because of off-field problems."
Oh no.
Not that.
Anything but that.
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Monday, December 28, 2015
Five-Inning Games
I like the acquisition. Sometimes, it's wise to enhance your existing strengths rather than focus on your weaknesses.
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Right on cue ...
... the case for Larry Walker.
Not so sure he makes a compelling argument here, but I'd still expect more consideration for Walker:
"Let's deal with the elephant in the room when it comes to Walker -- the 10 seasons he spent playing half of his games a mile high in Denver. Did all of that time at Coors Field boost Walker's numbers? Absolutely. He hit an astronomical .381/.462/.710 (1.172 OPS) in 597 career games at Coors.
But keep two things in mind. First, most players perform better at home. For example, Major League batters had a .739 home OPS in 2015, compared with .704 on the road. Second, Walker still was an excellent hitter away from his home park. During his nine full seasons with the Rockies, he produced an .890 road OPS, and his career .865 mark is 39th all-time among players with 1,000 road games. Griffey, a lock for induction this year, notched an .860. And when Walker was at his absolute best, in 1997, he hit .346/.443/.733 with 29 homers in 75 road games, slightly better than he did at home. So no, he wasn't just a product of altitude."
Not so sure he makes a compelling argument here, but I'd still expect more consideration for Walker:
"Let's deal with the elephant in the room when it comes to Walker -- the 10 seasons he spent playing half of his games a mile high in Denver. Did all of that time at Coors Field boost Walker's numbers? Absolutely. He hit an astronomical .381/.462/.710 (1.172 OPS) in 597 career games at Coors.
But keep two things in mind. First, most players perform better at home. For example, Major League batters had a .739 home OPS in 2015, compared with .704 on the road. Second, Walker still was an excellent hitter away from his home park. During his nine full seasons with the Rockies, he produced an .890 road OPS, and his career .865 mark is 39th all-time among players with 1,000 road games. Griffey, a lock for induction this year, notched an .860. And when Walker was at his absolute best, in 1997, he hit .346/.443/.733 with 29 homers in 75 road games, slightly better than he did at home. So no, he wasn't just a product of altitude."
Pivoting off a HOF article ...
... which includes a pic of an actual HOF ballot ... I'm surprised Larry Walker doesn't get more consideration.
The home/road splits probably explain it.
But then I wonder if anyone who plays in Colorado will every make the HOF.
If you really care about Jerry Crasnick's vote, then you can read the rest of the article. He voted for Bonds and Clemens.
The home/road splits probably explain it.
But then I wonder if anyone who plays in Colorado will every make the HOF.
If you really care about Jerry Crasnick's vote, then you can read the rest of the article. He voted for Bonds and Clemens.
Sunday, December 20, 2015
The Mets choked in the World Series.
"What, the grace period is over already with the Mets?"
Says the guy who just explained why Coughlin is going to get fired, even if the Giants beat the undefeated Panthers. I think that's what he said, please forgive me for scanning it.
Says the guy who has already anointed Porzingis.
Point being, Lupica is a typical modern media short-attention-span idiot who suddenly wants to put the monster back into its cage.
There is no grace period. The grace period for "MVP" Yoenis Cespedes lasted less than one month; the grace period for Daniel Murphy lasted less than one week; the grace period for Terry Collins lasted less than one game.
"You know the moment I’ll remember most in New York sports, before the last night of the baseball season went wrong?"
You gave it away when you said baseball ... so I'm going to guess it wasn't an Islanders game ... I'll go with the Mets?
"I’ll remember what it felt like and sounded like at Citi Field when the Mets were still ahead in Game 5, and they were three outs away from going back to Kansas City.
I’ll remember what it felt like and sounded like when Matt Harvey came out of the dugout to pitch the top of the 9th, because I would have done the same thing Terry Collins did that night, and send him the hell out there."
Ha ha ha.
How arrogant: "I would have done the same thing."
Because world-renowned baseball strategist Mike Lupica would have done the same thing, then no one can question the wisdom of the strategy. Mike Lupica and his 20 Championship rings.
"Harvey walked the leadoff guy, of course, and should have been gone right there.
Before long Duda was throwing wide and Hosmer was on his way home, and you know what happened later.
The other team was just better.
Not a lot better.
Just enough."
Harvey choked and Collins choked.
That's what choking is.
It's when you lose because the importance of the moment gets the best of you.
"This was still the October — and November — when we officially got the Mets back.
This was the time in baseball New York when Citi Field finally sounded the way old Shea did across the parking lot.
It would have been great to win it all, of course it would, are you kidding?"
The Yankees almost beat the Red Sox in 2004. It would have been great to win it all, of course it would, are you kidding?
"But how could you ever walk away feeling like losers after a run like that?"
Because the Royals scored more runs than the Mets.
Says the guy who just explained why Coughlin is going to get fired, even if the Giants beat the undefeated Panthers. I think that's what he said, please forgive me for scanning it.
Says the guy who has already anointed Porzingis.
Point being, Lupica is a typical modern media short-attention-span idiot who suddenly wants to put the monster back into its cage.
There is no grace period. The grace period for "MVP" Yoenis Cespedes lasted less than one month; the grace period for Daniel Murphy lasted less than one week; the grace period for Terry Collins lasted less than one game.
"You know the moment I’ll remember most in New York sports, before the last night of the baseball season went wrong?"
You gave it away when you said baseball ... so I'm going to guess it wasn't an Islanders game ... I'll go with the Mets?
"I’ll remember what it felt like and sounded like at Citi Field when the Mets were still ahead in Game 5, and they were three outs away from going back to Kansas City.
I’ll remember what it felt like and sounded like when Matt Harvey came out of the dugout to pitch the top of the 9th, because I would have done the same thing Terry Collins did that night, and send him the hell out there."
Ha ha ha.
How arrogant: "I would have done the same thing."
Because world-renowned baseball strategist Mike Lupica would have done the same thing, then no one can question the wisdom of the strategy. Mike Lupica and his 20 Championship rings.
"Harvey walked the leadoff guy, of course, and should have been gone right there.
Before long Duda was throwing wide and Hosmer was on his way home, and you know what happened later.
The other team was just better.
Not a lot better.
Just enough."
Harvey choked and Collins choked.
That's what choking is.
It's when you lose because the importance of the moment gets the best of you.
"This was still the October — and November — when we officially got the Mets back.
This was the time in baseball New York when Citi Field finally sounded the way old Shea did across the parking lot.
It would have been great to win it all, of course it would, are you kidding?"
The Yankees almost beat the Red Sox in 2004. It would have been great to win it all, of course it would, are you kidding?
"But how could you ever walk away feeling like losers after a run like that?"
Because the Royals scored more runs than the Mets.
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Two guys I don't want to listen to right now.
Pete Rose shrugging off his continued gambling on baseball:
"And so, as Rose sat here listening to his lawyers paint a picture that he's a changed man and Rose himself declare that he's 'a good man,' baseball's banished hit king acted like it was no big deal at all that he's still betting ... still betting on baseball.
That admittance to Manfred was part of the reason why his ban wasn't lifted.
Proving he still doesn't get it, Rose explained, 'I worked hard my whole life. I'm 74 years old and that's the way I get my enjoyment.' "
CC Sabathia talking about MLB pitchers cashing in with huge contracts:
"As for the big contracts being handed out this year, well, he loves it.
'I think it's fantastic,' Sabathia said, then laughed. 'I mean, what can you say? Opt-out clauses and all that. I think it's part of the game. These guys are working hard and throwing a lot of innings. I hope it kind of stays where it is, or gets better.' "
"And so, as Rose sat here listening to his lawyers paint a picture that he's a changed man and Rose himself declare that he's 'a good man,' baseball's banished hit king acted like it was no big deal at all that he's still betting ... still betting on baseball.
That admittance to Manfred was part of the reason why his ban wasn't lifted.
Proving he still doesn't get it, Rose explained, 'I worked hard my whole life. I'm 74 years old and that's the way I get my enjoyment.' "
CC Sabathia talking about MLB pitchers cashing in with huge contracts:
"As for the big contracts being handed out this year, well, he loves it.
'I think it's fantastic,' Sabathia said, then laughed. 'I mean, what can you say? Opt-out clauses and all that. I think it's part of the game. These guys are working hard and throwing a lot of innings. I hope it kind of stays where it is, or gets better.' "
Tuesday, December 08, 2015
When the player to be named later turns out to be Brendan Ryan ...
... that tips the scales.
Castro is relatively cheap and the Yankees didn't give up much.
Castro is relatively cheap and the Yankees didn't give up much.
Tuesday, December 01, 2015
The first place team in the AL East just lost their best starting pitcher.
... and this would force Cashman's hand because why?:
"Armed with owner John Henry’s deep pockets and permission to spend, team president Dave Dombrowski alerted the Yankees and the AL East that, after two straight last-place finishes, the Red Sox are hell-bent on rising to the top of the division David Price helped the Blue Jays win last season.
The Red Sox and Price, the stud lefty free agent, agreed Tuesday on a seven-year deal for $217 million, the richest contract in history for a pitcher.
...
'No reaction,' general manager Brian Cashman said Tuesday evening when asked how Price going to the Red Sox affects the Yankees."
Well, there ya go.
"Armed with owner John Henry’s deep pockets and permission to spend, team president Dave Dombrowski alerted the Yankees and the AL East that, after two straight last-place finishes, the Red Sox are hell-bent on rising to the top of the division David Price helped the Blue Jays win last season.
The Red Sox and Price, the stud lefty free agent, agreed Tuesday on a seven-year deal for $217 million, the richest contract in history for a pitcher.
...
'No reaction,' general manager Brian Cashman said Tuesday evening when asked how Price going to the Red Sox affects the Yankees."
Well, there ya go.
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