One thing that you can usually count on each April is one prediction…the New York Yankees being the team to beat in Major League Baseball. 2010 will be no different, with the Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays scrambling for second place and hoping for the Yankees to stumble. The likelihood of a stumble this season appears slim, but that is why they play the games.
Jeter Looks For One More Ring
New York Yankees
The reigning World Series champs returned to their late 1990s form and displayed pure dominance during the playoffs as they kicked aside the Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Angels and Philadelphia Phillies en route to their 27th championship. Last year’s team had very few holes and they left little question as to who was the best team.
During the offseason, they Yankees didn’t sit idly by and revamped their roster for a run at back-to-back titles. Aging All-Stars Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui were bid adieu along with starting CF Melky Cabrera. Replacing these key components are OF Curtis Granderson, DH Nick Johnson and P Javier Vasquez. Within the shakeup, they Yankees placed their left field fortunes in the hands of OF Brett Gardner with veteran free agent signee Randy Winn as a parachute.
No question, the Yankees offensive output will be down, but even with the departures, they’ll likely still put up huge numbers and possibly lead the league in most offensive stat categories. The improvements come in the pitching rotation where they plugged the hole in the fifth starter position and returned Joba Chamberlain to the bullpen where he is better served. Javier Vasquez and Phil Hughes will hold down the 4th and 5th starter spots for the best pitching rotation in baseball. And should they get the expected 7 inning quality start, Chamberlain and Mariano Rivera will combine together again to close the door on any ideas of a late-run rally.
Key Additions: OF Curtis Granderson, 1B/DH Nick Johnson, OF Marcus Thames, P Javier Vazquez, OF Randy Winn
Key Subtractions: Melky Cabrera (OF), Johnny Damon (OF), Hideki Matsui (DH), Xavier Nady (OF), Chien-Ming Wang (P), Phil Coke (P), Brian Bruney (P)
Prediction: 102-60 (World Series Champs)
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox once again were the bridesmaids in the AL East in 2009, assuming their familiar position of watching the Yankees from the hindside. After a strong start to the season led by Jason Bay, the Red Sox fizzled as their starting pitching fell apart and their offense went quiet. Limping into the playoffs, the Los Angeles Angels made quick work of the Sox and sent them home for an early fall vacation.
The Red Sox went to work in the offseason, opening their wallets and spending big to secure free agents that will plug the holes which troubled them in 2009. The big acquisition was John Lackey, whom Red Sox fans hope will be the Yankee killer he was in Los Angeles. Despite recent injury woes, the Red Sox unloaded a huge contract on a pitcher that has flown under the radar for most of his career. In Boston, he will be unable to avoid the spotlight and how he responds to the glare will be the big story in Beantown. A player known to unleash on his teammates that make errors, Lackey will be under a microscope early and often.
Offensively, the Red Sox have major question marks. The loss of Jason Bay is huge, especially when you replace him with journeyman Mike Cameron. Bay was the lifeblood of last year’s offense, carrying the team of his back as David “Big Papi” Ortiz watched his skills evaporate as he came down from his steroids abuse behavior. While Victor Martinez brings some added pop to the lineup, his hitting is already beginning to tail of with age and his ability to call a game behind the plate pales in comparison to Jason Varitek. The left side of the infield is brand new, as Adrian Beltre and Marco Scutaro bring less than adequate pop to a struggling lineup.
The Red Sox changes really came off unbalanced. The pitching staff was less of an issue than the bats in the field and they went for the arms in the free agency. Acquisitions like Cameron and Beltre are unlikely to payoff and the Red Sox will struggle to earn second place in the division.
Key Additions: John Lackey (SP), Mike Cameron (OF), Adrian Beltre (3B), Marco Scutaro (SS)
Key Losses: Jason Bay (OF), Billy Wagner (RP)
Prediction: 90-72
Tampa Bay Rays
The biggest disappointment of 2009 was without a doubt the Tampa Bay Rays. With huge expectations on their shoulders, the team got off to a rocky start and never recovered. The starting pitching was average, the batting was underwhelming and the bullpen was a disaster. It was a fraction of the performance from a team that surprised the baseball world and finally broke through in 2008.
Despite the issues, the Rays held pat during the offseason, being their usually frugal selves. The main move was to secure Rafael Soriano, who will without question help them maintain a few more leads than they did in 2009. But keeping up with the Yankees and Red Sox required more than hoping the young players will improve significantly after a poor campaign. The pitching staff is anchored by Matt Garza and Jamie Shields, but the Rays success will hinge on the growth of Jeff Niemann, David Price and Wade Davis. The offense can plate runs, but they aren’t going to knock the cover off the ball, so their success will ultimately reside on their bullpen delivering, which is unlikely.
Key Additions: Rafael Soriano (RP)
Key Losses: Akinori Iwamura (2B)
Prediction: 85-77
Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles finally look to be moving in the right direction in hopes of breaking the annual losing record streak that has stretched now for 13 years. The Orioles made a few nice veteran additions during the offseason that will likely blend well with the stream of young future stars that the Orioles are banking their success upon. The young offensive core is led by Nick Markakis, Adam Jones, Matt Wieters and Nolan Reimold. On the mound, the Orioles have a legitimate AL Rookie of the Year candidate in Brian Matusz.
For the first time in many years, Orioles fan have some optimism that is well deserved. The team should improve significantly over a lost 2009 campaign and set itself up to be a future contender in the AL East.
Key Additions: Kevin Millwood (SP), Mike Gonzalez (RP), Garrett Atkins (1B), Miguel Tejada (3B)
Key Losses: None
Prediction: 75 – 87
Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays cut ties with GM J.P. Ricciardi after a host of awful contract extensions and inability to develop a minor league system to build for the future. Ricciardi’s tenure has likely set this team on a direction to be the cellar dwellars for the next few years as they rebound from his poor decisions.
In the offseason, the big move was sending Roy Halladay on his way to a winning ballclub for minor-league prospect and budding star pitcher Kyle Drabek. Unfortunately for Jays fans, Drabek is at least one, perhaps two years away from making it to the bigs, as is Brett Wallace, the budding third base prospect that was the other keystone of the Halladay trade.
For the Blue Jays just to stay out of the cellar, everything will need to go right. With a below average pitching staff and struggling offensive output, the Jays will find a 4th place AL East finish to be a huge accomplishment.
Key Additions: Alex Gonzalez (SS), Kevin Gregg (RP)
Last week Derek Jeter addressed the media on what he foresees in the future when his contract ends after the 2010 season. He sees himself as being in the pinstripes till he is done playing. In a class act, he told the media that he will not answer anymore questions regarding a new contract until the season is over and never wanted to become a free agent. Jeter has always put his team first and that is one of the reasons he is so loved by Yankee fans…
Jeter is coming off a great season in which he lead the Yankees to another World Series title. He batted .334 to go along with 18 homers and 66 RBI’s. He was the most consistent Yankee all year long and kept them on the positive road when they were not playing at their best to start the season. He personifies the word Captain as he leads by example on and off the field. Jeter was open to discussing a contract extension but team rules prevent negotiating when a contract is current. Jeter will abide by these rules and get ready to defend the World Series title with his teammates. He wants no distractions to effect his team, again team first.
I have watched Derek Jeter since he was a rookie and consider it a real privilege to watch his whole career as a Yankee fan. He was a clutch player from the start as has never stopped being clutch for one minute. He takes his legacy as a Yankee legend very seriously along with being a role model. The youths of America need to look up to someone like Jeter. Sports icons are role models whether they believe it or not.
Will Derek Jeter get a contact extension after the 2010 season?
It would be a devastating thing for Jeter to be in any other uniform other than pinstripes. The Yankees need to reward Derek with a contract extension that will set him up in pinstripes for the rest of his career. Jeter will likely surpass the magically 3000 hit mark in 2011. Could you imagine him doing it in another uniform. Yankee brass, do it for Derek, do it for the fans. I have no doubt that Derek Jeter will be a Yankee Forever.
Kenny Rogers made famous these riveting lyrics many years ago, “You got to know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em. Know when to walk away and know when to run.” Somebody should have played the song for Johnny Damon, as his gamble didn’t pay off today as the New York Yankees signed former San Francisco Giants OF Randy Winn today as his replacement. The signing most likely is the final chapter of Damon’s tenure in New York.
Damon's Days In Pinstripes Appear Over
Winn’s signing comes shortly after Damon’s agent, Scott Boras, rejected the Yankees latest and final offer. Winn’s contract is a one-year deal for $2 million, providing the Yankees with an economical replacement whose fielding capabilities are superior to Damon. Winn will likely platoon in the outfield with Brett Gardner and Nick Swisher. Winn struggled last year, batting just .262 with only 2 home runs and 51 runs batted in.
The decision by the Yankees to go economical signals they will likely be players in the 2011 free agency market for an outfielder. Carl Crawford, Jayson Werth, Brad Hawpe and Magglio Ordonez are all expected to test the waters after the upcoming season. That’s so long as the Yankees still have money left over after unloading their riches on Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer.
As for Damon, he wins this year’s Scott Boras Bonehead Client of The Year. Previous winners of the award are Alex Rodriguez and Bobby Abreu, who earned the same distinctions following the 2007 and 2008 season’s respectively. To earn the award, you must display unshaken faith in your agent, believe all of his shoe shining about how great you are and leave yourself out on the free agency marketing until there are no suitors interested in your services.
The Yankees had offered Damon early in the free agency signing period a two-year deal worth $14 million. Boras directed Damon to request a higher annual salary and three years…call their bluff. Sorry Scotty, they weren’t bluffing.
There aren’t a lot of options out there for Damon, as most teams have addressed their needs and don’t have a budget for Damon. The Detroit Tigers and Cincinnati Reds probably have the inside track, but their offering won’t be nearly as good as the Yankees. Perhaps the Florida Marlins may pursue as well now that they have been mandated to spend more money or feel the wrath of the other MLB owners.
It is disappointing to see this happen to a class act like Johnny Damon. He’s done nothing but play his heart out for every team he’s played for, been loved by the fans in each town and provided a positive influence in the locker room at every stop. Due to his agent’s bad advice, he’ll likely be taking a bargain price 1-year deal on a non-contender team as he fades into the pasture.
The saddest part of this story is that when and if Damon does sign, Boras will actually get paid for his top-shelf services. It is almost criminal.
It’s the end of the year. Its the end of a decade. Nothing great ever ends without a list and a debate over that list. Today, we focus on the 10 greatest sports teams of the 2000 decade and the accomplishments that defined their greatness.
10. Penn State Women’s Volleyball (2006-Current)
Penn State’s girl volleyball team is a trendy selection given their recent headlines at the top of the sport section. On December 20th, the Nittany Lions won their 102 consecutive game at the Division I level and won their third national championship in a row. Feeling the pressure, the Nittany Lions went down two sets to #2 ranked Texas and stormed back for a five-set victory. What’s make the accomplishment so special is that women’s volleyball has now become a national sport, thanks in part to Title IX and the Nittany Lions. Dominated by the West Coast, 16 of the first 19 NCAA Champions crowned came from the West Coast, primarily beach locations. The latest decade saw the emergence of the Big Ten and Big 12, led by Penn State. In short, Penn State girls volleyball proves you don’t need the beach for greatness.
9. Boston Celtics (2007-2008)
Danny Ainge was on the hot seat. It was put up or shut up time. He butted heads and pushed head coach Jim O’Brien to resign. He sent popular players such as Antoine Walker, Tony Battie and Eric Williams packing. He brought in recently fired coach Doc Rivers whom tumbled in flames during his first head coaching stint. It all hit rock bottom with coaching Red Auerbach’s death in 2006 and the second-worst record in team history at 24-58, including a franchise record 18-game losing streak. Ainge masterminded the trades which brought in Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo prior to the 2007 season. Alongside Paul Pierce, they would generate one of the greatest turnarounds in sports, improving their won-loss record by 42 games and posting the 6th best single-season record in NBA history at 66-16. The season ended with the Celtics getting their 22nd championship in a 39-point blowout of the rival Los Angeles Lakers in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
8. Florida Gators Basketball (2006-2007)
In a rare display of sportsmanship at the college level, the Florida Gators welcomed back its underclassmen that recently won an NCAA championship the previous season. They would leave the NBA’s riches on the table to attempt becoming back-to-back champions. Led by wunderkin coach Billy Donovan, the Gators would finish their regular season stumbling in early February, ending the regular season with a 26-5 record. They would then march through the SEC tournament, earn the top seed for the NCAA tournament and cement their status as one of the decade’s best with a dominating run to the championship.
7. Chinese Olympic Team (2008)
The cold war dominance of the Summer Olympics by the Russians and Americans was put to rest by an upstart Chinese team hosting their first Olympics. Traditionally stereotyped as a power in gymnastics and table tennis, the Chinese arrived in 2008 as the future of Olympic sports. The Chinese won medals in 25 different disciplines, including its first ever gold medals in sailing, beach volleyball and field hockey. With its strong financing and development of Olympic athletes, the showing in Beijing appears to be the beginning of the next era in the Summer Olympics.
6. New York Yankees (2009)
The Yankees shelled out $423 million in contracts prior to the season for Mark Teixiera, C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett to win their 27th World Series championship. Based on payroll, they were supposed to win…although the Yankees expenditures had delivered nothing since 2000. After missing the playoffs in 2008 for the first time since 1996, the Yankees re-tooled for a big run. The season got started off with a steroids controversy swirling over Alex Rodriguez. The team stayed focused through a rough April, persevered by posting 103 wins and became the only MLB team in the decade to win over 100 games and capture the World Series title. In a sport that rarely crowns the best team for 162 games as it did in its pastime, the Yankees helped make baseball relevant and exciting again.
5. Miami Hurricanes NCAA Football (2001)
Perhaps the best single season team in NCAA football history, posting a 13-0 record and simply dominating everyone in their path. The Canes’ average margin of victory was 39 points, as they steamrolled over five Top 25 ranked opponentsm including a 37-14 blowout victory over Nebraska in the National Championship game. The roster read like the NFL’s All-Pro starting lineup with standouts that included Clinton Portis, Ed Reed, Andre Johnson, Jeremy Shockey, Jonathon Vilma, Bryant McKinnie and D.J. Williams. An amazing collection of talent that superceded expectations and succeeded in spite of a lack of coaching prowess in Larry Coker after Butch Davis’ departure.
4. Misty May / Kerri Walsh Volleyball
If you told me at the beginning of the decade that this list would contain two volleyball teams, I would have chuckled at the thought that even one would make the list. But how can you look past the accomplishments and dominance of Misty May and Kerri Walsh, the two-time Olympics champions in beach volleyball. Even President Bush specifically sought them out in Beijing for a picture op. Leading up to the 2008 Olympics, they had a 101 match winning streak, rarely losing a set in the process. The streak finally came to an end at 112 shortly after their Olympic repeat.
3. Duke Men’s Basketball (2000-2001)
College basketball’s version of the Miami Hurricanes football team. Led by Shane Battier, this squad developed 6 NBA players and left their collegiate competition in the dust. This team posted a 35-4 record for the season while winning is game’s by an average margin of 20.2 points. While the team stumbled in the rough and tumble ACC during the season, they blossomed at tournament time. They won the ACC Tournament while blowing out #6 ranked rival North Carolina by 26. They then ran the table in the NCAA tournament, defeating opponents by an average of 16.7 points and winning every game in the tournament by double-digits.
2. New England Patriots (2007)
Okay, so they lost the Super Bowl. It doesn’t matter. Even the most hardcore New York Giants fan will tell you that the 18-1 Patriots they defeated were the better team. Head and shoulders better. It was just one game…you can’t win them all. The Pats posted the first undefeated regular season in the NFL since the 1972 Miami Dolphins. Not only did they win, they dominated most everyone they played. This team shattered offensive records across the league with its explosive superstars that included Tom Brady and Randy Moss. Their invincibility was shattered by one circus acrobatic catch by David Tyree from Eli Manning. The rest is history.
1. Connecticut Women’s Basketball (2008-2009)
The last decade ended with the USA Women’s Soccer team displaying “girl power” in the World Cup that would serve to define the next decade. No other team defined excellence in the manner that the UConn women’s basketball team in the 2008-2009 season. A perfect 39-0 season, an average winning margin of 31.5 points and an invincibility that would even make Michael Jordan genuflect. They won the Big East tournament over Louisville by a score of 75-36. Just how much better they were they than every other team? Their NCAA Finals matchup was against that same Louisville team they had pounded into submission just weeks prior. They captured the crown with a 76-54 victory. But what stands out most in their undefeated season, which makes them the team of the decade, is that they won every game they played by double-digits.
The New York Yankees and the Atlanta Braves completed a trade Tuesday involving Javier Vazquez and Melky Cabrera. The Yankees in hopes of bolstering their starting pitching pick up Vazquez for Center Fielder Melky Cabrera. In addition to Vazquez, the Yanks picked up left handed pitching prospect Boone Logan. The Braves in turn get a couple of pitching prospects in left hander Mike Dunn and Right Hander Arody’s Vizcaino plus 500,00 in cash.
Javier Vazquez becomes a Yankee for the second time.
Cabrera batted .274 with 13 homers and 74 RBI’s. He provided stellar defense at times and was a bit of a fan favorite of the Yankee fans. With the addition of Center Fielder Curtis Granderson from the Detriot Tigers, Cabrera became expendable. As a lifelong Yankee fan, I wish him well in Atlanta.
Vazquez turned a stellar last season with the Braves posting a 15-10 record with a 2.87 ERA. He also posted 238 strikeouts with only 44 base on balls. That equals a impressive 1.03 WHIP. His first stint with the Yankees in 2004 produced his only All-Star appearance. He had a winning record of 14-10 but had a high ERA of 4.91. His last appearance in the pinstripes was less than memorable as he came on in relief trailing the Boston Red Sox in game 7 of the ALCS 2-0 and promptly game up a grand slam to Johnny Damon.
Javier will turn 34 in July and the Yankees hope that he can build on the momentum from last year and make his last outing as a Yankee a distant memory. The American League is a much tougher hitting league thanks to the DH, but you can never have too much pitching. I think Vazquez will be calmer and more mature this time around making his second stint as a New York Yankee better and more memorable than his first.
Hideki Matsui signed a one year contract Wednesday with the Los Angeles Angels worth 6.5 million dollars. Matsui changes coasts from East to West and will take over as the primary DH for the Los Angeles Angels who are in need to replace a injured Vladimir Guerrero. Matsui is 35 and has also been hampered with injuries to his knees. He just completed a 4 year 52 million dollar contract for the defending World Series champion New York Yankees. Hideki could not have left on a higher note.
Matsui hit .274 with 28 homers and 90 RBI this year for the pinstripes. He capped a magical year for the Bronx Bombers
Hideki Matsui changes coasts.
as he became World Series MVP. He hit a incredible .615 as he went 8-13 with three homers and 8 RBI’s. What makes it even a more incredible feat is that he only started in three of the six games. Matsui is deemed a professional hitter and will add some stability to the Angels lineup.
Matsui was in pinstripes for seven seasons, and he is one of the most highly touted and greatest players ever to play baseball in Japan. I remember how excited I was when he came over to be a Yankee. He was a solid player for the Yankees as he drove in 100 runs in four of those seasons. His numbers could of been greater had it not been for injuries to his knees. He was a dependable hitter when he played, and he will be missed by Yankee teammates and fans alike.
I am a lifelong Yankee fan and will miss Godzilla and that sweet swing that brought many hits and memories. I am so happy that he got to go out on top as a World Champion and World Series MVP. I wish him luck on the left coast but not when he faces his former team, the Yankees.
Recently announced by ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Yankees just completed a three team trade that will bring Detroit Tigers All-Star centerfielder to New York in an eight player trade. As part of the deal, the Arizona Diamondbacks get Edwin Jackson from Detroit and Ian Kennedy from New York. The Detriot Tigers get Max Scherzer and Daniel Schlereth from Arizona and Phil Coke and outfield prospect Austin Jackson from New York.
So what does this all mean?
First, it appears that Johnny Damon played his hand very poorly and once again Scott Boras has screwed one of his top clients. As I recently projected in my assessment of the top free agents, Damon will be this year’s Bobby Abreau and will be playing for peanuts next season.
Second, in the matter of just two days, the Yankees have dumped both Brian Bruney and Phil Coke from their vaunted bullpen. This signals that Joba Chamberlain’s days in the starting rotation have come to an end or he’ll be pitching in Toronto next year.
Third, the Yankees clearly are making starting step for future moves. Get ready for a Roy Halladay landing in New York City.
But getting back to Granderson. The move is puzzling. Here is a guy entering into the prime of his career and in three consecutive years the guy has regressed since getting his big contract with the Tigers. His batting average has dropped from .302 in 2007 to .280 in 2008 to a pawltry .249 in 2009. Worse, his OPS, which really defines a player’s offensive contribution, has plummeted from .913 to .859 to .780 in the same span. What that means is he is not getting on base and not hitting when it counts. All this occurred while having the luxury of Placido Polanco, Magglio Ordonez and Miguel Cabrera batting behind him.
Digging deeper into his stats, Granderson has displayed an absolute inability to hit lefties. Over the last three seasons, he has posted a .202 batting average against lefties while displaying almost no power with only registering a homer in every 44.6 at bats. Get two strikes on him, and he almost an automatic out. Over the last three seasons, he registered just a .198 batting average once the pitcher gets in the command position. This is not to mention his 393 strikeouts, which ranks as the worst among leadoff hitters in major league baseball.
In contrast, Johnny Damon delivered a .268 batting average against lefties, his power dropoff is significantly less and when he’s down in the count, has a batting average 25 points higher than Granderson. When he gets a full count, he has an OPS of 1.061. Damon was clutch and carried pitchers into the count to his benefit, not his detriment.
Beyond his stats, Granderson has shown to lack the intangibles. Detroit was a team lacking player leadership. Miguel Cabrera was a lost cause is this area, confirmed by his after hours drinking escapade at the end of the 2009 season. Granderson was they guy Jim Leyland needed to turn to the keep them in the mix and he totally let his coach down. As the Tigers collapsed in the last 4 games of the regular season, Granderson delivered a 2 for 15 showing leading his coach to drop his All-Star centerfielder to 7th in the order in the must win game 162. In summary, Detroit gave up on Granderson.
Granderson is a platoon player at best for the Yankees given his drawbacks. While he is an improvement in the area of fielding over Damon, that is pretty much it. Age doesn’t much matter in the equation, its what you do on the field. Ian Kennedy, Phil Coke and Austin Jackson was a lot to give up for a platoon player that will likely bat 9th in the Yankees order given his poor on-base percentage.
In this trade, the person I am happiest for is Ian Kennedy. He has wonderful stuff and Joe Girardi really mishandled him to set him back. Heading to Arizona is a great fresh start for the kid and he’ll finally get his chance for a team that knows how to bring along young pitchers. Kennedy is going to a quality pitcher in the bigs.
The Yankees are definitely going to be in the market for a right-handed outfield bat to rotate into the mix. One obvious choice is to re-sign Xavier Nady given his ability to play all outfield positions. The Yankees also need to start thinking about bullpen support as well. If they pick up Halladay in a trade, either Chamberlain or Hughes is gone, along with a budding future star at catcher in Jesus Montero.
Right now, the Yankees are not looking good for a repeat without a few more najor moves to fill in the holes they now have in the outfield.
