MLB.com has reported that the Red Sox re-signed C Jason Varitek, who has been their team captain.
Despite some late posturing that he wouldn't accept a one-year contract, Varitek really had little choice. Boston was the only team that would have signed him even for the one-year, $5-million deal between the team and the player.
That's because:
1. The Red Sox have the money to overpay.
2. Varitek has value to the team as its captain, and because of the continuity of already having played 11 seasons in Beantown.
Other teams no doubt looked at Varitek and saw:
1. He'll be 37 during the first week of the regular season.
2. Vartiek is clearly in decline. During the past three seasons the .263 career batter has had averages of .238, .255 and .220. Last season, his on-base percentage dropped 54 points and his slugging percentage fell 62 points.
The reported contract includes a mutual option for 2010. If the team decides to trigger the clause, it would pay another $5 million next year. If the decision is Varitek's, he would make $3 million in '10. There also are incentive clauses totaling $2 million for 2010.
It says here that next year Varitek will play for $3 million, reach no incentives and ride off into the sunset.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
No sweat vs. lots of sweat
The No Sweat Dept:
Baseball transactions made today should benefit Jon Garland and Garret Olson.
Free-agent Garland signed a one-year contract with the Diamondbacks that includes a team option for 2010.
I think Garland will be a better pitcher in the National League than he has been in the American.
He's reliable. He has made 32 or 33 starts in each of the last seven years.
He's not overpowering. That's why Garland has struggled at times. For four of those seasons, he has finished a total of three games under .500. He's also a smart enough pitcher to benefit from facing other pitchers in the National League, and not having to exert too much effort.
History is on his side. In the other three seasons, Garland has been a combined 25 games OVER .500. Those three years happened to be three of the last four, including 2008.
He's a young veteran. Even with all that experience, Garland won't turn 30 until the final week of the regular season.
He has incentive. The one-year contract will keep him from coasting, and unless he comes to hate pitching in the desert he'll want to do well so Arizona will exercise its option and keep him next season.
The Mariners seem convinced that Olson is a better option as their fifth starter than Aaron Heilman would be. Seattle sent Heilman to the Cubs for two players, 2B/SS Ronny Cedeno and lefthander Olson.
Why would that be? Olson's two-year major league ERA is 6.87; Heilman's is 4.24 for six years.
However, Olson is five years younger (25 to 30). The Mariners have seen him pitch in the AL, apparently well enough to make them want him. They traded for him just days after the Cubs had acquired him from Baltimore.
Olson has won a consistent 10 games in each of his last three seasons in the minors and majors. He's 10-13 as a major leaguer, all as a starter and all with a bad team.
Heilman has not proven himself in opportunities to become a starter or a closer with the Mets. He has had some success as a setup man, with a team that has been good at least until the leaves begin to change colors. But he's coming off his worst season since he moved to the bullpen in 2005 -- 3-8, 5.21 ERA, five blown saves in eight chances, 10 homers allowed.
Heilman will get a chance to start for the Cubs, and could also move into a position to save some games.
It says here that today's trade greatly benefits the Mariners. Even if Olson and Heilman are a wash, Cedeno will immediately improve their defense in a reserve role.
You can read more of my baseball analysis at fantasybaseballscout.com.
Now for the sweaty part.
Watching tonight's Australian Open semifinal in 110-degree heat between Serena Williams and Elena Dimentieva reminded me of the time I wrote an opinion piece for a daily newspaper where I worked.
My point was that there was (still is, by the way) a lot of sex appeal in women's tennis.
The sports editor wrote me back a note saying, "There's nothing sexy about tennis unless you like your women sweaty."
Well, Serena and Dimentieva aren't even my favorite players, but boy did they work up a sweat. Williams' dress was so soaked in sweat that if she'd had to go to a third set the enitre thing would have been a darker color. Elena's dress didn't show the sweat as much, but her shoulders and arms were covered in perspiration.
For my money, that sports editor missed the point entirely, which wasn't uncommon for him. The players can be both hot and sweaty.
Following up on last night's posts, Caracas defeated Aragua 3-2 to take a similar 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven Venezuela Winter League finals. The series moves back to Caracas for a 7 p.m. EST game Thursday.
The big hit for los Leones was a two-run homer by Alex Cabrera, who last played in the majors for the 2000 Diamondbacks, giving them a 3-0 lead. Caracas withstood a two-run homer by the aforementioned Ronny Cedeno to win the game after RHP Jose Ascanio struck out the side in the ninth inning.
That was Ascanio's 11th postseason save. He won't get the first shot at being Chicago's closer this season, but don't be surprised when he gets a chance if Kevin Gregg and Carlos Marmol can't do the job.
Baseball transactions made today should benefit Jon Garland and Garret Olson.
Free-agent Garland signed a one-year contract with the Diamondbacks that includes a team option for 2010.
I think Garland will be a better pitcher in the National League than he has been in the American.
He's reliable. He has made 32 or 33 starts in each of the last seven years.
He's not overpowering. That's why Garland has struggled at times. For four of those seasons, he has finished a total of three games under .500. He's also a smart enough pitcher to benefit from facing other pitchers in the National League, and not having to exert too much effort.
History is on his side. In the other three seasons, Garland has been a combined 25 games OVER .500. Those three years happened to be three of the last four, including 2008.
He's a young veteran. Even with all that experience, Garland won't turn 30 until the final week of the regular season.
He has incentive. The one-year contract will keep him from coasting, and unless he comes to hate pitching in the desert he'll want to do well so Arizona will exercise its option and keep him next season.
The Mariners seem convinced that Olson is a better option as their fifth starter than Aaron Heilman would be. Seattle sent Heilman to the Cubs for two players, 2B/SS Ronny Cedeno and lefthander Olson.
Why would that be? Olson's two-year major league ERA is 6.87; Heilman's is 4.24 for six years.
However, Olson is five years younger (25 to 30). The Mariners have seen him pitch in the AL, apparently well enough to make them want him. They traded for him just days after the Cubs had acquired him from Baltimore.
Olson has won a consistent 10 games in each of his last three seasons in the minors and majors. He's 10-13 as a major leaguer, all as a starter and all with a bad team.
Heilman has not proven himself in opportunities to become a starter or a closer with the Mets. He has had some success as a setup man, with a team that has been good at least until the leaves begin to change colors. But he's coming off his worst season since he moved to the bullpen in 2005 -- 3-8, 5.21 ERA, five blown saves in eight chances, 10 homers allowed.
Heilman will get a chance to start for the Cubs, and could also move into a position to save some games.
It says here that today's trade greatly benefits the Mariners. Even if Olson and Heilman are a wash, Cedeno will immediately improve their defense in a reserve role.
You can read more of my baseball analysis at fantasybaseballscout.com.
Now for the sweaty part.
Watching tonight's Australian Open semifinal in 110-degree heat between Serena Williams and Elena Dimentieva reminded me of the time I wrote an opinion piece for a daily newspaper where I worked.
My point was that there was (still is, by the way) a lot of sex appeal in women's tennis.
The sports editor wrote me back a note saying, "There's nothing sexy about tennis unless you like your women sweaty."
Well, Serena and Dimentieva aren't even my favorite players, but boy did they work up a sweat. Williams' dress was so soaked in sweat that if she'd had to go to a third set the enitre thing would have been a darker color. Elena's dress didn't show the sweat as much, but her shoulders and arms were covered in perspiration.
For my money, that sports editor missed the point entirely, which wasn't uncommon for him. The players can be both hot and sweaty.
Following up on last night's posts, Caracas defeated Aragua 3-2 to take a similar 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven Venezuela Winter League finals. The series moves back to Caracas for a 7 p.m. EST game Thursday.
The big hit for los Leones was a two-run homer by Alex Cabrera, who last played in the majors for the 2000 Diamondbacks, giving them a 3-0 lead. Caracas withstood a two-run homer by the aforementioned Ronny Cedeno to win the game after RHP Jose Ascanio struck out the side in the ninth inning.
That was Ascanio's 11th postseason save. He won't get the first shot at being Chicago's closer this season, but don't be surprised when he gets a chance if Kevin Gregg and Carlos Marmol can't do the job.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Aragua ties the series
Don't want to leave you in suspense.
Caracas tied the game with three runs in the top of the eighth against RHPs Victor Moreno and Juan Rincon.
In the bottom of the eighth of what seemed to be a Moreno family reunion, Edwin Moreno replaced Orber Moreno for Caracas. Hector Gimenez, a catcher in the Indians' organization playing first base for Aragua, drove in a run with a two-out triple.
Rincon pitched a scoreless ninth inning to make Aragua's 4-3 lead hold up and tie the series at two games each.
Game five of the best-of-seven series is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST Wednesday at Aragua's home park in Maracay, Venezuela.
Caracas tied the game with three runs in the top of the eighth against RHPs Victor Moreno and Juan Rincon.
In the bottom of the eighth of what seemed to be a Moreno family reunion, Edwin Moreno replaced Orber Moreno for Caracas. Hector Gimenez, a catcher in the Indians' organization playing first base for Aragua, drove in a run with a two-out triple.
Rincon pitched a scoreless ninth inning to make Aragua's 4-3 lead hold up and tie the series at two games each.
Game five of the best-of-seven series is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST Wednesday at Aragua's home park in Maracay, Venezuela.
Baseball's in the air -- somewhere
Spring training hasn't even started, yet the Marlins already have 24 pitchers working out at the ballpark they share with the Miami Dolphins.
That's easy for the Fish to do -- they're one of the few teams that have to go north to spring training.
The ice storm that might or might not hit north Texas already has caused schools and businesses to close in anticipation ...
Meanwhile, as I write these words, the Venezuela Winter League playoffs may have reached a pivotal moment.
The regular (winter)-season champions, Leones del Caracas, entered tonight's game leading runner-up Tigres de Aragua two games to one in the best-of-seven finals. With ex-major leaguer Jeff Farnsworth shutting out los Leones for 6 1/3 innings, Aragua took a 3-0 lead into the bottom of the seventh in Maracy, Venezuela. He gave up just two hits, but walked consecutive batters with one out in the seventh.
No worry. Victor Moreno faced Carlos Maldonado and forced an inning-ending double-play grounder.
That would tie the series at two games each, and prolong the wait of the three teams besides the Venezuelan champion that will play in the Caribbean Series beginning Monday in Mexicali, Mexico.
Those teams all made short work of their championship series.
In the Dominican Republic, the defending Caribbean Series champions (Tigres de Licey) defeated Gigantes de Cibao four games to one. The only loss was in game three, forfeited because los Tigres were upset about a player's suspension. It was the 20th Dominican title for Licey, which has won the Caribbean Series 10 times.
In Mexico, regular-season champion Venados de Mazatlan swept four games from Caneros de los Mochis. This will be Mazatlan's third trip to the Caribbean Series in four years.
In Puerto Rico, where winter ball returned after a one-year hiatus, Leones de Ponce won their first title in five years by taking four of five from Lobos de Arecibo.
The Caribbean Series will mark the first games televised live by the new MLB Network. By the way, that network hired a new good talker after Sean Casey retired from the Red Sox.
Don't forget: Pitchers and catchers report in little more than three weeks.
If we're so inclined, we also can watch the second World Baseball Classic, scheduled to begin March 5 in Tokyo and finish March 23 at Dodger Stadium. They must be expecting big crowds in Japan; the cheap seats are set at 18,000 yen (about $200).
All these makes me think that baseball just might succeed on a global level the way American football once wished it could.
Meanwhile, back in Maracay, los Leones knocked Moreno out of the game. They pulled within 3-1 on Jackson Melian's homer in the top of the eighth, and Moreno was gone after walking the next batter.
That's easy for the Fish to do -- they're one of the few teams that have to go north to spring training.
The ice storm that might or might not hit north Texas already has caused schools and businesses to close in anticipation ...
Meanwhile, as I write these words, the Venezuela Winter League playoffs may have reached a pivotal moment.
The regular (winter)-season champions, Leones del Caracas, entered tonight's game leading runner-up Tigres de Aragua two games to one in the best-of-seven finals. With ex-major leaguer Jeff Farnsworth shutting out los Leones for 6 1/3 innings, Aragua took a 3-0 lead into the bottom of the seventh in Maracy, Venezuela. He gave up just two hits, but walked consecutive batters with one out in the seventh.
No worry. Victor Moreno faced Carlos Maldonado and forced an inning-ending double-play grounder.
That would tie the series at two games each, and prolong the wait of the three teams besides the Venezuelan champion that will play in the Caribbean Series beginning Monday in Mexicali, Mexico.
Those teams all made short work of their championship series.
In the Dominican Republic, the defending Caribbean Series champions (Tigres de Licey) defeated Gigantes de Cibao four games to one. The only loss was in game three, forfeited because los Tigres were upset about a player's suspension. It was the 20th Dominican title for Licey, which has won the Caribbean Series 10 times.
In Mexico, regular-season champion Venados de Mazatlan swept four games from Caneros de los Mochis. This will be Mazatlan's third trip to the Caribbean Series in four years.
In Puerto Rico, where winter ball returned after a one-year hiatus, Leones de Ponce won their first title in five years by taking four of five from Lobos de Arecibo.
The Caribbean Series will mark the first games televised live by the new MLB Network. By the way, that network hired a new good talker after Sean Casey retired from the Red Sox.
Don't forget: Pitchers and catchers report in little more than three weeks.
If we're so inclined, we also can watch the second World Baseball Classic, scheduled to begin March 5 in Tokyo and finish March 23 at Dodger Stadium. They must be expecting big crowds in Japan; the cheap seats are set at 18,000 yen (about $200).
All these makes me think that baseball just might succeed on a global level the way American football once wished it could.
Meanwhile, back in Maracay, los Leones knocked Moreno out of the game. They pulled within 3-1 on Jackson Melian's homer in the top of the eighth, and Moreno was gone after walking the next batter.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
When are the players ever wrong?
One reason I don't think the Yankees are out of the woods yet, despite spending MILLIONS of dollars is that I doubt the commitment of one of their new centerpieces, Mark Teixeira.
The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex currently is a very good laboratory for studying player/coach interactions and dynamics.
Exhibit A is the Texas Rangers, only because they were the first to show this trait: It can't be the players' fault, so the manager (or coach) must be to blame.
Teixeira was one of the players complaining, albeit quietly, about Buck Showalter's micromanagement and inability to relate to players. Then when Texas brought in players' manager Ron Washington, Tex was a more outspoken critic of the new manager.
Bottom line for the team: It lost with Showalter in charge and with Washington providing a much gentler guiding hand. The one constant was the players. You don't suppose ... nah, couldn't be their fault.
In the meantime, Teixeira and agent Scott Boras have followed the money -- to Atlanta, Anaheim and now New York. Though the first baseman has produced enviable offensive totals, he hasn't led or carried his team anywhere. Could it be ... no way!
Also in this area we have the phenomenon known as the Dallas Cowboys. Now don't stop me, even if this story sounds familiar. Big Bad Bill Parcells was mean to his players, even Tony Romo. They got to the playoffs, but Parcells left in part because he couldn't get along with The Player, Terrell Owens. (I'll write something about Jerry Jones' role in this drama soon.)
Anyway, replacing rough, gruff Parcells was teddy bear/coach Wade Phillips. He treated the players like men, giving them plenty of time off -- but despite winning 22 regular-season games in two seasons, the Cowboys still didn't win a playoff game. Owens was outspoken in his praise of Phillips and new offensive coordinator Jason Garrett in 2007. Last season, T.O. was merely outspoken. Couldn't have been his fault, or Romo's, could it? Hmmm ... maybe ...
The Dallas Mavericks took a 2-0 lead in the NBA playoff finals in 2005-06 before choking away the next four games. The next year, they had the league's best regular-season record, but lost in the playoffs ' opening round to eighth-seed Golden State. Last season, young genius coach Avery Johnson was considered a meddler, and after another first-round playoff exit, he was gone. (I'll probably write soon about the disastrous trade for Jason Kidd, but at least you know where I stand on that topic.)
This season, the Mavs went to a more player-friendly coach, Rick Carlisle. He would open up the offense, maximizing the talents of Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki. But guess what? The players don't like him either. Now this is an aging team, but still, shouldn't these players be taking some blame?
The NHL's Dallas Stars have stayed throughout the whole time with Dave Tippett, who seems to be a pretty good coach and a pretty reasonable person. And hockey players being a different breed -- well, they haven't exactly all taken responsibility for this season's pace that would keep them out of the playoffs, but they did come down hard against chemistry-wrecker Sean Avery. That was long before his "sloppy seconds" comment got Avery suspended.
The Stars' refusal to take Avery back even though they had invested a relatively large salary in him should show the way for the Cowboys to show Owens -- and other team misfits -- the door.
But Jerry Jones quite possibly wouldn't do that. It couldn't be the players' fault now, could it?
And watch out, Yankees fans. Teixeira may let you down some day when he's distracted by counting his money.
The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex currently is a very good laboratory for studying player/coach interactions and dynamics.
Exhibit A is the Texas Rangers, only because they were the first to show this trait: It can't be the players' fault, so the manager (or coach) must be to blame.
Teixeira was one of the players complaining, albeit quietly, about Buck Showalter's micromanagement and inability to relate to players. Then when Texas brought in players' manager Ron Washington, Tex was a more outspoken critic of the new manager.
Bottom line for the team: It lost with Showalter in charge and with Washington providing a much gentler guiding hand. The one constant was the players. You don't suppose ... nah, couldn't be their fault.
In the meantime, Teixeira and agent Scott Boras have followed the money -- to Atlanta, Anaheim and now New York. Though the first baseman has produced enviable offensive totals, he hasn't led or carried his team anywhere. Could it be ... no way!
Also in this area we have the phenomenon known as the Dallas Cowboys. Now don't stop me, even if this story sounds familiar. Big Bad Bill Parcells was mean to his players, even Tony Romo. They got to the playoffs, but Parcells left in part because he couldn't get along with The Player, Terrell Owens. (I'll write something about Jerry Jones' role in this drama soon.)
Anyway, replacing rough, gruff Parcells was teddy bear/coach Wade Phillips. He treated the players like men, giving them plenty of time off -- but despite winning 22 regular-season games in two seasons, the Cowboys still didn't win a playoff game. Owens was outspoken in his praise of Phillips and new offensive coordinator Jason Garrett in 2007. Last season, T.O. was merely outspoken. Couldn't have been his fault, or Romo's, could it? Hmmm ... maybe ...
The Dallas Mavericks took a 2-0 lead in the NBA playoff finals in 2005-06 before choking away the next four games. The next year, they had the league's best regular-season record, but lost in the playoffs ' opening round to eighth-seed Golden State. Last season, young genius coach Avery Johnson was considered a meddler, and after another first-round playoff exit, he was gone. (I'll probably write soon about the disastrous trade for Jason Kidd, but at least you know where I stand on that topic.)
This season, the Mavs went to a more player-friendly coach, Rick Carlisle. He would open up the offense, maximizing the talents of Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki. But guess what? The players don't like him either. Now this is an aging team, but still, shouldn't these players be taking some blame?
The NHL's Dallas Stars have stayed throughout the whole time with Dave Tippett, who seems to be a pretty good coach and a pretty reasonable person. And hockey players being a different breed -- well, they haven't exactly all taken responsibility for this season's pace that would keep them out of the playoffs, but they did come down hard against chemistry-wrecker Sean Avery. That was long before his "sloppy seconds" comment got Avery suspended.
The Stars' refusal to take Avery back even though they had invested a relatively large salary in him should show the way for the Cowboys to show Owens -- and other team misfits -- the door.
But Jerry Jones quite possibly wouldn't do that. It couldn't be the players' fault now, could it?
And watch out, Yankees fans. Teixeira may let you down some day when he's distracted by counting his money.
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