Archive for the MLB Category
2008 AL Gold Glove Winners
6. November 2008 by Glendo.
New York Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina has won his seventh Gold Glove, his first since 2003.
The list of winners includes: catcher Joe Mauer of the Twins, first baseman Carlos Pena of the Rays, second baseman Dustin Pedroia of the Red Sox, shortstop Michael Young of the Rangers, third baseman Adrian Beltre of the Mariners and outfielders Grady Sizemore of the Indians, Ichiro Suzuki of the Marniers, and Tori Hunter of the Angels.
Hunter and Ichiro have now won eight Gold Gloves in a row.
GM meetings
6. November 2008 by gchacko.
- A potential three-way deal being discussed, that would send outfielder Hideki Matsui from the New York Yankees to the Seattle Mariners for a pitching prospect, perhaps Ryan Rowland-Smith. The Yankees would package the prospect with second baseman Robinson Cano and another young player to the Rockies for Matt Holliday. On the pitching front the Yankees will make their record-breaking pitch to C.C. Sabathia. If it fails, they’ll move on to A.J. Burnett, Derek Lowe, and Oliver Perez. Joel Sherman of the post says the Yankees could get involved on Manny Ramirez, but only if they fail to sign Mark Teixeira and manage to trade Hideki Matsui.
- Ken Rosenthal says the Cubs are the frontrunner for Peavy, “perhaps even ahead of the Braves.” He says the Cubs also want to re-sign Ryan Dempster. The Cubs’ dream rotation would be Peavy, Carlos Zambrano, Dempster, Ted Lilly, and Rich Harden.
- ESPN’s Buster Olney wrote in his blog this morning that the Mets are probably not willing to go past three years for Francisco Rodriguez or any reliever. Joel Sherman of the New York Post says the Mets and Rays have had preliminary discussions about Edwin Jackson and Andy Sonnanstine. The Rays have some interest in Aaron Heilman, though the Mets would need to give more According to Peter Gammons, on ESPN.com. There as also a rumor that if the angles loose Texiera to the Yanks, they would turn their attention to the Mets 1b Carlos Delgado.
- Some Dodger officials have spread the word that Russell Martin will either be traded or moved to third base. However, Dodgers GM Ned Colletti recently told the Los Angeles Times that reports of him looking to trade Martin are ‘untrue.’
2008 NL Gold Glove Winners
5. November 2008 by Glendo.
David Wright and Carlos Beltran have won the Gold Glove at their respective positions. It is Wright’s second in a row and Beltran’s third straight.
The rest of the NL winners : Greg Maddux of the Dodgers at pitcher, Yadier Molina of the Cardinals at catcher, Adrian Gonzalez of the Padres at first base, Brandon Phillips of the Reds at second base, Jimmy Rollins of the Phillies at shortstop and Nate McLouth of the Pirates and Shane Victorino of the Phillies in the outfield.
Maddux’s award adds to his record of 18 Gold Gloves.
Around the majors… (NY)
5. November 2008 by gchacko.
Mets
According to a recent report in the Chicago Sun-Times, the White Sox intend to trade RHP Javier Vazquez this off-season in exchange for a second or third baseman. Chicago Tribune’s Dave van Dyck writes, ‘The Mets have interest in Javier Vazquez,’ according to a well-placed source at the GM meetings.
Last weekend, in the Boston Globe, Nick Cafardo wrote, “The Mets are still eyeing Mariners free agent Raul Ibanez. In a report for FoxSports.com, Ken Rosenthal writes the same, saying, “The Mets maintain interest in Ibanez, whom they tried to acquire last July.” He has hit at least .280 with 20 HR and a .350 OBP during each of the last four seasons with the Mariners.
The agent for free-agent Brian Fuentes told reporters that he will meet with Mets GM Omar Minaya during this week’s GM Meetings in California.The agent told reporters, regarding Fuentes, ‘New York is on our radar…I think he would be great there, he really thrives under pressure.” The early buzz surrounding Francisco Rodriguez suggests he is capable of landing a five-year, $70 million contract…
In a recent article, Marty Noble of MLB.com writes the following about free-agent 2B Orlando Hudson:
“From what I’m told, Hudson, a free agent, yearns to play for the Mets. I can’t be sure of that. I don’t know him. But what I know of him would suit the Mets’ purposes quite well. Whether or not Hudson wants to play at Citi Field, money will be a factor, and the $18 million owed Castillo can make it an issue.”
Yankees
Yesterday, the Yankees announced two transactions. They declined the 2009 team options for Jason Giambi ($22 million) and Carl Pavano ($13 million). However, Cashman did meet with Pavano’s agent, and has not ruled out the possibility of signing either player.
While the Yankees’ primary objective is to discuss Sabathia, there is also a possibility that the Yankees could go after Orlando Hudson, in the unlikely event that they trade Robinson Cano. Cashman has said that he intends to bring aboard “multiple” starting pitchers, with Sabathia and A.J. Burnett the top two available on the market. Burnett’s agent, Darek Braunecker, announced yesterday that Burnett would opt out of the two years and $24 million remaining on his contract with Toronto.
Bobby Abreu wants to stay in the Bronx, but the Yankees are overloaded with outfielders {Melky, Damon, Gardner, Matsui and Nady}. It seems that Abreu, who hit .296 with 20 homers and 100 RBI, will be looking for a new home this winter. Chicago or either
Florida team would be a god fit for him.
CheeseSteak Celebration!
3. November 2008 by critter.
CAN YOU TELL THIS SITE IS RUN BY MOSTLY METS FANS?!?! It might be a week late, but congrats to Cole Hamles and the Philadelphia Phillies - the 2008 World Series Champions!!!!
They powered their way through the playoffs and proved that it is actually possible for a team in the NL East to get the job done!!! Look for the Muts to really open up the checkbook (to the likes of Yankees recent standards) this offseason….
World Series: Rays - 1 Phillies - 1
24. October 2008 by Glendo.
The Tampa Bay Rays evened up the World Series last night at a game a piece by beating the Phillies 4-2. The Rays did so with small ball, scoring 3 of their runs on outs, and a little help from the umpires.
In the second inning Phillies starter Brett Myers, working with a 3-2 count, threw a slider low and off the plate to Rocco Baldelli, who attempted to check his swing. Home plate umpire Kerwin Danley raised his hand as if he was going to call strike three, but he pointed to first, either to check with firstbase umpire Fieldin Culbreth or to indicate Baldelli checked his swing on ball four and should take his base.
“I didn’t think I went [around], and I just went to first,” said Baldelli, who had already started to jog down the line as Danley raised his arm. “I was facing [toward the field], so I didn’t see what was going on behind me. Kerwin asked for help down the first-base line, and as I was jogging to first, they said, ‘No swing.’ It was OK. I looked at it on film later and it didn’t look like I went. I thought the call was right.”
Baldelli’s walk lead to a run for the Rays.
Another call in the 9th inning really helped the Rays. With the Rays leading 4-1 in the top of the ninth Jimmy Rollins came to the plate with a runner on second and no out. David Price’s pitch appeared to graze Rollins uniform. Danley did not agree and did not award Rollins first base. Replays confirmed that the pitch did in fact hit Rollins uniform which is considered a hit by pitch and he should have been awarded first base. Rollins would eventually pop out to short. The Phillies would get one run in the inning before Price closed them out for a Rays win.
Can’t say I feel bad for the Phillies, sometimes you just don’t get all the breaks.
Phucking Phillies
16. October 2008 by Glendo.
According to Mat Cerrone over at MetsBlog,
During last night’s telecast, FoxSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal relayed the following story…
In Game 2 of the NLDS against the Brewers, Shane Victorino hit a walk-off grand slam, after which he raised his finger in the air as he ran around the bases.
Prior to the next game, a picture of Victorino, running the bases, with his finger in the air, was taped to his locker by his teammates with ‘J. Reyes’ written above it.
I hate the the Phillies.
Manuel gets 2 year deal with Mets
6. October 2008 by Glendo.
Jerry Manuel has agreed to a 2 year deal with New York Mets to stay on as manager. There is a team option for the 3rd year.
“I am thrilled and appreciative for the opportunity that ownership and [general manager] Omar [Minaya] have given me to continue to manage the Mets,” Manuel said in a statement released late Friday.
The Mets had lost 35 of 69 games under former manager Willie Randolph, when the former White Sox manager who had served as one of Randolph’s coaches since the beginning of the 2005 season was appointed. The Mets won 55 of their final 93 games under Manuel.
I could have gone either way on this one. Jerry did a great job taking over for Willie, the team played much better. In the end though he didn’t get the job done. It will be interesting to see what Jerry can do with a full year as manager.
Santana’s legend grows
1. October 2008 by gchacko.
Just heard on the Fan that…
Santana just underwent surgery on this knee for a torn miniscus… he pitched through it this past saturday, probably one of the best games I have ever been too…
Wanted
29. September 2008 by rich.
Who: A doctor/individual
What: A doctor/individual that can perform a routine procedure
When: ASAP
Where: Queens, NY
Why: The Mets have choked again
How: 
