Cheap Seat Chronicles

Countdown to Spring Training: 9 Days

Posted on February 8, 2010 by Jeremiah Graves

We’re another day closer to Spring Training, so it’s time for another video to get your baseball-blood pumping.

The Yankees/Red Sox rivalry is one of the most well-known in all of sports.

The rivalry—which was, at best, simmering for much of the ‘80s and ‘90s—seemed to reach a boiling point in the past decade.

This is probably because ESPN did everything in its power to convince us that every game is a life or death exchange. Granted plenty of on-field dustups didn’t do much to dispel that notion.

Today’s moment comes from the 2003 American League Championship Series between the Yankees and Red Sox:

I remember watching that series and, more specifically, that game from wire-to-wire, hoping and praying that the Red Sox would finally get the monkey off their back and rally past the Yankees.

As a Twins fan, I was already disgruntled with the Bronx Bombers for sending my boys back to Minnesota after the first round.

Plus, as a baseball fan, you want to see something special when you watch a game and the Sox finally getting passed the Yanks would have qualified.

Obviously it wasn’t meant to be as Boone crushed the first pitch Wakefield showed him into the seats.

In the end, the Yankees went on to lose the World Series to the upstart Florida Marlins who had rallied to get by another supposedly cursed franchise, the Chicago Cubs in what was an equally exciting NLCS.

Posted in Aaron Boone, American League, Baseball, Boston Red Sox, Cheap Seat Chronicles, Major League Moments, MLB, New York Yankees, Playoffs | 1 Comment

Countdown to Spring Training: 10 Days

Posted on February 7, 2010 by Jeremiah Graves

The countdown is officially on.

According to MLB.com the first date that pitchers and catchers can report for Spring Training in February 17th.

As such, I’m going to provide my readers with a video featuring a Major League Moment or a clip from a baseball movie or whatever else gets the blood pumping for some live baseball.

So with no further ado, let’s get this thing started with a classic clip from the 1993 World Series:

I’ve actually written about this event once before. This was back in the early days of my blogging career, it was actually written for a long-since defunct baseball website.

In my mind, Carter’s walk-off home run is about as perfect of a baseball moment gets.

Carter was—for the most part—a career journeyman who, if not for this home run, would have otherwise become a minor footnote in baseball’s lengthy history.

Instead, with that one swing, Carter ensured that he’ll be remembered long after he’s gone. It was undoubtedly the biggest moment of his career and was one of the most memorable moments in recent World Series history.

As a fan who remembers watching it on TV and going nuts, it is etched in my mind as one of the first truly amazing feats I remember seeing. Carter got to live the moment all kids dream of while taking batting practice in their backyard and he showed that he wasn’t bigger than the moment in the way he hopped around the bases.

In a word, it was awesome.

Posted in Joe Carter, Major League Moments, MLB, Philadelphia Phillies, Playoffs, Spring Training, Toronto Blue Jays, World Series | Leave a comment

Orlando Hudson, Minnesota Twins Agree on One-Year Pact

Posted on February 5, 2010 by Jeremiah Graves

Twins fans, feel free to take a minute to pinch yourselves.

Shocking as it may seem the Twins actually signed free agent second baseman Orlando Hudson.

The deal is for one-year and is worth $5 million. There are no additional performance incentives, but reportedly the contract does contain various awards bonuses.

The contract also states that should Hudson rank as a Type A free agent after the 2010 season, the Twins cannot offer him arbitration.

Anyone who frequents Cheap Seat Chronicles has read me rant about general manager Bill Smith’s all-too quiet offseason a time or two this winter.

After Thursday night’s big move and the speculation that he’s closing in on an extension with Joe Mauer, I think maybe I’ll finally cut the guy some slack.

Hudson, 32, will take over as the club’s primary second baseman with Nick Punto shifting over to third base.

Punto is the better defender at this stage of his career, but is better suited defensively at third and will give way to Hudson who has played his entire career at the keystone corner.

Hudson, a four-time Gold Glove winner, may not be the defensive wizard he was earlier in his career. In fact, despite winning a Gold Glove last season, he posted a negative UZR/150 rating for the second year in a row.

While he holds a career UZR/150 of 2.6, he posted a -7.6 in 2008 and -3.7 in 2009.

Hudson will receive much of the same reputation-based praise for his defense that Orlando Cabrera received last year when he was one of the worst defensive shortstops in all of baseball.

Reputation goes a long way in baseball and Hudson will be no exception to the rule.

Despite what any metrics or scouts will say about his defense, he figures to be an adequate defender at second and gives the Twins a boost if for no other reason than keeping Brendan Harris and his dreadful glove on the bench.

Additionally, Hudson immediately becomes the top candidate for the two-hole in the lineup between speedy leadoff hitter Denard Span and Mauer, the reigning American League Most Valuable Player.

Hudson will provide an immediate upgrade offensively both at second base and in the lineup’s second spot.

In 2009, Twins second basemen ranked dead last in all of baseball when they combined to “hit” a putrid .209/.302/.267 with two home runs and 43 RBI.

By that same token, every player not-named Mauer who hit in the two-hole last year combined for an equally-uninspiring—yet markedly better—batting line of .232/.272/.326 with seven home runs and 66 RBI.

For his part Hudson hit .283/.357/.417 with nine home runs and 62 RBI last year.

Where I come from that’s a pretty drastic improvement no matter how you look at it.

I’d like to think that Smith read my last piece and assumed that his life was in danger if he didn’t make a move to lock up Hudson.

Whether or not I had an impact on the situation is irrelevant, what does matter is that the Twins just bumped themselves into the rarified air of World Series hopefuls.

Get ready Twins fans, it’s going to be a good year.

Posted in AL Central, American League, Awards, Baseball, Cheap Seat Chronicles, Free Agency, Minnesota Twins, MLB, Nick Punto, Orlando Hudson | 5 Comments

Why the Minnesota Twins Need to Go All-In for Orlando Hudson

Posted on February 2, 2010 by Jeremiah Graves

The Minnesota Twins currently have a good team.

Orlando Hudson could make them great.

As it stands right now—two full months before Opening Day—the Twins are the favorite in the American League Central.

The club is returning the majority of the same roster that roared back from seemingly-insurmountable odds to win the division a year ago.

The difference is that this time around, the club has a solid bullpen, an excellent shortstop, and a veteran starter from day one.

Last year, general manager Bill Smith scrambled to add Orlando Cabrera, Carl Pavano, Jon Rauch, and Ron Mahay down the stretch to improve the club.

Pavano and Rauch will return this year, but Cabrera has been replaced by the younger and, more athletic, J.J. Hardy, thanks to an offseason trade with Milwaukee.

Mahay’s presence is no longer needed thanks to the anticipated return of Pat Neshek and the signing of reliever Clay Condrey.

Additionally, at least one of the club’s three lefty starters, Brian Duensing, Francisco Liriano, and Glen Perkins figure to end up in the re-loaded bullpen.

The club addressed another issue by adding a major offensive threat to an otherwise unimposing bench with the recent signing of future Hall of Famer, Jim Thome.

There are also high hopes within the organization—and the club’s fanbase—that third base prospect Danny Valencia will be ready to join the team by midseason.

In addition to an improved Opening Day lineup is the news that oft-maligned outfielder Delmon Young will be reporting to camp in better shape than he’s been in his entire tenure with the club.

The scouting reports on the progress of the aforementioned Francisco Liriano in the Dominican Winter League have been nothing but glowing and there are rumblings around the league that we may see “vintage Liriano” this season.

Oh yeah, and it’s largely believed that reigning American League MVP, Joe Mauer is nearing a long-term extension with the club.

So where does Orlando Hudson figure into all of this?

Simply put, Hudson is the missing piece.

The Minnesota lineup figures to be an imposing one, but is currently lacking a legitimate number two hitter—and has been for the better part of a decade—and Hudson is the prototypical man to fill that hole.

Hudson has a career on-base percentage of .348 and is a switch-hitter, thus making him the ideal man to have slotted between speedy leadoff man, Denard Span and Mauer.

Hudson may be seeking more than the Twins are willing to spend, but with a new stadium—and new revenue streams—on the horizon, the club can afford to roll the dice and pay big for the O-Dog.

The Twins need to realize that even though the core of the club is young, the window to win a championship is small. On paper, 2010 projects to be one of the best shots the Twins will get.

The American League West has four teams that could legitimately take the division and all four figure to spend the majority of the season beating up on one another.

The American League East has three viable contenders in the Yankees, Red Sox, and Rays. Those three figure to do much of the same in-fighting as the clubs in the AL West.

The Twins already play in the most winnable division in the AL and have a chance to add an impact player that could really help the club separate themselves from the pack.

In three of the last four seasons the Twins have taken the division down to the final day of the season. In back-to-back years, the club has been forced to play an extra game to decide the division.

As a result of those late season playoff pushes, the club hasn’t fared well in the postseason.

Adding Hudson gives the offense an edge it hasn’t had in years and could allow the club to run away with the division and come into the playoffs rested and ready, not jet-lagged and battle-worn.

The Twins are the favorite in a winnable division without Hudson on the roster.

With Hudson, however, they have a legitimate shot at the pennant and a World Series.

The rotation is primed for a big year with Scott Baker, Nick Blackburn, and Kevin Slowey all taking big steps forward during the 2009 campaign.

Pavano will serve purpose a middle of the rotation innings-eater and the aforementioned Liriano just might return to his old form and give Minnesota a very tough rotation.

The bullpen is stocked with live arms and ready to roll. The bench has a legitimate late-game weapon. The heart of the lineup is one of the best in baseball.

The missing piece is Orlando Hudson.

It’s time for the Twins to go all-in and put the finishing touches on a championship-caliber team.

Posted in AL Central, American League, Baseball, Cheap Seat Chronicles, Free Agency, Minnesota Twins, MLB, Orlando Hudson | 3 Comments

Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins Reach Ten-Year Extension (or Maybe Not)

Posted on February 1, 2010 by Jeremiah Graves

Joe Mauer has made it clear that he’d love to stay with the Twins for the foreseeable future.

Earlier this afternoon WCCO-TV of Minneapolis/St. Paul reported that the ballclub had granted that wish by reaching a preliminary agree on a ten-year extension with the reigning American League MVP.

That claim was quickly refuted via Twitter by ESPN’s Buster Olney.

Olney followed up his initial tweet with a little nugget of hope, seemingly, keep Minnesotans from leaping into Lake Superior.

“The Twins remain optimistic that a deal will eventually get done, but a deal is not done yet.”

Mauer, 26, is coming off a career-year in which he set highs with 28 home runs, 96 RBI, 191 hits, and 307 total bases despite missing the entire month of April with a back injury.

He made an immediate impact upon returning to the lineup by crushing a home run in his very first at-bat.

Additionally, he led the AL in the new age Triple Crown categories of batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage by posting a very impressive .365/.444/.587 cumulative batting line.

He is owed $12.5 million in 2010 and it is believe he could make $20-$25 million on the open market next winter.

The usual suspects have been named as potential suitors for Mauer should he hit the market. Teams such as the Yankees, Red Sox, and Mets all figure to be in the market for a catcher in the near future as well.

It was believed that if the Twins were unable to sign Mauer long-term the club would look to trade the three-time batting champion rather than let him walk via free agency.

Depending on which report you read, it would seem the Twins are doing their best to avoid any and all scenarios that involve Mauer taking his sweet swing anywhere but the Twin Cities.

Mauer was born and raised in St. Paul and most of his family and friends still reside in the area, so it seems like a perfect fit for both sides to work out a deal before the season begins to avoid any distractions.

Posted in AL Central, American League, Baseball, Cheap Seat Chronicles, Free Agency, Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins, MLB | 6 Comments

Minnesota Inks Twins-Killer Jim Thome, but is he the Best Fit?

Posted on February 1, 2010 by Jeremiah Graves

Jim Thome is a member of the Minnesota Twins.

Five years ago, those words would have me jumping up and down, screaming like a madman, and laying claim to the Twins’ inevitable American League pennant.

The problem is that five years is a long time.

Five years ago, Jim Thome was an absolute beast. He could be counted on for 40+ home runs a season, 100 RBI, and an on-base percentage north of .385 year-in and year-out.

Heck, five years ago he was still a pretty solid defensive first baseman.

Five years ago, the Twins were running out the likes of Matt LeCroy, Terry Tiffee, and Shannon Stewart at designated hitter.

All the while a young first baseman by the name of Justin Morneau was struggling to the tune of a .239/.304/.437 batting line in his first full-season of big league action.

Fast-forward five years and Thome, now 39-years old, doesn’t make a whole lot sense.

The Twins have one of baseball’s best designated hitters, Jason Kubel, firmly entrenched in the lineup and Justin Morneau overcame his early career struggles to become one of baseball’s best sluggers.

So where does Thome fit?

He figures to serve primarily as a left-handed bat off the bench and occasional DH against tough right-handers. In those situations Delmon Young—who historically struggles against righties—would ride the pine and Kubel would move to left field.

I can see the pros and cons of the situation.

Thome is a professional hitter who can still rake against right-handed pitching. Every closer in the American League Central is a righty. If you do the math, Thome is the guy you want at the dish late in a game.

The problem is that he doesn’t offer much beyond that scenario.

Thome is a great clubhouse presence, but he shouldn’t be taking at-bats away from Jason Kubel or Delmon Young.

Kubel proved last season he can flourish if given enough at-bats as a DH.

Young is entering a make or break season with the club and by all reports has done a lot of work this offseason to make the most of the 2010 campaign.

As such, I’ve got to wonder why the team didn’t take the money given to Thome and put it toward a position of need such as improving the infield or adding another right-handed power bat to the lineup.

The $1.5 million base salary Thome is set to earn wouldn’t have been enough to land prime targets Orlando Hudson or Felipe Lopez, but it certainly wouldn’t have hurt to have the extra money lying around.

Another option would have been to take that same $1.5 million and invest it in Jonny Gomes.

Gomes, 29, would have been a solid alternative to Thome. Gomes hits very well against left-handed pitching and would be a perfect complement to Kubel at DH and he would help break up a lineup that is very lefty-heavy.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I’m completely against the Twins bringing in Jim Thome, I just feel like there were some more versatile options available. Most of this stems from the fact that Thome is: a) old and b) a defensive non-entity.

At least we know for a fact that Jonny Gomes owns a baseball glove.

Thome hasn’t played in the field regularly since joining the White Sox prior to the 2006 season.

In fact, the last time Thome played the field at all was June 13, 2007 when Thome’s Sox played against his old club, the Phillies, in Philadelphia during an interleague game.

In the end, I can live with the Thome addition. That is assuming he doesn’t steal too many at-bats away from Young or Kubel over the course of the season.

Thome is a great clubhouse presence and a professional hitter. Sure, he’s old, left-handed, and hasn’t put on a baseball glove since the Bush administration, but he’s still a good addition.

Gomes would have given the Twins some much need right-handed pop without running the risk of stealing full-time at-bats and odds are he could have been had even cheaper, but that’s a non-issue now, because—five years too late or not—it finally happened.

Jim Thome is a member of the Minnesota Twins.

Posted in AL Central, American League, Baseball, Cheap Seat Chronicles, Delmon Young, Free Agency, Jason Kubel, Jim Thome, Minnesota Twins, MLB | 2 Comments

Edge Returns to WWE and Wins the 2010 Royal Rumble

Posted on February 1, 2010 by Jeremiah Graves

Well, we all saw that one coming.

In a move that has to be described as “less than shocking,” WWE superstar Edge returned to action Sunday night in Atlanta and won the over-the-top rope battle royal to cash his ticket to WrestleMania 26.

The wrestling world has been abuzz regarding the Royal Rumble this year as, for the first time in years, there didn’t appear to be an odds-on favorite to win the Rumble.

That was, however, unless of course Edge could return in time.

For those who have forgotten, Edge went under the knife in July of last year to repair a torn Achilles tendon that he suffered in a match with Jeff Hardy.

The injury was reportedly expected to keep Edge out of action for several months, potentially as much as a year.

Fans of the WWE have grown skeptical regarding injury-timelines in recent years as we’ve been given the same grim diagnosis for superstars like Mr. Kennedy, John Cena, and Batista only to see them make “shocking” returns months ahead of schedule.

As such, numerous WWE fans were anticipating a possible Edge appearance in the Rumble and undoubtedly, if Edge returned he would likely win the match.

As expected the Rated-R Superstar entered the fray at number 29 and eliminated his former tag team partner Chris Jericho and then John Cena to win the Rumble for the first time in his decorated career.

Edge has a championship dossier that is matched by few, if any, superstars in the business today.

He is a twelve-time holder of the WWE World Tag Team Championship, a two-time WWE Tag Team Champion, a five-time Intercontinental Champion, a former WCW United States Champion, a five time WWE World Heavyweight Champion, a four time WWE Champion, the winner of the 2001 King of the Ring tournament, and the first-ever Money in the Bank ladder match winner.

Today Edge can add a new accolade to his already imposing credentials, winner of the 2010 Royal Rumble.

Where the WWE will take the angle from here is anyone’s guess.

Edge seemed to gain a very positive face reaction last night and the obvious matchup would be the Edge/Chris Jericho match that most of the internet wrestling community has been salivating over for nearly six months.

With the ridiculous Elimination Chamber pay-per-view only three weeks away, there is still time to put one of the World Titles on Jericho before WrestleMania and give a sufficient build-up for that main event.

As it stands now, Edge would be choosing between the current WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Undertaker—a feud we’ve seen a few too many times in recent years—or current WWE Champion, Sheamus.

Undertaker/Edge is undoubtedly entertaining, but both currently are faces and after back-to-back years of having the Rumble winner lose at WrestleMania, it seems far more likely that Edge will garner a win at Mania this year.

I just can’t foresee the WWE putting him over ‘Taker and ending “The Steak.”

Sheamus—if there is a God—won’t be the WWE Champion by WrestleMania.

I’ve made it clear a couple of times now, how I feel about Sheamus and the way he’s been crammed down our throats. Now that he’s got the gold, I can’t help but wonder if there’s ever been a world champion who was so universally ignored by the audience and—seemingly—the writing crew and front office as well.

When the dust finally settles, I’d anticipate that Jericho gets his mitts on one of the big gold belts between now and Mania and we get the match we’re all dying to see.

Posted in Edge, Professional Wrestling, Royal Rumble, WWE | Leave a comment

Is Johnny Damon a Fit for the Seattle Mariners?

Posted on January 28, 2010 by Jeremiah Graves

Johnny Damon is a popular subject lately, but not for good reasons.

It’s nearly February and Damon, coming off a very solid season, is finding his pool of potential suitors to be very, very shallow.

It was long assumed that Damon would return to the Yankees, but the signings of Nick Johnson and Randy Winn, coupled with the acquisition of Curtis Granderson have ultimately spelled the end of Damon’s tenure in the Bronx.

The Braves, Tigers, Athletics, and Reds have all been linked to Damon at some point this offseason, but right now there appears to be no legitimate offers on the table.

Damon entered the offseason seeking a three-to-four year deal at roughly the same $13 million per season he made on his last contract.

Needless to say, interest—at that price and length—was tepid, at best.

It was rumored that the Yankees and Damon were close on a two-year pact at one point, but by the time Damon and his agent, Scott Boras, were willing to accept the Bronx Bombers had already inked the aforementioned Johnson.

So where does that leave Damon now?

He’s coming off a very solid year where he put up a line of .282/.365/.489 with 24 home runs, 82 RBI, and 107 runs scored in 550 at-bats.

He is, however, a 36-year-old whose defense is politely described as inadequate and declining speed on the bases.

As such, he is widely-expected to sign something closer to the one-year, $5 million contract Bobby Abreu signed with the Angels last season to re-establish his market value.

This is where the Seattle Mariners come into the picture.

If the Mariners were to sign Damon it would be for one simple reason, the long ball.

As Damon’s speed has waned in recent years, he’s taken to swinging for the fences.

Damon’s home run totals in New York eclipse his totals elsewhere throughout his career.

In Damon’s six years in Kansas City he hit 65 home runs, four years in Boston netted Damon 56 long balls, his lone year in Oakland resulted in nine dingers, and in his four, free-swinging years in New York, Damon launched 77 balls into the seats.

Additionally, his career batting line received a nice boost playing the Bronx. Damon is a career .288/.355/.439 hitter, but in New York he put up an average line of .285/.363/.458, clearly Damon has thrived by implementing a “put it in cheap seats” mentality.

The Mariners projected lineup features some combination of Franklin Gutierrez, Milton Bradley, and Jose Lopez in the heart of the order.

That is if Lopez isn’t traded before Opening Day and if Milton Bradley can prove he belongs on a big league roster after last season’s implosion in Chicago.

Last year, the now-departed Russell Branyan led the team with 31 long balls and trade-candidate Lopez was second with 25 home runs.

After those two Ken Griffey (19), Gutierrez (18), and leadoff man, Ichiro Suzuki (11) rounded out the club’s top five in home runs.

If the Mariners—who seem primed to compete in the cutthroat American League West—want to have a legitimate shot at winning the club’s first pennant since the 2001, the lineup needs some more punch.

Damon just might be a perfect fit.

A rotation of Damon, Bradley, and Griffey at designated hitter and in left field sounds a lot more promising than relying on any one of the three consistently and, if rested and rotated properly, the trio could provide some serious offensive punch.

The Mariners have made some big strides this offseason and currently appear to be just one or two pieces away from becoming a legitimate powerhouse.

The club could still stand to add another starter to round out the rotation and a big bopper to infuse the middle of the order.

At the right price, Damon is exactly what Seattle is missing.

Posted in AL West, American League, Baseball, Cheap Seat Chronicles, Free Agency, Johnny Damon, MLB, Seattle Mariners | 1 Comment

Minnesota Twins: Five Free Agent Options at the Keystone Corner

Posted on January 26, 2010 by Jeremiah Graves

The Minnesota Twins need to improve the infield.

The club is set at first base and shortstop with Justin Morneau and J.J. Hardy, respectively.

Second base and third base, however, are both wide-open.

Nick Punto figures to be guaranteed a starting job at either of the two positions. As such, the Twins need to add just one more infielder.

Unfortunately, the free agent market—although still loaded with talent—has grown rapidly depleted when it comes to impact players.

The Placido Polancos, Adrian Beltres, Miguel Tejadas, and Mark DeRosas of the world have all signed deals elsewhere and the Twins find themselves still in hunt of an infielder with less than a month before Spring Training begins.

Today I’m going to take a look at five free agents who could potentially play second base for the Minnesota Twins next season.

Check out the slideshow at BleacherReport.com.

Posted in Adam Kennedy, AL Central, American League, Baseball, Cheap Seat Chronicles, Felipe Lopez, Free Agency, Minnesota Twins, MLB, Nick Punto, Orlando Cabrera, Orlando Hudson, Ronnie Belliard | Leave a comment

Curt Schilling Hints at Potential Comeback

Posted on January 24, 2010 by Jeremiah Graves

Curt Schilling may be on the comeback trail.

Schilling, who hasn’t pitched in the Majors since Game 2 of the 2007 World Series, hinted as much with this ambiguous tweet earlier today:

“Working out again…..not sure I can add anything to that other than I feel it in every fiber of my being, every step I take….”

Schilling is well-known for tooting his own horn and is a shameless self-promoter, so it is entirely possible that the six-time All-Star is merely trying to get his name in the news during a relatively quiet period in baseball’s offseason.

Schilling, 43, has 216 career wins and is one of the most dominant postseason pitchers of all-time. He is also renowned for having one of the biggest egos in the game and may still believe he can still pitch at an elite level after two years away from the game.

If Schilling were looking to make a comeback it is entirely possible he could find a team to agree to an arrangement similar to the one Pedro Martinez, Paul Byrd, and Roger Clemens have used in the past.

That being, Schilling would sign with a club early in the season, make a few minor league starts, and join the big league club after the All-Star break.

In doing so, Schilling would conceivably be rested and healthy enough to be a reliable starter down the stretch and into the postseason.

Teams may be wary to sign Schilling after he pulled a bait-and-switch of sorts on the Red Sox back in 2008.

After the 2007 season, Schilling signed a one-year, $8 million deal loaded with incentives. Mere months after signing the pact Schilling and his doctor were pushing for season-ending shoulder surgery.

There was a brief tug-of-war between Schilling and the Sox that eventually involved the player’s union. In the end, Schilling never pitched and the Sox paid him $8 million for nothing.

If—and it’s a big if—Schilling is contemplating retirement there are a number of teams that would undoubtedly be interested in his services.

The New York Mets jump to mind immediately as the club is in dire need of another proven starter.

The never-ending arms race between the Red Sox and Yankees could easily draw Schilling into a playoff race as well.

Whether any of this amounts to more than blatant self-promotion remains to be seen.

If nothing else, Schilling has proven he can still get baseball fans talking.

Posted in Baseball, Cheap Seat Chronicles, Curt Schilling, Free Agency, Injuries, MLB | Leave a comment

Minnesota Twins: Offseason Options and Fans’ Optimism Dwindling Fast

Posted on January 24, 2010 by Jeremiah Graves

Fans of the Minnesota Twins tend to be a nervous bunch.

This is largely due to years of inactivity, false hope, and empty promises from the front office.

It seems that every year we’re given a decry that implies “this offseason the Twins will scour the market to improve the club and prepare for a legitimate push for a third World Series trophy.”

Then Spring Training rolls around and the only additions are past-their-prime veterans who were willing to sign on the cheap and no-name rookies who spent the previous season toiling in Rochester or New Britain.

This offseason—potentially the most important offseason in club history—we were given the same message.

The club was going to improve the infield, add at least one veteran starter to bolster a young rotation, and, most importantly, sign Joe Mauer to a contract extension.

General Manager Bill Smith struck early by trading away defensive wunderkind, Carlos Gomez to acquire an equally-talented gloveman in shortstop J.J. Hardy from the Milwaukee Brewers.

Twins fans assumed that this was the offseason that the club would actually spend money on the free agent market and bring in the talent necessary to push the club to the next level.

After all, the Twins are opening a brand new, state of the art ballpark in 2010 and figure to be rewarded handsomely at the box office as a result.

There was talk of the payroll potentially pushing $100 million.

There was talk of signing the likes of Orlando Hudson, Placido Polanco, Felipe Lopez, Mark DeRosa, Adrian Beltre, Miguel Tejada, Rich Harden, or Ben Sheets to supplement the lineup.

Thus far, that’s all any of it has been, talk.

With Saturday’s announcement that Miguel Tejada had signed a one-year, $6 million deal to return to Baltimore, it become increasingly obvious that the Twins are simply running out of time and options.

Pitchers and catchers are slated to report to Spring Training in less than four weeks and the only names remaining from the initial list of potential signees are Hudson, Lopez, and Sheets.

Thus far, the Twins have been legitimately linked to none of them.

Ben Sheets, after an impressive throwing session that the Twins did not attend, is being courted by up to half-a-dozen teams. Most of those teams are willing to pay him upwards of $10 million in 2010.

The Twins will undoubtedly not match that figure and—sadly—are far more likely to make yet another run at the likes of Jarrod Washburn, Jon Garland, or Braden Looper.

Personally, I’d rather we make an offer to “Oil Can” Boyd or Jim Bouton than sign any of those three, but that’s just me.

Orlando Hudson has most-recently been linked to the Washington Nationals. The Nats are reportedly willing to give Hudson a two-year deal, as I’d like to assume the Twins would also be willing to do.

Hudson, however, is reportedly seeking a $9 million payday next season, a figure that no team figures to meet. In the end it’s believed he’ll land a two-year deal in the $12-$15 million range, which the Twins could legitimately afford.

That fact notwithstanding, there have been almost no reports of the Twins even contemplating Hudson as the club’s second baseman next season.

Minnesota’s hesitation to sign Hudson is particularly puzzling as he seems to be exactly what the club has lacked for years, a reliable defensive second baseman who can handle the two-hole in the lineup.

Felipe Lopez, well, he seems to have vanished from the face of the earth based on the fact that absolutely no one is talking about him this offseason.

Lopez is coming off a career year and reportedly has only garnered modest interest from the Cardinals who seemingly aren’t willing to pay actual money to acquire him.

Despite the overwhelming availability of all three of these potential game-changers, the Twins have been legitimately linked to none of these men.

The Twins have, however, been linked to the likes of Jim Thome.

Now obviously acquiring Thome would be a huge move, if it were still 2005. The problem is, it’s not 2005.

Additionally, the Twins already boast a very lefty-heavy lineup and already have a designated hitter.

In fact, they have a pretty good DH.

His name is Jason Kubel, perhaps you’ve heard of him?

That leads us to where we sit right now, 25 days away from pitchers and catchers reporting and still with glaring holes in the roster.

The top available options are apparently not of interest to the club.

Smith appears more interested in aging, decline-phase sluggers who can no longer play the field.

…and Jarrod Washburn.

Oh yeah, and most reports indicate that the Twins haven’t even begun contract negotiations with Joe Mauer, leading to speculation that the club will be forced to trade the once-in-a-generation catcher before the season’s end.

Yeah, there’s a reason Twins fans are a nervous bunch.

Posted in AL Central, American League, Baseball, Ben Sheets, Bill Smith, Cheap Seat Chronicles, Felipe Lopez, Free Agency, Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins, MLB, Orlando Hudson, Ranting | 1 Comment

Miguel Tejada, Baltimore Orioles Set for Reunion

Posted on January 23, 2010 by Jeremiah Graves

Miguel Tejada is headed back to Baltimore.

The six-time All-Star has agreed on a one-year deal with the Orioles.

The deal, which is currently pending a physical, was confirmed by Tejada during a phone interview with the Associated Press on Saturday.

“I’ve reached a deal for one season and $6 million,” Tejada said. “I know it’s less than what I made last year, but the market has changed and I feel happy to be able to play in the major leagues.”

Tejada, 35, made more than $14 million last season with the Houston Astros. It was the final year of a six-year, $72 million contract that Tejada signed with the Orioles prior to the 2004 season.

When Tejada signed his original deal with Baltimore he was one year removed from winning the American League MVP with the Oakland Athletics and he was regarded as one of the best shortstops in the game.

A lot has changed in the six years since Tejada inked that deal.

Tejada has lost much of his power and his range at shortstop has deteriorated to the point that he’ll be shifting to third base for his second tour of duty with the Orioles.

Additionally, Tejada has endured a number of blows off the field as well.

Just days after being traded to Houston prior to the 2008 season Tejada was named in the infamous Mitchell Report.

In April 2008, he admitted that he’d lied about his age and was actually two years older than he’d claimed.

And finally, last March, Tejada was sentenced to one year of probation for misleading Congress.

All the while, Tejada didn’t let the off-field issues impact his play on the diamond.

In two seasons with the Astros, Tejada hit a combined .298/.327/.435 and made two All-Star teams.

Tejada proved last season that despite diminished power he can still hit at a pretty solid clip. His .313/.340/.455 batting line came with 14 home runs, 86 RBI and a league-best 46 doubles in 158 games last season.

The Orioles hope to get similar production from the veteran who will be replacing the departed Melvin Mora at the hot corner, a career move that Tejada seems excited to tackle.

“I’ll play in third base, which means a change in my career,” Tejada said. “It’s like the beginning of a new career, but I’ll continue doing my same workout routine to be able continue my career.”

Tejada figures to fit nicely into a lineup that includes burgeoning young stars Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, Nolan Reimold, and Matt Wieters; in addition to veteran talents such as Brian Roberts, Luke Scott, and the recently-signed Garrett Atkins.

Surprisingly, interest in Tejada was tepid, at best, this offseason.

The Athletics, Cardinals, Giants, Rockies, and Twins were all linked to Tejada at some point in recent weeks. Nothing ever materialized as Tejada seemed to be everyone’s backup plan.

That’s how the Orioles, who admittedly didn’t expect Tejada to be around this late, were reportedly the only club to make an official offer for his services.

If Tejada is able to match last year’s production at a value price of $6 million there’s no doubt that all of his other suitors will regret not making a more serious play for Tejada.

Posted in AL East, American League, Awards, Baltimore Orioles, Baseball, Cheap Seat Chronicles, Free Agency, Houston Astros, Miguel Tejada, MLB, MVP | 3 Comments

New York Mets Acquire Gary Matthews Jr.

Posted on January 22, 2010 by Jeremiah Graves

It took a while, but Gary Matthews Jr. finally got his wish.

Matthews, 35, has reportedly been traded to the New York Mets in exchange for a yet-to-be named “low salaried pitcher” off the big league roster.

Matthews’ former team, the Los Angeles Angels, is expected to eat the majority of $23 million remaining on Matthew’s ill-fated contract.

The five-year, $50 million pact was agreed upon prior to the 2007 campaign.

At the time Matthews was coming off a career year in Texas where he’d set career highs across the board posting an impressive .313/.371/.495 batting line to go with 102 runs scored, 19 home runs, 79 RBI and 44 doubles.

To boot, Matthews gained an inaccurate reputation as premier defensive center fielder, based largely on the merits of one spectacular catch.

When Matthews’ 2006-success didn’t carry over with the Angels, he quickly lost playing time.

The Angels signed a legitimate defensive center fielder—and a superior hitter—in Torii Hunter prior to the 2008 season and Matthews was relegated to a fourth outfielder role and by mid-2009 had become the club’s fifth option.

As such, Matthews began lobbying for a trade out of Los Angeles.

Matthews reportedly asked for a trade in Spring Training of 2009, at the All-Star break, and again at season’s end.

Shocking as it may seem, teams weren’t exactly lining up to acquire a mediocre defensive outfielder with a career battling line of .258/.333/.408 and one of the worst contracts of all-time.

As one might expect that left only two options for Matthews, shut up and cash paychecks as a bench player in Los Angeles or the New York Mets.

The Mets are clearly concerned that Carlos Beltran, the club’s star center fielder, won’t be ready to play as soon as expected.

Beltran underwent knee surgery last week and is expected to miss at least twelve weeks recovering, thus ensuring he won’t be available early in the season.

The move appears to be a knee-jerk reaction by the Mets who possess internal options in Angel Pagan and Fernando Martinez.

Additionally, if the club is that worried they’d be better off signing someone like Johnny Damon who can still hit the ball and can play mediocre defense just as well as Matthews can.

Matthews, who will receive $11 million in 2010 and $12 million in 2011, is in his second-stint with New York. He appeared in two games, earning one at-bat, back in 2002.

Matthews figures to play a much larger role this time around as he’ll likely be penciled in as the club’s starting center fielder in Beltran’s absence.

If/when Beltran returns to the lineup, it will be interesting to see how vocal Matthews is about playing time now that he’s been given a second—albeit undeserved—shot as a big league center fielder.

UPDATE: According to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated, the Angels will receive big league reliever Brian Stokes in the deal and will pay $21 million of the remaining $23 million on the contract in addition to a $500,000 bonus that Matthews receives for being traded.

Posted in AL West, Baseball, Cheap Seat Chronicles, Gary Matthews Jr., Los Angeles Angels, MLB, MLB Trades, New York Mets, NL East | Leave a comment

Minnesota Twins Debate: Johnny Damon vs Eric Byrnes

Posted on January 21, 2010 by Jeremiah Graves

“The Minnesota Twins should sign Eric Byrnes.”

That was the general thesis statement of the article I wrote yesterday.

In reaction to that article, the fine folks at “Baseball Musings” posed a good question.

“Why Byrnes if you could sign Johnny Damon for well below his value?”

It is a solid question and being that it was in response to my original article; I might as well be the one to answer it, so here it goes:

Eric Byrnes is a better free agent signing than Johnny Damon for four simple reasons.

The first reason is the easiest to debate, the overall investment.

Earlier this offseason Johnny Damon was rumored to be seeking a three or four-year deal, valued at no less than $13 million per season. An underdeveloped market has brought down his demands to something in the neighborhood of a two-year, $20 million deal.

If Damon is indeed stuck on a multi-year agreement, I can’t see the Twins wanting to lock up an aging, decline-phase Damon when the farm system is loaded with top outfielders like Ben Revere, Aaron Hicks, Angel Morales and Max Kepler.

Even if Damon were to suddenly give in and accept a deal similar to the one Bobby Abreu received last offseason (one-year, $5 million) he’d still require an investment more than twelve times higher than Byrnes, who would be signing for the league minimum.

The second reason is playing time.

As currently comprised, the Twins appear committed to Delmon Young in left field.

Young, despite all his faults, made some big strides at the end of 2009 and—based on the one-year, $2.6 million deal he received earlier this week—has earned at least one more chance to prove that he can be Minnesota’s left fielder of the future.

His overall numbers in Minnesota have been disappointing to say the least, especially given that he was once touted as a lock for 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases every year.

He has obviously fallen short of those projections, but the Twins—in an effort to show that the cost of Matt Garza and Jason Bartlett was worth it—aren’t ready to give up on Young quite yet.

Undoubtedly, 2010 will be a make or break year for Young. Relegating him to a bench role in favor of Damon would only further derail any chance Young has of becoming a legitimate everyday left fielder.

Both Byrnes and his agent have made it clear that they are well-aware that the charismatic outfielder’s future is as a part-time player. That awareness would allow Byrnes to shift into the clubhouse without creating any controversy and disturbing the oft-revered harmony that exists within the Twins’ locker-room.

The third reason Byrnes makes more sense is lineup balance.

Although Damon is the superior hitter, the Twins lineup is already chockfull of left-handers.

Inserting Damon into the two-hole—his primary batting position last season in New York—would give the Twins four-straight lefties atop the lineup. This isn’t a bad thing per se, but allows for opponents to exploit matchups far more than a balanced lineup.

Byrnes is a right-hander who, despite slightly diminished skills, can still rake against left-handed pitching and has respectable speed on the bases.

My fourth, and final, reason that the Twins would be wise to sign Byrnes over Damon is one of the most obvious, defense or a lack thereof by Damon.

Damon’s ability to play center field is non-existent and was, in his prime, below average. His overall defensive rating in left field last season was below average as well.

Byrnes, despite losing a few steps over the years, is still a strong corner outfielder who can play center field in a pinch. He fits the prototypical fourth-outfielder model much better than Delmon Young, who would undoubtedly be relegated to the role if Damon were signed.

In the end, I’d much rather have Byrnes as a fourth-outfielder for the league minimum and take my odds on Delmon Young in left at $2.6 million than drop $5 million-plus on a decline-phase Johnny Damon.

Posted in AL Central, Baseball, Cheap Seat Chronicles, Eric Byrnes, Johnny Damon, Minnesota Twins, MLB | 1 Comment

Joel Pineiro Signs with the Los Angeles Angels

Posted on January 20, 2010 by Jeremiah Graves

Joe Pineiro is packing his bags for the west coast.

Pineiro has reportedly signed a two-year deal worth roughly $16 million with the Los Angeles Angels.

The Angels suffered a number of free agent losses this offseason, but recouped some pitching depth Wednesday with the signing Pineiro, who was believed by many to be the best remaining arm on the market.

Pineiro, 31, went 15-12 with a 3.49 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 32 starts for St. Louis in 2009. Much of that success was due to his impressive, and league leading, 60.2% groundball rate.

The addition of Pineiro seemingly rounds out the Angels rotation for 2010.

Alongside Pineiro will be lefties Scott Kazmir and Joe Saunders and fellow right-handers Jered Weaver and Ervin Santana.

Pineiro comes as a consolation prize of sorts for the Angels who had previously struck out in pursuit of pitching this offseason.

The club made an unsuccessful bid to retain John Lackey when he signed with the Boston Red Sox in December.

At almost exactly the same time, the club came up empty in an attempt to trade for Roy Halladay. Halladay landed in Philadelphia as part of a three-team trade with the Mariners and Blue Jays.

In January, the Angels were reportedly very interested in signing Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman. In the end, Los Angeles was beat to the punch by the small-market Cincinnati Reds.

Pineiro himself may consider the Angels a consolation prize as well.

Earlier this offseason Pineiro indicated that he was looking for a four-year deal with a higher annual value than what Randy Wolf received from the Milwaukee Brewers in December.

Unfortunately for Pineiro, his market never really developed and it seemed for weeks that he was destined to land in either New York with the Mets or on the other side of Los Angeles with the Dodgers.

The Angels jumped into the fray earlier this week and quickly become Pineiro’s top choice http://twitter.com/SI_JonHeyman/status/8008756702.

Although Pineiro didn’t get the years or dollars he was reportedly seeking, he has landed in a good spot to re-establish his value for his next foray into free agency.

The Angels are a consistently competitive ballclub with a solid defense to back Pineiro in the field. Additionally, he’ll benefit from pitching games in the cavernous parks of Oakland and Seattle on a frequent basis.

He’ll be 33 when he re-enters the market in two years and could parlay two good years with the Angels into one final payday that will be more to his liking.

Los Angeles still has holes to fill, especially given the strides made by the rest of the division this winter, but the addition of Pineiro gives the Angels arguably the best rotation in the American League West.