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From the Windup: I'm Thankful For ...

Matt Snyder — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: AL Central, AL East, AL West, NL Central, NL East, NL West, MLB Media Watch

From the Windup is Matt Snyder's extended look at some aspect of America's pastime each Thursday.

Just because something is corny, doesn't mean it can't be done. Saying what you are thankful for on Thanksgiving is an American tradition. Sure, it may be a bit played out -- and some would even say lame -- to write a column about things we're thankful for in a given sport. But I'll be damned if I'm gonna spit in the face of all the great Americans before me who began the tradition and kept it alive for all these years. So, let's do it, baseball-style.

I'm Thankful For ...

... Will Carroll and Keith Law. These are the two voters who left Chris Carpenter off their respective Cy Young ballots. I'm thankful for them because they perfectly illustrated how there needs to be a balance between sabermetrics and reality. Look, I love stats, but sometimes less is more. You can throw innings pitched, FIP, ERA+, WAR or anything else you want at me. That's fine. I know what the numbers mean and I understand the concept behind them. I can also tell you real baseball isn't played on the computer. You tell me this: if you were a manager and had one game to win in 2009 to save your job, would you rather have had Carpenter, Dan Haren (on Carroll's ballot) or Javier Vazquez (on Law's) take the ball? Put down the calculator and simply answer that. Anyone would be hard-pressed to convince me Carpenter is not the choice. For the record, my ballot would have read: 1. Carpenter; 2. Tim Lincecum; 3. Adam Wainwright. Carpenter versus Lincecum was nearly neck-and-neck for me, and I'm good with Haren being fourth in line.

... Sammy Sosa's face.

... Baseball Reference. Hey, I told you I like numbers, too. This site can solve any argument concerning historical statistics. It has everything. It's not a new revelation, as it's been loved for years by many, but it never hurts to continually thank the heavens for its existence.

... The fact that I don't have to hear Chip Caray's voice until April.

... Jeremy Affeldt. He was a superb middle reliever/setup man for the Giants in 2009, but that's not why I'm thankful for him. He had a 1.73 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 62 1/3 innings (with zero saves!), but that's not why I'm thankful. I'm thankful because one writer thought he was the 10th most valuable player in the entire National League. That's right, Mr. Affeldt was able to garner his first career MVP vote this year.

... Fantasy baseball. It's not for everyone, but it's a fun hobby for die-hard baseball fans who like to sift through every box score and love stats.

... The Internet, because not only can I get any stat I want at any given time, but because an old newspaper or magazine would have never published fun, non-serious stuff like this, this or this. Also, if it's not your thing, you are free to ignore. It's all free, after all.

... MLB Extra Innings. Seriously, between the Internet and being able to watch up to 15 games a night, the middle of the summer is never, ever boring.

... The fact that every first place vote in the NL MVP went to Albert Pujols. Though, judging from some of the comments, a few Phillies fans are deluded enough to think Ryan Howard deserved it. Guys, go back to the start of 2009 and imagine if the Phillies had duped St. Louis into trading Pujols for Howard straight up. If you seriously think you would have been upset instead of excited about this fictional trade, it may be time to seek counseling.

... Curb Your Enthusiasm. Hey, they said Derek Jeter's name in one episode this season, so I can count it as baseball-related.

... Hot Stove season. Seriously, baseball never stops. In other sports there is a lull where everyone is waiting for free agency to begin, then the draft, then training camp to start (order is different in some sports). In baseball, there are trades immediately after the World Series ends, then free agency, then arbitration, then the Winter Meetings, personnel shifting until the middle of February and then pitchers and catchers report to camp. There isn't one day that goes by in the baseball calendar without anything of interest.

... The resurgence of speed and defense as an emphasis, while home runs remain at a premium. I'll take being well-rounded over one-dimensional any day.

... The fact that we don't always have to be talking about steroids anymore. Oh, wait. Nevermind. Hopefully I'll be able to actually use this submission someday with a straight face.

... Chase Utley. I'm so jealous of Phillies fans for getting to cheer for that guy. Carl Crawford isn't far behind, either.

... How many fans think there is some vast media conspiracy against their favorite teams and/or players. So, basically, the media hates: the Yankees, the Red Sox, the Phillies, the Cubs, all small-market teams, all Midwest teams, all West Coast teams, etc. But the media also loves: the Yankees, the Red Sox, the Phillies, the Cubs, the Cardinals, underdogs and feels sorry for all teams not on the East Coast. Now it all makes sense! It's the highest of high comedy. People, life is too short to go around with such paranoia. Enjoy your team(s) and the game.

... Wrigley Field

... The good guys in the game like Joe Girardi and Matt Kemp. There are loads and loads more, but we hear too much about the bad and not enough about the good.

... Every single waking day I live without hearing or seeing an update on Roger Clemens. Rocket-free is Pleasantville for me.

Finally, I'm thankful for Milton Bradley. Without him, people may be focusing on the shortcomings of the rest of the Cubs. Instead, the other members of my favorite team will get to rest easy this offseason, even though many of them had pretty miserable campaigns in 2009 as well.

And I'll be a helluva lot more thankful once Bradley's finally not on the Cubs anymore. Even if that doesn't happen until 2012. Thank you, Jim Hendry!

From the Windup: I'm Thankful For ... originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Thu, 26 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dodgers, Angels Interested in Halladay

Matt Snyder — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Angels, Blue Jays, Dodgers, AL East, AL West, NL West, MLB Rumors, MLB Hot Stove

According to a report from the Los Angeles Times, both L.A.-area teams are in pursuit of Blue Jays' ace Roy Halladay via trade. The report cites sources familiar with talks from both teams and places the chances of the Dodgers getting the right-hander a "long shot," but it sounds like the Angels have a realistic chance at acquiring Halladay.

Reportedly, Halladay would cost the Angels a young starting pitcher, such as Jered Weaver or Ervin Santana, in addition to a prospect. New Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopolous is also said to be willing to allow a potential trading partner to negotiate a contract extension with Halladay before any deal is finalized.

Halladay is set to be a free agent at the end of the 2010 season and there is likely little hope for the Blue Jays to retain him -- due to financial constraints.

The 6-foot-6 Halladay, 32, is one of the more durable workhorses in baseball. He has thrown more than 220 innings in the past four seasons and six times in his career. He's completed 25 games (in 96 starts) in the past three seasons, and it's not like Halladay is just eating innings out there. He's as productive as anyone, sporting a stellar 2.78 ERA over the past two seasons.

If the Angels could land Halladay, they could let free agent starter John Lackey leave, though it's possible they bring Lackey back and trade for Halladay, which would give them quite an imposing 1-2 punch.

If the Dodgers did somehow pull off the unlikely heist, Halladay would immediately become the anchor to their staff and likely give them an early leg up on the Giants and Rockies in the NL West for 2010.

Of course, there will be many more teams in trade talks with Toronto when it comes to Halladay. He's a bona fide elite starter.

Dodgers, Angels Interested in Halladay originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:31:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Knicks Hope a Little of Joe Girardi's Success Rubs Off on Them

Josh Alper — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Yankees, AL East

Fun fact: Yankees manager Joe Girardi has as many wins in November as Giants coach Tom Coughlin, Jets coach Rex Ryan, Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni and Nets coach Lawrence Frank combined. His loss total pales in comparison, however, which is probably why the Knicks invited him to Madison Square Garden to be honored during Sunday's ~~loss~~ game against the Celtics.

They're giving him the (quite possibly made up) Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton "City Spirit" Award, ostensibly because he stopped on his way home from winning the World Series to help the victim of a car accident flag down help from the police. It was a kind act, but it's not hard to imagine Knicks brass is desperate to liven up the grim Garden scene these days.

In Girardi's honor, Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni will coach in the style of the best braces-wearing manager this side of an eighth-grade fantasy team. He'll pull right-handed shooters between free throws to replace them with different right-handed shooters who don't have markedly better shooting percentages. He'll risk technical fouls to walk out to the court to talk things over with point guard Chris Duhon and he'll give big minutes to seldom-used forward Marcus Landry because Al Harrington is simply more comfortable throwing passes to him.

The image of Girardi on the Knicks floor won't just be about getting a cheap cheer amid a season of unrestrained losing, it will also offer a bit of a rebuke to those who think you can simply buy championships in sports. The Yankees are often accused of doing that, no matter how many other teams won titles between 2000 and 2009, while the Knicks have long had one of basketball's largest payrolls.

What's all that money gotten them? Four playoff games, all losses, in the last eight years. Clearly money isn't the only ingredient to success in sports.

Knicks Hope a Little of Joe Girardi's Success Rubs Off on Them originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jason Bay Turns Down Red Sox, Will Hit Open Market on Friday

Josh Alper — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:20:00 EST

Filed under: Red Sox, AL East, MLB Rumors

To no one's surprise, Jason Bay has decided to see what the 29 other teams in the big leagues have to offer before deciding whether or not he wants to return to the Red Sox. Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that Bay turned down a four-year contract offer worth approximately $60 million just before free agency officially kicks off a minute past midnight on Friday morning.

It would have been quite a surprise if Bay had decided to skip the free agency process, something that Red Sox GM Theo Epstein admitted to Heyman.

"It's not a surprise that a player that's gone this far wants to see what's out there."

Bay, who hit 36 home runs and posted a 921 OPS in 2009, figures to draw a lot of interest on the open market. The Red Sox offer was decent, but the paucity of other strong bats on the free agent landscape would suggest that he could get either more years or more money once several bidders are in the mix.

Bay's decision should also impact Matt Holliday. The Red Sox may now be in play for his services, which could pit them against the Yankees, Mets, Cardinals and others in a heated battle for the slugger. That kind of talk is music to agent Scott Boras's ears as the more big-money teams get involved with Holliday the more likely it becomes that he'll land a contract that will help put another wing on Boras' house.

It's hard to think that there would be many teams who would prefer Bay to Holliday, which probably means Bay will have to let Holliday talks play out for awhile before finding his home for 2010 and beyond. That makes him a consolation prize, albeit one who can console himself by drying his eyes on many stacks of $100 bills.

Jason Bay Turns Down Red Sox, Will Hit Open Market on Friday originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Footprints in the Snow: Yankees

Josh Alper — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Yankees, AL East

Footprints in the Snow is FanHouse's look at the paths to be forged by MLB teams this winter as they look ahead to 2010.

When you're the Yankees, the only acceptable end to a season is one that ends with a dogpile on the pitcher's mound and a champagne-soaked locker room. The 2009 season had quite an acceptable ending, then, although it isn't one they'll be able to celebrate for too long.

The nature of expecting a championship every year is that the work toward building the next champion begins before Broadway is cleared of confetti. This year's decisions will revolve around a trio of aging stars from the title squad as well as figuring out how they'll use their leverage as baseball's richest team to improve themselves for run at a 28th title.

As always, the latter means that you'll be seeing a lot of Mad Lib headlines with "The Yankees are interested in _______," and, as always, just about any one of them could wind up being true.

More Footprints in the Snow

Who Might Leave

Johnny Damon, OF; Jerry Hairston Jr., UT; Eric Hinske, UT; Hideki Matsui, DH; Jose Molina, C; Xavier Nady, OF; Andy Pettitte, SP

Shopping List

We'll start with their own guys, since there are some big decisions to make. It's safe to assume that Pettitte will be back unless he decides to stay home with his family. He was strong all season for the Yankees and would likely continue to provide solid work behind CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett for at least another season.

Damon and Matsui are trickier propositions. Matsui, the World Series MVP, had a terrific second half and postseason, but his balky knees mean that he can't play the field. For a team that's got a lot of older players, Jorge Posada in particular, opening that spot for a rotating cast taking days off from the field is an intriguing possibility. There's no reason Matsui couldn't be part of that mix, though, especially if he'll take a relatively inexpensive one-year deal.

Over the last four years, Damon proved to be a great signing for the Yankees. His lefty swing was made for Yankee Stadium, producing enough power that the fact that he can't play center field anymore wasn't a problem. The issue here is going to come down to two different years. Damon just turned 36 and there have been mixed signals about how long a contract he's looking for this offseason. The Yankees have a general need to get younger -- their performance this season defied notions about older teams -- and they might see 29-year-old Matt Holliday as a better option for the future.

Even if Pettitte returns, the Yankees could look to add another starting pitcher. There are still more questions than answers about Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes when it comes to their roles on the team. John Lackey is the best starter on the market, but the Yankees may pass on that big-ticket item to hold their cards for a run at Josh Beckett, Cliff Lee or Roy Halladay a year from now. Or they may sign Lackey and make the same run next year.

It would be surprising, but not shocking, to see the Yankees try to swing a deal for a center fielder who is an upgrade from Melky Cabrera. If they re-sign Damon, that would probably become a more likely scenario. Molina will probably be leaving with Francisco Cervelli moving up to a backup role with the big-league club and you can expect they'll add a reliever or two to a mix that looked shaky at points in the postseason.

Money Matters

Cabrera is in line for a healthy raise after regaining his starting spot and salvaging his floundering career this summer. If the Yankees don't make an outside move, they'd probably be fine with the solid defense and occasional pop Cabrera provides, especially since they also have the speedy Brett Gardner in reserve.

Brian Bruney and Chad Gaudin are both eligible for arbitration, and each of them did enough to earn an invitation back for another chance at rounding out Mariano Rivera's Merry Men. The ongoing drama with Chamberlain and Hughes means that the Yankees will need to have a variety of options in relief.

Look for the Yankees to non-tender Chien Ming-Wang after two seasons plagued by injuries and ineffectiveness. It would be surprising if they didn't try to bring him back under some kind of a lesser contract, however. The drama mentioned in the bullpen will affect the rotation as well, and this was a team that only had three reliable starters in October.

There probably won't be much activity on the extension front, although Derek Jeter's contract is up after the 2010 season. Both sides are fine with waiting to come up with what will likely be the Captain's final deal because neither one is operating under any kind of illusion that he's going anywhere.

Offseason Goals

Like we said up top, the offseason goal in the Bronx is the same as it ever was: Build the best team in baseball through any and all of the available routes. Brian Cashman has said that the team hopes to get younger and more athletic, which are both good ideas, but it would be foolish to think that they'll do those things at the expense of remaining one of the top contenders for a World Series crown.

Footprints in the Snow: Yankees originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Footprints in the Snow: Red Sox

Andrew Johnson — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Red Sox, AL East

Footprints in the Snow is FanHouse's look at the paths to be forged by MLB teams this winter as they look ahead to 2010.

It's been quite a decade for the Red Sox, who flipped an 86-year-old script in 2004 by winning a World Series and a second in 2007, but they enter this offseason behind a very familiar eight ball.

Yes, Boston made the playoffs for the sixth time in seven seasons in 2009, but after getting swept by the Angels in the American League Division Series and watching the Yankees win their 27th World Series just weeks later, it is once again the chaser.

The Red Sox have redefined success at Fenway Park over the last few years. Now the trick is to keep duplicating it, a task that's harder than ever with their more monied rivals to the south apparently rejuvenated.

More Footprints in the Snow

Who Might Leave

Jason Bay, LF; Alex Gonzalez, SS; Nick Green, IF; Rocco Baldelli, OF; Billy Wagner, LHP; Takashi Saito, RHP; Casey Kotchman, 1B

Shopping List

General manager Theo Epstein's dream of a pitching-rich Red Sox organization at every level has largely been realized. He may nibble on top free-agent pitcher John Lackey. He'll almost certainly add a bullpen arm or two and sign a high-risk, high-reward starter in the mold of Brad Penny and John Smoltz, who he brought aboard last winter, but his main priority has to be the offense.

The Red Sox' lineup is aging. Second baseman Dustin Pedroia and center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury are the only returning regulars under 30.

Bay, who had the second-highest OPS on the team last year, figures to be the center of attention because of his potent bat and his proven ability to play in Boston. Now 31 and requiring a long-term financial commitment, he may not be all that desirable to the Red Sox, but whatever path they choose to take, whether it be to him, to fellow free-agent left fielder Matt Holliday or to someone else, you can be sure it'll end at the feet of a big bat.

Epstein must once again search for a shortstop, a near-constant pursuit since he traded Nomar Garciaparra in July 2004. Gonzalez may be the stopgap solution again as the club waits on Jed Lowrie and, perhaps, Cuban international signing Jose Iglesias to develop, but the situation at that position is as murky as ever.

Money Matters

The Red Sox are never short for cash, but indications are that they might have more than usual to spend this winter. Boston has shaved more than $20 million off of its payroll since 2007(from roughly $143 million to $122 million), but it is typically close to the luxury tax threshold, which would give it nearly $50 million in average annual salary to spend.

That doesn't account for significant raises due to Kevin Youkilis, Jon Lester and Dustin Pedroia, who all signed long-term extensions over the last year, nor does it account for Manny Delcarmen, Ramon Ramirez and Jonathan Papelbon, who are all in arbitration years, but Epstein is still going to have plenty of money to play with.

Some of that might go toward extending ace Josh Beckett, who is due to be a free agent after 2010, but other than him and Papelbon, who seems destined for free agency instead of a long-term deal, none of Boston's top talent has an uncertain future, leaving Epstein with plenty of options as he looks to strengthen his club.

He's already gambled on outfielder Jeremy Hermida, who became eligible for arbitration before he could ever fulfill his promise in Florida, acquiring him from the Marlins for a pair of throwaway prospects a little more than a week ago. He could take on more risky talents with all of his payroll flexibility, but the Red Sox are going to need a few sure things in their lineup, including a slugging left fielder. Sure things are expensive, whether you're signing them on the open market or absorbing a cash-strapped team's albatross contract in trade.

Offseason Goals

The Red Sox need to get younger and more dynamic offensively. The pitching staff, particularly the bullpen, will require its usual pruning, but it was primarily an inconsistent lineup that had them chasing the Yankees down the stretch in 2009. Boston doesn't have to change much this winter to be a contender in 2010, but the resurgence of its biggest rival means that if the Sox wish to really compete in the AL East, they will have to make significant improvements. The only way to do that might be by throwing their financial weight around more than they have lately.

Footprints in the Snow: Red Sox originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Footprints in the Snow: Rays

Ed Price — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Rays, AL East

Footprints in the Snow is FanHouse's look at the paths to be forged by MLB teams this winter as they look ahead to 2010.

The Rays could not build upon their surprising 2008 AL East title and run to the World Series last year, falling from 97 wins to 84. The lineup was at least as good as the year before, but both the rotation and bullpen suffered a steep dropoff.

The offensive core is still young and in its prime and should continue to produce. And 2009 might have been the usual fall-back season that teams experience after a large jump forward.

Still, making the playoffs in the AL East means beating out the Yankees or Red Sox (or both). With Tampa Bay's payroll, that leaves little margin for error.

More Footprints in the Snow

Who Might Leave

Pat Burrell, DH; Chad Bradford, RP; Brian Shouse, RP; Russ Springer, RP, Gregg Zaun, C.

Shopping List

The priority will be relief help. The past two seasons -- aside from the times Troy Percival was healthy -- manager Joe Maddon had to work a bullpen by committee. The Rays would rather not spend their limited resources on what it takes to sign an elite, established closer, so the front office will try to give Maddon as many reliable pieces as possible and leave it to him to make it work.

That said, an overhaul could be coming, as Bradford, Shouse and Springer are free agents. Tampa already added an arm with Jesse Chavez, acquired form Pittsburgh for second baseman Akinori Iwamura. Expect more low-profile moves like that.

The Rays can slot Ben Zobrist in for Iwamura, so the only offensive needs are right field and upgrades at DH (over Pat Burrell) and catcher (Dioner Navarro).

Money Matters

Tampa Bay has picked up left fielder Carl Crawford's $10 million option, while shortstop Jason Bartlett, right-hander Matt Garza and center fielder B.J. Upton will get raises as arbitration-eligible players. And one has to believe the payroll can't go up much, if at all, from $63 million, since attendance was 1.87 million, 11th in the American League.

That's where trading Burrell ($9 million in 2010) would help, but he could probably only be dealt for someone else's bad contract -- i.e., the Milton Bradley rumors.

Offseason Goals

Even with the August trade of lefty Scott Kazmir, Tampa Bay seems pretty set in its starting staff. But the relief corps needs to be shored up. Of course, as usual for a team that has hever drawn well, money is tight. So the Rays can sit out the high-bidding portion of free-agent season and look for bargains. They spent big on one spot last winter, and Burrell was a disaster.

Footprints in the Snow: Rays originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Footprints in the Snow: Orioles

Andrew Johnson — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:00:00 EST

Filed under: Orioles, AL East

Footprints in the Snow is FanHouse's look at the paths to be forged by MLB teams this winter as they look ahead to 2010.

Thanks to an infusion of young talent, there are some good vibes floating around Camden Yards -- no small feat considering the fact that the local nine hasn't had a winning record since 1997.

Of course, an infusion of young talent won't be enough on its own in the enormously challenging AL East. The Orioles need immense improvements on the corners of their infield and especially in their pitching staff -- which ranked last in the American League in ERA in 2009. That can't all come from the maturation of a select group of youngsters groomed on the Baltimore farm, though, so there will be plenty on general manager Andy MacPhail's plate as he tries to take the next step in turning the O's into legitimate challengers.

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Who Might Leave

Melvin Mora, 3B; Mark Hendrickson, LHP; Chad Moeller, C; Rich Hill, LHP; Danys Baez, RHP

Shopping List

Though their pitching staff might need more long-term work, the Orioles' most pressing needs this winter are at first and third base. Ty Wigginton can be part of the solution at either position and Luke Scott and rookie Michael Aubrey could do the same at first, but none of the three seems like the full-time answer.

Mora had a rough final season in Baltimore, but his tenure with the club was very good overall, so finding an above-average performer at the hot corner would seem to be the top priority. Luckily, there's a decent crop of third basemen even beyond Chone Figgins, who will probably price himself out of the O's range, including Adrian Beltre and Mark DeRosa.

The first base market isn't quite as vibrant, but Baltimore will be able to find a veteran stopgap at minimum, perhaps by bringing back Aubrey Huff, who the club traded away in August.

The Orioles should be able to be more cautious in the ever-dangerous pitching market, instead opting to wait on developing youngsters Chris Tillman, Brian Matusz and Brad Bergesen and hoping for bounceback/breakout seasons from Jeremy Guthrie and Koji Uehara. Still, a veteran starter to anchor the staff would be welcome, as would a backup catcher to spell Matt Wieters and a high-ceiling arm or two for the bullpen.

Money Matters

Raises due to Brian Roberts and Nick Markakis, as a result of the long-term extensions they signed, and Guthrie, who is eligible for arbitration for the first time, will be more than offset by clearing Mora and Baez from the books, leaving MacPhail with considerable flexibility should he decide to wade into the free-agent market.

In fact, other than the recent extensions given to Roberts and Markakis and a four-year big-league deal to Matusz, a top draft pick in 2008, the Orioles aren't committed to anyone beyond 2010. Obviously with players like Wieters and Adam Jones on the roster, some of that financial windfall ought to be used (if it can be) on the elite talents already on the roster, but Baltimore is in a position financially to augment and surround its impressive core with pricier free agents.

That's a place that, frankly, the Orioles haven't been in awhile.

Offseason Goals

The O's still look like they're a year away from potentially challenging the big boys in the AL East, putting them in a tricky position. They need to keep gradually building toward contention, but because they're closer than they've been in awhile and appear to have some money to play with, they can make some decisions with an eye on the immediate future. Still, a major misstep could derail everything they have worked toward over the last few years. How do you get more aggressive and start to think about the short-term, while also recognizing and heeding your own limitations and the peculiar challenges you face in your division? The Rays might have an idea or two ...

Footprints in the Snow: Orioles originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Footprints in the Snow: Blue Jays

Josh Alper — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:00:00 EST

Filed under: Blue Jays, AL East

Footprints in the Snow is FanHouse's look at the paths to be forged by MLB teams this winter as they look ahead to 2010.

The man in charge of personnel may be new -- Alex Anthopoulos replaces his former boss J.P. Ricciardi as general manager -- but the two crucial questions for the franchise remain intact. How do you contend in a division stocked with the behemoths in Boston and New York as well as the young and talented Orioles and Rays? And, perhaps more pressing, what to do with Roy Halladay?

The answers to the two questions have some common ground. The only way the Jays will be able to compete with the Sox and Yankees over the long haul is to stock every level of their organization with talent, like the Rays did, and then use those pieces to build a consistent winner. When Halladay leaves, whether by free agency or trade, they need to maximize the return by either paying above slot for the top available draftees or acquiring high-quality players at positions where talent is scarce.

Easier said than done, to be sure, but so is competing in the AL East.

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Who Might Leave

Marco Scutaro, SS; Rod Barajas, C; John McDonald, SS; Kevin Millar, DH/1B

Shopping List

The shopping list in Toronto all depends on whether or not Anthopoulos and his masters try to contend in 2010 or not. The bet here is that they won't -- and shouldn't -- increase payroll enough to make a serious run, which means they should let Scutaro and Barajas walk as free agents.

Scutaro had a classic walk year, bettering his offensive numbers significantly over past seasons. He's 34, so not a particulary strong bet to repeat those numbers over the course of a long-term deal. Given the relative scarcity of shortstops, they can probably offer him arbitration and collect draft picks when he signs elsewhere. Barajas is an OK catcher, but the team should be able to find a cheaper alternative.

There will be bargains come January and February among outfielders and designated hitters. The Jays would be wise to add one to round out their offense no matter what route they wind up taking with Halladay. They don't need to add any pitchers as last year's injuries left them with a stack of young pitchers with experience to fill in the rotation.

Under this assumption, the Jays would build around a core of Aaron Hill, Adam Lind and Travis Snider, which means they don't need to set any particular positional requirements for a Halladay trade. Get the best available players and start slotting them in as you build toward a brighter future.

Money Matters

If the Jays figure out a way to get rid of Vernon Wells' contract, they should do it even if it entails taking back a vat of swine flu. It's a mistake to buy into the notion that Wells is somehow holding the team back from being a contender all by himself, however. It's the general idea that spending is the only way to compete. There has to be more building. Dealing Wells isn't likely to happen, which means they should settle for finding someone to trade for Lyle Overbay.

He's not too expensive at $7 million, but he's not going to make a difference for them while the farm system could use whatever help it can get. Most of the Jays' arbitration-eligible players are ones they'd like to keep, with the possible exceptions of reliever Jeremy Accardo and outfielder Jose Bautista. In an unexpected (and, to be honest, unwanted) benefit, starters like Shaun Marcum and Dustin McGowan will actually come cheaper because of injury questions.

On top of money owed to players still on the team, the Blue Jays still have to pay B.J. Ryan $10 million after releasing him during the season. That's another sign of the danger of committing big money for big years when you don't have or avail yourself of Boston and New York's ability to simply swallow the costs.

Offseason Goals

Some might call the above recommendations rebuilding, but that's not an appropriate phrase. Given the lack of success and a strong organizational blueprint in recent years, it would actually be building. One of the first things Anthopoulos said the Jays would do this offseason is beef up their scouting staff. That's a good sign, because the Jays need to beef up the strength of their organization from the bottom up instead of worrying about adding big names who will do nothing other than finish in third or fourth place. Tearing things down now and steadily building the payroll back up as you develop your own stars is absolutely the best route for this franchise.

Footprints in the Snow: Blue Jays originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Death of the Jeter-A-Rod Debate

Matt Snyder — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Yankees, AL East, MLB Fans

From the Windup is Matt Snyder's extended look at some aspect of America's pastime each Thursday. It has returned from a playoffs-induced hiatus.

Though I'll admit I was rooting for the Yankees to win the World Series last week, a part of me was sad that Alex Rodriguez would get a World Series ring. No, I don't hate A-Rod, nor do I wish anything bad on him. I'm not one of those "haters."

This was selfish. My friends and I had now lost a main component of a storied -- and heated, at times -- bar debate. If you were starting a major league team and had the choice between the two, would you rather have A-Rod or Derek Jeter?

You see, about five years ago, my friends and I spent countless hours on sports debates that centered around individual players. Unless there were personal biases, there were two squarely divided camps -- the stat camp and the "winner" camp. When this all started, the stat camp, of course, sided with Alex Rodriguez, while the "winner" camp loved Jeter.

The stat guys would argue that winning is the product of an entire team, not just one individual. Thus, you'd want to start your team with the best player. Look at the numbers Rodriguez was putting up. You'd be crazy to suggest Jeter would be a better centerpiece to a potential championship team.

Rodriguez has won three MVPs. He's hit 583 career home runs and sports a career .965 OPS. He won two gold gloves at shortstop before being forced to move to third base, where he's also a solid defensive player. He can steal bases, with 297 in his career. If not for Albert Pujols, we'd pretty universally accept A-Rod as the best player in baseball, right? So, obviously, you should choose A-Rod over Jeter.

Then, the opposition would break into all sorts of cliches, such as, "gimme the proven winner," or "stats don't win championships," or "Jeter does the little things that don't show up in the box score." You'd hear things like "just gets the job done when it matters," "clutch" and "intangibles." Playoff failures of Rodriguez would be brought up and never let go.

Remember, Captain Jeter has four World Series rings. A-Rod's arrival in New York coincided with the Yankees' ALCS loss to the Red Sox. Does anyone else make plays running across the diamond and flipping across his body? Does anyone else catch balls while diving into the crowd and bloodying his nose? And he elevates his game in the playoffs because he's a winner. That's just who he is.

This drives the stat guys crazy. How can you measure this crap? There's no such thing as clutch; it's simply a haphazard coincidence when guys come through in big spots, they'd say. Plus, everything is still dependent upon teammates. Was it A-Rod's fault his teams weren't near as good as the dynasty Yankees? You build your team around the best player, not the most fortunate player, and it's still a team.

A funny aside here is that we also had a heated NFL debate at the time: Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady. And it was parallel in that Brady was the Jeter-like winner with intangibles and rings, while Manning was the stat-hound who hadn't won the big one.

Then, a few circumstances crippled the argument. Manning's Colts won the 2006 season's Super Bowl. In the Colts' four playoff victories, three of the games were, dare I say, vintage Brady. Manning stayed out of the way and let his defense and running game win it. He had won the big one. No longer could we hold the "winner" argument against him.

Next season, Brady shattered several NFL records en route to an undefeated regular season. His team then lost to the Giants in the Super Bowl. It was, dare I say, vintage Manning (pre-2006, of course).

The proverbial wind had been taken out of the sails of a classic sports bar debate. Sure, you can still argue who you'd rather have, but it's not near as fun when both guys have resumes with so few holes. If you can't berate the friend with whom you are arguing, it's not even fun anymore.

At least we still have the Jeter-A-Rod debate.

Sigh.

This isn't just as simple as A-Rod having a ring now, though. It was a total 180. What did you always hear about Alex Rodriguez? He might have the numbers, but he doesn't come through when it matters. He's not clutch. He'll hit into a rally-killing double play in a big spot before he'll ever knock in a game-winner.

What did you always hear about Jeter? He may not have the numbers, but he gets it done when it matters. He never hurts his team. He's a winner.

The results of the postseason illustrate this seismic shift.

Jeter hit .407 with a .947 OPS in the World Series. He got some hits that mattered, of course, but the biggest plate appearance that stands out in my mind was his rally-killing double play in the ninth inning of Game 5. In a shutteringly ironic moment, most people watching that game will probably tell you they had this thought after Jeter's at-bat: "If they get to A-Rod, the Yankees will win." Um, what? If only 2004 could see A-Rod now. And Jeter was the one who hit into the double play. Jeter was, dare I say, vintage A-Rod.

A-Rod had a 1.500-plus OPS through the first two rounds, but hit just .250 in the World Series. Of course, he managed to drive home six runs and score five times in six games. He walked three times and got hit by pitch another three times. He also came through in a huge way in the most pivotal game of the series. With two outs in the top of the ninth and a 4-4 tie in Game 4, Rodriguez delivered a rocket to the left field wall. It was an eventual game-winning two-run double (Jeter had struck out earlier in the inning, by the way). A-Rod had entered the at-bat 0-for-3 on the game (sounds like he didn't have the numbers but came through when it mattered, no? That's what winners do!). A-Rod was, dare I say, vintage Jeter.

Remember, this was also a season in which A-Rod's return to the lineup did wonders for Mark Teixeira in terms of protection (intangibles?) and Jeter hit .334 at age 35 while breaking the Yankees' career hits record -- formerly held by Lou Gehrig (stats?). Jeter also sported the second-highest OPS+ of his career and completely reversed the trend of being a sabermetrically inferior defensive shortstop.

All things considered, this has been the unraveling of Brady vs. Manning all over again.

Sure, we can still argue, but it's no fun when the other side of the argument can say, "well, I agree with you on that, but ... " Obviously, both players are great (future Hall of Famers, in fact) and any team would be lucky to have either, but it's no fun to discuss sports without having arguments like this.

There's no room for agreement in a sports bar argument. None. I guess we'll have to find a new topic.

By the way, I was always squarely in the A-Rod (and Manning) camp. I'd just rather have the best players than having to count on some sort of "intangible" that can't really be quantified.

So, to my friends who disagreed: Told ya A-Rod would eventually win. I'm happy to be vindicated, but sad the once-heated debate has lost its luster.

The Death of the Jeter-A-Rod Debate originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Joe Girardi: World Series Champion Manager and Good Samaritan

Matt Snyder — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Yankees, AL East, World Series

As if managing the New York Yankees to their historic 27th World Series championship wasn't enough work for one night, Joe Girardi decided to do some more good on his way home from the new-and-improved Yankee Stadium. This time his work came in the form of humanitarian, not just filling out a lineup card full of baseball players for the entertainment of millions.

At about 2:25 AM Thursday morning, a woman named Marie Henry lost control of her vehicle on the Cross County Parkway in Eastchester, New York and crashed into a wall. Not only did Girardi stop to check on her well-being, but he also flagged down the police.

"He was jumping up and down, trying to flag me down," [officer Kathleen Cristiano] said. "You don't expect him standing by a car accident trying to help."

Cristiano had earlier seen Girardi as he passed through a sobriety checkpoint.

Henry did escape the accident without injury and declined to be taken to the hospital. For those who think what Girardi did was minor, though, you have another thing coming.

According to the police, Girardi ran across moving traffic to get across the highway and check on the accident.

"He could have gotten killed," county Sgt. Thomas McGurn said, adding that responding police units take extra precaution in that area because of the blind curve and speeding cars. "Traffic goes by at 80 mph."

Remember, Girardi had no way of knowing the woman in the accident was unharmed and he put himself at risk in the case he would be able to help an injured motorist.

In other news, Girardi's "Bucket List" is likely starting to take shape.

Major League Baseball player -- check.

Wife and kids -- check.

Major league All-Star -- check.

World Series champion as a player -- check.

World Series champion as a manager -- check.

Run through speeding traffic and be first on the scene to a car accident -- check.

Next stop: Mount Everest? Skydiving?

Godspeed, Joe.

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World Series 2009

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 04: The New York Yankees celebrate after their 7-3 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Six of the 2009 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium on November 4, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Johnny Damon

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World Series

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 04: Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees celebrates after their 7-3 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Six of the 2009 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium on November 4, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Alex Rodriguez

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NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 04: Mariano Rivera #42 (C) and Mark Teixeira #25 (L) of the New York Yankees celebrates after their 7-3 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Six of the 2009 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium on November 4, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mark Teixeira;Mariano Rivera

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NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 04: The New York Yankees celebrate after their 7-3 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Six of the 2009 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium on November 4, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Joba Chamberlain

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NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 04: Derek Jeter #2 of the New York Yankees celebrates with his teammates after their 7-3 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Six of the 2009 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium on November 4, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Derek Jeter

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NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 04: Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees celebrates after their 7-3 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Six of the 2009 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium on November 4, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Alex Rodriguez

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NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 04: Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees celebrates after their 7-3 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Six of the 2009 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium on November 4, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Alex Rodriguez

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Joe Girardi: World Series Champion Manager and Good Samaritan originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Some Chin Music for Chase Utley?

Matt Snyder — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:10:00 EST

Filed under: Phillies, Yankees, AL East, NL East, World Series

Phillies second baseman Chase Utley is having quite the World Series. The perennial All-Star is hitting .333 with five home runs, eight RBI and a disgusting 1.651 OPS. Needless to say, he's as locked in as anyone in the series. Four of those round-trippers came in the two Phillies victories (two in each), which illustrates the point that it is paramount for the Yankees to stop him in order to win Game 6.

Doing so is easier said than done, but former Yankees pitcher and World Series Champion David Wells has an idea: a little old fashioned "chin music."

Chase Utley needs to kiss the Yankee Stadium dirt tonight.

Enough is enough, already. I would never advocate throwing at somebody's head, but there comes a time when you've got to make an insanely hot hitter like Utley squirm.

This was written by Wells himself in a column for the New York Post. He also uses the statement, "Show some guts and knock him on his butt," and discusses the fact that five Yankees hitters have been hit with a pitch while only one Phillies hitter has suffered the same fate.

Wells does point out that, once brushing Utley back, he needs to be pitched outside, "like he's Babe Ruth."

I don't want to completely argue with Wells, as he's an accomplished former major league pitcher with some rings (plus, he threw a perfect game half-drunk!), because I can see the value of brushing someone back off the plate and messing with their comfort zone.

But, instead of chancing automatically putting Utley on base in the first inning of a pivotal Game 6, shouldn't they at least broach the philosophy of not feeding him fastballs in the strike zone? Or at least not directly down the middle of the plate? I understand the menacing presence of Ryan Howard is in the on-deck circle protecting Utley, but Howard's doing his best impersonation of a real-life Pedro Cerrano right now (.158 average, World Series record-tying 12 strikeouts, looks overmatched against breaking pitches).

I'd rather walk Utley with four breaking pitches out of the strike zone -- in hopes he goes fishing and gets himself out -- than take the chance of hitting him with a pitch in order to prove some sort of point. Boomer obviously disagrees. We'll find out the Yankees' decision Wednesday evening.

Some Chin Music for Chase Utley? originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rays Trade Akinori Iwamura to Pittsburgh for Reliever Jesse Chavez

Pat Lackey — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:56:00 EST

Filed under: Pirates, Rays, AL East, NL Central

In a surprising piece of mid-World Series news, the Tampa Bay Rays and Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed to a trade this afternoon. Tampa will send second baseman Akinori Iwamura to the Pirates in return for relief pitcher Jesse Chavez. According to the same report by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (who broke news of the Pirates' involvement in the trade after the St. Petersburg Times first reported an Iwamura trade this afternoon), no cash or other players are involved.

Iwamura, 30, is due $4.25 million in 2010 and the emergence of Ben Zobrist makes that a price the Rays clearly weren't eager to pay for a player who'd likely be a utility man for them in '10. The Pirates, however, are looking to add payroll after cleaning house last year and have a gaping hole at second base, so Iwamura is a logical addition for them.

Chavez was one of the Pirates' most reliable relievers last year. That may sound like damning with faint praise, but he improved his control (he only walked 2.9 batters per nine innings, down from his 3.3 BB/9 average in the minors and his 5.4 BB/9 rate with the Pirates in 2008) and was very good early in the year before hitting a rough patch in July and August.

Tampa, though, can use relievers and Chavez is only 26 and under team control for five more seasons, so he's a solid option for them. So the Pirates get a second baseman that they need, the Rays clear out some payroll and get an extra arm. It seems like the trade works for both sides, except that it weakens an already bad bullpen in Pittsburgh. Given their 99 losses in 2009, though, the Pirates probably have other needs to address before worrying about the bullpen

Rays Trade Akinori Iwamura to Pittsburgh for Reliever Jesse Chavez originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:56:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jason Bay Has Options in Free Agency

Knox Bardeen — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:02:00 EST

Filed under: Red Sox, AL East

The Red Sox have a storied history of long-term, very popular left fielders patrolling the grounds in front of the Green Monster at Fenway Park.

Ted Williams spent 16 years in left field for Boston, Carl Yastrzemski lasted 11 and Jim Rice played 12 years. If you add the eight years of Mike Greenwell's tenure and seven from Manny Ramirez, those five players have spent 54 of the 69 years since Williams' first year in 1940 playing left field for the Red Sox.

Now, that's job security.

Jason Bay has been playing in left field for a season and a half, and for the first time in his seven-year career is up for free agency. Will Bay continue the trend of longevity? On Thursday, Bay spent some time chatting with fans on WEEI's website. The topic of his impending free agency took up most of the chat even though Bay says he's not sure what he's looking for yet.

"There isn't one important factor.", Bay said when a chat participant asked what factored into which team he would select. "The funny thing is that everybody has an opinion of what I'm waiting (f)or or what I'm doing and I don't even have an opinion, and that's the truth."

Bay's agent, Joe Urbon, told WEEI that he feels Bay will be the most complete free agent on the market (the free-agency period won't open until the conclusion of the World Series, and the Red Sox have exclusive negotiation rights for 15 days after that). "I think the most important thing about Jason Bay is that he is truly the most complete player in this free-agent class. I don't think, I know."

Whether Bay takes his show on the road to test the free-agent market or signs quickly to stay in Boston remains to be seen. Rumors are flying that the Red Sox may be willing to spend $60 million for four years to rehire Bay. Not only is that good money, but it would be a nice fit for someone who admittedly loves the atmosphere in Boston.

"Playing left field in Boston is great for a few reasons. The history of the wall and all the players who have played there in past years make it really special", said Bay in the chat room. He's also a fan of playing for Terry Francona -- and there's much to be said about finding a positive player-manager relationship.

One of the criteria not mentioned by Bay in his chat is playing for a contender. The 31-year-old left fielder has it made in Boston compared to the days he spent in Pittsburgh. A quick scan shows that three playoff contenders could be in the market for a free-agent left fielder. The New York Mets and San Francisco Giants could surely offer similar money to Bay if that four-year, $60 million contract is the benchmark. The Atlanta Braves, who likely wouldn't spend that much money, are also in need of a big stick in the middle of their lineup.

A fourth option may be St. Louis, which is another fanatical baseball-driven town. For the Cardinals to throw their hat in the ring in an attempt to sign Bay, their current left fielder, Matt Holliday, would have to sign elsewhere. Holliday is also eligible to become a free agent when the World Series ends.

The options for Bay are plentiful, as you can see. It's hard to think that he's not going to see how much the market will pay for his services. Wherever he ends up, it's sure to be an interesting ride.

Jason Bay Has Options in Free Agency originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World Series Tickets in Big Demand

Jonathan Berr — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:06:00 EST

Filed under: Phillies, Yankees, AL East, NL East, World Series

Tickets for the World Series are as good as gold -- literally.

Worries about the economy have pushed up prices for the precious metal above $1,000 an ounce, a level many fans are willing to pay for good tickets to baseball's championship, which starts Wednesday in New York.

The ticket search engine FanSnap.com estimates that some ticket sellers are asking more than $1,600 for Game 3 of the showdown between the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, greater than the cost of a pair of pearl earrings ($660) round-trip airfare between the city of Brotherly Love and Tokyo ($778) or a half-pound of frozen gourmet white truffles ($1,300).

FanSnap said getting in the door of Citizens Bank Park will cost $650, enough for the standing room only area that are for sale. Since the Yankees became Philadelphia's World Series opponent, Phillies tickets are up 127 percent, according to RazorGator.com, an online ticket marketplace.

FanSnap also says the Yankees are a bargain compared to the Phillies with average ticket listings at $769 and a "get-in" price of $410, which will get a fan bleacher seats for Game 1 at Yankee Stadium. Ticket brokers say that the disparity between New York and Philadelphia prices are a result of an imbalance between supply and demand that will not last.

"We'll be watching prices in Philadelphia and New York very closely in the coming days to see what happens to ticket availability and prices." Christian Anderson, a FanSnap spokesman, said in an email.

The ticket market also fluctuates -- sometimes wildly -- making ticket prices hard to pin down. Moreover, just because someone asks for a high price does not mean they will get it. But demand remains high and some people will go to any lengths to cheer their team to victory in person. One woman was arrested in the suburbs of Philadelphia for allegedly trying to barter sex for World Series tickets.

Over 200 confused fans stormed Yankee Stadium's front doors Wednesday morning -- some waiting some 30 hours in the rain -- when they realized the team was not selling any World Series tickets, according to the New York Post. One Yankee fan told the paper that he was so disgusted that he was rooting for the Phillies.

The New York Daily News reported that the Yankees handed out free baseball caps to the die-hard fans who braved the elements including Nancy Wandell, 38, who waited at Yankee Stadium despite battling a flu bug through the night.

StubHub, the secondary ticket market endorsed by Major League Baseball, continues to see a brisk trade in World Series tickets. Its figures are different than FanSnap because they only include completed or pending sales. FanSnap includes listings from many sites.

StubHub estimates that the average selling price for New York World Series tickets is $698, up $464 from when the Yankees and Marlins squared off in the 2003 Fall Classic. Philadelphia tickets are averaging $977, up from the $903 tickets sold for last year when the Phillies defeated the Tampa Bay Rays.

Prices start to climb higher as the drama builds: Game 2 tickets have fetched $701. Game 3 and Game 4 tickets have sold for more than $1,000 each. Prices plunge again for Game 5 ($875), Game 6 ($658) and Game 7 ($668), which are only played if necessary.

There are other challenges people face going to the game, including a possible transit strike in Philadelphia. Traveling to New York will be no picnic, either, especially during rush hour. Visitors to Philadelphia may also run into difficulty finding a hotel room because thousands of infectious disease scientists are holding their annual meeting while the Series is in town.

"That, combined with visitors for Game Three of the World Series in addition to the fact that Saturday is generally the busiest night of the week, has pretty much filled most of Center City hotel rooms for Saturday, Oct. 31, " said Caroline Beam, a spokeswoman for the Greater Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau.

World Series Tickets in Big Demand originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:06:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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John Farrell Not Interested in Indians Job

Pat Lackey — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:19:00 EST

Filed under: Indians, Red Sox, AL Central, AL East, MLB Rumors

It's now ten days after the end of the 2009 baseball season and the only thing the Cleveland Indians know about their vacant managerial position is that it won't be filled by Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell. That's because Farrell, who was initially seen as a front-runner for the job, told the Cleveland Plain Dealer today that while he is interested in managing some day, he's not interested in the Indians job and he'd rather stay in his position in Boston.

As the former farm director in Cleveland under Mark Shapiro, Farrell seemed like maybe the most logical choice for the job, but this isn't the first time he's turned a managerial job down. He was believed to be the frontrunner in 2007 in Pittsburgh, where former Shapiro assistant Neal Huntington is GM, but he also asked for his name to be removed from consideration then, as well.

Farrell mentions that he has a "mutual commitment" with Boston, but since Boston granted him the right to interview earlier in the week it's hard to imagine they'd begrudge him leaving for a managerial position. It could be that he simply likes being a pitching coach or working with the current Boston staff and doesn't want to give that up right now or that he feels too much loyalty towards Terry Francona to bail on his contract. Or it could be that he just doesn't want to manage somewhere like Pittsburgh or Cleveland enough to give up his job in Boston.

It is still early in the Indians' process, so Shapiro should still have plenty of time to find a suitable candidate. The Plain Dealer says that he and his staff are currently narrowing the list down to three to five names, at which point they'll begin face-to-face interviews. There are no names named, but Bobby Valentine's name has cropped up in the past week or so.

John Farrell Not Interested in Indians Job originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:19:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2009 MLB Postseason Schedule

Pat Lackey — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 17:20:00 EST

Filed under: Angels, Cardinals, Dodgers, Phillies, Red Sox, Rockies, Twins, Yankees, AL Central, AL East, AL West, NL Central, NL East, NL West, MLB Playoffs, American League Division Series, National League Division Series

With two series over, Major League Baseball has updated the schedule for the rest of the Division Series.

The Rockies and Phillies will play their Game 4 at 4 PM ET if the Yankees-Twins series is still going on. Should the Yankees finish off a sweep Sunday night, the NL Game would move to 6 PM ET.

Series-by-series times are after the jump (all times Eastern).

Minnesota Twins vs. New York Yankees:

Game 1- Twins at Yankees, 10/7, 6:07 PM, TBS
Game 2- Twins at Yankees, 10/9, 6:07 PM, TBS
Game 3- Yankees at Twins, 10/11, 7:07 PM, TBS
Game 4- Yankees at Twins, 10/12, 7:37 PM, if necessary, TBS
Game 5- Twins at Yankees, 10/14, 8:07 PM, if necessary, TBS

Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Game 1- Red Sox at Angels, 10/8, 9:37 PM, TBS
Game 2- Red Sox at Angels, 10/9, 9:37 PM, TBS
Game 3- Angels at Red Sox, 10/11, 12:07 PM, TBS

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

Game 1- Cardinals at Dodgers, 10/7, 9:37 PM, TBS
Game 2- Cardinals at Dodgers, 10/8, 6:07 PM, TBS
Game 3- Dodgers at Cardinals, 10/10, 6:07 PM,TBS

Colorado Rockies vs. Philadelphia Phillies

Game 1- Rockies at Phillies, 10/7, 2:37 PM, TBS
Game 2- Rockies at Phillies, 10/8, 2:37 PM, TBS
Game 3- Phillies at Rockies, 10/11, 10:07 PM,TBS
Game 4- Phillies at Rockies, 10/12, 6:07 PM (7:37 PM if AL still going), TBS
Game 5- Rockies at Phillies, 10/13, 8:07 PM, if necessary TBS

AL Championship Series

Game 1-Angels at Yankees or Twins at Angels, 10/16, Fox
Game 2-Angels at Yankees or Twins at Angels, 10/17, Fox
Game 3-Yankees at Angels or Angels at Twins, 10/19, Fox
Game 4-Yankees at Angels or Angels at Twins, 10/20, Fox
Game 5-Yankees at Angels or Angels at Twins, 10/22, if necessary, Fox
Game 6-Angels at Yankees or Twins at Angels, 10/24, if necessary, Fox
Game 7-Angels at Yankees or Twins at Angels, 10/25, if necessary, Fox

NL Championship Series

Game 1-Rockies or Phillies at Dodgers, 10/15, TBS
Game 2-Rockies or Phillies at Dodgers, 10/16, TBS
Game 3-Dodgers at Rockies or Philliies, 10/18, TBS
Game 4-Dodgers at Rockies or Philliies, 10/19, TBS
Game 5-Dodgers at Rockies or Philliies, 10/21, if necessary, TBS
Game 6-Rockies or Phillies at Dodgers, 10/23, if necessary, TBS
Game 7-Rockies or Phillies at Dodgers, 10/24, if necessary, TBS

2009 MLB Postseason Schedule originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Sun, 11 Oct 2009 17:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Could Rays, Pat Burrell Be Avenue for Cubs to Trade Milton Bradley?

Matt Snyder — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:50:00 EST

Filed under: Cubs, Rays, AL East, NL Central, MLB Rumors

While we're far from trading season -- the Red Sox and Angels haven't even started their ALDS -- winds are swirling in the Windy City because of the presence of resident albatross Milton Bradley. Bradley signed a three-year contract worth $30 million this past offseason with the Cubs and did everything he could during the regular season to make general manager Jim Hendry realize the signing was the biggest mistake of his tenure. Thus, the Cubs aren't exactly being secretive about their desire to trade him as soon as is humanly possible.

Might they look to another outfielder who has quickly fallen out of favor with his team after signing a lucrative deal? The Tampa Bay Rays have shown interest in Bradley in the past, and they could look to deal Pat Burrell after his disastrous 2009 season.

Of course, this situation is far too ideal for the Cubs for it to be a straight up deal. Burrell only has one more year on his contract and he makes less money, on average, per year than Bradley. The Rays aren't exactly the Yankees, so they'd have to be pretty convinced the trade would work to take on the excess salary. Plus, Burrell -- while so laid-back it comes off as apathy at times -- isn't exactly the clubhouse cancer Bradley is. Annoying teammates with a seeming lack of effort or desire is a lot different than outwardly antagonizing teammates, managers, executives, local media and fans.

So, don't expect the deal to be a straight up player-for-player swap.

Bradley had one of the worst seasons of his mercurial career, hitting .257 with 12 home runs and 40 RBI in 124 games. The .775 OPS was his worst since 2002. His defense was suspect as well, but the majority of the problems had to do with his attitude. He was suspended for the remainder of the season with 15 games left due to his constant sideshows.

Burrell also had one of his worst seasons. He set or tied career lows with 16 doubles, 14 home runs, 64 RBI, a .367 SLG and a .682 OPS. His batting average and on-base percentage were also well below his career marks. Late in the season he was involved in a locker room scuffle with team captain Carl Crawford. No details surfaced, but it should be pretty easy to connect the dots. Crawford is the most respected and longest tenured Ray, a stand-up guy who plays the game hard every single day and has no attitude issues. And now the Rays want Burrell gone.

There are multiple outlets reporting the Rays have a strong interest in Bradley and the Cubs are desperate to get Bradley out the door as soon as possible. Thus, the two sides will probably try to compromise in order to get the deal complete. Look for the Cubs to grease the wheels by eating a portion of Bradley's salary and possibly sending a prospect or two the Rays way. They might even take back a contract which the Rays wish to rid themselves as well.

The bottom line is that the Rays don't want Burrell (but like Bradley) and the Cubs don't want Bradley (and don't care how they get rid of him). It's pretty likely they find a way to make it work for both sides.

Where there's a will, there's a way.

Could Rays, Pat Burrell Be Avenue for Cubs to Trade Milton Bradley? originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yankees' No. 4 Starter? Chad Gaudin

Matt Snyder — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Yankees, AL East, MLB Playoffs

Though they still have a few more victories before advancing to the ALCS, according to the New York Post, the New York Yankees have already decided that they will be using Chad Gaudin -- not Joba Chamberlain -- as their fourth starter should they get past the Twins in the ALDS. It's a move that seems a bit surprising, considering the Yankees' insistence on keeping Chamberlain in the rotation all year, but it also appears to be the correct move.

Chamberlain was, frankly, terrible down the stretch as a starter. From August 6 to Sept. 30, he made 11 starts and produced a 7.69 ERA. He allowed opposing hitters to hit .321 against him with a .926 OPS. Throughout his career, he's been much more effective as a late-inning reliever, and we saw it again Wednesday night -- when he came in to retire Delmon Young in the eighth inning of Game 1.

Gaudin, on the other hand, started six games for the Yankees this season for the Yankees -- going 1-0 with a 3.19 ERA. He has control problems at times, but his stuff is good as evidenced by the opposing .239 batting average against him in starts for New York. He was worse out of the bullpen, so the Yankees are using each respective pitcher in what seems to be his strongest role.

Gaudin has never started a postseason game.

First things first, though, as the Yankees still need to take two more from the Twins in order to advance. They'll be using A.J. Burnett, Andy Pettitte and CC Sabathia as their starters for the rest of the series. Game 2 is set for 6:07 PM ET Friday evening.

Yankees' No. 4 Starter? Chad Gaudin originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rocco Baldelli Left Off ALDS Roster

Matt Snyder — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:20:00 EST

Filed under: Red Sox, AL East, MLB Playoffs, American League Division Series

Due to concerns that he won't be healed from a hip flexor injury in time, the Red Sox have opted not to include outfielder Rocco Baldelli in their ALDS roster. Baldelli's not a regular starter, but he would have provided depth off the bench against the Angels. Instead, the Red Sox don't believe he'll be healthy in time to contribute.

Without Baldelli, the Red Sox enter the postseason with Brian Anderson and Joey Gathright as their backup outfielders behind Jacoby Ellsbury, J.D. Drew and Jason Bay. Baldelli, who hit .253 with seven home runs and 23 RBI in 150 at-bats this season, is a more capable hitter than Anderson or Gathright, though both Anderson and Gathright provide better speed and defense.

Rocco Baldelli Left Off ALDS Roster originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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