About.com Baseball

Cuban lefty Chapman changes strategy

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:48:31 +0000

Part of an agent's job is to trumpet the abilities of their client to the fullest. And the guy who was on a media blitz with Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman was unexpectedly dismissed, ESPN.com reported Saturday.

It's an interesting development. Edwin Mejia has never had a big-league client, and was recommended to Chapman by a friend. Chapman is 21, left-handed and throws upwards of 100 mph, a rare combination in a prospect. Mejia did a lot of legwork, but won't share in the riches that Chapman almost certainly will get in the next couple of months.

"Athletes Premier International is greatly surprised and deeply disappointed that Aroldis Chapman has decided to change agents," API said in a statement, according to ESPN.com. "The agency has put forth a lot of time and effort towards helping him achieve his goal of becoming a Major League pitcher and he gave us no indication that he was unhappy with our advice or the way he was treated. We will have more to say about this matter at a later date, but in the meantime we wish Aroldis luck in his future endeavors."

Was the media blitz too much for Chapman? Was Mejia trying to make himself a star agent at the same time, perhaps a little too hard? One of the questions of Chapman is his maturity - did Mejia's strategy paint Chapman as arrogant? Were the initial negotiations going poorly with prospective teams?

Whatever it was, Chapman is now represented by the Hendricks brothers, an agency with a sterling reputation among players. Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte were/are two of their clients. They've worked with the Yankees before, of course. Perhaps Chapman has an affinity for pinstripes?

Cuban lefty Chapman changes strategy originally appeared on About.com Baseball on Saturday, November 21st, 2009 at 21:48:31.

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Comeback theme to AL Cy Young, manager awards

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:44:29 +0000

Zack Greinke and Jim Tracy certainly weren't front-runners for major awards back in April.

Greinke was a guy with a ton of talent who almost lost it all because of a social anxiety disorder that threatened his career. Tracy wasn't even a manager, squarely in retread territory as the bench coach with the Colorado Rockies after two terrible seasons as the Pittsburgh Pirates' manager and a last-place finish with the Dodgers in 2005.

Greinke, the AL Cy Young Award winner, starred for a last-place team in Kansas City, but it certainly wasn't his fault with a 2.16 ERA. He won 16 games - the lowest for a Cy Young-winning starter ever - but voters took a lack of run support into consideration in picking the 26-year-old righty for the AL's top pitching reward.

He went 5-17 at age 21 for the Royals in 2005, and missed almost the entire 2006 season with the disorder and depression. He came back and gradually reconstructed his career. The Royals showed a lot of faith last offseason with a four-year, $38 million deal - huge for the small-market club - and they were rewarded.

"I think what doesn't get talked about enough, whether he went back and pitched in the big leagues again or not, is how he dealt with these issues as a young man,"said� Red Sox assistant Allard Baird, who drafted Greinke as the Royals' GM, to the Boston Herald. "He had to go through this private matter publicly, he had to open himself up. Just in life, in everyday living, to take some very private and personal issues that he had at a young age and work through it in the public eye is all to his credit."

Tracy took over a last-place team after Clint Hurdle was fired on May 29, and the Rockies turned around immediately. They were 74-42 under Tracy and won the NL wild-card spot before losing to the pennant-winning Phillies in the first round. And he received a three-year contract extension on the same day he won the award.

Mike Scioscia of the Angels won the award as the AL's top manager.

Comeback theme to AL Cy Young, manager awards originally appeared on About.com Baseball on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 23:44:29.

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Star potential resides further down the rookie ballots in 2009

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:25:16 +0000

Andrew Bailey and Chris Coghlan could become stars like Derek Jeter, Cal Ripken, Pete Rose or Willie Mays.

It's also just as likely they'll become Bob Hamelin, Joe Charboneau, Pat Listach or Butch Metzger.

All of the above, now including Bailey and Coghlan, were selected Rookies of the Year in their respective leagues. It means a lot, or a very little. Sometimes we see the brilliance early. Other times, it fades away as quickly as it seems to arrive.

And I could be very wrong here, but at this point I'm leaning toward the latter camp with Bailey, who was a solid closer for the A's (26 saves, 1.84 ERA), and Coghlan, a left fielder who had decent stats (.321, 9 HR) for the Marlins in 2009.

Looking at the rest of the rookies in this class, there are a couple of players who received votes from the writers who have much better potential. Center fielder Andrew McCutchen of the Pirates already makes highlight-reel plays in center field and could be great if he makes better contact. Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus was only 20 and should have won a Gold Glove while showing plenty of pop at the plate. The Braves and Phillies have aces in the making with Tommy Hanson and J.A. Happ.

So congrats to Bailey and Coghlan. But I have a feeling we'll look at these winners in a few years and think the writers didn't get this right.

List: Rookies of the Year from history from the AL and the NL.

Star potential resides further down the rookie ballots in 2009 originally appeared on About.com Baseball on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 02:25:16.

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Big markets bidding for Cuban lefty

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:34:00 +0000

One of the wild cards this free agent season is a guy who hasn't thrown a major-league pitch.

The agent for Aroldis Chapman is drumming up buzz for his client, a Cuban defector who pitched in the World Baseball Classic. He actually didn't throw all that well, but he's a 21-year-old lefty who throws 100 mph. Those don't exactly grow on trees.

He's making the media rounds, telling his story about how he defected (there weren't any motorboats - he just left a hotel during a tournament and got in a car at a predetermined time). He left behind a family, a girlfriend and a baby daughter.

He also has to watch out about coming off a little arrogant. He was "blinged out" in an interview with the AP, wearing a very expensive watch (especially for a guy coming from Cuba who has yet to sign a contract.) He attended a playoff game at Yankee Stadium last month.

"I would think of what pitch would I throw this batter and things of that sort," Chapman said.�"There were many that were the same as what I was thinking. There were a few that weren't, but not all pitchers are the same and some think differently. I can maybe depend on my fastball a little more than some other pitchers."

The Yankees are among the suitors for Chapman (of course), along with the Mets and Red Sox. Only big markets apply, as this contract will be a big one, even though Chapman will probably have to spend time in the minors.

Chapman is the first big-name Cuban defector since pitcher Jose Contreras (2002). Chapman's agent believes he's a lot better.

Said Chapman's agent: �"He's a once-every-40-years player."

Big markets bidding for Cuban lefty originally appeared on About.com Baseball on Saturday, November 14th, 2009 at 23:34:00.

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Gold Gloves can be fool's gold

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:18:53 +0000

Baseball's Gold Glove winners, honoring the top fielders in the game, are always going to have a tendency to be flawed, because defense can be subjective. The sabermetrics folks have fielding stats, too, and they scoff at the Gold Gloves because the managers and coaches select them.

The new stat used to measure fielding is the UZR (ultimate zone rating). It factors in range, arm, and fielding percentage in a form of� runs saved or cost, in comparison to an average fielder. (Click here for a more detailed explanation.)

How well do the managers and coaches do compared to the stats? Not well at all. Just two players, Placido Polanco (2B) and Evan Longoria (3B), were the leaders in UZR at their positions. And in the NL? Three: Ryan Zimmerman (3B), Yadier Molina (C) and Jimmy Rollins (SS).

Why is this flawed? A lot of times, it's a popularity contest. Derek Jeter won a Gold Glove this week, but is he really the best fielder? He's a solid one who is popular within the game and outside the game. But he's 35 and doesn't have great range. In fact, his range might be the worst at shortstop in the majors.

Some snickered when Jeter won his first Gold Glove in 2004. Now he has four, thanks to only committing eight errors in 2009. He makes all the routine plays - does that constitute a Gold Glove winner?

Jeter became the oldest to win a Gold Glove at shortstop since Luis Aparicio, who was 36 when awarded the last of his nine Gold Gloves in 1970. He had a very good year.

That doesn't mean Jeter really deserves a Gold Glove.

List: 2009 Gold Glove winners.

Gold Gloves can be fool's gold originally appeared on About.com Baseball on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 01:18:53.

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Free-agent system is no relief to bullpen dwellers

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:35:31 +0000

The Elias rankings are out, which is one of those moments in the offseason that seems to become more important every year.

The draft each June seems to take on more importance every year as salaries escalate for the top picks. Scouting has never been better; few prospects fall through the cracks. A first-round pick is now more valuable in many cases than a decent free agent, especially to a rebuilding team. And there's the rub in the current free agent/draft pick system.

Any team that picks a Type A free agent - defined as a player in the top 20 percent of players at his position - loses its first-round draft pick next season. So being defined as a Type A free agent is not as good as it sounds for a player - it means teams that treasure their draft picks are going to think twice about getting involved in free agent bidding.

It only affects half of the teams. Those that finished in the bottom half of the major league standings can't surrender their first-round selection. And a team must offer arbitration to a free agent in order to receive compensation for him.

Now for the top free agents - guys this offseason such as Matt Holliday, Jason Bay and John Lackey - this won't matter much at all. They're legitimate star players, guys who are worth losing the pick. But for some reason, the Elias rankings have a flaw, and middle relievers are overvalued, especially this year.

Juan Cruz was hurt by this last season. He was inexplicably a Type A last year and wasn't signed until after spring training started, agreeing to a two-year deal with the Royals, who as a bottom-feeder didn't have to yield a first-rounder.

Players on that list this year: Rafael Betancourt (Rockies), John Grabow (Cubs), Kevin Gregg (Cubs), Darren Oliver (Angels), LaTroy Hawkins (Astros). Decent middle/setup relievers? Sure. Worth giving up a first-round pick? No way.

Check out: Free agent list - with Type A/Type B breakdowns.

Free-agent system is no relief to bullpen dwellers originally appeared on About.com Baseball on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 21:35:31.

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Where do the "losing" T-shirts go?

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:41:45 +0000

When a team wins a World Series, shirts and hats are passed out on the field, seconds after the final out. They're on the shelves of the team shop immediately. The same happens in other sports, too.

It's not a T-shirt printer working a lot of overtime, either. Hundreds of shirts and hats are pressed well ahead of time, and there's no guesswork involved. They do them well in advance for all of the teams still alive in the playoffs.

But while actress Alyssa Milano - a huge Dodgers fan - has her own clothing line on MLB.com, she can't get her hands on any Dodgers World Series Champions 2009 T-shirts. (Nor would she want any - she certainly would want the Dodgers to earn it.) The gear is on its way to Indonesia, Zambia, El Salvador, Nicaragua or Romania. There would be a black market for them if they stayed in the United States, and sending the shirts and hats abroad is the best for both the leagues and for World Vision, a humanitarian organization.

"Most people who receive these jerseys and T-shirts would not know who the Yankees and the Phillies are," Rich Stearns of World Vision told the Associated Press. "They are just looking at these as new clothes."

Where do the "losing" T-shirts go? originally appeared on About.com Baseball on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 11:41:45.

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Ominous start to free agent season

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:25:07 +0000

In the first two days after the season, the storm clouds are already forming. And Bobby Abreu saw them.

The Angels outfielder, who waited all offseason for offers that never came before the 2009 season, agreed to a one-year, $5 million bargain deal just before spring training. After a good season (.293, 15 HR, 103 RBI, 30 SB) in Anaheim, and seeing that it likely will be no better this year, Abreu stayed with the Angels for two years and $19 million. Sure, it's a raise, but he wasn't going to re-live last offseason. He made $16 million with the Yankees in 2008.

Manny Ramirez did the same, agreeing to his one-year, $20 million option. That's a no-brainer - no player will sign a deal for a bigger one-year salary this offseason, and Ramirez did not have a great season in 2009 (.290, 19 HR, 63 RBI).

"Money is tight all over the world and certainly on the South Side," Chicago general manager Ken Williams told the AP after trading for the Royals' Mark Teahen and declining the $12 million option on outfielder Jermaine Dye. "We're going to spend whatever we have available, but it's not much."

Who else is on the market? Check out the updated free agent scorecard.

Ominous start to free agent season originally appeared on About.com Baseball on Saturday, November 7th, 2009 at 15:25:07.

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Go, go Godzilla: Yankees win World Series

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:07:00 +0000

Led by designated hitter Hideki Matsui's 6 RBI night - perhaps in his last game in pinstripes - the New York Yankees won their 27th championship and their first since 2000, beating the Philadelphia Phillies 7-3 in Game 6 and winning the 2009 World Series, four games to two.

Matsui, the Japanese star whose nickname is "Godzilla," trampled on the Phillies. He was 8 for 13 in the World Series. On Wednesday at Yankee Stadium, he hit a two-run homer into the second deck in right field in the second inning and a bases-loaded single in the third against Phillies starter Pedro Martinez, who only lasted four innings. He had a two-run double against J.A. Happ in the fifth. Matsui was named MVP of the series despite not starting in any of the three games in Philadelphia. His six RBI tied a World Series game record set in 1960 by the Yankees' Bobby Richardson.

The Yankees' Andy Pettitte pitched well on three days' rest and is 6-2 in games that the Yankees can clinch a postseason series in his career. It was the 18th win of his postseason career, extending his own record, and it was his fifth World Series win, his second in this World Series. He's also a free agent after the season, but it's very unlikely he'll end up in another uniform at age 37. He could opt to retire, however - going out on top.

Mariano Rivera came on in the eighth and finished off the game in the ninth, retiring the Phillies' Shane Victorino for the final out on a ground ball to second baseman Robinson Cano as the Yankees won a championship in their first year in the new Yankee Stadium. The Yankees also won a title in the first year of the old Yankee Stadium, way back in 1923. They also won that World Series in six games, over the New York Giants.

It was the fifth championship for Pettitte, Rivera, shortstop Derek Jeter and catcher Jorge Posada, all with the Yankees, and the first title for many of their high-priced free agents, such as Alex Rodriguez, CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, A.J. Burnett and Matsui. And Johnny Damon became the first player to win championships with the Red Sox and Yankees since Babe Ruth.

Also: List of World Series champions.

Go, go Godzilla: Yankees win World Series originally appeared on About.com Baseball on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 01:07:00.

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Game 5 didn't turn much momentum

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:18:19 +0000

After the Philadelphia Phillies won 8-6 on Monday and sent the World Series back to New York for a Game 6 on Wednesday, their body language of the Phillies said it all:

Glad that's over.

As Ryan Madson recorded the last out, the Phillies congratulated each other like they just had knocked off the Nationals in May. Perhaps that's what it's like when a six-run lead almost evaporates in two innings, turning what could have been a momentum-turning event in the World Series into another white-knuckle evening at Citizens Bank Park.

There were a lot of interesting moments in Game 5. Cliff Lee was great in the middle innings, but shaky at the beginning and end this time out. (But he's still 4-0 this postseason.) The Yankees' A.J. Burnett, so good in Game 2, was positively awful on three days' rest. He was so bad that he'll be available in long relief if Andy Pettitte pulls a similar act on Wednesday in Game 6.

And the Phillies never went to Brad Lidge, opting for Madson in the ninth inning, who was every bit as shaky as Lidge was on Sunday night until he struck out Mark Teixeira with Johnny Damon on base and Alex Rodriguez looming on deck.

With Chase Utley swinging one of the hottest bats in postseason history - he tied Reggie Jackson for the most home runs in one World Series with two more long balls on Monday - the Phillies should have a lot more momentum heading back to Yankee Stadium. The Yankees might have to throw two more pitchers on three days' rest - a point that really could hurt in a day or two. But this series still feels like the Yankees are in total control, because their hitters are always pesky and aren't conceding a thing. They're putting all the pressure on the Phillies, and they came very close to cracking like the Liberty Bell again.

It will be a throwback night in the first World Series Game 6 in six years - Pettitte vs. Pedro. Think the New York fans will be on their game for this one?

Game 5 didn't turn much momentum originally appeared on About.com Baseball on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 03:18:19.

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