I admit that I was probably a little hard on Mark Teixeira the other day, but I just want to know what's going on in his head and how much he really cares about money. Is he just playing the game for the dollars?
The front-runners for Teixeira seem to be Boston, Washington, Baltimore, and the New York Yankees. Both the Red Sox and Nats have reportedly offered him an 8-year deal worth approximately $20 million annually. Let's assume all of this is true.
If Teixeira chooses the Red Sox over all of the others, it says: Mark cares about both money and winning.
... the Nationals: he only cares about money, not winning. You could also look at this another way. It could indicate that Teixeira wants to go back to his home region (Baltimore-area), however, it would be odd for him to choose Baltimore's area rival team if the Orioles at least offer him a decent deal.
... the Orioles: he cares about going home and playing for his hometown team, not as much about winning or money. This is what I would like to see.
... the Yankees: he cares about nothing, he has sold his soul, just like his new teammate Alex Rodriguez. Think about A-Rod back in 2000. He didn't care about anything but getting paid and thus chose to go to a non-contender, the Texas Rangers.
Also... I've added a new blog to the link list: UmpBump. They've got a nice post on A.J. Burnett's future commute. If you're a geography dork like me, you'll love it.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
The Freel is gone
Ryan Freel is no longer a member of the Cincinnati Reds, nor is his "little friend" Farney. The Reds completed a trade to send Freel to the Baltimore Orioles for veteran catcher, Ramon Hernandez. Obviously Freel was a BCB favorite. He was a small, scrappy, Pete Rose-type player, that made the most out of his ability with an intense drive and passion for the game. I've said this in the comments sections of several Reds blogs today, but Ryan Freel was the hardest playing Red since Pete and will probably remain second to Pete on the all-time Reds hustle ranking.
I'm certainly going to miss him in a Reds uniform, but to be honest, he wasn't going to get any playing time in Cincinnati. It's probably best just to root for him from afar and be sure to catch any highlights of him on Sportscenter.
Taking emotion out of the equation, I like the deal. Hernandez, although he's making a bit much ($8.5 million), will bring some veteran guidance to the Reds' pitching staff - most notably Volquez and Cueto. It should also help the Dominican Dandies that their new catcher speaks Spanish (Hernandez is from Venezuela). I am a bit worried, however, about the fact that Hernandez threw out only 19.5 percent of runners stealing against him last year (24-for-123).
Surprisingly, things seem to be coming together for the Reds - I'm not used to this sort of thing. Now we need to figure out what is clogging up the pipes on this Jermaine Dye deal because there aren't many right-handed power hitters out there available. This was pointed out on the Reds Hot Stove League with Marty and Thom this evening. Also, FYI, don't mention Buck Showalter around Marty - he gets pretty darn irate. I think he despises him more than Jim Bowden.
Other blogs on the Freel trade:
On a disappointing note, Joe Nuxhall came up short for the Ford Frick Award again and despite leading the online popular vote will have to go at least another year before posthumously being inducted into the the Hall of Fame. Crosley Field Terrace has a nice post arguing for Nuxie's inclusion in Cooperstown.
I'm certainly going to miss him in a Reds uniform, but to be honest, he wasn't going to get any playing time in Cincinnati. It's probably best just to root for him from afar and be sure to catch any highlights of him on Sportscenter.
Taking emotion out of the equation, I like the deal. Hernandez, although he's making a bit much ($8.5 million), will bring some veteran guidance to the Reds' pitching staff - most notably Volquez and Cueto. It should also help the Dominican Dandies that their new catcher speaks Spanish (Hernandez is from Venezuela). I am a bit worried, however, about the fact that Hernandez threw out only 19.5 percent of runners stealing against him last year (24-for-123).
Surprisingly, things seem to be coming together for the Reds - I'm not used to this sort of thing. Now we need to figure out what is clogging up the pipes on this Jermaine Dye deal because there aren't many right-handed power hitters out there available. This was pointed out on the Reds Hot Stove League with Marty and Thom this evening. Also, FYI, don't mention Buck Showalter around Marty - he gets pretty darn irate. I think he despises him more than Jim Bowden.
Other blogs on the Freel trade:
On a disappointing note, Joe Nuxhall came up short for the Ford Frick Award again and despite leading the online popular vote will have to go at least another year before posthumously being inducted into the the Hall of Fame. Crosley Field Terrace has a nice post arguing for Nuxie's inclusion in Cooperstown.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Has Mark Teixeira danced with the devil for too long?
Most readers would probably assume that BCB is a big fan of Mark Teixeira - the man has a choirboy image and goes about his job the right way. After reading an article by Lee Jenkins in Sports Illustrated entitled "Tex, Inc.," I am wondering is he too businesslike and too dispassionate?
Hustle, hard-work, and a clean image are all qualities that BCB values in a baseball player and Teixeira possesses all of these qualities. BCB also values emotion, loyalty, and a strong sense of place. I'm not sure these words describe Teixeira. Maybe Mark has gotten too wrapped up in money and the business of baseball. Maybe he has danced with the devil (a.k.a Scott Boras) for too long.
Think about it. He's a Catholic school kid from Baltimore who has continually described himself as an "east coast guy." Yet Teixeira (and Scott Boras) doesn't seem to be giving the Orioles or Nationals much of a hometown discount or even much of a shot at signing him.
Also, Teixeira was an Atlanta Brave for a short period of time. A team that he expressed a strong desire to stay with. He didn't. The "east coast guy" went west to Anaheim - the Braves knew they couldn't compete with Boras money. If Teixeira had any sense of place, he would not have left, he would have tried to give the Braves a shot and at least attempted to stay in the city where he went to college (Georgia Tech) and met his wife. Mark's wife is from the Atlanta area.
I know I'm probably being unfairly critical but what really matters and who's running the Mark Teixeira show? My inkling is money, business, and Boras. Texeira has become stone cold both on and off the field.
Hustle, hard-work, and a clean image are all qualities that BCB values in a baseball player and Teixeira possesses all of these qualities. BCB also values emotion, loyalty, and a strong sense of place. I'm not sure these words describe Teixeira. Maybe Mark has gotten too wrapped up in money and the business of baseball. Maybe he has danced with the devil (a.k.a Scott Boras) for too long.
Think about it. He's a Catholic school kid from Baltimore who has continually described himself as an "east coast guy." Yet Teixeira (and Scott Boras) doesn't seem to be giving the Orioles or Nationals much of a hometown discount or even much of a shot at signing him.
Also, Teixeira was an Atlanta Brave for a short period of time. A team that he expressed a strong desire to stay with. He didn't. The "east coast guy" went west to Anaheim - the Braves knew they couldn't compete with Boras money. If Teixeira had any sense of place, he would not have left, he would have tried to give the Braves a shot and at least attempted to stay in the city where he went to college (Georgia Tech) and met his wife. Mark's wife is from the Atlanta area.
I know I'm probably being unfairly critical but what really matters and who's running the Mark Teixeira show? My inkling is money, business, and Boras. Texeira has become stone cold both on and off the field.
Rumor: Homer Bailey traded for Jermaine Dye
Hal McCoy of the Dayton Daily News is reporting that the Cincinnati Reds have traded Homer Bailey to the White Sox for Jermaine Dye. Others still deny the rumor.
Normally, I would say never give up young pitching prospects for a veteran (past his prime) bat... especially if you are not ready to win in the immediate future* - like the Reds. For some reason I'm okay with this. Bailey has been a let down and has seemingly proved to be unteachable.
* On second thought, and being extremely optimistic, maybe this is one of the veteran pieces of the puzzle that the Reds need to win. I've heard several people say that the Reds could be next year's Rays. Maybe they can be. If Harang returns to form, Micah Owings pans out, and Cueto continues to progress, they could have a solid starting rotation along with Arroyo and Volquez. We still need a catcher though... and a little divine intervention.
Normally, I would say never give up young pitching prospects for a veteran (past his prime) bat... especially if you are not ready to win in the immediate future* - like the Reds. For some reason I'm okay with this. Bailey has been a let down and has seemingly proved to be unteachable.
* On second thought, and being extremely optimistic, maybe this is one of the veteran pieces of the puzzle that the Reds need to win. I've heard several people say that the Reds could be next year's Rays. Maybe they can be. If Harang returns to form, Micah Owings pans out, and Cueto continues to progress, they could have a solid starting rotation along with Arroyo and Volquez. We still need a catcher though... and a little divine intervention.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Saying Goodbye to Jack Wilson
This whole goodbye to Jack Wilson thing started a LONG time ago and keeps going and going. The latest rumors have Jack going to Detroit to join former Pirates skipper Jim Leyland and former Pittsburgh centerfielder, now first base coach, Andy Van Slyke for either Matt Joyce or Jeff Larish: WHYGAVS, Bucs Dugout.
Since I live in Toledo, Ohio, the home of Detroit's Triple-A team, I've seen both Joyce and Larish play. Both players would be an asset to the Pirates' squad but Joyce, an outfielder, is a little younger and probably the better overall athlete. Larish has some nice raw power and has been pegged as a first baseman, however, he has also played some second and third. Joyce and Larish both bat lefty.
Cory at Pirate Revolution has a nice list of pros and cons to trading Jack.
Jack, here's a little Boyz II Men for ya buddy. This album came out in 1991, when the Pirates were actually good... sigh.
Since I live in Toledo, Ohio, the home of Detroit's Triple-A team, I've seen both Joyce and Larish play. Both players would be an asset to the Pirates' squad but Joyce, an outfielder, is a little younger and probably the better overall athlete. Larish has some nice raw power and has been pegged as a first baseman, however, he has also played some second and third. Joyce and Larish both bat lefty.
Cory at Pirate Revolution has a nice list of pros and cons to trading Jack.
Jack, here's a little Boyz II Men for ya buddy. This album came out in 1991, when the Pirates were actually good... sigh.
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