Category: MLB (Page 65 of 448)

      Yankees should overpay to retain Derek Jeter

      November 9, 2010 /
      New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter throws during practice for their American League Championship Series baseball playoff against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, October 14, 2010. REUTERS/Mike Stone (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL)

      I gasped when I read ESPN.com’s Wallace Matthews’ report about how much the Yankees were going to spend on Derek Jeter this winter.

      Forty-five-to-sixty million? Absurd.

      But the shock only lasted about a minute before I realized that the Yankees should spend that much to retain their starting shortstop.

      There’s no question that Jeter’s game has deteriorated. After posting career numbers in 2009, he finished with a career-low in batting average (.270), slugging percentage (.370) and on-base percentage (.340) last season. His range at shortstop is also limited and he certainly doesn’t make the plays we’ve been accustomed to seeing him make over the years.

      But the Yankees make, have and spend more money than any baseball team in the league. And when you have a player that has meant as much to your organization as Jeter has to New York, you show him your appreciation as he knocks on the door of retirement.

      In any other market, paying a fading player $60 million would be suicide. It would set that club back for years, but the Yankees have the luxury of handing out money like fliers on the Vegas Strip. Paying Jeter $60 million (or $45 million, or whatever) is a drop in the bucket for them. It’s more important that they take care of the player that has helped them win five World Series championships over the past two decades.

      Maybe Matthews is off with his numbers. Maybe Jeter and the Yankees will settle on a respectable final contract that will work for both sides. Maybe will take less money to stay in the Big Apple.

      Or maybe the Yankees will overpay a player that is now akin to the legends that came before him. Either way, the Bombers will take care of their captain.

      External Sports, MLB

      Brian Wilson, “The Machine” go on Jay Leno

      November 8, 2010 /

      If you missed Giants’ closer Brian Wilson’s recent interview with Jay Leno, then you’re welcome.

      There’s an online movement trying to get “Saturday Night Live” to have Wilson on as a guest, which is a great idea. He gained a lot of national attention when the Giants made the World Series this year and as San Francisco fans know, he’s a freaking character. I would love to see what he could do in a skit with Andy Samberg.

      External Sports, MLB

      Yankees not expected to pursue Crawford or Werth?

      November 4, 2010 /
      Philadelphia Phillies' Jayson Werth waits his turn to bat against the Washington Nationals during the first inning of their MLB National League baseball game in Washington, September 27, 2010. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL)

      Here’s a shock: The Yankees aren’t interested in a couple of high-priced free agents.

      According to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News, the Yankees aren’t expected to pursue Carl Crawford or Jayson Werth this offseason. As Feinsand writes, the Bombers already have Brett Gardner (who is coming off a breakout year), Nick Swisher (who was solid) and Curtis Granderson (whom the Yankees traded for last offseason). So unless they parted with one of those guys, where would Crawford or Werth fit in?

      Of course, these are the Yankees we’re talking about. They want Cliff Lee and will probably stop at nothing to lure him to the Big Apple. But if they miss out on him, does anyone actually believe they wouldn’t pursue another big name? There’s no way. The Yankees don’t hunt through the bargain bins, either – they go top shelf.

      I’m not a big fan of Werth, but he would be perfect for the Yankees because they play in a kiddies’ park just like the Phillies do. Werth’s power numbers wouldn’t drop playing at Yankee Stadium like they would if he went to San Francisco. (I’m not saying the Giants are interested; just using their park as an example.)

      If I were to make a guess, I think either Werth or Crawford wind up in Boston. The Red Sox are willing to spend and they need to upgrade their outfield. That said, Werth isn’t a lefty so I’m wondering how his power numbers would translate with the “Green Monster” out in left field.

      External Sports, MLB

      Tigers’ great Sparky Anderson passes away at age 76

      November 4, 2010 /
      George Sparky Anderson accepts his introduction to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in this file image from July 23, 2000 in Cooperstown, New York. Anderson, 76, died at his home in Thousand Oaks, California on November 4, 2010 according to family members. REUTERS/Brendan McDermind/Files (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL OBITUARY)

      Baseball has lost another legend.

      Hall of Fame manager Sparky Anderson died on Thursday at the age of 76 of complications from dementia. He was best known for directing Cincinnati’s “Big Red Machine” to back-to-back World Series championships in 1975 and 1976, as well as leading the Tigers to a championship titleover the Padres in 1984.

      From ESPN.com:

      Anderson was the first manager to win World Series titles in both leagues and the only manager to lead two franchises in career wins.

      His Reds teams featuring Pete Rose, Johnny Bench and Joe Morgan that won crowns in 1975 and 1976 rank among the most powerful of all-time. Led by Kirk Gibson and Alan Trammell, Anderson won with the Tigers in 1984.

      Anderson’s win total of 2,194 was the third-highest when he retired after the 1995 season, trailing only Connie Mack and John McGraw. He’s still sixth on the career list — he won 863 games in nine years with the Reds and 1,331 in 17 seasons with the Tigers.

      Always affable and ever talkative, Anderson was equally popular among players, fans and media.

      I lived in Detroit for many years and had the opportunity to work for a sports radio station while I was there. Let me tell you first hand: Sparky Anderson was beloved. The blue-collar city that is Detroit has always been very appreciative for what Anderson brought to Motown.

      I think it’s appropriate that he left us during the same week the World Series wrapped up.

      R.I.P., Sparky.

      External Sports, MLB

      A very early look at the top 5 free agents in baseball

      November 2, 2010 /
      August 10, 2010: Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Carl Crawford ( ) during game action between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. The Rays defeated the Tigers 8-0.

      The Giants haven’t been World Series Champions for 24 hours yet, but it’s never too early to take a look at which names will dominate the headlines this winter.

      Here’s a very preliminary look at the top-5 free agents in baseball for 2011.

      1. Carl Crawford, OF, Rays
      Mark my words: The Yankees and Red Sox will be battling over this guy for the next couple of months. The Bombers could fall behind as they focus their attention on Cliff Lee, but you know their wallets are deep enough to best any offer that teams come to the table with for Crawford. There’s little to no chance he returns to Tampa next year and I fully expect him to man one of the outfields in either New York or Boston next season.

      2. Cliff Lee, SP, Rangers
      He probably cost himself a couple of million by throwing a 2-0 cutter in the zone to Edgar Renteria (who put it over the wall) in Game 5 of the World Series, but every team knows Lee is one of the best. And he’s certainly the best free agent pitcher on the market this offseason. Will he take the money and head up to the Big Apple or will he stay with the Rangers? Texas probably has a leg up, but it needs to put together a decent offer because in the end, money talks. The Yankees will do everything they can to get Lee in pinstripes next season.

      3. Adrian Beltre, 3B, Red Sox
      Beltre continues to be one of the best defensive third basemen in the league and he’s coming off a solid season in Boston. He has a player option for the 2011 season, but chances are he’ll move on and try to sign a multi-year deal elsewhere.

      4. Jayson Werth, OF, Phillies
      Personally, I think Werth is a tad overrated. I think he’s Aaron Rowand re-born and some team will foolishly overpay for his services. But he’s a middle-of-the-order power threat, so he’s worth the shot. The question is whether or not the Phillies pony up to retain him or if he heads off to greener pastures. Call it a hunch, but I think he stays in the NL.

      5. Victor Martinez, C, Red Sox
      The Tigers have already been linked to V-Mart, but the Red Sox could wind up re-signing him when it’s all said and done. At 32 his skills are declining but he’s a .300 lifetime hitter with a little pop, which is always big from the catcher’s position.

      Other names to keep an eye on: Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Aubrey Huff, Paul Konerko, Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez, Derrek Lee, Adam Dunn.

      External Sports, MLB

      « Older posts Newer posts »

      © 2026 The Scores Report – The National Sports Blog

      Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑