I just caught this list on a recent episode of “Countdown with Keith Olbermann.” I can’t seem to find a video version of the list, so a heads up would be appreciated. But here is the written version on Olbermann’s own blog.
Tag: MLB (Page 6 of 16)
Billy Wagner told the New York Post that he plans to retire in the offseason.
“I don’t plan on talking to nobody,” Wagner said, when asked where he might pitch next season.
Does that mean retirement?“Why wouldn’t I?” he said. “I’ve got nothing else to [accomplish].”
That’s a different picture than Wagner painted before leaving the Mets for the Red Sox in August as part of a waiver deal. The 38-year-old lefty, who returned from an 11-month hiatus after undergoing Tommy John surgery, had said his plan for next year was to pursue a closer’s job near his Virginia home — perhaps Washington, Baltimore or Cincinnati — and make a run at the 15 saves he needs to reach 400 for his career.
The Red Sox have agreed not to pick up Wagner’s $8.8 million option for next year, allowing him to become a free agent and pursue his goal.
But yesterday, Wagner indicated the saves milestone is not relevant to his decision.
“That’s just dust in the wind,” he said.
In the end, the 400-save mark is just a number. But for a closer, it’s a pretty big number and I can’t imagine Wagner not wanting to pursue the 15 saves he needs in order to notch No. 400.
As long as he’s healthy, I wouldn’t be surprised if he changed his mind and wound up with a non-contender so he could be a closer. But we’ll see.
We are barreling toward the playoffs, which begin next week. But some of the races are not determined officially yet…namely, the Rockies have clinched a playoff berth but still have a shot at the division title. The Twins are hanging tough, having fended off elimination one more day. Other than that, the races are decided. Here are the final power rankings for the regular season…..
1. New York Yankees (102-58)—Absolutely no signs of slowing down, and that’s probably a good thing with the playoffs looming.
2. Los Angeles Angels (95-65)—Will this be the year the Angels finally break their playoff curse against the Red Sox?
3. Los Angeles Dodgers (93-67)—These guys have been playing mediocre ball since Manny came back, and now they are in danger of blowing the division lead.
4. Boston Red Sox (93-67)—The Sox seem to be able to beat up on everyone except the Yankees. And that could prove to be a problem in the next two weeks.
5. Philadelphia Phillies (92-68)—No matter who the closer is, this team has to like its chances with Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels going 1-2 in a short series.
6. St. Louis Cardinals (91-69)—Sometimes coasting to the division title makes a team complacent, and winning 4 of 10 games is complacent. Plus, the NL matchups are yet to be determined, so the Cards don’t know who their first opponent will be.
7. Colorado Rockies (92-68)—You don’t get as hot as the Rockies, who are 74-40 since Jim Tracy took over as manager. I mean, are you kidding me? I’d be really worried if I were any other team these guys might face in the postseason.
8. Detroit Tigers (85-75)—They’ve been in first place just about since day one, but the feisty Twins are making live miserable. Still, the Tigers have had to fight and that could give them momentum against the Yankees. Well, if they hang on to win the division.
9. Minnesota Twins (84-76)—They earn a spot here because they are still in the race.
10. San Francisco Giants (87-73)—Lots of promise this season, but couldn’t fend off a white hot Rockies team in the end.
There are only eight days left in the regular season, barring any one-game playoffs, and aside from the AL Central, most races are all but over. The Red Sox have a chance to make up ground on the Yankees, but the Yanks have already clinched a playoff berth. Here are your power rankings this week….
1. New York Yankees (98-56)—If they sweep the Sox this weekend, the AL East race will officially be over. But both teams appear certainly headed to the big dance.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (92-62)—Quietly moving up and close to clinching the NL West while their cross-town pals are struggling.
3. Boston Red Sox (91-62)—This team has got to be making the Yankees and their fans nervous, even if the Yanks have made the playoffs, because they just keep winning. But, see #1.
4. Los Angeles Angels (90-63)—It’s a good thing the Rangers are playing like crap, otherwise the Angels would be looking in the rear view mirror.
5. Philadelphia Phillies (89-64)—Getting hot as the weather cools down.
6. St. Louis Cardinals (89-65)—The magic number still at one.
7. Colorado Rockies (87-67)—Some days the Rockies look like they might catch the Dodgers, but lately they are trying to fend off the Braves and Giants for that wild card.
8. Detroit Tigers (82-71)—The Twins remain 2 games back, and the Tigers have not exactly set the world on fire the past month.
9. Atlanta Braves (83-70)—Bobby Cox’s teams never quit and they are hanging tough in the wild card race.
10. San Francisco Giants (82-72)—Now the clock is really ticking. The Cubs, of all teams, hurt the Giants’ chances badly again last night.
The Twins are going to try and re-sign catcher Joe Mauer to a new seven-year, $120 million contract this winter. “Try” being the operative word, as the Yankees and Red Sox are also expected to get into the bidding war over the 26-year old catcher.
From the St. Paul Pioneer Press:
Mauer, 26, can become a free agent after the 2010 season. When contract talks get serious after this season, the Twins are expected to try to sign Mauer for about $120 million over seven years.
The New York Yankees, however, with catcher Jorge Posada at 38 years old, are expected to offer more money and possibly more years.
For instance, the Yankees have first baseman Mark Teixeira, 29, under contract for $180 million for eight years. C.C. Sabathia, 29, is pitching with a $161 million, seven-year deal. Mauer is every bit the commodity.
Boston catcher Jason Varitek is 37, and it’s clear the big spending Red Sox would love to have Mauer for the next seven or eight years.
Mauer is from St. Paul, so I’m willing to bet that he takes less money to stay with the Twins, even though they’re a club that is always in a constant struggle to keep up with the big spenders in the AL. It’s better for baseball that superstars re-sign with their respective clubs and not flee to New York as soon as the Yankees start flashing big dollar signs around.
Keep the talent as spread out as possible to keep the game competitive please.
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