Players

For Rodriguez and Yankees, It’s All but Over

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New York Times

“We have put it in writing and sent it to the Yankees,” Rodriguez’s agent, Scott Boras, said in a telephone interview.

That quote makes it seem that A-Rod’s departure from the Yankees is inevitable, and there is certainly no rush in NY today to get the lukewarm superstar to reconsider, but unless I misunderstand the Yankees and A-Rod have 10 days to figure things out. And, maybe, that letter lets Boras talk to other teams while also talking to the Yankees without forcing the Yankees to renounce the $20M the Rangers would owe them if A-Rod stayed under contract.

I haven’t see the mechanics of this addressed so far, but the “All but Over” construction in the hed seems to support this. Boras is a master of finding leverage and his problem here is that unless the Red Sox jump in right away it’s hard to generate much leverage to get the Yankees to bump up their offer.

On the other hand, the booming baseball economy could lead to a perennial also ran making an offer the maritally challenged A-Rod (Selena Roberts suggests elsewhere in today’s Times that Cynthia Rodriguez is behind the whole thing) can’t turn down.

I think the Texas money in the Yankees’ pocket makes it highly unlikely that A-Rod is going to find a good reason to go elsewhere, but the economics in the game are so crazy maybe he will. It certainly didn’t seem possible when the Rangers paid to dump him, did it?

It’s Not Getting Any Ethier

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Bleed Cubbie Blue

I believe this story, which is why I’m linking to it. I’m not sure how much it matters, but I feel it does.

My experience with ballplayers is that they feel very privileged, which major league players are, and protected, which they usually are, that all the inhumanity that falls on them erupts in surprising ways.

Surprising because you can’t predict who is going to blow.

Assuming the facts are right, Ethier was an asshole. I know from watching queues of autograph seekers that ballplayers have good reason to be suspicious of every aspect of them.

I’m don’t have a solution. I guess players who can figure out when they’re being exploited and resist it will do better than those who mindlessly conform. But the player who does best of all is the one who presents a solid facade, gives what’s asked, but can recognize a scheme.

In any case, as fans we’d like ballplayers to be real people. My advice, if you want that, is to go watch Cape Cod League games.

Once they get on treadmill, only the most extraordinary are going to show human characteristics. At last admirable ones.

Braves demote Wickman

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08/24/2007 – MiamiHerald.com

I think this move means that the Braves have a suitor in line for Wickman, though it’s hard to see how starting the clock can improve trade leverage.

If they don’t, and they’re just dumping his sorry self, especially since Dotel isn’t ready to step up, it is very much a break from tradition.

Who becomes the Braves’ closer?

Rafael Soriano wins in the near term, but this sure seems like it’s tied to another move.

We shall see.

Cole Hamels Goes on Disabled List: Due Back Sept 1

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The Official Site of Major League Baseball: News: Major League Baseball News

My early season naysaying about Hamels was based primarily on his fairly regular injury history until last year. Those who didn’t bite, or who bit at a lower price, benefited, since until now Hamels has been an excellent starting pitcher. This injury, which has been described as minor, doesn’t vindicate my earlier call. Hamels has done too much to shame my preseason precaution, but it does go part of the way to explain why we don’t pay full value for pitchers. They do a dangerous job.

Feats of Clay

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The Boston Globe

An exhaustive profile of Clay Bucholz, the Red Sox phenom who has just been staked to a five run lead in this afternoon’s makeup game. His fantasy utility, even if he makes it stand up, is limited now, since he’ll be sent back to Pawuckett after the game, but expectations are sky high for the not so long run.

Also today, Detroit phenom Cameron Maybin was promoted and stalwart struggler Craig Monroe was designated for assignment. Monroe is one of those guys who seemed to bloom at a late age, and who is now fading early. Maybin is up for good if he can get on base, as a 19 year old, which is a big deal indeed. Or will be, if it works out. He’s played just four games at Double-A (homering three times).

Bonds passes Aaron as baseball’s home run king

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SI.com

On August 2 I linked to a baseballmusings.com chart showing the Mike Bacsik was the pitcher who threw to contact most this year, and noted the odd spell he seemed to have over Barry Bonds (who was 1-15 against Bacsik in his career at that point–that one hit a homer).

Since then Bacsik threw the pitch which Bonds hit to break the record. What are the odds of that?