SB Nation - CC Sabathia

MLB Trade Rumors: Breaking Down the Javier Vazquez Trade

raygu — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:07:25 -0000

More photos » by David J. Phillip - AP

3 months ago: Atlanta Braves pitcher Javier Vazquez, right, throws a pitch to Houston Astros' Lance Berkman during the fourth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009 in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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I am sure you have read that the Yankees response to the Red Sox signing of John Lackey was to deal a 4th outfielder type in Melky Cabrera in a package to the Braves for Javier Vazquez and Boone Logan. Vazquez was coming off perhaps his bext season in the majors by going 15-10-2.87-1.03 with a K/9 of 9.77 and a K/B of 5.48 in 2009. He also had the lowest xFIP-2.82-of all major league starters in 2009.

Vazquez will be the Yankees 3rd or 4th starter in a rotation that includes CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, and Andy Pettite, but based on his 2009 season stats, he would be their #1, but we know that won't happen. He pitched with the Yankees back in 2004 with poor results. In 2004, he went 14-10 with a 4.91 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, but only struck out 6.82 batters per 9 innings and had a K/BB ratio of 2.50. Since 2004, his K/9 has not been lower than 8.01. and his K/BB ratio has not been lower than 3.28.

Vazquez had a problem with the longball in 2004 as he gave up 1.50 HR/9 while giving up 33 homers. He gave up 35 homers in 2005 as well, but since then has controlled the longball as he has given up 23, 29, 25 and 20 homers since 2005. That may change pitching in Yankee stadium in 2010.

Like I said the Braves got Melky Cabrera, along with pitching prospects Arodys Vizcaino and Mike Dunn. Cabrera should start in right field for the Braves, with Nate McLouth in center field and Matt Diaz in left field. But, once right field prospect Jason Heyward is ready, Melky could platoon with Diaz in left field. Melky went 13-68-.274-.336-.419 hitting in Yankee Stadium in 2009. Not the definition of the big bat the Braves were talking about getting in return for one of their starting pitchers.

Vizcaino is years away from making the big leagues, but was the Yankees number 2 prospect behind Jesus Montero. Dunn could see time as the Braves set-up guy behind Billy Wagner or could close for them in 2011, so he is one to watch in 2010.

Poll

Did the Braves get enough in return for ace Javier Vazquez?

Wednesday's Frosty Mug

KLSnow — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:19:53 -0000

More photos » by Chris O'Meara - AP

Here's a photograph of Chris Waters, the free agent pitcher the Brewers signed without any of us noticing.

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Some things to read while cleaning up the mess this will make.

Tom Haudricourt noted this morning that $4 million of Randy Wolf's 2010 salary has been deferred, meaning his impact on next season's payroll is only $5.25 million. He cites that as evidence that the Brewers are closing in on the top of their budget, but it's also possible that savings could be used on another move.

Meanwhile, a couple of minor signings slipped through the cracks over the last week or so: Baseball America's Minor League Transactions notes the Brewers signed pitcher Chris Waters and shortstop Anderson Machado to minor league deals. Waters has started 12 games for the Orioles over the last two seasons, posting an ERA over 5. He's also made 53 appearances (42 starts) in the minors over that time, mainly in AAA.

Machado is likely little more than minor league depth: 2010 will be his 12th minor league season, and the Brewers will be his seventh organization. With that said, he's a shortstop, and the Brewers don't have much depth at the position in the upper levels of the minors.

Baseball Musings is working their way from A to Z this offseason, producing a quick bio of each major league player. Yesterday, Dave Pinto had this post on Ryan Braun and some of his early accomplishments.

I know we love Prince Fielder around here, but I'm still not sure he's getting the attention he deserves nationally as one of the game's elite hitters. The B-Ref blog notes that there have only been 14 players over the last three seasons to average .8 or more total bases per out made. Fielder is one of just three players to do it twice in that span. (Chipper Jones and Albert Pujols are the others.)

Fielder is also the Brewer representative in The Walkoff Walk End Of Decade Personality Compendium Infocaps.

If you're feeling nostalgic as we approach the end of 2009, Adam McCalvy has a list of Brewer highlights from the past season. There certainly were plenty of memorable moments: McCalvy listed 21, but Jason Dondlinger and I picked up on two more he forgot.

You have until 4 pm today to vote for a #2 starter for our BCB All Decade Team. At the moment, CC Sabathia leads the field by a wide margin. You also have until 4 pm Saturday to select our final position player.

In the minors: Lorenzo Cain had a somewhat puzzling run with the Peoria Javelinas in the Arizona Fall League, and there's some positive and some negative to take away from it. At the very least, he saw a lot of pitches, as demonstrated by the fact that he was among the league leaders in both walk and strikeout percentage.

Around baseball:

Braves: Acquired Melky Cabrera, pitcher Mike Dunn and a minor leaguer from the Yankees for pitchers Boone Logan and Javier Vazquez.
Mariners: Will reportedly receive outfielder Johermyn Chavez as the prospect in the Brandon Morrow/Brandon League deal.
Mets: Are reportedly close to a minor league deal with R.A. Dickey.
Royals: Signed outfielder Brian Anderson to a one year deal.

We've spent more than enough time this offseason discussing draft pick compensation for players, the risks involved in offering arbitration and whatnot. With that said, Beyond the Box Score has a great conversation starter discussing the value of expected compensation picks and comparing it to the value of available prospects. (FanShot)

Ever wonder what it's like to be a beat reporter on the road with the team? El Lefty Malo has a great interview with Giants beat reporter Henry Shulman, covering topics like objectivity, burnout and the offseason.

Another former Brewer has landed on his feet: Rattler Radio noted that the Great Lakes Loons of the Midwest League will have 1987-1991 Brewer Chuck Crim as their pitching coach next season.

I'll warn you in advance: Don't click the link unless you've got half an hour to spare, but if you have the time Joe Posnanski's piece on Strat-o-Matic and the Negro Leagues is a must-read. Even as someone who doesn't know all that much about the Negro Leagues and has never played Strat-o-Matic, I got started reading the post and couldn't put it down until I'd finished it. This morning's Mug is significantly later as a result.

On this day in 2000, the Brewers signed Jeffrey Hammonds to a three year, $22.2 million deal. If we held a poll today, Jeff Suppan's contract would almost certainly be voted the worst deal in franchise history, but Hammonds merits consideration: he missed most of the 2001 season, posted a 93 OPS+ the 2002, and was released after getting off to a .158/.220/.289 start in 2003.

We're awash in Brewer birthdays today:

Brad Nelson, who unfortunately will likely be most remembered for his 0-for-21 start to the 2009 season, turns 27 today.
Jesus Colome, who pitched in five games for the 2009 Brewers, turns 32.
1985-1986 Brewer Tim Leary turns 51.
Dave May, 1970-1974 Brewer and 1973 All Star, turns 66.

Oh, and if you still need a Christmas gift, might I humbly suggest a TMNT Snuggie?

Drink up.

Making Your '00 Face: #2 Starter

KLSnow — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:00:21 -0000

With the '00's almost behind us, it's time to take a look back and work together to make a BCB All Decade team for the '00s. Each day, we'll tackle a new position, and we'll have our 25 man roster complete sometime around the 1st of the year.

Here are the players we've selected so far:

First Base: Prince Fielder
Second Base: Rickie Weeks
Shortstop: J.J. Hardy
Third Base: Bill Hall
Corner Outfield: Ryan Braun
Center Field: Mike Cameron
Corner Outfield: Geoff Jenkins
Catcher: Damian Miller
Bench IF: Craig Counsell
Bench COF: Carlos Lee

#1 SP: Ben Sheets
Closer: Francisco Cordero

Voting for our fifth outfielder opened yesterday and will close at 4 pm tomorrow. Today we'll select our #2 starter. Follow the jump for more on the nominees, then vote in the poll below.

Dave Bush

Seasons as a Brewer: 4, 2006-2009
Traditional numbers: 153 GS, 38-40, 4.86 ERA, 695.2 IP, 498 K, 167 BB
Advanced numbers: 4.38 FIP, 1.26 WHIP, 6.4 K/9, 2.2 BB/9
WAR as a Brewer: 3.2

Chris Capuano

Seasons as a Brewer: 4, 2004-2007
Traditional numbers: 116 GS, 40-44, 4.39 ERA, 678.2 IP, 562 K, 229 BB
Advanced numbers: 4.62 FIP, 1.37 WHIP, 7.5 K/9, 3.0 BB/9
WAR as a Brewer: 7.4

Doug Davis

Seasons as a Brewer: 4, 2003-2006
Traditional numbers: 111 GS, 37-36, 3.92 ERA, 685.2 IP, 568 K, 295 BB
Advanced numbers: 4.10 FIP, 1.37 WHIP, 7.5 K/9, 3.9 BB/9
WAR as a Brewer: 11.3

Jeff Suppan

Seasons as a Brewer: 3, 2007-2009
Traditional numbers: 95 GS, 29-34, 4.93 ERA, 546 IP, 284 K, 209 BB
Advanced numbers: 5.05 FIP, 1.573 WHIP, 4.7 K/9, 3.4 BB/9
WAR as a Brewer: 0

Jamey Wright

Seasons as a Brewer: 3, 2000-2002
Traditional numbers: 77 GS, 23-34, 4.73 ERA, 473.2 IP, 294 K, 249 BB
Advanced numbers: 4.99 FIP, 1.52 WHIP, 5.6 K/9, 4.7 BB/9
WAR as a Brewer: 2

Jimmy Haynes

Seasons as a Brewer: 2, 2000-2001
Traditional numbers: 62 GS, 20-30, 5.10 ERA, 372 IP, 200 K, 178 BB
Advanced numbers: 4.99 FIP, 1.58 WHIP, 4.8 K/9, 4.3 BB/9
WAR as a Brewer: 0.5

Manny Parra

Seasons as a Brewer: 3, 2007-2009
Traditional numbers: 58 GS, 21-20, 5.17 ERA, 332.1 IP, 289 K, 164 BB
Advanced numbers: 4.40 FIP, 1.65 WHIP, 7.8 K/9, 4.4 BB/9
WAR as a Brewer: -2.1

Glendon Rusch

Seasons as a Brewer: 2, 2002-2003
Traditional numbers: 53 GS, 11-28, 5.34 ERA, 334 IP, 233 K, 121 BB
Advanced numbers: 4.49 FIP, 1.554 WHIP, 6.3 K/9, 3.3 BB/9
WAR as a Brewer: -0.8

Victor Santos

Seasons as a Brewer: 2, 2004-2005
Traditional numbers: 52 GS, 15-25, 4.78 ERA, 295.2 IP, 204 K, 117 BB
Advanced numbers: 4.68 FIP, 1.49 WHIP, 6.2 K/9, 3.6 BB/9
WAR as a Brewer: 0.3

Yovani Gallardo

Seasons as a Brewer: 3, 2007-2009
Traditional numbers: 51 GS, 22-17, 3.57 ERA, 320 IP, 325 K, 139 BB
Advanced numbers: 3.77 FIP, 1.29 WHIP, 9.1 K/9, 3.9 BB/9
WAR as a Brewer: 5.7

CC Sabathia

Seasons as a Brewer: 1, 2008
Traditional numbers: 17 GS, 11-2, 1.65 ERA, 130.2 IP, 128 K, 25 BB
Advanced numbers: 2.41 FIP, 1.00 WHIP, 8.8 K/9, 1.7 BB/9
WAR as a Brewer: 4.8

Poll

Who should be the #2 starter on the BCB All Decade Team?

Dave Bush

8 votes

Chris Capuano

24 votes

Doug Davis

56 votes

Jeff Suppan

3 votes

Jamey Wright

0 votes

Jimmy Haynes

2 votes

Manny Parra

1 votes

Glendon Rusch

2 votes

Victor Santos

0 votes

Yovani Gallardo

137 votes

CC Sabathia

243 votes

476 votes | Poll has closed

Making Your '00 Face: #1 Starter

KLSnow — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 22:00:27 -0000

The concept here is pretty simple. Each day, I'll give you a list of candidates: For position players, it's the full list of players who appeared in at least 100 games at the position during the '00s. Here are the players we've selected so far:

Now, it's time to change gears a bit. Today we're opening the voting for the ace of the staff. Eleven pitchers started at least 50 games for the Brewers between 2000-2009. I've nominated all of them, plus one more. Follow the jump for their numbers, then place your vote below.

Ben Sheets

Seasons as a Brewer: 8, 2001-2008
Traditional numbers: 221 GS, 86-83, 3.72 ERA, 1428 IP, 1206 K, 313 BB
Advanced numbers: 3.56 FIP, 1.20 WHIP, 7.6 K/9, 1.97 BB/9
WAR as a Brewer: 23.8

Dave Bush

Seasons as a Brewer: 4, 2006-2009
Traditional numbers: 153 GS, 38-40, 4.86 ERA, 695.2 IP, 498 K, 167 BB
Advanced numbers: 4.38 FIP, 1.26 WHIP, 6.4 K/9, 2.2 BB/9
WAR as a Brewer: 3.2

Chris Capuano

Seasons as a Brewer: 4, 2004-2007
Traditional numbers: 116 GS, 40-44, 4.39 ERA, 678.2 IP, 562 K, 229 BB
Advanced numbers: 4.62 FIP, 1.37 WHIP, 7.5 K/9, 3.0 BB/9
WAR as a Brewer: 7.4

Doug Davis

Seasons as a Brewer: 4, 2003-2006
Traditional numbers: 111 GS, 37-36, 3.92 ERA, 685.2 IP, 568 K, 295 BB
Advanced numbers: 4.10 FIP, 1.37 WHIP, 7.5 K/9, 3.9 BB/9
WAR as a Brewer: 11.3

Jeff Suppan

Seasons as a Brewer: 3, 2007-2009
Traditional numbers: 95 GS, 29-34, 4.93 ERA, 546 IP, 284 K, 209 BB
Advanced numbers: 5.05 FIP, 1.573 WHIP, 4.7 K/9, 3.4 BB/9
WAR as a Brewer: 0

Jamey Wright

Seasons as a Brewer: 3, 2000-2002
Traditional numbers: 77 GS, 23-34, 4.73 ERA, 473.2 IP, 294 K, 249 BB
Advanced numbers: 4.99 FIP, 1.52 WHIP, 5.6 K/9, 4.7 BB/9
WAR as a Brewer: 2

Jimmy Haynes

Seasons as a Brewer: 2, 2000-2001
Traditional numbers: 62 GS, 20-30, 5.10 ERA, 372 IP, 200 K, 178 BB
Advanced numbers: 4.99 FIP, 1.58 WHIP, 4.8 K/9, 4.3 BB/9
WAR as a Brewer: 0.5

Manny Parra

Seasons as a Brewer: 3, 2007-2009
Traditional numbers: 58 GS, 21-20, 5.17 ERA, 332.1 IP, 289 K, 164 BB
Advanced numbers: 4.40 FIP, 1.65 WHIP, 7.8 K/9, 4.4 BB/9
WAR as a Brewer: -2.1

Glendon Rusch

Seasons as a Brewer: 2, 2002-2003
Traditional numbers: 53 GS, 11-28, 5.34 ERA, 334 IP, 233 K, 121 BB
Advanced numbers: 4.49 FIP, 1.554 WHIP, 6.3 K/9, 3.3 BB/9
WAR as a Brewer: -0.8

Victor Santos

Seasons as a Brewer: 2, 2004-2005
Traditional numbers: 52 GS, 15-25, 4.78 ERA, 295.2 IP, 204 K, 117 BB
Advanced numbers: 4.68 FIP, 1.49 WHIP, 6.2 K/9, 3.6 BB/9
WAR as a Brewer: 0.3

Yovani Gallardo

Seasons as a Brewer: 3, 2007-2009
Traditional numbers: 51 GS, 22-17, 3.57 ERA, 320 IP, 325 K, 139 BB
Advanced numbers: 3.77 FIP, 1.29 WHIP, 9.1 K/9, 3.9 BB/9
WAR as a Brewer: 5.7

CC Sabathia

Seasons as a Brewer: 1, 2008
Traditional numbers: 17 GS, 11-2, 1.65 ERA, 130.2 IP, 128 K, 25 BB
Advanced numbers: 2.41 FIP, 1.00 WHIP, 8.8 K/9, 1.7 BB/9
WAR as a Brewer: 4.8

Poll

Who should be the ace on the Brew Crew Ball All Decade Team?

Ben Sheets

355 votes

Dave Bush

2 votes

Chris Capuano

3 votes

Doug Davis

1 votes

Jeff Suppan

2 votes

Jamey Wright

0 votes

Jimmy Haynes

0 votes

Manny Parra

1 votes

Glendon Rusch

2 votes

Victor Santos

2 votes

Yovani Gallardo

15 votes

CC Sabathia

147 votes

530 votes | Poll has closed

A Cold Week in Canada

doron — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:43:22 -0000

More photos » by Matt Rourke - AP

7 days ago: New Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay speaks to members of the media during a baseball news conference in Philadelphia, on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009. Halladay was traded to the Phillies on Wednesday in part of a four-team trade that sent Cliff Lee to the Seattle Mariners. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

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As a Toronto Blue Jays fan all my life, this was a pretty challenging week.

North of the border, we knew it was coming. We’d heard about it daily since July and had seen the stories hit fever pitch a bunch of times – the trade deadline and the Winter Meetings not surprisingly being the biggest culprits. It got curiously quiet last weekend and into the start of the week.

Then, Monday afternoon, headlines broke that Roy Halladay was in Philadelphia. It took a few seconds to gather thoughts before the pieces fit together like a pile of bricks coming down on your already heavy chest. Roy Halladay had been traded to the Philadelphia Phillies. A frenzied night of rumors followed until we finally learned exactly which pieces were going where, but none of that was the real story for Jays fans.

For years, Halladay had been the comforting, reliable ace at the front of the rotation. He was dominant. For us, he threw fastballs with more movement than most curveballs. He put in incomparable effort and dedication to his craft. He gave baseball fans in hockey-dominated Canada a reason to be proud.

Until now, Halladay had been criminally under-recognized in the baseball world. It’s an absolute shame that he’s played in the MLB for 12-years without reaching the playoffs or even being nationally broadcasted in the US on any “Fox Game of the Week” or “ESPN Sunday Night Baseball” broadcast.

That’s where it gets easier to bare for Blue Jays fans.

You can ask any baseball fan in Toronto to tell you who won the big four-way trade that went down this week, and they’ll answer that the Phillies did. Our secret weapon won’t be a secret any longer. Everyone that has seen him work his magic on the mound knows what Roy Halladay is capable of doing. The Phillies may have given up Cliff Lee and a number of great prospects in the deal, but if they have any concerns, I can tell you this with complete honesty: You have no idea the type of talent your team just acquired.

I can go on and on about the emotional side of the Roy Halladay trade, but I’ll throw out a few numbers too. On his way to a 2.79 ERAs in 2009, he made 15 of his 32 starts against the Rays, Yankees and Red Sox – who comprised three of top four teams in wOBA and three of the top five in OPS. Imagine replacing a third of those with starts against the Washington Nationals.

In 2008, C.C. Sabathia essentially destroyed the National League for half a season. In 17 starts, he went 11-2, with 7 complete games, 3 shutouts, a 1.65 ERA and a WHIP barely over 1.00. Not to start a debate over it, but by most metrics, Roy Halladay was better in 2009 that C.C. Sabathia was. Now he gets his turn in the NL, and he gets it for at least four years.

As tough as the last week was for Jays fans, it won’t get much easier any time soon. Opening Day 2010 will be started by someone who isn’t Roy Halladay. When the team gets swept and the back of the rotation gets blown out on consecutive days, Roy Halladay won’t be there the next day to spare the bullpen and give every fan something to be happy about again.

Maybe one day Kyle Drabek will fill a similar role. Maybe Brett Wallace and Travis D’Arnaud will be key parts of an offense able to fight back in those rough stretches.

But at least for the next couple of years, Blue Jays fans will still have an escape when the going gets tough in Toronto. Roy Halladay will be carving out his legacy in the American spotlight, marching towards the playoffs, and fighting to win a World Series.

Philadelphia, I hope you don’t mind when a bunch of Canadians are cheering along with you next October. It will be a victory for us as much as it will be for you.

Friday's Frosty Mug

KLSnow — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:03:38 -0000

More photos » by Tony Gutierrez - AP

It appears Claudio Vargas was never photographed as a Brewer. He'll get another chance to show up in an AP photo in 2010.

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Some things to read while simulating a sunrise.

Claudio Vargas is expected in Milwaukee for his physical late in the day today, so we can expect an official announcement on his contract sometime late this afternoon. Vargas had to return from the Dominican Republic, where he just reported to winter ball a few weeks ago and has yet to allow an earned run in four relief appearances, including two saves. Since he's only logged 6.1 innings of work, he might head back down there after the physical.

Until last season, Vargas had thought of himself as a starter temporarily pitching out of the bullpen, but Adam McCalvy has the story of how a late-season matchup against Albert Pujols changed his mind and caused him to embrace his new role.

Once the Vargas signing is official, the Brewer 40 man roster will be full. Tom H. engaged in a little rosterbation and notes the team is pretty much set going into spring training, barring an injury or trade.

With a tight roster, apparently there's no room for Seth McClung. McClung tweeted that the Brewers sent an email to his agent letting him know they're not interested in pursuing a deal to bring him back as a free agent. He's also looking to sell his house in Florida, if you're in the market.

Meanwhile, Adam McCalvy posted a correction to an earlier report on the incentives in LaTroy Hawkins' contract: they're actually tied to appearances and games finished, not saves. As TheJay noted, the collective bargaining agreement prohibits teams from tying incentives to "skill" stats, but allows them for playing time.

Elsewhere in the bullpen, Chuck Lofgren's hometown paper has a story about his opportunity to pitch for the Brewers this spring. They also have this quote, which might remind you of another former Brewer reliever/pinch hitter:

"I don't prepare for spring training like a hitter would, but I do still get in the cage,'' Lofgren said. "I can still hit. I never really lost it.''

Months into the offseason, the market hasn't heated up quite as much as one might have expected for second basemen. FanGraphs has a look at the guys that still remain on the market, including Felipe Lopez, and the possibility that they'll have to change positions to find work this offseason. I still think Lopez would have turned down arbitration in search of full-time work, but perhaps the Brewers knew something we didn't in terms of the market for his services.

Adam McCalvy also picked up on that note, and his ensuing post on Lopez included this note regarding the Brewer payroll for 2010:

Melvin says he still has some flexibility left over to troll the market in January and February for bargains. If he doesn't find any deals to his liking, Melvin could retain that flexibility into June and July to make a pre-trade deadline deal.

I guess the possibility of another signing shouldn't be ruled out.

Have the Brewers done enough to improve themselves this offseason? Reds Blog handicapped the 2010 NL Central, and said the Brewers "may be slightly better than the Reds, but not much."

John Steinmiller and Caitlin Moyer continue to give us looks into the offseason jobs of the Brewer front office staff: Today they have a look at the work being done by Aleta Mercer, Brewers Senior Director of Entertainment and Broadcasting.

Meanwhile, the Timber Rattlers' front office staff still has some time on their hands, as demonstrated by the five minute battle for superiority between ketchup and mustard in this week's episode of The Offseason.

The Timber Rattlers are also looking for your help to select a shortstop for their 15th anniversary team. Follow this link to read about the candidates, then click over to the front page to vote.

Speaking of voting, we have two of the closest races to date for our BCB All Decade Team. You have until 4 pm today to cast a vote for a backup catcher, where Mike Rivera leads Jason Kendall by 13 votes. You also have until 4 pm tomorrow to cast a vote for our fourth outfielder, where Carlos Lee leads Scott Podsednik by 28 votes, with Jeromy Burnitz lurking over his shoulder.

Around baseball:

Dodgers: Signed infielders Doug Mientkiewicz and Angel Berroa to minor league deals.
Marlins: Signed Ricky Nolasco to a $3.8 million, one year deal, avoiding arbitration.
Mets: Signed Japanese reliever Ryota Igarashi to a two year deal worth $3 million.
Padres: Signed outfielder Chris Denorfia to a minor league deal.

Here's another research project for a reader looking for something to do: Max Marchi of The Hardball Times looks at the difference in pitches CC Sabathia threw to three Yankee catchers in 2009, showing he appeared to prefer to throw sinkers to Jose Molina. I'd be curious to see if there are any disparities in pitches thrown to Mike Rivera and Jason Kendall last season.

There seem to be enough sites discussing it so I'm not going to turn the Mug into a daily receptacle for notes on Hall of Fame voting, but I did find these notes interesting:

Tom H. submitted his ballot yesterday, and had nine players on it. He didn't name them but based on this argument for Bert Blyleven, it's safe to assume he's one of them.
Followers on Twitter convinced Jeff Fletcher of AOL to change his mind and vote yes for Tim Raines.
Rob Neyer reminded us that some Hall of Fame voters still don't get it.

Speaking of Neyer, earlier this week I mentioned his post on the top 100 players of the decade, which included Corey Koskie (among others), but not Prince Fielder. Tangotiger has a look at Koskie's career, and his somewhat surprising route to 22 WAR in slightly more than five full seasons.

If that's not enough stat content for you today, Big League Stew has everything you always wanted to know about WPA.

There may be snow on the field on or near Opening Day, but at least Target Field will have functional bathrooms. Hall of Famer and Twins exec Tony Oliva was recently trapped in a Metrodome bathroom when the handle fell off the door.

I've heard of players doing all kinds of things to break slumps, but Hee Seop Choi might have topped them all by climbing Mount Seorak.

On this day in 1985, the Brewers traded two minor leaguers to the Giants for Rob Deer. Long before Russell Branyan was king of the Three True Outcomes, Deer was a 3TO Pioneer, hitting .229/.329/.450 with 333 walks, 137 home runs and 823 strikeouts in five seasons as a Brewer. Those 137 home runs were the tenth most in baseball during that stretch.

Happy birthday today to 2009 Nashville Sound Patrick Arlis, who turns 29.

Oh, and I'm hoping Garrett Broshuis will eventually share the plans for his Radioactive Cardboard Catcher.

Drink up.

New York Yankees notes: All things Johnson

Ed Valentine — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:44:53 -0000

More photos » by Henny Ray Abrams - AP

Nick Johnson

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What does the Nick Johnson signing mean for the New York Yankees? Perhaps the best assessment comes from Tyler Kepner of the New York Times.

Losing [Johnny] Damon will hurt. Even General Manager Brian Cashman acknowledged on Thursday that Damon is "the perfect two-hole hitter for this place." The Yankees will miss Damon’s speed, his quality at-bats and his ability to put the bat on the ball. And they will miss his personality, of course. But the Yankees priced Damon at about $9-10 million per year, for two years at the most, and they believe they can live with Johnson.

Johnson’s assets and drawbacks are obvious. The good: he’s a left-handed hitter, he knows the Yankees and he got on base at a better rate last year (.426) than everybody except Joe Mauer and Albert Pujols. The bad: he’s slow, he’s prone to injury, and he plays a position already occupied by Mark Teixeira.

Then again, by keeping Johnson off the field, the Yankees can limit his risk of injury, and there is no rule that says Johnson would have to be the starting D.H. every day. The Yankees could use Jorge Posada, Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Teixeira there as often as they like. Johnson, a happy-go-lucky guy, has been itching to play for a winner since the Yankees traded him to the Montreal Expos (remember them?) after the 2003 World Series. Also, there is this: next year’s free-agent class could be the best ever, with Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford, Cliff Lee, Joe Mauer, Brandon Webb and Jayson Werth -– not to mention Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera. The Yankees figure to spend an awful lot of money in that market, and they want to save payroll and keep commitments short wherever they can.

In the big picture, the Yankees are replacing Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui with Curtis Granderson and Johnson. So they swap two older left-handed hitters who made $26 million in 2009 for two younger left-handed hitters who will make about $14 million in 2010. They replace a speed guy and a slow guy with another speed guy and slow guy.

My take: I will miss Matsui and Damon, but I like the reasoning behind this. To me, that money is key. Both in terms of being able to bring in another starting pitcher this off-season and -- perhaps more importantly -- setting themselves up for a big splurge next winter.

About Damon

The apparently now former Yankee outfielder has no idea what will happen next for him. But, he is not bitter.

"I have nothing but great things to say about the Yankees. If the Nick Johnson thing works out, it will be good for them," Damon told the Daily News last night. "It's part of baseball.

"I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do. I know there are some teams interested, but the Yankees are the best organization I've been a part of so far in my career. I wish them all the best."

With the Yankees out of the picture, it will be interesting to see what kind of deal the 36-year-old Damon can get.

"I guess we'll have to see now if (agent Scott) Boras gets Damon a three-year contract," said a baseball official, who suggested the most likely landing spot for Damon will be San Francisco, although the Giants are unlikely to give him three years.

Granderson's day

The Yankees formally welcomed Granderson, in a news conference Thursday at Yankee Stadium. One of last season's big off-season prizes, CC Sabathia, was in attendance and his comments might have been the most intriguing of the day.

"I think earlier in his career, when he first came up, he was driving balls to left field, and I think he was tougher on lefties then," Sabathia said. "He was hitting the ball in the gap in left-center.

"Then he started hitting a few home runs and got a little pull-happy. I think that's why lefties were able to stay away from him and throw slower stuff and have success against him."

To help fix the situation, Granderson said that he'd like to talk to Sabathia about the way he was pitched -- two-seamers in and plenty of outs away, Sabathia said -- and also check with Robinson Cano, who has hit lefties well in his career.

But the most important advice will come from hitting coach Kevin Long, with whom Granderson spoke on Monday and is planning to see after he completes working out with outfielder Nick Swisher.

MLB Trade Rumors: Cliff Lee involved in Roy Halladay Deal??

raygu — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 20:33:36 -0000

More photos » by Matt Slocum - AP

about 1 month ago: FILE - In this Oct. 18, 2009, file photo, Philadelphia Phillies' Cliff Lee pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning of Game 3 of the National League Championship baseball series in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Phillies have picked up Cliff Lee's $9 million option for 2010. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

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Ken Rosenthal from FoxSports speculated that the Phillies may be working on a 3-4 team deal whereby they would deal ace pitcher Cliff Lee to one of the teams involved in order to get the players the Blue Jays want in return for Roy Halladay. I was actually talking to a friend of mine yesterday saying that I thought that one of the reasons why the Phillies were going after Halladay is because they may have learned during the Winter meetings that either Lee wants to test free agency, or that the price to sign him long-term may be exorbitant, possibly CC Sabathia money.

I also heard yesterday that SI.com was reporting that the Phillies offered starting pitchers J.A. Happ, Joe Blanton and one of outfield prospect Michael Taylor or Domonic Brown.

If these are the kind of offers that Toronto GM Alex Anthopolous is getting, then I may have underestimated him, and the market price for one year of Roy Halladay. Am I the only one who thinks that Toronto may get July 31st, 2009 value for one year of Halladay?

Poll

Will Toronto get July 31st value for Roy Halladay this offseason?

Is Ed Wade Crazy Like A Fox?

davoag — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:33:37 -0000

More photos » by Dave Einsel - AP

How many bidders ARE there for Papa Grande?

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I've been considering this more and more as all the arbitration talk rolled by on Tuesday. What if there's a direction we're not seeing with the Astros? What if Ed Wade is playing the market with the best of them?

Let's look at the facts: Jose Valverde is getting no interest whatsoever in the hot stove. Granted, a guy like Jason Bay also isn't getting talked about much. The thing that has me thinking the silence on Valverde isn't just his agent's lack of media sources is that the market for pitchers may be depressed this winter.

Take a guy like Joel Piniero. Obviously, he's not CC Sabathia, but he is one of the top pitchers on the market. Jon Heyman said on MLB Network last night that Pineiro would ask for 30 million over 3 years and wouldn't come close to that. If Piniero, a starting pitcher, couldn't get 10 per, how is Valverde, an easier-to-replace closer, going to get 8 or 9 million?

What I can see happening is Valverde figuring out his market potential isn't great this season and signing with the Astros for 6-7 million. At the same time, Wade is negotiating for a Houston-friendly 5 million over 2 year deal with Hawkins, giving him back the back-end of his rotation for just under 10 million. That would leave him around 5 million to work with to fill out the roster. Sure, maybe Tejada doesn't re-sign, but I already see that possibility as remote.

See, his comments to McTaggart on twitter last night only underscore my point. Wade pulled the greatest manipulation move every by offering Valverde and not Hawkins. With Valverde, he can say that the Astros want him back badly, that's why they offered him. With Hawkins, he can say that as a sign of good faith in negotiations, they declined to offer him. Thus, he's created favorable negotiating positions with both players.

I know, I know, this seems too far-fetched to be true. After all, the Astros should have better ways to spend the 15 million in the budget, right? Hmmm...

Ed. note: This is what happens when you think too much about the offseason. You start seeing competence on the part of the Astros front office. I'm going to lie down now...

Around the Yankee Universe: Typical Jeter

Ed Valentine — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:30:48 -0000

More photos » by David Goldman - AP

New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter holds the 2009 Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year trophy after an award ceremony in New York on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009.

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Derek Jeter's comments about winning the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year award were typical Jeter. Classy and humble. In other words, I am sure they will provide fodder for the legion of Jeter bashers to find something silly to say about the Yankee captain.

Here is some of what Jeter said.

"I thought the cover came out nice. The only thing that I thought was missing from that were my parents on both sides," Jeter said. "Even if you don't see them, just know that they're there beside me at all times."

Yep. Exactly the type of thing you would expect him to say.

Yes, even the Yankees have a budget

And over the next couple of days general manager Brian Cashman will find out what that is.

By the time general manager Brian Cashman drops his bags near the door of a hotel suite in Indianapolis next week, the Yankees will have a better idea of just how much they can spend plugging the holes of a World Series-winning roster.

"Once I get some firm numbers, I can go ahead and start putting together some ideas," Cashman said.

The Yankees were set to gather in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday and Friday of this week to discuss the parameters of their offseason budget, which will be sizable but not as extravagant as it was last winter, when New York shelled out a combined $423.5 million to land CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira.

Yankees scouring reliever market

The Yankees have expressed interest in free-agent reliever Brandon Lyon, according to major-league sources. The Yankees likely will express interest in all of the top available late-inning relievers — lefty Mike Gonzalez, righties Fernando Rodney, Rafael Soriano and Jose Valverde — if they haven't already.

My take: It doesn't take a genius to figure out the Yankees will at least kick the tires on the reliever market. With both Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain ticketed for the rotation, it's a no-brainer. Of course, it's also pretty easy to make the argument that the Yankees already have a ton of young, talented arms and don't need to bring in a veteran.

(Hat tip to MLB Trade Rumors)

Talking about Johnny Damon

The free-agent outfielder apparently thinks not being offered arbitration by the Yankees is a good thing.
River Avenue Blues says if Damon leaves, Mike Cameron would be the perfect short-term replacement. My take: We have heard Cameron's name connected to the Yankees for so long now I have to think that if Damon isn't re-signed this would be a strong possibility. And I guess I could live with it for a year.

A.J. Burnett makes pitch for Halladay

Here is Burnett talking about the Toronto ace.

"I think it's time for him to get a fresh start," Burnett said Monday. "He's paid his dues there, been the face of the organization, done everything they've asked him to do and more. At this point in his career, I think he just wants to win."

My take: I am on record as being in favor of bringing Halladay to the Bronx. In reality, though, I don't think there is much chance Burnett will get his wish.