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What They Need: Yankees

Sarah Green — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:48:27 +0000

What could the world champion, richer-than-God New York Yankees possibly need? What do you get for the team that has (apparently) everything?

The question most Yankee-watchers have been asking is: Who’s in left? World Series MVP Hideki Matsui is a free agent, as is Johnny Damon. Neither player’s health inspires much confidence at this stage, though Damon’s legs have the edge over Matsui’s. Today, we learned that the Yankees visit site to read more]

Tagged: What They Need, Yankees

What They Need – San Francisco Giants: Some sort of vague semblance of an offense

Nick Kapur — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:22:38 +0000

The Giants are basically set for the next two years at least in the starting rotation, with Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, and Jonathan Sanchez all under team control til at least 2011 at cost-controlled prices. And with the vaguely serviceable Barry Zito signed til forever and closer Brian Wilson still with 4 years left of arbitration, on the pitching side of things GM Brian Sabian’s job consists of little more than plugging in a 5th starter and filling in a few gaps in the back end of the bullpen … [visit site to read more]

Tagged: Brian Sabean, Bruce-Bochy, Fred Lewis, Giants, Nate Schierholtz, Pablo Sandoval, What They Need

What they need: Phillies

Coley Ward — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:27:03 +0000

Obviously, the Phillies are no fluke. And it’s temping to suggest that they should stand pat this offseason. After all, all the team’s best players are under contract for next season, and the rotation figures to be strong, with Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton, J.A. Happ and Jamie Moyer returning, and minor league prospect visit site to read more]

Tagged: 2009, Phillies, What They Need

What they need: 2009-2010 offseason

Coley Ward — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:25:03 +0000

Here we go again. Time for another edition of our semi-annual “What They Need” series, where we play GM for all 30 teams. As usual, we’ll be suggesting subtle tweaks for some squads, and major overhalls for others. There’s already movement … [visit site to read more]

Tagged: 2009, What They Need

Brett Myers is a classy free-agent-to-be

Coley Ward — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:27:54 +0000

So the Phillies are letting Brett Myers walk, and you can feel pretty confident that the biggest reason he’s not sticking around is he was a giant pain in the ass during his Philly tenure.

But let’s give credit where credit is due. Myers’ parting words were classy:

“I was just like, `OK, thanks for putting up with my (stuff),’ ‘’ Myers said. “He thanked me and wished me … [visit site to read more]
Tagged: Brett Myers, Phillies

What’s The Value Of: Chone Figgins?

Paul Moro — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:31:53 +0000

One of the things that always piques my interest is a conversation in regards to “value”. It can be discussed in the abstract sense (leadership, personality, energy, grittitude) or more specifically (WAR, Runs Created, Runs Prevented, Ass Slaps Dished Out To Teammates).

But in my mind, … [visit site to read more]

Tagged: Chone Figgins, value, versatility

Yankees, Evil? I Wish.

Sarah Green — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:24:28 +0000

The Yankees are World Champions again, but it’s not the same this time. Evil Empire? I wish; at least “evil” is interesting.

Instead, what we have is the rise of the boring over the bad. Somehow, Yankeefication has become synonymous with boringification. Johnny Damon: went to the Yankees, became boring. Mark Teixeira: is boring, and thus is perfectly suited for the Yankees. Joba Chamberlain: has a mother who dealt meth. Yet somehow is boring anyway.

Even Alex Rodriguez is boring. … [visit site to read more]

Tagged: boring, World Series, Yankees

Why Everyone Should Root for Pedro

Sarah Green — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:36:26 +0000

Last week, I wrote this somewhat silly Metro column about why Red Sox fans should root for the Phillies. I was being glib and slightly facetious. But tonight, I really do think that everyone in their right mind should be rooting for the Phillies — specifically, for Pedro Martinez.

There’s nothing like a good sports redemption story, and Pedro’s tale has all the ingredients. He has crazy hair, says crazy … [visit site to read more]

Tagged: Pedro Martinez, Phillies, World Series

Andy Friedman is smart

Nick Kapur — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:48:56 +0000

For months now, everyone has been talking about how second baseman Akinori Iwamura’s $4.85 million 2010 option might be too expensive for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to pick up, especially with the explosive emergence of Ben Zobrist (your 2009 MLB leader in WAR). But all the speculation I’ve seen has focused on whether the Rays would pick up Iwamura’s option or let him walk.

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Tagged: Akinori Iwamura, Andrew Friedman, Jesse Chavez, Pirates, Rays, trade

Please, God, No More Solo Home Runs

Sarah Green — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:18:23 +0000

Last night’s World Series contest between the Phillies and the Yankees featured five solo home runs — one apiece from Hideki Matsui, Nick Swisher, and Carlos Ruiz, and two for Jason Werth.

Is there anything in baseball more boring than a solo home run? I mean, sure, it can be pretty darn interesting in the right context, like if it’s a walk-off solo home run or something. Or if it kills a seagull mid-air. But to me, a game with five solo homers tells you a) that the pitchers are … [visit site to read more]

Tagged: boring, home runs, Phillies, World Series, Yankees