Baseball natterings

[yendi]

So, one of the biggest days in the Hot Stove League has passed.

And the Mets got Kaz! Yay! After last year's bust with two other Japanese players fucking around with them it was nice to finally get someone good signed.

I was surprised that Tejada got an arbitration offer from the A's. They pretty much told him that they couldn't afford him. If he accepts arbitration, he could shaft their salary for the year. Mind you, he wants a long-term contract to settle his family down, but one year is a risk he might be willing to take.

I'm disappointed that the Braves didn't offer anything to Maddux. Yeah, he's past his prime. And yeah, I hate the Braves, but when you've got a Hall of Famer, it would be nice to work something out to let him finish his career in Atlanta (and I'd never count him out -- he still won 16 games last year with a better ERA than, say, Andy Pettite)

As for Pudge leaving Florida, more proof that Scott Boras is the worst thing to happen to baseball since Chick Gandil and Sport Sullivan. I hope he ends up having to take a DH contract at about half what he was looking for.

I was happy to see Shannon Stewart re-signed (as I was afraid the Twins would completely dismantle, what with the talk of them trading Jones, too).

I was also happy to see that Robin Ventura is still employed, although one of the classier players in the game deserves a better organization than the Dodgers.

And look, everybody! Rey Ordonez is a free agent! Numfar, do the Dance of Whiny, Overrated Shortstops!

Comments

[terracinque.livejournal.com]

The worst thing? Worse than Bud Selig?

[yendi]

It's close, but I look at Bud as just a notch below Boras (although the two are somewhat inextricably linked in baseball's recent woes).

[dslartoo.livejournal.com]

He beat me to it, but not by much. I guess I would have to put Selig above Boras, although (as in your case) "just a notch" above. I hate both of them with a passion.

No arbitration offered for Maddux, eh? The Braves really are trying to piss me off.

cheers,
Phil

[yendi]

The Maddux thing pisses me of for sentimental reasons (but with Boras as agent, his demand was probably way more than his worth), but the Lopez thing pisses me off for quality reasons. Given the money freed up by not going after Shef, Lopez was affordable, and he's one of the true stars of the organization. Plus, the only pitcher he ever seemed to have problems calling games for was Maddux.

[dslartoo.livejournal.com]

I would have been leery of offering Lopez arbitration because of his steady decline over the past several years. At this time last year, he would have had a hard time getting a multi-year deal from ANYbody in the league.

I still think this year was a fluke and I think whoever offers him a huge deal is going to be making a mistake. I think Javy has played his best years and he's on the decline. Of course, that goes for Maddux too, but he's been my favorite player for much, much longer. :)

cheers,
Phil

[yendi]

I suspect that part of my opinion of Javy is formed by being a Mets fan -- he has always hit a good deal better against them than against anyone else.

[aussie-nyc.livejournal.com]

with a better ERA than, say, Andy Pettite

After adjusting for the DH?

Maybe the Mets could re-team him with Glavine...

[yendi]

Well, I've never seen anyone (Bill James included) really find a convincing method of comparing DH and non-DH numbers. But since the DH is evil, I just pretend it doesn't exist, like the monster under my bed.

I know that Glavine has been pushing for the Mets to sign Millwood (although I'd bet the Braves will push harder). Wouldn't suprise me if he pushes for Maddux, too. Much as I like the Mets, there's something wrong with the amount of power two or three pitchers on that team have.