As the playoffs continued, this past week remained busy in the world of
baseball. Despite the impending end of the season, major stories keep emerging
and demonstrating that the upcoming off-season will be both busy and
interesting.
***The New York Yankees were swept
out of the ALCS by the Detroit Tigers in shocking fashion. Not only was New
York’s .188 team batting average this postseason the lowest in MLB playoff
history, but stars Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Cano, Nick Swisher, and Curtis
Granderson looked overmatched to an extreme degree. A fascinating storylines to
follow this winter is seeing how the Yankees proceed. They are all but certain
to pick up 2013 options on Cano and Granderson, and will probably allow Swisher
to leave via free agency. The wildcard will be A-Rod, who because of the $114
million (plus possible incentives) he is owed over the next five years and his
ability to veto any trade, makes him tough to move. But considering his flagging
production (5 consecutive years with a declining OPS) and his questionable
behavior on the field, the Yankees may decide to eat a major portion of his
contract and try to find a trade partner- with the Marlins
appearing to be a top potential fit.
***The Yankees are also reeling with bad news about injuries to two of
their key players. Derek Jeter fractured
his ankle in Game 1 of the ALCS. While he is expected to make a full
medical recovery in about 4-5 months, there is no guarantee that the soon-to-be
39 year old shortstop will regain his effectiveness on the field. How he plays
upon his return will set the tone if the Yankees have reached a crossroads with
their franchise.
***Joining Jeter on the Yankees’ M*A*S*H report is ace C.C. Sabathia,
who is reportedly set to visit famed surgeon Dr. James Andrews to have his balky
elbow checked out. Pending the diagnosis the Yankees are sure to sweat out
the possible outcomes, which could range from medical clearance to surgery,
including the possibility of a Tommy John procedure. In the worst case scenario,
which is Sabathia being out for a significant length of time, the Yankees will
have to move hard and fast after starting pitching, including making free agent
Zach Greinke a top priority.
***The Arizona Diamondbacks wasted little time in getting active in the
off-season trade market. On Saturday they finalized
two deals; sending outfielder Chris Young to the Oakland A’s for shortstop
Cliff Pennington and minor league infielder Yordy Cabrera; and then flipping
Cabrera to the Miami Marlins for much maligned closer Heath Bell and cash. The
moves seem to indicate that the A’s are likely to pick up the $10 million 2013
option on shortstop Stephen Drew’s contract and also explore trading an
outfielder, as they now have a surplus with Young, Coco Crisp, Josh Reddick,
and Yoenis Cespedes on the roster.
***It will be interesting to see Arizona’s plans for Bell, as they just exercised their 2013 option on
incumbent closer J.J. Putz’s contract. Reports indicate the Marlins
will cover $8 million of the $21 million on the remaining two years of Bell’s
contract, but that is still a lot of money for an aging reliever in decline with
an undefined role. This indicates a near certainty that Bell will be on the
move again before next season’s opening; perhaps in a swap for another team’s
bad contract.
***The Boston Red Sox have finally hired themselves a manager. Late last
night it was announced they had agreed to acquire
John Farrell from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for shortstop Mike Aviles.
Toronto will be sending back cash or another player (rumored to be Adam Lind)
to the Red Sox in order to complete the deal. It’s still unclear
to this writer what Boston’s obsession is with Farrell, but at least the
team can now move forward with the significant work they must do this
off-season. Farrell being the choice of so many fans the move may have also
bought them additional time to right the ship.
*** The Giants and the Cardinal are on tap this evening for Game 6 of
the NLCS. I expect the Giants to continue their improbable comeback behind a
strong performance from tonight’s starter, Ryan Vogelsong.
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