MLB Offseason Updates (11/2/06)
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by user The shark
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With Major League Baseball officially in the offseason, the "Hot Stove" has been lit and is ready to fire up. And as you baseball fans already know, much can happen between the end of October and the beginning of March that will shape the 2007 season. That being said, I am taking it upon myself to keep everyone updated on the bigger stories of this offseason with regular articles detailing MLB happenings, occurances, and developments. So welcome to Edition #1 of the MLB Offseason Updates.
- First of all, a hearty congratulations to the St. Louis Cardinals on their 2006 World Series title, and to David Eckstein on his World Series MVP Award. They didn't play great but produced when it mattered. The hottest team in the post-season, the Detroit Tigers, came up short on the sports' biggest stage, further convincing me that a full week layoff between the ALCS and the Fall Classic does more harm than good.
And by winning the title with an 83-win team (!!!), Tony LaRussa has solidified his leagcy as a Hall-of-Fame manager. Don't get me wrong - he was probably in before this, but he is definitely in now.
- The New York Yankees declined to renew the contract of bench coach Lee Mazzilli, leaving a very noticable opening on the bench, right beside manager Joe Torre. This week, in a move that surprised no one, GM Brian Cashman and crew promoted hitting coach Don Mattingly into the much-coveted position. The rumblings around the Big Apple suggest that this is an important (and possibly final step) in grooming Donnie Baseball as Torre's eventual replacement.
In an unrelated note, Gary Sheffield is an idiot. Threatening to "pull a T.O." on any club who trades for him is a stupid and selfish move - especially when he is only 2 or 3 good years away from being a serious Hall-of-Fame candidate. Get a clue, Sheff!
- Former Mets reliever (and current free agent) Guillermo Mota has been slapped with a 50-game suspension for violating MLB's policy on performance-enhancing drugs. He is the first player to be punished under the League's new and much more stringent policy. The last player to be busted by MLB was Matt Lawton a year ago. Lawton was given a 10-game suspension, which at the time was the harshest penalty possible.
Although, a deplorable transgression by Mota, I believe he deserves some credit for his response to the situation:
- "I used extremely poor judgement and deserve to be held accountable."
One can only hope that Rafael Palmeiro was listening.
- "I used extremely poor judgement and deserve to be held accountable."
- Japanese pitching star (and World Baseball Classic MVP) Daisuke Matsuzaka has hired mega-agent Scott Boras and intends to play for a Major League team next year. One uniform that you will not see him in next year, however, is a Seattle Mariners uni. The Mariners have indicated that they have no interest in pursuing the acquisition of Matsuzaka, a surprising development for a team who has been quite aggressive in signing Japanese players in the past. (See Ichiro Suzuki). Teams that reportedly have a high-level of interest in (and the financial ability to sign) Matsuzaka include the Yankees, Red Sox, and Dodgers.
Last season for the Seibu Lions, Matsuzaka won 17 games, struck out 200 batters in 186.1 IP, and registered an ERA of 2.13.
- The Oakland Managerial Situation There are four candidates being considered to replace Ken Macha in the Bay Area. The team has already interviewed bench coach Bob Geren and infield coach Ron Washington. They have upcoming interviews with Angels pitching coach Bud Black and Mets thirdbase coach Manny Acta. Acta managed the Dominican team in last spring's World Baseball Classic. Look for Billy Beane to make his decision in the next 7-10 days.
- The San Diego Managerial Situation Dusty Baker is slated to meet with GM Kevin Towers in the upcoming days to discuss the opening left by Bruce Boche's departure to San Francisco. It will be the first interview for Baker since being let go by the Chicago Cubs at season's end. The Pads are also considering Bud Black, St. Louis thirdbase coach Jose Oquendo, Japanese League Champion Nippon Ham Fighters manager Trey Hillman, Giants coach Ron Wotus, and former Dodgers hitting coach Tim Wallach.
- The Texas Managerial Situation There are five candidates in line for the position vacated by Buck Showalter. Rangers GM Jon Daniels has interviewed the team's bench coach Don Wakamatsu, Trey Hillman, Bud Black, Ron Washington, and Manny Acta. Looking for a favorite? Wakamatsu and Hillman are the only two candidates who have also interviewed with team owner Tom Hicks.
Notable Free Agent Filings:
- Barry Zito - Yanks, Red Sox, Cardinals have interest.
- Greg Maddux - Expect the Yanks to be a major player here.
- Sean Casey - Will test the market. Great clubhouse presence.
- Jeff Weaver - Helped his future bankroll with a solid postseason.
- Roger Clemens - Hasn't decided if he wants to play next year.
- Andy Pettitte - Ditto. Will decide over the next three weeks about extending career.
- Carlos Lee - Plenty of teams could use a 35 HR guy. Expect a steep price tag, however.
- Alfonso Soriano - Who can afford him? Red Sox, Yankees, Angels, Dodgers. I'd like to see the Pittsburgh Pirates make a run at Alfie.
- Barry Bonds - Expect an American League club. Perhaps the Angels?
- Nomar Garciaparra - I think the Dodgers may re-sign him.
- Juan Pierre - How about the Cincinnati Reds?
- Jason Schmidt - The usual suspects - Red Sox, White Sox, Cardinals, Dodgers, Yanks, Astros.
- Ryan Klesko - Anybody? My prediction - the Kansas City Royals next year.
Notable Options Declined:
- Jeff Bagwell - The Astros paid him a $7 million buy out. Chronic shoulder problems may end his Hall-of-Fame career.
- Aaron Rowand - Expected to go through arbitration, then return to the Phillies.
- Steve Finley - Retirement may be eminent.
- Jamey Wright - Cubs always need pitching.
- Jose Mesa - Looks like he'll need to throw at Omar Vizquel while wearing new duds next year.
Notable Extensions:
- Gary Sheffield - Uhh, yeah. I've already discussed this situation. The Yankees re-signed him so the Red Sox couldn't woo him.
Boston Red Sox Updates:
- The club picked up the option on Tim Wakefield. 2007 will mark his 13th year with the club, tying a club longevity record for a pitcher (with Roger Clemens and Bob Stanley). It is still unclear who will catch Wake next year, as Doug Mirabelli filed for free agency. Neither the club, nor the player has ruled out a return for next year, however.
- Mark Loretta and Alex Gonzalez filed for free agency.
- Mike Timlin signed a 1-year deal with the Sox. With Jonathan Papelbon expected to move into the rotation next season, Timlin may be looked at as a candidate to close games next year.
- After filing for free agency, Trot Nixon appears to be trying to survey the market for interest, while the club seems to weighing its options. A return to Boston next year is not out of the question.
- Boston 2004 ALCS hero Dave Roberts has filed for free agency. The club reportedly has interest in arranging his return to Beantown.
- Gabe Kapler has filed for free agency.
- Source: MLB.com
Categories: Opinions | MLB Opinions | New York Yankees Opinions | Boston Red Sox Opinions | St. Louis Cardinals Opinions | Detroit Tigers Opinions | Texas Rangers Opinions | San Diego Padres Opinions | Oakland Athletics Opinions | Guillermo Mota Opinions | Roger Clemens Opinions | Greg Maddux Opinions | Gary Sheffield Opinions | Don Mattingly Opinions | Tim Wakefield Opinions | Jeff Bagwell Opinions | Mike Timlin Opinions | Free Agents Opinions | Hot Stove Opinions | Daisuke Matsuzaka Opinions | Andy Pettitte Opinions | November 2, 2006 | Opinions by User The shark
