As the off-season progresses, mediocre and slightly above-average players are getting absurd sums of money thrust at them by compulsive GMs. One of these questionable signings is Juan Pierre by the Dodgers for 5 years/ $45 million.
Pierre is a flashy player, but he isn't any good. He has no power and his on-base percentage has plummeted the last two years, from .374 in 2004 to .326 and .330 in 2005 and 2006. Big Stein fell in love with Pierre after the 2003 World Series, but thankfully Cashman and others were able to talk the Yanks out of signing him.
Then there is the Gary Matthews signing; it will haunt the Angels in future years. (5 yr/$50 million for a career .263 hitter with an average .336 OBP.)He simply had his career year at the right time. Once he reverts to his career norms the Angels will look quite foolish.
Of course the Yanks have looked imprudent in recent years with the signings of Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright, as well as the acquisition of Kevin Brown. However, this winter Brian Cashman seems to be taking a refreshing approach. By unloading the perpetually disgruntled Sheffield and the underperforming Wright for young arms, Cashman has managed to restock the farm system.
Chris Britton, whom the Yanks acquired for Wright, may emerge as a solid middle reliever. In 53.2 Innings for the Orioles, Britton sported a 4.35 ERA, giving up only 46 hits and recording 41 Ks against 17 BBs. If Britton pitches that well for the Yanks, he may enable Torre to move Scott Proctor to the staring rotation.
Don't believe Cashman, however, when he says that Yanks are comfortable with Andy Phillips at first base. Expect them to go out and sign either Shea Hillenbrand or Eduardo Perez. Either signing would be a horrible mistake. Hillenbrand, in particular, has no plate discipline, won't walk, hits into too many double plays, and is a clubhouse lawyer. No thanks. I would rather stick with Phillips; at least the team would be assured of good defensive play.
Aside from what I anticipate Cashman will do with the first base situation, I have more faith in him than any Yankee executive since Gene Michael. Do us proud, Brian, build the team for the long haul.
Take the Post-Season Award Votes away from the Writers
Jay Mariotti of The Chicago-Sun Times actually had a good idea in a recent column. He took time out from his gratuitous daily bashing of Jerry Resindorff, Ozzie Guillen, and the White Sox to propose that sportswriters no longer be allowed to vote on major awards, such as the MVP award.
Mariotti writes: "We are here to report the news and comment about the news. We are not here to participate in voting that puts us in position to make news, especially if it creates the appearance of a voter ingratiating himself to the team he covers or, perhaps, penalizing other teams."
I could not agree more. In an increasingly competitive journalistic environment, many sportswriters will attempt anything to get their names noticed. Joe Cowley has of course taken this to absurd levels. In addition to voting Jeter 6th in his ballot, he voted pall A.J. Pierzynski 10th while leaving Joe Mauer off his ballot entirely (As if Pierzynski were more valuable than Mauer, or Posada for that matter). The very same Cowley left Carlos Delgado completely off his ballot in 2003, when the hefty Toronto first baseman hit 42 homers and knocked in 145 runs while finishing a close second to Alex Rodriguez.
Ah...you say. Perhaps Joe Cowley has some hidden baseball wisdom behind these curious votes. Perhaps he has developed a foolproof algorithm that explains his decisions. Well, sorry to disappoint you, but it turns out that he is just a dope. Recent appearances on the Mike and the Mad Dog, Dan Patrick and Keith Olbermann shows exposed him as a man utterly lacking in fundamental baseball knowledge. If you haven't heard him yet, listen for yourself: http://www.wfan.com/pages/119297.php.
Most of the Beat writers-with the exception of Cowley of course-take a great deal of pride in voting and understand that it is an honor. But one of the main problems is that the beat writers often see all the games played by the team they cover, while catching other teams just a handful of times a season. The time has come to take the vote away from the writers and give it to a static panel of experts, chosen by the commissioner. That's not perfect, but it is a lot better than the current system.
For those keeping score, Cowley has since had his privileges revoked by the BBWAA for the 2nd time, so at least justice was served in regard to him.
E-Mail Story
Print Story
