Ken Davidoff's baseball insider

Everybody knows that the Mets bullpen stinks. So if you are playing against the Mets, you keep the game close and drive up the starters pitch count and do some damage late against their pen. As I said before and I'll say it again, if the Mets pen is factor late in the game, their in deep trouble and it will come back to haunt them.
Image this situation for the Yanks. Let's say next year Rivera hurts his arm and is out for the season. Who become the closer? Answer: Joba. He would be better than anyone else in the pen. That would be the worse case situation if Rivera goes down. The Yanks would be in a tough spot if Rivera goes down with a season ending injury.

Ken - I love the Jeter interview. HIs immaturity and unwillingness to play a more vocal and active role has hurt the team in 2008.

and...may I once again bring up the Brewers/CC almost no-hitter and say that it was a temporary turning point for a team that took its eyes off the prize and focused on individual stats instead?

Bob, you're looking pretty good on the CC no-hitter thing, which you called at the time. If nothing else, it reflected Ned Yost's immaturity and inability to focus on what really mattered.

and I have to say, I agreed with 90% of John Kruk's ESPN rant last night. Players for the Astros were asked to leave a huge natural disaster and their families - most without phones, electricity, food or clean water - to play two games in Milwaukee. Who can function without the knowledge that their family is safe and that their home is not gradually falling apart

Clearly, the integrity of the games and schedule (and its playoff implications - and DONUT implications) were compromised. This is a huge black eye for MLB - and BUD!!! They can screw around with the Astros (and indirectly help Bud's old team), but they would NEVER make the Yanks, Mets or Red Sox do this!!!

The games should have been played in Houston the day after the season closed (if still relevant) - and been a part of disaster relief for the affected area, not Brewer/Phillie/Met playoff relief

Well, you know my opinion on the subject, Bob. Is this yet another case of east coast bias?

JE - merely network bias. The bigger the fan base and potential audience, the better and more extensvie the networks will cover a team and hope to cover in the playoffs.

It has nothing to do with reporting - as currently practiced, "sports journalism" is like the old George Carlin skit about "military intelligence" and "jumbo shrimp". Ken, sorry for bashing your profession, but as we have discussed, there are some major issues.

Remember the wry observation in the wake of Obama speaking in Berlin: "200,000 screaming Germans can't be wrong!"

Well, watching the Astros sleepwalk their way through Milwaukee, MLB's mantra must be, "23,000 screaming Cubs fans can't be wrong!"

Bash away, Bob. We're all open to scrutiny.

It would have been nice if Jeter sat Robbie down and talked to him, but I'm glad Jeter didn't deal with him through the media -- I always assumed that bred hostility. It's seems cowardly to drop insults to reporters, because then those criticisms are sort of filed away and forever used against them.

I think this is less about Cano's teammates and more about Girardi. Girardi came here with a rep as a drill instructor. A "hard-nosed, in-your-face, fiery," blah, blah, (fill in your own cliche) type of guy. I haven't really seen that. He's blown up on a few umps now and again, but this team has played like it's been on vacation all year and he hasn't done squat.

Benching Cano now, with the season basically over, is a perfect example. Big deal. It's obvious everyone felt Cano was loafing for a long time, and he benches him when it no longer matters.

Ken, I truly hope to God no one has told you they will explore the idea of trading Cano. He's the first legitimately good position player they've developed since Jeter. Giving him away because of one bad season is a realllllly bad decision. The Yankees' farm system is all about pitching -- they don't have a single legit position-player prospect on the AAA team. And the only other high-level guy who's close is Austin Jackson. Giving away Cano would be a nightmare.

By the way, Ken, are you following this whole drama about MLB teams attempting to circumvent the posting system by signing a Japanese player who has asked the pro teams there not to draft him? Apparently NPB is really upset about this and wants MLB to stop it from happening. It sounds like something that could completely ruin the relationship they have. And honestly, I do think it's a dreadful development for Japanese baseball.

Ken, all I'll say is that I'm glad Derek basically told you where to stick your article LOL. If they wanted you folks in the media to know what went on behind closed doors, they would call players-and-media-only meetings.

Bob, I'm curious as to how you know what Derek Jeter has or has not done. Unless you're privy to the clubhouse, dugout or private cell phone conversations, I'm really not sure how you would know what his maturity level or willingness/unwillingness to be active/vocal with his teammates are, or how this has impacted the team, if in fact it has.

Ken, I will be back in DC in time to go see Santana pitch on Thursday. I am praying that his mission that night won't be to "salvage" the series! Regarding tomorrow evening, I am reading that Knight is starting, someone who has had but five AAA starts and one less-than-stellar MLB appearance this season. I know that the Saturday twinbill and a game on Monday meant that Niese was unavailable, but were there any other options available for Manuel?

Incidentally, Posnanski has another intriguing post, comparing Pete Rose with Derek Jeter:

http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2008/09/15/rose-vs-jeter/

Pete Abraham wrote a good story about the NPB-MLB thing, baileywalk. I'll try to do some of my own reporting on that. And I agree 100% - trading Cano would be a horrible decision.

So, I forgot to ask this yesterday what did you all think of David Price? Ironically I didn't get to see the game because it was not on over the air TV and Extra innings is blacked out. This is Tampa's future.
If the Astros are supposed to play the third game of the Cubs series at home on September 29th, that could have been a DH and a third game of the series could have been played on Monday after the final games of the season if necessary. Of course Bob is right, but baseball (especially Bud) would prefer the Brewers or Phillies in the playoffs over the Astros. And TV would prefer anyone in over Milwaukee (see Philadelphia) to ensure good ratings.
It's nice to see Boston gloating over taking the whip to the Rays last night, because they really, really want first place. However, regardless of anything this is still a $42 million dollar team ahead of a $135 million dollar team and they can't yet take them out. Boston's history of late season folds may not just be because of the Yankees playing up to their levels all these years. Let's see Papelbon not fsall apart, the regualrs continue to hit and certain starters like Tim Wakefield not continue to get smoked every late season game they pitch because they are old and tired.

Jeter isn't the capitain because of his leadership abilities it's because of how he plays on the field. Actually the type of leadership abilities needed would conflict with his image (and ability to make extra curricular money in ad sales and appearances). He is much more concerned with his image to the public than he is within the baseball community I think. I also think that public image might be a bit of a charade. He's very well protected and rehearsed.

JE to try and answer one of your questions from yesterday regarding why Tampa might have refused to let Astros play there on Sunday and yesterday. They have to supply and pay a staff to open up and run the Trop for these games and they probably didn't want to pay the money to do it. MIlwaukee because of Bud's urging most likely didn't mind. Since it's because of Bud urging Milwaukee to build the place that many of them are employed in the first place.

Thanks for the info, Sandy. Shouldn't MLB have money set aside to deal with force majeure issues though? In the past 10 years, we have dealt with 9/11, late-season hurricanes in Texas or the east coast, an April snowstorm strikes the Midwest, and falling concrete. Tampa's financial concerns should have been addressed, one way or another.

JE - A very good point. MLB appears to be reactive not proactive in this case - and extra points for using force majeure!! MLB may have had a plan in place all along, but the plan should have been examined and altered in light of human concerns and playoff developments. They just took a surging Astros team and threw their chances in the ditch.

Nancy - my assessment of Jeter is much like that of Sandy. I think he's as concerned with his corporate image as much as another Yankee - Alex Rodriguez.

It appears that Jeter has captained like Torre managed - put veteran players out there (or aroud Jeter) and hope something good happens - and avoid dealing with younger players.

His curt dismissal of Ken's inquiries was juvenile and self-serving.

Bob/Ken...I think CC's no-hitter did not cost Milwaukee one game. I'm reminded of the Herman Edwards to the Chiefs story. During midweek, a story broke late in the season that said Herm may bolt to the Chiefs. Don LeGrecca said with absolute certainty that it would be a major distraction. I laughed and thought, "Yeah, a 240 pound RB is going to be barrelling into me, and I wont make the tackle because I'm thinking if Herm is going to not be my coach next year!"

No...players play. And its sad its become a joke, but Herm was never so right when he said you play to win the game. And thats what the Brewers have done. They just haven't done it well. When they give up a Home run or strikeout...their not doing so because they're thinking of CC's one hitter. I really dont think the players or manager lost focus of the big prize. And I dont think he was immature for sticking up for his player.

I guess you can ask the Brewer players how have they prepared differently/less since CC's one-hitter. I'd be shocked if the answer was that there was a difference.

As for Jeter...in his Captains thing on Centerstage, he said to Michael Kay..."how would the media know what I do as a Captain? They're not in the room." I respect that, but agree with you Ken that sometimes a little public scrutiny ala Mussina/Pavano is a good thing. And I think Jeter doesn't see the big picture, and isn't the guy to do that.

Richie when you have a youngish team like the Brewers do and never been in it before and see the manager fall apart and appear clueless like Yost did last year and this year, it has to affect your performance on the field. You can be the ultimate pro and the overall lack of leadership is going to finish you off and get you to saying "I've got to do more, I've got to step up." Then you start to press and think harder.
I don't think Jeter is juvenile when he answered ken that way I think he's arrogant and spoiled. Spoiled to be questioned like that and arrogant to think he shouldn't. When you are handled like a silver plate over the years, and nothing you ever do is ever questioned you become that way. And, believe me, I bet there's a lot we can question about Jeter.

I hope Jeter doesn't become our new BK, Selig, Marvin Miller...

He's a Hall of Fame player...but his leadership abilities can be called into question. Not many players can act as a true leader, as they are looked at by the person being lectured as having it all - great career, great life, no worries - what does Jeter know about me and my struggling life?

I believe that Jeter handled the ARod situation poorly and should have publicly embraced him a sopposed to going all passive/aggressive on him by his lame comments. That helped destroy team chemistry from the moment Alex arrived.

Frank Robinson had that issue as manager - he would openly say about Jack Clark "he's a great player and if he works harder he could almost be a good as I was" - truthful, but not motivating due to the backhanded compliment.

Awesome Posnanski link, JE. Now I want to ask Posada why he didn't go after the ball in '01.

Richie, it is a strange, strange day indeed when you are taking the "statistical" side of an argument and I am taking the "emotional" side, re: Yost ;). All I'm saying is, Yost clearly unraveled, both last year and this year, and his reaction after the CC one-hitter was indicative of his too-tight personality.

Thanks, Bob. It shows that law school wasn't a complete waste! ;-)

Regarding Posnanski's piece: what had not occurred to me all this time is Art Howe not pulling Jeremy Giambi for someone, anyone, who could run the bases. Moreover, does anyone remember who was the on-deck hitter on the play? Did he scream at Giambi to slide?

Sandy, I'm not saying Yost was a good or bad manager. I haven't seen enough games. I do know they haven't hustled at times and that I do blame the manager in part. I just dont think that one incident has ANY bearing whatsoever on this season. Not even .01%.

As for Jeter...I agree with Bob and Sandy 100%. Its one thing to be guarded, but it sounded like he was offended that Ken would even dare to question his leadership style. I've long thought he was pampered/arrogant/spoiled. He normally plays the game the right way though...so I do respect that. But I'd much rather my Godson take after David Wright than Jeter.

Ken, do you know Jeter well? Does he know your name? Do you ever make small talk with him? I'm assuming you do with other players right? And maybe you're turning me into you and I"m turning you into me?? Very scary!!

Bob...dont forget Stearns!! Miller, BK, Selig & Stearns!!

RG - the alert has been posted

As for the Brewers going 3-11 since the "no hitter".

It isn't just about the "no hitter". This is a team that folded like the Mets did in 2007, but just earlier in the summer so that it didn't have the same media attention outside of Suds City.

They were carrying two monkeys on their back this year - the fold in 2007 and the lack of a playoff game since 1982. To add such extraneous stuff as whining about CC to this year's Parra/Fielder fight and memories of last year's dugout battle to a mentally weak (SOFT. unraveled, fragile) team is deleterious to team performance.

What's the goal - the prize - what should be the focus? The organization failed to keep attention on what really counts. Perhaps some time in the media room by players reviewing pitchers would have been better than spending time playing Cecil B. DeMille for the MLB appeal?

For the life of me, I'll never understand the "Yankee fans" that spend so much time trashing Derek Jeter. I don't see fans of any other team trashing their franchise player, at least until that player is gone, a la Boston fans with Nomar, Manny, etc.

I also think it's interesting that you never saw this until after the dynasty ended and the Yankees weren't winning championships every year. So perhaps it's not Derek Jeter who's spoiled -- perhaps it's those fans.

Nancy:

"Yankee fan" - I'm not a Yankee fan (who have been spolied) , I just want to see a good game. I will gladly call out anyone who is not giving good effort on/off the field. I have no "man crush" on anyone save for Marvin Miller. And Jeter is no longer the franchise player - he is the face of a team which could finish fourth.

The dynasty - winning erases all problems. It's what you do when the situation changes and you have to work in new players and younger players in order to win again that now counts. Jeter appears to not be able to handle this role well.

Privy to conversations - only that people I know who have tried to deal with Jeter in the media and with his not for profit feel that they are being fed pablum or treated poorly.

Richie, I've known Jeter since '96. I think that, if he were threatened with bodily harm, he would admit to knowing my name, although he's never used it. We'll occasionally chat about U. of Michigan sports, since he is a fan and attended the school for one semester. I don't think he's a bad person, at all. But I do think he's distant, and that can translate into both a strength and a shortcoming, depending on the arena.

I guess Goose is doing TV interviews today. He has on a shirt with a huge -- and I mean HUGE -- "autotrader.com" sign on it. Is there NO shame left?

"I think that, if he were threatened with bodily harm, he would admit to knowing my name"

Thanks for the laugh, Ken.

I dont write the common reference when people actually laugh...I'm not secure in my manhood for that. But I really did laugh when I read that...and it was in front of my co-worker. One day if I see him I will threaten him for you Ken to find out.

Nancy, I am not a Yankee fan either. But I feel he puts out a distant persona for a reason...and that persona makes me think of him as a little spoiled and cold. Though I do think he gets it, I think he's a winner, he stays out of trouble, and he was a great player. I just wish he would be more friendly.

Richie, you and about 10,000 other people, I'm sure. And those are just the people he runs across in a single day.

My Jeter story. I was having breakfast with friends at a small dumpy diner near Legends Field a few years ago. The busboy came over and told us Derek Jeter had walked in. Of course, we waited around outside in the parking lot after we finished eating...watched him walk outside, shake hands and pose for pictures with an older couple and then head to his car. What did I do? Froze in my tracks. My friend, who's a lot braver than I, ran after him...literally chased him through the parking lot...screaming at him for an autograph. And you know what? He stopped, waited for her at his cra, and signed the ball for me. As he pulled out, and I continued to stand in the parking lot like a deer in the headlights, he beeped his horn, waved to me and my other friend and drove off. His last sight of us? Her waving her Chuck Knoblauch jersey at him. Later at the Stadium, we were lucky enough to be standing by the fence when he came out to sign autographs (the only person that day who did that). He walked the entire row and signed for everyone who had been waiting there (and yes, he laughed when my friend handed him her Knoblauch jersey and asked him to sign on the 11)...until the mob got so crazy that they actually pushed one of the barricades over onto him and security whisked him away in about two seconds flat. Sadly, I'm sure this is something he has to deal with on a daily basis. And somehow, I doubt you or I or anyone else would come across as "friendly" if we had to deal with that in our lives in a daily basis.

Nancy, I'm glad you had such an awesome experience with Jeter. But just seeing him from interviews makes him seem very distant and cold...and thats the only way I know him.

I remember my friends gushing about how great Wayne Chrebet in person was. But he was a jerk the two out of four times I interviewed him. A real big jerk.

So sometimes thats all we see.