Transaction Analysis: Ryan Dempster back to the Cubs
Alas, timing is everything. Wow. Four years and $52 million for Ryan Dempster? Doesn't seem like a great investment in a 31-year-old without a proven history as a starting pitcher.
And yes, as you folks have noted, this should raise the price for A.J. Burnett. Especially since the Yankees are all about overpaying nowadays.
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Comments (7)
Eh. Pedroia had impressive stats, Ken, but I am sure his "grit" gave him extra leverage with the typical old-guard voter. Similarly, Mourneau's second-place finish indicates that an impressive RBI total still matters. However, I did consider Joe Mauer's two first-place and eight second-place votes to signify a measure of progress.
After reading the New York Times today, I would be quite surprised if Mike Mussina played next year. He made the point that he would really have to commit to playing three more years if his motivation for coming back was to reach 300 wins. It was obvious that he sees the possibility of tarnishing his reputation with some poor annual results. He doesn't want to do that. He has one of the best winning percentages in the history of the game.
On anothe note, the previous posting brought back memories of George Steinbrenner in the saddle. He was a piece of work and made some bad, bad deals. But, I am not so sure that Brian Cashman is really any better. Sure, he operates without all the bravado, but he has made his share of blunders.
According to MLB.com, Oakland A's bench coach, Don Wakamatsu will be name the new manager of the Seattle Mariners.
Here's the link to the story.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081118&content_id=3684138&vkey=hotstove2008&fext=.jsp
I'm here Ken,
I'm OK with Pedroia winning. My guy was Joe Mauer, but I would've been fine with Pedroia, Mauer or Kevin Youkilis. My brief case for Mauer over Pedroia:
Pedroia: .326/.376/.493, 122 OPS+, 59.8 VORP, 3.29 WPA
Mauer: .328/.413/.451, 137 OPS+, 57.1 VORP, 4.88 WPA
Both won Gold Gloves, deservedly so, so defense is a wash, though catcher is tougher than 2B. Sox made the playoffs and Twins just missed. I have to think if Pedroia was 6'3" 210 lbs. (all other factors the same) he wouldn't have garnered as much support - call it the David Eckstein syndrome.
Do you know who the NY voters were? (so I can go bust their chops too, haha)
I don't know who the NY voters were, James, but I can find out, if it's not public already.
Ken:
The Yanks "are all about overpaying nowadays?"
Who doesn't overpay? Especially with pitchers.
Giants with Zito?
Tigers with Willis? etc. etc.
The Mets with Pedro, Shoenweiss, El Duque, not to mention Wagner, Castillo, Alou and, to some extent, Beltran. They blew everyone away by millions with Pedro, Wagner and Beltran.
My point, skip to alou (love the handle!), was that, for three years, the Yankees were impressively NOT about overpaying. They understood the importance of roster and payroll management, even to a team that prints money. But those lessons seem irrelevant now.