thejobarules's Blog

Miami Dolphins making a strong push for the playoffs

thejobarules — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:35:31 GMT

The Miami Dolphins only won one game in 2007, among the worst teams in both point scored and points allowed. They are 5-4 this season with a 2-1 divisional record including a big 38-17 win over the New England Patriots in Foxboro. That game, by the way, knocked me out of my suicide pool. That was 20 bucks down the chute.

Biggest off season change was the acquisition of knew director of football operations Bill Parcells. Parcells brought his type of football attitude to South Florida, getting bigger and tougher. He started the trend by having the newly appointed GM Jeff Ireland hire former Dallas Cowboy offensive line coach Tony Sporano as the new Dolphins had coach. Sporano brought his tough as nails attitude to a team which sorely needed a new direction. Sporano is such an important coach, that I believe when Sporano left the Cowboys, it hurt that team to where the offensive line is not the same as it was last season. The made necessary, but emotionally charged improvements. Former Dolphins stalwarts on defense, Zach Thomas and defensive end Jason Talyor were sent packing to the NFC East and a much youger (and hungrier) team emerged.

But, this younger team went in a different direction with the offense. Afer the Brett Favre fiasco finally concluded in New York, the Jets released Chad Pennington, who was immediately picked up by the Dolphins. Pennington quickly learned the offense and started the team's opener (against the Jets, no less!), almost leading them to victory.

Parcells and company knew that the team was young but needed an experienced signal caller to provide direction. Despite the success of first year quarterbacks Matt Ryan in Atlanta and Joe Flacco in Baltimore, it is very difficult for a young QB to have immediate success, and most need to sit a year or two behind a veteran, learning the NFL way of doing things. The biggest difference from college to the NFL is the speed of the game, and constant intense competition every week. Most young QB's need time to adjust and learn, and that is the step the Dolphins are taking with their young QB Chad Henne, who has backed up Pennington all year.

The Dolphins are doing it on both sides of the ball, too. Their defense was ranked dead last in the AFC last season in both rushing (153.5 YPG) and scoring (27.3), but those numbers have improved in 2008 to 5th in rushing (93.7 YPG) and 4th in scoring (20.2), a full touchdown per game better than 2007! On offense, the veteran leadership of Pennington, continued health of RB's Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, plus the introduction of the "Wildcat Formation" has boosted Miami's putrid offense from a year earlier. After an AFC ranking of 14th in total offense a year ago, the Dolphins are 3rd overall this season, with equal improvements in rushing and passing. The two headed monster that is Ronnie and Ricky have combined to score 12 touchdowns on the ground, equal that of the running machine New York Giants. While the Dolphins passing TD's are middle of the pack with 9, Pennington has efficiently guided the team, as the team has only 6 turnovers this season!

And things are getting better for the Dolphins. Their schedule is very soft the second half of the season with extremely winnable games left against the Raiders (home), Rams (away), 49ers (home) and Chiefs (away). No way the Raiders and Niners come close to winning, as this season has proven that West Coast teams do not fare very well when traveling East, going 0-12 this season. The Dolphins have benefitted from the last place schedule (because they were so bad in 2007) and going head to head with the lowly NFC West this season. Winning those four remaining "gimmes" would put the Dolphins at minimum 9 wins. I say gimmes because in sports it doesn't matter what team you play, IT MATTERS WHEN YOU PLAY THEM, and those four teams have already packed it in for the 2008 season. And all but the Chiefs are playing under interim head coaches. Not a good scenario when you are playing a young, playoff hungry team like the Dolphins. The Fins also have New England at home, and Buffalo and the Jets on the road. The Jets game finishes up the season and could decide the AFC East title.

Conceivably, the Dolphins could have 10 wins heading into the Meadowlands on December 28th. Favre versus Pennington for the AFC East title. The Dolphins road is easier than that of the Jets, who still have games at New England tomorrow night and at unbeaten Tennessee next week. They also have two west coast trips to San Francisco and Seattle, not two good teams, but those long trips make supermen mere mortals. For an indication, just check out the Jets' performance at Oakland last month.

Miami is in the drivers seat, with a young team sprinkled with the right amount of veteran leadership and a no name head coach the players believe in.

Bill Parcells has done it again.

New York Yankees don't need Andy Pettitte in 2009

thejobarules — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:21:36 GMT

Andy Pettitte filed for free agency yesterday, covering his bases in case the New York Yankees do not extend a contract offer. Pettitte has consistently maintained that he wants to pitch for the Yankees in 2009, espcially now that they are moving into the new stadium. But, while the Yankees know Pettitte wants to return and have also said they want him back in the Bronx, the team has yet to begin negotiations on what it would take to re-sign Pettitte.

Pettitte pitched to a 14-14, 4.54 ERA record in 2008, and was disappointing down the stretch, fashioning a 2-7 with a 6.23 ERA in his final 11 starts. While starting 33 games and throwing over 200 innings (the new benchmark for durability), he complained of a sore throwing shoulder in September and missed his final start of the season. However, MRI's did not show any structural damage.

Reports have the Yankees wanting the 36 year old Pettitte back for a one year deal for around $10 miilion, much lower than the $16 million he earned in 2008. It is apparent Pettitte is now a 4th or 5th type starter, but are those type of guys worth $10 million per season?

The real reason as to why the Yankees have not spoken with Pettitte or his agent has nothing to do with Pettitte, but everything to do with Mike Mussina. The Yankees are still waiting for Mussina to decide if he wants to retire or continue to pitch in 2009 and beyond. They are holding out hope that Moose wants to return and believe he is a better pitcher than Pettitte at this stage of their careers. Last week, Andy was given Type A free agent status and then stated he wanted to pitch in 2009, and those factors worked against Pettitte. Since the Yankees are likely to sign two free agent pitchers among CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, Derek Lowe and (ugh!) Oliver Perez, and with Chien-Ming Wang and Joba Chamberlain already in the rotation, by having Mussina return, the Yanks would have 5 top starters and would not need Pettitte. A guy who wants to retire (especially after a 20 win season) would already have already announced his decision. The more Mussina delays his decision, the more likely Mussina returns to pitch.

The Yankees would gladly accept Mussina back and take the two draft picks for Pettitte as he signs elsewhere, with his best opportunity being the Joe Torre led Los Angeles Dodgers.

Even if Mussina does not return, the Yankees will still have the two new free agent pitchers plus Joba Chamberlain and Wang. They still do not need Andy Pettitte at this point. It would be much more practical to have either Phil Hughes, Alfredo Aceves, Chase Wright or Ian Kennedy vie for this last spot. With four top pitchers at the top of the rotation, it would by prudent to give one of those youngsters the fifth spot to allow them to develop in the major leagues. All those pitchers have performed well at Triple A and they need to be allowed to get major league hitters out. The history of teams over the last several years which have reached the post season, have been led by young, inexpensive home grown pitchers, all of which who had struggled early in their careers.

No matter what Mussina decides, the Yankees would be wise to let Pettitte walk, save the $10 million, get the two draft picks and allow one of the younger pitchers to work the 5th spot in the rotation. With the four top starters (Wang, Joba, two free agents) the Yankees would have the luxury of carrying a younger fifth starter who wouldn't have the intense pressure of the 2008 season.

It would be better for the Yankees in the long run.

Jorge Posada needs to rehab more than just his shoulder

thejobarules — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 19:24:37 GMT

It was recently reported that Jorge Posada will begin a throwing program around December 1st. It has been speculated that if Posada's surgically repaired shoulder is unable to return to prior form, he would be a possible replacement for first base and sometime DH. But, Posada has demanded that he catch and doesn't want to play 1B or even DH full time. That puts the Yankees into a bind, given that they need to decide what to do at first for 2009.

My advice to Posada is to play wherever the team tells you to play. Be a team player and stop worrying about your petty self esteem issues and think about what is best for the team - not just yourself. The Yankees are the team that gave you a $52 million contract after the 2007 season, and they are your employer. After an injury riddled first year of that deal, think they would like to renegotiate those terms?

On July 30, Posada had surgery to repair a torn labrum, and since his shoulder was worse than originally thought, he also had work done to repair tears in the rotator cuff. It is not the first time Posada had surgery on that shoulder - he had a small labrum tear repaired in 2001. Since the labrum is cartilage and not muscle, it remains very difficult to return to form. So, Posada has had two surgeries to repair the labrum. His very likely won't have a strong enough arm to be able to stand the rigors of the major leagues, and he won't be able to throw runners out on a consistent basis. He should not be the catcher next season.

However, if he whines and gets to catch, it will seem like Dave Roberts is on base all the time.

Of all the surgeries that could be performed on the throwing arm, labrum surgery is the worst. I had labrum surgery and it took me more than a full year to be able to throw a ball again with any authority, and even then the throws weren't as strong as they were before the surgery. I was 36 at the time of my surgery - the same age as Posada. Also, a check of major league players who have had torn labrums repaired reveal that Mark Mulder, Rob Nen, Jason Schmidt and former elite pitchers Mark Gubicza and Houston pitcher Mike Scott never fully recovered. The only pitchers I am aware of who have successfully returned have been Dwight Gooden (no-hitter in 1996, but did not have nearly the same velocity), Arizona reliever Jon Rauch and Kansas City starter Gil Meche. So why is Posada insisting on catching next year? Why did he snap at reporters in July when manager Joe Girardi mentioned that Posada played 1st base on July 10th? Here is a newspaper report from that incident:"Still, Posada stubbornly had maintained plans to return this season. He even defiantly snapped at reporters when he played first base July 10 in Pittsburgh: ‘I like to catch. Okay? I'm happy that I'm in the lineup, but I like to catch. I'm a catcher. I'm not a first baseman and I'm not a DH. I like to catch, so I'm looking forward to catching.'"

That defiant statement about not being able to play where he wanted was a direct slap in the face to Girardi. There have been recent reports also that indicated Posada has been detrimental to Girardi's authority in the clubhouse.

Clearly, Posada is not enamored with his manager? But why?

It all goes back to 1999. Here is a statement from back then: "The New York Yankees picked up their $3.4 million option on Joe Girardi yesterday, keeping their catching platoon in place for 1999." A catching platoon with Posada.

It's obvious that Posada still has a beef with Girardi over his return in 1999. During the 1998 season, Posada caught the majority of games and was becoming the starting catcher, but when Girardi was resigned for the 1999 season, Posada became upset, mainly because he wanted to be the everyday catcher.

That was the year when Joe Torre missed the beginning of the season with prostate cancer surgery and Don Zimmer had the managerial reigns. Posada knows that Zimmer preferred Girardi and played him the majority of time early that season.

Here is what Posada said about that time period: "‘It was tough because we didn't know what was going on,' Posada said. ‘Don Zimmer was our manager, and there were a lot of changes. I'm the starting catcher, but now I'm not starting. I played the first game (of the season) and then I didn't play the next few days...it seemed like Zim didn't have the trust in me. (Girardi) was like a son, and he trusted him a little more.'" Girardi was Zimmer's catcher for a couple of years when Zimmer managed the Chicago Cubs. He knew Girardi and liked his ability. Posada was still young and some pitchers liked throwing to Girardi more. That is why Joe Torre insisted Girardi be signed for the 1999 season. Posada's resentment likely stems from an even earlier time. He didn't make the cut on the 1996 post season roster (Torre chose utility man Andy Fox instead of a third catcher) and split time with Girardi in 1997 and 1998. But, he was still young and had plenty of future ahead of him. Besides the pitchers liking to throw to him, Girardi was kept around for another reason - continue with the tutelage he began with Posada, who was still early in his catching career, having been drafted by the Yankees as a second baseman.

Girardi stayed with the Yankees in 1999 to continue to help Posada, but Jorge resents it because he wasn't the full time guy. Posada was only the main guy behind the plate on one World Series title team during that dynasty - the 2000 team. And that is the main reason why he is so bitter towards Girardi. But, Girardi was only helpful to the young Posada. After Posada arrived for a platoon role in 1997, Girardi knew Posada would eventually take over the majority of the playing time and rather than resent Posada, Girardi embraced and tutored him. Zimmer said it best back then, "No catcher could come to the big leagues could be treated any better than Posada. But that's Joe's style. Joe has done everything he could to make the other guy better." However, Posada said in a 2008 interview about his favorite moment as a Yankee (catching David Wells' 1998 perfect game), he was happy when Girardi left the team.

Posada's mouth has not been confined to only his position on the field either. Since he had shoulder surgery, Posada also has become a champion of controversy. He rehashed the Joba Chamberlain debate, adamantly stating on Michael Kay's YES network's CenterStage show that Chamberlain needs to be a reliever because, while going 200+ innings, he would get hurt as a starter. Another likely reason is because Posada feels that with Chamberlain in the bullpen, the Yankees would be a better team. But, if Posada can't throw (and history states he won't throw as well), wouldn't the Yankees be a better team with him at 1B/DH?

Throughout history, major players have switched positions for the betterment of their team (and the length of their careers). Robin Yount moved from SS to CF for the Milwaukee Brewers (and won an MVP at each); Dale Murphy moved from catcher to CF and Cal Ripken moved from SS to 3B. Even HOFers Ernie Banks, Carl Yastrzemski and a former Yankee catcher, Yogi Berra, have switched positions to help the team. And Banks and Yaz switched to first base. If those great names can switch, then Posada can make the switch.

Players have moved for injuries, too. This season, Kevin Youkilis has played OF, 1B and 3B. He came up to the Red Sox in 2004 and played mostly 3B, but moved over to 1B when the Red Sox traded for Mike Lowell after the 2005 season. Because Lowell is now injured, Youkilis has moved back over to third for the playoffs. He has even played a few games at second base and originally was drafted by the Red Sox as a catcher.

Bottom line is that Youkilis is a baseball playing, team player who will do anything to keep his bat in the lineup and help his team win. He does not pop off and complain that "I am a first baseman and I want to play first base."

Jorge Posada needs to put his mouth and ego on hold and do what is BEST FOR THE TEAM. Maybe that is one reason why the Yankees are not in the playoffs this season - not many team players. It is no coincidence that Posada's best friend, Derek Jeter, has also refused to move his position for the betterment of the team.

When Posada needs to get ready for Spring Training, he can bring his catcher's mitt, but he better make sure he also has a first baseman's glove.

It's what's best for the team.

Joe DelGrippo writes for Dugout Central and Mike Silva's www.nybaseballdigest.com and does talk show appearances on Kevin Williams "Locker Room" at www.wobman.com every Monday and Friday at 3:20 PM. Joe played in 1985 Division 3 College Baseball World Series as member of the Marietta (OH) Pioneers.

Yankees should vote NO for a Jake Peavy trade

thejobarules — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:34:18 GMT

This is a big election year...not in Washington, but Yankeeland. The Yankees have to elect to go with the new way of managing their business, or revert back to the old way of buying other teams players. After the Yankees missed the playoffs for the first time in 13 years, will they continue to build from within or go the expensive, free agent route. Media types and others who screamed over the early 90's for the Yankees to get younger with homegrown talent and now screaming for the Yankees to go out and get everybody else's players to make sure that 2008 does not repeat itself.

Would it be that bad next year if the Yankees played well with younger players, but missed out again on the playoffs? I say not at all. Young players need to develop over time and get better with machinations of the major league game. Those guys who have performed well in AAA don't need "more seasoning" down there, they need to play in the Majors.

That is why it is unbelievable that the names of CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, Derek Lowe, Mark Teixeira, Nate McLouth and now Jake Peavy are bandied about as guys the Yankees "have to get if they are going to be better in 2009." I can understand if Sabathia is signed; he is a workhorse ace, has good mechanics, would only cost money and if the Yankees only signed him (and no one else) they could let the youngers guys work the rotation, too.

But, guys like AJ Burnett and especially Jake Peavy scare the hell out of me. They are both injuries waiting to happen - especially Peavy.

History tends to repeat itself, and those who don't follow historically evidence, are usually doomed to failure. So, it is interesting how a year after passing on Johan Santana, a second 28 year old ace from a small market team is now available in trade. But, I must ask this question: Why would a team trade a young ace pitcher while in the prime of his career, and who is reasonably signed for the next several seasons?

The San Diego Padres basically made the playoffs in 2007, losing a play in game to the Colorado Rockies, but struggled in 2008. With the NL West division the way it is, there is no reason to believe that the Padres couldn't win the division next season as they have a good rotation and strong bullpen. But, their offense lacks pop in big Petco Park, so why not go out and get a couple good hitters to surround Adrian Gonzalez and lengthen that lineup?

One reason - and it is not that they want a group of young players - but that Jake Peavy is a major injury waiting to happen.

Peavy's arm action and delivery (the two big parts of a pitchers mechanics) are absolutely awful and remind me of Mark Prior's "winged" arm action when he breaks his hands. After Peavy's hands break, he leads the backward movement of his throwing arm with his elbow and not his hand. Why is this important? Because when a pitcher leads with the elbow, his arm does not get into the high cocked position ready to throw until it is too late, after his front foot lands. Then, the pitcher needs to "rush" his motion to help deliver the ball. This type of arm motion eventually leads to elbow AND shoulder injuries.

Also, the fact that he throws a slider almost every other pitch is cause for concern on the elbow, too.

And Peavy has had elbow problems twice in his career, most recently this past season in which he missed four weeks with an elbow strain. During the 2006 season, he missed several starts with shoulder tendonitis. And in 2004, he missed five starts after a mass formed in his right forearm just above the elbow. Isn't that similar to Billy Wagner, forearm tightness near the elbow?

Although MRI's this season did not reveal any structural damage, how many more sliders with bad arm action does Peavy need to throw before his elbow needs Tommy John surgery? Also, how many more violent deliveries need he throw before the labrum pops?

Peavy is schedule to earn $11 million in 2009, $15 million in 2010, $16 million in 2011 and $17 million in 2012, then if the 2013 option of $22 million is needed to get traded to the Yankees (because of Peavy's no trade clause), it will total $81 million guaranteed.

There is no doubt that Peavy ranks up there with Brandon Webb, Johan Santana, and CC Sabathia as full-fledged, top-of-the-rotation, #1 ace starters.

But, with the money to be paid, and the prospects given, how many quality starts are left in that right arm of Jake Peavy? My bet is not $81 million worth.

I would advise Brian Cashman to stay far away from Jake Peavy. Let Peavy go to Atlanta, who have bigger chips to trade and like to trade for pitchers who have injuries after they get them, guys like Mike Hampton and Tim Hudson.

Brian Cashman Needs to Continue With the Youngsters

thejobarules — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:32:06 GMT

Brian Cashman is returning to the Yankees and will continue to be General Manager of the team for the next three seasons. Based on the comments from the Cashman press conference two weeks ago, he feels his legacy would be tarnished if he left the Yankees at this time.

I agree. The New York media are a bunch of vultures who love to build people up, but love even more to tear them back down. And the vultures have been circling over Cashman for quite some time. With most other baseball cities, their writers (and fan base) are just as passionate about their team, but usually without the venom and vitriol so often seen in New York. Cashman's decision to stay is not about money as he would make roughly the same amount ($2 million per), but about fully instituting the young player development since assuming complete control in 2005.

The problem in New York is the New York media and the fans have absolutely no patience with anything concerning the Yankees (and even the Mets), and the impatient nature is magnified now that the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays are successful using home grown talent. Patience with young players has been the problem all along in Yankeeland, but is much different in other teams - especially the Red Sox and Rays.

Before Cashman signed that contract extension in 2005, he wanted full baseball control from George Steinbrenner. Since then, the Yankees have not won any post season series and did not even make the playoffs this season. Considering it's the Yankees and they won 4 World Series in 5 seasons from 1996-2000, the recent play is not exactly winning results - at least not by Yankee standards.

Many writers (especially Bill Madden of the NY Daily News) have repeatedly chastised Cashman for the lack of young players brought up through the system who are producing right away. In his story on September 27, 2008, Madden says, "And while the Red Sox have come up with premium position players such as Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury and Jed Lowrie in recent years, the Yankees haven't drafted or developed any since Derek Jeter in 1992." That is true. And while the three Red Sox players were drafted since Cashman has been GM, the Red Sox are more patient with their players than the Yankees have become.

For example, let's say Robinson Cano hit only .182 in May 2005 when he was first brought up by the Yankees, did not homer and had only 2 RBI's. Would the Yankee fans have been patient with this guy? No way. The talkies on the radio would have been screaming for Cano to be sent down and for the Yankees to trade for some other team's player. But, a month of .182/.308/.236/.544 OPS is what Dustin Pedroia achieved in April 2007 after he was given the second base job by the Red Sox. And Pedroia hit .191 with a .561 OPS in August and September of 2006. So, for his first two months in the majors (literally one-third of a season), Pedroia was 27 for 144, batted .188 with an OPS of .551. If he was a Yankee, Pedroia would have been banished even lower than Chase Wright and probably exiled like Javier Vazquez! But, the Red Sox were patient with Dustin and he has responded.

Yankee fans are now upset because Cano had a worse year than Pedrioa, and the Red Sox are in the ALCS. The Red Sox are patient with Jed Lowrie, too, who had a 0 for 18 stretch in September this year. While Lowrie did drive in 46 runs (and I like that RBI stat), he also hit only .258 with a slugging percentage of .400 and struck out 68 times in only 260 at bats. Not exactly superstar numbers. But the Red Sox let him play and resisted the urge to go out and "get somebody." The Red Sox were also patient with their young pitchers as they brought up Justin Masterson, David Pauley, Michael Bowden and Charlie Zink from the minors to make key starts down the stretch.

Cashman understands this and wants to do the same thing but is faced with tremendous pressure to "win now," especially coming off a disappointing 2008. When almost $88 million is going to come off the books, the media whizzes are now disregarding what the Red Sox, Rays, Brewers, Rockies (World Series last year), Twins, Dodgers (six players of 26 and younger in the ALCS are starters, plus three key pitchers) have done. It's not that these other teams have drafted better, but these other teams are letting their young players play instead of going out and trying to buy a championship. Even the NY Mets and their GM Omar Minaya has begun to use younger players both to get younger and keep payroll costs down. I credit Minaya for his turnaround.

Yet, despite all the young teams now winning with younger, home grown players, Madden still talks about signing free agents CC Sabathia or Derek Lowe and Oliver Perez and trading for Colorado Rockies OF Matt Holliday and Kansas City CF David DeJesus as cures for the Yankee ills.

Now the media (and the fans) WANT CC Sabathia, WANT AJ Burnett, WANT Derek Lowe, WANT Mark Teixeira, WANT Nate McLouth in New York playing for the Yankees.

"We need a top of the rotation starter, we need a first baseman, and we need a center fielder" is what you hear on radio and read in the papers. While I do believe CC Sabathia will help the Yankees if signed, the Yankees should not go on a spending spree this off season. The media now wants more of the same from the 1980's Yankees - sign over priced free agents and watch the other teams win championships. But, if the Yankees sign several free agents and the Yankees still don't win, Cashman will again take the heat for a farm system that hasn't drafted or developed any premium position players since Derek Jeter in 1992.

I agree with my colleague at http://www.nybaseballdigest.com/, Howard Megdal (now there's a first!), that the Yankees need to get younger, but it should be done with what the Yankees have currently in the system, and not by signing big-money free agents.

Instead of Teixeira or even Jason Giambi at first in 2009, the Yankees should let Juan Miranda win the job. Miranda is in the Arizona Fall League now, and hit exceedingly well in AA Scranton. And he pounded right handed pitching. Let Miranda get 400 AB's against RHP and platoon him a little with a versatile, smooth fielding right-handed hitter and Jorge Posada in the DH/1B role.

Brett Gardner should be given the center field job. Despite what Bill Madden calls "a singles-hitting flyweight with zilch extra-base pop destined for a career as a fourth outfielder and pinch runner," Gardner has been nothing short of a winner in every stage of his pro career. After a slow start to this season (remember about Pedroia!), Gardner hit .357/.386/.667/1.034 OPS in his last 10 starts in CF. And these weren't your typical out of contention September starts either. Starting pitchers in those last 10 starts included Mark Buehrle and Gavin Floyd of the Chicago White Sox, Jesse Litsch (13-9, 3.85 ERA), AJ Burnett (we all know who he is) and Roy Halladay of the Toronto Blue Jays and Dice-K and Tim Wakefield in Boston. Gardner had 3 of the 6 Yankee hits (including a double) against Halladay in Roy's 20th victory that day. And Gardner plays great defense, too.

Other playoff teams have used their young players to excel and win World Series titles, and it appears the Red Sox will continue to compete for the next decade. The Yanks should mirror the Sox and Rays success and continue with young talent. It would be wise for Cashman to not listen to "baseball experts" like Bill Madden who continually changes his mind and generally speaks negatively about New York teams. By the way, Madden wrote in that Cashman needs to get younger - not by signing young free agents (Pavano was 29) but by using his own system and allow the talent to develop. It is easy to dismiss young players when they don't perform well immediately, but it takes guts to keep with an initial plan and continue to move forward.

Cashman should follow on the initial plans to develop the farm and bring up young players when they are ready.

Recently drafted and signed players such as Austin Jackson, Dellin Betances, Zach McAllister, Austin Romine and Jesus Montero are still a year (or more) away, and guys in the system for a while like Chase Wright, Brett Gardner, Juan Miranda need to be involved now.

They are all following the path that Ellsbury, Lowrie, Pedroia and Youkilis have traveled. Even new Red Sox ace Jon Lester (29-27, 3.33 ERA, 1.31 WHIP in the minors) finally has made his mark 6 years after being drafted. Meanwhile, Chase Wright is 23-8 over the last two seasons, and doesn't get a second chance. The key is to keep letting the youngsters handle adversity in the majors. I have yet to see a hitter come through in the "clutch" every time or a pitcher win every game he has started.

The Red Sox have let the players play and have won two World Series titles as a result, but they got swept in the ALDS in 2005 and didn't even make the playoffs in 2006. Teams can't win every season as those days of 1996-2000 are over.

Free agents don't win World Series titles, so the Yankees need to let their young guys play like the young Red Sox guys in order to earn the same results as the Red Sox team.

Lou Piniella could get his wish - play the Mets in the NLDS

thejobarules — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 18:55:27 GMT

Do the Chicago Cubs want the Mets to win the NL Wild Card?

Based upon some of the decisions Lou Piniella made over the three game series with the New York Mets, Piniella must want the Mets to win the NL Wild Card. If the Mets do win the Wild Card, they would play the Chicago Cubs in the NLDS.

Jon Heyman from cnnsi.com reported on Wednesday that several scouts think the Mets will be easy pickens in the NLDS, primarily due to their leaky bullpen and lack of quality starters after Johan Santana. "I hope we play the Mets," one NL scout said, flat out. Another scout was quoted as saying that the Mets bullpen is "*&$#% garbage." Were those Cubs scouts? Could be. Could have been the Dodgers scout, whose team would play the Mets if the Mets come back and win the division. Piniella's antics could help the Dodgers, too.

Also, many scouts fell that David Wright is in bad shape in trying to carry the Mets on his shoulders...and felt Wright's shoulders aren't big enough. These scouts are correct because when a player tries to "do too much" at the plate, they swing at bad pitches and get themselves out. This is exactly what Wright is doing.

I was thinking this might be the case during the first three games of the series, but last night's game cemented the thoughts.

With a two run led in the bottom of the 8^th, Piniella normally would have gone with Carlos Marmol, arguable his most effective relief pitcher. Then it would be Kerry Wood in the 9^th inning. Neither one shoed up last night and Wood only recorded 4 outs the entire 4 game series. Word is that Piniella wanted to give his big guns extra rest. No way is that the case. Guarantee they both pitch against the Brewers this weekend.

Marmol coming in the 8^th inning last night was a no-brainer, especially when he did not pitch Wednesday night. The Mets then score two in the 8^th off Neil Cotts and Bobby Howry to tie the game, and score the game winner off of Kevin Hart in the 9^th.

Hart is a relief pitcher with the worst possible combination of lacking talent: he surrenders lots of hits and allows too many walks. Whitey Herzog once told his closer Todd Worrell that he didn't care if Worrell gave up five hits and blew a game - JUST DON'T WALK ANYBODY. Hart walks guys, then gives up big hits to score them.

Coming into the 9^th inning last night, Hart has allowed 59 base runners in only 25 innings! For the sabermetrics out there, that is a 2.360 WHIP! Those are terrible numbers, but, last night Hart actually increased those numbers by allowing three base runners, including the winning run! After last night his ERA is now over 7.00!

Piniella also did not start his regulars Alfonso Soriano, Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez or Geovany Sota - his all star catcher. Didn't start and didn't even pinch hit. Many Met fans are rationalizing this by saying that Piniella "wants to see who his 23^rd thru 25^th men are going to be." Let me help Sweet Lou here - Kevin Hart should not be on your post season roster. I think Lou probably realized it before Hart appearance last night. Then why was Hart in the game?

Because the Cubs believe they are much better than the Mets and want them to win the NL Wild Card.

Want more proof? Piniella will play his regulars much more this weekend against the Milwaukee Brewers, who are currently tied with the Mets for the Wild Card lead.

"We have two days off, Monday and Tuesday [before the NL Division Series begins], so we have to play our regulars," Piniella said. "I don't want them sitting for four or five days."

He will also pitch Marmol and Wood, too, especially if the games are tight in the later innings. As Mets radio announcer Howie Rose says "you can put in the book," that the Cubbies will play the Brewers very tough this weekend, with their regular players, not those from AAA Iowa.

No one thinks the Phillies will lose two of three this weekend to the Nationals, with Joe Blanton, Jamie Moyer and Cole Hamels going this weekend. But, if they do, the Mets would need to sweep the Florida Marlins this weekend to win the division. They won't. But, if the Mets lose tonight and Cubs do their job against the Brewers, the Mets will need to win both their remaining games. That means on Sunday Johan Santana will have to pitch (and win) just for the Mets to win the Wild Card, and Santana would only pitch one game in the NLDS against the Cubs.

And Lou Piniella would really be smiling because he was one of the architects.

One New York baseball team is doing the right thing

thejobarules — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 05:36:00 GMT

Absolutely amazing! A New York baseball team is in 2nd place, 7.5 games out of first place then goes on a nice run where they reclaim first place and currently lead by two games over their bitter division rival.

This first place team has prospered by utilizing an array of young talent brought up from the minor leagues, talent which was drafted and developed by the current General Manager and rose through the farm system.

These young kids have contributed in many ways, seamlessly meshing with several established young players and a few seasoned veterans. Also, the starting rotation was bolstered by a hard-throwing RHP, a former first round pick who has achieved double digit wins his first full year in the rotation. After a slow start, the young starter rewarded the team and its patient GM who bucked public outcry for his demotion, with a tremendous first full season.

When the trading deadline approached, the patient GM eschewed calls to make a big trade for a RH hitting outfield bat plus a reliever, but instead, kept his younger players and promoted from within to fill needs.

Meanwhile, across the city the other team is floundering in fourth place with very few young players having effectively contributed to the team. There are overpaid and under-performing veterans throughout the lineup. A young pitcher, a former first round draft pick and part of the opening day rotation, had a terrible start - and was demoted. No patience was given to the youngster to work though his problems.

At the trading deadline, instead of using some of their young talent from the minor league system (like most teams do), the GM panics and trades four players, including several young arms, for a RH hitting outfielder and relief pitcher. Fans love the trade, but cry foul as the team continues to lose games and fall in the standings, going only 19-22 since the trade.

If I said to the New York baseball fan that the New York Mets would be utilizing young talent and the Yankees would refuse to use their young players - they would have told me I was crazy.

The Yankees and Mets have traded positions and the Mets are going in the right direction while the Yankees are headed in the wrong direction.

GM Omar Minaya did not trade for Manny Ramirez or Jason Bay, and was roundly criticized for not improving the Mets lineup. But, while taking direct hits from the media and Met fan base, he knew that bringing up Daniel Murphy and Nick Evans would bolster the lineup and infuse some needed young exuberance. The questionable bullpen was improved with minor league callup Brian Stokes and the minor trade for Luis Ayala. Not one of the Mets top prosepcts were dealt for a mid-season rental player, and that is great for the long term future of the Mets franchise.

The Yankees do have the minor league talent, especially an array of young power arms, and the current GM, Brian Cashman has drafted well. In the last several years he even has TRADED OVERPRICED VETERANS for even more younger talent. See Gary Sheffield and Randy Johnson.

But, the Yankees are the New York team which doesn't utilize their young talent at the major league level, and even if they do, the team has very little patience if the young players do not immediately perform well. I call it the "Chase Wrighting" of young players. Have a bad outing or two and the young player is banished to the minor leagues - many time it is forever.

On the other hand, the Mets have been the team which usually goes after the big name talent, and is willing to pay the large contracts for their services. This blueprint was the career long modus operandi of GM Omar Minaya who has made his name by buying players, trading young talent for veterans and not paying attention to the minor league system. But, in the last year or so, Minaya has changed his thinking on what needs to be done to build, AND NURTURE, a championship caliber team.

Beginning in 2007, Minaya sought to improve the way his team's drafted. Since his first draft in 2002 as GM of the Montreal Expos, Minaya's drafts had produced only one impact player - relief pitcher Chad Cordero. (It has now produced a second in Mike Pelfrey). But, last season he followed the leads of smaller market teams Colorado, Milwaukee, Tampa and Minnesota by focusing more on the draft and drafting well by concentrating on high ceiling pitchers who can move through the system fast. All reports have the Mets 2007 draft as one of their best ever under Minaya.

Next season, the Mets rotation should have homegrown talent Mike Pelfrey and Jonathan Niese taking up two spots and 2007 draftees Eddie Kunz and Bobby Parnell could be main cogs out of the bullpen.

I have been one of Minaya's harshest critics, and the criticism was well deserved; but now, I have to give credit where credit is due. Omar Minaya has proved that a New York baseball team can win while utilizing young talent, and be patient when that talent has some down periods.

Who knew that it would be the New York Mets, and not the New York Yankees, who would figure this out?

Jerry Manuel Proving his Worth - and should be back in 2009

thejobarules — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:18:09 GMT

I want to congratulate Jerry manuel for reading my prior blog which asked him to allow his top starting pitchers to go longer in games during a divisional title race. After Wednesday's brutal loss to the rival Philadelphia Phillies, the Mets won in their version of comeback style and are obviously a different - and better - team with Jerry Manuel at the helm.

The rifts in the clubhouse appear over, the biting comments in the media have stopped, and some Met fans are even calling for Carlos Delgado to return in 2009. Delgado has resurrected his season (and career) while under Manuel, and Jose Reyes, the key that opens the Mets offensive door, has elevated his game since the departure of Willie Randolph. Delgado and Reyes were two of Randolph's biggest critics.

Manuel has provided a calming influence over the team by utilizing all his players (even the rookies!) and letting the veterans play "their game." Youngsters Nick Evans and Daniel Murphy have played big roles during the Mets resurgence - something they likely wouldn't have had a chance to do under Randolph.

Manuel allows players to play their own music in the clubhouse - something the strict Randolph didn't. It's a small thing, but it's big for the players. They are less restricted and more relaxed under Manuel. He lets them be themselves.

A big improvement by Manuel has been to go longer with his best starters - Johan Santana and Mike Pelfrey. With only about 30 games to go this 2008 season, no more babying the starters.

Pelfrey was originally supposed to have skipped a start or two to keep his innings down, under the theory that increasing a young pitcher's innings by more than 40 in a year could possibly lead to injury. But Manuel has made it clear he is going to pitch Pelfrey as much as needed. "You're trying to win a championship - period. And I've always said that in the course of winning a championship, there will be some damage to some folks. That's the sacrifice, the cost, the price of a championship."

Manuel knows that during the late stages of a horse race, a manager must ride his best horses to the finish line. Right now, Santana and Pelfrey are Manuel's two stallions. This is something his namesake in Philadelphia, Charlie Manuel, has not learned. Good time Charlie's removeal of ace Cole Hamels last night against Chicago was the biggest mistake in the NL East race. You would think Charlie would have learned from Jerry's prior mistake of not letting ace Johan Santana go out for the 9th inning against Charlie's Phillies on July 22.

Charlie did not learn, but Jerry did learn from his own mistake and is letting his top guys throw more.

Manuel's approach is great for Met fans. It shows that he's not worried about how he is perceived - something his predecessor worried too much about. He is bucking conventional wisdom of innings limits to win. That's the type of leader that needs to be around for the long term.

The Wilpons haven't yet taken the interim label off Manuel, but if they don't, some other team - perhaps the Seattle Mariners or Texas Rangers - are sure to take a hard look at him.

Joe writes for Dugout Central and Mike Silva's www.nybaseballdigest.com and does talk show appearances on Kevin Williams "Locker Room" at www.wobman.com every Monday and Friday at 3:20 PM. Joe played in 1985 Division 3 College Baseball World Series as member of the Marietta (OH) Pioneers.

Jerry Manuel needs to be more like Ned Yost

thejobarules — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 02:49:49 GMT

It now appears that closer Billy Wagner is out indefinitely with a sore left elbow. He may be out for the entire year, and unless the Mets become the 1927 Yankees with their lineup, Wagner's loss hampers the Mets' challenge for the NL East Division title.

Currently in first place in the East with a 1.5 game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies, the Mets are using a closer by committee plan to ride out their hot relief pitcher. Somehow, "hot relief pitcher" and "New York Mets" seem equal to the oxymoron's Jumbo Shrimp and Military Intelligence.

With only 35 or so games left in the season, pitchers on all teams vying for a playoff spot need to do more for their teams. Certain pitchers have to perform in different roles and all pitchers must be prepared to throw more often. For example, hot relievers must be prepared to go several days in a row and top starters might need to pitch on less rest.

Therefore, the Mets are likely to need more work from a relief corps that has not performed well as of late. Manager Jerry Manuel does not want to name a closer as to avoid the pressure put upon a guy. But, when a game is late and close and a relief pitcher is not being called upon in the 7^thor 8^th innings - he pretty much realizes that he will be the "closer" that evening. The nerves might come up at that point, no?

Anyway, the Mets need to avoid their overmatched bullpen at all costs.

It was July 22 of this season and Johan Santana came out of a crucial game against the arch rival Phillies, with both the Mets and Phillies tied for first place. Santana held a 5-2 lead, but he declined to pressure manager Jerry Manuel into letting him pitch the 9th, likely preserving the lead and the game. Even though closer Billy Wagner was unavailable for this crucial 9th inning, Santana did not take the ball in the 9th. After 105 pitches, Santana must have felt he was done. (Somewhere, CC Sabathia is snickering).

The Mets bullpen collapses and the Phillies rally for 6 runs and win 8-6.

In various radio segments I do and in an article written on dugoutcentral.com, I blasted Santana for not "manning up" and getting the complete game victory. Those were the types of games the Mets needed Santana to be "the man" when they traded away four prospects over the winter to Minnesota.

After that July 22 game, Santana must have learned the lesson about being the ace of a staff, because since then he has been nothing short of brilliant. Five starts, a 3-0 record and TWO complete game victories, including Sunday's 3 hit shutout over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

A very big kudos to Johan for those two complete game victories! He deserves the credit for coming through late in the season.

But, Johan's other two starts since then were no-decision's, both of which were blown saves by the bullpen and costing Johan two victories. This season the Mets bullpen has cost Santana five victories.

This should not happen any more this season.

The Mets should forgo pitch counts for the balance of the season when Santana pitches and allow him to go the distance in almost all the rest of his starts. With the division race (remember when it was the Pennant race?) likely going down to wire again with the Phillies (and possibly the Marlins, too), the Mets need to win every one of Santana's last 8 or 9 starts.

Santana has pitched very effectively in almost every start for 6 or 7 innings. Jerry Manuel needs to let him know that his job description has been upped to 8 or 9 innings per start. With the Mets bullpen blowing another lead Monday afternoon, there is no reason for Manuel to ever pull Santana in favor of mediocre middle relievers like Aaron Heilman, Pedro Feliciano, Joe Smith, Scott Schoeneweis and Duaner Sanchez. For example, with a 3-2 lead in the 7th inning in his next start, with men on first and second and one out - I want Santana on the mound in this clutch situation - not any of the above relievers!

Also, Oliver Perez has only averaged 5.2 innings per his 26 starts this year. This average is somewhat low because of three very bad short stints. Remember that one third of an inning debacle against the San Francisco Giants? But, those three real bad starts were earlier in the season. Perez has thrown very well his last 10 starts, going 4-2 with a 2.19 ERA. More importantly, the Mets are 8-2 in those 10 starts.

Still, in those 10 real good starts, Perez has been allowed to average 6.2 innings per. This is unacceptable. He is much better a pitcher than any of the relievers mentioned above. Perez is very likely not to return to the Mets next season, so the Mets manager needs to begin to treat him like a rental player - similar to Sabathia. Let Perez go 120+ pitches every game and get through 8 or more innings.

Of course, the only time to remove Santana and Perez earlier would be if the Mets are down by a few runs. I wouldn't even remove them for a pinch hitter if the Mets were only down a run or two.

The Mets two top starters are better than anybody in the bullpen, even after 100 pitches. They should be allowed to remain in all games which are close.

I would even treat Mike Pelfrey the same way because he usually is very economical with pitches and does not often have a big inning against him. But, I know the Mets are already worried about his total innings.

Jerry Manuel needs to only worry about making the playoffs this season, and for the remainder of the season not worry about Santana's or Perez' pitch count. CC Sabathia (8-0, 1.60 ERA) is the ace of the Milwaukee Brewers staff and last night recorded his 5th complete game since being traded.

Santana and Perez have the ability to be the complete game aces the Mets sorely need; they just need Jerry Manuel be more like Brewers manager Ned Yost.

The author, Joseph DelGrippo, regularly writes for Mike Silva's http://www.nybaseballdigest.com/ where this item originally was published.

Mike Mussina can secure HOF plaque with 4 more wins in 2008

thejobarules — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:34:11 GMT

Before (and especially during) this season, the media and general baseball fan base have debated Mike Mussina's HOF credentials. The overriding factor for the NO voters was that "Mussina hasn't won 20 games in a season." Although winning 17 or more games 7 times with two 19 win seasons isn't that bad.

Well, if he does win 20 games this year, there is nothing more for the naysayers to complain about. Currently at 16-7 with a 3.35 ERA, Mussina is having one of his best season's ever - even at the ripe old age of 39, one year removed from arguably his worst season when he went 11-10 with a 5.15 ERA.

His win this past Sunday boosted Mussina's career win total to 266, which ties Bob Feller and Eppa Rixey (both HOFers) for 35th on the All Time win list.

If Mussina wins four more games this season and reaches the 20 win threshold, he will secure his place in Cooperstown.

With a career record of 266-151, Mussina is already 115 games above .500, the 15th highest differential in ML history. In fact, other than Mussina only 20 pitchers in major league history have won 100 games more than their total losses - and all are currently or (like Maddux, Pedro, Clemens, the Big Unit and Glavine) will be elected to the HOF.

Mussina has approximately 8 more starts this season in his quest for 4 more victories. Be assured, too, that if Moose is short of 20 victories near the end of the season, and the Yankees are out of the playoff picture, Joe Girardi and the Yankee organization will get Moose an extra start to get 20 wins. This is similar to when Don Mattingly batted leadoff in 1985 in the last game of the season trying to win the batting crown. Manager Billy Martin wanted to give Mattingly more at bats to try and overtake leader Wade Boggs, who sat out the last four games of the season.

Combined with finally winning 20 games, Moose's 115 victories over .500 and playing in New York for almost 10 years will solidify his HOF candidacy. The icing on the cake will be if Mussina stays in New York pitching for the Yankees a year or two more. Playing in New York definitely garners a few more votes for the HOF, plus his "good guy" status and perception as "media friendly" is always a boost for players on the bubble. Gary Carter is the perfect example of a media friendly "bubble" player who played in New York making the Hall. Getting 20 wins this year will give Moose 270 career wins, only 30 from the magical 300 mark.

Based upon his performance this season, three more seasons of at least 10 wins per is not out of the question, but if Mussina does not stick around for 300 career victories - this season of 20 plus wins will certainly get him into Cooperstown.

The author, Joseph DelGrippo, regularly writes for Mike Silva's www.nybaseballdigest.com where this item originally was published.