Earlier today, a source close to the Mets situation told me the team will make a “cursory” offer to Jose Reyes, but do not want him back, nor will conduct long-term negotiations. “Reyes will not be back,” the source said. “Any offer will be window dressing.” Mike Silva adds:  The fact the Mets asked Reyes’ team [...]

We argue about the utilization of bullpens here all the time. It’s probably the most important and difficult part of managing a team. We often look at it scientifically; evaluating platoon splits when we make our second guesses. We never have the complete information, however, as the manager, catcher, and pitching coach know how the individual pitchers [...]

The World Series is over so that means we can officially crank up the Hot Stove season. Chris Jaffe of The Hardball Times will join me to kick off the show. Chris is the author of the book Evaluating Baseball Managers and recently ranked the top 20 postseason series of all-time. I will also get his [...]

I know I said I hate the “best ever” debate, but what Tony La Russa achieved with the Cardinals this year is extraordinary. If you go to Baseball-Reference and rank managers in order of wins the top five are Connie Mack, John McGraw, and Tony La Russa. Wins can be deceptive when ranking skippers as longevity and fortuitous [...]

I attended the Phoenix at Surprise game on Friday and had a chance to see Yankee prospects Rob Segedin and Corban Joseph. I was lucky enough to hit the right game as I also caught pitching prospects Chase Whitley and Preston Claiborne on their bullpen rotation day. My primary reasons for picking this game was the schedule; I wouldn’t have an opportunity [...]

Ranking all-time World Series is an impossible task. How do I rank the ’75 Series between the Reds and Red Sox when I wasn’t born yet? How do you go back in time and read box scores from the early 20th century and make an assertion about the drama? All I can do is provide [...]

“Randy (Myers) was playing for the Chicago Cubs and he’s in the bullpen at Shea Stadium and they put up a trivia question,” Terry Leach told me during a 2007 appearance on my radio program. The question was “who is the Mets player that pitched only one inning and received a 1986 World Series ring?” It was [...]

The scuttlebutt among baseball executives down in Tampa has both the Tigers and Blue Jays getting ready to make huge offers to CC Sabathia if the Yankees are unable to sign him before their exclusive negotiating window ends. The threat of “outlier” teams jumping in and making it an all-out bidding war is the main [...]

This comment about Jesus Montero by our resident scout, Chuck Johnson, got me thinking: He had three straight multi-hit games from Sept 22,24 & 25 where he went 8-11 with one K. The rest of the time he hit .240 with 16 k’s in 50 AB’s, which is Mark Reynolds territory. Johnson said this just [...]

Just like in the ’73 World Series, Yogi Berra will be questioned whether he should have started George Stone. Jon Matlack didn’t retire a batter after the Yankees scored 4 runs in the first, and Mariano staved off a late comeback with 2 scoreless innings in a 6-4 victory, which clinched the series for the Yanks 4-2. Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter, [...]

Yesterday was the 25th anniversary of Game 6 of the 1986 World Series. I thought it would be fun to look back at the preview of the playoffs and I found this old Sports Illustrated article by Peter Gammons from October 6th, 1986. Gammons previews all four playoff teams, but he seems particularly excited about [...]

Some more quick hot stove hits: – Despite his difficulties in the post season, the Yankees are still going to go after C.J. Wilson. They don’t look at him as they did a Cliff Lee, but more a solid number two starter. – Yankees are getting ready to talk to the White Sox about the [...]

The script finally played out in Game 5 as many thought many it would on paper, as the 2009 Yankees hit 3 home runs and drubbed the 1973 Mets 7-0 to take a 3-2 lead in the Sim Series. Jerry Koosman started for the Mets on 3-days rest and his rust showed, giving up runs in [...]

Since August, I have been sharing pictures from my trip to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Today, I figured I would post a display of Ted Williams‘ strike zone that is on display. Do you think you can pitch to him?

Just 24 hours ago it appeared the ’09 Yankees were well on their well to finishing the ’73 Mets off quickly. The Mets have battled back and thanks to their ace now have tied the Sim Series at two-apiece. Tom Seaver pitched a complete game, allowing 1 earned run and striking out 12 in the [...]