Another star of the nineties/turn of the century retired this week when Gary Sheffield announced he is officially calling it quits. “Sheff” played for both New York teams and certainly made a mark, positive and negative, wherever he went. Before he signed with the Yankees in 2003, Sheffield was pursued by the Mets various times […]
Despite giving up one run in 10 innings this spring, Lynn Henning of the Detroit News believes the Tigers may release Dontrelle Willis. Henning says that Willis doesn’t have the velocity or repertoire to succeed in the big leagues. All he can do now is get the ball over the plate and, well, we know […]
The Yankees are a boring team. Yes, I said it. Even though they are coming off 103 wins and a World Series, there really are no stories worth pondering down in Tampa. Sure, you have the played out Joba/Hughes and the bullpen theme, but outside of that there are no positional battles to speak of. […]
With lefties Phil Coke and Michael Dunn heading to Detroit and Atlanta, respectively, righties Mark Melancon and Kevin Whelan will be given chances to fill bullpen spots in spring training. If they can accomplish that, and lefty Damaso Marte is healthy and flashes the form he did in the postseason – and fellow southpaw Boone […]
Earlier today I did the NYBD Mets “All Decade Team”, now it’s the Yankees turn. Only difference is, because of the DH, I named a utility player instead of two pinch hitters. This is based on the best individual season at each position. Starting Lineup C- Jorge Posada (2007) 20 HR, 90 RBI, .338 BA, […]
When I talked about the Yankees need for a fifth hitter I didn’t put Jermaine Dye into the equation. With the budget, that was reiterated by Brian Cashman, I wasn’t sure he would fit into their plans. I saw more of an Austin Kearns or Reed Johnson type. Rumors have come out the Yankees are […]
One of the common themes over the last decade is the Mets fail to “do what it takes” in order to compete. I have been a critic of what I will call “Plan B” mentality over the years. In 2001 they failed to capitalize on their NL pennant and passed on Alex Rodriguez, a player […]
Who will bat fifth for the Yankees? It was a point brought up by one of the comments on the site. I speculated about the Yankees lineup over a week ago that Jorge Posada would be the guy to protect Alex Rodriguez in the lineup. Posada fits the criteria, but last year he only played […]
That was the quote by Lynn Henning of the Detroit News. Lynn joined me on the Sunday Hot Stove and had nothing but good things to say about the newest Yankees centerfielder. Not only did he point out that Granderson hit LHP decently in 2008 (.739 OPS and 10% above league average against lefties), but […]
During the summer I was talking to a league source that believed one of Omar Minaya’s biggest failures was that he ignored some of the good baseball people in the Mets organization. One of those people was Sandy Johnson who originally was brought in to mentor Minaya in 2004. I was told that Johnson had […]
The other day Marty Noble talked about some “buzz” regarding the Mets interest in Mike Cameron. To my surprise there was little reaction from fan base (perhaps they are hiding with Yanks/Phillies on the horizon), or they genuinely like Cameron. Personally I just don’t see how this makes the Mets any better. The Mets need […]
Only the Mets can call a press conference on Monday to tell you news that was worthy of the postgame on Sunday and then end it asking the world’s most overrated talk show host for advice. Honestly, wouldn’t it be easier to consult the magic eight ball instead of Francesa? At least the eight ball […]
Let’s play a game for a minute. How would you like your boss conducting business with your assistant for a week? Better yet, how about this trip is scheduled just a few weeks after you publicly embarrassed your company? Wait, there is one more: rumors are swirling of that assistant being next in line for […]
When the Mets signed Gary Sheffield just prior to the 2009 season opener, it seemed pretty clear that their eyes were open. Sheffield, rather than Marlon Anderson, as the team’s final bench bat was an unmistakable upgrade, and costing just $400,000 made it a financially obvious move as well. But by this past week, it […]
Jon Heyman has reported that the Giants claimed Gary Sheffield off the waiver wire, but the two teams could not come to an agreement on a deal. Last night, I contacted one of my sources, a Giants front office official, who confirmed for me that Omar Minaya was asking for “high level talent” for his […]
