Sports

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

GIO, GARZA, DANKS ARE NYY’S BEST OPTIONS

Lets face it, the Yankees need a number two starter and there aren’t that many available on the free agent market. CJ Wilson is widely considered the best free agent pitcher, but there may be other pitchers who are on the trading block who are better options for the Yankees.

Here are the three best trade options for the Bombers:

Gio Gonzalez: It might not be easy, but if the Yankees could pry Gonzalez from Oakland, it would not only give them a solid number two starter, but also a second lefty, which would be a valuable asset against the Red Sox. Gonzalez, who went 16-12 in 2011 with an ERA of 3.12, is one of the best available starting pitchers. My offer would be Eduardo Nunez and Dellin Betances. The only two players I wouldn’t offer are Jesus Montero, who will probably be the Yankees designated hitter in 2012, and highly touted pitching prospect Manny Banuelos. 

Matt Garza: The Cubs righty may be the best option of them all. Though he didn’t get off to a great start, he went 6-3 in the second half with a 2.45 ERA. The fact that he was able to recover in a place like Wrigley Field, which is well known as a hitter’s ballpark, is pretty rare. My offer to the Cubs would be Austine Romine, Betances, Nunez, and David Phelps.

John Danks: Danks would be my plan C, as he doesn’t throw as hard as Gonzalez or Garza, and he gives up a lot of runs. The only reason I would pursue Danks if I were Brian Cashman is the fact that he’s only 25 years old and can still develop. My offer to the White Sox would be Eduardo Nunez and a second round draft pick.

My Rankings:

Matt Garza

Gio Gonzalez

John Danks

Thursday, November 10, 2011

YANKEES FANS SHOULD BE HAPPY PAPLEBON IS A PHILLIE

Former Red Sox closer Jonathan Paplebon has signed a contract with the Philadelphia Philies. Though his numbers don't show it, he had a very solid year in 2011 and could return to dominance in 2012. This would not have been good for the Yankees, which is why they should be glad that Paplebon found a new address. They should also be happy that Daniel Bard will become the Red Sox closer.

Bard, who throws exceptionally hard, has difficulty against the Yankees and teams above .500 in general. While his overall career ERA is 2.88, he's 4-5 against winning teams with an ERA of 3.19. Against the Yankees, he's 2-1 with an ERA of 4.13. 

Bard has given up only 16 home runs in his career, but 7 were to the Yankees. The most he has given up against any other team is 2.

Paplebon, on the other hand, had an ERA of 1.93 against the Yankees in 2011.

Though Bard has even better velocity than Paplebon, he isn't as smart a pitcher.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

WHERE EACH TOP FREE AGENT WILL LAND


1B Albert Pujols: The world champion St. Louis Cardinals’ best player (possibly baseball’s best) has hit the open market, but might not be as hot a commodity as expected. With the Red Sox and the Yankees already secure at first base, the only major competitors for Pujols are the Rangers, Cubs, and Angels. I think he stays in St. Louis.

PREDICTION: Cardinals

1B Prince Fielder: There is no doubt in my mind that he is leaving Milwaukee. I believe the suitors will be the Rangers, Angels, Orioles, and the Cubs. He also has the problem of a small first base market. Chicago is a perfect fit. It’s a small ballpark where he can hit a lot of home runs, they have a new General Manager who wants to make a splash, and they are rebuilding and can build around him.

PREDICTION: Cubs

SP CJ Wilson: Wilson isn’t an ace, but is looking to get paid like one. This may be an issue for some teams, but the one team I think will pay him is the New York Yankees, who badly need a number two starter. Brian Cashman said earlier on Friday that Wilson is “the most attractive” pitching option.

PREDICTION: Yankees

SS Jose Reyes: The Mets will likely be losing their best player, but to whom? He will have many suitors like the Brewers, Angels, and Red Sox. Though I believe he will become a hated Mets rival and will sign with Florida. Hanley Ramirez has already offered to move to third base for him.

PREDICTION: Marlins

SP Yu Darvish: This is a guy who has seven pitches, including a fastball that tops out at 97 miles per hour. The twenty five year old would be a great fit in Texas, especially if they lose CJ Wilson. JAPANESE

PREDICTION: Rangers

SP Mark Buehrle: Buehrle, who went 13-9 last year for the White Sox, would probably make a great fit for the crosstown Chicago Cubs. He knows how to get ground balls and not give up home runs, which the Cubs need.

PREDICTION: Cubs

CL Jonathan Paplebon: With Daniel Bard having a subpar second half of 2011 (his ERA was 5.28), the Red Sox probably wouldn’t want to run the risk of worsening their already suspect bullpen.

PREDICTION: Red Sox

DH David Ortiz: Though Ortiz has sounded frustrated with the lack of an offer from the Red Sox, it won’t be enough to pull him away from them

PREDICTION: Red Sox

SS Jimmy Rollins: The one team that may be able to lure Rollins away from Philadelphia is the Nationals, who are an up and coming young team who could use some veteran leadership. Rollins could fill that void easily.

PREDICTION: Nationals


Thursday, November 3, 2011

MOVES THE YANKEES SHOULD MAKE THIS OFFSEASON

The Yankees offseason began on a good note as they signed CC Sabathia to an extension, which will keep him in pinstripes potentially through the 2017 season. Here are some other changes they should make:


Sign Mark Buehrle: Mark Buehrle is a pitcher who can get batters out without great stuff by getting ground balls and not giving up home runs. He is coming off another solid year, posting a 13-9 record with a 3.59 ERA. He would be a stable force at the backend of the Yankees rotation.


      Resign Freddy Garcia: He may not be the pitcher he once was, but he is good enough to be a fifth starter in the Yankees rotation.


             Cut Ties With Jorge Posada: I know Yankees fans have grown attached to Posada, but he’s just too old and is taking up other players time


        Trade Nick Swisher And Sign Grady Sizemore: Swisher has been good for the Yankees over the past three years, but if the Yankees could get a talented, blue chip prospect, he might be worth trading. Even though Sizemore has had a lot of injuries over the past three seasons, limiting him to 210 games, when healthy he is one of the most talented players in baseball. The twenty eight year old outfielder has 30-35 home run powers with the ability to hit for a high average. He also is a great fielder and has a very strong throwing arm. In 2008, his last full season, Sizemore hit .268 with 33 home runs and 90 RBIs. The only issue here is the fact that Boston is also likely to bid for the left handed hitting outfielder and the Yankees may not want to get involved in a bidding war.

Most people may think the Yankees should pursue free agent pitchers CJ Wilson, Edwin Jackson, and Yu Darvish. Another name that has been mentioned is Carlos Beltran. Here is why these moves wouldn’t work:


CJ Wilson: He seems like the type of player who might not be able to handle the scrutiny of playing in a
city like New York; he seems to not like criticism. Also, he is going to want a lot of money, which he may not be worth, considering his postseason track record.


Edwin Jackson: Jackson and AJ Burnett have had very similar careers. They both have superb talent, but can’t seem to translate that talent into wins. They each have thrown an obscure no-hitter (Burnett walked nine batters, Jackson walked eight.) So it would be no surprise if they both disappoint Yankees fans.


Yu Darvish: The recent lack of success by Japanese pitchers in the Major Leagues (Daisuke Matsuzaka, and Kei Igawa to name a couple) may make this move too risky for the bombers.


Carlos Beltran: Now 35, Beltran is no longer the player he once was, though he can still hit, he isn’t an upgrade over Swisher.