Joe Torre Safe At home Dinner

Joe Torre had his annual Safe At Home Foundation Dinner last night at the Chelsea Piers. He of course had a lot of Yankees there and revealed that he was rooting for the Yankees in the World Series. He did say it was "surreal" to see the Yankees winning the World Series without him. Joe Torre said "but to watch what they've done, and especially with Joe Girardi at the helm, it really made me feel good even though I'm supposed to be a National League fan. When you're as close to these guys as I have been for all these years, I was just real pleased for them." It looks like after saying he would be done after this upcoming season that he is trying to extend his deal for another year. I can only say poor Don Mattingly it looks like Joe Torre may be one of those guys you have to rip the uniform off of him before he retires. Don Mattingly has been so loyal to him and saying all the right things. I know it was never formally said that Mattingly would take over but everyone has basically said that and been led to believe that but how long will Donnie Baseball have to wait. I know he did interview for the Cleveland and I think Washington job but didn't get them so he will continue on as the hitting coach for Joe Torre and the Dodgers.

Jeter and Tex add more hardware

The New York Yankees keep adding hardware to their mantle. Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira who had just won gold gloves earlier in the week picked up the silver slugger awards for best hitter at their position. These awards were given out yesterday and just keeps adding to all the awards the Yankees and their players have been getting. It really is a golden time once again for the Yankees, these 2 players had great years and deserve all they get. Here is a list of the other award winners: American League 2B-Aaron Hill-Toronto Blue Jays 3B-Evan Longoria-Tampa Bay Rays OF-Ichiro Suzuki-Seattle Mariners OF-Jason Bay-Boston Red Sox OF-Torii Hunter-Anaheim Angels C-Joe Mauer-Minnesota Twins DH-Adam Lind-Toronto Blue Jays National League 1B-Albert Pujols-St Louis Cardinals 2B-Chase Utley-Philadelphia Phillies SS-Hanley Ramirez-Florida Marlins 3B-Ryan Zimmerman-Washington Nationals OF-Ryan Braun-Milwaukee Brewers OF-Andre Ethier-Los Angeles Dodgers OF-Matt Kemp-Los Angeles Dodgers C-Brian McCann-Atlanta Braves P-Carlos Zambrano-Chicago Cubs

Former World Series MVP suicidal?

The story today was that former Yankees closer and World Series MVP John Wetteland was about to attempt suicide. The article states that his wife called 911 saying he kept saying things about killing himself and he wasn't acting right. The police came and he walked out of his house with his hands in the air saying please help. He was always a high strung guy and admitted to using drugs in his younger days but this comes as a suprise. He was the World Series MVP in 1996 and then finished his career with Texas. He was out of baseball for a little while but came back to the big leagues last year as the bullpen coach for the Seattle Mariners, he seemed to enjoy his job with them so this came as a suprise. I am not sure what the situation is but I hope he gets the help he needs and is able to return home to his family and resume his life. It is amazing how quickly the rich and famous can fall and shows that it isn't always what it is cracked up to be. It also shows a more human side to athletes, they really are just like us other then having the fame and fortune, a lot of times they have more demons then even the so called normal person. I wish him and his family the best of luck and hopefully he will have a quick recovery and be able to go back to his job next year.

Yankees News?

I wouldn't really say there is any news coming out of Yankees land but there are some rumors and tidbits. Joel Sherman had the article today in the NY Post about the Yankees possibly going after Curtis Granderson as the Tigers say he and Edwin Jackson are available. I know they have been hard hit but the economic recession but do they really want to trade these guys?? It would be a good move for the Yankees to get Granderson as he is a top of the order guy with speed and he is young. He would be a upgrade in CF over what they have now and if Damon goes they could move Melky to LF and the defense would be a big upgrade out there. Granderson does have a knock on him though and that is he doesn't hit lefties at all. He would help with the power lost if Matsui and Damon both go or even if one of them goes. The thing with this is what would the Tigers want in return for him and that is the big question. Joel Sherman also mentioned it looks like Bruney will be back after the Yankees tender him a contract. Brian Cashman said at the GM meetings that there would be no significant innings limits on Hughes and Joba for next year. I think this is a good thing, the Yankees will always be careful with these guys but if they are in the rotation let them pitch and if anything is wrong they will have backups with Ian Kennedy, Sergio Mitre, Chad Gaudin and Alfredo Aceves and probably some others also.

Hot Stove action

The New York Yankees did make their first couple of moves this offseason. They were nothing to get too excited about but they removed Josh Towers and Freddy Guzman from the 40 man rosters and allowed them to become free agents. This news came from Chad Jennings of the Journal News who was out in Chicago for the GM meetings. The Yankees are going to try and sign their own guys but are in no rush, i am sure they will be in on Aroldis Chapman but not so sure they will sign any other free agents other then their own. If you don't know how Aroldis Chapman is he is a cuban defector. He is a 21 year old lefty who throws 100mph, they say he is the real deal but his control is erractic. Scott Boras today came out and tried and make the case for Damon getting 3 or 4 years. The Yankees just can't do it, 2 years is the most they should go and if he goes then they can look at another outfielder. Jason Varitek exercised his option for 3 million to stay with the Red Sox. He is their captain and has been with them 13 years but has been declining steadily. He will be the backup now behind Victor Martinez who is a really good hitter even though he is not a great defensive catcher. The Mariners resigned Ken Griffey Jr. to a 1 year deal. It is sad to see how much he has declined also but there is some sentimental value here since he started his career with the M's and is adored there. Jim Riggleman was named the manager of the Washington Nationals today. He finished ahead of Bobby Valentine.

Gold Gloves

The American League was announced yesterday and the winners were. C- Joe Mauer 1B- Mark Teixeira 2B- Placido Polanco SS- Derek Jeter 3B- Evan Longoria OF- Torii Hunter OF- Ichiro Suzuki OF- Adam Jones P- Mark Buehrle The National league was announced today and the winners were. C- Yadier Molina 1B- Adrian Gonzales 2B- Orlando Hudson SS- Jimmy Rollins 3B- Ryan Zimmerman OF-Shane Victorino OF- Matt Kemp OF- Michael Bourn P- Adam Wainwright I don't see many problems with these lists. I think Cano could have won a gold glove this year but Polanco is really good and A-rod I don't think ever gets enough credit for being a really good third baseman especially after switching from shortstop. I think this was done pretty well though and no real complaints.

GM Meetings

There really isn't much news out of the meetings. It is really just a precursor to the Winter Meetings next month and with the World Series just ending I think it makes it even that more difficult. The Yankees are going to be really patient. The rumor today by Joel Sherman is that the Yankees are going to look to resign all 3 of Damon, Matsui and Pettitte to 1 year deals. I think Matsui will be gone though and Pettitte will come back for a one year deal but a raise and Damon won't take less then 2 years and they will end up giving it to him. Brian Cashman did say he views Joba and Phil Hughes as starters that can relieve but has them down as starters for now. I really think that is how it is going to be with Alfredo Aceves, Chad Gaudin, Sergio Mitre, Ian Kennedy as backups. I don't think you can have to much pitching but a number 5 starter isn't that important and I think now they have too much invested in Joba as a starter and he has shown signs he just hasn't been consistant. The Red Sox did pick up V-marts option and not Varitek, he may come back for a year but that does seem unlikely now. It will be interesting to see if he is gone how that affects the team since he is their captain. The Mets apparantly were talking to Scott Boras today for an hour about Matt Holliday and some other less important guys. This came via several of the writers, Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman included. The Mariners GM does not look like he will trade Felix Hernandez unless he gets something really substantial. I am also doubting Roy Halladay will be moved but of course those rumors are out there again. If I was the Mets I would swoop in and get Lackey and a good catcher.

Brian Cashman-Envy of many once again

Brian Cashman has gotten his fair shar of criticism in recent years but is now on top of the world as GM of the World Champion New York Yankees. He took over the operations a few years ago and since then the farm system has improved immensely which in my opinion is the best thing he has done. He hired Joe Girardi which turned out to be the right move, as early as last year they were getting on him for that also but lets remember Joe won 89 games with a very depleted roster due to injuries in the AL East which is the best division in baseball. He made great moves this offseason laying in the weeds and then pouncing to get Mark Teixeira, signing CC SAbathia and A.J. Burnett because he knew this team needed front line starting pitching. He also made a great trade by shipping Wilson Betemit to Chicago for Nick Swisher who brought great enthusiasm to this team and also slugged 29 homeruns. He took flyers on guys like Sergio Mitre and Chad Gaudin and got rewarded for it. The farm system provided talent that really helped this team. Francisco Cervelli, Ramiro Pena, Juan Miranda, Joba and Phil Hughes of course and lets not forget Dave Robertson and Phil Coke, Mark Melancon, Alfredo Aceves. The Yankees do spend a lot of money but everyone forgets how many homegrown guys there are including Brett Gardner, Melky, the core four. I think Cashman has done a great job as GM and the one big thing he got hammered for last year was not trading for Johan Santana well I also said this and it proved true, he wanted to hold on to his prospects and just use money to get CC who would be as good or better then Johan, he looks pretty good right now. Phil Hughes and Joba are still on the team and CC won 19 games and had a great run in the playoffs. Johan Santana finished the year on the disabled list for a team going nowhere fast. Brian Cashman deserves to get praised right now for getting this team in position to win #27.

Giants skid continues

The New York Giants lost to the San Diego Chargers yesterday in heartbreaking fashion. The Giants had a 20-14 lead with just over 2 minutes in the game and couldn't hold it. The defense needed to come up big in the end and once again couldn't do it letting the Chargers drive down the field 80 yards for the winning TD. The Giants defense played much better overall but the bottom line is when they needed to make the plays they couldn't do it. Eli Manning had a strong game but it wasn't enough. I don't understand why Brandon Jacobs only had 11 carries especially considering he was averaging over 6 yards a carry. I think they didn't go to him enough. It looks like there is a coaching problem here somewhere. I don't think they have done the things that have made the Giants successful over the past couple of years. The main problem though in my opinion is the new defensive coordinator. He is not up to the job and the players aren't responding to him at all. It all started with what seemed to be a little thing in camp with Justin Tuck but it seems like there is a big problem now. The pass rush has been pretty much non existent and the secondary has become weaker with an already depleted crew. I don't know what the answers are but the Giants better find them fast. It doesn't look like they will make the playoffs this year and they are looking at a very mediocre year for a team that had super bowl aspirations. The injuries have hurt the Giants but there is too much talent on the roster for them to be playing the way they are, I know they beat up on the weak teams but they are still better then this and have 2 weeks to get this straight before playing Atlanta at home and then heading to Denver on Thanksgiving eve.