A-Rod & Wrigleyville Continued

The rumor mill is in mid-Winter form. The NY Magazine article which sparked so much online interest was discussed Sunday night by, who else, Scott Boras. Resident Yankee village idiot, Randy Levine also offered his two cents on the topic.

Every sports page covered this "non-story." Newsday - Daily News - Bergen Record - Chicago Sun-Times.

Via the ESPN article:

"Great players with great demand create great rumors," Boras said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press on Sunday night. "While I would enjoy having lunch with Mark Cuban and [John] Canning, at this point of the year that conversation would not include Alex Rodriguez. I have not talked to anyone."

Canning, chairman of private equity firm Madison Dearborn Partners LLC, is thought to be a favorite to buy the Cubs from Tribune Co., which is in the process of being purchased by an entity controlled by real estate investor Sam Zell. Cuban, the Dallas Mavericks owner, submitted an application to examine the Cubs' finances.

Speaking before Sunday's 7-5 win over Toronto, Rodriguez said the report was "nonsense," as far as he knew.

Yankees' executive Randy Levine also responded harshly to the magazine piece.

"It's a silly story, and we don't believe it," he told ESPN.com's Buster Olney on Sunday evening. "However, if it was true, it would be grounds to disqualify the applicant even before he went through the process, because it would demonstrate a disregard for major league rules and procedures, and we're confident the commissioner would feel the same way."

Levine later said he spoke to Bud Selig, and the commissioner agreed with Levine's interpretation of the story, and its possible implications. A player can neither have part ownership of a team nor negotiate for future ownership.

We'll have to wait and see if there is any merit to these Cubbie rumors, but would anyone be surprised if Boras utilized sinister, unethical business practices in order to gain leverage for a client? Especially when that client is his most cherished, most talented rainmaker of his agency.

As far as Levine, I would rather have the Yankee Stadium vendors step in for him and the 99 other Presidents, VP's and Assistant VP's that clog up the Yankees front office. Everytime I see Levine and his cronies overflow into a given press conference, I feel like I'm watching the "Greed is Good" speech from the film Wall Street.
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Yankees Win Again, Moose Steps Up

Mike Mussina's line for today's win: 7 innings; 7 hits; 3 ER; 5 K's; 1 BB; 97 pitches (66 strikes)

There haven't been any reports yet, but it seems a forgone conclusion that Moose pitched his way into the postseason rotation. I'm not sure if Yankee fans should be happy about that.

Don't get me wrong, I have much respect for Mussina. He has been one of the most consistent starting pitchers to ever toe a major league rubber. He's spent his entire career within the AL East, the toughest division to pitch in, bar-none. As much as Moose is a control pitcher, some baseball fans like to forget the fact that he was a monster for Baltimore, throwing a power fastball that helped him toward four 200 strikeout seasons. He tossed 200+ innings in nine consecutive seasons.

With all that said, I'm still on the fence in terms of having him start game four of a divisional playoff series. Is it possible to come back from the horrible three game stretch Moose had in mid-August? Absolutely. Has his last three impressive starts erased his inability to hold a lead against Detroit last October? Absolutely not.

As previously stated, Joe Torre hasn't said anything directly, but he's dropped enough hints and seen enough positives to again give Mike the ball in the postseason.

The repercussions: Phil Hughes moves to an already crowded bullpen, alongside fellow starter Ian Kennedy.
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A-Rod's Second City Rumblings

Alex Rodriguez to the Cubbies? New York Magazine reports that his agent, Scott Boras, has already opened talks with the potential new owner of the Chicago Cubs about a mega deal.

A new report says Alex Rodriguez’s agent has spoken to a potential new owner of the Chicago Cubs about a bank-breaking deal that could give A-Rod a cut of the team.

The powerful Yankee third baseman is eligible to opt for free agency 10 days after the World Series ends this fall. And, New York magazine reports, super-agent Scott Boras is already talking to who he thinks is the favorite group vying to purchase Chicago’s first-place team.

According to the magazine, Boras is peddling a Second City deal that could go for an average of $30 million a year over 10 seasons, with much of that cash backloaded for the 32-year-old Rodriguez - who would then be given the right to buy a chunk of the Cubs at the contract’s conclusion. The report does not indicate who would pay for this proposed, precedent-setting deal.

There will be a ton of these rumors swirling once the World Series concludes, but I didn't think serious speculation would begin so early. Looks like Mark Cuban will waste zero time making a big splash, should he call Wrigley home in the near future. There is a definite possibility that this entire story is simply "Boras Being Boras," drumming up the free agency drum a little early. If the story is true, isn't this just a tad bit of tampering going on?

Yankees Magic Number is "10"

Nope, not that magic number. Think of how many relievers New York needed. Or what inning Melky Cabrera decided to end it.

In what was one of the ugliest pitched games in franchise history, here's a quick recap:

• Another extra inning affair involving the Blue Jays.

• A walk-off single for Leche.

• Phil Hughes might've gone six strong had it not been for 20 bloop singles falling in.
  

• Franchise-record 10 Yankees relievers needed to "secure" a 12-11 circus of a ballgame.

• Farnsworthless still stinks just as much as he did after surrendering that grand salami to Houston.

• Edwar Ramirez either strikes out the side or cries in a corner.

• Alex Rodriguez owns the 9th inning... or any other inning where a crucial RBI is to be had.

• Michael Kay likes to talk about Michael Kay... a lot. Especially if Michael Kay has an upcoming theatrical appearance at an unknown middle school gymnasium.

• Robinson Cano does not like Doug Mienkiewicz hogging all the infield pop-ups.

• Ross Ohlendorf has nasty stuff.
  
  - Magic number is now just 3
  

Duncan Brothers Looking Grim

Chris Duncan and brother Shelley Duncan both play in the major leagues. Both Duncans: 1) are at least 8-foot-2, 2) awkwardly flail tree-trunk-like limbs, and 3) know how to hit fastballs a long way.

Oh yeah, the brothers Duncan are also extremely competitive... with each other. Apparently, the sports hernias which both Chris and Shelley suffer from, can be linked to an unhealthy sibling rivalry.

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Chris Duncan believes the sports hernia that ended his season a few weeks early may have been a result of a heated offseason sibling rivalry in the weight room.

The 26-year-old Duncan said he and brother Shelley, 27, an outfielder with the New York Yankees, usually lift weights and work out together in the offseason. As kids, the sons of Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan constantly battled, and it has carried over to their professional careers.

"This offseason we tried to work out together, and it got so bad we started going to the gym at separate times," Chris Duncan said. "We'd warm up playing basketball and the next thing you know we were going full on.

"We can't do that, we're going to get hurt."

In the weight room, they're forever trying to top one another. Now both brothers have a sports hernia. Shelley Duncan, who also has a bone bruise in his left pelvis, is postponing his operation until the Yankees' season is over.

"I'd go and then he would put another plate on, then I would go and I'd try to slip one on, and the next thing you know we're like blown out," Chris Duncan said. "We can't work out together, it gets too competitive."

No offense, but maybe pops (St. Louis Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan) should take a minute out from teaching Mike Maroth how not to suck, and pry Shelley off the lifeless body of his younger brother. Shelley's version of the bash brothers may result in permanent damage, if not a fatality of Mortal Kombat proportions.

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Hughes Starts, Clemens To Go Monday

Another starter scratched, another rotation spot in question. Phil Hughes will take the bump today, in place of an ailing rookie and an ailing 45 year old.

After Ian Kennedy was scratched from Saturday's start due to tightness in his upper back, Roger Clemens followed with a "stinger" in his left hamstring. Kennedy, who has never missed a start in his life, may rejoin the rotation "next week," said Manager Joe Torre. Clemens said he will receive treatment the next two days and is confident he will be able to start Monday afternoon.

As of right now, these injuries appear to be minor tweaks, but even if they were major setbacks, the Yankees would bide their time before revealing it. New York has to hope that Rocket and IPK can rejoin the rotation not only to help chase the division, but also to give Torre all the evidence he can sift through in order to comprise his playoff rotation.

Should Mike Mussina build on his last two strong starts, I feel there is little doubt that Torre will go veteran over rookie for the 4th spot in the postseason rotation. I don't necessarily agree with such a move, but Moose's next start will tell a lot in the making of that decision.

Kennedy Scratched From Tomorrow's Start

Today, Ian Kennedy was scratched for Saturday's start because of a strain in his upper back. It does not sound very serious, but the rotation will essentially move up one spot, with Roger Clemens pitching in his place tomorrow.

Kennedy is 1-0 with a 1.89 ERA over his first three starts in the major leagues.

Notorious H.G.H.

From ESPN.com comes a report that an intercepted shipment of Human Growth Hormone, better known as HGH, was meant for a "well-known" Massachusetts athlete/entertainer who stands 6-foot-5 and tips the scales at 276 pounds. The illegal drug shipment came from Specialty, a St. Louis based company which admitted to distributing HGH, agreed to pay a $10.5 million fine and cooperate with authorities.

No one from Specialty is expected to be charged as long as they cooperate with prosecutors. The admission, however, figures to pique the interest of officials in the NFL and Major League Baseball, who have been trying to establish if any of their athletes have been involved in this case, or another in Albany, which has resulted in 22 indictments.

David Ortiz is nicknamed "Big Papi" for a reason. He's big, he's fat and he's big. I don't know if he's 276 pounds kinda big, but I wouldn't put it past him. He is listed as 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds on several websites, but he is definitely over 230. I'd guess in the 260 range, but it's unknown how many Big Macs Big Sloppi put away during yesterday's down-time.

I'm not making any conclusions here, because the "Massachusetts athlete" could just as easily be New England Patriot, Kyle Brady. However, if that were the case, investigators would have to be pretty flexible with the phrase "well-known" as the only thing well-known about Brady is that he was one of many 1st round draft busts at the expense of the New York Jets.

Brady is listed at 6-foot-6 and 280 pounds while Mike Vrabel is listed at 6-foot-4 and 261 pounds. Coming in at 270 pounds but only standing 6-foot-2, it could be Adalius Thomas in stilettos, but I'll let you be the judge.

With a little promotion, this could become a pretty exciting game. Just call it "Find The User" and time contestants as they peer through the Patriots roster. Remember rule #1 everybody, you can't use the same player twice. There goes Rodney Harrison. Shoot, wonder if Rick Ankiel has any buddies on the Celtics...

Wells Out, Jays Pitching Matchups

Hot off the presses, Vernon Wells has been shut down for the season, as Pete Abe reports. There's no doubt that Wells isn't living up to the $126 million contract he signed last year, but he is still a dangerous weapon in the middle of Toronto's lineup. He also has a tendency of hurting Yankees pitching - think homerun off of Mariano Rivera.

Regardless of how badly his shoulder is barking, taking Wells out of the batting order puts a lot more weight on Alex Rios and Frank Thomas. Then again, they do have Matt Stairs, who is always just a HBP away from attacking A-Rod. That, along with a very good Blue Jays rotation, might be enough to hold the Yankees offense down. Well, maybe not.

Here are the pitching matchups:

Today: Roy Halladay vs Chien-Ming Wang

Saturday: Shaun Marcum vs Ian Kennedy

Sunday: Dustin McGowan vs Roger Clemens

Monday: A.J. Burnett vs Phil Hughes

Should be a tough test for a fiery Yankees offense.

Santana Staying in Minnie?

According to Charley Walters of the Pioneer-Press, Johan Santana is on the verge of purchasing "a multi-million dollar home" in the wealthy Minneapolis suburb of Eden Prairie. In late July, the same type of story emerged regarding New York's most elusive superstar.

Back then, it was Alex Rodiguez and a report that he was eyeing a $25 million estate in Greenwich, Connecticut. A-Rod quickly denied the rumors, stating he had not been looking at houses and that anyone assuming otherwise was mistaken.

Does this mean that Santana is planning to remain in the Twin Cities for the forseeable future? Or are another group of fans being duped by rumor and speculation? There is also the possibility that Santana does not want to dislodge his wife and two children from the area they've grown accustomed to. Johan probably assumes, and rightfully so, that once his free agent contract comes through he'll have enough dough for a palace in every zipcode.

There were already rumblings about what it would take to acquire Santana, should the Twinkies decide to move him. Buster Olney opined that the Yankees would have to give up Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes in order to make that happen. But a Winter acquisition or mid-season trade doesn't guarantee Johan won't take off once he becomes a free-agent.

And who's to say that Minnesota would allow potential trading partners a 72 hour window with which to negotiate a contract extension. Giving up a boatload of high-ceiling prospects for a Summer of Santana would leave a pretty bad taste in the mouth of many GMs.

Unless Minnesota shocks the baseball world by extending Santana before his impending free agency, all signs point to the usual suspects - Yanks, Mets, Red Sox - battling to the death for the southpaw's services.

Interesting Free Agent May Join '08 Class

As ESPN already reported, Cuban homerun king Alexei Ramirez could potentially join the likes of Andruw Jones and Torii Hunter as a 2008 free agent. The 26 year old Cuban shortstop/outfielder is renowned in his native land as a legitimate slugger, but the level of competition remains a factor.

Some believe that the Cuban baseball league is comparable to that of Class A ball in the United States' minor league circuit. Should that contention be true, it would be hard to imagine Ramirez's power numbers holding up in AAA, much less against big league pitchers.

I've heard Yankee followers already state Ramirez as a necessary replacement for Bobby Abreu, who has a club-option for 2008. That idea borders on ridiculous, especially when considering that Buster Olney already reported that the Yankees are all but decided on picking up the rightfielder's option.

1 Game Back

Boston's closer celebrates his latest chokejob.















The Yankees are one game behind Boston in the loss column.

Let me say that again. The Yankees are one back.

After being 14.5 games back at one point of the season, the Bombers have stormed all the way back, thanks to a sweep of the Baltimore Orioles and simultaneous sweep of the Red Sox. Special consideration goes out to Johnathon Papelblown, who promptly served up a 2-out grandslammer in the bottom of the eighth inning. The score went from a manageable 1-run deficit to a 6-1 shellacking.

Meanwhile, in the Bronx, Andy Pettitte pitched into the eighth inning, going 7.2 innings of 1-run ball, with Joba Chamberlain securing the final out of the inning by way of a slider strikeout. Mariano Rivera worked out of another bases-loaded jam by striking out Scott Moore to end the game and move the Yankees a step closer toward a divisional shocker.

Adding to the satisfaction of the Red Sox collapse was the 200th career victory for Pettitte, a first in organizational history, as no other Yankee farmland ever went on to notch 200 career wins.

Hideki Matsui hit his 25th homerun of the season. The solo shot was his 99th RBI and seems to have Godzilla poised toward a postseason hot-streak.

Today's Pitching Matchups

1) Yankees vs. Orioles

• Andy Pettitte will try to improve his win total to 14 on the year, and draws an unlikely matchup as Brian Burres is essentially a reliever being asked to start. For Burres, his last start saw him go seven shutout innings, the first scoreless appearance of his career. He is 1-0 with a 2.53 ERA against the Yankees this year, but also has put together such gems as his August 22nd outing against Texas in which he went 0.2 innings, allowing 8 runs on 8 hits.

2) Tigers vs. Indians

• Following losses from both Boston and Detroit last night, the Yankees find themselves two out of the division and five up in the wildcard races. Cy Young hopeful and Cleveland's ace, C.C. Sabathia, draws pedestrian southpaw Nate Robertson. Robertson has a losing record and an ERA approaching 5.00, while Sabathia looks to notch his 18th win and lower his 3.21 ERA.

3) Red Sox vs. Blue Jays

• Clay Buchholz made history in his last start, joining a short list of rookie pitchers who tossed a no-hitter. The Red Sox hope Buchholz can stop the bleeding, as the Yankees have crept just two games out of the division lead. In July and August, Pat Litsch posted a 2.48 ERA. But his past three starts were all losses due to an ugly 10.37 ERA. Boston won't provide much breathing room as Litsch has a 7.20 ERA in two starts against the Red Sox.

Mussina + Gagne = 2 Games Back

Mike Mussina should always pitch on extra rest.

The Moose made his second straight strong start, this time with a healthy dose of whiffs. Over 7 shutout innings, Mussina gave up only 3 hits while striking out six, walking only one, and throwing 98 pitches. If Mussina is going to battle his way into the potential postseason rotation, he's going to have to be counted on for more than just 80-pitch outings. Tonight offered Moose's first step in that direction.

Oh yeah, the offense also put up 12 runs with Doug Mientkiewicz, Hideki Matsui and Melky Cabrera doing the heavy lifting - (each of them had three or more RBI). The Mink man continues to impress not only in the field but at the plate, collecting two more hits, one of which was a three-run homer to right. Godzilla looks like he's finally coming out of his slump, and Melky may be following suit after a sac-fly and two-run single.

Notes:

• Jose Veras looks like a totally different pitcher than the guy we all saw before having bone chips removed from his elbow. Although it wasn't as reconstructive as Tommy John surgery, Veras now flashes a fastball that hovers between 93-96mph and a tight power-curveball around 80mph. His command has been solid since joining the Yankees' expanded roster
  
  
• Eric Gagne continues to have Yankee fans cheering his name. In what's become the Yankees non-signing of the season, Gagne gagged again, blowing yet another save and allowing three runs to score in the bottom of the eighth. One of those runs was walked in, but brilliant strategist he is, Terry Francona decided to leave the troubled reliever in the ballgame.
  

Belichick's Methods Revealed

Jets Fans:

In case you haven't already seen it, here is one of the funnier videos to make its way onto the blogosphere. "We're flying dark!" is the highlight, and what's most entertaining is how spot-on the Belichick voiceover may actually be.

Joba Sings Too!

Just came across this video on Youtube.

Not only can he throw 100mph, but Joba Chamberlain knows how to groove with the best of him, screeching out his remix of the Bee Gee's hit "Staying Alive." Not sure who his duet partner is, but it appears to be a bullpen catcher.

Gagne's Best Pitch Plunks Rivera

Visiting relievers better be careful while pacing the narrow stretch of real estate located behind the right-centerfield wall of Fenway Park. After last night, opposing teams may issue their closers a set of Medieval armor before allowing them to loosen, stretch or hoard sunflower seeds.

Apparently while warming up in the visiting bullpen, Mariano Rivera was plunked on the arm by an erratic throw from Eric Gagne, who was simultaneously warming up in the Boston bullpen. The pitch, probably the most valuable one he's thrown in a Red Sox uniform, hit Mo flush on the back of his pitching elbow, leaving the Yankee closer's arm numb and possibly contributing to his 9th inning struggles last night.

From George King of the NY Post:

Mariano Rivera pitched the ninth inning of last night's game moments after his right arm went numb when hit by an errant toss that came from the Red Sox bullpen that adjoins the Yankees' pen beyond Fenway Park's right-field fence.

As Rivera prepared to protect a two-run lead in the bottom of the eighth, he was struck in the back of the elbow by a ball thrown wildly by Eric Gagne.

"It came in hot," said Yankees reliever Ron Villone, who witnessed the scary moment. "He couldn't feel his arm; it was numb. We were in the bullpen saying, 'Oh no.' "

Whether or not that incident is to blame for Mo's lack of control last night is debatable. What is certain, is that a closer's focus should entail shutout pitching while on the mound, and not dodging grenades while warming up.

By far the most impressive pitch Gagne's thrown after August 1st. Maybe Terry Francona is getting even after Joba Chamberlain's 100mph chin-music forced Kevin Youkilis to don Pampers under his jock-strap whenever he digs in against New York. Then again, that would mean that Gag-ne once again missed his spot, plunking the wrong pitcher.

Captain, Rocket Propel Yanks

Through six swift innings, Roger Clemens and Curt Schilling shut down the explosive offenses of Boston and New York. Though Red Light worked deeper into the game by managing a more economical pitchcount, The Rocket struck out more batters, only allowing an unearned run to cross homeplate on two hits over six strong.

Once the eighth inning rolled around, the Yankees appeared energized by Joba Chamberlain's performance during a seventh inning in which the 21 year old flamethrower stranded Eric Hinske after his double led off the inning. After Doug Mientchiewicz singled to left, Joe Torre went to his bench, pinch-hitting Jason Giambi for Jose Molina and thereby forfeiting the DH spot. The move would prove to be wise as The Big G let loose with an opposite field ping-pong ball off the Green Monster.

With one out and the go-ahead run standing on third base, Johnny Damon failed to get the run home, spinning a weak loop in front of first base. The spotlight inevitably shone on the Captain, Derek Jeter, who improved on his .430+ batting average with two outs and RISP. After battling Schilling throughout the atbat, Jetes put a hanging splitter into orbit, securing a landing strip along the third row of Monster seats. The three-run jack broke the 1-1 tie, giving Joba and Mariano Rivera a three run cushion to work with.

Turns out the twosome would need every one of those runs. Although his two innings were again impressive, Joba allowed his first earned run via a Mike Lowell solo shot, making it a two-run game for Rivera. After Mo walked Jason Varitek to lead off the inning and Julio Lugo knocked him in on an RBI double, the Yankees closer struggled with his command.

After hitting rookie sensation Jacoby Ellsbury on the first pitch of the atbat and walking Dustin Pedroia, the bases would eventually be juiced for none other than The Big Sloppi. Fortunately for Mariano, his skipper had a golden nugget of advice during a pre-atbat mound conference: "If you get this guy out, then we win the game," Torre quibbed. Though he looked on the precipice of completely imploding, Rivera was somehow able to induce a harmless popfly from David Ortiz and Jeter squeezed the last out. The result of the routine flyout to shallow centerfield was a collective sigh of relief throughout metropolitan area living rooms, and the pictured fist-pump above.

Jeter on his ability to come through in the clutch with such regularity:

"You're not always going to come through, but I enjoy them," Jeter said. "Ever since you're a little kid, you think of being up in big situations. I think you always envision yourself coming through."

We may envision, but Jeter enforces.

• Unsung hero of the game award goes to Doug Mientchiewicz, who collected two hits and made three dazzling defensive plays in the field.

Obligatory A-Rod Contract Post

Since it wouldn't be a 24 hour period without at least once mentioning Alex Rodriguez and his upcoming free agency, it seemed only proper that a few links be provided from a few NYC rags.

• The New York Post contends that the Yankees 2007 free agent class - A-Rod, Posada, Pettitte, Rivera - may constitute the top four free agents in all of baseball.

• The NY Times says A-Rod isn't worth $30 million a year.

• Finally, David Ortiz offered his two cents on Rodriguez and his impending dash for (more) cash. Basically, Big Sloppi semi-mimics Field of Dreams, predicting that 'If you pay him, he will come.'

Joba & Hughes