Good Thing They Didn't Sign This Guy

The fall of Barry Zito is perhaps as perplexing a baseball scenario as I've come across. He was the epitome of an innings-eater in the mold of an Andy Pettitte in that he allowed far too many baserunners yet frequently beguiled his way out of trouble.

Since his first full season in the majors, Zito was the model of health and stability, throwing at least 200 innings all six years in Oakland, missing bats, winning a Cy Young and posting healthy ERA's. With only 2004 serving as a disappointment, Zito was making his way into the National League and an expected bounce in his performance would all but validate the $126 million San Francisco had given him.

However, 2007 was not nearly as kind to Zito as most everyone in baseball expected. His fastball had dropped into the low-80s and he posted the poorest k/9 in his career. A mystifying feat considering the weaker lineups he encountered in the NL. Which begs the question, can a 29 year-old really regress so rapidly and so drastically?

The Yankees [as well as a host of other potential suitors] are now rejoicing they did not throw $100+ million at the previously dominant lefty.

From the article:

Zito went after the hitters. He didn’t mess around. He threw strikes.

And the Dodgers ate them up, every juicy morsel.

That shouldn’t have been surprising, given Zito’s horrendous spring training. In fact, every detail of the Giants’ 5-0 loss seemed to fulfill the scorched-earth expectations of this club.
...
How does a 29-year-old decline as much as Zito has? Even at his absolute worst during seven years in Oakland, he promised to be a steady 14-game winner. At his best, he offered stunning mastery, the ability to stare down the brilliant Johan Santana in a playoff game.
...
The number of hits wasn’t as disturbing as the authority behind them. The Dodgers made great contact, getting nothing on the cheap. The radar gun offered another bad verdict. For the most part, Zito didn’t throw harder than 84 mph all day. He knows his fastball has lost velocity, and doesn’t quite understand why.

“Right now, it’s 84-85 at the high end, which obviously is frustrating for me,” he said. “You’ve got a look at, usually when things like this happen, it’s either an injury, which it is not, or it’s something mechanical. So, you know, I’m always learning and trying to get better, and those things and obviously looking at old tapes and things like that and want to get that 88-89 back, and I’m sure it’s just a small tweak away.”

Strange. It will be an interesting story to watch, especially with the poor start to Zito's 2008. However, the southpaw still has the dynamite 12-to-6 curve and should he ever rediscover his high 80's heater, he could quickly regain his status as a frontline starter.

Brian Sabean and Company are hoping praying they aren't the April Fools again this year.

Nathan to Papelbon: Save It

Dominant closer Jonathon Papelbon's well publicized dispute with the Red Sox over his 2008 salary hasn't yielded much sympathy from fellow 9th inning wonder, Joe Nathan.

“(Papelbon) is still a little young to be worried about that,” said Twins closer Joe Nathan. “He’s coming into his third year of closing. He’s got some time before he has to worry about the young guys behind him.

“(Papelbon) is a young guy right now. I think it’s more important for us to set the bar for him at this stage of the game.”

Them is fighting words.

Remember Nathan is a unique example of humility as he has never attempted to cash in on his talents and instead valued stability by signing a two year deal in 2003 [worth $2.5 million] and a then another two year deal in 2005 [worth $10 million].

Jeter plans to play short for a long time. Real shocker here, but the NY Daily News reports Derek Jeter intends to man shortstop for "as long as he can." When asked if he's ever thought of playing a different position, the Captain answered with a definitive "No." Jeter plans to play out the final three years of his contract at the only position he's known and after the 2010 season - should he sign an extension with New York - he would assume his position would remain at short. “That’s the plan,” Jeter said. “I haven’t really thought about how long I’m playing. I take it one year at a time; I don’t sit down and say, ‘Well, I hope I’m playing in two-thousand whatever.’ It’s a tough question, because I haven’t really thought about it much.”

Wang loses arbitration hearing, and $600 K. The hearing between the Yankees and starting pitcher Chien-Ming Wang was resolved today, with the Bombers winning the case. The Yankees offered $4 million and Wang requested $4.6 million. Either way, this is not a very big deal - particularly because of Wang's nonchalant persona.

From the Wanger's perspective, the past fews weeks had the frontline starter witness fellow youngster Robinson Cano ink a deal potentially worth nearly $60 million and lose an extra $600,000 via an insulting arbitration hearing.

Sabathia will not be traded this year. Or at least so says the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Should the Indians fall way out of contention before the trading deadline, Mark Shapiro may reconsider dealing CC Sabathia.

"Our priority is to win now," said GM Mark Shapiro on Thursday as spring training officially opened with pitchers and catchers reporting to camp.

Win now means keeping their best starting pitcher even though he can be a free agent after this season. Shapiro has said that all winter.

"Nothing has changed," he said.

On the other hand, the Akron Beacon Journal reports the Indians will not give up on completing a Sabathia contract extension before his impending free agency - though many in Cleveland already believe the lefty has one foot out the door.

Sabathia: Talks Can Wait

If CC is to remain a Cleveland Indian, he will have to work something out at the end of the season as other big market clubs wait to make offers as well. According to his website via an AP report, Sabathia is quoted as saying "there will be time after the season...to discuss my contract status."

From the article:

On Sabathia's Web site, he posted this message: "This offseason, through my representatives at Legacy Sports Group, I have discussed the possibility of a contract extension with the Cleveland Indians. At this time, we haven't been able to reach agreement. Now that the reporting date for spring training is here, it is time to put aside contract discussions so that I can focus all of my energies and attention on preparing for the upcoming season.

"I look forward to a successful 2008 season, both for myself and for the Indians as a whole."

"I will do everything within my power to help the club to its first World Series appearance since 1997 and its first World Series Championship since 1948.

"There will be time after the season for the Indians and my representatives to discuss my contract status. I remain hopeful that these discussions will result in a contract extension that will keep me with the franchise for many years to come. In the meantime, in order to avoid any distractions, my representatives and I will not make any further comment about my contractual situation beyond this statement."

The article also says Sabathia and his agent broke off talks with Cleveland after they offered the lefthander a contract extension of four years at $17 or $18 million per season.

Wang: Yankees Say 'Not Now'

Newsday cites Chien-Ming Wang who said the Yankees told him now is "not the time" for a longterm contract for the sinkerball specialist. Although Wang said "I want to" complete a multiyear deal, the Yankees are showing a clear reluctance to lock up young pitchers for an extended period of time.

This approach makes sense because the Yankees can control Wang's cost. However, it's also tough love as the Taiwan product probably deserves similar compensation that Robinson Cano recently received. From Newsday:

Newsday first reported in December that Wang's camp was interested in a long-term contract, but yesterday marked Wang's first words on the matter. The Yankees didn't share the desire to sign Wang long-term, even though the righthander has won 38 games in the past two seasons. General manager Brian Cashman did not return a phone call, but told Newsday recently, "Not at this time," when asked about possibly signing Wang long-term.

Wang echoed Cashman's words, saying the Yankees told him it was "not the time."

This is the first time Wang is arbitration-eligible, and his agent, Alan Nero, said he expects to go to an arbitration hearing tomorrow.

Wang said he is OK with going to arbitration and OK with not. Someone close to Wang said the pitcher is disappointed that the Yankees would not entertain the idea of a long-term contract. The source said that the fact that the Yankees signed second baseman Cano to a contract worth at least $30 million and up to $57 million adds to Wang's disappointment at not receiving the same type offer.

One reason the Yankees told Wang they did not want to do a long-term deal now, he said, is: "Because pitchers [can find it] hard to stay healthy."

I'd say Wang has reason to be disappointed, though it speaks of his character that he has yet to complain about his situation and only offered his desire to secure his future with New York.

Shapiro: Sabathia Won't Be Traded

According to GM Mark Shapiro, the Indians have no plans to trade CC Sabathia before or during the 2008 season.

Here are some of the thoughts Shapiro offered the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

The Indians, short of an early collapse this season, won't trade C.C. Sabathia.

Regardless of Johan Santana's contract with the Mets last week, General Manager Mark Shapiro believes it will be Sabathia's call on whether he stays in Cleveland after the 2008 season.

Shapiro thinks there are other contracts just as relevant to Sabathia's negotiations as Santana's record-setting, $137.5 million, six-year deal.

The five-year contract extension the Indians made to Sabathia at the end of December is not an ultimatum.

"I can't present you with a scenario where it's acceptable to us or to our relationship with our fans that involves trading C.C. or examining trading him," said Shapiro.

From the past week of Sabathia discussion, it seems as though the Indians will make their best offer - which many believe to be vastly inferior to what the Red Sox, Yankees and other big mark clubs can offer - and hope CC allows a hometown discount.

The Jake Peavy extension comes to mind when Shapiro implies other recent contracts given to high caliber pitchers, other than the Johan Santana's $150 million variety.


*Meanwhile . . The Telegraph Forum hopes believes the Indians should follow Minnesota's blueprint and trade Sabathia before he becomes a free agent at the end of the season. This would probably bring back more than a couple of draft picks for the dominant lefthander.

Sabathia Rumors Supplant Santana

Unfortunately for the strong corps of die-hard Cleveland fans, it appears as though they will now have the honor of being this month's version of the Twins fanbase - as they must deal with the prospect of losing a Cy Young winning lefthander to free agency because their franchise won't pony up the money to keep him.

According to several reports, Cleveland offered CC Sabathia a four year extension worth about $70 million on top of the $11.25 million he will make in 2008. A contract of $80+ million will not hold last year's AL Cy Young winner, particularly after witnessing Santana bank over $150 million last week.

Some locals address the Sabathia issue:

· Cleveland Plain Dealer says Indians need to up their offer to Sabathia.

· The Akron Beacon Journal ponders whether or not Sabathia will stick around.

· The Chicago Tribune believes the Johan Santana deal puts Sabathia's future on deck.

Santana Is A Done Deal

According to SI.com, the Mets and Johan Santana have agreed to a contract worth $150+ million over the next seven years. The last year on Santana's current contract is worth $13.75 million so the Mets extension is worth $137.50 million and he is expected to receive $7 million in a signing bonus.

Metsblog: Santana Contract Close

According to Metsblog, the Mets and Johan Santana plan to work on ironing out a contract extension into Wednesday night, though a deal is not expected to be completed until Thursday.

Nothing new here, but the blog also believes the final detail to be worked out is whether the final year of the contract is guaranteed or a vested option. Santana will likely sign a deal of six years with an annual value above $20 million but below $25 million.

Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera, Jeff Marquez and a host of other prospects can now exhale.

Now can we finally put this topic to rest?

Cano Close To $30M Contract

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Yankees are close to locking up Robinson Cano to a four year contract worth $30 million.

The Yankees, locking up one of their young stars, are on the verge of signing second baseman Robinson Cano to a four-year, $30 million contract, according to major-league sources.

The deal, which would take Cano through his arbitration years, also is expected to include club options that would enable the Yankees to buy out one or two years of free agency.

The contract would be contingent upon Cano passing a physical.

Cano, 25, was eligible for arbitration for the first time this off-season. He asked for $4.55 million and the Yankees offered $3.2 million.

A "super-two" player due to his service time, Cano was eligible for four years of arbitration rather than the customary three.

Cano appeared in 160 games for the Yankees last season, batting .306 and setting career-highs with 19 homers and 97 RBIs.

His career batting average in three major-league seasons is .314.

This is a change in thinking from the Yankees usual stance on young cost-controlled players. From Rotoworld:

Either Cano's agent was lying Tuesday when he said no discussions had taken place or this has come together as quickly as any deal in history. A four-year contract would take Cano right to free agency. He was a super-two player this year, so he was going to have four years of arbitration.