Recent Baseball News & Notes

Here's some recent baseball news and notes over the past week or so that you might have missed in the midst of bowl season and the nfl playoffs (go birds!):

1. Cubs sign Milton Bradley: I love this deal for the Cubs. Milton got 3 years, 30 mil (less money than Ibanez) and is a great addition to a Cubs team that is very close to the top. Milton was the best hitter of the OF/DH group (other than Manny) and is also the youngest. He may be a head case, but on a team without an identity (make that a city without an identity), crazy guys are sometimes just what you need.


2. Pat Burrell signs with Rays: Not a bad signing for the Rays. They gave him two years, the second of which will probably be useless. Pat had a resurgence this season, but don't expect much consistency. He's a good signing for them because he has no problem staying out of the limelight and playing second or even third fiddle to other stars in the lineup. Also he should benefit from playing DH and not running around aimlessly in the outfield all season.


3. Giambi close to signing with the A's: This one makes sense. The A's have thrived lately on thriving aging vets like Frank Thomas, Piazza, etc. Giambi is a great OBP guy, so it's easy to see why Beane liked him.


4. Derek Lowe and Manny still unsigned: Another unsurprising fact. These two seem to be the odd superstars out in free agency splurge. The economy has hit these two hard and they won't get anything close to the money they expected earlier this spring.


5. Howard and Hamels hit arbitration soon: How much will they get? Howard is most likely going to break his own record and Hamels should be getting a sweet payday too.


6. J.C. Romero suspended 50 games in '09: Sometimes even the over-the-counter ones can get you. Wake the hell up J.C. that's why they have trainers in the lockerroom.

That's likely not all the baseball news, but that's what you should have seen or heard. Moving forward, there won't be much baseball talk with the NFL Playoffs steamrolling through, but keep an eye on the Bottomline to get just enough baseball fix to keep you going.

Phillies Sign Ibanez, Cut Ties With Burrell

Barring an introduction of the DH to the National League. Today marks the end of an era. The Pat "The Bat" Burrell era in Philadelphia. This era surely had it's ups and it's downs and things weren't always happy. A few years after being the Phillies first round pick, Pat set the world on fire in '03 and was awarded with a huge contract extension, things couldn't have been better. Then, Pat put some dreadful seasons together with mild success and hot streaks scattered in between. Finally, to end the era, Pat the Bat hit the double that lead to the game winning run, in the clinching game of the World Series for the Phillies. It was a storybook ending to say the least and it all ending today, now that the Phillies have signed his replacement, Raul Ibanez, from the Seattle Mariners.

I love The Bat, and hate to see him go. He was the subject of more hilarious comments than I can begin to remember, but let's look at this rationally in a Burrell vs. Ibanez, comparison showdown:

Contract:

• Burrell: The Phils reportedly offered him 22mil/2 years, which would have been a smart move, but he declined. Anything more than that, would have been too much, in years or in dollars. Pat is only 32, but plays like he's 38.


• Ibanez: The deal he got was 30mil/3. About market value, which really isn't too bad. In year 3, Ibanez will most likely be dead weight, but that's how it is with most free agent contracts nowadays. At 36 now, 38 & 39 are going to be tough years to expect top production from him.

Offensive Skill:

• Burrell: Big-Time power, but overall his skills are diminishing, quickly. When Pat is using the whole field he can be dangerous, he showed this earlier in '08, but those moments are few and far between. His best years were half a decade ago in '03. Also, Burrell may be the slowest man to don the Philly Pinstripes since John Kruk. Even Ryan Howard has got him by a few steps.


• Ibanez: He hit near .300 this year with good power (23 hrs) and solid production all around. He's also knocked in 100 rbi's the last 3 seasons, in Seattle no less. Ibanez also brings atleast speed better than Burrell's, but he isn't much of a runner either (2 sb's in '08)

Defensive Ability:

• Burrell: A total disaster in LF. Constantly was pulled in late-innnings for defensive replacements.


• Ibanez: Maybe a step better in the OF, but only a step. In doing some Raul Ibanez reading, I am getting the feeling that Mariners fans weren't a fan of his OF play either. But a step up nonetheless.

Fit in the Lineup:

• Burrell: When he is playing well, Pat is the perfect fit. He's a power-hitting right handed bat. Exactly what we need to protect Utley and Howard.


• Ibanez: He is a lefty with moderate power and good average. Not at all what we need, but he did hit .300 against left-handed pitching in '08, although he hits .260 against them lifetime.

Personality:

• Burrell: This is the kicker for Burrell. Once Phillies fans (myself included) stopped expecting Pat to be a superstar and just accepted him for what he is, Pat became an instant fan favorite. The stories about Pat's late-night habits and exploits were no longer a burden, but hysterical. It was daily comedy making jokes about how hungover Pat was at batting practice earlier. Or how drunk Pat Burrell after the Phillies won the World Series.


• Ibanez: Does Raul Ibanez have a personality?

Outcome/Results:

I'm not excited about the Raul Ibanez signing, however, I think there's a good chance that he does a good job and puts up some solid numbers hitting in the Bank. Also, at Pat's market value, I don't think he produces well enough to bring him back at the contract he will most likely receive.

But I can't hate the feeling that there are smarter options that the Phillies could have explored. I have long talked about Adam Dunn and how much I like him and I wish the Phillies would've tried to sign him. Atleast if we aren't getting a good upgrade with the glove, you know that you're getting a monster bat. Him and Howard would strikeout a ton together, but probably hit 50 home runs each! Mark DeRosa (UPenn Grad baby!) would be a great option for us if we could deal for him because he plays a good LF and could fill in a 2B until Utley returns. He may not have a fantastic bat, but is he that much worse than Ibanez? What about Milton Bradley? I think he is a far more accomplished hitter than Ibanez and he is 6 years younger! He may be a head case, but he is a player and a good one at that.

Well, there's no going back now and it is Ibanez or bust. So we'll just have to see if Ibanez is the answer or if next winter the Phillies will be looking to eat his contract and find a different guy.

Free Agency Blitz

Its that time of year again, and it almost feels like Christmas. In just over an hour, 330 players will hit the open market. This years class is headlined with big name stars, including CC Sabbathia, Manny Ramirez, and Mark Teixera.

With all the hype around Manny, CC, and Tex, I thought I would take a closer look at the other 327 free agents. These are the players I'm more interested in, because the first three will receive outrageous multi-year contracts, that they will probably not live up to. Here are some of the key free agents I've got my eye on.

• Joe Beimel- The best reliever you've never heard of. Beimel was lights out last year posting a 2.02 ERA in 71 appearances. His high WHIP is a little bit of a concern, but at just 31 years old Beimel is in his prime and poised to build of last years success.
• Casey Blake- Blake may be a little old, but hes a model of consistency. You can expect .270 20 HRs 80 RBIs year in and year out. But more importantly Blake plays the game the right way, and he's the type of guy I want on my team.
• Jason Varitek- I've always considered Varitek to be overrated, and I was disgusted to see him make the all-star team this year. However, according to a 2008 players poll, Varitek is the best in the majors at calling games. This is something that doesn't show up in the stat sheet, and Varitek has long been a key ingredient to the success of the Red Sox. He may not have much left in the tank, but he will come at a big time discount after last years offensive mess.
• Pat Burrell- Public Enemy Number #1 to Mets fans (recently replaced by Shane Victorino), this man has caused a great deal of pain and suffering for me. But I can't help but respect him. He is one of the worst defensive players in the entire league, but Pat the Bat can flat out hit. He might not be a good fit for National League teams, because within the next year or two he will probably become a full time DH.
• Milton Bradley- Another man who I really don't like, I'm actually surprised that there isn't more hype surrounding Bradley. Last season, Bradley had a breakout season, overcome his ADHD and nearly lead the American league in batting. Clubhouse issues may be a concern, but if Bradley can remain healthy and consistent, he will be a steal for whoever signs him.