Alex Rodriguez is gearing up to re-join the Yankees in 2015 and Joel Sherman of the New York Post thinks the embattled slugger should take a lesson from Manny Ramirez. Ramirez hurt his reputation with his own PED troubles but has carved out a second act for himself as a player/coach for the Cubs’ Triple-A affiliate. Still, Sherman is skeptical that A-Rod can earn redemption like Manny has. Here’s more from the AL and NL East…
- Pablo Sandoval would be a strong fit for the Red Sox, opines Scott Lauber of The Boston Herald. Boston is in the market for an upgrade at third base and balance for their right-handed heavy lineup. The 28-year-old switch hitter turned down a three-year, $40MM extension offer from the Giants earlier this year and right now that appears to have been a smart decision.
- Years ago, the Mets were unsure of exactly what they had in right-hander Yusmeiro Petit, writes Joel Sherman of the New York Post. “We couldn’t get a consensus,” former Mets assistant GM Jim Duquette said. “He is getting everyone out, but doing it with an 88-90 mph fastball. We called it an invisi-ball. Is he a No. 1, a No. 2 or just another guy?” Petit wound up going to the Marlins in the 2005 Carlos Delgado trade and today he has found a home with the Giants where he is now a postseason hero.
- Rays GM Matt Silverman is talking with his staff and players to determine the characteristics to look for in the club’s next manager, writes Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. “The first step is identifying the type of manager that we want,” Silverman said Saturday. “And from that we will begin generating names we think might match that description.” Topkin checked in with several Rays players to see what they want in their new skipper.
Arod has always been a mentor for young players. I’m not sure that he has to learn it. He took both Melky and Cano under his wing. And was very helpful during his rehab stint. What’s really helping Manny is that no one was really all that angry at him for taking PEDs. Or hitting his wife, or hitting his teammates.
The off-and-on forgiving nature of the sport is something I still have trouble with. They won’t forgive Pete Rose, but Manny cheats twice (at least) and, although a fixture with both Boston and Cleveland, became one of the laziest players in MLB (to a comical extent) and here he is, a fine, upstanding mentor. I don’t think Terry Francona, among others, would want Ramirez as a coach or teacher.
Arod’s situations seems more akin to Bonds than Manny. The bigger the name the harder the fall.
true, A-Rod has always been a lightning rod for controversy. They only continue to go after him because he was going for the home run record.
As a fan who tends to *like* players who are also good people and good role models for my kids I understand where this story is coming from. But, realistically, there has always been a lot of pressure on A-Rod to be someone he does not seem to be. So, in reality, he should be treated just like all the other players who have been suspended for PEDs. He doesn’t have to become a new person, he needs to play well and test clean. Put up the numbers w/o using: Period. These other demands that he become a new man or have some sort of personal epiphany are actually a bit unfair.
Realistically, A-Rod will be tainted goods forever–it’s simply a question of whether he really wants to seek redemption of a sorts, or is just looking to make his incentives and collect his paycheck. Supposedly, he’s always been a hard worker, so I’m going to assume the effort will be there. But going beyond that, I really wonder if he’s ready to cut himself off from the entourage, the lawyers, the staged photos, the awkward interviews. Best guess–he will be a distraction for the Yankees, until he becomes old news and people move on except for ritual booing. The best thing he could possibly do for himself and his image is to work on his craft, only.
Say what you want about A-Rod one thing that he has always done is give 110% when he’s on the field. I expect no different come the 2015 season. Of course he’s not going to be .300 / 30 HR / 100 RBI guy but there is nothing to say he can give the Yankees a .270 plus BA / 15 to 20 HR’s and about 70 RBI’s between part time 3rd base and DH duties. And if he can do that I’ll take it and I’m pretty sure Yankees management will also.
As a Mets fan id do that Petit trade a million times out of a million. Delgado was a beast for us and we dont go to NLCS without him.
Absolutely. Petit took years to even become serviceable and even still, that’s all he is: serviceable. His career rWAR is only 1.4.
Sandoval > VMART. He can play a key defensive position and is just as clutch in key situations. Both are switch hitters. But Sandoval is 7 years younger.
Petit is a funny bird He does have a career ERA of 4.76
However, this post-season is ‘ZERO’ over 12 innings and a WHIP of .667.
I saw that one change-up and I forget who took a rip at it (A Royals’ hitter obviously), but if he had connected, it still would be flying out of AT&T Park, but he did not and really Petit was the hero of last night’s game.
So who knows or cares at this point, whether he’s a #1 or #2 or a valuable set-up man. It does not matter if the Giants win the series because of his efforts.
Although, truth be told I am rooting for the Royals!
I’d love for Boston to go after Sandoval. Younger and more offensive minded than Chase Headley.
Sandoval could be great but the weight is worrisome going forward. I’m not against him just cautious.
Totally agree, he looks like he is an accident waiting to happen!
Same here, the guy is a great bat from the left side and plays above average defence, especially given his size. The only thing I’d worry about is how well he ages (given his size) and the money it’s gonna take. I’m predicting somebody will give him 7 years, for a total of around 122.5 million, and I’m not sure the Red Sox’ll be interested with that sorta price and commitment. And while 3rd is a problem, the Red Sox really need to address their starting pitching, going after at least one of the available Aces (James Shields doesn’t cut it for me) , and acquiring a number 2 somehow.
I remain perplexed why the Red Sox don’t more strongly consider moving Betts to 3B, at least for a year. He was signed as a SS, switched to 2B, and some are proposing he become a super sub. Lowery played 3B for the Red Sox, and I think Betts can too. It helps with the OF situation, which is crowded unless they trade Cespedes. It is better than trading prospects!
It’s certainly an idea that should be considered however, I’d treat it as a fall-back option. Many scouts aren’t fond of his arm so, 3rd wouldn’t be a great spot for him and obviously, it wouldn’t utilize his speed and range to the fullest. Now, they could put him at SS and shift Bogaerts to 3B but, we’ve seen the damage that has done (and it is certainly not worth it) so, I wouldn’t even consider it. Best thing to do IMO is to create a starting spot for him in the OF. Doing this however would include trading 2 of either Nava, Cespedes, Craig, or Victirino, leaving two of these guys to platoon or one serve as a back-up. If it were me, I’d trade two of these guys plus other pieces towards getting a SP, hopefully a good one….even though any of these four probably have only average value or less on the trade market….
Not clear whether Victorino is giving up hitting lefty or not. If he does bat from the left side again, then he could be an added LH bat. Would consider Betts for the outfield again after Victorino’s 2015 campaign is over or if he gets hurt.
I don’t understand the arm angle. He has a strong enough arm for RF. I think he was inaccurate at SS in throwing and that may be improved with experience. Also, uncertain that Betts would suffer as Bogaerts did.
Like I said, it’s certainly an idea I think they should put thought into. And IMO, I doubt Victorino goes back to swinging lefty, though it’s quite possible (I’m pretty sure his splits vs. righties isn’t great,anyways). And I’m sorry I didn’t make myself clear, I meant Bogaerts would probably struggle if he was moved back to 3rd and Betts to SS, as we’ve seen happen already (which obviously makes it more likely that Betts would play 3rd). And, I personally think Betts would have no problem wherever he plays, he doesn’t strike me as an unconfident player.
Good point if Lowrie who is much less athletic could play 3B then you would have to think Betts could as well. Still problem that they wouldn’t have a 2nd solid lefty hitter other then Ortiz though.
I’d love Sandoval to be on the team but if contract is 5-7 years with an AAV of 16-19 million then he clearly won’t be very valuable.
All A-Rod learned from Manny was how to take PEDs and win the world series, like all the other sluggers in the past 20 years.
What about the Amphetamines, players took them for over 50 years. Have you noticed that the hitting averages have gone down big time since they were eliminated from baseball. 2000- 270, 2014- 251
I also notice there is less difference between batting averages in the American and National league. The American league has the DH, what does that mean? In 2000 there were 25 .300 hitters, this year only 9
In 2000 there were 25 .300 hitters, this year only 9.
Every big name free agent and available for trade veteran is a fit for the Red Sox. Has been for sine the 1960’s.
If Adam LaRoche is let go and Ryan Zimmerman moves to first, Sandoval would make sense for the Nationals if Anthony Rendon moves back to second (assuming Asdrubal Cabrera leaves to become a shortstop elsewhere). If you choose to keep Rendon at 3B, the Nats then might pursue Cuban 2B Jose Fernandez.
DEREK JETER was the man they had to mentor, arod is overrated and over paid.
Trade A-Rod to Miami… He is one of us, we didnt turn on him like the rest of you… Send him home!