Get out your winter coats, gloves, and balaclavas and head to the ball park because it's Opening Day! Even though it's Thursday, MLB had the brilliant idea of starting the season off a little early. This will certainly backfire when no one shows up in the Bronx for 40 degree weather and rain. And can someone explain to me why the World Series Champs are starting the season on the road in LA?
Now on to what our readers care about most - predictions. Obviously there is nothing shocking about these picks since only certain teams can be competitive in MLB. So here you are:
Bob Cobb had a great Friday night watching the 2010 Yankees end their season after being outplayed and outmanaged by the young and talented Texas Rangers. Despite having more or less the same team as last year's champions, the 2010 Yankees lacked the killer instinct they displayed last postseason.
Looking forward to the offseason, the debate begins whether the Yankees will re-sign their core group of Captain Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, and Andy Pettitte. This group won five rings together, but I think they just played their last game together.
Derek Jeter
Jeter is the greatest Yankee since Don Mattingly. His #2 jersey for certain will be retired one day. After the season ended Friday night, Jeter completed the final year of a 10-year $189 million contract. Even though 2010 was one of the worst seasons of his career (.270/.340/.370 in 2010 compared to .314/.385/.452 for his career), Jeter will remain a Yankee. I think he will agree to a 4-year $50 million contract with the Yanks - any other team would offer him roughly 4 years and $32 million. He is 36 with declining range at SS and waning numbers at the plate. His value to the Yankees brand and his leadership are plenty to justify the incremental cost to the Steinbrenners. Besides, do you see any other leadership on this team? I think Mark Teixeira is the next captain of the Yankees, but he won't get that chance until Jeter's career ends. Otherwise, I don't see anyone else who could fill that void - certainly not A-Rod, Cano, etc.
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is one of the greatest Yankees ever and his #42 will be retired in the Bronx as soon as he leaves the game of baseball. He just finished the final year of a 3-year $45 mm deal. This September he showed some age, but he still dominated the Twins in the ALDS. If he decides to return, the Yanks will offer him a 1-year deal, but Mo will ask for a 2-year deal. Cashman will give it to him - 2 years, $28 mm. Besides, he made 61 appearances, saved 33/38 games, 0.83 WHIP, and 1.80 ERA. Mo turns 41 next month and my gut is that he'll leave baseball. I'm guessing after he won that fifth ring he thought that same team could get a sixth. That didn't happen, so I think he hangs it up. Whether or not Jeter stays with the Yanks could also influence Mo.
Andy Pettitte
No matter what happens this offseason, Andy Pettitte has been a great Yankee. His career numbers are impressive, but in my opinion not worthy of Cooperstown. His postseason record of 19-10 with a 3.83 ERA may grab some votes, but I still think he'll come up short with 240 wins, a career ERA of 3.88, and 0 Cy Young awards (he only contended for a Cy in 1996). For the last four seasons, Pettitte has signed one-year contracts with the Yankees - contemplating retirement each offseason. This season he earned $11.75 million. He pitched at a very high level in the first half, but a groin injury cost him 2 months and reminded him that his 38-year-old body (without the HGH) is wearing down.
Getting a deal done with Jeter might be the most important task for Cashman to re-sign Mo and Pettitte. I can't imagine those guys like hanging out with A-Rod.
Apparently, there is an "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" episode coming up later this year where the gang meet Chase Utley and Ryan Howard. The episode continues a running joke on the show that Mac has a biggest man crush on Chase since George Constanza met Dan Corteze.
Except it's not a joke in Philadelphia. People love Chase Utley. He's the guy who runs out all the grounders, who plays hurt and then says nothing in the press, takes guys out legally on double play bases (stop crying David and Carlos), and generally embodies what Philadelphia fans say what they want out of their sports players. When Doc Halladay was traded to the Phils, the analogy was that he was the pitching version of Utley with his preparation and singular focus. He's also been a decently clutch player. While his numbers in the postseason aren't great, he's made some big plays that have been the catalyst to victory.
Game 1 of 2008 NLDS - 2 run, 2 out double to give the Phils a big early lead (after they had gotten blown off the field in 2007 against the Rockies).
Game 1 of the 2008 NLCS - 2 run HR to tie the game 2-2 in the 5th. A huge momentum changer after the Phils had done nothing against Derek Lowe for 4 innings.
Game 1 of the 2008 WS - 2 run HR in the first, giving the Phils a 2-0 lead. A huge hit to give Cole an early lead, eventually leading to them getting a big Game 1 win on the road.
Game 5 of the 2008 WS (part 2) - Throwing out Jason Bartlett at home in the 7th to end the inning and preserve a 4-3 lead. As Smuckers said, that play will never get the credit it deserves, as most people would have never instinctively thrown home on an infield single. If Bartlett scores and the Phils lose that game, who knows what happens with Hamels done and the series going back to Tampa.
2009 World Series - 5 HRs in 6 games. Yes, the team lost but Utley can't be faulted for hitting big HRs in Games 1 and 5 to keep take a early lead and then to keep the series alive.
I list this all now, because that Chase seems to be gone. This year, he has looked terrible in the field (2 errors which should be 3) and impotent at the plate. While Phillies fans are used to conceding the out when a LH reliever come in for Howard, Utley has now joined the ranks. Even on a RH pitcher he was 7 for 15 off of last year yesterday, he looked like Tomas Perez. As he moves further and further away from 30, it's hard not to notice that his average and OPS have slipped noticeably every year since 2007.
While the Phils have often had trouble getting the big hit (remember how they didn't have hit with RISP until Game 4 of the 2008 World Series), they've gotten enough big hits to get by. The sources are varied between series and years,(Vicorino, Stairs, Ruiz in 2008, Howard in 2009), but Utley has been the constant. So while the story of tonight may become the decision to pitch Joltin' Joe, the story of this series ultimately will be the Phils' offense (or lackthereof). And while people will complain about Howard and Rollins being too impressed with themselves, with the signings of Polanco and Ibanez, and assume that Werth checked out mentally with free agency looming, the excuses fans use to afford Utley will be gone.
It's only 2-1 right now, and a win tonight flips the momentum back in the Phillies favor. But if not, start clearing those tee times down in Florida and California. Let's see what he's got.
It's always sad when the baseball season ends - the postseason is exciting even if your team didn't make the playoffs, but the broadcasts are always horrible and the games end way too late. Thankfully Chip Caray isn't participating this October - nor is Dane Cook.
Before I recap yesterday's lovely press conference with New York Metropolitan ownership, I wanted to give out my annual MLB awards:
NL MVP - Joey Votto
AL MVP - Josh Hamilton
NL Cy Young - Roy Halladay
AL Cy Young - David Price
NL Rookie of the Year - Buster Posey
AL Rookie of the Year - Austin Jackson
NL Manager of the Year - Bud Black
AL Manager of the Year - Ron Gardenhire
SAFO Dud of the Year - Oliver Perez (0-5, 6.80 ERA, 46.1 IP, 54 H, 37 R, 9 HR, 42 BB, 37 SO, 4 WP, 4 HB, 2.07 WHIP)
While there may be few things the respective bloggers on this esteem site agree about, I'm confident there's at least one: A true and well-earned disdain for the Atlanta Braves. While the media can't contain themselves as they praise Bobby Cox and anoint Jayson Heyward the next Willie Mays, here's a few friendly reminders why this is not a likable team
Feel free to return that MVP trophy anytime, Troy. Also, we're all sure you supported bringing in Rick Ankiel.
4. Billy Wagner-
Here's some quick reminders of how clutch you are, Billy. But hey, you got booed once in Philadelphia, so we're the bad guys.
5. Underserving Fans.
Guess how many fans showed up on Thursday for the opener of the big Giants-Braves series? 24,500 or 49.3% of capacity according to ESPN.com. I wouldn't be bothered, except the attendance was always mediocre in the 90s, when they had the most consistent team in baseball. Unless everyone became a Joe Johnson fan again overnight after his max contract, I'd say this fan base doesn't deserve a playoff series.
6. The Tomahawk Chop.
It's one thing to have a dumb, repetitive chant to keep your brainless fans interested in the game. It's another thing to have a team with a highly questionable nickname that is taken from an ethnic group that isn't supportive of the name. However, it's something special to combine the two into an obnoxious, offensive chant in an area of the country with a dubious history towards other racial groups.
Needless to say, this blogger will be staying above the Mason-Dixon line for the foreseeable future.
Get out your winter coats, gloves, and balaclavas and head to the ball park because it's Opening Day! Even though it's Thursday, MLB had the brilliant idea of starting the season off a little early. This will certainly backfire when no one shows up in the Bronx for 40 degree weather and rain. And can someone explain to me why the World Series Champs are starting the season on the road in LA? 
