Bryz on Waivers
The Anaheim (Mighty) Ducks (of Los Angeles) placed goaltender Ilya Brygalov on waivers Friday. If no other team claims the 27 year old goaltender by noon ET Saturday, the Ducks will assign him to the Portland Pirates of the AHL.
Anaheim GM Brian Burke had been trying to trade the Russian netminder since the beginning of the season, but was unable to make a deal. Bryzgalov became expendable when the Ducks signed Swiss prospect Jonas Hiller to back up J.S Giguere last spring.
"What I promised Bryz is that I would find him a place to play," Burke told the Canadian Press on Friday. "Bryz is a great kid and a loyal soldier. He's won three playoff rounds for us and he deserves to play somewhere. But I was unable to move him. The single, biggest obstacle was that he's unrestricted at the end of the year. I wasn't offered anything of value for him. But I promised him, 'If I can't get something of value for you, we'll put you on waiver."'
You can bet that he won't be on waivers long, and even a chance that he might stay in LA area going to the Kings, but should have an idea by Friday night.
Jackets get Rome, Wilson
The Columbus Blue Jackets acquired defenseman Aaron Rome and right winger Clay Wilson from Anaheim in exchange for centre Geoff Platt.
Platt has seven points (4-3) in 15 games for the American Hockey League's Syracuse Crunch this season.
Rome had five points (2-3) in 14 games with the AHL's Portland Pirates this season. Wilson, a 24-year-old native of Sturgeon Lake, Minn., has eight points (3-5) in 14 games for the Pirates.
Both Rome and Wilson have been assigned to the Crunch and Platt will be assigned to the Pirates.
"Old Left-Hander" Passes Away
Joe Nuxhall, the youngest player in Major League Baseball History, and long time member of Cincinnati Reds Radio broadcasts died Friday following a bout with cancer at the age of 79. "Old left-hander" retired as a full-time radio broadcaster after the 2004 season, the 60th anniversary of his historic pitching debut, but called several games last season even though his left leg was swollen by tumors.
With MLB rosters depleated during World War II, the Reds were looking for wartime replacement players and came to scout Orville Nuxhall, Joe's dad. After seeing Orville's son, 6-foot-3 190 pounds throw 85 mph Cincy offered him a contract. His parents let him join the team when junior high classes let out, and on June 10, 1944 at 15 years, 10 months, 11 days old Joe went down in baseball lore as the youngest professional athlete in history. With the Reds trailing the St. Louis Cardinals 13-0 after eight innings Nuxhall was summoned to come into pitch, but was so rattled that he tripped on the top step of the dugout and fell on his face in front of 3,510 fans at Crosley Field, and was terrified when it came time to walk to the mound. He walked one and retired two batters before giving up a single to Stan Musial, and didn't get another out as the Cards scored five runs. Nuxhall was sent down to the minors and eight years later returned to the show for a 16 year career, 15 with the Reds, and complied a 135-117 mark before retiring in 1966.
He started his Hall of Fame broadcasting career in 1967, became the Reds play-by-play announcer in 1974, and for the next 28 years was teamed with Marty Brennaman. Nuxhall's signature signoff was, "This is the old left-hander, rounding third and heading for home", which is illuminated across the top of the Reds administration building.
Be sure to log onto WWW.THESTITCH.US
Friday, November 16, 2007
November 16
Wild Win in Drug Palace
The Minnesota Wild beat the Edmonton Oilers 4-2 Thursday night at Rexall Place (or the Drug Palace as I like to call it) to snap a two game skid and win their second straight against the Oil. Marion Gaborik, back in the line-up after missing several games with a sore groin, scored his fifth goal of the season in the second period and added an assisted Mark Parrish's goal in the third. The Wild will wrap up this four game road trip tonight against the Vancouver Canucks at GM Place (or the Garage). This is the first meeting of the season for Minnesota against Shamu who is 3-0-1 in it's past four games and 2-6-1 at home this season. The Wild won the season series last year 5-1-2.
Bonds Lied, Cheated?
What most of the public thought to be true hit the public airwaves Thursday as Barry Bonds was indicted on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice, stemming from his testimony to a federal grand jury four years ago that he had not knowingly used steroids. The All-Time Home Run King faces a maximum of 30 years in prison if convicted on the four perjury charges and one obstruction of justice charge being brought against him for allegedly lying under oath. An arraignment has been scheduled for December 7th at U.S. District Court in San Francisco with a trial unlikely to begin until late next spring at the earliest. "During the criminal investigation, evidence was obtained including positive tests for the presence of anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing substances for Bonds and other athletes", the indictment read, before detailing parts of Bonds testimony in December 2003, with the allegedly perjured statement underlined.
Up until now, there was never a positive test on the record that Bonds used steroids , and if its true that there is a positive test out there then this really is not only a sad day in baseball, but professional sports for two reasons. The most important being that he lied, and that he had extra help in breaking the most cherished and sacred record in all of sports. Granted it will be several months before this case goes to court and we the public find out more info on the case, and remember that in America your still innocent until proven guilty, but with an already huge "Did He" cloud hanging over him before Thursday, it's not looking good in the public eye for the current Home Run King. This does beg the question if now a team will sign him, but I think it's safe to say that no one will envy the job of Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig over the next year.
The A-Rod Watch is Over.
It appears as though Alex Rodriguez is coming back to the Yankees after all. New York and A-Rod reportedly have reached agreement on the outline of a 10-year, $275 million contract that would include additional bonuses if he sets the career home run record wearing pin stripes. The deal will not be finalized until the Yanks draft the agreement with Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras. Apparently one final order of business concerns just how much money A-Rod, who has 518 home runs, could earn if an when he surpasses Barry Bonds career home run record of 762 (and counting).
This of course does come as a surprise after the report from Boras came out during the World Series, and it being later reported that it would cost at least $350 million to even schedule a meeting with A-Rods agent to get the services of his client.
The most suprising twist in this saga came when Rodriguez, without his agent, talked with and negoated a contract with the Yankees by himself to stay in the Big Apple. In todays game of agents representing players and getting the biggest contract possible, most of the time just so the their cut or commision is bigger at their clients expense of talking them into moving to a different team and city even though they might be happy where they are.
You have to give credit to A-Rod for wanting to stay in the Bronx and going against his agent to do so, as he could have gone elsewhere and gotten at least $300 million.
Be sure to log onto WWW.THESTITCH.US
The Minnesota Wild beat the Edmonton Oilers 4-2 Thursday night at Rexall Place (or the Drug Palace as I like to call it) to snap a two game skid and win their second straight against the Oil. Marion Gaborik, back in the line-up after missing several games with a sore groin, scored his fifth goal of the season in the second period and added an assisted Mark Parrish's goal in the third. The Wild will wrap up this four game road trip tonight against the Vancouver Canucks at GM Place (or the Garage). This is the first meeting of the season for Minnesota against Shamu who is 3-0-1 in it's past four games and 2-6-1 at home this season. The Wild won the season series last year 5-1-2.
Bonds Lied, Cheated?
What most of the public thought to be true hit the public airwaves Thursday as Barry Bonds was indicted on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice, stemming from his testimony to a federal grand jury four years ago that he had not knowingly used steroids. The All-Time Home Run King faces a maximum of 30 years in prison if convicted on the four perjury charges and one obstruction of justice charge being brought against him for allegedly lying under oath. An arraignment has been scheduled for December 7th at U.S. District Court in San Francisco with a trial unlikely to begin until late next spring at the earliest. "During the criminal investigation, evidence was obtained including positive tests for the presence of anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing substances for Bonds and other athletes", the indictment read, before detailing parts of Bonds testimony in December 2003, with the allegedly perjured statement underlined.
Up until now, there was never a positive test on the record that Bonds used steroids , and if its true that there is a positive test out there then this really is not only a sad day in baseball, but professional sports for two reasons. The most important being that he lied, and that he had extra help in breaking the most cherished and sacred record in all of sports. Granted it will be several months before this case goes to court and we the public find out more info on the case, and remember that in America your still innocent until proven guilty, but with an already huge "Did He" cloud hanging over him before Thursday, it's not looking good in the public eye for the current Home Run King. This does beg the question if now a team will sign him, but I think it's safe to say that no one will envy the job of Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig over the next year.
The A-Rod Watch is Over.
It appears as though Alex Rodriguez is coming back to the Yankees after all. New York and A-Rod reportedly have reached agreement on the outline of a 10-year, $275 million contract that would include additional bonuses if he sets the career home run record wearing pin stripes. The deal will not be finalized until the Yanks draft the agreement with Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras. Apparently one final order of business concerns just how much money A-Rod, who has 518 home runs, could earn if an when he surpasses Barry Bonds career home run record of 762 (and counting).
This of course does come as a surprise after the report from Boras came out during the World Series, and it being later reported that it would cost at least $350 million to even schedule a meeting with A-Rods agent to get the services of his client.
The most suprising twist in this saga came when Rodriguez, without his agent, talked with and negoated a contract with the Yankees by himself to stay in the Big Apple. In todays game of agents representing players and getting the biggest contract possible, most of the time just so the their cut or commision is bigger at their clients expense of talking them into moving to a different team and city even though they might be happy where they are.
You have to give credit to A-Rod for wanting to stay in the Bronx and going against his agent to do so, as he could have gone elsewhere and gotten at least $300 million.
Be sure to log onto WWW.THESTITCH.US
Thursday, November 15, 2007
November 15
Gabby, Veilleux Back
After missing five of the Wild's past seven games because of a sore groin, Marian Gaborik will be back in the lineup when Minnesota takes on the Oilers in Edmonton tonight. The Wild have lost their last two games, both on the road in Colorado and Calgary, and haven't won since beating the Oil 3-2 on November 5th. In the games Gabby has missed Minnesota has gone 1-4. Left wing Stephane Veilleux will also be back on the ice tonight after missing the last two games with a broken cheekbone.
In other Wild news, the club assigned defenseman Andre Lakos to Farjestad of the Swedish Elite League. Lakos, signed out of Austria to a one-year deal in June, had been with Houston in the American Hockey League. "He came over with the idea he'd get a shot at the NHL level", said GM Doug Risebrough, who added that Lako's play showed he wasn't motivated to stay here.
Wolves Win
The Minnesota Timberwolves won their first game of the season, or should I say first of the post-Kevin Garnett era, 108-103 over Sacramento Wednesday night. I was lucky enough to get an invite and free ticket from a buddy of mine to catch the game in person. Overall this years squad didn't look bad, but granted they were playing a Kings team that was 2-5. Rashad McCants finished with 33 points, Al Jefferson 23, and Antoine Walker added 19 off the bench. Last night was the first Wolves game I watched of the season, and It'll be interesting to see how the duo of McCants and Jefferson fair as the season goes on. While you don't necessarily want to call them Garnett and Marbury, you can see a little bit of chemistry developing on the court. With such a young team, and coach, you can see what Kevin McHale was trying to do in starting over, but hopefully the moves made by frankenstein to assemble this squad don't have the same disastrous results like so many of his others. The one thing I came away with from last nights game was how sparcly populated the Discount Center was. The attendance wasn't announced during the game, and was listed in the paper as 11,656 but I'm guessing that was the tickets sold and not the on hand crowd. The first deck was maybe 60 percent full, with patches scattered around the second deck, and I would guess that somewhere in the neighborhood of 8,500-9,000 were in the house. I can remember during the Harv and Marv, Pooh Richardson, Chuck Person, and J.R Rider days when the attendance was always announced as being sold-out but never was in house, and it does make you wonder had Kevin Garnett not come around would the team have gone the route of the Vancouver Grizzles or stayed for several sub .500 mediocre, 6,000 a night seasons?
Be sure to log onto www.thestitch.us
After missing five of the Wild's past seven games because of a sore groin, Marian Gaborik will be back in the lineup when Minnesota takes on the Oilers in Edmonton tonight. The Wild have lost their last two games, both on the road in Colorado and Calgary, and haven't won since beating the Oil 3-2 on November 5th. In the games Gabby has missed Minnesota has gone 1-4. Left wing Stephane Veilleux will also be back on the ice tonight after missing the last two games with a broken cheekbone.
In other Wild news, the club assigned defenseman Andre Lakos to Farjestad of the Swedish Elite League. Lakos, signed out of Austria to a one-year deal in June, had been with Houston in the American Hockey League. "He came over with the idea he'd get a shot at the NHL level", said GM Doug Risebrough, who added that Lako's play showed he wasn't motivated to stay here.
Wolves Win
The Minnesota Timberwolves won their first game of the season, or should I say first of the post-Kevin Garnett era, 108-103 over Sacramento Wednesday night. I was lucky enough to get an invite and free ticket from a buddy of mine to catch the game in person. Overall this years squad didn't look bad, but granted they were playing a Kings team that was 2-5. Rashad McCants finished with 33 points, Al Jefferson 23, and Antoine Walker added 19 off the bench. Last night was the first Wolves game I watched of the season, and It'll be interesting to see how the duo of McCants and Jefferson fair as the season goes on. While you don't necessarily want to call them Garnett and Marbury, you can see a little bit of chemistry developing on the court. With such a young team, and coach, you can see what Kevin McHale was trying to do in starting over, but hopefully the moves made by frankenstein to assemble this squad don't have the same disastrous results like so many of his others. The one thing I came away with from last nights game was how sparcly populated the Discount Center was. The attendance wasn't announced during the game, and was listed in the paper as 11,656 but I'm guessing that was the tickets sold and not the on hand crowd. The first deck was maybe 60 percent full, with patches scattered around the second deck, and I would guess that somewhere in the neighborhood of 8,500-9,000 were in the house. I can remember during the Harv and Marv, Pooh Richardson, Chuck Person, and J.R Rider days when the attendance was always announced as being sold-out but never was in house, and it does make you wonder had Kevin Garnett not come around would the team have gone the route of the Vancouver Grizzles or stayed for several sub .500 mediocre, 6,000 a night seasons?
Be sure to log onto www.thestitch.us
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
November 14
Twins and Yankee Updates
The Minnesota Twins made their first move of the off season trading for Cubs outfielder Craig Monroe, in exchange for a player to be named later. You could call this a somewhat surprising move as the Cubs had intended to non-tender Monroe next month, meaning that he would have become a free agent next month. Twins GM Bill Smith said "(Monroe) may be may be a good fit for us, and there was no sense in waiting a month. It gives us an opportunity to meet with his agent and talk about it by ourselves. I think that's a plus for us". The Twins find themselves in a good bargaining position as they can negotiate and get a lower priced deal as they are able to non-tender him if a contract is not finalized by December. After helping lead Detroit to the World Series in 2006 by hitting .255 with 28 homers, Monroe saw his production level off last season and was designated for assignment by the Tigers in August after hitting .222 with 11 homers. The Cubs acquired him in a trade in August, but he only hit .204 with one home run in 23 games and was left off Chicago's playoff roster. Monroe does bring some power to the Twins averaging 23 home runs over the past five seasons, is a career .273 against leftys, and in 35 career games at the Dome is a .322 hitter with 13 homers in 283 at-bats. With Torii Hunters future still uncertain, Monroe can play all three outfield positions and is a strong candidate for the open DH spot. If Hunter returns, look for Monroe to split time at left with Jason Kubel and DH.
Mariano Rivera is reportedly sitting on a three year, $45 million offer from the Yankees. Should he accept this deal, it would make the lifelong Yankee baseball's highest paid closer. Currently New York's other closer, the Mets Billy Wagner, is the highest paid closer averaging $10.75 million annually over a four year contract. Earlier in the week is was reported that Rivera had been offered three years and $40 million. The Yanks are also waiting on Andy Pettitte who's mulling retirement. The 35 year-old lefty has a standing $16 million deal for 2008 on the table should he return.
Dice-K, Okajima to Play in Japan
Following several months of negotiations, the commissioner's office announced the Boston Red Sox have agreed to a two-game series against the Oakland Athletics in Japan on March 25-26 at the Tokyo Dome. Oakland will be the home team for those games. The Red Sox and A's will also play some exhibition games on March 23-24 against Japanese teams. After the trip, the teams return to the US and open the rest of their regular season schedules with a two-game series at Oakland on April 1-2.
The Japan visit is one of two Asian trips Major League Baseball hopes to make next year. Talks have been underway for months to have the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres play exhibition games in Beijing, most likely on March 14-15 at the ballpark to be used for the 2008 Olympics. That would be MLB's first trip to China. If the Beijing games take place, the Dodgers likely would travel to Arizona for most of their remaining spring training games. Next spring is their last at Vero Beach, Flordia, where they first trained in 1949. They switch their training base in 2009 to Glendale, Arizona.
DQ and Goldy
Look for Dairy Queen to be front and center in TCF Bank Stadium when it opens in 2009. The Minnesota based company donated $2.5 million to the new Gopher football stadium, as the club room will be called the Dairy Queen Stadium Club, plus look for DQ signage around the stadium as well. Last month, a $12.5 million gift was given to the university by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community that included $10 million for the $288 million on-campus facility.
I for one can't wait for TCF Bank Stadium to open up. While my dad took me to a few games at the old brickhouse when I was a little squirt, the one that sticks out in my mind was when the Gophers were taking on Stanford, led by all-american quarterback John Elway. While I don't remember the score, I do remember this guy scrambling around the backfield and using the bench as a desk for part of the game.
The Minnesota Twins made their first move of the off season trading for Cubs outfielder Craig Monroe, in exchange for a player to be named later. You could call this a somewhat surprising move as the Cubs had intended to non-tender Monroe next month, meaning that he would have become a free agent next month. Twins GM Bill Smith said "(Monroe) may be may be a good fit for us, and there was no sense in waiting a month. It gives us an opportunity to meet with his agent and talk about it by ourselves. I think that's a plus for us". The Twins find themselves in a good bargaining position as they can negotiate and get a lower priced deal as they are able to non-tender him if a contract is not finalized by December. After helping lead Detroit to the World Series in 2006 by hitting .255 with 28 homers, Monroe saw his production level off last season and was designated for assignment by the Tigers in August after hitting .222 with 11 homers. The Cubs acquired him in a trade in August, but he only hit .204 with one home run in 23 games and was left off Chicago's playoff roster. Monroe does bring some power to the Twins averaging 23 home runs over the past five seasons, is a career .273 against leftys, and in 35 career games at the Dome is a .322 hitter with 13 homers in 283 at-bats. With Torii Hunters future still uncertain, Monroe can play all three outfield positions and is a strong candidate for the open DH spot. If Hunter returns, look for Monroe to split time at left with Jason Kubel and DH.
Mariano Rivera is reportedly sitting on a three year, $45 million offer from the Yankees. Should he accept this deal, it would make the lifelong Yankee baseball's highest paid closer. Currently New York's other closer, the Mets Billy Wagner, is the highest paid closer averaging $10.75 million annually over a four year contract. Earlier in the week is was reported that Rivera had been offered three years and $40 million. The Yanks are also waiting on Andy Pettitte who's mulling retirement. The 35 year-old lefty has a standing $16 million deal for 2008 on the table should he return.
Dice-K, Okajima to Play in Japan
Following several months of negotiations, the commissioner's office announced the Boston Red Sox have agreed to a two-game series against the Oakland Athletics in Japan on March 25-26 at the Tokyo Dome. Oakland will be the home team for those games. The Red Sox and A's will also play some exhibition games on March 23-24 against Japanese teams. After the trip, the teams return to the US and open the rest of their regular season schedules with a two-game series at Oakland on April 1-2.
The Japan visit is one of two Asian trips Major League Baseball hopes to make next year. Talks have been underway for months to have the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres play exhibition games in Beijing, most likely on March 14-15 at the ballpark to be used for the 2008 Olympics. That would be MLB's first trip to China. If the Beijing games take place, the Dodgers likely would travel to Arizona for most of their remaining spring training games. Next spring is their last at Vero Beach, Flordia, where they first trained in 1949. They switch their training base in 2009 to Glendale, Arizona.
DQ and Goldy
Look for Dairy Queen to be front and center in TCF Bank Stadium when it opens in 2009. The Minnesota based company donated $2.5 million to the new Gopher football stadium, as the club room will be called the Dairy Queen Stadium Club, plus look for DQ signage around the stadium as well. Last month, a $12.5 million gift was given to the university by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community that included $10 million for the $288 million on-campus facility.
I for one can't wait for TCF Bank Stadium to open up. While my dad took me to a few games at the old brickhouse when I was a little squirt, the one that sticks out in my mind was when the Gophers were taking on Stanford, led by all-american quarterback John Elway. While I don't remember the score, I do remember this guy scrambling around the backfield and using the bench as a desk for part of the game.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
November 13, Part 2
Free Agent Busts
I think it's safe to say that most of the bad free agent contracts have been offered to pitchers. In part because of one deal in particular that has inflated the market value of mediocre starting pitchers, and in other cases it was injuries after the fact that made the deal look bad. In either case here are six of the worst free agent contracts of the last ten years in no peticular order.
Juan Gonzalez, Rangers, Two years, $24 million
The Detroit Tigers offered Juan Gonzalez an eight year $140 million contract to stay in Tigertown in 2000. Gonzalez decided to sign a one year deal with central division rival Cleveland instead, and then went back to Texas in 2002 for
$24 million. After 152 games in two years in the lone star state, that was it for Gonzalez, who dropped off the baseball radar and by not signing with Detroit lost out on about $100 million.
Albert Belle, Orioles, Five Years $65 million
You could definitely say that Albert Belle was not only one of the most feared hitters of the 90's at the plate, but also out of the batters box as well as off the field. Who can forget that famed incident with the trick or treater at his door, or the forearm check he delivered on the base path in Milwaukee. Belle was a big part of Cleveland's central division title run and World Series appearance in '95, and left Chief Waho for some White Sox's in '97. After two losing years in Chicago, the O's offered him $65 million over five years. It's safe to say that Baltimore knew what it was getting, but maybe didn't expect him refusing to take batting practice with the team, and the arguing with manager Ray Miller and others was just typical Belle. If not for a career ending hip injury two years into his O's career, he might have been someone else's headache for a few years.
Darren Dreifort, Dodgers, Five Years, $55 million
Despite a 39-45 career record and 4.28 ERA, Los Angeles decided to reward it's 29 year old righty in 2000 with a $55 million contract. The Dodgers did get one full season from him, as a reliever in 2004. Dreifort was plagued with several injury's, but GM's have been paying the price since. If a career sub .500 pitcher can get $55 million, then all hurlers around .500 deserve the same. While it is a cheap shot, your almost better off being a Kyle Loshe then Johan Santana type pitcher. Granted both will get almost double digit millions a seasons, but getting paid $8-11 million a season to lose half your starts isn't bad for the bank account.
Kevin Brown, Dodgers, Seven years, $105 million
Among the A-Rod of pitching contracts was the one signed by Kevin Brown in 1998. I had to do a little checking but it was Brown, a pitcher, that signed the games first nine figure deal. After leading San Diego into the World Series in '98, and winning it with Florida the year before, Brown had arguably some of the best stuff in the game, and his first two seasons in Dodger blue went well, but he was injured in 2001 & '02, came back for an ok '03, but the tank was pretty much empty when Brown was traded to the Yankees in '04 and after 13 starts in '05 was done. While he did play the seven years, and pitched in a couple of post-season's after signing the nine figure contract and unlike with A-Rod, Brown had already held the "Holy Grail" which got him the contract in the first place.
Alex Rodriguez, Rangers, Ten Years, $250 million
In 2001 Alex Rodriguez was primed for a big pay day, there was some speculation that he might stay in the Emerald City, but with a shortstop putting up the numbers he did you almost had the feeling that A-Rod could basically take whatever the biggest deal was that he could get, and that was just the case. The Texas Rangers came calling and offered $250 million over ten years. Not in the history of the game, or professional sports, was that much offered for the services of one player. With two straight 50+ homer 135+ RBI seasons, or about $500 thousand for each homer and $185 thousand for every RBI, the Rangers were definitely getting a good return for stats, but not not where it counts in victories. After three losing seasons, 156 homers & 395 RBI's, and one MVP in the lone star state, Pay-Rod wanted out. During the Alex Rodriguez era the Rangers didn't qualify for the playoffs, and in fact were never close to doing so. The Yankees, who traded for A-Rod, were already a playoff team and he wasn't able to help them return to the World Series where they had been the season before. I would consider the Rangers signing of Rodgiguez a bust in that not only the three losing seasons, but they basically had to pay him to leave town.
Mike Hampton, Rockies, Eight years, $121 million
Most pitchers haven't faired well in the in the thin air of the Rockies, and it was no different with Mike Hampton in Colorado. In his previous five season with Houston and the Mets, Hampton was 73-41 with a 3.45 ERA and 705 K's, including an impressive 1999 campaign with the Astros in which he was 22-4 with a 2.90 ERA. Eight years and $121 million almost seemed like a steal in some ways in 2001, but the confines of Coors Field were not kind to Hampton who in two seasons went 21-28 with a 5.75 ERA and the Rockies paid Florida, then Atlanta, to take him. The Braves still owe him $15 million for 2008, and he hasn't pitched an inning since the '05 season.
Armstrong out
After a disappointing start, the Dallas Stars fired General Manager Doug Armstrong on Tuesday. The Stars were 7-7-3, and coming off a 5-4 loss to the Kings in which they led 4-0 heading into the third period. Team owner Tom Hicks said he though his club needed a change in direction, and wanted the Dallas Stars to return to being one of the elite teams in the league. Hicks also did not state who would take over the job on an interim basis. Armstrong was in his sixth season as GM and 17th overall with the organization.
You can bet that the Founding Father of the Stitch, a former Dallas Stars employee, will be sounding off on the firing, and look for that in the next few days on www.thestitch.us
I think it's safe to say that most of the bad free agent contracts have been offered to pitchers. In part because of one deal in particular that has inflated the market value of mediocre starting pitchers, and in other cases it was injuries after the fact that made the deal look bad. In either case here are six of the worst free agent contracts of the last ten years in no peticular order.
Juan Gonzalez, Rangers, Two years, $24 million
The Detroit Tigers offered Juan Gonzalez an eight year $140 million contract to stay in Tigertown in 2000. Gonzalez decided to sign a one year deal with central division rival Cleveland instead, and then went back to Texas in 2002 for
$24 million. After 152 games in two years in the lone star state, that was it for Gonzalez, who dropped off the baseball radar and by not signing with Detroit lost out on about $100 million.
Albert Belle, Orioles, Five Years $65 million
You could definitely say that Albert Belle was not only one of the most feared hitters of the 90's at the plate, but also out of the batters box as well as off the field. Who can forget that famed incident with the trick or treater at his door, or the forearm check he delivered on the base path in Milwaukee. Belle was a big part of Cleveland's central division title run and World Series appearance in '95, and left Chief Waho for some White Sox's in '97. After two losing years in Chicago, the O's offered him $65 million over five years. It's safe to say that Baltimore knew what it was getting, but maybe didn't expect him refusing to take batting practice with the team, and the arguing with manager Ray Miller and others was just typical Belle. If not for a career ending hip injury two years into his O's career, he might have been someone else's headache for a few years.
Darren Dreifort, Dodgers, Five Years, $55 million
Despite a 39-45 career record and 4.28 ERA, Los Angeles decided to reward it's 29 year old righty in 2000 with a $55 million contract. The Dodgers did get one full season from him, as a reliever in 2004. Dreifort was plagued with several injury's, but GM's have been paying the price since. If a career sub .500 pitcher can get $55 million, then all hurlers around .500 deserve the same. While it is a cheap shot, your almost better off being a Kyle Loshe then Johan Santana type pitcher. Granted both will get almost double digit millions a seasons, but getting paid $8-11 million a season to lose half your starts isn't bad for the bank account.
Kevin Brown, Dodgers, Seven years, $105 million
Among the A-Rod of pitching contracts was the one signed by Kevin Brown in 1998. I had to do a little checking but it was Brown, a pitcher, that signed the games first nine figure deal. After leading San Diego into the World Series in '98, and winning it with Florida the year before, Brown had arguably some of the best stuff in the game, and his first two seasons in Dodger blue went well, but he was injured in 2001 & '02, came back for an ok '03, but the tank was pretty much empty when Brown was traded to the Yankees in '04 and after 13 starts in '05 was done. While he did play the seven years, and pitched in a couple of post-season's after signing the nine figure contract and unlike with A-Rod, Brown had already held the "Holy Grail" which got him the contract in the first place.
Alex Rodriguez, Rangers, Ten Years, $250 million
In 2001 Alex Rodriguez was primed for a big pay day, there was some speculation that he might stay in the Emerald City, but with a shortstop putting up the numbers he did you almost had the feeling that A-Rod could basically take whatever the biggest deal was that he could get, and that was just the case. The Texas Rangers came calling and offered $250 million over ten years. Not in the history of the game, or professional sports, was that much offered for the services of one player. With two straight 50+ homer 135+ RBI seasons, or about $500 thousand for each homer and $185 thousand for every RBI, the Rangers were definitely getting a good return for stats, but not not where it counts in victories. After three losing seasons, 156 homers & 395 RBI's, and one MVP in the lone star state, Pay-Rod wanted out. During the Alex Rodriguez era the Rangers didn't qualify for the playoffs, and in fact were never close to doing so. The Yankees, who traded for A-Rod, were already a playoff team and he wasn't able to help them return to the World Series where they had been the season before. I would consider the Rangers signing of Rodgiguez a bust in that not only the three losing seasons, but they basically had to pay him to leave town.
Mike Hampton, Rockies, Eight years, $121 million
Most pitchers haven't faired well in the in the thin air of the Rockies, and it was no different with Mike Hampton in Colorado. In his previous five season with Houston and the Mets, Hampton was 73-41 with a 3.45 ERA and 705 K's, including an impressive 1999 campaign with the Astros in which he was 22-4 with a 2.90 ERA. Eight years and $121 million almost seemed like a steal in some ways in 2001, but the confines of Coors Field were not kind to Hampton who in two seasons went 21-28 with a 5.75 ERA and the Rockies paid Florida, then Atlanta, to take him. The Braves still owe him $15 million for 2008, and he hasn't pitched an inning since the '05 season.
Armstrong out
After a disappointing start, the Dallas Stars fired General Manager Doug Armstrong on Tuesday. The Stars were 7-7-3, and coming off a 5-4 loss to the Kings in which they led 4-0 heading into the third period. Team owner Tom Hicks said he though his club needed a change in direction, and wanted the Dallas Stars to return to being one of the elite teams in the league. Hicks also did not state who would take over the job on an interim basis. Armstrong was in his sixth season as GM and 17th overall with the organization.
You can bet that the Founding Father of the Stitch, a former Dallas Stars employee, will be sounding off on the firing, and look for that in the next few days on www.thestitch.us
November 13
Free Agent Thoughts
Just hours before he was to become a free agent, Jorge Posada reportedly will accept a four-year $52 million contract to remain with the New York Yankees. The deal matches the dollar amount and length of contract signed by both Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui two years ago, and will become official pending a physical and the completion of the final contract language. Posada, who batted a career high .338 last season, along with Mariano Rivera were initially presented with three-year $40 million contracts from the Yanks. With one potential void filled behind the plate, New York will have to fill the hot corner. The top two free agents without a $350 million asking price have to be Mike Lowell and Pedro Feliz, but also out there is 3B/1B Mike Lamb. It'll really depend on the length of contract if Boston keeps Lowell and if they do Feliz shows alot of resemblance to Scott Brosius and has averaged 21 homers and 82 RBI's since 2004. Mike Lamb isn't a great defensive third baseman, same could be said about A-Rod since he switched from short, but Lamb's not a bad hitter and can also play first.
It'll be interesting to see how soon before we see Barry Bonds with his new club. The all-time home run leader has that "did he" cloud around him, but still has maybe a few years left in him. The most likely guess is that he will stay in the state of California and go to the American League as a DH with the Angels or A's, but don't count out San Diego.
Out of the bullpen, Detroit has decided to keep closer Todd Jones for at least one more season, and the speculation is that Mariano Rivera will re-sign with New York, while the Twins retained Joe Nathan. So who exactly does that leave to turn the lights out? By far Francisco Cordero has the market cornered coming off a 44 save season and it's possible he could return to Texas, but if he does it'll be as an Astro. After setting up in Boston, Eric Gagne has made it clear he wants to get the final three outs in the ninth, not the 23rd, 24th, or 25th in the eighth. Before moving to Boston mid-season, Gagne did convert 16 of 20 saves with Texas and does hold a 95 percent career conversion rate. At 32 years old, he still has innings left to pitch the question is if he'll be able to regain that nasty form he had with the Dodgers. While not a closer, the Hawk is also available for the taking. Former Twin LaTroy Hawkins didn't look bad this past post-season and has held batters to a .133 average in five October appearances and has seemed to worry less in his later years, but chances are he'll probably stay in the Rockies.
While this doesn't cover all the available free agents, it's hopefully a good mix of some of the talent available to be bought.
Just hours before he was to become a free agent, Jorge Posada reportedly will accept a four-year $52 million contract to remain with the New York Yankees. The deal matches the dollar amount and length of contract signed by both Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui two years ago, and will become official pending a physical and the completion of the final contract language. Posada, who batted a career high .338 last season, along with Mariano Rivera were initially presented with three-year $40 million contracts from the Yanks. With one potential void filled behind the plate, New York will have to fill the hot corner. The top two free agents without a $350 million asking price have to be Mike Lowell and Pedro Feliz, but also out there is 3B/1B Mike Lamb. It'll really depend on the length of contract if Boston keeps Lowell and if they do Feliz shows alot of resemblance to Scott Brosius and has averaged 21 homers and 82 RBI's since 2004. Mike Lamb isn't a great defensive third baseman, same could be said about A-Rod since he switched from short, but Lamb's not a bad hitter and can also play first.
It'll be interesting to see how soon before we see Barry Bonds with his new club. The all-time home run leader has that "did he" cloud around him, but still has maybe a few years left in him. The most likely guess is that he will stay in the state of California and go to the American League as a DH with the Angels or A's, but don't count out San Diego.
Out of the bullpen, Detroit has decided to keep closer Todd Jones for at least one more season, and the speculation is that Mariano Rivera will re-sign with New York, while the Twins retained Joe Nathan. So who exactly does that leave to turn the lights out? By far Francisco Cordero has the market cornered coming off a 44 save season and it's possible he could return to Texas, but if he does it'll be as an Astro. After setting up in Boston, Eric Gagne has made it clear he wants to get the final three outs in the ninth, not the 23rd, 24th, or 25th in the eighth. Before moving to Boston mid-season, Gagne did convert 16 of 20 saves with Texas and does hold a 95 percent career conversion rate. At 32 years old, he still has innings left to pitch the question is if he'll be able to regain that nasty form he had with the Dodgers. While not a closer, the Hawk is also available for the taking. Former Twin LaTroy Hawkins didn't look bad this past post-season and has held batters to a .133 average in five October appearances and has seemed to worry less in his later years, but chances are he'll probably stay in the Rockies.
While this doesn't cover all the available free agents, it's hopefully a good mix of some of the talent available to be bought.
Monday, November 12, 2007
November 12
Streaks
There were a few streaks snapped, and started over the weekend.
First off the Pittsburgh Penguins dominated the Philadelphia Flyers last season in the battle of the Keystone State winning all eight games outscoring Bob Clarke's Flyers 40-21. Sid Crosby even recorded his first career hat trick against Philly last season. This year hasn't been as kind to the frozen rodents of Pittsburgh as they lost 5-2 on Saturday and 3-1 Wednesday to Philadelphia to go 0-2 so far in the season series. The Pens have lost 3 straight and are 1-5 this far in November.
The Detroit Red Wings have been one of the hottest teams in the young season, going 13-2-1, and were riding a nine game win streak heading into Sunday. On the other side the Chicago Blackhawks were 4-1 in their last five games, and much improved from last season behind the play of rookie scoring leader Patrick Kane. It was the Wings who ran into "The Bullin Wall" as Chicago beat Detroit 3-2. Sunday was a sort of historic day in Blackhawks hockey as it marked the first of seven home games to be broadcast in Chicagoland as part of a new package with a local cable network. Previous team president William Wirtz, who passed away in September, refused to voluntarily televise regular-season home games, and just a handful of national or league network commitment home games were previously available to Chicago fans.
The Colorado Avalanche improved to 7-1-1 over it's last nine games, and to a league best 9-1 at home, beating the Minnesota Wild 4-2 Sunday. The loss was the Wild's second in Pepsi Center this season and the third straight dating back to last season. Overall Minnesota hasn't faired well in Colorado in the regular season going 4-15-2. Up until last season the Wild only had two wins in Avalanche country.
In the something had to give late game on Hockey Night in Canada Saturday, both the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames had lost four straight, and unlike the NHL of yesteryear, a five game losing skid was going to hit one of Alberta's teams. It was the Flames that got burned losing 4-2 to the Mathieu Garon led Oil. Making a rare start in place of Dwayne Roloson, Garon made 37 saves and snapped Edmonton's four game skid.
Free Agency
The time of the year that is both good and bad for GM's and fans has hit, as the MLB free agent signing period starts tomorrow. Alex Rodriguez is one of the expensive jewels up for grabs (remember a $350 million offer gets you a talk/chance), and one of the early rumors has Torii Hunter possibly going to Chicago as the White Sox have shown some interest. Hunter, as all Twins fans remember, declined a three-year $45 million dollar offer back in August from then Minnesota GM Terry Ryan. With Bill Smith now holding the checkbook so to speak, and the seven-time gold glove winner not ruling out coming back to the Twin Cities, who knows what'll happen, but at least it's looking like a 50-50 chance and not that he's gone for good.
There were a few streaks snapped, and started over the weekend.
First off the Pittsburgh Penguins dominated the Philadelphia Flyers last season in the battle of the Keystone State winning all eight games outscoring Bob Clarke's Flyers 40-21. Sid Crosby even recorded his first career hat trick against Philly last season. This year hasn't been as kind to the frozen rodents of Pittsburgh as they lost 5-2 on Saturday and 3-1 Wednesday to Philadelphia to go 0-2 so far in the season series. The Pens have lost 3 straight and are 1-5 this far in November.
The Detroit Red Wings have been one of the hottest teams in the young season, going 13-2-1, and were riding a nine game win streak heading into Sunday. On the other side the Chicago Blackhawks were 4-1 in their last five games, and much improved from last season behind the play of rookie scoring leader Patrick Kane. It was the Wings who ran into "The Bullin Wall" as Chicago beat Detroit 3-2. Sunday was a sort of historic day in Blackhawks hockey as it marked the first of seven home games to be broadcast in Chicagoland as part of a new package with a local cable network. Previous team president William Wirtz, who passed away in September, refused to voluntarily televise regular-season home games, and just a handful of national or league network commitment home games were previously available to Chicago fans.
The Colorado Avalanche improved to 7-1-1 over it's last nine games, and to a league best 9-1 at home, beating the Minnesota Wild 4-2 Sunday. The loss was the Wild's second in Pepsi Center this season and the third straight dating back to last season. Overall Minnesota hasn't faired well in Colorado in the regular season going 4-15-2. Up until last season the Wild only had two wins in Avalanche country.
In the something had to give late game on Hockey Night in Canada Saturday, both the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames had lost four straight, and unlike the NHL of yesteryear, a five game losing skid was going to hit one of Alberta's teams. It was the Flames that got burned losing 4-2 to the Mathieu Garon led Oil. Making a rare start in place of Dwayne Roloson, Garon made 37 saves and snapped Edmonton's four game skid.
Free Agency
The time of the year that is both good and bad for GM's and fans has hit, as the MLB free agent signing period starts tomorrow. Alex Rodriguez is one of the expensive jewels up for grabs (remember a $350 million offer gets you a talk/chance), and one of the early rumors has Torii Hunter possibly going to Chicago as the White Sox have shown some interest. Hunter, as all Twins fans remember, declined a three-year $45 million dollar offer back in August from then Minnesota GM Terry Ryan. With Bill Smith now holding the checkbook so to speak, and the seven-time gold glove winner not ruling out coming back to the Twin Cities, who knows what'll happen, but at least it's looking like a 50-50 chance and not that he's gone for good.
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