Alex Rodriguez became the 29th player in major league history to make it to 3,000 hits.
He hit a home run in his first at bat.
It is semi-ironic since A-Rod is going to be remembered throughout history as one of those who used performance enhancing drugs to power his way through the record books.
Many believe that it does not matter. Baseball history is filled with stories of players trying to get an edge, from scuffing the ball to taking uppers. Steroid use will only be a footnote in the Cooperstown history book.
The discussion usually centers upon how hard is it to get 3,000 hits.
From the standpoint of a full time starter, and qualification for a batting title (502 at bats), that means a career .300 hitter would get 150 hits per season. The simple calculation is that a player needs 150 hits per season for 20 years.
Is it harder to get 300 wins?
A starter will have 32 chances each season. Even if he wins half his games (16), he would need 18.75 seasons to get to 300. But pitchers rarely make all 32 starts, or average 16 wins a season for an entire career. Greg Maddux had 15 or more wins in 18 of his 23 seasons as a major league pitcher to total 355 career wins. There are only 24 players with 300 wins.
But now with pitch counts and specialty relievers in the bullpen, starters may not get the chance to gain wins if they are only required to pitch 5 or 6 innings per contest even in tied or close games.
The consensus is that it is harder to get 300 wins than 3,000 hits.
Showing posts with label Rodriguez. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rodriguez. Show all posts
June 20, 2015
April 14, 2015
A SECOND LIGHTNING ROD
If Major League Baseball had a big enough headache with Alex Rodriguez's return to the Yankees, the Josh Hamilton saga gets even more down the rabbit hole.
Hamilton has had his personal demons that have been documented in his minor league transgressions. During the spring, there was an alleged relapse. MLB wanted to suspend Hamilton under its substance abuse policy, but Hamilton and the union objected to any punishment, citing that Hamilton would have been a first timer under the major league CBA.
Local reports indicate that it’s a really ugly situation on a number of different levels
that’s being made worse and worse by Moreno every time he opens his
mouth. The entire Angels organization is handling this as poorly as
possible in terms of public relations, managing the clubhouse, and -
most importantly - treatment of people. It is clear that the Angels probably want to void Hamilton's deal, or the very least, not allow him to play for the Angels. This is the corner that the Yankees were pinned in all of last year with A-Rod. But Rodriguez demanded his comeback and the team honoring his contract, which has a $6 million payment the next time A-Rod hits a HR. The Yankees will loathe writing that check.
But since teams cannot put in their own "morals" clauses into player contracts, the Angels are stuck with an underperforming, highly paid, broken down outfielder who has zero trade value.
Hamilton has had his personal demons that have been documented in his minor league transgressions. During the spring, there was an alleged relapse. MLB wanted to suspend Hamilton under its substance abuse policy, but Hamilton and the union objected to any punishment, citing that Hamilton would have been a first timer under the major league CBA.
Hamilton avoided
suspension after an arbitrator sided with him over Major League
Baseball. His Angel teammates are waiting for his return, but during the home opener, Hamilton had no locker.
Angels owner Arte Moreno is upset with Hamilton. Moreno cited a provision in Hamilton's Angels contract that gave the club special remedies against any relapse. Since those type of contract provisions are not allowed under the CBA, the players union is quite upset with the Angel's owner.
But since teams cannot put in their own "morals" clauses into player contracts, the Angels are stuck with an underperforming, highly paid, broken down outfielder who has zero trade value.
February 14, 2015
A-ROID
Alex Rodriguez apparently apologized this week to his team.
Whether the Yankees want or need A-Rod back in the fold is the $60 million question.
$60 million is what A-Rod is owed on his deal. It may be more with home run bonus clauses. The Yankees have tried to find a way out of the contract, claiming A-Rod breached it, but MLB and the players union would probably not allow it.
Rodriguez is 39. He played in only 44 games last season. He hit .244.
He is the poster child for cheating, PED use. He apologized once before, and kept on using by all accounts in the Biogenesis scandal.
So why would the Yankees want an old, drug broken cancer in their clubhouse?
Rodriguez wants to play and he will probably fight his way through the door.
But the team does not have to allow it. They can pay him off and cast him aside like many other aged, dead money ball players.
The Yankees are all about pride and winning. The team has finished second and third in the AL East the last two seasons, with win totals around 84.5.
Most people in NY believe A-Rod can't field well anymore. He is a defensive liability. At best, he would be a DH. But a DH with probable limited power. But the team already has Garrett Jones and Chris Young to platoon at DH.
It is how much of a media circus the Yankees are willing to take in 2015.
If baseball really wants to send a message about the steroid era, A-Rod should never play another game. But in essence, A-Rod still wins by cheating: he gets paid for his past enhanced performance.
Whether the Yankees want or need A-Rod back in the fold is the $60 million question.
$60 million is what A-Rod is owed on his deal. It may be more with home run bonus clauses. The Yankees have tried to find a way out of the contract, claiming A-Rod breached it, but MLB and the players union would probably not allow it.
Rodriguez is 39. He played in only 44 games last season. He hit .244.
He is the poster child for cheating, PED use. He apologized once before, and kept on using by all accounts in the Biogenesis scandal.
So why would the Yankees want an old, drug broken cancer in their clubhouse?
Rodriguez wants to play and he will probably fight his way through the door.
But the team does not have to allow it. They can pay him off and cast him aside like many other aged, dead money ball players.
The Yankees are all about pride and winning. The team has finished second and third in the AL East the last two seasons, with win totals around 84.5.
Most people in NY believe A-Rod can't field well anymore. He is a defensive liability. At best, he would be a DH. But a DH with probable limited power. But the team already has Garrett Jones and Chris Young to platoon at DH.
It is how much of a media circus the Yankees are willing to take in 2015.
If baseball really wants to send a message about the steroid era, A-Rod should never play another game. But in essence, A-Rod still wins by cheating: he gets paid for his past enhanced performance.
January 13, 2014
162 ADIEU
An arbitrator reduced Alex Rodruiguez's MLB PED suspension to 162 games, or in the entire 2014 season. As a result, A-Rod will lose approximately $25 million in salary.
But don't feel sorry for him. After 2014 season, the Yankees still owe him $61 million in base salary and up to $30 million in incentives for home run mile stones over 660 (which he is currently 6 HR shy). One suspects that within a year, the Yankees were merely cut A-Rod and have all that dead money on their balance sheet for the next four years. It is also highly unlikely that any other team will then pick up an injured, old and tainted third baseman.
Rodriguez vows to appeal the ruling, even though he did not personally testify or refute the charges. He claims that the MLB star witness was a biased and uncredible witness. But that is not what the arbitrator found. Rodriguez tried to mount more of a public relations defense than a legal one. Recall, he admitted in interviews several years ago he used steroids after receiving the first big contract with the Rangers due to the pressure to perform. The Biogenesis matter made Rodriguez a multiple-drug policy cheater in the eyes of MLB. One of the most outrageous statement he made was that Bud Selig was out to get him, and conspiring with the Yankees to take food out of his family's mouths. As referenced above, even if A-Rod does not play another game, he will be extremely well paid.
Which is part of the dark lining in the PED cloud. Cheaters, even when caught, still get to reap the rewards of their cheating. In order to get big money, life altering contracts players are tempted to cheat and enhance their performance (legally or illegally). Once they have signed the big money deal, the money is guaranteed. So even with the harsh penalty of a year long ban, the temptation is still there for players to get around the testing.
The designer drug merchants are always one step ahead of the testing facilities and professional sports collective bargaining agreements. It is doubtful the players union will ever agree to a lifetime ban (and forfeiture of the balance due on a player's guaranteed contract) if a player is caught cheating multiple times.
A-Rod will not go quietly because he craved the limelight. MLB and Yankees management just want him to go away. But this circus will last for at least another two years.
But don't feel sorry for him. After 2014 season, the Yankees still owe him $61 million in base salary and up to $30 million in incentives for home run mile stones over 660 (which he is currently 6 HR shy). One suspects that within a year, the Yankees were merely cut A-Rod and have all that dead money on their balance sheet for the next four years. It is also highly unlikely that any other team will then pick up an injured, old and tainted third baseman.
Rodriguez vows to appeal the ruling, even though he did not personally testify or refute the charges. He claims that the MLB star witness was a biased and uncredible witness. But that is not what the arbitrator found. Rodriguez tried to mount more of a public relations defense than a legal one. Recall, he admitted in interviews several years ago he used steroids after receiving the first big contract with the Rangers due to the pressure to perform. The Biogenesis matter made Rodriguez a multiple-drug policy cheater in the eyes of MLB. One of the most outrageous statement he made was that Bud Selig was out to get him, and conspiring with the Yankees to take food out of his family's mouths. As referenced above, even if A-Rod does not play another game, he will be extremely well paid.
Which is part of the dark lining in the PED cloud. Cheaters, even when caught, still get to reap the rewards of their cheating. In order to get big money, life altering contracts players are tempted to cheat and enhance their performance (legally or illegally). Once they have signed the big money deal, the money is guaranteed. So even with the harsh penalty of a year long ban, the temptation is still there for players to get around the testing.
The designer drug merchants are always one step ahead of the testing facilities and professional sports collective bargaining agreements. It is doubtful the players union will ever agree to a lifetime ban (and forfeiture of the balance due on a player's guaranteed contract) if a player is caught cheating multiple times.
A-Rod will not go quietly because he craved the limelight. MLB and Yankees management just want him to go away. But this circus will last for at least another two years.
August 7, 2013
A-ROID
In each generation, there is a new wave of baseball players at the major league level. In many eras, the wave matched the new immigration patterns in American society.
The present wave of new ballplayers are from Latin America. The Hispanic population in the United States is the fastest growing segment.
Teams have been scouting international players like gold miners in the 1850s. Players in poorer nations could be signed for less money than college or American high school players. But even that is shifting with the new CBA rules.
There is a new culture coming to American baseball based upon the influx of foreign talent. One has to consider that in many foreign countries, steroids, HGH and PEDs are not illegal or regulated substances as they are here in the United States. As such, young players in the Dominican, Venezuela, Mexico, etc. have access to performance enhancing drugs. It may become part of their work routine. Because just as a major league salary is a life changing economic event, a mere $50,000 signing bonus can be a life changing event for a poor family in the Caribbean. The incentive is the same in both places: teams value performance.
In the Biogenesis suspensions, the vast majority of players were foreign Hispanic players. This is not to say that other ethic groups in sports do not use PEDs. There was a clear concentration of Hispanic baseball players using the Biogenesis clinic. In some ways, it is not surprising. Men in similar cultures will congregate together including off-season work outs. Living in Miami makes sense because it is the flight hub to Latin America and the Caribbean.
Bud Selig thought he had put enough fear of god in players after the first wave of steroid scandal which had the McGwires finally admit their cheating. But Selig underestimated the new culture that would surge into the majors from foreign soil This wave of Latin players brought with them their culture of PED use.
All players, and their agents, should know the drug testing rules. Ignorance is no defense. That is why MLB went so hard on Alex Rodriguez. Remember, A-Rod made a public admission that he briefly used steroids early in his career, but claimed he did not use it when he reached star status with Texas and the Yankees. Clearly, MLB disagrees. Rodriguez's press conference in Chicago was a farce. He had a chance to deny the charges, but declined to do so - - - instead hiding behind "the process."
The process will be arbitration. MLB wants the 211 game ban to stand as a deterrent to all players. A-Rod wants to continue playing because a) his career is winding down and b) he is 13 home runs away from a $6 million contract bonus for tying Willie Mays in career home runs. The Yankees would rather not pay Rodriguez any more money on his contract. But only a lifetime ban could void the contract (which is a third positive test under the current rules).
Most likely the arbitrator will look at the punishment schedule in the CBA and reduce A-Rod's suspension to 100 games for a second offense. He will probably play out this season and come close to his bonus HR number. He will have to sit out 3/4 of next season. At 39, it will be harder for him to compete at a high level if his body continues to break down with injuries.
This whole scandal gives baseball another black eye. But it will probably not stop the use of PEDs in the sport because the player incentive for million dollar contracts and bonus payments is too much of a temptation in relation to the current penalties.
The present wave of new ballplayers are from Latin America. The Hispanic population in the United States is the fastest growing segment.
Teams have been scouting international players like gold miners in the 1850s. Players in poorer nations could be signed for less money than college or American high school players. But even that is shifting with the new CBA rules.
There is a new culture coming to American baseball based upon the influx of foreign talent. One has to consider that in many foreign countries, steroids, HGH and PEDs are not illegal or regulated substances as they are here in the United States. As such, young players in the Dominican, Venezuela, Mexico, etc. have access to performance enhancing drugs. It may become part of their work routine. Because just as a major league salary is a life changing economic event, a mere $50,000 signing bonus can be a life changing event for a poor family in the Caribbean. The incentive is the same in both places: teams value performance.
In the Biogenesis suspensions, the vast majority of players were foreign Hispanic players. This is not to say that other ethic groups in sports do not use PEDs. There was a clear concentration of Hispanic baseball players using the Biogenesis clinic. In some ways, it is not surprising. Men in similar cultures will congregate together including off-season work outs. Living in Miami makes sense because it is the flight hub to Latin America and the Caribbean.
Bud Selig thought he had put enough fear of god in players after the first wave of steroid scandal which had the McGwires finally admit their cheating. But Selig underestimated the new culture that would surge into the majors from foreign soil This wave of Latin players brought with them their culture of PED use.
All players, and their agents, should know the drug testing rules. Ignorance is no defense. That is why MLB went so hard on Alex Rodriguez. Remember, A-Rod made a public admission that he briefly used steroids early in his career, but claimed he did not use it when he reached star status with Texas and the Yankees. Clearly, MLB disagrees. Rodriguez's press conference in Chicago was a farce. He had a chance to deny the charges, but declined to do so - - - instead hiding behind "the process."
The process will be arbitration. MLB wants the 211 game ban to stand as a deterrent to all players. A-Rod wants to continue playing because a) his career is winding down and b) he is 13 home runs away from a $6 million contract bonus for tying Willie Mays in career home runs. The Yankees would rather not pay Rodriguez any more money on his contract. But only a lifetime ban could void the contract (which is a third positive test under the current rules).
Most likely the arbitrator will look at the punishment schedule in the CBA and reduce A-Rod's suspension to 100 games for a second offense. He will probably play out this season and come close to his bonus HR number. He will have to sit out 3/4 of next season. At 39, it will be harder for him to compete at a high level if his body continues to break down with injuries.
This whole scandal gives baseball another black eye. But it will probably not stop the use of PEDs in the sport because the player incentive for million dollar contracts and bonus payments is too much of a temptation in relation to the current penalties.
August 5, 2013
DRUG SCANDAL FALL OUT
Major league baseball is supposed to announce numerous suspensions today. Yankees Alex Rodriguez is expected to be hit with a very long suspension (to a possible life time ban). A-Rod has vowed an appeal. The Yankees hope he will just go away.
The fall out of the drug suspensions will affect several pennant races. But this round of discipline is different because of one critical change in the baseball landscape: the players union told its members it will not defend players caught with PEDs. It is apparent that union leadership has heard a growing roar from players not taking PEDs that enough is enough. The drug cheaters are ruining the reputation of non-cheaters.
The reason why players take PEDs is simple: money. A minor league baseball player may make thousands of dollars. A player who makes it to the majors can make millions of dollars. If a player is in the top tier of the majors he can make hundreds of millions of dollars. Each step can raise one's economic circumstances by ten fold.
So there is a great temptation for players to use anything edge in order to perform at peak levels, even if the substance is banned by the league. But an entire underground business of creating designer drugs and beating drug tests has flourished for decades. This illegal operation has been funded by star athletes who want to get their edge and maintain it.
Bud Selig wants to have the legacy of cleaning up his sport. That is why the Rodriguez case was investigated by means of dubious league conduct. It has been alleged that the MLB purchased player medical records (which would have been a violation of federal and state privacy laws). It has been alleged that the league has sued and indemnified seedy operatives in these drug circles in order to get information. All these sleazy investigative techniques would run afoul of criminal laws, but MLB is not a government agency so state criminal laws do not apply. Just as the players thought the means justified the results, so did major league baseball investigators.
So any arbitration appeal will get messy. Major league baseball does not have clean hands in the matter. After the strike, it was the McGwire-Sosa home run record circus that got fans back into the stands. Since then baseball has prospered and ownership has made billions in dollars.
Some may consider a player from a poor family who will lose all salary for a suspension of 50 to 100 games unreasonable. But that is all part of the CBA and major league charter. Ignorance is no defense under the PED test program.
Many believe that the teams of suspended players do not have any accountability in the scandal. The only detriment is that the team will lose a star player for a long period of time. But the team can replace him on the roster. It get the payroll benefit of no salary obligations to the suspended player. But one must realize that everyone including the commissioner and the players work for the team owners. So within the realm of the baseball world, owners set most of the rules for their benefit.
But there is something else that is driving ownership to clean up the game. Congress came down hard on the league during the steroid era. America's pastime of taking steroids to improve performance had trickled down from pros to college and high school athletes. The alarm was that baseball had to clean up its own sport or Congress would. No sane person would want Congress to run their business, let alone walk their dog.
And there is another unmentioned issue that could adversely impact ownership during these drug scandals. If their employees (trainers, coaches, etc.) are enablers who help players juice then the federal prosecutors could try to make the case that the teams were running illegal criminal enterprises (the distribution and sale of illegal controlled substances) and under the RICO laws, owners could be subject to penalty forfeiture of the criminal enterprise . . . i.e. their franchises. No one has brought up in public this nuclear fall out event. But baseball's aggressive stance during this latest scandal has to have been made because of a far worse fate on the horizon.
In order for everyone to be accountable for illegal cheating, teams included, some have proposed that if a player is suspended for PED use, the team could not replace him on the 25 man roster. As a result, the team would suddenly be at a competitive disadvantage. Clean players would then have a personal stake in making sure the clubhouse is clean. Now, critics will say that will upset team chemistry. It will make teammates informants. But there is probably a majority of current players who do not want cheaters in the game so it really should not create that much conflict on teams. Teams would have to police their squads more thoroughly in order to maintain a competitive team to keep fan support via ticket sales. Instead of pocketing the saved salary from a suspended player, a team could have forfeit that money back into the league's drug prevention programs. Also, the teams would still have to carry the unpaid salary on the luxury cap spending books.
Baseball has taken the Biogenesis matter to the aggressive cliff of contractual accountability. But there is something that the national media has failed to catch. The clinic did not specialize in just baseball players. There are probably players from other major sports in those records. However, other sports such as football, soccer, etc. have had no indication that they would aggressively pursue any independent investigation of the clinic customers. These other sports would rather hide under a pillow until a positive drug test hits than be pro-active.
And the final nail in this coffin is the federal criminal investigation into Biogenesis. Investigators will comb through the clinic records, find out which athletes were customers, and try to trace the drug distribution network so it can be shut down. Again, the feds primary focus is to take down drug dealers and not users. But it a user interferes or obstructs an investigation, the government will go after the athlete hard (like in the Bonds case).
Selig may try to make the ultimate statement with a lifetime ban for A-Rod if it can be proven that Rodriguez interfered with baseball's investigation, destroyed records, lied to investigators, or tampered with witnesses. Baseball lifetime bans are not new. Pete Rose was banned for life because he violated the cardinal sin of the game: gambling on baseball. Selig is at the same crossroad today.
The fall out of the drug suspensions will affect several pennant races. But this round of discipline is different because of one critical change in the baseball landscape: the players union told its members it will not defend players caught with PEDs. It is apparent that union leadership has heard a growing roar from players not taking PEDs that enough is enough. The drug cheaters are ruining the reputation of non-cheaters.
The reason why players take PEDs is simple: money. A minor league baseball player may make thousands of dollars. A player who makes it to the majors can make millions of dollars. If a player is in the top tier of the majors he can make hundreds of millions of dollars. Each step can raise one's economic circumstances by ten fold.
So there is a great temptation for players to use anything edge in order to perform at peak levels, even if the substance is banned by the league. But an entire underground business of creating designer drugs and beating drug tests has flourished for decades. This illegal operation has been funded by star athletes who want to get their edge and maintain it.
Bud Selig wants to have the legacy of cleaning up his sport. That is why the Rodriguez case was investigated by means of dubious league conduct. It has been alleged that the MLB purchased player medical records (which would have been a violation of federal and state privacy laws). It has been alleged that the league has sued and indemnified seedy operatives in these drug circles in order to get information. All these sleazy investigative techniques would run afoul of criminal laws, but MLB is not a government agency so state criminal laws do not apply. Just as the players thought the means justified the results, so did major league baseball investigators.
So any arbitration appeal will get messy. Major league baseball does not have clean hands in the matter. After the strike, it was the McGwire-Sosa home run record circus that got fans back into the stands. Since then baseball has prospered and ownership has made billions in dollars.
Some may consider a player from a poor family who will lose all salary for a suspension of 50 to 100 games unreasonable. But that is all part of the CBA and major league charter. Ignorance is no defense under the PED test program.
Many believe that the teams of suspended players do not have any accountability in the scandal. The only detriment is that the team will lose a star player for a long period of time. But the team can replace him on the roster. It get the payroll benefit of no salary obligations to the suspended player. But one must realize that everyone including the commissioner and the players work for the team owners. So within the realm of the baseball world, owners set most of the rules for their benefit.
But there is something else that is driving ownership to clean up the game. Congress came down hard on the league during the steroid era. America's pastime of taking steroids to improve performance had trickled down from pros to college and high school athletes. The alarm was that baseball had to clean up its own sport or Congress would. No sane person would want Congress to run their business, let alone walk their dog.
And there is another unmentioned issue that could adversely impact ownership during these drug scandals. If their employees (trainers, coaches, etc.) are enablers who help players juice then the federal prosecutors could try to make the case that the teams were running illegal criminal enterprises (the distribution and sale of illegal controlled substances) and under the RICO laws, owners could be subject to penalty forfeiture of the criminal enterprise . . . i.e. their franchises. No one has brought up in public this nuclear fall out event. But baseball's aggressive stance during this latest scandal has to have been made because of a far worse fate on the horizon.
In order for everyone to be accountable for illegal cheating, teams included, some have proposed that if a player is suspended for PED use, the team could not replace him on the 25 man roster. As a result, the team would suddenly be at a competitive disadvantage. Clean players would then have a personal stake in making sure the clubhouse is clean. Now, critics will say that will upset team chemistry. It will make teammates informants. But there is probably a majority of current players who do not want cheaters in the game so it really should not create that much conflict on teams. Teams would have to police their squads more thoroughly in order to maintain a competitive team to keep fan support via ticket sales. Instead of pocketing the saved salary from a suspended player, a team could have forfeit that money back into the league's drug prevention programs. Also, the teams would still have to carry the unpaid salary on the luxury cap spending books.
Baseball has taken the Biogenesis matter to the aggressive cliff of contractual accountability. But there is something that the national media has failed to catch. The clinic did not specialize in just baseball players. There are probably players from other major sports in those records. However, other sports such as football, soccer, etc. have had no indication that they would aggressively pursue any independent investigation of the clinic customers. These other sports would rather hide under a pillow until a positive drug test hits than be pro-active.
And the final nail in this coffin is the federal criminal investigation into Biogenesis. Investigators will comb through the clinic records, find out which athletes were customers, and try to trace the drug distribution network so it can be shut down. Again, the feds primary focus is to take down drug dealers and not users. But it a user interferes or obstructs an investigation, the government will go after the athlete hard (like in the Bonds case).
Selig may try to make the ultimate statement with a lifetime ban for A-Rod if it can be proven that Rodriguez interfered with baseball's investigation, destroyed records, lied to investigators, or tampered with witnesses. Baseball lifetime bans are not new. Pete Rose was banned for life because he violated the cardinal sin of the game: gambling on baseball. Selig is at the same crossroad today.
July 23, 2013
INNOCENCE LOST
The Cubs trade of Matt Garza was lost in the big baseball news of yesterday.
No one saw it coming late yesterday afternoon that MLB had suspended Brewers OF Ryan Braun for the rest of the season (65 games) without pay. The shocking thing was that Braun accepted the suspension, but only admitted "he made some mistakes" in the past and left the Milwaukee clubhouse to avoid the press.
Yahoo Sports columnist Jeff Passan went off on Braun's conduct in his column today. He called him a self-centered liar and cheat. He was the ultimate self-protectionist. He took the deal to get ahead of the massive suspensions to come down later from the Biogenesis scandal. But Passan believes that Braun is not "sorry" for his actions, or even letting down his teammates and defenders.
Comments from fans on Milwaukee radio were very harsh. They were duped by Braun's strong denials during the first drug test appeal (which was tossed on a contract technicality). When he told the fans afterward that he had "proved his innocence," it seems that was another bold face lie. Brewer fans were angered by the fact that in retrospect, Braun burned the local drug test taker with malicious lies but gets to go home with the remaining $117 million contract as his security blanket. The face of the Brewers franchise is now closer to a mug shot.
Brewers GM Doug Melvin was terse with the media before last night's game. He was happy the suspension was done but he was blindsided by the news. Braun took the suspension in stride because he was probably going to be put on the DL anyway with a hand injury. Braun gets an extended vacation and will return in 2014. Melvin gritted his teeth when asked if Braun would continue to be the future of the Brewers. Melvin signed Braun to the huge extension that now looks worse the scandal itself. If Braun's consistent career MVP numbers were created in large part by HGH, steroids or some other PED, then Braun's return to the team could be a bad dead money contract if he hits .220 and his production fades away. The Brewers are stuck with Braun. He is untradeable. It will be hard to spin PR to change the negative attitude towards a patent liar.
The Brewers fans lost their naive innocence last night with Braun's suspension. It was a sucker punch in the throat. It will be hard to imagine that the blue collar folk will embrace such a stained role model next season.
ESPN commentators were of the opinion that there has been no incentive for players not to cheat. Melky Cabrera took his suspension last year and parlayed it into a multi-million deal with the Blue Jays, partly based on his previous juiced statistics. Braun gets a "light" 65 games without pay ($3.4 million) but he gets to keep the remaining $117 million, which in part was based upon his PED past. Unless players get "season long" or the possibility of a lifetime ban (like the gambling on baseball rule), there is no real disincentive not to cheat.
Alex Rodriguez of the Yankees will be the nuclear bomb in the scandal. If the reports are true, that MLB has a mountain of evidence against him from the Miami clinic, then A-Rod's huge contract could be essentially voided which would benefit the Yankees. A-Rod has already admitted to using PEDs in the past. Every team he has been on in his career has been tainted by the steroid era rumors. One would suspect that MLB will come down hard on A-Rod.
None of the players caught up in the Biogenesis scandal answered MLB investigators questions. That was their right under the CBA and law. But even the union president signaled last week that the union would not support an appeal of players who clearly violated the drug policy rules. The union head inferred that his recommendation to players would be cut "a plea deal" with MLB. Braun took that advice and cut a favorable outcome for himself. A move as Passan said was solely motivated to protect Braun from harsher penalties.
MLB has tried to clean up the sports image. But this latest round of PED allegations brings back the ugly cloud of suspicion and doubt of the steroid era back in every clubhouse.
No one saw it coming late yesterday afternoon that MLB had suspended Brewers OF Ryan Braun for the rest of the season (65 games) without pay. The shocking thing was that Braun accepted the suspension, but only admitted "he made some mistakes" in the past and left the Milwaukee clubhouse to avoid the press.
Yahoo Sports columnist Jeff Passan went off on Braun's conduct in his column today. He called him a self-centered liar and cheat. He was the ultimate self-protectionist. He took the deal to get ahead of the massive suspensions to come down later from the Biogenesis scandal. But Passan believes that Braun is not "sorry" for his actions, or even letting down his teammates and defenders.
Comments from fans on Milwaukee radio were very harsh. They were duped by Braun's strong denials during the first drug test appeal (which was tossed on a contract technicality). When he told the fans afterward that he had "proved his innocence," it seems that was another bold face lie. Brewer fans were angered by the fact that in retrospect, Braun burned the local drug test taker with malicious lies but gets to go home with the remaining $117 million contract as his security blanket. The face of the Brewers franchise is now closer to a mug shot.
Brewers GM Doug Melvin was terse with the media before last night's game. He was happy the suspension was done but he was blindsided by the news. Braun took the suspension in stride because he was probably going to be put on the DL anyway with a hand injury. Braun gets an extended vacation and will return in 2014. Melvin gritted his teeth when asked if Braun would continue to be the future of the Brewers. Melvin signed Braun to the huge extension that now looks worse the scandal itself. If Braun's consistent career MVP numbers were created in large part by HGH, steroids or some other PED, then Braun's return to the team could be a bad dead money contract if he hits .220 and his production fades away. The Brewers are stuck with Braun. He is untradeable. It will be hard to spin PR to change the negative attitude towards a patent liar.
The Brewers fans lost their naive innocence last night with Braun's suspension. It was a sucker punch in the throat. It will be hard to imagine that the blue collar folk will embrace such a stained role model next season.
ESPN commentators were of the opinion that there has been no incentive for players not to cheat. Melky Cabrera took his suspension last year and parlayed it into a multi-million deal with the Blue Jays, partly based on his previous juiced statistics. Braun gets a "light" 65 games without pay ($3.4 million) but he gets to keep the remaining $117 million, which in part was based upon his PED past. Unless players get "season long" or the possibility of a lifetime ban (like the gambling on baseball rule), there is no real disincentive not to cheat.
Alex Rodriguez of the Yankees will be the nuclear bomb in the scandal. If the reports are true, that MLB has a mountain of evidence against him from the Miami clinic, then A-Rod's huge contract could be essentially voided which would benefit the Yankees. A-Rod has already admitted to using PEDs in the past. Every team he has been on in his career has been tainted by the steroid era rumors. One would suspect that MLB will come down hard on A-Rod.
None of the players caught up in the Biogenesis scandal answered MLB investigators questions. That was their right under the CBA and law. But even the union president signaled last week that the union would not support an appeal of players who clearly violated the drug policy rules. The union head inferred that his recommendation to players would be cut "a plea deal" with MLB. Braun took that advice and cut a favorable outcome for himself. A move as Passan said was solely motivated to protect Braun from harsher penalties.
MLB has tried to clean up the sports image. But this latest round of PED allegations brings back the ugly cloud of suspicion and doubt of the steroid era back in every clubhouse.
July 15, 2013
FIXATION
The Cubs were in the midst of a mid-season bullpen make over, highlighted by the trades of Carlos Marmol and Scott Feldman. The Cubs were adding power arms with a recent history of control issues, like Henry Rodruiguez from the Nationals and Jake Arrieta & Pedro Strop of the Orioles.
So it was odd that the Cubs designated for assignment Rodruiguez after just five appearances in order to claim and activate off waivers former Giant outfielder Cole Gillespie.
Rodriguez, 26, pitched 5 games for the Cubs. His record was 0-0 in 4 IP, giving up 6 hits, 4 runs, 2 earned runs, 4.50 ERA, 2.500 WHIP. For 2013, his record was 0-1, 4.09 ERA, 1.818 WHIP in 22 games. He was actually worse with the Cubs than the Nationals.
So the Cubs cut Rodriguez in order to continue the Iowa pitching shuffle, with Michael Bowden replacing Brooks Raley.
Gillespie is a 29 year old outfielder who only played in three games for the Giants this season. He batted .000. He had a negative 0.3 WAR. In the minors, he hit .277, 9 HR, 31 RBI. He was an average fielder. He does not project as a prospect or an everyday player.
The Cubs have plenty of AAA outfielders on the roster already. Why add another one?
One thing Ryan Sweeney, Brian Bogusevic, Nate Schierholtz and Gillespie have in common are they are tall, lanky, non-speedy bench to AAA outfielders. It seems Hoyer likes to collect these type of players like former general manager Jim Hendry collected scrappy but no good second basemen.
Gillespie is not the future for the Cubs team. Most would consider him not even a bench warmer. It was not that the Cubs needed an outfielder to replace someone with an injury. It is not even necessary to add an outfielder if the team is on the cusp of trading a starting outfielder.
It also means that the front office has no confidence in any of the Iowa outfield corps: Jae-Hoon Ha, AWOL Brett Jackson, Darnell McDonald or Ty Wright.
It also shows that the Cubs coaching staff could not correct Rodriguez's mechanics or mental aspect of the game because he was worse with the Cubs than with his prior team. If the Cubs continue to gather discarded pitchers with control problems but cannot fix them, what is the point in that futile exercise? Does it indict pitching coach Chris Bosio skills? Adding a line of broken pitchers to the bullpen is not going to win games for the team.
But what these transactions do show is that the Cubs management still wants to sit on the fence to push off the idea of being a good team as long as possible. After the Cardinal series split, the team is a surprising 42-51 .452 15 GB. This projects to a 73 win team, or a 12 win improvement over last season.
This season's success was built upon the quality starting pitching which the team wants to dismantle by the trading deadline. Ownership is more fixated on real estate development projects than baseball. And management is more fixated on gathering up more prospects and journeymen projects than building a competitive baseball team right now.
So it was odd that the Cubs designated for assignment Rodruiguez after just five appearances in order to claim and activate off waivers former Giant outfielder Cole Gillespie.
Rodriguez, 26, pitched 5 games for the Cubs. His record was 0-0 in 4 IP, giving up 6 hits, 4 runs, 2 earned runs, 4.50 ERA, 2.500 WHIP. For 2013, his record was 0-1, 4.09 ERA, 1.818 WHIP in 22 games. He was actually worse with the Cubs than the Nationals.
So the Cubs cut Rodriguez in order to continue the Iowa pitching shuffle, with Michael Bowden replacing Brooks Raley.
Gillespie is a 29 year old outfielder who only played in three games for the Giants this season. He batted .000. He had a negative 0.3 WAR. In the minors, he hit .277, 9 HR, 31 RBI. He was an average fielder. He does not project as a prospect or an everyday player.
The Cubs have plenty of AAA outfielders on the roster already. Why add another one?
One thing Ryan Sweeney, Brian Bogusevic, Nate Schierholtz and Gillespie have in common are they are tall, lanky, non-speedy bench to AAA outfielders. It seems Hoyer likes to collect these type of players like former general manager Jim Hendry collected scrappy but no good second basemen.
Gillespie is not the future for the Cubs team. Most would consider him not even a bench warmer. It was not that the Cubs needed an outfielder to replace someone with an injury. It is not even necessary to add an outfielder if the team is on the cusp of trading a starting outfielder.
It also means that the front office has no confidence in any of the Iowa outfield corps: Jae-Hoon Ha, AWOL Brett Jackson, Darnell McDonald or Ty Wright.
It also shows that the Cubs coaching staff could not correct Rodriguez's mechanics or mental aspect of the game because he was worse with the Cubs than with his prior team. If the Cubs continue to gather discarded pitchers with control problems but cannot fix them, what is the point in that futile exercise? Does it indict pitching coach Chris Bosio skills? Adding a line of broken pitchers to the bullpen is not going to win games for the team.
But what these transactions do show is that the Cubs management still wants to sit on the fence to push off the idea of being a good team as long as possible. After the Cardinal series split, the team is a surprising 42-51 .452 15 GB. This projects to a 73 win team, or a 12 win improvement over last season.
This season's success was built upon the quality starting pitching which the team wants to dismantle by the trading deadline. Ownership is more fixated on real estate development projects than baseball. And management is more fixated on gathering up more prospects and journeymen projects than building a competitive baseball team right now.
June 12, 2013
NOT THE TRADE WE EXPECTED
We are seeing more trades after a player has been "designated for assignment." A team needed space on their 40 man roster has to DFA someone in order to activate a disabled player or promote a minor leaguer. It does not always work out well.
The Cubs acquired right handed reliever Henry Rodriguez from the Nationals in exchange for Class A pitcher Ian Dickson.
Rodriguez, 26, has a 4.23 ERA with 9.3 K/9 and 6.1 BB/9 across parts of five big league seasons with the A's and Nats. In 18 innings in relief for Washington this year, he had 4.00 ERA with eleven strikeouts and 16 walks. Rodriguez claim to fame is that he has a 100 mph fastball.
Dickson, 22, was a 35th round selection in the 2011 draft. Dickson has a 6.88 ERA with 8.2 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9 in three starts and eight relief appearances for Class A Kane County this year.
From one viewpoint, Rodriguez could be considered the 40th best player on the Cubs roster. But his control issues have had him released by two clubs already in his career. It may be a long shot but it only cost the Cubs a marginal Class A pitcher. But this continues the bad band-aid approach of the front office to gather up the releases of other teams to try to fashion a bullpen.
The Cubs acquired right handed reliever Henry Rodriguez from the Nationals in exchange for Class A pitcher Ian Dickson.
Rodriguez, 26, has a 4.23 ERA with 9.3 K/9 and 6.1 BB/9 across parts of five big league seasons with the A's and Nats. In 18 innings in relief for Washington this year, he had 4.00 ERA with eleven strikeouts and 16 walks. Rodriguez claim to fame is that he has a 100 mph fastball.
Dickson, 22, was a 35th round selection in the 2011 draft. Dickson has a 6.88 ERA with 8.2 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9 in three starts and eight relief appearances for Class A Kane County this year.
From one viewpoint, Rodriguez could be considered the 40th best player on the Cubs roster. But his control issues have had him released by two clubs already in his career. It may be a long shot but it only cost the Cubs a marginal Class A pitcher. But this continues the bad band-aid approach of the front office to gather up the releases of other teams to try to fashion a bullpen.
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