Around the majors report--Nov 7

[nyy26wc]

1) Bud Selig announced MLB will contract by 2 teams, with the identity of the teams not revealed. But, the rumors of the Expos and Twins being the teams involved were reinforced by the vote being 28-2, with those 2 teams dissenting.

According to Donald Fehr, "Today's announcement by the commissioner -- that the clubs will attempt to immediately eliminate two as yet unnamed major league clubs -- is most imprudent and unfortunate. This decision has been made unilaterally, without any attempt to negotiate with the players, apparently without any consideration of other options, including relocation, and seemingly with little concern for the interests of the fans. We consider this action to be inconsistent with the law, our contract, and perhaps most important, the long term welfare of the sport. ...

"And, of course, this the worst manner in which to begin the process of negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement. We had hoped that we were in a new era, one that would see a much better relationship between players and owners. Today's announcement is a severe blow to such hopes."

Meanwhile, the owners decided not to have a lockout or a signing freeze. But, I think this means there is just not a lockout that started yesterday. I believe the owners are hoping the players eventually go on strike, so the owners can use that for PR purposes. If the players don't strike, which I don't expect them to do, the owners will just call their lockout later on.

2) The Astros named Tony Pena as their bench coach.

3) The A's exercised their 2002 options on Ps Jim Mecir and Mike Magnante, while declining the option for LF Ron Gant.

4) There were 22 players who filed for free agency yesterday.

5) The Gold Glove winners were announced.

AL: 1B--Doug Mientkiewicz, 2B--Roberto Alomar, SS--Omar Vizquel, 3B--Eric Chavez, OF--Torii Hunter, Ichiro Suzuki, Mike Cameron, C--Ivan Rodriguez, P--Mike Mussina

NL: 1B--Todd Helton, 2B--Fernando Vina, SS--Orlando Cabrera, 3B--Scott Rolen, OF--Andruw Jones, Jim Edmonds, Larry Walker, C--Brad Ausmus, P--Greg Maddux

6) The Braves named Terry Pendleton as hitting coach.

If you want to hire a hitting coach who showed bad strikezone judgment during his playing career, Pendleton's a good choice. Pendleton was 187 walks below the league average over the course of his career.

In the past 20 years, Pendleton ranked 4th among 3B with 9 years with a negative RCAA, behind Gary Gaetti (14), Charlie Hayes (13) and Tom Brookens (10).

7) The Indians re-signed P Scott Radinsky to a 1 year, $600,000 contract and C Tim Laker to a 1 year contract, with the terms undisclosed, and signed OF Todd Dunwoody to a minor league contract. Radinsky would have been eligible for free agency, while Laker would have been eligible for arbitration.

Radinsky only pitched in 2 games in 2001 and 3 games over the past couple of years. He has a 3.44 career ERA, compared to his league average of 3.44, and 32 RSAA in 557 career games.

Laker hit .273 SLG, .397 OBA, .580 OPS, -3 RCAA, .246 OWP, 2.79 RC/G, 3 RC in 16 games in 2001. He has a .591 career OPS, compared to his league average of .753 and C average of .713, -24 RCAA and -17 RCAA in 181 career games (398 PA).

Dunwoody hit .328 SLG, .250 OBA, .578 OPS, -4 RCAA, .244 OWP, 2.76 RC/G, 5 RC in 33 games with the Cubs this year. He has a .628 career OPS, compared to his league average of .777 and positional average of .781, -49 RCAA and -58 RCAP in 293 career games since 1997.

8) Hipolito Pichardo, who retired in August, was among the players who filed for free agency and says he wants to pitch again. Meanwhile, although Bret Saberhagen went through the formality of filing for free agency, his agents say his career is over.

9) According to the Bergen Record, a NJ paper, the Mets are interested in trading for Indians P John Rocker.

10) According to the NY Daily News, the Mets are working on a trade that would send 3B Robin Ventura back to the Whitesox. Meanwhile, the Yankees are interested in Ventura, but the Mets are likely to demand more from the Yankees then they would from the Whitesox.

11) According to the NY Post, "the Yankees want to shift Alfonso Soriano to left field and deal for Cleveland's Roberto Alomar or sign Seattle free agent Bret Boone to replace Soriano at second base."

[Duque]

Originally posted by nyy26wc
9) According to the Bergen Record, a NJ paper, the Mets are interested in trading for Indians P John Rocker.

I just had to make sure I read that right. Wonder what kind of reception Rocker would get in Shea as a member of the home team?

[Skipper Steve]

Robbie Alomar a Yankee?

THAT would be a dream. I did see him interviewed once where he was asked about and he said he wouldn't mind playing in NY and has thought about since he Dad played there for a while.

Orlando Hernandez, Kiesler, and Witasick for Robbie. Then let the Tribe sign Boone. Think they would do it?

[satchel]

Originally posted by nyy26wc
1) Bud Selig announced MLB will contract by 2 teams, with the identity of the teams not revealed. But, the rumors of the Expos and Twins being the teams involved were reinforced by the vote being 28-2, with those 2 teams dissenting.

Why would Pohlad dissent? I don't think the vote being 28-2 provides any information whatsoever about which teams it is.

9) According to the Bergen Record, a NJ paper, the Mets are interested in trading for Indians P John Rocker.

oh man. If this happens, I just hope - for his sake - that he doesn't suck the way he did in Cleveland. If he pitches well, NY fans will warm to him in time. If he's lousy, he won't make it through April.

11) According to the NY Post, "the Yankees want to shift Alfonso Soriano to left field and deal for Cleveland's Roberto Alomar or sign Seattle free agent Bret Boone to replace Soriano at second base."

mmmm.... Alomar... as a Yankees fan I would love to see this happen. I never get tired of watching Alomar play. I think Boone has already struck a deal with the Mariners. I also think Boone is going to get paid far more than he's worth and won't repeat this year's career numbers.

[BuzzBuzzard]

Originally posted by nyy26wc
9) According to the Bergen Record, a NJ paper, the Mets are interested in trading for Indians P John Rocker.

Thankfully, the Mets have publically said they have no interest in Rocker. Thank God.

[nyy26wc]

Originally posted by satchel


Why would Pohlad dissent? I don't think the vote being 28-2 provides any information whatsoever about which teams it is.

From the New York Times--

"The commissioner declined to say how many teams were candidates for elimination, but there appeared to be five, with the Montreal Expos and the Minnesota Twins the overwhelming favorites to be terminated before spring training next February. Those teams were the two "no" votes, but each owner had his reason for voting that way. Jeffrey H. Loria, the Expos' owner, had said that he would not vote for eliminating his own team, and Carl R. Pohlad, the Twins' owner, presumably wanted to be able to say that he voted against contraction."

[satchel]

Originally posted by nyy26wc


From the New York Times--

"Carl R. Pohlad, the Twins' owner, presumably wanted to be able to say that he voted against contraction."

I hate that two-faced slimy b*st*rd!

sorry. just had to get that off my chest.