Lackey Knows All About The Pressure on Wacha

Michael Wacha will take the mound tonight for the St. Louis Cardinals in a win or go home Game 6 of the World Series. The rookie has performed admirably throughout the playoffs, but tonight he'll face the most pressure to date and he'll do it in front of a sold out, hostile Fenway Park crowd.

His opponent, Red Sox starter John Lackey, knows all about the pressures put on a rookie in a big game. It was 11 years ago that Lackey and fellow rookie Francisco Rodriguez (later to be known simply as "K-Rod") stood out in the World Series as rookie performers.

Lackey took the mound for the then Anaheim Angels on October 27, 2002, better known as the decisive 7th game of the 2002 World Series against the San Francisco Giants. Lackey had been far from good in his Game 4 start four days earlier - 5 IP 3 ER 9 H - but manager Mike Scioscia had faith in him to bring Lackey back on three days rest to start the finale on his home field.

Just as Wacha faces a veteran tonight, Lackey faced veteran Livan Hernandez, one of the heroes of the 1997 World Champion Florida Marlins, in Game 7. Lackey went just five innings again, but his removal from the ball game had more to do with pitching on three days rest than his performance. He departed with a 4-1 lead and had allowed just four hits and a walk. The bullpen did the rest and the Angels captured their first championship. (Hernandez, on the other hand, lasted only two official innings and allowed all five base runners he faced in the 3rd inning to reach base safely before he was pulled from the game.)

When he was queried Tuesday about the 2002 Series, Lackey didn't remember much and pretty much pushed the experience aside.

"That was a long time ago, man. I don't think that's going to play much into (Wednesday). I think most of those guys in that game aren't even playing anymore."

"I was trying to get five or six innings," he said, "and turn it over to those guys (Brendan Donnelly, K-Rod, and Troy Percival). My job was just basically not to screw it up."¹

Like Wacha, Lackey was instrumental in getting his team to the World Series in '02. He replaced Ramon Ortiz in the third inning of  Game 3 of the ALDS with his team down 6-1 and tossed three scoreless innings. The Angels rallied for a 9-6 win and a 2 to 1 advantage in the best of five series with the New York Yankees.

Lackey's seven innings of shutout ball gave the Angeles a commanding 3 games to 1 lead over the Minnesota Twins in the '02 ALCS. He allowed three hits, walked none, and struck out 7 for his first post-season win. His 86 pitch performance in the decisive game of the World Series quickly made him a household name.

Wacha has already gotten his 15 minutes of fame and then some. The rookie isn't going anywhere but up though after being the 19th pick in the first round of the 2012 MLB Amateur Draft. Wacha has allowed three earned runs in the 27 innings he's thrown over four post-season starts. He has struck out 28 hitters and earned the victory in those four contests.

His numbers include a Game 2 victory against Boston in which he allowed two earned runs in six innings pitched. Now he has a must win game to deal with just as his opposing pitcher did 11 years ago.


1 - newstelegram.com

Yankees Still in the Hunt For an Outfielder

CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman reported Tuesday afternoon that the Yankees and the Cincinnati Reds have made inquiries to the San Francisco Giants as to the availability of Hunter Pence.¹

The 30-year old outfielder is in the final year of his current contract and will be a free agent after the season. He has a slash line of .277/.320/.457 with  14 HR and 51 RBI. Pence has also stolen 14 bases without being caught.

After he played four-plus seasons with the Houston Astros, the outfielder was dealt to the Philadelphia Phillies at the 2011 trade deadline. The Giants then picked him from the Phils at last year's deadline for 2 minor leaguers and Nate Schierholtz. (The Cubs signed Schierholtz in the off-season and are now shopping him as well.)




1 - cbssports.com

Oh Leche

I first started following Melky Cabrera's career when he was playing 'A' ball in the New York Yankees farm system. The kid looked like he had talent based on the numbers he produced. The Dominican born Melky put up 8 home runs and 67 RBI in 2004 for Battle Creek and Tampa.

He worked his way up the chain and got a cup of (spilled) coffee in the Majors in 2005. He was clearly over matched at the plate and field, but was back in the Majors as a regular a year later. His best year came in 2009 when he contributed to the Yankees' 27th title with career highs in home runs (13) and RBI (68). But there was always talk of Cabrera being a bit portly and out of shape. It had actually contributed to his demotion to Triple-A during the 2008 season.

Cabrera has had his ups and downs since then - released by the Atlanta Braves during the 2010 season, a career resurrection with the KC Royals in 2011 and an MVP type season this year with the San Francisco.  But Wednesday, the fit hit the shan.

A 50 game suspension handed down by Major League Baseball after it was revealed that Cabrera had tested positive for testosterone. Cabrera at least came clean, no pun intended, about the failed test.

"My positive test was the result of my use of a substance I should not have used," Cabrera said in a statement released by the union. "I accept my suspension under the Joint Drug Program and I will try to move on with my life. I am deeply sorry for my mistake and I apologize to my teammates, to the San Francisco Giants organization and to the fans for letting them down." (quote courtesy of espn.com)

Cabrera had won this year' All-Star game MVP Award in his first appearance. His big night out included a solo home run. The Melk Man, who grew a cult following in NY, was hitting a career high .346 at the time of the suspension, which will wipe out the rest of the regular season. Cabrera would also miss the beginning of any post-season series.

It's especially disappointing when you think a guy turned his career around by doing the work, getting in shape, and really working at his craft. But now Melky's career will always be tainted and his chances for a big time contract after this season just went down the tubes. Of course, the only reason he may have had that opportunity was due to performance enhancing drugs. Another likable player's reputation bites the dust.

For more on the story, I recommend reading Tyler Kepner's excellent piece in the NY Times.

The Yahoo Contributor Network And Me

I'm always looking for some place to write and I have a new spot, the Yahoo Contributor Network. Today, I had my first article, "Golden Anniversary of a Fall Classic" published. Pretty exciting, link on the main Yahoo MLB page and all.

The piece on the 1962 World Series between the Yankees and San Francisco Giants. It was the last time Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays opposed each other in meaningful games as well as the Yankees last championship until 1977. It was also the Giants last series appearance until 1989.

Please check it out and let me know what you think.

Baseball Digest Birthdays: Bobby Murcer | Baseball Digest

Baseball Digest Birthdays: Bobby Murcer | Baseball Digest

Bobby Ray Murcer was born in Oklahoma City, OK on this date, May 20, in 1946. He was a high school standout in baseball and football (All-State in both), and played basketball as well. During his senior year, he signed a letter of intent to play at the University of Oklahoma, but instead was signed by New York Yankees’ scout Tom Greenwade, the same scout that signed fellow Oklahoma-born star and Yankee, Mickey Mantle.

Like Mantle, Murcer played shortstop poorly and was quickly moved to centerfield. He hit .365 in a 32 game stint in rookie ball in 1964 and followed with another .300 season and 16 home runs the following year at Greensboro of the Carolina League. He had cups of coffee in the Majors in both 1965 and 1966, but missed the next two seasons for military service.

When Murcer returned in 1969, his hero Mantle had retired and the 23-yr old was dubbed “the next Mantle”. It was an unfair expectation to put on any young player, but especially one who played the same position for the winning-est franchise in all of baseball. Murcer hit 26 home runs and drove in 82 runs in his first full season in the Bronx. Two years later he made his first All-Star team when he led the league with a .969 OPS, hit .331 to finish second in the batting race, and placed in the top 10 in the AL MVP voting.

Murcer began a streak of five straight AL-All Star Game appearances, won a Gold Glove, and smacked a career-high 33 home runs, but the Yankees continued to watch other teams win the AL East. In a doubleheader on June, 1970, he tied a Major League record by hitting four straight home runs in a doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians. Murcer, Thurman Munson, and Mel Stottelmyre were among the few stars that Yankees fans had to root for in the early 1970′s. Things changed later in the decade, but Murcer wouldn’t be a part of it. Yankee Stadium was remodeled in 1974 and 1975, so the Yankees were forced to play their home games at Shea Stadium. Murcer’s swing, customized for Yankee Stadium’s “short porch” in right field (294 ft.) was no match for the larger dimensions of the New York Mets’ home ball park.

Famed baseball writer Maury Allen, then of the New York Post, profiled Bobby Murcer, the Yankees Quiet Hero in a 1971 edition of Baseball Digest. Click here to read this classic article.

Murcer hit just 11 home runs in 1974 and saw his average drop 30 points from the year before. That winter, owner George Steinbrenner decided it was time to shake things up and dealt Murcer to the San Francisco Giants for Bobby Bonds in a swap of stars. Murcer only knew Yankeedom and was heartbroken. He would also be miserable in cold, windy Candlestick Park for the next three seasons. Murcer had a pair of 20+ home run seasons in 1976 and 1977 and watched as the Yankees reached the World Series for the first time since the mid-1960′s.

Prior to the start of spring training in 1977, Murcer was shipped to the Chicago Cubs as part of a swap for then-two time batting champion Bill Madlock. Murcer liked day baseball and the friendly confines of Wrigley Field. He hit 27 home runs in 1977, the most he had hit in five years, but slumped mightily the following season. In 1979 he got his wish though, a return to the Bronx on June 26 in a deal for a Yankees minor leaguer. Murcer’s old number 1 was now worn by manager Billy Martin, so Murcer suited up with number 27 (he quickly switched to number 2) as he stepped in against the Blue Jays in Toronto on the same day he was dealt. Happy to be back, Murcer went 2-4 with a run scored. But his happiness wouldn’t last long.

A little over a month later, one of his best friends, Thurman Munson, was killed in a plane crash while practicing take offs and landings at Akron-Canton airport. The two-time defending World Champion’s season perished right then and there with their captain and heart and soul of the team. Murcer delivered an eloquent eulogy at Munson’s funeral on August 6 in Canton, OH and the team returned that night to play the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. In front of a national television audience, Murcer paid tribute to his fallen friend with his bat. Trailing 4-0, Murcer hit a 3-run home run off of Dennis Martinez and then delivered a game winning 2-run single off of Tippy Martinez in the bottom of the 9th for an emotional 5-4 Yankees victory.

Murcer finally reached the playoffs with the Yankees in 1980 and his first World Series in 1981, though New York lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games. In June, 1983, Murcer decided to retire from baseball and moved upstairs to the broadcast booth where he worked on and off for the next two decades, winning a trio of Emmy Awards. He also was part owner of the Triple-A Oklahoma City 89ers, became an anti-tobacco activist, headed the Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.), wrote his autobiography (Yankee for Life: My 40-Year Journey in Pinstripes) and was generally liked and beloved by everyone he came in contact with.

In Decemeber, 2006, Murcer was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and underwent surgery. He would battle the disease for nearly two years before succumbing on July 12, 2008. He was survived by his wife and high school sweetheart Kay, and his children Tori and Todd.

Also Born On This Day:

Jayson Werth (Springfield, IL 1979): The outfielder was born into a family of college stars in track, football, and soccer. His uncle, Dick Schofield, and his grandfather, Ducky Schofield, were Major League Baseball players and his step-father, Dennis Werth, also played in the Majors. Werth was selected by the Baltimore Orioles as the 22nd overall pick in the 1997 draft, but was later dealt to the Toronto Blue Jays. After spending time in the Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers organizations, Werth became a star as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies. Werth averaged 29 home runs and 84 RBI from 2008-2010 before he left for a seven year, $126MM free agent contract with the Washington Nationals.

David Wells (Torrance, CA 1963): “Boomer” was a standout at Point Loma High School in San Diego before being chosen by the Toronto Blue Jays with the second pick of the second round (30th overall) in the 1982 amateur draft. After scuffling as a starter in the minor leagues, the Blue Jays moved to the bullpen. The move paid off for both the organization and Wells, who became a fixture in the Blue Jays bullpen after he made his Major League debut in 1987. He was used as a spot starter by the Jays from 1990-1992 before he left the organization as a free agent to become a full-time starter for the Detroit Tigers. He went on to win 239 games for seven teams in his Major League career, World Series rings with the Blue Jays (1992) and Yankees (1998), and on May 17, 1998 tossed a perfect game against the Minnesota Twins. It was the first perfect game by a Yankee since his fellow Point Loma alum Don Larsen completed the feat in the 1956 World Series. Wells wrote a controversial autobiography, “Perfect I’m Not: Boomer on Beer, Brawls, Backaches and Baseball” in 2003, and was always outspoken and loved the night lifeduring his career. He retired after the 2007 season, and can now be heard on TBS baseball broadcasts.

Prediction Time - Yankees vs. Giants

Yankees and Giants meet in the WS for the first time since 1962

Yes, it's that time to semi-stick the neck out on the line to make predictions for the upcoming season and where better to start then in the AL East.

You have already read (hopefully) my concerns over the Red Sox rotation and bullpen. And though they will score 1,000,000 runs (probably according to ESPN), they are going to have to outscore their opponents most of the time to win.

While the Yankees also have rotation questions, they will end up with someone in the back end (Boy that didn't sound right) to help out. I don't believe Kevin Millwood will be that answer.

The Rays have a great starting rotation and nothing else. Evan Longoria will be pitched around like crazy and the bullpen is awful.

AL East
Yankees
Red Sox (Wild Card)
Rays
Blue Jays
Orioles (sorry Buck)

Al Central
Twins
White Sox
Tigers
Royals
Indians

You can never count out a Ron Gardenhire team; they play fundamentally sound baseball and I like their rotation and bullpen. They'll have trouble scoring runs as usual, esp. if they can't keep Justin Morneau on the field, but they will find ways to win. Delmon Young repeating his 2010 season is a key.

The White Sox are going to be strong, but outside of Matt Thornton will they get consistency in the pen? Love the lineup, and feel good about the rotation. This should be a race that goes down to the final weeks of the season.

AL West
Rangers
Angels
A's
Mariners

The Rangers starting rotation looks pretty ugly on paper with no Cliff Lee and the mistake of putting Neftali Feliz back in the bullpen. He could have given them a huge boost. C.J. Wilson and Colby Lewis need to repeat or near repeat their seasons from last year and it's finally time for Derek Holland to step up. Another lineup that will score plenty of runs, though you saw what happened the last time Adrian Beltre was given a big contract ("Hitless in Seattle").

The Angels have a nice rotation with Weaver, Haren, and Santana starting things off. The lineup is a bit shaky and the bullpen is a mess. Fernando Rodney is not the guy to close and it wouldn't surprise me if Kevin Jepsen took over at some point.

The A's are being picked by a lot of people to win the west because of their solid starting rotation. But this is a team that can't and won't hit. They don't have one intimidating bat in the lineup. Their main source of power will be Hideki Matsui and he may only hit 20 home runs. It's time t drop Moneyball.

The Mariners should be playing in the PCL right now. When does King Felix get dealt.

AL MVP

Alex Rodriguez: He's so incredibly locked in right now and will have a monster season. Whether or not the BBWAA holds his steroid past against him remains to be seen.

CY Young

Justin Verlander: His stuff is filthy; he just needs to get off to a good start.

Rookie of the Year

Jeremy Hellickson: His short stint in the Majors last year certainly gave the impression that he is the goods. Also looking forward to seeing how Kyle Drabek performs in Toronto

Comeback Player of the Year

Jacoby Ellsbury: He's healthy and with Crawford leading the way on the bases (70 steals?), I can see Ellsbury swiping 50.

Manager of the Year

Ron Gardenhire: Unfortunately for him the Yankees will knock him and the Twins out in the first round again.

* * *

The National League East will indeed be a runaway. The Philly Phab Phour (Halladay, Lee, Oswalt, Hamels) will dominate the NL. The bullpen is a mess and eventually the Phillies will probably have to make a move for another set up man or closer. Chase Utley's injury could take a toll on the line up, but that rotation speaks/shouts volumes.

They won't catch the Phils, but expect the Braves to have a good year under new manager Fredi Gonzalez. (How strange will it be to not see Bobby Cox in the dugout?) The Braves have a good rotation, decent bullpen, though they still need to figure out the closer role. If soph. Justin Heyward and rookie Freddie Freeman have big years, look out.

The Mets are getting bashed left and right, some of it deservedly so, but I think they can still finish at .500.

NL East
Phillies
Braves
Mets
Marlins
Nations

NL Central
Reds
Brewers
Cardinals
Cubs
Astros
Pirates

Dusty Baker and the Reds should build off of last year and take the central again. The Brewers with Greinke, Marcum (both need to be healthy) and Gallardo form a formidable front of the rotation. The Cards will take a step back without Adam Wainwright.

NL West
Giants
Rockies
Dodgers
Padres
Diamondbacks

People seem to be jumping off the bandwagon of the defending champion Giants, but I love their rotation. Granted Brian Wilson needs to get healthy fast (strained oblique; this year's trendy injury) to solidify the bullpen, and the team needs another bat, but they will take the division.

The Rockies need Ubaldo Jiminez to repeat and Jorge de la Rose to step up and be worth his contract. Good offense, decent pen, just not enough to overtake the Giants. They will battle the Brewers and Braves for the Wild Card.

The Dodgers have a pretty good team with a newbie manager (Donnie Baseball; still can't get used to that uniform), but the team still is in disarray with the battling McCourts.

Bud Black and the Pads won't get off to that tremendous start with no Adrian Gonzalez, and Mat Latos hurting.

The Diamondbacks can join the Mariners in AAAA.

NL MVP

Ryan Braun: Combines with Prince Fielder to help Brew Crew back to post-season

CY Young

Cliff Lee: Back (if it holds up) to dominating the NL

Rookie of the Year

Freddie Freeman: Proves the hype is right

Comeback Player of the Year

Jason Bay: If he stays healthy the home runs will return.

Manager of the Year

Ron Roenicke: First year manager leads team to playoffs


Playoffs

Yankees and Red Sox meet in the ALCS for the first time since the disastrous (depending on whose side you're on) 2004 series.

Giants topple the Phillies in an exciting seven game series in the NLCS.

Which leads to a series that has been 49 years in the waiting. For the first time since Bobby Richardson snared Willie McCovey's line drive in Game 6, the Yankees and Giants will meet in the Fall classic. Unfortunately I am going with the Giants in 6.

Join me in November to see how good or bad these predictions are.

Baseball Digest Birthdays: Willie McCovey | Baseball Digest

Baseball Digest Birthdays: Willie McCovey | Baseball Digest

Willie Lee McCovey is one of the best ball players that many people don’t know much about. That’s what happens when your a soft spoken southern (Mobile, AL) gentleman playing on a team of stars, including fellow Hall of Fame members Willie Mays, Orlando Cepeda, and Juan Marichal.

For instance, did you realize that McCovey spent a good deal of his early days in San Francisco playing the outfield due to Cepeda and others occupying 1st base? He wouldn’t become a full time 1st baseman until 1965, but played there for the remainder of his career (with a 9 game stint as a DH thrown in there for the Oakland A’s in 1976).

McCovey came on the scene with a fury in 1959, winning the Rookie of the Year award despite playing in only 52 games. But a .354 average, 13 HR, and 38 RBI earned him all 24 first place votes for the award.

He would have his struggles too though, getting sent down to the minors the very next year when he went from hero to zero at age 22 and was met with boos on a regular basis by the Giants fan base. He was demoted in mid-July and hit just .238 for the season, matching his rookie home run total despite 88 more plate appearances.

McCovey’s prodigious slugging was not to be denied. The man known as “Stretch” had a run from 1963-1970 in which he averaged 36 home runs, 99 RBI, and 82 walks. The final three years of that period was McCovey at his best.

His 36 HR, 105 RBI, .923 OPS season in 1968 was topped by an MVP campaign in 1969, the first year of divisional play. The Giants were in first place with eight games left in the season, but finished 3-5 to fall three games behind Atlanta. It should be noted that the Giants were in that position due to the amazing offensive display McCovey put on all year.

“Stretch” smacked 45 home runs and drove in 121 runs despite leading the lead with 121 walks (45 of which were intentional) in 1969. Throw in a .320 batting average and a .656 slugging percentage and you can understand why McCovey beat out Tom Seaver (25 wins, 2.21 ERA) by 22 points to capture the NL MVP award. For an encore in 1970, McCovey matched his ’69 RBI total, posted a 1.056 OPS, and hit “just” 39 home runs while walking 137 times.

In 1970 the NY Post’s Milton Gross wrote “Why McCovey Won the MVP Award” by basically carrying the team on his back. Check it out here.

The Giants would reach the World Series just once (1962) in McCovey’s tenure, but he provided one of the most famous highlights in post-season play. The series was tied at three games apiece against the Yankees with the finale in Candlestick Park. The Giants trailed 1-0 in the 9th inning and were down to their final out. With two men aboard, Yankees starter Ralph Terry elected to face McCovey rather than walk him and pitch to Cepeda. McCovey nearly made him pay, hitting one of the hardest balls you will ever see…right at 2nd baseman Bobby Richardson for the final out of the series. It was doubly heartbreaking for McCovey because he would reach the post-season just one other time in his illustrious career, losing in the NLCS to the Pirates in 1971.

The big man was dealt to the San Diego Padres after the ’73 season as the Giants looked to get younger. He would spend the next two plus seasons with the lowly Pads before spending the final month of the 1976 season with the Oakland Athletics. McCovey was welcomed back into the Giants fold as a 39-yr old free agent a year later and spent the last four seasons of his career calling Candlestick Park his home once again. McCovey’s final home run in the major leagues tied him with Ted Williams for, at the time, 10th place on the all-time list with 521. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986 in his second year of eligibility (Lou Brock and Hoyt Wilhelm took the majority of the votes the prior year).

His knees are in bad shape and he often uses crutches, but McCovey can still be seen semi-regularly at the Giants’ Pac Bell Park watching long home runs hit into the area of San Francisco Bay dubbed “McCovey Cove” in honor of the now 73-yr old slugger.

Happy Birthday Willie McCovey.

Also celebrating a birthday today:

Ervin Santana is 28. The right-hander has won 76 games in his six big league seasons with the Angels. The Dominican native loves even numbers years, winning 16 games twice and 17 last season. He was an All-Star in 2008 and finished sixth in the AL CY Young voting that season.

Adam Kennedy turns 35. The veteran of 12 seasons is a free agent still seeking employment for 2011. Originally a draft choice of the St. Louis Cardinals, he was dealt to the Anaheim Angels prior to the 2000 season in a deal that brought Jim Edmonds to Missouri. He finished sixth in the AL Rookie of the Year voting that season when he drove in 72 runs and stole 22 bases in 30 attempts. Kennedy was a key to the Angels lone World Series championship in 2002, hitting a combined .409 with four home runs and eight RBI in the division and championship series. After seven seasons with the Halos, Kennedy was a utility man back in St. Louis for a couple of years before spending a year each with Oakland and Washington.

Also born on this day- Hall of Fame member Harry Wright (1835-1895), who was a player/manager for the Boston Red Stockings (National Association) and Boston Red Caps (NL) from 1871-1877. A rookie at age 36, he retired and became a full time manager in 1878. He would manage for 25 years and was inducted in the Hall as a Pioneer/Executive in 1953.

BD Hot Stove: Giants Among Men | Baseball Digest

BD Hot Stove: Giants Among Men | Baseball Digest

Fans of the NY/SF Giants waited 56 years to celebrate their first World Series championship this past season. The Giants hadn’t won since Willie Mays was making over the shoulder catches against the likes of Vic Wertz. Things look bright for the team by the bay this year too with their core intact.

I left my pine tar in San Francisco: The Giants did lose a veteran on the left side of the infield- Juan Uribe, who departed for the Dodgers, and could lose a second in Edgar Renteria. GM Brian Sabean went low price/veteran shopping as a replacement and signed Miguel Tejada, who split last season between Baltimore and San Diego. Sabean’s biggest move was re-signing 1st baseman Aubrey Huff, who helped energize the team on and off the field. The Giants also re-signed outfielder Pat Burrell and took a risk by signing Dontrelle Willis to a minor league deal. Now if they can get Brian Wilson to lose that beard.

Welcome to Divorce Court: On this week’s episode the McCourts continue their battle over ownership of this long storied franchise while first year manager Don Mattingly waits to see who gets custody. In addition to Uribe, GM Ned Colletti made a shrewd move in signing veteran starter Jon Garland to a one year, $5M deal. Another good signing was steady set up man Matt Guerrier. With Russell Martin departing for the Yankees, the Dodgers kept Rod Barajas and brought back former Dodger Dioner Navarro. The team also re-signed starters Vincente Padilla and Hiroki Kuroda, and outfielder Jay Gibbons. Colletti also inked Tony Gwynn Jr. for some outfield depth.

Won’t you take me to Friar town: The Padres spent 131 days in first place last season, but September 25th was the final time as the team swooned down the stretch. The Padres made one of the biggest splashes at the winter meetings, dealing stud 1st baseman Adrian Gonzalez to the Red Sox for four prospects. Time will tell if the move was a good one, but the Padres did know they wouldn’t be able to re-sign Gonzalez when he became a free agent after the 2011 season. The Padres have been one of the busiest teams this off-season. They re-made their infield with a trade for shortsop Jason Barlett , and inked 2nd baseman Orlando Hudson and outfielder/1B Brad Hawpe to free agent deals. They also dealt for centerfield prospect Cameron Maybin who may be getting his final chance to prove himself at the major league level. The Pads added starter Aaron Harang and swingman Dustin Moseley through free agency. In addition to Gonzalez, gone are Garland, Gwynn, catcher Yorvit Torrealba (TEX), relievers Edward Mujica and Ryan Webb (Maybin deal), starters Kevin Correia (PIT) and Chris Young (team declined option), and pinch-hitter Matt Stairs.

Like a Rock: Colorado made a late surge under replacement manager Jim Tracey to make the playoffs in 2009 and for a time it looked like they would repeat that feat in 2010. The club brought back starter Jorge de la Rosa with a two year deal, but parted ways with long time Rockie Jeff Francis. The team also got younger by saying good bye to 3rd baseman Melvin Mora, 2nd baseman Kaz Matsui, who returned to Japan, and reliever Octavio Dotel. 1st baseman Jason Giambi will most likely also join the list. To replace Mora the team acquired Jose Lopez from Seattle and also signed versatile infielder Ty Wiggington via free agency.

Last and Least: The Diamondbacks have fallen a long way since their World Series title in 2001. The team won just 70 games in 2009, firing manager Bob Melvin in the process. They followed that up with a 65 win season in 2010, which cost Melvin’s replacement, A.J. Hinch, his job as well. Interim manager Kirk Gibson didn’t have a much better record than Hinch in the 83 games he had to work with, but he’ll get to start from scratch this year. The Dbacks dealt away home run hitting/baseball whiffing 3rd baseman Mark Reynolds to the Orioles and got a good prospect in starter David Hernandez in return (along with pitcher Kam Mickolio). AZ also made a low risk deal in acquiring one time prospect Zach Duke from the Pirates for a PTBNL. Reliever J.J. Putz was given a two year deal to be the new closer and Mora and Geoff Blum were signed to take over Reynolds’ spot. Xavier Nady was also inked to play 1st base. Veteran catcher Henry Blanco was signed to work with the young pitching staff. Gone are pitcher D.J. Carassco (NYM) and 1st baseman Adam LaRoche.

Rumors, News, and Transactions

SI’s Jon Heyman reports that the Red Sox are looking to strengthen their bullpen even further and are considering a run at Brian Fuentes.

The Orioles are talking contract with Kevin Gregg to become their new closer.

They Might Be Giants

I said Giants in 7...apparently I gave the Rangers too much credit after not giving them enough credit going into the ALCS.

Tim Lincecum may be weird, may be fugly, may look like a chick...but the guy can pitch.

Brian Wilson and his weird beard (he could play Bill Mays in a biopic) were dominant in the post-season.

And Edgar Renteria, who in 1997 knocked in the game winning run in the 7th game of the World Series to give the Florida Marlins their first championship, had the game winner again 13 years later. A 3-run home run off of Lee to earn the series MVP award.

The Giants get their first win since that amazing Willie Mays catch back in 1954. Their first since moving to the Bay Area. As I mentioned on Facebook last night, congrats to all Giants fans with the exception of Mad Dog Russo and Chris Berman who can stick it.

Cliff Lee didn't wait very long to take care of business after losing for the second time in the series. He quickly filed for free agency.

The Giants had the third longest drought without winning a World Series. Who does the number 3 spot now belong to? The Texas Rangers, who started out as the Washington Senators in 1961.

Rangers-Giants Begin WS Tonight

The World Series. Baseball's ultimate showdown. Not being seen by Cablevision subscribers thanks to the pricks from Fox and Cablevision. But I digress.

In a position by position comparison, the Rangers win almost every match up. But sometimes we have seen teams that are just fated to win. The 2006 St. Louis Cardinals and the 1988 LA Dodgers come to mind.

Despite the fact that it would make Mad Dog Russo and Chris Berman happy, the pick here is the Giants in 7 games. Pitching wins and there should be plenty of it in this series starting tonight when Cliff Lee faces Tim Lincecum. Game 2 has C.J. Wilson going against the always underrated Matt Cain. Game 3 is Colby Lewis against Jonathan Sanchez with the fourth game matching youngsters Madison Bumgarner and Tommy Hunter.

Ron Washington has gotten high accolades for handling his team through the post-season and Bruce Bochy always does a good job. This should be a great one.

* * *

Hopefully, Mrs. Cliff Lee will be treated better than she apparently was during the ALCS road games.

Perhaps the Rangers' greatest sales pitch simply was having Kristen sit in the visiting family section at Yankee Stadium during the playoffs. She says there were ugly taunts. Obscenities. Cups of beer thrown. Even fans spitting from the section above.

"The fans did not do good things in my heart," Kristen says.

"When people are staring at you, and saying horrible things, it's hard not to take it personal."

Lonn Trost, Randy Levine, Brian Cashman, and the Steinbrenner boys should be sucking up to her immediately!

Game 3: Critical, But Not Deadly

With both the ALCS and NLCS tied at a game apiece, I decided to do a little research, which will probably be available by Elias tomorrow (if it's not already tonight).

I looked back at all of the World Series plus all League Championship Series since 1985 (when the format went from five to seven games). Prior to this year's post-season there were 79 series that were tied at 1-1 after two games.

52 of those series occurred during the World Series. 16 teams came back from a 2-1 deficit to win the championship. They included the 1923, 1951, and 1952 Yankees.

There have been 13 ALCS that were tied after the first two games, with five teams going to the World Series after dropping game 3. They included the 1998 and 2003 Yankees.

Of the 14 NLCS series involved, four teams moved on to play in the World Series after dropping the third game of the playoff series.

So what does it all mean? While it's difficult to come back from a 2-1 deficit it is not impossible. Especially if you have games four and five at home.

68.3% winner of game 3 takes it all.

Breaking News: Giants Ink Renteria

WFAN is reporting that the San Fran Giants have signed free agent shortstop Edgar Renteria to a 2-year, $18 million deal. Renteria spent the past season, his 13th in the bigs, with the Tigers. Hit .270-10-55, scored 69 runs, and stole just 6 bases, the lowest total of his career.

Renteria is one player who seems to play, both offensively and defensively, in the National League. It looks like he'll get that chance again.

UPDATE 9:35 PM - Earlier this evening Edgar Renteria's agent Barry Meister shot down reports that Renteria and the Giants had agreed to a deal. Meister said the two sides have talked, but are not close to any deal.

Breaking News: Giants Ink Renteria

WFAN is reporting that the San Fran Giants have signed free agent shortstop Edgar Renteria to a 2-year, $18 million deal. Renteria spent the past season, his 13th in the bigs, with the Tigers. Hit .270-10-55, scored 69 runs, and stole just 6 bases, the lowest total of his career.

Renteria is one player who seems to play, both offensively and defensively, in the National League. It looks like he'll get that chance again.

UPDATE 9:35 PM - Earlier this evening Edgar Renteria's agent Barry Meister shot down reports that Renteria and the Giants had agreed to a deal. Meister said the two sides have talked, but are not close to any deal.

Breaking News: Giants Snare Rowand

The Giants have agreed to terms on a 5-year deal with free agent outfielder Aaron Rowand. With Torii Hunter, Kusoke Fukudome, and Andruw Jones under contract, Rowand remained the last big name outfielder on the market. The 30-yr old had a super offensive season playing in hitter friendly Citizen Bank ball park.

Rowand hit .309 while establishing career standards with hits (189), runs (105), doubles (45), RBI (89), total bases (315), walks (47) and games (161).

Rowand is also a superb centerfielder. He lead the NL in fielding pct. last season, and had 11 assists.

UPDATE 4:50 EST: The AP is reporting that the deal is worth $60 million.

Source

Breaking News: Giants Snare Rowand

The Giants have agreed to terms on a 5-year deal with free agent outfielder Aaron Rowand. With Torii Hunter, Kusoke Fukudome, and Andruw Jones under contract, Rowand remained the last big name outfielder on the market. The 30-yr old had a super offensive season playing in hitter friendly Citizen Bank ball park.

Rowand hit .309 while establishing career standards with hits (189), runs (105), doubles (45), RBI (89), total bases (315), walks (47) and games (161).

Rowand is also a superb centerfielder. He lead the NL in fielding pct. last season, and had 11 assists.

UPDATE 4:50 EST: The AP is reporting that the deal is worth $60 million.

Source