Yankees 2011: Why I don't blame Joe Girardi.

It was the same thing last year, the Yankees choke in the playoffs, and the next thing you hear is "Fire Joe Girardi!" While some of his moves don't always work out, (ahem, Boone Logan!), his strategy does. A manager can only work with the players he has.

Joe Girardi led the Yankees to a World Series title in 2009 with a record of 103-59. His moves worked then, (although not always), and if the Yankees make the right moves this offseason, they will work again.

Girardi is a manager that likes to go by "The Book". Lefty-lefty matchups, pitching changes based on career numbers, etc. These moves make plenty of sense, although they are not always successful, (what were Boone Logan's numbers against lefties last season?)

The bottom line is, if the Yankees get better pitchers, a stronger bench, and a rotating designated hitter (between A-Rod, Jeter, and Montero), they will win the World Series, as their offense can be the best in the league when it is healthy and rested, their pitchers could pitch deeper into games and rest the bullpen, and Girardi's signature move (lefty-lefty matchups), will be successful nine times out of ten.

Notable MLB Free Agent Catchers in 2012

Whether the 2011 World Series goes to six or seven games, the MLB free agency period will begin shortly. Here is a list of the most notable free agents after the season and their age after this season.

1) Rod Barajas (36)-LAD It appears he will not return.

2) Jose Molina (36)-TOR

3) Yadier Molina (29)-STL Appears to be an obvious decision to bring back on a multi-year deal.

4) Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez (40)- WAS- Appears he will not return, and with Jesus Flores and Wilson Ramos ready, I can't see him back. This may be the end for Pudge, who hit .218 with 2 homers and 19 RBIs in 44 games in 2011. If so, rest assured he will be a first ballot Hall of Famer.

5) Biran Schneider (35)-PHI Appears likely to receive a one or two-year deal as a backup.

6) Jason Varitek, however, is a different story. Although the 39-year-old did have a solid year off the bench, (.221, 11 homers and 36 RBIs, in addition to a triple, his first since 2007). I personally would love to see him back, and he wants to return, but Boston's collapse may prevent that.

Varitek may have a tough time convincing the Sox to re-sign him.







Options
1) Henry Blanco (40)- There appears to be mutual interest between him and the Diamondbacks for a return despite his age.
2)

Yankees 2012: The Outfield

The Yankee Outfield in 2011 surprised me a bit.  While all three starters have had their slumps, they have mostly been productive.  But will that be enough for their return.

Curtis Granderson will without a doubt start 2012 as the centerfielder.  While he has hit slumps this season, he has been exteremely productive, with over 40 homers and 100 RBI's, in addition to over 20 stolen bases, 10 triples, and 135 runs scored.

Image Courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/keithallison/6091939612/

Brett Gardner has had his struggles in 2011, but he will nevertheless start 2012 in left field. I feel he is underrated and has the potential to be a leadoff hitter someday.  Look for him to receive an actual contract soon instead of yearly arbritration.

Image courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/keithallison/5652105264/


That leaves right field.  While Nick Swisher started the year ice cold, he has since put together a solid season of over 20 homers, 80 RBI's, and almost 100 walks.  While his spot on the 2012 roster is not guaranteed, it is not a given he will leave either.

Now pitching for the Yankees, number 33, Nick Swisher

...wait, what?!?!

Image courtesy of http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Morning-Juice-Now-pitching-for-the-Yankees-?urn=mlb-155472

If the Yankees opt not to re-sign Swisher, look for Greg Golson or Chris Dickerson to start 2012 in right field.

That just leaves Andruw Jones.  He started off the season with a home run in his first Yankee at-bat, and has been decent off the bench, but his spot for 2012 is certainly not a lock and he could easily be traded to a team needing a quality outfielder or DH.

Keeping up with the Joneses!

(John Sterling)
Image courtesy of http://bronxbaseballdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/andruw-jones-540x375.jpg

Colts place Collins on IR!

Its official.  Yesterday the Indianapolis Colts placed former Giants QB Kerry Collins on injured reserve with a concussion, ending his season and likely his career.

The 39-year-old Collins was signed to a 2 year, $14,000,000 contract in August to be Peyton Manning's backup.  After Manning was unable to begin the season, Collins was elevated to starter.

Collins as a New York Giant...good times!  Image courtesy of http://www.profootballhof.com/photos/651/2009/1/14/

I can honestly say that I am very disappointed.  As a Giants fan myself, I was looking forward to seeing Collins play this season.  This saddens me as it will almost certainly be the end for Collins and he will be cut when the season ends, especially if the Colts draft Andrew Luck and with Curtis Painter also on the roster to back up Manning.  Rest assured he will be missed and I feel strongly that he will make the Hall of Fame someday.

Lets look at some of his career stats (198 games) courtesy of NFL.com:

3,487/6,261 (completions/attempts)
55.7 completion percentage
40,922 total yards
208 TD
73.8 QB rating

Versus Peyton Manning's (208 games):

4,682/7,210 (completions/attempts)
64.9 Completion percentage
54,828 total yards
399 TD
94.9 QB rating

While there is no question that Peyton is the better quarterback of the two, maybe the best of his generation (although I am more Favre-biased), Kerry Collins has, in my opinion, flown under the radar because of the Brett Favres, Peyton Mannings, and Tom Bradys around during his time.  This is why, in my opinion, he belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton.  From what I saw in him during his time with the Giants, Raiders, Titans, and (to a much-lesser extent, Colts), Kerry Collins is a Hall of Famer.

The Phillies pitching changes?!?!

You read correctly.
The Phillies have declined their 2012 options on RHP Roy Oswalt and RHP Brad Lidge.

Oswalt (9-10, 3.69 ERA in 23 starts) will receive a $2,000,000 buyout and Lidge (0-2, 1.40 ERA and 1 save in 25 games) a $1,500,000 buyout.

General Manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. has stated that he will consider re-signing both players in the offseason. 

I feel that Lidge will be let go, allowing the Phillies to search for a new closer in 2012 such as Heath Bell or K-Rod.

Image courtsey of http://www.flickr.com/photos/furnstein/3363911434/sizes/s/in/photostream/

Oswalt, on the other hand, originally stated that he might retire after 2011, has since said he wants to return and I see the Phillies re-signing their ace to go along with the other pitchers that made Philly successful in 2011.

Image courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/hjwest/5844767684/in/photostream/

2011 Mets: A Season In Review

The 2011 Mets did not disappoint me.

That's right, they actually impressed me. 

But that doesn't mean they all deserve to be back.

The Mets infield, though error-prone, should remain about the same in 2012.  This means:

Ike Davis will remain at first base and the talk of him moving to the outfield will not become anything.  If he is ready by April of 2012 they are set at first base.

David Wright should remain at third base.  Though error-prone, he can still hit well and when Ike Davis returns, he could help reduce the high number of errors on Wright's part.

Justin Turner put together a solid season, but declined tremendously as the year went on.  It seems clear to me that he is not the starting second baseman going forward.  Therefore, Ruben Tejada should begin 2012 at second base, which seems bound to happen.  Turner would be a solid presence on the Mets bench as a pinch hitter and backup should something happen to Reyes or Tejada.

Jose Reyes MUST  be retained, it is essential to the Mets success!  He can produce at this level every year if he stays healthy.

The Mets infield will be set for the future if this happens.

Which leads me to the outfield.

Jason Bay compiled an up-and-down season of sorts, going through stretches when he was ice cold, and a few stretches being red hot, but because of his current contract, he will be the Mets left OR centerfielder in 2012.  Whichever he doesn't take will be filled by Lucas Duda, (who had a tremendous half season).

This allows Angel Pagan a spot on the bench.

That just leaves right field.  The Mets have a number of options:

• Fernando Martinez
• Carlos Beltran (who has stated he would like to return and didn't want to leave in the first place)
• Jason Pridie

Once again, the Mets will not make a big move for an outfielder this offseason.

This leads me to the catchers.

Ronny Paulino provided good backup for the Mets last season and should be looking to be the backup catcher in 2012, especially when Dickey pitches.  He should be looking at a multi-year (2-3) deal this offseason.

Josh Thole, meanwhile, had a terrible season both offensively and defensively.  Look for competition between him and Mike Nickeas in spring training.  Regardless, the Mets will not go after catchers in the offseason.

Which ultimately leads me to...
pitching.

The Mets pitchers mostly stunk last year, thanks in part to not having an actual ACE!

Here is what they should do.

Dillon Gee, who fell apart after July, (like the rest of the team), will nevertheless start 2012 as the #1 or #2 pitcher.

R.A. Dickey was exteremely consistant, despite his 5-11 record.  He will start 2012 as the #3 guy.

Pedro Beato NEEDS to start in 2012!

Chris Capuano was on and off in 2011.  It is not a given he will leave or stay in 2012, but I think he will be gone.

Jon Niese will start 2012 as the #4 guy.

That leaves a fifth spot.  Jenry Mejia, if healthy, or an offseason pickup like Edwin Jackson could be a good idea.

Johan Santana MUST be traded by the 2012 all-star break.  It is purely age and salary.

The bullpen, however, should be shaken up.

Bobby Parnell is NOT a closer.  He should be a 7th/8th inning guy to set up for a REAL closer.

Tim Byrdak looks to remain the lefty specialist, but his age (37) may shy the Mets from re-signing him for 2012.  If he is not re-signed, there are lefties available in free agency.

Jason Isringhausen was a solid man in the 'pen for most of the year.  he should return in 2012 on a 1-year  deal as a setup man.

The closer, however, is not currently in the organization.

But he was.

That's right folks, I'm talking about Francisco Rodriguez.  He could easily return as a solid addition to the Mets decrepit bullpen.
http://www.kxnet.com/getArticle.asp?ArticleId=824526

If done right, the Mets can rebuild a bullpen that can be state of the art!

On the Mets Coaching Changes

It's official.  Yesterday the Mets announced that the following coaches would not be returning in 2012:

Bench Coach Ken Oberkfell
3B Coach Chip Hale
1B Coach Mookie Wilson
Bullpen Coach Jon Debus

Chip Hale has signed a 2-year deal to be the Oakland A's bench coach, while Jon Debus and Mookie Wilson were offered other positions with the club.  It is not yet known what those are or if they will take them.

Buffalo Bisons manager Tim Teufel has been named the new 3B coach.
Bisons pitching coach Rickie Bones has been named the bullpen coach.

As of now pitching coach Dan Warthen and hitting coach Dave Hudgens will retain their positions.

First off, Mookie Wilson was responsible for the baserunning, something the Mets did not excel at last season.  This move benefits both sides.

Next, the Mets bullpen was TERRIBLE last season. Firing Debus was necessary and imminent.

Chip Hale only left because of his hiring in Oakland.

And finally,
HOW IS DAN WARTHEN STILL HERE?!?!?!?