Retweet of the Day - August 21, 2013

On Monday, we discussed the shenanigans that took place at Fenway Park during Sunday night's game between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. Red Sox pitcher Ryan Dempster (6-9, 4.77 ERA) deliberately hit Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez (.296, 2 HR, 6 RBI) in the back with a pitch after badly missing his first three attempts to do so in the at-bat. Yankees manager Joe Girardi exploded indignantly and was ejected by home plate umpire Brian O'Nora, who only issued a warning to both benches.

Major League Baseball then fined Girardi $5,000 while fining the aggressor, Dempster only $2,500. Dempster, who went on to earn an loss on Sunday night, was also suspended for five games. However, the Red sox have two off days in the next seven, meaning Dempster may not miss a start.

Dempster is not having a great season. His performance has deteriorated since the All-Star break and his efforts are doing very little to help the Red Sox build a lead in the American League East division race. Today's retweet, by Jeff Winfield ‏@jwinfieldnrg is fitting:

"Doesn't suspending Ryan Dempster for 5 games actually help the Red Sox?" 
 

The Yankees got screwed from every direction with the handling of the discipline in this incident.

Image from www.diylol.com

Retweet of the Day - August 19, 2013

The rivalry between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox has always been an impassioned and often heated series of contests dating back to the early 20th century. Tempers have flared and blood has boiled countless times over the years. Last night was no exception.

Red Sox pitcher Ryan Dempster hit Alex Rodriguez with a pitch on a 3-0 count in Rodriguez's first at bat. There was very little doubt that the hit was intentional. Dempster's first pitch went behind Rodriguez. The following two pitches were well inside and barely missed A-Rod.

We discussed this earlier today. The Twittersphere confirmed much of what I had been thinking. While public opinion is against Rodriguez in general, many thought that Dempster's actions were inappropriate and went too far. An example is today's retweet, from Danielle Johansen ‏(@dannnee):

"dempster should've been warned when he threw behind arod & ejected when he hit him. no fan of the #yankees or arod, but that was bs #redsox"

Dempster said, after the game, he was just trying to pitch Rodriguez inside. Inside the crack of his butt, perhaps! C'mon, man!

Image from http://abcnews.go.com

Putting on the Hits

Every time I have written about Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez (.319, 2 HR, 6 RBI, .897 OPS) in light of the Major League Baseball Biogenesis performance enhancing drugs (P.E.D.s) investigation, I tell myself that it will be the last time for “a while”. There is no benefit in beating a dead horse. It isn’t interesting.

Yet every time I think this story is going to cool off, it takes a new twist or dramatic turn. I’ve consistently explained how much I am not a fan of the New York Yankees and never have been. I think their operational philosophy is bad for baseball and bad for sports in general.

The putrid stench of the handling of the Biogenesis investigation and discipline is making a piece of me root for the Yankees to have success in 2013. That part of me is the part with a short tolerance for hypocrisy, self-righteous double-talk, and pawns being used as scapegoats. I probably will not be able to bring myself to cheer the Yankees along the way. However, if the Yankees have any measurable postseason success in this season (particularly if Rodriguez continues to play a significant role in their success), I will have a sense of gratification with the outcome when their season has concluded.

A picture says a thousand words, even if only one word is written. 1

VIGILANTE BASEBALL

The A-Rod story took another turn late last week when multiple sports media outlets revealed that a 60 Minutes report would allege that members of Rodriguez’s “inner circle” leaked information to Yahoo! Sports implicating Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers and teammate Francisco Cervelli in the Biogenesis flap in February, when the spotlight shone heavily on Rodriguez’s involvement. In essence, A-Rod was accused of ratting out his peers to deflect attention from his role in the scandal, taboo in any fraternity of any kind in any organization.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Ryan Dempster (6-9, 4.77 ERA) was the starting pitcher in last night’s rubber match against the Yankees at Fenway Park. Rodriguez came up to bat in the second inning. Demspter threw a pitch behind Rodriguez’s back followed by two pitches way inside that forced Rodriguez to move to avoid being hit. On a 3-0 count, Dempster release a pitch that drilled A-Rod in the back. The attempt to hit Rodriguez could not have been more blatantly obvious to anyone with a baseball I.Q. greater than that of a raisin.

Rodriguez's girlfriend: Rebeca Yunen Finke: "Why you gotta hate?" Again, A-Rod is having the last laugh. 4

At this point, all but the most vitriolic of anti-A-Rod fans, in my opinion, should have been able to empathize with Rodriguez had he charged the pitcher’s mound and served Dempster a fresh knuckle sandwich. Dempster took it upon himself to police the game, which is traditional in baseball, and made his intentions crystal clear by making four consecutive over-the-top, obvious attempts to hit Rodriguez with the ball. Dempster should have been ejected on the spot.

Was Dempster ejected? No. What happened? Umpire Brian O’Nora issued a warning to both benches, essentially saying the next incident would result in an ejection (meaning the Yankees could not return the favor – also traditional in baseball). Yankees Manager Joe Girardi was beside himself, vaulted from the dugout to argue O’Nora’s handling of the situation, and then O’Nora ejected Girardi.

I am sure Girardi thought, “Let me get this straight. Their pitcher deliberately hits my player. You warn OUR bench and throw ME out of the game? Somebody’s getting hit.” On his way to the Yankees clubhouse, his lips could clearly be read saying, “Somebody’s getting hit!”

You be the judge.

KARMA

Rodriguez didn’t charge the mound. The Yankees’ bench didn’t empty. Instead, Rodriguez would go on to score the first run of the game. A-Rod would later drive in a run and then hit a home run off Dempster to spark a Yankees comeback in the 6^th inning. New York would go on to win the game, 9-6.

I’ve read about how egg is a great source of protein for athletes, but I thought it was supposed to be eaten, not smeared on one’s face. Ryan Dempster was brought in via free agency to help the Red Sox make a serious push in a very tight American League pennant race. He is underachieving relative to last season and his career. His season has been in a tailspin since the All-Star break.

So what do you do to help your career? What do you do to help your team, only one game ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays in the A.L. East at a time of the season in which the significance of the outcome of every game is magnified? You walk a leadoff runner in a manner so blatant that you are all but certain to be suspended for five games (meaning you miss your next start and your team needs to find a less desirable replacement). Why? You’re choosing now, in the middle of August on national television, to be the sheriff of Major League Baseball.

But wait! There’s more! So now you’ve pissed off one of the best power hitters in the history of the game and given his team, which was dead in the water two weeks ago but is now surging in part because of that hitter, a rallying point…you fire up your archrival. What does he do? Goes 3 for 4, makes a jackass out of you by getting an RBI at your expense followed by a homerun that gets them back in the game and gets you pulled out of the game. You go on to get the loss and your slim division lead gets slimmer. Bravo! Nice going! Cue in the “sports movie slow clap” for a job well done!

It's deep and I don't think it's playable. Dempster sure taught A-Rod a thing or two! 2

 

WHAT COMES OUT OF THE SOUTH END OF A NORTH BOUND BULL

I’m glad Dempster’s antics blew up in his face and the Red Sox faces. I’m glad Rodriguez had the last laugh and proverbially danced on Boston’s grave yesterday. I’m glad that every new development in this story looks worse and worse for Major League Baseball and its interests in the public eye.

Depmster isn’t holding up his end of the bargain when the Red Sox signed him for $27 million for two years. He decided to be a champion for the integrity of baseball. Because, of course, no Red Sox player ever juiced.  

Major League Baseball reaped the benefits of juiced up players bashing out homeruns at unprecedented rates in the late 1990s and re-engaging the fans it turned off in the strike-shortened, conclusion-less season of 1994 with a more exciting, higher scoring offensive brand of baseball. MLB decided to make a scapegoat out of its least likable, most polarizing, and most overpaid superstar whose contract is an albatross on its most storied franchise in its biggest market.

The Yankees enjoy an oppressive competitive advantage over most other Major League Baseball teams because of its relatively limitless ability to spend money on player salaries and the absence of a salary cap in baseball. They knew they would be over paying Alex Rodriguez on the back end of a 10 year, $250 million contract extension to which they signed Rodriguez, taking effect following his American League Most Valuable Player award winning season of 2007. They knew that the salary they were offering Rodriguez would make it impossible for any other team to compete for his services because they were overpaying him.

Some call this "funny". I call it "a motive". 3

YOU MADE YOUR BED, NOW LIE IN IT

The Yankees thought they were getting a company man whose reputation would remain squeaky clean for the remainder of his career. They thought they were getting a player who, even on the decline, would surpass Barry Bonds’ record of 762 career home runs and do it in a Yankee uniform without the taint of P.E.D.s. Their deep pockets and fiscal bullying in free agency saddled them with possibly the worst value for a player’s contract in the history of American sports.     

MLB brought the hammer to 12 other first-offender players tied to Biogenesis and then attempted launch a nuke on Rodriguez for the same first offense, justifying the attempt at the augmented punishment with claims of aggravating factors.  Rodriguez is still playing. He is playing so well that his contribution is impacting the pennant race and rejuvenating a team that was left for dead before his return. He has embarrassed every entity that has attempted to profit from his P.E.D. ties and controversial image.

Dempster? Embarrassed…. The Red Sox? Embarrassed…. Yankees GM Brian Cashman, who is dying to find any avenue to weasel out of some or all of Rodriguez’s contract? Embarrassed almost weekly…. Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig? Embarrassed almost daily….

You get out what you put in. Something has stunk from the beginning of the Biogenesis/Alex Rodriguez witch hunt. It appears that MLB is completely full of crap.

I don't see too many signs like this for Bud Selig or Brian Cashman at MLB parks. Don't hate the player; hate the game. 5

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MLB Trade Deadline Power Moves

The Major League Baseball trade deadline has passed and, my goodness, was there some playoff jockeying that took place. The trades were the best in the west. Here is the Hat Trick’s summary of the high impact, pre trade deadline transactions.


Zack Greinke (9-4, 3.39 ERA, 130 Ks) – SP, Los Angeles Angels

Acquired from: Milwaukee Brewers
Traded away: Ariel Pena – SP, John Hellweg – RP, Jean Segura – SS

The Brewers have been going nowhere fast this season, in light of the defection of Prince Fielder to the Detroit Tigers via free agency. Greinke is in the final year of his contract, with a $13 million 2012 salary.

The two pitchers received in the trade have mowed opponents down in their minor league careers. Segura, a rookie, was a five tool standout as a minor leaguer. Plenty of upside….

Meanwhile the Angels starting pitching rotation just got STOUT! A solid rotation featuring Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson just became the playoff rotation of steel with the addition of the former Cy Young winner. While still three games back of the first place Texas Rangers, the Angels just jumped into the A.L. West’s driver’s seat. In addition, Greinke is young enough and Los Angeles is a market that is big enough to where the Angels could make a run to sign Greinke after this season.

This deal was a win-win.

Hat Trick Grade, Brewers: A+
Hat Trick Grade, Angels A+

The Angels, like Greinke's fastball, are on fire. 1

Ryan Dempster (5-5, 2.25 ERA) – SP, Texas Rangers

Acquired from: Chicago Cubs
Traded away: Christian Villanueva – 3B, Kyle Hendricks – SP

Contract years can do interesting things to a player’s performance. I don’t think there are many Cubs fans who feel like Dempster truly played up to his 4 year/$52 million contract until the final year of his contract ($14M salary). Now the Cubs get to recoup some of their losses.

Dempster has been a good, quality starter in Chicago, but not a clear cut eight figure salary starter, until now. This year, Dempster was a legitimate National League Cy Young Award candidate prior to being traded to the American League. With an opportunity to help the Rangers reach a third straight World Series and his contract expiring, I think Dempster will take it.

The Cubs are abominable, as evidenced by the fact that they have a starter with a sub 2.50 ERA over 100 innings pitched, but without enough run support to help him earn more than a .500 win-loss record. I question whether or not Christian Villanueva will ever see Wrigley Field without a ticket or a tray of cotton candy. However, Kyle Hendricks has demonstrated crazy control and absolutely dominated this past season in the minor leagues.

Theo Epstien is a shrewd, smart GM who knows how to spot potential. He may have hit the prospect lottery with Hendricks. Time will tell.

The Rangers, on the other hand, may have saved their season in acquiring Dempster, particularly in light of the Greinke acquisition by the Angels. With all due respect to Matt Harrison they were badly in need of bona fide ace in the rotation – a guy you expect to start a Game 1 in a playoff series.

Hat Trick Grade, Cubs: B
Hat Trick Grade, Rangers B+

At least he wil have something worth watching on his off days. 2

Francisco Liriano (3-13, 5.18 ERA, 117 Ks) – SP, Chicago White Sox

Acquired from: Minnesota Twins
Traded away: Eduardo Escobar – 3B, Pedro Hernandez – SP

A change of scenery can do anyone good and there are fewer scenes in MLB bleaker than in Minnesota this season. The White Sox, on the other hand, need a boost in their rotation if they are to hold their lead in the American League Central over the surging Detroit Tigers. To call Phillip Humber a liability in the rotation would be a compliment and to call Gavin Floyd inconsistent or an underachiever this season would be accurate.

Liriano’s 2012 stats are a little misleading. His win loss record is as much of a reflection of the putrid play of his team as it is Liriano’s extraordinarily horrendous play in the month of April. Liriano has, more or less, looked like the reliable, ace-caliber starter he has been for the Twins since then. With 117 strikeouts, he has not lost his gas when in need of a punch out.

The Twins did not receive much in return. Neither of the players they received in the trade were particularly outstanding at the AAA level or greater, but both demonstrated enough potential for the White Sox to call them up to the majors.

Hat Trick Grade, Twins: C
Hat Trick Grade, White Sox: B-

"Finally! A chance to win! More than once a month...!" 3

Hanley Ramirez (.246, 15 HR, 56 RBI) – SS, Los Angeles Dodgers

Acquired from: Miami Marlins
Traded away: Scott McGough – RP, Nathan Eovaldi – SP

This is a bit of a gamble by the Dodgers. The Dodgers are gambling that a change of scenery for Ramirez, the 2009 National League batting champion, will be worth the excess of $30,000,000 in salary he is due over the remainder of his contract, running through 2014. The Marlins were happy to part ways with Ramirez (and his salary) and the feeling was mutual.

Ramirez, whether he is hitting well or not, has good discipline at the plate and is a threat to be in scoring position every time he can reach base. His power won’t put the fear of the Lord into opposing pitchers, but has to be respected. In addition, the Dodgers received seasoned veteran reliever Randy Choate, who could be valuable in certain situations down the stretch and into the playoffs.

The Marlins achieved “addition by subtraction” in this trade. Rookie Nathan Evoldi has potential as a major league starter and Scott McGough has shown good control and the ability to fool batters in the minor leagues. But the most appealing trait of these two prospects is what the Marlins do not have to pay them.

Hat Trick Grade, Marlins: C-
Hat Trick Grade, Dodgers: B+

Han Ram to the Marlins: "See ya later, suckahs!" 4

Shane Victorino (.261, 9 HR, 40 RBI) – OF, Los Angeles Dodgers

Acquired from: Philadelphia Phillies
Traded away: Ethan Martin – SP, Josh Lindblom – RP

The Flyin’ Hawaiian will finally suit up for the team that drafted him back in 1999. The Phillies officially threw in the towel when they conducted their fire sale prior to the trade deadline. The Dodgers were first in line.

Victorino will give the Dodgers a capable bat with some pop and the ability to stretch one base into extra bases, either while the ball is in play or via the stolen base. His steady bat was badly needed in the Dodgers lineup, heading into October.

The Phillies didn’t just get Victorino off of the books, however. Josh Lindblom, a rookie, has shown enormous potential in limited appearances out of the Dodgers bullpen. He has to stop serving up the deep ball, however, to succeed, long term, in the majors. The Dodgers have made it clear that they are willing to pay a premium price for a real chance to win the National League pennant for the first time in 24 years. Not next year…now!

Hat Trick Grade, Phillies: C+
Hat Trick Grade, Dodgers: B

Victorino is finally where the baseball draft gods intended him to be. 5

Hunter Pence (.271, 17 HR, 59 RBI) – RF, San Francisco Giants

Acquired from: Philadelphia Phillies
Traded away: Seth Rosin – RP, Tommy Joseph – C, Nate Schierholtz – RF

San Francisco was desperate for an all around offensive threat and they landed one in Pence for the remainder of this season. Pence has it all – hitting for contact, power, clutch situations and is capable of drawing a walk. The Giants have absolutely lacked power and run production in key moments.

In addition, while the Giants gave up a talented prospect in catcher Tommy Joseph, they have no need at the position with young star Buster Posey on the roster. This is a big move for the Giants in their tit-for-tat battle for the N.L. West with the Dodgers.

Hat Trick Grade, Phillies: C
Hat Trick Grade, Giants: B

"So long Philly! I'll be taking my Playmate wife with me." 6

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The Daily Hat Trick is sponsored by Sports N Stuff. For great deals on jerseys, shirts, cologne, and other guy stuff, visit http://www.sportsnstuff.biz/.

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