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Re: The MLB Thread
Jorge Posada: 17 seasons, 5 titles, 1 team -- retires
by Bryan Hoch / MLB.com
NEW YORK -- It seemed appropriate that Jorge Posada's voice quivered the most when he addressed the topics of his family and his teammates. Throughout 17 summers in the big leagues, there was nothing that mattered more to him.
A five-time World Series winner who wore only Yankees pinstripes, Posada clutched at typewritten notes and choked back tears as he announced his retirement from baseball at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday morning.
"Today is a very emotional day for me," Posada said. "Ever since I was a little kid, I remember that all I wanted to do was become a Major Leaguer. I became a member of the New York Yankees, and that's all I wanted."
With a packed conference room awaiting, Posada walked through the concrete corridors of the stadium on a brisk, cloudless day in the Bronx -- the kind of beautiful tease that promises a reporting date for pitchers and catchers will be just around the corner.
But Posada will not be there, his gear now stashed with finality. The 40-year-old said that for the better part of two decades, he had entered the stadium and its predecessor by silently reciting Joe DiMaggio's iconic quote: "I want to thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee."
And now Posada leaves as one for life. Though Posada made his decision during the 2011 season, only his wife, Laura, and close friend Derek Jeter were let in on the secret, though Posada would eventually instruct his agents not to pursue offers from other teams this winter.
"I could never wear another uniform," Posada said. "Being a part of seven World Series and having five rings was something I never imagined, and being a part of it was just priceless. I will forever be a Yankee."
Flanked by his wife and two children, Jorge Jr. and Paulina, Posada said that he no longer felt the push to work out and prepare for another season and will instead enjoy spending time with his family in Miami.
"I haven't had a summer with them, so I really want to spend a summer with them -- enjoy it, have some fun with the kids," said Posada.
A five-time All-Star and five-time American League Silver Slugger Award recipient, Posada endured a trying final season in which he was told that he had lost his catching job and would have to transition to designated hitter.
"I never got the chance to fight for my job," Posada said. "That's probably the toughest thing as a human being, not being able to do your job. I felt demoted."
He clashed with management over the reduced role and eventually started losing at-bats against left-handed pitchers, but manager Joe Girardi and general manager Brian Cashman said that all is now forgiven.
"We obviously had a rough patch," Cashman said, "but we all fought through it. You can have tough times [in a career], but I think he feels that this organization truly values everything he's done for us."
Managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner said that his father, the late George M. Steinbrenner III, appreciated Posada's contributions greatly.
"My dad loved warriors, and Jorge was a warrior," Steinbrenner said. "He loved guys that worked hard, good role models. Those are the things to be a great Yankee that my dad felt were absolutely essential."
Indeed, Posada's passion and fire were lauded at Yankee Stadium, representing an intangible that the newer breed of Bombers will have to look to replace in a matter of months.
"I know how he feels, I know how much he cares," Jeter said. "That's what people are going to miss. I think that's what the fans are going to miss. You can't fake it. The fans appreciated him so much because he cared about winning, he cared about doing his job."
Posada thanked Yankees fans in particular for their support, many of whom likely recognized what he said was a driving influence learned from his father, Jorge Sr. -- a burning hatred of losing.
"My dad hated losing," Posada said. "I saw him play softball. He was so angry and couldn't sleep. I think I got that from my dad. He hated losing, hated being a part of a losing team. He was always, for me, a winner."
Posada retires as a career .273 hitter, owning 275 home runs and 1,065 RBIs. Were his home run total a bit higher, Posada said he might be wearing a uniform this spring.
"I said I was going to play another year if I had less than nine home runs to get to 300," Posada said. "Twenty five away, to stick around for two or three years to try to get this, it was just not going to happen."
Instead, Posada leaves behind a legacy that promises to generate spirited Hall of Fame discussion when his case comes up for review in five years.
The Yankees noted that of the 14 former catchers currently enshrined in the Hall of Fame, only Yogi Berra posted higher marks in all three Triple Crown categories of batting average, home runs and RBIs.
But no matter the decision regarding Cooperstown, Posada will be enshrined in franchise lore, a worthy successor to the catching legacies forged by the likes of Bill Dickey, Berra and Thurman Munson.
Diana Munson spoke in glowing terms of Posada, saying that it was his spirit that drew her back to baseball after her husband's untimely passing in a 1979 plane crash.
Posada kept words of Munson's in his locker, taping yellowing newsprint in plain sight that quoted the Yankees captain as saying the most important part of his game was defense. Diana Munson said that Posada and her husband would have been fast friends.
"I actually got to the point where I couldn't wait to get the newspaper to read the box scores," Munson said. "That's unusual. The only box scores I ever read in my life were Thurman's, but Jorge stayed very close to my heart."
Posada trails only Dickey and Berra for games caught as a Yankee, and he ranks seventh on New York's all-time list for doubles and walks (936), eighth in homers and 11th in RBIs.
Posada's departure reduces the "Core Four" to just a dynamic duo, as Posada follows a path set by Andy Pettitte's retirement 12 months prior.
Only Jeter and Mariano Rivera remain from the group that played roles in the Yankees' five World Series championships from 1996-2009, and Posada hinted that Rivera plans to retire after the '12 season -- though Posada quickly added that he doesn't believe Rivera.
"It's hard, playing with teammates like that and they're retiring -- that's telling you one thing: your time will come," Rivera said. "Bernie [Williams] and Andy and now Jorge ... it was a blessing to me to play with all these men that I love."
A 24th-round pick in the 1990 First-Year Player Draft, Posada converted to catcher from second base in 1991. It wasn't a smooth transition; Posada recalled spending too much time chasing balls to the backstop, but he ultimately developed into one of baseball's most valuable commodities -- a power-hitting catcher from both sides of the plate.
"I think he's a Hall of Famer," Girardi said. "When you look at his numbers and stack his numbers against the catchers who have been there -- what he has meant to this club and the championships -- his numbers are incredible."
Heroics on the field -- perhaps none louder than his bloop double off Pedro Martinez in Game 7 of the 2003 AL Championship Series, or no more memorable than catching David Wells' 1998 perfect game -- were just one chapter of Posada's career.
Posada said that he was thankful for having used his visibility with the Yankees to elevate research and treatment of Craniosynostosis through his foundation, having been introduced to the condition by Jorge Jr.'s ongoing battles at home.
"It's making a difference in the lives of families affected by this condition," Posada said. "Being a part of this team was key in helping me with my mission off the field."
Munson told Posada that he will go on to do "great things" in his post-baseball life, but Posada said that he does not know yet what they will be. Posada said that he has received on-air offers from ESPN, MLB Network and the YES Network, but Posada does not expect to accept any of them.
Nor is he interested -- at least, not yet -- in thinking about a future in the dugout, though Posada grinned when a fan told him that catchers make great managers.
"I don't know what's going to happen for me," Posada said. "I really don't. I know I want to be home, I want to relax, enjoy it and then see what comes."
Re: The MLB Thread
Daryle Ward suspended 50 games for amphetamine
by AP
NEW YORK (AP)—Daryle Ward, an 11-season veteran who hasn’t played in the major leagues since 2008, has been suspended for 50 games after testing positive for a banned amphetamine under the minor league testing program.
Ward spent last season in the minor league systems of the Chicago White Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks. He currently is a free agent.
The 36-year-old has a .263 career average with 90 homers and 379 RBIs for Houston (1998-02), the Los Angeles Dodgers (2003), Pittsburgh (2004-05), Washington (2006), Atlanta (2006) and the Chicago Cubs (2007-08).
In addition, free agent left-hander Dustin Richardson was suspended for 50 games for testing positive for several substances.
Each penalty will start when the player signs with a big league organization.
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That pretty much is the nail on the coffin of his career.
Re: The MLB Thread
Yoenis Cespedes can negotiate with big league teams
by Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com
Yoenis Cespedes is now a free agent.
On Wednesday, Major League Baseball sent out a notice to clubs, advising them that the Cuban outfield prospect, as a resident of the Dominican Republic, is not subject to the amateur Draft and may now sign as a free agent.
On Tuesday, Cespedes established residency in the Dominican. His representative must now unblock him, pursuant to the Office of Foreign Assets Control regulations before he can enter into a contract.
Cespedes, who just finished a stint with Aguilas Cibaenas in the Dominican Winter League, recently said the Marlins, Cubs, White Sox, Orioles, Tigers, and Indians have expressed the most interest in signing him. He is expected to command a contract greater than the one received by Cuban left-handed pitcher Aroldis Chapman, who signed a six-year, $30.25 million deal with the Reds in January 2010.
The Marlins are on record saying they believe Cespedes' best fit is in Miami, with its strong Cuban community. The club is prepared to make a substantial offer -- between four and six years -- for the power-hitting outfielder.
Marlins president David Samson once again confirmed interest in Cespedes during his weekly radio spot on The Dan LeBatard Show on 790 The Ticket. Samson added no team official spoke with Cespedes' representatives on Wednesday.
"We have not negotiated with his representatives at all," Samson said. "I believe we are able to start negotiating now. As are all the other teams. ... We'll see. We're going to try as hard as we can. With that said, there's other teams. Maybe some teams thought they were getting Prince Fielder for four years and all of a sudden, they weren't."
Reports that he is not interested in signing with the Marlins are not true, an industry source said.
Cespedes hit .333 with 33 home runs, 99 RBIs and 11 stolen bases over 90 games in Cuba during the 2010-11 season, and many believe he can be inserted into the 2012 Opening Day starting lineup for the team that signs him.
He hit .143 with one home run and 10 strikeouts in 35 at-bats for Aguilas.
Re: The MLB Thread
Although I do think Miami is the best fit for Cespedes for a variety of reasons, I think the media is being lazy with the Marlins correlation because it
s an easy write up.
The Cubs & White Sox are supposed to be big players in this as well, with the edge going to the Cubs.
But if the Marlins are set to be STUPID (not a stretch), and give Cespedes a six-year deal worth a buttload of money, then the Cubs will bow out.
If Cespedes does go to the Marlins (which ultimately I think will happen), he'll be so over-hyped down there it'll make you puke.
Re: The MLB Thread
Tim Lincecum's 2-year / $40.5 million deal includes bonuses
by Janie McCauley / AP Baseball
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)—Giants ace Tim Lincecum’s new $40.5 million, two-year deal includes a series of bonuses for winning the Cy Young and other awards.
Lincecum and San Francisco reached verbal agreement on a new contract Tuesday pending a physical, which likely will happen early next week before a formal announcement is made by the club.
Lincecum, a two-time NL Cy Young Award winner, gets a $500,000 signing bonus and salaries of $18 million this year and $22 million in 2013.
He would earn an additional $500,000 for winning his third Cy Young, $250,000 for second place, $100,000 for third, $75,000 for fourth and $50,000 for fifth. If he wins the Cy Young in 2012, the bonus for winning again in 2013 would increase to $1 million.
Lincecum also would make $250,000 for being voted NL MVP, $150,000 for being the runner-up, $100,000 for third, $75,000 for fourth and $50,000 for fifth. He would receive a $100,000 bonus if picked to the All-Star game and $50,000 for a Gold Glove.
Lincecum had asked for a near-record $21.5 million in salary arbitration and had been offered $17 million by the Giants. He remains eligible for free agency following the 2013 season.
The 27-year-old right-hander, the winning pitcher in the Game 5 World Series clincher at Texas in 2010, earned $13.1 million last season when he finished a two-year deal worth $23.2 million.
When the sides exchanged numbers last Tuesday, Lincecum’s request neared the record amount sought in arbitration. Houston pitcher Roger Clemens asked for $22 million in 2005.
San Francisco’s offer was the highest in arbitration history, topping the $14.25 million the New York Yankees proposed for shortstop Derek Jeter in 2001.
Lincecum—the 10th overall draft pick out of Washington in 2006—has been an All-Star in each of the past four seasons. He went 13-14 with a 2.74 ERA last year for his first losing record. The Giants scored no runs while he was in the game in seven of 33 starts, had one run six times and two runs five times, according to STATS LLC.
Re: The MLB Thread
Although I do think Miami is the best fit for Cespedes for a variety of reasons, I think the media is being lazy with the Marlins correlation because it
s an easy write up.The Cubs & White Sox are supposed to be big players in this as well, with the edge going to the Cubs.
But if the Marlins are set to be STUPID (not a stretch), and give Cespedes a six-year deal worth a buttload of money, then the Cubs will bow out.
If Cespedes does go to the Marlins (which ultimately I think will happen), he'll be so over-hyped down there it'll make you puke.
Didn't Cespedes himself say the Cubs were his most aggressive suitor a few days ago? He's kinda old (26) and expected to spend at least one year in the minors. I'd pay him accordingly but wouldn't overpay.
On the rumor mill, the Rangers are the favorite to sign Roy Oswalt to a one year deal. I'm not sure I can name all their starting pitchers at this point. They can probably just trade the extra guy to fill needs in July.
Boston is more interested in Edwin Jackson at a one year deal, which makes sense. He isn't exactly top of the rotation guy but he does have value as a starting pitcher.
Lincecum will be the top FA pitcher after 2013. The Giants will find it easier to sign Matt Cain to an extension and let Lincecum walk.
And Miguel Cabrera is supposed to be moving back to 3b this season. I'm not sure how that will work out since he's gained quite a few pounds since he last played the position. I guess Bonilla did it for the Marlins in 1997 after not playing the position for a while. The Tigers also have some pitchers who can rack up some K's which will help.
Re: The MLB Thread
I'm not a big Edwin Jackson fan. The guy is about as inconsistent as they come. I wouldn't be surprised, or upset, if the Red Sox held off and see how things go. I think they could do better.
I saw that about Cabrera too, but why would he have to move to 3rd THIS season? With V-Mart out for the year there's a need at DH. So he and Fielder could rotate. Why weaken yourself in the field if you don't have to?
Re: The MLB Thread
Yeah I don't understand that either. Why isn't Miggy just being moved to DH? Inge is pissed right now because he's being bumped to keep Cabrera on the field which is just bizarre to me. I don't really know what they're doing unless they're looking to dump Inge. I don't see why Fielder at 1B, Inge at 3B, and Cabrera at DH isn't the move to make.
UNLESS, the Tigers have the full expectation of moving Cabrera to 3B later in the year or next year when V-Mart comes back to DH, and they don't want Cabrera spending an entire season on the bench getting fatter and rustier in the field if they have the intentions of putting V-Mart back at DH.
My only guess.
Re: The MLB Thread
Axlin12 wrote:Although I do think Miami is the best fit for Cespedes for a variety of reasons, I think the media is being lazy with the Marlins correlation because it
s an easy write up.The Cubs & White Sox are supposed to be big players in this as well, with the edge going to the Cubs.
But if the Marlins are set to be STUPID (not a stretch), and give Cespedes a six-year deal worth a buttload of money, then the Cubs will bow out.
If Cespedes does go to the Marlins (which ultimately I think will happen), he'll be so over-hyped down there it'll make you puke.
Didn't Cespedes himself say the Cubs were his most aggressive suitor a few days ago? He's kinda old (26) and expected to spend at least one year in the minors. I'd pay him accordingly but wouldn't overpay.
On the rumor mill, the Rangers are the favorite to sign Roy Oswalt to a one year deal. I'm not sure I can name all their starting pitchers at this point. They can probably just trade the extra guy to fill needs in July.
Boston is more interested in Edwin Jackson at a one year deal, which makes sense. He isn't exactly top of the rotation guy but he does have value as a starting pitcher.
Lincecum will be the top FA pitcher after 2013. The Giants will find it easier to sign Matt Cain to an extension and let Lincecum walk.
And Miguel Cabrera is supposed to be moving back to 3b this season. I'm not sure how that will work out since he's gained quite a few pounds since he last played the position. I guess Bonilla did it for the Marlins in 1997 after not playing the position for a while. The Tigers also have some pitchers who can rack up some K's which will help.
Cespedes isn't gonna spend a year in the minors if he goes to the Cubs. Not gonna happen. If the Cubs sign Cespedes he'll either be plugged in immediately, or he'll spend the first few months in the minors getting full-time swings until the Cubs finally move Soriano, and/or shift DeJesus to the "4th outfielder" he is. Reed Johnson has always been a bench/situational guy.
Marlon Byrd is supposed to be traded mid-season, or that's the plan, then Brett Jackson will be brought up to be full-time CF.
So if the Cubs get Cespedes he's not gonna be out of the MLB for long. The Cubs have literally NO expectations going into this season, they're playing a AAA first basemen, a flame out Rockies reject at third, and trying their damndest to get rid of Soriano & Byrd.
Cespedes is 26. If he's a Cub, the only thing that might stand in his way is Soriano and a crowded outfielder bench, but Theo/Sveum would have no problem letting Yoenis "find himself" against MLB pitching all year long as the Cubs are in last place. They have no intention of competing this year.
As for Cespedes himself, I think it would be interesting watching him kinda see where he's at against MLB pitching full-time in June/July.
I personally think the guy is overrated a bit. They're calling him "five tool", but he reminds me alot of Juan Gonzalez. A real line-drive power threat, and not much more.
If Cespedes goes to the Marlins, then you're right he'll probably spend a year in the minors, maybe making a big splash at the September call ups. The Marlins are actually trying to compete in the NL East, and their outfield is already set with talent. Unless they decide to make Bonafacio at ultility outfielder again, and make Cespedes the full-time CF and promote the whole Cuban/Latin heritage thing.
Re: The MLB Thread
Prince Fielder introduced by Detroit Tigers
by Noah Trister / AP Sports
DETROIT (AP)—Saying “dreams come true,” Prince Fielder was introduced Thursday by the Detroit Tigers.
Fielder appeared at a news conference at Comerica Park after finalizing a $214 million, nine-year contract, the fourth-largest deal in baseball history.
“This is awesome,” Fielder said. “I just never thought this could happen.”
With Detroit desperate to win its first World Series title since 1984, the big first baseman will combine with Miguel Cabrera to give the Tigers perhaps the most formidable Nos. 3-4 hitters in the major leagues. But with Cabrera shifting to third, it also will give Detroit a potentially troublesome defense at the infield corners.
Fielder was seated at a dais along with owner Mike Ilitch, manager Jim Leyland, GM Dave Dombrowski and agent Scott Boras.
Dombrowski called it “a very exciting time for this city” as Fielder was given his Tigers jersey.
Ilitch recalled how Prince Fielder used to hang around Tiger Stadium whether his father Cecil played for Detroit,
“He was marked to be a major league baseball player,” Ilitch said.
Ilitch said discussions began after the Tigers learned that Victor Martinez will miss most or all of the season because of a knee injury sustained during offseason workouts.
Leyland said Brandon Inge, who is being displaced because of Fielder’s arrival caused Cabrera’s move to third, “isn’t the happiest camper.” Leyland also said he thought Cabrera was capable of handling defensive duties at third.
Fielder will earn $23 million in each of his first two years with Detroit, then will make $24 million annually in the final seven seasons of his $214 million, nine-year contract, according to terms obtained by The Associated Press.
That contrasts with Albert Pujols’ backloaded $240 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels, agreed to last month.
Pujols gets $12 million this year and $16 million in 2013, with the salary increasing to $23 million in 2014 and then rising $1 million annually.
Detroit announced the deal Thursday, and scheduled a news conference later in the day.
Fielder would get an additional $500,000 if he’s the AL MVP, $200,000 if he’s second through fifth and $100,000 if he’s sixth through 10th. For each MVP he wins after the first, he would get $1 million.
He also would get $100,000 if he’s an All-Star starter and $50,000 if he’s a reserve, or alternatively $100,000 if he’s a Baseball America or Sporting News postseason All-Star. He also would receive $100,000 for a Gold Glove, $100,000 for a Silver Slugger, $100,000 for the Hank Aaron Award, $150,000 for league championship series MVP and $200,000 for World Series MVP.
In addition, he gets a hotel suite on the road.
Fielder made $15.7 million in his final season with the Brewers. He had a $15.5 million base salary and earned $100,000 for finishing third in NL MVP voting, $50,000 for starting the All-Star game and $50,000 for a Silver Slugger award.
This is the fourth $200 million contract in baseball history, following Alex Rodriguez’s $275 million, 10-year contract with the New York Yankees, A-Rod’s $252 million, 10-year deal with Texas and Pujols’ agreement with the Angels.
Among current players, Fielder’s $23.78 million average salary is behind only A-Rod ($27.5 million), Ryan Howard ($25 million), and Cliff Lee and Pujols ($24 million each).
