Luetge traded to Braves

Lucas Luetge, DFA’d by the Yankees last week to make room on the roster for Tommy Kahnle, was traded to the Braves yesterday for a couple of minor leaguers.

Luetge spent two seasons with the Yankees, going 4-2, 2.74 in 2021 and 4-4, 2.67 in 2022. Luetge turns 36 next spring. He did not appear in any postseason games for the Yanks.

A baseball passing: Fred Valentine, an OF who played for the Orioles (1959, 1963), Senators (1964-1968) and Orioles again (1968) passed away, age 87, on December 26. The switch-hitter’s best season came in 1966, when he hit .276-16-59 and stole 22 bases. OPS+ 131. He finished 21st in MVP voting that season. For his career, in 533 games, he hit .247 with 36 HR. His 162-game average was .247-11-42, 14 SB and an OPS+ of 106.

Boston wins WS

For the third time this century, Boston won the WS. It was the first time they won the clincher at home since 1918. David Ortiz was named WS MVP.

They can thank the Dodgers for that deal that took $250MM off the payroll and allowed Boston to restructure their team. You have to give them credit, they brought in the right players and manager this time around.

After going 69-93 and coming in last in 2012, Boston wins the World Series in 2013. I would guess that doesn’t make Bobby V feel any better.

S.T. Gm 20. Yanks/Boston tie. Chipper to retire

Before I get to the game post, a tip of the cap to Chipper Jones. The career-long Brave and 1999 NL MVP decided to call it quits after this season. He enters the season with 454 HR and a .304 batting average. One of the top 10 3B (and yes, he spent some time in LF) of all-time. Probably top-five.

The Yanks blew a 4-0 lead tonight and ended up in a 4-4 tie with Boston on a game televised by ESPN. There was a lot to like, but when they say a tie is like kissing your sister, then what is a tie with Boston? Far worse.

The good part: Adam Warren and Dellin Betances, both ticketed for the AAA rotation, combined for seven shutout, two-hit innings—mostly against Boston’s A lineup.

Warren 4 IP, 0 R, 2 h, 0 walks and 3 K.
Betances 3 IP, 0R, 0 h, 3 walks (control issues) and 4 K.

The Yanks got two in the fourth on an RBI triple by Granderson followed by a single by Jones.

Doug Bernier (2 hits and a great defensive play tonight) had a two-run single in the fourth.

Cory Wade spoiled the great effort by the youngsters. In 2/3 of an inning, he gave up 3 R, 4 hits, 0 walks, 0 K.

Juan Cedeno went 1/3. 1 R, 1 H, 0 walks and a K.

Kontos 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 walks, 2 K.

From Lohud:

Besides the great job by Warren & Betances tonight, David Phelps — who was supposed to start this game before his wife went into labor — has pitched 7.2 innings without an earned run this spring. D.J. Mitchell has a 0.89 WHIP and 1.00 ERA. The Yankees upper-level pitching prospects have each made strong impressions this spring, suggesting they’re more than capable of filling a hole should this overflowing rotation need a spot starter or two.

In other words, that AAA rotation should be something else (add Banuelos to that, and maybe even Nova/Pineda—-after all the Yanks have 7 starters for 5 spots now. Even if Garcia is dealt when Pettitte is ready, someone (Hughes, Pineda or Nova) goes down).

More from LoHud:

 Tonight’s game ended in a tie because Girardi had run out of pitchers who he actually planned on pitching in this game. The Yankees had extra lower-level pitchers on the trip, but it seems Girardi didn’t want to use them. “I just said, that’s it,” Girardi said.

• Bobby Valentine wasn’t happy with Girardi for calling the game before it could go into the 10th inning. It is odd that Girardi had extra pitchers on the travel roster but chose not to use them. He said that he was worried about tomorrow’s doubleheader. “We’ve got a long day tomorrow too,” he said. “We need pitching.”

• One seemingly available pitcher was D.J. Mitchell, but the Yankees had him throw a side when it seemed there wouldn’t be enough innings for him to pitch. “We have a responsibility to build him up too,” Girardi said.

My take? Maybe Girardi could have used Mitchell, maybe not. But after Valentine suicide squeezed home the tying run in the 9th in an exhibition game, Girardi could have thought “Screw you for doing that in an exhibition game. I know you have someone warming up for the 10th, but now I’m going to screw you.” Just saying….

Um… Cough, cough. Ibanez. 0 for 3 tonight. 2 for 37 this spring. Down to .054 this spring. Um….. CC is a good hitting pitcher. I think even CC would be better than 2 for bloody 37.

March Madness. Had 12 of the Sweet 16. Tonight got Louisville over Mich. St right, Ohio St. over Cincy right (exact matchups) as well as Syracuse winning this game to advance to Elite 8 (had them over Vandy though, not Wisc.).  I couldn’t win on FLA/Marq. b/c I had Missouri winning this one.

But….12 of Sweet 16. Only one of my Elite 8 done to date. All Four Final Four teams still alive.

This may be the best year I’ve ever had picking the NCAA tournament bracket.

Update: I should add that for the Yanks to play Boston in a spring training game, that one or the other of the teams must take a 2 1/2 hour bus ride. Add a night game on top of that, and can you really be surprised that one or the other didn’t want to go extras?

Yanks have “bonding” day today

It’s a half-day workout for the Yanks today. They are taking the other half of the day off to have their outing. In past years, they went to an arcade, shot pool, or have gone bowling. It’s a day of friendship, fun, and bonding…especially for the new team members, such as Kuroda, Pineda and Ibanez, as well as the top prospects who may get a midseason callup. No word as to what the Yanks will do this year.

Meanwhile, check out this article by Mike Vaccaro of the NY Post. The same bluster that New England fans hate in Rex Ryan they have to put up with in Bobby V.

Update: I forgot to mention, best wishes to A.J. Burnett, struck in the eye by a batted ball during a bunting drill yesterday. Hopefully everything is OK. You may have wanted him gone from NY (and he is now with the Pirates) but no one wants to see anyone get hurt—especially when something like his vision could be affected. That’s scary.

Update II: Terrible luck for A.J. Burnett; out with a broken orbital bone around his right eye.

You’d think he has enough to worry about

So I am reading lately about Bobby V. taking jabs at the Yankees.

Given that he’s Boston’s manager, you wonder if he’s typical P.R. Bobby V. You also would think, at this time, he should have better things to worry about. His SS, back of the rotation, RF, that some of his players may not like his no-beer policy he laid down, that some of his players don’t particularly care for him…

Bobby V. is a decent manager. He took the Mets to a WS, won a Japanese WS. He also is known as a shameless self-promoter.

One other thing. He has managed 2189 major league games. 15 years in the bigs. 2189/162 = 13.5. He’s never won a division title. (The 2000 Mets were a wild card team).

Twice he won 90+ in a season. His career winning pct. is .510.

Now, past history is no sign of current success. After all, Girardi had the one losing season with the Marlins (who were stripped) before coming to the Yankees. Casey Stengel’s only winning seasons came with the Yankees. Terry Francona had a .440 winning pct. with the Phils before he became Boston’s manager.

It depends on the players. But considering his players were 7-20 last September, had some dissension, still don’t seem united, and the team seems to have some holes…

You’d think Bobby V. should worry about his own team.

Reyes, now Pujols?

It seems as if the Boss’s ghost has bought the Marlins. After the Bell and Reyes signings, apparently the Marlins are in on Pujols—for a 10-yr. deal. They better hope Pujols actually IS 31.

In the NFL, the Bears are wise. No interest in talking to Favre, no matter what their QB troubles are.

The Twins deal P Kevin Slowey (27) to Colorado for a PTBNL. Slowey had an awful 2011, 0-8, 6.67, ERA+ 60. Career? 39-29, 4.66, ERA+ 90. He’s 20.

Fired managers and ex-players have to love ESPN. Terry Francona replaces Bobby V in the booth for ESPN—after Bobby V replaces Francona as Boston mgr.

Rumor has P Mark Buehrle down to five teams.

The Pirates are interested in signing INF Wilson Betemit (30, KC/Det. 2011, .285-8-46, OPS+ 117, career OPS+ 105, .269 b.a.) to a deal as well as bringing back OF Nate McLouth (30).  McLouth platooned with the Braves, .228-4-16 in 2011, OPS+ 89. McLouth’s best year was in the ‘burgh in 2008, when he was an All-Star, GG, and finished 27th in MVP voting with a .276-26-94 year, 23 steals and a league-leading 46 doubles. Once dealt to Atlanta in 2010, he went south….in more ways than one.

The Cards apparently have P Kyle Lohse on the block…in order to make room for someone else? Lohse did win 14, with a 3.39 ERA, for the 2011 WS Champs.

Mets moves: Trade Angel Pagan (30, .262-7-56, 32 SB, OPS+ 93 in 2011, .279, OPS+ 101 career) to SF for Andres Torres in a trade of CF. Torres hit .221-4-19, 19 SB, 82 for SF in 2011. Alsong with Torres, the Mets get Ramon Ramirez, 30, 3-3, 2.62 in 2011. ERA+ 136. The Mets also signed Jon Rauch. The big righty (6’10”, 33) was 5-4, 4.85 for Toronto in 2011 with 11 saves but an ERA+ of just 88. Career 39-31, 3.82, ERA+ 113.

The Mets also signed Frank Francisco, 32, who along with Rauch was with Toronto in 2011. Francisco was 1-4, 3.55, ERA+ 120 with 17 saves. Career 18-19, 3.72, ERA+ 124.

Trouble brewing? Championship games?

Before even being named Boston manager, there could be trouble brewing in Beantown regarding Bobby Valentine.

Championship Games? Have you seen the lines on some of the conference championship games this weekend?

LSU by 13 1/2 over Georgia  Ok, LSU is #1
Wisconsin by 9 1/2 over Mich. St. (that’s reasonable)
Va. Tech 7 over Clemson
Houston 13 over So. Miss.

Ok… but here is the one that tops all.

Oregon 31 1/2 over UCLA.

You read that right. What UCLA at 5-7 is doing in a conference title game (probably due to USC’s suspension?) is beyond me.

31 1/2?  For a Conference Championship?

David DeJesus signed a deal with the Cubs. 2 yr., 3rd yr. option. He hit .240- 10-46, OPS+ 93 this year for the A’s. From MLB.com: DeJesus, who turns 32 next month, will earn $4.25 million each of the next two years, and the 2014 option year is for $6.5 million with a $1.5 million buyout. DeJesus, 31, is a .284 career hitter, OPS+ 106.

 

 

 

Bobby V to take Boston mgr. job

It appears that Bobby Valentine will be getting the Red Sox managerial job. Bobby V did make it to one WS—-the Subway Series of 2000, when his Mets lost to the Yanks.

So I guess beer and fried chicken are not going to be allowed, but fake moustaches are ok.

In the NFL, one firing (Jack Del Rio of Jacksonville) and two other coaches on the hot seat (Giants/Coughlin and Eagles/Reid). The Giants have had a history of fading, and have a brutal end to their schedule. They’ve gone from 6-2 to 6-5 and have the undefeated Packers next.

Meanwhile the so-called “Dream Team” (given that by backup QB Vince Young) in Philly is 4-7 and all but officially done. They played a game vs. New England on Sunday, then must fly across the country to play Seattle this Thursday night. Short turnaround, long flight. That doesn’t add up well…

So Suh gets a two-game suspension for his dirty Thanksgiving act. Good.

Back to baseball. The Phils released Scott Mathieson so that he could go play in Asia.

Jonathan Broxton signed with KC. He was just 1-2, 5.68 this past season for the Dodgers. From 2008-2010 he saved 14, 36 and 22 games. He’ll set up Soria.

Apparently C.J. Wilson has asked the Angels for $100MM. His agent wants to talk to the Yanks. The Yanks haven’t set anything up yet. The Yanks won’t go that high for what they consider a #3 starter. Besides, they have enough high contracts so as it is.

One good move. Pena to bench coach?

What a novel concept. It looks like the Yanks will have someone with managerial experience as their bench coach next year. No offense to Rob Thomson, but….(from Pete Abraham):

The Yankees appear to have finalized their coaching staff. According to Joel Sherman of the Post, Tony Pena will become the bench coach, Rob Thomson will move to third base and minor league defensive coordinator Mick Kelleher will become the first base coach. Kelleher is a former big leaguer and a former big league coach.

Should’ve done it last year. The heck with worrying whether Pena (a finalist, along with Mattingly, for the job Girardi won) will be able to work with Girardi. You do or hit the road. As for Kelleher, he was an infielder (mostly backup) for the Cards, Astros, Cards II, Cubs, Tigers and Angels from 1972-1982. .213-0-65 in 1081 AB. Yup. No Hr. OPS+ 42.

Cashman is stating that he only has two starters and is looking for two, but really, he has three as Pettitte wants back. The Yanks have to look at Andy (37 next June) as a 4 at best, and preferably a 5. 14-14, 4.54. I just wonder if he (like Mussina in 2008) has a comeback year in him….and also how much the winter of 2007-2008 with its HGH revelation hurt Andy in 2008. Will he bounce back if he has a controversy-free offseason? One year deal, though Brian. At his age and coming off the year he had, one year.

As Abraham aptly points out, the problem arises only if Mussina decides to return. Then decisions have to be made. Moose, make up your mind so the Yanks can move forward.

I don’t expect the Yanks to get Peavy in a deal. The Braves are probably the front runners. I would guess the best guess could be CC, AJ (and that’s a shaky choice with his injury history), Wang, Joba and Andy.

Abraham states that Randolph and Bobby Valentine could be finalists for the Seattle managing job.

Thanks, here’s your ring, hit the road: 3B Coach Steve Smith was dismissed by the Phils.

Rumors persist that the Tigers are looking to trade Magglio. He’ll be 35 next year. Two years less than Manny. .317-21-103 last year. OPS+ 127. 129 for the career. He’d be cheaper than Manny. Granted Manny is a free agent. It’d take a trade for Magglio. Hey, his hairstyle is just as bad. He did lead the AL is GIDP last year. Just saying.

I kind of would like Nady to stay in LF or RF, use Damon at DH and trade (even though I love him), Matsui (for Matt Cain of SF? I think nomaas.org first proposed that, but a good idea)….but that is contingent on getting another OF—a corner OF with power, and I don’t see it happening right now. Unless… but you know I don’t want Manny. Abraham states that Bora$$ wants a deal for Manny taking him to 42, like Bonds had and Alex has. JUST SAY NO, YANKS! PLEASE.

I see a possible Matsui to Seattle discussed, but for whom? (If you say Jarod Washburn, you are banned from this blog for a month). All I see are some relievers, but I think the Yanks are ok there with Melancon, Coke and Robertson emerging in 2009. With the finish Seattle had, I’d take their draft picks instead of players and WAIT and BUILD.

Interesting. This this flawed? Joel Sherman reports that the Yanks are valuing Cano like the near batting champ of 2006 rather than the dud of 2008 as far as trade bait goes. May be hard to find a bite if they dangle him.

The Red Sox have that “legends” problem the Yanks have. How to let one go. They have let a few go recently. They will have to cut the cord on Schilling, and Damon, Millar, Pedro, Nomar are gone. Now they have to decide on Varitek. Boston would like to re-sign him, but he is coming off an awful year.

I see where the Phils expect to sign the ancient (EX) Mariner, Jamie Moyer, who turns 46 in two weeks.

If after declining the option, Cashman re-signs Pavano, a revolt will ensue. The only question would be what upper deck to hang Brian from. The old one or the new one?

As for Giambi, don’t count him out. I’d expect him to go back to the A’s, but if the Yanks can’t get Teixeira, or Dunn (for 1B) or deal for a Fielder or Kotchmann, and have little options, then the big G could be back at lower cost.

Winter League Update:

Arizona: 2B Kevin Russo .359-2-9 (64 ab); Juan Miranda .333-1-7 (42); Austin Jackson .233-1-11 (73). Hughes, 1-0, 4.08, 17 2/3 IP, 19 K; Jeff Marquez, 0-1, 5.54, 13 IP; Kevin Whelan 1-0, 0.77, 11 2/3 IP, 14 K; Humberto Sanchez 0-1, 15.63 in 6 1/3 IP.

Hawaii: 2B Damon Sublett, .291-2-16 (55); Austin Romine .220-0-3 (41)
Jeremy Bleich, 2-1, 2.45, 22 K in 25 2/3 IP
Andrew Brackman, 3-3, 4.21, 27 K in 25 2/3, 13 walks.