Wednesday, July 27, 2005
A LOOK AT THE NEW YORK DAILIES
Good morning everyone! A little something different today. I went to a few of the New York newspapers and read their articles to see if there was anything wildly different about their articles or their writing styles. I don't think that I really found anything. The main difference is the sheer quantity of reporters. But there were a few interesting articles that I think you'll enjoy. Then I've got two days worth of minor league updates, a couple of Twins thoughts and a few other thoughts and links. So, enjoy, and have a great day!
I am always intrigued by the New York media. We hear so much about it and what it can do to a player. We see Joe Torre surrounded by microphones and cameras and writers with notepads. So, what do they write about? Let's take a look at a few articles in different New York papers and see what they have to say about their beloved Yankees and other topics.
From the New York Daily News, an article entitled Bombers Deal with Deadline: Yanks Wonder Who's Going:
From a caption: "Robinson Cano seems above trade talk but he remains the most in-demand Yankee."
The fundamental difference between the Yankees and the Twins. If the Twins had a 22 year old second baseman who, in 70 games, was hitting .303/.320/.482, they would think a couple of things. First, they would be thrilled because it would be the best second baseman that the Twins have had since Chuck Knoblauch a decade ago. But secondly, and probably more importantly, they would realize that Cano would be their second baseman for at least the next six years before entering free agency. That is a guy the Twins love to hold onto. That is a guy that the Yankees use as a chip in order to trade for a veteran who may spend the next year or two with them and cost them a lot of money who may or may not be productive anymore. The article names players like Randy Winn, Ron Villone and Gil Meche from Seattle.
From the same article:
GM Brian Cashman has stated he would not recommend trading his top young players. On the major league level that means Robinson Cano, who has drawn the most attention from other teams, but it also includes several minor leaguers that the Yankees would like to keep (third baseman Eric Duncan and pitchers Sean Henn and Philip Hughes among them)
I will believe that when I see it. I believe that Brian Cashman is a relatively smart man. Cano and Duncan are really the only big-time prospects the Yankees have, especially now that Chien-Ming Wang is injured and possibly facing surgery. Those are guys that should be kept and helped to build around. With A-Rod around, Duncan's future may be as the next Yankees first baseman. Now, if George Steinbrenner decides that he wants a certain player, believe me, these names will be traded. And you know what? I think that's great because it just will make the Yankees organization older and weaker.
How about this sentence from the same article?
The Bombers also have looked at Cleveland center fielder Grady Sizemore.
So is every team, but I would eat a shoe if the Indians traded Sizemore. Sizemore nearly made the AL All-Star team in his first full season in the big leagues. He is just 22, and a five-tool type player who covers a lot of space in center field. Every team would love to trade for him, but with the Indians plan of the past three or four years, there is no way they would trade Sizemore.
From the Daily News' columnist John Harper on the Twins. We know that the New York media loves getting quotes from Torii Hunter, and Hunter is happy to oblige:
In fact, the Twins are so desperate that they were heartbroken when they failed to land third baseman Joe Randa, losing out on him when the Reds traded him to the Padres on Saturday.
"That disappointed me," center fielder Torii Hunter said after the Twins lost three of five to the Tigers over the weekend. "We want another hitter."
"We need some punch." said Gardenhire.
Were they really that disappointed? I mean, we are still talking about Joe Randa. Sure, he is better than Bret Boone, but he's not a cure-all. He would not add punch. He's a full-out 'punch and judy' hitter. That isn't what the Twins need.
From the same column:
Hunter, the team's leader, felt losing Koskie was a huge blow, and seems to feel his current team is missing more than some numbers.
"It's a different ballclub," Hunter told the St. Paul Pioneer Press recently. "I know my team, and I know who has heart and who has the desire to work. And I see it. They (management) don't ask me, so I don't say nothing."
I actually agree with a couple of these statements. First, Torii may sound arrogant in his statement, but it is clear that he is the team's leader, and it is his team. But secondly, even though Corey Koskie is oft-injured and did not hit for much average the past few seasons, he did provide something to the team. I know many believe that team chemistry means nothing. It does mean something and maybe Koskie would have done something to get the team going. That said, the Twins should absolutely not do as Sid Hartman suggested and bring back Koskie. That would not make sense.
Here is a very interesting article in the New York Post on Gary Sheffield and how when he got married to singer Deleon in 1999, he quick drinking and says he has become a better person and player.
Speaking of trades for the Yankees, they are calling this "crisis" time for their pitching staff. They have to make a trade because of all of their injuries in their rotation (Pavano, Wright, Brown and Wang). This article from Newsday, Looks Like Slim Pickings, gives the following names as pitchers the Yankees are considering; obviously AJ Burnett, but the Yankees don't have enough to get him. Mark Redman. Cleveland's Kevin Millwood. Colorado's Shawn Chacon. Pittsburgh's Kip Wells. Philadelphia's Vicente Padilla. They also are prioritizing a centerfielder with Randy Winn's name seemingly on top of that list. But the article also mentioned Colorado's Eric Byrnes, Texas's Gary Matthews, and Philadelphia's Endy Chavez.
OK, pitchers... Millwood's ERA is barely over 3, so he is the best option. Shawn Chacon?? Why?!
To the outfielders, I am a big fan of Gary Matthews, Jr., and would love to see him get a shot at a full-time gig. He has some power and plays great defense. Chavez better play good defense because he simply can not hit. But does the Yankees lineup really need more offense?
How about this article in the New York Times entitled, "Zambrano Deal Taught Mets What Not to do at Trade Deadline". Do you think? They acquired Victor Zambrano, an average at best starter to be their fifth starter for the next year or two. In exchange, they sent the Devil Rays one of the best pitching prospects in all of baseball in Scott Kazmir. Are you kidding me? That was a bad deal from the time it started. And now we hear that the Mets are trying to trade for Alfonso Soriano. The Rangers are asking for minor league outfielder Lastings Milledge and two other minor leaguers in return. Honestly, if I'm the Rangers and the Mets offer me just Milledge straight-up for Soriano, I would do it in a second! I guess we'll see if the Mets really did learn anything!
Is that enough of the New York Media? There really wasn't too much bad stuff in their today. There was some on Randy Johnson getting snippy at the media again the other day, but taht is nothing new.
Again, I am happy to be a Twins fan where winning a World Series would be incredible and a treat, not just an expectation. I like that it is ok for the media to be nice. That's not to say that Patrick Reusse or even Jim Souhan can't write something a little controversial in a column, but there just aren't as many writers.
If you have any thoughts, please e-mail me.
I think that it is fair to say that Randy Johnson won that game last night for the Yankees. He gave up just two hits over eight innings of shutout ball as the Yankees beat the Twins 4-0. Brad Radke was the hard-luck loser yet again. He really worked hard to get himself out of some tough jams and gave up just two runs over six innings. Jesse Crain is credited with allowing the other two runs. Of course, he allowed a perfect bunt single by Derek Jeter which was followed by a soft, looping liner to left field. Crain did walk one then. But then JC Romero came in and did what he did best. He struck out Jason Giambi after allowing Hideki Matsui to single in two inherited runners.
The offense has been pathetic enough on its own, but a lot of credit belongs to Randy Johnson. He wasn't throwing as hard as we have seen him throw in the past, but he did have excellent control and a very tough slider working most of the game. What are the odds that Juan Castro would be the one to break up a Randy Johnson no-hitter. The lefty-righty matchups don't really seem to matter to Johnson. He'll strike out anyone! He had 11 strikeouts including Torii Hunter three times and Shannon Stewart and Joe Mauer twice each.
Although his ERA fell to 3.88, his record also fell to 6-10. His past three starts have been great and he has nothing to show for them.
And the time may have come to say, "Hey Bret, thanks for playing with us, but we are going to go with Michael Cuddyer or Luis Rodriguez as our every day second baseman and would encourage you to retire!"
My sympathies go out to my sister and the rest of the female population in Minnesota. Marney Gellner announced during the game that Michael Cuddyer had proposed to his girlfriend last night and she accepted.
Tonight it will be Al Leiter against Johan Santana. It is time for Santana to final step up. On the big stage of New York would be perfect, but Santana let us get our hopes up and he has not yet produced like we know he is capable of doing. Leiter was traded to the Yankees from Florida after they designated him for assignment. He had a solid first start, but he got roughed up in his last outing.
Do you have any thoughts on the Twins, the Angels, the Orioles or anything baseball. Feel free to e-mail me.
ROCHESTER REDWINGS
Monday - REDWINGS 14, Durham 12 - Boof Bonser gave up eight runs on ten hits in five innings... and got the win to improve to 9-6. I think it is fair to say that the offense picked him up in this game. Luis Maza led the offense by going 3-5 with his third home run ad three RBI. Brent Abernathy and Jason Bartlett were each 3-5. Garrett Jones went 2-4 with a walk and his 18th home run. Rob Bowen went 2-3 with a walk and his fifth homer.
Tuesday - REDWINGS 2, Charlotte 7 - David Gassner's outing was brief In just three innings, he allowed four runs on seven hits and two walks. Ricky Barrett came in and threw two shutout innings. Jason Miller gave up three unearned runs in his two innings before Beau Kemp pitched two scoreless innings. Garrett Jones went 2-4 with a double. The Redwings managed just seven hits on the game.
NEW BRITAIN ROCKCATS
Monday - ROCKCATS 7, Portland 5 - Jim Abbott improved to 5-2 with a five innings performance in which he gave up four runs. He did strike out six. Justin Olson pitched a scoreless inning. Daylon Childress gave up a run in an inning. Pat Neshek then came in to pitch two shutout innings for his 16th save. Denard Span set the table for the offense by going 3-4. Danny Matienzo was 2-4 with his 28th double. Alex Romero was 2-4. Doug Deeds hit his 12th home run.
Tuesday - ROCKCATS 9, Portland 4 - Control has been the concern for Glen Perkins in his brief time with the Rockcats. Yesterday, he found it. He gave up two runs on seven hits in seven innings. But he walked none and struck out six in the win. Doug Deeds led the offense with a 3-5 day. He hit his 27th double, his 13th home run and drove in three runs. Denard Span was 2-4 with a double and his sixth stolen base. Gil Velazquez and Alex Romero were each 2-5. Gabby Torres was 2-4. Danny Matienzo went 1-2 and walked three times.
FT MYERS MIRACLE
Monday - MIRACLE, Vero Beach - Rained Out.
Tuesday - Game 1 - MIRACLE 5, Vero Beach 2 - Justin Jones continues to impress since his return to action. Yesterday, he threw the complete game (7 innings in a doubleheader) and gave up two runs. He allowed 12 hits, but he walked just one and struck out nine. He is now 4-1 with a 3.09 ERA. Matt Tolbert led the offense by going 3-3 with his 14th double, a walk and two RBI. Trent Oeltjen went 2-3 with a walk and two stolen bases (17).
Tuesday - Game 2 - MIRACLE , Vero Beach - Game 2 did not go so well against for the Miracle. Tristan Crawford started and gave up four runs on six hits and three walks in 2.2 innings. Then Jay Sawatski came in and gave up six runs on six hits and a walk. Ouch! Then Peter Tautor came in, didn't get an out, gave up three hits and three walks for five runs. Chris Schutt went 1.1 scoreless innings. And then infielder Angelo Fermin got to pitch an inning and didn't give up a run.
BELOIT SNAPPERS
Monday - SNAPPERS 3, South Bend 4 - Kyle Aselton has done well as a starter his past two outings. In five innings, , he gave up a run on just one hit and three walks. He struck out an impressive eight batters. He was followed by Jose Mijares who threw two shutout innings. JP Martinez blew the save by giving up two in the eight. Then Josh Hill gave up the losing run with two outs in the ninth. Luke Hughes went 2-4 with his seventh home run. Johnny Woodard went 2-4. Jeremy Pickrel hit his ninth home run.
Tuesday - SNAPPERS, South Bend - Rained Out.
ELIZABETHTON TWINS
Monday - E-Twins 5, Burlington 9 - Steven Tolleson continues to hit. He went 3-5 with his second home run. Larry Jones went 2-4 with his first homer. Dustin Bensko and Jilmer Arratia were each 2-4. Brian Duensing took the loss. In five innings, he gave up three runs (2 earned) on eight hits. He struck out seven. Joe Gault gave up five runs over the last two innings.
Tuesday - E-Twins 11, Burlington 3 - Yohan Pino moves to 6-0 last night by giving up three runs (2 earned) on seven hits and a walk in five innings. His ERA is at 4.11. Alexander Smit then struck out three in the next two innings without giving up a run, or a hit. Danny Powers and Tim Lahey each pitched a scoreless inning. Mark Robinson went 3-5 with his third home run and his sixth stolen base. Erik Lis went 3-5 with his eight double, his fifth homer and five RBI. Edward Ovalle went 2-4 with a walk and his eighth double. Matt Betsill went 2-5.
GULF COAST TWINS
Monday - GCL Twins 12, GCL Red Sox 2 - Jeff Schoenbachler got the win by giving up a run on six hits in six innings. He struck out eight. Walter Patter pitched two scoreless innings before Omar Burgos gave up a run in his inning. William Luque went 4-4 with his second triple. Richard Sojo and Marion Knowles each went 2-4. Allan de San Miguel went 2-2 with a double.
Tuesday - GCL Twins 2, GCL Red Sox 5 - Patrick Bryant had another rough start. He gave up four runs on six hits and three walks in just three innings. Jose Cordero came in and allowed a hit and a walk, but no runs, in four innings. Drew Thompson then had two of the team's five hits.
Do you remember the name Gary Hogeboem? He was a QB in the NFL for 10 seasons, with three teams including the Cowboys. Anyway, it is believed that he is currently in Guatemala participating in the next Survivor! CBS doesn't discuss contestants until the show is about to start, which will be in September.
Are you at all into the NHL draft. If so, check out this, the list of top players according to the Central Scouting Service. There are a lot of foreign players, but also quite a few Minnesota players near the top of the list, including Mr. Minnesota Brian Lee, from Moorhead. Lee was invited to attend the draft meaning they expect him to certainly go in the 1st round.
No worries about Joe Mauer anymore!
BrentNet fills out his survey on Minnesota sports and explains why he feels the way he does.
On that note, I am going to call it a day! I hope everyone has a good one! As always, please feel free to e-mail me your thoughts on the Twins, the minor leagues, or anything you would like to discuss.