Born to Score Runs

The Star Ledger's Dan Graziano sat down with an unnamed American League scout recently to compare the vaunted lineups of the Yankees and the Detroit Tigers. While Detroit's already potent lineup got even stronger with the addition of Miguel Cabrera, the Yankees led the AL in runs scored last season with 882.

Graziano and the scout performed a position by position comparison. Some of the results might surprise you.

FIRST BASE: The Tigers' Carlos Guillen moves over from shortstop, where he had a 102-RBI season and a .357 on-base percentage that was his lowest in four years. He's not as great an offensive player for a first baseman as he was for a shortstop, but he's a reliable and productive hitter, and he's probably better than whatever the Yankees will get from the mishmash of Jason Giambi, Shelley Duncan, Wilson Betemit and Morgan Ensberg. If Giambi can be healthy and good enough to play first every day, this could swing the Yankees' way, but as it stands:EDGE: Tigers.

SECOND BASE: This is one of a few spots where these teams might have the two best players in the league. Detroit's Placido Polanco had a brilliant year in 2007, with 200 hits, 105 runs scored and a .388 on-base percentage. He was one of the best all-around players in the game last year, but his season wasn't exactly in line with the rest of his career. Our scout is betting on the Yankees' 25-year-old on the upswing over the Tigers' 32-year-old coming off his career year. But as he says, "only, maybe, by a hair."EDGE: Yankees.

THIRD BASE: Another spot where the matchup is one in which any of the other 28 teams would gladly take the loser. Miguel Cabrera was the big off-season addition to the Tigers or any other team in baseball, and he may well be the second-best hitter in baseball. However, the Yankees' third baseman is the clear-cut, head-and-shoulders best hitter in baseball, and for now, our scout says, "there's nobody you'd take over A-Rod."EDGE: Yankees.

SHORTSTOP: Our scout isn't as high on Detroit's acquisition of Edgar Renteria as some others are. "He struggled in the American League the first time (with Boston, in 2005), so why should we think he can handle it this time?" This strikes us as a little harsh. Renteria is a nice all-around player and would hold up in a head-to-head comparison with most shortstops. But the Yankees' shortstop is, well, Derek Jeter. And since we're talking only offense, not defense, here, the choice is a clear one.EDGE:Yankees.

CATCHER: "A mismatch," our scout says. "(Detroit's) Pudge (Rodriguez) is a Hall of Famer, but he doesn't hit like one anymore." The Yankees' Jorge Posada did hit like a Hall of Famer last year. In fact, with another year or two like the one he had in '07, he might be a future Cooperstown candidate as well. For now, though, he's as good an offensive catcher as there is in the game.EDGE: Yankees.

LEFT FIELD: "Once (Johnny) Damon got healthy and in shape last year, the Yankees' offense took off," our scout says. He's right, and Damon seems healthy early in spring training. That, along with the fact that the player competing for playing time with Damon is Hideki Matsui, makes this one another mismatch. Jacque Jones looks like a good No. 9 hitter, but he's not likely to give the Tigers what Damon/Matsui will give the Yankees. EDGE: Yankees.

CENTER FIELD: This one's a mismatch for the Tigers, and no offense to Melky Cabrera. "Melky's a nice-looking player, but (Curtis) Granderson is a do-it-all superstar on the rise." Granderson's 2007 season was historic -- 38 doubles, 23 triples, 23 home runs and 26 steals. Cabrera might still be improving, but so might Granderson.EDGE: Tigers.

RIGHT FIELD: Bobby Abreu is another guy whose return to form keyed the Yankees' second-half surge. But Detroit's Magglio Ordonez would have been the league MVP if not for that A-Rod guy. This year, Ordonez will bat between Gary Sheffield and Miguel Cabrera, which means he could be even more productive.EDGE: Tigers.

DESIGNATED HITTER: Tough call here. "If (Gary) Sheffield is going to stay healthy, you give the edge to Detroit," our scout says. "But I don't think he'll stay healthy," and the "leftovers" from the Yankees' bench -- Giambi, Duncan, Matsui, Damon ... whoever's not playing the field on a given night -- should contribute more over the course of a season than Sheffield's backups will.EDGE: Yankees.

The Yankees came out on top in 6 of the 9 comparisons. But as we well know, and have seen far too often in the past few years, it will still be pitching, defense, and timely hitting that wins games in October.

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Yankee Auction for Good Cause

I received this email this morning from Tom Kackley, an employee of the Trenton Thunder.

Hi blogger people.....pardon the intrusion.

If you can help in any way.....perhaps a link on your blog to my charity auction.

I work as a minor league equipment manager in the Yankees system. This season I collected whatever goodies I could to hold an auction to benefit The Domestic Violence Project. It's all legit...100% of the profit goes to the DVP.

http://www.domesticviolenceproj.org/

My hope is that I can encourage bloggers to pass along a little info about the auction to their readers so that we can raise as much money as possible for the women and kids affected by domestic violence.

Everything is on Ebay here: http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZclubsoulcity

or you can link through the Trenton Thunder website here: http://www.trentonthunder.com/

We have a nice collection of autographed balls, game used equipment from some high profile prospects, and some Yankee clothing that isn't available elsewhere.

I've been working in baseball 20 years, all at the minor league levels. Ten years ago, about a week before opening day, my wife's sister was murdered by her husband. I was angry for some time over the fact that I didn't get the chance to do something to save her. So, since then what I do is raise her son, and now this auction.

Hope you can help. Thanks.

Tom in Ohio

Sounds like an excellent cause indeed

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Our Pal Hal

Steve Swindal's misfortune has turned into Hal Steinbrenner's opportunity. Swindal, King George's son-in law, is officially on the outs after a DUI this past Spring and a divorce from Jennifer Steinbrenner. Hal Steinbrenner, 38, has been selected as the chairman of the board of Yankees Global Enterprises LLC, the holding company for the team and the Yankees Entertainment & Sports Network.






The Yankees new chairman of the board with THE Chairman of the Board







While King George has never named a successor to the throne, this is a pretty good indicator of just who that person will be.

Source

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Spring Training Jeopardy

"I'll Take Unsolved Mysteries for $200 Alex"

"The answer is..."


"What is the team A-Rod will play for after he opts out of his contract?"

Alex Trebek: "Correct"

Alex Rodriguez has spent the past three season in Yankees pinstripes. To categorize them as yo-yo like would be an understatement. There was the blown 3-0 lead to the Red Sox (which of course went well beyond his fault) in the 2004 ALCS. The 2005 MVP season was followed up by a disappearing act against the Angels in the divisional series. And last year was an out and out disaster. When a player hits .290-35-121, that's really saying something. Yes, the Yankees won the AL East, but they were blitzed in the division series by the Tigers. After going 2-15 the prior year, the best player in the game followed that up with a 1-14 performance. He was a psychological mess the entire year. There's no question in my mind that some Yankees fans will never given A-Rod the approval he seeks. Part of it, of course, is because of A-Rod's own actions and words. A perfect example would be when he told reporters last season that he was playing hurt, and then refused to specify what the injury was.

With Scott Boras as his agent, there's no question that A-Rod will do some serious soul searching and most likely will opt out of his contract. With the recent contracts given out to Alfonso Soriano, JD Drew, and others, Boras will definitely be pushing for it.


"I'll Take Unsolved Mysteries for $400 Alex"

"The answer is..."


"Who are candidates to replace Joe Torre?"

Alex Trebek: "Correct Again"






Who else could make George cry?!






There's always an outside chance Torre could stick around longer if he and King George decide it's not time. Obviously there is no managerial contract beyond the 2007 season at this point. I think Torre has done a tremendous job since he's been here, but I for one felt that maybe it was time for a change after the 2006 campaign. Joe has made some odd and poor decisions since the 2003 World Series when he let that idiot Jeff Weaver actually get on the mound. That being said, I did NOT want Lou Piniella coming back to the Bronx. No Bobby Valentine, no Larry Bowa, no Lee Mazzilli. So I'm glad Torre will get the chance to finish his contract. Beyond that, I can't honestly see Don Mattingly stepping in as manager in 2008. I love Donnie Baseball, but I don't know if he would be ready for a big step like that. I'd rather see Joe Girardi get the job.

"I'll Take Unsolved Mysteries for $600 Alex"

"The answer is..."


"What is the title of Bernie Williams' next album?"

Alex Trebek: "We'll accept that."






Heir to Mantle and Clapton?






Bernie Williams is da man. His number 51 will be retired; he'll have his day in front of the Stadium faithful. And as much as it pains me to say it, it's time to begin that retirement now. He had a good season in 2006. Not fantastic, not horrible, just good. He's clearly not the same hitter, especially from the left side, and he doesn't have the speed to roam centerfield any more. He doesn't have the arm of a corner outfielder. The bat is slower, the legs aren't as quick, the body aches - it happens to the best of them. The Yankees need to let a young guy like Melky Cabrera develop as a 4th outfielder, with an eye on possibly starting one day. Here's to all the success in the world for Bernie as the next great guitar God.

"I'll Take Unsolved Mysteries for $800 Alex"

"The answer is..."


"What is the minimum numbers of wins it'll take to win the AL East?"

Alex Trebek: "Yes! We would have also accepted, 'the minimum number of days Carl Pavano will be on the DL."







Pitching will be the key as usual to having another banner year








I'm figuring the Yankees will get 47 wins out of Chien-Ming Wang (17), Andy Pettitte (17), and Mike Mussina (13). That leaves another 48-51 wins to be picked up by the combination of Carl Pavano, Kei Igawa, whoever else steps in, and the bullpen. It's most likely the AL East runner-up misses out on the AL wildcard, so the Yankees are going to have to push to the finish. Boston will have rebounded and Toronto gained a lot of confidence last season.

"I'll Take Unsolved Mysteries for $1000 Alex"

"The answer is..."


"What is what Roger Clemens won't be wearing in the Hall of Fame if he plays for the Red Sox again"

Alex Trebek: "Great job, you ran the category!"




Hmmm, should I stay or should I go now...




Roger Clemens has already started his "I don't know what I'm doing this year" game. What is clear is that the Yankees, Red Sox, and Astros are the only 3 teams that Clemens would consider pitching for. And one thing is even clearer than that. If Clemens returns to Boston he can forget EVER wearing a Yankees cap in the Hall of Fame. As it is he should be wearing a Red Sox hat since that is where he made his career.

And give the Hummer back too!

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