BLOCKBUSTER TRADE BY YANKEES...WHAT A RELIEF IT IS
The New York Yankees were a flawed team before Tuesday night’s blockbuster trade with the Chicago White Sox.
The Yankees still have problems – the back end of the starting rotation is the most glaring. Counting on a major contribution from CC Sabathia is a risky proposition.
But give GM Brian Cashman big props for this bold move. His Yankees are a better team Wednesday than they were the day before. They’re probably not good enough to win the 2017 World Series, but they’re now good enough to win the American League East.
The Yankees needed more production at first base. Garrett Cooper and Ji-Man Choi weren’t going to cut it.
The addition of slugger Todd Frazier is a big improvement. It is unclear how manager Joe Girardi will juggle playing time for Frazier and Chase Headley at first base or third base. But the infield corners now at least should be passable.
Frazier is only 31 and will be a free agent after this season. Joining the Yankees figures to give him a boost. He was awful in Chisox home games this season (.142 batting average; 5 HRs; 17 RBI) but much better on the road (.267; 11 HRs; 27 RBI). He had 40 HRs and 98 RBI last season (with a .225 batting average).
But the biggest boost for the Yankees out of this trade is the bullpen. It now is the deepest in baseball and the strength of the team.
The starting rotation is less than stellar: “ace” Luis Severino (5-4, 3.40)...Masahiro Tanaka (7-9, 5.33 ERA)...CC Sabathia (8-3, 3.54 ERA)...Jordan Montgomery 6-4, 3.78 ERA)...Luis Cessa (0-3, 4.61 ERA). Inconsistent Michael Pineda, out for the season after Tommy John surgery, will be missed. Honest.
But the bullpen now is seven-deep with the arrival of power arms Tommy Kahnle and David Robertson from the White Sox to complement Adam Warren, Chad Green, Chasen Shreve, Dellin Betances and Aroldis Chapman. Ideally, Shreve wouldn’t be the only left-handed reliever, but you can’t have everything.
The bullpen depth means Girardi won’t need six or seven decent innings from his starters to get by. Now five quality innings should be enough.
What did the Yankees give up in this blockbuster deal? Relief pitcher Tyler “The Yankee” Clippard was addition by subtraction. He was woefully ineffective of late and the fans were sick of him. He needed a fresh start. Left-handed pitcher Ian Clarkin, the 33rd overall pick in the 2013 draft, could become a decent starter for the White Sox but wasn’t close to helping the Yankees. Outfielder Blake Rutherford, the No. 18 overall pick in the 2016 draft, is the plum for Chicago. In 71 games at Single-A Charleston this season, he hit .281 with 2 HRs and 30 RBI. Outfielder Tito Polo makes my all-time All-Name Team, but he has shown little in a six-year pro career to suggest that he’ll be a significant major-leaguer.
AL East standings entering Wednesday:
Boston 53-43...Tampa Bay 51-44, 2 games behind...Yankees 48-44, 3 ½ games behind...Baltimore 44-49, 8 games behind...Toronto 43-50, 9 games behind.
The big trade by the Yankees puts the heat on the Red Sox to make a major move before the July 31 trade deadline. Boston desperately needs big bopper in the middle of the lineup, ideally a third baseman. New York beat them to the punch for Frazier.
I was about to give up on the Yankees to win the AL East. A loss to Minnesota and Bartolo Colon Tuesday night would’ve been the clincher. But the Yankees rallied to beat the Twins and then announced the big trade with the White Sox.
Until if and when Boston makes a significant personnel counter move, I make the Yankees the team to beat in the AL East.
THE RED WINGS CONTINUE TO SURPRISE
The Red Wings beat the Charlotte Knights Tuesday morning/afternoon after sweeping the Knights in a doubleheader Monday evening.
Three wins in 21 hours is not unprecedented but is rare at the Triple-A level of pro baseball.
These Red Wings are easy to like. The pitching staff continues to dominate (league-best 3.23 ERA) and has been the key to this resourceful team’s 25-8 run in the last 33 games.
The Red Wings rank near the bottom of the 14-team league in power and speed. Most of the batting stats rank in the 9th to 11th range. But production is the clutch has been very good and most of the hitters have very good batting eyes (third-fewest 665 times struck out).
A few of the other numbers (entering Wednesday): Outscoring opponents 388-326 (+62)...63 HRs (11th in the league)...38 stolen bases (13th in the league)...221 walks slowed (fewest in the IL).
The most impressive numbers – besides the pitching – is the team’s 54-41 record (entering Wednesday).
The Wings are starting to look like a possible playoff team.
We know what happened last season. The IL’s unfair formula to make the four-team playoffs is the winners of the three divisions plus the non-division champion with the best record.
In 2016, Rochester finished 81-63, the fourth-best record in the league, but did not qualify for the playoffs. Gwinnett DID make the playoffs with a 65-78 record (15 ½ games worse than the Red Wings) because it won the awful South Division.
Rochester, playing in the IL-toughest North Division – with six teams compared to four teams each in the West and South – got a raw deal.
Some people said it was a fluke and don’t be alarmed.
It could happen to the Red Wings again this season. That’s not a fluke. It is a problem.
Entering Wednesday night, Rochester – with a 54-41 record and in third place in the IL North –had a better record than IL West-leading Indianapolis (53-42).
My suggestion (very simple, I realize I am no genius): The two division winners with the best records get automatic spots in the four-team playoffs. The other two spots go to the teams with the third- and fourth-best records. Sure, one of the three division winners could fail to qualify. Fine. It wouldn’t deserve to advance.
Another proposal: Two seven-team divisions instead of the current grossly unfair 6-4-4 format.
The Governors’ Cup ain’t what it used to be, but a fairer qualifying formula would be a step in the right direction.
JOHN GRANT JR. GETS THIS VOTE FOR THE BEST PRO ATHLETE TO PLAY FOR ROCHESTER
The great John Grant Jr. on Monday officially announced his retirement from pro lacrosse.
He certainly was among the five-best all-time combination outdoor-indoor lacrosse players. The composite perfect lacrosse player probably would have Grant’s hands and stick skills. They were magic.
Produce a video package of the 25 most amazing goals in National Lacrosse League history and maybe 10 would’ve been scored or set up by Grant. If you saw him play, you’re probably buying that.
Grant thanked the Rochester Knighthawks for selecting him No. 1 overall in the 1999 National Lacrosse League entry draft and the Colorado Mammoth for acquiring him via trade after the 2010 season and allowing him to finish his NLL career playing in “The Loudest House in Lacrosse” (Pepsi Center in Denver).
Grant, 42, probably would still be playing were it not for the concussion suffered early in the 2017 NLL season that ended his career. He finished No. 2 in NLL career goals (668) and points (1,446). Only Buffalo Bandits legend John Tavares had more goals (815) and points (1,749) and he played like forever.
Grant was a two-time league MVP, with Rochester in 2007 and Colorado in 2012.
The breakdown on his NLL career scoring:
With Rochester (2000 through 2010) – 140 games...433 goals...461 assists...894 points...plus 47 goals and 35 assists in 14 post-season games.
With Colorado (2011 through 2017) – 98 games...235 goals...317 assists...552 points...plus 13 goals and 16 assists in 6 post-season games.
I believe Grant is the all-time best athlete ever to play for a ROCHESTER pro team for an extended period of time.
Others to be considered include Estel Crabtree with the IL Rochester Red Wings...Bobby Davies, Bob Wanzer and Arnie Risen with the NBA Rochester Royals...Carlos Metidieri, Frank Odoi and Peter Short with the NASL Rochester Lancers...Glenn Hagan with the CBA Rochester Zeniths...Jody Gage with the NHL Rochester Americans...Doug Miller and Pat Onstad with the A-League Rochester Rhinos...I’m not sure if Kodak Park’s two-time world champion fast-pitch softball players were on a pro team, but Harold “Shifty” Gears was a great pitcher...Did I overlook anyone?
THE AMERICAN LEAGUE MVP RACE IS NOW ALTUVE’S TO LOSE
Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa has a torn thumb ligament and will be sidelined for up to two months.
How good is Correa? I rank him among baseball’s top five best players and he’s only 22.
Two hot takes on Correa’s injury:
Houston has a tremendous team and should coast to the AL West title. Entering Wednesday, the Astros (63-31 record) had a 16 ½-game lead over second-place Seattle. Without Correa, they might win the division by only 7 or 8 games.
Correa’s injury coupled with Aaron Judge’s post-All Star Game slump makes Houston second baseman Jose Altuve the clear favorite for American League Most Valuable Player. His performance line entering Wednesday night: .351 batting average (125-for-356); 65 runs; 27 doubles; 2 triples; 14 HRs; 52 RBI; 19 stolen bases in 23 attempts; .419 on-base percentage; .556 slugging percentage; .976 OPS.
HOW THE METS LET JUSTIN TURNER AND DANIEL MURPHY GET AWAY
Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner on Tuesday night became eligible for the National League batting title (he missed three weeks with a leg injury). He’s on top of the list by a wide margin. Washington Nationals second baseman is No. 2, also by a wide margin.
Batting lines entering Tuesday night:
1--Justin Turner (Dodgers) – .370 (90-for-243)
2--Daniel Murphy (Nationals) -- .340 (116-for-341)
3—Bryce Harper (Washington) -- .337 (110-for-326).
I’m sure that most New York Mets fans don’t need to be reminded that Turner and Murphy both were Mets and both were deemed expendable. As if the Mets have a history of being a strong offensive team that could afford two pure hitters like these two guys to get away.
Turner and Murphy have some things in common. They’re both 32 years old and they both were selected in Major League Baseball’s 2006 June entry draft: Turner No. 204 overall by Cincinnati and Murphy No. 394 overall by the Mets.
The Mets were smart enough to claim Turner off waivers from Baltimore May 25, 2010 and smart enough to retain Murphy through 2015. The Mets also were dumb enough to lose them to free agency.
Turner with the Mets (four seasons) – 301 games; .265 batting average (216-for-814); 8 HRs; 86 RBI.
The Dodgers signed Turner as a free agent. In four seasons and 455 games with the Dodgers, he has a .308 batting average (454-for-1,472); 99 doubles; 5 triples; 61 HRs; 232 RBI. His latest deal with the Dodgers will pay him $64 million through 2020.
Murphy with the Mets (seven seasons) – 1,130 games; .288 batting average (967-for-3,354); 228 doubles; 20 triples; 62 HRS; 402 RBI.
Murphy was spectacular with the bat for the Mets in the 2015 NLDS and ALCS (16-for-38 with 7 HRs and 11 RBI) but fizzled (3-for-20) in the World Series loss to Kansas City. The Mets also weren’t enamored with his defense at second base. They decided not to overspend to retain him and he signed a three-year, $37.5 million free-agent deal with Washington.
Murphy in two seasons with the Nationals: 228 games; .344 batting average; 77 doubles; 7 triples; 41 HRs; 175 RBI.
Turner and Murphy could have an ex-Mets reunion in the NL playoffs.
WHY IS BROOKS KOEPKA ONLY 33-TO-1 TO WIN THE OPEN?
The 146th British Open begins Thursday at Royal Berkshire. American Brooks Koepka, coming off an awesome fourth round to win the U.S. Open, is a 33-to-1 long shot. Why?
One reason could be that the last seven winners of golf majors were first-time major winners: Jason Day (2015 PGA Championship)...Danny Willett (2016 Masters)...Dustin Johnson (2016 U.S. Open)...Henrik Stenson (2016 The Open)...Jimmy Walker (2016 PGA Championship)...Sergio Garcia (20127 Masters)...Brooks Koepka (2017 U.S. Open).
Of the last 33 major champions, 23 had never won a major before.
Here are the latest odds from Bovada to win the 2017 The Open: Dustin Johnson 14-to-1...Jordan Spieth 14-to-1...Rickie Fowler 16-to-1...Joe Rahm 16-to-1...Sergio Garcia 18-to-1...Justin Rose 20-to-1...Hideki Matsuyama 20-to-1...Tommy Fleetwood 22-to-1...(defending champion) Henrik Stenson 25-to-1...Adam Scott 28-to-1...Jason Day 33-to-1...Paul Casey 33-to-1...Brooks Koepka 33-to-1. Phil Mickelson is 40-to-1.
Bob’s pick: at the odds, Fowler (16-to-1) and Koepka (33-to-1).
KNIGHTHAWKS GET SOME NLL LOVE
The National Lacrosse League announced a few 2017 award winners on Tuesday and it was good to three Knighthawks earn recognition.
Forwards Kyle Jackson and Josh Currier made the six-man All-Rookie Team. They played well but disappointing production from a few veteran forwards helped the rookies pad their numbers. If Cody Jamieson can return at close to 100 percent from injury, Dan Dawson has something left, and Jackson and Currier improve, Rochester would have enough firepower to contend for the playoffs.
Rochester’s Graeme Hossack made NLL All-Pro Second Team on defense. Jason Noble (Georgia Swarm) was the All-Pro First Team defender. Hossack was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NLL entry draft, behind only Lyle Thompson (Georgia Swarm), the 2017 scoring champion and All-Pro First Team.
BARTOLO IS NO JUAN MARICHAL...OR PEDRO MARTINEZ
Bartolo Colon of the Minnesota Twins (at least for now) is determined to get the nine victories he needs to top Hall of Famer Juan Marichal as the all-time leader in wins by a pitcher born in the Dominican Republic.
I don’t think the 44-year-old Colon could reach his goal if he pitched three more years. And I believe that is a good thing.
When it comes to pitchers born in the Dominican Republic, Marichal is far better than Colon is so many ways (so is Pedro Matinez):
Records – Marchial 243-142 (.631)...PRamirez 219-100 (.667)...Colon 235-171 (.579)
Earned-run average – Marichal 2.89 ERA...PRamirez (2.93 ERA)...Colon 4.02 ERA
Complete games – Marichal 244...PMartinez 46...Colon 36
Shutouts – Marichal 52...PMartinez 17...Colon 13
Innings – Marichal 5,507...PMartinez 2,827.1...Colon 3,239.1
Hits allowed – Marichal 3,153...PMartinez 2,221...Colon 3,329
Strikeouts – Marichal 2,303..PMartinez 3,154...Colon 2,407
Walks – Marichal 709...PMartinez 760...Colon 908
WHIP (walks + hits per inning) – Marichal 1.101...PMartinez 1.054...Colon 1.308.
Most victories by pitchers born in the Dominican Republic: Marichal 243...Colon 235...PMartinez 219...Ramon Martinez 135...Pedro Astacio 129.
SHORT SHOTS
Good news for soccer fans. It looks like the Lancers (M) and Lancers (W) are returning for 2018 and the indoor Lancers are coming back. Soccer Sam loves the game like maybe nobody else.
Amerks fans should like the signings of veteran defenseman Barry Goers and forward Adam Krause. They’ve played for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, so they know how to win at the AHL level and the Sabres/Rochester brass know what they’ve getting.
Minnesota’s pitching collectively stinks. Subtract Ervin Santana, Jose Berrios, Brandon Kintzler and maybe Taylor Rogers from the Twins and I wonder if they’re any better than Rochester’s staff.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
Wednesday, July 19
Jon “Bones” Jones (30)...Yan Gomes (30)...LaMarcus Aldridge (32)...Rick Ankiel (38)...Steve Shields (45)...Vitali Klitschko (46)...Leroy Butler (49)...Terea Edwards (53)...Craig Muni (55)...baseball writer Jayson Stark (66)...Ilie Nastase (71).
Thursday, July 20
Ben Simmons (21)...Malcolm Miktchell (24)...Stephen Strasburg (29)...Troy Smith (33)...Pavel Datsyuk (39)...Peter Forsberg (44)...Joszef Stumpel (45)...Joe Arlaukas (79)...Murray Raven (53)...sportswriter Dan Shaughnessy (64)....former Buffalo Bills QB James Harris (70)...Tony Oliva (79). Gisele Bundchen (37) is invited to the birthday party.