The Yankees’ plan to slash payroll below the $189 million luxury tax threshold was destined to fail at inception. As early as last April, the Yankees were already back tracking toward the inevitable, even though many in the media remained fixated by the smokescreen that was left behind. However, with the signing of Masahiro Tanaka […]
Archive for the ‘MLB’ Category
I Told You So (Again); Jury Still Out on Yankees Financial Commitment
Posted in Baseball, Free Agents, Hal Steinbrenner, International, MLB, Roster Analysis, Yankees on January 22, 2014 | 2 Comments »
Getting to Heart of Kershaw Extension: Is Dodger Lefty Worth All That Money?
Posted in Alex Rodriguez, Arod, Baseball, Hot Stove, MLB on January 16, 2014 | Leave a Comment »
Move over Alex Rodriguez. Clayton Kershaw is now the highest paid player in baseball history. At an average annual value of $30.7 million, the lefty’s seven year, $215 million contract extension (with an opt out after year five) has trumped the annuitized value of Rodriguez’ current deal. Although this probably isn’t the best week to […]
Many Questions Remain After Arod Suspension
Posted in Alex Rodriguez, Arod, Baseball, MLB, PEDs, Yankees on January 11, 2014 | 1 Comment »
Arbitrator Frederic Horowitz has decided to reduce Alex Rodriguez’ suspension to 162 games, which, make no mistake about it, is a victory for Major League Baseball. So, after months of drama more suitable to daytime TV, it’s finally case closed! Or, is it? As much as MLB and its weary fans would like to put the […]
How to Fix the Hall of Fame
Posted in Baseball, Baseball History, Hall of Fame, MLB on January 9, 2014 | 1 Comment »
Yesterday’s historic election of three Hall of Famers was met with more criticism of the process than congratulations for the new honorees. Considering the increasingly controversial nature of the voting, that’s not surprising. It’s also unacceptable. Reform of the Hall of Fame’s voting procedures has been long overdue, but when the process overshadows the pomp, […]
Crowded Class Enters Hall of Fame, but Many Deserving Candidates Left Back
Posted in Baseball, Baseball History, Hall of Fame, MLB on January 8, 2014 | 4 Comments »
Cooperstown is going to be crowded this summer. One year after failing to elect a new Hall of Famer, the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) has enshrined a record setting class. For only the fifth time since annual elections became the norm in 1967, three different players were elected. In addition, the highest voting […]
Anecdotal Look at Baseball Player Life Spans by Position
Posted in Baseball, MLB on December 21, 2013 | 6 Comments »
“Tools of ignorance” isn’t an ironic description. Although catchers tend to possess a very high baseball IQ, there isn’t much wisdom in crouching behind the plate for nine innings of target practice. With that in mind, major league baseball has decided to eliminate violent collisions at home, a long overdue application of common sense, not […]
Hot Stove History: A Look at the Best and Worst Moves the Yankees Didn’t Make
Posted in Baseball, Baseball History, Brian Cashman, George M. Steinbrenner, Hot Stove, MLB, Robinson Cano, Yankee History, Yankees on December 16, 2013 | Leave a Comment »
The following post was originally published at Bronx Banter. Sometimes, the best trades or free agent signings are the ones a team doesn’t make. Many Yankee fans seem to feel that way about the team’s decision to let Robinson Cano head west to Seattle. Is that wishful thinking? Perhaps, but considering the team’s eager willingness […]