Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Mayor Koch Did Fine by Yankee Fans, Though Team Didn’t Do Well Under Him

February 1, 2013 by William Juliano

Steinbrenner and Koch had a lot of dealings with each other, but didn't always see eye to eye. (Photo: NY Daily News)

Yankees’ owner George Steinbrenner and NYC Mayor Ed Koch had a lot of dealings with each other, but didn’t always see eye to eye. (Photo: NY Daily News)

George M. Steinbrenner and Edward I. Koch were the two bosses of New York during the 1980s: one controlled the city and the other its beloved baseball team. Although their backgrounds were very different – Koch was a Bronx born son of immigrant Jews, while Steinbrenner descended from a long line of blue-blood Cleveland patricians with German ancestry – both men exemplified the no-nonsense, outspoken persona of a New Yorker, so, naturally, their worlds collided on more than a few occasions.

Of all former New York City mayors, none is associated more closely with the Yankees than Rudolph Guiliani, who regularly manifested his lifelong love of the pinstripes during his tenure at Gracie Mansion. However, Koch, who passed away today at the age of 88, arguably had a much greater impact on the team’s history.

Throughout the 1980s, George Steinbrenner, who had grown dissatisfied with the Yankees’ home in the Bronx, began flirting with other municipalities about a potential move. Not only did Steinbrenner implicitly threaten to flee Koch’s birthplace of the Bronx, but even more blasphemously, he was reportedly considering a possible move to Jersey. Granted, the Boss was tied to Yankee Stadium by a lease that extended until 2002, but that didn’t stop him from exploring options, including legal means to break the commitment. Luckily, it never got that far. In November 1987, hizzoner and the Boss agreed to extend the lease until 2032, which, at the very least, bought the city enough time to keep Steinbrenner appeased until it came time to build the new Yankee Stadium.

He’s not doing a Gorbachev. He’s not laying down demands comparable to Star Wars.” – Mayor Ed Koch, talking about George Steinbrenner’s negotiating position, AP, October 27, 1987

Continue Reading »

Posted in Baseball, George M. Steinbrenner, MLB, Yankees | Tagged | Leave a Comment »

Yankees Near Deal with Travis Hafner; Good Acquisition but Also Necessary Evil

January 30, 2013 by William Juliano

As the off season draws to a close, the Yankees still find themselves without a viable starting catcher, right handed outfielder, and designated hitter from either side of the plate. Obviously, Brian Cashman’s winter plans haven’t gone as expected, so, it’s time to round up some usual, and unusual, suspects.

HafnerAmong the dwindling list of available players, Travis Hafner is one of the few who seems capable of making a meaningful contribution in 2013. So, it’s good news for Yankee fans that the lefty slugger is reportedly close to signing a deal with the Bronx Bombers. Despite playing in pitcher friendly Progressive Field, Hafner has continued to be a productive offensive player, recording an OPS+ of at least 120 in all but one season since 2004. And, with the cozy short porch awaiting him at Yankee Stadium, it isn’t a stretch to expect Hafner’s production to increase beyond that level.

Signing Hafner seems like a no-brainer. Since 2009, his OPS+ of 125 is actually a shade higher than Nick Swisher’s, one of the players whose offensive void he’d be expected to fill. However, Swisher played in approximately 150 games in all four seasons with the Yankees, while Hafner topped 94 games only once. That’s why the lefty slugger is a back-up plan rather than a priority acquisition.

Considering what’s left on the market, the addition of Hafner would be an unquestionable positive for the Yankees. Even if he provides only 300 plate appearance, they’re likely to be very productive. Also, and most importantly, the Yankees don’t have any other viable alternatives. At this point, Cashman has to take what he can get, and Hafner just may be the best of the rest.

Continue Reading »

Posted in Baseball | 1 Comment »

Biogenesis Scandal Casts Alex Rodriguez As HGH Red Herring

January 29, 2013 by William Juliano

Alex Rodriguez is at the center of another controversy. This time, the injured slugger is linked to Biogenesis, a Miami-area clinic that is widely suspected of dispensing HGH and other banned substances. Stop the presses.

Arod once again finds himself in the midst of PED storm.

Arod once again finds himself in the midst of PED storm.

Although the report in the Miami NewTimes referenced several athletes in many different sports, the story has not surprisingly coalesced around one name: Arod. So, instead of framing the news in its proper context (i.e., the wide availability of performance enhancing drugs), the story has instead evolved into another Alex Rodriguez exposé.

Arod’s link to PEDs is an old story. Not only has the three-time MVP admitted to steroid use during his time in Texas, but since coming clean, there have been allegations linking him to questionable figures, such as Anthony Galea, a Canadian doctor convicted of distributing HGH. In fact, even Rodriguez’ association with Biogensis is a continuation of a New York Times article from last Saturday. Granted, the MiamiNT report is more extensive and includes notes that allegedly document HGH distribution to several athletes, but ultimately, it is a continuation of yet another allegation linking Rodriguez to the continued use of PEDs.

For all the reasons cited above, Rodriguez no longer deserves the benefit of the doubt. Those who use this latest implication of impropriety as the basis for branding him a cheat are well within their right. However, that doesn’t justify blowing the story out of proportion. All that we have learned from this latest revelation is Rodriguez may have used HGH or other banned substances from 2009 to last season. Even the third baseman’s most strident advocates probably aren’t surprised by that possibility. So, in order to give more meat to the story, two derivatives have emerged. The first revolves around a potential suspension and the second deals with the Yankees voiding Arod’s contract.

Continue Reading »

Posted in Alex Rodriguez, Arod, Baseball, MLB, Yankees | 3 Comments »

Yankees Sign Juan Rivera; Time Machine Not Included

January 28, 2013 by William Juliano

Juan Rivera is returning to the Bronx. Normally, the signing of a journeyman outfielder to a minor league contract wouldn’t be worthy of mention, but in this case, the acquisition says a lot about the Yankees’ past and present, and, perhaps, their future as well.

A decade before rejoining the team, Juan Rivera was a highly regarded prospect.

A decade before rejoining the team, Juan Rivera was a highly regarded prospect.

On the same day the Bronx Bombers inked Rivera, Nick Johnson announced his retirement and Javier Vazquez’ comeback was sidetracked by knee surgery. In 2013, these items are little more than off season footnotes. However, when the trio crossed paths 10 years ago, it was a headline event.

After losing the World Series to the Marlins in 2003, the Bronx Bombers entered a transition phase that included replacing four-fifths of the previous year’s rotation. To help fill the void, the Yankees targeted Vazquez, a young right hander who managed to turn heads despite playing in the relative obscurity of Montreal. In the four seasons before donning pinstripes, Vazquez logged over 900 innings and recorded an ERA+ of 123, placing him among the game’s elite hurlers. So, the cost of acquiring the 26-year old right hander wouldn’t be cheap.

In order to pry Vazquez away from the Expos, the Yankees had to part with a package that included Johnson and Rivera (as well as left handed reliever Randy Choate), two highly touted prospects who had made favorable first impressions in pinstripes. As recently as 2002 and 2003, Baseball America respectively ranked Johnson and Rivera as the 13th and 55th most promising minor leaguers in the game, so the deal signaled the Yankees’ commitment to acquiring proven veterans (even young ones like Vazquez) over developing homegrown talent. Although many fans were sad to see the Yankees trade away two of their own, the deal was widely viewed as a win for both teams. The Yankees were getting one of the best starters in the game, while the Expos were acquiring two can’t miss prospects. Unfortunately for both teams, the best laid plans don’t always work out.

Continue Reading »

Posted in Baseball, Free Agents, MLB, Roster Analysis | 4 Comments »

Flaw in the Yankees’ Budget Plan? Breaking Down MLB’s Revenue Sharing System

January 23, 2013 by William Juliano

Earlier today, Ken Rosenthal wrote about a potential flaw in the Yankees’ plan to dip below the luxury tax threshold in 2014 (click here for a detailed breakdown, which includes estimated potential savings). According to Rosenthal, baseball’s overall financial strength is conspiring to limit the potential savings the Yankees could enjoy under the CBA’s new revenue sharing plan, and, as a result, has cast even more doubt about the wisdom of the team’s new austerity plan.

Why would the financial success of other teams negatively impact the Yankees? Such a counter-intuitive notion seems absurd, especially in a business that shares a significant percentage of revenue. However, the assertion is supported by truth. You just have to dig deep into baseball’s new collective bargaining agreement to find it.

As detailed by this blog in numerous posts (here, here, here, here and here), the Yankees’ frugalness is the result of several incentives included in the new CBA. The most obvious is the luxury tax penalty, but a subtler and potentially more lucrative mechanism is called the Market Disqualification Refund (MDR). Simply put, this scheme offers net revenue sharing payors (those who pay more into the system than they receive) a refund when two things occur: (1) the net payor is under the luxury cap threshold; and (2) large market teams earn revenue below expectations. Does that make sense? In order to truly understand how the refund works, it’s important to review the entire revenue sharing system.

Exhibit 1. Hypothetical Revenue Sharing Base Plan – 34% Contribution
34 Base

Note: See Article XXIV of CBA for details about revenue sharing plan. Teams shaded in blue rank among top-15 by market size, pursuant to Attachment 26 of the CBA.
Note: Net Transfer Value is the amount sent from payors to payees.
Note: CBA sets Marlins local revenue at $100 million for 2012, but that assumption is excluded from this analysis.
Note: Local revenue data is based on 2011 Forbes total revenue estimates minus estimated $80 million central fund revenue contribution. Actual figures do not impact underlying point that is being illustrated.
Source: MLB CBA, Forbes

Continue Reading »

Posted in Baseball, Business and Finance, CBA, MLB, Yankees | 5 Comments »

Requiem for a Sore Loser: Earl Weaver Finally Rests in Peace

January 19, 2013 by William Juliano

On my tombstone just write, ‘The sorest loser that ever lived.'” – Earl Weaver, quoted by Thomas Boswell,  Washington Post, October 6, 1986

There’s been a lot of talk about character in baseball these days. However, the characters are much more interesting. Sadly, baseball lost one of its best when Earl Weaver passed away at 82.

The likes of Bobby Valentine and Ozzie Guillen still come and go, but the manager’s office in baseball has increasingly become the domain of gentleman, at least that’s the image many try to portray. In the past, the likes of Weaver weren’t shy about exposing their gruff exterior to the fans, umpires, opposing teams, and anyone else willing to listen to their profanity laced elocution. Sorry Alice Sweet from Norfolk.

Note: The video above contains vulgarity, which isn’t suitable for workplace environments or children. Please use discretion.

Aside from his legendary arguments with umpires like Ron Luciano and fellow managers like Billy Martin (who once threatened to slap Weaver “just like you’d slap a girl”), Weaver is perhaps best known for his love of the three-run homerun. Unlike many other managers, Weaver never felt the need to justify his existence by over managing. Instead, he focused on fielding a team with good pitching and defense, and then he sat back and waited for the three-run homer. That philosophy has often been maligned, but Weaver’s .583 winning percentage as a manager speaks for itself.

In some ways, it’s a bit ironic that Weaver developed a managerial philosophy geared toward power and patience. Like his contemporary Billy Martin, Weaver was a scrappy second baseman known for his relentless hustle. St. Louis Cardinals manager Eddie Stanky once compared him to Enos “Country” Slaughter, the Hall of Fame outfielder who was always on the go. Unfortunately for the Omaha Flash, as Weaver was called during his playing days, that hustle never paid off in a major league promotion. Apparently, being scrappy wasn’t good enough.

If Weaver’s fondness for power was borne from his lack of it, his admiration for the walk must have been the influence of Stanky, who managed the big league club while Weaver toiled in the Cardinals’ farm system. Stanky, a middle infielder, didn’t have a much power, but his patience was supreme. In three seasons, he lead the league in walks and four other times ranked within the top five. To Stanky, who hit only .268, but had an on base percentage of .410, a walk was just as good as a hit. And, for 17 seasons in Baltimore, the same was true for every hitter in the Orioles’ lineup.

Over the coming days, many obituaries will be written about Weaver, who made a significant contribution to the game of baseball. Before getting too wrapped up in his achievements as manager, however, don’t forget his personality. Characters do count, and the great Orioles manager was a cut above them all. Don’t agree? Then go @#*&! yourself, as Weaver might say.

Posted in Baseball, Baseball History, Humor, Video | Tagged | Leave a Comment »

Yankees Need to Renegotiate Position on Contract Extensions

January 19, 2013 by William Juliano

(The following was originally published at SB*Nation’s Pinstriped Bible)

Did the Yankees commit an error by not signing players like Robinson Cano to contract extensions? (Photo: Getty Images)

Did the Yankees commit an error by not signing players like Robinson Cano to contract extensions? (Photo: Getty Images)

The Yankees don’t do contract extensions. That policy is the consumer equivalent of buying airfare the day before you travel. It’s going to cost more when you book the flight, but you get to avoid an early commitment. When money is no object, the resultant flexibility is priceless. Since the advent of free agency, that has been the Yankees modus operandi. Until now.

According to Hal Steinbrenner, the Yankees are no longer shopping without a budget. The team’s new cost cutting approach, which is designed to trim its payroll beneath the luxury tax threshold in 2014, has already resulted in several free agent departures and forced the team to the sidelines on elite players like Josh Hamilton. In other words, it’s no longer business as usual in the Bronx. So, why then, in the same breath, did Steinbrenner reiterate the team’s aversion to negotiating contract extensions?

Cost certainty is a holy grail for all businesses, not just sports teams. However, in baseball, nothing leads more to cost uncertainty than free agency. So, in order to combat the rising salaries associated with free agents, teams use contract extensions to lock up players at an acceptable cost, thereby avoiding the inflated prices found on the open market. In exchange for cost certainty, teams are usually required to take a leap of faith with the players they choose to extend. Although there are some notable exceptions, such as Evan Longoria, the players who sign long-term extensions are often young standouts without a long track record. If things work out, the club will wind up with a favorable contract, but if the player fails to live up to his potential, the sunk cost is still significant enough to, well, sink the team. Clearly, contract extensions are not a panacea. They substitute one kind of risk for another, but represent a trade off that must be made by teams operating on a budget.

Until recently, the Yankees never seemed too concerned by the risks associated with free agency. Because the team could afford to carry older stars finishing up long-term deals, overpaying for past performance wasn’t a big concern; neither was rolling the dice on pricey veterans with skeletons in their professional closet. If a free agent turned out to be a bust, the Yankees could always spend more money to erase the mistake. Similarly, when it came to retaining free agents, it was almost as if the reserve clause still found refuge in the Bronx. Once a player put on pinstripes, he was pretty much staying put until the team no longer desired his services. However, that all changed this winter. By allowing Nick Swisher to depart for Cleveland, the Yankees said good bye to arguably the most productive free agent to leave the team because of their unwillingness to pay him.

Continue Reading »

Posted in Alex Rodriguez, CBA, Free Agents, Hal Steinbrenner, Hot Stove, MLB, Roster Analysis, Yankees | 1 Comment »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »