As we get into free agent season in MLB, we’ll talk a little more about specific players, teams, contracts, and the decision making process as the weather gets colder.  But before we get there I’d like to establish some parameters within which I’ll operate as the discussions move forward.  Basically, this will be our “guiding … Continue reading Your free agency check list:

I’ve been a Yankee fan for over forty years.  In that time, I’ve owned 1 (ONE) Yankee jersey.  It has number 23 on it.  I just wanted to lead with that disclosure so you have some context while you read. Donald Arthur Mattingly has been on the minds and mouths of Yankee fans a lot … Continue reading Mattingly: The player, manager(?), Hall of Famer(?)

In baseball, there is always a lull just after the World Series.  Especially after a great season such as this past one followed by and even better post season, a short hangover will hit us all as we start the countdown to pitchers and catchers. But it ends pretty quickly.  Free agency decisions are coming … Continue reading Out of Left Field: Tanaka, Kershaw, the Hall

Last night’s game – the whole series, in fact – is really easy to talk about.  There have been crazy momentum swings, big home runs (in both the distance and the clutch sense) and some great pitching performances. But I want to follow along with a theme in baseball over the past few weeks and … Continue reading Dave Roberts: Full circle (?)

Apparently, Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman recommended to Yankee ownership that Joe Girardi not be retained as manager.  There are many threads to this to consider, all of which require more than 140 characters or 10 second sound bites worth of consideration.  Here is what you need to ponder before calling up sports radio, ranting … Continue reading Losing Joe a good move? I have a better question…

Here's something you hear before every World Series game played in a National League Park where the American League team can’t use its Designated Hitter: Insert announcer voice: “The (insert team) are losing a big weapon with (insert name of regular DH) being on the bench in the National League park tonight.” That statement and … Continue reading Leaving bullets in the chamber

Andrew Friedman is the President of Baseball Operations for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Friedman played one year of college ball at Tulane, went on to graduate with a BS in management with a finance concentration.  He worked as an analyst with Bear Stearns before moving on to a private equity firm. Other than his year … Continue reading I guarantee Smoltz won’t say this:

Admittedly, this is a subjective, very non-scientific observation on my part, but it seems that many are surprised by the Yankees post season success thus far.  So much credit and attention was given to the 100 plus win Indians and the 100 plus win Astros (rightfully so), that the team that won 91 games and … Continue reading If you didn’t see this coming, you weren’t watching:

Out of left field is a semi-regular offering about topics that I’d like to address, but may not need 1,000 plus words of analyzation.  In no particular order of importance: Joe Maddon, meet Buck Showalter. Sunday night with the game tied at 1 entering the bottom of the 9th, Cubs manager Joe Maddon went with … Continue reading Out of left field, 10/17 edition

If you’re getting ready for the American League Championship Series, here are some things you need to know: The Houston Astros having a great offense isn’t a secret.  They lead all of baseball in both runs scored and in On Base Percentage, which of course always go hand in hand.  But unlike the recently dispatched … Continue reading ALCS Preview: