Randomocity meets curiosity by Mike Ghika
Phillies prevail in disorderly fashion while hot stove heat is ready to burn

Jonathan Papelbon is clearly on his way to becoming the next Mariano Rivera, who has been the ultimate closer of our generation. Papelbon has thrown the most postseason innings (25) without allowing an earned run in the history of baseball. Rivera, meanwhile, has a 0.77 ERA in 117.1 postseason innings pitched. Furthermore, Rivera posted 124 saves in his first three seasons as the Yankees’ closer (1997-99), while Papelbon has saved 113 games in his first three seasons at the back end of the Sox bullpen. Over those three years, Rivera’s ERA was 1.87, while Papelbon’s is 1.69. Papelbon has also 80 more strikeouts in six less innings pitched at this point in the two’s career comparison.

I can’t possibly imagine how difficult the rain delayed Game 5 was on both the Rays and Phillies. For the Rays, they were forced to wait nearly 48 hours to resume a tie game that if they lose, their magical ride is over. For the Phillies, they were forced to wait nearly 48 hours to resume a tie game that if they win, the 25-year wait for a title in the city of Philly would be no more. It was quite a story when you think about. It’s just unfortunate that nobody in the baseball world seems to care.

Nonetheless, the Phillies’ Cole Hamels, MVP of the NLCS and World Series, finished the postseason with a 4-0 record and 1.80 ERA in five starts. The innings-eater (his 227 IP were second in the NL), best known for his deadly changeup, also struck out 30 in 35 innings pitched.

Let’s talk a little about a man named Albert Pujols. His averages after 8 full seasons in the majors: A .334 average, 40 HRs, 122 RBIs, and a .425 OBP per year. He is a six-time All-Star, a former Rookie of the Year, a one-time MVP (this year could be his second), a one-time LCS MVP, one-time Gold Glove winner, three-time Silver Slugger winner (at three different positions: LF, 3B, and 1B), and a one-time batting champ. He has led the NL in runs scored three times (2003-05) and averages 154 games played a year, even despite playing with a bum shoulder the past few seasons. People forget that he has been to two World Series and helped lead the Cards to an improbable title in 2006. Also, people also do not realize he owns a .323 career postseason average with 13 HRs and 35 RBIs in 53 games. His career .334 regular season average is tops among active major leaguers, and he turns just 29 in January.

Meanwhile, in Alex Rodriguez’s 13 full seasons, the star owns a career .306 average (.389 OBP) with averages of 42 HRs and 123 RBIs per season, virtually the same power numbers as Pujols while getting on base at a much lesser rate. He is a three-time MVP and has 10 All-Star Game selections, not to mention 9 Silver Slugger awards, but keep in mind he has played five more years than Pujols and is three and a half years older. A-Rod has one batting title (albeit back in 1996 with Seattle), five home run titles, and two Gold Gloves (one at shortstop, one at third base). However, A-Rod strikes out on average over 120 times every year, while Pujols’ highest strikeout total was 93 his rookie year in 2001, and he has never struck out more than 69 times in any year since then (A-Rod’s lowest strikeout total was 99 in 1997). Pujols’ .624 career slugging percentage also outdoes A-Rod’s .578 career mark. A-Rod has a .267 postseason average with just 7 homers in 39 games, and the Yankees slugger has never been to a Fall Classic.

It was a good business move by Cincinnati to get out from under Ken Griffey Jr.’s contract as they try to win with guys that are potential young stars (Edinson Volquez, Jay Bruce, and Joey Votto). His hometown Reds would have done it, but it would have been personally upsetting for them to pay the $4 million buyout of his contract, when he would have been due $16 million in 2009. Instead, the White Sox are the ones saddled with the buyout after the organization’s failed attempt at a World Series run.

Kevin Youkilis, recently named American League recipient of the Hank Aaron Award, has gone from a part-time shuttle player to become the everyday cleanup hitter for the best organization in all of baseball.

On the hot stove front, sources indicate the Padres will attempt to move Cy Young winner Jake Peavy very soon, maybe even by the end of next week, as GM Kevin Towers will try to get premiere value before the big name free agents begin signing.

As far as Manny Ramirez’s future goes, many think the Yankees will not match his price tag and feel signing the future Hall-of-Famer would create an outfield clutter with Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon already in town. Even with the services of Scott Boras, $20+ million per may be a stretch, and at this juncture it appears the only teams that could sign him would of course be the Dodgers, or perhaps a team like Toronto or San Francisco looking to make a big splash.

It is clear Theo and his executives quickly fall in love with certain players (Edgar Renteria, Coco Crisp, JD Drew), but there is no question that they have never coveted anyone more than they do Mark Teixeira. Sox brass indeed feel that Mike Lowell and David Ortiz are older and more injury-prone than in recent years, and that bringing in Teixeira would make the middle of the order younger and more effective for years to come. Signing the two-time Gold Glove and Silver Slugger would not only pry him from the rival Angels, but would also allow the Sox to hit Teixeira third, keep Youkilis in the cleanup spot, and move Ortiz to the No. 5 hole in front of Jason Bay and JD Drew. Yes, Lowell won over the hearts of the Nation with his 2007 postseason performance, but with the money available due to Manny’s absence, the Red Sox have to and will enter talks with Teixeira while searching for potential suitors for Lowell.

Published on October 31, 2008

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