Randomocity meets curiosity by Mike Ghika
Pedroia decorates shelf as Hot Stove begins to take shape


•Since the creation of the Silver Slugger Award in 1980, a player has now taken home the Hardware Triple Crown (MVP, Gold Glove, and Silver Slugger) in the same season 23 times. Barry Bonds (1990, 1992, 1993) and Mike Schmidt (1980, 1981, 1986) are the only players in history to do it three times, while Dale Murphy is the only other to accomplish the feat multiple times (1982, 1983). The rest of the list includes: Jimmy Rollins (2007), A-Rod (2003), Ichiro (2001), Ivan Rodriguez (1999), Ken Griffey Jr. and Larry Walker (1997), Ken Caminiti (1996), Barry Larkin (1995), Jeff Bagwell (1994), Cal Ripken (1991), Andre Dawson (1987), Willie McGee and Don Mattingly (1985), and Ryne Sandberg (1984). Clearly, Dustin Pedroia’s clean sweep of all three awards in 2008 puts him on a pretty impressive list.

•Furthermore, Pedroia is just the third player in major league history to capture an MVP the year after winning Rookie of the Year. Ripken followed up his rookie year with an MVP in 1983, and Ryan Howard followed up his rookie year with an MVP in 2006.

•In fact, it’s funny how Howard ousted Albert Pujols for the MVP in 2006, when Pujols’s Cardinals won the World Series. Even funnier how Pujols ousted Howard for this year’s NL MVP Award, when Howard helped his Phillies reach the Promised Land.

•It finally looks as if Greg Maddux is ready to call it a career after 23 seasons, 4 Cy Youngs (1992-95), 18 Gold Gloves, 8 All-Star Games, 4 ERA titles, and 355 wins. He currently leads all active pitchers in wins, innings pitched, games started, complete games, and shutouts. With the Roger Clemens fiasco still unsettled, it is safe to say that Maddux has been the elite right-hander of this generation.

•It’s an exciting situation with the Red Sox and Tigers discussing a swap of bad contracts. It’s rather simple actually: Why not trade for one bad contract to unload another one? Not only does it fill a need for both teams, but it also provides a change of scenery for the players involved.

•It is safe to say that Oakland GM Billy Beane will never stop surprising people. He dealt away two prospects and closer Huston Street (who he had clearly given up on) for the powerful Matt Holliday. Don’t forget that Beane also recently unloaded outfielder/first baseman Nick Swisher and starters Dan Haren and Joe Blanton for an array of young prospects. If those young guys can come up and produce alongside Holliday, the A’s might actually compete. If not, Beane will simply swing Holliday to a contender at the trade deadline and load up on even more young talent.

•Aside from being able to put the puck in the net (which they simply could not do last year), what is the reason for the Bruins success thus far this season? They’ve finally found the right mix of youngsters and veterans, something the Red Sox front office surely knows something about.

•Now, thoughts on the recent Hot Stove developments, In My Humble Opinion:

•The acquisition of reliever Ramon Ramirez fills two needs while cutting costs for the Sox. Yes, Ramirez has the stuff and aggressive attitude the Sox like at the back end of the bullpen, but it also obviously hints at the premonition that they will move Justin Masterson back into the rotation full-time. Masterson would be under contract for the next six years, while Ramirez is under the Sox’ contractual control through 2012.

•The Sox’ sudden interest in AJ Burnett in my mind is nothing more than an attempt to drive up the Yankees’ asking price. There's a strong shot the Yankees don't land CC Sabathia, who may elect to pitch in his home state of California. So if the Yanks aren't able to pony up that money for the big lefty, it makes sense for the Sox to try and squeeze out every dollar New York might pay for Burnett.

•Also, I still feel Theo and the Sox are the front-runners for Mark Teixeira. The only team that can outspend them obviously is the Yanks, but it’s been said that newly-acquired Nick Swisher will play exclusively at first base in New York. In addition, there also have been rumors that they will try to trade for another outfielder (Is David DeJesus available with the addition of Coco Crisp in Kansas City?), which would further solidify the likelihood of Swisher playing first base and not the outfield. Otherwise, the Orioles, Nationals, and not even the Angels can outspend the Sox, who have cash off the books with the salaries of Manny Ramirez, Curt Schilling, and Crisp now gone.

•I hope the Sox brass goes ahead and figures out a deal with Texas in exchange for Jarrod Salatlamacchia, while bringing back Jason Varitek for two years (Hey Boras, where’s the interest for your client?) in an effort to ease the youngster into the role. However, Varitek was clearly offended by being constantly pinch-hit for in the playoffs, and despite his leadership, I’m unsure of how he would respond to a situation where he was just warming up the recliner for someone else.

•If the Sox do get into talks for Saltalamacchia, they’ll try and convince the Rangers that Michael Bowden (who got the win in his major league debut on August 30) is their guy, although Texas will likely demand a straight-up deal for Clay Buchholz. But in the end, the Rangers have another premier catching prospect waiting in the wings in Taylor Teagarden, so their demands could very well come down. Regardless, I highly doubt Theo will consider dealing Manny Delcarmen, who was the Sox’ best reliever in the second half, or Masterson. After all, why would you deal a proven 6-6, 250 pound, 23-year-old kid with no potential for injury in sight?

Published on November 20, 2008

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