Congratulations to the American League Eastern Division Champion New York Yankees. Home field advantage belongs to them in the American League as long as they remain in the Playoffs.
No reason for panic in Red Sox Nation, but with Beckett's back acting up and Jon Lester having been hit by a batted ball, isn't there justification for a few of those sweat beads to appear on the diehard's foreheads? This is the worst time for injuries to pop up in Boston.
By having the best record in the American League, the Yankees get to choose when they wish to play the first Playoff game. They can begin on October 7th or October 8th-their call. If they select October 7th there will be an off day between game one and game two. Supposedly, Manager Joe Girardi is in favor of the extra day off.
I know he was hurt for most of the season, but where has that big bat of Carlos Quentin been? Well, it finally showed up last weekend. Is he just teasing us? Scouts still wonder how the Diamondbacks could give up a talent like Quentin. The answer? He was always so hard on himself that he wouldn't let his talent come through. He broke out a bit last season and then was injured this year. We still don?t know Carlos Quentin.
The Indians are peaking. Great time for The Tribe to win a couple games. No pressure. Nobody watching. No fooling. Is this a drive to save Eric Wedge? Keep Cleveland sports fans away from sharp objects, tall buildings and each other. This is not a happy time for Indians or Browns fans. And what happens if the Cavs tank? High School football is king again!
Francisco Liriano lasted 1 and 2/3 against the Royals. Jack Greinke was his mound opponent, but Liriano couldn't even make it to the second inning. Three walks and only one K. Without command and velocity, Liriano has no chance to recover.
The Angels Brass has always been very positive about Eric Aybar. He was on the minds and lips of countless clubs that came calling to the Angels for Aybar's services in trade. They wouldn't discuss him and their patience and confidence in their shortstop has paid off. The Angles stick with players and refuse to panic when one of their prospects scuffles a bit. The same thing has happened with Kendry Morales. Credit good scouting, good player development and fantastic management for getting it right!
What were the Royals thinking? So, after it?s all said and done, Yuniesky Betancourt should hit around .238 for the season. He will have double- digit errors and perhaps low single digit stolen bases. He will have some 30 (if that) extra base hits in about 450 at-bats. And that is what Kansas City received from a grateful Seattle. At the time I thought they did it to stabilize their deep hole at shortstop. But really.
After watching Alex Rios since the end of July, maybe now the White Sox know why the Blue Jays let him go to them for..... nothing. Hello! And all his paychecks will say "Chicago White Sox" from now until the millions and millions of dollars have been deposited in his account.
What a tragedy-Angel Villalona, highly touted prospect for the Giants was arrested and charged with murder in the shooting death of a patron in a bar in the Dominican Republic. Villalona could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison if he's convicted. By the way, the Giants coughed up 2.5 million for his services.
The Rockies outfield prospects really give the team some flexibility with their roster next season. Not only could Garrett Atkins be gone, don't bet the house that Brad Hawpe wears Rockies colors next season. I'm a huge Seth Smith fan.
Will the price of the final issues of Upper Deck baseball cards increase in value? The only licensed baseball cards next season will belong to Topps. So, what's a very good condition Griffey Rookie Card worth these days? No your mom didn't throw them out. You did when you went to college or when you cleaned out your room. Or was that me, not you?
You didn't pick Chris Carpenter because you didn't think he could ever be healthy, right? Well as we all now know, he is. Don't be upset. The Cardinals weren't even sure he'd be healthy.
Credit Paul Byrd with the coup of the year. He sat out in free agency so he could wait for a call from a contender before the season ended. Ring. Hello, it's the Red Sox. He gave them innings and leadership. And a 5.81 ERA. Great move on his part.
The Royals again. I can't help thinking of them. Mike Jacobs?
You want to give us Cliff Lee for Carlos Carrasco? Are you sure? Are you really sure? Carlos Carrasco. You mean Kyle Drabek, right? No. Oh, can we drive him to Cleveland to get him there faster for you?
It looks like the Rangers want Omar Vizquel back in 2010.
Pitch to Thunder or pitch to Lightning or pitch to both? Neither? How do you handle Pujols and Holliday back to back? A few teams are working on that right now. A two- man wrecking crew. I don't know which one is Thunder and which one is Lightning.
If you can't sleep at night, listen to the Royals radio broadcast and say goodnight. You'll be out like a light in 5 minutes.
Is there a classier guy than Ernie Harwell? Graceful even in dark days.
Of course, Adam Wainwright has to be in the NL Cy discussion. Lincecum, Carpenter and Tommy Hanson round out my list. Although, I like Hanson more on my NL Rookie of the Year short list. Dan Haren? Not the best second half, right? Any other names on your list?
Good night from Red Sox Nation!