Friday, November 20, 2015

Ronald Herrera Highlights.... To Be Continued

This is all I could find easily accessible. Enjoy. 

Devan Ahart vs. Ronald Herrera



Ronald Herrera closes it out



Andy Dirks vs. Ronald Herrera

Tampa Bay Rays Claim Chase Whitley off Waivers


The New York Yankees attempted to sneak Chase Whitley through waivers before the Rule 5 Draft decision deadline and failed. Whitley, despite undergoing Tommy John surgery last season, was claimed and awarded to the Tampa Bay Rays thus ending his tenure in New York. Whitley is unlikely to pitch before July or August of 2016, if at all, so this is not an immediate loss for the Yankees but it may be one in the long term.

Either way good luck in Tampa Chase.

Yankees Protect Gamel, Davis & Barbato


Today is the day that the final 40 man roster and Rule 5 Draft pick decisions have to be made and before the deadline passed the Yankees added three men to their 40 man roster keeping them safe from the draft. Those three men are RHP Rookie Davis, outfielder and Minor League Player of the Year in 2015 Ben Gamel and RHP Johnny Barbato.

Before the deadline the Yankees had just two open spots on their 40 man roster leading the team to try and sneak Chase Whitley through waivers. Whitley did not pass through waivers and was claimed and awarded to the Tampa Bay Rays.

Barbato was acquired from the San Diego Padres for Shawn Kelley and posted a 3.19 ERA between Double-A and Triple-A in 2015. Davis has yet to pitch above Double-A during his career but posted an impressive 3.86 ERA in 130.2 innings this season between High-A Tampa and Trenton. Gamel won the Minor League Player of the Year Award leading off for the Scranton/Wilkes Barre RailRiders while posting a .300/.358/.472 with 52 extra base hits.

IBWAA vs. BBWAA Awards


Award season is officially over around Major League Baseball and all the major hardware has been handed out. Many people watched nightly on MLB Network as the Baseball Writers Association of America announced their awards nightly while others checked their email in anticipation of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America’s awards announcements. Some may have seen both sets, some may have only seen one or the other so today I bring you both neatly tied up in a bow together right here on the blog.




In years past there have been some differences, but mostly similarities, between the two sets of awards but this season there was no controversy. No changes, nothing different. Business as usual. Carry on. 

#BYBHUB Change-Up: Is David Ortiz a HOFer? - The Yankees Perspective


I am excited to bring you this post and my case against David Ortiz making the Hall of Fame. Not because I’m a Red Sox hater, but truth be told I am, and not because I am a David Ortiz hater, respect can be had while still hating a player and I have both in my heart for Big Papi, but because we are doing something a little special here. Myself, along with Section 36 (a Red Sox blog that is listed on the BYB Hub), are syndicating these posts at the same time on both blogs so both sides of the argument can have both arguments in the same place at the same time. Maybe it will lead to more posting between blogs, maybe it won’t, but this is just the tip of the iceberg with what we have planned as far as interaction between the BYB Hub bloggers. I hope you enjoy my case, a Yankees side of the argument, against David Ortiz’s Hall of Fame case. Please keep all comments respectful, thank you.

Entering the 2016 season David Ortiz has the stats of few before him in Major League Baseball history. Ortiz has enjoyed one hell of a career, let’s call a spade a spade, for the Minnesota Twins and the Boston Red Sox including such milestones as breaking the Curse of the Bambino in 2004, winning another World Series in 2007 and yet another World Series in 2013 and many other statistical markers. You know the numbers so I won’t dwell on them much; 503 home runs, 1641 RBI, a career triple slash of .284/.378/.547 and for a long time he was one of the most feared hitters in all of Major League Baseball. Ortiz has been great and if you’re using the back of his baseball card alone the argument against his case into the Hall of Fame is not only pointless, it’s mundane. The problem for Ortiz, Major League Baseball and its fans is that players these days are judged on much more than that.

Me personally I have no issue with an accused steroid user getting into the Hall of Fame. Frankly I wouldn’t mind it if they all got in. At the time these steroids were not against the rules of Major League Baseball, they weren’t mentioned in a Collective Bargaining agreement and I don’t think they should be an issue as long as the steroid use stopped there. Should Alex Rodriguez be in the Hall of Fame? Hell no, not after Biogenesis, lying a second time and then going on a lawsuit rampage against the league, the union that represents him and his own family. Do I think Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds should be in? Absolutely and I continue to vote for them every single year on my Internet Baseball Writers Association of American (IBWAA) ballot. The problem here is I think it would be irresponsible to go on a case-by-case basis for Hall of Fame voting and I think it sets a nasty precedence that nobody wants to set. You either, again in my opinion, have to let everyone and anyone into the Hall of Fame that was even so much as linked to steroids during their playing career or none at all.

Looking at the Mitchell Report you see that 89 players were named in the report which basically showcased who did steroids and who failed the supposed anonymous test that they were promised back during the 2003 season. The list includes a few notable names and some names that will never have their names discussed in a Hall of Fame roundtable. That list includes Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi, Gary Sheffield, Kevin Brown, Roger Clemens, Lenny Dykstra, Eric Gagne, Jason Grimsley, Jerry Hairston Jr., David Justice, Chuck Knoblauch, Denny Neagle, Andy Pettitte, Brian Roberts, Dave Segui, Miguel Tejada, Mo Vaughn, Jose Canseco, and Rick Ankiel to name a few. One notable name not on the list was that of Ortiz or his teammate Manny Ramirez although both reportedly failed a drug test either in 2003 or later on in their careers. 

None of those players; not Bonds the all-time home run king, not Rafael Palmeiro who hit 500+ home runs but shook his finger in front of Congress vehemently denying his steroid use only to fail a drug test later that calendar year, not Roger Clemens who won 350 games and was acquitted of all charges related to perjury and steroid use and none of the other players mentioned got into the Hall. What makes Ortiz different or special? Because he “bought the damn things” at a GNC in the mall? Because he can take selfies with President Barack Obama and hugs Commissioner of Major League Baseball Bud Selig after winning the World Series? If you’re asking me, a full-fledged Yankees fan but a general baseball fan as well, I have to say nothing makes him special.

Look, if Clemens, Bonds, Sosa, McGwire, probably Gary Sheffield on this upcoming ballot and the slew of others that are being kept out of the Hall not because of their stats but because of their links or suspicions to steroids get in then 100% absolutely put Ortiz in. I’ll vote for him 10 times out of 10 and I’ll walk him in myself, he’s a special talent. I’m just fighting for an even and for a fair playing field here and if Ortiz gets in they should all get in. If they all can’t get in, because maybe they went to that same GNC… we’ll never know for sure, then Ortiz shouldn’t either. Those are my two cents anyway.

If this isn’t enough then someone explain to me why Ortiz should be in, basically a full-time DH for much of his career, and Edgar Martinez of the Seattle Mariners, another full-time DH, is not. Martinez is probably a better hitter than Ortiz according to the numbers and only managed to receive 27% of the vote in his sixth season on the ballot of 2015. If that’s not enough then you’re either a Boston fan or you haven’t been following the Hall of Fame votes and blogs I’ve been writing for the past two or three seasons anyway.


I want to thank Section 36 for allowing us to post this on his blog and for shooting over his side of the argument over for us to syndicate on ours. If you want to tweet or follow Section 36, and he truly is a great follow, then give @Section_36 a follow on Twitter. Also check out his blog HERE where this post is also live, all that I ask is that if you comment alongside his viewers and readers that you keep things respectful and on topic. This is all for fun and Section 36 is run by a man that I truly respect, thank you again and I look forward to your comments, comments from his readers and fans and from everyone on Twitter. Have a great day. 

#BYBHUB Change-Up: Is David Ortiz a HOFer? - The Red Sox Perspective

As you all know by now, even the last person under that rock over there just found out, David Ortiz is retiring at the end of the 2016 season. Ortiz has had a stellar career including three World Series championships, 500+ home runs and nine All-Star Game appearances. The debate whether Ortiz should be in the Hall of Fame or not almost immediately began like it does with most every notable retirement story. Rather than simply put my opinion out there to Yankees fans and readers of The Greedy Pinstripes we decided we wanted to do something a little different with the help of the BYB Hub. With the help of Robert Casey (Bleeding Yankee Blue) and Section 36 (a Red Sox blog currently listed on the Hub) we came up with a plan to syndicate our arguments for and against Ortiz’s induction into the Hall of Fame.

As you’re reading this Section 36’s case for Ortiz is currently going up on the blog here while my case against goes up on his blog. In a few hours you will see my case against Ortiz here on the blog and his on his blog over there. Basically we wanted both sides of the equation to get both sides of the story at the same exact time. We also wanted to get a discussion going and possibly have this as the stepping stone to more integration between the blogs, more syndication and more working together with the members of the BYB Hub. If you can’t wait to see my response head over to Section 36 and read my response now after reading his here on TGP and please, PLEASE, be respectful. This doesn’t work without that. Thank you in advance and we hope that you enjoy. 



Before I get into Ortiz’s case for Hall of Fame election, let me address a couple of the common strikes held against him.


First, that PED list. Yes, he appeared on the 2003 list. But, no he didn’t use illegal PEDs. How do I know? Because MLB told me so. They stated that the testing done in 2003 initially didn’t distinguish between “supplement” and “banned supplement.” After all, it was the first testing. Some kinks needed to be worked out. So, Ortiz made it on the list that was never supposed to be released (so, why bother “fixing” it?) for something that wasn’t banned…and wasn’t illegal. That’s why you haven’t heard any whispers since by people who saw him use, or knew he used, or whatever. No testimony came out later naming him. Nothing. Just the one test for a supplement, which was explained away by MLB. Non-issue.


The second one is the DH issue. How can you be in the Hall-of-Fame if you don’t play the field? Well, I guess the same way you can be in the Hall of Fame if you don’t bat. Pitchers only pitch, and DH’s only hit. How is it different? Additionally, DH is an actual position. It’s not like people telling me closers deserve to be in the Hall of Fame even though they’re not even good enough to start for their teams. When Ortiz’s manager makes a list of his nine starting batters, Papi’s name was almost always in that list.


Now, of course, I think defense can be important to get into the Hall of Fame…depending on the player’s claim to fame. If you’re say Jorge Posada, and you’re basing your resume on being a great hitting catcher, defense is important. The numbers on their own aren’t enough to get him in as a hitter. If he was an outfielder or a first baseman, his numbers wouldn’t stand out. He needs the “catcher qualifier” to have a chance. So, when you’re trying to get in as a catcher…the fact that he can’t actually catch is important. Putting shin guards on Manny Ramirez doesn’t make him the best hitting catcher ever.


But, David Ortiz doesn’t need any of those qualifiers. He’s not trying to get in as a great hitting shortstop. So, his ability to play shortstop is irrelevant. He’s trying to get in as a great hitter. Why would his lack of playing defense hurt him? If he wanted to…or if the Red Sox wanted him to…could he play first base as well as, say, Jason Giambi? I would certainly think so. After all, it was Ortiz’s glove that made the Red Sox choose him over all the other available DH/1B types in 2003. So, if he had fumbled and stumbled around for ten years like Giambi at first, he’s a Hall of Famer? But, because he played a position that didn’t require that, he’s not? How does that make sense? It doesn’t.


So, now that we've eliminated the arguments against his election, what about the ones for?


I’ve discussed my personal rules for Hall of Fame election before. But, for the new people… The Hall of Fame requires a ten year long career. So, I figure if that’s the minimum, you better have all ten be all-star type years. Not always actual selection. After all, the most deserving players don’t always go. But, the type of year where people would think you deserved to be there. Ortiz? He was a nine-time all-star. One year he wasn’t he hit 28 HR with 99 RBI. It’s close, but I’ll give him the ten all-star type seasons. Within those ten seasons, I require 5 MVP types. Again, not actually winning the award. But, if people were discussing the best players in the game, that player’s name would come up pretty quickly. Ortiz? He finished in the top five in MVP voting five years in a row, and tenth another year. That sounds pretty good to me. Beyond that, if a player plays beyond the ten year minimum, I just don’t want him to embarrass himself. Don’t have ten all-star seasons, and then ten seasons where you’re hitting .136. Ortiz? He currently sits at 503 home runs, and 1641 RBI. Fair to say he didn’t let himself go in those non-all-star years.


I haven’t even mentioned his postseason heroics. Mostly because I couldn’t care less when it comes to Hall of Fame eligibility. Hard to say that performing well in a series that not everyone gets a chance to play in makes you a better player. But, let’s just say his performance in the playoffs isn’t exactly his downfall.


So, there you have it. No, he’s not a Pedro Martinez type lock. But, it’s still a pretty easy decision. He has the career numbers. He has the peak numbers. His top comp on baseball reference is a Hall of Famer. (Frank Thomas. Who, by the way, was a DH more than a 1B). It’s a slam dunk that he should get in.


Have no idea how anyone could think otherwise.

IBWAA SELECTS DONALDSON, HARPER IN MVP VOTE

Los Angeles – The Internet Baseball Writers Association of America (IBWAA) announced the winners in its Most Valuable Player category Thursday, with the Toronto Blue Jays’ Josh Donaldson winning the group’s American League award, and Bryce Harper, of the Washington Nationals, being selected in the National League.
 
Donaldson received 124 first-place votes (69.27%) and 2222 points while being named on 179 of 180 ballots (97.22%). Others receiving first-place votes include Mike Trout (53), David Price (1) and Chris Davis (1).
 
Harper received 170 first-place votes (94.44%) and 2461 points while being named on all 180 ballots. Others receiving first-place votes include Paul Goldschmidt (4), Yoenis Cespedes (2), Zack Greinke (2), Nolan Arenado (1) and Anthony Rizzo (1).
 
Election results are as follows:
 
AL MVP
 
1st Place:                  Josh Donaldson, Toronto Blue Jays – 2222 points
2
nd Place:                 
Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim – 1820 
3rd Place:                 
 Lorenzo Cain, Kansas City Royals– 967
4th Place:                  Manny Machado, Baltimore Orioles – 792
5th Place:                  Nelson Cruz , Texas Rangers – 663
6th Place:                  Jose Batista, Toronto Blue Jays – 467
7th Place:                  Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers – 348 
8th Place:                  Dallas Keuchel, Houston Astros – 333
9th Place:                 Chris Davis, Baltimore Orioles – 320
10th Place:                David Price, Toronto Blue Jays – 309
 
NL MVP
 
1st Place:                  Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals – 2461 points
2
nd Place:                 
Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks – 1314 
3rd Place
:                  Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds – 998
4th Place:                  Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates – 814
5th Place:                  Anthony Rizzo, Chicago Cubs – 772
6th Place:                  Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants – 595
7th Place:                  Nolan Arenado , Colorado Rockies – 533
8th Place:                  Jake Arrieta, Chicago Cubs – 508
9th Place:                  Zack Greinke, Los Angeles Dodgers – 465
10th Place:                Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs – 351
 
Ballot tabulations by Brian Wittig & Associates, using the Borda Method.
 
The IBWAA was established July 4, 2009 to organize and promote the growing online baseball media, and to serve as a digital alternative to the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA). Voting for full season awards takes place in September of each year, with selections being announced in November. The IBWAA also holds a Hall of Fame election in December of each year, with results being announced the following January.
 
In 2010, the IBWAA began voting in its own relief pitcher category, establishing the Rollie Fingers American League Relief Pitcher of the Year and the Hoyt Wilhelm National League Relief Pitcher of the Year Awards.

Among approximately 400 others, IBWAA members include Jim Bowden, Jim Caple, David Schoenfield and Mark A. Simon of ESPN.com; Tim Brown, Yahoo! Sports; Craig Calcaterra, NBC Sports Hardball Talk; Bill Chuck, GammonsDaily.com; Derrick Goold, St. Louis Post-Dispatch; King Kaufman, Bleacher Report; Kevin Kennedy; Kostya Kennedy, Sports Illustrated; Will Leitch, Sports on Earth; Bruce Markusen, Hardball Times; Ross Newhan; Dayn Perry and Matt Snyder, CBSSports.com; Mark Purdy, San Jose Mercury News; Tom Hoffarth and J.P. Hoornstra Los Angeles Daily News; Pedro Moura, Orange County Register; Tracy Ringolsby, MLB.com; Ken Rosenthal, FoxSports.com; Eno Sarris, FanGraphs; Dan Schlossberg, USA Today; Jesse Spector, Sporting News and Wendy Thurm.
 
Association membership is open to any and all Internet baseball writers, with a yearly fee of $20, or $35 lifetime. Discounts for groups and scholarships are available. Members must be 18 years of age to apply.

For more information please visit 
www.ibwaa.com.

Contact:
 

Howard Cole
Founding Director, IBWAA
baseballsavvy@aol.com

Weekly AFL Check In: Tyler Wade


Tyler Wade was one of the lesser known names that the New York Yankees sent down to the Arizona Fall League this winter and unfortunately for the team, and for Wade, he will remain so for at least a few more months. Wade his dabbled around in the infield playing mostly second base and shortstop, the former more so than the latter, and has tried to put together a respectable batting line along the way. Wade tried, but has struggled at the plate this season.

Wade will likely begin the 2016 season in Charleston or Tampa. It remains to be seen though, with the emergence of Didi Gregorius, whether that will be a shortstop or a second baseman. Stay tuned for that.


Tyler Wade: 

Games: 14
At Bats: 41
AVG: .220
OBP: .313
SLG: .268
OPS: .581
H: 9
HR: 0
RBI: 6
BB: 6
K: 7

This Day in New York Yankees History 11/20: Moose Retires



On this day in 2008 Mike Mussina officially announced his retirement following his first 20 game winning season. Moose spent 10 years with the Baltimore Orioles before spending his last eight seasons with New York. Moose finished with a 270-153 record with a 3.68 ERA combined in his soon to be Hall of Fame career.

Also on this day in 2008 the 35 year run of George Steinbrenner being the owner of the New York Yankees officially ended as the MLB owners unanimously approved of his sons, Hank and Hal Steinbrenner, taking over the Yankees. George, with his failing health, appointed his sons as the chairmen of the team in 2007 before this was made official.