From rotoworld.com: “The Royals and Brett Tomko have reportedly agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract.  It's so ridiculous to complain about what Alex Rodriguez is making when baseball is swimming in so much cash that Tomko can disappoint organization after organization and still receive $3 million. The soon-to-be 35-year-old had a 5.55 ERA while pitching in two of the National League's bigger ballparks last season. Once in 10 years -- with the Giants in 2004 -- has he actually met the expectations a team had for him. There's simply way too much money being made by baseball if he's worth $3 million.”

Yes, Brett Tomko and countless others are underperforming, overpaid lucky bastards.  But remind me – which came first – Tomko et. al making a few mil per year or A-Rod’s 10-year, $252 million deal?  The truth is that Rodriguez’s contract is the one that caused Joe (Well Below) Average’s perceived value to increase for no good reason.  If A-Rod had signed a contract that made him the highest-paid player in the game but only barely, maybe Tomko would be making closer to the league minimum for a veteran.

Continue reading "How much are ballplayers really worth?"

While Twins fans are surely upset that their ace pitcher, Johan Santana, was traded to the Mets last week, I for one am just glad he did not end up either across town in the Bronx or in Boston.  I’m disappointed that such a talented pitcher is heading to such a wealthy team, but at least I won’t see him in pinstripes, because that was my fear a couple of months ago.

Though the Yankees haven’t won the World Series this century (and saying it never gets old), I can count on them to make the playoffs every year, and landing a pitcher like Santana could easily put them over the edge, whereas I don’t worry too much about the Mets.  Part of it is that they aren’t as good, and part I’m sure is that I simply hate them much less.

The other trade from last week that is noteworthy to Orioles fans especially but to all who follow MLB is Erik Bedard going from Baltimore to Seattle for a package of five players – four of them prospects and the other a much-needed reliable relief pitcher.  It’s tough to see the best talent on your team leave, especially after such a dominant season (13-5, 3.16 E.R.A., 221 K’s in 182 innings), but I think it is probably for the best.  Besides Nick Markakis, the Orioles’ outfield was pitiful offensively last year, but with Markakis in right, newly acquired Adam Jones in center, Luke Scott (picked up from Houston in the Miguel Tejada trade) in left, and Jay Payton on the bench (or better yet, the O’s hit the jackpot and another team takes him off their hands) this year, opposing pitchers might not breeze through Baltimore’s lineup like they did in 2007.  It may be difficult to watch Steve Trachsel pitch every fifth day instead of Bedard, but in the long run the team will benefit from having a legitimate centerfielder under its control for the foreseeable future.  And if Bedard wins the Cy Young this year…let’s just try to be happy for him.

Continue reading "Southpaw Aces Head East, West"

A few days ago, while talking about his team’s upcoming season-opening trip to Japan, Red Sox GM Theo Epstein called Mike Mussina a “bad apple” for comments Mussina made after he and the Yankees traveled to Japan to begin the 2004 season.  (Who wouldn’t be tired after a 17-hour flight?)  Theo Epstein is no idiot, but what was he thinking?  Of all the Yankee pitchers to criticize right now, why choose Mussina?  I’ll admit my bias – Moose used to be Baltimore’s ace, and even though it killed me to see him put on pinstripes for the first time seven years ago, I still like the guy.  But Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens (allegedly) CHEATED!  What am I missing here?

Mussina is no idiot, either, but he acted more professionally, brushing off Epstein’s comments instead of taking a personal shot back at him.  I guess the 34-year-old Yale alum could learn a thing or two from the 39-year-old Stanford-educated pitcher.  If you feel the need to badmouth your bitter rival, at least do it with some class.

Continue reading "Epstein calls out wrong Yankee pitcher"