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• Red Sox Interview Sveum

  November 02, 2011

  The Boston Red Sox interviewed Milwaukee Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum for its manager job today.

  Dale Sveum is the second candidate the Red Sox have interviewed so far with Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin interviewing on Monday.

  Sveum has ties to Boston with him serving as third base coach in 2004 and 2005. Many Red Sox fans regard him as one of the worst third base coaches the Sox have had. Sveum briefly served as interim manager of the Brewers in 2008 when Ned Yost was fired with 12 games to go in the season.

  The Red Sox have not set a time table as to when they will name the new manager.

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• Mark Cuban Interested In Purchasing Dodgers

  November 02, 2011

  Frank McCourt finally relented and is putting the Los Angeles Dodgers on the market and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is interested in buying.

  Cuban, however, is only interested if the price is right. He had inquired about the price recently to McCourt and McCourt was asking for $1 billion to $1.2 billion. Cuban backed off because the price was too high.

  Cuban had tried to purchase other Major League teams in the past. Cuban tried to buy the Chicago Cubs in 2009, but lost out to the Ricketts family. Last August, Cuban tried buying the Texas Rangers, but the ownership group led by Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan beat him out in a bankruptcy auction.

  Many don't want Cuban to own a Major League team because of his demeanor and outspokenness, but at the end of the day Cuban is a great owner. The Mavericks under Mark Cuban has turned them from NBA doormat to champions. The years before Cuban owned the mavericks they had a winning percentage of 40% and a losing playoff record. Since Cuban bought the team in 2000, the Mavs have won 69% of their games and finally won their elusive NBA title by defeating the heavy favorite Miami Heat.

  Cuban is the guy to turn the Dodgers around. The Dodgers need a charismatic owner to help alleviate the numerous black eyes that the incompetent ownership of Frank McCourt. Cuban has proved he can turn teams around, so Major League Baseball needs to give him a shot.

  However, he faces a situation similar to the failed Texas Rangers bid. Former Dodgers Steve Garvey and Orel Hershiser have expressed interest and so has former Dodger owner Peter O'Malley, the son of Walter O'Malley.

  The Dodgers need Cuban more than he needs them. With the Cuban ownership, it will give the Dodgers something positive to talk about other than the McCourt divorce hearings, Frank McCourt using the Dodgers as his piggy bank, and the Bryan Stow beating.

  They need to find a way to get this done.

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• Yanks No Longer Pursue Oswalt

  November 02, 2011

  The New York Yankees are ending their pursuit of free agent pitcher Roy Oswalt after expressing concern about his chronic back issues.

  Oswalt has a history of back problems starting when he was with the Houston Astros. He reportedly has two degenerative discs in his lower back and was placed on the disabled list in June with back problems.

  The Yankees are very scared of his past back problems leading to one insider saying that's why the Houston Astros traded him. Oswalt was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies at the 2010 trade deadline for J.A. Happ and minor leaguers. He has a record of 16-11 during his time in Philadelphia.

  The Phillies declined Oswalt's option last week, most likely, because of his chronic back problems and did not want to be stuck with paying him $16 million.

  The Yankees are still trying to pursue another starting pitcher this winter and are likely to make a bid for Texas Rangers pitcher C.J. Wilson and Chicago White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle.

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• Ryne Sandberg To Talk To Cardinals

  November 02, 2011

  The Philadelphia Phillies have given Ryne Sandberg permission to talk to the St. Louis Cardinals regarding their managerial vacancy.

  Ryne Sandberg, the Phillies AAA manager, was once regarded as the heir apparent to the Cubs manager job until Wednesday when Theo Epstein said Sandberg will not be interviewed. Sandberg was a finalist to replace Lou Piniella as Cubs manager, but the job ultimately went to Mike Quade.

  Sandberg is a legend in Chicago and would be a huge coup if the World Champions can get him as manager. Sandberg, who spent his 15 of his 16 years with the Cubs, has a .285 career average and, when he retired, had the record for most career home runs by a second baseman with 277.

  Sandberg is regarded as a manager in waiting and has had great success in the minors. He won the Pacific Coast League Manager of the Year in 2010 with the Iowa Cubs and his Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs made it to the International League finals losing in four games.

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• Cubs Fire Quade: Now What?

  November 02, 2011

  Theo Epstein and the Chicago Cubs have fired manager Mike Quade after just one full season at the helm. Quade compiled a record of 95-104 after taking over for Lou Piniella late in the 2010 season. The Cubs went 71-91 this season in Quade's only season as manager.

  One week into his new job, Theo Epstein is cleaning house and appears to be bringing in his own guys. Who do the Cubs and Theo turn to now?

  Theo Epstein has always been an admirer of Ryne Sandberg and could be on his shortlist for managerial candidates. Except, Theo Epstein said during the press conference Ryne Sandberg isn't a candidate. The Cubs are looking for people with managerial or coaching experience in the Majors. I think overlooking Ryne Sandberg is a huge mistake. Sandberg is a manger in waiting and what better place to start where he is a legend. Ryne Sandberg will get a managerial job sometime in the near future whether it be Boston or Philadelphia, after Manuel retires. Joe Maddon was overlooked for numerous jobs before he got his current gig in Tampa. Now he is regarded as probably the best manager in baseball.

  An interesting name to look out for is Terry Francona. Francona has the experience. Check. He has worked with Theo. Check. So it just makes sense that the Cubs should just give him a look. Theo seems to be bringing his guys and Francona is one of his guys. Francona also says that he wants to manage next season, so I think the odds are better than average that Francona gets the Cubs job.

  Then of course there seems to be the hottest name going around in the managerial vacancies, Rays bench coach Dave Martinez. Martinez will get a managerial job, no question about it, but the Cubs look like they want a former manager rather than a great bench coach with no experience. Odds are that Martinez doesn't go to Wrigley.

  Another one of Theo's guys could be on the list, Milwaukee Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum. Sveum served as third base coach, a horrible one at that, in Boston while Theo was there. Sveum is going to be interviewed by Boston, so, presuming Sveum doesn't go to Boston, Sveum would more than likely get at least an interview with the Cubs. I give Sveum fair odds that he lands in Chicago.

  Lastly, another one of Theo's guys, Boston Red Sox bench coach DeMarlo Hale. Hale probably won't get the Red Sox job considering they want to shake things up from last year and Hale's hiring wouldn't do that. Hale is well respected by his players and by Theo Epstein. Granted Hale doesn't have managerial experience, but he was one of Theo's guys in Boston, so I give DeMarlo Hale a great shot at the job.

  At the end of the day, I think Terry Francona gets the job because of his relationship with Theo Epstein and his track record. Francona and Epstein will try to recreate magic at the Friendly Confines.

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• Braves Deal Lowe To Indians

  October 31, 2011

  The first move of the offseason was made on Monday when the Atlanta Braves traded pitcher Derek Lowe to the Cleveland Indians for a minor leaguer.

  The Braves will receive left-handed minor league Chris Jones for Lowe. Jones went 7-1 with an ERA of 3.36 and 66 strikeouts this season with the Kinston Indians, a Class A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians.

  The Braves will eat all but $5 million of the $15 million he is due for next season. Derek Lowe went 9-17 with a 5.05 ERA with the Braves last season, a down season for Lowe.

  Although, Lowe had an off year, this move helps bolster an Indians rotation that is talented, but young. Lowe will join Ubaldo Jimenez, Justin Masterson, Josh Tomlin, and Fausto Carmona in the Indians rotation in 2012.

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• Tony La Russa To Retire

  October 31, 2011

  St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa is retiring after 16 seasons as Cardinals manager and 33rd overall. La Russa has won three World Series in his soon to be Hall of Fame career, 1989 with Oakland and 2006 and 2011 with the Cardinals.

  La Russa ranks third overall in managerial wins with 2,728 behind Connie Mack and John McGraw. This past season might go down as one of La Russa's best jobs ever. The Cardinals erased a 10.5 game deficit in late August and beat the Phillies, Brewers, and Rangers on their way to their 11th World Series title.

  La Russa said of his retirement, "Other than some of personal attachments, I feel good, I feel good that this is the right decision and there's something out there."

  Tony La Russa certainly will be missed in St. Louis and I wish him well on his well deserved retirement.

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• In Defense Of Dan Duquette

  October 30, 2011

  Many people credit Theo Epstein for having helped build the 2004 Boston Red Sox World Series Championship team. He may have a big part in it, but one man pretty much goes unnoticed. Dan Duquette.

  Dan Duquette was the general manager of the Boston Red Sox from 1994 to 2002 when new management came in and cleaned house. Duquette had a gift of developing some great players. Players like Nomar Garciaparra, Kevin Youkilis, David Eckstein, Hanley Ramirez, and Freddy Sanchez. It allowed the Sox to prepare for the future and use the prospects as chips in trade negotiations, which the Sox have done. The Red Sox for a long time had the best minor league system in baseball, which has since been depleted by trades, and it was a testament to Duquette, and to a lesser extent Theo Epstein, and his developmental skills.

  Duquette also pulled of one of the "Great Train Robberies" in baseball. In 1997, Duquette dealt much maligned reliever Heathcliff Slocumb to the Seattle Mariners for troubled pitcher Derek Lowe (charged with felony in Washington for allegedly striking his girlfriend) and catching prospect and former Little League champion Jason Varitek. Slocumb struggled with the Mariners and Lowe and Varitek's careers took off in Boston. Many baseball insiders and reporters regard this as one of the most lopsided trades in MLB history. In the 2004 postseason, Derek Lowe won every clinching game for the Sox and if this trade isn't made then Sox Nation could still be waiting for a title.

  Dan Duquette made some key signings, too. He signed Pedro Martinez, Manny Ramirez, and at the time a minor signing of Johnny Damon. All of which were key in the Red Sox title teams. He also acquired Tim Wakefield from the Pittsburgh Pirates and has been a mainstay in The Hub ever since. However, he has been criticized for not resigning Roger Clemens, Mo Vaughn, Jose Canseco, and Mike Greenwell. He most notably said about Roger Clemens was that he was "in the twilight of his career". Clemens, Vaughn, and Canseco have been accused of taking PEDs after, and possibly during, their time in Boston. So not only do PEDs ruin players career they may have ruined Dan Duquette's.

  Duquette still made dividends in Boston after he left. Boston traded 35 minor leaguers that he drafted and help develop to get such names like Curt Schilling and Josh Beckett.

  Also, Duquette helped build the 1994 Montreal Expos team, the best team that never was. As the Expos GM, he brought in Ken Hill, led the team in wins in '94, John Wetteland, Pedro Martinez, Delino DeShields. The Expos had their best team ever, but the '94 strike ended all of that. He also was a scouting assisstant for the Milwaukee Brewers and helped them draft future stars like Gary Sheffield, John Jaha, BJ Surhoff, Dale Sveum, Greg Vaughn, Troy O'Leary, among others.

  After Duquette was fired, he went on to help start the Israel Baseball League becoming the Director of Baseball Operations, but the league folded after just one season. He also formed the Dan Duquette Sports Academy for, as the website describes it, "a sports training center for boys and girls ages 8–18 who are interested in learning baseball, softball, basketball and life skills from distinguished high school, college and professional coaches." Duquette has also acted when he had a role in a Western Massachusetts theatre production of, oddly enough, Damn Yankees.

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• K-Rod Option Declined, Now Free Agent

  October 30, 2011

  Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Francisco Rodriguez's option has been declined and is now a free agent. Rodriguez had a $17.5 million mutual option.

  Francisco Rodriguez will receive a $4 million buyout from the Brewers compared to the $3.5 million he was originally to get. Rodriguez's contract was reworked after his trade in July from the New York Mets. Rodriguez would have been guaranteed an option had he finished 55 games.

  Used primarily as a set up man in Milwaukee, K-Rod was 4-0 with an ERA of 1.86 in 31 games played.

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• What's Next For Albert Pujols?

  October 29, 2011

  The St. Louis Cardinals have won the 2011 World Series in a dramatic comeback against the Texas Rangers. Now the big question arises: What's next for Albert Pujols?

  Pujols was asked that question after his team had won Game 7 last night, but Pujols remained quiet on the issue. With free agency beginning next week, both the Cardinals and Pujols need to make a decision.

  The World Series win definitely helps their chances at re-signing Pujols, but other teams are willing to break the bank on him. The Red Sox could still sign Pujols, but that means him more than likely playing DH and David Ortiz not returning. The Chicago Cubs and Theo Epstein need to make a big splash and what bigger splash than landing the biggest name in baseball away from your rival. The Cubs have the money, but Epstein needs to sell him on the idea.

  Another surprising team could be the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers expect Prince Fielder to leave so use that money to sign Albert Pujols and it would make a slight improvement to an already pretty good team. And what free agency season would be complete without the New York Yankees. The Yankees have a ton of money and are willing to throw it around, so why not attempt to sign Pujols? The Yankees would be willing to offer him $300 million. The Yanks already have Mark Teixiera at first, but one or the other could play DH, a huge upgrade from the aging Jorge Posada.

  However, the Cardinals seem to be the favorite and rightfully so. Why would Pujols leave the only team he ever played for? He has already won two titles with them and they have a young electrifying team who can easily repeat next year. The Cardinals need to keep Pujols around as a mentor to all the young players if they want to continue their success. They need him more than he needs them. If you ask me, the St. Louis Cardinals re-sign Albert Pujols and make him a Cardinal for life.

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• Nelson Cruz Unknown For Game 7

  October 28, 2011

  Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz's condition is unclear for tonight's pivotal Game 7. Nelson Cruz injured his groin on David Freese's game tying triple in the ninth. It is unclear the extent of Cruz's injury.

  Cruz stayed in the game until the 11th inning when manager Ron Washington pulled him for precautionary reasons. "I didn't want to take the chance and run him back out there," Washington said, "I haven't had anything from the medical department as to the seriousness of it, but we'll just have to wait and see how everything is."

  Nelson Cruz has stated that he will be playing saying that he is a little tight be otherwise fine.

  The Rangers will be looking to win their first World Series in their 50 year history.

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• Dodgers Claim Stow Partly To Blame

  October 27, 2011

  A civil compliant was filed last week in Los Angeles by the Los Angeles Dodgers organization and owner Frank McCourt against the two men accused of the horrendous beating of Bryan Stow. Attorney Jerome Jackson has said that Bryan Stow, the victim, should share part of the blame.

  Jackson said that if this case does go to a jury trial, the jurors would be asked what percentage each person is to blame. If financial damages were to be awarded, the money would be split be the percentage the jurors come up with.

  Jackson used the Maria Para Helenius case as an example. Helenius lost one of her eyes in a fight outside of Dodger Stadium and was found to be 15% liable and the Dodgers 0%.

  Stow, a 42 year old EMT and father of two, remained in a coma for several months following the attack and still needs care. Stow's lawyers also say that his medical bills are expected to be around $50 million.

  What really burns me about this case is that how dare the Dodgers claim that Stow is partly to blame. Bryan Stow was just minding his own business when two delinquent Dodger "fans" started beating on him. Why? Because he was a Giants fan. The Dodgers in this past year have become a shell of their former glory. Between the very ugly McCourt divorce, bankruptcy and MLB taking over, and the Stow beating, thisis yet another black eye on one of the most prestigious franchises in baseball history.

  Bryan Stow did nothing wrong that night and he just wanted to cheer on his favorite team. The Dodgers needed to have better security, but Frank McCourt needed to have more money in his pocket. Now an innocent fan in brain damaged. Nice going, McCourt. You wonder why people want you out Frank, it's because you have taken a team like the Dodgers and drove them straight into the ground. Now you are saying Bryan Stow shares more blame than the Dodgers do because he was wearing the wrong hat. Shame on you, Frank McCourt!

  Stay classy, Dodgers.

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• From Star To Felon: Ugueth Urbina

  October 26, 2011

  In May of 1995, the Montreal Expos called up young 21 year old pitcher Ugueth Urbina. Urbina would develop into one of the best closers during the rest of the 1990s. Flash forward twelve years later, Urbina doesn't pitch anymore, he is a prisoner in his native Venezuela. But let's start at the beginning.

  Ugueth Urbina made his major league debut in 1995 with the Montreal Expos. By 1996, Urbina started 17 games for the Expos winning 10. Then in 1997, Urbina's career really took off as the Expos made him a closer and for the next three seasons he became a dominant force on an otherwise hapless Expos team.

  At the trade deadline in 2001, the Expos had no choice but to trade their star closer to the Boston Red Sox for Boston legends Tomo Ohka and Rich Rundles. He would go on to save a total of 49 saves in one and a half seasons with the Sox.

  After leaving Boston, Urbina bounced around the majors making stops in Texas, Florida, where he won his only World Series in 2003, Detroit, and Philadelphia. He never really made it back to his form that he had in Montreal has he was now relegated to a set-up role.

  The real story starts on October 16, 2005. Ugueth Urbina was living on his ranch in his home country of Venezuela when he got into a dispute with five ranch hands. Urbina had accused them of stealing his gun and decided to take matters into his own hands. Urbina tried to attack the workers with a machete and also tried to pour gasoline on them. Urbina has steadfastly denied these claims. Urbina claims that he was sleeping at the time of the attacks and said earlier that night the workers were bathing in his pool without permission when he sternly told them to leave.

  In March of 2007, Urbina was sentenced to fourteen years in a Venezuelan prison. He was only 33 years old at the time of the sentencing. Urbina could still be pitching today, but in the heat of the moment he let his temper get the best of him. Now his once promising career is over and his life is forever changed. Urbina will now forever be marked as a felon. Instead of him being remembered for his days with Montreal he will be remembered as that guy that tried to torch his workers. If you ask me, that is a damn shame.

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• Red Sox Free Agent Targets

  October 24, 2011

  With the 2011 Major League Baseball season winding down we are now left to face a long, cold winter. With the long winter comes the MLB Free Agency season and one team in particular, the Boston Red Sox, have some holes to fill and a lot of question marks. Here are just some of the names I believe Ben Cherington and the Red Sox brass should take a look at:

  • Chicago White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle

  The Red Sox have a huge need when it comes to starting pitching. John Lackey is very inconsistent and Red Sox Nation's patience has grown thin and Daisuke Matsuzaka probably not coming back, it just makes sense to look at Buehrle. Mark Buehrle has been a consistent pitcher for the Chicago White Sox and has never missed a start since his career began back in 2001. This is in contrast to Lackey, Beckett, Buchholz, and Dice-K who seemingly miss starts. Buehrle is a great southpaw and would give Boston a great 1-2 punch with Jon Lester. Mark Buehrle also is the only pitcher in history to throw multiple no-hitters and win multiple Gold Gloves.

  • Minnesota Twins RF Jason Kubel

  The Red Sox need a right fielder. Bad. J.D. Drew just is cutting it and is likely gone. Jason Kubel seems to be a good fit and would be considerably cheaper than Carl Crawford. Kubel is a left handed bat and, although not a power hitter, would enjoy the confines of Fenway Park. Right field at Fenway is 302 down the line and Kubel could easily increase his home run totals.

  • Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Jonathan Broxton

  The Sox bullpen, while improved from 2010, still needs help. Jonathan Broxton might be that answer. Broxton seemed to have lost his touch in 2011 losing his closer's role, but could help Daniel Bard bridge the gap between starter to Papelbon (or whoever is the closer). If Papelbon leaves town, Broxton could be a closer considering Daniel Bard's breakdown down the stretch and inexperience at closing so you need some veterans in that bullpen. Broxton should be looked at.

  • Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Ryan Doumit

  Jarrod Saltalamacchia had a better than expected season in Boston, but is he really the answer? Ryan Doumit, while not fantastic behind the plate, could be a great compliment to Salty. Doumit is durable for a catcher too. He has played in right field and first base in the past for the Pirates. Saltalamacchia and Doumit could make a solid catching tandem, not fantastic, but just enough to get by.

  • Milwaukee Brewers 1B Prince Fielder

  This is a long shot, but the Sox could use Fielder if Big Papi leaves. Ortiz has stated that the drama in Boston has gotten to be too much and could leave Boston. That would open the door for Prince Fielder. However, Fielder would almost certainly have to play Designated Hitter with Adrian Gonzalez at first base and being a better defensive player. Fielder is younger than Pujols and will cost less money, but the Sox have that money? I don't think the Red Sox will sign him but they should at least kick the tires.

  That is just some of the names I think Boston should go after. Ben Cherington has a tough task in front of him, but I think he will make some good moves and improve from last year. First and foremost, he needs to re-sign Ortiz and Papelbon. If not it will be that much harder to fill those gaps left in their wake.

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