Kuzul

This past week, Major League Baseball witnessed one of the best three-game, going-for-the-division slug fests in history.  Three one-run games.  Two extra inning games.  Cy Young caliber pitching.  Heavy hitting.  Seven lead changes.

The New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays clash featured playoff-caliber baseball, a preview of next week’s four game set in New York, and a preview of the potential ALCS opponents. 

Next week’s games could very well determine who wins the best division chase baseball has ever seen.  Throughout baseball’s 120-plus year history, at no time have two teams with this good of records been in the same division, and still duking it out for the division crown.

Consider New York Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman less than impressed.

“We’re in this thing to win a World Series. Our focus is a World Series, not 10 years from now being known as division champions.”

Why does this sound like a spoiled rich kid who lost his lollipop, but acts like he didn’t want it in the first place?  Your focus is not on the division?  If you can’t beat a team for the division, how can you beat a team, or any team, for that matter in the post-season?

This is the Yankees we are talking about, right?  Where winning is everything?  The team who is built on a nearly 200 million dollar payroll with the purpose of being better than every other team?  And you can’t win the division?

There is no way anyone would have muttered these words if George Steinbrenner was still around, and in charge.  I’m pretty sure George would have fired him on the spot for saying that. 

Why? 

Because they are the Yankees and winning is everything, and second place is always unacceptable.  Even the division.

If anything, maybe this is an indictment on baseball’s playoff format.  If winning the division can be scoffed at, then maybe the team that wins the division isn’t getting the advantage it should be getting.  Maybe they should be getting more home games.  Maybe you increase the Wild Cards to two, and the top division champ gets a bye like in football.

But Cashman says his reasons for not focusing on the division is because he is looking at the bigger picture.

“If you’re not World Series champions, nothing else matters. Nobody really remembers.” 

The bottom line is all that matters.  It’s hard to argue with that.  But how do you get to be the best?  By beating the best.  At the end of the day, the Yankees have faced off with the Rays 14 times.  The Rays, and not the Yankees have gotten the better of the head-to-head-matchup, 8-6.  Even at Yankee Stadium, the Rays own a slight edge, 3-2.  In the second half, against the Cliff Lee upgraded Rangers, the Yankees are 1-4.

And even though a team in your own division has been better than you, you still say your focus is on the World Series and not the division?  How can you say you have a clear sight on the “bigger picture” when you are ignoring the biggest thing that is standing in your way?

“That doesn’t mean we’re conceding anything. We could have swept the whole series but we didn’t. Tampa won those games and you have to give them credit. We’ll live to fight another day.”

Could have?  Is this the same “could have” but instead got swept by the Rangers?  Which is it—these games matter or they don’t?  How do you say you could have won the series? The man who touts the “bottom line” mantra is trying to now sugar coat the bottom line?

One thing is for sure, these aren’t your father’s Yankees. 

The rotation is spotty behind Sabathia.  The team still has its classic Bronx Bomber power, but it is lacking career-average production from its big names.  The bullpen outside of Rivera has questions.

This team isn’t as iron-clad as it was last year.  But don’t worry.  Only 1-4 in their last 5 games against Texas?  No problem.  Winning the division?  You know what, second place isn’t so bad.

You have a general manager who believes you’ll fight another day, without beating the best. 

Maybe the “another day” he’s referring to is Spring Training. 

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It doesn’t get any better than this. 

A 19 game winner. 

A 17 game winner. 

The best two teams in baseball. 

Did I forget to mention they play in the same division? 

What about the part that they are only 1/2 of a game apart for the division lead? 

What about the historical significance that no two teams have had this many wins and been this neck-and-neck for a division race in MLB‘s 100 plus year history?

Think about it.  In all these years of the Yankees and Red Sox pounding it out, they have not been this good together in the same season.

Enter the 2010 Tampa Bay Rays.

It has been an exciting season for the Rays.  Their fast start.  Their starting pitching. 

They haven’t gone away. 

National pundits said they’d fade, at least a little bit.  And when the Rays had their first rough stretch of the season, critics were quick to think this was the team they should be expecting.

But the problem is, the Rays haven’t gone away.

Just ask the Red Sox.

If not for the Rays, the Red Sox would be contending for the AL Wild Card.  Instead of setting up their post-season rotation, they are playing the “spoiler” role in late September.

And now, the Yankees and Rays start a three game series with the division on the line.

Every game matters.  Every pitch matters.  Every checked swing, every non-call, every managerial move will be dissected to the “nth” degree.

Post-season baseball has come early.

The Yankees and Rays have another chance to duke it out next week.  In all, the Rays and Yankees play each other in 7 of the next 11 games.  But which team needs to strike the first blow more?  Which team has the upper hand coming into this series?  Who is most likely to shine when the lights are at their brightest? 

Here’s a quick breakdown:

What Team Needs The Series Win The Most:  Tampa Bay Rays

Both sides could really use this.  The Yankees were just swept by the Texas Rangers.  A series loss to the Rays could be damaging.  But the truth is, the Yankees get another crack at the Rays next week.  Even more, those games are at Yankee stadium. 

The Rays need this series win because it will be easier to win at home, than at Yankee stadium.  Sure, the Rays have the AL’s best road record.  But it would be much better to have that confidence going into Yankee stadium with the division lead, rather than trying to win on the road AND play catch-up.

Which Team Has the Upper Hand Coming Into This Series:  Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays are at home, they are starting to regain their health, and currently boast the deepest team in baseball.  The Yankees are 4-6 in their last 10 games, and while they have Cy Young contender CC Sabathia in Game 1, they are relying on youngster Ivan Nova for the biggest series of the season to date.  Phil Hughes may have hit a late-year wall, having given up 5 ER or more in two of his last three starts.  As the Yankees have also been watching his innings limit, he had his last start skipped and time will tell if he comes back rusty or refreshed.

Who Are The Potential Difference-Makers:

1)  Ben Zobrist – few players have been hotter than Zobrist in the past week.  He drove in two runs in each of the three games against Toronto this weekend.  Six of his last seven hits have been for extra bases.  Despite not showing as much power as last year, Zobrist has quietly had a productive season in other ways, ranking 5th in the AL in walks and 10th in stolen bases.  If his power re-emerges for this series, the Rays may once again be unleashing “Zorilla” on the defending champs.

2)  Robinson Cano – Due to the injuries to Nick Swisher and Brett Gardener, Yankees manager Joe Girardi is moving Cano up to #2 in the batting order.  Will moving up Cano mess with his approach at the plate?  Or will he continue to tear the cover off the ball?  Cano’s ability to produce at the top of the order will help their run producers do their job.

3) James Shields or James Yields – Shields has already pitched seven shutout innings against the Yankees in a previous start.  But he also leads the AL in home runs allowed.  Shields has been a boom or bust type of pitcher this year.  Which Shields come up in the final game of this series could very well determine who takes home a 2-1 series win in this three game set.

4) Ivan Nova – It’s not easy to pitch in New York and so far, this 23-year-old has more than held his own.  In 4 starts, Nova has compiled a 2.92 ERA.  No one is expecting a CC Sabathia-type performance, but if he can give the Yankees 5 or 6 innings of 3 ER or less, the Yankees will definitely like their chances in game two.

Tonight’s Lineups:

Yankees

Jeter ss
Cano 2b
Teixeira 1b
A-Rod 3b
Thames dh
Posada c
Kearns lf
Granderson cf
Golson rf
Sabathia p

Rays

Upton cf
Bartlett ss
Crawford lf
Longoria 3b
Zobrist rf
Pena 1b
Rodriguez 2b
Aybar dh
Shoppach c
Price p

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In a very deadline-type day, three major deals took place less than 48 hours before the clock will strike 12 on potential trades.

Which teams got the best deals? Which players will have a greater stretch run impact? Which teams set themselves up for the short term, or the long haul?

Here’s a brief analysis of the day’s big moves:

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According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Tampa Bay Rays are currently the “favorites” to land the Washington Nationals first baseman Adam Dunn.

Is there really another deal that makes this much sense? 

The Rays could use another slugger. Dunn could use the playoff spotlight to propel himself to a major contract in the off-season.

So why does this deal seem almost too good to be true?

Dunn has been vehement that he does not want to be a Designated Hitter.  The Rays are worried about another Pat Burrell situation, acquiring a hitter who never adjusts to being a DH.

And yet, the Rays are considered the favorites to land the perennial 40 HR slugger. 

What raises concerns is how Dunn is not willing to be a team player in order to join in a pennant chase.  It makes you wonder if Dunn is even concerned with contending or is he more concerned with no longer bouncing around.

Dunn to the Rays makes a lot of sense.  If the Rays want to pass the Yankees, a trade like this is a direct shot in the arm.

Here is how the Rays lineup would look with Dunn:

2B Ben Zobrist

LF Carl Crawford

3B Evan Longoria

1B Carlos Pena

DH Adam Dunn

RF Matt Joyce

CF B.J. Upton

C John Jaso

SS Jason Bartlett

Adam Dunn would give the Rays another power threat to solidify the Rays lineup.  Dunn and Pena would provide the most potent duo in the AL (47 combined HR would be an MLB-high). 

And it would be coming at a time when Pena hits his annual summer hot streak.  Pena has homered in three of his last six games. 

He has driven in seven runs in his last three games. Here’s a glimpse of what could be on the horizon in August:

07 – .267, 8 HR, 25 RBI, .409 OBP

08 – .278, 9 HR, 28 RBI, .450 OBP

09 – .247, 12 HR, 29 RBI, .364 OBP

Combine Pena and Dunn, along with All-Star Evan Longoria and the Rays have a middle of the order that can challenge even the Bronx Bombers.

Dunn to the Rays?

The next 48 hours will tell whether Rays fans will need to start wearing hard hats in the outfield.

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I never liked George Steinbrenner.  As a fan of a different team in the AL East, it was virtually impossible to like the man who helped keep every other team in that division out of the playoffs.

I also could never hate him.  If anything, I was jealous.  Who wouldn’t want all those championships sitting in a case in their stadium?

No, there was only one true feeling I had for “The Boss”:

Respect.

Many people constantly say how the Yankees “buy” their rings.  But you can take a look throughout sports and see just how tough that really is to do.  Many other teams have tried to buy championships and failed miserably.  Of course lots and lots of money doesn’t hurt.

Sure, even early on he signed Reggie Jackson and Dave Winfield,  but the Yankees were baseball’s big spenders even before Steinbrenner was around.

No, Steinbrenner was known for winning.

Steinbrenner was obsessed with winning.

This obsession would lead him to many fines and suspensions and indirectly lead to better player development.  That player development would lead to Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, Andy Pettite, Mariano Rivera, and Jorge Posada.

The player development would lead the way to the makings of the “Evil Empire” we know today. Yes, the Yankees “supplemented” that development with a heavily star studded cast. 

But no team has been better at turning their green into gold.

Love him or hate him, Steinbrenner was a winner.

Steinbrenner gave his team everything he had.

What fan wouldn’t have wanted an owner like him?

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Everyone thought Cliff Lee to New York was a done deal.

Well everyone thought wrong.

The Texas Rangers took advantage of a snag in the Yankee trade discussions and have landed the top pitcher on the market according to many sources.

Not having Lee go to the AL East has to bring a huge sigh of relief on the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox.

Now, the Yankees will most likely be unable complete the second part of the deal which had them possibly sending Javier Vasquez to the Phillies for Jayson Werth.

Acquiring Lee did not come easy for Texas. The Rangers have given up a future All-Star first baseman in Justin Smoak.  A hefty price to pay for a rental. 

But give general manager Jon Daniels credit–  He saw an opportunity to go to the big dance and he wasn’t about to go without a fancy dress.

Consider him as dressed as dressed can be.

Texas acquires a guy who has proven he can help them beat the Yankees.  And with their offensive firepower blazing their way to fourth best in the AL for runs scored, Texas has officially become a play-off threat.

It has been a crazy 36 hours in sports.

And it appears New York has been shunned twice in two days in two different sports.

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If early reports are true, the rich are about to get richer.

Talks have heated up to the point that a deal could be in place by the end of the day.  Cliff Lee could be shipped to the New York Yankees for a deal centered around prized catching prospect Jesus Montero.

The second rumor has the Yankees flipping Javier Vasquez to the Philadelphia Phillies for right-fielder Jayson Werth.

The best pitcher and potentially the best hitter on the market?  Really?!?!

Maybe it is like father, like son.

Ever since Brian Cashman assumed more control and the Steinbrenner sons took the reigns from King George, it hasn’t been the Yankee way to trade key prospects for star veteran players.

But if these moves turn out, the Yankees might believe they need more breathing room in front of the once-again surging Tampa Bay Rays.  You might not have noticed the Rays have won six straight and eight of their last 10, but rest assured, the Yankees have.

Stay tuned.  In the middle of the LeBron James aftermath, New York may steal the headlines yet.

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Did you see Price finish the sweep against Boston? Seriously? Even with all of Boston’s injuries, they are still no offensive slouch.

David Ortiz, Kevin Youkilis, and Adrian Beltre were no match for Price. The trio was a combined 2-for-13 with five strikeouts.

The crazy thing is, Price beat them with just one pitch: his fastball. Of his 111 pitches, 99 of them were fastballs.

But one start does not an All-Star starter make. However, this does:

Twelve wins—most in the AL.

2.42 ERA—second to Cliff Lee by .08.

114.2 IP—sixth most in the AL.

Fourteen quality starts—tied for second to Felix Hernandez in the AL.

.223 BAA—eighth best in AL.

Consider this: Stephen Strasburg and his blazing fastball generate a 9.2 percent whiff rate against batters. Price is generating 9.1 percent.

Consider this: The last pitcher not yet 25 with at least 12 wins, an ERA under 2.50, and 100 strikeouts heading into the All Star break was in 1986.

The pitcher’s name was Roger Clemens.

Take a look at how valuable Price has been to the Rays. When the Rays offense disappeared and Tampa went 11-14 in the month of June, Price prevented it from being much worse. In the month of June Price went 4-1 with a 2.18 ERA, his best month of the season.

Price stepped up when his team needed him the most. Think about it this way: Price’s four wins are the difference between being two games and six games out of first. That’s nearly saying the difference between being in the playoff chase and being out of it.

If that doesn’t convince you, maybe this will. Tuesday would be the day Price would already be scheduled to start. If that isn’t a sign of divine intervention, I don’t know what else is.

The All-Star Game is a game of showcasing talent. It’s putting the best out on the field. Cliff Lee may steal the headlines at the trading deadline, but Price should be stealing the lines at the All-Star Game.

Price is living up to his billing as the 2007 first overall pick. He already has mastered the hype, closing out Game Seven of the ALCS in 2008 with less than 40 innings of major league experience.

Bottom line, Price has been the best starting pitcher in the AL in the first half. On Tuesday, he should be the first to step on that mound for the American League. Baseball is a young man’s game. Price should be the crown jewel of baseball’s star-studded event.

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Don’t let your eyes fool you.  This bum look-alike will actually be worth more this off-season than you or anyone else who reads this will make in the rest of your lifetimes.  Philadelphia rightfielder Jayson Werth will command top dollar as a free agent after this season.  Outside of Tampa Bay’s Carl Crawford, there are no other total package outfielders available.

Werth is so valuable the Phillies are viewing him as a possible way to upgrade their team via a trade.  Top prospect and heir-apparent Dominic Brown is starting to tear it up in Triple A.

Naturally, GM Ruben Amaro Jr. has wondered, “What is Werth worth on the trading market?”

The Phillies want to upgrade their pitching for the stretch run.  Philly is six games back of Atlanta in the NL East and trail the Mets by three for the Wild Card. While they were hit hard by injuries, the Phillies are still in it. If they make the right moves, defending their NL crown isn’t a stretch at all.

But what is Werth worth?

Werth is only a three month rental at best.  Unless your name is Cliff Lee, teams are very wary about giving up a huge bounty for a rental.  And Werth has competition.  Washington’s Adam Dunn, also a potential rental trade candidate, is fresh off of a three-homer game and is a perennial 40 HR, 100 RBI masher.

Who is worth more?

It probably depends on what you need.  Werth can do just about everything.  He can hit for power.  He can hit for a decent average.  He can play above-average defense in right field.  He can steal you a base or two.

But is he a true middle-of-the-order threat?

Dunn can’t do many of those things.  But what he can do, he does very well.  Dunn represents a game-changer every time he steps to the plate.  While Werth will make contributions all over the place, Dunn can swing the balance of a game with one swing.

Werth is no slouch when it comes to power production.  Last year he clubbed 34 HR.  This year his power is back down into the mid 20’s, on pace for a 26 HR season.  But how much does the feared Phillies offense protect him when they are healthy?  It’s easier to see great pitches when you have Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and Jimmy Rollins on your team. 

Can Werth be a difference-maker with his bat on a less stellar offensive team?

Werth does have one thing going for him that Dunn does not—a proven post-season track record. He had a .309 post-season batting average in 2008 and seven home runs in the 2009 post-season.  Werth seems to shine the brightest in front of the game’s brightest lights.  Werth is October tested and October proven.

Dunn has never made it to the post-season.

Dunn does one thing well.  He hits home runs.  What happens if he doesn’t hit those home runs?  Is the threat of him hitting one out good enough?  Does it provide enough lineup protection to the team that acquired him to be a middle-of-the-order hitter?

So what is Werth worth?  Would Dunn or Werth fetch more in a trade?  What do you think?  Does Werth’s all-around game best Dunns all-or-nothing, feast-or-famine bashing?

For me, my money is on the one who has shown his “Werth” in October.

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It really is crazy.

In a division that features a 20 game winner (CC Sabathia), a Cy Young winner (Josh Beckett), and the 2008 ALCS MVP (Matt Garza), it’s the kids who have been making the most noise.

Where would the New York Yankees be this year without Phil Hughes?

Where would the Boston Red Sox be without Clay Buchholz?

Where would the Tampa Bay Rays be without David Price?

These three pitchers have stepped up when their teams needed them the most—and not just that.

They’ve also been really, really, really good.

Their success is not surprising. There is a reason why Boston and New York never traded Hughes or Buchholz. There is a reason why Tampa drafted Price first overall in the 2007 draft.

But they have definitely had their bumps along the way. Hughes bounced around as he tried to learn how to pitch under the Bronx microscope.

Bucholz also needed time to develop as he bounced between AAA and the majors. After setting the world on fire in the 2008 playoffs, Price’s star dimmed in his first full season in the majors.

But look at them now.

These three pitchers have shown it takes time and patience to develop young pitching.

But the moves can pay massive dividends if you put in the hard work.

Here’s a closer look at the three new (f)aces their teams could not live without.

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