Some baseball stories around the league

There are two baseball stories around the league catching my eyes.

*Santana was bothered by "sore left elbow"

Don't tell me you don't concern, Mets fans. Teams always downplay injury. If this is not a big deal, why skip him twice? Don't forget Santana has knee surgery off-season. Santana's knee problem won't suddenly come out the last game of 2008 season. You don't know how long Santana pitches with his bad knee, especially when you consider Mets need him badly last month of 2008 season. Santana may favor his bad knee for a while that may lead to his sore elbow. That's why Yankees need to pay extra attention on Wang's delivery this spring.

*Manny rejected Dodgers' latest offer again

I know Dodgers has made 4 offers so far to Manny. But, no matter how they structure those offers, they all look like the same: 1/25m or 2/45m. They really haven't improved their offer since November last year. When most people surprise Manny reject Dodgers' latest offer, I am not because Manny and Boras feel those offers all look the same.

Manny doesn't like spring training anyway. In the end, Dodgers will give in. I guess 3/60m will get it done. Dodgers put themselves in this no-win situation. They need him more than Manny need them. They need Manny to bring more fans to ballpark, especially at this economy downturn. They need Manny to carry their offense and their hope to playoffs. If they really don't want to give Manny a deal more than 2 year, they should set a deadline and then sign Dunn and Abreu before they sign with other clubs. You may say, well, Manny need a team to play once season starts, right? Don't worry. If Manny is willing to accept one year deal, there are many teams welcoming Manny to their teams. Manny even can sign with Giants or Mets to stick to Dodgers.

Manny's attitude is not the main concern for Yankees

There are two different news coming out regard of Jeter's comments on Manny. One is from Mlb. The other from the Star-Ledger.

Jeter is kind of person believe Yankees can win with whatever team they have. Even if Yankees don't sign CC and AJ, he would say Yankees can win it all as well. I remember Jeter said Wang is the no.1 pitcher and believe young pitchers when everyone cry for Santana last off-season, including Posada. Of course, he feels Yankees have enough offense with what they have in the lineup now.

The most interesting quote from Jeter's interview is

"It's just when you're out on the field, you're trying to accomplish one thing, and we welcome people with their own personalities."

I always feel if there is one team out there can handle Manny's attitude, it will be Yankees. Players on Yankees can play with anyone with all kind of personalities. The question becomes "Can Manny play hard all the time on Yankees?" I actually believe Manny will do that as long as Jeter, Mo and Posada are still on the Yankees.

In the end, I believe Manny's attitude is not be the thing Yankees concern the most. Yankees probably concern about his not so good defense on left field, many players for limited spots and years they need to give for a soon to be 37 year old slugger. I guess Yankees will wait out the market and hopes price to come down within reasonable range. Of course, this assumes Yankees don't get Teixeira.

No news is bad news

As you guys know, I the one welcome the idea of signing Manny instead of Teixeira. Just in case, you guys miss them. Click 1, 2 to read.

There is an old saying going in media industry, no news is a bad news. Baseball is an entertainment business. The more news you get, the better your business goes. I understand how the news run 24 hours a day look like because Taiwan is the same. Taiwan is a small country with at least 10 news channel running 24 hours a day. That's why Wang feel less pressure in New York than Taiwan and prefer to stay in New York.

If there is the team can handle Manny, it's Yankees. On top of that, everyone has some players on other teams you like to watch them playing. Manny is one of them on my list. By the way, Roy Halladay is on my list as well.

I do think and may should Yankees try to sign an impact bat to protect A-Rod. That being said, the more I think about it, the more I think "do we really need to add an bat?" I know many Yankees feel offense is the reason we don't make the playoffs this year which I don't agree with. I really think the priority for Yankees now is to sign Pettitte or someone as no.4 starter and then go to bench and Center fielder. However, it's fine for me to see Gardner/ Melky over there as well.

As for an impact bat, is it really worthy for us to add a possible trouble-maker(Manny), a long-term first baseman(8-10 years for Teixeira), hitters can't play defense well on the field in order to add some offense? I don't know time will tell.

Manny vs Teixeira

I know Yankees' focus this off-season is getting younger and improving pitching and defense. However, I do think Yankees will add an impact bat to protect A-Rod. The more I think about it, the more I think Manny will be a better fit to Yankees than Teixeira as long as we can get Manny for 3 years deal at maximum.

First of all, I know everyone will question Manny's attitude. As I discussed this on other post earlier, Manny and Red Sox front office are only persons know the true story. Even though all stories about Manny are true, I believe Yankees can set up the rules with Manny when they talk about contracts.

This probably may be Manny's final deal. I believe players care about their legacy, including Manny. On top of that, A-Rod certainly will be a good companion for Manny. They are not only good friends but also they can motivate each other and create good competition among them.

When Manny was a Yankees fan when he grow up near Yankees stadium, I believe Manny will love to torture Red Sox after all things happened between him and Red Sox. Because of his personality and his performance on Red Sox, I believe he can handle the pressure of playing in New York. Don't forget. Damon will help Manny to transit well in New York. Not to mention Manny in NYY not only bring more fans to ball park but also attract more media and create more coverages.

On the field, Manny certainly can give Yankees an impact bat to protect A-Rod. I know Manny is getting old. However, for a three year deal, I believe he can perform well during the span. I know Manny's defense is not good, but it's not terrible. After Matsui and Damon's contract expire after 2009 season, we can put Manny in left field and share DH spot with Posada at the last two years of their contracts or put Swisher to one of corner outfielders' position, Posada at first base and Manny at DH spot.

For 2009 season, I believe Joe Girardi can figure out a plan to rotate Manny, Damon, Matsui, Melky/Gardner, Posada(if he needs time away from catcher position), Swisher, Nady on all outfielder, first base and DH spots well.

Jeter and A-Rod eventually will need to move their positions to first base, DH or corner outfielder(in Jeter's case). That's why it's better not to give out 8-10 years contract to Teixeira and tie up first base position to him.

Red Sox talk about Manny again

Just in case you miss it, ESPN has another new story regard of Red Sox and Manny. Everyone knows the relationship between Red Sox and ESPN, so it's safe to say Red Sox leak out those information to ESPN. I don't understand what Red Sox is doing. What is the point of talking about this now? Sometimes, I don't understand why Red Sox destroy any relationship with almost every former employees.

If Red Sox felt they need to let people understand what Manny did that lead to that trade, I can understand. However, this is not the first time Manny has this problem. They kept putting up with what Manny did again and again. That's why Manny kept doing this to them. In anther words, Red Sox can only blame themselves for this. Asian people always say there must be something wrong with parents when their children make the same mistake again.

Let us just assume everything they say about Manny is correct which I doubt. I have so many true stories happened to me with other persons. I was in Manny-like position before. The other party keep spreading around the wrong information and everyone say I am wrong. I am the one doesn't like to explain myself, especially when I was misunderstood by family, friends or people I don't know. The people know the truth are Manny, Red Sox players and front office.

Why Red Sox keep leaking out so many Manny stories now? Are they afraid of Yankees signing Manny? Otherwise, What is the point of doing this now?

Why keep pitching to Manny?

Well, Manny beat us. I know, I exaggerate the fact, but this is probably the truth when you consider the final score is 7-5. You may scream at Television,"Why Yankees keep pitching to him?". I somehow come up with a reasonable theory.

Before going into my theory, I have to say that I understand every game counts even the ones in April. Here we go.

First of all, You can't be a successful athlete if you're not a strong competitor.

Secondly, Yankees need to find a way to get Manny out. You can't find out how to get Manny out if you always pitch around him. One day, We are going to face him at much more important moment and need to get him out, such as games in August, September or playoffs. If all our pitchers don't try to figure out that game plan now(April) and try to execute it now(April), when they are going to find out that game plan. There must be one way to get him out. No one is perfect and Manny's batting Ave is not 1 as well.

As the possibility of signing Manny this off-season, I don't think Red Sox will let him go one way or the other, so there is no point to discuss that. I think Theo will pick up his 2009 option while Manny and Boras may want a longer extension.

PS. It seems I am right on the money. Joe Girardi use Mussina(3IP), Albaladejo(3 IP), Farnsworth(1 IP-New Farnsworth? I mean that scoreless inning) and Traber(2 IP). He also give Mo another day off which is two days in a row. Great Job, Joe.

By the way, I still think Moose will be fine as no. 5 pitcher if he keep pitching like has done so far this season, especially after reconfiguring rotation.