Happy New Year’s Everyone!! I hope baseball has a banner 2012 season!!
Here are a few of the smaller but tastier bits of baseball news and activity over the past week:
Trainer’s Table:
Alex Rodriguez reportedly visited Germany to undergo a unique therapy treatment on his achy right knee and left shoulder. (It’s called Orthokine Therapy for those playing at home) AROD had surgery on the knee in July and was never the same hitter afterwards (along with his ailing hip issues). The therapy was recommended by none other than basketball star Kobe Bryant! AROD had discussed doing this with his team, the New York Yankees, and received their blessings to try it. Let’s hope he is 100 percent ready for 2012!
Don’t Climb That Mountain:
New York Mets pitcher RA Dickey plans to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. His team has sent him a letter requesting he doesn’t attempt it. The 37 year old Dickey has been planning this excursion for some time now, as it’s always been a dream of his to do. It’s scheduled for early January. Despite the letter, Dickey still plans to do the mountain climb, which he hopes will raise both money and awareness for his favorite charity, Bombay Teen Challenge (anti-human trafficking). Dickey has one year left on his contract with the Mets. Let’s hope he comes back to fulfill it!
Out To Pasture:
Melvin Mora announced his retirement. Mora played for 4 different teams over 13 seasons. He played mostly for the Baltimore Orioles (10 seasons), having 2 seasons being named to the All-Star team. Mora played just about every position at some point in his career, being a very solid athlete, but finally found a home at third base. Mora was a very injury prone player only reaching 150 games played once in his career. His best season was 2004 when he won his lone Silver Slugger Award; 140 GP, 111 R, 27 HR, 104 RBI, 11 SB, .340 Avg, .981 OPS. The 39 year old Mora is a lifetime .277 hitter with 171 career HR, 754 career RBI and 93 career SB.
Free Agent Signings:
Hideki Okajima signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees that includes an invite to spring training. The 36 year old Okajima played the past 5 seasons with the division rival Boston Red Sox, helping them win it all in 2007, though he spent almost all of the 2011 season at their Triple-A team. It’s doubtful the soft throwing lefty has anything left in the tank, but the Yankees are always eternally searching for left-handed bullpen help and willing to turn over every rock in that search.
Mark DeRosa signed a one year deal with the Washington Nationals. The 36 year old DeRosa will be a utility bench player for them. He has played 6 different positions in his career to go along with his .272 lifetime average over 14 seasons. In a shortened 2011 (only 47 games) DeRosa played at 2nd base, first base and third base.
Andruw Jones re-signed with the New York Yankees for one year at a base salary of $2 mil. There are playing incentives that could fetch him up to an additional $1.4 mil. Not too shabby for the 5th outfielder and backup designated hitter! The 34 year old Jones played in 77 games last year, mostly starting against left-handed pitchers who he batted .286 against (only .172 vs. right-handers). He hit 13 homers and drove in 33 runners for the season.
Darren Oliver signed a one year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. The club also has an option on the lefty for 2013. The 41 year old Oliver is a veteran reliever (to say the least), who has played for 8 different organizations (not including 3 separate stints with the Texas Rangers!). The old man was still very effective last year in his 61 appearances; 51 IP, 11 BB, 44 K, 5-5 record, 2 saves, 16 holds, 1.14 WHIP, 2.29 ERA, .236 Avg against and .591 OPS against.
George Sherrill, a left-handed reliever, signed a one year contract with the Seattle Mariners for a reported $1.1 mil. The 34 year old lefty specialist has always done well in that role, holding lefties to a lifetime .180 average. Though last year was Sherrill’s worst one against lefties in his 8 seasons (lefties hit .256 against him). Last year’s line in 51 appearances; 36 IP, 12 BB, 38 K, 3-1 record, 7 holds, 1.25 WHIP, 3.00 ERA, .248 Avg against and a .659 OPS against.
Trade Talks:
The San Diego Padres acquired OF Carlos Quentin from the Chicago White Sox. The Pads sent two low level minor league pitching prospects; Simon Castro and Pedro Hernandez, back to the White Sox. This is a most curious trade for both teams, to say the least. Both teams seem to be undecided about whether they are rebuilding or competing. Quentin has been very injury prone and probably should have stayed in the American League with the DH. His range in the OF is limited, so it is confusing that the Padres would trade for him. Quentin does bring some solid power and great batting eye, though, when he does play. Also, he is going to be a free agent after 2012… so why would the Padres, who have made several previous moves indicating they are rebuilding, want him? It’s obvious from the White Sox end that this was just a straight salary dump on their part. Though, if the White Sox think they might compete this year, then why trade him? I am as confused over a trade as I have ever been!
It definitely felt like a very short holiday week… see you guys for next week’s edition of ROUNDING THE BASES!
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