Sorry Folks….We’ll be right back

I’m currently out of town, so “Covering the Bases” will resume posts next weekend.

-John Scafetta

Omar Minaya is Quite the Coward

BY: JOHN SCAFETTA

I couldn’t find the time yesterday to touch on the firing of Willie Randolph, so with this morning being a fairly slow news day in the world of baseball, this is the perfect time.

As most of you know, following their victory over the Los Angeles Angeles of Anaheim on Sunday, the New York Mets dropped the ax on manager Willie Randolph.

The way they went about it was ridiculous.

All of baseball knows that Randolph’s dismissal was inevitable. Here was a team that was predicted by many baseball outlets to be World Series contenders this year, yet as of Monday night they carried an abysmal 34-36 record and sit 6.5 games out of first in the National League East. There is no doubt the Mets needed to head in another direction.

In fact, Randolph received a free pass following the Mets epic collapse to end the 2007 season.

However, the major issue is how the notification of Randolph’s demise was sent to media outlets — at 3 a.m on Monday morning.

Randolph himself wasn’t informed until midnight, stuck in a Los Angeles hotel room, nearly 3,000 miles away from New York.

The Mets front office used no common-sense. No matter how dreadful the Metropolitans were playing, it’s impermissible to fire a manager after flying him all the way out to the west coast while giving him the notion he would continue as skipper through the road trip.

Completely classless.

Mets general manager Omar Minaya said during Monday’s press conference that the lackluster performance of his $140 million roster prompted the firing.

The Mets ownership of Fred and Jeff Wilpon are also to blame. They left a brunt of the media attention on Minaya and played it off as though it was his decision alone.

This was by far one of the ugliest firings I’ve seen recently in baseball.

On a side note, Randolph was replaced on an interim basis by bench coach Jerry Manuel so don’t expect it to get much better in Flushing.

Read a great New York Post piece on Randolph’s firing here.

Tuesday Trade Rumors

**“Tuesday Trade Rumors” appears each week up until the July trade deadline, and will cover every interesting rumor being thrown out there by major seam head enthusiasts.

BY: JOHN SCAFETTA

• Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman recently speculated that Ken Griffey Jr. may be interested in a trade to the Tampa Bay Rays. Heyman’s source indicated that Griffey would consider waiving his no-trade clause to play near his Orlando home. In recent weeks, talks of a Griffey reunion with the Seattle Mariners have all but faded.
• With the Cleveland Indians sitting just 5.5 games out in the American League Central, they’ll be the first to say that they are in a bind. The team has been so inconsistent this season that talks of a C.C. Sabathia trade began in late May. Indians general manager Mark Shapiro would benefit more by trading Sabathia at this point of the season, rather than wait until the July trade deadline approaches.
• With New York Yankee ace Chien-Ming Wang out until September, the Bronx bums are left without a solid No. 1 starter. Sabathia was a name that was thrown out there and we know New York has a handful of key prospects; however would they be willing to unload the farm for a short-term rental? Reasonable targets that have been discussed at this point include Joe Blanton, Rich Harden, Erik Bedard, Derek Lowe, Randy Wolf and Paul Byrd.
• Staying on the topic of starting pitchers, free agent hurler Freddy Garcia has been rumored to be going just about everywhere. At least five teams have been monitoring the righty, including the Mets, Red Sox, Braves, White Sox and Rangers. Garcia was just 1-5 last season with a 5.90 ERA.
• ESPN’s Jayson Stark wrote that the Pittsburg Pirates might keep two highly-touted bats in Jason Bay and Xavier Nady and to make a run at the .500 mark. Of the two, Nady is the one more likely to be heading out the door. Nady, in his contract year, is finally proving he can stay healthy as he carries a .314 average with 10 home runs and 49 RBIs coming into Tuesday night.
• The Denver Post and the New York Daily News have both stated that the Mets are interested in Rockies closer Brian Fuentes. With the firing of manager Willie Randolph and with the Yankees also interested in the reliever, the Mets have more problems than just their bullpen.
• With Washington Nationals catcher Paul Lo Duca returning from his stint on the disabled list, the Nats now have three catchers. Expect his trade value to sky-rocket as the month of June heats up.
• If the Chicago Cubs fall out of the running for Sabathia, the loveable losers could sway their attention to an acquisition of either Randy Wolf or Greg Maddux. As I’ve mentioned before, I believe Maddux will be dealt before deadline with the Braves his most likely destination.
• The Toronto Blue Jays are expected to shop A.J. Burnett as the month of June winds down. Look for the Cubs to make a strong push, with the Blue Jays looking for middle-infield help. Burnett has $30 million left on his current contract.
• With David Ortiz’s wrist still in question, the Boston Red Sox are searching for another bat for the middle of their lineup. As I stated last week, Adam Dunn could be a possibility. However, a new name that has circulated is Josh Willingham. He could fill in at DH, first base and left field.
• Speculation has surfaced that if the Braves fall any further out of the National League East race, they may trade Mark Teixeira. I don’t buy it. Atlanta is perennial buyers come July and this year won’t be different. This team has been hampered by so many freak injuries that even if they may not resign Tex this upcoming offseason, they will definitely use him as much as they can for the rest of this season.

** Have a rumor not covered? Comment and let me know.

Jay Gibbons is a Duck

BY: JOHN SCAFETTA

On Monday, Jay Gibbons agreed to a contract with the independent Atlantic League Long Island Ducks after failing to receive an offer from a major league club.

Gibbons, who was one of the many dozen ballplayers that were included in last year’s Mitchell Report, was released by the Baltimore Orioles just before Opening Day after hitting .189 in 16 spring training games.

The 31-year-old outfielder is still owed $11.9 million by the Orioles for the 2008 and 2009 seasons.

Gibbons was suspended for 15 days on Dec. 6 by Major League Baseball, following a media report that he received a shipment of the human growth hormone during the 2005 off season.

“Through our first 11 seasons, the Atlantic League has returned over 350 players back to affiliated organizations and 45 players to the major leagues,” Ducks owner Frank Boulton said in a statement on the team’s Web site. “We’re hopeful Jay can help us win while proving that he’s healthy and ready to contribute at the major league level.”

Gibbons joins a Ducks roster that already garners a list of former major league players such as Vic Darensbourg, Donovan Osborne, Damian Rolls and Carl Everett.

Hall of Fame Game Washed Away

BY: JOHN SCAFETTA

So much for the Major League Baseball exhibition game in Cooperstown, NY.

Severe thunderstorms and hail doused Doubleday Field on Monday, forcing the cancellation of the final Hall of Fame Game in the historic town.

The sellout crowd, which was awaiting a match up between the San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs, were sent home just after 2:30 p.m. Thankfully, they were eligible for a refund.

Major League Baseball announced in late January that this year’s game would be the last one due to scheduling problems.

Two things I find completely ludicrous with this is 1.) Why couldn’t MLB reschedule this game. I understand a rain-out is unexpected, however when it is the final game ever (EVER) league officials need to find a way to make it up to fans and play the game. 2.) So this is the final game because of scheduling problems? This is the same league who forces teams to play a handful of two-game series’ during the season, fly from the east coast to the west coast after night games, and often fail to give a team an off-day during the month. Tell me, how could a historic game get in the way?

As a fan of baseball, let me say if you have never had the fortune of seeing Doubleday field you really are missing something.

Tim Russert Dead at 58

BY: JOHN SCAFETTA

Again, I realize this blog is devoted to baseball, however, as a student of journalism, I find it necessary to touch on this incredibly shocking story.

Tim Russert, moderator of NBC’s “Meet the Press” and one of the most (if not the most) respected political journalist in the country, died suddenly Friday at the NBC Studios in New York at the age of 58.

Russert, who pointedly but politely questioned hundreds of powerful and influential political leaders, served as NBC’s Washington bureau chief and was moderator to numerous political debates, including the heated contests between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama this year.

President Bush referred to Russert as “an institution in both news and politics for more than two decades.”

He added that “Tim was a tough and hardworking newsman. He was always well-informed and thorough in his interviews. And he was as gregarious off the set as he was prepared on it.”

This week has been an especially solemn time for the journalistic world, with the passing of a legend in Jim McKay along with Russert.

However, the sudden death of Russert is extremely shocking.

Russert not only was a superior journalist, but he was well respected for his straight-to-the-chase questions and his hardworking demeanor.

A fellow native of upstate New York, Russert was an avid Buffalo Bills fan and a season-ticket holder of the Washington Nationals.

He leaves behind his wife and son, who just celebrated his graduation from Boston College.

As an avid watcher of NBC news’ coverage of politics, I guarantee I won’t be the last to say their coverage will never be the same.

READ THE FULL STORY
HERE

Braves, Cubs Turn the Clock Back to 1948

BY: JOHN SCAFETTA

I’ll be the first to say that I rarely catch a game on WGN. In fact, I haven’t watched the station for baseball games regularly since the days of Harry Caray.

However, this afternoon, with the Chicago Cubs playing the Atlanta Braves, WGN is attempting something that has yet to be seen from any other station.

In a tribute to the 1948 season, both teams are wearing their throwbacks (with the Braves donning their Boston Braves garb).

The whole broadcast is in black and white for the first three or four innings, the camera angles are reminiscent of the views seen when baseball first appeared on television and you can hear the distinct sounds of keys hammering away on the typewriter in the background.

Chessey? Maybe. A station trying to boost ratings? Probably.

But as much as it may be those, I found it extremely enjoyable to get a taste of what it would have been like to see a game back then.

So crack open a cold glass bottle of Coca-Cola, sit back and watch the game.

Just don’t change the channel…..remember you only have four and you’d have to get up out of your seat to make the switch.

D-Train in Single A?

By: JOHN SCAFETTA

Welcome to short-season baseball Dontrelle!

A place where hot dogs are two dollars,  mascots are more popular than the players and the in-between-inning activities get the fans more excited than the actual game.

This has to be a joke, right?

Dontrelle Willis has been optioned to single-A Lakeland of the Florida State League.

Yes, the same Dontrelle Willis that was named the National League Rookie of the year in 2003 after going 14-6 with a 3.30 ERA, who flew on to the scene with his signature exaggerated wind up (a la Juan Marichal) and exuberant smile.

This is the same Dontrelle Willis who led the majors in wins during the 2005 season with 22, while posting a 2.63 ERA. And this is the same Dontrelle Willis who inked a one-year contract with the Florida Marlins for $6.45 million in 2007 and was subsequently traded to the Detroit Tigers along with fellow Marlin Miguel Cabrera during this past off-season.

After a month-stint on the disabled list, Willis has just five starts this season with the Tigers, throwing 11 1/3 innings, while notching an ERA of 10.32 ERA,

His most recent start Sunday night saw the lefty give up eight earned-runs in just an inning and a third.

Tigers’ general manager Dave Dombrowski has said there is no time table for his return.

Many cite Willis’ control issues this season to his weight and his inability to repeat his high leg kick.

“Dontrelle is heavier than he was,” Detroit manager Jim Leyland said on Wednesday. “Is that an issue? I don’t know.”

For the full story
read here

Tuesday Trade Rumors

BY: JOHN SCAFETTA

**“Tuesday Trade Rumors” appears each week up until the July trade deadline, and will cover every interesting rumor being thrown out there by major seam head enthusiasts.

With a little more than a month and a half to the Major League Baseball trade deadline there are still many big names being thrown out onto the hot stove. As of June 10^th, we know this much: Once again relief pitchers will be a hot commodity come deadline. The Cleveland Indians will most certainly look to deal one of their starting pitchers. Colorado Rockies outfielder Matt Holiday will be the biggest name on the market. And finally, the Chicago Cubs will look to nab a starter to help bolster their staff.

Here’s a list of rumblings that have caught my attention this week:

• Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune believes Erik Bedard will head the list of starting pitchers who may be available come deadline. Although it’s possible, I find it more likely the Mariners hold on to Bedard through 2009 despite their sluggish 2008 performance.
• Though it’s no secret the Chicago Cubs are searching for a starter, ESPN’s Peter Gammons mentioned a list of names the Cubs are sifting through. Their catalog includes A.J. Burnett, Gil Meche, Randy Wolf, Paul Byrd, Joe Blanton and Bedard. Like I mentioned before, the Cubs will certainly grab a starter, however it won’t be Meche. The Royals’ right-hander is in the second year of a five-year contract worth $55 million and he has a no-trade clause included in his contract.
• Sticking with starters, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reported that St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Mark Mulder appears to be done. He has rejected the idea of a third surgery and an attempt to alter his delivery. Wasn’t it just a few years ago the Oakland Athletics had the dominant trio of Mulder, Barry Zito and Tim Hudson? Aside from Hudson, the other two have dropped off the face of the earth.
• The rumored swap of Baltimore Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts for Milwaukee Brewer Rickie Weeks appears to be dead. Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal also reports the Cubs springtime offers of Roberts are now off the table.
• It’s been said on a number of sites Barry Bonds is not a consideration for the Boston Red Sox even if David Ortiz’s wrist injury lingers. However, Rosenthal believes Adam Dunn could be a fit in Bean town.
• Speaking of Dunn, his no-trade converted from all teams to 10 teams this past Sunday. Definitely something to keep an eye on.
• Cleveland Indians General Manager Mark Shapiro has said he will need at least a month to narrow the field of suitors for players such as C.C. Sabathia and Paul Byrd. Both will be coveted by a number of teams come mid-June.
• In an attempt to relieve some of the pain from losing John Smoltz last week, the Atlanta Braves picked up 32-year old right-handed pitcher Brian Lawerence yesterday. Lawerence, who was assigned to Triple-A Richmond, missed all of 2006 with a rotator cuff injury and made just six starts for the New York Mets last season. I still say Greg Maddux is a distinct possibility for the Braves, but a lot of that depends on how they fair on their lengthy upcoming road trip.
• As I pointed out early in this post, reliever will once again be a top priorty for a number of teams. Let’s take a look at some options who may be available at the deadline:
• Jon Rauch, Washington Nationals. Rauch has notched 12 saves with Chad Cordero out and has a lively arm that a number of playoff hopeful teams could use..
• George Sherrill Baltimore Orioles. Sherrill is second in the Majors with 19 saves and second with 21 opportunities.
• Brian Fuentes, Colorado Rockies. You can’t go wrong with Fuentes as a two-month rental.
• Jamey Wright and Joaquin Benoit, Texas Rangers. Both viable options out of the ‘pen and GM Jon Daniels likes to grab prospects at the deadline through his relievers. .
• John Grabow and Damaso Marte, Pittsburg Pirates. The Pirates garner two of the elite lefties in the bigs in Grabow and Marte. Expect both to be traded in July.
• Jeremy Affeldt and David Weathers, Cincinnati Reds. With both set to become free agents at the end of the year, it only makes sense for the Reds to receive compensation for them before deadline as they are expected to walk at the conclusion of the season.

** Have a rumor not covered? Comment and let me know.

Monday Diamond Notes

BY: JOHN SCAFETTA

** Each week (more specifically each Monday) “Monday Diamond Notes” will cover a handful of topics that have caught my eye in-and-around the world of baseball.

• It took nearly a week but Ken Griffey Jr. has done it. The 38-year old Cincinnati Reds’ outfielder launched home run No. 600 nearly 415 feet Monday night, becoming the sixth player to join the exclusive club. I can’t congratulate him enough. Here’s what Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella said before Monday’s game about the former No. 1 pick. “I was there in his prime. He was special and he was fun to watch.” Simply put, Griffey was THE face of Major League Baseball during much of the 90’s, who played the game the right way and had so much fun doing it. I will forever consider the 600 home run club to include just four players (that excludes you Mr. Bonds and Sosa).
• Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Jonny Gomes dropped his appeal this weekend and began serving his five-game suspension Saturday night for his actions in Thursday night’s fracas with the Boston Red Sox. His teammate, James Shields will serve six-games, while outfielder Carl Crawford, right-hander Edwin Jackson and second baseman Akinori Awamura will all appeal their suspensions. I’ll be the first to say these baseball brawls are sickening. These players are looked at as roles models and with nearly half of the attendance being that of children, they need to think about the impact of their actions. There is absolutely no need for it in our sport.
• Joba Chamberlain has been far from perfect following his move into the New York Yankees starting rotation. After being nearly lights out in his reliever role, he has failed to get past the fifth inning in his first two trips to the mound as a starter. Both starts have resulted in no-decisions and he has not exceeded the 75 pitch mark. Now I know the Yankees have encountered their share of struggles, but is taking an elite reliever and converting him into a starter really worth it? Considering the fact that he can barley make it through the fourth inning, I think not.
• One of Cuba’s top baseball prospects defected to the United States at the end of May and is now living in South Florida. The 18-year old Dayan Viciedo, from the central province of Villa Clara, played in the Cuban major at the age of 15 and represented his country at the 2006 World Baseball Classic. It will be interesting to see what team grabs him first, and as we’ve seen in the past, once these kids defect they usually take advantage of their opportunities in professional baseball. Could more be to come following next years World Baseball Classic?
• I didn’t get a chance to touch on this last week, so I’ll get into it a bit right now. We all knew something wasn’t quite right with John Smoltz after blowing a save in his first appearance back from the disabled list early last week. The velocity was obviously there, however his location and new arm slot was clearly off. Just two days after that appearance, the Atlanta Braves announced he would undergo surgery and would forgo the rest of the 2008 season, with the hope of returning in 2009. Not only is this a gigantic blow to the Braves on the field, but off the field as well. Though Smoltz has said he will remain traveling with the team, the leadership he brings to the team is undeniable. With the recent spell of injuries the Braves have suffered and as they get ready to head on an extended road trip, the next two weeks will answer Atlanta’s fate for the rest of the season.
• Has there ever been a player that has been as physically unimposing as Chase Utley, yet hits the ball harder and more consistently than any second-baseman ever has. He amazes me every time I catch an at bat. He has some of the quickest wrists I’ve ever seen and his mechanics at the plate are incredibly sound. As of today, his numbers are as follows: .316 avg., 21 hrs, and 56 RBIs.
• North Carolina, Rice, FSU, Georgia, Stanford and Miami have all punched their tickets to the 2008 College Baseball World Series. With two more teams set to advance tonight, I urge every baseball fan out there to watch these college games.

**NOTE: CHECK BACK TOMORROW FOR “TUESDAY TRADE RUMORS.”