On this date ten years ago, Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh was imploded. The former home of the Pirates opened in 1970 and housed World Championship teams in 1971 and 1979. Roberto Clemente picked up his 3,000th hit there, Mike Schmidt hit his 500th homer there, and the last winning Pirates team played there.
Here are this week's links…
- Splashing Pumpkins posted a video interview with Cody Ross.
- Baltimore Sports and Life spoke to several national writers about the Orioles.
- Some Thoughts On Baseball interviewed former Blue Jay Bob File.
- Baseball Time In Arlington examines four scenarios that could arise should the Rangers not trade Michael Young.
- The Dugout Doctors dug up some potential destinations for Young.
- Blogging From The Bleachers compares Alex Rodriguez to Albert Pujols, with an eye towards the latter's upcoming mega-contract.
- Meanwhile, both Sports: A Game Of Inches and Prospect Insider looked ahead to Pujols' future.
- Red Sox Beacon wrote about a truly regrettable contract given out by the Red Sox.
- More Hardball put a positive spin on the upcoming Mets season.
- Rising Apple broke down David Wright's swing.
- DesigNate Robertson gives Tigers fans ten things to look forward to in 2011.
- Through The Fence Baseball wonders if Chipper Jones had a better career than Derek Jeter and Cal Ripken Jr.
- MLB Prospect Watch provides a list of each team's minor league invites to Spring Training.
- The Hardball Times comes up with a new way to evaluate pitchers for fantasy purposes.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here. One email per week, please.
Im not a Red Sox fan and don’t pay too much attention to them but I would have to disagree on Mike Lowells deal as the worst. J.D. Drew and Josh Beckett’s deal have to be by far the worst they handed out. With the years and money they invested into them compared to 3 years for Mike Lowell. I can’t agree with that.
Drew’s and Becketts (and even Lowell’s) contracts look great when you consider Lugo and Renteria’s contributions while being paid by the Sox. Beckett also has the time to turn things around. Let’s hope he does.
I can’t believe people still think Drew’s deal was bad.
For starting pitchers, you could argue that Lackey’s deal is worse than Beckett’s. And the worst one would be Lugo.
Maybe it’s because I live in Atlanta, but I didn’t realize there were people that think Chipper Jones is a “borderline” HOF. And it’s not Chipper is the most beloved player here… I know lots of people that can’t stand him and read any Braves page on him and it seems like half the fans hate the guy, but around here his induction into Cooperstown is talked about like a sure thing.
I can’t imagine any true fan disagreeing with chipper being a hall of famer-in fact, he will probably get in on his first ballot.
Chipper has been the greatest first pick in the history of the game. His career longevity, overall production, and his loyalty to that organization(and the braves should be commended for their loyalty to him) has proven him to be the best number one pick in the history of the draft.
No real argument, but Griffey Jr. and A-Rod haven’t sucked. Oh, and Brien Taylor…
Junior was second in my list–but chipper reigns at the top considerig he has never put on anything but a braves uniform. Gotta respect and appreciate a player who stays put-it gives the fans somethig more than just laundry to root for.
He was traded, not like he had much of a choice, if any.
Junior says hi
wearing which uniform?
(you missed a big part of his point)
I love me some DesigNateRobertson posts.
Oh man, that one was hilarious. People tend to take him too seriously but if you can translate his cynicism, his articles are always a good, and funny, read.
I’ve always been a Chipper Jones fan, but I did not realize there is such a convincing argument for him being a better overall player than Jeter and Ripken. I still think Ripken is a more valuable player because his defense at SS for most of his career bumps him up, but I’d take Chipper over Jeter
you mean like atlanta did? how’s that workin out for ya?
Being a Giants fan, things have worked out pretty well recently. And you realize that Jones and Jeter were in different drafts, right? Check your facts, Braves never had a chance to take Jeter
point flying way over your head… 5 to 1 fact checker
Go Go Rising Apple! Thanks for the linkage, MLB Trade Rumors!
That’s a pretty harsh piece about Lowell.
Never let accuracy stand in the way of a good argument. How in the world can you say Lowell’s contract was worse than Lugo’s and Renteria’s?
I liked the first part where he was defending the Drew deal (I’ve long been a proponent of that contract) but he totally lost me when he said the Lowell deal was the worst. The Lowell deal was worth it if only because the fans wanted it so badly. Did you happen to hear all the fans screaming for them to re-sign Lowell literally seconds after the world series ended in ’07? Imagine the outrage by Boston fans if they let him walk after that.
A great assessment from “Blogging from the Bleachers”, although the author omits one key factor… the position played. Alex Rodriguez is/was athletic enough to play any position on the diamond and his body should hold up to the rigors of seasons better than Pujols’…
Let me pose this question: Who typically ages better: an elite SS or an elite 1B? Many times, that SS is moved to 2B, 3B, the OF, or even eventually to 1B. The 1B can’t move to other positions, thereby limiting his value. (before anyone says it… DH isn’t a real position).
In the end though, I still agree that $240 million over 8 years is a fair contract for Mr. Pujols.
Maybe now, but I guarantee he wont be worth 30 mil in the last half of that contract. I can’t blame the cardinals for not wanting to cough up that coin when he will turn 35 before the 8 year deal is half done.
Pujols also has to keep in mind that the Cards offer may be the greatest he ever sees. Take the money now is what I say. Lets say Pujols holds out till FA. Next season he blows out his elbow, then his value goes from 200 plus million to what? My point is, extensions are bigger than free agency in most cases. To quote the great Steve Miller
“take the money and run”
If Pujols blows out his elbow he just shrugs and hits .320 with 43 HR and 123 RBI. The man is a machine. If Chuck Norris played baseball he would be Albert Pujols.
Patrick Sullivan completely forgot about Julio Lugo. Worst deal given out by Theo.
EDIT: To be more specific, Lugo accumulated a total of 0.3!!! fWAR while being paid $35 mm by the Red Sox.
Renteria’s MIGHT be worse. 1.4 fWAR for $40m and he only played for the Sox for one of the 4 years he was under contract.
Eh, it’s not close imo. At least Renteria did bring back a concensus top 20 prospect in Andy Marte, who brought Crisp and his 5.8 fWAR with the Sox, who was in turn flipped for Ramon Ramirez and his 0.5 fWAR with the Sox, who was then flipped for Daniel Turpen, who might bring back 50K if returned from the Yanks. *breathes*
Ah, yeah I guess if you take who they got flipped for you are totally right. I was just considering what the Sox got from the specific player for what they paid.
Are Manny and A-rod hall of famers? if so then justify why Bonds, Mcgwire, Sosa, or Clemens aren’t
All are or none are.
Anyone think Wright will return to “form” (per the Rising Apple article)?
If he has a team around him, he could…. so looking ahead to the 2011 Mets… No.
It’s hard to put up big numbers when you’re always coming up with the bases empty and have no one hitting behind you.
Okay, so I exaggerated a little, but still…
The Mets will be lucky to break 75 wins in 2011.
The Nats actually look better than the Mets at this point.
Beckett is a roller coaster ride. He’s had 2 pretty good years and the rest have been injury ridden and bad pitching. I mean it is the Red Sox so $17 million a year doesn’t cripple that team like it would a lot of other teams. They didn’t have a huge need to resign him to that deal either, they had enough pitching where they could have let him walk.
Fair enough. You can never have enough pitching I understand. Just my opinion, he definitely knows how to pitch in the playoffs.
He accepts your apology
I was talking about Lugo’s total production while being under the Sox’ payroll. So .4+.8-.3-.6
No way man
Sometimes I think you and srs are the same person…
Correct on all accounts.
Indeed, if Albert wants to take that risk, he’s entitled to it. I don’t fault any player for going after the best offer. I do the same thing every day of my life (goes without saying I operate on a much less lucrative scale).
I will, however, take issue with all of Albert’s public statements regarding this extension (“he’s a team player, the money doesn’t matter as much, he wants to be a cardinal for life, etc..”) if he turns down what I think is a fair contract.
Fans in StL are dying to make him a legend, like Stan. Of course, that won’t happen if Albert goes after a $350 million, 10 year offer the Cubs (or any other team) throws at him. The man’s integrity is on the line, and if he turns down a fair offer, it’s as good as shot in my opinion.
Again, I wouldn’t blame Pujols for going after top dollar, I’d do the same thing. But then again, I’m not on the verge of being a legend.
great quote.