A few odds and ends to pass along from the AL East. For more news out of the division, be sure to check out this afternoon's earlier post.
- The Yankees and catcher Russell Martin have decided to table extension talks until after the season, writes Andrew Marchand of ESPNNewYork.com. Martin, 29, is eligible for free agency after this season, and is apparently seeking more than the three years and $20MM the Yankees were willing to offer, as reported by Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.
- Red Sox GM Ben Cherington addressed his club's shortstop situation today, according to the Associated Press: "[W]e feel good about the mix that we have, and we'll certainly keep our eyes open if there are ways to improve that. But right now we're focused on the guys we have." The current starting candidates are Nick Punto, Mike Aviles and, less likely, Jose Iglesias.
- Blue Jays infielder Omar Vizquel passed on an offer to manage a winter league team in his native Venezuela so that he could focus on playing in the Majors for what is presumably a final season, writes Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca. Davidi adds that Vizquel, signed to a minor league deal this offseason, is the favorite to claim the backup infielder's role with the Jays. Vizquel also says managing is likely in his future.
Well I think we will see a “play it as we go” approach with Jose at SS. I thin they will be cautious unless they give him the opp and he rips it up! Hey if A-Rod did it why not him right? I say we will see him by game 30.
“Martin, 29, is eligible for free agency after this season, and is apparently seeking more than the three years and $20MM the Yankees were willing to offer.”
Honestly, I think it would be best for Martin to just take something along those lines. A little over a year ago, he was non tendered and if I were him and his agent, I would take a three year deal. Unless he has a breakout year or repeats what he did between 2006-08 that made him one of the best catchers in the National League, I think what the Yankees offered is a fair deal for him.
In a way, I’m surprised this could be Omar’s last season only because he is pretty close to reaching 3,000 hits. With 2,841 hits to his name, I don’t think he will reach 3,000 hits this season as a part time player, barring injury to any of the Blue Jay middle infielder. I could see him playing another season after this one only because he could break 3,000 hits, which would only justify his Hall of Fame status. Even though he’s up there in age, I can’t see him retiring after being this close to 3,000 hits. But even if he does retires after falling short, nonetheless he has still had a very good career.
I estimated using his numbers from the last couple of years and figured he’d need at least 3 seasons. I just don’t see him getting major league offers that long.
As for his Hall status, well I’d be a little surprised if he doesn’t get in. Ozzie got in entirely on his status as a defensive wizard. I’ve only ever seen clips of Ozzie when he was in his prime but I’ve seen enough of Vizquel to know that there’s almost no one who can do with a glove with what Vizquel could.
I think you can make the case for Omar in the Hall but it’s not necessarily the strongest one. That said, I think that the writers love him, and that he will definitely get in.
Vizquel is a lock into the hall. He is at the top of almost every defensive statistic . He has played more games at SS than any other SS in history. His numbers are better than Luis Aparicio or Ozzie Smith
I think you can make the case for Omar in the Hall but it’s not necessarily the strongest one. That said, I think that the writers love him, and that he will definitely get in.
I am really surprised that the Yankees want to sign him for 3 years. Yankees have ton of caching depth in the minors and this move would block them. Unless ofcourse the Yankees think that the prospects will not be ready in 3 years.
I would say this if we still had Montero and still valued him as a potential starting catcher. In the system as of right now we have good catching depth, but I see the two stand-outs as Romine and Sanchez. Romine will more than likely always be a backup if anything. Sanchez is still quite a few years away so this would take care of that starting position for 3 years until Sanchez is ready. Just my opinion on their line of thinking :).
David Murphy and prospects for Hanley Ramirez?? Have you recently fallen down?
Although a little older than Punto and Aviles, I hope that Julio Iglesias gets the job. He was always a fan favorite in Spain.
Jose Iglesais is the future Boston shortstop, and I, for one, think the future is now… Considering the facts he had huge language and living adjustments to overcome in his freshman year, and hand injuries, in his sophomore year, his statistics with the bat are meaningless tools to judge him by in 2012. He is magical with the glove, we all know, and, after building muscle and stamina in the gym during the off season, he is ready, physically, to move into the Red Sox starting shortstop job. The Sox need his youth, his skills and his presence in the lineup to invigorate an aging roster that, in, 2011, became complacent and unmotivated. Aviles is a good player, yes, but not up to par, compared to Jose, in the field. He is better suited in a backup role, as is Punto, who is now well into his 30’s. Both will get opportunities to contribute as flexible utility players. Iglesais is the real deal, Kentucky breed, trained to race in the big time…..use him that way….and don’t put doing so off into the future.