The AL East included four of the junior circuit's eight 80-win teams a year ago, and you could make the argument that the Yankees, Rays, Red Sox and Blue Jays are just as strong entering the 2012 campaign. The latest links from the division…
- As Alex Speier of WEEI.com explains, the Red Sox didn't realize they had obtained two future All-Stars when they sent reliever Heathcliff Slocumb to Seattle for Jason Varitek and Derek Lowe in 1997. Speier passes along quotes from Dan Duquette, scout Gary Rajsich and Lowe in this look back at the franchise-altering deal. Rajsich considered Lowe a future above-average setup man at the time. Even then, the scout thought Varitek could be a frontline starting catcher.
- Duquette explained to Speier that Manny Ramirez wasn't a fit for the Orioles this winter. "I thought since I was so generous with Manny last time around, he should have paid me this time around. He didn’t quite see it that way," Duquette quipped, making reference to the slugger's eight-year, $160MM contract with the Red Sox.
- Duquette also discussed the Varitek-Lowe deal in detail.
- The Yankees say there's a competition between Phil Hughes and Freddy Garcia for the final spot in their rotation, but Joel Sherman of the New York Post says the competition is essentially rigged. Hughes will win if the competition is close, and Garcia will head to the bullpen unless a starter gets injured.
Exactly how i feel that it should be with hughes. He is young enough and talented that he could be a very good starter. If it is close then i would pick hughes. If he really doesnt have it together then he will be a reliever forever.
I think that hughes could put together a very good year, if he does then the yankees rotation will be a formidable force.
Personally i doubt garcia will repeat his performance, he is a decent back end starter but i think that hughes will put together better numbers.
Would you say it’s his last shot at being a full time starter?
If you don’t mind me answering, I’d say it depends on his numbers. Even if he puts up an average pitching season like 2010, I can still see him starting again. If he puts up AJ Burnett 2010 numbers, this could be his last shot then.
People forget that Hughes hasn’t turned 26 yet.
I for sure thought there was going to be some notes about Bobby Valentine’s comments today lol
What’d he say?
Just go on ESPN MLB’s page. Talked about Jeter’s flip play and Varitek/A-Rod fight. I guess just trying to stir up some drama like Buck did last year.
Oh that. Yeah, I think he’s just trying to show that he is “Boston” now; show that he’s one of the guys.
Bobby Valentine = Rex Ryan
Bobby was Rex before Rex was Rex. Talking out of his rear end is what he does best. I kinda like him strangely lol
Bobby v was classic today… he is getting primed up and ST games have yet to start.
Side note: Beautiful piece linked here by Speir on Tek and the swap for Slocumb, how it came about etc.. not quite as classic as V’s quotes, but a nice piece..
Yeah, good stuff from Speier (as usual).
Man, I forgot there was a time when Derek Lowe actually had talent. Now he’s just got a fat wallet.
He’s 38 now, 39 this year, not sure the point of your post.
this is true in opposite land
I agree. Garcia is the definition of a perfect “throw away” pitcher. He can serve you in any number of ways and if he struggles or gets injured you just cut bait.
Hughes on the other hands, is only 25 and although, much maligned, his career this far has been more hampered by being rushed and for the most part non-arm/shoulder related injuries. Last years tired arm/bad conditioning shouldn’t be a long term issue. If he can be a 180 IP/4.00 FIP guy, which is a far cry from what was expected of him in 2008/2009, then he would still be a perfect #5 guy.
Right now, the Yanks have a good 1-2-3 combo from the right side. The role of the 4th righty is probably more of a 5th/6th inning bridge to the 7th inning guy or who you bring in to eat up innings during a big run deficit game. Not exactly the role you want for someone with his ability. Perfect role for a guy like Garcia.
Your Red Sox homerism and Yankee hatred weren’t missed lol
Hmmm, not even one of the best setup man in baseball and one of the best rookie pitchers last year in baseball?
Same with how RS fans forget that Bucholz has had injury history too, and is 2 years older than hughes is. Yet they act like he is a sure thing in the rotation. As well as beckett who has some decent years, but has some very bad years 5.78 era in 2010.
I wasn’t aware that was the only criteria to be just like Rex Ryan. No he didn’t guarantee that but I would not be surprised to see him guarantee it sooner or later. What also makes him different, is that he’s making all these comments when he has yet to manage a single game (for the Red Sox that is)
Rex Ryan did come one game from the Super Bowl two years in a row though.
– ECB