Only one World Series has ever ended on a caught stealing, and that rare event took place on this day in 1926. The would-be base thief? Of all people, it was Babe Ruth thrown out trying to steal second by Cardinals catcher Bob O’Farrell to end Game Seven and give the Cards their first World Series title. This was one of a whopping five World Series-deciding games the Yankees have played on October 10 — they clinched victories in 1937, 1951 and 1956, and came up short in 1926 and 1957.
Here’s the latest from the AL East…
- Will the Orioles issue a one-year, $15.8MM qualifying offer to Matt Wieters? The Baltimore Sun’s Eduardo A. Encina and MASNsports.com’s Steve Melewski each examine that question in separate pieces, as Wieters’ health status and underwhelming 2015 numbers could make $15.8MM too large a price tag for the O’s to potentially pay. Wieters could take the QO in order to prove his value in 2016 and elevate his free agent stock for next offseason, though no player has yet accepted a qualifying offer (and it could be a particular surprise if a Scott Boras client like Wieters was the first to do so). If Wieters did accept the QO, Encina notes that he’d be taking up budget room that could prevent Baltimore from re-signing Chris Davis or making another big free agent splash. “Some in the industry believe the Orioles” are willing to go with a Caleb Joseph/Steve Clevenger catching tandem in 2016 rather than Wieters, Melewski writes, though in not making Wieters a QO, Baltimore would lose the chance at a first-round draft pick as compensation for Wieters signing elsewhere.
- In another piece from Melewski, he cites Marco Estrada, Doug Fister and Ian Kennedy as possible fits for the Orioles this winter since it’s unclear as to whether the O’s will shop at the top of the free agent pitching market.
- Brian Cashman will have to “get creative” to upgrade the Yankees given the number of big contracts already on the books, Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News writes, such as how the GM added Didi Gregorius and Nathan Eovaldi last winter. Feinsand also suggests four more ways for the Yankees to improve next year, such as deciding on who plays second base, finding playing time for Greg Bird, signing Justin Upton and staying away from David Price.
- Liam Hendriks was a member of five different organizations between December 2013 and October 2014 but he has seemingly found some stability as an important member of the Blue Jays bullpen. The Australian righty talks to Fangraphs’ David Laurila about his move to relief pitching, his increased velocity and the stress of switching teams so often within that 11-month span.
Koji uherha picked off kolten Wong to end one of then games in the cardinals Red Sox series
It says to end the entire series, not just one game.
And? Did that end the series? No. The reference to Ruth was that his caught stealing was the final out of the world series, not just the game.
If I were the Orioles, I’d steer clear of Estrada (3.13 ERA belied by a 4.93 xFIP) and Fister (declining K% and GB% for the last three years). That leaves Kennedy, and he actually seems like a good option: he set a career high in K%-BB% this year, and he also has the advantage of being the youngest of the three pitchers mentioned in the article.
If I’m the Orioles, I would focus my starting pitcher lens at high ground ball pitchers like Gallardo, Fister, and Leake. The O’s have a top notch defense, and the most recent crop of starters have been fly ball pitchers that don’t utilize that defense enough.
You would “Steer clear” of Marco estrange, the 5th best ERA in the AL and has the top BAA
Kennedy also. Duquette isn’t really known for big spending on FA, unless it pays off, or has a high chance of it and kennedy is a high chance bust, much like Edwin jackson was the Cubbies signed a few years back. Low chance of success and high bust. not the type of guy Duquette ever went after in Boston and can’t picture him going after that type in Baltimore, nor Angelos signing off on it either.
Completely agree.. I could see the Twins or Pittsburgh signing him though.. Searage could probably turn him into a solid #2/#3 again..
I think Leake and/or Kennedy are good options for the Os. I am fine with a Joseph/Clevenger catching set up but it would be silly to not extend Wieters a QO. No one has ever accepted and Boras is his agent. Let’s say by some small chance he accepts it wouldn’t be the worst to have Wieters on a one year 15.8 contract. Then it could be extended again next year to get the pick or he can be traded for prospects. I really can’t believe it’s a close decision.