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    • Wednesday, June 19, 2013

    ESPN.com: Yankees Acquire Fartinez

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    posted 7 hours ago by Gonna break my Rusty Kuntz and run . . . Arbitol to astros, mets, prospects, yankees  |  24 comment(s)

    I’m predicting about 30 home runs during the remainder of 2013 and 50 next year.

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    1. asinwreck posted on February 22, 2013 at 11:05 AM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    Good, historical profile.

    I look forward to reading Joe's debut in the New York Times June 5.
    2. Darren  posted on February 22, 2013 at 11:13 AM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    The Times hired him? I guess that makes sense.
    3. CFBF Hates Hyphens posted on February 22, 2013 at 11:31 AM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    One year after that, in 2003, he led the league in runs, homers and slugging and won another Gold Glove – his greatness was so overwhelming that he won the MVP even though the Rangers had lost 91 games and finished in last place.


    I remember this as the only time I've ever read a Jayson Stark column where the usually affable, good-natured writer came off as seriously pissed. He was quite upset that A-Rod had won the MVP despite the Rangers' record.

    Also, for all of Stark's appearances on ESPN, I only once remember him getting worked up in an angry, confrontational way. It was during a 2006 discussion of possible MVP candidates when Brian Kenny suggested that Travis Hafner, who was having a ferocious season for a crummy Indians team, should be a legit candidate (this was before Hafner suffered his annual season-ending injury).

    In other words, Jayson Stark really frigging hated the idea of a player from a losing team winning the MVP.
    4. Hello Rusty Kuntz, Goodbye Rusty Cars posted on February 22, 2013 at 11:41 AM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    When Andre Dawson won the MVP, Jayson Stark went to the Philippines and sank the MV Doña Paz.
    5. zack posted on February 22, 2013 at 11:43 AM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    You know, I've never thought about this before in my life, and I don't really care about A-rod one way or another, but I just realized I don't want A-Rod to pass Willie on the HR board.

    I don't mind Bonds at the top, so I'm not sure why. I think I just like not having to think about the numbers at the top. There's a whole pack of modern guys just behind Willie and I'd like them to stay there, where it's a different sort of achievement.

    Of course, unless A-rod never plays another game because of this surgery it's almost guaranteed he'll pass Mays.
    6. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) posted on February 22, 2013 at 11:47 AM #  hit 0 | hit 0


    I look forward to reading Joe's debut in the New York Times June 5.


    I guess if the Gray Lady is willing to take a chance on a blogger like Pos, there's still hope for bloggers like Murray Chass.
    7. Ray (RDP)  posted on February 22, 2013 at 11:48 AM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    There's a lot of silly ARod-has-crashed-and-burned hysteria right now. There's no reason to think he can't be a 120 OPS+ hitter at 3B with good defense when he returns. And it wouldn't shock me if he managed a 130-140 OPS+. The biggest question is durability. But I still see a 3-5 WAR player with a chance to turn back the clock if the hip surgery is able to correct the problem. Sure, ARod his highly unlikely to be close to the contract value, but the contract is what it is.
    8. Rants Mulliniks (formerly Cold Prosimian) posted on February 22, 2013 at 11:52 AM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    Well Jayson Stark was the one who argued Shannon Stewart's 65 games of 124 OPS+ with 3 SBs and 4 CS in 2003 was worthy of an MVP, so I think we know how much credence to give him on such matters.

    That article makes me want to write A-Rod some fan mail. He was the first player younger than me to make the majors, and I've liked him ever since, regardless of all the crap. He's just a man.
    9. Nasty Nate posted on February 22, 2013 at 11:52 AM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    There's a lot of silly ARod-has-crashed-and-burned hysteria right now.


    I agree. We haven't seen the last of him.
    10. Darren  posted on February 22, 2013 at 11:55 AM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    So, no copyediting?
    11. The Good Face posted on February 22, 2013 at 11:58 AM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    There's a lot of silly ARod-has-crashed-and-burned hysteria right now.


    I agree. We haven't seen the last of him.


    Thirded. Despite missing a bunch of games in 2012 and playing hurt in many of those he appeared in, A-Rod was a productive player. It's way too early to assume he's done.
    12. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit posted on February 22, 2013 at 12:02 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    I agree that he'll play again but I'm a bit skeptical that he can be productive. His OPS+ has declined every year since 2007 and he's a 37 year old coming off a second major injury. I think a 130-140 OPS+ would be a huge shocker frankly, he was last at that level in 2009. That would be a big bounceback.
    13. Bitter Mouse posted on February 22, 2013 at 12:06 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    Sign me up for the #12 version of the future as more likely than the #7 version.
    14. gef the talking mongoose posted on February 22, 2013 at 12:07 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    He's just a mancentaur.


    Fixed.
    15. Pat Rapper's Delight posted on February 22, 2013 at 12:08 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    He's just a half-man/half-horse.

    FTFY.
    16. Blastin posted on February 22, 2013 at 12:09 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    I think it would be very difficult not to come out kind of awkward when this was your life for the last twenty years. That doesn't mean you take PEDS - being an MLB player means that, heh - but I've never hated A-Rod, even when he wasn't on my team. He didn't ever seem like he was out to hurt people besides the teams weighed down by big contracts, and it's not his fault the stupid team agreed to the demands.

    But, um, you know, I wish he wasn't old and falling apart like a normal human. (Shrug) He'll always be one of the greatest I've seen play, no matter how long I live, provided Mike Trout isn't the first of a new league of superhumans.
    17. The Good Face posted on February 22, 2013 at 12:10 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    I agree that he'll play again but I'm a bit skeptical that he can be productive. His OPS+ has declined every year since 2007 and he's a 37 year old coming off a second major injury. I think a 130-140 OPS+ would be a huge shocker frankly, he was last at that level in 2009. That would be a big bounceback.


    I agree that a 140 OPS+ would be a big surprise, but that's not necessary for him to be productive; that would make him a worthy All Star. A 3B who puts up a 115 OPS+ and plays adequate defense is probably a 2-3 WAR player; that's plenty productive.
    18. Ray (RDP)  posted on February 22, 2013 at 12:11 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    Jose, Cal Ripken hacked away to a 144 OPS+ at age 38 after years of mediocre hitting. You hit some home runs and get a lucky BABIP and you're off to the races. ARod is a much better hitter over his career than Ripken was, and is starting from a higher recent level.
    19. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) posted on February 22, 2013 at 12:17 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    Third basemen in their Age 38 year (min. 300 PAs):

    Cal Ripken (144 OPS+)
    Ron Cey (138)
    Chipper Jones (120)
    Graig Nettles (119)
    Lave Cross (113)
    Mike Schmidt (112)
    Melvin Mora (98)
    Wade Boggs (98)
    Jimmy Dykes (98)
    Jim Gantner (90)
    Al Dark (87)
    Gary Gaetti (85)
    Ken Caminiti (84)
    Sparky Adams (79)
    Tim Wallach (74)
    Jimmy Collins (65)
    Brooks Robinson (58)
    Pee Wee Reese (47)

    That's it.
    20. bookbook posted on February 22, 2013 at 12:25 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    A-Rod makes a tragic figure because he seemingly wanted so badly to be liked. In retrospect, going to the Yankees was just a horrific mistake. The players association didn't do him any favors.
    21. CFBF Hates Hyphens posted on February 22, 2013 at 12:26 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    So, no copyediting?


    Yeah, it's a little odd. Posnanski's blog posts always had a fair number of errors, but that was something people tended to shrug and accept because it was a personal blog he was doing for no pay in his spare time with no editing services. Jokes notwithstanding, NBC Sports is an actual organization. You'd think they could afford to hire an editor or two.

    22. Blastin posted on February 22, 2013 at 12:28 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    A-Rod makes a tragic figure because he seemingly wanted so badly to be liked. In retrospect, going to the Yankees was just a horrific mistake. The players association didn't do him any favors.


    As the article says, he arranged to give up money to go to Boston. Of course, he gave up his position and number in NY, but Jeter's the "leader." (Not that we know they asked Jeter and he refused. We just know that A-Rod agreed to it.)
    23. Tippecanoe posted on February 22, 2013 at 12:29 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    The body only has so many games


    I don't fully agree with the paragraph that concludes with the above sentence. Reduction in performance in the mid-thirties is the result of a decline in refelexes/athleticism/agility plus the greater likelihood of injury. Thoses injuries could be the result of years of repetetive stress, or they could be because the muscles and joints are less resiliant and flexible with advancing age. In A-Rod's case, I have no idea whether his hip problems are the result of milage, or if its because the torque that the joint could withstand at age 25 is too much to endure at age 35.

    Regardless, give me a 34-year old with 2200 games played over a 37-year-old with 1600 games played every time.
    24. Heinie Mantush (Krusty) posted on February 22, 2013 at 12:32 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    Of course, he gave up his position and number in NY


    Somehow, I don't think people would have taken very well to unretiring Babe Ruth's number for A-Rod.
    25. What did Billy Ripken have against Elroy Face? posted on February 22, 2013 at 12:34 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    To be fair, has a horse ever made it to age 32 before breaking down? Even Seabiscuit was done just shy of his 7th birthday, after one comeback from a major injury.
    26. Bitter Mouse posted on February 22, 2013 at 12:36 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    Somehow, I don't think people would have taken very well to unretiring Babe Ruth's number for A-Rod.


    That would have been off the charts awesome had he demanded it and they done it. Never in a million years of course, but still.

    AROD would have been much better served to have gone the AJ Pierogi route than what he tried to do.
    27. Bitter Mouse posted on February 22, 2013 at 12:36 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    To be fair, has a horse ever made it to age 32 before breaking down?


    Warhorse II: The Baseball Years
    28. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit posted on February 22, 2013 at 12:36 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    Jose, Cal Ripken hacked away to a 144 OPS+ at age 38 after years of mediocre hitting. You hit some home runs and get a lucky BABIP and you're off to the races. ARod is a much better hitter over his career than Ripken was, and is starting from a higher recent level.


    True, but Ripken was obviously much healthier than A-Rod. Even if you take that out I would assume that a Ripken like performance is the exception, not the rule. I'm not saying it's impossible but I think he's much more likely to be under 120 than over assuming 400+ plate appearances. Obviously if he plays a shorter schedule due to rest or injury or whatever the likelihood of an extreme (in either direction) OPS+ increases.
    29. bunyon posted on February 22, 2013 at 12:37 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    I, too, think he could bounce back and be a fine hitter. It's just that the error bars have gotten much bigger and include a measurable dose of 0 OPS and no longer includes 170. In any case, I suspect that if he is reasonably healthy, for his age, he'll hit.

    What I don't think he'll do is ever again be a good 3Bman. He may have good weeks of near average defensive capability. An ARod on new hips at 3B and Jeter at SS tells me the Yanks had better be pitching righties away.
    30. Yastrzemski in left. posted on February 22, 2013 at 12:38 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    I'd rather have Rick Burleson.
    31. Blastin posted on February 22, 2013 at 12:39 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    Somehow, I don't think people would have taken very well to unretiring Babe Ruth's number for A-Rod.


    Wells asked to wear his number AND his uniform that he bought, IIRC, for one game. We still like Boomer.

    Anyway, you're right, it wasn't gonna happen. I'm just saying the story of his selfishness doesn't jibe with the facts of the 03-04 offseason.
    32. Ray (RDP)  posted on February 22, 2013 at 12:39 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    True, but Ripken was obviously much healthier than A-Rod. Even if you take that out I would assume that a Ripken like performance is the exception, not the rule.


    Well, sure. That's why I said "it wouldn't shock me" rather than "I predict it will happen."

    I predicted a 120 OPS+.
    33. Bitter Mouse posted on February 22, 2013 at 12:42 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    I predicted a 120 OPS+.


    Maybe, but I think very limited playing time and overall value is very likely(including very suspect defense), no matter the rate stat he hits.
    34. Yastrzemski in left. posted on February 22, 2013 at 12:46 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    And if A-Rod ever wants to have a bust in the HOF he should retire before eclipsing any of the major records.
    35. Bitter Mouse posted on February 22, 2013 at 01:01 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    And if A-Rod ever wants to have a bust in the HOF he should retire before eclipsing any of the major records.


    Ever is a long time, and I don't think he has a chance of eclisping much without a major health resurgeance.

    I have changed my mind on one thing though, Bonds atop the HR leaderboards and not in the hall keeps him more to the forefront than just putting him in the hall and moving on would, so right now (as a Bonds fan) him not in the hall the next few years is not the worst thing in the world (and might not be for AROD either).

    Is there an equestrian Hall of Fame? (googling - there are a seemingly lot of them, not sure which is the dominant or real one though) Should AROD be in both?
    36. Sonic Youk posted on February 22, 2013 at 01:21 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    I'll buy the 120 ops+, but not the good defense
    37. phredbird  posted on February 22, 2013 at 01:26 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    Is there an equestrian Hall of Fame? (googling - there are a seemingly lot of them, not sure which is the dominant or real one though) Should AROD be in both?


    this one sneaked up on me. i'm still chuckling.
    38. TVerik posted on February 22, 2013 at 01:56 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    To put this in the context of actual on-the-field stuff, do you think the Yankees' solution of Youk-Rod will be average, better-than-average, or worse-than-average as far as production in 2013?

    I'm a hopeless partisan, so I won't guess. But I could see those two being more productive than, say, the Red Sox at that position.
    39. Nasty Nate posted on February 22, 2013 at 02:01 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    To put this in the context of actual on-the-field stuff, do you think the Yankees' solution of Youk-Rod will be average, better-than-average, or worse-than-average as far as production in 2013?


    I think better than average.
    40. Ray (RDP)  posted on February 22, 2013 at 02:12 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    I think the Yanks will get good value from 3B this year.
    41. The Good Face posted on February 22, 2013 at 02:17 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    I think the Yanks will get good value from 3B this year.


    I think they'll get good production and lousy value.
    42. KT's Pot Arb posted on February 22, 2013 at 02:22 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    Third basemen in their Age 38 year (min. 300 PAs):

    Cal Ripken (144 OPS+)
    Ron Cey (138)
    Chipper Jones (120)
    Graig Nettles (119)
    Lave Cross (113)
    Mike Schmidt (112)
    Melvin Mora (98)
    Wade Boggs (98)
    Jimmy Dykes (98)
    Jim Gantner (90)
    Al Dark (87)
    Gary Gaetti (85)
    Ken Caminiti (84)
    Sparky Adams (79)
    Tim Wallach (74)
    Jimmy Collins (65)
    Brooks Robinson (58)
    Pee Wee Reese (47)


    None of these players had anything near A-Rod's ability except maybe Schmidt, and he didn't have Alex's athleticism, he was never able to play short stop full time in the majors.

    Through age 36 Cal Ripken Jr. had a 115 OPS+, A-Rod's career average is 143.

    Wade Boggs is closer at 139, but again wasn't anywhere near A-Rod's class as an athlete. Wade was in the minors for something like 4 years at ages A-Rod was playing in the majors (obviously not totally his fault).

    Schmidt's career OPS+ at age 36 was 151, and he's one of the greatest 3B ever.

    It's very likely Alex's poor recent years have been caused by that bad hip and if Alex's hip surgery is successful, a 140 OPS+is almost more likely than not.
    43. jyjjy posted on February 22, 2013 at 02:22 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    I have a feeling Youkrodner(Youklis, Rodriguez and Hafner) will hit very well as a three headed, 4 footed, 4 hooved mythological monster covering 3B/DH for NY this year. However, though I haven't read it in a while, I am almost certain such an unholy beast roaming this earth is explicitly mentioned as a portent of impending Armageddon in Revelations. You have all been warned.
    44. bookbook posted on February 22, 2013 at 02:29 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    Cal Ripken had his own hips.

    Cal and Schmidt didn't have A-Rod's ability? I don't know... That feels somewhere in the overstatement range to me.

    Schmidt could have played shortstop. (at 3b he was worth 100 defensive runs more than A-Rod, according to bref)
    45. willcarrolldoesnotsuk posted on February 22, 2013 at 02:59 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    Cal and Schmidt didn't have A-Rod's ability? I don't know... That feels somewhere in the overstatement range to me.
    The claim was "except maybe Schmidt". As for Ripken, he had four seasons with an OPS+ higher than Rodriguez's career average, and three of those four were just barely.
    46. jyjjy posted on February 22, 2013 at 03:00 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    That Ripken had nowhere near A-Rod's ability to hit a baseball cannot be questioned really. That Schmidt was great at 3B means he would have been capable at SS, nevermind as good as A-Rod was, very questionable. In fact that A-Rod was very good at SS and meh at 3B shows clearly the two positions are not interchangeable and presuming a switch for Schmidt in the opposite direction on the defensive spectrum would have gone well a mistake.
    47. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit posted on February 22, 2013 at 03:10 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    do you think the Yankees' solution of Youk-Rod will be average, better-than-average, or worse-than-average as far as production in 2013?


    I'll echo Nate's better than average. I'd put them both in the 110 OPS+ as a prediction. I think the likelihood of collapse is greater than the likelihood of a return to stardom for both though.
    48. Edmundo got dem ol' Kozma blues again mama  posted on February 22, 2013 at 03:14 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    I think that Schmidt would have been meh to average defensive SS into his early 30s. He was quick and agile and had more than enough arm.
    49. GuyM posted on February 22, 2013 at 03:35 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    A-Rod's career average is 143.....It's very likely Alex's poor recent years have been caused by that bad hip and if Alex's hip surgery is successful, a 140 OPS+is almost more likely than not.

    It is never a 50-50 proposition that a 38-yr-old will match his career average. The vast majority of players will perform below their career average, if they are fortunate enough to play at all. We tend to remember the exceptions to this rule, which leads us to underestimate the punishing power of the aging curve.

    50. tfbg9 posted on February 22, 2013 at 03:51 PM #  hit 0 | hit 0

    AROD would have been much better served to have gone the AJ Pierogi route than what he tried to do.


    I got the impression that he did sorta embrace the "villian" role, finally and got his ring as That Guy, in 2009.

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