On Deck

Aside from the steroid talks going on, Roger Clemens, and a few trades here and there in baseball, it's been quiet leading up to the 2008 season. And with a month to go until pitchers and catchers report for spring training there are a few things I need to report on. So here's what's on deck:

- A review of the Yankees 2007 season
- A preview of the Yankees 2008 season
- Possibly some Red Sox talk (Doug, where art thou?)

So, check back here the next couple months...things will be heating up soon!

Clemens v. Macnamee (and The World)

The story of steroids in baseball continues to be written. Roger Clemens, the most notable name in the Mitchell Report, may spend the beginning days of his retirement defending himself and trying to clear his name. But what exactly are we learning from all this?

I'm not going to offer an opinion on Clemens, Macnamee or the now defamation suit because honestly my guess is as good as anyone elses as to whether Clemens took steroids. The difficult part about it is that fans have already passed judgement on players based on their attitude, style of play, and contributions to the game. They have an idea of who is believable or not. For example, I would say most fans of baseball do not like Barry Bonds because of his large ego and me attitude, which leads them to conclude he likely took steroids because he was only interested in himself and homerun records (as well as the spotlight). We can't forget that his trainer won't talk about whether he injected Bonds or not leading to less credibility. In the case of Clemens, fans know he works out hard and is always thinking about doing his job for the team. It makes it a little harder for fans to then think Clemens took steroids.

The argument that Clemens took steroids was summarized well by Steve Phillips of ESPN. He pointed out that Clemens has continued to be good into his 40s, which coincides with my point of how Barry Bonds got better turning 35. I wouldn't say Clemens got better in his 40s, certainly a move to the NL Central helped some of his stats, but he was still consistent. But then again could you argue someone like Greg Maddux, also in his 40s, can still pitch a full season because he's on steroids? It's too simple an argument to make conclusions on to some degree.

My personal problem with steroids and performance enhancing drugs in baseball is that fans are not educated on what all these drugs do to ones body. We of course hear in health classes at a young age that steroids will increase your muscle mass but shrink your nuts. But other than that, what is B-12 vitamen? Human growth hormone? I couldn't even start to describe what each of them do and how at all they could improve ones performance or even what combinations of such drugs could potentially do.

And do we really know if these drugs improve performance? It must vary by player and as Bonds always pointed out, you still need have talent to hit a baseball.

One thing is for sure though, some of these drugs--as in the cases of Andy Pettitte and Paul Byrd--were taken to speed up the recovery from injuries. So one could argue or defend themselves that they were taken not to improve individual performance, but to get a player back on the field.

Whatever the case may be, some players have experiemented (ie, Brian Roberts). Some became addicted (David Segui). Others became advocates for taking the drugs (Jose Canseco). There must have been some noticeable change in performance for players to begin demanding steroids and over time needing better ones and even now wanting undetectable ones. Trainers probably know the correct dosages and frequencies to deliver the drugs into ones body.

But now that baseball is coming to grips with this problem it is creating other ones like in the case of Clemens. I forsee the steroid issue becoming more of a prominent issue for at least the next 10 years. Why? Because there's the Hall of Fame (for those eligible, Big Mac 0 for 2), mounting court cases, future investigations, and a culture that will try to "beat the system". The Mitchell Report and Clemens defamation suit are just the next chapter that's unfolding before us.

Everyone is to Blame

I didn't get around to reading the Mitchell Report yet, but I needed to post on some things about what I've heard other than just a list of names and some of those names admitting to usage. But before I start, I've been more MIA than I'd like, a promotion at work leaves me with zero downtime to post a work and I am exhausted when I come home, so I don't go on the computer much. Just another excuse to add to the list for this blog.

But onto the Mitchell Report. In my view, this is a start to getting performance enhancing drugs out of baseball. Is it a strong, choke full of evidence report? Not really, but it confirms that steroid, HGH, or whatever players used is true and has been part of the culture of the game the last 20+ years or so. The problem the report ran into in order to make a strong case is that baseball has a culture of not pointing the figure at other players for wrong doing. That's what Mitchell was up against the whole time and it will continue to be what baseball is up against as it attempts to clamp down on this problem.

The thing about it is that commentators, analysts and the like are pointing the finger at Selig, players, and a few other people when honestly, we're all to blame:

• The fans are to blame for showing up to games, supporting teams who signed players who used the juice, and continuing to watch the sport.
  

• The team owners and management are to blame for showering players with money who probably didn't deserve it because they were cheating. That may have knowingly heard about drug usage and did not attempt to have a team policy to ban it.

• The personal trainers, be they for the team or personal trainers, are to blame for allowing this stuff into the clubhouse. Several gave up names in this report. The trainers, whether they were involved in supplying the stuff or not, had access to it and use clouded judgment to bring these drugs into the game.
  

• The players are to blame not only because many of them took it, but many of them likely tried the stuff even just once. They let the culture fester. While not pointing the finger is admirable in some cases, it is also a lousy and cowardly excuse that has now tarnished players, careers, and the game itself. It shows a lack of leadership among ballplayers in today's era.
• The players Union is to blame as well for just agreeing in 2002 to keep the players integrity somewhat in check. The union is there to support the players, but not on this level.

• Finally, MLB is to blame for not having this investigation earlier. Sure politics are a big part of why this didn't happen until late (such as saving the game after 1994), but it seems that taking action is happening sooner rather than later. MLB has been weak until recently on this issue, and it will be interesting to see how committed Selig, et al are to making the game clean again.

So my point is, anyone involved in baseball from watching the game as a fan to playing it or managing it from a business standpoint is to blame for steroids, HGH, and all the other performance enhancing drugs that have entered baseball. Although the 2002 drug policy was a first step, there is a long way to go before the game is cleaned up and even when stronger policies are in place, those who supply and create the drugs are still going to try to find there way around drug tests.

Trade Wars, Rivalry Style

We still haven't heard, but Johan Santana, one of the best pitchers in baseball the last four years, could go to the Yankees or Red Sox tonight. To get him both teams are going to lose prospects and young players, but gain an ace capable of 200+ K's and a sub 3.00 ERA.

From the Yankees perspective, it's no suprise they're in this. On the one hand, it's a strategy to raise the price in terms of players and a subsequent contract to the point where the Red Sox would lose its future franchise players and a chunk of its budget for years to come. On the other hand, the Yankees need Santana more in too many ways to list here.

I'm a bit disappointed the Yankees would be willing to give up a couple of the building blocks that are part of the Cashman rebuilding plan. Chamberlain has been untouchable, but they are willing to give up future ace Phil Hughes or Ian Kennedy. Both are unproven, but looked promising this season. Additionally, it looks like Melky Cabrera would go who is a huge fan favorite. This would put Damon back in center and the Yanks would lose a decent outfielder who can fill in at any time in one of the OF slots.

But this is sometimes the cost of the Rivalry and both teams right now have assets they are willing to part with for one of the best young arms in the game. It's hard to say who is going to get Santana--they Yankees are saying now or never with the trade offer--and the Red Sox are hesitating a bit on what combination will be offered.

Most Vetted Player

Fake-Rod is back in more than one way. Today he won his 3rd MVP, the 2nd with the Yankees after a huge season, but I am not here to talk about that.I'm still not happy with Fake-Rod.

He did the best thing for himself by going back to the Yankees to negotiate himself after a huge public fallout, but it was too little too late. My problem with Fake-Rod is that he took his agents word, an agent who doesn't seem to listen to his clients, only the free agent market.

Yes, it was a botched publicity stunt, miscalculated and a big mistake. It was Fake-Rod's choice and he decided with his wallet and not his heart, which apparently was still with the Yankees. But all the while, it looks like he was influenced by Scott Boras or at the very least took his agents word that opting out was his best option.Fake-Rod has a lot to prove now that he's in NY for the rest of his career.

As he said today, he'd trade in his three MVPs for a world championship, and to be a true Yankee he will have to win one. It's certainly a good probabilty that Fake-Rod will break the HR record in the pinstripes, which will bring in revenue and be a part of his salary. But I'm wondering if they worked in some incentives for him to win a championship. No wait--how about perform well in the playoffs while in the pinstripes and win a championship?

Either way, Fake-Rod is not a true Yankee in this fans' heart yet. His MVP seasons have been great, but he's not as intense as a Paul O'Neil, not as magical as a Derek Jeter, and not as quietly leading as a Bernie Williams. He is still finding his place after four years.

Forever Yankees

The Yankees made Jorge Posada the highest paid catcher in the game, keeping him for 4 more years and likely a Yankee for his career. There really wasn't another choice for the Yankees to make--no other great catcher was on the market, Posada had a career year at age 36 showing he can still play, and there isn't a catcher waiting in the wing. The one concern in this is, how much longer Posada can actually catch? But the answer to that is, he can become a part-time and then full-time DH sometime in the next couple of years as long as the Yankees don't continue to have older players competing for the DH spot.

Posada has come a long way and will be rejoined by his catching mentor Joe Girardi this year. On the field he seems to handle pitchers well and communicates well in times of trouble. He can still hit, has a good batting eye, and in many ways is an unsung hero on the Yankees especially during the dyntasy years.

Not a Yankee yet for the rest of his career, but I expect him to sign soon is Mariano Rivera. Rivera is showing signs of cracking after this past year, but still has success closing out games. And it may be likely that he has a shot at passing Trevor Hoffman's save record. After all he has done he'll be back for at least three more years, it's almost expected that "Enter Sandman" be played as the Yankee closer comes into the game at Yankee stadium and not elsewhere (I know about the Wagner thing). Like Posada, he is a Yankee great and would be hard to let go.

Sometime this weekend I will comment on the new Fake-Rod outlined contract to stay a Yankee as well as baseball's best friend, Barry Bonds, being indicted.

Abreu & Pettitte: One here, one gone?

In some old news, the Yankees took the option on Bobby Abreau's contract so that he'll be a Yankee in 2008. This was pretty much the Yankees only move, unless they wanted to go after Tori Hunter or Andruw Jones, shifting Melky to right. But my guess is both those players would want just about the same amount and honestly, Abreu's better at getting on base even if his power's pretty much sapped.

Pettitte on the other hand is up in the air on what he wants to do, but he declined his option. Is he pulling a Roger Clemens by saying he may want to retire and then want more money? The Yankees seem to understand and are giving Pettitte his space and time to decide. But obviously if Pettitte is gone, the pitching rotation is in much rougher shape.