Major League Baseball Update

Here is the latest news from around Major League Baseball:

• First, I will start with the most relevant story for the Yankees and perhaps the biggest in the world of baseball at the moment: Alex Rodriguez admitted to taking performance enhancing drugs while he was with the Rangers. The star third-baseman made the announcement after four sources leaked the information to Sports Illustrated. Now the debate about steroids and the MLB is in full swing once more and the purity of the game is really at stake this time because of all of those people (including me) who were looking forward to A. Rod. breaking the home run record and returning the league back to pureness. Now that isn’t going to happen. I really hope players stop this trend because it really is unfair, but I also think the media and government need to take a step back out of this one. Players in other pro sports, namely the NFL, test positive for PEDs too, yet they are overlooked because “that is what the people want to see.” It does not make sense to have this double standard. The media needs to stop this attack on baseball. The government, on the other hand, needs to stop getting involved as well with this witchhunt for steroid users. We have bigger problems at hand and it really shouldn’t be meddling like this in the MLB, a part of the private sector. Also, shame that those independent sources leaked the information to SI because by doing so they violated the confidentiality rights of Rodriguez, which is a serious crime. I will almost certainly be posting more about this topic later.
• The Angels sign Ervin Santana to a 4 year, $30 million deal.
• The Braves are interested in Ken Griffey Jr.- one of the last great modern players who are still steroid-free. Too bad his injuries held him back otherwise he would be the “savior”…
• C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett had their initial workouts with the Yanks and things are looking good so far.
• The Mets agree with Livan Hernandez on a minor league deal.
• Hank Aaron believes Bonds should keep the record because he feels it isn’t right to just wipe out history. It is a nice though and Aaron is one heck of a guy, but in my mind Bonds will never be home run king.

Jeff Kent Retires, Astros’ Owner Discusses Clemens/Pettitte, Sheets Meets With Rangers

Just another Major League Baseball news update:

• The biggest story of the past few days was Jeff Kent announcing his retirement. The second baseman spoke with tears in front of reporters at his press conference, remembering the various people who he was hired by and worked with over the course of his 17-year-long career. Kent is one of those guys that was never afraid to speak his mind and he has built a unique identity for himself that is respected all around the league. He took a strong stance against performance enhancing drugs and through hard work he managed to have a very successful pro career, one that will likely end with him being inducted into the Hall of Fame. Kent will be missed.
• Ben Sheets met with the Texas Rangers about a possible deal. Sheets lives in Dallas, so a deal with the Rangers is definitely of interest to him and as we all know the Rangers can certainly use the pitcher. Sheets was offered salary arbitration by the Brewers, so if he signs with the Rangers, Milwaukee will receive draft picks.
• The Brewers agreed to a new 2-year-deal with first baseman Prince Fielder worth $18 million.
• The owner of the Astros says that there is a possibility that Andy Pettitte will go back to Houston this season. The Astros are also looking to see whether or not Roger Clemens will come to spring training.

Stay tuned for more updates and news (both about the Yankees and other major news) in coming days.

Teixeira a Yank!

The Yankees have agreed to a deal with free agent Mark Teixeira on a 8-year, $180 million contract. Can I hear World Series 2009? We were already the favorites after the Sabathia and Burnett signings and this move certainly gives us another huge boost. It’s a great day in Yankee land and I for one am ready for that 27th championship and the end to this World Series drought.

The Kennedy Conundrum

Ian Kennedy is one of the top prospects in baseball right now. He has played extraordinarily throughout his career at all levels. All levels except one. In his “second chance” in the bigs, Kennedy failed miserably, lasting under three innings. The Angels’ batters were all over him and he wasn’t able to catch a break. It is still early in his career and he will certainly have more shots at proving himself, but sadly when -if- he breaks through is unknown.

For the Yankees this is devastating news, as we really needed him to do well in place of Joba. Hopefully this was just a one night thing, but looking at Kennedy’s performances thus far this year, we can’t count on it. Currently, we are still in third place, but are now 7 games behind Tampa. With the season flying by, we really need to pick it up and start winning soon if we want to make the playoffs. Joba did tell reporters recently that he plans on being back later this month, but until then we really need Rasner, Kennedy, and Ponson to pretty well as a unit.

Even after the outcome of this season is decided, the Kennedy question will still exists (unless he is able to make a quick turnaround of course.) How long will it be until we see IPK develop into a major league pitcher?

The 2008 Home Run Derby

Last night’s home run derby was certainly one for the ages as it was the first and last at Yankee Stadium and Josh Hamilton continued his inspirational comeback with an amazing night. He ended up coming in second since the last round resets the home run count, but I think in the minds of most he was the true winner. Even Justin Mourneu, who officially won, admitted that Hamilton was the big show of the night.

The 27-year-old Ranger hit home run after home run in the first round, breaking Bobby Abreu’s record of 24 by 4. Not only that, but most of those blasts were far and high, going to the back of the stands on a regular basis. The crowd was going crazy and chanting “Ha-mil-ton, Ha-mil-ton, Ha-mil-ton.” The star of the night later said that the sights and sounds of the fans at Yankee Stadium chanting his name like that sent chills through his body. Who would have seen this coming just one year ago?

It was a truly spectacular event and for those who haven’t seen footage from it, you really must. It was a great derby, one that will be remembered for years and one that is certainly very fitting for the last year at Yankee.

Sabathia Deal Reached

C.C. Sabathia is on his way out of Cleveland as the team traded the ace. But wait. I didn’t say it was to the Yankees. Instead, the Indians went to the other league and reached an agreement with the Brewers. In exchange Milwaukee is giving up (you guessed it) prospects including Matt LaPorta. The Indians, who are in last place, have a slim chance of making the playoffs this year and they knew that, which is why they dealt the Cy Young winner. Sabathia’s contract is up at the end of the season and this way the Indians get atleast something in return (it is very unlikely that they would be able to sign him for the type of money he is seeking.)

The Brewers on the other hand are not legit competitors in the NL Central, where they are currently 3.5 games behind the Cubs. If the playoffs were to start today the Brew Crew would get the wildcard and they are hoping that the addition of C.C. will keep them in the race for the playoffs and perhaps even help them rocket past the Cubs.

As for the Yankees, this will end all speculation about trading for Sabathia. It was very unlikely anyway due to how much Cashman doesn’t want to trade prospects. I for one am glad that this ended like this so that we don’t have to repeat everything we went through with the Johan Santana situation last year.