A-Rod: Jeter will win MVP
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- February
- 21
Alex Rodriguez predicted about 30 minutes ago that Derek Jeter would win the MVP and that Bobby Abreu would have a monster year.
“I think Jeter is going to have an MVP season. That’s my prediction for the year,” Rodriguez said. “And Bobby’s going to have a monster year.”
Why Jeter?
“I think he’s going to have an explosive, monster season. I think he’s in great shape. I think he did some great things this winter with his workouts. I’m very excited for his year.”
A-Rod also clarified his comments yesterday about being drug tested “9 or 10 times” last season. “I know it’s more than one (time),” he said.
“The lesson is you have to be very, very specific with what you say because everything will come back and people will ask you. I learned my lesson.”
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Peter Abraham
I would like another gary sheffield prediction for Alex, seemed like he had it dead on last year… ” Alex Will have the best year of his career” … which he arguably did
i hope alex is gonna keep the hits rolling this year
A-Rod is behind Jeter. Too bad Jeter did not do the same a couple of years ago. Oh well.
A little brown-nosing aimed at the captain can’t hurt. Abreu is in a key position in the order…I hope A-Rod’s right.
Let hope Arod gives Jeter a run for his money on the M.V.P. race. Wouldnt mind 1st and 2nd place finishes on our team. My prediction is Jeter finally wins the batting title.
Anyone think ARod is being so out-spoken this Spring to try to take some heat of Pettitte. I mean, it’s at least a possibility.
EdFL. - Jeter didn’t need A-Rod’s moral support on how he’s going to have a great season. Making comparisons with A-Rod having Jeter’s back now and Jeter not having A-Rod’s a couple of years back is not a legitimate comparison considering A-Rod kept putting his foot in his mouth which is why he kept getting into trouble. It’s hard to hate on Jeter for not backing up a teammate that repeatedly was saying dumb things and who was so consumed with his own image that it was completely ruining his game…
Rodg
Nah. I just think that he’s not as smart as he thinks he is. He tries to spin EVERYTHING, ends up talking too much, and ta da….another A-Rod controversy. He just needs to answer the question asked, and then shut up.
EdFL, i believe a few years back all the controversy that was between jete and Arod started with Arod saying that Jeter was not an RBI guy and therefore not as important. regardless i love both of ‘em and look to see great things. it’s be nice for Jeter to finally win an MVP and stick it to those computers who criticize his defense.
Love hearing Arod say things like this. Definitely makes him more likable from the Jeter camp.
But my prediction would be that Arod will win the MVP !!
Looks like A-Rod brought his sense of humor this year as well.
I’m loving it!
but if he just shuts up and answers the questions, he is called indifferent, and too closed off…the guy just cant win
So great to hear! This on the heels of Derek saying he’s glad Alex is back. Seems they’re doing just fine.
Anyone read in the paper today that Damon’s wife is expecting and is due in October?? Listen I am all for pro-creation but you would think a ball player would have a little more forethought in terms of timing. Would hate to see him have to miss any time in October for this.
Do any of you know if the tickets that will be going on sale on the 3rd will take place at the stadium or online? I think I missed that. And are there really two days to purchase regular season tickets, the other being on March 3rd? thanks
gayle: LMAO! I’m sure he and his wife have had long, in depth discussions on said topic.
At least…I hope…
if Jeter wins the MVP this year, that would be 4 straight Yankee AL MVP’s. How, you ask?
A-Rod in ‘05,
Jeter (robbed of it) in ‘06,
A-Rod in ‘07,
Jeter in ‘08.
That’d be pretty impressive.
I hate that it still feels like months before the season. The thing that sucks for Jeter is that he depends on the rest of the lineup for assistance. He can hit for avg., he can hit well for avg. w/ RISP, but if the men in front and behind him don’t get the job done he can’t help himself. His health also has alot to do with it. He seemed to wear down last yr. I wanna hear more about the other guys. The young ones. We’ll have enough A-Rod this Jeter that when the season starts.
Saying Jeter will have an MVP season and Jeter will win the MVP are 2 different things.
Only way Jeter wins the MVP is if he hits .320+, steals 30+ bases, hits 20+ homeruns, scores 100+ runs and 80+ RBIs. Even then it will be difficult for him to win it, he beat most of those numbers in 2006 and still didn’t win (although I thought he should have).
I meant on the 29th…
Johnny D would not miss the playoffs, birth of his child or not… PRIORITIES!
(kidding. but, I wouldn’t assume he’d definitely skip a playoff game, you never know).
any of you know about the tickets?
“Saying Jeter will have an MVP season and Jeter will win the MVP are 2 different things.”
Exactly what I thought when I read the quote from A-Rod… and I think he’s said that before about Jeter, if I’m not making that up, maybe using “MVP-type” season.
I think we need Boras to get back into Alex’s life, he needs an intervention so that he stops making comments. Either that or he should pay closer attention to his captain about how to answer questions in such a dull way that they are mostly ignored.
Damon’s wife will go into labor in the bottom of the 9th of game seven of the world series. Damon will get up to bat and hit a walkoff homer then go to the hospital to be with his wife.
How’s that for a prediction?
My prediction is that Lastings Milledge has a big year as the Nats only bat and this goes down as the worst Mets trade in history.
It looks like premium single game tickets go on sale to the general public on Feb 29th. There is a sign on the Yankees Store next door to my office that says single game tickets on sale March 3rd I think.
So maybe they are doing a single game on sale for premium games then another one for regular games
Oh without a doubt Derek was robbed of the MVP in 06. Morneau led him in only ONE offensive category, and that was SB. Add the fact that Jeter plays a more difficult defensive position, and there you go.
Unfortunately, Patrick’s right. Jeter’s best shot to win one was in ‘06 and he was robbed. If there was a typical A-Rod, Big Papi, Manny season out there that year, he wouldn’t have been in that race. Those guys ALL had down years (and some injuries) if I remember correctly and Jeter carried the team with consistency all year when we needed him to.
lol, well it sounds like a great ending to a movie Patrick
I have to agree with everyone above that thinks Jeter will win the batting title this year. He looked great last year and I just feel like he’s going to build on it.
Marc: It’ll have to go some before it eclipses that Zambrano peccadillo. Nolly for Fregosi still hurts as well.
Check out these EXCLUSIVE scandalous Spring Training pics only from NYYStadiumInsider.com:
http://nyystadiuminsider.com/2008/02/more-pics-from-spring-training.html
Alex is so funny this spring
meanwhile NBA fans ?
(Gerald Green)T-mac Jr. has been traded to Houston
Patrick,
It sounds like a good movie i would pay to see.
All i know is that Michelle still looks hott in a bikini even when pregnant.
thanks gayle, i appreciate it. might you also know if they’ll be selling them at the stadium or online?
Why is it now a bad thing that Arod thinks Jeter will have a big season?
Honestly, I think folks pay WAY too much attention to everything that comes out of Arod’s mouth.
No matter what he says, people complain.
If he says nothing, he is “aloof”.
If he talks, he “talks too much”. The guy can’t win with some people.
Perhaps he should have said, “I have no idea what Jeter will do this year”. Then, you folks would be complaining he isn’t in Jeter’s corner.
Its spring training. In case you haven’t heard, EVERYBODY makes upbeat predictions in spring training.
Its not a big deal.
BTW, Arod is right about one thing. Jeter looks better than he has in years. I can see why Arod believes he will have a big season.
Dunno about you guys, but I’d rather have Jeter get a fifth ring than another MVP, if you know what I mean.
MVP type season is different from wining the MVP, Pete
Why does no one care that Alex thinks Bobby will have a monster season?
SJ44,
You seem to be a little more frustrated of bloggers lately than usual. Are you O.K.
Brandon,
NBA EAST has become the aaa of the West.
Amen SJ44
If Jeter has a bad April people will criticize A-Rod for putting to much pressure on him.
Marc,
Milledge isn’t necessarily their best bat, the Nats have a few other decent hitters: Nick Johnson, Dmitri Young, Elijah Dukes, Lo Duca, Wily Mo Pena, Zimmerman. They made several low risk high reward type moves that could pan out. I don’t think they’ll be very good but they won’t be as much of a joke.
more like AU ball s.O.s.
I love the optimism, but who does Alex think he is kidding?
“Why does no one care that Alex thinks Bobby will have a monster season?”
———————————————————
Because people here don’t blow Booby Abreu?
“Honestly, I think folks pay WAY too much attention to everything that comes out of Arod’s mouth.”
Yeah, when their time would be SO much better spent paying WAY too much attention to (and finger wagging at) how other people react to everything that comes out of Arod’s mouth!
Anyone who takes his remarks about Jeter as anything deeper than the same old ‘look at me’ self-serving BS he always spouts needs to buy a clue. Or maybe a tux for the Andy Pettite/ Arod Daughter wedding. Gah.
Patrick,
The Nats are still the worst team in baseball. None of the players mentioned are starters on most teams. The Sox couldn’t wait to get rid of Willy Mo and Nick has been hurt the last couple of years. Tyler Clippard has a good shot at being their #4 pitcher!
Hopefully the new workouts and the emphasis on agility and his first step will help quiet the critics about his range and defense… not to mention bring his SB’s back up.
What I’m wondering is, how does he look different? He’s always in shape.
If Paulie could play right after his dad passed away, I think Damon can play if his wife gives birth. It’s not like Johnny has to physically recover from the labor himself.
No Jeff NY, Boras could be so much worse! I don’t want to hear anymore of his INP or REM or whatever crazy acronym he comes up with and the whole talk about Alex playing til he’s 45 and making 35 mil a year!
People really need to get off Arod’s back and stop taking everything he says so literally. Everyone knows what “an MVP season” means. CMW had a Cy Young season last year. CMW didn’t win the CY. No one could argue that both statements were true.
I want to know more about Bobby! He’s one hell of a #3 and beyond him being in shape, I want to know what else Alex said about him.
but who won the all-star game?
Dee,
I’m not sure CMW really had a CY-type season last year. He had the wins and his ERA was decent in the bloated AL, but he was probably the 10th or so best pitcher in the league when other stats are examined.
Because people here don’t blow Booby Abreu?
Blow?
OLDYANKSFAN(27 closets),
All i wanna know is how many bedrooms did your 27 closet house have?
ChrisNY,
The best way to say it is, it looks like he has more tone/definition to his body now.
I saw him this winter and honestly, I had to look twice.
He face is less puffy, his body seems more toned. He may be around the same weight but, it just seems that’s its more evenly distributed.
I heard he worked a lot with plyometrics this off-season. Clearly, he is looking to regain his quickness and, more importantly, his first step.
I’m probably not explaining it well. He just seems to have really worked at re-tooling his body.
Its the best I’ve seen him look this early in the spring in years.
“how does he look different? He’s always in shape.”
Being in shape and being in condition are 2 different things.
There was an article about a Phillies player- I think Ryan Howard- that talked about how all players who have CAA as their agents went to a 2 week “bootcamp” at a resort near Tampa for 14 days a few weeks ago. The article said the workouts were insane and made mention of Jeter being there.
Who will be batting behind Alex this year?Giambi?Matsui?Posada?Melky?
Elizabeth… is not the purpose to win? CMW has won 38 games in past couple of seasons. that is darn good.
Marky Marc-
I’d agree that the Nats are CLOSE to the worst team. The Pirates or Marlins are worse in my opinion but Nats definitely in the bottom 5. My point was that they have some hitters that I would consider as good as or better than Lastings.
And I agree with SJ44. Everyone has huge expectations in spring training. I mean heck, Carlos Pena said when the Rays are playing well they are the best team in the league!
S.o.S.27,
Cano
IT COULD BE DONE IN LINE LIKE THAT HE GOT ROB 2YEAR AGO.2006
RUN 118 HITS 214 2B 39 3B3 HR14 RBI97 SB34 OBP.417 SLG.483
AVG .343
“What I’m wondering is, how does he look different? He’s always in shape.”
He started getting a double chin in his later years. Double chin no more. His face is chizled now.
SJ: I’m curious: What makes you think Jeter looks better?
IT COULD BE DONE HE GOT ROB 2YEAR AGO.2006 #
RUN 118 HITS 214 2B 39 3B3 HR14 RBI97 SB34 OBP.417 SLG.483
AVG .343
Elizabeth… is not the purpose to win? CMW has won 38 games in past couple of seasons. that is darn good.
Wins are virtually useless as a stat for a pitcher. It measures many things outiside of the control of the pitcher.
A-Rod trying really hard to be loved in NY, works for me.
Patrick: The Rays are a lot better than most people are giving them credit for. NYY Stadium Insider had PETCOA predictions up for the AL, and they have the Rays as finishing above .500!
S.o.S27 - Molina
Well…they you have it….The media taught A-Rod a VERY IMPORTANT LESSON. and I am sure he is a better man for it….A-Rod, make sure you always and without fail, think through each and every word you speak and answer you offer, because if not, very bad things could happen to you…..so WATCH YOUR TONGUE, MISTER !…..what a joke !
Rebecca - Yeah but the best team in the league? Their lineup is dangerous and they have a few decent young pitchers but they are defintely in the second tier of AL teams IMO. I think finishing at .500 or just above sounds about right however…
Bronx Born,
Wins are not a viable stat for a good pitcher. Often, wins indicate run support. In the first half of 07, Andy Pettitte left a start 6 times with the lead and got a no-decision. Had the bullpen held on, he would have finished with 21 wins. Look at pitchers like Cain and Kazmir. Virtually no run support. Mike Mussina will arguably make the Hall, and he’s never had a 20-win season.
After getting a 10 year deal. Could it be that he feels like this is finally his team? Im more of a Jeter guy,but if i was in his shoes i would think so. Where last year he was quieter than his previous years knowing he might be playing his final games for this team.
It’s nice Arod said that about Jeter but it will be tough. There’s so many guys in the A.L. that put up big numbers. It would be tough for Jeter to beat out Arod alone. For Jeter to have a chance he’s got to have some crazy numbers combined with the big guys in the A.L. having down years. I do think Jeter can win the batting title, either him or Cano.
Just taking a look at Chien ming wang’s season last year, he started toward the end of May… well if you add that up he missed a handfull of starts, and considering he did miss those, imagine what his record, stats could have been?
215+ IP? 20+ wins? maybe even a lower era… 3.55(it’s a stretch, but you never know)
Looks like CY type numbers to me
And dont look at last years post season numbers and think he is going to mess us up durring the postseason, he did have our only win in the series against the tigers during the 2006 ALDS
According to Ric Bucher (not official yet)
Cavs get: Ben Wallace, Wally Z, Joe Smith, Delonte West
Bulls get: Larry Hughes, Drew Gooden, Cedric Simmons
Sonics get: Chris Duhon, Ira Newble, Donny Marshall
end of april*
Marc,
I see Cano more of a #3 hitter after Abreu leaves. Hopefully he can be more patient at the plate this year.
Patrick,
I cant believe i left Molina out. I dont know if they will take him out of his more natural spot in the lineup though. Lead off. Tough call.
Rebecca,
Pat said it best. It looks like he is in better condition now.
I usually see Jeter three times (the same charity function, certain social events, etc) in the off-season. Its the first off-season in the last several that I’ve seen him where it looked like he really worked out.
He never looks out of shape, per se. However, in comparison to Arod for example, he definitely didn’t look conditioned.
This off-season, Jeter looked in condition.
I’m pretty excited to see how that translates to the field.
As big a Jeter fan as I am, its clear to me his defensive range the last few years has noticably declined.
He also struggled at the plate last year, IMO. He didn’t hit with the same gap power he has in the past. Also, the GIDP were way up. Not a Jeter-like season in 2007, IMO.
Is he the, “worst SS in baseball”, as that Penn study claimed? No.
But, he can be better.
He has had some leg problems the last 2-3 years. If he is over them, with the type of off-season work he put in, he’s gonna have a much better season in 2008. Especially, defensively.
Brandon,
I like what the Bulls got. If Hughes can stay healthy.
Sonics got nothing in return.
Cavs IMO a wash.
IF I HAD A DIME FOR EVERY TIME A-ROD SAID “I HAVE LEARNED MY LESSON”…….
HE WILL NEVER LEARN HIS LESSON!
SJ: Thanks!
I agree with you about the decline, in terms of his range and his GIDP count going up, though I must say that Jeter is Jeter because of his ability to make the clutch hit or play as oppose to anything else…though his failure to clutch in the 07 LDS is a slight concern.
IF I HAD A DIME FOR EVERYTIME A-ROD HAS SAID “I HAVE LEARNED MY LESSON”
HE’LL NEVER LEARN HIS LESSON.
SJ44 - Unfortunately I think Jeter was close to the worst defensive shortstop last year. Also his hitting was fine; over .320 BA, 39 doubles. That sounds like pretty decent gap power to me. He wasn’t as great as 06 at the plate but still very very good.
If he really is in such noticabely better shape I am hoping he can improve his defense. He is incredibly good at going to his right and charging slow grounders but he is probably the worst SS in the league when going to his left. He’s so slow sometimes I almost think he doesn’t see the ball but perhaps its a leg injury as your suggested.
Jeter had a tough workout this off season…having threesomes with 2 girls in Miami.
SoS not a bad deal for Cavs either, but I like Chicago reuniting Kirk and Drew Gooden
Sara again does it really bug you that much. You take him as he is or just don’t cheer for him there are no in betweens here. If Manny can act like he does in Boston and nothing gets said then I’m numb to what Alex does to screw up. I’m in his corner for life now.
I’d rather Jeter win World Series MVP.
whoops…confronting reports now they have
With less than 10 minutes remaining before the trade deadline, several NBA sources believe Sonics guard Delonte West and Damien Wilkins will be shipped to Denver for Edjuardo Najera and Wally Szczerbiak is being included in a three-team package to Cleveland. So Denver made it a 4 - way ? hmmm…
Bug me Brandon? NO. But can you not see how phony he is? He is so full of crap. He knew what he was saying yesterday. He always knows what he is saying. He wants to cause controversy…say a little like Reggie back in the day. I guess Alex always wants to be the straw that stirs the drink…he does it so well!
LOL so now people are angry with Alex because he said something nice about a teammate? The same teammate who said kind things about him yesterday? What in the world am I missing here??
“I’m in his corner for life now.”
Key sentence. Get used to him or ignore him. Again, im not the his biggest fan due to his foot in his mouth talk. But i now know he’s here for good. Its like family. Some you dont like but you learn to accept what they are. Welcome home Alex MR.MVP.
Sara you are overreacting.
I take him as he is. Everyone wants the perfect prince or watever I take Alex for how he is, he’s human.
All i wanna know is how many bedrooms did your 27 closet house have?
——————————————————–
3 bedrooms, maid’s bedroom and a guestroom in the basement.
The 27 was ‘cheating’ a bit, as it counted 3 shoe closets.
“I take Alex for how he is”
In other words Alex is being Alex.
Over under
48 home runs
130 ribis
310 avg.
exactly
love him or hate him (no in between)
we got alot of fans that leave players flat instead of sticking w/ them while they have downs instead of ups. There is not one thing that a writter can write to make me dislike Alex.
Over under
48 home runs under
130 ribis over
310 avg. under
I’ve never understood the hatred some fans for Alex Rodriguez.
some fans HAVE
SOS
“Could it be that he feels like this is finally his team?”
At least one writer tends to agree with you:
http://www.nj.com/columns/ledger/graziano/index.ssf?/base/columns-0/120357218636600.xml&coll=1&thispage=2
SOS:
Even
Under
Over
should clarify:
under 130 RBI, above .310 average
brandon
“If Manny can act like he does in Boston and nothing gets said then I’m numb to what Alex does”
big difference between manny and alex (rings). alex has to win it all to get people to just accept him as he is . believe me you wont hear anybody questioning eli’s body language next season.
And one ring.
Andrea,
I can see both sides of this. Some think he just doesnt do what comes natural(always an act). Was rumored not to be liked by former teammates(the cooler). Others werent happy how the contract negotiations went this offseason(i was one of them). Lastly, some will never get over Alex talking bad about Jeter in an article years ago. Saying Jeter isnt a hitter to fear in the Yankee lineup. I for one am over it. We cant look at players like which one do we want to have a beer with. As a Yankee fan all i can do is be happy that we have the best player in baseball on our side. They are just baseball players that get paid lots of money. No more. Unless you are SJ OR PETER and hang out with them outside the game.
Pat,
I promise I didnt read it before i said you brought it up. Again, i dont blame him. He has seniority in contracts.
Rebecca,
under 130? He hits in the second best lineup in the league(Detroit on paper).
SOS: I guess I get that, but at the same time, look at what he’s done on the field. Look at all he did, almost single-handedly at the beginning of last season. He’s a great player. why take that away from him because he’s dumb?
He’s not malicious or mean like Beckett’s comments can be. He’s just not the smartest.
Maybe I’m just TOO forgiving. I don’t know.
Well a rod Is the man! he knows how to unite a team! keep giving compliments!An A BOMB FROM A ROD!
BOBCAT?
Has anyone heard from bobcat since all the Santana trade talks. Did he get fired for leaking all the info during the process to us? Very strange.
Andrea,
Point taken.
you hide in your closet a lot?
it’s likely that jetes would never say it is or ever was his team if asked. though he knows he is a very integral part of the team. i hope that arod now feels he is actually a very integral part also. i don’t believe any of the players would ever have said or even thought he wasn’t. i cannot say that for the fans or media. final acceptance by the majority of fans is very likely a rejuvenating experienc, imo.
I’ve accepted A-Rod. He’s a Yankee.
Jeter winning the MVP is not as good as A-Rod Winning the ALCS MVP.
Damon is a VERY lucky guy.