One step at a time
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Jan 25, 2010 
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Before thinking about 4,000 hits — or 4,256 hits — how about this for a hits comparison?
After 15 seasons, bulk of the previous season played at age 35:
Derek Jeter: 2,138 games, 2,747 hits, .317/.388/.459
Paul Molitor: 1,856 games, 2,281 hits, .303/.367/.444
162 game average: 208 hits for Jeter, 199 for Molitor
I like the Molitor comparison because Molitor is the only player in the top 10 of career hits who played in the 1990s. He retired after the 1998 season, when he was 42 years old, having spent much of his early years as an infielder before moving to designated hitter in 1991 (when he was entering his mid-30s). His numbers after 15 seasons took a bit of a hit because of the 1981 players strike, and his overall totals took another hit because of the 1994 strike.
For now, Molitor’s hit total seems to be a good benchmark for Jeter.
In his 16th season, Molitor led the American League in hits with 211. He led the league again, three years later, with 225. In his final season, Molitor hit .288. It was his only healthy season, other than his rookie year, when Molitor’s OPS+ was below 100. Sure, he’d moved to designated hitter earlier in his career, but he was never an embarrassment at the plate. He walked more than he struck out that final season.
Bill James’ career projection — which Fred linked to in the comments of today’s Pinch Hitters post — estimates that Jeter will finish with 3,440 career hits (sixth most all time). That’s assuming an additional three and half seasons. The James’ calculation gives Jeter a 5 percent chance of reaching 4,000.
Lucas did a great job this morning examining the possibility of Jeter breaking the all-time hits record – and it’s remarkable that such a discussion is even possible — but there are so many steps and so many questions between here and there. Would Jeter stay healthy enough to play? Would he remain productive enough to get regular at-bats? Would he have any desire to stay in the game into his mid-40s?
Jeter seems to be getting better instead of worse, but the all-time hits record is a long way away, and he can comfortably put himself among the greatest hitters of all time without actually breaking the record.
As long as the Yankees keep winning, I think Jeter sticks around.
If he sticks around, great. If he walks away, he’ll always be remembered as a consumate winner. That’s all that matters.
5. JESUS MONTERO (C), YANKEES
The Skinny: Can he catch? Yes. Will he catch? It doesn’t matter much. His bat is that potent. Much debate surrounds Montero’s ability to stick behind the plate, but the bat is going to be special. He has a potential 40-homer bat with the offensive upside of Miguel Cabrera. We could see the Venezuelan slugger as early as midseason in 2010 if all goes well in Triple-A.
http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/0.....2010-1-25/
Chad,
Great thoughts! Thanks for allowing me to post my musings! It was a ton of fun!
MLBTR notes that A’s are considering Damon. Imagine Damon joining fellow former boston CF Coco Crisp.
Speaking of Montero, if he has to DH (I’m not saying he will), given how good his bat is likely to be, Jeter will have to find another position if he is going to play into his 40s.
That’s assuming an additional three and half seasons.
=======
3 and a half? Does he not know that Jeter plays hurt?
No way Jeter keeps playing long enough to reach 4000.
Let’s not forget that Rose was coaching the team and put himself in games(when he was terrible late in his career) just to get himself more at bats/hits.
“MLBTR notes that A’s are considering Damon. Imagine Damon joining fellow former boston CF Coco Crisp”
——————————————————–
I support this
Too much baseball to be played between now and when this could someday might maybe happen to even think about it now.
We could see the Venezuelan slugger as early as midseason in 2010 if all goes well in Triple-A.
=========
All this time i never knew we were born in the same country. I never understood why i didnt naturally have a good glove, great pitcher or a potent bat just like everyone else from there. Must have been that i didnt play stick ball enough.
DaSaint007
January 25th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
MLBTR notes that A’s are considering Damon. Imagine Damon joining fellow former boston CF Coco Crisp.
************************
The A’s are the “mystery team”???
“Too much baseball to be played between now and when this could someday might maybe happen to even think about it now.”
There is almost nothing to think about at this point in the offseason. Consequently, it’s worth thinking about it.
the A’s??? somehow I don’t see Johnny going to the other coast to play on a last place team
Kate,
I agree with you especially since his home is in Florida. Sure Johnny would want an East Coast team.
from previous:
“Just curious – if he plays productively for another two seasons, then retires, and you have a HOF vote, to you vote for Posada?”
————————————————————–
I think his offensive numbers will certainly put him in the discussion. He’ll be in the top 5-6-7 all time
in several categories.
Piazza’s going to be eligible in 3 years. It will be an interesting case as he’s one of those players that sit on the fringe of the PED question. Same thing with Pudge but his HOF candidacy will be a few years later.
Well if nothing else, an outfield of Crisp, Damon and Davis will be able to run down the baseball – just not sure if two of those three can hit worth a lick.
Mets are considering bringing back Tatis – since I’ve been ripped by two old timers for bringing him up; allow me to explain why I think Tatis would be a strong fit for this club.
Assume that the Yankees stick with Gardner in LF – what is the biggest need that the team would have at that point? Answer: Right handed OF.
Now, who is out there that fits that description:
Gomes
Thames
Monroe
Dye
Tatis
Reed Johnson
The best defender of the bunch – Reed Johnson, also has the least amount of pop and has had back issues.
Jermaine Dye has the best track record – but he’s not going to sign on to be a back-up and isn’t much of a fielder. If the Yankees were to sign him they would likely play him in RF and Swisher in LF. Not a great defensive team.
Monroe and Thames could both sign up to be back-ups, but, as we’ve seen time and time again, some players just don’t produce unless they are playing regularly. Neither Thames or Monroe have any track record coming off the bench and producing.
That leaves Tatis – he’s certainly not the best of the bunch, but he does have the following going for him:
1. Track record of success as a bench player
2. Not a tremendous fielder anywhere, but capable of backing up more positions than any of the players listed above.
3. Showed power in a pitcher’s park
4. Inexpensive
Now guys like GreenBeret and SJ will say “he’s a journeyman” “he’s not a top level player” blah blah blah – to which I will respond. How many utility players are top level guys or all-stars?
The Yankees need a guy who can come off the bench with a little power, play once-in-a-while to give someone an off day and that’s it. That’s a role Fernando Tatis fits.
Now if, on the other hand, you’re looking for someone who can play instead of Brett Gardner on a regular basis – then my opinion changes and I think that the Yankees should just get a better everyday option in LF.
“He’ll be in the top 5-6-7 all time in several categories.”
For a catcher of course.
anyone get the idea that they are keeping a dh spot open for montrero?
maybe they’ll teach him to play lf in aaa this year?
just a thought
The only reason that the A’s have been brought up is to raise some doubt in the heads of whatever other suitors Damon has.
“maybe they’ll teach him to play lf in aaa this year?”
LF is too spacious. He’d have to play RF, if anything.
It was interesting, but the former Yankee star SP prospect Arodys Vizcaino was missing from the FanHouse Top 100 prospects. I don’t know how they could have left him out!! LOL! That said, the Red Sox 4 listings were questionable with 3 very low minors guys and Lars Anderson at 65.
I think that the plan for Montero is:
a) Leave him behind the dish as long as possible and hope against hope that he can at least be a Mike Piazza type behind the plate where his bat will make up for his glove.
b) If it becomes obvious this year that he can’t play catcher long term, move him to the OF (probably RF)
c) if that doesn’t work, then and only then move him to DH.
Among other things, by playing Montero at DH now the Yankees would be shorting his value.
As unlikely as it sounds, consider this scenario (NOTE – I’m not saying this is going to happen, just using it as an example)
The D’backs fall out of it and decide that they’re going to make some changes and are willing to part with Dan Haren and maybe even Justin Upton. Now, a package like that would almost certainly cost Montero (among others) – but wouldn’t Montero have more value as a catcher than as a Designated Hitter?
Rayvt,
lol, Thats because they left out prospect #1+. Yankees must have paid them off.
Chip,
What are you ON?
Chip,
I thought Montero’s been improving behind the plate this past year? His size is similiar to Mauers. I think they will keep him behind the plate until its obvious he cant cut it in the big leagues. Mike Piazza made it, i cant see him being worse than that. Romine being his backup or a trade chip(no pun).
DaSaint007
January 25th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Chip,
What are you ON?
————————————————————
Space dust.
The Yankees aren’t trading Montero, and they likely won’t add significant payroll until the next offseason.
DaSaint007
January 25th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Chip,
What are you ON?
**********************
Probably a Dell, HP or IBM laptop.
S.o.S.”We just kept our mouth shut and went to work this week”
January 25th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
trade chip
————————————————————
Best idea, yet, S.o.S. What do you think we could get for him? A couple boxes of PA’s left over donuts?
May I just say, the question of whether Montero has more “value” as a catcher is really insignificant. He’ll have more value as a catcher IF he can catch, at which point the question of whether moving him off catcher becomes irrelevant.
The Yankees won’t keep him at a position he can’t play to keep his “value” high, because the teams that they’re trying to keep his value high for will do their own scouting/evaluating.
Montero will play at the position he can best eventually help the Yankees at. His trade value will NOT factor into any decision making.
GB,
lol, left over donuts? Never heard that one before. Always get a kick out of your OLD humor. Classic to say the least.
Has anyone heard if Frank Piliere has tweeted anything more about a trade the Yankees were supposed to be working on? Or is that just a rumor he heard that did not have substance? Did that rumor yield a Damon to Oakland rumor in return? Unlike soap operas this saga must end soon as pitchers and catchers report in a little more than 3 weeks.
For all thats watch Montero play. Does he really compare to Cabrera’s bat? I mean iv heard so many young players be compared to stars i.e. AJAX to Hunter, Rivera to Manny(if i can recall), Nick Johnson to Mattingly, Ledee the next something. I cant remember any of those comparisons being accurate. If he is the next SPECIAL hitter, why in the world would we ever trade that for anything?
“The D’backs fall out of it and decide that they’re going to make some changes and are willing to part with Dan Haren and maybe even Justin Upton. Now, a package like that would almost certainly cost Montero (among others)”
Nothing wrong with speculation, but you shouldn’t even let that thought enter your mind. Haren & Upton are literally two of the most valuable assets in baseball, so those others would BEGIN with Hughes, Joba, Cano…truly a situation where aliens would land in Central Park before that happens.
S.o.S.”We just kept our mouth shut and went to work this week”
January 25th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
GB,
lol, left over donuts? Never heard that one before. Always get a kick out of your OLD humor. Classic to say the least.
————————————————————
Yeah, I guess that was pretty silly. Everyone knows PA wouldn’t have any left over donuts.
The only players that interest me right now are:
OF: Xavier Nady & Rocco Baldelli
C: Rod Barajas & Jose Molina
INF: Nomar Garciaparra
RP: Kiko Calero & Jose Veras
Just kidding on Veras. Just seeing who’s paying attention.
S.o.S.”We just kept our mouth shut and went to work this week”
January 25th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
For all thats watch Montero play. Does he really compare to Cabrera’s bat? I mean iv heard so many young players be compared to stars i.e. AJAX to Hunter, Rivera to Manny(if i can recall), Nick Johnson to Mattingly, Ledee the next something. I cant remember any of those comparisons being accurate. If he is the next SPECIAL hitter, why in the world would we ever trade that for anything?
*************
Just to add my measly 2 cents. Wasn’t Jesus riding the pines on his winter league team this year? If that is the case then there was actually someone better than him that was SO much better that Jesus wasn’t even given a chance (doubtful), or (2) maybe he just wasn’t that good (more likely)? I don’t claim to know anything about this situation but if he is as good as people claim wouldn’t they try to find a spot for his bat to be in the lineup everyday? Anyone with more knowledge care to respond?
S.o.S.”We just kept our mouth shut and went to work this week”
January 25th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
For all thats watch Montero play. Does he really compare to Cabrera’s bat? I mean iv heard so many young players be compared to stars i.e. AJAX to Hunter, Rivera to Manny(if i can recall), Nick Johnson to Mattingly, Ledee the next something. I cant remember any of those comparisons being accurate. If he is the next SPECIAL hitter, why in the world would we ever trade that for anything?
————————————————————
Really hard to say that he has a Cabrera or Piazza bat, but, it’s quite possible. There’s definately a different sound of the ball coming off of his bat. It’s not like the sound that you’d hear from a 17-19 year old kid.
“Anyone with more knowledge care to respond?”
Newman was quoted on this blog as saying it had nothing to do with ability.
DaSaint –
a) I’m on a Toshiba
b) why would you want a backup catcher at all
c) why would you want a backup outfielder who can’t stay healthy (Baldelli) or can’t throw coming off his second TJ surgery (Nady)
d) and I’ll accept mocking on Tatis – but not if you’re telling me you want Nomar on this team.
GB -
I finally figured out why you’re so grumpy gramps…you’re getting your spongebaths from a nurse named Tom these days aren’t you?
Frank Piliere said he heard the Yanks asked about Nelson Cruz – he had no info on the status of any talks.
Well I certainly hope the Yanks asked about Nelson Cruz. He’s one of the guys I’ve been dreaming the Yanks might get, though probably nothing to it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxcmomQsMew
Montero barely misses a home run here. Misses by about a foot.
GB, How are you old buddy & are you home yet ???? Space dust ?? As in Cosmic Waste ??
TK -
I was just using it as a situation where the asking price would be high and pointing out that in such a case Montero has more trade value if he stays at catcher than if the organization moves him to OF or DH.
And obviously, before we start talking about him being a Piazza or Cabrera type he has to prove he can hit major league pitching at all.
Wave -
I’m sure the Yankees ask about a lot of players – doesn’t mean that there’s any trade coming.
My guess is that, in the name of due dilligence, Cashman called and asked about Cruz and was told that he’s as available as, say, Robbie Cano.
Newman was quoted on this blog as saying it had nothing to do with ability.
**********
Thanks Rich but thats still a pretty ambiguous answer. Was it a personality issue?, is the venezuelan winter league a league where managers play favorites and montero wasn’t in the inner circle?, or is the manager an idiot (like Pat Riley) and never plays “rookies”. Wouldn’t the yankee brass make some calls to whomever they need to to ask that they play jesus more to see what the kid can do against a more veteran league.
It just strikes me as strange that they would let a “talent” like that just rot away on the bench and no one, not even the yankees, would say anything. Heck if he’s riding the bench in some dopey winter league why not just bring him to Tampa and have one of their hundreds of coaches work with him to get his catching skills perfected.
Pat M.
January 25th, 2010 at 2:24 pm
GB, How are you old buddy & are you home yet ???? Space dust ?? As in Cosmic Waste ??
————————————————————
Afternoon, Pat M. Hope all is going well in your rehab. Most space cadets snort space dust. That would or could be the only explaination for deciding that first that RyanChurch was the answer to the Yanks outfield issue, all the way down to Tatis. How he figured that ‘Zona would even consider adding Upton to a trade is beyond me. Drugs is the only answer.
“Newman was quoted on this blog as saying it had nothing to do with ability.”
It’s a pretty short season in the winter leagues and they seem to take it pretty seriously in Venezuela. Seems more about winning than any kind of development. Montero was coming off an injury and was stone cold (3 for 26), so they went with someone else.
Why would anyone want to limit someone with Miguel Cabrera upside to 140 games?
If Montero catches, that’s what happens.
It’s not like he’s Mauer defensively either.
Chip,
1. Barajas can hit. Molina already knows the pitchers. But I’m ok w/Cervelli. But don’t think Cashman wouldn’t pull the trigger if either of them were affordable.
2a. Baldelli is young, fast and versitile, and was a pretty good hitter before his maladies. His health is the concern, not his ability.
2b. Nady is a good hitter. He’s right-handed. He needs to prove he’s healthy to be worthy of a long-term contract in the future, which sets him up for an incentive-based contract that may be cheaper than signing Damon. Can he throw? Dunno? Can Damon?
3. Nomar. He’s just 35, can play 3B and SS, and just 3 years ago hit 20HR 93 RBI with a .303 AVG. Even last year, in 65 games, he hit 3HR, 16RBI and had a .281 AVG. It’s a utility role. And I’ll admit – the idea of having A-Rod, Jeter, and Nomar on the same team at the same time is a marketing dream come true.
How he figured that ‘Zona would even consider adding Upton to a trade is beyond me. Drugs is the only answer.
Maybe some space dust in your eye is the reason you obviously can only read parts of my posts or fail to comprehend when I type the words: I’m not saying this is going to happen, just using it as an example.
My lord, you should rename yourself “The Screwdriver” since you are quite the tool.
For the record – obviously the D’backs aren’t going to trade, or even consider trading Justin Upton and/or Dan Haren – but I needed an example and Justin Upton happened to be on MLB Network as I was typing.
And GB’s right…Fernando Tatis, what on Earth was I thinking that the Yankees should get a bench player to fill out their bench. Quite obviously the solution is for them to make a move to bring in a more suitable player, like Hanley Ramirez…after all these are the Yankees, heaven forbid they should take the field without an All-Star at every position and at least two on the bench.
I seriously doubt there’s any leftover donuts in Boston.
Molitor is a great comparison to Jeter.
I say Jeter will end up higher. Closer to the the Musial/Aaron neighborhood. Amazing huh?
Really there aren’t to many active guys that will reach 3,000.
Arod will at 2531.
Griffey’s got 2763 but who knows if he’ll even play next season.
Pudge is at 2711. We’ll see.
Manny’s got 2494 but I don’t him around in 3 years.
Ichiro’s got 2030 and I would think he’ll do it even though he’s 35. That’s crazy but hey…it’s Ichiro.
Pujols has 1717 and is 29.
Miguel Cabrera has a lot at age 26 with 1220. Maybe, if he can stay healthy which doesn’t look promising.
There are some others that have shots but you can see why there’s only 27 guys in the 3,000 hit club.
the idea of having A-Rod, Jeter, and Nomar on the same team at the same time is a marketing dream come true.
======
Too bad Tejada just signed.
Bronx Jeers
Albert is an old man now. Hes 30.
SOS -
5 years ago it would have been a marketing dream. Today it would just mean that they would need to have another utility infielder in reserve for when Nomar misses three months.
“the idea of having A-Rod, Jeter, and Nomar on the same team at the same time is a marketing dream come true.”
Yeah. For Jeter.
Last man standing sort of thing.
Bronx Jeers
January 25th, 2010 at 2:51 pm
“the idea of having A-Rod, Jeter, and Nomar on the same team at the same time is a marketing dream come true.”
Yeah. For Jeter.
Last man standing sort of thing.
———————————————————–
Bronx Jeers, agreed. At least A-Rod finally got his ring. Nomar can too.
I can remember most experts saying that nomar and tejada were better than Jeter. That he was 4th best in the a.l.. I believe the turning point was the Yanks/sox game when Jeter played chicken with the seats, Alex slowing down while nomar out of the game with a hang nail. The permanently turned from that day on.
One of the writers on twitter is holding a “Johnny Damon” lottery. The person who guesses the correct team and date he signs gets a prize!
The contest is over, and Erica you’ll be happy to know (judging by the entries I saw) the majority said he would sign with the Yanks.
Did anybody see this? It’s hilarious-it’s a satire if the “real” reason Damon won’t be back in pinstripes. Everyone’s favorite playoff muse Kate Hudson is involved!
http://bleacherreport.com/arti.....-the-bronx
I can remember the heady competition amongst A-Rod, Jeter, Nomar and Tejada as to who was the best SS in the game. It’s amazing how things turn out after all these years. Consistency wins. Don’t get me wrong, Jeter IS talented, but IMO A-Rod’s a better hitter and had the best range, Nomar had a quicker release, and Tejada had a stronger arm.
Jeter was/is good enough at all those areas, plus has the intangibles that make up Derek Jeter: Drive, persistence, desire, etc.
That game was it for Nomar and the Sox.
Not only was Nomar on the bench, it seemed like he didn’t even leave the bench while the rest of the Sox were on the top step.
What a game that was. Didn’t Flaherty end it.
Then they got swept by the Mets. Ugh.
Hey Pat, GB. Hope you guys doing right fine!
“Not only was Nomar on the bench, it seemed like he didn’t even leave the bench while the rest of the Sox were on the top step”
And inside a month later he was condemned to Cubdom.
I can remember the cameras showing Jeters bloody face and then switching to No-mas sitting looking like he got in trouble and was on a timeout. All he needed is to switch the baseball cap to a dunce cap.
SI article from ’97 about all the young shortstops:
“the head of the class are five others who are already setting standards at the position: Rey Ordonez, 24, of the New York Mets, an acrobat in spikes; Edgar Renteria, 21, of the Florida Marlins, a .309 hitter last season with more range than Cecilia Bartoli; Alex Gonzalez, 23, of the Toronto Blue Jays, who hit 14 home runs and successfully handled more fielding chances per nine innings than any other regular shortstop in ’96; and Rodriguez, 21, and Jeter, 22, the only shortstops who started 140 games and hit .300 or better with at least 10 home runs last season. Those two are the prototypes of the new generation of shortstops. “I’d love to make an All-Star team,” Gonzalez says, “but with these two guys around, it’s going to be real hard over the next 10 or 15 years.”
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.c...../index.htm
Bronx Born, Doing well thank you…..I see all the storms that caused havoc here last week are now doing much the same to the East Coast….I’ll be doing my laps and aquatic PT after lunch….And by the way, my Therapist is a stunner
Just to chime in on the “why didn’t Montero play much in winter ball” discussion.
I don’t know that there is an absolute answer here in the states. The Yankees have absolutely no power over the VWL team that Montero plays for. He’s on that team’s roster to use him, or not use him, as they see fit. Montero hadn’t played in months and the guy who got most of the time at catcher for that winter league team hit .366 with 10 homers. Hard to blame them for sticking with him.
I’m as big a Derek Jeter fan as anyone, but let’s be honest. If Alex was still at SS he would easily be the best SS in the game.
Derek’s a great player, but physically he’s not in the class that Alex is.
Also, unlike Nomar, Miggy or Alex – Derek was never a middle of the order bat – he was (and is) a leadoff hitter – which those guys are not.
They were very different players who all happened to play the same position, so comparing them made very little sense. It would be like comparing Ozzie Smith to Cal Ripken. Ozzie couldn’t hold a candle to Cal offensively and Cal wasn’t on nearly the same level as Ozzie with the glove.
And when mocking Nomar and Tejada – remember that Tejada does have an MVP to his name and until injuries took their toll on him, Nomar was a better player than Derek both offensively and defensively.
Yes, Derek’s the last man standing, but don’t discount how good all four of them were.
“I can remember most experts saying that nomar and tejada were better than Jeter.”
Garciaparra was widely regarded as a better hitter than Jeter in the late 90′s up to 2000. Don’t think that anyone necessarily thought he was a better SS defensively though.
Of course I will mock those people who put Rey Ordonez and Alex Gonzalez on that level too…my goodness what busts they were.
NYY626
January 25th, 2010 at 2:57 pm
One of the writers on twitter is holding a “Johnny Damon” lottery. The person who guesses the correct team and date he signs gets a prize!
The contest is over, and Erica you’ll be happy to know (judging by the entries I saw) the majority said he would sign with the Yanks.
————————————————————
I suppose the only worthwhile prize for the winner would be an actual scoop.
NYY626
January 25th, 2010 at 2:57 pm
One of the writers on twitter is holding a “Johnny Damon” lottery. The person who guesses the correct team and date he signs gets a prize!
The contest is over, and Erica you’ll be happy to know (judging by the entries I saw) the majority said he would sign with the Yanks.
****************************
What was the prize??? I didn’t know about this contest!!!
This working hard crap is ruining my life!!!!
Frank -
When Derek came up he was considered a butcher at SS so it is entirely possible that he was considered inferior to Nomar with the glove.
Frank -
When Derek came up he was considered a butcher at SS so it is entirely possible that he was considered inferior to Nomar with the glove.
When Derek came up he was considered a butcher at SS so it “is entirely possible that he was considered inferior to Nomar with the glove.”
Could be Chip. Leper with the most fingers thing to me. Neither of them were especially good. Pretty clear that neither could say with credibility “Hey! Omar Vizquel stole my Gold Glove!”.
the guy who got most of the time at catcher for that winter league team hit .366 with 10 homers.
=====
Hmmm?
If
Montero = Cabrera
does
THE GUY = Pujols?
Tejada does have an MVP to his name and until injuries took their toll on him.
=======
We all know now he can thank his b-12 intake for that award.
In turn, we can pretend that never happened.
“When you’re talking about Derek and Mo, it’s a different set of (budgetary) rules,” said one Yankee official. That doesn’t mean the Steinbrenners are ready to pay Jeter the same $32 million A-Rod makes, but he’s likely to get a raise from his current $21 million to, say, $25 million a year through 2014.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/s.....ees-012210
New post
Chad Jennings
January 25th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
Just to chime in on the “why didn’t Montero play much in winter ball” discussion.
I don’t know that there is an absolute answer here in the states. The Yankees have absolutely no power over the VWL team that Montero plays for. He’s on that team’s roster to use him, or not use him, as they see fit. Montero hadn’t played in months and the guy who got most of the time at catcher for that winter league team hit .366 with 10 homers. Hard to blame them for sticking with him.
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If there are any real scandals in the way winter leagues are run, it’s the way that the AFL is run. Why NYY doesn’t allow any of their coaching staffs go there is beyond me. Not sure who selectsed the All star teams, but, that was a joke. To leave off the hitter with the 2nd highest BA (Curtis @ .397), highest SLG and 4th in homers or 3rd baseman (Laird), 2nd in doubles and homers, 4th in RBI, .334 BA is ridiculous. In Laird’s case, Moustakis wasn’t even close. It’s a good league, but, the running of operations are pathetic.
Molitor is a good comparison for Jeter…who should easily end up top 5 or 6 all time in hits. But when it comes to the player with the best chance to reach 4000 hits, I think A-Rod has a better shot than anyone else. He’s only 34 and has 2500 hits. Plus, he’s the type of power bat that can survive on a team as the DH for many years…well, into his 40′s. Plus, he seems like the type who will tirelessly work to stay in tip top shape which will also enable him to remain effective, and therefore continue to get AB’s and produce, well into his 40′s. His 162 game average for hits is 189. 10 more seasons at even a 170 hit-per-year average will get him to Pete Rose…when he’ll be 44.
That being said, I also expect him to blow past Bonds and Aaron and surpass 800 HRs…barring injuries of course.
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Does anyone think that with Cervelli and Nova as good defensive catching options we should see if Monterro could maybe play LF. He with his bat he’d probably be good enough to play this season.