Here's an interesting question- Just how important is Alex Rodriguez to the NY Yankees championship run?
The Yankees won the championship last year and A- Rod was a key component to that run. He finally broke out of his historic playoff funk and was able to contribute to the Yankees justifying his huge $27 million per year contract. Before last year Rodriguez could not help a a hall of fame batting lineup and pitching staff get to the World Series despite the Yankees having the largest payroll in baseball. He joined the Yankees in 2004.
This year Alex Rodriguez landed on the disabled list and the Yankees subsequently went 12-1. This begs the question- just how important A-Rod is to the Yankees World Series hopes. With a lineup consisting of Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano, Nick Swisher, Mark Texeira and a dominant pitching lineup led by Andy Petite and CC Sabathia, I'm not sure A Rod is the missing piece.
No doubt Rodriguez is a great player- youngest to both 500 and 600 home runs in MLB history. He has logged 100 RBI's in 14 straight seasons and the only player to do so surpassing Babe Ruth, Lou Gering, and Jimmie Fox. His 10 year $272 million dollar contract is the richest in MLB, but is his contract based on the fact that he will break majority of the offensive statistical categories in baseball rather than winning championships?
The Yankees are a championship team without Rodriguez. Most experts and I included believe that if Rodriguez did not play another game this season, the Yankees would still be favored to win the World Series. The Yankees have too many other talented players to make up for A-Rod. Paying someone $27 million per year is a lot to have a player break all of the offensive baseball records in a Yankees uniform.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
Basketball Autographs- Teams and players to watch this year.
The NBA off season has been very eventful. The shift of key players has turned many teams into instant powerhouses while at the same time decimating others. The move of big names like Lebron James, Carlos Boozer and Amare Stoudemire have made their new respective teams astronomically better. Here is what I expect this year.
No doubt the Miami Heat are the winners in this year's superstar bonanza. What the Heat were able to pull off in landing Chris Bosh and Lebron James is nothing short of a miracle and to top it off they were able to pull off the deal by paying 3 of the top players in the NBA bargain basement prices. No easy task. They have instantly become the new favorites to win the NBA championship in the 2010-2011 season. In addition to adding 2 superstars to run alonside Dwayne Wade, they were able to surround them with good role players that complement their skills. The Heat will be good this year, but I do not think they are a lock to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals.
The Boston Celtics have gotten better this year as well. Remember, they were 12 minutes away from winning the NBA championship last year. They have all their key stars- Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo returning. In addition they landed stars past their prime Shaquille O'Neal and Jermaine O'Neil. The Celtics have always featured suffocating defense which will be their staple this year as long as Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins stay healthy. If healthy, the Celtics are poised to make a return trip to the NBA Finals and given the uncertainty of chemistry with the Heat, I would give the edge to the Celtics as the best team in the Eastern Conference.
Other teams that have a made a nice splash this season are the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls. The Knicks have given other players to actually consider coming to New York and play alongside supertstar Amare Stoudemire and Danilo Galinari. However, the Knicks are still rebuilding their nucleus and I imagine that they won't win many more games than last year in the competitive East. The Chicago Bulls, with the addition of Carlos Boozer have become one of the top 3 teams in the East. Playing alongside young stars Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose, the Bulls feature All Stars in 3 positions and with the defensive minded Tom Thibodeau as their new head coach they certainly have the talent to some damage in the East.
Of all the teams, I believe the one that will probably win the NBA championship this year really didn't do too much to tweak their already dominant roster- L.A Lakers. Now the Lakers have kept all of their key players from last year including MVP Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Ron Artest, Lamar Odom, Dererk Fisher and Andrew Bynam. They have also signed good players like Matt Barnes and Steve Blake to fill out their roster. I think you have to give the edge to Lakers to win it again with Phil Jackson also returning. With Phil, there is no one better in getting the most of his players with talent they got. They certainly be a top dog in the NBA and certainly a glamour pick to win the NBA championship this year.
No doubt the Miami Heat are the winners in this year's superstar bonanza. What the Heat were able to pull off in landing Chris Bosh and Lebron James is nothing short of a miracle and to top it off they were able to pull off the deal by paying 3 of the top players in the NBA bargain basement prices. No easy task. They have instantly become the new favorites to win the NBA championship in the 2010-2011 season. In addition to adding 2 superstars to run alonside Dwayne Wade, they were able to surround them with good role players that complement their skills. The Heat will be good this year, but I do not think they are a lock to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals.
The Boston Celtics have gotten better this year as well. Remember, they were 12 minutes away from winning the NBA championship last year. They have all their key stars- Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo returning. In addition they landed stars past their prime Shaquille O'Neal and Jermaine O'Neil. The Celtics have always featured suffocating defense which will be their staple this year as long as Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins stay healthy. If healthy, the Celtics are poised to make a return trip to the NBA Finals and given the uncertainty of chemistry with the Heat, I would give the edge to the Celtics as the best team in the Eastern Conference.
Other teams that have a made a nice splash this season are the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls. The Knicks have given other players to actually consider coming to New York and play alongside supertstar Amare Stoudemire and Danilo Galinari. However, the Knicks are still rebuilding their nucleus and I imagine that they won't win many more games than last year in the competitive East. The Chicago Bulls, with the addition of Carlos Boozer have become one of the top 3 teams in the East. Playing alongside young stars Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose, the Bulls feature All Stars in 3 positions and with the defensive minded Tom Thibodeau as their new head coach they certainly have the talent to some damage in the East.
Of all the teams, I believe the one that will probably win the NBA championship this year really didn't do too much to tweak their already dominant roster- L.A Lakers. Now the Lakers have kept all of their key players from last year including MVP Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Ron Artest, Lamar Odom, Dererk Fisher and Andrew Bynam. They have also signed good players like Matt Barnes and Steve Blake to fill out their roster. I think you have to give the edge to Lakers to win it again with Phil Jackson also returning. With Phil, there is no one better in getting the most of his players with talent they got. They certainly be a top dog in the NBA and certainly a glamour pick to win the NBA championship this year.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Manny Ramirez- In Chicago, but washed up.
Manny Ramirez had outstayed his welcome, again. After whining his way out of Boston, he wore out the L.A Dodgers after landing on the disabled list numerous times and playing atrocious defense in left field. He became more a liability than a hitting machine- which is why he got paid his big contract.
Now the Chicago White Sox have claimed Ramirez off waivers and inserted him as DH. The big question is can he be productive? I agree that the American League is a better fit for Manny. He doesn't have to play the field which is his greatest weakness and he can focus more on hitting and driving in runs. I think from the White Sox's prospective, this is a win win situation. They get Manny cheap and it shows the rest of the guys in the clubhouse that the White Sox are serious about over taking the Twins for the division crown.
On the other hand, judging from past experiences Manny can be a clubhouse cancer. He was a constant distraction in Boston and after he tested positive for PED's with L.A became one for them as well.
My take is that Manny is a over paid hitter with his best days behind him. Selfishness and attitude were always Manny's weaknesses. When he plays the game hard and right, he is a true asset but, when Manny wants to "be Manny" he can become one of the worst teammates to a ball club.
Now the Chicago White Sox have claimed Ramirez off waivers and inserted him as DH. The big question is can he be productive? I agree that the American League is a better fit for Manny. He doesn't have to play the field which is his greatest weakness and he can focus more on hitting and driving in runs. I think from the White Sox's prospective, this is a win win situation. They get Manny cheap and it shows the rest of the guys in the clubhouse that the White Sox are serious about over taking the Twins for the division crown.
On the other hand, judging from past experiences Manny can be a clubhouse cancer. He was a constant distraction in Boston and after he tested positive for PED's with L.A became one for them as well.
My take is that Manny is a over paid hitter with his best days behind him. Selfishness and attitude were always Manny's weaknesses. When he plays the game hard and right, he is a true asset but, when Manny wants to "be Manny" he can become one of the worst teammates to a ball club.
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