Jeter last, then Collins, Upton and Votto leading off

Joey Votto wins NL MVP

He got 31 of 32 first place votes. Albert Pujols got the other one (no, not the “Dead” song “other one”), and finished second, with Carlos Gonzalez 3rd. It begs me to ask if the baseball writers can continue giving me nothing to gripe about? (We’ll see, as I have Cano over Hamilton for the AL MVP, and prepared to tell you why)

Arizona is trying to deal Justin Upton, and may sign Dontrelle Willis

There is a nice breakdown of this by ESPN’s Keith Law. The only questions I have is Justin Upton a problem in ways off the field, and do they expect him to be as much of an enigma as his older brother BJ? Beyond those two things, and some little injury questions, I can’t imagine anyone not interested in acquiring this kid.

Regarding Dontrelle Willis, well, it’s sad to see what’s happened to this kid, who was such a nice story when he became a star. Seems like a long time ago now. I hope Willis either finds “it” again, or finds something else to do, and be happy with that. Makes me think of Mark “The Bird” Fidrych. The Bird (who died in an accident on his farm in April of 2009) was a great player on a national stage, and when injuries ended his career, he was just as happy back home, being with his wife, his kids, and his buds. (at least 2 types of buds, and maybe 3?)

Terry Collins to be named new Mets manager on Tuesday

A 61-year old white guy with a MLB managerial record 10-games over .500 that few fans in New York knew anything about a short while ago. Now? They know too much!

Before some guy in Queens slashes his wrists, he should know that there is a prior connection for Collins with the Mets! It’s been reported (and I recall) that Collins took Mo Vaughn’s side on some issue while Collins managed the Angels. This is also the time when Mo Vaughn was managing to not play for the Angels. This was because Mo was old, fat, and out of shape – just like he was with the Mets! As it originated in Turkey, and as we are so close to Turkey Day, I call this “Kismet” for Mets fans.

In real reporting, I have read that the Angel clubhouse didn’t like the way Collins handled this situation with Vaughn, and within two weeks, Collins quit. It’s my guess is that Collins would have been fired if he hadn’t quit, and that (new Mets GM) Sandy Alderson needs a “place keeper” as manager for the 2-3 years it’ll take to put a good team on the field. A further guess is that Collins doesn’t manage the Mets past his 199th game.

Casey Close gets a ‘Hold,’ but can he get a ‘Save?’

“Close,” what a great name for a ‘closer,’ or better still, if you’re an agent for a baseball player?

Well, it’s not going well for one ball player named (New York Yankee Captain) Derek Jeter, and his agent, Casey Close. So far, all Close is doing for his client is holding on, and acting mystified about the Yankees strategy of offering his client about twice what he’s worth, over more years than anyone will give him. Close has a great resume as an agent, having spent time with CAA and IMG, and did well enough that he struck out on his own earlier this year. Now, he may really strike out in NY. If you can strike out in New York with Derek Jeter, you’ll probably strike out anywhere. (sorry)

(NY Daily News) Mike Lupica sounds like a Jeter/Close apologist in his last column. Lupica brings up A-Rod’s deal, which is the old “if you gave A-Rod a stupid deal you have to give Jeter an equally stupid deal” refrain. Lupica is apparently all for tradition at a huge cost? Meanwhile, (Boston Red Sox captain), Jason Varitek would probably love to sign a deal with Boston for the minimum. He just wants to play second-string catcher and contribute in any way he can. It’s an interesting parallel story, isn’t it?

I’m sorry, I don’t give a rats ass about whether Derek gets another $120 MM, or has to settle for 3 years and $45 MM. I keep saying that it was Hank Steinbrenner that gave A-Rod that deal, and now it’s little brother Hal running the show with Brian Cashman. We hear endless bitching about the Yankees buying every player, and when they finally start to show a bit of financial sanity they are still getting ripped?

Sometimes ‘closers’ get hammered, and take a bad loss. Maybe Jeter should fire Close and hire Mariano Rivera. He’s the best closer in history, and from what I have learned, still has the first dollar he ever made.

Beyond all that BS, I’d bet that if I polled 1000 knowledgeable Yankee fans right now, 99.5% would say that they expect Cliff Lee to sign with the Yankees. If I told those same fans that the Yankees were saving that $120 MM not spent on Derek Jeter, so they could sign Carl Crawford, they’d tell Derek to strike out on his own, and to close the door on his way out of town.

Comments welcomed.