A-ROD on the move?

[wood]

Chicago Tribune reports A-Rod possibly being moved. Why can't the Astros make a bid for him? With Bags, Clemens and Andy coming off the books next year, can't the Astros afford him? The Yanks would maybe want alot in return for him....Package a deal that includes Endsberg, Taveras, Bucholz and Pence. That fills the void at third, speed in the outfield and two great prospects. And that move puts the Astros back in the contention of the wild card.
2nd-Biggio
1st-Lamb
RF -Berkman
3rd-A-Rod
LF -Huff
CF -Wilson
C -Ausmus
SS -Everette

_________________________________________________________________

Jim Hendry has pulled a rabbit out of his hat before at the trade deadline. But can the Cubs general manager top the Nomar Garciaparra deal of 2004 this time around?

It's not impossible.


While most people are looking at the Cubs just to be sellers, Hendry could add at least three intriguing players to change the face of the franchise. If you don't think he's exploring the availability of Alex Rodriguez, Bobby Abreu and Miguel Tejada, you don't know Hendry.

That's right, Alex Rodriguez.

It's hard to see Yankees GM Brian Cashman pulling the trigger on an A-Rod deal, but the two-time Most Valuable Player has become such a target for upset fans at Yankee Stadium that owner George Steinbrenner might decide to pull the plug. Rodriguez is a great player who has lost his confidence, first struggling to deliver runs in the clutch and recently bringing back memories of Steve Sax and Chuck Knoblauch with his errant throws.

ESPN analyst Steve Phillips, former general manager of the New York Mets, believes the Yankees should deal Rodriguez.

"It's become the thing to do in New York to boo Alex Rodriguez," Phillips said Sunday night. "When that happens in New York, it doesn't stop. Now you see it's impacting his performance. Ultimately I don't see how he gets out of this rut. I think they have to trade him."
If the Yankees let it be known they would move Rodriguez, a lot of teams would be interested. The Cubs are among the few who realistically could pursue a deal. They have both the financial flexibility and the parts to move back to New York.

Aramis Ramirez, signed through 2008 and lately killing the ball, would be welcomed with open arms in New York.

If the deal were expanded to include Jacque Jones, essentially making this one-stop shopping for Cashman, Rodriguez's biggest-in-baseball salary would not seem to be a huge issue.

Six years into his 10-year, $252 million contract, Rodriguez is due an unprecedented $27 million a year from 2007 through 2010. But the Texas Rangers so needed to get out from under their commitment that they are obligated to pay $52 million of that remaining $108 million.

Rodriguez has a full no-trade clause, complicating matters on the Yankees' end. But remember his visit to Wrigley Field during the 2003 National League Championship Series? He was shopping to relocate at the time, and Chicago was high on the list of places he would have liked to land.

Hendry, under as much heat as at any time since joining the Cubs, is motivated to make a move that improves his team and pleases fans. He could do both by adding Tejada, whom he has chased since last winter, or Abreu.

Dealing with the Orioles can be like banging your head against a wall. No one knows if owner Peter Angelos would really trade his shortstop for prospects, though it's clearly the right thing for Baltimore to do. Tejada isn't exactly taking the Orioles anyplace.

The same holds true with Abreu and the Phillies, though they're still on the fringe of the National League's wild-card race. He's 32 and signed through 2008 (including a club option for that season, which would be guaranteed with any deal), which is one year shorter than Tejada's contract.

Abreu doesn't offer as much power as Rodriguez or Tejada. But he's the kind of hitter the Cubs have been badly missing—a run producer who works counts and is a high on-base-percentage guy.

The Orioles and Phillies are looking for young pitching. The Cubs wouldn't seem to be a likely partner there, but never dismiss Hendry when it comes to putting together complicated trades. This should be an interesting week.

progers@tribune.com



Copyright © 2006, The Chicago Tribune

[rrj_gamz]

I can't see him moving, but if he does, why not us...It's only $15MM/year, and honestly, its worth it for the playoff run as the Rangers are picking up most of the tab...

Besides, a new change of scenery will do him well, but I bet he'd want SS again, which I'm cool with...

[rikesh316]

If you acquire which I think there is little chance that the Astros do, you put him at shortstop not third.

[Smokey]

If Steve Phillips says it, it's got to be wrong. A-Rod will be a Yankee.

[emjohn]

Typical trash article that self-speculates and runs off with a story that never really exisited in the first place. Steve Phillips says Yanks should trade A-Rod! That must mean he's there for the taking! Geez. No real surprise this came from the Tribune. Same thing happened last year, when every media outlet was in a tizzy over Garnett trade scenarios, when he was never actually available. It's bush-league journalism trying to sell more papers.

When you see the Times write about trade talks and cites anonymous team sources, then you can consider A-Rod on the move.

Evan

[Nice Rollin]

If Steve Phillips says it, it's got to be wrong. A-Rod will be a Yankee.
steve phillips is an idiot. worst gm and analyst ever

[WhoMikeJames]

Im ok with A-Rod, i like Taveras though. Oh Well.

[robbie380]

Typical trash article that self-speculates and runs off with a story that never really exisited in the first place. Steve Phillips says Yanks should trade A-Rod! That must mean he's there for the taking! Geez. No real surprise this came from the Tribune. Same thing happened last year, when every media outlet was in a tizzy over Garnett trade scenarios, when he was never actually available. It's bush-league journalism trying to sell more papers.

When you see the Times write about trade talks and cites anonymous team sources, then you can consider A-Rod on the move.

Evan


it is trash, but at the same time it's pretty crappy how ny fans boo a-rod. maybe they should boo their retard GM who can't get any pitching and overpays for everything.

[superden]

No thanks, this guy gets paid like none other... also, i don't want to give up anyone in the farm for him. Let New York continue to boo him.

[MadMax]

No thanks, this guy gets paid like none other... also, i don't want to give up anyone in the farm for him. Let New York continue to boo him.

but the rangers are picking up a bunch of money on the deal. the yankees are paying $15 million/season right now...that's not too horrible considering his impact.

[DFW_Rockets_Fan]

If you acquire which I think there is little chance that the Astros do, you put him at shortstop not third.

You are forgetting that Tejada will by at short. :)

[NJRocket]

If you get a chance to get a guy like this, you get him....period. He is the reigning friggin MVP...he's got 21 HRs and like 80 rbis and is having an "off" year. That being said, he needs to be able to get the Knoblauch problems out of his system...unless we make Lamb part of the deal and have him play 1B. I dont see this happening but who knows...I didnt think we were getting Beltran either.

[Fegwu]

If Steve Phillips says it, it's got to be wrong. A-Rod will be a Yankee.

Though Harold echoed his sentiment, I am going to lean your way.

But that said, I will not be mad if we acquire A-Rod and have him and Lance as the cornerstone offensively. That will be sweet even only it a dream for now. A-Rod is reportedly not interested in leaving NY.

I do not mind Purp exploring the deal.

[ivanyy2000]

but the rangers are picking up a bunch of money on the deal. the yankees are paying $15 million/season right now...that's not too horrible considering his impact.

He is a great player but he can't handle the pressure. If fans' booing him can get into his head and affect his performance, then he'd better waive his no-trade clause and get his a** out of New York asap because once fans start it, they won't stop.

[MadMax]

He is a great player but he can't handle the pressure. If fans' booing him can get into his head and affect his performance, then he'd better waive his no-trade clause and get his a** out of New York asap because once fans start it, they won't stop.

you don't become a 2-time MVP without being able to handle pressure. the guy has over 2000 hits and 450 HR's after about 12 seasons of play. that's remarkable.

he was the MVP last year....IN NEW YORK! he's struggling right now. if the Yankees are short-sighted enough to get rid of him, then they're bigger idiots than i thought. you have to look long and hard to find a guy big enough to step into the shoes of alex rodriguez.

and absolutely...if the astros got him, i'd be ecstatic.

[Ric]

if the astros got him, i'd be ecstatic.
ehhhh...

he's a world-class vagina. the yanks would be the second team to trade him after the mariners seemed content to let him walk away initially. that alone should rattle your cage a bit.

and speaking of vaginas, there's a lot of astro content in john heyman's "insider" article today from cnn:

The San Diego Padres are working overtime to line up a third baseman. The trade bait is fine setup reliever Scott Linebrink, and their best options appear to be either Wilson Betemit or the diminishing Morgan Ensberg, with some Padres people apparently preferring the more versatile Betemit.

How far has Ensberg fallen, only a year after finishing fourth in NL MVP voting? Before going on the disabled list with what was reported to be a shoulder contusion, Ensberg, who still had 19 home runs, had hit .157 with only two home runs in the preceding 27 games. The club has performed two MRIs and found nothing amiss, spawning league speculation that the problem is partly mechanical or mental.

Astros GM Tim Purpura was asked about the suspicion that more than just his shoulder is bothering Ensberg, and Purpura pointed out that the slump "coincided with the injury.'' And Purpura added, "The positive thing is there's no structural damage. He reports that he's still sore. You've got to listen to what your players tell you.''
uhm... please deal him yesterday.

also...
But in the case of Abreu, the Yankees -- who've also considered backup plans involving Craig Wilson, Shawn Green and Preston Wilson (recently offered to them by the Astros)
hmmmmmm..... what's the thinking here? open up a space for... lane? scott? pence? taveras?

[Ric]

btw...
Purpura pointed out that the slump "coincided with the injury.''
really? the injury happened june 9... so how does timmy p explain morgan's batting averaging plummeting 50 points in may, when he hit .216 with a .779 OPS?

[DieHard Rocket]

There is no way the Yankees are trading him by the deadline. If they do, it'll be in the offseason or next season. No reason for us to speculate too much now...

If they do deal him in the offseason though, we'll be in a good situation to go after him I think. We've got a ton of salary coming off the books, and need a big bat.

[Hakeem's Dream]

A-Rod ain't going anywhere. If I were him though I would be pissed at the Yankee fans constantly booing him. I think they have forgotten just how good he is. I wish he would come to Houston. We are good to our slumping guys down here and we would show him much love. Plus, he could do wonders for our bats. A fan can dream right?

[MadMax]

you can call a-rod whatever name you want...he's super-productive. he is very easily among the best players in the game today.

[VesceySux]

As mentioned in another thread:

Uncle Drayton faints.

[Ric]

you can call a-rod whatever name you want...he's super-productive.
MM, why would the world's great sporting superpower even contemplate trading one of the best players in the game?....

and before you answer, consider that he wore out his welcome quickly in arlington on the heels of the mariners not only showing him the door and then reeling off 112 wins the following year, but being rather blase about losing him to a division rival.

which doesn't mean he wasn't/isn't productive, but that he packs more than his stick and glove wherever he goes. he was not well-thought of in dallas.

[MadMax]

MM, why would the world's great sporting superpower even contemplate trading one of the best players in the game?....

and before you answer, consider that he wore out his welcome quickly in arlington on the heels of the mariners not only showing him the door and then reeling off 112 wins the following year, but being rather blase about losing him to a division rival.

which doesn't mean he wasn't/isn't productive, but that he packs more than his stick and glove wherever he goes. he was not well-thought of in dallas.

the rangers traded him because of economics. because no team can afford to pay a player that much and still put a team around them. they screwed up by overpaying for him BIG TIME. he was MVP caliber there.

he is in a slump right now. he won the freaking MVP award last year in NY. NY fans are merciless. they'll tell you that jeter is the greatest player to walk the planet since mantle, and no one else compares.

there is no way you can convince me the astros wouldn't be a better team with ARod in the lineup. no way. we can call him whatever...but 2000 hits and 450 HR's later, ARod is a freaking monster.

[Mr. Mooch]

Maybe he should just go back home and play for the Marlins...it might actually work. Florida can realistically contend within the next 4 seasons. And they're keeping Willis and Cabrera.

With all of that young talent, NY would be getting a gift with 2 or 3 young studs. It could seriously be a win-win. Having ARod in South Florida would eliminate any "pressure" he feels since no one ever shows up at the games. On the other hand it could conceivably bring in fans to watch the best homegrown talent and (arguably) best player in the game. Plus, ARod could keep the Marlins in Florida. Well, he almost has enough money now to finance a new stadium himself.

I see it as a "smart" move, but is entirely unrealistic. Just as realistic as Rodriguez leaving New York. No way he's traded by the 31st, and there's still little chance he'd be traded this offseason. You don't trade the reigning MVP for one streaky month and a half.

[MadMax]

I see it as a "smart" move, but is entirely unrealistic. Just as realistic as Rodriguez leaving New York. No way he's traded by the 31st, and there's still little chance he'd be traded this offseason. You don't trade the reigning MVP for one streaky month and a half.

i agree...typical ESPN, though.

there's not a story, so we'll make one up.

[Ric]

there is no way you can convince me the astros wouldn't be a better team with ARod in the lineup.
reread my posts, MM - i rarely, if ever, made mention of his actual game. in fact, you're right - he's one of the very best players in baseball, quite possibly of all-time... so why, if these rumors are anywhere close to true, could he soon be joining his 4th team in six years?

like i said, he packs a lot of baggage. i saw it first-hand in dallas. he was aloof with the media, non-existent in the community and then ripped the team's youth movement to try and facilitate a trade.

[thegary]

you can call a-rod whatever name you want...he's super-productive. he is very easily among the best players in the game today.

you are absolutely right although people will claim, from a purely impact-the-game perspective, that he isn't the greatest clutch performer. this is true to a certain extent but as you say, you cannot question his productivity. the real problem is that he is real easy to dislike for a variety of reasons. it really is to the point here in NY that he is loathed. nobody cares about what he does or does not contribute, they want him gone. i think a place like houston, waaaaaay more under the radar than his current digs, would be a good place for him to get his mojo back. that being said, i also just plain don't like him, so i have mixed feelings about the 'stros possibly aquiring him.

[ivanyy2000]

if the Yankees are short-sighted enough to get rid of him, then they're bigger idiots than i thought. you have to look long and hard to find a guy big enough to step into the shoes of alex rodriguez.

and absolutely...if the astros got him, i'd be ecstatic.

You have to wake up. Mariners dumped him and they got better, Rangers dumped him and they got better too. Yankees had one ALCS and two World Series appearances before landing him and they were humiliated by BoSox and kicked out of the playoffs in the first round afterwards. Baseball is certainly a team's game, but you have to admit that MVP didn't improve the team record that much and he is the highest paid baseball player in the world.

People will realize sooner or later. A-Rod is a player with all those fancy stats, but his stats hardly matters in terms of winning Championship. David Justice ripped him pretty hard in public on Yes network the other day. But I thought Justice hit the nail on the head on Alex's case: "If the game is 9-2, he might make it 9-4. If the game is 7-1, he might make it 9-1. But when it is 2-2 late in the ballgame and I need a base hit to score a run, the numbers show he has not been getting it done". That is exactly what we see from the past 2.5 years.

My conclusion is as long as he stays unclutch, as long as he is soo fragile, as long as he fails to bring Yankees at least one World Series win, fans will continue to boo his a** until he play elsewhere. He can continue to get his fancy stats in some small market teams. It is not easy to be No.1 in New York anyway.

[MadMax]

You have to wake up. Mariners dumped him and they got better, Rangers dumped him and they got better too. Yankees had one ALCS and two World Series appearances before landing him and they were humiliated by BoSox and kicked out of the playoffs in the first round afterwards. Baseball is certainly a team's game, but you have to admit that MVP didn't improve the team record that much and he is the highest paid baseball player in the world.

People will realize sooner or later. A-Rod is a player with all those fancy stats, but his stats hardly matters in terms of winning Championship. David Justice ripped him pretty hard in public on Yes network the other day. But I thought Justice hit the nail on the head on Alex's case: "If the game is 9-2, he might make it 9-4. If the game is 7-1, he might make it 9-1. But when it is 2-2 late in the ballgame and I need a base hit to score a run, the numbers show he has not been getting it done". That is exactly what we see from the past 2.5 years.

My conclusion is as long as he stays unclutch, as long as he is soo fragile, as long as he fails to bring Yankees at least one World Series win, fans will continue to boo his a** until he play elsewhere. He can continue to get his fancy stats in some small market teams. It is not easy to be No.1 in New York anyway.

unclutch? are you seriously blaming him for 2004?? his OBP was .435...his average was .320...his slugging percentage was .600. the yankees lost in those playoffs because their pitching SUCKED!

the arguments you're making sound like the same ridiculous arguments made about bagwell. i'm gonna assume if a guy has 450 HR's in his career, that he's PROBABLY hit some when they were really needed.

[Groogrux]

you can call a-rod whatever name you want...he's super-productive. he is very easily among the best players in the game today.

But Max...he sunbathes in Central Park. WITHOUT HIS SHIRT ON. Oh the humanity.
:rolleyes:

[MadMax]

But Max...he sunbathes in Central Park. WITHOUT HIS SHIRT ON. Oh the humanity.
:rolleyes:

hey, how'd you get here? shouldn't you be at work??? :D ;)

[Hakeem's Dream]

But Max...he sunbathes in Central Park. WITHOUT HIS SHIRT ON. Oh the humanity.
:rolleyes:
Damn, I need to go visit that park.

[Groogrux]

hey, how'd you get here? shouldn't you be at work??? :D ;)

Two things:

1.) I have access again at work.
2.) I'm still not there. :)

[MadMax]

Two things:

1.) I have access again at work.
2.) I'm still not there. :)

1. YES!!!
2. YES!!! :D

[ryan17wagner]

Chicago Tribune reports A-Rod possibly being moved. Why can't the Astros make a bid for him? With Bags, Clemens and Andy coming off the books next year, can't the Astros afford him? The Yanks would maybe want alot in return for him....Package a deal that includes Endsberg, Taveras, Bucholz and Pence. That fills the void at third, speed in the outfield and two great prospects. And that move puts the Astros back in the contention of the wild card.
2nd-Biggio
1st-Lamb
RF -Berkman
3rd-A-Rod
LF -Huff
CF -Wilson
C -Ausmus
SS -Everette

_________________________________________________________________

Jim Hendry has pulled a rabbit out of his hat before at the trade deadline. But can the Cubs general manager top the Nomar Garciaparra deal of 2004 this time around?

It's not impossible.


While most people are looking at the Cubs just to be sellers, Hendry could add at least three intriguing players to change the face of the franchise. If you don't think he's exploring the availability of Alex Rodriguez, Bobby Abreu and Miguel Tejada, you don't know Hendry.

That's right, Alex Rodriguez.

It's hard to see Yankees GM Brian Cashman pulling the trigger on an A-Rod deal, but the two-time Most Valuable Player has become such a target for upset fans at Yankee Stadium that owner George Steinbrenner might decide to pull the plug. Rodriguez is a great player who has lost his confidence, first struggling to deliver runs in the clutch and recently bringing back memories of Steve Sax and Chuck Knoblauch with his errant throws.

ESPN analyst Steve Phillips, former general manager of the New York Mets, believes the Yankees should deal Rodriguez.

"It's become the thing to do in New York to boo Alex Rodriguez," Phillips said Sunday night. "When that happens in New York, it doesn't stop. Now you see it's impacting his performance. Ultimately I don't see how he gets out of this rut. I think they have to trade him."
If the Yankees let it be known they would move Rodriguez, a lot of teams would be interested. The Cubs are among the few who realistically could pursue a deal. They have both the financial flexibility and the parts to move back to New York.

Aramis Ramirez, signed through 2008 and lately killing the ball, would be welcomed with open arms in New York.

If the deal were expanded to include Jacque Jones, essentially making this one-stop shopping for Cashman, Rodriguez's biggest-in-baseball salary would not seem to be a huge issue.

Six years into his 10-year, $252 million contract, Rodriguez is due an unprecedented $27 million a year from 2007 through 2010. But the Texas Rangers so needed to get out from under their commitment that they are obligated to pay $52 million of that remaining $108 million.

Rodriguez has a full no-trade clause, complicating matters on the Yankees' end. But remember his visit to Wrigley Field during the 2003 National League Championship Series? He was shopping to relocate at the time, and Chicago was high on the list of places he would have liked to land.

Hendry, under as much heat as at any time since joining the Cubs, is motivated to make a move that improves his team and pleases fans. He could do both by adding Tejada, whom he has chased since last winter, or Abreu.

Dealing with the Orioles can be like banging your head against a wall. No one knows if owner Peter Angelos would really trade his shortstop for prospects, though it's clearly the right thing for Baltimore to do. Tejada isn't exactly taking the Orioles anyplace.

The same holds true with Abreu and the Phillies, though they're still on the fringe of the National League's wild-card race. He's 32 and signed through 2008 (including a club option for that season, which would be guaranteed with any deal), which is one year shorter than Tejada's contract.

Abreu doesn't offer as much power as Rodriguez or Tejada. But he's the kind of hitter the Cubs have been badly missing—a run producer who works counts and is a high on-base-percentage guy.

The Orioles and Phillies are looking for young pitching. The Cubs wouldn't seem to be a likely partner there, but never dismiss Hendry when it comes to putting together complicated trades. This should be an interesting week.

progers@tribune.com



Copyright © 2006, The Chicago Tribune



AROD is not on the move.

[BigSherv]

he would bend the crawford boxes over a table and tell them to say his name.

[Burzmali]

"Stupid stats" lol...

Wow.

ARod is a dominator, period. He is a straight up masher and would instantly elevate our offense production significantly.

He's also a tremendous defensive shortstop.

All that stuff about not being clutch or being able to handle the pressure is a bunch of psycho babble BS. There is no such thing as clutch performance in baseball, period. If he couldn't handle the pressure, he wouldn't be in the bigs. Deal with it, ARod is a dominator in all aspects.

If the Astros could get him, which I highly doubt, it would be the definition of a no-brainer move to make.

[Major]

[QUOTE=BurzmaliAll that stuff about not being clutch or being able to handle the pressure is a bunch of psycho babble BS. There is no such thing as clutch performance in baseball, period. If he couldn't handle the pressure, he wouldn't be in the bigs. Deal with it, ARod is a dominator in all aspects.
[/QUOTE]

I've never understood this logic. There is "clutch" and handling pressure in every other sport - basketball, golf, football, etc. Why does it magically disappear in baseball?

[Hakeem's Dream]

he would bend the crawford boxes over a table and tell them to say his name.
No comment. :D ;) :p

[steddinotayto]

The reasons why the Mariners got better after ARod left is because

-the players they got from us through the Randy Johnson deal panned out for them (i.e. Freddy Garcia)
-Ichiro came on and became the ROY AND MVP
-Bret Boone had that one Brady Anderson-esque season
-they had EIGHT all-stars that year.


The only reason why the Rangers got better after ARod left is because

-they got Alfonso Soriano back
-Texeira, Young and Hank Blalock were playing out of their minds
-the Rangers' pitching staff was actually decent

I mean I had the guy. I think A-Rod a douchebag. But to say that one man's departure can actually turn a franchise around is a pretty bold statement considering the sport is baseball and there's 162 games in a season. Do I think he's a jackass? Yes. But would I root for the jackass if he was playing for the Astros? It would also be a resounding yes.

[steddinotayto]

dammit. I meant I "hate" the guy. not "had". I would never have ARod in any kind of meaning...biblical or not.

[JuLiO-R-]

I've never understood this logic. There is "clutch" and handling pressure in every other sport - basketball, golf, football, etc. Why does it magically disappear in baseball?
It doesn't make sense to me either. There are players who do great with the game on the line. Not everybody can handle the pressure.

[Hakeem's Dream]

dammit. I meant I "hate" the guy. not "had". I would never have ARod in any kind of meaning...biblical or not.
OOH I WILL I WILL!!!

[ryan17wagner]

The reasons why the Mariners got better after ARod left is because

-the players they got from us through the Randy Johnson deal panned out for them (i.e. Freddy Garcia)
-Ichiro came on and became the ROY AND MVP
-Bret Boone had that one Brady Anderson-esque season
-they had EIGHT all-stars that year.


The only reason why the Rangers got better after ARod left is because

-they got Alfonso Soriano back
-Texeira, Young and Hank Blalock were playing out of their minds
-the Rangers' pitching staff was actually decent

I mean I had the guy. I think A-Rod a douchebag. But to say that one man's departure can actually turn a franchise around is a pretty bold statement considering the sport is baseball and there's 162 games in a season. Do I think he's a jackass? Yes. But would I root for the jackass if he was playing for the Astros? It would also be a resounding yes.

The Mariners never got better when AROD left. They had that great year in '01 and haven't been to the playoffs since. That's not getting better. And Texas Rangers have been horrible since they game in the league back in 1972. They're last winning season was AROD's last year in Arlington in '03 and they yet to have a winning season since. Texas Rangers associated with decent pitching staff is an oxymoron.

[htownballa23]

The Mariners never got better when AROD left. They had that great year in '01 and haven't been to the playoffs since. That's not getting better. And Texas Rangers have been horrible since they game in the league back in 1972. They're last winning season was AROD's last year in Arlington in '03 and they yet to have a winning season since. Texas Rangers associated with decent pitching staff is an oxymoron.

I would call 116 wins in a season pretty good, even though it was just one year.

[msn]

I've never understood this logic. There is "clutch" and handling pressure in every other sport - basketball, golf, football, etc. Why does it magically disappear in baseball?
Because there's not, and it doesn't. Given enough opportunity, the vast majority of athletes will perform "in the clutch" to pretty much the same percentages as in situations which are not "clutch". Most of the time, someone's status as a "clutch performer" comes from the arbitrary impressions of fans or media. For instance, Jeff Bagwell was railed a few years back as "not clutch", but when you looked at his RISP numbers they were among the best in the league. Some folks saw one or two examples of Jeff not nailing the big hit and voila, he's not clutch. Now Chris Burke, that dude is "clutch". :rolleyes:

[Major]

Because there's not, and it doesn't. Given enough opportunity, the vast majority of athletes will perform "in the clutch" to pretty much the same percentages as in situations which are not "clutch". Most of the time, someone's status as a "clutch performer" comes from the arbitrary impressions of fans or media. For instance, Jeff Bagwell was railed a few years back as "not clutch", but when you looked at his RISP numbers they were among the best in the league. Some folks saw one or two examples of Jeff not nailing the big hit and voila, he's not clutch. Now Chris Burke, that dude is "clutch". :rolleyes:

Just because the media likes to make anyone "clutch" or "unclutch" after a few good or bad games doesn't mean it doesn't exist. It just means the media overuses the term.

You said "vast majority" and "most of the time" - that indicates that it doesn't apply to all athletes, which implies that clutch does exist for some people.

[EddieWasSnubbed]

I haven't read this thread, nor do I believe we stand a chance when it comes to getting A-Rod, but I would just like to say that when it's all said and done, A-Ros will be the best player of our generation. The man will easily have 3,000 hits, and probably have more than 800 home runs. What he does is simply amazing.

[MadMax]

I haven't read this thread, nor do I believe we stand a chance when it comes to getting A-Rod, but I would just like to say that when it's all said and done, A-Ros will be the best player of our generation. The man will easily have 3,000 hits, and probably have more than 800 home runs. What he does is simply amazing.

if he does that...particularly as an infielder...he will make a solid case for being the best player of all time.

[Hakeem's Dream]

The treatment of A-Rod is just proof that baseball "fans" in NY are spoiled little babies. If it were last year or any other time, he would be the second coming of Jesus for them. But, he has a few months of slump and now they boo him. Absolutely ridiculous and I think it says a lot about Yankees fans...they are bandwagon jumpers.

[StupidMoniker]

The treatment of A-Rod is just proof that baseball "fans" in NY are spoiled little babies. If it were last year or any other time, he would be the second coming of Jesus for them. But, he has a few months of slump and now they boo him. Absolutely ridiculous and I think it says a lot about Yankees fans...they are bandwagon jumpers.
Not all of us. I think it is rediculous the treatment ARod is receiving in New York, not only is it unwarranted, but it is self-perpetuating. They boo him because he is pressing and he keeps pressing because they boo him.
With the deal the Yanks are getting on him, I don't see how they could even think about getting rid of him. He needs to see a hypnotist or a therapist or take a couple thousand grounders to work out his throwing issue, but there are very few players for whom I would trade him. The Yankees have been without two of their biggest bats for most of the season, Randy Johnson was out of sorts until about a month ago, but they are still within striking distance of the Red Sox.

[Buck Turgidson]

The treatment of A-Rod is just proof that baseball "fans" in NY are spoiled little babies....Absolutely ridiculous and I think it says a lot about Yankees fans...they are bandwagon jumpers.
90% or so of baseball fans of any team, in any city, are basically morons. Yankee fans just get a bigger soapbox.

[Hakeem's Dream]

Not all of us. I think it is rediculous the treatment ARod is receiving in New York, not only is it unwarranted, but it is self-perpetuating. They boo him because he is pressing and he keeps pressing because they boo him.
With the deal the Yanks are getting on him, I don't see how they could even think about getting rid of him. He needs to see a hypnotist or a therapist or take a couple thousand grounders to work out his throwing issue, but there are very few players for whom I would trade him. The Yankees have been without two of their biggest bats for most of the season, Randy Johnson was out of sorts until about a month ago, but they are still within striking distance of the Red Sox.
I am embarrassed. I am sorry, I should never have lumped everyone together. I hate when others do that to me and I sincerely apologize.

[Behad]

like i said, he packs a lot of baggage. i saw it first-hand in dallas. he was aloof with the media, non-existent in the community .....

FWIW, he owns a car dealership here in League City. Maybe that could help sway the deal a bit.

[Major]

The treatment of A-Rod is just proof that baseball "fans" in NY are spoiled little babies. If it were last year or any other time, he would be the second coming of Jesus for them. But, he has a few months of slump and now they boo him. Absolutely ridiculous and I think it says a lot about Yankees fans...they are bandwagon jumpers.

How is this any different than fans on this board turning on Lidge and Ensberg? This happens with every team in every sport.

[dharocks]

A-Rod's not going anywhere. I doubt he'd waive his NTC anyway. He wants to succeed in NY.

As for him not being 'clutch', he got the biggest hit of the Yankees season to date (walkoff vs. Braves), and he was fantastic in the 2004 ALDS. He hit the go ahead homer in game 4 of the ALCS; if Mo nails down the save, he's MVP of the Championship Series. While it's true that he didn't drive in a run in last year's ALDS, neither did then-reigning MVP Vlad Guerrero, and A-Rod DID have a .381 OBP in the series (despite a .133 BA). The Angels pitched around him.

A-Rod will break out of his slump and the fans will forgive him. The man did have arguably the greatest offensive season for a third basemen EVER last year.

[Buck Turgidson]

The man did have arguably the greatest offensive season for a third basemen EVER last year.
Meh...1980 World Series saw 2 guys with better years.

[dharocks]

Meh...1980 World Series saw 2 guys with better years.

Brett was terrific in 1980 and his averages were out of this world. That said, he only played in 117 games, and that counts for something. Games played, IMO, is one of the most underrated stats in baseball (Rob Neyer had a great column on this a while ago, I'll look for it), and A-Rod played in all 162 games last year. With that in mind, Schmidt has the better argument.

Schmidt in 1980:

150 GP .286 BA .380 OBP .624 SLG 104 R 48 HR 121 RBI 12/17 SB 170 OPS+ 132 Runs Created

Schmidt finished 1st in the NL in HRs, RBI, SLG%, OPS, OPS+, RC, and XBH. He finished 2nd in Runs scored, and 4th in OBP.

Rodriguez in 2005:

162 GP .321 BA .421 OBP .610 SLG 124 R 48 HR 130 RBI 21/27 SB 167 OPS+ 151 Runs Created

Rodriguez finished 1st in the AL in HRs, runs scored, SLG%, OPS, and RC. He finished 2nd in BA, OBP, OPS+, and 4th in RBI.

It's not slam dunk for either, but A-Rod's 2005 season certainly ranks among the best.