Speaking of marathons, here is an interesting statistic about this year’s New York Marathon. Of the 50,740 runners who started the NYC Marathon, only 436 did not finish. The oldest finisher was 89 years old. How About that? Now, returning to baseball, I would like to offer my congratulations to the Red Sox organization and Red Sox Nation for winning the WS the right way. A sample of their sportsmanship was a full-page ad they placed in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch to say ‘thank you’ to the Cardinal organization and its fans. The letter signed by the Red Sox owner, chairman and president said, “The Midwestern welcome you extended to our team and our fans during this year’s hard-fought World Series is truly appreciated.” The placing of the WS trophy on the finish line of the Boston Marathon during the WS Parade was a fitting tribute to all those whose lives were affected by the Boston Marathon bombing. As a Yankee fan, I offer kudos to Red Sox Nation. Here is a flash about the Yankees cross-town rivals. The New York Mets have officially moved to a new radio station. Starting next year the Mets will be heard (if you are interested) on WOR (710-AM). This move was necessary since the Yankees signed a deal with WFAN, which had covered the Mets since the station’s inception in 1987.
As we all know baseball does not end after the World Series. Welcome to the “Hot Stove League.” For those of you who are not familiar with this term, the phrase does not refer to an actual league. It refers to all off-season rumors, trades, and re-signings, which occur during the time–period beginning with the end of the WS through the winter meetings to the beginning of spring training. My baseball blogs have not ended but will follow the Hot Stove League. Also, I will be presenting guest blogs, some written by the students in my Baseball and Statistics class at Quinnipiac University.
The Yankees have signed Jeter for a one year contract valued at $12 million. Since his option year contract was for $9 million, they actually gave him an extra three million. Yes, this was the right decision based on what Jeter has meant to the franchise. However, I am sure that this led to many fans buying season tickets after the announcement. This was an essential signing. Can you imagine Jeter playing for the Red Sox? As a Yankee fan, my answer is no. On the other hand, I can see Big Papi someday playing for the Yankees.
What about the other Yankee free agents. With many question marks about the opening day Yankee line-up and free agents able to sign with new teams beginning on Tuesday, Nov.5. Here is the latest news. The Yankees made one-year qualifying offers at $14.1 million (this amount is determined by baseball’s labor agreement) to their three top free agents on Monday, hoping to bring them back with short-term deals or at least receive draft choices if the players depart in free agency. The three players are Hiroki Kuroda, Robinson Cano, and Curtis Granderson. The players have until Nov. 11 to decide on the offers. If they decline and eventually sign with another team, the Yankees receive compensatory draft picks. Cano will definitely enter free agency. His agent is talking about $30 million for 10 years. Can you believe that? After all, I witnessed many times this year Cano’s lack of hustle. I would assign a 50% probability that Kuroda and or Granderson do take the one-year offer. Kuroda at 39 seems happy in New York and Granderson is coming off an injury plagued year. Having horrible years, the Yankees did not make offers to Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes. Both of these players need to leave the pressure of the Big Apple and start over with a new team. Look at the success A.J. Burnett had with Pittsburgh. Surprisingly, Boone Logan was not offered a contract.
Stay tuned for future Hot Stove information.