Bobby Abreu, California Dreamin'

Reports surfaced Tuesday that the Los Angeles Angels have come to an agreement with free agent Outfielder, Bobby Abreu. The deal is believed to be a 1 year contract for 5 million dollars, with incentives the deal could reach up to 8 million dollars. Obviously, with the loss of Mark Teixeira and Garret Anderson, the team needed to add another impact bat to slide in between Vladimir Guerrero and Torii Hunter. The Angels are a team built to win now. With an extremely strong pitching staff, the signing of Abreu should provide them with just enough offense to stay on top of the AL West.

While Abreu has never been the biggest star, or the most well known name, he has been one of the most consistent players in the Majors over the course of his 13 year career. He has put together 8 seasons of over 100 runs and walks and 7 seasons of over 100 RBIs. Also he is one of three players in the history of the game to have 200 Home Runs, 300 stolen bases with a .400 on-base percentage. The other two, 2008 1st Ballot Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson and All-time Home Run King Barry Bonds.

At 35 years of age and entering the latter part of his career, Abreu has still been one of the most productive players in baseball. His statistical averages over the last 3 seasons have ranked in the top 25 in baseball in several key categories. He’s ranked 8th in BB (94), 12th in Runs (107), 14th in 2Bs (40), 15th in Stolen Bases (26), 17th in OBP (.387), 20th in RBIs (103), and 25th in Hits (171). Not only that he has also averaged 157 games played over the last 3 seasons. This is a great signing for the Angels, that should greatly increase their chances of playing some important games come October.

-Robb Lennahan

Big Donkey a National Treasure

As reported by ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Washington Nationals and Adam Dunn have agreed to a 2 year contract worth $20 million. The deal could be announced later today. If by any chance, you are one of the few people who hasn’t realized how badly the economy has effected the free agent class, this signing should do it for you.

In years past, a player of Dunn’s caliber has been able to essentially write their own ticket. Two short years ago, long term deals from a number of teams would have been something Dunn would have been fielding the moment he filed for free agency. Even though he is only a career .247 batter, this is a player with 5 consecutive seasons of 40+ homers, 90+ RBIs, and 100+ walks. Those are definitely numbers that can help any team.

Baseball Reference cites JD Drew as the 10th most comparable hitter to Dunn and he received a 5yr-70 million dollar contract from Boston in 2005. Troy Glaus, the 6th most comparable hitter through the age of 28, received a 4yr-45million dollar deal from Arizona in 2005. Unfortunately for Dunn, it’s 2009 and my how the times have changed. 2 years at 20 million from the lowly Washington Nationals was the best he could muster, less than 2 weeks from the start of spring training, mind you.

You might just think he held out for the most money he could get in a weak market. This could be true, but I think a player who’s never been on a winning team for his entire 8 year career (save his 44 games with Arizona in ’08 where they went 22-22) would take a few million dollars less to have a chance to at least be on a .500 team.

His signing with the Nats almost ensures his streak of sub .500 teams will run to an even 10 years. This is a great move for the Nationals, though. They get some pop, maybe generate a little fan excitement and sell a few more seats. For Dunn though, all he gets is $20 million and 2 more years of going home at the end of September.

-Robb Lennahan

Alomar being sued by Ex-Girlfriend, alleges AIDS

From the story in today's New York Post Kati Cornell wrote:

Former Met star Roberto Alomar had unprotected sex with his ex-girlfriend while he had full blown AIDS, a sensational lawsuit charges. In the $15 million action filed in Brooklyn Federal court, Ilya Dall, of Queens, said the ballplayer tested positive for HIV in 2006 and a doctor later told him he had AIDS.

Dall said she tested negative for the disease - but is claiming punitive damages for emotional distress. She also claims her children were exposed to the virus.

Alomar, 41, a 12-time All Star, who retired from baseball in 2005, began dating Dall in 2002, and began having unprotected sex with her a short time later, according to the suit.

Her suit does not claim that he knew he had AIDS when they were having unprotected sex - but he had reason to think he might because his doctors kept advising him to be tested. He procrastinated and told her he was disease free, the suit says. In 2004, she said, she noticed he had cold sores. The following year he was diagnosed with a blood disorder that's linked to AIDS, the suit says.

Also in 2005, Alomar told Dall that when he once was raped by two Mexican men after playing a Ballgame in New Mexico, according to the suit.

Other symptoms began to develop, she says, including erectile dysfunction , a chronic cough, and fatigue.

A doctor insisted that the longtime second baseman take an HIV test, but Alomar continually refused, the suit charges.

In January 2006, the suit alleges, he finally got tested and it was positive. Nine days later, doctors discovered a mass in his chest, and a spinal tap revealed that he had full blown AIDS.

Alomar's two seasons with the Mets were considered disappointing , but he is considered a possible Hall of Fame candidate and may be elected when he becomes eligible next year.

But he will forever be remembered for an ugly incident in 1996 when, as a member of the Baltimore Orioles, he spat in the face of umpire John Hirschback during an argument over a called third strike.

He was suspended for five games. At the time there were allegation that the ump used a slur against Alomar, but that was never proven. Alomar's father, Sandy, is the Mets bench coach. His brother, Sandy Jr., is a Met instructor.

[My take: And we thought A-Rod had it bad. This is just plain bizarre. ]

Favre Retires...Again

In non-baseball news, Brett Favre's agent has informed the Jets that he will not be returning and has decided to retire. What started out as a promising season for Favre and the Jets, turned out to be a total embarrassent. Too bad for Brett, he could have gone out on a high note such as this...




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Projected 2009 Standings

Baseball Prospectus just released the first set of 2009 projected standings (here). Rob Neyer of ESPN wrote about possible headlines about these standings (here). There is a brief description as to how BP came up with the projections, using what seems to be a very well-thought out scientific process. In light of this Jersey Hardball would like to release its first projected standings, which are, completely unscientific. Of course, with so many free agents still available, these are subject to change.

Reinstate Shoeless Joe and Charlie Hustle

(Shoeless Joe Jackson, Pete Rose)

Baseball needs damage control. Just when you thought the whole Arod frenzy was bad enough today we are greeted with Miguel Tejada being charged with lying to Congress about steriod use in baseball. Not only that, if convicted he faces up to a year in prison. Can commissioner Bud Selig do anything to make the media and fans forget all this? Absolutely not.

He can provide a nice little distraction though to make the nearly 3 months to opening day a little less stressful on Major League Baseball. What is it, you ask? Simple reinstate Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson. Think about it Bud. Hold a press conference announcing that in light of the recent steriod problem in the game, you’ve made the decision to reinstate two of the best players in the history of the game. The decision on Shoeloess Joe should be an easy one. It should have been a decision made long ago. Banned from baseball for allegedly taking part in the 1919 Black Sox scandal, when members of the team participated in throwing the World Series, his performance clearly indicates his innocence. In the World Series his .375 batting average and 12 hits were the most from either team.

Pete Rose, on the other hand, is no angel. Banned for life for gambling on the game, Rose has admitted his mistake and after years of denial finally come clean. Yes, he says he did bet on his own team but he never once threw a game because he never once bet on his team to lose. Rose was a fiercely competitive player and he showed it on the field everyday. He played the game hard and he played the game to win. Evident by his three World Series Rings. In this steriod era that we are now in Rose’s statistical achievements are his greatest support for reinstatement. He remains the all time leader in hits with 4,256 and games played with 3,562. Also included in his resume are a Rookie of the Year award, 3 Batting Titles, 2 Gold Gloves, one MVP award, and 17 All-Star appearances.

We are in a time of the game where every player is guilty by association. Some writers are proclaiming to never vote a player from this era into the Hall of Fame. I think its time for Mr. Selig to reinstate Rose and Jackson and announce both of their names will appear on the next Hall of Fame ballot. Baseball can no longer keep two of its all time greats out of the Hall, when the greats of today have already confessed or been accused of cheating on the field. Nothing will make the fans forget the steriods and the lies but opening baseballs doors to Rose and Jackson , while long overdue, certainly will be a nice distraction.

-Robb Lennahan

Poll

Will 2009 be Amazin' for the Mets?

Mets fans should be thrilled that the team has addressed their ineffective and at times just plain awful bullpen from a year ago. But aside from the aquisitions of K-Rod and J.J. Putz, the Mets haven’t done enough to solidify their place in the NL East. After all, they do have to contend with the defending champion Phillies and the Braves, who have made major upgrades this offseason.

Omar and the Mets organization seem to have figured that their only problem last year was their dreadful bullpen and that two stellar relief pitchers will get the Mets over the hump. There have been other moves, but I don’t see how the signings of Alex Cora, Freddy Garcia, Casey Fossum, and Tim Redding has anyone in the National League having nightmares about facing the Mets this year.

The offense is essentially the same team as a year ago. Although, they scored the second most runs in the NL, you can't bet on Carlos Delgado to match last year's production. Furthermore, the bottom half of the lineup will be a concern considering Luis Castillo only had 15 more RBI’s then the pitching staff of the Mets last season. This year you can put the house on the pitching staff to drive in more runs than Castillo.

As for the starting rotation, the top four starters are the same in Santana, Pelfrey, Maine, and Perez. Tim Redding, Jonathon Niese, and Freddy Garcia will battle it out for the fifth and final spot. Not a bad group at all, however, Mets fans should have have their fingers crossed every time someone other than #57 takes the mound.

The Mets do have some young talent looking to make a splash this year. We may be seeing a lot more of Jonathon Neise who should find a role in the bullpen and as a spot starter. Fan favorite, Daniel Murphy should find himself in the starting lineup at one position or another. He had a solid debut in 2008 and will be looking to build on that. Also, fans should get their first peek at Fernando Martinez around September.

Burning Questions:

Will this be the year David Wright contends for the MVP award?

Will Carlos Delgado and Fernando Tatis find the fountain of youth once again?

Will K-Rod and J.J. restore the bullpen?

Can Mike Pelfrey solidify himself has a number 2 starter?

Will we see another choke job in September?

-Eabad Ali

BOLD Predictions for the 2009 Season:

(Johnny Cueto and Edinson Volquez)

• The Reds will eek past the Cardinals to finish 2nd in the NL Central and they will contend for the Wild Card. Youngsters Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto will become a solid 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation. Combined with their power bullpen, they and the Reds will finish with their first +.500 season since 2000.
  

• The A’s make it interesting the AL West for a change. After winning the division by 7.5 games in ‘07 and 21 games in ‘08, the Angels, minus Mark Teixeira, Garrett Anderson, and Francisco Rodriguez will feel the heat from Oakland. I don't expect Oakland to win out, but they will sure make it a tight race.
  

• The Rays have only improved and will stay on top of the AL East. Plus, they are still the most athletic team in the Bigs. The addition of Pat Burrell and a full year from David Price won't hurt either. I wouldn't consider this as that bold of a prediction but I know most others do.
  

• Joe Girardi becomes the first manager fired. Entering a brand new stadium after spending $400+ million on the free agent market, he will fill the role of scapegoat when the Yankees are not leading the division come June.
  
  Of course this is as of right now, February 10th and with so many free agents still left unsigned I may want to retract these statements come April 5th.

-Robb Lennahan