| | March 10
OK, the following may not directly relate to spring training, but we're going to write about it anyway.
One of the best aspects of spring is the arrival of the Stats Baseball Scoreboard. It's an annual book that goes beyond the raw numbers and box scores by asking questions about the game -- and finding some interesting answers.
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Rumor Central
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Matt Stairs doesn't like the rumors. He's heard his name mentioned in a possible deal to the Yankees and even though Oakland management has said Stairs isn't going anywhere, Stairs knows to not always believe management.
Anyway, the Yankees need a DH and Stairs obviously fits the bill, as he's a vastly underrated hitter and miscast as a right fielder. And considering the A's have Jeremy Giambi sitting on the sidelines without a job ...
Ramiro Mendoza is the name mentioned in the trade rumors. Now, Mendoza is a nice pitcher. His 4.27 career ERA (4.29 last year) is better than league average. He can start or relieve. But if he didn't pitch for the Yankees, nobody would know who he is.
Such a deal would probably help the Yankees more than the A's, although it's possible Giambi could come close to matching Stairs' .899 OPS (on-base + slugging) of a year ago and Mendoza would provide some much-needed depth to the staff. And the Yankees may be more concerned with David Cone or Roger Clemens breaking down than about their DH hole.
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We'll just a pull out a couple of our favorite nuggets. For the rest, you'll have to buy the book.
Did Martinez deserve to win the MVP Award? The Scoreboard folks show how Pedro Martinez saved 70 earned runs compared to the average pitcher over the course of his 213.1 innings. What about the top position candidates? Well, Pudge Rodriguez was 22 runs better on offense compared to the average catcher. Rafael Palmeiro (+52), Roberto Alomar (+58) and Manny Ramirez (+76) were much more dominating offensive players than Rodriguez.
Those totals don't reflect defensive value, but it appears the writers may have picked the wrong guy as MVP.
Which pitchers scored the highest? Some of you may be familiar with game score, a fun stat Bill James invented that measures a pitcher's dominance in a particular start. The highest nine-inning game score of all time was Kerry Wood's 20-strikeout game in 1998, which scored as a 105.
The highest game score last season was a 98, by Pedro Martinez (17 Ks, one hit against the Yankees) and Eric Milton's 13-strikeout no-hitter against the Angels. David Cone's perfect game scored 97. The best pitching "duel" of the season occured on Aug. 28, when Kevin Millwood pitched 10 shutout innings (96) and Darren Oliver tossed nine scoreless frames (84).
Is Guerrero on his way to immortality? At age 23, Expos right fielder Vladimir Guerrero became just the ninth player at that age or younger to reach a .300 batting average, 40 home runs and 120 RBI. The others: Mel Ott, Hal Trosky, Joe DiMaggio, Eddie Mathews, Hank Aaron, Orlando Cepeda, Jose Canseco and Alex Rodriguez.
The Scoreboard also looked at Guerrero's career totals to see the most similar players through the same age. Using a number they call "similarity score," the most similar player to Guerrero is ... Willie Mays. Others in the top 10 include Aaron, Juan Gonzalez, Joe Medwick, Duke Snider, Stan Musial, Joe DiMaggio and Frank Robinson. Besides Gonzalez, the only non-Hall of Famers on the list are Trosky and Tony Conigliaro.
Is the Brown the best travelin' pitcher ever? The Dodgers' Kevin Brown won at least 15 games for his fourth different team (Rangers, Marlins, Padres, Dodgers). Only four other pitchers since 1920 have also done this: Burleigh Grimes, Gaylord Perry, Rick Sutcliffe, Mike Torrez and Rick Wise.
Anyway, there are many, many fascinating tidbits like this in the book. It's worth a look.
Injury update
Devil Rays lefty Wilson Alvarez left Thursday's start after two innings with stiffness in his shoulder. Alvarez said it wasn't serious, but stay tuned.
Oakland's John Jaha has played in just one game as he's bothered by a bone spur on his left heel and plantar fasciitis on the sole of his right foot. Jaha had a huge year in '99, hitting 35 home runs with 111 RBI, but had suffered through injury-plagued seasons in '97 and '98. Remember that last year he didn't play until the final week of spring training.
Position battles
One of the best battles going on will be the Padres shortstop job: Chris Gomez vs. Damian Jackson. Manager Bruce Bochy has said the winner won't be decided until the final days of spring training.
So far, Jackson is off to the hot start. "It's still early, but I can tell you Damian is
playing as good as ball as you can play," Bochy said.
Other jobs to watch:
White Sox third base. Paul Konerko has been getting time there. Konerko came up as a third baseman with the Dodgers and if he can handle the position defensively, it could help boost the White Sox' offense. Frank Thomas has historically hit much better when playing first base, so Jerry Manuel would like to get Thomas some playing time in the field. It could also create some playing time for Jeff Liefer at first or DH. He has a better stick than Greg Norton or Craig Wilson, the other candidates at third.
Phillies left field. Can rookie Pat Burrell beat out Ron Gant? The question is more like this: Even if Burrell hits .500 this spring, will the Phillies bench a player making millions? Probably not. Burrell is hitting .154 and there is unlikely to be any takers for Gant. Expect Gant to start the season in left and Burrell in Triple-A.
Fantasy corner
Brian Giles. Draft him.
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ALSO SEE
Previous Rights (and Wrongs) of Spring
ESPN.com's spring training 2000 coverage
Exhibition roundup: Sosa sends two out of park for Cubs
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