2006 MLB Playoffs

[Captain Japan]

The MLB playoffs start on Wednesday (Tokyo time). Hideki Matsui of the Yankees is of course Japan's most prominent represetative. But with his injury, Takashi Saito (above), closer for the Dodgers, probably had the best season of any Japanese player. So Taguchi is a utility outfielder for the Cardinals, but likely will get some at-bats. Let's use this space for playoff chatter. An intro article and the lineups are below...
Phenoms have been phenomenal
Young studs ready to make their postseason marks, too
MLB.com

Call it Generation Excellent.

Major League Baseball's 2006 freshman class has been classy, all right. The sport may have witnessed an unprecedented influx of young talent in roles of great responsibility.

Keeping with that theme, October's dance will be a coming-out party for a lot of these fresh faces. The DJ will definitely be spinning New Wave.

The rookies about to make their postseason debuts weren't just along for the ride. They fueled the playoff drives of their teams, which could not have made it without them.

These impact kids range from left-hander Justin Verlander, tied for the Detroit staff lead in wins two years after being drafted out of Old Dominion University, to Dodgers fuses Andre Ethier and Russell Martin, to the quartet of pitchers who turned Minnesota's season from woe to wonder (Boof Bonser, Matt Garza, Pat Neshek and, before felled by injury, Francisco Liriano).

Why, not even the venerable Yankees could snub the compelling trend....more...

Here are the matchups broken down...
Dodgers-Mets: Position analysis
Yankees-Tigers: Position analysis
Twins-A's: Position analysis
Padres-Cards:Position analysis

[mr. sparkle]

Padres vs. A's in the big dance. Duck the Fodgers. Let's keep it on the west coast baby!

[Blah Pete]

A's fan here. Support low budget baseball.

The big question is will Barry Zito stay after his contract expires?

[dimwit]

I don't think the A's have a hope of getting past the Twins for two reasons. Thr Twins have been the best team in baseball since May they own the A's at home. As for Zito, I would guess he will end up with (who else?) the Yankees.

[Greji]

I don't think the A's have a hope of getting past the Twins for two reasons. Thr Twins have been the best team in baseball since May they own the A's at home. As for Zito, I would guess he will end up with (who else?) the Yankees.

How does Santana do in the post season? So go the Twins!

[canman]

I don't think The Twins will win this, even though they have had a great run. Their pitching after Santana seems shackey and I like the way Oakland crushes the ball. They have a veteran team, with a great pitcher from Canada no less, so of course the A's will win.
I can't wait for the Yankees to lose in the first round and see George lose more money. Maybe he will cool his shopping spree and let baseball return to normal. I know its economics and whatever, but it just seems unfair that the Yankess can outspend everybody to get the best players. Now I know it backfires like the Carl Pavano deal, and the Jarred Wright deal for that matter. But how can the Bluejays and the Orioles, compete, when they have limited budgets. Lets not even talk about Tampa Bay.

[dimwit]

I don't think The Twins will win this, even though they have had a great run. Their pitching after Santana seems shackey and I like the way Oakland crushes the ball. They have a veteran team, with a great pitcher from Canada no less, so of course the A's will win.

Mind you the best Canadians in baseball at the moment is Justin Morneau of the Twins.

[Captain Japan]

The big question is will Barry Zito stay after his contract expires?

Not a chance. But I love Zito. Mulder had a good year last year but this year he was a waste. Hudson has been a bust for the Braves from the beginning. So it'll be interesting to see what happens to Zito when he moves on.

[Captain Japan]

How does Santana do in the post season? So go the Twins!

Since he can potentially throw in 2 of 5 games that is a huge edge for the Twins. Of course, they have to make it to the fourth game. I love Torii Hunter. Even with Morneau and Mauer, he was their biggest bat in September.

[Captain Japan]

Padres vs. A's in the big dance. Duck the Fodgers. Let's keep it on the west coast baby!

I like the way this got started. But if you insist on wandering down this silly path, let's add the appropriate description for a Giants fan:

In San Francisco, and as a SF Giants baseball fan, we take our batteries seriously. The bigger they are, the harder they fall.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Rome
Battery Chuck: Northern Californian]

Mr. Sparkle, I was in Reno over the weekend and caught the game on Friday. That wild pitch was brilliant! The entire sports book was filled with battery-chuckers. I stood up and raised my arms when the ball crossed the plate. All the chuckers glared at me (it was probably all they could do since they likely had left their batteries at home). Really, these people were crushed - in spite of having been eliminated from the playoffs weeks ago. Then Saito came in and set 'em down. It was great.

[GuyJean]

Go Lions!.. Oh, I mean, Tigers!..

GJ

[canman]

I had a feeling the Twins were in for a letdown. Now what are they going to do, they lost with their stud on the mound, who never loses at home. This will reallt shake their confidence and they might get swept. So much for home filed advantage.

[Greji]

I had a feeling the Twins were in for a letdown. Now what are they going to do, they lost with their stud on the mound, who never loses at home. This will reallt shake their confidence and they might get swept. So much for home filed advantage.

As I said Santana who? You cannot challenge Frank Thomas with high fast balls. His foul tips travel farther than most people's homeruns! The Twins need two miracle games by their starters until Santana (their only possible chance) can start and obviously, to keep out of the sweep!

[canman]

As much as I don't like the Yankees, I must say that Jeter is a stand up guy, and a credit to the game. I just wish that A-nob would learn a little from the captain. The Japanese announcers love to say that everytime Jeter does something.
Looks like the Mets are in trouble even before the series starts. No Pedro and now El Duque is hurting, this might be the help the Dodgers need. I hope Saito has a good series, as do all the Japanese players.

[Greji]

The Japanese announcers love to say that everytime Jeter does something.

I wonder if their media "Jeter Fan Club" has anything to do with a certain noted cute J-girl announcer who during the Yankee's season opening series in Japan last year, was seen quite early in the morning limping out of Jeter's hotel room, with an extremely wide smile on her face?

Looks like the Mets are in trouble even before the series starts. No Pedro and now El Duque is hurting, this might be the help the Dodgers need. I hope Saito has a good series, as do all the Japanese players.

I'm kinda with you on this. I'm not high on the Mets and do like Saito!

[Captain Japan]

I wonder if their media "Jeter Fan Club" has anything to do with a certain noted cute J-girl announcer who during the Yankee's season opening series in Japan last year, was seen quite early in the morning limping out of Jeter's hotel room, with an extremely wide smile on her face?

Rumors like this are useless unless we have names and photos.

And the Dodgers are down by a run in the 6th. They really need to take advantage of the El Duque situation.

[GuyJean]

As much as I don't like the Yankees, I must say that Jeter is a stand up guy, and a credit to the game..

Isn't that strange? I hate the Yankees.. But I like almost all the players individually..

Come on Tigers!.. Take at least one of the road games..

I'm hoping for Mets - Tigers WS... I can dream..

GJ

[Gilligan]

With the Twins down 0-2 in the series, unless the A's roll-over the way they usually do when up 2-0 in the divisional playoffs, we're likely headed for another "subway series" with the Skankees winning it all.

[Captain Japan]

Isn't that strange? I hate the Yankees.. But I like almost all the players individually..

Come on Tigers!.. Take at least one of the road games..

Verlander is getting the start tonight. He's just a kid. Should be a good game.

You mean to tell me you can like a guy like Damon, who bolted the Sox strictly for cash after winning the World Series? Then there is Sheffield. Great guy? Certainly a great head case. And what's to like about Randy Johnson - aside from the fact that he suckered Steinbrenner big time on that silly contract extension? Giambi is pathetic. Ever hear Michael Kay on a broadcast? Complete moron. The only guy associated with the team that I like is Jim Kaat. Very knowledgeable color man.

[Greji]

Rumors like this are useless unless we have names and photos.

What do you mean rumor hehehe. Get you own photos you pervert!

[canman]

I agree whole heartedly. For the most part I can't stand the Yankees players, other than Jeter, and Posada. Both of them do their job without much fuss or anything. You have to like a player who still bats without batting gloves, like Posada does.
I also hate Michael Kay, but Bobby Mercer has to be the worst. I like it when Ken Singleton and Jim Kaat call the games. Al Lieter is not too bad either, being only slightly removed from the game.
The white sox duo of the Hawk and some other idiot rank up there as pretty bad. I still love listening to Vin Skully calling a game though, what a master.

[GuyJean]

You mean to tell me you can like a guy like Damon, who bolted the Sox strictly for cash after winning the World Series? Then there is Sheffield. Great guy? Certainly a great head case. And what's to like about Randy Johnson - aside from the fact that he suckered Steinbrenner big time on that silly contract extension? Giambi is pathetic. Ever hear Michael Kay on a broadcast? Complete moron. The only guy associated with the team that I like is Jim Kaat. Very knowledgeable color man.

I like the way Damon plays.. Sheffield? don't really care.. The Big Unit? like his intensity.. Giambi? Looks like a drunkard in the bar; I like him for that alone..

Hate the Yankee announcers though..

GJ

[GuyJean]

I still love listening to Vin Skully calling a game though, what a master.

Total master..

GJ

[Gilligan]

I agree whole heartedly. For the most part I can't stand the Yankees players, other than Jeter, and Posada. Both of them do their job without much fuss or anything. You have to like a player who still bats without batting gloves, like Posada does.

Canman, I'd agree with you to a point. Posada's OK, and I have nothing against the way Jeter plays -- the guy definitely gives it his all. But, especailly defensively, he's completely over rated. And, if Jeter were such a great leader, he would have realized that A-Rod was a much better defensive shortstop than he is, and he (Jeter) would have volunteered to move to 3rd for the betterment of the team.

The other player that I would add to your list would be Rivera -- THERE'S a guy who plays at the highest level without any fuss or attempt to draw attention to himself.

Matsui almost makes the list because he's a truly classy guy who has the right attitude (and looks like Shemp), but he's created the biggest bunch of bandwagon Yankee fans known to man (and Japanese bandwagon Yankee fans are MUCH worse than New York bandwagon Yankee fans because while neither really knows diddly about the team, the New York bandwagons are actually interested in whether or not the Yankees win), and for that he can NEVER be forgiven.

[Greji]

Canman, I'd agree with you to a point. Posada's OK, and I have nothing against the way Jeter plays -- the guy definitely gives it his all. But, especailly defensively, he's completely over rated. And, if Jeter were such a great leader, he would have realized that A-Rod was a much better defensive shortstop than he is, and he (Jeter) would have volunteered to move to 3rd for the betterment of the team.

A-Rod has lost the range with his weight and besides, in pro ball, you don't volunteer, the coaches will place the players and even if the guy wants to play somewhere else, the coaches will decide. If it goes beyond that, the manager settles it. The only appeal after the manager's decision, is buying a plane ticket for home.

I can't believe everyone is naming all these Yankee players and no one has mentioned Robinson Cano! He almost won the batting title and was just a point behind Jeter. He carried them for getting on base and getting that run or just getting it going. If he stays genki, he's going to be a great ballplayer (make that greater)!

[Gilligan]

and besides, in pro ball, you don't volunteer, the coaches will place the players

Regardless of how true that is in general, A-Rod not only openly volunteered to move to 3rd while the Yankees and Rangers were negotiating the deal, Steinbrenner publicly praised him for doing so. And while I don't believe Jeter said anything that got printed, it was rumored that he had made it clear to Torre that he did not want to move.

I can't believe everyone is naming all these Yankee players and no one has mentioned Robinson Cano! He almost won the batting title and was just a point behind Jeter. He carried them for getting on base and getting that run or just getting it going. If he stays genki, he's going to be a great ballplayer (make that greater)!

Actually, while Cano had a very good on base percentage, not only was it still lower than Jeter's, Giambi's, Rodriguez's, and Posada's, it was largely a function of his batting average. In fact, while he played in 122 games, he drew only 18 walks; to put that in perspective, Matsui played in only 51 games and drew 27 walks, and Melky Cabrera played in about the same number of games as Cano (130) and drew 56 walks. So I'd have to say the jury's still out on Cano; but since he's only 23, you'd have to expect him to become a little more patient at the plate and turn into a premier 2nd baseman within the next 3-4 years.

[Greji]

Regardless of how true that is in general, A-Rod not only openly volunteered to move to 3rd while the Yankees and Rangers were negotiating the deal, Steinbrenner publicly praised him for doing so. And while I don't believe Jeter said anything that got printed, it was rumored that he had made it clear to Torre that he did not want to move.

I won't say you're wrong in this case, but I think that the A-Rod deal was treated so tenderly until they got him aboard, I don't know if we will ever know the actual truth. I do know that there was a lot of talk before about A-Rod loosing alot of range because he was putting on more bulk, but I don't know how that would have effected the Jeter position, if at all. Still all that being said, Jeter is a very functional shortstop and he has a good enough arm to cover his lack of other abilities. He will never be in Ozzie Smith's class, but when compared to the A-Rod of today, I don't think he would come up that short.

[quote]So I'd have to say the jury's still out on Cano]

You may well be right, except I would say the work and time he needs, is more out in the field. He was a pretty good clutch hitter last year and he increased his power this year. I don't personally think hitting over .340 is a flash in the pan, since he did get over 480 ABs. I could be wrong, but I think he is coming into his own as a hitter and is just going to get more solid!

Nobody wants to say it, but the guy who could have the most worry is Matsui. His fan base and Japanese TV contracts are a great reason for keeping him around, however, he could become tradeable very easily. He has to keep hitting in the clutch and keep his RBIs up. There are a lot of people around the majors that can hit 25-35 dingers and hit right around .300. The difference is they can all play a reasonable amount of defense. Matsui is only passible at that at best and with little to no arm. Only time is going to tell how much this injury has affected his swing. Also, if the Japanese networks ever drop him down in their ratings, which they can and will do to any sports star in an Okinawan heartbeat and if his numbers start to sag with that, he may have to start worrying about packing a bag.

[Gilligan]

Nobody wants to say it, but the guy who could have the most worry is Matsui. His fan base and Japanese TV contracts are a great reason for keeping him around, however, he could become tradeable very easily. He has to keep hitting in the clutch and keep his RBIs up. There are a lot of people around the majors that can hit 25-35 dingers and hit right around .300. The difference is they can all play a reasonable amount of defense. Matsui is only passible at that at best and with little to no arm. Only time is going to tell how much this injury has affected his swing. Also, if the Japanese networks ever drop him down in their ratings, which they can and will do to any sports star in an Okinawan heartbeat and if his numbers start to sag with that, he may have to start worrying about packing a bag.

I understand your point, and if they think that Cabrera can handle the position, you may very well be right. But Cabrera only hit .280 with 7 homers (and a .752 OPS). When you consider that, as you said, Matsui has averaged .297 and 23 homers (and a .857 OPS) in 3+ seasons, it might be a little early to get rid of him just yet. As to other options, keep in mind that only 6 AL outfielders posted numbers close to those this past season, and I highly doubt any those guys will be changing teams in the off-season.

And while wrist injuries are always an issue, it doesn't seem to have bothered hmi to this point, and after a couple more weeks, he'll have the whole winter to re-hab it.

[Greji]

I understand your point, and if they think that Cabrera can handle the position, you may very well be right. But Cabrera only hit .280 with 7 homers (and a .752 OPS). When you consider that, as you said, Matsui has averaged .297 and 23 homers (and a .857 OPS) in 3+ seasons, it might be a little early to get rid of him just yet. As to other options, keep in mind that only 6 AL outfielders posted numbers close to those this past season, and I highly doubt any those guys will be changing teams in the off-season.

And while wrist injuries are always an issue, it doesn't seem to have bothered hmi to this point, and after a couple more weeks, he'll have the whole winter to re-hab it.

That's true, but what I am saying is should they decide to deal for someone and names start flying around, there are not to many to choose from in the outfield. As long as his numbers are up and the J-media is all over the Yankees, he's safe, but in this business you never know! How many clubs has A-Rod been with and he isn't 30 yet, is he?

[Gilligan]

That's true, but what I am saying is should they decide to deal for someone and names start flying around, there are not to many to choose from in the outfield. As long as his numbers are up and the J-media is all over the Yankees, he's safe, but in this business you never know! How many clubs has A-Rod been with and he isn't 30 yet, is he?

Fair enough.