Kuroda > Igawa

Reading Josh Kalk’s article on LA Dodger, Hiroki Kuroda, a Japanese import that has pitched extremely well for the Dodgers this season (and in the postseason), makes me wonder how the Yankees can be so terrible when it comes to evaluating Japanese pitching. Obviously, when you have clearcut talents like Yu Darvish or Daisuke Matsuzaka, the Yankees know about them, but, when you’re looking for useful, low-budget solutions from Japan (#4 of #5 starters), how can the team be so terrible at picking those guys out?

Kei Igawa is a symbol of failure for the Yankees (on many levels). Good thing he’s also the reason why they’ve overhauled their strategy when scouting players in Japan.

TBS Misses The Yankees

From the Atlanta-Journal Constitution:

Blame it on short series, politics and the New York Yankees.

That was the triple-play explanation Turner Sports gave Tuesday for the 20 percent drop in ratings for the first round of Major League Baseball playoffs.

The first 13 Division Series games averaged 4.3 million viewers, compared with 5.4 million in 12 games last year, according to Nielsen Media Research data supplied by Atlanta-based Turner Sports.

The Los Angeles Dodgers-Chicago Cubs game ended in a three-game sweep and was up against the highly watched vice presidential debate Thursday. The other series ended in four games.

And, with the Yankees and Mets not making the playoffs, postseason baseball for the first time in years lacks the bigger draw of a New York team.

I’m sure everyone will tune in next year, you know, when CC Sabathia is pitching for the Yankees…

Mussina Still Undecided

The Daily News spoke with Mike Mussina recently, asking him if he would return for the 2009 season. Moose told the paper that he’s currently content in his Pennsylvania home, spending time with his wife and kids and that he has not yet made a decision about next year. Many suspect that Mussina will retire, however, after having one of the best seasons of his career it may prove difficult to simply walk away from the game, especially with 300 wins practically in sight.

I certainly hope that he returns. If you’ve got enough gas to make it to the next stop, why not keep going?

Mo Has Surgery

Mariano Rivera had shoulder surgery today and is expected to resume throwing in about 3 months. Thanks to PA for the news.

Tuesday Morning Bits: AL East, Teixeira, Burnett, Manny

Let’s do this:

1. First, Joel Sherman (NY Post) has a set of solid reads out today. The first is fairly melodramatic as Sherman outlines how, exactly, the Yankees are still having a bad season, even though our year is over. The Rays and the Red Sox are mowing through their playoff competition and both teams are providing post-season experience to the multiple young players responsible for all their champagne showers. The AL East, as Sherman notes, will be the toughest it has been in years come 2009.

2. Sherman’s second read outlines the Yankees’ case for Mark Teixeira. He lists the usual pros (positives) in relation to signing Teixeira (e.g. defense, offense, etc.) and then juxtaposes them with a couple of cons (negatives). One con that is particularly interesting is that Teixeira suffers from the same affliction that seems to bother Alex Rodriguez. He’s a one-man show and a clubhouse detriment. Sherman seems to have forgotten Tex’s biggest fault—he’s a notoriously slow starter ala Robinson Cano (well, he’s not that bad, but I’m sure you get what I’m saying).

3. Next up, A.J. Burnett’s agent, Derek Braunecker, has pretty much clowned the Blue Jays through his highly suggestive comments regarding Burnett’s future. Basically, Burnett will opt out of his contract with Toronto (this is expected to happen relatively soon) and Braunecker notes that he is willing to play for the Yankees (among other teams, like Baltimore). With the AL East heating up like never before, I’m expecting the Yankees to make a big play for Burnett’s services. The Red Sox will definitely be in the mix for Burnett and would love to see him dominate the Yankee lineup in a Boston uniform.

4. Finally, for those who are hoping for a Manny-Bronx pairing, Scott Boras is reportedly seeking a 5-year deal worth $85 million. I doubt that the nearly 40 Ramirez will get that from anyone, so as of now, this is nothing more than a bargaining tactic. Boras also says that he wants a 10-year, $200 million contract for Mark Teixeira, which, frankly, will not happen (6-7 years for $125-130 could happen, though).

With Great Power…

From Ken Davidoff (Newsday):

First on tap for Brian Cashman, armed with a new, three-year contract, could be some renovations to the player development setup in Tampa. While Hal Steinbrenner backs Cashman’s vision of building from within, the Steinbrenner family would like to see a higher return on their investment and will allow Cashman to hire and fire if he so desires. Mark Newman has headed the Tampa baseball operations for most of the last 13 years.

I guess we won’t be seeing that advisory board after all…