Bottom line, 57% of the voters for the 2006 AL MVP did not feel that Derek Jeter was the man who should have won the award – because, if they did, then they would have ranked him #1 on their ballot.

On the flip side, 53% if the voters thought that Justin Morneau should be the MVP – because they ranked him #1 on their ballots.

Obviously, there was something there to make 57% of the voters feel that Jeter should not be the MVP. Was it the numbers? If so, that was a mistake by the voters.

It will be interesting to hear from that 57% over the next few days. I hope they all offer some feedback on their thoughts. Until then, all we can do is guess.

From MSG -

How fascinating it is, therefore, that Jeter failed to win the AL MVP award on Tuesday not because of his statistics, but probably because of intangible qualities. How ironic that his distant relationship with the last Yankee to win the MVP, Alex Rodriguez, very possibly cost him this honor.

I am not certain that outside influences can aid Rodriguez. It is most probable that he must work through these issues himself, gain a comfort zone in his skin and in New York by his own mechanisms. But I am sure of this, it does not help him in any way to have such a strained relationship with the player lined up beside him in the field.

Jeter and Rodriguez will attempt to tell anyone who will listen that their rapport is fine. But that is just not reality. That is something said by guys who are always protecting their images, guys who are selling to Madison Avenue and hardly want to be viewed as brewing anything close to dissension. However, from within their clubhouse and within their entourages, plenty of folks will tell you that there is no real fraternity between the two and that what exists, at best, is indifferent co-existence.

Jeter’s passion-less support could only be read for what it was: passive-aggressive hostility. It was read that way by his manager, his teammates and, most important, Rodriguez. Try as he might to project an edge of toughness, Rodriguez is soft, trapped in the strange conundrum of badly wanting his nemesis, Jeter, to like him. Heck, Rodriguez wants everyone to like him.

“Like sands through the hourglass… so are the Days of Jeter & A-Rod.”

I just noticed that John Walsh (at The Hardball Times) recently did a very detailed and logical analysis on Worm Killer Wang entitled “The Most Democratic Pitcher.” In the end, Walsh notes:

…seems to me that the cards are stacked ever-so-slightly against Wang having a 100-win career.

While I would normally agree with the similarity method approach that Walsh used in his study – heck, I’ve taken a (excuse the pun) similar approach here in the past – there’s one element of Wang’s game (these days) that I believe gets lost in these types of studies.

Chien-Ming Wang’s average fastball speed was 93.1 MPH in 2006 – I looked it up.

I would guess that hurlers like Ray Fontenot, Greg Hibbard, Chris Holt, and Joe Magrane were not averaging that on their heater.

This is why I now think Wang is an exception to the rules that usually apply towards career projections for below-average K-rate pitchers.

I like to believe that Wang has the stuff to whiff hitters, via 93 MPH gas, it’s just that he prefers to get outs quicker with grounders. But, then again, I’m a Yankees fan. So, it only makes sense for me to want to believe that Wang will go on to have a nice career in New York.

From George King (with a hat tip to BaseballThinkFactory.org) -

How close was the AL MVP voting that will be announced today? Throughout baseball yesterday an unsubstantiated rumor buzzed the landscape that Derek Jeter and Twins first baseman Justin Morneau had tied for the award.

However, nobody from MLB or the Baseball Writers Association of America confirmed the rumor.

Maybe the ESPN.com expert vote has people thinking this way?

Stats from this season via The Hardball Times and FanGraphs:

Ortiz, as always, had Ramirez to help him. Mauer had Morneau to help him. Who did Jeter have to help him? Giambi?

Giambi batted .233 in May, .186 in July, and .192 in September. That’s not much help. In fact, Giambi batted .204 this season when he batted third in the line-up.

I can’t say that Jeter will win the MVP this season. Nonetheless, if he does win, anyone who says that he did not deserve it is talking without looking at the stats.

The hard, cold, facts – meaning sabermetrics – clearly state Jeter’s case for winning the award.

From the News -

Next week, the No. 2 regarded Japanese pitcher, soft-throwing Hanshin Tigers lefty Kei Igawa, who was 14-9 and tied for the Central League in strikeouts last year, goes up for posting, and while the Yankees are expected to make a bid, they regard him as a back-of-the-rotation starter. In other words, they wouldn’t mind having him in the spring training mix, but aren’t going to go overboard for him.

Igawa won strikeout titles over in Japan in 2002, 2004 and 2006. He must have some sort of stuff, no?

From TSN.ca -

Chicago radio station ESPN 1000 reported Sunday that the Cubs have signed outfielder Alfonso Soriano to an eight-year contract worth approximately $136 million.

You can forget about those “A-Rod/Sweet Lou” reunion rumors now.

From the Post -

Former Yankee three-time World Series champion Scott Brosius will take over from Scott Carnahan, his head coach at Linfield College in McMinnville, Ore., starting in 2008. Carnahan will be Brosius’ pitching coach for the Division III program. “I am excited,” the Yankees’ third baseman from 1998 to 2001 tells The Post’s George King. “I have been an assistant the last few years and things worked out and led to the head coach. It’s a 40-game schedule and it won’t keep me away from my wife and [three] kids.” The classy Brosius doesn’t follow the Yankees closely but is aware Alex Rodriguez has had a tough time with the fans. “I would have been thrilled with those numbers,” Brosius said.

Brosius always seemed like the guy who you would want your daughter to marry. These kids will be lucky to have him.

In the summer of 1978, just around three-and-a-half months before my 16th birthday, I went to the Island Theatre on Staten Island to see a movie called “Animal House.” I’ll always remember that day because I laughed so hard, and long, during the viewing of that movie that I actually thought I was going to wet myself from the force of such laughter against the control my bodily functions.

Over 28 years has passed since that time and, while I’ve seen many funny movies since “Animal House,” I’ve never had that “laughed so hard for so long” experience again – until yesterday.

On Saturday afternoon, I went to see “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.”

Maybe there’s something wrong with me? Maybe my mind is more warped than the average person? But, I have to confess that I “laughed so hard for so long” while watching “Borat” that I actually had tears coming out of the sides of my eyes. True. And, while I never thought that I would lose control of my bladder yesterday, once the movie ended, it was almost impossible for me to drive home – as just the thought of some of the scenes from “Borat” had me still laughing that hard (even after it was over) that I could not see very well (with tears in my eyes again).

I share this in case you’re considering whether or not to go see “Borat.” If you have a good sense of humor, you owe it to yourself to go see this movie. Just use the bathroom before you go and be sure to drive home carefully afterwards.

If you really wanna to break someone’s arm, try this.

From the Philadelphia Daily News -

Maybe Philadelphia isn’t as gritty as New York. Maybe Citizens Bank Park doesn’t have the dank, congested charm of Yankee Stadium. Maybe the Delaware Valley isn’t as cosmopolitan as the Metro area.

That suits Wes Helms just fine.

Helms yesterday signed a 2-year deal worth $5.45 million with a club option for a third year. The soft-spoken Alabaman, who almost became a Phillie this time last year, said he took less money from the Phillies.

“It came down between the Yankees and the Phillies,” Helms said, and then listed why he chose Philadelphia. “I definitely wanted to stay in the National League. I knew all the pitchers. I knew all the hitters. I know where to play them in the field. Everybody I know who has changed leagues, it’s an adjustment period.

“It’s a more comfortable place for me to come to. I think it’s better for my family, also. I felt they’d be happier here than in New York.”

Apparently, he thinks he’ll be happier, too, starting at least part of the time at third base – instead of getting consistent playing time at first base for baseball’s most marquee team as the replacement for the departed Craig Wilson/Gary Sheffield experiment.

“The role was to play first base,” Helms said. “They were going to DH [Jason] Giambi. On the guaranteed side, they were a little higher [in salary]. But that’s just me. I’m going to go where I’m happy. I felt like this is where I needed to be.”

So, now, we know whoever the Yankees get to play 1B in 2007 will be “Plan B” (at best).

From the Cincy Post -

Whether or not [Alex} Gonzalez is the answer, the Reds will have to find a starting shortstop or second baseman to play alongside Brandon Phillips. It appears increasingly unlikely that Rich Aurilia will be the answer there. The Denver Post reported Friday that Aurilia could reach a multi-year deal with the Giants or Yankees as early as this weekend.

A multi-year deal for a 35-year old with little bat? Gee, I hope it’s going to be the Giants.

Aurilia, if I recall correctly, is a nice guy. And, I think his parents are still in the NYC area (Keyport NJ?). But, a multi-year deal for him makes no sense. If it was a one-year deal to serve as a back-up infielder, fine. But, otherwise, this makes little sense for the Yankees.

Here are the facts on Giambi, in terms of his Yankees contract.

He gets paid $21 million for 2007 and (again) in 2008.

After 2008, the Yankees can keep him for 2009 at $22 million or buy him out at $5 million (when Giambi will be 38-years old).

Even if Giambi maintains his current levels (in the ballpark of .250/.400/.500), I have to believe that the Yankees will go for that buyout at $5 mill (come the off-season of ’08-’09). Until then, since Jason’s contract has a full no-trade clause, he’s not going anywhere – unless he wants to move.

In a nutshell, Giambi’s Yankees career is at least 70% in the book. Since it’s mostly all written, what is Jason’s legacy in the Bronx?

Even just at a high level, is it a positive or a negative legacy? If I’m not sure, does this then mean that it has to be less than positive?

There’s a story going around that Hillenbrand is high on the Yankees shopping list this winter because “he bats right-handed and plays first base.”

I was not high on Shea when he was available this summer. And, I’m still not. His lifetime OWP is below five-hundred. He’s a supreme hacker who never takes a walk.

Basically, he’s a Scott Spiezio or Jose Valentin type hitter who some Yankees fans like because he once hit a homer off Mariano Rivera in 2002.

Signing him would be as stupid as it was for the Yankees to sign Todd Zeile back in December of 2002.

There’s a reason why Hillenbrand has been on four teams in four years. He’s a loser. Pass.

Alfred Aloysius Clark was a local boy from South Amboy (NJ) who played in 24 games for the Yankees during 1947 as a 24-year old outfielder.

He hit very well in those 24 games: .373/.417/.493 (BA/OBP/SLG).

Clark even pinch-hit for Yogi Berra in Game 7 of the 1947 World Series – getting a clutch RBI in the process.

What did the Yankees do with him after that? On December 11, 1947, New York traded him to the Cleveland Indians for Red Embree (a 30-year old so-so RHP).

Imagine the hooting and hollering today if the Yankees traded a young, local, kid like Clark – fresh off a rookie season and World Series At Bat like Allie had…it would be off the charts, no?

From Newsday -

With their starting rotation their greatest uncertainty, the Yankees likely will tell Scott Proctor — a pleasant surprise as a reliever in 2006 — to plan for next season as though he will be a starter.

“We’ll probably have him proceed and prepare as a starter, because you can always go the other way, slide him down and reduce his workload. But it’s hard to go the other way,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said yesterday as the general managers’ meetings concluded. “But that’s for another day.”

Cashman soon will deliver these likely instructions to Proctor, as the righthander has to work out according to the Yankees’ directives.

For the record, Proctor’s next major league start will be the second one in his big league career. Although, he did also start one game in Columbus in 2005 as well.

The last time Proctor was a true starting pitcher was 2002 in Double-A. He averaged about 5 IP per start in that season.

I’m hoping this is one of those “Bubba Crosby will be our center-fielder next year” things.

Not too shabby.

More than half the ballots had Worm Killer listed as number two. Overall, 75% had him in the top three. Nice showing, huh?

From contactmusic.com -

BLADE: TRINITY actress JESSICA BIEL is reportedly dating baseball star DEREK JETER after the pair were spotted in a Los Angeles club. The 24-year-old beauty spent the evening with Jeter at Hyde, a favourite haunt of LINDSAY LOHAN and PARIS HILTON, and they were seen leaving together, according to the New York Post. Halfway through the night, Biel visited the restroom and a gaggle of girls approached the New York Yankees shortstop, but he immediately dismissed them, suggesting he only has eyes for Biel. Jeter is no stranger to famous females – he has previously been romantically linked to MARIAH CAREY, SCARLETT JOHANSSON and MTV presenter VANESSA MINNILLO.

Regardless of the BBWAA vote, Jeter is the league MVP – Most Valuable Playa.

Whistler’s Daughter. Damn.

From Bob Klapisch -

The pitcher who’s been invisible for two years (while pocketing $20 million) is being touted by club officials as the rediscovered secret weapon. Pavano has a new attitude, the Yankees say, a new workout regimen, a new agent, all of which is supposed to make fans (and teammates) forget he’s been the greatest financial disaster in the club’s history.

Whether Pavano can ever restore his reputation remains to be seen. One major league executive said this week at the general managers’ meetings, “For whatever reason, I don’t think [Pavano] can or wants to pitch in the American League.”

He seemed like a perfect fit with the Yankees: tall and handsome, a Connecticut native who grew up rooting for the Bombers, he had the physical charisma and 90-something fastball to become a modern-day Mike Torrez.

But the Yankees soon realized Pavano lived in an angry haze, emotionally separated from his teammates, disdainful of the press, not particularly fond or impressed with the energy of the Stadium.

Indeed, on the day of his first start in pinstripes, Stadium employees were shocked to hear Pavano snap at his own mother for showing up at the ballpark with an “NY” painted on her cheek.

“You’re embarrassing me,” Pavano said in front of others in the executive lobby.

Yet, to this day, the Yankees continue to publicly support Pavano. GM Brian Cashman remains one of the pitcher’s strongest advocates, insisting, “every one of his injuries has been legitimate. He’s just been unbelievably unlucky.”

Industry peers, however, say Cashman would trade Pavano in a moment — if only someone who take him. But even if the Yankees were to assume a portion of the $20 million still owed Pavano, there are many teams who still wouldn’t touch him.

The agent keeps promising that Pavano will show up in spring training so completely remade, no one will recognize him, his mechanics, or his personality. Others disagree. One person close to the pitcher said, “Anyone who can sit around [on rehab] in Tampa and watch the Yankees on TV every night for two years, get paid, and not be bothered by it, there has to be something wrong there.”

At least we now know that it is possible for Pavano to be embarrassed. It’s just too bad that it’s his mother’s actions that bring cause for it – and not his own.

…and A-Rod, Sheffield, Mo and Posada are hanging out together at Jay-Z’s 40-40 Club. When Alex saw Gary, well, read it:

Alex Rodriguez spotted Gary Sheffield on a red carpet in Chelsea last night and wrapped him in a bear hug.

“Congratulations,” Rodriguez told Sheffield. “I’m happy for you.”

Times are changing. Fifteen years ago, you needed programs like “Tuesday Night Out” (where restaurants, etc., would grant discounts designed to get people out in NYC) to get a crowd going. Now, all you need is a charity poker tournament to raise money for the A-Rod Family Foundation.

I was just reading about Daisuke Matsuzaka in the Daily Yomiuri – and these items caught my eye:

After coming out of Yokohama High School as Japan’s biggest household name, Matsuzaka was a self-possessed little snot.

Matsuzaka still struggles with control early.

His lack of control, his fatal attraction to his fastball and his childish off-field demeanor all used to mark Matsuzaka as someone who needed to grow up in order to realize his supreme potential.

Nice of Theo to get Josh Beckett a matching bookend.

If you like “Yankees” stuff, you should check out the link at the main WasWatching.com index under BlogAds. Click on the image that reads “Tailgate Town.”

There’s some great holiday gift ideas there for the Yankees fan in your life. And, if you don’t have one, you can use me!

From Newsday -

On the free-agent market, the Yankees are more likely to let other teams spend the most on Jason Schmidt and Barry Zito, while taking a greater look at pitchers such as Miguel Batista, Adam Eaton, Woody Williams and Randy Wolf. They want to continue to create roster and payroll flexibility while growing their improving farm system.

Woody Williams will be forty next season. Pass.

And, I would rather see Tanyon Sturtze or Ron Villone in the Yankees rotation over Eaton. No…I’m not saying that I want Villone or Sturtze. What I am saying is how much I don’t want to see Eaton in there. Pass here too.

It sounds like a fair deal. I agree with the dollars – based on his track record and the market. Still, it would be nice if Mussina did not have to be the #1 or #2 man on the Yankees 2007 staff.

From Bloomberg.com -

For more than half a century, Bob Sheppard has greeted visitors to his workplace the same way: “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Yankee Stadium.”

The 96-year-old says he wants to keep on doing it when the New York Yankees move to their new ballpark in 2009.

“It would be a dream come true,” says Sheppard. Though he missed last season’s first home series with a hip injury, his health is good and his performance steady.

“Health permitting, it would be our dream as well to have him here as we move into the new facilities,” says Yankees Chief Operating Officer Lonn Trost. “He brings professionalism and nostalgia to the ballpark.”

Sheppard, a retired speech professor, has a contract that runs through 2007. When he began working for the team, he was paid $15 a game. While he won’t disclose his salary now, his son Paul, who handles his business affairs, says it’s a “very safe bet” that Sheppard is baseball’s highest paid public-address announcer.

“The new stadium is the thing that moves him at this point,” says Herb Steier, Sheppard’s best friend and driver for the past 15 seasons.

Steier, who himself is almost 80, has logged more than 75,000 miles (121,000 kilometers) since taking the wheel for their 33-mile, one-way journey between the Bronx ballpark and their Baldwin, Long Island, homes.

I hope I’m able to still work in my 80′s and 90′s – like these guys. Amazing.

Yesterday, here, I shared this quote from Red Sox G.M. Theo Epstein, which he made last summer:

“We’re never going to sell ourselves out just to get that one guy because we have to take a long-term view given our resources relative to the Yankees.”

However, now, we have this fact from ESPN.com -

The Boston Red Sox emerged Tuesday night as winners of the bidding for Daisuke Matsuzaka with a $51.1 million offer and have 30 days to sign the Japanese pitcher to a contract.

“We have long admired Mr. Matsuzaka’s abilities and believe he would be a great fit with the Red Sox organization,” Boston general manager Theo Epstein said. “Clearly, we believe Mr. Matsuzaka is a real talent.”

This is a great day in Yankeeland. From this point forward, any bitching from John W. Henry, Larry Lucchino and/or Theo Epstein about the Yankees payroll carries the same legitimacy as Pam Anderson lamenting about Dolly Parton’s cleavage.

WasWatching.com reader “Wade_Taylor” asked me to chime in on Free Agent starting pitcher Randy Wolf…so…here goes…

Wolf is young – he’ll pitch as a 30-year old next season – and a lefty starter. That’s always a good starting combination in terms of being an attractive free agent.

From 2000 until the time he needed Tommy John surgery in 2005, Randy was, at the worst, a league average pitcher.

You have to throw out the stats from 2006 when looking at Wolf – because that was post-rehab. Basically, Wolf in 2007 is like Jon Lieber in 2004 – meaning that next season will be his first full season after a full rehab from the surgery.

If I had to peg Wolf somewhere in the world of current LH-starters out there, I would say that he’s not as good as Andy Pettitte but he’s ten times better than Mark Redman.

Still, knowing Randy Johnson’s age and health, as well as Carl Pavano’s “history,” I would take Wolf as the the Yankees third starter in 2007, if I had to choose now, over Unit and Pav-Dog.

Wolf and Ted Lilly are sort of the same deal, to me, at this junction.

If the contract was decent, I would not moan too loudly about the Yankees picking up either one of them this winter.

From Phil Rogers -

Baseball sources indicated the Yankees have been acquiring young arms to help them trade for proven pitching. Their roster already included two attractive young relievers, Scott Proctor and Brian Bruney.

I swear, it wasn’t me.

Bruney is an interesting chip to have, at this moment. In the right deal, I would allow him to go. But, it really has to be the right deal.

From The Record -

Yet in losing Matsuzaka, the Yankees’ strategy might have been exposed. They could be content in signing a midlevel free agent such as Seattle’s Gil Meche, rather than chasing Zito or Schmidt simply because they’re the leaders of a weak free agent crop.

During this week’s GM meetings, the groundwork of potential trades will be forged, and Cashman — who already has made two trades in the last four days — promises to be a key figure.

The Yankees are on the verge of re-signing Mike Mussina to a two-year contract, reportedly worth $22 million. Cashman has shaved payroll by dealing Gary Sheffield for three Detroit pitching prospects and moving Jaret Wright to Baltimore for pitcher Chris Britton.

That leaves money to sign two more starters, and Igawa — a power lefty said to be posted soon by the Hanshin Tigers — is an intriguing alternative to Matsuzaka.

Meche long has commanded the Yankees’ attention, as has free agent Miguel Batista, who owns a live arm and has had success as a starter and reliever.

Kei Igawa? Gil Meche?

Actually, Miguel Batista could be a sleeper here. The last 6 years, he’s always been an above league average pitcher. As a starter, he’s always been good for near 30 starts and around 190 innings.

I would not sign him for huge money or for more than three years. In fact, I would want a team-option buy-out on the last year of a 3-year deal.

He’s probably only good for 12 wins (or so) in the Yankees rotation. But, he would be an excellent placeholder until someone like Clippard or Hughes is ready for the majors.

There’s much less risk with Miguel Batista than with Igawa and Meche.

From Ken Rosenthal -

Believe it or not, teams are contacting the Yankees about trading for right-hander Carl Pavano; the Rockies are one club that might have interest if the Yankees paid a portion of the $21 million that Pavano is owed over the next two seasons.

The Yankees, naturally, say they won’t give Pavano away; their public position is that they want him to get healthy and be productive. Still, it’s difficult to imagine the Yankees rejecting even a mediocre offer for a pitcher who has been a severe disappointment.

One rotation possibility that the Yankees might consider, with or without Pavano: Right-hander Scott Proctor, who was one of the team’s best relievers last season.

If the Rockies offer Aaron Cook for Pavano and cash, the Yankees should jump on it.

As far as Proctor, that’s a hard call. I love him out of the pen – but, Torre will kill in him that role again next year. Maybe a move to the rotation is a way to save him from Joe?