Yesterday Tom Verducci of SI.com showed that James Shields and Cole Hamels have very similar career stats. However, Hamels was called up a little earlier giving him “Super Two” status, thus making Hamels arbitration-eligible a year earlier than Shields.
Verducci argues that the Super Two status is the reason that Hamels’ salary will be more than twice as much as Shields’ salary from 2007 through 2011 ($21.4MM vs $9.6MM). In fact Verducci tries to argue that calling Hamels up early and giving him two extra starts in May 2006 cost the Phillies over $11 million.
Clearly Hamels’ Super Two status meant more money, but it was far from the only reason he will make more than Shields.
Other reasons Hamels will make more money…
While their stat lines are similar now, Shields stat line was much different when he signed his contract.
Hamels is left-handed, Shields is not.
Hammels was a first round pick. Shields was selected in the 16th round. While that means little now, it does mean that more is expected from Hammels.
Shields missed an entire season due to an arm injury while in the minors. Hammels has never suffered a major arm injury [Ed note: see comments]. While we are six seasons removed from Shields’ injury, it is something that at least needs to be considered moving forward.
Hamels signed his deal after helping the Phillies win a World Series. Shields contract came after the Rays won 66 games.
On his way to winning a World Series, Hamels was named NLCS MVP.
Hamels was also named World Series MVP.
Did we mention that Hamels will soon own a World Series ring?
But the biggest reason is that if you were to poll 30 GMs, and ask them who they would rather have anchoring their rotation for the next three years (ignore the contracts), 29 of them would pick Hamels. And that is only because Brian Sabean prefers to do just the opposite of what is logical.
In other words, the contracts are about right. This is not a knock on James Shields. He is a great pitcher. But he is not Cole Hamels.
Frankly, it was quite a stretch for Verducci to compare the contracts and an even bigger stretch to say that two starts in early 2006 cost the Phillies $11.8 million. We expect better from Verducci than a piece that smells like a diaper filled with Indian food.
Cold reality check for remaining free agents, plus more notes [SI.com]
DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…
Apparently Pat Burrell is holding on to his money a little tighter these days, knowing he will only make $7 million in 2009, maybe half what he thought he would be making when free agency began. The Fightins brings us video of a vintage car auction in which Burrell is one of the final two bidders, but isn’t willing to go beyond $190K for the 1967 Plymouth Barracuda…By the way, listening to the auctioneer’s voice in the video clip will be the most horrific sounds you hear today. Consider yourself warned. [The Fightins]
As we reported yesterday, the Rays failed to reach agreements with Dioner Navarro and Willy Aybar. All sides have now submitted figures for arbitration. Navarro is seeking $2.5 million while the Rays are offering $2.1 million. We projected Navarro at $2.3 million. Aybar is seeking $1.05 million, while the Rays are offering $900K. We projected Aybar at $1.0 million. If we split the difference on Navarro and Aybar, we missed on our original arbitration projections for the 5 players by a grand total of $289K, of which $200K was from Grant Balfour’s deal. And the $7.911 million for the five players is only $111K more than the $7.8 million we projected. [Rays Report]
In the same piece we learn that Dewon Day cleared waivers and has accepted an assignment to Durham, with an invitation to spring training. [Rays Report]
Rocco Baldelli took out a half-page ad in the St. Pete Times thanking the Tampa Bay fans. [The Heater]
At 2pm et today, the MLB Network will be airing the Rays May 13 extra-inning win over the Yankees. [MLB]
The St. Pete Times is reporting that Major League Baseball has already postponed tonight’s continuation of game 5. According to the press release from MLB, the game is tentatively scheduled for 8:37pm tomorrow (Wednesday). Don’t think Fox TV’s desire to keep “House M.D.” from being postponed was not a factor in this decision.
As for the Rays, this postponement means very little for the pitching staff. Joe Maddon will still go with Grant Balfour (or David Price) to start the final three and a half innings of game 5. Maddon will also likely stay with James Shields and Matt Garza as his games 6 and 7 starters.
One change could be the availability of the other starters in a potential game 7. If game 5 is completed tomorrow, games 6 and 7 would be held on Thursday and Friday (Halloween). Andy Sonnanstine would certainly be available on Friday (4 days rest) but conceivably he could also throw on Thursday in game 6 out of the bullpen. Also, Scott Kazmir could be available out of the bullpen in a potential game 7 (not that we would recommend that).
As for the Phillies, Charlie Manuel could choose to bring Cole Hamels back on three days rest to start a potential game 7. Hamels only threw 75 pitches last night.
Click on above images to be taken to full standings, box scores or schedule…
THE GOOD: No more Cole Hamels. The Rays are now 3 and a half innings away from sending the series back to the Trop and regaining home field advantage. And with last’s night game being suspended, they know Hamels is done for the series. Hamels only threw 75 pitches and despite the run in the 6th inning, he probably would have been good for at least one more inning…No more Scott Kazmir. While the suspended game cost the Phillies at least one inning from their ace, the Rays were already into their bullpen with Grant Balfour pitching the 5th inning…BJ Upton’s baserunning. We think it is safe to say that Upton’s trip around the bases in the 6th inning is enough to erase the 724 base running gaffes committed during the regular season. After reaching on an infield single, it was imperative that Upton get into scoring position with 2 outs. Despite 4 pickoff attempts, a tricky lefty on the mound and the River Jordan standing between he and second base, Upton got a great jump and stole second base easily. But Upton saved his best baserunning for last. When Carlos Pena drove a single into left-center, Upton first had to traverse the mud between second and third. The toughest part was then rounding third, crossing into the soaked grass while turning at near-full speed. You could see the strain on Upton’s face just to stay up-right as he raced home, slid past the catcher and slapped home plate. If the Rays go on to win the World Series, it is not hyperbole to wonder if that will go down as the biggest baserunning play in World Series history, on par with Dave Roberts’ stolen base in the ’04 ALCS.
THE BAD: Scott Kazmir. 103 pitches in 4 innings. 6 walks. Of course, maybe we should label that “Good” considering Kazmir gave up 4 hits, 6 walks and hit a batter in 4 innings and somehow only allowed 2 runs…Baserunning gaffes. In the first inning, Carl Crawford hit a line drive that Jimmy Rollins dropped. Crawford had stopped running. Otherwise he would have beat the throw to first. In the 5th inning, Rocco Baldelli led off the inning with a pop up that was dropped by Rollins. Baldelli could have easily made it to second base and yet was standing on first when the play ended. That was followed by Jason Bartlett grounding into a double play.
THE TELLING: Joe Maddon stated after the game that Grant Balfour would be his pitcher to start the 6th inning. Balfour only threw 9 pitches last night and would not have been available to pitch tonight had Maddon used somebody else to start the 6th inning. The other option would have been to go with David Price who is a starting pitcher and would be used to the typical pregame routine. Of course, with Cole Hammels due to lead off the bottom of the 6th, it is possible that Maddon is starting with Balfour to force the Phillies to use one of their left-handed pinch-hitters and then will substitute David Price without Balfour throwing a pitch…This wouldn’t have happened in The Trop…Joe Maddon moved Carl Crawford up to the 2-spot in the lineup shifting BJ Upton, Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria down a spot. Maddon said he wanted to tweak the lineup but didn’t want to do anything too drastic…The Rays had already checked out of their hotel and had to bus 30 miles to Wilmington, Delaware to find a place to stay.
DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…
Bud Selig insists that he informed both teams prior to the game that a World Series game would not be shortened, only suspended no matter what the score. However, players in both clubhouses were unaware of the rule change and Rays players insisted they thought they were in their final at bat in the 6th inning. [Yahoo! Sports]
Joe Posnanski says baseball should have never let the game start, saying they used “reasons that defied every bit of logic and sports-sense imaginable.” [Kansas City Star]
Rob Neyer wonders why the game wasn’t suspended after the 5th inning with the score 2-1 Phillies. Some Phillies fans are a little upset to say the least. [ESPN]
Jayson Stark says that no matter what happened before and what happens next, this series will always be remembered for the rain. [ESPN]
Gary Shelton says the Rays are not dead yet and if the Rays go on to win the World Series, they should add some infield mud to the trophy case. [St. Pete Times]
Joe Maddon said that he does not buy Joe Blanton’s explanation that it was just dirt on his cap. [St. Pete Times]
John Schlegel points out that rain delays and postponements are nothing new in the World Series. [MLB]
A Top 10 list of reasons last night’s game was suspended. [Big League Stew]
Because the best cure for a bad “Hangover” is a good “Happy Hour”.
That cute little Rayhawked, bespectacled fella is part of the new logo over “The Heater“, Marc Topkin’s blog at the St. Pete Times.
He sure is cute. But he looks a little familiar. Hmmm? Where have we seen him before? What could it be? Is it that he has a more famous cousin?
DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…
Rocco Baldelli will start in right field tonight, while Cliff Floyd will be back at his customary DH slot. [Rays Report]
Badsnap wonders if Derryl Cousins would be working the World Series if Boston had won the ALCS, noting that Cousins collarbone is only bruised and not broken. [Badsnap]
Joe Maddon was named the Manager of the Year by the Sporting News. [The Heater]
Some quotes from the Phillies suggest that Scott Kazmir was tipping his pickoff move. [Yahoo! Sports] [via Fanhouse]
“We saw some things…We can put some pressure on teams if they give us something to key off of.”Davey Lopes
“I don’t want to say too much because we have games left…I will say with Davey, we’re an aggressive baserunning team.”Jayson Werth
On a side note: For the younger crowd that are not familiar with Davey Lopes, just look at his career numbers to get a clear indication as to how differently the game is played these days on the basepaths. The dude once stole 77 bases and was 47 of 51 at the age of 40! Amazing. And having watched Lopes (at least towards the end of his career) he was not that fast. [Baseball-Reference]
Jon Heyman: “But for one night, in the biggest game of their lives, the 97-win Rays reverted to their previously sour history in their 3-2 Game 1 defeat to the Phillies.” Huh-wha?!? Jon does know this is baseball right? Sometimes, even good teams lose a game. Or is this going to be the Heyman’s mantra for the rest of time. Anytime the Rays lose a game, they will have “reverted to their previously sour history”. Jesus Jon! They lost by 1 run to a one of the best lefties in baseball. The old Devil Rays would have lost that game 10-1. (thanks Charles) [SI.com]
It seems a bit strange to use alcohol as the vehicle to celebrate the success of any athlete, but it is even more strange when the New York Times uses champagne and beer as a vehicle in a story about Willy Aybar, who once spent three months in alcohol rehabilitation. [New York Times]
Four drained bottles of booze in the locker of a recovering alcoholic would be cause for concern in most workplaces. In the Tampa Bay Rays clubhouse, the empty Champagne and wine containers in Willy Aybar’s cubicle are considered 100 percent proof of a rebirth, not a relapse.
Ratings from game 1 were down 14% from last year but are comparable to the 2005 World Series between the White Sox and Astros. [Bloomberg]
Hidden behind the “Insider” curtain, Buster Olney looks closer at Evan Longoria’s at bats last night to see how Cole Hamels was able to dominate the Rays. [ESPN]
The first pitch that Evan Longoria saw from Cole Hamels, in Longoria’s first at-bat of the World Series, was a changeup. And with a 1-1 count, Longoria saw another changeup, and then another, and he struck out swinging. Three changeups among the first four pitches, but what Longoria could not have known, as he walked back to the dugout, was that he would not see a changeup thrown by Hamels in his next at-bat at all.
Click on above images to be taken to full standings, box scores or schedule…
THE GOOD: It was a perfect game for the Phillies. They had their best pitcher on the mound against the Rays #3 starter. They got a number of breaks during the game, including a safe-call on a pickoff attempt in the 2nd inning that showed the runner was out. In the 5th inning Pat Burrell was safe at first on an error when it appeared that he was clearly inside the base line. The Phillies had several excuse-me swings and bloop basehits. With the bases loaded and only 1 out in the 3rd, BJ Upton hit a ball about as hard as it could be hit, but the ball went right to Pedro Feliz at third base, who turned a double-play. And the biggest break may have been a non-balk call in which Cole Hammels picked Carlos Pena off first base with no outs in the 6th of a 1-run game. All of those breaks, with their ace on the mound and the Rays still only lost 3-2 and had several opportunities to win the game. If there is such a thing as a “good” loss in the World Series. This was it. With pitching matchup advantages in the next 3 games, the Rays are far from out of this…The DH is a big advantage for the Rays. Chris Coste was the Phillies DH and he didn’t even look like a major league hitter…The Rays “double” lead-off combination of Jason Bartlett and Akinori Iwamura reached base each of their first 5 plate appearances…Lefties in the lineup went 4 for their first 7 with a home run and 2 RBI against Cole Hamels.
THE BAD: Scott Kazmir once again couldn’t get out of his own way in the first inning giving up a 2-run home run. And even though Kazmir was a bit unlucky with some bloop hits after the first inning, he still allowed 11 base runners in the first 6 innings. If the Phillies didn’t go 0-9 with runners in scoring position in those 6 innings, the game wouldn’t have been so close…Phillies lead-off hitters were on base 4 times…With 2 outs in the 5th and a runner on second, BJ Upton fouled out to Ryan Howard who reached into the stands for the grab. Absolutely awful job by the crowd in that section. We have no idea how they can let an opposing player make that play…The Rays 2-4 batters went a combined 0-12 with 5 Ks….Why the hell is the “free taco” such a big story? Did people think there was a chance nobody would steal a base in the entire World Series? Taco Bell is giving away free Tacos. Good for them. We understand Fox TV making a big deal. It is a corporate sponsorship. But why are there so many news stories on the topic?
THE TELLING: Joe Maddon chose to start Ben Zobrist in right field with Gabe Gross struggling and preferring to keep Fernando Perez on the bench as a late-inning weapon. It was Zobrist’s second start in right field in his career…10 of the last 11 World Series winners won game 1. Then again 5 of those were sweeps and another 2 were 4-1. Anybody think the Rays are getting swept? Didn’t think so…There is about an 80% chance of rain in St. Pete tonight. Too bad the Rays don’t play in a dome. Oh. Wait. Never mind…According to CoolStandings.com the chances of the Rays winning the World Series is now only 36.1%.
DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…
In a strange story, Daisuke Matsuzaka apparently accused (in the Japanese media) the Rays of moving the pitching rubber to benefit James Shields. MLB checked the mound and found nothing wrong. [St. Pete Times]
Big League Stew debates the non-balk call. [Big League Stew]
In a classic case of “hindsight is 20-20″, Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports says the Rays were “too cool” in game 1 and didn’t play the game with urgency…Of course in game 1 of the ALCS everybody was saying the Rays played too uptight. [Yahoo! Sports]
Gerry Fraley of Fox Sports says the game 1 win cannot hide the problems the Phillies have. [Fox Sports]
Jerry Crasnick of ESPN says Joe Maddon gives his players 30 minutes after every game to either celebrate the win or stew about the loss. After 30 minutes, that game is done and it is time to focus on the next game. [ESPN]
We always wonder what makes one team in a championship contest a “team of destiny” and the other is not. The Press of Atlantic City thinks the Phillies are destiny’s darlings this year. [Press of Atlantic City]
Philly, we’ll make you a deal. We’ll stop ringing the cowbells if you promise that the Phillies fans in games 3,4,5 will not yell any ignorant insults. Deal? Didn’t think so. [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Peter Mucha of the Philadelphia Inquirer says a rainout on Saturday would move Cole Hamels up from game 5 to game 4. This will not change Hamel’s availability for game 7. If game 4 is moved to Monday, game 7 will not change. There just won’t be an off-day between games 5 and 6. Which means game 7 will be next Thursday regardless of when game 4 is played. So unless Hamels comes back on 2 days rest, Hamels is not pitching game 7. [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Scott Kazmir just wishes he could get the one pitch back from the first inning. [MLB]
Mark Newman gives us “Ten things to love about The Trop.” [MLB]
Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald says that the emergence of the Rays changes the landscape in the AL East and the Yankees and Red Sox should get used to it. [Boston Herald]
BJ Upton’s bat from the ALDS and ALCS was sent to the Hall of Fame. [Baseball Prospectus]
Bud Selig sure doesn’t seem upset about the Rays in the World Series when he says, “I just can’t tell you how important this is…I’m really lucky I was able to see this.” [USA Today]
Troy Percival is still at home with his family in California…Joe Maddon says he would be with the team if he was on the roster. [Tampa Tribune]
The Tigers new pitching coach has ties to Matt Garza. [Detroit Free-Press]
Todd Kalas joined his dad in the radio booth during the 4th inning. [MLB]
While the Rays were celebrating after game 7 of the ALCS, Trever Miller’s 4-year old daughter nearly died in the stands. It does sound as if Miller’s wife had the situation under control, as this is a condition that is not new. [MLB]
Click on above images to be taken to full standings, box scores or schedule…
THE GOOD: Say it with us. The Tampa Bay Rays are in the World Series and it starts TONIGHT! It never gets old. We will be mumbling that to our selves all day.
THE BAD: Mrs. Professor scheduled a dentist appointment this morning. Did she not look at the calendar. Buck the heck! The most important day yet in Rays history and we are going to the damn dentist?!?!
THE TELLING: We stopped shaving when the playoffs started. This shite itches like a mofo.
DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…
Can anybody confirm that the Rays played a “Victory!” chant by Johnny Drama of “Entourage” on the jumbotron following the Rays win in game 2 of the ALCS? [Newsday]
More Rays Index “jacked up on caffeine”. We did a “Good/Bad/Telling” for the entire ALCS over at the Hardball Times. [The Hardball Times]
We answered some questions about the Rays yesterday over at Balls, Sticks & Stuff. [Balls, Sticks & Stuff]
Coolest thing we have seen all week? Maybe…Of course we went with “Seven Nation Army”. (Thanks Brian) [More Cowbell]
Sam Donnellon points out that Cole Hamels won game 1 in both the NLDS and NLCS and is as cool as they come. [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Apparently we had some awkward ad placement on this site a couple of days ago…Fairly annoying, but still not as bad as all the ads for “Barry Bonds Ringtones” earlier this year. [Ed. note: We do not control the specific ads on this site. They are generated automatically based on keywords] [The 'Ropolitans]
If you love Jonny Gomes…You will love this post. [Bugs and Cranks]
Jonny Gomes is blogging during the World Series for his hometown paper. [Petaluma Press-Democrat]
One USA Today writer is predicting a Rays sweep…Is it just us, or is this setting up well for the Rays. Most of the “experts” are jumping on the Phillies bandwagon because they want to be the “expert” that predicted the upset. Go ahead. Doubt the Rays. We dare ya. [USA Today]
Like the Rays, the Phillies defense is a strength and could be the key to winning the series. [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Scott Kazmir and Cole Hamel were picked 2 spots apart in the ’02 draft. [Fox Sports]
Rob Neyer says it is hard to find any weak links in the Rays lineup. [ESPN]
…perhaps not enough has been said for management’s decision to move Iwamura from third base to second. Could they have known he’d be as good as he’s been? I do suspect that Marchman overstates Iwamura’s case somewhat, but that’s beside the point. We come back to Epstein’s notion about weak links, and it’s almost impossible to find a weak link in the Rays’ defense. Throw in a pitching staff that ranked second in the American League in ERA and fourth in strikeouts, and Tampa Bay’s 97 wins begin to make sense…You wonder why everyone’s picking the Rays to beat the Phillies? Probably because they don’t have any glaring weaknesses and they play in the Big Boy League.
Brittany Ghiroli has a story about Carl Crawford appearing at a pep rally at a local middle school. [MLB]
The World Series is causing some trash-talking in the Kalas family. [Philadelphia Inquirer]
When are people going to realize, that this isn’t about “bandwagons”. It is about thousands of baseball fans that have been yearning for a team worthy of rooting for. [USA Today]
Yesterday we told you about a site breaking down the cheer squads for each team. Now the highly biased editor at Deadspin gives the edge to the Phillies girls. [Deadspin]
Transcript from Joe Maddon’s press conference yesterday. [MLB]
Happy belated birthday to Gabe Gross who turned 29 yesterday. [MLB]
If the Rays win the World Series, it is going to cost Vegas casinos a lot of money. [Game On!]
It has been 9,276 days since the City of Brotherly Love won a title in one of the 4 major sports. [Philadelphia Inquirer]
This column is a little confusing. Are they saying the Phillies will win the World Series because the Red Sox came back in game 5 and then JD Drew struck out in game 7? [Philadelphia Inquirer]
We know some of you hate the cowbells. But you know who will hate it more? Phillie fans.
