Around the Yankee Universe: A-Rod and Joba ... what else?

by Ed Valentine on Jul 15, 2009 10:00 AM EDT in New York Yankees News

OMG!! Alex Rodriguez might not be the best player in baseball anymore! What an amazing news flash from our friends at the New York Daily News.

Can a player who will be 34 on July 25, who is coming off an injury that needed one surgery during spring training and could need another one after the season, who admitted he used steroids, really return to being the game’s premier player? Or, in a question the Yankees are probably afraid to ponder considering he is their property for the next nine years, have we already seen the best of A-Rod?

In a random, unscientific survey that included several scouts, executives, players and other observers, none said Rodriguez was still the best player in baseball.

Does that question really matter? Even if you think it does, how do you definitively prove who the best player is? No matter how many stats you use, in the end who you say is the best is your opinion. No more than that.

Do I think A-Rod is the best? Probably not. But then again, I haven't thought that for a while. And I really don't care one way or the other if Albert Pujols is better. Or Joe Mauer. Or Evan Longoria.

What I really care about is does Rodriguez, 34 in a couple of weeks and still not 100 percent after hip surgery, have enough in the tank to help the Yankees win a World Series in 2009? Forget the .256 batting average. He has 17 home runs and 50 RBI in 58 games, a pace that would put him at 48 home runs and 140 RBI over 162 games.

That tells me his bat is still lethal, and that's all I can care about right now.

Will he decline? Inevitably. Has he declined some already? Possibly.

To Rodriguez, any talk that he’s slipping is motivation. Told there are people in baseball who doubt him, Rodriguez said, "I love to hear that stuff. I love it."

The steroid era shifted what baseball people believed was a player’s prime. With better nutrition and physical training — and, in many cases, performance-enhancing drugs — players were playing at a higher level later into their careers. Now, baseball people peg a player’s best years as being from ages 28-33, says Jim Duquette, the former Mets and Orioles executive who hosts a Sirius-XM Radio talk show. One scout said he considers prime from 26-29.

"I think we’re going into a new era where at age 34, you start to see a decline in numbers," Duquette says. "I don’t think it’s a coincidence.

"With Alex, I expect you’ll see a decline. But will he be around the norm of what the top players in the game do? Yes. But not 45-50 home runs."

Face it, long term with A-Rod we as Yankee fans are screwed. By the time he finishes the final eight seasons on that foolish 10-year contract (albatross?) Hank Steinbrenner signed him to he will be a broken down DH. Pretty much, he will be what Ken Griffey Jr. is now, a shell of what he was. I don't want to think about how ugly those final few seasons could get.

Right now, though, he is still A-Rod with the bat in his hands. We have to hope that before his career starts speeding full throttle down Breakdown Mountain -- which I don't think it has yet -- he can help the Yankees to that elusive 27th World Series.

The new SB Nation blog MLB Daily Dish is a terrific place to find news and rumors from around the big leagues. I had a little joust with Matt Buggenhagen of the Dish Tuesday, though, over a post titled 'Joba Chamberlain back to the bullpen?' The reason wasn't because we were arguing over whether or not Joba should start or relieve -- though I disagree with Matt's stance that Joba should be in the 'pen. It's because Matt stated that Sergio Mitre is likely headed to New York to take Joba's place in the rotation. Simply put, that's not accurate. Gotta give Matt credit for getting the final word, though. His last comment to me ended this way. "Maybe they should just go get Halladay and end this whole debate."

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Comments

Saw the A-Rod story...

yesterday, and just had to roll my eyes. He’ll never do anything to gain respect from the NY media. Not championships, not MVP’s- nothing. They will always find a way to knock him down.

We hear a lot of talk in this town about guy who win over the fans/ media with their guttiness- playing through injury and such. I have not heard one thing about A-Rod this year, in regards to the fact the he is a guy who is coming off hip surgery, and more than likely playing through some discomfort and/or pain. And still putting up a decent stat line in the meanwhile.

This isn’t meant as a “poor A-Rod” sentiment… The guys has his faults, sure. But it boggles my mind as to the harsh treatment he has received here… and it goes beyond the fact that he hasn’t won a championship, or that he makes as much money as he does. I just don’t get it.

by NumberSeven on Jul 15, 2009 10:13 AM EDT reply actions

I agree

In a lot of ways, A-Rod will never win. I’m not his biggest fan, either. His production this year, though, has to be recognized I think.

by Ed Valentine on Jul 15, 2009 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions

depending on how u look at it arod was set up for failure…just look at that contract. he’d have to become and anti-aging man and stay in his prime for like 10 years.
THE one upside to arod being at his worst in the last years of his contract is … that he will always be better than cody ransom at cody ransoms best (what ever his best is)

by bforce3 on Jul 15, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions

LOL!!

by Ed Valentine on Jul 15, 2009 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions

A-Rod

His talent is undeniable. Many Yankee fans (including myself) complain about his inability to perform in pressure situations, but lets not kid ourselves, if he does it once, and is an key piece in delivering another title he’ll be golden (i.e. Eli Manning).

by Matt Buggenhagen on Jul 15, 2009 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Joba

I can’t believe everyone is quitting on this guy so fast. You have to give him the time to get used to toughest league in the galaxy. We all know he has the stuff. I admit its been tough so far this year to watch Joba especially with his velocity issues. I am sure that will return. With patience, the upside would be too much to deny. What if…we trade this guy and he turns out to be the beast he is expected to be next year? Then we would of have a stud at a younger age and frankly have him cheap and be the staple of the rotation for the Yankees many more years to come. Please give him the time to develop in his craft! To develop a guy properly he is going to need more than one full season at starting. Its a risk that may pay off if not this season, but for many years to come.

by yankee1977 on Jul 15, 2009 10:39 AM EDT reply actions

How can you be so sure...

…Joba’s velocity will return? It’s been on a pretty steady decline since he moved to the rotation, and even more since his DL stint last season.

by New York Sports Jerk on Jul 15, 2009 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Velocity

I think it has more to do with the shoulder. Remember, before he got hurt last season he was throwing harder than he is now.

by Ed Valentine on Jul 15, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm not debating that

He obviously was, but the fact is he DID get hurt.

I’m not going to get into a whole Joba thing today because I’m suffering from the 3rd annual post-All Star game hangover, but it’s not exactly a good sign that he’s had a shoulder injury so early in his career that has affected his velocity as much as it has.

by New York Sports Jerk on Jul 15, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Re: Joba

His velocity could very well return. Look at Phil Hughes and Vreelander? Last year everyone is wondering what had happen to their velocity and this year they are throwing the kind of gas they are expected to throw.

by yankee1977 on Jul 15, 2009 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s almost like the Yankees have created their own worst enemy. The expectations the organization has created streamlines down to the fans who often have no patience to allow a player to develop. I know Ed stated in his post that I believe Joba belongs in the bullpen, which is true, but it has nothing to do with impatience. Ultimately, I feel his stuff is more suited for that role. I personally love Joba. To me he is the Yankees version of Jonathan Papelbon. Somehow in my mind I visualize him as the heir apparent to MO.

by Matt Buggenhagen on Jul 15, 2009 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

It's funny

I always used to think of him that way. I think if Mo hadn’t signed a three-year contract this all might have played out differently.

by Ed Valentine on Jul 15, 2009 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Slow news day

They have to write something when there are no games. The News had the A-Rod’s not the best anymore, and the Post wants the Yankees to get Halliday ( completely ignoring the fact that Vernon Wells has to come with him).
Overall, the Yankees are in good shape. Joba needs to become the pitcher who beat Beckett last July in Fenway. Cano has to hit better than .211 with RISP. I can go on and on, but it’s stating the obvious. Let’s see them get back to being consistent. Winning each series they’re in. BIg test right off the bat with the Tigers.

by fredny on Jul 15, 2009 11:17 AM EDT reply actions

A-Rod can never win.

by FreeBradshaw on Jul 15, 2009 12:32 PM EDT reply actions

...

It just doesn’t matter.

He DOES put himself in this situation, cuz of course if you aren’t winning WS MVP every year and you make what he does, people MUST think there’s something wrong.

A-Rod does what he does. He likely ends up with 35 HR and 100+Rbi’s if he maintains this pace, and of course he could be prone to ridiculous months so those could be higher. He still will get ragged on.

I mean I really don’t think any grown man will ever say they are his biggest fan, I know Im not (then again, Im just a grown kid…) But I DO Pull for him cuz kinda like Joba’s been this season in the rotation, I just want the naysayers to shut the hell up.

by FreeBradshaw on Jul 15, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I pull for him...

…because he’s wearing pinstripes, and of course I want the Yanks to do well!! It doesn’t make sense to me all the so-called Yankee fans who openly root against A-Rod, or boo him incessantly.

(p.s. I’m not saying you’re one those people, Bradshaw)

by NumberSeven on Jul 15, 2009 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

the only person i think should b booed is a pitcher who consistently performs poorly and makes u wonder y he’s still on the team…and cody ransom

booing your cleanup hitter for the next 8ish years is stupid. in case you haven’t noticed if arod succeeds the yankees will succeed so hes not going anywhere, get used to it.

by bforce3 on Jul 15, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm a fan of the game

I just don’t understand being an Arod hater or a Big Papi hater. They are both great players, and are fun to watch. I love to watch the game for the game. Am I a Red Sox fan, ABSOLUTELY NOT, but that doesn’t mean I can’t recognize the talent that they have, or any other player for that matter.

To hate Arod because the Yankees aren’t winning the WS every year is ridiculous! He is one man on a TEAM it takes all of them to win, he can’t do it on his own.

by syllk on Jul 15, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions

almost impossible to measure the best.....but consider...

Guys ask yourselves this: If the steroid thing on ARod never came out, he never got hurt, they would say the best are him and Pujols. ARod screws up,BANG!!! They need someone to put in the spot. Its simple. Same way in every sport. Look at the NBA,Kobe caught a case,they said Tim Duncan was the best the following year. All is now forgiven,Kobe plays “big” on the “big stage” and he’s the man again. If my boy Alex does the same,it’ll work out the same way. Just watch.

by ReggieARodJeter on Jul 15, 2009 2:28 PM EDT reply actions