The "Off" Season? The time of ifs, oohs, and ahs

A clear benefit to Major League Baseball since the advent of free agency has certainly been the off-season. It has led to the most vivacious of baseball fans to all participate in the game as pseudo-general managers by using that powerful word "if". If is the word that provides hope for one's team as it prepares itself for the oncoming spring training in February.

We use the word "if" quite often even during and after a season. "If" only Mike Hampton had not become injured again...if only Ben Sheets had not become injured again...The word if allows one to dwell on all possibilities beyond the reality; it also allows one to dream. So, in this blog, let's dwell on two things. First, the reality, and second, the if.

First, let's review a bit of history regarding free agency (because, that is really one of the main reasons I created this blog!). Prior to 1975, baseball players endured the Reserve Clause which essentially meant that teams reserved the rights to players even after their contracts expired. Essentially, the reserve clause, which was standardized in all baseball contracts (and eventually other North American sports) beginning in the 19th century, meant that players had to play for a team even if their contract expired and it did not allow a player to block a trade as certain ones can today. It also did not allow players to participate in collective bargaining, thus owners could work together to keep players' salaries low.

If you know your American history, you might suggest that this situation was an anathema, especially in light of the 1890 Sherman Anti-trust Act. Several players challenged the reserve clause by legal means as well as by "sitting out" a season or so. The reserve clause withstood many challenges, including the famous Federal Baseball Club v. The National League (1922) Supreme Court ruling in which the Court ruled that baseball was an "amusement" and as such it was exempt from anti-trust laws.

Curt Flood, a prominent player for the St. Louis Cardinals, fought against the reserve clause wishing to be declared a free agent to play for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1970. His case was brought before the Supreme Court in the classic Flood v. Kuhn (1972) ruling whereby the Supreme Court made a stare decisis ruling, upholding the 1922 ruling, but limiting that ruling only to baseball. Despite Flood's argument that the reserve clause served only to depress wages and did not allow players to pursue teams (thereby making them solely property of that team for life), the Supreme Court did not deem the argument warranted merit to change the previous ruling.

Many writers suggest that Curt Flood's fight led to a stronger players' union and in 1975 the reserve clause was essentially dismantled when an arbitrator ruled that Andy Messersmith and Dave McNally were free agents since they played a season without a contract. McNally, of course, retired, but Messersmith signed a contract with the Alanta Braves and was nicknamed "Channel" and his number was 17...ultimately earning a hallmark as a bit of a sellout for then WTCG channel 17 which eventually became TBS. But I digress...

Free agency has, of course, promulgated higher player salaries and it has also meant that players in the modern era are less likely to play their entire careers with one team. It has led to super agents such as Scott Boras to leave an indelible imprint on the game despite having very little to the day-to-day action on the field.

Yet, a positive thing that it has led to has been making the off-season far more interesting.

Already this off-season we have watched the Alex Rodriguez saga rise and and conclude, and of course we have watched the Brewers trade away one catcher and sign another. Tom Glavine is a Brave again. And we still watch for more things to happen which will affect our teams.

It allows us to dream, and it allows us to play "general manager" by simply adding that phrase, "if I were in charge I would (trade/sign/cut/promote, etc)..." You rarely would have that opportunity 30 years ago.

Now, for some of the "ifs" "oohs" and "ahs" that have occurred this off-season.

Tom Glavine and the Braves

In a blog posted yesterday by AJC's David O'Brien, he suggests that the Glavine signing and other moves by Frank Wren have very good so far. Most notable in the blog has been John Smoltz's reaction to the signing, especially this quote: "Leaving me out of it, he means a lot to these young left-handers that we have. He means a lot to the bullpen. You know you're going to get starts out of this guy. You know he's going to cover games."

Definitely true. Tom Glavine has never been on the disabled list. Yet my knock on Tom Glavine has been that he faded (dramatically so) this season and I still stand my ground that Glavine has faded at the end of the year for several seasons. But, David O'Brien did give me pause before I threw another stone toward Glavine. Glavine is not the only notable pitcher this season who faded in September. Johann Santana, quite a few years younger than Glavine, finished 1-4 with an ERA of 5.11 in his final six starts.

So, what does this mean as we begin the off-season ifs? John Smoltz, in his comments, suggested that the Braves have to what amounts a six-man rotation to counter injuries. It may also help against the starters tiring in the stretch. This notional six-man rotation would take the form of Hudson, Smoltz, Glavine, Hampton, James, Jo-Jo Reyes or Morton (yeah, the kid that has been wowing everyone in the AFL, especially Bobby Cox). I think also, as Smoltz suggested, Glavine's presence will make a better pitcher of Chuck James (who seems to possess a penchant to not think at all...he needs to change that!).

Why Edgar Renteria?

It's hard to swallow the fact that the Braves traded such a likeable player as Renteria, but this has some tie in with today's theme. The advent of free agency has also keyed a rather discouraging response in terms of teams' economics: if a player is coming into a contract year, that player may be useful to trade. After all, a team could get a nice package of prospects in the end. In fact, in combination with the Oscar Villareal trade, the Braves have managed to acquire two potential centerfield options without tying up a lot of capital in them.

There's no secret that the Braves shopped Andruw Jones before last season. In the end, the will get nothing from him regarding his signing with another team. And the Braves can feel good about trading Renteria since they have a plethora of talent at shortshop. Centerfield is another issue altogether.

Why the Silence on Andruw?

I suspect that Scott Boras is reeling a bit after the Alex Rodriguez debacle and Kenny Rogers' firing him. Not too many teams are Scott Boras friendly these days. And I can't help but think that more fallout is about to occur among his clients. Of course, it's not like many people have forgotten the last time Andruw was a free agent. He and his father worked his own contract with John Schuerholz, apparently unhappy with the prospect that Boras would have Andruw sign elsewhere.

There doesn't seem to be any possibility of this occurring again this time. In an interesting letter posted on the mailbag segment of AtlantaBraves.com, one fan asked whether the Braves would at least offer arbitration to Jones, especially with Liberty Media's comments about opening the payroll. Mark Bowman's response, as well as David O'Brien's response on yesterday's AJC.com blog, make it clear that the Braves are done with Andruw. I'm guessing, though, that Braves are holding out due to Mark Teixeria's upcoming arbitration hearing (he'll have a significant boost this year).

David O'Brien suggested in his blog, though, that the Braves are going to miss Andruw's offense, citing the usual spate of homeruns. Yet, a star of Andruw's stature, along with his place in the lineup, leaves me curious with that O'Brien's position. Andruw was awful in the clutch and has been for several seasons now. He has not been an offensive power as we have all thought he would be. I've been used to his defensive prowess, to which you can't really argue. Yes, Andruw has hit some big homeruns, but statistics don't lie regarding his inability to drive home runs...even when given the opportunity to drive them in while batting cleanup.

I don't personally care if a player can hit a lot of homeruns; I care if they can win games. Andruw was woeful in the latter ability. And it's not like he doesn't have a good hitting coach (Terry Pendleton)!

From Braves to Brewers: Catching a windfall?

Okay, last year I was excited with the Brewers' acquisition of Johnny Estrada. So, this year, I am not going to get excited about Jason Kendall signing with the Brewers even though Jason Kendall is actually one of my favorite players. Yes, Jason Kendall is not a significant - even a slight - defensive upgrade over Johnny Estrada...and yes, Jason Kendall lacks the pop that Johnny Estrada has...

But, Jason Kendall will get on base. And he will unite the Brewers a lot more than Estrada coule.

The question at hand, though, has been whether the Brewers will re-sign Damian Miller. The LaCrosse native has acquired little buzz concerning this thus far, but I think the Brewers should probably let Damian Miller go. The bottom-line is that you really don't want two 30-somethings as your catchers through the entire season, especially if they really can't hit well. Both of these players are certainly hard, old-school type players, but retaining both may be a difficult thing to endure when September rolls around.

Francisco Cordero signs with the Reds

The one nightmare that tugged at the Brewers has happened, and it couldn't have been any worse (well, actually it could have been: he could have signed with the Cubs). That's two significant pitchers the Brewers have lost this week (Linebrink being the other).

Apparently Doug Melvin did not offer enough cash. Tom Haudricourt reports in the Brewers Blog that Cordero was offered a four year deal with a fifth year option. The Brewers had also reportedly offered a four year deal.

What will the Brewers do now? Cordero was dominant this season and this portends poorly for the weak Brewers bullpen. The one constant the Brewers relied on this past season was Coco.

My only concern now is whether the Brewers seek someone else or turn to Derek Turnbow again.

Final Thoughts for the Day

So there you have it, almost as if I planned my blog to end this way. Free agency at its best or worst, depending on your perspective. The drama never ceases to amaze me, and even a day removed from Thanksgiving, we see that drama unfolding to a loud crescendo.

Of course, if the date were pre-1975 we might not have anything at all to ponder. After all, Cordero would not have been allowed to entertain offers, Glavine either. So, even with the loss of favorite players during free agency, we can be assured one thing about the off-season:

"It ain't over 'til it's over!"