From the boorish behavior of Manny Ramirez to the empty-headed world of Roger Clemens, baseball had its share of moments to forget in 2008, and what better time to recognize the turkeys than Thanksgiving weekend?
Ramirez is the Golden Gobbler. He would like to focus on his good behavior in his two-month tour with the Dodgers, with whom he was suddenly a clubhouse joy to be around, and a nightmare for the opposition on the field, hitting .396 with a .489 slugging percentage, 17 home runs and 53 RBI in 53 games in helping the Dodgers win the National League West.
Don't be fooled, though. This is the same guy who pouted his way out of Boston, becoming such an albatross that the Red Sox even paid him $7 million to spend the final two months in Los Angeles after his efforts to ensure Boston wouldn't pick up his $20 million option for 2009. And now his agent, Scott Boras, is looking for a multi-year deal worth considerably more.
As catcher-turned-broadcaster Tim McCarver put it, "It's extraordinary — the dichotomy between what he was in Boston and what he is in Los Angeles. I mean, talk about wearing out your welcome in a town, and it was a long welcome with the Red Sox. But some of the things he did were simply despicable, despicable — like not playing, refusing to play. Forgetting what knee to limp on. And now it's washed, it's gone."
Clemens has become the Pete Rose of this era, refusing to admit any wrongdoing despite mounting evidence of his involvement with performance-enhancing drugs and having made himself a less sympathetic public figure every time he offers up his weak defenses against allegations by former personal trainer Brian McNamee and former teammates like Andy Pettitte.
And then, in the midst of the steroid talk came country singer Mindy McCready's confession of a 10-year relationship with the pitcher that began when she was 15.
Consideration also needs to be given to:
Brewers owner Mark Attanasio for firing manager Ned Yost with the team in the hunt for the NL wild card with 12 games to play.
Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi for continuing to moan about the struggles of competing in a division that includes the free-spending Yankees and Red Sox (J.P.: Tampa Bay, with the second-lowest payroll, won the AL East).
Texas general manager John Daniel, who added another chapter to his book on giving away pitchers when he lost Armando Galarraga in a waiver deal with Detroit to make room on the 40-man roster for Jason Jennings.
Sox may add another Japanese star
Pitcher Junichi Tazawa, who was able to avoid the draft in his native Japan, wants to sign with the Red Sox, according to published reports in his homeland. An announcement is expected this week. ... Free-agent outfielder Raul Ibanez fits into the offseason plans of the Cubs, where he would be reunited with manager Lou Piniella. A career .286 hitter who has 20-plus home runs each of the past four seasons and 100-plus RBI each of the past three, Ibanez played for Piniella in Seattle. ... Pitcher A.J. Burnett has made 30 starts twice in his career — both in seasons leading to free agency — but still is listening to teams such as the Braves, Phillies, Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles and Blue Jays, who are offering deals that could reach five years and $80 million.
Doubly motivated hurler
Veteran left-hander Randy Johnson not only needs five victories to reach 300, but he has a point to prove to Arizona, which shunned him even after he said he'd take $5 million, half of what he made last season. ... Right-hander Brad Penny, who had arm problems a year ago, will have to sign an incentive-filled contract that will provide him a long-missing motivation to be the dominant pitcher he is capable of being. ... Second baseman Orlando Hudson won't come cheap, but he's the only offensive player on the market who can make a difference with his clubhouse presence and offensive spark. ... Closer Brian Fuentes isn't as flashy as Francisco Rodriguez, but K-Rod is seeking $15 million a year and a five-year guarantee and Fuentes can be signed for three years at $10 million per. Fuentes is consistent, durable and unflappable. ... Right-hander Chad Cordero won't be ready to pitch until May or June because of shoulder surgery, but he is a proven closer and likely will sign for an incentive-laden deal.
Wrong kind of triple double
Cubs shortstop Ryan Theriot was the only major leaguer to have a reverse triple-double in 2008. He had double-figure totals in errors (14), grounded into double plays (19) and caught-stealings (13).
Closing statement
Teams must decide tomorrow whether to offer arbitration to their free agents.
The Rockies have made no secret they will make an offer to Brian Fuentes, and it's a win-win situation for them.
If Fuentes gets the four-year, $44 million contract his agents initially asked for and then turned down or the three-year, $33 million deal the Mets now say Fuentes is seeking, the Rockies will get a first-round pick in next June's draft, along with a selection between the first and second rounds as compensation.
If the market would somehow not develop for Fuentes and he accepts the Rockies' arbitration offer, they would get a front-line closer on a one-year deal worth about $10 million.
By the numbers
3: Home runs and 34 RBIs from Angels third basemen in 2008, the lowest home run total from that position since the 1992 Twins had two and the fewest RBIs from third base since the 1988 Orioles also had 34.
N.Y. or L.A.?
Left-hander Andy Pettitte initially indicated he would re-sign with the Yankees or retire. When the Yankees balked at paying Pettitte the same $16 million he made last year, he reconsidered.
Now comes word he has had at least exploratory talks with the Dodgers, where he would be reunited with manager Joe Torre. What remains to be seen is if he would really sign with the Dodgers or is using that threat as leverage with the Yankees.
Chirping about cricket stars
"I've always felt that in a nation of that size that there has to be some young cricket players whose skills would transfer to baseball. . . . Maybe these guys will be pioneers or maybe they will be blips on the radar. It's certainly worth finding out."
Pirates GM Neal Huntington on signing left-hander Rinku Singh and right-hander Dinesh Patel, natives of India, to minor league contracts.
