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Will Cooperstown call on Cox?
Sports Illustrated senior writer Tom Verducci's Baseball Mailbag appears weekly on CNNSI.com. To send a question, click here. The Braves became America's least favorite overdog by winning only one World Series in the 1990s. So it's funny to see them now relishing the underdog role. They have become baseball's Gonzaga, the No. 8 seed in the tourney, and they clearly like it. Atlanta has also earned this "Nobody thought we'd be here" anthem that has become a cliche in sports. During the season they re-invented three-quarters of their infield several times, couldn't get a win down the stretch from Greg Maddux, featured a soft lineup that waited every two or three innings for Chipper Jones or Brian Jordan to come to bat for some excitement, and, until John Smoltz volunteered, hired temps as closers. In other words, Bobby Cox did one of his finest jobs as Braves manager. That brings us to the mailbag. Cox is good. Real good. OK, so he whines too much about umpiring and he's never been known as a brilliant strategist. But is Cox good enough for Cooperstown? What are Bobby Cox's chances for Hall of Fame induction? The Braves are on a
remarkable streak of 10 straight division titles, nine NLCS appearances, five
World Series appearances, and one World Series title. Cox also won a division
title with Toronto in 1985. That's 11 division titles for him. He has more than
1,700 wins, and nearly 1,000 since he took over the Braves in 1990. Does he need
another ring to make it a
lock?
I think Cox is on track -- and if Tommy Lasorda is a Hall of Famer you can make the argument that Cox already has the portfolio -- but he'd better get another ring to be sure about it. I think he's been largely underrated as a manager. Too many people, though, will say, "Yeah, but with all that talent he only won one World Series." You stated that the Braves will
probably go after second-tier free agents. Who will they go after specifically?
Also, do you think they would trade for Carlos Delgado? I heard he might be on
his way out of Toronto.
I wouldn't punch Delgado's ticket out of Toronto just yet, but he's not untouchable. The Braves would certainly be interested. I also think Tino Martinez would be a good fit if the Yankees sign Jason Giambi. Why Jason Giambi
over Bret Boone for AL MVP? Boone had more RBIs and was certainly not expected
to produce, much less replace A-Rod. Giambi was great, but the M's won 116 games
and Boone was a major factor. The A's really started rolling when Jermaine Dye
joined the
team.
Boone would make a great MVP in just about any other year. I just think Giambi's numbers across the board are better than Boone's. The one stat that jumps out at you is that Boone had about 40 percent more at-bats with runners in scoring position than Giambi. Boone had tons of opportunities and actually hit a bit worse with runners in scoring position than without. With everybody saying Ichiro and Giambi are the front-runners for the MVP,
where is Juan Gonzalez in this mix? What about Roberto Alomar? Did these guys
not have MVP-type seasons? I don't think Ichiro is an MVP, Alomar has way better
numbers and is one of the best fielding second basemen
ever.
Alomar was my MVP runner-up, which tells you how much I think of his contributions in a year with many deserving candidates. We have the Cy Young for pitchers and the Gold Glove for position players.
Why isn't there an award for pure offensive production, apart from the MVP?
Seems something like the "Babe Ruth Award" could be given to someone
who had an enormous year with the bat, but couldn't (or didn't) move his team
into a contending position, a la McGwire in
'98.
Major League Baseball did start giving out such an honor a few years ago, the Hank Aaron Award, and it's based purely on statistical production. However, they don't seem to give it any promotional support. When people make a list of the best shortstops around, they always say:
A-Rod, Nomar Garciaparra and Derek Jeter. Hello, what about Miguel Tejada, who I
think is better than Jeter? What do you
think?
Tejada is not yet better than Jeter because he's not yet as reliable. Tejada definitely has more power and is a bona fide run producer with a big future, but as we saw in the Division Series this year, Jeter is probably the most clutch player in the game. Tejada had his usual lapses on defense and undisciplined at-bats that seem to creep into his game from time to time. He will continue to learn and improve. What do you think will happen with Andres Galarraga and Jason Schmidt this
offseason? Will they leave or stay in San Francisco? Also, what about about
right field? John Vander Wal is OK, and a step up from Armando Rios, but I still
feel we should look around. Who do you think could fill the right field spot
better?
I think there's a good chance Schmidt will be back, and Galarraga could be, too, depending on what kind of contract he wants. Look for the Giants to turn up another low-priced, Eric Davis- type veteran to split some time with Vander Wal in right field. I read in an article that the Phillies are interested in trading Travis Lee
and bringing in Mo Vaughn. I believe Mo could be the on-field leader and
middle-of-the-lineup guy the young Phillies need. Is he coming to
Philadelphia? Do you think Scott Rolen will stay a Phillie? What pitcher should
the Phillies make a run at in the
offseason?
I don't see how or why the Phillies would assume what's left on Vaughn's contract, especially given his suspect health and weight. I think it would make more sense for a team like the Mets, who can dump some salary themselves (Todd Zeile? Robin Ventura?) to take a chance on Vaughn. I don't think Rolen has a long-term future in Philly, but I wouldn't trade him this winter, either -- not unless somebody completely overwhelmed me. The Phillies are a contender. Why trade your Gold Glove third baseman who hits in the middle of the order? You can always move him in June if the team is not in contention. What happens to the Cardinals if Mark McGwire retires? It's looking more and
more like he is finished. Would his retirement open the door for the Cardinals
to pursue Jason Giambi? As I understand it, when Giambi came up with the
Athletics, he gained a huge amount of respect and admiration for Mark McGwire,
who was still playing in Oakland, and they remain friends today. If McGwire
should decide to retire at the end of the season, is it possible that McGwire
would be able to convince Giambi that the joys of playing ball in the laidback
St. Louis market would outweigh the outlandish sum of money he'd no doubt be
given by the
Yankees?
I don't think McGwire would talk Giambi into making a career decision. Advice, sure. But Giambi will make up his own mind. I still think the Yankees have the inside track on Giambi. After watching him stumble around first base in the ALDS, and seeing how large and plodding he's become, I also think he's destined for the AL. If he wants an eight- to 10-year deal, I don't know how an NL team could consider that. (See Vaughn, Mo.) With the sale of the Red Sox coming up, and the imminent changes at GM as
well as manager, who do you see assuming those roles? I have recently heard that
Yankees GM Brian Cashman could possibly go to Toronto or even Boston. What about
recently fired Gord Ash of Toronto or Doug Melvin of Texas? Also, what roster
changes do you see coming about with new management? Could we see Mo Vaughn back
in
Beantown?
It looks as if Cashman will stay with the Yankees, so forget him. I first thought the Red Sox deal could be closed as quickly as November, but now there are rumblings it could drag on until the New Year. In that case, you might still have Dan Duquette in place while people such as John Hart, another top candidate, land elsewhere. (Texas?). Doug Melvin would be a great hire for any club, having been run out of Texas by an increasingly hands-on owner. I'll admit the Red Sox are tremendously hard to read right now, as far as what the winter holds. And, yes, I would at least investigate bringing Vaughn back, BUT I would have to be convinced he's healthy and in shape. Those are big questions. But if he's working hard and and is injury-free, the guy will be re-energized playing for an East Coast team again. But you could see Duquette and Vaughn back together next year? Didn't think so. To send a question to Tom Verducci's Baseball Mailbag, click here.
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