MLB Capsules: A's GM Beane proud of the 'Moneyball' legacy
VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) — Billy Beane's influence on using baseball statistics and economics in building a team has stretched from the diamond to the silver screen. He may even help Brad Pitt win an Oscar before he leads the Oakland Athletics to a World Series championship.
For Beane, though, the "Moneyball" idea of building winners means more than an association with the A's and A-list stars. It's the idea that thinking outside the box — or box score — in any business can not only shake up the status quo, but lead to breakthrough ideas that can revolutionize industries.
A panel on Friday at Villanova University that included Beane, CEO Jeffrey Moorad and senior vice president of baseball operations Omar Minaya of the San Diego Padres, and MSNBC president Phil Griffin discussed "Moneyball's Impact on Business and Sports."
"It's great, it's flattering to see the business world embrace some of the things that we were doing," Beane said. "But to know that anyone can walk into our office and apply for a job based on their brains and what they have to offer, to me, it's the greatest achievement out of the book."
Former Gov. Ed Rendell moderated the panel in front of about 1,800 people at the Pavilion, the home court for Villanova basketball. They discussed the risk-taking legacy and how it has branched into all forms of sports, business and entertainment.
Beane bucked the baseball trend of relying on the common trio of statistics — batting average, home runs and RBIs for hitters; wins, losses and ERA for pitchers — and instead turned to hard numbers over subjective scouting to fuel his team's successful runs in the early 2000s. His staff helped usher in what became known as the stats revolution, a complete overhaul from the early days of the basic box score, the premise behind the best-selling book that immortalized Beane.
The movie focuses on the 2002 edition of the Athletics, and a thrilling 20-game winning streak. Ultimately, Oakland lost in the first round of the playoffs. Pitt played Beane in the movie and was nominated this year for an Oscar for best actor.
Beane explained how he wasn't necessarily trying to reinvent the game in the early 2000s, he simply wanted to find an alternative way for the low-budget A's to keep pace with teams like the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox and their seemingly endless funds.
"At the time, you don't really know what you're doing," Beane said. "For us, it was a matter of just trying to survive. We were the lowest team on the totem pole in terms of revenue. We had to do something different. For us, it seemed very rational."
That meant finding productive players on the cheap.
"It was always about getting higher performance than what we were paying for," Beane said, "and trying to multiply that by 25."
He added with a laugh, "basically underpay our players."
"Like Menudo, they got to a certain pay rate and we kicked them out of the band," he said.
Griffin, MSNBC's top executive, said he adopted "Moneyball" philosophies by refusing to let tradition dictate how to run the cable company.
"We were the Oakland A's, no money, a distant third, dying," Griffin said. "CNN was the Yankees, swimming in money. We had to change. And we did."
Griffin used Rachel Maddow as an example of bucking the trend. She wasn't a famous, big-bucks personality like former big name hosts Jesse Ventura. Phil Donahue or Deborah Norville.
"The list goes on and they all failed," Griffin said.
Once Keith Olbermann's protege, Maddow has taken over as the network's marquee name.
"She does not look like an anchor woman," Griffin said. "All the people were talking about was how people looked. They weren't talking about actual talent."
Griffin equated his talent to molding a baseball team. It doesn't matter if players have a beautiful swing (or a pretty face), as long as they get on base and help win games (or pop a rating.)
Moorad said the best front offices must assemble a staff that blends both traditional scouting and computer-whiz philosophies.
"You have to have both. You make real mistakes if you don't," Moorad said.
Moorad committed $5 million to the Villanova Law School for the creation of the Jeffrey S. Moorad Center for the Study of Sports law. The gift was the largest in the law school's history. Villanova is one of only a handful of schools dedicated to the study of sports law.
Moorad, a 76ers season ticket holder while he attended Villanova, declined to discuss the proposed transfer of the Padres from John Moores to Moorad.
"We certainly respect the process and we're excited to move forward at the appropriate time," he said.
Minaya talked about the difficulties of running the Montreal Expos with "zero budget." But that all changed when he ran the New York Mets. More money in the budget meant more pressure to land free agents. That meant more pressure to win. And mistakes were magnified.
Minaya, after all, was criticized for depleting the farm system while signing Oliver Perez ($36 million) and Luis Castillo ($25 million) to inflated contracts.
There was little chance "Moneyball" could work at the time in New York.
"We could do things in Oakland that Omar could never get away with in New York," Beane said.
The advanced use of statistics means every team — notably the Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays — have adopted Oakland's philosophies.
"The owners are demanding more from their decision makers," Minaya said. "They are asking more questions."
And it's no guarantee of success. That 2002 run was the third of four straight playoff appearances for the A's, but little has stayed the same since. Oakland finished 74-88 last year, the fifth losing season in a row.
"Listen, you could bring up the failures," Beane said. "We've got quite a few of those, too."
After the panel concluded, Beane reaffirmed his commitment to the area. Oakland owner Lew Wolff said Tuesday that the team has agreed to extend the contracts of the general manager as well as team President Michael Crowley through the 2019 season.
"We've talked about it. It's still a little premature," Beane said. "I think we're close to getting a new stadium. I'd like to see that secured. I've been saying that for the last three years."
AL Capsules
Valentine not sure what to expect from rivalry
UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) — Bobby Valentine has learned a lot of things across his many years as a manager. Among them? How to work the media.
So it was hardly a surprise inside the Mohegan Sun casino on Friday — at the Connecticut Sports Foundation's annual charity dinner to benefit cancer research — that the new manager of the Boston Red Sox offered very little, especially when it comes to who is now his biggest rival.
In fact, Valentine said he's not sure what it will be like to manage Boston against the New York Yankees, and Don Zimmer says he's not giving him any advice.
Valentine and Zimmer, a former Red Sox skipper and Yankees coach, were among a group of baseball stars who showed up at the casino for the charity and spoke with reporters beforehand. Former Yankee greats Goose Gossage and Yogi Berra also were there along with current Yankee Francisco Cervelli.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi was expected, but didn't meet with the media.
"Is (Girardi) in this building now?" Valentine joked. "I still hate 'em."
That was a reference to a comment Valentine made at the winter meetings, when he told reporters that he hated the Yankees and didn't want to waste his time talking about them. He was more introspective Friday.
"I really can't tell you what (the rivalry) is," said Valentine, who has also managed the Texas Rangers and New York Mets as well as the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan. "I haven't experienced it yet. These guys have experienced it much more than I have. I am looking forward to it, that's for sure."
Zimmer, now an advisor to Tampa Bay, said if he were Valentine, he'd be more worried about the Rays.
"I give him no advice," Zimmer said. "Bobby's his own man. I was there. I know what it's about and I loved every minute of it. Managing is managing. It has its ups and downs. You're going to get cheered; you're going to get booed.
"You've got to take it wherever you go."
But Gossage said you have to take more of it when you play in Boston. He talked about being spit on in the bullpen at Fenway Park, and having beers thrown in his face.
"There is no rivalry in sports that rivals the Yankees-Red Sox," he said. "That playoff game in '78 — it felt like the playoffs and World Series were exhibition games after that."
The Yankees outlasted the Red Sox, 5-4, in the 1978 American League East tiebreaker at Fenway. Gossage notched his 27th save of the season in the win on Oct. 2, 1978.
Berra said he enjoyed the ride to Connecticut and liked meeting the Boston fans. Even though an annual Quinnipiac University poll last summer found there are slightly more Yankees fans in Connecticut than Red Sox fans.
Forty-three percent of baseball fans surveyed in the poll, which had an error margin of 2.6 percentage points, supported the Yankees. Thirty-eight percent said they were fans of the Sox.
"It will probably go about 10 percent to the Yankees," joked Valentine, who was born and raised in Stamford, "with my presence."
-- Pat Eaton-Robb
Cabrera, Indians agree at $4.55 million
CLEVELAND (AP) — Nobody dodges salary arbitration like the Cleveland Indians.
With a hearing just days away, the club and All-Star shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera agreed to terms on a one-year, $4.55 million contract Friday, extending the Indians' streak of avoiding arbitration to 21 years. The Indians haven't had an arbitration hearing since 1991, when gas was $1.14 per gallon and Cabrera was 6.
The agreement was $75,000 above the midpoint between the $5.2 million Cabrera asked for last month, and the $3.75 million the Indians had offered. A hearing had been scheduled for next week, but won't be necessary as the Indians kept their run alive. Cleveland hasn't gone to a hearing since pitcher Greg Swindell and Jerry Browne had their salaries decided by an arbitrator.
The Indians had discussions with Cabrera about a long-term deal but couldn't reach one.
"With Asdrubal, we're pleased that we were able to get a one-year deal done and resolve his contract status for this year," said general manager Chris Antonetti, who remains amenable to signing Cabrera beyond 2012. "Generally, we're always open-minded on alternate contract structures with a variety of players. And if there's something that makes sense, and there's a value in term that makes sense for both parties, we'll certain explore it."
Cabrera was easily the Indians' best player in 2011, when the club contended until September before injuries overwhelmed their depth and led to a late collapse.
The 26-year-old hit .273 with 25 homers, 92 RBIs and 32 doubles. He led the Indians in runs (87), hits (165), stolen bases (17) and set a club record for homers by a shortstop. Cabrera was named the Indians' "Man of the Year" by Cleveland's baseball writers and last week was honored as the city's top professional athlete in 2011 at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards.
He made $2,125,000 in 2011, his fifth season with the Indians who acquired him in a 2006 trade from Seattle.
In signing Cabrera, one of seven Cleveland players to file for arbitration this winter, the Indians do not have a single player with a guaranteed contract after the 2012 season. That fact, along with owner Larry Dolan's inability to compete with big-market franchises for top-tier free agents, has led to speculation the club could be for sale.
However, Antonetti downplayed the significance of the team not having any long-term deals on the books.
"I think that's just where we are right now and just the circumstances that have led us to this point," he said. "There's no hidden or ulterior motive behind that. I would expect that at some point we will have commitments that extend past 2012. Whether that happens at some point this offseason or at some point this spring or next offseason, we'll see.
"But it's not necessarily a calculated strategy. I think we as an organization and our ownership have demonstrated that when those commitments make sense, we're certainly prepared to make them. And we'll continue to evaluate those opportunities along the way."
Antonetti said the team has made offers past 2012, but none have resulted in multiyear contracts.
"As we've always talked about, there needs to be an alignment in both value and term from both the player and the team, and to date we have not been able to align on those values," he said. "And that applies both to internal discussions and free-agent discussions."
Cabrera is eligible for free agency after 2013. Obviously, the Indians view him as core player and one worth signing to a long-term deal.
"We are appreciative of Asdrubal's contributions and certainly value him as a member of the organization and a member of our team," Antonetti said. "He was a key part of our team over the last few seasons and we're looking forward to him contributing in the time that he is with us.
''And how long that extends, it's going to be at least two years and it certainly could extend beyond that."
-- Tom Withers
AP Source: Mustain, White Sox close to deal
CHICAGO (AP) — A person familiar with the situation says former Arkansas and Southern California quarterback Mitch Mustain is closing in on a minor-league contract with the Chicago White Sox.
The person spoke Friday on the condition of anonymity because the deal had not been finalized. That is expected to happen early next week.
Mustain told the NBC affiliate in Northwest Arkansas that he had agreed to a deal with the White Sox. He had planned to play in the Arena Football League this year but put that on hold.
A right-handed pitcher, Mustain hasn't played baseball since he was at Springdale (Ark.) High School. He played football at Arkansas as a freshman in 2006 before transferring to USC and backing up Mark Sanchez and Matt Barkley.
-- Andrew Seligman
Royals get 12 more deals done as spring approaches
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Royals have agreed to terms with 12 players who will be making their way to Arizona for the start of spring training later this month.
Right-handed pitchers Nate Adcock, Kelvin Herrera, Jeremy Jeffress, Sean O'Sullivan and Blake Wood agreed to terms, the team said in a statement Friday.
Also agreeing were left-handers Everett Teaford and Ryan Verdugo, catcher Manuel Pina, first baseman Clint Robinson and outfielders Jarrod Dyson, David Lough and Derrick Robinsion.
There are 12 unsigned players on the 40-man roster with fewer than three years of service time: right-handers Louis Coleman, Greg Holland, Vin Mazzaro and Luis Mendoza; left-handers Tim Collins and Danny Duffy; infielders Alcides Escobar, Johnny Giavotella, Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas; catcher Salvador Perez; and outfielder Lorenzo Cain.
Chamberlain happy with progress in elbow rehab
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees reliever Joba Chamberlain made 15 throws in his second session on a half-mound at the team's minor league complex, part of his rehabilitation after elbow ligament replacement surgery. Chamberlain said he was "happy with the progress and feeling good," after throwing off the 5-inch mound Friday.
Derek Jeter is set to hit on the field for first time Monday and is looking to "pick up where we left off last year" when his batting average increased from .260 to .297 after he returned from a strained right calf on July 4.
Right-handers Phil Hughes, Ivan Nova and Cory Wade threw off bullpen mounds. New York's pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report for spring training on Feb. 19.
NL Capsules
Beachy heads Braves' new wave of young starters
ATLANTA (AP) — Julio Teheran was not even born in 1990 when Steve Avery joined Tom Glavine and John Smoltz in the Braves rotation. Atlanta, which added Greg Maddux for the 1993 season, won six Cy Young Awards in the decade.
Now Teheran, who just turned 21, is the junior member of a new youth movement in Atlanta.
Brandon Beachy, Mike Minor, Randall Delgado and Teheran combined to start 50 games as rookies last season. Beachy, who was 7-3 and led the team in strikeouts despite missing a month with an oblique injury, appears set as a 2012 starter.
Minor was 5-3 in 15 starts. Delgado won only one of his seven starts but had a strong 2.83 ERA and allowed only a .220 batting average. Teheran, like Delgado, was 1-1.
Beachy said he hopes the team's young guns, including former Yankees prospect Arodys Vizcaino, can remain together in the organization.
"There were a lot of people calling for big moves to be made last year," Beachy said Thursday, referring to speculation one or more young pitchers might be traded. "Obviously I don't get paid to make decisions like that, but I can't say I'm not happy and pleased to keep all the young arms intact.
"The future could be a lot of fun to be a part of another young wave running through this organization."
The insurance provided by the young pitchers could prove to be important.
Tim Hudson (back surgery), Tommy Hanson (shoulder) and Jair Jurrjens (knee) are coming off injuries.
Hanson and Jurrjens have been throwing in pitching coach Roger McDowell's workouts at Turner Field. Manager Fredi Gonzalez said Hudson, who had a herniated disc in his back repaired in November, has been doing only light tosses.
"We'll get a better read in spring training, but we're not going to push him," Gonzalez said of Hudson.
The Braves cleared one spot in the rotation by trading Derek Lowe to Cleveland.
Minor, Delgado and Teheran moved up when Hanson and Jurrjens were on the disabled list during the team's September collapse. Lowe was 0-5 in September as the Braves blew an 8 1/2-game wild-card lead in September.
Beachy, who was 3-0 in August, was 0-1 with a 5.27 ERA in five starts in September. The right-hander said his final month keeps him from viewing his season as a success.
"I was happy with the year I had," Beachy said before stopping to shake his head. "I wouldn't even say that. I wouldn't even say I was happy. I had a bitter taste in my mouth after my last three starts in September. It just came down to one inning in each of those starts I let get away from me. I'm working hard physically and mentally to figure out how I can stop those innings from happening on a regular basis."
Minor, 24, Delgado, 22, Teheran and Kris Medlen will compete for starting spots when spring training opens on Feb. 20.
If the veterans are healthy, there may be only one spot open. Minor, a left-hander who was 4-1 with a 3.83 ERA in nine starts after the All-Star break, could be the favorite to make the rotation. He acknowledges the competition is daunting.
"I feel like our pitching depth is beyond what we need here in the big leagues," Minor said. "We've had Triple-A guys post good numbers every year and it's hard to get a call-up. For me to say that I have a spot, I would never say that."
Medlen, 26, could pitch out of the bullpen if he doesn't make the rotation. He was 6-2 in 31 games, including 14 starts, in 2010 before missing most of last season following right elbow ligament-replacement surgery.
Vizcaino, 21, also could pitch in relief. Vizcaino, who was the key for Atlanta in the trade after the 2009 season that sent Javier Vazquez to the Yankees, worked out of the bullpen in 17 games with Atlanta last season, but he has been a starter in the minors.
Then there's Teheran, who was ranked by Baseball America as baseball's top pitching prospect entering 2011. He won 15 games in the minors last season, when he was named the Triple-A International League's top pitcher.
Teheran was 1-1 with a 5.03 ERA in five games, including three starts, with Atlanta. His highlight came when he gave up five hits and one run in 5 1/3 innings in a win over the Mets on Sept. 8.
"Starting pitching," he said when asked his goal for the season. "I'm trying to be in the rotation. I'm working hard because I want that."
-- Charles Odum
Veteran reliever gets minor league contract
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Reliever Scott Linebrink agreed to terms on a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, and will be among the non-roster invitees to spring training.
The 35-year-old Linebrink was 4-4 with a 3.64 ERA in 64 games with the Atlanta Braves last season. He struck out 42 in 54 1-3 innings and held batters to a .235 batting average.
In 607 career games, Linebrink has a 3.51 ERA — fourth-best among active pitchers with at least 600 appearances, trailing Mariano Rivera (2.21), Francisco Cordero (3.17) and Brian Fuentes (3.44). He has also pitched for San Francisco, Houston, San Diego, Milwaukee and the Chicago White Sox.
International
O's apologize to S. Korean baseball organizations
BALTIMORE (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles have apologized to two South Korean baseball organizations upset with the club over its contract with a local high school pitcher.
The Korea Baseball Association said Friday that the Orioles violated local rules that bar the signing of student players until their graduation year. KBA officials said the Orioles signed 17-year-old left-hander Kim Seong-min last month.
Dan Duquette, Baltimore's new executive vice president of baseball operations, apologized to the Korea Baseball Organization and the Korea Baseball Association for an "unintentional breach of protocol in failing to tender a status check in the process of signing" Kim.
"The Orioles respect Major League Baseball's recruiting policies and the governing bodies and people that contribute to the growth of baseball around the world," Duquette said in a release issued Friday night.
It's unclear if the apology will affect the KBA's decision to ban Orioles scouts from attending its games.
Also Friday, the Orioles announced deals with right-hander Luis Ayala and first baseman Nick Johnson, and designated outfielder Matt Angle for assignment.
Ayala agreed to a one-year contract that includes a club option for 2013. The 34-year-old reliever went 2-2 with a 2.09 ERA in 52 games with the New York Yankees last season.
Johnson received a minor league deal and was invited to spring training. The oft-injured Johnson hasn't appeared in a major league game since 2010.
