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Baseball Capsules: Mauer near-unanimous pick as American League MVP
Comments 0 | Recommend 0NEW YORK — Joe Mauer sat behind a table on a podium in a conference room at the Metrodome when Justin Morneau shouted out the last question of the day.
"Are you finally going to buy dinner now?" Morneau said to his teammate from the audience, one MVP to another.
Mauer became only the second catcher in 33 years to win the American League Most Valuable Player Award, finishing first in a near-unanimous vote Monday.
The Minnesota Twins star received 27 of 28 first-place votes and 387 points in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.
Yankees teammates Mark Teixeira (225 points) and Derek Jeter (193) followed. Detroit's Miguel Cabrera drew the other first-place vote and was fourth with 171 points, one point ahead of the Angels' Kendry Morales.
Mauer became the second Twins player to win in four years, following Morneau in 2006. Morneau gave Mauer a bottle of champagne.
"Hopefully we can pop that open here a little later," Mauer said.
Born in St. Paul, the 26-year-old can leave the Twins and become a free agent after the 2010 season, when he is to make $12.5 million. Minnesota is expected to try to sign him to a new deal.
"I've always said it will happen when it needs to happen and I truly believe that," he said. "I'm not the kind of guy that, you know, says by this date we need to have something done."
He enjoys playing in front of his family and friends and his preference is to stay with the Twins.
"Can we win here? Yes. Definitely. I think so," he said. "And that's ultimately what I would like to do."
For now, Twins general manager Bill Smith didn't want to address the business side.
"All that contract stuff, that's for another day," he said. "I'll just say one thing: If you think if he finished second that the price is going to come down ... No."
Morneau, signed at $14 million for each of the next four seasons, usually picks up checks as the highest-paid member of the Twins. He might be losing that status to Mauer sometime soon.
"We're going to do everything we can to keep him here as a Minnesota Twin," Morneau said. "The biggest thing now isn't the money. It's going to be whether or not he feels like we can win every day."
Mauer set a major league record for highest batting average by a catcher and won his third batting title, becoming the first repeat batting champion since Nomar Garciaparra in 1999-00.
"I love catching. I love the demands that are put on me and the responsibilities that I have, although it might beat you up a little bit physically and mentally," Mauer said. "I like being back there making those decisions, you know, for my team."
After missing April with a back injury, Mauer homered on his first swing of the season and went on to lead the AL in batting average (.365), on-base percentage (.444) and slugging percentage (.587), the first AL player to top all three categories in the same season since George Brett in 1980.
Mauer set career bests with 28 homers and 96 RBIs. He had more walks (76) than strikeouts (63) and batted .378 from Sept. 13 on after Morneau's season-ending back injury, helping the Twins overtake Detroit for the AL Central title. He was voted to his third All-Star team and won his second straight AL Gold Glove.
Mauer said the injury and his minor rehabilitation assignment might have been a "blessing in disguise." He was forced to do more core work on his abdominal muscles.
"In April, I couldn't watch a whole lot of the games," he said. "I'd watch for a little bit and I'd get so frustrated that I wasn't out there."
Ivan Rodriguez in 1999 had been the only catcher since Thurman Munson in 1976 to win the AL MVP. The other catchers to win in the AL were Mickey Cochrane (1934), Yogi Berra (1951 and 1954-55) and Elston Howard (1963). NL catchers to win were Gabby Hartnett (1935), Ernie Lombardi (1938), Roy Campanella (1951, 1953 and 1955) and Johnny Bench (1970 and 1972).
In addition to Mauer and Morneau, other Twins to win were Zoilo Versalles (1965), Harmon Killebrew (1969) and Rod Carew (1977).
Mauer receives a $100,000 bonus for winning the award, and Cabrera gets $200,000 for finishing fourth. Cabrera's first-place vote came from Keizo Konishi of Kyodo News, a member of the Seattle chapter.
Teixeira led the AL with 122 RBIs and tied for first with 39 homers. Jeter was second to Morneau in the 2006 voting and finished third behind Juan Gonzalez and Garciaparra in 1998.
The NL MVP is to be announced Tuesday, and Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals is favored to repeat.
Vizquel agrees to $1,375,000 deal with White Sox
CHICAGO — Omar Vizquel is joining a team with a long history of Venezuelan shortstops, and that was part of the attraction in coming to the Chicago White Sox.
The 42-year-old Vizquel agreed Monday to one-year contract worth nearly $1.4 million to add depth, experience and perhaps advice to a young infield. Last season, the White Sox made 113 errors.
Now they have an 11-time Gold Glove winner around, one who has spent most of his days at shortstop during a 21-year career.
"I feel pretty comfortable that I can do the job in the field, that I can still run and hit and do everything that a major league player is asked to do," Vizquel said.
Vizquel, who will turn 43 in April, will play for fellow Venezuelan Ozzie Guillen, a former shortstop who will be 46 in January.
The White Sox manager made it clear his team didn't sign Vizquel to be a coach. But Vizquel said he'll gladly be a mentor to younger infielders.
Chicago traded for Mark Teahen and he will play third; Alexei Ramirez will be at shortstop and Gordon Beckham will switch from third to second in his second season.
"I look at myself as a mentor to some other guys," Vizquel said. "I don't think that's going to be an issue. I've always been there for younger guys. I've been playing in the big leagues for a while."
With the Texas Rangers this year, Vizquel hit .266 with one homer and 14 RBIs in 62 games. He had no errors in 207 chances while playing shortstop, third and second. The slick-fielding veteran also mentored Venezuelan shortstop Elvis Andrus, the runner-up for AL Rookie of the Year.
Vizquel said he had to make an adjustment to being a utility player last season but found it to be an opportunity to see the game from a different perspective, something that could help him someday should he manage.
But right now the White Sox are also counting on him to be a productive contributor because he is still in such great shape. They guaranteed him $1,375,000.
"I think this kid is the best player to come out of my country," Guillen said. "I don't want to say kid — he's almost the same age as me."
Vizquel, a switch-hitter, has 2,704 hits. He is a career .273 hitter with 78 homers, 906 RBIs and 1,378 runs in 2,742 games with Seattle, Cleveland, San Francisco and the Rangers.
Vizquel, who has played 238 games at shortstop since turning 40, has a career fielding percentage of .984. A three-time AL All-Star, he played in the 1995 and 1997 World Series with Cleveland.
Vizquel considered joining the White Sox five years ago before signing with the San Francisco Giants following his stellar stint with the Indians.
One thing that will likely change is his number. Familiar No. 13 belongs to Guillen.
"That's going to be a hard thing. I don't think Ozzie is going to give up his number," Vizquel said.
He said he might ask countryman Luis Aparicio if can wear his retired No. 11 as a tribute. Or maybe the No. 17 that was worn by another Venezuelan shortstop who played for the White Sox, Chico Carrasquel.
Guillen said nothing has been decided but he would be reluctant to part with his number, one he wore for so many years with the White Sox.
He suggested that Vizquel try No. 23 — just one digit removed — because it's such a big number in Chicago, the one most notably worn by Michael Jordan.
No horror film: Yankees like this Series movie
NEW YORK — Joe Girardi and Brian Cashman stood a few feet from each other on the red carpet near the World Series trophy, wearing blue jeans and sports jackets without ties. They were dressed for success, if not for a gala.
While an elegantly attired crowd assembled across the street on a similar carpet for the International Emmy Awards, the Yankees manager and general manager attended Monday night's premiere of this year's World Series film.
"Someone asked me what I was wearing. I had no idea what it meant," said Girardi, uncomfortable with the camera flashes.
With free-agent signing season already open, the Yankees quickly are putting behind their first Series title since 2000 and turning their attention to 2010. Andy Pettitte, Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon became free agents, and New York must decide whether it wants to re-sign the trio, all 35 and up.
"I'll talk to our guys first, and after I have my conversations with our guys then I'll be full-blown into the marketplace," Cashman said. "I'm trying to be very careful and respectful to our players first and try to make sure they're aware of where they are in the process."
Cashman has finished his internal scouting meetings and is discussing budget with the Steinbrenner family. While no names of free agents have been mentioned, Girardi gave a hint the Yankees may be interested in adding John Lackey, the top available free-agent pitcher, to a rotation that includes CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett.
"I think the first thing you have to address is our rotation," Girardi said.
New York already has met with Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman, a 21-year-old left-hander who throws 100 mph. Chapman, who also has talked with the Red Sox and Mets, fired agent Edwin Mejia last week and hired brothers Randy and Alan Hendricks.
With a core that includes shortstop Derek Jeter (35), third baseman Alex Rodriguez (34), catcher Jorge Posada (38) and closer Mariano Rivera (40 on Nov. 29), the Yankees are a relatively old team.
"I'm thankful that we won with a lot of older guys that stayed healthy," Cashman said. "Outside (Chien-Ming) Wang and (Xavier) Nady, almost everything that we touched this year worked out for us in our favor, and that's why we're here today, you know, in New York City, showing the World Series video."
Girardi was looking forward to the movie, primarily because he knew the ending.
"That's why it's probably a little bit more relaxing this time," he said.
-- Ronald Blum
Griffey could earn $3.9M in 2010
SEATTLE — Ken Griffey Jr. is being rewarded for his leadership and seniority.
According to contract figures obtained Monday by The Associated Press, the deal Griffey signed this month to return to the Seattle Mariners for one more season as a 40-year-old calls for a $2.35 million base salary for 2010.
Baseball's active home run leader would earn $3.9 million if he again has at least 400 plate appearances, Seattle's attendance tops 2.5 million and Griffey again does not go on the disabled list while remaining on the roster for the entire season.
That's a higher and more attainable set of bonuses than previously believed.
Griffey earned $3.15 million in 2009 in his return to the team for which he debuted as a teenager in 1989. That included $2 million in base pay plus $1.15 million of a potential $3 million in bonuses.
The Mariners felt that was a bargain. Griffey, No. 5 all-time in the major leagues with 630 home runs, almost single-handedly transformed what had been a bickering, miserable clubhouse into a place where even formerly reclusive superstar Ichiro Suzuki goofed off.
Griffey's laughs and leadership was cited throughout the organization as a primary reason Seattle became the 13th team since 1901 to finish with a winning record the year after losing 100 games.
His teammates carried a tearful Griffey off the field on their shoulders after the season finale on Oct. 4, Seattle's 85th win.
Griffey had 456 plate appearances last season, during which his surgically repaired left knee was drained multiple times. The 10-time All-Star and the 1997 AL MVP for the Mariners hit .214 with 19 homers as a part-time designated hitter. He had another operation on the knee last month.
His fit into Seattle's lineup next season remains, in the words of general manager Jack Zduriencik, "to be determined. There's a lot of pieces we are trying to put together."
The Mariners are trying to bring back Russell Branyan, their leading home run hitter last season, but the free agent wants a multiyear deal. They would also like more consistent production from the DH.
Asked this month how often Griffey will be in the lineup in 2010, Zduriencik said, "That will be determined by performance on the field."
His supporters note how he led the Mariners in walks despite playing in only 117 games last season. They note how, based on his production per at-bat in 2009, he would have hit 30 home runs with 90 RBIs had he been a regular player over the full season.
Then again, he is now 40.
Zduriencik said Griffey has already told him he just wants to participate in the Mariners' rise back toward the top of the AL West, regardless of playing time.
"What he said was, 'I'd like to be a part of this. Hey, I'm a part of a 25-man club. Let the pieces fall where they may.'"
Griffey would get $100,000 in bonus money for reaching 350 plate appearances next season, and $200,000 each for 400, 450 and 500 plate appearances.
Once he reaches 350 plate appearances, he receives $100,000 if the Mariners draw 2.3 million fans to Safeco Field. He gets another $100,000 for 2.35 million fans. The bump goes to an additional $150,000 for 2.4 million in attendance and 400 plate appearances, $150,000 more for 2.45 million fans and $150,000 extra for 2.5 million.
In 2009, Griffey's presence did not drive up attendance as much as the team had hoped, though it likely prevented a steeper drop in a bad economy. The Mariners drew 2,195,284 at home, down from 2.33 million in 2008. It was the lowest in Seattle since 1995 at the Kingdome.
If Griffey is on the major league roster and off the disabled list at the end of the 2010 season, he gets another $50,000 for 2.4 million in paid attendance, $50,000 for 2.45 million fans and $100,000 more for 2.5 million fans.
There are also bonuses from $50,000-$150,000 each for an All-Star selection and being voted MVP. He would get $100,000 if he is named the Comeback Player of the Year.
-- Gregg Bell
A's sign 3B Dallas McPherson to minor league deal
OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland Athletics have signed free-agent third baseman Dallas McPherson to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
McPherson is expected to compete for a starting job, and he provides Oakland with insurance at third base. Six-time Gold Glove winner Eric Chavez might not be able to return to that position after recovering from a second back surgery that cost him most of this season.
The 29-year-old McPherson, who missed the 2007 and '09 seasons with back trouble, is a career .245 hitter with 18 home runs and 45 RBIs in parts of four major league seasons with the Angels and Marlins.
Chavez had his second back operation, the same microdiscectomy surgery in a different spot, to correct a herniated disk on June 23. He appeared in just eight games and batted .100. He played in only 23 games in 2008, and 90 in '07.
Red Sox name DeMarlo Hale new bench coach
BOSTON — DeMarlo Hale is the new bench coach for the Boston Red Sox under manager Terry Francona.
Hale, the team's third base coach the past four seasons, replaces Brad Mills, hired as manager of the Houston Astros last month. Tim Bogar, who served one season as Boston's first base coach, replaces Hale at third.
The Red Sox announced two other new assignments on Monday. Ron Johnson moves from manager at Triple-A Pawtucket to first base coach, and Rob Leary becomes a major league coaching staff assistant after seven years as minor league field coordinator.
The team retained John Farrell as pitching coach, Dave Magadan as hitting coach and Gary Tuck as bullpen coach.
Statues of Twins stars planned for downtown Mpls
MINNEAPOLIS — Downtown Minneapolis already has a statue of Mary Tyler Moore tossing her cap in the air. Now some statues of famous Minnesota Twins players may join her.
The Twins are scheduled to team up with the Minneapolis Downtown Council on Tuesday to announce "Twins Around Town." The program would place life-sized statues inspired by Twins stars Harmon Killebrew, Kirby Puckett and Joe Mauer around downtown Minneapolis.
Twins president Dave St. Peter and TC, the Twins mascot, are among those scheduled to attend the announcement at the IDS Crystal Court.
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