Aaron Cook; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Just a few links to get you through your Thanksgiving turkey coma:

• Ballpark Digest has named Bowling Green Hot Rods President Rick Brenner its executive of the year.
• Chris DeFranco of The Reporter in North Penn, Pa., profiles UofL baseball commit Ryan Seiz.
• Thomas Harding of MLB.com looks at the charitable contributions of several Colorado Rockies including Louisville-native Aaron Cook.
• Bleacher Report speculates Cardinal Stadium in Louisville might be a potential sight for the 2011 unveiling of the “Super Independent Baseball” League if it ever gets off the ground.

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For me, Thanksgiving is the best holiday of the year. It’s one of the few times of the year when all bets are off when it comes to food. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie.

It doesn’t get any better than that.

Thanksgiving is also the time of year where we give thanks to what we have in life. It’s no different for all 30 teams of Major League Baseball. Each team has something they can be thankful for.

NL East

Philadelphia Phillies: The Phillies should be thankful that they have one of the best GM’s in the game in Ruben Amaro Jr. A GM who doesn’t get nearly the credit he deserves.

Atlanta Braves: The Braves should be thankful the Minor League Player of the Year, Jason Heyward is on his way. The kid looks like a star.

Florida Marlins: The Marlins should be thankful they are getting a new stadium in 2012. Maybe then they can keep their young stars like Josh Johnson

New York Mets: The Mets should be thankful that 2009 is finally coming to an end. 2010 can’t be much worse.

Washington Nationals: The Nationals should be thankful that new GM Mike Rizzo has more of a clue than former GM Jim Bowden

NL Central

St. Louis Cardinals: The Cardinals should be thankful for the fact that they get to watch the best player in the game on a day in and day out basis.

Chicago Cubs: The Cubs should be thankful that after so many years of being labeled “lovable losers,” they are finally dedicated to winning. Whether or not they are making the right moves to win is another story.

Milwaukee Brewers: The Brewers should be thankful that they have an owner in Mark Attanasio, who runs a small market team, but has a big market mentality.

Cincinnati Reds: The Reds should be thankful that Jay Bruce, Drew Stubbs, and Joey Votto are young stars, who should provide a solid foundation for the future.

Houston Astros: The Astros should be thankful that Wandy Rodriguez established himself as a solid No. 2 starter in 2009.

Pittsburgh Pirates: The Pirates should be thankful for the fact that GM Neal Huntington has the team moving in the right direction. The Pirates are making the right moves to compete in the future.

NL West

Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers should be thankful for Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp, who appear to be the foundation of the Dodgers’ offense for years to come.

Colorado Rockies: The Rockies should be thankful that they have one of the best and exciting young teams in baseball. The Rockies have finally figured out how to win in Colorado.

San Francisco Giants: The Giants should be thankful for being able to watch Tim Lincecum every five days. His unique delivery continues to amaze fans and baffle hitters.

San Diego Padres: The Padres should be thankful that it appears that they will not be trading star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.

Arizona Diamondbacks: The Diamondbacks should be thankful that Brandon Webb is making progress and looks to be healthy in 2010.

AL East

New York Yankees: The Yankees should be thankful that they are the Yankees. No other team in professional sports has the advantage they have.

Boston Red Sox: The Red Sox should be thankful for their minor-league system, which allows them to trade for players like Victor Martinez and potentially Roy Halladay or Miguel Cabrera.

Tampa Bay Rays: The Rays should be thankful that they have the most athletic team in baseball and after so many years of losing, they have a winner in Tampa.

Toronto Blue Jays: The Blue Jays should be thankful for the fact they got to watch Roy Halladay pitch in a Blue Jays’ uniform for the last 12 years. He will go down as the best player in franchise history.

Baltimore Orioles: The Orioles should be thankful for that after so many years of not having a clue, they are moving in the right direction. Matt Wieters, Adam Jones, Brian Matusz, and Nick Markakis provide a solid foundation for the future.

AL Central

Minnesota Twins: The Twins should be thankful for Joe Mauer. When it is all said and done, I believe he will go down as the greatest catcher of all time.

Detroit Tigers: The Tigers should be thankful for Mike Ilitch. Despite a ravaged economy in Detroit, Ilitch does his best to put a winner on the field in the Motor City.

Chicago White Sox: The White Sox should be thankful for employing Ozzie Guillen. His press conferences have provided baseball fans with hours of comedy. Oh yeah, the guy is a pretty good manager.

Kansas City Royals: The Royals should be thankful that there is only more year left in the Jose Guillen era in Kansas City.

Cleveland Indians: The Indians should be thankful that Grady Sizemore, Carlos Martinez, Azdrubal Cabrera, Matt LaPorta, and Shin-Soo Choo provide hope for the future.

AL West

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: The Angles should be thankful for that they have one of the best run organizations in baseball. The job Arte Moreno and Mike Scioscia have done in Anaheim has been impressive.

Seattle Mariners: The Mariners should be thankful for the fact that if they make a couple of solid moves this offseason, they could win the AL West in 2010.

Texas Rangers: The Rangers should be thankful for GM Jon Daniels. His trades and drafting over the last four years have the Rangers poised to make a run at the AL West crown in 2010.

Oakland A’s: The A’s should be thankful for Andrew Bailey. The 2009 AL Rookie of the Year and a great year and should anchor the backend of the A’s bullpen for years to come–or at least until Billy Beane trades him.

I would like to give thanks to all my readers for taking the time out of their days to read my blog. For that, I am truly grateful.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE AND THEIR FAMILIES!!!

Sorry for the lack of posts as of late but been very busy!  Anyways, today I want to talk Rockies baseball.  First, congratulations to Jim Tracy for winning NL Manager of the Year and on his 3-year deal with the Rockies.  Free agency has started and the Rockies need to do some work.  Some things to consider…

1. Re-Sign Jason Giambi:  He still has the ability to come off the bench and make a difference in the late innings of a close game.  He has veteran experience on field and in the club house.  The Rockies are also in need of a back up first baseman with the soon to be departure of Garret Atkins.  He is willing to come off the bench and won’t be incredibly expensive to sign for a year.

2. Trade for Halliday:  The probability that this will happen?  0.11111%.  Why not put it out there though.  The Rockies need a big time starter that can win anytime of the year.  We saw what Cliff Lee did for the Phillies last season.  If the Rockies could get over the pay and willing to give up some good prospects then this could happen.  Roy Halliday is a Colorado native.  With the combination of the cheap owners of the Rockies and teams like the Red Sox going after him, not likely to happen, but fun to look at and HOPE.

3. Sign Torrealba:  He has been a great veteran to have in the clubhouse and dugout for the Rockies.  He was even clutch in the NLDS last season.  The Rockies have signed Paul Phillips as a back up for starter Chris Ianetta.  The more vets the Rockies can have in that clubhouse, the better chance for the Rockies getting back to the Playoffs and getting to the World Series.

The team will be what we saw at the end of last year.  From third to first, Stewart, Tulo, Barmes, Helton.  From left to right field, Seth Smith, Fowler, and Carlos Gonzolez.  GM Dan O’Dowd has said they are not shopping Brad Hawpe, but I honestly don’t see Brad in a Rockies uniform next season.  Someone will come after the All-Star right fielder.

Free agent pitcher Jose Contreras is considering playing in Japan in 2010.  According to The Denver Post, he wants to enroll his teenage son in a Japanese training academy.  The Rockies have expressed interest in bringing him back as a relief pitcher next season.  Contreras was 6-13 in 23 games started with a 4.92 ERA.

Contreras made $10 million in 2009.  He probably won’t be able to fetch that in 2010 and beyond.  However, a $3-5 million per year deal is not out of the question.

With the departure of free agent Yorvit Torrealba, the Colorado Rockies have expressed interest in former Met backup catcher and now free agent Brian Schneider according to The Denver Post.  Torrealba recently turned down a 2 year $4.5 million offer from the Rockies.  The Denver Post speculates that Torrealba may be headed to the San Francisco Giants with the departure of free agent Bengie Molina.  Torealba started in the Giant’s system and was with the big league club from 2001-2005.  He’ll be a stop-gap until Buster Posey is ready to take the job full-time.

Schneider hit .218 with three home runs and 24 RBIs in 59 games with the Met’s in 2009.  He’s he’s an average backup at best.  The Rockies other option is Chris Iannetta who started approximately half of the Rockies games last season.

As usual in these situations, I’m going to cut to the completely unjustifiable chase.  We’re not getting the All-Star Game in 2012.  Kansas City is getting it.  I’ll give you a moment to recover from the shock before I continue, because believe me, this was one seriously twisted shock.  Okay.  Apparently, Kauffman Stadium recently completed major renovations.  How nice for Kauffman Stadium.  It’s brand-new, nice and clean, and very fan-friendly.  Congratulations, Kansas City; now Kauffman Stadium is just like every other ballpark that completes major renovations.

Just to review, the reason why we wanted the All-Star Game in 2012 is because Fenway Park will turn one hundred years old.  The oldest ballpark still in use in the United States of America will commemorate a century of baseball.  America’s Most Beloved Ballpark will celebrate its one hundredth birthday.  Think about what Fenway Park has seen in that time.  It’s seen the Royal Rooters, Tris Speaker, Duffy’s Cliff.  It’s seen Joe Cronin, Ted Williams, Carl Yastrzemski.  It’s seen Nomar Garciaparra, David Ortiz, 2004, and 2007.  It’s seen a team of royalty followed by a team that committed cruel and unusual losses year after year after year, followed by royalty’s return.  If there is a structure in this country that embodies the history of the game of baseball within its very foundation, it’s Fenway Park.

And Fenway Park was denied.  Why? I have no idea.  What, they can give it to New York because it’s the last year of Yankee Stadium but they can’t recognize that America’s Most Beloved, and oldest, Ballpark will turn a century old? I mean, okay, so Kansas City hasn’t had the All-Star game in forty years and Fenway last had it thirteen years ago, in 1999 when none other than the Splendid Splinter threw out the first pitch.  But Fenway only turns one hundred years old once in a lifetime.  Kansas City could’ve gotten it in 2013.  In fact, it would’ve been okay by me if Kansas City had it every year for another forty years if only we could have it this one time.  Something just doesn’t seem right here.  I think I speak for all of Red Sox Nation when I say that we are extremely and profoundly disappointed and extremely and profoundly confused.

Zack Greinke won the AL Cy Young.  I’ll be very interested to see how he pitches next year.  I don’t think he’ll be as effective.  But I do think Josh Beckett is in line to have a break-out season so dominant that not even CC Sabathia can squeeze past him in the Cy Young voting.  Tim Lincecum won it for the NL, becoming its first repeat winner since Randy Johnson.  Andrew Bailey of Oakland and Chris Coghlan of Florida were the Rookies of the Year.  Mike Scoscia and Jim Tracy of Colorado were the Managers of the Year.  I don’t think I would’ve picked Mike Scoscia.  In my mind, there were three managers this year who faced significant uphill battles and who powered through them: Terry Francona, and then Ron Gardenhire and Ron Washington.  Terry Francona managed us through a lack of shortstop, the entry of a new starting catcher, a decline in the playing time of the team’s captain, a very public steroid scandal, and the worst slump in the career of the figure at the heard of said steroid scandal.  True, every manager deals with things behind closed doors, but what makes Tito’s job so difficult is that those doors are never closed completely.  It’s the nature of sports in Boston.  Gardenhire took the Twins from zero to one-game-playoff winners without Joe Mauer in the first month of the season, Justin Morneau in the last month, or a particularly effective bullpen.  And Washington almost made it to the playoffs this year without big-name talent.  All I’m saying is that, if the award goes to a Manager of the Year within the Angels organization, it should have gone to Torii Hunter, not Scoscia.  He was the real force in that clubhouse.  MVPs will be announced tomorrow.

Again, not much in the way of business yet.  Jason Bay rejected a four-year, sixty-million-dollar offer in favor of testing the free agent market for the first time in his career.  He’s Theo’s priority, though, and I still say he’ll end up back in Boston.  The Cards have already stated that they’re not interested, preferring Matt Holliday instead.  But I think this has the potential to be one of those long, drawn-out negotiations.  By the way, let’s not forget that Jermaine Dye is also a free agent.

We released George Kottaras, who has been claimed by the Brewers.  PawSox manager Ron Johnson will be our new bench coach.  We’re reportedly interested in Adrian Beltre, and we claimed reliever Robert Manuel off waivers.  Before the offseason is done, we’ll probably re-sign Alex Gonzalez and add a low-risk, high-potential starter.  Remember: in an economy like this, you do not need to, nor should you, empty your pockets to win a World Series, no matter what the Evil Empire might assume is the best practice.

Congratulations to John Henry on winning the Woodrow Wilson Award for Corporate Citizenship.  Again, corporate social responsibility in this day and age is the way to go.  Unfortunately, though, ticket prices are up this year.  About half the seats were increased by two dollars, including the infield grandstand, right field boxes, and lower bleachers.  The field and loge boxes and Green Monster seats and standing room were increased by five dollars.  The outfield grandstand and upper bleachers weren’t increased.  Whenever you hear about price increases or decreases for tickets at Fenway, remember to always take them with a grain of salt.  Obviously we’d prefer a price freeze, but how many of us really purchase our Fenway tickets at face value anyway? I’m just saying.

So, as per usual this early in the offseason, we have more wait-and-seeing ahead.  Theo never reveals the tricks he has up his sleeve, so that’s really all we can do.

The Bruins suffered a particularly painful loss to the Islanders, 4-1.  I’d rather not talk about it.  We did best Atlanta in a shootout, though, and we eked out a win against the Sabres in sudden death.  That last one was particularly heartening, being that the Sabres are first in the division.  For now.  We’re only two points behind.  And now for the grand finale, let’s discuss Bill Belichick’s oh-so-positive judgment call on Sunday.  In the fourth quarter with a six-point lead, the Pats had the ball on their 28.  Tom Brady’s pass was incomplete.  With two minutes and eight seconds left on the clock, Belichick decided to go for it.  But Kevin Faulk fumbled the ball, and suddenly it was fourth and two.  Needless to say, we lost, 35-34, to the Colts, who are still undefeated.  I mean, it’s a tough call.  Belichick made the same decision against Atlanta and we won.  Then again, we had the lead, we had the time, and we had an opponent that wasn’t Indianapolis.  It was just bad.  It was just really, really bad.

Sawxblog/Derek Hixon

Garrett Atkins is a man without a job, yet he is still gainfully employed.

It may sound like the ultimate contradiction, but it’s merely a sign of the times in Major League Baseball.

Many teams are currently at a tipping point with overpriced, underperforming veterans.

It is becoming more common for big league clubs to non-tender players who have become too pricey, rather than risk overpaying them in arbitration.

Garrett Atkins and the Colorado Rockies are the latest example of this situation.

Atkins, 29, is still with the Colorado Rockies, but only as a formality.

On Friday, the Rockies announced that Atkins would remain with on the club’s 40-man roster.

This move serves only to delay the inevitable, as Garrett Atkins has undoubtedly played his last game for Colorado.

Thanks to arbitration, the Rockies paid Atkins more than $7 million last season.

That was $3 million more than he’d made in 2008, despite posting a second-consecutive year of declining numbers.

Many in the Colorado front-office were hoping for a bounce-back performance in 2009, unfortunately, they didn’t get one.

For their $7 million investment, Atkins gave the club a dismal .226/.308/.342 line with nine home runs and 48 RBIs. By mid-season, he’d become a backup infielder after losing his job to rising star, Ian Stewart.

As such, Colorado is only keeping Atkins on the 40-man roster to allow more time for general manager Dan O’Dowd to try and facilitate a trade before the December 12 non-tender date.

O’Dowd has been actively trying to move the slumping slugger since last offseason.

A year ago, most clubs were wary about pulling the trigger, as Atkins’ numbers suggested that his success had been more a product of Coors Field than his actual talent.

This offseason, the interest has been even more tepid given Atkins’ continued downward spiral at the plate.

His numbers have been in steady decline since his breakout campaign in 2006, when he posted an astounding.329/.409/.556 line with 29 home runs, 120 RBIs, 117 runs scored and 48 doubles.

His below-average defense at third could be put up with when he was posting mammoth power numbers, but a no-hit, no-field third baseman simply won’t do. At this point he projects as a first baseman rather than a third sacker.

A small handful of teams have reportedly shown some interest, including the Baltimore Orioles and Texas Rangers.

Both clubs could use him at either corner or in a designated hitter role and Atkins could benefit from playing in another renowned hitters park.

Neither club, however, wants to give the Rockies anything in return, nor should they.

O’Dowd has three weeks until the non-tender deadline. In that time he will make a strong push to move Atkins, for anything he can get in return.

If he is unable to do so, he will undoubtedly have to cut Atkins loose and be left with nothing to show for the former fifth-round draft pick.

In these economic times, this situation is becoming more and more common.

Clubs like the Rockies can’t afford to throw $7 million at underperforming players and other clubs refuse to trade their young, cheap talent for reclamation projects.

And why should then when, in three weeks time, Atkins figures to be available on a minor-league deal.

If Atkins had posted better numbers, it would make far more sense for a club to make a trade, rather than risk another club beating them to the punch.

Atkins’ wretched season has torpedoed his value, both to himself and to Colorado.

In three weeks, he’ll be a free agent just hoping to catch on with a club for the Major League minimum.

The Rockies will be off-the-hook for more than $7 million, but they’ll have nothing to show for all of the time and effort they spent developing Atkins.

It’s a lose-lose situation, but it’s also business as usual in the new baseball economy.

Yes, I am fully aware that this was yesterday’s news, but it’s hard to write when you leave your laptop in your office and your home computer catches a virus.

Yesterday was a tough day for The Ghost of Moonlight Graham. I was home sick, my computer crashed, and the UMass Basketball team lost their home opener dropping them to 0-2 on the season.

It’s hard to win when you don’t have a point guard who can facilitate an offense and you have to settle for jump shots the entire game.

While I didn’t have a great day yesterday, there was one guy who did–Colorado Rockies manager Jim Tracy. Not only did Tracy win the National League Manager of the Year award, but he also inked a three-year extension with the Rockies.

Tracy had a remarkable turnaround in Colorado

Tracy received 29 out of 32 first-place votes to become just the second manager to ever win the award while taking over a team mid-season. Jack McKeon accomplished the same feat with the Florida Marlins in 2003.

Tony LaRussa received two first-place votes and Joe Torre received the other first-place vote.

I wouldn’t shock me that the one guy who voted for Torre was some idiot out of L.A. who knows nothing about baseball, but somehow has a vote. I thought Bruce Bochy or Fredi Gonzalez deserved more credit than Torre.

Now, I will have to fully admit, I was dead wrong about Tracy. A. I didn’t think Clint Hurdle should have been fired and B. I didn’t think Tracy was the right man to turn the ship around.

I went on record saying Vinny Castilla should have gotten the job.

But Tracy proved me and a lot of other people wrong. The Rockies went 74-42 under Tracy’s stewardship and clinched a Wild Card birth for their second postseason appearance in the last three years.

Tracy put Ian Stewart at third, Clint Barmes at second, stabilized the bullpen, Troy Tulowitzki returned to his 2007 form, and the rest was history for Tracy and the Rockies.

The loads of young talent, the Rockies should be contenders for years to come and the guy leading them will be Tracy. As I mentioned earlier, Tracy received a three-year extension from the Rockies.

No terms of the deal have been disclosed, but industry sources say Tracy will earn over $1 million annually.

Not bad for a guy who was run out of Pittsburgh and Los Angeles.

Tracy becomes the second Rockies’ manager to win the Manager of the Year award. Don Baylor won the award in 1995.

You can follow The Ghost of Moonlight Graham on Twitter @ theghostofmlg

Colorado’s Jim Tracy and Angels manager Mike Scioscia were named Manager of the Year in their respective leagues yesterday, which means  one of them has a chance to get fired in two years, right?  If I had to pick, I’d guess that Tracy would be more likely to get the boot…

Seriously, though, Tracy turned around a Rockies team that was lifeless until he took over for a fired Clint Hurdle.  Scioscia managed his Angels through a series of nasty injuries to his entire pitching staff and outfield, and helped his team cope with the loss of Nick Adenhart, who had been killed in a car accident after his first start of the year in April.

Tracy’s efforts were rewarded – he got a three-year deal from Colorado to remain as manager.  [ESPN]

Other News…

Bud Selig wants to tweak a few things in baseball, but the one getting attention right now is shortening the time lapse between playoff series.  The schedule is frequently dictated by television contracts, but Mike Scioscia was on the money when noting that his team played only eight games in twenty days – after six months of 28 – 30 games a month…  [ESPN]

Taking Sides…

FoxSports’ Ken Rosenthal talks about how agents and baseball executives have a vastly different opinion as to the financial state of baseball teams.  It’s a fascinating look at the economics of the game.  [FoxSports]

Hot Stove…

The Braves could be shopping both Derek Lowe and Javier Vasquez, two 200 inning types.  Let the bidding begin…  [FanHouse]

Jason Marquis, a New Yorker, wants to be a Met in 2009.  Marquis is the best four month pitcher in baseball…  He tends to tire and is far less effective after August 1.  That being said, the Mets could use a dependable arm and Marquis is that.

Third string catcher, George Kotteras, was released by the Red Sox and immediately scooped up by Milwaukee.  Kotteras has some skills behind the plate, is a left handed hitter – a low average hitter with some power.

Happy Birthday!

Hall of Famer Roy Campanella, one of the greatest catchers to don the mask, was born on this day in 1921.

Before I get to the rest of the list, there’s a great baseball site operated out of Atlanta called Baseballisms (www.baseballisms.com) and its goal is to collect all of these snippets and memories people have of the game – whether it’s a personal anecdote about a little league or high school game, or your memories of going to games and seeing your favorite players, or whatever it is that makes you love the game.  Today’s baseball list would fill a dozen posts for Baseballisms…

Anyway, others celebrating or being remembered today include: The Parson, Billy Sunday (1862), John Roach (1867), Everett Scott (1892) – a shortstop who held the record for consecutive games prior to Lou Gehrig, Joe Morgan (1930) – a good Red Sox manager who couldn’t catch a break, Larry Haney (1942), Bobby Tolan (1945) – I can still picture his batting stance, a lefty with the high hand placement, another guy whose career never seemed to take off, Bob Boone (1947) – I can remember when he managed the Royals PLEADING with him not to have Jay Bell bunt after someone had led off with a single.  Sure enough, Bell bounced into a double play.  By the way – if you ever check out the infield grass at Royals stadium, the grass goes right up to the baselines in part because Boone wanted more grass to catch bunts.  Continuing…  Dickie Noles (1956) – another Cubs/Phillies trade back when Dallas Green ran the Cubs, Gary DiSarcina (1967) – who never, ever, took a walk if he had to, Jeff Berblinger (1970) – the second baseman for Kansas when Andy Finch and I used to broadcast Jayhawk baseball games, Andy Sheets (1971), Justin Duchscherer (1977), Jeff Bailey (1978) – a minor league nomad who finally got to play for the Sox in 2008 and hit a homer for his first major league hit, and “Big Sexy” – Ryan Howard.

See a lot of baseballisms for me today.

The MLB Postseason Awards have been dealt out in the past couple of days, and while word awaits on the NL Cy Young Award winner (Zack Greinke of the Kansas City Royals won the AL Cy Young Award yesterday), we will assess that tomorrow or when the award is announced.

Today, however, the AL and NL Managers of the Year were announced, and the candidates were well deserving of the awards given, but maybe there was a better choice for one of them.

Mike Scioscia of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim was named the American League Manager of the Year today, and although some people may say Joe Girardi should deserve the award after leading the Yankees to 103 wins and their 27th World Series Championship, but look at what Scioscia and the Angels had to endure: They suffered a devastating blow with the death of their future young ace, Nick Adenhart, and after allowing his players time to grieve for their fallen teammate, the Angels used Adenhart’s death as a rallying point and played for him. The end result was a 97-65 record, and their fifth AL West pennant in six years. The awareness of the circumstances was present among the voters, and it was a good job on their part to give Scioscia the award. The award is his second, after winning it the first time following the 2002 World Series ending in the Angels’ only crown.

Jim Tracy of the Colorado Rockies won the National League Manager of the Year in a season where he did not even start out as the manager. After an 18-28 and the Rockies trailing by 14 1/2 games in the NL West, the Rockies fired then-manager Clint Hurdle, and Tracy took over and guided the Rockies to a 74-42 record, and a Wild Card berth in the playoffs, before falling to the Philadelphia Phillies in four games in the National League Division Series. There was no dispute in this voting, as Tracy was the distant winner and becoming the second manager to win the award after taking over a team, joining Jack McKeon of the Florida Marlins in 2003. The same day he won the award, he was awarded with a three-year contract.

Stay tuned throughout the offseason for MLB news on TSX.

Today came down the decision that most Rockies fan already knew in their hearts, that Jim Tracy has been named the National League Manager of the Year. Today’s decision coming down from the league showed Tracy winning by nearly 100 votes overall, 151 for Tracy and the next closest being Tony LaRussa with 55.

News also comes that Jim Tracy today received a 3 year contract to remain the Rockies manager. This of course is a great move by Dan O’Dowd and Rockies ownership. My biggest hope is that O’Dowd and Tracy will continue to work together and continue to work the magic they displayed this past season. My biggest fear is that somewhere down the line Rockies ownership doesn’t begin dumping players and salaries just for the sake of doing so, in thinking that Tracy can get every player who comes in wearing a Rockies uniform to get and stay on the same page as the rest of the team. I’m not saying Tracy doesn’t have the ability to keep his team on the same page, but that this alone doesn’t justify ownership to just begin dumping salaries.

Ownership if anything should honestly step back and let O’Dowd and Tracy do their jobs, even more next season. That’s not to say ownership should not be involved or informed, but to allow them both to do what has gotten them to the point of where they are today.

** EXTRA INNINGS - I’m sure alot of you have been wondering where I’ve been as of late. I wasn’t planning to take the offseason off from blogging, but things happen and with a fulltime job and a full courseload this semester the blog had to take a back seat for a while. Expect to see more entries to the blog as the semester winds down and the offseason begins to unwrap itself.

Nice to be back after a long weekend camping near Lake Okeechobee with my son – a boys weekend and a good time.  In retrospect, we probably should have stayed longer and fished more on Sunday morning, so next time that will be the plan…

Coghlan wins NL MVP…

Beating out a good crowd, including Andrew McCutchen and J.A. Happ, Florida Marlins outfielder Chris Coghlan won the NL Rookie of the Year Award.  He’s the third Fish to win, following Dontrelle Willis and Hanley Ramirez.  Keith Law was interviewed on ESPN Radio last night and said that the Marlins are going to have ROY candidates every year because they need to integrate young players onto the roster more regularly than other teams – a fair assessment.  At the same time, Coghlan deserved it.

I don’t know if you have ever seen him play, but he’s got to be the quietest hitter you’ll ever see.  There is little wasted motion.  He gets in his set position and hardly moves until he whips his bat around to tattoo a pitch.  He strikes me as a Todd Walker, Chuck Knobloch type, someone who can be valuable at the top of the order for a few years and then maybe last forever as a utility player/pinch hitter type.  Having seen him play, though, (and admittedly as a Marlins fan) I’d love for him to take another step forward.  To do that, he’d have to add a little power and keep his speed.  I don’t know that it’s possible, but even if he stays the way he is right now (and Coghlan finished the season with about 80 hits in the last two months alone – singles and doubles all over the place and two hits nearly every night), he’ll be a good one for a long time.

In the NL, there were several really good candidates.  Andrew McCutchen could be a Curtis Granderson type – but as a rookie, he wasn’t any more impressive than Coughlin.  Tommy Hanson was a very good pitcher for Atlanta, as was Happ for Philadelphia, and Randy Wells for Chicago.  Of the three, I think Hanson has the best chance for long-term success, but I’d be happy with Wells in my rotation for the next ten years, too.  It’ll be fun to see where they wind up in 2012.

Andrew Bailey Takes AL Rookie Hardware…

In the AL, a closer won the Rookie of the Year award, Oakland’s Andrew Bailey.  Bailey was impressive – 26 saves in 30 chances, a solid ERA and opposing batting average.  Certainly, Bailey had the credentials for the award.  Other rookies were equally solid – Brett Anderson (Oakland starter), Rick Porcello – who could be a good pitcher for a long, long time, and (my choice), Elvis Andrus.  Andrus was an amazing fielder and had as much to do with the success of his team as anyone.  If he continues to improve as a hitter, Andrus will be an all-star for a long time.  Andrus got robbed twice this year – once by Derek Jeter for a Gold Glove and now this…

Hot Stove News…

Ramon Hernandez will be back with the Reds, signing a one year, $3 million deal with an option for 2011 tied to games played (and collecting a $1 million buy out).  The Reds had declined his $8 million option…  [ESPN]

Ben Sheets says he will be ready for spring training.  Any takers?  According to ESPN, there will be interest, for sure, even though he’s had five arm related DL trips and a case of vertigo…   (I’d love to find out, personally – can the Marlins sign him to a one year, incentive laden deal???)  [ESPN]

Speaking of Milwaukee, the Brewers declined Braden Looper’s option worth $6.5 million (not a bad price for a league average – at best – pitcher), and paid Looper $1 million in a buy out.  Looper will join the list of more than 150 free agents…  [FoxSports]

Jack Wilson signed a two-year, $10 million deal to stay in Seattle – which the pitchers will appreciate…  [ESPN]

FoxSports says that free agent Pedro Martinez had so much fun in Philadelphia, and feels so good, that he wants to play all of 2010.  Philadelphia, LA, and Chicago are expected to be suitors…  [FoxSports]

Another Phillie chose to become a free agent…  Eric Bruntlett declined a minor league contract offer from Philadelphia.  [SI]

Colorado declined a $5 million option on Rafael Betancourt, but are still trying to work something out with the setup man.  [FoxSports]

Think about it…

FoxSports Bob Klapisch talks about the Yankees and contract options regarding Derek Jeter.  I think it’s a good read…

One of my favorite writers, SI’s Joe Posnanski, picks four players who deserve Hall of Fame plaques.  Tell me if you agree with him…

Happy Birthday! Tom Seaver hits 65.  I can’t believe he’s that old – I can still see him zinging pitches past the Cubs hitters of the 1970s.  (Except that one that Burt Hooten hit off him for a Grand Slam…)

Others celebrating with cake, cards, or rememberances include:  George Stallings  (1867) – a fantastic manager who may become my next biography topic, “The Big Bear” Mike Garcia (1923), Jim Brewer (1937), Dave Frost (1952), Mitch Williams (1964), Jeff Nelson (1966), Eli Marrero (1973), Ryan Braun (1983), and Nick Markakis (1983).

Afterthoughts…

Wally Backman, whose post playing career has been rather problematic, has a job managing Brooklyn – a minor league outpost for the Mets – in 2010.  [ESPN]

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While the big fish in the pool all seem like good fits for the Phillies vacant third base hole, the answer may be someone who could be had in a trade or become available via free agency in a couple of days.

And with all the Phillies faithful calling for the team to sign Adrian Beltre, Mark DeRosa or Chone Figgins to man the hot corner for the Phils in 2010 and beyond, I’m thinking they should go a different route.

The Colorado Rockies are exploring the market for third baseman Garrett Atkins, and if they fail to find a new home for him in the trade market, they’ll simply release him, and hand the gig to Ian Stewart.

Atkins had a miserable year last season after being one of the Rockies key run producers the previous three seasons. In 126 games last season, Atkins hit a lousy .226 with eight home runs and 48 RBI.

In 2008, however, he hit hit 21 homers with 99 RBI while batting a respectable .286, and 56 extra-base hits compared to just 22 hits last year.

The 29-year-old finished 14th in the N.L. MVP voting in 2006 when he hit .326 with 29 dingers and 120 RBI while having 78 extra-base knocks, and a .409 on-base percentage.

Atkins opens my eyes because he has a history of driving in runs for what has been one of the better lineups in the National League the past few years in Colorado, and he could be had for cheap.

Someone with his past history of producing runs in what used to be a hitter’s friendly ballpark, and hitting for average while doing so, is quite intriguing.

On a plus-side with Atkins, he’ll likely cost you under four million bucks because after a dreadful 2009 year, no one will give him close to what he made with the Rox last year, which was a little over seven million.

According to Patrick Summers of the Denver Post, one general manager said: “I know some guys who think he could be a bargain pickup, but other guys think he’s lost his swing.”

Summers also says that the same GM has concerns that his 2009 slump “was not an aberration.”

With Charlie Manuel and Milt Thompson being hitting geniuses, I think Atkins could benefit from having them as his coaches. They would show him what not to do, and help him get out of the funk.

Baseball is all about having fun, and when players are in a bad way like Atkins was last year, having fun is the No. 1 way to get out of it. That’s one thing this Phillies team knows, they know how to have fun.

Another positive for Atkins to the Phillies is that it would reunite him with his college teammate, roommate, and one of his best friends, Chase Utley.

Utley is a great leader, and he leads by example. He’s the first one to the park each day, and players want to be like him. His hard work could help Atkins adopt the same work ethic, and get himself out of his slump.

The Phillies are in need of another right-handed power bat to add to their lineup, and Atkins would be just that. It’s a riskier decision than signing Figgins, DeRosa or Beltre, but it could pay huge dividends.

I watched a quick ESPN video from this morning about the National League’s To Do list.  Here it is in 30 seconds or less.

Braves:  Looking for right-handed slugger to complement Brian McCann and Chipper Jones.  They may trade pitcher Javier Vasquez.

Mets:  Need #2 starter behind Johan Santana

Marlins:  Seek offers for Dan Uggla and Jorge Cantu

Cardinals:  Want to re-sign Matt Holliday, but he may be too pricey.

Cubs:  Have a need for starting pitching

Brewers:  Need starting pitcher behind Yovani Gallardo.  Two possibilities include John Lackey or Jarrod Washburn.

Reds & Astros & Pirates:  No money.

Dodgers:  Need starting rotation help, but divorce will hurt.

Rockies:  Need to replace pitcher Jason Marquis

Giants:  MLB Executives think they will make a play for a slugger like Jason Bay or Matt Holliday

Padres:  May put Adrian Gonzalez on the market, and if so it will be the “talk of the Winter”.

Phillies:  Need replacement at third base since Pedro Feliz is gone.  Mark DeRosa will be a good candidate.