El Guapo's Ghost Rambles on about the Red Sox

WHY? WHY? WHY?

Royals GM Allard Baird says he hopes to bring back Carlos Beltran for his final arbitration-eligible season in Kansas City. "I think we can make it work," Baird said. "It won't be easy (the arbitration number may approach $11 million), but I hope it can. I think with the salary and the one-year remaining, it will be difficult to get two good young players who can step right in, and what Beltran brings to this team is too important to lose as we try to develop our young pitching." (Gammons, espn.com)

I am going to toot my own horn here folks. As some of you may recall, I advocated that the Royals should come out publicly and say that they were not looking to trade Beltran and that they could afford him in 2004. Stating you can’t keep your superstar only lessens your position at the future bargaining table. Plus, the Royals can actually afford Beltran’s estimated 2004 salary giving them real flexibility going into 2004. I am glad that Baird finally got my projected Royal’s salary spreadsheet. If I worked for him, he would have had it before Beltran became a real issue.

I NEED NUMBERS…

…but the right numbers. The major media has been spouting out about Derek Lowe’s home (3.39) and away (5.72) ERA splits for a good portion of the season. The media have written stories about his pre-game Bertucci’s meal, sleeping in his own bed, the home crowd, etc. trying to explain the vast difference in his performance at and away from Fenway Park. But they are focusing on the wrong numbers.

The real story is Lowe’s ERA on grass (3.80) versus turf (9.70). Lowe has been horrible in four starts on turf giving up 23 earned in 21 innings. When you exclude Lowe’s numbers in four starts on turf from his away ERA, Lowe’s ERA is 4.43. A one run difference is not an issue. Lowe has had more problems on turf this season than in the past. Hopefully, he will not get the ball in the Metrodome come October.

JUST SAY NO.

Below is an excerpt from Bill Simmons (AFKATBSG) on espn.com.

Me: What are you going to be like if we [Red Sox] make the playoffs?
Hench: I'm going to be a maniac. My wife actually thinks I should take sedatives.
Me: Like the stuff people take when they have to fly?
Hench: Yeah. Exactly. I'm thinking about it.

Hench forget the sedatives. When the Sox win it all, you will be kicking yourself for being drugged up. Plus, I assume your wife knew you were a "maniac" before the wedding and she still married you so she will have to deal with it for a couple of weeks. Perhaps, this is why I am still single.