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Odds And Ends: Cardinals, Astros, K-Rod

By Alejandro Leal [October 4, 2008 at 10:32am CST]

Links for Saturday...

It doesn't sound like Jon Daniels has autonomy in Texas.
Ian Hunter of Country 103.9 in Ontario recently talked to MLBTR about the Blue Jays. Click here to download the mp3.
Reds GM Walt Jocketty has talked to three or four of the Reds' nine free agents. John Fay speculates those players are David Weathers, Jerry Hairston Jr., Mike Lincoln, and Jeremy Affeldt.
The Padres' grievance against shortstop Khalil Greene won't be heard until spring. The case of Doyle Alexander may be a precedent; the Yankees were not able to recover any money after Alexander broke a knuckle by attacking a dugout wall in '82.
Matthew Leach of MLB.com takes a look at the Redbirds' upcoming offseason. Leach estimates that after all the contract and arbitration items are settled, the Cards will have around $25MM to look for a middle infielder, a middle reliever, and perhaps a new closer or #4 or #5 type slugger.
Likewise, earlier this week Astros MLB.com beat writer Alyson Footer reported on GM Ed Wade's offseason plans. Wade is expected to make some tweaks to the roster, but it's unlikely he'll make any major moves. Footer suggests the Astros could look for a couple of rotation arms, and speculates on the possibility of signing Ben Sheets.
The O.C. Register's Mark Whicker doesn't see Francisco Rodriguez coming back to the Angels.

Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com and can be reached here: alexo05 {at} umpbump {dot} com. Tim Dierkes also contributed to this post.

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Comments

I know Adam Kennedy wants to be traded, and will be. But who would want him and what will the Cards get?

Posted by: Redbirdfan | October 04, 2008 at 11:57 AM

How about K-Rod? Man, the guy is clutch. I mean, any team wanting a big time playoff closer need look no further then the last two DS' against the Sawx. Does the fact that K-Rod has been lit up like a Christmas tree two times in a row during the playoffs lower his value? The Mets need a guy to get them to the playoffs, but does anybody think Armando Benitez is too fresh in people's minds to give out a 5/75 contract for a closer who has gotten rocked in his last two playoff outings?

Posted by: nrmax88 | October 04, 2008 at 12:03 PM

nrmax88

My concern exactly. Look, K-Rod is still a good closer, a top 5 closer in fact. I just don't think he is elite.

It used to be when he is on nobody had a chance. He would get himself in trouble with walks and wild pitches. Now, even when he is on the guy is hittable.

It's really hard to complain about his performance BUT when you ask for 5 years and $15m per you had better be darn perfect.

I've said it before and I will say it again, K-Rod makes me nervous every single game he comes in. That's not how one should feel with an elite closer. Have Yankee fans been sitting on the edge of their seat for the past 10 years when Mo comes in?

My Angels are suffering yet another crushing collapse. I'm hoping that one of these days we can hit the ball out of the infield. I'm also hoping that we can get a lead and hold it. I know wishful thinking on my part.

Tim better get ready the Angels offseason preview. He should be free to bust it out any day as my team chokes yet again.

Posted by: bjsguess | October 04, 2008 at 12:11 PM

"My Angels are suffering yet another crushing collapse."

Dont feel bad BJ, it could be worse. There is another fanbase that is already on the ledge waiting to jump, right Tim.

Posted by: forlife61 | October 04, 2008 at 01:07 PM

Id still love to have the problem of K-Rod...

Posted by: metsknicksrutgers | October 04, 2008 at 01:36 PM

metsknicksrutgers ... still want that problem at 5/75?

I still like K-Rod and would be happy to have him as a closer. Just wouldn't go higher than 4/50 for him. If he wants more years or dollars I wish him the best of luck.

Posted by: bjsguess | October 04, 2008 at 02:00 PM

Where's that promised TypeKey upgrade Tim's been talking about? This is my first double post and I have no idea why it occurred. Man I hate the commenting system on this platform.

Posted by: bjsguess | October 04, 2008 at 02:01 PM

"I still like K-Rod and would be happy to have him as a closer. Just wouldn't go higher than 4/50 for him. If he wants more years or dollars I wish him the best of luck."

Exactly. People see my open dislike for the idea of bringing in K-Rod, just like Santana, and figure I just don't like these guys. It isn't that. K-Rod can close for me anytime, just not on a 5 year deal for 15 million a year. The only guy I give a contract like that too is Mariano Rivera, and that is if I know beforehand what Mariano is going to do as a closer. In otherwords, since I am not gifted in the art of fortune telling, I never would pay a closer that much money.

Posted by: nrmax88 | October 04, 2008 at 02:31 PM

Who the heck would be dumb enough to give anything up for Kennedy?

Posted by: Cardsfan387 | October 04, 2008 at 06:11 PM

Somewhere, Doyle Alexander is sitting around googling himself, and thinking "Man, why do they keep bringing that up? Isn't it bad enough they keep blaming me for John Smoltz?"

Posted by: CubsAddictMG | October 04, 2008 at 08:54 PM

Odds And Ends: Cardinals, Astros, K-Rod

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