Let's round up a few morning updates from around the NL Central….
- Charlie Morton and the Pirates reached an agreement on a three-year extension yesterday, but the team has yet to discuss long-term deals with Neil Walker or Pedro Alvarez this offseason, according to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
- The Cardinals have discussed Brian Roberts as a potential target, but his injury history limits the team's enthusiasm, says Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
- The last open spot on the Brewers' 40-man roster had originally been ticketed for Corey Hart, but now that Hart is headed to Seattle instead, Milwaukee is considering using that opening to pick a player in this morning's Rule 5 draft. Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has the details.
- The Cubs may end up selecting a player in the Rule 5 draft, but it sounds like the team is preparing to lose more players than it adds, according to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat (via Twitter).
I always enjoy the Rule 5 draft. I don’t expect my Cards will make a pick unless it’s in the minor league phase of it. I could see the Cards losing one or two though.
The Cubs will lose a couple but I hope they choose catcher Carlos Perez or reliever Zack Thornton.
It was my understanding that the Cubs lost their Rule 5 pick. And if that’s the case, I am going to add it to the resume I have going in order to replace Carrie Muskat.
Brian Roberts’ injury history limits the team’s fans’ enthusiasm as well.
I’d really like to see the Pirates lock up Walker and Pedro to long term deals. Not sure either will happen this offseason though. Pedro is coming off a huge year so he will be asking big money. Neil is coming off of a down year so the Pirates will want to sign him for less.