The two biggest free agents available next winter could potentially come from the NL Central – Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder. The Pujols negotiations have been well documented, and it was Fielder's turn to address the issue today when he arrived at the Brewers' camp. Though he declined to comment on his own contract situation, the Brewers slugger also received a few questions about Pujols. Asked whether, as a baseball fan, he wants to see the three-time MVP remain in St. Louis, Fielder replied that he'd like to see Pujols play "where he's happy," tweets MLB.com's Adam McCalvy. Here are the rest of today's NL Central links:
- Bryan Burwell of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch argues that the Cardinals should've done with Pujols what the Phillies did with Ryan Howard, and worked out an extension long before it became a potential distraction. Easier said than done, I'd imagine.
- The Cardinals had interest in Miguel Batista for a few years before signing him this offseason, as Derrick Goold of the Post-Dispatch writes. Batista, who is on a minor league contract, is the favorite to land the team's final bullpen opening.
- While Pirates president Frank Coonelly said he expects GM Neal Huntington to be with the team "for a long time," Huntington's contract will expire at the end of the 2011 season. According to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the club will continue to evaluate Huntington's performance this year before making any long-term decisions.
- Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette takes a look at Anthony Rendon, who is the current favorite to be drafted first overall by the Pirates this summer. Rendon is being advised by Scott Boras.
- Astros owner Drayton McLane Jr. was surprised the team lost its arbitration hearing with Hunter Pence, says Stephen Goff of the Houston Examiner.
Heard Fielder arrived in really good shape. I expect big things from him this season.
Doesn’t everyone arrive to spring training “in the best shape they’ve been in, in years” or “feeling better than they’ve ever felt”?
Generally pretty true, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that really was the case given this is a contract year for Fielder and I know he wants to get paid.
Delmon Young arrived in pretty good shape last year and that worked out pretty well for him. Hopefully this helps Prince.
Yeah, but people are going to be pretty surprised when they see Prince. Not quite to the extent of Pablo Sandoval’s “transformation,” but along those lines.
I was amazed that Pence won the hearing. If you look at comparable players, they earned much less in terms of salary.
I cant wait to see Batista in the pin for the Cardinals, Duncan is gonna work magic with that guy
Wow……someone who actually thought the Howard extension was a good thing. Who would’ve thought?
I’m kidding, I didn’t even read the article.
You are right on. He said the Phillies saved money because they didn’t wait for the market to be set by other first baseman. It wasn’t a very good article, I wouldn’t waste your time reading it.
Im not a fan of Burwell.
Surprised? Pence is very consistant and the deal was still below what many RF’s are getting that perform at a similar level. It’s called the Astros as pretty darn close to being cheap skates.
Joe Struass reported it on the Bernie Miklasz show earlier this week, in Alberts contract these teams Angels, Dodgers, Astros and Marlin are the only ones he would accept a trade to before his 5 and 10 kicked in. Thats why you don’t see the Sox on the list.
I have read a hand full of other articles that spoke on the teams in which Albert would accept a trade with, I believe all where from The St. Louis Post Dispatch.
Here is a tweet from Derrick Goold (a reporter for the St. Louis post dispatch) that basically backs that up. Goold and Miklasz are the best reporters to trust. I don’t believe anything out of Buster Olneys mouth unless I hear it from them either first or soon after.
Cardinals beat writer Derrick Goold (@dgoold) reminded his followers in a tweet that last November Albert Pujols submitted his list of teams to which he would accept a trade. Among them: the Marlins, Astros, Angels and Dodgers. No doubt Pujols put the Marlins on the list fully aware they likely didn’t have the financial wherewithal to keep him long-term even if they could acquire him.
The tweet does not back that up?