The Astros are playing spoiler against a former bitter rival of theirs tonight, as they try to halt the Cardinals’ improbable playoff bid. Here are some notes from the NL Central, while the two clubs play in Houston…
- Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts told Cubs reporters, including Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune, that he's looking to name a GM as soon as possible, but cautions that there's "no point in rushing" the process. Ricketts pointed to the Diamondbacks to remind reporters that turnarounds can happen quickly in baseball under the right circumstances.
- Ricketts added that he expects GM candidates to see the four-year extension that director of player personnel Oneri Fleita obtained this summer as a positive.
- It's looking like the Reds will complete a deal with Francisco Cordero instead of picking up his $12MM option for 2012 ($1MM buyout), according to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer (on Twitter). We heard yesterday that Reds GM Walt Jocketty is optimistic about working out a deal with his closer. For the latest on Cordero and other MLB closers, check out CloserNews.com.
- Ryan Doumit told Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that he thinks his chances of returning to Pittsburgh in 2012 are "slim" (Twitter link). The Pirates hold a $7.25MM option ($500K buyout) for the backstop next year.
- Clint Barmes told MLB.com's Brian McTaggart that he would like to return to the Astros next year. However, the shortstop is open to exploring other options and he realizes that Houston’s ownership changes could affect offseason plans. Earlier in the month, I revisited the trade that sent Barmes to the Astros.
I’m not quite sure what the Astros are currently doing qualifies as “playing spoiler”… at least not for the Cardinals.
Yeah you might want to rethink that headline
Yeah, turnarounds can happen quickly…unless you’re the Cubs.
If the cubs get 5-6 players they are back in contention.
1b Fielder
3b Ramirez or Wright
sp c j wilson
sp dempster and or darvish
of free agent
What other holes do they have other than firing quade and hiring sandberg.
Not sure if serious. If 90% of teams signed the top 5 free agents, they would also be able to contend. Lipstick on a pig.
I like that lipstick on a pig lmao.
I meant that this team hasn’t won a World Series in over a century and rarely makes the playoffs despite the highest payroll in their division. Turnarounds just don’t happen for this team.
Besides, what are the odds that they’re actually going to be able to get all of those players?
It was kinda a joke guy, but IF they were to sign all of those studs they would be in contention BUT they dont have the sallery room to do that in their budget for even half of those guys.
Doumit’s option is for two seasons, not just for 2012.
It’s two seasons and 15.5 million. If he could stay healthy, I’d do it. But he’s as good as gone.
After last night Pujols has got to be a lock to resign with the Cardinals… I dont know how he would be able to walk away from a team that fought through the impossible!
As far as TRL going to Chicago next year??? Forget about that!
I could still see him walking, money talks ya know…..
Ya and the Cardinals will still give him a great offer.
Not to an AL team like the White Sox. La Russa much prefers managing in the NL with the higher strategy late in the games.
“As far as TRL going to Chicago next year??? Forget about that!”
Thank god for that!
and
Congrats cards fans on your team doing the improbable , I would say thanks to marmol if I were you if it wernt for him blowing his save against the cards with the wild pitch and crappy pitching you would be playing the braves this evening and taking a 50-50 chance at the wild card.
Pooholes would have to add a little more weight to resigning with the cards but a LOCK is silly and wishfull thinking.
Barmes, come to Milwaukee!
Waiting for the “Brewers and Carlos Pena agree on a 6 year 55million Contract”
Ya have to wait for 6 days after the world series to hear that but I hope it happens as a cubs fan.