The Pirates lost to the Cardinals today and Pittsburgh clinched a 19th consecutive losing season in the process. Here are today’s NL Central notes…
- The Astros also lost a historic game today. They fell to the Phillies, setting a franchise record with their 98th defeat of the season.
- Chris Carpenter told Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he didn't want to pitch anywhere else and hopes to finish his career in St. Louis. The former Cy Young winner realizes he's no Hall of Famer, but says he's proud to have become a fixture for the Cardinals. The Cardinals locked Carpenter up to a two-year, $21MM extension this week.
- Francisco Rodriguez told Scott Miller of CBS Sports.com that he's disappointed that the Brewers haven't provided him with the chance to close games. "I'm not fine," Rodriguez said. "They told me I'd have the opportunity to close some games, and we've had 20-some save opportunities since then and I haven't even had one." It’s worth noting that closer John Axford has converted his last 39 save chances.
- MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes provided the latest Cubs updates this morning and I examined possible suitors for Aramis Ramirez this afternoon.
Hear that sound K-rod? That’s the sound of the cash register not ringing. You’re playing an important role for a playoff contending team and you’re running your mouth about what inning you’re pitching in? That kind of “me first, then the team” attitude won’t go over well with GM’s looking to strengthen their team in the offseason. Go back to NY, you’re attitude is perfect for that city.
You’re missing his point. It isn’t so much whining about his role, it’s the fact that he was promised by management one thing (The opportunity to close some games), and they have yet to deliver on said promise. More or less, he feels like they lied to him, and well, people tend to take offense to being lied to.
Could he have handled it better? Sure. He should have brought it up with his manager and not the media. But his gripe seems legit.
I see your point, but the fact that Axford has not failed to get a save in the last 39 opportunities has a lot to do with it. K-rod should not rock the boat, surely not until Axford fails to do his job.
Agree with both of you. I’m guessing they had told him they would like to give him some time in the 9th but couldnt’ risk it because of his contract. So he went and took out the vesting option, and still hasn’t been pitching the 9th. Can’t blaim the Brew though, Axford has been automatic.
I think it’s you that’s missing the point. He’s run himself out of a major franchise and a huge contract option with his mouth and his conduct. Now he’s got the chance to rebuild his value with a contending team and he can’t keep his mouth shut. GM’s know he has the mental makeup to pitch the ninth inning, since he’s done it before. They don’t know if he can control his temper and be a good teammate. In opening his mouth he’s giving them more reason to think he cannot. He’s costing himself lots of money, regardless of what he was “promised”
As much as I’m happy about the Cardinals win, I’m a bit sad that the Pirates couldn’t pull off a winning season this year. It looked like they would finally break the losing streak.
Maybe next year.
K-Rod is an assclown. ‘Nuff said.
I’m glad K Rod hasn’t seen the 9th. You need consistency from your bullpen. I understand what he is saying because I hate being lied to as well but come on man. Suck it up.
My guess is KRod isn’t telling the whole story either. He had to know with Axford the Brewers had a solid closer, my bet is he was probably told that he’d be first in line to close if Axford wavered or needed a ay off. As said above, Axofrd has closed his last 39 games… you don’t take the ball away from a hot hand.
KRod really does need to suck it up. You don’t bring up these issues as your team is preparing for the postseason.
The manager said publicly at the time of the deal they would be Co-Closers, it’s on public record. Look it up.
That was before the manager knew the guy he would be “co-closing” with would save 39 consecutive games.
It’s not like Krod’s done anything to warrant any 9th inning time anyway. He’s pitched well, but he’s also blown 3 leads since he’s been traded over. That’s one more than Axford has all year.
and they call the cardinals whiners