The big off-field news of the night is that the Marlins are working to acquire manager Ozzie Guillen from the White Sox. On the field, the Phillies picked up their 100th win of the season at the expense of the Braves, whose struggles continued. Here are the latest NL East links…
- Nationals utility player Alex Cora told Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post that he intends to continue playing in 2012 and, potentially, beyond. Kilgore notes that teams inquired about Cora's interest in managing last offseason and adds that GM Mike Rizzo has interest in the 35-year-old as a future coach.
- Rick Ankiel, a free agent after the season, told Bill Ladson of MLB.com that he wants to return to D.C. next year since he believes the organization is headed in the right direction. The Nationals entered the day with 78 wins, the most they've had in any season since 2005.
- Ryota Igarashi wants to pitch for an MLB team in 2012 and the Mets will release him if they don't reach a deal by a certain date, according to ESPNNewYork.com's Adam Rubin (Twitter links). Rubin doubts that the 32-year-old will return to the Mets in 2012.
- The Marlins interviewed hitting coach Eduardo Perez along with third base Joe Espada and Nationals coach Bo Porter for their managerial opening today, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro (on Twitter). For more on the Marlins, click here.
You know what’s not headed in the right direction Rick Ankiel? Your slugging percentage.
The Ozzie to Marlins trade is official. It’s for two yet to be named minor league players
Why would the mets even negotiate with igarashi? If they truly want a new look team, then get rid of another horrible Minaya signing!!
I don’t know what Omar saw in Igarashi. Do you?
It’s easy to say it was a horrible signing now, but to say you don’t know what Omar saw in him is ridiculous. Unless you watched him pitch in Japan, which I doubt, how would you be able to evaluate him before he joined the Mets? From what I’ve heard he was a pretty good pitcher over there. He just wasn’t able to duplicate that success in America. I’m not sure why. Sometimes it has to do with the baseballs being bigger over here and Japanese pitchers not being able to adjust to it. That’s the chance you take when you sign guys like him.
Igarashi will only get a minor league contract next yr. No team will want him taking a spot on the major league roster.
Igarashi seems like a good fit in the Mets bullpen
Igarashi seems like a good fit in the Nats bullpen.
Fixed.