Tony La Russa's retirement has highlighted a busy day in the NL Central. Here are the latest notes from the division…
- Former Cardinals infielder David Eckstein told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that Albert Pujols would re-sign in St. Louis if the Cards make third base coach Jose Oquendo their next manager.
- Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan told Morosi that he’s going to return to St. Louis in 2012, but it doesn’t sound as though he’s looking to manage the team (Twitter link).
- The Cubs declined Jeff Samardzija's $3MM option for 2012, according to Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald (Twitter link). Samardzija isn't yet arbitration eligible and remains under team control.
- One person with ties to the Reds says there's "not a chance" Joey Votto becomes available this offseason, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com. The Reds control the first baseman's rights through 2013.
Even David Eckstein’s comments can be described as ‘scrappy’
*and they offer him 8 yrs 220 mil.
that might not be enough…
Albert has never once listened to what Oquendo tells him at third. He makes his own damn decisions no matter what and this contract stuff won’t be any different. Oquendo won’t be the manager of the cards
I would say Oquendo is probably the early favorite for the position. The Cardinals have a way they go about things and I imagine the front office would like to see that continue. No better way to keep things pretty much the same than to keep pretty much the entire coaching staff together.
It’s pretty well known that Oquendo and Albert have been very close. I’m not saying that Oquendo getting the job garauntees Albert comes back, but it wouldn’t be a risk like bringing someone in that Albert is not familiar with.
Oquendo and Albert are very close to each other. Not as close as Albert and Tony, but Albert has credited much of his defensive ability to the guidance of Oquendo. It’s gonna take a lot more than Oquendo as manager to bring AP back, but it sure wouldn’t hurt.
David Eckstein? Really? I forgot you were still alive.
agree 100%
Great news Duncan will be back.
IMO, this points to an internal replacement as manager. Seems strange Duncan would already commit to 2012 if he didn’t have a good idea who was going to be in charge.
I doubt the Cardinals take into Account Albert’s thoughts on a manager (nor should they). If there’s a better candidate in their minds, that’s who they should target. Albert wants to be paid. He’s not going to slash his asking price in half because the Cardinals hired his buddy and he’s earned that right.
There’s plenty of other reasons for him to stay in St. Louis. I see it coming down to the money and if Pujols really can leave.
Albert & Tony would be a pretty big blow to St. Louis. I don’t see Albert going anywhere.
I think the Cards will go with Terry Francona. They got Herzog from the Royals after he was a proven winner (World Series) in KC, they got LaRussa after he was a proven winner (World Series) in Oakland, and now they will get Francona, another proven winner (World Series) in Boston. I don’t see the Cards giving the job to someone who has not managed at the major league level. And, I think if you look at the baseball jobs, the Yanks, Red Sox, Cards and Phillies have to be the 4 most coveted jobs. And Francona is the most coveted manager out there.
I hope your right…
I gotta admit, when I read the headline and it had samardjiza in it, I feared the worst: The Cardinals and Jeff Samardjiza had agreed to a deal. Thank God that will never happen.
Why’s that? Can’t you pronounce his name? 😉 Could you imagine what Harry would have done with that one in his day? Good God!
So is Eckstein his (Pujols) agent?