The Winter Meetings are here, and that means 24/7 coverage is here at MLBTR as well. I'll be doing overnight shifts throughout the duration of the Winter Meetings, so feel free to stay up late for your fix of Hot Stove news. Here's some overnight quick hits:
- ESPN's Buster Olney is of the opinion that the Mets should be entertaining offers for David Wright, since he won't be part of the organization by the time they turn things around (Twitter link).
- Astros manager Brad Mills is excited to see what some of the non-roster invitees they've signed will bring to Spring Training, writes Stephen Goff of Examiner.com.
- The Cardinals are somewhat comfortable with Tyler Greene as their starting shortstop in 2012, but are also aware of the long list of free agent options writes Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. New manager Mike Matheny had plenty of praise for Greene who, despite poor offensive output in the Majors, owns an .857 career OPS in 1,204 Triple-A plate appearances.
- The Denver Post's Troy Renck expects the Rockies to trade both Ian Stewart and Huston Street this offseason (Twitter link).
- Juan C. Rodrgiuez of the Miami Sun-Sentinel tweets that he thinks Javier Vazquez is "done." Vazquez has been rumored to be leaning toward retirement for months now.
- The Marlins are "being silly" if they prioritize Albert Pujols over starting pitching at this point, in the opinion of Scott Miller from CBS Sports. Miller feels they already have a dynamic lineup, but with Josh Johnson's frailty and some underwhelming results from the rest of their rotation in 2011, the rotation needs to be the priority.
I hope Vazquez retires. What a waste.Â
Vazquez was pretty good during the second half of last season, so as long as he stays in the NL he’d be a pretty good #3-4 starter
Yeah I know. But that’s why he’s a waste. He should have/could have been an ace.Â
So because he’s not a #1, but rather a #3-#4, he should retire? Wtf?
Relax. Take a few obstructed nose breaths, and push up your glasses. You’re taking me far too literally/seriously.Â
Please I hope Huston Street comes to the Jays in a better cheaper prospect deal than Andrew Bailey from Oakland.Â
At this point I’m just hoping for a Closer.
can’t wait for the Marlins to wreak havoc on the Phillies and Braves.Â
both braves and phillies still have far superior pitching staffs.Â
JJ, Sanchez and hope for 3 days of rain?, like the old “Spahn and Sain, then pray for rain” of the early 50’s Braves teams?
If JJ can stay healthy, they might be able to match up 1-2 should they find a way to line up the rotation in every series by getting those 2 in them, but they just have to get Nolasco a bit more steady, rather than having those blowup games like he did last year every 3rd game or so and figuring out *wth* is up wit Volstad.
huston street for orlando hudson. Â #makeithappen
Bob Dutton on Twitter saying the Royals plan to upgrade through trade, not free agency.
Tyler Greene had a mental block. Like other, now successful, major league players, he could not handle Tony Larussa. There’s a long list of players whose careers were interrupted and adversely effected by Larussa’s inability to deal with a certain, prevalent attitude. The list begins with Ozzie Smith, goes through Scott Rolen, and will end with this crop of Cardinal prospects, including Colby Rasmus and most importantly, Tyler Greene. This guy has been an all star shortstop at every step of his minor league career. He just ran into Tony and would suddenly look like the Bad News Bears. Then, the team would send him down to Memphis where he would tear the cover off the ball. Now out of options, it’s do or die. But this is where the new manager comes into play.
Matheny is known to these players as he has coached many of them as part of his previous duties with the team. Most importantly, he seems to be well liked. Hopefully, this will allow Greene to finally reach his great potential. The Cards could find themselves in the enviable position of finding a star fix internally, rather than have to play the market for another hopeful bridge to developing another prospect. Just like what occurred with Jason Motte, who has become as good a closer as one could wish to find. Otherwise, I think you would have seen Heath Bell coming to the banks of the big muddy, rather than taking his talents to South Beach.
So I have advocated signing a cheap veteran shortstop as back up and possible late inning defensive sub. Perhaps Jack Wilson or someone who gets non tendered. A good solid glove man and who cares if he hits. The luxury is that this team doesn’t need a whole lot, even if Pujols goes elsewhere. Their much improved farm system is paying off with some good prospects ready to fill holes. Much like the Marlins of old.
It’s useless to trade Wright this year, maybe mid year if he reestablished his value enough and they get an offer comparable to a whole year of David Wright (you know that 2013 team option that becomes void if he’s traded)
Wright’s value might be high right know, MLB network says that 3b is the weakest position on the market right know along with C. No harm with putting him out there and getting a good young pitcher or two.
Not a problem, but the return has to be equal to two years of him even though the receiving team of wright will only get one year of him.
Do you think the Mets would take Jake Arrietta and Nolan Reimold for him?
lol
who do you think will sign Manny?
And i think the Marlins will end up signing Fielder for some reason, Pujols will end up staying with the Cardinals, I dont think he will take the chances with the Marlins, but who knows, money can change people’s mind.
I really hope the Cards stick with their Tyler Greene plan, at least until the trade deadline. The guy deserves a decent shot.
All senior citizens should have Life Alert.