Here's the latest from the NL Central…
- Brewers GM Doug Melvin said he hasn't received many phone calls about Zack Greinke, though some teams have subtly expressed interest, reports Tom Haudricourt of the MIlwaukee Journal Sentinel. “I think, respectfully, general managers don't call when you're eight games out [in the division], six games out of a wild card," Melvin said. "They don't call but their let their interest be known in a different way. Their scouts will talk to our scouts and say, 'We're interested in somebody.' "
- Melvin also said that it's doubtful Greinke would sign an extension with the Brewers before the trade deadline. "When players get this close (to free agency), there's not many that will sign, at that (talent) level,” said Melvin. “He's a difference-maker to a team that's got a chance to go to the post-season. Unless you're raising the bar (to a higher salary), you usually go on the market.”
- Dave Duncan served on Tony LaRussa's staff for the All-Star Game but otherwise, the veteran pitching coach seems like he is retired, writes Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Duncan took a leave of absence from the Cardinals last winter to take care of his wife, who is suffering from brain cancer.
- The Reds need a leadoff hitter, and John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer speculates that Juan Pierre or Denard Span could be a fit. Fay says it's possible the Reds could acquire a center fielder instead of a left fielder, as Drew Stubbs has struggled this season.
Walt go get Span! Go get him now! Please
I think Span would be good but I know it is probably impossible I say go Upton! I say go for it all the way but Span would be GREAT if it gets Stubbs out of here!!!
Victorino for Stubbs
keep dreaming!
For which team? Stubbs isn’t exactly good? He’s strikes out a ton and gets on base less than 30% of the time. Vic would make that Reds team better. Not sure Phillies would even have interest in Stubbs.
Sounds pretty fair. Stubbs has not been good and Victorino is a rental.
Why? Downgrade for us (now), upgrade for you. Victorino shouldn’t be that unreasonable to resign.
Too bad Kenny Lofton isn’t available for the Reds.
Juan Pierre for Jordan Smith
or Victorino for Stubbs and Sulbaran
Wow… Denard Span or Juan Pierre for the Reds would be a plus, include stubbs in that deal and put Heisey in center (or Span) and we’d be set.
Jocketty should go get Crisp from Oakland (for Stubbs) and Willingham from Minnesota (for Heisey + a good prospect). Crisp leads off, Willingham goes to cleanup and the Reds offense becomes a potent force.
So that’d be…
Crisp
Phillips
Votto
Willingham
Bruce
Frazier
Mesoraco
Cozart
Pitcher
That’s a solid lineup. I don’t know if you’ll be able to get Willingham for anything less than Heisey and Billy Hamilton though.