Here's a look at what's happening on the Senior Circuit..
- The Reds have several factors to consider when deciding whether to call up shortstop Billy Hamilton, writes Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. Calling up the prospect in September would start Hamilton's service clock prematurely and skipper Dusty Baker says that he won't be among those making the call.
- It's a foregone conclusion that the Reds will exercise their end of Ryan Ludwick's mutual $5MM option for 2013, but the outfielder says that he hasn't thought about what he'll do, writes John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer. The Reds signed Ludwick to a one-year, $2.5MM deal in mid-January after receiving interest from a few other clubs, including the A's.
- Mets GM Sandy Alderson expects the team to improve via trade over the offseason, tweets Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. Alderson would go on to hint at significant changes, saying that the team needs "an infusion of players, productive players," (Twitter link).
- One National League General Manager says that Hanley Ramirez has been a completely different player with the Dodgers and adds that his energy level is much higher, writes Scott Miller of CBSSports.com. Ramirez has a slashline of .311/.368/.544 in 114 plate appearances for the Dodgers so far.
HanRam has been a blessing for this team: the added protection for Kemp and Ethier makes it that much better and more difficult to pitch around. If those three play to their potential and the role players do what’s needed of them, the Dodgers should steal the division from the Giants (this weekend’s series’ results so far not withstanding).
just glad hanley is out of miami
The Mets need an infusion of new ownership.
How often are mutual options actually accepted by both the team and the player? I would assume very rarely.
I’d be surprised if Ludwick picked up his end of the option. He’s been pretty up and down in his career but he’s always had power.
I don’t know how likely he is to repeat his .900 OPS season [he did it once before with a .966], but even if he doesn’t get a big contract offer, he can top $5MM.
I’m sure they’ll work something out.
Young superstar traded for nothing during down year, thrives in new environment…
shocking.
I’ve lived in Miami for about a year and it seems as if fans here really have a love/hate thing going for HanRam. I wonder how much of his “lack of enthusiasm” is him being a “slacker” and how much of it is him being unhappy w/ himself (when he struggles) or unhappy being around the team/manager/ownership?
very similar to how braves fans felt about escobar.
So Ramirez could have played better, but didn’t until he was traded? Very professional.
He didn’t play better till he was put back at SS. Even with the Dodgers he hasn’t hit when playing 3B.
I hate seeing players like that have success.
Its not really the fault of the player sometimes you just lose your focus mentally and thats where a change of scenery can help. Just like it seems to have done in this case.
Mets need to trade Wright and Dickey in the offseason and get young talent on the MLB club already Wright and Dickey are at a high in value would probably net us some good talent in return.
Think realistically, the Mets are surely not going to trade Wright. They are trying to build around him. However I do agree with you that they should trade him because hes a good player but I dont really consider him a game changer. I doubt they trade Dickey as well and once again they should. Hes got about as much value as a 37 year old pitcher ever will. Everyone seems to think because he has a knuckleball he will be able to pitch for the next 5 years or so.
Realistically the Mets need to trade Wright and Dickey its as simple as that to improve the ball club… I love’em both but there is no way this team is going to improve right now if we don’t infuse it with young players already.
Hope the Dodgers continue to win, otherwise Hanley will revert to back to a pre-teen girl.
I know that Hamilton is about 2 years older than Profar but is it absurd to say that he is a better all around offensive player that he is? If he can stick at SS I don’t see how B’ham isn’t a top 5-10 prospect going into next season.
If he brings the combination of Vince Coleman like speed and a Ricky Henderson like ability to draw a walk and understand that a walk is as good as a hit then he can be a monster.
Didn’t Alderson say the same garbage last off-season? Unless the owners take their heads out of their rear ends and add to the payroll (unlikely- they’ve already talked about being around $90 million which after you take into account what is already under contract, arbitration eligible players, etc., leaves around 20+ million for way too many holes). Only thing to look forward to with the Mets next year is Harvey taking another step forward and Wheeler joining the rotation. Barring a trade of Wright or Dickey that brings in a ton, this off season will be another dud.
Does Thom Brennaman irritate anyone else as much as he irritates me? Plus which, I think maybe the guy’s a jinx. I know the Reds seem to have played better while he was gone. Marty’s terrific, always has been, but his boy is taking all the fun out of baseball broadcasts for me. You??