Dusty Baker will manage his 3,000th MLB game when the Reds visit the Cubs at Wrigley Field tonight. It’ll be a familiar setting for Baker, who managed the Cubs for four seasons before moving on to Cincinnati. Here are the latest links from MLB's two central divisions…
- Indians president Mark Shapiro indicated that the team will have the ability to spend this offseason (Twitter link). However, Shapiro questions the depth of this particular free agent market. The Indians could be looking to sign an outfielder, and this year’s free agent class is particularly strong in the outfield.
- Anibal Sanchez of the Tigers and Wandy Rodriguez of the Pirates are among the trade deadline acquisitions who have recovered from shaky beginnings in new cities, Paul Casella of MLB.com writes.
- St. Louis Post-Dispatch writers Derrick Goold, Rick Hummel, Jeff Gordon and Tom Timmermann weigh in on whether the Cardinals should look to retain Kyle Lohse for 2013. The writers note that the Cardinals have starting pitching depth and need to spend on other areas, such as a possible extension for Adam Wainwright. Nearly three quarters of respondents to a recent MLBTR poll suggested the Cardinals should make Lohse a qualifying offer when he hits free agency after the season.
Cards should make the offer for Lohse and if he signs, trade Westie. While it may not be true in 3 years, right now Lohse is as good as any starter in the league. He has been an Ace ever since joining the Birds with the exception of the 2 years he was hurt.
I’m not positive on this since he did sign a new contract. But before the 1 year extension he had a full NTC and had no interest in accepting a trade anywhere. I’m assuming he still has the NTC. If there were thoughts that there wouldn’t be room for Westbrook, they shouldn’t have signed him to an extension. For better or worse, Westbrook will be in the rotation in 2013.
I know Lohse will be demanding the big dollars considering who his agent is. And he will deserve it. But he is our only pitcher that is well over .500 for the season.
a pitchers record does not matter. Sure, he is a good pitcher. But the Cardinals have Wainwright, Garcia, and Westbrook locked into the rotation for 2013. Carpenter as well if he is healthy. Lynn most likely will get first shot at being the 5th starter. If all five of those are healthy and perform well, there is the starting 5. If any are not healthy or fail to pitch well, the Cardinals also have Kelly, Rosenthal, and Miller all 100% ready to be members of the rotation. Kelly is a nice spot starter but most likely not an option to be a member of the rotation long-term. Rosenthal looks to be a good #3 with higher potential. Miller has top of the rotation stuff.
In fewer words, basically it just doesn’t make sense to commit more money and another multi-year contract to the starting rotation. It looks to be in good shape for years to come.
I used to follow the Indians-I still do now, sort of like how I stare sometimes at car accidents, even though I don’t want to-except I have no faith, no confidence, and no respect for anything Mr. Shapiro says anymore.
If they end up spending any money, I already know it’s going to be a wrong fit for the Indians. They have become terrible talent evaluators, spend all of their efforts finding that one diamond in the rough that they miss out on the pearls and opals and rubies that could help them. And they are absolutely no fun to watch either. They need to start over from the top to the bottom.