It was on this day in 1962 that Joe Morgan signed his first pro contract, joining the Houston Colt .45s as an amateur free agent. Morgan spent his first nine seasons in Houston before being traded to the Reds and establishing himself as arguably the best second baseman in baseball history.
Here's the latest from the NL Central…
- Cubs GM Jed Hoyer confirmed to ESPN Chicago's Doug Padilla that the team had made "contact and it was preliminary" with Ryan Dempster, though Hoyer was quick to minimize the importance of the meeting, saying "it was sort of a bump-into thing." It was reported earlier today by MLB.com's Carrie Muskat that the Cubs had been in touch with Dempster's agent.
- "We’ve got the connection with (hitting coach) Johnny Narron but we don’t have the connection with U.S. Bank,” Brewers GM Doug Melvin told Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about the chances of the Brewers splurging on Josh Hamilton this winter. Melvin noted that he would like to acquire relief pitching this offseason but was wary given the rising prices of quality bullpen arms.
- Also from Haudricourt, he hears from Brewers assistant GM Gord Ash that the club has no plans to re-sign either right-hander Jose Veras or outfielder Nyjer Morgan, both of whom were outrighted off Milwaukee's 40-man roster over the last two days.
- The Cardinals have signed 16-year-old Dominican outfielder Henry Alvarado to a $150K contract, reports Ben Badler of Baseball America. Alvarado is described as being best suited to left field or possibly first base, and he "stands out for his righthanded bat, sound approach and occasional power."
Why on Earth would the Cubs want to re-sign Dempster?
he’s pretty good
Teacher for the younger guys much like Maddux and Wood were in their last Cub runs. Plus, he still has it.
Why NOT re-sign Dempster?? He was good last year. He is not a power pitcher so he still has gas in the tank…. I can see him a starter for 2 or 3 more years then move to the bullpen for a year or 2.. And if they shouldn’t re-sign him because of the Atlanta deal last year…… Well he EARNED THAT RIGHT, to go where he wanted…!!!
need as much starting pitching as possible. possibly try to do the same as this last year, flip him for prospects at his peak value. of course I’d rather have younger and better starting pitching, but it doesn’t grow on trees unfortunately.
Sean – as much as Dempster didnt want to be traded, to re-sign him im sure it would take a no-trade clause to get him back…. imo
It wasn’t that Dempster didn’t want to get traded, he wanted to get traded to the Dodgers.
How annoying lets trade dempster and sign him back the following off season… I felt like I seen this before cough cough phillies/lee cough