The Mets rode a big night from Daniel Murphy, a gutty performance from Jacob deGrom and strong relief work from Noah Syndergaard and Jeurys Familia to an NLDS victory over the Dodgers tonight. Here’s the latest from the Senior Circuit as the Mets celebrate their first NLCS appearance since 2006…
- Addison Russell has been ruled out for the NLCS, as MLB.com’s Carrie Muskat writes. Russell, who suffered a mild hamstring strain when running out a triple in the NLDS, will be replaced by Javier Baez as the Cubs’ starting shortstop for the League Championship Series. Russell could be ready for the World Series, should the Cubs advance that far, and the Cubs are still deciding who to add to the NLCS roster to replace him. Muskat notes that one option is outfielder Quintin Berry, whose blistering speed would be a late-game asset and potential difference-maker for manager Joe Maddon in close games.
- Cody Asche might be running out of time to prove himself with the Phillies, writes MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki. Already forced to the outfield to make way for budding star Maikel Franco, Asche now sees the outfield picture growing a bit more crowded. Odubel Herrera has claimed the center field job, and Aaron Altherr’s strong play earned him a look in a corner. The Phillies will likely sign a veteran outfielder this winter, be it Jeff Francoeur or someone new, and top prospects Nick Williams and Roman Quinn will open next season at Triple-A. Asche, who hit .245/.294/.395 with a dozen homers this season, admits that he isn’t quite sure where he stands heading into spring training. “That’s the unanswered question,” he tells Zolecki. “I really think the answer lies within myself, and how I come out and play in Spring Training. It’s up to me to take advantage and force my way back into the lineup.”
- Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post tackles a number of offseason topics in his latest mailbag column, including the possibility of a Carlos Gonzalez trade. Asked if the Rockies could move the remaining money on Jose Reyes’ deal by packaging him with CarGo, Saunders points out that doing so would require an acquiring club to take on $81MM over the next two seasons. The Rockies’ best hope at moving Reyes, he writes, is to eat a large chunk of his salary, but owner Dick Monfort doesn’t typically operate that way. Saunders also writes that he believes Tom Murphy will back up Nick Hundley next season before inheriting the starting role in 2017, at which point Murphy and Dustin Garneau could comprise Colorado’s catching tandem.
- Cardinals GM John Mozeliak will look for an upgrade over backup infielder Pete Kozma this winter, writes MLB.com’s Jen Langosch. As Langosch writes, manager Mike Matheny was hesitant to insert Kozma — an excellent fielder but very weak hitter — into the lineup over either Jhonny Peralta or Kolten Wong, possibly leading to each wearing down this year. Mozeliak will also look for more depth on the pitching staff, though he’s content with the internal starting options he has on the roster. Per Langosch, there will be “a shakeup” in the bullpen this winter, however.
I Bet that Cody gets Traded this winter to the Brewers For a really good A-prospect !
I think he’s decent but not that good to get a return like that
I agree. I like Asche, and think he can be a serviceable two-way player, but a very good, major-league ready prospect seems way too much for an average at best player
I could see Cody Asche going to the Reds for one of their lesser young starters (Michael Lorenzen maybe). He could either play left field or move back to third base if Frazier is traded. Seems like a win-win to me.
White Sox for a B prospect.
Still can’t get over reading articles about the Cubs and the World Series without it being some sort of cruel joke! It’s been a long time coming for us Cubs fans. Gotta get past the Mets first though. Should be a great NLCS!
Given how Maddon likes to manipulate the running game, Berry seems like a solid choice. He’s 5-0 in SBs in his 14 career playoff games, 3 of which came as a pinch-runner for the Sox in 2013, so the big stage obviously doesn’t mess with his running.
Wow, his SB rate in the majors is crazy, 27 for 28. If you include the minors, since 2012 he has 149 steals with only 20 CS.
I love how Quinten berry has become a modern day version of Matt Alexander.. Can’t buy a hit, but invaluable on the bases for his legs and one of the most useful guys in the game when playoff contenders come looking among AAA people for help with potential playoff rosters.
Alexander won several games for those old A’s teams with only his legs. He’d go weeks sometimes without an AB, but was one of the fastest people in the league, played a couple years for the Pirates also. Just like Berry, swung down at the ball as recall, still wasn’t much good with contact.
Shame guys like that couldn’t make even Omar Moreno like contact, as it would have been interesting to see if they could have swiped 100 or so bases per year with that speed.
A specialized pinch-runner doesn’t win you the game any more than a LOOGY. It just happens to be a little more exciting to watch.
They potentially make an important contribution in the right situation at the right time though. Like when Dave Roberts swiped 2nd against Rivera in ’04. Didn’t win them anything, but it certainly helped.
I agree. Just as using a specialist against righties or lefties. It can certainly be a useful piece, but they’re not going to win you a game by themselves.
You do not mention Domonic Brown. Is he in the Phillies’ future plans?
The FA class for 3B is really bad. Asche holds value as a 3B and LF. He can also play 1B. The ChiSox, Brewers, Orioles, Angels, Padres, D-Backs and Pirates could all be interested in him. Should fetch a solid prospect or a good RP.