Here’s a look at the NL Central:
- Cardinals GM John Mozeliak says that his club continues to pursue Jason Heyward, as Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com tweets. He also expects to see movement in the free agent outfield market this week. The rival Cubs have been mentioned as a potential landing spot for Heyward as well.
- When asked if he felt that it was a necessity for the Cardinals to add a starting pitcher, Mozeliak said, “No. I don’t,” according to Langosch (on Twitter).
- The Cardinals might not address pitching until they know how the Heyward market shakes out, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets. He adds that St. Louis is fond of free agent hurler Mike Leake, but only at a certain price. Earlier this offseason, MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes predicted that Leake would score a five-year, $80MM deal.
- The Brewers have been listening on catcher Jonathan Lucroy, according to Rosenthal (on Twitter). Lucroy’s team-friendly contract calls for a $4MM salary in 2016 and a $5.5MM club option in ’17, enhancing his value.
- Brewers GM David Stearns indicated that a trade of Lucroy is less than likely, according to Tom Haudricourt of the Journal-Sentinel (on Twitter).
- Stearns is looking for short-term help in center field (via Haudricourt), adding that he is certain that he will find one before next season for the Brewers.
- Pirates GM Neal Huntington said his first base search is “still wide open,” per Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Post-Gazette (on Twitter). That means that the Bucs could look for an everyday player or just a backup/platoon guy to pair with Mike Morse.
- The Pirates will meet with Scott Kazmir’s representation here in Nashville, a source tells Travis Sawchick of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (on Twitter).
I personally think Leake would be a great buy. Guy the Cardinals are very familiar with and he is familiar with the NL Central. He’s a guy that you know will give you 25-30 starts, most of the quality, is still relatively young, is extremely athletic and can handle the bat, and is a cheaper option when looking at the top level pitchers on the market. I would definitely take him over Samardzija and Leake will be cheaper than what the Giants just inked Samardzija for.
And he doesn’t cost a draft choice.
Quit focusing on Heyward.. We need a number 3 or 4 hitter. We are fine in the outfield.
Heyward is the best hitter on the market, period.
The best hitter? All-around player, definitely. But strictly hitting I think I take Cespedes or Upton over him.
Just to be clear, still want my Halos to sign Heyward.
Cespedes would be a great bat……but he doesn’t play RF, and he’s not really a CF (defensively). Upton doesn’t seem to have the right “drive” to play for the Cards…..he’s a lazy prima-donna type player….but very skilled.
Simply not true about Upton. The guy doesn’t have a lazy bone in his body.
A year with a healthy Holliday, Grichuk, Jay, and Adams, would go a long ways in solving the lack of offensive production, not to mention a full year of Piscotty and perhaps Moss.
Cards should sign Heyward to play CF and then package Grichuk/Adams/Marco in trade for Cargo to play right field. There is our 3-4 hitters.
I love how the Cardinals always stick to their plan.
No need to overpay when you have a stable farm system in place.
Why are the Cardinals not in contact with Kazmir?
They probably believe Cooney, Lyons, or Gonzales are similar in talent.
Why aren’t they checking in with Chen? And Gordon? And they don’t like Davis?…………..???
They all cost draft choices.
Lucroy is a top catcher in his prime, and an amazing bargain. The haul should be enormous.
Brewers would have gotten more for him last offseason. I think they should keep him until the deadline in summer to prove himself after his disappointing 2015
Cards place a high value on draft picks, likely wont be seeing any agreements with players who turned down the QO. Plus Gordon is a LF and we already have Matt holding down that spot for another season. Heyward makes sense here. A good young RF that will allow us to pair Piscotty and Adams at 1B. They need another SP, I don’t see a long-term agreement with Leak/Madea/Chen being an obvious answer. Lee or Colon could aid the team this year until Lynn is back in 2017.
The Cardinals have trade chips, but unfortunately they were all hurt at some point in the season. These guys will have to prove themselves healthy by the mid season trading deadline: Adams, Jay, Pham
I’m holding out hope Kazmir and either Leake or Latos to the Pirates
Kazmir projected 4 years at $52 Million (13m avg) and Leake at 5 years 60M (15M avg) would be a great deal IMO. I expect Kazmir to get closer to 15M avg as what appears to be the best lefty on the market (with out a pick comp) right now.
If by some chance it does happen that would leave Cole, Liriano, Kazmir, Leake and Morton and Locke moving to the pen for depth (and possible trade piece should he improve). It wouldn’t dramatically increase pay role considering Pedro and AJ are gone (~14M last year)
It also leaves room for one of the ‘stud prospects’ to move up if Morton doesn’t rebound or if there is an injury
It won’t happen, just nice to think about having a mostly well rounded rotation, they will probably get one of those types and then a project pitcher that will hopefully break into the rotation.
Yeah, I heard that it is reported that Locke doesn’t want to go to the pen.. but really he might not have a choice.
Wouldn’t mind seeing the Brewers bring in Span in center. Gives them a veteran presence and a solid lead off hitter