As the United States celebrates one of its greatest heroes, the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., it’s worth remembering that his cause, and even his own story, have many links with baseball. The wonderful Negro League Museum, which captures a uniquely compelling and important segment of American and baseball history, provides some incredible photos to drive this point home today (Twitter links). MLB.com’s Mike Bertha explores those connections in honor of King. And as Examiner.com reminds us, you’ll want to revisit this Time story featuring a King anecdote from legendary Dodgers hurler Don Newcombe.
The threads of history extend everywhere, of course; as Stephen Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette explores, Pirates reliever Tony Watson’s great uncle, Tom Offenburger, served as an aide to King and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. On this somber but grateful day, here are some notes from the game’s central divisions:
- A pre-season trade of Brewers backstop Jonathan Lucroy appears to be increasingly unlikely, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel suggests (Twitter links). Milwaukee has put a justifiably steep price tag on the veteran, says Haudricourt, and it seems that “has scared off suitors.” Of course, it’s probably fair to add that the situation still warrants attention this spring. A strong Cactus League showing from Lucroy and/or a key injury for a contender could quickly shift the balance of considerations.
- There’s no getting around the fact that some of the Cardinals’ most important players are getting up in years, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes, but that aging core still has plenty of confidence entering 2016. “Nobody likes being called old, right?” said veteran right-hander Adam Wainwright. “But I think they’re right, for the most part. We are aging. We’re just becoming more wise. Somebody has to get old. If we’re still playing and older it means we still have some ability.” As Wainwright and owner Bill DeWitt Jr. rightly point out, too, it isn’t as if the organization lacks for any talented, younger players on its major league roster. Still, St. Louis remains one of the more interesting clubs to watch as it tries to defend its N.L. Central crown against two strong challengers in the Pirates and Cubs.
- Indians lefty Brady Aiken is excited to be back on the bump, MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian reports. The high-ceiling youngster, who famously failed to sign with the Astros as the top overall pick before landing in Cleveland after being taken 17th overall last year, is still on a Tommy John rehab program but threw his first pitches from the mound last week. Both team and player have positive vibes from his first months in the organization, per the report, but the 19-year-old obviously has a long way to go both to regain his full physical health and then to start the grinding climb toward the majors.
Played with Brady Aiken, has good stuff but we raked him in cif 3 homers off of him!
How can the Cards sit on all that money and let are aging vets not have a shot at titles the next 4 years. But Cargo, Braun, Cliff Lee, and even Votto is up for the taking. Mo, sometimes you don’t have to be the smartest man at the ball game, but try to win!
The Cardinals are this centuries most consistently winning team. Maybe you should have a little more faith.
Also, if you think those players are not coming with some serious price tag or risk, maybe even both, then you need to look at those players you are so envious to see on your team.
The asking price for all of those players would be exoribant. And, as hanks said, most of them have some major risk. CarGo has injury concerns and doesn’t play well away from Coors, Cliff Lee is really getting up there in age, the Reds would want our entire farm system in order for them to trade Votto to a division rival, and why would you want Braun on your team after everything that’s gone on with him?
None of those guys except Votto, who won’t accept a trade, is better than the guys they have. Because they believe they have the talent to excel, doesn’t make them cheap. Price and Heyward are exceptions, and just because they lost out on those guys doesn’t mean they have to make a trade or sign a free agent, that blocks younger options.
Pretty sure Braun would represent an upgrade. At least over the short term. However, you would be correct in that there is some level or risk for players who are on long term contracts. Braun’s is just kicking in so quite honestly, if the Brewers are trying to get value in return for Braun, they would be better off waiting until next offseason to trade him if he has another good year this year.
Agreed. I do like Cargo. Coors field is always a variable but he’s certainly a big homer threat and would allow them to play piscotty at first but he’s well paid for the two years left on his deal. We don’t know what the asking price is. If it’s reasonable I’d like to see them pull the trigger. But im not giving away the farm for a guy making 20m a year. I think he’s worth the money but not sure if he’s worth the money plus the prospects in return
I don’t understand all the cargo love. I understand the type of player he was. At this point in his career he is a platoon type guy.
When did “platoon type guys” start hitting 40 HRS and driving in 97 RBI’s?
Let’s say you chalk up 10 homers to coors he’s still a guy who can mash by this days standards. If you have an outfield that platoons a guy with that kind of power that would be one hell of an outfield. Hard to give up the farm considering he’s making close to his value but the years are controlled and you’re likely to get ever penny worth of value from his current deal with a draft pick coming back if he doesn’t resign. You don’t have to give the guy two years on the back end knowing he won’t be the same player
lolllll. Platoon?? oh man thanks i needed that!