Here’s the latest from around the NL Central…
- The Reds have dismissed pitching coach Mark Riggins, as per a club announcement. Bullpen coach Mack Jenkins will take over the job, with Triple-A pitching coach Ted Power moving up to replace Jenkins in the pen. Cincinnati is at or near the bottom of every notable pitching category this season, and their pitching as a whole has been worth a cumulative -3.9 fWAR. This was Riggins’ first season as the Reds’ pitching coach after four years as the organization’s minor league pitching coordinator, and he hardly came into a comfortable situation — not only were the rebuilding Reds going with a young rotation, but injuries hit nearly every member of the staff.
- Cardinals GM John Mozeliak isn’t yet sure what his team will target at the deadline, MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch writes. “I haven’t been knee deep in the reliever market,” Mozeliak said, though that could stand out as the most clear area of need for St. Louis. Langosch notes that the Cards could address their bullpen from within by using Triple-A starters Alex Reyes and Mike Mayers as relievers to break them into the big leagues.
- The bullpen is the only “real problem” facing the Cubs, ESPN.com’s Jesse Rogers opines. The rotation and lineup have had some recent issues, though those can be excused by injuries or perhaps simply some expected regression after the Cubs’ blazing-hot start to the season. The relief corps, on the other hand, needs some depth, as “even a casual observer can see that manager Joe Maddon only has faith in a few guys, because only a few guys are worthy of it.” Chicago is known to be scouting for bullpen upgrades, particularly the Yankees’ big relief trio of Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances.
- Will Middlebrooks’ minor league deal with the Brewers included an assignment clause for July 1, MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy writes. Milwaukee was required to offer the third baseman to the other 29 teams if Middlebrooks wasn’t on the big league roster by July 1, and given how the Brewers purchased his contract yesterday, McCalvy figures at least one team had interest in Middlebrooks’ services.
As it relates to the Cubs, does anyone else think the way to strengthen the bullpen might be “from within” while instead adding to the starting rotation?
More specifically, as great as Hammel and Hendricks have been this season, it is only natural to assume there is going to be some regression (for anyone watching Hammel’s start against NYM 48 hours ago, that regression seems to be kicking in). What if the Cubs, dare I say it, made a play for a Sonny Gray, a Chris Sale, and or a Julio T out of Atlanta, while moving Hammel and Hendricks down to the bullpen in long relief roles?
Granted-this is NOT going to happen, but… the weapons are there both in their farm system and at the MLB level (Soler, Schwarber), to pull off a trade or two of this magnitude. With that kind of surplus of talent, if you were Theo or Jed… would you go that route?
I think they make a move or 2 for both. The preference is Gray/Doolittle combo but I don’t think it’s gonna happen. It will probably end up being somebody that hasn’t been mentioned as a trade candidate yet. I wouldn’t mind kicking the tires on Matt Moore. I know he’s been pretty bad since TJ but I think a change of atmosphere would do him good
They have the pieces to get it done for sure. I think Cubs will surely do something, the above two starters you mentioned will regress, I agree.
Should be an interesting few weeks.
Not a chance in the world Cubs trade Schwarber
No Scwhaber no Hendricks no one not in the majors except Miggy Montereo will bring a bullpen guy lefty only and top minors or Solerto the As’s for Dolittle
What about I.Happ, J.Candelario and maybe D.Vogelbach for Andrew Miller? Or maybe switch Candelario for Jimenez
as a Cubs fan i’d riot if they overpaid that badly for a reliever. Two AAA power hitters and the best overall hitter left in the system? yeah, if that’s what the Yankees want it’s time to stop returning their calls…
Yea I think you’re right, maybe remove J.Candelaerio and go with Happ and Vogeldbach for Miller but I don’t think the Yanks accept that.
thats a deal the yankees should think about, because the cubs are not trading schwarber
Yankees all ways get the best of Theo hope that ends SOON!
The Cardinals in my opinion need bullpen, like they said, but also corner outfielders, because holliday is getting too old and tommy pham isn’t ready to play everyday. They could playoff push for Ryan Braun or someone of that caliber
But who would Cards give up within the division that they would want to face later on?
The Cardinals need to go after Chapman. 1. Automatic save 2. Block the cubs from getting him 3. We need a solid closer and if Rosenthal can get back to old for he would be a dominate set up man
Then Give Rosenthal up for Soler Donnie Deweese c jEdwards
I don’t understand why the cardinals haven’t even inquired about starting pitching help and moving Jaime Garcia to the bullpen.
The Tampa Bay Rays are struggling bad and i don’t think that they will be post-season contending .why not try to get Jake Odorizzi or (long-shot ) Chris archer .we have the prospects ,why not go all or nothing.
Also This off-season the cardinals should REALLY push for Mark Trumbo if he doesn’t sign an extension with Baltimore.
Catcher: Yadier Molina (Long-Shot Lucroy)
1st base :Moss?,Adams? (possibly Edwin Encarnacion)
2nd base:Matt Carpenter
3rd base:Jhonny Peralta?????
SS :Aledmys Diaz
Left field: Jose Bautista /Mark Trumbo/Holliday?
Center Field : Grichuk and Pham (Long-shot Yoenis Cespedes)
Right Field :Stephen PIscotty
This would be a greatly improved ,already amazing , Offense.
Sounds like fantasy baseball, but Cards do have resources to do it.
Sounds like utter ridiculousness.
You just don’t give a hoot about defense, do you?
No Cards minors league suck s that why they didn’t like Maddon shirt /try not to Suck lol at St. Louis nation
The Cardinals need to be sellers, not buyers.
The Cardinals don’t sell even when they should. They’re definitely not selling sitting 2 games out of the playoffs.
I know. They never sell and they end up with to many guys at one position. I just don’t see them being consistent enough to make the playoffs this year. Moving guys like Moss, Adams, Rosenthal (he will straighten out), Peralta, Grichuk etc… could really help bring in fresh talent.
More than 1. Believe that my friend. More than one.
Cardinals need to address the bullpen issues, Rosie’s been terrible, and Oh hasn’t pitched as well in the closer role
The Cardinals have some excellent players with no super star on the team. Ranked highly in the MLB in offense. However, in my opinion, there has been a tremendous cause to be frustrated with the management. There has been no consistent line up placed in the field in a regular basis all season. Important keys players are rested on the same day. As many as 4 main players out in the same game day. Starting pitchers who are carrying the team in a game day get the hook just because it’s the 7th or 8th inning, just because it’s the 7th or 8th inning. Impact players never knowing which position they might be playing day to day. Which brings to light that multiple player are playing out of position in a daily basis. Double switches made just to be made which regularly involves a key offensive player is removed in tight games which could go into extra innings. “Some” starting pitchers are left in the game to give up 5-6 runs in the first 3 innings just because they are a starter. Just actually giving the game away deliberately not to hurt the starters feelings. There is no consistency of the manager working to win every game they play. Sunday’s are give up games. Key players are rested on Sunday’s on a regular basis. How can this managing attitude keep our Cardinal attitude on a positive level? Players know that there will never be an impact superstar obtained to solidify their team. Oh yes, the GM will come in second in a consistant basis to make it appear they are actually trying when in reality, big money is not going to be spent on big time players, big contracts cost. As long as Busch Stadium is bringing in 40,000 per game, no big impact improvements will be made. We as fans know this, and the players know this. How frustrating for both !! But, having said all of that, I have been a Solid Cardinal fan for over 60 years, and will be for the rest of my life. No matter what their records are at the end of the season, I always have my tickets purchased and reservations made to go to spring training ever year, just to see my Cardinals. I guess I just miss Walt Jockerty, Dave Duncan, Kissell, McGwire as the hitting coach and as much as I doubted his use of his relievers, Tony LaRussa!!!
Red’s continue to be the class of the NL Central..
.”We want you to promote you to pitching coach. Yes, we’re in a major rebuild and got fleeced by the White Sox and Yankees so our farm system is still in shambles. What have you got to lose?”
You’re fired!
STOP people…..stop with the Schwarber trades…Ain’t gonna happen. Period. He’s untouchable. LH, Catcher, walks, power, plays under pressure. Top 25 MLB home run leaders going into this weekend, 7 ……SEVEN….are LH and three are DH-types and much older than Schwarber. NONE catch…even part-time.
So while the Cubs most-certainly may trade Soler, and I believe Candelario is in the bigs to showcase and be a “major -leaguer” when traded, you WILL NOT see Schwarber traded.