John Jaso may have played his last big league game, he told reporters (including Elizabeth Bloom of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and MLB.com’s Adam Berry) following the Pirates’ season-ender today. “Honestly, this is probably it for me, as far as baseball goes,” the veteran utilityman said, though he stopped short of entirely confirming his retirement. “We’ll see. I mean I can’t say anything for sure. I can’t really tell you what the future holds or whatever. But if I left now, it would be a really good feeling to leave right now, if I did. These last couple of years with the Pirates were good. It’s just taking that step and being brave enough to do it. For most of us, this is all we know. There’s a lot of those ’what ifs’ and ’buts’ and everything like that. That stuff kind of scares you when you have to make a decision like this. There’s a lot of excitement out there that I’m looking forward to. I feel ready to make that step.”
If this is it for Jaso, the 34-year-old will be hanging up the spikes after 2591 career PA over parts of nine seasons with the Rays, Mariners, A’s and (for the last two seasons) Pirates. Injuries and struggles against left-handed pitching limited Jaso’s usage as an everyday player, though he was very productive in various part-time capacities. Jaso posted good career splits against right-handed pitching and was an above-average run producer overall in six of his eight full seasons, finishing with a 115 wRC+ for his career. If this it for Jaso, we wish him congratulations on a fine career and we tip our hats to his most immediate postseason endeavor — helping with relief efforts in Puerto Rico.
Here’s the latest from both the NL and AL Central…
- The Tigers have asked the Rays about third base coach Charlie Montoyo, FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman reports (Twitter links). It’s hard to know where Montoyo sits on the Tigers’ list of managerial candidates due to the sheer number of names in their search; according to Heyman, Detroit began the process with around 50 names under consideration. Montoyo, who has also drawn interest from the Mets, has been Tampa’s third base coach for three seasons and a manager at all rungs of their minor league system from 1997-2014.
- Matt Carpenter won’t require surgery on his right shoulder, he tells MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch (Twitter link). An MRI revealed only inflammation in the shoulder, which has been a nagging concern for the Cardinals infielder. Possibly due to the injury, Carpenter saw drops in his batting average and slugging percentage from his previous two seasons, though he was still quite productive, hitting .241/.384/.451 with 23 home runs over 622 plate appearances for St. Louis.
- The rebuilding process for the White Sox has gone according to plan thus far, though as CSN Chicago’s Dan Hayes writes, the team has another long year ahead of it next season. “We know we might be entering a slightly more difficult phase of this rebuild, and that is the phase where we have to allow this talent the time and patience to develop….We’re going to have to remain diligent and realize that this isn’t about any individual player or any individual season, this is about building something for the long term,” GM Rick Hahn said. “For this next phase, that’s going to require player development to play its important role and for us to have patience in Chicago that would allow that to unfold.”
- Earlier today on MLBTR, we checked in with more notes from both Central divisions, including items on the Royals, Indians, Cardinals and Tigers.
Still a little unhappy that the Sox, after trading away most of their good or even average players, couldn’t find a way to pick better than 4th. Detroit did it right: they traded away guys and just tanked their way to the #1 pick.
Yeah, I’m a little disappointed the Sox didn’t get a top 3 pick too. The Sox have a long way to go yet, and they need to acquire a lot more talent and depth before player development becomes their sole focus.
Basically, Rick Hahn needs to look at the Washington Nationals. They provided the blueprint for how you teat a team down to the ground and patiently develop an uber talent roster. Guys like Abreu and Avisial will have to be moved soon, else the Sox will miss put on young talent by winning too much too doon.
“teat”? LOL.
Meant to say “tear”
Freudian slip. You were keeping us abreast of the situation.
Well done!
The Nationals were also awful at a perfect time when there was a consensus #1 player each year (Stras and Harper). While I’d love to be picking #1 overall, there is nobody like that in this year’s draft, so I’m not all that concerned about picking #4. At least one of Beer, Turang, or Singer should be there, so that’s good enough for me.
Beer? You’re meaning to tell me they could possibly have a Burger, Fry and Beer on the same roster? This is great. I can see the future marketing now.
It just makes too much sense
I’ve never understood the appeal of the argument you make. It supposes that pick #1 will always work out better than pick #2, etc. It also supposes that the team with the top pick always chooses the best player. The history of the major league draft is littered with illustrations showing that neither supposition is true. Moreover, many of the players on the field, especially in the latter half of the season, are considered vital parts of the plan to make the Sox competitive again. It would be counterproductive to encourage them to lose. Instead, I think Renteria had it just right: hustle, play hard, get the most out of your talent, and play to win–always.
I agree. Encouraging young players who are getting big league experience to tank for the purpose of getting the top pick is a dumb suggestion. The Sox are loaded with talent and will still have a high pick next year. I for one think they’ll be better than expected next season.
Or just look north to see how Chicago’s prized baseball team did it the right way
The Tigers didn’t tank games. They had a poor manager, no fundamentals, key injuries and were just that bad.
The first pick is rarely the best player in the draft. The only time the Tigers picked number 1 overall, they picked a reliever. However, this time around, Al Avila will not be hindered by owner interference come draft day.
Players don’t tank.
To the casual fan this alleged “tanking” thing is all the rage. They love to use that word as if they know anything about baseball.
Sorry fella the Tigers did not “Tank”. They rebuilt because they stink. So you trade your valuable veterans for prospects to build something. That does not leave you with a good team but the prospects accelerate the future. When you rebuild you will lose a lot of games. They stunk before the rebuild and if course stunk worse after.
They did not “tank” you think they are trying to lose? He players are trying to make out? Give me a break. They were not “after” the number 1 pick. They were after the prospects they got in the trades. No 1 pick No 3 pick who cares. There is no consensus number 1
Hello to another potential top-of-the-rotation pitcher, Gator Singer.
The right way? You mean purposely finishing last for years just to get top picks? Like say the cub way?
In spite of what the “I’m omniscience” Detroit media has to say, Al Avila is proving to be an outstanding GM. My first thought for a new Tiger manager was also Charlie Montoyo. He worked his way through the Ray’s system and was instrumental in recognizing and developing many players which is exactly what the Tigers need. The only issue is the lack of MLB level in-game management but, that’s not where the Tigers are right now.
Alan Trammell was the owner’s and media’s choice to manage the Tigers. He turned out to be the worst Manager in the history of MLB.
carpenter’s shoulder may not need surgery but he does need a baseball related labotamy.
I wish the Cards would trade Carpenter.
Carpenter is the embodiment of Cardinals baseball. Can’t trade him because he produces at every position and hustles and serves as a key cog in their system, on the field and in the dugout.
you must be either blind or hypnotized
The Tigers key to a rebuild, and the key for everyone else too, is player development in the minors. Invest in facilities, doctors, nutritionists, and coaches who are all focused on building these young guys into brick houses. build balanced pros for the show.