Outgoing Diamondbacks executive Tony La Russa discussed his decision to depart with MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert. He says that the club’s baseball decisionmaking is in “great hands” both at the front office and field level, which would be difficult to dispute after a strong season. It’s not yet clear what’s next for the legendary former skipper, though he says he has already been in contact with a few other teams.
Here’s more from out west:
- Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post breaks down the Rockies bullpen options entering the offseason. With Greg Holland, Jake McGee, and mid-season acquisition Pat Neshek all set to hit the open market, there are plenty of questions despite the generally promising performance of the unit in 2017. So long as Colorado is willing to spend near last year’s level (around $130MM), there ought to be some space to fit some reasonably significant salaries to fill out and improve the pen.
- The Rangers dealt away veterans at the 2017 trade deadline, but still don’t appear interested in a full-blown sell-off. Most notably, the team held veteran third baseman Adrian Beltre, who is entering the final season of his contract. GM Jon Daniels says that the club “will be designed with Adrian as our third baseman,” as Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News was among those to tweet. The Rangers’ head baseball decisionmaker suggested that Beltre and the organization have come to an understanding about the immediate direction, though he also noted that it’s at least theoretically possible the path could change. Beltre again battled through health problems to post an outstanding .312/.383/.532 slash. While he’s owed a hefty $18MM, the contract would still hold quite a lot of appeal to other organizations given Beltre’s sustained excellence. Still, it seems the Rangers will be looking to build around him rather than making a deal, though it remains unclear what kind of capacity the team has for veteran acquisitions.
Larussa will be a Cardinal again.
That’s what I was wondering.. Assistant to GM or something.
I hope he comes back to be vice president of baseball operations. It’s obvious the owners aren’t getting rid of Mozeliak. So having a man that can actually know talent when he see it and the human side might prove well to have his opinions heard by the president of baseball operations, who is one tract in symetrics!!! It’d be good for Mathaney too.
Doubtful. (and I’l be eating crow if it happens….lol)
I don’t get the feeling that he left on good terms.
I don’t think Mo & DeWitt want that strong of a presence upsetting their apple-cart.
It’s a travesty, of course……because that team NEEDS something to be done differently.
Can’t see TLR back in St. Louis unless it’s just a figurehead job, which I doubt he’d consider.
TLR and Mozeliak would not get along. Mo would pale in comparison to someone in the same office who actually knows how to build and manage a roster.
They were together for 4 years before tlr retired. Winning the 2011 WS together and they got along just fine and edit on good terms. He comes back to St. Louis all the time and is very much welcomed here. Doubt he’s coming back but he’s welcome to any role he wants. Cardinal hall of famer and red jacket wearer
*left
Never thought I’d say it but I hope he’s the next Cards manager
I can’t believe Beltre is only a 4X all star… I’m guessing he’s had a lot of strong second halves.
It’s more like you cannot believe some of these other people are all stars
Fans stuffing ballets
A lot of ARod as primary competition. Can’t hold it against Beltre or the fans
Beltre has never really been a star, but he’s been very good and very durable for a very long time and so it’s almost surprising to find that the grand total at this point is that he really is one of the best 3B ever.
Yea, he’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer but he will be a rare one in that he almost never led the league in anything – hits once, doubles once, homers once. Somehow didn’t make the 2004 AS team but Rolen and Lowell did instead, which is comical when you look at the respective stats.
But then again, Yogi Berra never led the league in a single category ever, yet nearly won seven straight MVP awards and is one of the four best catchers of all time.
Mike Matheny, you’ve been replaced.
I seriously doubt that TLR is stepping back into the dugout. He’s better suited for an executive role, where he can have a greater influence on the team as a whole, than just managing.
I don’t think he even ends up there……..He’s already “spoken to several teams” per the article.
Beltre is a certain Hall of Famer, and a really unusual player….but I don’t think he’s going to get a significant extension. He’s probably better suited to those high salary year to year things, like Ortiz used to get. A remarkable career.
The best part of Beltre’s amazing career is the fun he brings to the ballpark. He’s a clubhouse leader and makes watching the games a joy. His antics are going to be missed once he retires.
If the Rangers are going to try to contend, they have to do it right. Taking flyers on rebounding pitchers and crossing their fingers that it worked out failed horribly last season. We need better pitchers brought in.
Cashner worked out okay. But I agree, a team can’t run out Griffin, Ross, Martinez, Gee, and Bibens-Dirkx’s for 50 starts, and truly expect to contend.