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Central Notes: Indians, Cards, Pirates, Royals

By Connor Byrne | March 21, 2018 at 8:42pm CDT

Indians first baseman/designated hitter Mike Napoli and outfielder Rajai Davis will be able to opt out of their minor league contracts Thursday, according to Paul Hoynes of cleveland.com. It’s unclear whether one or both will vacate their deals, though Napoli has seemed especially likely to do so since his late-February signing with the Indians, who don’t have an opening for him in the majors. Asked Wednesday if Napoli could stay in the organization in a minor league role, manager Terry Francona said: “The next step is for him to talk to (president) Chris (Antonetti) a little bit more to figure out what he wants to do and what is available as far as the organization goes. Obviously, we think a ton of Nap and respect him a lot. There’s just a lot of unknowns.”

More on Cleveland a few other Central clubs:

  • Indians infielder Giovanny Urshela will miss 10 to 14 days with a right hamstring strain, Hoynes tweets. Urshela may open the season on the DL, which would enable the Indians to delay their decision on him and Erik Gonzalez, who are each out of options and battling for the same bench role.
  • Although Cardinals president John Mozeliak suggested over the winter the team would deploy offseason pickup Luke Gregerson as its closer, it now appears the Redbirds will take a communal approach to the ninth inning to open 2018, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch explains. “We don’t have a closer,” manager Mike Matheny said. “Ideally, would we like to have that title on somebody? Ideally, yeah. But right now we’ve got a bunch of guys who can do that. Over time we’ll figure it out. We have a bunch of guys who can pitch any inning.” The Cardinals’ general bullpen plan is “to maximize the flexibility,” Matheny revealed, meaning they’re likely to shuttle optionable relievers between the majors and minors throughout the season.
  • Pirates righty Tyler Glasnow, a former top prospect, had a rough time in the majors last year, but pitching coach Ray Searage has seen legitimate progress this spring, Liz Bloom of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette details. “Oh, yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes,” said Searage, who added that Glasnow “has embraced” the adjustments the Pirates have suggested this year. Searage likened the 2017 version of Glasnow to a deer in the headlights, but now, even though there’s still work to be done, “he’s mature.” The 6-foot-8 Glasnow, 24, will kick off the season in the Pirates’ bullpen, though their hope is that he’ll ascend to the rotation, per Bloom. He made 13 starts in 15 appearances last year and pitched to a 7.69 ERA/6.30 FIP with 8.13 K/9 against 6.39 BB/9.
  • Royals middle infielder Adalberto Mondesi is dealing with a right shoulder impingement, and he could begin the year in extended spring training as a result, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports. Mondesi appeared to be the Royals’ likely Opening Day starter at shortstop a couple months back, but that was before they re-signed Alcides Escobar in late January. Thanks to both Escobar’s presence and Mondesi’s injury, the 22-year-old certainly won’t be a factor in KC at the start of the season.
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Cleveland Guardians Kansas City Royals Pittsburgh Pirates St. Louis Cardinals Giovanny Urshela Mike Napoli Rajai Davis Raul Adalberto Mondesi Tyler Glasnow

NL Notes: Phils, Flaherty, Brewers, Mets, Pirates
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David Phelps To Undergo Tommy John Surgery
View Comments (57)
Post a Comment

57 Comments

  1. jkinser20

    7 years ago

    Closer-by-committee doesn’t work. I’m all for maximizing bullpen flexibility and whatnot but you need an established closer who you can rely on every night to shut the door and hold your lead. I love this cardinal team. The lineup looks deadly, defense will be much better than last year with the additions of McGee and Oquendo (and shuffling of outfield) and the rotation looks solid even with a couple question marks. Not having a closer, however will kill this team in 2018.

    2
    Reply
    • fasbal1

      7 years ago

      Matheny will burn up bullpen in 1st month and it will be an even bigger mess

      5
      Reply
      • RedFeather

        7 years ago

        “Over time we’ll figure it out.”

        -Mike Matheny

        Hilarious.

        1
        Reply
        • moe 3

          7 years ago

          He hasn’t figured anything out in 7 years

          1
          Reply
      • bearcat6

        7 years ago

        I understand Matheny has embraced the fact that Gregg Maddox will be making pitching decisions. Calm down, folks!

        Reply
    • themed

      7 years ago

      No it won’t!

      Reply
      • fasbal1

        7 years ago

        How can it not, Matheny is clueless with the handling of his bullpen, I hope it does implode , then Oquendo can take over..

        1
        Reply
        • headhawks

          7 years ago

          Matheny supposedly given up pitching decisions. All in hands Maddox…..

          Reply
        • simschifan

          7 years ago

          Gary Maddox?

          Reply
        • wkkortas

          7 years ago

          Lester Maddox.

          Reply
        • simschifan

          7 years ago

          Brad Maddox

          Reply
        • Robertowannabe

          7 years ago

          Tommy Maddox

          Reply
        • MLBTRS

          7 years ago

          Martha Maddox

          Reply
        • silverrose

          7 years ago

          Gary “Three Fingers” Maddox

          Reply
        • moe 3

          7 years ago

          Mad Madrid

          Reply
        • moe 3

          7 years ago

          Madux

          Reply
    • Brian Adams

      7 years ago

      The 1985 Cardinals used closer by committee and won over 100 games and were NL Champions. Having a set closer is definitely preferable but a committee can work in the right situation.

      Reply
      • fasbal1

        7 years ago

        Didn’t Worrell..close last 6 weeks of season and playoffs

        Reply
      • michaelw

        7 years ago

        lol Brain Adams. This dude is living 33 years in the past. Lot has changed since then. Get with reality man. This 2018 not 1985.

        2
        Reply
        • EndinStealth

          7 years ago

          Yes in 1985 people were much more respectful. Now they are “get with the times”. Comments like that are unintelligent and unnecessary.

          2
          Reply
        • moe 3

          7 years ago

          Well said

          Reply
    • EndinStealth

      7 years ago

      A closer by committee can and has worked. But I have no faith in Matheny being able to do it.

      Reply
      • Brian Adams

        7 years ago

        Have to agree with you there. Closer by committee can definitely work but there is a huge difference between a great manager like Herzog handling a bullpen and Matheny, who clearly struggles in this regard.

        1
        Reply
  2. cubbies95

    7 years ago

    Cardinals are a complete joke

    3
    Reply
    • Chad Briskovich

      7 years ago

      You think after 3 good years you can remove your name from a century of jokes? I’m all for giving credit to cubbies if they can sustain success, I like what they are doing. It’s earned not just given.

      6
      Reply
      • michaelw

        7 years ago

        Really your wrong and stupid. We have 17 NL pennants been to the WS 11 times. Card fans are not only in denial of their team but stupid too.
        17 NL pennants that 2 behind you. Will catch you soon. Get your facts straight.

        Reply
        • JFactor

          7 years ago

          The Cubs do not have 17 pennants. They have 11, and 3 World Series Titles. they have made the playoffs a total of 19 times from 1903-2017. They weren’t even the Cubs prior to 1903, and nobody counts chips or pennants or anything else prior to the league actually playing the World Series.

          It’s one thing to call people dumb, it’s another thing to do it while being wrong.

          baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/

          6
          Reply
        • RedFeather

          7 years ago

          REALLY?!?! What? Huh? Dude the cubs have been to the playoff series 27 times, won 15 World Series, have 301 spring training wins from 1908-2011, and won the Super Bowl in 2001.

          Thats literally what I just read..

          Reply
    • themed

      7 years ago

      Cubs have always been a joke!

      4
      Reply
      • michaelw

        7 years ago

        17 pennants Themed. We’re about to pass you in 3 years. Cards are trash this year and has beens.

        1
        Reply
        • JFactor

          7 years ago

          Except they have 11 pennants, 3 World Series. Cards have 19 pennants, 11 World Series.

          1
          Reply
        • CardsNation5

          7 years ago

          Gtfoh

          Reply
        • carlsoce

          7 years ago

          what an absolute delusional fan base!!!

          Reply
    • OverUnderDone

      7 years ago

      Cards have the most WS Titles in the National League. Second to the Yanks in MLB.

      The org is definitely no joke.

      Reply
      • michaelw

        7 years ago

        They have 3 over the last decade. You weren’t even born for 1/2 of them. Lol. Past dreamers. Love it.

        Reply
        • STLShadows

          7 years ago

          Oh my god people both organizations are no joke and will both most likely be good for awhile so is it really necessary to go back and fourth on who’s team is a joke… oh well it’s not the best rivalry in baseball for no reason

          1
          Reply
        • Wildcat98

          7 years ago

          I used to enjoy reading the comments, but they have devolved into this unreadable nonsense written by morons.

          2
          Reply
        • cards81

          7 years ago

          by morons, do you mean michealw

          5
          Reply
        • troll

          7 years ago

          i’m tired of the name calling

          Reply
        • RedFeather

          7 years ago

          What does that even mean? Your just straighten Cardinal fans points here.

          Reply
        • EndinStealth

          7 years ago

          Are you 12

          Reply
  3. sufferforsnakes

    7 years ago

    Too bad for Giovanny. He’s been having a great spring.

    Reply
  4. hunterts

    7 years ago

    Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

    1
    Reply
  5. aceofrainbows

    7 years ago

    I think ‘Nap’ is an excellent nickname.

    1
    Reply
  6. Realtexan

    7 years ago

    To be honest the Rangers screwed the pooch when they didn’t offer Nap a contract to stay in Texas.

    Reply
  7. CompanyAssassin

    7 years ago

    Lyons and Leone would be a pretty deadly 9th inning tag team. Gregerson can setup.

    1
    Reply
    • cards81

      7 years ago

      don’t forget Mayers

      Reply
  8. 66TheNumberOfTheBest

    7 years ago

    Is Xanax (or any anxiety medication) considered a PED?

    Because Tyler Glasnow could really use some. I’ve never seen a human being look so terrified to be on a pitching mound, but he was scared stiff by MLB hitters and would go into a death spiral of not being able to throw strikes and needing to take something off his pitches. By the time he’d find the zone it would be 92 mph right down the middle and he’d get hit hard.

    He’s had, maybe, the best career any minor league pitcher has ever had so he has no idea how to handle adversity.

    The talent is still there but it’s worthless until he gets his head right.

    Reply
    • econ101

      7 years ago

      Not meaning to get too silly with a comparison here, but let’s hope he’ll turn out to be a Randy Johnson type. He struggled mightily in the majors also until he figured it out-both tall and skinny, struggle with control.

      This article says he’ll “kick it off in the bullpen.” As far as I’m aware, the Bucs have not committed to that. Sure, it makes some sense, but they have consistently stated that Rivero and Kontos are the only sure things.

      1
      Reply
      • Robertowannabe

        7 years ago

        Funny how everyone assumes that Glasnow will never ever get it figured out. He is only 24. Now if he had no talent, I could see the point. I am still betting on him figuring it out and being a stud MLB pitcher. If we are still having the same conversation in 3 years from now, I lose my bet.

        1
        Reply
    • Bucs666

      7 years ago

      Did you see his last ST game? Looked like a totally different pitcher. He
      seemed to be in attack mode the whole game. Obviously, it’s only one game
      but this may have been our first glimpse of the REAL Tyler Glasnow. (Crossing
      my fingers.)

      Perhaps this was the game that caused Uncle Ray to be so effusive in his
      praise.

      Reply
    • tylerall5

      7 years ago

      The only thing I fear about Glasnow is that he figures things out once he he is about to run out of affordable control and he has his best years with another team.

      Reply
  9. GodHatesCleveland

    7 years ago

    I know it’s unlikely but I wish the Indians would keep Nap and use him as a player/coach like they did with Giambi a couple years back.

    Reply
    • Polish Hammer

      7 years ago

      And waste a roster spot like they did back then for a guy that might bat once a game and then need a runner once he gets on base and then a defensive replacement.

      Reply
  10. LF16

    7 years ago

    Here’s hoping Glasnow can round into form. In my opinion, there is no better pitching coach in the game than Ray Searage. Glasnow is in good hands.

    Reply
  11. Mendoza Line 215

    7 years ago

    I was surprised that Ray Searage said deer in the headlights because that is what it was with Glasnow.He has had enough chances now to start to get it right.I think that he is the biggest reason that they felt comfortable in trading their ace Cole in hoping that he could soon take over as the ace as he surely has the stuff.It is interesting to me to compare the relative success that Kuhl has had for 11/2 years and Williams for 3/4 of a year versus Glasnow for parts of two and a spring training.Unfortunately the Pirates cannot wait three more years as this year may be the make or break one for him and his Pirates career.He is running out of options and continued failure can have a profound affect on his psyche.I am not sure he makes the team this Spring as they may want him to build up his confidence again at AAA unless he continues the good outings and shows some grit.

    Reply
  12. oldhaus

    7 years ago

    So much for drafting hs arms. Other than Taillon, a waste of money for NH.

    Reply

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