Headlines

  • Nationals Fire PBO Mike Rizzo, Manager Dave Martinez
  • Brewers Activate Brandon Woodruff
  • Clarke Schmidt Expected To Undergo Tommy John Surgery
  • Bobby Jenks Passes Away
  • Braves Release Alex Verdugo
  • Top 40 Trade Candidates For The 2025 Deadline
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2025 Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

NL Central Notes: Mikolas, Walker, Hill, Senzel

By Mark Polishuk | February 26, 2023 at 10:19pm CDT

Miles Mikolas didn’t exactly suggest that he might give the Cardinals a so-called hometown discount in a new contract, even though the team’s spring camp is located in his actual hometown of Jupiter, Florida.  Mikolas noted to MLB.com’s John Denton that when he returned to the big leagues after pitching in Japan from 2015-17, “I had four or five offers that were all about the same, and I chose the Cardinals because of the organization, the fanbase and because Spring Training is in my hometown.  There are always a lot of factors that play into it, and they’ll play into it if I have a decision to make down the road.”  Of course, Mikolas also noted that other teams play near Jupiter, and joked that he wouldn’t necessarily be tied to the area since “the fishing is still pretty good on the west coast [of Florida].”

Mikolas said that “everything about being a Cardinal is fantastic” and that he is happy with St. Louis.  As far as a long-term deal is concerned, “those decisions aren’t always up to the player.  My job is to go out there and get outs as efficiently as I can, and that’s what I’m going to focus on.”  After his initial deal with the Cardinals, Mikolas already agreed to one extension with the club, and 2023 is the final season of that four-year, $68MM pact.  The Cards’ pitching outlook is a major storyline hanging over the team’s season, as Mikolas, Jack Flaherty, and Jordan Montgomery are all slated to free agency next winter and Adam Wainwright will retire after the year.

More from around the NL Central…

  • Sticking with the Cardinals, the team is planning to focus all of Jordan Walker’s spring work on the outfield, rather than any reps at his former third base position.  Manager Oliver Marmol feels Walker would be able to adjust easily back to third base if a need arose, but the skipper told Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that “when you’re making the transition as a young player, it’s hard to…stay sharp at a lot of different positions.  With this transition of [Walker] playing the outfield for the first time, we’re solely focused on him improving there rather than put too much on his plate.”  One of baseball’s top prospects, Walker has already drawn a lot of buzz after his very first spring start, and Walker seems likely to make his big league debut in 2023 even though he has yet to play at the Triple-A level.  Though the St. Louis outfield is already pretty crowded, Walker’s position change became necessary since Nolan Arenado is locked in at the hot corner.
  • Rich Hill underwent a minor elbow procedure following the 2022 season, Pirates GM Ben Cherington told Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe.  Described as something of a clean-up surgery, it doesn’t appear that the procedure will impact Hill’s readiness for Opening Day, nor did it seem to hurt his free agent market — the Rangers, Red Sox, Orioles, and Angels all reportedly had interest in Hill before he signed a one-year, $8MM deal with Pittsburgh.  Hill turns 43 years old on March 11, and the 2023 season will be Hill’s 19th Major League campaign.
  • Reds manager David Bell shed some more light on Nick Senzel’s recovery timeline, telling reporters (including Bobby Nightengale Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer) that the hope is for Senzel to be playing in Spring Training games by the middle of March.  There was already an expectation that Senzel would be somewhat slowly ramped up to action while he returns to full fitness after offseason toe surgery, and a mid-March return date might allow for Senzel to be ready for Cincinnati’s Opening Day lineup.  The toe surgery is the latest in a long list of injury problems for the former top prospect, who has been limited to 273 MLB games since making his Major League debut in May 2019.
Share 0 Retweet 7 Send via email0

Cincinnati Reds Notes Pittsburgh Pirates St. Louis Cardinals Jordan Walker Miles Mikolas Nick Senzel Rich Hill

MLBTR Chat Transcript
Main
Blue Jays Hire James Click As Vice President Of Baseball Strategy
View Comments (30)
Post a Comment

30 Comments

  1. DonOsbourne

    2 years ago

    The Cards should at least wait until the season begins before they start handing out extensions. There are a lot of factors to evaluate. As for Walker, it is hard not to get exited. I try to think back to 2010 when another massively talented young outfielder was getting loads of attention. I don’t want the Jordan Walker story to play out like the Jason Heyward story.

    2
    Reply
    • FrontOfficeStan

      2 years ago

      It’s easier for them to get things done before the season starts I think. I’d expect one extension, either Monty or Mikolas to happen before the season starts. Jack is not coming back.

      2
      Reply
      • Francys01

        2 years ago

        Monty will not sign an extension his agent is Scott Boras. The only starting pitcher that the Cards should consider extending right now is Mikolas. He wants to play for the Cards and it looks like that he is back healthy. He had a good season last year. Regarding Flaherty I don’t even know if we should consider keeping him long-term. I do hope he pitches well this season and the Cardinals need to decide if they want to keep him or let him go in free agency.

        3
        Reply
        • gbs42

          2 years ago

          Some Boras clients sign extensions before reaching FA, with Jose Altuve and Xander Bogaerts a year from FA like Montgomery. I’m not saying he will, but it wouldn’t be unprecedented.

          twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/minnesota-twins/alex-ki…

          5
          Reply
        • Prospectnvstr

          2 years ago

          This is true. For the most part Boris clients don’t sign extensions. However people (& sometimes I wonder if players) actually forget that the agent works for the player & not the other way around.

          4
          Reply
    • iH8PaperStraws

      2 years ago

      With Mikolis’ injury history its hard to extend him. His history says this will be a missed season for him, but maybe he’s past those issues. Flaherty can’t go soon enough. Even if he’s healthy enough this year to make 20 starts, which I’ll bet a million dollars he won’t be. He’s not not a good organizational guy. The last thing the Cardinals should do is give a long term high dollar contract who is so socially out spoken. Saint Louis is not the place for him to promote his agenda. It would be like Curt Schilling being here. For right or wrong, he will alienate too many Cardinal fans once he has the contract security to speak out more. He needs to be in California if he wants to be heard and supported or New York City if he want to be tolerated.or simply ignored by people of opposing views.

      1
      Reply
      • hollidayfever

        2 years ago

        Jesus you guys are so sensitive on him having a pretty widely held political opinion. His comments have been pretty innocuous. I don’t really agree with a lot of what he said, but who gives AF?

        3
        Reply
        • gbs42

          2 years ago

          hollidayfever,

          Snowflakes give AF.

          How dare a professional athlete speak about anything other than their sport? /s

          Reply
  2. User 1855579867

    2 years ago

    The season has been cancelled. Instead we will just have extension talks.

    1
    Reply
  3. Rsox

    2 years ago

    19 seasons in the league and it’s hard to believe that Rich Hill has only ever pitched 30 games in a season 3 times. 32 starts with the Cubs in 2007, 31 starts in 2021 between the Rays and Mets, and 63 relief appearances with Indians in 2013

    2
    Reply
    • PiratesFan1981

      2 years ago

      Yes, he’s looking to Break Dennis Eckersley and Nolan Ryan’s age gap before retiring.

      1
      Reply
      • Rsox

        2 years ago

        Jamie Moyer once said he wanted to pitch til he was 50, he got close pitching in his age 49 season. Its not impossible to think Hill could go til he’s 50 if he wanted to given he has less mileage on his arm than some guys 10-15 years younger than him

        Reply
        • PiratesFan1981

          2 years ago

          But with soft throwing pitchers being nearly extinct, is it really possible he can pitch another 5 years?

          Reply
        • Rsox

          2 years ago

          As long as teams continue to push launch angle over traditional hitting fundamentals then as long as he can work up in the zone or around the knees then yes, yes he can

          Reply
  4. tonyinsingapore

    2 years ago

    Oh, and when healthy Senzel, more than 1,000 pa’s, is .240/.303/.360 and 26sb with 16cs….
    Not good…

    3
    Reply
    • gbs42

      2 years ago

      Has he ever been truly healthy, or just healthy enough to take the field?

      1
      Reply
      • This one belongs to the Reds

        2 years ago

        Again, they had no contingency plan despite knowing the player’s history and having a whole offseason and an 80 million payroll.

        1
        Reply
      • Big whiffa

        2 years ago

        @gbs. Yes he has. In 2017 he hit 321 w 57 extra base hits over a 119 games in A+ and AA. That was the senzel reds drafted. Dude was as sure fire as a lock ever and then he was diagnosed w vertigo.

        2
        Reply
        • This one belongs to the Reds

          2 years ago

          More @gbs. In the big leagues, probably only his first few games. He actually hit the ground running really well before the injuries started. He has never been the same since.

          Reply
    • sportsarerigged

      2 years ago

      Senzel is Grady Sizemore without the flashes of success

      Reply
  5. FrontOfficeStan

    2 years ago

    It’s going to be really interesting to see what the Cardinals do with Walker. On one hand, he clearly is going to come out and prove he deserves to me on the roster. Today, 1st ab HR… great catch at the wall, the hustle to beat out a throw on an infielder grounder. Is there really much doubt on his ability to play at the level and contribute?

    On the other hand, I understand Cardinals want to give a chance to the current outfield lineup. There’s a lot to be excited about there too and it is reasonable to see them keep Walker in AAA for a bit so they can see what they have right now, and make whatever moves necessary when it’s time to bring him up.

    5
    Reply
    • Big whiffa

      2 years ago

      Yeah u don’t play others over someone else just bc they are older and been there longer. What is this – 1976 ?

      If they try to manipulate walkers service time – they’ll just regret it as he will end up in tops of rookie of the year and receive the service time credit. So seems like someone is out of a job. Double so when lil buddy came out publicly he’s trying to switch positions. Writings on the wall

      2
      Reply
      • Lanidrac

        2 years ago

        Even if it looks like it, they won’t be intending to manipulate Walker’s service time. They don’t care much whether or not he gets the service time bonus. In fact, they may even prefer it, since it means he’ll have played well enough to become a Rookie of the Year finalist.

        Reply
        • Big whiffa

          2 years ago

          I agree. So that means he’s legitimately playing for a spot on the team. That’s a rare occasion in baseball. I’ll tip my hat to that- nice work players union

          1
          Reply
  6. Curveball1984

    2 years ago

    Kinda saddened to see the Cubs weren’t in on Hill at all. They could’ve used another veteran lefty like that, even if it was as a LH long man out of the bullpen. Plus it would’ve been nice to see his career end where he debuted. Back in the mid-2000s, he & Matt Murton were among my favorite Cub prospects.

    2
    Reply
  7. CardsFan57

    2 years ago

    I’m not as sure that Flaherty is gone after this year after some of his recent remarks. They were positive statements about his time in St. Louis.

    Reply
    • Steve Cohen Owns You

      2 years ago

      I could see them wanting to bring him back. I could also see him simply wanting a change of scenery.

      1
      Reply
    • hollidayfever

      2 years ago

      He’ll be out west in a heartbeat if he posts his typical healthy rate stats over 30 starts this year. Cards won’t pay him either, nor should they. Just QO him and pocket the draft pick.

      2
      Reply
      • snakebyte32

        2 years ago

        While I mostly agree with this, it sure isn’t that simple in my mind. STL is going to need to find pitching for next year somewhere and with as many openings in the rotation as they have, There are not many top of the rotation types available in FA next year, unless you think the Cards are going to dump half a billion bucks on a DH/Starter…. Yeah I don’t see that happening.

        2
        Reply
      • Big whiffa

        2 years ago

        Spot on. If Braves or cards can’t sign em pre-arb- they are gone bc they loose all their negotiating power

        1
        Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Nationals Fire PBO Mike Rizzo, Manager Dave Martinez

    Brewers Activate Brandon Woodruff

    Clarke Schmidt Expected To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Bobby Jenks Passes Away

    Braves Release Alex Verdugo

    Top 40 Trade Candidates For The 2025 Deadline

    Rays Reinstate Ha-Seong Kim

    Yankees Have Shown Interest In Ryan McMahon

    Royals Interested In Bryan Reynolds

    Rangers Option Josh Jung

    Kevin Pillar Announces Retirement

    Braves Place Spencer Schwellenbach On IL With Elbow Fracture

    Giants Exercise 2026 Option On Manager Bob Melvin

    Yordan Alvarez Shut Down Due To Setback With Hand Injury

    Astros Place Jeremy Peña On Injured List With Fractured Rib

    Tucker Barnhart To Retire

    Tyler Mahle To Be Sidelined Beyond Trade Deadline

    Reds Release Jeimer Candelario

    Dave Parker Passes Away

    Griffin Canning Diagnosed With Ruptured Achilles

    Recent

    Nationals Fire PBO Mike Rizzo, Manager Dave Martinez

    Rays Sign Peter Strzelecki To Minor League Contract

    MLB Announces 2025 All-Star Rosters

    Rhys Hoskins Suffers Grade 2 Thumb Sprain, Headed To IL

    Pirates Re-Sign Yohan Ramírez, Release Peter Strzelecki

    Diamondbacks Place Pavin Smith On IL, Select Tristin English

    Details On Bryan Reynolds’ Limited No-Trade Protection

    Tigers Select PJ Poulin

    Blue Jays Place Andres Gimenez On 10-Day Injured List

    Yankees Sign Geoff Hartlieb To Major League Deal

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Sandy Alcantara Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Alex Bregman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android App Store Google Play

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version