The Brewers parted ways with right-handed ace Brandon Woodruff ahead of the non-tender deadline late last week, making the 30-year-old a free agent for the first time in his career. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic discussed the circumstances under which Woodruff became a free agent and his outlook entering the open market this morning, noting that the Brewers did receive interest from multiple clubs ahead of Friday’s deadline in acquiring Woodruff. The return in such a deal would have been negligible, however, and Rosenthal notes that Milwaukee decided to simply non-tender Woodruff rather than ship him to a team he might not prefer to join in exchange for a minimal return.
Now that the Brewers have allowed Woodruff to hit free agency, Rosenthal notes that the right-hander figures to receive two-year offers on the open market, suggesting that the total guarantee could clock in below the two-year, $30.35MM extension Rays righty Tyler Glasnow inked with the Rays last summer. Though Glasnow was in a somewhat similar situation to Woodruff at the time of the deal, having missed the entire 2022 season to that point due to Tommy John surgery, Glasnow was nearing a return from the procedure when he signed on to a deal that would cover his age-29 and -30 campaigns. Woodruff, by contrast, is expected to miss anywhere between six and eighteen months, per Rosenthal, and would be signing on for his age-31 and -32 campaigns.
More from around MLB’s central divisions…
- Joining Woodruff on the free agent market after being non-tendered by the Tigers is right-hander Spencer Turnbull. Per Chris McCosky of The Detroit News, president of baseball operations tried to trade Turnbull ahead of Friday’s non-tender deadline but was unable to find any takers. The decision to non-tender Turnbull, McCosky notes, comes after a long-running saga of issues between the club’s decision to option Turnbull to Triple-A back in May (a move that was later rescinded due to an at-the-time undisclosed neck injury) and subsequent decision to option him a second time in August while he was working his way back from the neck injury and subsequent toe issue. Tensions between the sides got to the point that McCosky notes Turnbull requested a trade ahead of the trade deadline on August 1 this past summer, though of course no deal wound up occurring back then. Now a free agent, Turnbull figures to be among the more interesting rebound candidates on the rotation market this offseason, given his flashes of success from 2020-21 when he posted a 3.46 ERA and 3.24 FIP across 20 starts.
- While the Cardinals are known to be in the market for multiple starting pitchers and president of baseball operations John Mozeliak referenced discussions he had with right-hander Aaron Nola’s representation in conversation with Tom Ackerman of KMOX, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch notes that the club’s interest in Nola never reached the point where the club met with the right-hander or made a formal offer prior to him re-signing with the Phillies earlier today. Though Goold notes that other NL clubs were “actively engaged” in attempting to lure Nola away from Philadelphia, he adds that the Cardinals were not among them, despite indications earlier in the offseason that the club would be interested in Nola’s services this winter. While Nola is now off the market, he’s far from the only top-of-the-market pitching free agent the Cardinals have been connected to this offseason, Veteran right-hander Sonny Gray has been connected to St. Louis multiple times so far this offseason, while the club also has reported interested in NPB star Yoshinobu Yamamoto and a potential reunion with southpaw Jordan Montgomery.
2 years for about $30 mil would be pretty close to keeping him and cutting his arbitration number down to the minimum, plus offering a QO. I think it’s cool that they let him walk, for his sake.
Good post, although I think 2y@30m seems like an overpay… maybe a bidding war jacks it up to 2y@20m? There is no more Arb for him; he is a Free Agent. His AAV would still be calculated as an average of the 2 years anyway. Hard to tell, of course, but as an Owner or POBO it’s a rough gamble to essentially pay Woodie $20m for one questionably healthy year (’25). The shoulder ailment is a major concern; I doubt anybody is counting on him in ’24 irrespective of what his camp says. While I’m surprised the Brewers didn’t take their favorite lottery ticket by moving him, it is kind of a classy maneuver by the FO.
That particular shoulder surgery has less than a 40% chance he ever can even throw an mlb pitch again.
Cardinals will pursue and fall just short on a lot of pitchers this winter. “But we tried”. 2 million seats will be filled.
3M
That number is fake. And I really really dislike it when people take credit for that when they don’t even go to games.
They report how many tickets were sold, not how many showed up for the game. It’s really nothing to get upset about. We all know people don’t always do what they say they’re going to do. Baseball fans are no different.
These are not people that bought tickets and simply decided not to attend the game. That’s false.
The 3M fans is true, but with a lackluster team there were many empty seats this year. I can just imagine the revenue that was made the year before when Pujols was chasing 700 home runs. I think the just barely doing enough in the off-season is not good enough these days. They need at least 2 very good starters and a couple of relievers, this will be interesting to see what they actually get this year.
Yes the second half of 2022 when the team was playing good and Albert was chasing 700 the stadium was full. But that’s a rather select period in time.
That’s my point if you put a good team out there the seats will be full. We haven’t had a World Series caliber team for awhile. They never make the over the top move it’s always status quo. The reds, Cubs, and Pirates are getting better. 3rd or 4th place team unless we make some major improvements.
Dude the team won 93 games last year. This isn’t some second class organization they had their first losing season since 2007.
I think major improvements are coming.
Yeah? There were like 12k at the stadium and the announced attendance was like 34k for over half the season last year? Lol musta been mail in ballots? Cause I didn’t see 33k paying fans? Only 12 showing up fans? What did 20k decide to cancel every home game for 4 months? Wow? That’s new? Must be nice to work for a company that gives the tickets away and you can decide if you wanna drive to watch a loosing product? How do I end up in that section of life’s algorithm? Free tickets to ball games? Obviously that’s what happened? You don’t just lite subscriptions on fire and keep paying the people because you “like their bowtie” nah, once you cancel, you stop paying? Not if your a business rewarding workers with season tickets? Hmmm? Like those Diamond TV Contracts paying the players rather than me buying tickets?
I paid damn near 60 dollars for two tickets to watch Albert pinch hit on a Saturday night? Wtf it’s Saturday guys? Get him in there
I’ve decided I’m not gonna go to anymore games or tune in… I’m boycotting because they didn’t like Randy Arozarenas video of Mike Shildts speech or Mike Shildts speech for that matter…. and Threw Adolis Garcia under the bus with em because he was “an accessory” to the crime? That right there gets people to”budlight the F outta you”
3 million not 2
I figure some decline in attendance is coming. Put that with the Bally money going away and I’d say lean times are coming.
Attendance has been declining since 2011. Those numbers are fake anyone who actually goes to games knows they are fake. The only people who quote that fake 3 million number are entitled fans who expect the owner to spend more.
Attendance figures are tickets sold, not people in attendance. Which is what matters to teams.
It’s tickets sold. Just like every team in baseball uses.
The tickets sold numbers are fake. They sell giant blocks of tickets at the last minute to ticket brokers and then count those as ticket sales. We are talking thousands of tickets. Those numbers are fake. All you have to do is watch a game it’s clear.
Tin foil on sale in aisle 4.
You could find any game from last year except perhaps a couple weekend games. Any weekday game I guarantee you if you saw the stands and then looked up how many tickets were sold it wouldn’t add up. I guarantee it.
I have been to over 300 games at Busch, the current one and the new Busch. I have no motivation to lie or make this up.
Ticket sales have been in decline since Albert left. The team doesn’t want to admit it so they started doing this fake ticket sale nonsense. When the broadcasters announce the attendance they can barely do it with a straight face.
It’s tickets sold NOT how many attend. EVERY team in baseball does it this way. It’s not hard.
So what you’re saying is they did sell them, and who they sell them to makes a difference? They were sold. That makes the number real, not fake.
If you have 20k tickets sold 30 minutes prior to game time and then sell 10k tickets to ticket brokers before the game starts at an incredibly discounted rate are those legit sales? I don’t think they are.
No offense, but whether you believe it or not the attendance numbers are accurate. It doesn’t matter whether the butts are actually in their seats or even in the stadium at all: the tickets are sold.
I don’t doubt that you’ve noticed a difference in atmosphere. The Cards, like my Mariners, are a much more mediocre team these days than in The Machine’s era. There are probably another 5-10k ticket holders or more in the concourses or out enjoying Ballpark Village than in their seats glued to the action for the whole game. Or on weeknights season ticket holders w/ cheap seats might not be bothered to come at all if they don’t feel like it.
The numbers aren’t fake. Attendance/Sales are up significantly leaguewide and Cardinals are top 5. The profits of these clubs is reflective of that. The 3M+ number is real.
It is important but they would prefer you were at the games spending $10 on a hotdog.
The numbers are fake. There are not 10k plus season ticket holders who are simply not showing up or walking around the stadium all game. They aren’t there anymore. The ticket sales numbers are fake. That’s the truth.
lol ok I guess we’ll just have to take your word for it. The operating profits of these clubs including the Cardinals seriously indicate otherwise
YouTube a game dude. YouTube any weekday Cardinal game last year look at the stands and then look up the attendance numbers. It won’t add up I guarantee it.
The tickets sold numbers are fake.
=============================
The Mets use to do that. One of the coaches for the local boys & girls club would run the annual outing, have a bus for 50 kids and have a block of 300 tickets in his hand.
The funny past was that the Mets were sop inept, they give away tickets for the last two section of UD LF, but keep behind 5 sections of unsold tickets closer to HP. Since no one is buying tickets all the way out in Left, when they could buy tickets much closer to HP, it was obviously they were “selling” those tickets for nothing.
How is selling tickets at discounted prices to 3rd party vendors “fake?” Whether a ticket is sold for $1 or $100, it’s still a ticket sold.
So what you’re saying is a city that has lost 2 NFL teams, an NBA team, and an ABA team isn’t really a great sports town?
Color me surprised.
who they sell them to makes a difference?
==============================
Sure. Suppose you have the last two sections empty every night. To give the illusion that you are stilling selling out, you sell 2,000 to one of your banks for $1. They in turn give those away to any of their customers that want them.
To be fair the ABA folded, but point taken.
We all know the Spirit Owners wanted to be included in the ABA/NBA Merger. NBA would’ve taken them if they knew how much buying them out would end up costing them.
It’s fake dude. The whole reason people like to say 3 million tickets sold is because they think the team is hoarding all these profits and not spending it on payroll like they should. But if they aren’t getting any money for those tickets then that doesn’t really apply.
It’s a great baseball town. And the Blues fans are not great in numbers but very loyal. The Cardinals still sell more tickets than most teams do even if we are only counting legit sales. But it isn’t as good as the numbers would tell you it is. That’s all I am saying.
That’s basically what they do Joe.
Is it the most deceptive thing ever? Not really. But they do it. And anyone who says otherwise is wrong.
Samson tells me the numbers aren’t real. He’d know. He used to be the guy manipulating them.
Don’t blame a city for the owner. bidwell never spent a dime and Kroenke is despised nationally. Cards have always had rabid base, and no Pete rose or Marge schott disgraces to the game. Your envy of the most championships in the NL is obvious.
Do you have proof these numbers are fake? The only lies I see is that you went to 300 games.
I love guys who make “that’s a fact” statement’s on message boards without anything at all but their own opinion to back it up.
You are correct. There are not 3 million fans in attendance. It is tickets sold that count, and yes there are thousands of corporate tickets that go unspoken for each game.
Find something else to get upset about.
They are not fake. Yes, that many people did not go to the games. There are like 15k season ticket holders between full and half season ticket holders. They have all of holiday packs they sell. They have a ton of blocks they sell for orgnaiztin fund raising. They have the people that have standing room only package for a monthly fee. It all adds up. The team was terrible last year, people didn’t want to go at the end of the season. It happens, you’re not required to go if you have a ticket. And if you wanted to go last year it was really easy to find free tickets.
So they in fact sell those tickets? Like everyone but you is saying they did?
Yes they are.
They sell them to ticket brokers for pennies on the dollar. Yes technically they sell them that’s how they can get away with saying tickets sold. But those are not legit ticket sales.
You don’t go to games, Joel.
Been to more games in my life than you have grandpa.
Not a chance.
Joel can’t get into the games. He refuses to remove the aluminum foil hat.
Man, as a Reds fan I would love my team’s front office to spend just half the money the Cardinals front office spends.
The Reds currently have a payroll of $31 million dollars. Let me say that again. The Reds currently have a payroll of $31 million dollars!!
Sorry you guys didn’t sign Nola, but our GM is currently sorting through the trash heap, hoping to land a rag arm for $5-7 million dollars.
With the Reds young talent it would only take a relatively small jump in payroll to make a huge difference.
You are correct Four4fore, with all the young talent making league minimum, the Reds could sign 2 top tier SPs, a middle of the line up bat and would still have an opening day payroll under $100,000,000. Non an interview today Nick Krall says his priority was to sign a swing man.
I asked a question in a different thread, over or under 50 HRs Lance Lynn would give up if he pitched half his games in Cincinnati? And today karma bit my ass and he’s a Cardinal again. But my question now is would the Reds have to overpay to land a top free agent pitcher?
It is not Krall’s fault. Look at your name, it is Kroger man’s fault. Look at how he underpays his employees and does not give decent benefits. If Krall was given the greenlight to spend, he would.,
Hey man
Stl is not a good team and is not 1-2 pitchers away from being competitive.
Same old story, dangle the carrot on the stick, don,t sign a starter , don,t spend any money , but the fans will fill the seats anyway.
Typical Mo, already sidestepping the criticism. Damage control is the theme of the offseason.
I grew up a Cardinals fan and switched to the M’s when I moved from the Midwest to Seattle. Jerry Dipoto and Mo are very similar in that they are two of the most overrated, self confident GM’s in baseball. Neither one of them ever show any accountability.
I do still root for the Cards and really hope they land some arms this year, because if not what a waste of Arenado & Goldy in the same lineup.
Nola wanted to stay with the Phillies. Nothing wrong with that.
The Cardinals will sign either Gray or Montgomery.
I figured all along that Nola was staying in Philly. But I also think Monty will stay in Texas. Sonny Gray is ok, but he is essentially Mikolas 2.0. Mikolas had his worst season as a Cardinal throwing to Contreras. Wanna bet what happens to Gray?
I don’t know if the Rangers are going to sign a top starter. They have Scherzer, Eovaldi, Gray, Dunning and Heaney with DeGrom coming mid season. They might sign someone but I don’t think they need Montgomery as much as other teams might.
Gray is better than Mikolas in pretty much any and every way. He was 2nd in Cy Young votes in 2023. To act as if Gray isn’t an ace is silly.
Gray had a great year and is a good pitcher, but is no way an ace. Will love to have him on the team as a number 2, still need a true #1.
Gray is an ace. What “true number 1” is out there and available?
2nd in Cy Young votes in 2023. That’s an ace.
Manoah was 3rd in the CY in 2022, is he an ace? Gray had a great year but he is not an ace. Lopez was their number one in Minnesota, but Gray had a better year. It would be a mistake for the cardinals to sign. He would essentially be replacing Montgomery at best. They are 100 loss team with or without him. It would be a waste of money. Just let the kids get runs at a rotation spot for /025
I really don’t buy the “throwing to Contreras” narrative. If Mikolas wants to blame Wiily for being an absolute BP pitcher all year, he’s not the pro I had hoped he was.
Mikolas isn’t blaming him. I am. The entire pitching staff regressed last season. There has to be more to the story than just bad luck.
I think having to deal with the pitch clock and throwing to a new catcher was difficult on some of the pitchers. But that’s not really a Contreras problem. Montgomery figured it out. Flaherty was a flake during his time in both St Louis and Baltimore in 2023.
The pitching staff was a little worse but the defense contributed to that. Putting Walker in the lineup on opening day was far worse than anything Contreras did or didn’t do.
It’s funny that the pitching staff never refused to pitch with Walker in RF.
Nobody refused to pitch to Contreras either. And if the manager wasn’t a complete clown we would have never heard about any of this.
Walker is still going to be a liability he should be in AAA
Yes there’s way more than the story All of our pictures last year sucked because they suck
How about just no talent on the mound?
@DonOsbourne Sonny Gray is better than “ok” and in no way is he “Mikolas 2.0”
@spliff I’d like to know where he got that Mikolas comparrison as well. Similar age is about the only thing the two have in common.
Sonny Gray is better than ok when he pitches. Last season was the first time he topped 150 innings since 2015. This will be his age 34 season. Should we expect his health to improve as he ages?
Mikolas has topped 180 innings 4x in the last 6 seasons. Gray does post better run prevention numbers and he does miss more bats. But I’m not sure he can be counted on as an ace.
Mikolas may be a poor comparison I will admit. I’m just not sold on Gray.
So, if they only get Montgomery, they are back to their July team
Sign Montgomery trade for Bieber. That’s definitely better than what they had in 2023.
Or trade for Glasgow or beiber or Schmidt.
I don’t think there is money for both Montgomery and Glasnow. Schmidt meh I don’t know. Maybe he improves a ton away from New York but maybe he doesnt.
I prefer Gray or Montgomery. Go get one of them. I never believed they would sign two top tier pitchers.
Yeah we will sign 1 and get 1 via trade I think that’s what makes sense. Bieber is the guy to trade for I think.
How many articles have we seen that indicated that the Cardinals were somehow connected to Nola. And yet the Cardinal brass did not even have any discussions with him. Just shows how much of the sports journalism is simply nothing but bu11sh!t. I am not upset that we did not sign him, just stating the facts.
He wasn’t exactly on the market for a long time. How connected could they have possibly been in such a short period of time?
It’s mid November. People are going to write stuff that gets attention. I don’t think there were any legit sources that said Nola and the Cardinals were talking.
Gray and Montogmery make sense. Nola never made sense if he didn’t want to leave Philly which he obviously didnt.
True that free agency has just started but if you have not seen the articles that I have then you must have another worldly internet. I never said that I thought we were going to sign him. Especially seven years. As far as legit sources, perhaps you could enlighten our readers as to who they are. I agree that the click bait is everywhere.
The Cardinals spoke to his agent. They knew he was more interested in going back to Philadelphia at his asking price.
Just because you read a lot of articles connecting Nola and the Cardinals, doesn’t make it the media’s fault. The Cardinals have spoken to all agents of all the top free agent pitchers, same as many other teams.
Yeah that makes sense. If a guy wants to return to his old team I don’t want to try to convince him with more money. Nola is a good pitcher good for him and the Phillies.
Source of the rumor…
journalist 1 to journalist 2 over a beer: who do you think ______will sign with?
Journalist 2… I don’t know, maybe______
An hour later, journalist 1 reports, “high level inside source says…”
10.minures after that, journalist 2 reports what journalist 1 just claimed
Welcome to the rodeo. It’s been like that forever. Do you really think that even ONE of these GMs is disclosing secrets to journalists? There is probably some unwritten agreement that journalists can create what they want. It’s good for the sports, good for the fans, and good for the writers.
But if Yamamoto was in Breslow’s office, right now, with pen in hand, you wouldn’t know it. Same as in the real world.
I feel like Turnbull is not someone you sign to a multi year contract and even on a one year deal its better to do a low base, high incentive deal
I would guess he gets a minor league deal with a spring training invite. He looked awful last year and spent so much time on the shelf that I can’t imagine he’s ready to pitch in the majors yet.
Look at his career numbers. Turnbull was only due a couple Mill from the Tigers, had HARRIS not fumbled this one, too. He will get a major league deal for at least as much as the Tigers could have kept him for. Like Candelario,I expect he will return to form.
Turnbull does not belong on a major league roster. I have followed his career since he was drafted and he was my favorite player for awhile. I am familiar with his career numbers. He should not get a major league deal. He has not looked the same since coming back from TJS and hasn’t pitched more than 50 innings since 2020. Perma-injured, can’t throw strikes freaks out when he is optioned so he can get more innings. Again, not a major league talent at this point in his career. HARRIS can find a younger pitcher with more upside to fill those innings and should.
Stymedone…his “career numbers” came before TJ. Look at how he pitched last year. I think his attitude must gave been injured too because it sucked like his pitching. Candelario was offered a contract and I agree they should have tried to match the Nats, but they didn’t and no one predicted he would have a career year. Hindsight is 20-20. Candy wasn’t a bad team mate and a distraction like Turnbull has been. Harris tried to trade him but no one wanted him. He didn’t fumble anything on this one.
I would not sign Gray draft pick and too old. Monterey or Rodriguez no draft picks then trade for another one and bullpen help
2nd in Cy Young votes for 2023. I don’t trust Rodriguez at all. Gray can legitimately be am ace.
I tend to feel STL gets Stroman. He has good chemistry with Contreras.
That’s a joke right?
Why would it be pray tell?
Because Stroman was laughing at Contreras when Happ hit Contreras with his backswing last year.
I don’t want Stroman at all. Just dont want him.
I mean, just takes a quick Google to see that that I’d silly.
The irony is that Stroman has been better than Nola over the last three years.
Yamamoto, Gray and trade for Cease. Donovan, Graceffo and Hjerpe could probably get the convo started at least
I am sorry but you guys really don’t have the players for a trade for Cease. This is one time when the Reds have you beat in possible trade ammunition.
Disagree. That trade package is pretty decent.
I don’t think the Reds are that ambitious.
We have Jordan Walker so no the Reds don’t have better ammo than STL
No intelligent pitcher or his agent is going to sign in cesspool east Missouri and play for a franchise in steep decline. Avoid east Missouri at all costs
Nurse!
Let’s screen capture this comment and see how well it ages.
this moron above posts that same garbage comment on a bunch of threads. It’s some moron that sits and watches professional corn picking contests in the barren wasteland that is Iowa.
He’s the guy that sits in front of the dryer while it’s running and hollers “Look, there goes that red sock again”
spoken like a true fan of any other NL Central team. I don’t know that any pitchers are chomping at the bit to sign in Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Chicago or Pittsburgh. By your logic, FAs would only sign with a handful of teams. We all know that you can live anywhere in the offseason and keep an apartment or home nearby during the season.
Don’t jump straight to “those other dirty NL Central fans” nonsense. It just makes your fanbase sound like more of an ass then they are already played out to be. Everyone else hates it when you guys are called “the best fans.” Also, why wouldn’t a pitcher want to play for a young, talented team (example Reds) who has a revamped fanbase (and growing more so again)? I know the park is not a pitchers park but if you are a groundball pitcher or a blazing fastball type, you would do alright there.
Not everyone can be the “Best Fans”. You guys are OK too though.
Show me the Money!
The problem with stl is they are poor at identifying, developing and retaining pitching. A ubiquitous flaw throughout their entire organization. Obvious at this point that Molina was covering some serious organizational flaws. Cards are a safe bet to finish with fewer wins in 2024 then 2023.
Not sure what the Cardinals plans are. They have the $$$ to sign Gray and Montgomery, plus the infield and outfield players to trade for another top starter.
But pulling all that off? I would be astonished if all that became a reality.
They will sign one and then all the talk will be how they tried and tried on the others, but the asking price was just too much.
Sounds like Charlie Brown’s teacher after a while “waunt waunt waunt waunt”
Stop with the entitlement nonsense.
are you banned on cards talk again ?
Yep I will be back Thursday
sorry to hear that you are by far the best poster there
Buahahaha
I’m pretty much in the same frame of mind. I would be blown away if they get even one top FA and pull off a trade for another good starter
Scottie Harris didn’t know what he had when he released Candelario… he didn’t know what he had when he releases Turnbull. Scottie is still learning.
At least he chose Max Clark instead of Wyatt Langford. Rangers say thank you.
Harris looked like a fool with ERod… he will look like a bigger fool by getting his panties in a wad over Turnbull.
He keeps Brendan White but releases Spencer Turnbull. What a clown show.
You and I are basically on the same page with HARRIS. Until he actually does something positive, he has been unimpressive. He cut Willi Castro and Candelario for no return. Traded his LH 100mph closer for a platoon OF, and then had to play him out of position at 3B. Botched trading E-Rod, so he walks with no return. Cut the only defensive SS that could compete with Javy, in Zack Short, no return. And now has cut Turnbull, his no hit starter, because of communication difficulties. Turnbull could have been tendered and kept thru Spring training to prove his health and then traded. Instead, HARRIS saves $2MM, but he wasted $3.75MM Keeping Carson Kelly, who showed nothing after he was acquired, making him an expensive backup. I also think cutting Haase was a mistake, but I understand that move.
Stymedone…all of the players you just talked about sucked for different reasons when he cut them. Loon up their stats for the years they were cut. How was that bad? If they win the world series next year you and Melchez will still be complaining that they cut players who hit .200 or pitchers who had an ERA o er 6.00.
The candelario one still stings. To think the tigers had both candelario and parades and let them both go for nothing. And their position of need is 3B. Scott needs to figure that one out and soon because if Vierling is their starting 3B on OD next year it boggles the mind. Colt Keith can’t play 3B anymore, so we’re hoping Jace Jung can perhaps may do it? There are options out there and the Tigers are not that far from contending. It just does not make sense, especially with this shoe string budget.
Melchez…He had a .200 hitter with an OPS under .300 when he didn’t sign Candelario, but I agree they should have tried to match the Nats and banked on a comeback given they had no one else for 3B. As for Turnbull he knew what he had. A pitcher who had a bad attitude, just had TJ and didn’t play well. He tried to trade him with no takers. Langford vs Clark is TBD unless your time machine is up and running, in which case let me know who wins the world series next year so I can make some bets!
Question for Tigers fans, seeing as I didn’t watch Turnbull in ’23… what’s wrong with him? His stuff was electric before ’22, has he just not healed proper?
He walks way too many batters. He always struggled with control but its been worse since he came back for TJS. Add to that, he is always hurt, made of glass and paper. He also seems to have a huge ego, something he seems to have in common with Scott Harris. Could be a interesting reclamation project, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he never pitches another major league inning again.
Thanks Skiiggy, appreciate the insight. I honestly wouldn’t mind my Padres throwing him a ST invite, kick the tires and see what gas is in the tank.
If I was a GM I would be all over Turnbull. I seen him hurt his neck, and coming off surgery from TJ. Be a great pickup at a low cost. Bad move by Harris.
Not a team player and he was terrible last year. No place for him with an attitude like that. Can’t fault Harris for that one, especially since he tried to trade him before kicking him loose.
Next move by Harris will be to say he needed Turnbull’s roster spot to sign some unknown LHP reliever, put the guy on waivers 2 weeks later and assign him to Toledo when he goes unclaimed. The Scotty Special.
I’d rather see them grab a Rule V pick than keep someone like Turnbull who did not pit h well and isn’t a team player around.
Am I missing something? Why didn’t the Brewers hold onto Woodruff if they had the chance?
cora
I think they were trying to cut payroll, plus he probably won’t pitch at all in the 24 season due to surgery. And he will be a free agent after the 25 season.
Notice how they quietly updated the timeline for woodruff to 18 months. Looking at all-star break 2025 (if ever)
No S the Cardinals weren’t in on Nola. Anyone who has followed him over his career knew he was not leaving Philly. The two sides have been trying to get an extension done for the past two years. Plus, the clubs needs him. they are coming off being in the WS and NLCS the last two years, there isn’t a better option for to replace him with, they have Harper in his prime and they are losing Wheeler after the season. Anyone who seriously thought he was leaving need their keyboards taken away.
For the cardinals I’m starting to think Marmol was retained so Mozeliak wouldn’t have to fire two managers in two years. We knew going into last season the rotation was garbage, the team was going to be bad and ‘24 was going to be worse. This was never going to be a good offseason for them. The starting pitching crop was to be weak to begin with, they weren’t going to get Ohtani and Nola was never leaving Philly. They need outfielders, but with as bad as the team will be from lack of pitching, none of the bats they need will want to sign here. They don’t have the assets to trade for a top of the rotation pitcher. Not the Mo would ever part with them anyway.
What happens from here? Well, first they should trade Goldschmidt back to Arizona so he can have a nice fairwell season and have a play for a team with playoff capabilities. They should move anyone another team inquires about for prospects to try and replenish an empty farm system. As he showed in Colorado, Arenado is going to be disgruntled playing on a last place team, he needs moved for a nice prospect return. Chase Davis should come up at some point in the year, he’ll be part of the OF future(hopefully). They need to take advantage of having a contract pick this year and draft the can’t miss hitter at their spot.
Marmol and Girsh will probably be let go. I mean, what does Girsh even do. I think Mozeliak will also step down a year early so replacement can hire his new manager, or the new manager can hire his POBO. go after the abundance of SPers in the ‘24 free agent class and again take advantage of another high draft pick in ‘25. I like a signing of Wheeler and Buehler.
It’s possible the Tigers dumped Turnbull partially because they didn’t want his attitude spreading and infecting a young team. Malcontents can divide a club house.
The Tigers seem to have a good club house right now, as well as a pitching coach staff that can actually improve pitchers. I like their chances of getting someone who can be better than Turnbull this offseason. I don’t think the loss of Turnbull is going to cripple the pitching staff.