Some links on this Saturday evening…
- Mets lefty Chris Capuano told Ron Chimelis of The Springfield Republican that he didn't hear anything about a potential trade to the Red Sox until after the deal was dead. "I didn't hear about it until after my start Thursday in St.Louis," said the lefty. "That's when I spoke briefly with (Mets GM) Sandy Alderson, who said there was just some talk that didn't pan out.''
- MLB.com's Peter Gammons reports (on Twitter) that two teams trying to trade for Marlins closer Leo Nunez at the deadline were told no. "Now I know why," said the GM of one of those teams, referring to Nunez's identity scandal. "I admire Larry Beinfest for doing what he did."
- Meanwhile, Clark Spencer of The Miami Herald reports that Nunez came clean about his identity because it was his dying father's last request.
- Third baseman Aramis Ramirez told ESPN 1000 Chicago that he wants to sign with a contender this winter. On Tuesday, the veteran said that he's probably played his last game with the Cubs.
- Cardinals right-hander Edwin Jackson would like to return to the team next season, writes Steve Overbey for MLB.com. However, there might not be a spot for him in the rotation next season if Adam Wainwright returns healthy.
- Darryl Strawberry regrets leaving the Mets for the Dodgers prior to the '91 season and says that impending free agent Jose Reyes should stay in New York, writes Peter Botte of the New York Daily News.
- As ESPN.com's Buster Olney touched on earlier today, the acquisitions of Shaun Marcum and Zack Greinke helped propel the Brewers to the division crown. Outfielder Ryan Braun was quick to say that it was pitching that put the club in this position, writes MLB.com's Adam McCalvy.
- Questioning the logic of the Diamondbacks' Dan Haren deal from July 2010 seems unfair, writes Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. Piecoro also writes that the club's increased scouting for the 2009 draft proved to be beneficial at the 2010 deadline.
James Grenard
No spot for Jackson?
Wainwright/Carpenter/Garcia/Lohse/Jackson
Alvin Zeidenfeld
Shelby Miller will be in the rotation…very likely on opening day. Saves them money and should be a productive rookie out of the 5 hole in the rotation. They’ll spend their money elsewhere when they’ve got a solid cheap alternative.
Sean
There is nothing that could ever possible happen in all of the world to make shelby miller start the season in St. Louis much less in the rotation. He COULD be in St. louis by September maybe a little earlier but I would be shocked.
The Cards will have 5 starters under contract when Waino’s options are picked up. Lohse and Westbrook have full no trade clauses.
As much as I would love to have Jackson for a full season that will never happen. He will easily be able to get offers of 2-4 years for 10+ AVV. No way the Cards offer that long of a contract with their RH starting depth in the system and the 5 guys already under contract
really?
azdsnd
Edwin Jackson is still in his 20’s. He gets a lot longer contract than 2-4 years. Think A.J. Burnett’s deal…
notsureifsrs
don’t want buehrle? he’s likely to cost less
although jackson will probably sign for a million a year if someone promises him a full no-trade clause
Knuffy
There are a few pitchers that want to join St. Louis. I think Oswalt wanted to be in St. Louis in the past as well. One thing is because they will watch Wanwright next year, he might close games, and get ready to start in 2013. Waino close games before and his stuff will make the game 8 innings.
Sean
I would much rather have a 20 game winner throwing every fifth day than a closer with 40+ saves
azdsnd
I hate to tell you this, but you still have Westbrook signed through 2012 for $8.5MM.
shysox
When I said the Westbrook extension was a bad deal all cardinals fans laughed at me
azdsnd
It’s not that bad of a deal. At least you know what you’re going to get with Westbrook – that’s more than you can say for some deals that have been signed in recent years. Like the Lohse contract….
cardsfan1988
I would love for the Cardinals to have a spot for Jackson. It would require them to get rid of either Lohse or Westbrook since both have a relatively high contract. I think they should shop Westbrook and see what they can get in return and bring back Jackson. Jackson has been solid and will be a good 4th starter. It can only help in the negotiations if Jackson wants to come back.
notsureifsrs
you’d have to pay to get rid of westbrook
Sean
the majority of his contract too and I doubt he would wave his no trade clause anyways.
Neither are going to be moved so Cards fans should focus on getting excited for the return of arguably their most talented player. The team looks a lot different when Carpenter, Lose, and Garcia become complementary pieces and anything positive that Westbrook can bring is the icing. And despite his major troubles with command this season, I see Westbrook bouncing back in a big way next year if the Cards are able to upgrade their middle infield defense
azdsnd
I think your standards for what a good #4 starter is are way too high. Dude is a #3 bordering on a #2 with a two-pitch combo that belongs to a #1. Given that he’s still in his 20’s and hitting free agency, I think he’ll make a boatload of money.
cardsfan1988
Yeah, he could be a good #2 for another team, but for the Cardinals, he would be the #4 starter with a rotation of Waino, Carp, and Garcia…Not saying he has #4 starter stuff, just saying for the Cards that is what he would be.
azdsnd
I see what you mean. Still, where he’s slot for STL is irrelevant to his free-market value, so they’ll have to pay up.
shysox
I have mixed feelings about Buehrle returning to the White Sox. I think it would be a good opportunity for him to sign with the Cardinals and have a much bigger chance at winning another ring. Overall, I think he should sign with the cardinals. I’m sure they can move Lohse for a middle infielder while non-tendering both theriot and schumaker. Westbrook will probably get them something so they have some money to spend. Wainwright, Carpenter, Buehrle, Garcia, and Miller.
Pros (for signing with the cardinals):
-durable
-consistent
-averages 4 WAR over every full season of his career
-low walk rate (BB/9)
-teriffic fielder
-good hitter (sample size)
-Has pitched in the AL his whole career so hitters know him very well, no pitcher has as many interleague victories as Buehrle, who is 10-0 with a 1.79 ERA in his last 13 interleague starts and 24-6 with a 3.34 ERA in 38 career starts, as a result, will likely pitch better in the NL
-would probably love to pitch in st. louis
-he pitched in us cellular field for half his starts and i believe busch stadium is a pitchers park
Cons:
strikes out very few hitters
about 4 career ERA
about 4 career xFIP
will cost 10-15 million + incentives
allows more hits then innings pitched
vtadave
Long post, but Lohse and Westbrook are pretty much close to $21 million in dead weight. Non-tendering the riot and Shoe saves $6 million, but raises to Wainright, Garcia, and Berkman eat up about $9 million. Then of course you have a middle infield to buy…
PieceOfKnese
Yea, the 14-8 record, 3.39 era, and 1.16 whip in 188.1 ip are really dragging us down…
12-9, 4.48 era really isn’t too shabby for a 4th/5th starter either (though the 1.51 whip is an eyesore). Sure they’re making more than they’re worth but they’re hardly “dead weight”.
mets1983
I am so happy that Strawberry finally came out and spoke on him leaving the NY Mets for the LA Dodgers because as a die hard fan it broke my heart, as mets fans we took many many many X 1000 big blows and this is on the top of the list and I know he didnt last long with the dodgers due to the drug issues but after reading Straws Bio ( Which was a Phenominal Read ) going to LA was the worst thing for him. It put him in his hometown where he can get any drug at any time and all his junkie friends were from. Now im not staying if he stayed in NY this wouldnt happen but hey you just never know. We need and hope jose stays aboard…
Infield Fly
Well you know, even though things may look disheartening (re: José) ya never know. Besides…having hope is part of being a fan. 🙂
Nice sentiments re: Straw’!
vinny_b
yes. Because you can’t get any type of drug in New York City.
sorry, man. Didn’t mean any offense. Had to say it