Here's a look at some items out of the Central divisions..
- Cubs General Manager Jed Hoyer has just $40MM committed to four players for 2013 and says that the rotation will be a priority for the club this winter, writes Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times. “We certainly have to be aggressive with starting pitching over the course of the winter," said Hoyer. Last night, Hoyer indicated that the Cubs are prepared to be active on the open market this winter.
- A number of candidates have already emerged for the Indians job but Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com opines that newly-minted interim manager Sandy Alomar Jr. is the right hire. Terry Francona, who has also been linked to the gig, appears to be a longshot as Cleveland may not have the money to give him an attractive offer.
- Randy Harvey of the Houston Chronicle writes that Bo Porter won the Astros' job thanks in large part to his high-level of intensity, something that Brad Mills was not known for.
The Indians have like 10 million dollars committed past this year…can’t afford Francona…or just don’t want to pay him?
That 10 mil is before arbitration with Perez, Masterson and Choo assuming they will all be back to start the season. Plus I think there are a few more up for arbitration, and they still owe Manny for another year on his contract. If they were to hire Francona he would cost4+ mill a yearif he wanted to come work for this train wreck, Sandy would be a much cheaper alternative giving them more to spend on players which Antonetti will probably waste
Well if Francona wants to go somewhere where he can win immediately, that’s not Cleveland. The Indians do need to spend money – just not sure spending it on a manager is the right way to spend it.
I I think a high level of intensity may be a bad sign for a manager expected to lose 100 games. I remember when Terry Collins won the Astros job, he was let go after three years because he had stressed out many of the star players. When the laid-back Larry Dierker took over in 1997, the Astros won four of five division titles.
I don’t see how the Cubs could trade for a young, high-upside rotation arm without getting rid of a lot of talent. Could they turn to the FA market? Anibal Sanchez would look great in pinstripes