Veteran sportswriter Tom Haudricourt announced his retirement yesterday, as the longtime Brewers beat writer for The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel will be officially stepping away within the next month or two. Haudricourt has been with the Journal Sentinel for the last 36 years, following an eight-year stint with The Richmond Times Dispatch that launched his baseball career when Haudricourt covered the Braves’ former Richmond-based Triple-A affiliate.
Both Milwaukee fans and MLBTR’s readers have become very familiar with Haudricourt over the years, as he has broken countless transactions and news items related to the Brewers and the greater baseball world as a whole. In addition to his work on the beat, Haudricourt has also authored several books on the Brewers, and regularly contributed to Baseball America’s coverage of Milwaukee’s farm system. We at MLB Trade Rumors wish Haudricourt all the best in his retirement, and congratulate him on a terrific career.
More from the NL Central…
- The Pirates lost a member of their coaching staff earlier this week, as Glenn Sherlock is set to become the Mets’ new bench coach. Speaking about Sherlock’s departure with The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s Kevin Gorman and other reporters, Pirates GM Ben Cherington said that the team probably won’t “replace Sherls in a formal kind of way.” Sherlock didn’t have a formal title on Pittsburgh’s staff, though his primary duties involved working with the team’s catchers. Cherington noted that some of the Bucs’ other coaches with catching experience (such as Mike Rabelo, Radley Haddad, and bullpen catcher Jordan Comadena) can help fill the void left by Sherlock’s departure, and “there may be an opportunity to grow some people’s roles in that area.”
- Jack Flaherty is scheduled for free agency following the 2023 season, but even with the Cardinals’ team control winding down, Ben Frederickson of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch figures the club will wait until next spring to really delve into extension talks. After a big 2019 season, Flaherty ran into some struggles in the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, and then tossed only 78 1/3 innings last year due to oblique and shoulder injuries. Since any Cards extension offer in the near future is likely to be tempered by this recent track record, Flaherty himself would probably prefer to re-establish his value with a healthy and productive 2022 season before committing to a longer-term deal. Flaherty is projected for a $5.1MM salary next year via arbitration, and even those shorter-term talks will be interesting considering Flaherty and the Cardinals went to a hearing (won by Flaherty) last spring.
Flaherty is going to be a free agent. No chance he signs an extension.
He might if he has another disappointing season. I could see him maybe going after guaranteed money if the Cardinals were to still offer it in that scenario. If he rebounds though I think you’re right. He’s one of those guys that wants to hit the free agent market and get the most money he possibly can if he’s back in too form.
But if he has another disappointing season, will the Cards even want him?
I like flaherty but I agree, he won’t sign here. The writing has been on the wall for a little while now. Best bet for everyone is flaherty bounces back and we trade him for a prospect haul before he hits FA.
If he’s pitching well, and the team is contending (which I expect), there is no reason to trade him. Give him the QO for ’24 (if there is one), and recoup the loss with draft compensation.
That’s why I wanted them to sign Stroman in addition to Matz to bolster the rotation on reasonable deals and allow the Cards to look into flipping him at the deadline if the rotation is looking solid in general. I’ve never really believed in him at the level of being an ace, but if he’s got an FIP in the 3s and looking good, you’d probably expect to get a couple top 100 prospects and a couple decent low level minors prospects or bullpen pieces. That’s worth doing even in a contending year.
Likely not to an extension, but they could still try to resign him in free agency. The question is whether they will be able to afford to bring him back while still paying their corner infield top dollar.
However, the Cardinals aren’t trading him while they’re still a contending team. That’s not how it works. Even if they have no plans to resign them, contending teams try to win it all with their upcoming free agents and then settle for the draft pick(s) if they lose them in free agency (like with Pujols in 2011).
Disagree. This has a JD Drew style trade written all over it.
You are correct Sir!
adios
I agree with the majority. IMO Flaherty will play 22 & 23 for the Cardinals. Even his mannerisms indicate he’s just waiting to hit Free Agency so he can get out of St. Louis. He wants to sign with a team that wants to win a World Championship.
As Long as John Mozeliak is in charge—- That won’t be the case this season or the next.
I’ll also go as far to say—- IF Mozeliak pulls his normal traits during the off-season and at the trading deadline —- by that I mean not signing an impact-proven-prime of his career MLB player—— I see Nolan Arenaldo opting out of his contract at the end of 2022.
L comment
Bucs should bring in Jason Kendall to work with the catchers… especially Henry Davis. They’d be wise to get him into the system any way they can given his previous work with Salvy and overall knowledge / know-how of the game.
I got two words for you: Manny Sanguillen.
Manny is 77 and a bit past his “sell by” date, don’t you think?
if nothing else, he’d bring the BBQ…
Ppl who haven’t been to a pirate game may not about his leather recliner and bbq
I still remember him sitting in the stands somewhere behind home plate in 3 Rivers after he retired for years. Always had the huge smile on his face being at the ball yard. Too bad he played when Johnny Bench played because he never got the recognition for how good of a catcher he was.
Any team would be smart to grab Jason Kendall if he is interested in coaching.
Jackie Flaherty can take his politics to the Dodgers-they’ll like him more there. Divisive little twit.
Lol someone is a snowflake
Though name calling aside. I think the cards will lose him due to them not showing him as much respect as most ace potential pitchers have.
The Cardinals have handled Flaherty with kid gloves the last couple of seasons. I assume by respect you mean salary. I’m actually glad the Cards didn’t get overzealous and start throwing money at him after that second half of ’19. If Jack takes that as disrespect, then he is welcome to go in search of the respect he feels he deserves. I love Pujols unconditionally, but he said some things about respect on his way out the door and I would be interested to know if he feels the same way now.
No by that I mean I’ve noticed in all my years the cardinals aren’t ready yet to pass the baton yet from waino to flaherty. Wainwright was never recognized for his pitching until carpenter was repeatedly hurt. It’s the reason why Lynn isn’t with them today because they’re more worried about legacy than results.
I love the cardinals, but they’re in the story writing business sometimes and that might just be due to how marketable that player is to the fans.
They’ll just keep trotting out a slow Molina as long as he can retire with one team.
I see your point though I don’t necessarily agree. I think their efforts to protect Flaherty from injury have undermined any baton passing. Some of that is organic as well.
Carpenter was such a force of personality that as long as he was with the team, he was going to be considered the lead dog.
In the case of Lynn, I think the team believed that a guy with basically one good pitch wouldn’t age well. Hindsight shows otherwise, but the though process was understandable.
As for Yadi, I guess you could make the argument that Carson Kelly would be a better option, but for the most part Yadi has rewarded their loyalty with solid play.
Who sells more jerseys? Molina or Kelly? Just sayin…
slow? Is he racing the freeze?
I was at the game where he messed up his oblique. Took a solid swing against Bauer (I think it was Bauer…) and then didn’t swing for the rest of the AB. He was gone and we were all confused as to why. Then Taylor had the dodger AB of the season smacking his first of two clutch hits of Alex Reyes.
Sad to see Haudricourt go, but I can’t blame him. Not everyone wants to work until they’re 80. Best wishes in retirement, Tom!
As a Brewers fan not that sad to see him go. Wish him well and he deserves it of course. I wish I remember the nickname Drew Olson has for him which sums up his personality.
Drew Olson’s nickname for TH was the prince of darkness.
Thank you, knew it had dark in it
Man, Haudricourt started with the Journal when I was in high school! Wish him the best.
Haudricout is getting out before he gets cancelled for all the bullspit he “writes” about. He is the man who yells at the clouds.
Wainwright is not going to last forever!
They better fix Hudson and sign him long term or else, Cards will be starving for SP before you know it!
1.Flaherty
2.Hudson
3.Oviedo
4.Genesis
5.Reyes
That could St. Louis Rotation
I guess you have Matz and Mikolos in long relief? Libertore had a good 2nd half at AAA as well.
Forgot the Cards signed Matz!
I said on paper, that could be a Cards Rotation.
they can cut oviedo adios and reyes has a real short leash
1.Flaherty
2.Hudson
3.Oviedo
4.Genesis
5.Reyes
That could be St. Louis Cardinals young rotation if they can lock up Flaherty and right the ship on the other 4.
Why would Hudson need to right the ship? He’s always been quite good while healthy.
Meanwhile, Liberatore and Woodford make more sense in that potential youth rotation than Oviedo, and Matz is signed long-term, anyway. Who’s Genesis? Do you mean Genesis Cabrera, the relief pitcher?
1.Edman 2B
2.Goldschmidt 1B
3.O’Neil RF
4.Arenado 3B
5.Carlson LF
6.Sosa SS
7.Molina C
8.DeJong DH
9.Bader CF
1.Wainwright
2.Flaherty
3.Mikolas
4.Hudson
5.Oviedo/Genesis/Liberatore
They could have used Randy Arozarena in CF if they would have traded him to Tampa for that Liberatore guy look who has done nothing for the Cards so far.
Randy is LF only and DH part of the time too. He’s apparently a butcher out there so far. He’s got speed and a solid throwing arm, but he’s got crap instincts I’m guessing. Cardinals sold a little low on him in hindsight, but all 3 of our OF were either better all around (O’Neill/Bader) or about as good with more upside (Carlson). Some of that is the difference in defense, but O’Neill was better offensively even and the other two had 110 WRC+ or higher. They’re better off with those 3 and Liberatore without a doubt overall.
If the DH comes to the NL, the Cardinals will likely sign a guy to play there at least part of the time.
Meanwhile, you’ve switched O’Neill’s and Carlson’s positions, forgotten about Matz in the rotation, plus Reyes and Woodford would be the next 2 guys up after that, at least until Liberatore is ready.
As for CF, we’re perfectly happy with Bader there.
no way sosa is 6th that dude is 9th
If DeJong can hit, he will play shortstop.
He’s not going to be a DH.
They will be trying to find a left handed hitter to take 80% of the DH AB’s.
Unfortunately—-As usual— the Cardinals front Office will strongly act like they are pursuing a proven-impact established MLB bat for theIR DH.
PLUS—- As usual—- in reality Mozeliak & the DeWitt’s are currently happy with the personnel they currently have!!!
The Cardinals Designated Hitter for 2022 —- is already in the Cardinals system!!!
And when Yepez completely tears up the league and wins ROY, will you finally give Mo credit?
Bader is just fine in CF. Almost identicle WAR in 150 fewer at bats. I don’t know why you have O’neal switching to RF when he won back to back gold gloves in left. And Gorman/Yepez are likely to platoon at DH after 40 games.
I think Yepez is the primary DH all year. Nolan needs most of a year at AAA to still refine his game. Yepez got that full year last year and obliterated the league without a remote platoon split problem. He’s already projected to have like a 120 WRC+ almost. Gorman can actually provide decent defensive value, so only place he would possibly platoon at early is at 2B, especially since Edman sucks against RHP. Yepez can stand at multiple positions, but he’s a negative defender at all but maybe 1B.
Ok, just wasn’t sure if O’Neil plays LF or RF. Switch them up then!
Waiting another year on Flaherty is smart. You don’t want another Carlos Martinez situation.
Although, to be fair, Martinez was excellent in the early years of his deal. Waiting another year wouldn’t have helped there.
Alex Reyes is starting to resemble Carlos Martinez right now. Talent he has!! Mentally—- if he has a bad inning—— he’s toast!!
I disagree with this comparison. CMart just kept sliding mentally, as in he started reacting worse and worse when thing went wrong.
I think Reyes has shown tremendous progress in his mentality and demeanor in tough situations.
The results don’t always show it yet, but I think he’s moving in the right direction.