NL Central thread

[jwolt92]

And according to MLB Traderumors, the Cardinals won their arbitration hearing with Ryan Helsey -- $2.15MM as opposed to the $3MM he wanted.

This whole squabbling over a difference of 850K. I'd like to see a chart of how teams fare who just eat that extra 800K vs. those who don't and how they fare in long term deals with those same players. Sure some of them are just bench players who you need for backup ABs but for guys like Burnes and potentially Helsley, stupid to argue over something that would cost less than one day of beer sales

 

[catman]

This whole squabbling over a difference of 850K. I'd like to see a chart of how teams fare who just eat that extra 800K vs. those who don't and how they fare in long term deals with those same players. Sure some of them are just bench players who you need for backup ABs but for guys like Burnes and potentially Helsley, stupid to argue over something that would cost less than one day of beer sales

Agreed. Why promote animousity between your team and a very important player?
A few years ago, the Twins went through arbitration with Kyle Gibson and won their case. He never pitched particuarly well for them again. He is not in the same category as Helsley or Burnes, but the situations are similar.
As I said, a good way to sooth the problem here is to offer the players a reasonable long-term contract, say 4-5 years with a decent AAV and easily reachable incentives.

 

[navamind]

Jordan Walker and Alec Burleson cracked the Cardinals Opening Day roster. Cardinals have two other top 100 prospects (Winn and Hence) from that 2020 draft (which was only 5 rounds), and Winn could make his debut later this season. Their player development is incredible.

 

[Fish]

Jordan Walker and Alec Burleson cracked the Cardinals Opening Day roster. Cardinals have two other top 100 prospects (Winn and Hence) from that 2020 draft (which was only 5 rounds), and Winn could make his debut later this season. Their player development is incredible.

I hope they can find a way to dump DeJong and add Winn. Winn and Edman up the middle would be glorious. Donovan can spell them and also outfield and get plenty of playing time.

 

[navamind]

I hope they can find a way to dump DeJong and add Winn. Winn and Edman up the middle would be glorious. Donovan can spell them and also outfield and get plenty of playing time.

I just can't believe how much DeJong's bat has regressed. But yeah, it's time to move on from him as a starting player. You also have Gorman, though he needs to cut down on the whiffs. Brendan Donovan reminds me of Zobrist, albeit without the power (can play all over the diamond well and give you a high OBP). Some impressive depth.

I don't love the pitching, but it feels like the Cardinals almost always find a way to put together a solid staff. Cardinals do have a plethora of excellent defensive players, so that should help again.

 

[navamind]

Pirates lose Cruz for 10-12 weeks with an ankle injury. Huge bummer.

 

[Fish]

Jordan Walker seems to be the real deal so far, glad he made the team.

 

[navamind]

Reds extend Hunter Greene for 6 years, $53M

CINCINNATI -- The Reds took the first step in locking up a big part of their core of young talent by reaching a long-term deal with starting pitcher Hunter Greene. Greene and Cincinnati agreed to terms on a six-year, $53 million contract extension that includes a $21 million club option

www.mlb.com

 

[YourFriendGannon]

Reds extend Hunter Greene for 6 years, $53M

CINCINNATI -- The Reds took the first step in locking up a big part of their core of young talent by reaching a long-term deal with starting pitcher Hunter Greene. Greene and Cincinnati agreed to terms on a six-year, $53 million contract extension that includes a $21 million club option

www.mlb.com

They’re trying to extend Nick Lodolo too. If one of those two turns into an ace they will have avoided the strain that we see now between Burnes and the Brewers over the arbitration process. It seems more likely the returns on both extensions would flop than both being successful though.

 

[navamind]

Pirates lost yesterday 7-2, but still find themselves 20-9 with a +48 run differential. Some of their notable contributors:
Bryan Reynolds: .320/.353/.573, 149 OPS+
Jack Suwinski: .279/.393/.618, 173 OPS+
Connor Joe: .288/.387/.575, 160 OPS+
Rodolfo Castro: .286/.385/.468, 133 OPS+
Andrew McCutchen: .256/.352/.478, 126 OPS+ (currently his best OPS+ since 2015)

They'd need to go 61-72 to reach 81-81.

 

[navamind]

Hitting .264/.343/.449 (114 wRC+) as a team. It's not like they're riding a high BABIP, they're 11th as a team. They have the 5th best BB% and 6th best K% to go along with the 6th best ISO.

 

[catman]

Jordan Walker seems to be the real deal so far, glad he made the team.

And now they have sent him back to AAA. Not really sure what management is up to in St. Louis. Calling Tyler O'Neill out for "not hustling" when he hustles all the time and this?

 

[navamind]

And now they have sent him back to AAA. Not really sure what management is up to in St. Louis. Calling Tyler O'Neill out for "not hustling" when he hustles all the time and this?

I mean, Walker was struggling before they sent him down (.214/.267/.238 with 14 K's in 45 PA). Besides, they have an outfield logjam (O'Neill/Donovan/Carlson/Nootbaar/Burleson). Frankly I don't think they should have had him on the Opening Day roster to begin with. He hit well in AA (128 wRC+) but I don't think that merits skipping a level, especially for a 20-year-old. That's not to say I'm skeptical about Walker as a major leaguer, I think he's going to be a stud... I just think they're rushing him when they really don't need to. I doubt he'll stay in AAA for too long anyway.

 

[navamind]

Cody Bellinger might be back. Currently sitting at .295/.373/.589 and a 155 wRC+. His .292 BABIP is well up from 2020-22, but in line with 2017-19. His K% sits at 16.4%, which would be tied with 2019 for the best of his career. He is outperforming some of his statcast metrics of course (xBA, xwOBA, xSLG) but they're still more in line with his pre-2021 production. Hope he keeps it up, he's a fun player. Would be huge for the Cubs too if they wish to contend for a playoff spot.

 

[navamind]

Elly De La Cruz off to a great start in AAA... .281/.374/.588 in 131 PA at AAA. Could see him up this year. The K's are still high though (28.2%)

 

[LambeauLegs]

WTF

Pittsburgh Pirates bus driver arrested for DUI​

Pittsburgh Pirates bus driver arrested for DUI

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- We've just learned the Pittsburgh Pirates' journey to Milwaukee was not an easy one.The man driving the team from Chicago to Milwaukee was arrested.That is according to a report out

www.cbs58.com

 

[catman]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!
Things like this should never happen.

 

[Fish]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!
Things like this should never happen.

Well, it was Chicago.

 

[navamind]

Reds 0.5 out of first.

 

[navamind]

WTF

Pittsburgh Pirates bus driver arrested for DUI​

Pittsburgh Pirates bus driver arrested for DUI

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- We've just learned the Pittsburgh Pirates' journey to Milwaukee was not an easy one.The man driving the team from Chicago to Milwaukee was arrested.That is according to a report out

www.cbs58.com

Was it Bob Huggins?