Wandy Rodriguez is unlikely to be traded, again, says Stephen Goff. The Houston Astros have never been able to get over that contract hump, which makes him hard to move.
In other NL Central notes, Buster Olney suggests a look at Cardinals' Tyler Greene and Viva El Birdos takes a look at Yadier Molina's impending free agency:
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LHP Wandy Rodriguez likely to stay put with Astros over course of 2012 season - Stephen Goff | Examiner.com
"The 32-year-old Rodriguez posted an 11-11 record with a 3.49 ERA over 191 innings in 30 starts for the Astros last season. He's been the subject of trade rumors this offseason. However, the Astros have never gotten close to working out a deal with other clubs, especially since the organization never demonstrated a willingness to absorb any of the $25.5 million left on his contract." -
Cardinals' Greene an Intriguing Player - Buster Olney | ESPN (Insider)
One of the more intriguing players in spring training will be the Cardinals' Tyler Greene, who is getting a strong opportunity from St. Louis to be the team's every-day second baseman. "He's a five-tool player," Cardinals GM John Mozeliak said on the phone the other day. "It's a matter of having success at the big league level. He has everything -- speed, power, range."
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Yadier Molina's free agency and the St. Louis Cardinals' extension jitters - Viva El Birdos
Right now Molina couldn't look much better than he does: He's coming off an OPS+ of 126 and a career-high 14 home runs, he's played at least 130 games three years in a row, and he's just 29 years old. He's widely regarded as the best defensive catcher in baseball, and as difficult as that is to quantify he also just had the 31st-best offensive season of any catcher since 2000. Which probably isn't going into his Scott Boras-style notebook, but is impressive nevertheless. -
Thursday's Frosty Mug - Brew Crew Ball
This could be a story to watch over the next few days: Doug Melvin told MLB Network Radio that he's had discussions with Zack Greinke about possibly working out a long term deal to remain in Milwaukee. Greinke is currently serving as his own agent, so if there's a deal to be made it'd probably need to be done before he reports to spring training. -
Reds Notes: Roy Oswalt, Brandon Phillips, Walt Jocketty - MLB Daily Dish
Recent rumors surrounding the Reds interest are just drummed up nonsense by "the media," according to Walt Jocketty (via John Fay). -
Houston Astros Sign Justin Ruggiano - MLB Daily Dish
The Houston Astros have announced that they signed outfielder Justin Ruggiano earlier today. Ruggiano has spent his entire career in the Tampa Bay Rays organization, and he became a free agent last week after the Rays designated him for assignment. -
Cardinals Sign Alex Cora to Minor League Deal - MLB Daily Dish
The St. Louis Cardinals have signed infielder Alex Cora to a minor league deal, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Jesse Sanchez of mlb.com reported the two sides were close on Saturday. -
Pirates Rebuffed on Roy Oswalt - MLB Daily Dish
Rob Biertempfel from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported earlier this morning that the Pittsburgh Pirates have been very interested in free agent right handed pitcher Roy Oswalt and were willing to get into the bidding war. However, Roy Oswalt and his group "rebuffed" the Pirates. -
MLB Complete Organizational Charts: NL Central - MLB Daily Dish
MLB Depth Charts + Contracts + Prospects = MLB Complete Organizational Charts!