UPDATED: Mike Matheny approved Cards’ choice to draft his son

By Jun 6, 2012, 7:20 PM EDT
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Last week Mike Matheny said he thought it would be a bad idea for the Cardinals to draft his son, high school center fielder Tate Matheny, because “it would be too tough” and he didn’t want to ruin the good relationship they have.

Matheny specifically cited the example of longtime Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan and his son Chris Duncan, who was St. Louis’ first-round pick in 1999. Chris Duncan played parts of five seasons for the Cardinals and didn’t seem to have any big problems working with his dad, but Matheny explained: “I know that it was awkward. He was a good player. He handled it well, but it made it tougher.”

Today the Cardinals drafted Tate Matheny anyway, using their 23rd-round pick on the manager’s son. It might end up being a moot point, as Matheny is committed to Missouri State and most reports have him playing college ball unless offered a big bonus to sign.

Either way, it’s interesting that Mike Matheny’s public stance changed or the Cardinals’ front office simply chose to ignore his wishes.

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Update: Matheny ended up going along with the idea, tweets FOXSportsMidwest.com’s B.J. Rains:

source:

Orioles sign OF Aaron Hicks, put Cedric Mullins on 10-day IL with groin strain

Associated PressMay 31, 2023, 11:07 AM EDT
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
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BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Orioles signed outfielder Aaron Hicks less than 24 hours after Cedric Mullins went down with a strained right groin.

Mullins went on the 10-day injured list, but the Orioles are hoping Hicks can help defensively in the spacious outfield at Camden Yards. Hicks was released last week by the New York Yankees with more than 2 1/2 seasons left on his contract.

“We had noticed that he was a free agent even before the injury,” Orioles general manager Mike Elias said. “When the injury occurred and it became pretty clear this was going to be an IL, it seemed like a good fit even more so at that time.”

The Orioles are responsible for paying Hicks just $483,871, a prorated share of the $720,000 minimum salary. The Yankees owe him the rest of his $10.5 million salary this year, plus $9.5 million in each of the next two seasons and a $1 million buyout of a 2026 team option.

The 33-year-old Hicks hit just .188 in 28 games for the Yankees this year.

“We have stuff that we look at from a scouting and evaluation perspective,” Elias said. “It’s very different from just looking at the back of a baseball card, and we hope that we get a bounceback from anyone we bring here.”

Hicks batted .216 last season.

“Hopefully that’s a good thing for him,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said of the Baltimore deal. “A lot of time here and a lot of good things happened for him here. I know the last couple of years have been a struggle. But hopefully it’s a good opportunity for him and certainly wish him well. Not too well being in our division and a team we’re chasing, but hopefully it’s a really good fit for him.”

Mullins left a loss to Cleveland after he pulled up while running out an infield grounder. Outfielder Colton Cowser – the fifth pick in the draft two years ago – is hitting .331 at Triple-A Norfolk, but he went on the IL in the past couple weeks.

“Certainly he was building a case towards promotion consideration prior to his injury and prior to Cedric’s injury,” Elias said. “We’ll just see where we’re at.”

Hicks was active for the game but not in the starting lineup. Austin Hays, normally Baltimore’s left field, was in Mullins’ usual spot in center.

When the wall in left at Camden Yards was pushed significantly back before last season, it made left field a bigger challenge defensively.

“In this park … you really need two center fielders,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “Aaron’s got a lot of center-field experience. Played left field here before also. Brings the defensive aspect and then the switch-hitting.”