Chicago White Sox Hire Tony La Russa

The Chicago White Sox have hired Tony La Russa as their new manager. La Russa, 76, replaces Rick Renteria was the White Sox manager. Renteria was fired on October 12, 2020 after 4 seasons (2017-2020). Renteria's White Sox made the playoffs for their first time since 2008, but lost to the Oakland Athletics in 3 games in the Wild Card round.  

La Russa, last managed the St. Louis Cardinals 2011. Under La Russa that season, the Cardinals won their 11th World Series title after defeating the Texas Rangers in 7 games. La Russa retired as manager three days after the World Series. Since retiring at manager, La Russa has word in the front office for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox, and most recently the Los Angeles Angels. 

Before managing the Cardinals in 1996, La Russa managed the Oakland Athletics for 10 seasons (1986-1995). Who did La Russa manage before the Athletics, and the Cardinals? La Russa managed the White Sox for 8 seasons (1979-1986). Under La Russa, the White Sox didn't have much success. The White Sox only had 3 winning seasons, making the playoffs in only one of them (1983). La Russa's 83 White Sox lost in 4 games to the Baltimore Orioles in the ALCS. The White Sox fired Tony La Russa on June 19, 1986 after a 26-38 start. White Sox Owner Jerry Reinsdorf signed off on La Russa being fired. Over the years, La Russa and Reinsdorf have remained great friends. Reinsdorf has always said that he regrets signing off on La Russa being fired. 

La Russa would go onto the find success with the Athletics, and the Cardinals. La Russa led the Athletics to 3 World Series appearances (1988, 1989, 1990). The Athletics won the World Series in 1989 by sweeping the San Francisco Giants in 4 games. With the Cardinals, La Russ led them to 3 World Series appearances (2004, 2006, 2011). The Cardinals won the World Series in 2006, and 2011. 

Overall, La Russa has managed 33 seasons in the MLB. La Russa has managed 5,097 games with a record of 2,728 wins, 2,365 losses, 4 ties, and a .536 winning percentage. In the playoffs, La Russa is 70-58 with a .547 winning percentage. La Russa has won the World Series 3 times: 1989, 2006, and 2011. La Russa has won Manager of the Year 4 times: 1983, 1988, 1992, and 2002. 

La Russa currently ranks 3rd all-time in wins as a manager. The only two managers who have more wins than La Russa are: Connie Mack 3,731, and John McGraw 2,763. La Russa needs just 36 wins to move into 2nd place in all-time wins for managers. That would be an amazing milestone to see happen. Something fans should keep in mind too.

La Russa will be the first manager ever to return to managing after being elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame. There's people who think that La Russa is too old to manage. But, do people recall Jack McKeon? McKeon, was 72 in 2003. He ended up taking over the Florida Marlins (now known as Miami Marlins), who were 16-22. After McKeon took over, the Marlins went 75-49 and ending up winning the World Series in 6 games over the New York Yankees. McKeon hadn't hadn't even managed a MLB game since 2000, when he was the Cincinnati Reds manager. La Russa might be able to do well this time around with the White Sox. 

The Cardinals will travel to Chicago in May 2021 to play the White Sox. The Cardinals will be there May 24-26. Could there be former Cardinals joining La Russa with the White Sox? It also will be interesting to see who La Russa puts on his coaching staff in 2021. La Russa will be the oldest manager in the MLB.

St. Louis Blues Sign Torey Krug

 

The St. Louis Blues went into free agency knowing they could lose their captain and defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, It sounds like that will happen, a lot because he's wanting too much. To replace Pietrangelo, the Blues went and signed another top defenseman on the free agent market Torey Krug. Krug, 29, signed a seven-year contract worth $45.5 million. Krug signed as an undrafted free agent on March 12, 2012 with the Boston Bruins. Krug made his NHL debut on April 3, 2012 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. 

In 2013-2014, Krug finally got a full chance to play in the NHL. That was after sending 2012-2013 in the minors to develop his game and then impressing the Bruins in 15 playoff games in the NHL. During the playoffs, Krug became the first Bruins defenseman to score in his playoff debut since Glen Wesley in 1988. Krug became to fourth Bruins player in franchise history to score goals in this first two playoff games. He became the first rookie defenseman in NHL history to score 4 goals in his first five playoff games. 

In his first full-season, Krug played 79 games with 14 goals, 26 assists, 40 points, and a plus 18. Krug was named to the NHL's All Rookie Team. Krug was the top scoring defenseman in the league. For rookies, Krug was 4th in goals. 

Krug's best season came in 2017-2018. That season Krug played 76 games with 14 goals, 45 assists, and 59 points. The goals, and points are career highs for Krug. The next season Krug had 47 assists. 

Last season, Krug played 61 games with 9 goals, 40 assists, 49 points, and a -4. If Covid-19 didn't shut everything down, Krug would have had his 4th straight season with 50 points. 

Overall, Krug has played 9 seasons in the NHL. Krug has played 523 games with 67 goals, 270 assists, 337 points, and a plus 23. In the playoffs, Krug has played 75 games with 11 goals, 41 assists, 52 points, and a -4.

Krug is a great pickup for the Blues. He can help quaterback a powerplay. Yes, it can hurt losing Alex Pietrangelo but Krug is good too. Some people even say Krug is better. Who will the Blues next captain be? I can see Ryan O'Reilly or Colton Parayko being the next captain for the Blues.

St. Louis Blues re-sign Jacob de la Rose

 

The St. Louis Blues have re-signed left wing Jacob de la Rose to a one-year contract, worth $700,000. De la Rose, 25, was acquired by the Blues on November 6, 2019 from the Detroit Red Wings for left wing/center Robby Fabbri. De la Rose, would end up playing in 34 games for the Blues. De la Rose had 1 goal with 4 assists, 5 points, and a -1. Combined between the Red Wings and Blues, de la Rose played in 50 games with 2 goals, 7 assists, 9 points, and a plus 2. 

De la Rose played in 5 of the Blues playoff games. De la Rose had 88 hits, which were 5th best on the team (120 total combined between the Red Wings and Blues). The hits were de la Rose's 2nd most in his career. De la Rose's most hits were 127 in the 2017-2018 season with the Montreal Canadiens. 

Overall, de la Rose has played 6 NHL season. De la Rose has played 229 games with 13 goals, 24 assists, 37 points, and a -27. In the playoffs, de la Rose has played 17 games and is a -1. 

De la Rose might not show up much on the scoring side of things, but he plays solid hockey. He doesn't make many mistakes. He showed that he can play Craig Berube style hockey. 

St. Louis Blues trade Allen to Canadiens

 

The St. Louis Blues have traded goalie Jake Allen, and a 2022 7th round draft pick to the Montreal Canadiens for a 2020 3rd round pick (via Washington Capitals), and 2020 7th round pick (via Chicago Blackhawks). Allen, 30, went 12-6-3 last season with 2 shutouts, a .927 saver percentage, and a 2.15 goals against average. The season before, (2018-2019), Allen ended up losing his job as the Blues starting goalie to rookie Jordan Binnington. Allen took it as a professional and didn't complain. The Blues ended up winning their first ever Stanley Cup in franchise history over the Boston Bruins. 

Allen's best season as a starter for the Blues came in 2016-2017. In that season, Allen played a career high 61 games, 60 starts with a record of 33-20-5 with 4 shutouts, a .915 save percentage, and a 2.42 goals against average. Allen's most shutouts in a season were 6 in 2015-2016. 

Allen leaves the Blues with 289 games played (2nd most for goalies in franchise history), 148 career wins (2nd), 21 shutouts (2nd), and 4 assists (5th). 

Overall, Allen has played 7 NHL seasons. Allen has a has played 289 games, 271 starts with a record of 148-94-26 with 21 shutouts, a .913 save percentage, and a 2.50 goals against average. In the playoffs, Allen has played 29 games, 23 starts with a record of 11-12 with a .924 save percentage, and a 2.06 goals against average. 

With Allen being trade the Blues get rid of $4.35 million in cap space. The Blues main focus this offseason is to re-sign captain Alex Pietrangelo. So it makes since for the Blues to clear cap space. The Blues backup goalie next season will probably be Ville Husso. I can see the Blues bringing someone into camp who has NHL experience to battle with Husso. 

St. Louis Blues Sign Mackenzie MacEachern to Two-Year Contract Extension

The St. Louis Blues have signed left wing Mackenzie MacEachern to a two-year contract extension worth $1.8 million. MacEachern, 26, is currently in his 2nd NHL season. MacEachern has been a solid 4th line player since coming into the NHL with the Blues. The Blues drafted MacEachern in the third round of the 2012  NHL Draft, (67th overall). Last season, MacEachern finally reached the NHL and helped the Blues win their first ever Stanley Cup. This season, MacEachern has played 51 games with 7 goals, 3 assists, 10 points, and a plus 2. The games, goals, assists, and points are career highs for MacEachern.

Overall, MacEachern has played 80 games with 10 goals, 5 assists, 15 points, and a plus 2. 

MacEachern is the third Blues player to sign a contract extension with this week with the team. The Blues are doing a good job at keeping their core players around. Soon they will need to see if they can keep caption Alex Pietrangelo and Vince Dunn.

St. Louis Blues Sign Marco Scandella to a Four-Year Extension

The St. Louis Blues have signed defenseman Marco Scandella to a four-year contract extension worth $13.1 million. Scandella, 30, was acquired by the Blues in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens on February 18, 2020. The Blues sent a 2020 second-round pick in the NHL Draft and a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. After the trade, Scandella has seemed to be a good luck charm for the team. The Blues had been in a bit of a losing streak, losing 5 games in a row. The Blues won that night ending their 5 game losing streak. With Scandella in the Blues lineup, they are 9-2. Overall, counting the day of the trade the Blues are 10-2 with Scandella.

Scandella, has filled in well for defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, who was placed on the long-term injured list. In 11 games, Scandella has 0 goals, 1 assist, 1 point, and a plus 4. Overall, combined on the 2019-2020 season; Scandella has played 62 games with 4 goals, 9 assists, 13 points, and a plus 14.

In his career, Scandella has played 580 games with 42 goals, 95 assists, 137 points, and a -24. In the playoffs, Scandella has played 39 games with 6 goals, 3 assists, 9 points, and a -1.

The Blues did a good job keeping Scandella.

St. Louis Blues Sign Sammy Blais to Two-Year Extension

The St. Louis Blues have signed left wing Sammy Blais to a two-year contract extension worth $3 million. Blais, 23, is currently in his 3rd season in the NHL. Blais has played a career high 40 games with 6 goals, 7 assists, 13 points, and a -2. The goals, assists, and points are career highs for Blais. Last season, Blais helped the Blues win their first ever Stanley Cup. Blais scored his first NHL playoff goal in game 6 of the second round against the Dallas Stars on May 5, 2019.

Overall, Blais has played 83 games in 9 goals, 11 assists, 20 points, and a -2. In the playoffs, Blais has played 15 games with 1 goals, 2 assists, 3 points, and a plus 3.

It's good to see the Blues keeping Blais. Even though he's been injured at times, he's shown he can be good. Hopefully Blais is able to have a healthy season soon.