LaRussa and rumors

From Buster Olney's blog on espn.com:



• Tony La Russa has been manager of the Cardinals for 12 years, and St. Louis chairman Bill DeWitt noted over the phone Tuesday that his contracts have been neat and consistent -- three-year deals, four of them. "Every time his contract has been in its last year, I've asked him -- how about a renewal?" DeWitt said. "And every time, he's said, 'You know, I'm going to wait until the end of the season. I think he just doesn't like doing a deal in advance. ... I'd like to do a deal with him now."
But DeWitt understands, and says he will talk to La Russa at season's end, again. "If he says he's fired up to come back, we'll negotiate an extension," said DeWitt. "This is a Hall of Fame manager. His record speaks for itself. ... He's been extremely important. His biggest asset is getting players to play as hard as they can. He's got this motto that you play nine innings every night, and good things happen."



I have a feeling, maybe it's more than a feeling, that the Reds will try to make a run at LaRussa after the season. What makes all this really intriguing is the relationship DeWitt has with Bob Castellini and Joe and Tom Williams. Would DeWitt give LaRussa permission to talk with the Reds?



LaRussa would be expensive, and he'd bring his coaching staff, which is expensive, too.



Olney's also got a Braves-Bronson Arroyo rumor posted. Chip Caray asked me last night if the Reds were going to trade Arroyo. I think they're listening. If the Braves are offering Jarrod Saltamacchia, they could go from talking to trading quickly.